Pink Roses

happy anniversary...

It's hard to believe that it has been one year since my daughter Elizabeth was married!  Yesterday she put her dress on again, and Paul wore a suit,  and we went to a quiet little park for an anniversary photo shoot...romantic picnic style!  I pulled the top layer of their wedding cake out of my freezer, where it has been for a year, and we had that on a crystal cake stand.  Piles of old quilts, and a few props from their actual wedding {the guest book, card suitcase, and lace wedding cake}, added to the mix.  I bought 3 bunches of different pink roses and wrapped them in burlap and then satin ribbon, and added a rhinestone pin and a tag I stamped with the word "one" for their first anniversary. 

Elizabeth and I still love looking at wedding ideas on Pinterest and wanted to try the scrabble tile and picture frame just for fun.

Elizabeth and I could play dress up and do photo shoots every day! 

At their wedding I used vintage floral china plates to mark the table numbers at the dinner.  Here she is holding the plate from table one.

I was so glad they agreed to do this...it was a gorgeous day, and we had a lot of fun!  Paul's sister did Elizabeth's hair and makeup and I think she did a great job!

I took hundreds of pictures and they all look great...I think an anniversary photo shoot would be a nice tradition!

Congratulations Paul and Elizabeth...i love you both so very much! xo mom

he did it!!!...

My son Christopher is graduating from college today, and I'm about to burst with pride.  It's hard to believe four years have gone by, but he's learned a lot, and he's had his share of fun too...ROLL TIDE!  His girlfriend Katie is graduating today as well, and after four years of the two of them dating, I love her like my own daughter.  We will be having a big cookout with both of our families after graduation...siblings, parents, grandparents...a real family celebration.  I won't get started on how I feel about this boy of mine.  You know.  HE knows.  In case you don't, you could read it HERE, or here, or Here.  Congratulations baby...you did it!

happy birthday cupcake...

 

From the time I was a little girl playing with my dolls, all I really really really ever wanted to be, was a mom. Happy Birthday to the girl who made all my dreams come true...25 years ago today.  You are more than I ever hoped for, and I LOVE being your mom!

{ and I love that you still clap when we sing Happy Birthday to you!}

brother/sister moment:2...

I call this photo "Surfin' USA", because that is what he was singing at the time.  It is one of my all time favorite photos of my kids because it captures the true spirit of each of them.  She is a bit reserved, cautious, poised.  She follows the rules and is full of grace.  Notice her feet in perfect ballet 3rd position.  He, on the other hand, is carefree and full of life.  He is charming, adventurous, and has been known to break the rules.  This photo was taken in April 1994, ages 4 and 7, matching Kelly's Kids outfits for Easter.  All I asked was for one photo.  She instantly assumed this pose and stood there while I tried to convince him to stand next to her.  I'm sure it involved begging, and possibly bribing.  He finally got in front of her and sang the Beach Boys "Surfin USA" and struck this pose.  I took what I could get! He was notorious for hamming it up...

On Saturday, before the wedding ceremony, while guests were arriving at the front door of the church, the photographers took Elizabeth and her bridesmaids into the side courtyard garden for photos.  We had been there for a while when Elizabeth said "I want my brother.  Can someone please go get him for me?"  Christopher was inside the church, because he was one of the groomsmen and was ushering people.  He came outside and she said she wanted pictures with just him.  They posed and looked beautiful together, she in her wedding gown, and he in a black tuxedo.  I stood watching my two, happy as could be.  Then she turned to him and said "Now let's do one for mom".  He knew just what to do.  She stood gracefully, holding her wedding bouquet, and he started singing "Surfin USA" and once again, struck this pose.  I jumped up and down and screamed!  I loved them for knowing it was my favorite!  It was a GREAT photo and the last one she took before walking down the aisle! In a strange twist of fate...the ONLY picture I took of my children (with my mom) the entire weekend was this one, taken at the Rehearsal Dinner...

Who is the clown now?  Go figure!

brother/sister moment:1...

{There were a few moments, this past weekend, that I want to remember forever.  Moments that are etched into my mind and heart, but I want to preserve in writing as well.  Moments that remind me that being a mother is the greatest job in the world.  Moments that remind me of how blessed I am. I am writing this for ME, but sharing it with you}

Saturday September 24, 2011 1:00am

Tonight was the rehearsal dinner, and the first true realization that Elizabeth is really getting married.  Friends and family from out of town were there and it was a lovely relaxed evening.  After we got home, we stayed up for a while, going over details for the next morning.  Time line of hair appointments, makeup, lunch, transportation, etc.  We had 7 people staying at the house, Elizabeth was sleeping with me, and all had gone to bed except us.  It was 1:00am. Elizabeth took a shower and washed her hair, and as the hairdresser had recommended, I was to put mousse in her hair and roll it in sponge rollers to give it extra body for her hairdo the next day.  She was out of the shower, wrapped in a towel, sitting on the bench in my bathroom at my dressing table.  I was standing behind her with a hairbrush in my hand, getting ready to start. Christopher walked in and asked what we were doing, and I explained.  He took the brush from me and with one hand he held her long wet tangled hair, and with the other, he started to slowly and gently brush her hair. NEVER, in 21 years, has he EVER brushed her hair. No words were spoken between the 3 of us, but our eyes were locked with each other in the mirror.  It was the kindest, sweetest, gesture of love I have ever witnessed between my two children.  It was completely unexpected. When he was done, he kissed us both goodnight and left the room.  She and I stared at each other in the mirror and began to cry.  "He brushed my hair" she whispered through her tears, "I love him so much".  "He loves you too" I managed to say.  "I know" she replied, "I know"...

married!...

 

My baby girl is married!  EVERYTHING was PERFECT on Saturday...the weather, the food, the flowers, the music...you name it, and it turned out just as we had hoped.  Elizabeth never stopped smiling all day, and night.  I've never seen her so beautiful, or happy!  She made EVERYTHING worthwhile.  I wasn't allowed to bring my camera to the wedding...(orders from my children-" just enjoy the day mom"), so these are from my Uncle.

She and Paul are just made for each other!

I will share details soon, once I have recovered! It was a fabulous wedding, surrounded by family and friends...so much love and laughter and happiness.  Every bit of planning and stress was worth it to see her so incredibly happy. It was the BEST weekend EVER...

this boy...

This boy doesn't want to be blogged about anymore, so I will try my best not to.  However...today is his 21st birthday and I just have to say...thanks for making my life perfect for the past 21 years.  Happy Birthday son...

my favorite people...

My parents arrived on Monday for a week long visit, and Christopher and Katie are coming home from college tonight for Fall Break.  For the next 4 days I'm going to have all my favorite people in my house {E is here too}!  I'm SO happy! I'll be back next week...

mcdreamy...

OK, he's not Patrick Dempsey, but he's MY McDreamy {and my baby} and he's home from college for the weekend.  We just went to his favorite little Mexican restaurant for lunch and he even let me take this picture.  My weekend is going to be close to perfect :)...hope yours is too!!

sally o'malley & me {we're 50!}...

I bought this old house number at the Nashville flea market back in April, in anticipation of today.  I took it with me to Texas last week and my friend Jodie took this picture for me.  Now I can finally quote Molly Shannon as Sally O'Malley and say "I'm 50!!"...one of my favorite skits from Saturday Night Live...