Pray for Stellan

Today I am joining MANY other bloggers around the GLOBE to pray for Stellan and the MckFamily. Won't you join me as well.
If you want to know more of what is going on, you can check out his mommy's blog www.mycharmingkids.net
or his mommy's tweets http://twitter.com/MckMama

Home is Where the Heart Is: Little Snafus

The morning of the wedding as a little chaotic, so I guess it is a good thing I woke up early. I got a phone call from my mom around 7:30 am. There had been a slight snafu with some of the linens from the rental company. They were the right color, but the wrong length. ARGH


In case you can't tell ... the ivory overlay is longer than the blue tablecloth. Yea, that is not how it had been planned. I made a call to the rental company, but those are the largest royal blue rounds they have. I had been given the wrong dimensions since day one when I reserved them. Not much we could do at this point. The overlays had been purchased, not rented so we couldn't just swap out for smaller ivory overlays. We also couldn't just take off the ivory, because the napkins were royal blue. It was a minor snafu and I didn't hear a complaint from a single guest, so I guess nobody noticed once they sat down. I was running on schedule (or so I though). I had to drop Mr. B off at my parent's house, since his car had broken down on Thursday. I took a minute to check in with my fabulous friends setting up the tables, then took off to go pick up MOH.


I am SO thankful for my girls that did all the set up while I was off getting pretty. It was over 100 degrees that day, and most of the set up happened when the yard was mostly sunny. I don't think it would have all got done ANY other way. Here are my girls checking out their hard work on the tables.


Mom got back from her hair appointment and got to work as well putting together our very blue "Family" table. It wasn't a sweetheart table because the kids sat with us, but it felt silly calling it a head table when it was only the 4 of us and in the center of all the other tables. Mom had rented 4 of the gold chivari chairs for us. I had painted a 'T' the royal blue color not knowing that the tablecloth was blue. I should have used the champange gold color instead. See those toasting glasses? Mom had bought us beautiful ones from Pier 1, but they broke in the bag from the store. She found these replacements at the Dollar Tree!


Then she started setting up the food tent.


Then the girls went and helped out:

The yard was looking pretty much like I envisioned by this point. The tables were set, the lanterns were up and if it wasn't for the sun & wind the girls job would have been done out here.


I was told at a much later date, that the custom labels on the water bottles caused a little bit of trouble. I guess glue and the hot sun don't mix very well. The labels kept falling off and they girls had to keep re-gluing them on the bottles.


They did a great job getting them all reattached, because I didn't see any falling off when I got back from getting my hair done.

(all pictures courtesy of my Aunt & Uncle)

Such a LONG day

Just popping on for a minute ... the two kids switched rooms. today. The houses is a mess, my back is sore and the work is only about half done. SIGH

Home is Where the Heart Is: We Rehearse (part 2)

Now that the photographer had arrived and my Dad had changed his clothes, it was time to get this show on the road. Mr. B was still not in the mood to rehearsal, but rehearse we did.

The DOC arranged us at the arch (I really should have worn my spanx - oh well)


I had forgot to bring my rehearsal bouquet from my shower, and used a single sunflower instead. I tried to cheer Miss G up by letting her hold it.


We practiced how to stand during the Sand ceremony, and Mr. B made sure he had the shade of blue he wanted.


Then we practiced the end of the ceremony and how we would be standing for when he pronounced us man & wife. Mr B and I seem to be really concentrating on something the Pastor is saying. Miss G is starting to wilt again and Little A is just in his own little world LOL


At this point the Pastor had given the "You may now kiss your bride" but Mr. B joked around and we shook hands instead.


Then the DOC had us walk out and get in place to walk in. Doing this part in reverse seemed to work really well. Everyone knew where they were supposed to be when the walked in. I would recommend it for anyone else not sure how to run their rehearsal.

Little A & Miss G walked out:


Mr. B & I walked out:


Once we all got to our starting positions the DOC had us start from the beginning. Because I had chosen to walk out by myself, my parent's walked out together:


Mr B took his place with the Pastor


Little A entered, with Miss G's pomader instead of his ring flower LOL


A tired Miss G entered empty handed


Then I made my entrance. I thought this moment would be awkward, but it really wasn't.


Our honored guests looked on as we rehearsed, anxious for food I am sure!



I have very few pictures of the rest of the evening. The kids got in to pool, Dad went into the kitchen to finish up our BBQ dinner (Ribs, baked beans, corn on the cob) and my DOC, MOH and I rushed to finish the seating labels for the water bottles. Looking back I REALLY wish that I had thrown out that project since it wasn't working, but I was determined LOL.

I do have a picture of my dad's cousin and Mr B taking a break in one of the seating areas!


Honestly, there was still so many little details to finish that my mind was swirling. The lights in the paper lanterns were flickering. I hadn't made my bouquet. I still hadn't picked up the Seating Chart sign from Staples. I also had not done laundry all week or packed a bag for myself and the kids for the wedding night. To top it off Mr. B's car had broke down and he was having to borrow vehicles and rely on others to help him get his last minute details done.

I had been making myself lists all week, but I kept forgetting to put things on the lists. I think that is one of the downfalls of being a DIY bride and having a DIY family. There just isn't anyone else to call to get the job done, so you have to get it done.

When I got home, my mind was still swirling and I had a hard time falling asleep. I think I played Bejewelled on Facebook until almost midnight!

Giveaway Time

not on my blog ... on Joy's wedding blog.

I would tell you all to go enter, but I REALLY want these LOL.

These brochures from UPrinting would make the perfect Christmas cards this year.

I want to find a way to have giveaways, I wonder how these other bloggers find sponsors? Anyone know?

Wordless Wednesday: Wedding Outtakes

(these are actual "Pro Photos" on my wedding disc ... don't ask me why)

Home is Where the Heart Is: We Rehearse (part 1)

Since this is the official beginning of the recaps, and not the prep work I decided on a new name for this series of posts. "Home is Where the Heart Is" seemed like a perfect fit with our wedding taking place at my parent's home. Don't you think?

I had been on the fence about needing to have a rehearsal. Mr. B was a firm "No" He didn't think there was anything we needed to practice. My Mom had been the original one to suggest a rehearsal, so she was in the "Yes" camp. The DOC made the final decision, we needed to have one. She didn't want any surprises or snafus on the wedding day.

We planned to start right at 6pm, since that is when the ceremony would be starting on Saturday. We had been working around the house on last minute projects so when my MOH arrived with the kids I was surprised it was time to get ready.

The DJ (MOH's Husband) started setting up the sound system.


The ceremony musicians got warmed up


The minister made some final notes


BUT Miss G was running out of steam (and so was I if you look at my face).


I don't blame her. She had picture day at school that morning, then she went to after-school care. We she got to Grandma's she was thrown right into more activity. Grandma gave her a pep talk and that seemed to help:

Now all we had to do was wait for Grandpa to change and for the photographer to arrive so we could get this show on the road.