It's the Small Things

A Boring Wedding

This should be such an easy post to write, but it's not. It's hard. It's really hard. I keep weeping every time I try to write it. So, I'm going to back up and start at the beginning. One of my closest friends, Debi Boring, got married this past Saturday. Technically, she's been married for thirty years to the most romantic man on the planet. I'm so not exaggerating this point. No really. I am telling the truth. This was a wedding to renew vows and this wedding had a profound effect on me, my husband and, from what I could, see the entire crowd of family and friends gathered. The most amazing thing for me, was knowing their son and daughter were able to witness their parents getting married and renewing a deep love and commitment to one another. It was the most beautiful and inspiring wedding I've ever attended. 

The thing about the Borings is they have an effect on everyone around them. A special and life-changing effect. It's true that I've only known them for five years, but I feel confident in saying this because I've met so many of their friends and family. I've heard and seen this magical effect over and over. John is a very spiritual person. If "The Secret" or any of those types of programs had known John existed, he would have been the star of all of them. He is an inspiration to me and I admire him greatly. Debi, I met  through a scrapbooking site five years ago and we became fast friends. Her influence on me has been rather profound. You see, Debi is fun. No, I meant to say FUN! She's the life of the party. She's the type that great stuff happens to by accident. She is a magnet for good things and she is the opposite of reserved. For that matter, she's the opposite of me. I'm reserved, scared of life, negative...you know, not fun. Yet, somehow, slowly, over the years she's managed to bring to surface the true light within me. The part that's been hiding so deep beneath the darkness of fear, I started to think it didn't exist. Somehow, she's managed to show me the blessings of family, life, and self. It's one thing to know a thing, it's another feel it in your core. To believe in yourself and to become selfless. To truly begin to understand that there is something bigger than yourself. To want to begin a journey of becoming spiritual. Somehow, a connection between my mind and my spirit has been made that did not exist before. I don't know how or why and I don't care. I'm just so grateful for it, and for my relationship with Debi.  

So, Debi asked me to take pictures at her wedding. I'm no photographer and I admit it, I stressed about it. I would have been ok if I didn't know the difference between the pictures I want to take and the ones I do take. I missed some great shots. I got a few good shots. Debi didn't want to have professional pictures taken, she just wanted to have some snapshots for the memories. I'm flattered she asked me to try and accomplish that, so, here are a few that I got. I played around with some actions because I wanted to give the photos that aged and warm-glow-y look. I love the look. The actions were for me. I have all the originals in nice, sharp brilliant, non-aged, warm-glow-y, too. Ha! 

This was in the entry way. Debi had a photo book made that went through the highlights of their thirty years together. 

This is the ceremony in front of that insanely gorgeous Christmas tree. There are so many details in these photos. They couldn't stop crying. Debi's holding a kleenex and so much more.

This is my favorite picture of them all. I love the bubbles and the genuine happiness. 

This is the gorgeous cake. Next to it is their original wedding picture and on the table it says "30 Years". 

Now it's time to cut the cake. Remember I mentioned that these folks are fun? ;) 

There are a ton more photos, but these are some of my favorites and certainly, the highlights. 

Thank you, Debi, for your friendship and love. I love you. 

Secret Santa Gift Exchange

I have a ton of catch up posts to make. I'm going to update over the next few days some fun things:

*One of my closest friend's wedding renewal (incredible, inspiring, tearful, wonderful event that it was)

*Our Holiday fun in December

*My favorite scrapbooking classes of 2008 (most are still available)

*My resolutions (a first for me and a few challenges)

and more...

Today, I want to share a gift I received from my Secret Santa, Sharon. I've stated a million times how huge a Creative Imaginations fan I am. I was able to take a Creative Cafe event with Danelle Johnson, Melodee Langworthy, and Kirsti Sikora-Blakenship. It was a wonderful, scrap style altering event. One of the best things to come from that event was learning about Danelle's site Just Need It. I started hanging out on the message boards there and I ADORE everyone.  They have known each other for a long time and as a newcomer I felt welcome from the beginning. These ladies are warm, caring and a ton of fun. And, this is where we did the secret santa swap. Sharon spoiled me to no end. She hand made the snowmen. I love them. I love hot cocoa and I LOVE the recipe mini book. There are some fantastic recipes in there that I'm dying to try after the holidays. Thank you so much Sharon! I really, truly love everything you sent me. I'm honored that you spent so much time and thought putting this together for me. 

 

Happy New Year to everyone! I hope you stay safe and enjoy celebrating the New Year. 

Best laid plans...

Today was supposed to be a big day for us. We were to get our tree, go to friends for an annual after "tree slaughter" party, then hit the town Christmas celebration events. We got off to a great start and headed out to the tree farm to cut down our tree. It was crowded, but we were in and out quickly. The weather was perfect. It's usually very cold there and this year it was nice and warm. When we got home, we had lunch and put Brody down for his nap, so he'd get some sleep before the party. Dylan was acting funny and his voice was sounding rather horse. Jeremy told me he complained that his mouth hurt in the morning. I took his temperature and he had a fever. So, no fabulous party or town celebration for us this year. I'm disappointed, but it is what it is. Here are some pictures of us getting the tree. Dylan wanted to pose here in front of the Charlie Brown tree. He doesn't know what that is, yet. He is looking forward to finding out when it airs on tv this week. 

The boys are watching Daddy trim up the tree we picked. 

The boys are following Daddy carrying the tree back to pay for it. 

And, what's a trip to the tree farm if you can't top it off with warm apple cider?  mmm...

I wanted to share more of my Diva 12 Days swap items (sorry about the photos. They are all a blurry):

Day 3 - Debi Boring: This is the coolest puzzle. I'm showing it broken apart and on a binder ring, but when you take it off and put it together it's just gorgeous. 

Day 4 - Jan Brown: This is so cool! I've always wanted to try altered spoon art. I LOVE it. 

Day 5 - Kris Henderson - This is a lovely necklace/charm. I love the holiday theme and the awesome heart charm. Anything with bling makes me smile. 

 

Day 6 - Vicki Sun - Wow! She made a handmade/bound book and it's adorable. I can't wait to find a project to use it for. 

12 Days of Christmas

I'm not talking about the real "12 Days of Christmas", rather the 1st - the 12th kind of 12 Days of Christmas. This is always a favorite time of year for me, especially in the crafty world. There are so many fun things going on, right now, that really help get me motivated and inspired. Here are some of my favorites are:

Tim Holtz - 12 Tags of Christmas - Seriously, he did this last year and I printed out each one and still reference them. It's a wonderful tutorial each day and very technique heavy. It's worth a peak and a post each of the 12 days. 

Pink Paislee Ornaments - the design team is doing ornaments for charity. These gals are tops in the industry. This blog is amazing to look at all year long. It's full of tutorials, eye candy and just overall helpful and inspiring information. 

Cathy Z. - A Year of Tags - Well this isn't a 12 days thingy, but it's worth mentioning. Cathy is giving away the templates for this amazing idea of tags for a year. Check it out. It's worth it. 

Creative Imaginations - A Card a Day - CI is posting a card a day on their blog to celebrate the holidays. Not only is the card on there, but the directions are, as well. I love the inspiration and think it's a wonderful idea. Take a look and comment! You may even notice someone you recognize on there.. ;)

Aside from those amazingly fun sites to visit each day, I am part of a 12 Days swap from my Altered Art group "Altered Art Divas". We were in groups of 12 and made gifts for each other and sent them off designating our day. We get to open one a day for 12 days. It's super hard starring at all these lovely packages just begging to be opened for the goodies inside. I want to share the first two gifties with you. I love them both. 

Day 1 - Aileen Roberts

Day 2 - Jeri Aaron 

I, also, mentioned that I am doing a 31 Days of Christmas book that Melodee Langworthy taught. I love this book so much. I am going to post my pictures for the first two days.  I have to print them out and put them in my book and I'll post my book pages as I go. 

Day 1 - I took some pictures of our decorations. I LOVE my new sock monkey santa. He's so stinkin' cute. And, my Mom got us these little stompers. They stomp to their music and they even stomp in unison when connected. They are my new decor items and I love them. 

Day 2 - My Mom and the boys. My Mom came to visit the boys, today. I let them stay in their jammies, so they could play with her all morning in the house. They have the best time with her. She always has some crazy toy to bring and they always climb all over her for hugs and kisses! It was a good day! 

I hope you are enjoying your December, so far! It's going by way to quickly for me, but I'm enjoying every moment of it!