Friday Two-For

1. I love this.

I love the sideboard.

I love the ladder.

I love Design Sponge.

I wish my house was clean.

But it's not.

I haven't touched a broom or mop in weeks.

It's really gross.

2. A couple of sweet ladies asked to see the dress I wore to the wedding.

This is the only pic I have.

But it's my favorite dress.

And it's almost too tight in the waist.

When It Hurts Your Heart

(Becca checks in for her flight to China)


When Rebecca was born I was 6 years old. She was a runty little thing with white corkscrews all over her head. She bit and cried and laughed and danced little jigs in diapers that always hung down to her knees.

(She was allowed two trunks. Mom decorated them for her so she could easily spot them at baggage claims)

I thought about that as she walked through security and out of our lives for the next year.

(We hadn't cried all our makeup off at this point)

I thought about when she was 2 and picked up discarded toothpicks and gum off the ground and popped them in her mouth.

(Dad gives last minute advice)

I thought about the first time she killed a spider for me. I was 10 and she was 4. I stood on the bed and screamed as she chased it around the room, finally smashing it with dad's house shoe.

She was brave, even back then.

(Mom took lots of pictures of me, taking pictures of her)

I thought about the baby I will have without her here. I thought about how the next year won't be quite as bubbly or warm. I thought about the hole in my heart that can't be filled by anyone else. I thought about my youngest sister Rachel, and then I called her and threatened her life if she even so much as THOUGHT about leaving the country this year.

(Walking away)

We watched as Rebecca went through security and walked to her terminal. We watched and cried until we couldn't see her anymore. Mom cried the most. Dad just got misty. I'm proud that she asked for God's will in her life... and that she was brave enough to go for it. I admire her, I love her.

Sometimes you have to say goodbye with a smile on your face, even when it hurts your heart.

The Prettiest Wedding Ever, Part 3

As promised, here's the last installment of wedding pics.

It really was a gorgeous place. Tiny chapel. Lots of candles.

And let's not forget the most important part... the gorgeous bride.

Matt got to wear his snazzy pink tie.

And here are my adorable in-laws, Stan and Linda. Funny story, and he may kill me for telling it.

They stayed in the "Mexico" cabin, which came complete with a heart shaped tub and saint shrine. Stan got up early (the morning after the wedding) and not wanting to wake Linda up, took a bath without the lights on. He reached for his robe and put it on. Surprisingly, the robe had buttons. Upon closer inspection, he realized the robe also had polka-dots.

Yep. He was wearing Linda's gorgeous green and white dress.

This is the bride's sister, Tiffany. I love her hair.

It was a fun time.

And I don't know where. I don't know when. But I will be making some of these candle holders.

Saying Goodbye

You know that phrase "My butt is really dragging" ?


I've never preferred it. It conjures up images of Mabel, back feet facing forward, rooting across my white shag carpet to clean her bottom. But that phrase seems to be the only thing that comes close to adequately describing my current state.


I was ready for the nausea. I was ready for the bloating. I was ready for the cravings. I was not ready for the marathons of puking and the flu-like exhaustion. Yesterday I watched an entire episode of Who's the Boss, not because I liked it, but because I was too tired to change the channel.


And also, I was not ready to say goodbye to my sister. We put her on a plane yesterday. She'll be in China for a year. It was one of the hardest things I've ever experienced. So today, forgive the lack of a creative post. Because my butt really is dragging.

The Prettiest Wedding Ever, Part 2 (and a Dress Winner)

*And the Shabby Apple Dress winner is...... TriMommy!

And now back to the wedding.

Towers of cupcakes?

Yes please.

Vintage pedestals?

Again, yes please.

Hand-made fabric flowers?

I'm in heaven.

Iron trays and pitchers.

Swoon time.

Here is the lovely bride.

And the lovely flowers.

And the lovely mother-of-the-bride, Nita, with my mother-in-law, Linda.

I ask you, are these dresses not fantastic?

This moment had to be my favorite part of the whole wedding. I watched Linda and Karen helping Nita get ready and I almost cried. These three women have known each other for so long, and care about each other so much. I immediately started thinking about my friends, and my sisters. I thought about Rebecca leaving for China in a matter of days. And then I went into the bathroom, gazed into the mirror at my runny mascara, made a fist at the ceiling, and yelled, "WHY, PREGNANCY HORMONES? WHY MUST YOU MAKE ME SO CRAZY?"

Then I dried my eyes and went back to the party.

It was, by far, the prettiest wedding ever.

And it was a last hurrah of sorts. I may never be able to wear this dress again.

Stay tuned for Part 3.

The Prettiest Wedding Ever, Part 1

This past weekend we attended a wedding in Texas. Folks, it was hot. But, strangely enough, not hotter than Arkansas. It was a lateral move, heat-wise.

The wedding was at a lovely lodge/wedding-venue outside College Station. There were several themed 'cabins'... and this was ours. Spain.

I'll be honest, I get a little nervous when establishments start throwing themes around. In my mind's eye I usually picture Vegas-like rooms with dusty fake flowers stapled to the wall or Elvis inspired black lacquered furniture. But this place changed my mind.

It's hard to thumb your nose at a theme when it involves a private patio and fountain.

There were no fake flower arrangements or bad paintings. Just iron gates and really good (free) soap.

Matt was particularly enamored with the ACTUAL SWORDS hanging over the bed. But that's OK. I support home defense.

But my favorite part was not the sunken tub or gigantic antique gold mirrors. My favorite part of "Spain" was the bathroom. And as a pregnant woman I feel justified in saying... bathrooms have become an important part of my life.

What's not to love about a vintage chandelier and a star covered ceiling when you're losing your breakfast? Think I could get away with re-doing my pink bathroom at home like this? Yeah. Probably not.

More on the rest of the wedding tomorrow.

Shabby Apple Dress Giveaway

The fabulous folks at Shabby Apple are generously giving away this dress. Let me tell you... if I weren't going to get progressively fatter with each passing month, I'd be wearing this in a heartbeat.

So be sure and leave your name and link in the comments. I'll draw the winner on Friday at noon.

Bulgogi Night

We had bulgogi for dinner. You would think strong foods like this would make me sick. But nope. It's cakes and chocolate and ice cream. Go figure.

This is one of my favorite meals Matt makes, but next time he says he's going to cook it in the oven. He said it was too smokey.

I didn't really notice, mostly because I wolfed it down in about four minutes. Tasted fine to me. In fact, it tasted great.

And then I went back to my nest, walking slowly like a sloth. A sloth that's gained two pounds and cries while watching National Velvet.

Poor Matt.

*You can find a version of Matt's bulgogi here. But he totally wings it every time and doesn't write anything down.

Plotting

So in response to the much-asked question "What are you going to do in the nursery?" I have to say.... not sure yet. Factor in the Better Homes and Gardens projects, hot weather and my general lack of energy... we may still be decorating the night before delivery.

But I do know we'll be using a lot of recycled things from the guest room. And it will be done on a super-thin shoestring. Unless we win the lottery, and then I'm going to go crazy. But I think the world is safe from that threat.

I can say one thing though. I hope the kid likes turquoise.

Celebrating

How do you celebrate your little sister's 24th birthday just a few weeks before she leaves for China? FOR A WHOLE YEAR. Thai food served at a seafood buffet restaurant. It's a long story.

Oh. And orange toe nails. She says it's not a party without orange toe nails.

Mellow Yellow

Good friends remember you like vintage light fixtures.

Great friends save them for you in the trunk of their car.

Thank you Jennifer/church-friends!

Email Questions Answered

Do you have morning sickness?


Yes. And exhaustion. I spend a lot of time on the couch in the man-cave (which will soon become the family-cave). And there is no such thing as "Morning" Sickness. It's more like "Feel Like Crap All Day Long" Sickness. And my sense of smell is superhuman. I could literally smell a woman from fifty yards away in the parking lot. She smelled like baby powder and cigarettes. *heave*




How is Mabel dealing with the new developments?

Mabel has no sense of awareness of the train coming into her life. Will she like it? No. No she will not.

Can you show us a picture of what you're working on for BHG?

Not at the moment, but soon.

How did you get selected to do projects with BHG?

They swooped down out of the sky (in my email) like Glenda the Good Witch. There are four projects in all, the first one will be in the upcoming magazine on stands September 5th. The other three will be on their website. Basically, readers will vote on the project they like the best.

*Mabel attacks Matt while he's getting ready on Sunday morning.

When are you due?

We're coming up on six weeks... so it's still early. I know, I know. We broke the 'don't tell until 12 weeks' rule. But I just look at it like this... the more prayers the better. So please keep us and the baby (which my uncle has dubbed Butch-Ann) in your prayers please.

Are you happy?

Yes. After nine years of marriage this comes as a shock, but we are very happy.

Will this become a Mommy-blog?

No more than it's a doggy-blog now.

How old are you?

Thirty. Thank you for asking.

Lastly, I don't even know what to say. All of your comments and well-wishes made me cry. Then again, I'm also crying at the new iphone commercials. But all in all, it's going well. Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart, for all your sweet words.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to immerse myself in Fall/Halloween/Better-Homes-And-Gardens world. Crud... I can't spray paint anymore.

"Oh Matttt....."