Love this!

http://creditcrunchbride.wordpress.com/2009/03/24/another-recession-defying-wedding-theme-alice-in-wonderland/

Wedding on a shoestring

We are getting married. Well we actually are already but we are having a vow renewal and reception in August so it's essentially another wedding. And weddings can be EXPENSIVE. We don't have money to be throwing around, so I challenged myself to do this as inexpensive as possible. I think the most expensive part of this will be the venue rental ($400 for half a day on Sunday) and the drinks and food.

We chose a fun theme since it's not a traditional wedding. We are doing a Mad Hatter/Wonderland theme. It has been so much fun scouting out thrift stores and looking for antique tea cups, saucers, vases, decor. We also found some things on clearance to use for decor at Michaels. My mother had some decorations left over from my sister's wedding a few years ago, like votives and place card holders. And I was able to barter for some items, tablecloths, plates, etc. We found goblets for sale on Craigslist too. So far I think we have spent under $200.

I designed the invitations and need to find a place that will print them inexpensively.

We were going to barter for catering, but the chef is now not able to hold up his end of the deal. So we are going to need to do some brainstorming on food. I may get some deli trays at the local gourmet grocery store, make some salads and call it good. Finger foods are preferred since it is a Mad Tea Party. For cake, cupcakes or petits fours are what we are thinking. Some wines, ice tea and punch will be available. And of course some tea and or coffee.

There are tables and chairs available for use at the venue, as well as a sound system. We will plug our iPod in with a playlist for dancing. We are bartering for photography with my friend Kim Lincoln. Am I missing anything? Oh, attire. I bought this dress to wear:

and am second guessing it since I want to be comfortable and not be sweating buckets. I may sell it and buy a simple summer dress. Or I may see if I can hem this to knee length. Decisions. I found a dress on clearance at Nordstroms this Christmas for K. I will keep searching for the other kids as time goes on. I am thinking shorts, button up shirts, bow ties and suspenders for the little boys (think Tweedle Dee and Dum). Top hats for J and L would be awesome.

We are also planning a second honeymoon, and those plans keep changing. We are thinking Southern California, but not sure if we will drive down and camp, or fly. Decisions, decisions!

Retreat

It has been years since I was able to join the ladies from my church for a women's retreat. Ours was last weekend and although it was only for one night, I was renewed. We had a smaller group than normal, but such a wonderful collection of women. We enjoyed bible studies led by a guest speaker, Cindi Rushane from Calvary Chapel Lake Stevens. We played Dutch Blitz, slept in a lovely lodge, ate wonderful food, talked, prayed, hiked, napped, enjoyed creation and each other. I was very blessed.

Derby update

I got my insurance approved through WFTDA! I could have been on skates for scrimmage yesterday, but I have been fighting this flu and still felt lousy. I am planning on gearing up for our practice on Sunday though! I am super dooper excited and was told I would get some tips on how to avoid falling on my tush.

My favorite person in the world, J, has decided to join me and has signed up for the DEA (Derby Enforcement Agency). He wants to become a skating official/ref. First he needs some skates and gear...and get insurance. Oh my, this is becoming an expensive hobby!!

Getting Bella

These were taken at our friends' house

when we went to pick up our puppy, Bella.

Fun tire swing!

Meeting Bella!

Cool barn.

Baby A. with J.

Happy BIrthday L!

My oldest son had his 15th birthday this month. He wanted to have a party so he invited his friends over for an "EPIC" nerf gun war. Yes, he is 15. Yes, he still loves nerd guns. (ha ha, as I was typing I accidentally typed nerd instead of NERF! Sometimes it's how I feel.)

Kids playing Wii

They came inside for pizza and cake

Wet from the rain but excited to blow out his candles on his ice cream cake!

Next year....driver's license??? Akk!

Puppy

Our friends were looking for a new home for their nine month old German short hair puppy. We thought about it and after we were done being sick, went out to their house to spend some time with Bella. We brought her home last night. All of us are so excited to have a dog again! She is the sweetest girl, very affectionate and pleasing. Today I took her for a walk/jog this morning. She did so well on the leash and I felt so glad to have that push to get out of the house and get some fresh air and exercise.

There is something so healing about a puppy.

Photography Class

I had an awesome time at a class taught by Brooke from

Roxsey Photography.

Here are some of my favorite shots I took using my Canon Rebel.

I learned how to use the manual mode

and about ISO, aperture and shutter speeds.

Thanks Brooke!

St Patties Day

There are 4 things you must never do: lie, steal, cheat, or drink.
But if you must lie, lie in the arms of the one you love.
If you must steal, steal away from bad company.
If you must cheat, cheat death.
And if you must drink, drink in the moments that take your breath away...

-Brianne Kelly Darragh

Ah ha

I kind of have the mindset that (this may be horribly pessimistic) no matter how I parent, E is going to be messed up. Therefore I have stopped trying so hard and am focusing more on me. I am seeking joy and happiness in the little things and hoping that will carry over into my relationship with all my kids.

I do believe in the power of prayer. Please be praying that we can find a solution for Es many behavior problems at home and school. Things have been escalating the last few months.

Henna

While in Orlando I met a lovely lady who is a henna artist. She made beautiful henna art on the group of women who wanted it. She was nice enough to give me a henna kit to use at home. I mixed it up and practiced on myself and family (my art for the day). I love it!!!

Orlando Trip

I arrived home on Tuesday night from six days in Orlando. I had an amazing, emotional, wild, fun time. I met some awesome ladies who really get what mothering a child with a trauma background is really like. I got sunburned, went to Magic Kingdom and Discovery Cove, and ran part of a 5K race barefoot. I got a nose piercing, tattoo, ate drunken gummy bears, sat in a hot tub with my Hooters tank top and pajama bottoms on. I vented, cried, laughed, hugged strangers, and went out to dinner with a group of 90 women. I set goals, and put rewards in place for myself. (to do art five days a week- each week I get new undies!) I hula hooped in the street, saw men playing pool in their garage only wearing underwear, drove by the worlds largest McDonalds, embarrassed the neighbor's pool boy, ate and drank a lot of food and wine (gained about ten pounds in water weight), blushed, heard horror stories of the foster care system, swam in the pool after dark, saw an orange grove and a truck full of oranges, swam with and touched a giant sting ray. It was a fantastic trip. Wish I would have taken more photos.

New Etsy Shop

I decided to step out of my comfort zone and list some of my photography I recently took with my new to me camera. Here is the link!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/artsywhiterabbit?ref=seller_info

Hike at the Arboretum