Twins wedding attire

Shawn 30 ~ Twins 6 months

Shawn 4 ~ Miranda 18 months

26 years ago our son Shawn (age 4) was in our friend's wedding. Shawn's Daddy officiated the wedding, I coordinated the wedding and poor Miranda was sick at the wedding. (she had a cold) 

Randy borrowed a suit, I borrowed a friend's dress and we bought a suit for Shawn.

Of course I still have that suit after all these years.

Well, when I found this on Pinterest, I knew immediately what I wanted to do with that suit for Shawn's twin son's wedding attire. Shawn & Nicole were thrilled.

I mean how cool that both boys would be wearing something their Daddy wore as a little boy!

Here's what I started with...

I couldn't use the actual vest because of the faux pockets, but the pant legs allowed me to not only sew both vests, but also line the vests with the same fabric.

I even found three more buttons almost exactly like the original three.

I was SO pleased with how they turned out!

Jonah was so pleased that he decided to take a bite out of Nathan's vest.

Which did not please Nathan in the least... "oh Mimi, what's a brother to do?"

HERE THEY ARE!!! ~ looking all dapper dan with their Momma & Daddy, big sisters and the Bride & Groom ~ PRECIOUS! Oh, and PRICELESS too ~ 

as their wedding attire did not cost a cent! 

Tomorrow I'll be posting a bunch of candid wedding pics as seen through the eyes of our guests!

I'm linking up with the following Linky Parties ~

DIY PROJECT PARADE

METAMORPHOSIS MONDAY

FEATURE FRIDAY

mother-of-the-bride dress

So while we're on the subject of dresses, let's talk about my dress.

Remember, this is about preserving the stories for my sake. So bare with me.

Soon after my daughter got engaged, Miranda & I began to share a Pinterest board that Miranda titled Dresses for my Mom. We pinned many dresses on that board that gave each of us a sense of what she wanted me to wear and what I was drawn to wearing. Well, one day I found a dress at Kohl's that I thought was perfect for a backyard wedding. It was 80% off and I had a 30% off coupon. Which meant they paid me to buy it right? ha! Well, as the bridesmaids began picking out their dresses, it became apparent to Miranda that I needed an intervention. So she sat me down and lovingly told me that my dress was too casual. And she was right. Back to the drawing board... I mean Pinterest board.

One of the dresses I had pinned was the ModCloth Blueberry Iced Tea dress. I knew I wanted that 50's retro/ vintage feel. But with the wedding just weeks away, I didn't feel comfortable ordering one. You know, might not fit, reorder, panic sets in... so I hit the streets for a similar one. Miranda told me to check out Francesca's. So I did. And there it was. The dress. And I paid full price ($48.00), which I have only done twice in my life ~ a Liberty of London dress when Target released the line just months after returning from visiting Miranda in London, and then a year later a cardigan I really wanted at Target.


Anyway, as much as I loved the dress, I knew the accessories would make or break it. The dress came with a turquoise ribbon, so a skinny belt and necklace was on my agenda. Miranda wanted me to keep with the vintage theme, or I probably would have chosen one of those beaded bib necklaces. So, being the thrift store guru that I am, I began to do quick run-thrus whenever I passed one. Then I remembered I had store credit at Back to the Rack consignment store in Tempe. And there it was ~ a Lapis stone copper pendent. So perfect. And get this, I had already seen a similar color skinny belt at my little thrift store down the street for 2 dollars. So with necklace in hand, I went back to the thrift store. A perfect match. Houston, we have lift-off!


Btw, the gal gave me 25% off the $18.95 necklace. So after applying my store credit, it cost me a cool 73 cents. I know! I even make myself sick.

Here's the deal ladies, I loved wearing my dress. So comfortable. The perfect length. Elastic around the waist. Breathable cotton. And a color I have never ever worn in my life. So why not for my daughter's wedding. Made me feel all the more special... like I was the mother-of-the-bride or something :)

Each of the photos were taken while in the stores with my iPhone, for Miranda's take. She was thrilled with my choices.

Btw, Miranda had the bridesmaids and the mothers wear various shades of navy and blue. And as you will see, we all blended beautifully!

the wedding dress

My first glimpse of my daughter's wedding dress was through the lens of a camera. And then I set the camera down... and just stared... remembering all those times she played dress-up as a little girl. And there she was, standing before me, my little girl, my little princess... all radiant and glowing... in love with her knight-in-shining-armour. I could barely breathe.

And then I cried.

Miranda found the wedding dress she had always dreamed of ~ and then had me come with her to make her final decision. 

I was a mess. The dress was so Miranda. So stunning.

It was unanimous ~ she said yes to the dress!

Miranda chose the floor model, requiring some alterations and professional dry cleaning.

But oh what a savings ~ like mother/ like daughter. ha! 

We were beyond pleased with the care and attention we received from Wedding Belles Bridal Boutique in Gilbert. And I would highly recommend them.

I could tell Miranda loved wearing her wedding gown throughout her entire wedding day. That's not always the case for some brides. I will notice tugging and pulling and adjusting going on, especially those that are not familiar with wearing a strapless gown. Probably not the best day to test out your first strapless. :)

I'm so thankful Miranda felt beautiful and comfortable and free to dance and eat and celebrate with her guests. That's so important for a bride to remember... to not only love how she looks in her dress, but how she feels in her dress... that unbridled freedom of being herself, to move about the venue without feeling restricted or uncomfortable in any way. 

Ladies, love wearing your dress!

Ok, you've got to check out the shoes Miranda wore with her dress on her wedding day!

You can read about her Sseko Charity Shoes on her blog ~ HERE.

backyard transformation

I love before & after photos, don't you? Here's just a few...

The wedding party arrived a couple hours before the wedding rehearsal on Friday to set up 32 round tables & 250 chairs and transformed an already breathtaking backyard into Miranda's dream wedding.

And this was 24 hours later ~ a couple hours before the wedding ceremony was to begin.

Oh my gosh, truly the most beautiful wedding venue I could have ever imagined for my daughter's wedding!

The wedding was in the backyard of the Hearn House in Phoenix. An Arts and Crafts style home, that I have coveted for over 20 years, when I first began calling it my house. Yes, whenever we'd drive by I would say, "Oh look honey, there's my house." 

And my husband would say "Sugar, if I ever win the lottery I will buy you that house."

And I would reply "Oh honey, I would be happy just going to a yard sale there and then asking to use their bathroom so I could see the inside."

Well, I can imagine God getting all excited ~ 

"She has no idea that one day her daughter will be getting married there! Gosh I love my job!" Ok, so maybe He didn't say it quite like that. :)

But yes, you can imagine my complete and utter joy when I found out my daughter was getting married at ~ MY HOUSE! All these years, and we had no idea they even had occasional weddings in that backyard!

The Hearn House was built in 1906, and has a beautiful balcony that overlooks this enchanted backyard. I knew that some time during the reception I would walk out onto that balcony and take in the the sights below ~ friends and family celebrating and dancing and laughing, eating and drinking and loving one another. I had to somehow capture it, so I would never forget how this moment made me feel. 

Good Lord, I was not in Phoenix, Arizona anymore. I was in heaven.

The Wedding

Miranda & Aaron are married!

Oh my gosh ~ and what a fairytale! 

The wedding was everything & more than I could ever have imagined for my daughter. 

Beautiful, authentic, God-honoring, poignant and magical.

And that's me, mother-of-the-bride, mere moments before walking down the aisle arm-in-arm with my two sons Shawn & Tyler. I don't think I have ever felt more peace, joy and contentment. 

Truly one of the best days of my life.

Watching Miranda being given away by her Daddy brought me to tears. Ok, so I was in tears most of the ceremony! Love that my tenderhearted husband cried while sharing during the ceremony. Ok, so most everyone was crying. 

It was that kind of wedding.

Ok, so let's get started on all those Wedding/ DIY posts, shall we?! For I have oodles in the making. And you don't want to miss a single one. 

I can honestly say, every aspect of this wedding has a story to be told, 

with photos to be posted. 

I am overwhelmed with a myriad of emotions as I reflect on the friends and family that gave of themselves to love and honor Aaron & Miranda. 

Unbelievable acts of generosity, sacrifice, love and goodwill. 

But above all ~ let's praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Halloween '12 ~ grandkids

Nathan & Jonah ~ Peter Pan & Captain Hook

Oh my gosh, TOO CUTE!

 

Emolyn ~ Nathan ~ Jonah ~ Elsie

Trick-or-treating is hard work ~ the Tinker Bells enjoying the fruits of their labor.

Prayer & Blessing Bridal Shower

Last night I hosted a Prayer & Blessing Bridal Shower for my daughter Miranda.

I invited all my friends that have watched her grow up over these past 28 years ~ that have invested in her life and helped shape her into the woman she is today. I asked them to come prepared to share stories, verses, words of encouragement, affirmation, prayers and blessings. And let me tell you, they delivered. Big-time. I was in tears most of the night. And my daughter was amazing ~ articulate and gracious and thoughtful and completely overwhelmed by all the love lavished on her. Such a powerful, meaningful, sacred night. I couldn't imagine anything being more perfect than to enter your wedding week in prayer.

We ended our time of sharing by praying for Miranda... for the wedding week to be filled with His peace and joy and love overflowing... that her & Aaron would see the glory of God in their union and the many years ahead. What a blessing to witness this moment.

I made Hollyhock seed packets for each of the woman to take home ~ harvested from this years Hollyhocks. And than forgot to tell everyone to take one. Needless to say, half of the 24 woman that attended left before I remembered.

Miranda didn't want the evening to be about opening gifts, so I asked the guests if they would like to go in on a group gift, so Miranda had something to remember the evening.

Well, I got enough from these very generous women to buy the Kitchen Aid Mixer (pistachio) she had registered for ~ that she never dreamed she'd receive. In fact she has extra money for additional attachments. She's thinking maybe the Kitchen Aid Ice Cream Maker attachment advertised this week at Target.

This was my Mom & Dad's wedding cake top from 62 years ago ~ and my wedding cake top 33 years ago ~ and was present at Miranda's Prayer shower last night. 

What a treasured heirloom!

And guess who flew in early for the wedding so she could be at Miranda's Prayer Shower? Miranda's dear friend Carla from England! Oh my gosh, I love that girl. They met while Miranda was studying in England for a semester, and became kindred spirits and best friends forever instantly!

Btw, that's my youngest son Tyler posing with those pretty ladies.

My dear friend Nancy took tons of pictures throughout the night, that I will later post.

But I did manage to take a picture of the dessert before everyone arrived.

Seriously you guys, the best dessert ever ~ APPLE PIE BARS.

I found the recipe on the Land O'Lakes facebook page. Omg, they post the best recipes!

So, when I woke up this morning, I realized I had not taken a photo of an actual serving.

Which meant I had to whip up some fresh whipped whipping cream. And I had to heat up the Apple Pie Bar so it would be warm for the photo shoot. And then I would have to eat it. I mean you can't have it getting soggy with whipping cream on top.

Needless to say, it was every bit as deliciously divine as last night's piece. 

Maybe even better.

a date with our daughter

Last night we had a special date with a bride... our lovely daughter Miranda. 

 We went to dinner at Windsor and then we came back to the house and watched Father of the Bride. On VHS no less. Hey, it's tradition. When you've watched it a million times on VHS, why not again for the very last time, before our daughter becomes a bride herself in 12 days! 

Needless to say, lots of tears. I was a mess the whole night. But a good mess. My heart was bursting with love and pride for this amazing woman sitting across the table from us... that has faithfully waited on God for the right man. 

And all along it was the boy she fell in love with as a young girl... praying often throughout the years that if that man isn't Aaron, then someone just like him. And God's thinking "wait till she finds out it IS Aaron".

Gosh, I love a good story, and theirs is one of the best!

Ok, back to Windsor ~ great food, great ambiance and well, a great bathroom. Seriously, don't you just love fun, quirky, whimsical bathrooms? I do too. And I must say, Windsor is among my favorites. ha! 

Autumn leaves

Although we'd like to think with temps below 100, that it's finally fall in Phoenix. When nothing can be further from the truth. But we will see scenes of this sort in December, when the leaves fall and the kids can frolic in the leaves as I did as a kid growing up in Wisconsin.

Oh how the memories came flooding back when I came upon this photo in my archive of scanned photos from the 60's. That's me wearing a hood jacket, with brothers Gary and Ronnie. We'd build houses with the leaves used as outlines designating each room. I think my love of floor plans began as a little kid designing homes out on the lawn each fall.

My granddaughter Emolyn can hardly wait to jump in the leaves in a few months, although it won't be in our back yard, as we got rid of the Mulberry tree this past year. And why? you ask ~ high maintenance, high pollen count and very messy. Although we missed the shade cover over the summer, we did not miss the berries that fall and stain the flooring when Koda tracks it in the house. Happy Fall everyone!

a walk to remember

I grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin. My parents bought a new car every four years, so needless to say, us kids learned to drive the farm truck. I have yet to pass an old truck without feeling that peaceful, easy, freedom of being a teenager driving down an old dirt road. 

I love old trucks. 

So when our Home Group retreated to a mountain cabin a few weeks ago, I was overcome with nostalgia when I spotted this old Ford truck on a walk. Oh the roads we would travel together. I imagined myself truckin' down a country road, stopping at every farm sale, auction, junk shop and thrift store.

Oh look, I spotted this aqua blue spigot too. 

And you know my love of barbed wire... 

... but check out the aqua blue cabin beyond the barbed wire. 

Oh for the love of apples, I have yet to bake an apple pie this fall!

I love rusty, old signs. My husband & I have been married 33 years. Does this mean we're vintage? That we're getting rusty and old? Mmm...

The leaves were just beginning to change. So when I came across this visual, I pondered in my heart... did the leaves change in spite of the cobwebs? Will the cobwebs stunt the growth and beauty of this autumn transformation? Can we grow and mature in spite of our sin that so easily entangles us? Can we be transformed by the renewing of our minds in the midst of pain and suffering? Again...

"We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us, we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be." ~ C.S.Lewis

More barbed wire. But check out the Manzanita bush in the background...

I love the dark red bark on the Manzanita bush that grows throughout Arizona.

In nature, manzanita seeds germinate following a fire. So that got me thinking...

I know that we grow and mature when we trust God to do His work and will in our lives, when we are tested under fire, when we allow the testing of faith to produce perseverance. 

So why do I fight it? 

 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:4

Oh that I may persevere in this season, keeping my eyes on Jesus, fully aware of His presence and unwavering love for me.