Dear Diary

      Sometimes I just feel like journaling. Just so I can get my words down. I figured this is a good place to do that. For the sake of having it.

     I have been so busy lately. I feel like I am living in a whirlwind of activity. I keep waiting for it to slow down, but it's not. I'm not complaining though, because it's a good busy. I feel so blessed. Tayler is getting married next month. That is hard to even type. I am happy and sad all at once. I am happy to see her start a new chapter. She was born grown up. She has been waiting for this moment for a long time. She is going to be an amazing wife. And one day and amazing mother. She did well in school and I was proud of her for that. She has other amazing talents as well. I watched her as a girl, and knew it would come back because she loved it so much. She has the homemaker gene, and she does it all so well. This girl can cook, sew, bargain shop, and decorate. I think I am most excited to see her bloom in this area. She will be the one making her kid's clothing, hanging custom gorgeous curtains, and watering beautiful flowers. When I read Proverbs 31, I see Tayler through and through.

    She is so creative and efficient. She asked me the other day if I would like to make homemade laundry soap with her. It makes some unreal amount for like ten bucks. (or something) I told her I would like to do that. She said she had already ordered the stuff to make it. Wow...ok. I am so not that organized. When she was younger we would go to the soap-making store and buy ingredients to make bath bombs. She had her own little sewing business at 11 years old. She loved it. I am glad we spent so much time in craft stores, fabric stores, and thrift stores. It created great memories for us, and obviously struck a chord in Tayler. We always said she was a little "Martha Stewart." I tried to be, but nothing ever turned out properly. Hahaha....When Tayler does it, it works. She sees detail and has a flair for all things crafty.

     I know I will cry on June 4th after she is all moved out into her new apartment, but I am sure the very next day I will be over at her place, watching her turn it into a home. Having an adult child is pretty neat. I think what I like the best is I can now step into more of a friend role. I can love her just the same as always. She is still my baby, just in grown up form. But she is now making her own choices, and I will support her, pray for her, and offer opinions when asked. (well...) I will also learn a lot from her, to be certain. So while I am tempted to weep over having to close not just a chapter of her childhood, but the whole book, I am also ready to enjoy what is around the bend.

     Next month....she will walk down that aisle. And away from us? No, more like next to us...Here is a conversation we had last week... so funny.

Victoria and Comox Highland Games

  
   Beau, Autumn and I had a fun weekend. We went to the highland games on Vancouver Island. It was a busy time, but it was great. We waited in the ferry line for two hours, and after we docked we drove to Courtenay BC for the Comox Games. Autumn and I walked around town while Beau practiced. She had never had Gelato ice cream so I told her we could get some. We waited in a huge line and when it was our turn she asked for a sample. Then I asked for a sample. I decided to decline because compared to the frozen yogurt we have been used to, it was really gross. And I certainly was not going to waste precious calories on yucky ice cream. Autumn didn't know why I turned it down, but as the lady stared at her, waiting for her decision, she kept looking down. I told her to please hurry because there were like fifty angry people behind us. She just stood there staring. I pulled her to the side of the line and told the lady to serve the next person. I asked Autumn in a whisper why she wasn't able to decide. She said, "I think Yogu San has ruined me....that was really gross." I looked up and the lady was again waiting or us to decide, but now everyone was waiting for us. I said, "RUN!" And we weaved through the people and ran out the door. We ended up getting a meringue cookie instead and it was amazing.

     We went back to watch RMM Pipe Band compete. Here is is small clip of them practicing. They did great and both grade 4 and grade 3 took first.


     The next morning we drove to Victoria and they competed in the 149th Victoria Highland Games. They won first place again! It was a fun day. Autumn and I walked around as usual and looked at all of the same things we have looked at a million times but still enjoy it. We chatted with vendors, including the Sons of Scotland tent. They worked with Pixar to help create the animated feature, "Brave," which is coming out in June. It looks SO GOOD.


Here is a clip of closing ceremonies at the games.


     After the games, pretty much everyone raced to get the 7:00 ferry. I got a little lost on the way which really stressed us out because the next ferry was at 9:00. And you can't leave and come back. You just sit there. We made it on with only four cars to spare. PHEW! We then stood in line for 11/2 hours to eat. We got our food 10 minutes before we docked. We arrived at the Peace Arch Border crossing to an hour wait. ( Do you see our theme here? Lines, and waiting. Lines and waiting.) I was so glad to get home to my bed, and I promptly fell asleep, still hearing bagpipes. I always hear them for a full day after games.

My First Garden!

I planted my first vegetable garden. I was pretty intimidated by all that bare dirt, but I conquered it! (With help from Mom) Havensong stays out there with me ALL DAY. She carries her little bamboo stick around with her. It's adorable! Her little dirty feet are too much! She is an outdoor girl for sure.

I have lots to say about my first days of gardening, but it will have to wait. I want to write but my eyes closing against my will!!

I just wanted to throw a few pictures in here for the sake of documenting my progress. For now, I just need to sleep. I've yet to catch up on things from the bridal shower!

Good Ol AAA!

My van battery died tonight while we were in Canada for band practice. I called AAA and they sent someone right out. He called me to tell me he was close but couldn't find me. I could SEE him way down the road. I couldn't tell him how to get to ME since I was unfamiliar with street names. I told him to wait there and I would just come to him. Seriously. I said that. I'm sure he thought I was pulling a prank. When he finally found me, I promptly swallowed a bug and started coughing my head off, so grossed out. Then Beau swallowed a bug. He must have thought we were insane.

Not to mention I was COVERED in dirt from head to toe because I was in the garden up until we left for practice. I looked like a 10 year old kid. Face smudged, hair looking like a bird made a nest in it. (Beau's words)

NOTHING is standard with us.

I am a prime candidate for AAA. I should be their spokeswoman.

Bridal Shower!

Begin at the beginning.....

Tayler had her bridal shower yesterday. It was so wonderful. She looked radiant and happy. The room was gorgeous, and the guests were delightful. I decided to make it resemble Alice In Wonderland. I spent the last few weeks going to thrift stores and garage sales looking for Mad Hatter inspirations. It was so much fun. I have always loved a party with a theme. And this theme appeals to me because I am not a perfectionist. I don't see straight lines. I didn't have to iron, or make anything perfect because it was supposed to be off! My kind of decor! My mom made the centerpieces. I handed her a box of mismatched china and she glued away. It was perfect!!

I set up four long tables to resemble the Mad Hatter's tea table. I would have like all of the guests to sit at this table but we had 60 people so we didn't have enough room for that. Instead I piled it with candle sticks, flowers, silver pieces, lace, moss, and china platters that I made from thrift store finds.

My mom filled bottles with various colors of blue and I tied Drink Me tags to them. Each person had a strawberry tart waiting for them on their plates with a little Eat Me sign in it. They were so pretty and I almost felt like trying it out just to see if anything would really happen. I've always wanted to be taller!

The front table had the guest book and fun little pictures of Kyle and Tayler. Of course there were mirrors and skeleton keys scattered about. We hung paper lanterns among white twinkle lights from the ceiling. Well, I should say, Molly hung them. Even though she is afraid of heights!

We played fun games, including the classic one where you aren't allowed to say certain words or you lose an item. We used golden keys and the forbidden words were pretty and Kyle. Nor could you cross your legs.

Tayler received lovely gifts and she was beaming the whole day. Truly a blushing bride....

We gave tiny scented lace bras in vintage boxes as favors. They were so adorable. I will ignore the fact I saw one hanging from Beau's car antenna today.

Beau made a surprise appearance as the Mad Hatter and played his bagpipes for the crowd. I told him I would refrain from posting pictures of him though. He gave a nice blessing for the bride and groom that left everyone a bit misty eyed.

Tayler and Kyle are so excited! It's so refreshing seeing a young couple serving God and loving each other so much. I couldn't be happier for them!

My mom worked so very hard to make Tayler's shower beautiful! She is so creative! And thank you to the bridesmaids and friends who brought food. It was the perfect amount and selection. I appreciate your support and love. And a special thank you to Cassie who stayed after to help us clean up. It was fun kicking off our shoes and turning up the music while we put stuff away. I especially liked our little break we took, sitting around a table, eating leftover cheese squares and drinking the rest of the coffee while we talked about the fun day. It's what I love to do. Sit and talk. :)

Now.....on to the WEDDING!
                                                   -Photos courtesy of Molly Heiser

So cute!

She is without a doubt, the cutest thing I've ever seen! She came around the corner and I almost fell over laughing.