Surprise!
I know, I know!
I've been told on more than one occasion that I have been a terrible blogger this year!
I do not disagree.
Instagram has taken over blogging for sure!
I am going to blog up to August 2, 2014.
I do not blame you now for clicking close and moving on!
I am doing this mainly for the five people that enjoy reading my blog,
and for "family documentation" purposes!
I think that it's best for me to look deep into mybrain calendar
for month by month prompts of what took place the past eight months.
I've been told on more than one occasion that I have been a terrible blogger this year!
I do not disagree.
Instagram has taken over blogging for sure!
I am going to blog up to August 2, 2014.
I do not blame you now for clicking close and moving on!
I am doing this mainly for the five people that enjoy reading my blog,
and for "family documentation" purposes!
I think that it's best for me to look deep into my
for month by month prompts of what took place the past eight months.
Here we go!
January
This was the month of my last post.
I posted early in the month right after Christmas.
It was our last Christmas at our home in Pendleton.
We took possession of our new home in Fishers
Friday, January 10!
I posted early in the month right after Christmas.
It was our last Christmas at our home in Pendleton.
We took possession of our new home in Fishers
Friday, January 10!
Todd's cousin Monte sketched our home from pictures that I sent him
so that we could use it as our change of address cards.
He is just so incredibly talented!
Thank you Monte!!
Even though we had possession in January we didn't move in until March.
This gave me plenty of time to paint and plan :)
That Monday I started painting and have never stopped!
(I will be doing a before and after post soon…really, I will!)
Todd and I traveled at the end of the month
to our Fripp Island home in SC to get it staged to sell.
It was such a great "season" in our lives.
We loved having a place at the beach.
But, with Evan no longer at the Citadel
(which he would use it on the weekends),
and with the purchase of our new home on the lake,
we knew that our summers would be spent in IN boating.
It was time to let another family enjoy The Fripp Family Fun House!
What we didn't know when we left IN that there was a blizzard brewing!
We came home to this!!!
A lot of snow and an 80 degree change in temperature!!!
January was definitely the kick off to a very busy year.
February/March
I painted 19 rooms…with some help from friends and painters,
and cleaned and cleaned!
We moved, twice, and had two birthday's.
Painting came first.
Monte helped fill in the places
where pictures used to hang from the former residents.
The faux finish takes a skilled artist to blend colors so well
that no one can tell it was patched.
My friend Kim!
She helped me paint a closet on her day off! What a gal!
In addition to painting, my mother and I cleaned and cleaned.
She cleaned grout with a toothbrush,
all the chandeliers, almost all of the woodworking, and floors!
I will never be able to repay her!!!
I don't have any pictures,
but Tom helped change a bunch of lighting,
patched drywall,
hung doors straight so they would close,
and helped Todd install an ice maker in the pantry.
He did so much more that I can't name it all!!
Thank you, Tom!
I also started packing our belongings in our Pendleton home.
This little joy of my life wanted to make sure that I didn''t forget her!
This was moving day.
Ashely and I hung out in the basement while the movers were busy packing upstairs.
We moved March 13, 2014.
Again, I need to thank my mom, dad and Tom for all of their help.
Mom and Dad helped clean, and Tom kept taking load after load
of those never-ending odds and ends to the new house!
I took this picture while I was waiting on the new homeowners to give them their keys.
This was the last picture I took of the home that Todd and I had built.
Again, it was a great "season" in our life.
I have warm memories of the home where our boys became men
and the community that helped them to do so.
And,
I know that I can always go back as long as the Carpenter's live there!
Yes,
Evan's fourth grade teacher,
both boys Cross Country Coach,
family photographer but most of all FRIEND bought our home!
I can honestly say that it was purely orchestrated by God!
The story still gives me chills when I reflect on it.
Many blessings to this wonderful family!
We also celebrated Evan's 21 birthday and Graham's 19th birthday
March 20 and 23.
Evan celebrated his birthday with an acceptance letter into IU Law School in Bloomington!
The first step on the road to the State House pictured here in the background!
Graham celebrated his birthday in Puerto Rico with the Wabash Men's Tennis Team!
(Graham is on the far right with his back to the camera)
Wabash Always Fights (WAF)
While Graham was in Puerto Rico Todd and I flew down to Fripp.
Our beach house had sold!
We rented a truck, loaded it up with our personal belongings and our golf cart,
and headed back home!
This was the last picture I took of good 'ol Fripp Island as we were heading over the bridge.
It was a blast while it lasted!
April
The first week in April I was getting ready for Kiely's baby shower!
My nephew, Tyler and I planted new trees and shrubs.
I lost track of how many items I transplanted.
And, I weeded and mulched, and weeded and trimmed, and weeded…well, you get it!
I am going to show before and after pictures of the landscaping later too.
Anyway,
before shower weekend, we celebrated Todd's 50th birthday!!
Ashley took this picture of us as we were on the way to celebrate at Harry and Izzy's.
I just love this picture AND sweet Ashley for taking it! :)
Soon it was time for Kiely's shower!
As you can see, mom and I went a little crazy in the swimsuit department!
Too bad our summer was so cool.
I'm not sure if she even got to wear them. :(
Kiely wanted to use the bassinet that I used for Graham
so I cleaned it all up and we used it to place the gifts in.
The chevron car seat cover and the yellow tutu and hair bow were made by Ashley!
I asked Evan if he would run out and get me a balloon…this was the one he got!
He said, "I got the biggest baby girl one they had!"
And a huge thanks to one of Kiely's best friends, Lisa
and one of my best friends, Julie for helping out with the shower!
My sister's best friend Jennifer and her family! Love this family :)
Soon to be Great Aunt Ellen!
Soon to be Great Grammy Kay and Grandma!
Soon to be Mrs. McMullen and Great Aunt Holly!
And very excited soon to be second cousin's!
Ashley and I were also busy planning her and Evan's wedding in August.
This was the month we were signing up for gift registries for her upcoming showers!
And, I loved watching Spring unfold before my eyes.
One day I looked out of my bedroom window and there were two robin's eggs!
And the next day there were four!!
This Momma was precious.
I learned a lot about patience and love watching her.
She never moved…unless I opened the blind to take pictures.
But she soon flew right back, and the nest was never far from her sight!
She sacrificed eating and drinking just to keep her little eggs warm and dry from the Spring rains.
Sadly, I didn't get to see them hatch :(
We went away for Evan's graduation at The Citadel and when we came back the nest was on the ground and feather's were scattered around it.
We have hawks and owls and I can only assume the worst.
All I know is, from the looks of all the feathers, that sweet Momma bird fought for her babies.
And that's all I have to say about that…
May
May brought staging at a friend's home, two graduations, a prom,
more wedding planning, more painting,
and a sweet baby girl!
Our good friend Tony was selling his house and I offered to stage it for him.
What a fun day for me!
I got to organize, pitch and space plan!!!
This was my fifth house to stage this year.
It is my favorite thing to do when it comes to designing,
and it truly does make a difference on how fast a house sells.
Next up,
Evan's graduation!!
From knob year to senior year…all in three years!
What a smart ambitious young man!
Graduating with honors, Evan was in the top 5% of his class.
Evan's last roommate, Lawrence.
One of his best friends, Matt.
Matt graduates this year.
Grandma Kay and Grandpa
Proud Momma and Dad
His soon to be bride, Ashley!
Way to go, E!
While Evan was graduating, Graham finished up his finals at Wabash
then headed home to take his girl, Shelby
to her Junior Prom.
I wish that there would've been two of me that day!!
Next up was Ashley's graduation from Purdue!
She, too graduated college in three years.
What a cute couple!
Ashley's Mom and Dad
You can't tell that we are super proud of her or anything!
Sassy!
Power couple!
Congrats, Sweetie!!
We also went out on our first boat ride that weekend!
It was a much needed break from graduations, painting and wedding planning.
Yes, we got poured on!!
But, the rainbow was beautiful :)
We caught up with these two the following weekend.
We tied up to Alan and Kiely's boat in Cocktail Cove.
Kiely was trying to let the rocking of the boat
wake up that baby and get things moving!
Well, two days later…
…our sweet Vera Lyn was born!
She was 7 pounds 3 oz and 20" long.
PERFECTION in the arms of her Daddy!
Kiely asked me to be in there with her and Alan to assist during delivery.
I felt so honored to be present when that sweet precious girl came in to this world.
I've never experienced anything like it!
As I was watching Vera one day I took this picture from my phone.
I think that Lori was with us that afternoon.
She would love to be here with her granddaughter…
I can't wait to tell Vera all that I remember about her Grandma Lori.
I will never take a moment for granted that I get to spend with this precious little gift girl!
June
This was wedding month for sure!
Between helping Ashley plan theirs,
Evan and Ashley's engagement shoot,
and attending two weddings it was all that consumed me.
Well, not all...as I was STILL painting!
My three children :)
This picture was taken at the first wedding we attended this month.
This is the new Mr. and Mrs.
Ariel and Maria Gallanosa!
The boys know Ariel through tennis and he spent a week with us down at Fripp one summer.
They had a beautiful reception at
The Indiana Roof Ballroom.
Next up…Engagement shoot!
when I laid eyes on it I could hardly wait until I saw the pictures Mel took!
I can't possibly show them all...but here are a few!
…it was now time to assemble the wedding invitations!
I loved doing this!!!
Simple, yet elegant!
This was the best feeling!
After these were sent out the wedding gifts arrived daily!
Whether it was table decorations for the reception...
…or shower/wedding gifts,
I got to know the Fedex and UPS guys really well!
Since she finished all of her shower thank yous from the first shower
(which I will get to in a minute)
she was able to open one of the first gifts to arrive!
I love the goals she sets for herself!
I couldn't think of a better first gift to open!
Oh Kate, you just know how to make our her day!!
Thank you Amy…you know how to pick 'em!
We LOVED seeing these in the mail!
We couldn't wait to see which guests were going to attend the wedding and reception!
May I say something about RSVP cards for one moment?
When you receive one of these,
especially for a wedding,
PLEASE fill it out right away and send it back on or before the date that is suggested.
I know that I will!
Etsy arrivals…cake topper.
Bar Stools…Oh, these were for me!
But, you get the point.
These poor poodle boys…they didn't know what in the world was happening!
It was Christmas everyday!!
Anyway…
Next up was Ashley's first wedding shower!!
Thanks again to my dearest friend, Julie
and her beautiful daughter Lauren
for throwing this shower for Evan and Ashley.
They live in Plymouth, IN so I hosted it .
Julie made the veil pictured above for the front door decoration.
She also made this beautiful wedding dress cupcake cake!
And all of this wonderful food!
She brought all of the mantle decor too!
I had Evan pose before he took off ;)
Oh my goodness! Such sweetness!!
This was Vera's first shower :)
Umm…Kiely JUST had a baby!
How on God's green earth is it fair that she looks this good a week later!!!!!
But I digress…
Our sweet girl!
Cait, Ashley's Maid of Honor.
I loved watching her open the gifts that would soon fill their home.
She worked so hard on her lists to pick out the perfect items to suit both her and Evan.
I enjoyed that day and will always cherish our memories of wedding registry shopping!!
The following week brought another wedding!
Mr. and Mrs. Jason Moffitt!
Jason is Evan's age and they were in scouts together.
He, his brother and his mom all work for Todd.
These two were next!
Graham finally let me take his picture…of course I had to bribe him!
These were taken at the reception.
After the wedding we went out on the boat!
This was Evan's first summer ever to ski. He did so GREAT!
Fourth of July was approaching quickly and he wanted to feel comfortable up on them.
It was such a fun day :)
June 29, 2014
At the end of the month Chad and Becky came up for the Fourth of July!
July
We had our first Fourth of July at Breakwater, two wedding showers,
a trip to Vegas, a bachelorette party, table placements,
hair and makeup trial run, and church/reception decorating…WHEW!
July third Tom and Karen came to take a boat ride.
It was a BEAUTIFUL sunset that evening!
You can see a swan just at the horizon in the bright yellow spot in the water.
That weekend was The Fourth of July!!
We had a redneck 4th of July!
This is our rendition of Uncle Sam Pose…the original power point!
The t-shirts were custom made after purchasing them from America's store…Walmart!
Oh YEAHHHH!
Evan ordered these for every one's drinks!
I didn't get a picture of all of them but they were awesome!
They played games.
Alan and Chad made their own "beersbie" game. It stayed in the side yard for a couple days.
I bet the neighbor's thought, "what in the world has moved in!" Ha!!
Went boating
This is Alan's boat.
My Captain at the helm of our boat!
Walking the trails and looking at the ducks.
I can't wait until Vera and I can go feed the ducks!!!
Watched fireworks from our golf cart down by the lake.
I watched Vera while Momma and Daddy went boating :)
And literally, we spent hours on the porch that weekend staring at this precious bundle from heaven!!
It was a great first annual Fourth of July
at
"Breakwater Retreat"!!
That Sunday Ashley's Aunt Brenda gave her her second wedding shower!
Brenda is in the center.
It was a lovely shower held at The Methodist Church in Pendleton.
Some of Ashely's bridesmaids.
Ha!
I just love the look on Ashley's face
as her Grandma tries to figure out how to look at the picture they just took…
it took her a while…I'm not sure she ever found it!
But, mine turned out really good! So sweet!!
Ashley's Dear Grandma, Dorothy and Cousin Natalie.
Ashely's girls that she always watched in the summer's.
The one in white was her flower girl…Addy :)
Grandma Kay Ashley
Me and my girl
Mammy and Ashley
This is Ashley's mother's father.
It was a great shower!
On July 9
Todd's side of the family gave Ashley and Evan a shower :)
Sandy, her girls and Gretchen were the gracious hosts.
You just don't even know how much sweetness is in these two pictures!
Thank you so much, Sandy, girls and Gretchen!
The shower was held at The Community Center in Greensfork, IN.
The table decorations,
…the cake
…the thoughtfulness
...was precious!
And,
Sandy let me take it all to use to decorate the rehearsal dinner tables!!
It felt good to check that off the list!
It was another great shower!
They were so blessed by every one's generosity with all three showers.
The next day we met with my friend Mel, the photographer,
for dinner and to go scope out where the best place would be
to take pictures at the church and country club.
We went to the establishments at the time the wedding and reception would take place
so we could see the lighting.
I'm so glad we did.
It made things flow really smooth the day of the wedding.
This was taken in the golf cart at the country club.
I was driving...
and I may or may not have airborne the cart while crossing in the path of some golfers.
But, they were really nice about it :)
Two weeks before the wedding…
…and Todd wanted to take one last "family of four" vacation.
(Evan was freezing in the airport so before we left he got this IU hoodie)
We let Evan choose and he chose…
…VEGAS!
Now, I can see why a 21 year old would like to go to Vegas.
Graham on the other hand had to be resourceful since he is underage.
He and Todd went racing one day
while Evan met up with a Citadel buddy who lives in Vegas.
And, he went shopping with me and picked out my dress for the wedding.
Yes,
the wedding was two weeks away and I didn't have a dress
…don't judge! Ha!
We saw the Cirque Du Soleil "O"show at the hotel we were staying in.
And ate at Emeril's one night.
My "Rainmen"!
at Gallagher's Steak House
and went to see K-Von at the Comedy Club.
When we got back to our hotel/casino
Graham wanted Todd to play his money on the roulette wheel.
Todd won him some big cash.
We called Graham down to take a picture with his chips before we cashed them in.
We were wondering what was taking him so long and then we saw him all dressed up!
He said he wanted to dress like a high roller! Ha!
Good job, Daddy!
Now, let me tell you something...
this boy knows how to have him some FUN!
He slept in his cozy little hoodie all the way home!! Ha!
Back to reality it was!
And, a HUGE thank you to this sweet girl who stayed at our house to watch the poodles :)
Next on the list wedding list was the makeup trial.
Checking it out for the first time.
She looked beautiful!
Then we sat down that evening and did the assigned seating for the reception.
Purchase small paper plates and post it strips, and have your rsvp list and
floor plan of the reception area handy.
Put the guests name on the post it strip with marker and start placing them around a plate.
Don't number the "table" until the end.
It is so easy to move a name to another plate if you need to do so.
That's it! It took us about 2 hours to complete this task!
Easy peasy!!
Next was Ashley's bachelorette party.
Ashley's maid of honor, Cait hosted it.
Ashley and Kiely
Ashley and me
She unwrapped gifts first and then we went to dinner.
Yes, we got lost after dinner walking to the Comedy Club…but that didn't stop the fun!
The rain was a little chilly!
Sweet girls :)
We finally made it!
What a fun night!!
The next week was the week of the wedding.
I needed a little time away from the house doing something that would make me happy…
I called Kiley!
If I could just convince her to go out to eat with Alan then I could babysit!
That's just what I needed!
She said that her and Alan were just talking about asking me to do that!
So, I got a chance to be with this sweet little munchkin!
I left my sunglasses there so…
darn, I had to go and get them.
I got to get me some squishy tutu kisses when I did!!!
Have mercy!!!
Later that week Evan's friends from The Citadel stated showing up and Ashley and I were busy gathering all of the last minute items for the big day.
Thursday rolled around and we loaded up the car to go and decorate!
Ashley's Daddy came to help, and her maid of honor.
The gift table at the rehearsal dinner…thanks to Sandy!!
I set up an example and laid out instructions for the staff
and they decorated at 2am Saturday morning.
The staff at The Anderson Country Club ROCKED!
Not only did they set everything up perfectly
they also boxed everything up after the reception was over
and all I had to do was pick the boxes up Monday morning!
Rehearsal
Drew with his gift!
groomsmen and bridesmaids
Ashley's family
Jacob opening up his gift
Groomsmen and Ushers minus one…Eric!
E!
bridesmaids minus one…Natalie!
Ashley and brother/usher Eric
Last "single" kiss!
Ashley calls Todd "Papa T" and this was her gift to him.
She wrote this and had it embroidered on a handkerchief.
And, this was my sweet and most thoughtful gift.
She wrote this and had it put on a ceramic jewelry box.
Tears!!!!
That night all of the groomsmen and ushers came back to the house with one other Citadel guest and stayed up until all hours of the night!
I had to call it a day at 1:00 am and go to bed.
That day was my son's wedding day…:)
After many months of picking out…
the perfect church,
and perfect venue,
the perfect shade of something blue Kate Spade shoes,
and the perfect something "old" items,
(my earrings that I wore on my wedding day, and when I delivered each of the boys,and her mom's bracelet)
the perfect wedding attendants,
and the perfect ring bearers,
the perfect flower girl,
and perfect flowers,
and the perfect champagne flutes,
(these were the crystal flutes my grandmother gave to me
for Todd and I when we made our first toast).
It was finally time for this
perfect woman to marry this
perfect man!
The "book registry"
Amy and Julie passed out the programs.
Ashley's Aunt Brenda and good friend Elizabeth greeted everyone.
Evan's Citadel friend, Lehe seated the grandparents.
Graham seated Todd and I.
And Ashley's brother, Eric seated their
Tony, Evan and Graham walking in.
Ring bearers Drew and Jacob's turn!
The boxes had wood pieces that said his and hers.
The wood came from Ashley's deceased grandfather's wood shop.
Addy's turn…
she carried a simple white satin and lace basket
that I embellished with some lavender tulle,
and she dropped real flower petals left over from the girls bouquets.
The doors opened and it was Ashley's time to shine!
Dale did great…just a few tears :)
She's all yours, E!
The opening prayer.
Exchange of rings.
Reading of scripture from Tony.
Lighting of the unity candle.
He has loved her since they were in seventh grade…he got his girl!
Mr. and Mrs. McMullen!!
Tony and Mr. Hathaway
Tony is a long-time family friend, former priest, and conducted the premarital counseling classes.
Mr. Hathaway was Evan and Ashley's substitute teacher in Middle School and High School.
I couldn't think of two better people to be there for them and marry them.
Signing the marriage certificate.
A gentle rain shower popped up.
Now, on to the reception!
First was the introduction of the wedding party.
Ushers
Mitch and Liz
Natalie and Cody
Kiely and Kevin
Cait and Graham
Ashley and Evan
Wedding dance!
Cutting the cake
Eating the cake
First toast
Todd's speech.
Next it was T's turn.
He said a sweet speech and then blessed the food.
Best Man speech and toast
Bro hug! Love!
First dance
Father and daughter dance
Mother and son dance
The anniversary dance was next!
Todd's brother, Troy and his wife Theresa
Me and Todd
My mom's niece Judy and her husband Steve
Tom and Karen
It was down to my mom and dad and their best friends John and Jane
Grandma and Grandpa won!
Ha! We were all pretty excited!
These men are Citadel Men!
Tradition is to show those rings…
some hadn't gotten theirs yet and some forgot to wear theirs.
The Brotherhood!
Bouquet toss
Watch out for that chandelier!
Garter toss
Mitch is next!
He got engaged over Thanksgiving!
The Dollar Dance
Austin and Ellie were married a month before Evan and Ashley.
Newlywed Ellie!
Graham's girl, Shelby.
Crazy corner!
Mrs. Senefeld
Evan's sixth grade teacher
Thank you for being there for Evan and Ashley!
I realize that it was your second wedding for the day!
Thank you all who made it so!
"…love…it burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many rivers cannot wash it away."
Isaiah 6-7
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