The party was amazing.  Several of the kids with RSVP’s didn’t show because of the crud that’s going around…however we had PLENTY of guests and they had a blast!  Several people commented on how awesome it was, of course this makes the planning and stressing about it the past few weeks totally worth it!

It was in the fish room in the children’s department at Northview, our church.  We had a Little Mermaid theme with tiaras, but there were three boys who appreciated the pirate hats and the eye patches!  When the kids first got there, we had them decorate their respective headpieces with stickers.  Then they went fishing off the boat!  Each kid got a stretchy sea creature to take home.  Then it was time for cake, opening presents, and then the moonwalk (sorry, no pics of the moonwalk action, they didn’t come out very well!)  All the kids had so much fun–Yay!  On the way home, Gracie said it was the bestest party ever.  Awwwww! 

Now onto the pics!

Before the chaos…

The ceiling…Isn’t this room amazing?  Northview has the most talented and most creative people ever. 

The Little Mermaid before her guests arrived.

Mommy and Daddy love their little mermaid. 

The beautiful cake…not only was it tasty, but gorgeous!  The starfish and shells were white chocolate–yummy! Thank you, ROBIN!!!  You ROCK!! 

Fishing for sea creatures.  Daddy got to clip them on, I’m sure he enjoyed being under the boat!

Blowing out the candles…

The princesses… 

The pirates saying “arrrrrrgh!” lol 

Lots of wonderful friends!

And mommy went home to take a nap.  Gracie went home to play with her loot.  The girls are both sleeping and Chris and I are having some tea and trying to relax.  What a great day! 

Today is your 5th Birthday, Gracie.  I don’t know how it all happened so fast.  I guess this is just how it goes, and I’m trying to remember to embrace every moment. It just seems time flies by too fast to do that.  It takes a lot of effort on my part to slow down so I don’t miss your childhood.  You are funny, sweet, caring, confident, happy, passionate, silly, dramatic, friendly, loving, and beautiful.  You are definitely a ray of sunshine in the lives of those around you… 

February 23, 2003 was one of the happiest days of our lives.  We love you sweetheart!

Gracie took cupcakes to school on Friday.  Last night she spent the night with Uncle Matthew at his new apartment and they went to the mall to make a Build A Bear.  Now she’s at breakfast with him.  Miss Meagan is taking her on a Target toy aisle shopping spree after while, and then tomorrow she will have her big “Under the Sea” party. No worries, I’ll get pics up as soon as I can.      

Gracie’s style is so over the top frou-frou diva princess pop star…This outfit came yesterday for her and she is in love with the twirly layers.  I couldn’t get her to take it off. 

Then there’s punker Trinity in her baby legs–can you see the flames?

Trinity spent all of Saturday night/Sunday morning puking.  That was fun.  I got three hours of sleep and was a little “off” on Sunday morning.  But I had to go to church because I had to shadow my pastor’s wife to learn how to do the stuff she does on Sundays.  Next week she’s gone so I’m on my own!  I hope I can retain everything, it was a lot of info for sleep deprived me.  haha. 

About my breast reconstruction….I so don’t want to have surgery again.  But I know in my heart that not having my breasts reconstructed at 31 years old will be the biggest regret of my life.  I have to do it, for me, for Chris and for my daughters.  To have some normalcy in the years to come…but I’m still scared.  I have had enough pain to last a lifetime.  I wish there was an easier way but there’s not.  I will spend 2 months recovering and then take off the bandages to reveal something that may or may not resemble what I used to look like. 

I’m so sick of the makeshift body I have to deal with every single day.  I was so pretty…before all this.  Yesterday, Chris showed me a video of Christmas a few years ago.  I couldn’t believe how profoundly it affected me.  My long blonde straight hair, in-shape body, my thin face and high cheekbones, knowing that under my shirt was real boobs, not these fake pillows I can’t stand to wear–it all made me cry.  Poor Chris.  I don’t think he knew what to do or say. Some days it’s just too much.  I look into the mirror and don’t recognize myself. What I really hate is that these changes are up to me, how long I wait is how long I will have to live with myself like this.  But I haven’t been able to bring myself to call.  I’m writing it here so I will do it.  I plan on calling the Dr today to schedule a consultation. Wish me luck! 

 That Miss Trinity is almost two?  She is soooo big, dontcha know, doing big things like crafts at MDO…this one in particular she is very proud of.

And I took these before MDO on Friday.  You will notice she is sitting at the barstool, not the highchair in the background.  Apparently she is soooo over the highchair.  She won’t sit in it anymore.  Here she is eating her cereal:

And in usual Trinity style, has to make a “Cheese” face!

Sigh. She’s beautiful.  Where has my baby gone?

Newborn:

Last February:

Last Thursday…

CHRIS GOT ME A DOZEN LONG STEMMED RED ROSES TODAY!  WHAT A GUY!!

These are some of the pics from the wedding last weekend.  The professional photographer hasn’t sent hers yet, but these are some the groom’s brother took.  You can’t really see me in this picture but I’m the second blue sash from the bride…lol.  This is just to show you our dresses and the wedding party.  We were about to break it down for the wedding party dance…Bohemian Rhapsody.  Oh yes, we headbanged in those strapless dresses. 

Our pretty bouquets:

After the wedding…pics with Meagan

Alright, that’s it. If you want Valentine wishes check out the post just under this one. 

ETA:  In response to my husband’s comment about always just being a footnote…here are the roses:

And here is my sweet, pouty Christopher. haha