The Blue Hydrangea

Happy Wedding Day Eve!

2010-03-19T23:28:00.000-07:00

I still can't believe you're about to get married tomorrow! You tormented me - or was it the other way around........... But I honestly began to look up to you as I watched you grow to be the amazing person you are today. And I'm so happy and thankful that you are going to be able to spend the rest of your life with someone who was definitely meant for you. I hope that you and Laura have the most incredible wedding/party day!!!!! I love you both so much!!

Happy Birthday to my little brother!

2009-07-14T09:32:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday to my little brother!

I knew these photo's would come in handy some day!

I love you!

Happy Fathers Day to my Daddy!

2009-06-21T23:42:00.000-07:00

Hollywood sure missed out for Top Gun casting!

I am so thankful for my dad! One thing I always wanted was to have my dad walk me down the aisle. I am so glad that I was able to experience that. And even more than that, he actually officiated our wedding!

My dad has always been my "hero", even as I got older and realized that even he wasn't a perfect human being. He has always done so much for our family. He has always provided for us and taken care of us.

I have always relied on my dad to fix everything, from vehicle problems to a broken dishwasher spraying in his face. He is also an expert campsite trench- digger & blue tarp hanger, for those of you who have ever camped during a northwest monsoon.

I have a vivid memory of riding in the child seat on the back of his bicycle, flying at what seemed like 100 miles an hour down a hill at Point Defiance Park. I have always trusted him and know that he would do anything for me.

I think the first time I consciously acknowledged how much my dad means to me was when my grandpa passed away. I saw what a difficult time that was for my dad, knowing that he would not see his dad again. I felt a wave of thankfulness and relief knowing that even after I don't have my dad here, I know I'll see him again. I can't imagine not having that comfort.

I know so many people grow up without a dad or a good father figure in their lives. I'm so thankful that my husband and my dad have a good relationship that grows stronger every day.

So, Daddy, I want you to know how much you mean to me, how much I appreciate everything you do and have done for me, and how much I love you.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Birthday Mom!

2009-05-12T10:16:00.000-07:00

Today is my moms, well...... lets just say it's a special birthday!

My mom has always made birthdays special for my brother and me. I appreciate the effort she must have put in now that I'm older. She made us birthday cakes almost every year, always coming up with a clever design.

One year she made a furry (coconut) rabbit complete with ears.

There was also the white frosted cake with sugar-coated purple pansies (which are edible!). Other memorable cakes include a brown kitty cake for my brothers 1st (I think..) birthday, which he promptly smashed his face in. She also did a boxcar train, and a gummy insect cake for my brother. I also remember kitty cat cupcakes one year. In more recent years I have begun requesting our family's English Trifle recipe.

She always makes birthdays special for everyone in our family. That's just how my mom is. She thinks of everyone else first. She worked so hard to help with all of our wedding preparations, even saving some money to help us out with the cost of our venue. She has spent hours helping me get our yard landscaped, showing me how to care for each new plant we put in. She has always been there whenever I needed her.

Mom, Mother, Mommy....... My Dad & my Husband both call their moms "Mom". My mom always called her mom "Mother". We grew up calling my mom "Mommy". I have never mentioned this before, but I found that once I reached an age where "Mommy" became sort of socially unacceptable (Ok, I was probably 25), I found it impossible to stop calling her that. I honestly still do, mostly in my head. I've found myself in a crowded store calling out "Mommy", with the 'my' part sort of mumbled at the end as I realized how it must look for a 30 year old woman to be calling for her Mommy. Only recently have I started to see in magazines or on TV grown women referring to their "Mommy". I was elated to hear this as it makes me feel a little less weird. To me she will always be Mommy, even if I don't yell it in a public place. I've actually never asked her what she would prefer!

I would be ecstatic if I could be half the wife and mother that my mom is. I know she's not perfect, but this bible passage really does describe who my mom is.

I love you - Happy Birthday!

Proverbs 31:10-12 and 25-31

A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more that rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her

and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom,

and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:

"Many women do noble things,

but you surpass them all."

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Give her the reward she has earned,

and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

The Scalpmaster 3000

2009-04-06T01:20:00.000-07:00

Strange things can stir up feelings of nostalgia...........

Yes, it's a little strange that I snuck a camera into the bathroom to take a picture of my mother-in-law's hairbrush.

But it brought back fond memories, because my mom had the exact same hairbrush (Scalpmaster 3000!!!!) while I was growing up, except hers was green. In fact, that hairbrush was the only one I ever remember her having since I was little until I moved out on my own. I even remember every detail of it, the floral design on the back, how the handle felt in my hand and the bristles when I ran my fingers over them.

Maybe I'm a little odd when it comes to being sentimental about things like this, but I love when a simple object can bring memories of smells, sights, or feelings flooding back like it happened just yesterday.

It's so funny how the silliest little things can bring back fond memories of the people you love!

Three signs you may be in the south.........

2009-03-31T19:04:00.000-07:00

Yes, Washing-tonians, they do still exist!!!!!

This IS a microbrew!!!!!!!

Need I say more????????????????????

I love the south!

Ahhhhh....vacation........

2009-03-25T03:22:00.000-07:00

I didn't think it would ever get here! We are off to visit family in Charlotte, NC - home of the Panthers!

I'm excited to see everyone, especially to meet Aunt Ellen for the first time who lives in Asheville (below).

And I can't wait to spend two days in one of my most favorite cities....Charleston SC!!!!! I will have stories and pictures to post when we get home. See you in 10 days!

Katie

Twilight addicts anonymous

2009-02-18T15:17:00.000-08:00

My extended blogger absence is partially due to the obvious everyday distractions: the house, cleaning, laundry, work, reality shows, The Bachelor, etc......

But in the most recent weeks, I can thoroughly blame it on this:

My addiction. I will admit it. And I have my friend Shannon to thank for it. Every free moment I have is spent trying to squeeze in even a few sentences to quench my thirst (pun intended) for the most attention-grabbing horror/science fiction/love story I have ever read. This is the first time in a long while that I can remember being so engrossed in a book that everything around me seems to disappear. The author's incredible talent of description paints the characters in such a way that you feel as if you have known them your whole life.

I loved the first two books so much that I ordered my own complete series. I am waiting impatiently to be able to finish the last two books.

I know I have neglected my posts and I promise to spend more time keeping everyone updated on the latest happenings around here. Stay tuned.

White white white Christmas!

2008-12-22T11:20:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Blue Hydrangea's home............

This is how it looked a few days ago.............

And now today........

Our back yard.................

Looking out our front window............

Let me out...........

Our sidewalk looking east........

Our house.........

Looking west down our alley........

Our front step - nearly buried...........

Let it snow....I think......... Merry Christmas!

The Blue Hydrangea is planted.

2008-12-09T21:54:00.000-08:00

I have not had much time to spend blogging lately, but I wanted to get this short post done while I had a free minute.

We are all moved in to our new home as of this past Saturday. We truly feel already like this IS home. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but I think that will be the fun part.

I can not begin to express my (our) thanks to our friends and family (you know who you are). This move would not have been possible without you. We are not planning on making this an "annual tradition" - I think we are staying put for awhile. I hope all of your sore muscles and aching backs have healed. I will keep you all updated of our unpacking progress :)

Thank you again - we are so blessed to have such a wonderful family, whether we are related by blood or not!

Losing control is so underrated.

2008-11-23T08:01:00.000-08:00

It's amazing to me how much meaning & emotion these little items can hold. Dreams, anxiety, happiness, joy, excitement, responsibility. Yes, these are the keys to our new home.

If you had told me exactly 2 years, 3 months, and 6 days ago that I would be preparing to move in to a house with my husband right now, I would have looked at you like you had brussel sprouts for eyeballs. It's just another amazing reminder to me at how perfect God's plan is.

I will be the first one to admit (as my husband will attest) that I can be controlling at times. Ok, most of the time. I like to have things my way, I don't like surprises, and I like to have a plan of action. None of this fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants and "we'll figure it out later" crap.

Which is probably exactly why my life has been directed the way that it has. Just when I think I'm in control, I get a gentle, or sometimes not so gentle reminder that He is.

It's been a very hard lesson for me to learn, and by no means have I aced the test. But I think I have gotten a little bit better. Our wedding was a great test for me.

I knew exactly how I wanted everything to look, but I resigned myself early on that there was no way I could do everything by myself. And that was ok. And everything turned out more beautiful than I could ever have imagined, thanks to the hard work of my family & friends. And quite a lot of help from Upstairs.

So, as I prepare myself for a 3rd story move-out (for those of you who know what I mean, I am truly sorry but thank you in advance for your help), and a new beginning in a place that my husband and I can call our own (well sort of, I'm sure the bank would have something to say about that), I am ready to give up all control to God and trust that He will take care of us, provide for us, and lead us on the right path.

And when I forget, I will have this post to come back to and remind me. :)