Monday, February 20, 2012

A Mommy Group Wedding



Somehow when I move to a new place, I find wonderful people who make each new location feel like home. Here in Dallas, that is my moms group. We tell people we are not a play group- we are a support group for moms.  Conveniently, our kids happen to play together while we have coffee, laugh, cry, problem-solve, and pull out our hair together. The most important advice I can give to a new mother is this: find a group of other new mothers and SEE THEM OFTEN. If you want to maintain your sanity and sense of humor, you need the support of a small village.

In our group, we are all first-time mamas who met in the most random ways (i.e. coffee shops, bookstores, or just walking down the street).  The formation of our group has been serendipity at it's finest.  Unfortunately most of us don't have family that live close by so we have become a support system for each other. And this summer, our village hosted a wedding!

Our savvy group threw a last minute celebration for our dear friend and fellow mama, Pilar.  Megan supplied her wedding dress and shoes, Anabel gave her a pre-wedding manicure, and I did the flowers.


Around ten of Pilar and Ruben's friends gathered in their living room.  Pilar sang a song through her tears.  Their one-year old son Antonio, who was ringbearer, had two feet to walk with the rings and fell on the way. It was perfect. I'm sure everyone else who was there felt as I did- incredibly special to be there to witness the intimate ceremony.

After nap time, we headed over to Deirdre's house.  Megan and Deirdre co-hosted the dessert reception and supplied food and champagne. The other mamas also brought desserts and ten or more babies provided the entertainment. It was a bittersweet reception as Pilar moved back to Wisconsin the day after her wedding. (She and Ruben are both professors and it has so far been impossible for them to find jobs both in their specialized fields and in the same state.)  While we mamas were happy to celebrate their love, we were also sad to bid her adios.


Muchas felicidades a Pilar y Ruben (y Antonio!!)  We all love you and miss you and feel blessed to have been a part of your wedding day. Our paths will forever be joined by the precious time we spent together with our babies during their first year of life.

_________
Postscript: I wanted to write this post earlier, but my blog fell to the wayside this past year as I was finding a new life balance that included motherhood.  And this story was just too special not to write about. How cool is my mama's group? My life here in Dallas would not be half as happy if it were not for these special women.

Monday, February 13, 2012

HaPpY LoVe DaY


Valentine's Day isn't just about romantic love- 
it's a time to share hugs, kisses, kind words, and glittery cards with those we care about. 
So here are a few random happy things I'm sharing with you, my reader, on this LoVe DaY.


Baby Girl never met a puppy she didn't like. 


So we sent out 8 vintage-inspired sparkling puppy love valentines 
to special little friends who live too far away.


  We went a bit overboard with stickers on each envelope.  
Check out the stud muffin sticker- doesn't it make your heart smile?


When I was little, I wished my mom would cut my sandwiches into hearts.  And guess what?  
Now I can be that mom.  Here I'm spreading love with a PB and banana sandwich.


And saving the best for last...
Wendell Berry wrote "The Wild Rose" for his wife.  
It made me think of my hubby, so it's the Valentine message I'm writing inside his card.
And it's just so beautiful, I wanted to share it with you too.

Sometimes hidden from me
in daily custom and in trust,
so that I live by you unaware
as by the beating of my heart,

Suddenly you flare in my sight,
a wild rose blooming at the edge
of thicket, grace and light
where yesterday was only shade,

and once again I am blessed, choosing 
again what I chose before.

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