Window Shopping.

  Yesterday was a great day. I found my wedding dress. 


   My Mom and I started out in the morning and had booked appointments at two different places. We arrived in New West a little early so we decided to do some window shopping (in the rain) why not!?  We spotted a store that had the style I was looking for, without even checking if they were open we walked right in and quickly picked out a couple for me to try on before my other appointment. I really thought the first one I tried on had me. Then I tried on another that drew my attention when I walked by but didn't think it would look right on me. When I walked out and saw my Mom's face I knew that this was the one, then of course looked in the mirror and felt a wave of emotion. I had to quickly change back into my clothes and head to my appointment that I really tried to put the effort in to give other dresses a chance. I ended up feeling frustrated and bored because both Mom and I knew it was a big waste of time. I found the dress. My dress. 


  When we went back I put both dresses on again just to make sure the second was the choice. The day had been rainy and grey but as soon as I put the second one back on, the sun came out.. it was a sign ;) I really wanted something a bit original and am so pleased I found it. I tried on a sample dress and will be getting one made just for me! I wish I could share the designer, however I want to keep everything on the down low right now. I must say the whole experience was wonderful. I think Mom was pleased of how easy it went, for someone who is obsessed with "say yes to the dress" had some anxiety of how stressful it can be. 


  I ended up canceling my second appointment, I didn't want to go though trying on more dresses when I had already fallen in love with one. 


  I was pleased that I was able to take a couple pictures with my phone since most of my wedding party are in different provinces, I was able to share my excitement with them at the same time. 


 Thank you Mom for sharing such a wonderful day with me! Now I have to wait until MAY to wear it!? Ugh!
  

Happy Fathers Day.

  When I think of words of wisdom I have received from my Father here are a 2 that come to my mind first: 


"It is what it is"


"You are your own girl"


  I have received so much advice from my father growing up that I could write a book, some I listened to, some I chose not to due to my stubbornness.  As I get older I look forward to the words of wisdom, I really am never sure what is going to come out next.. like a couple of weeks ago he told me "you must be from good stock". 
  My Father continues to be very interested in my work even though he lives across the country, always giving me advice when I need it and sometimes I don't even need to ask, like today he gave me a great idea for my clients! He has been there when I needed to be picked up from crashing my bike or his car ;). He awkwardly offered to buy me ice cream when a boy dumped me in high school because he wasn't sure what to do. He truly is a wonderful man, father and grandfather! Happy Fathers Day Dad, I love you! 


  ps: notice I indented my paragraphs, I know it bothers you when I don't ;)

  To the Father of my child. You are such a great dad, I am continually impressed with you. You show him fun, excitement, laughter, love and discipline. He is so lucky to have a father like you. I wish you a wonderful fathers day!

  Happy Fathers day to all the wonderful fathers out there! 

Dirt + Sunscreen

I forgot how much I missed the smell of dirt and sunscreen. After putting the first coat on Grayer this spring I couldn't get enough of it, slobbering him with kisses so I could get a sniff. I also missed the laugh he belts out after I spray each arm or leg and the growls when it's time to do the face. 


The summer drawer has finally been opened and the shorts that have been waiting to be grown into are being warn with little pale skinny legs hanging out. The buzz cut has happened, we are ready to go! Where is the sun??


Yesterday started out pretty hot and sunny so I promised we would go have a picnic for dinner somewhere on a beach so he could 'dig'. After packing snacks and toys with a lather of sunscreen we were on our way to only hit the rain :( We didn't pack for rain, I looked in the back seat only to see a little guy who was trying to so hard to be patient holding a shovel. I couldn't break my promise.. 

What is is with boys throwing rocks into water? One after the other, trying to dig out the really bigs ones. 

He held the rock like this for the longest time, like he was trying to find exactly where he wanted it to go in the water. 

I cannot wait for all the adventures of the summer, more sunscreen, dirt and hopefully sun!

Pre Wedding Jitters..

  So tomorrow I have my first Wedding of the season! I am VERY excited. So far I have 13+ weddings booked this spring/summer/fall and have been trying to patiently wait for them to begin! 
  
  The bride is not the only one with jitters before the big day, I get them too. Every night or even days before a Wedding I get nervis, excited and very anxious. I can't wait to see the details, the dress, everything! I begin by relaxing and taking time going over the notes I have taken down for this particular Wedding and things the bride and I have talked about. Then I go over 'my wedding notes' that I have taken down over time from my course and forums. I then make sure to have everything in the camera bag organized, charged and ready to go with nothing amiss. Lots of cards and batteries, even snacks. Oh and listen to this song by Adele, always gets me in the groove. 

  What I love about Weddings is that they are not always the same, as far as schedule goes. Some Weddings I basically start my day along with them while they are drinking their morning coffee and beginning the make-up/hair process. Some I start shortly before the ceremony. Tomorrow is one of those days I start shortly before the ceremony. This is probably a good thing since it is the first Wedding of the season it will get me back into the grove without leaving me exhausted. 

  It looks like the weather is not going to be that fair to us, but that is OK. I believe I have an adventurous bride and groom on my hands so that will not stop us!


   Before I leave to go do a little more reading, charging, etc. I will share a few random pictures from this week. 

                                         This is the only way to get pictures of us sometimes :) 

 

  Happy Friday! 


- Tracie

A Simple Childhood

So now that I have a child I tend to think of how much things have changed since I was a child, and I am a young parent!

  I grew up in a VERY small town where everyone knew everyone, so it is different then out here. However I think it has gotten a little crazy. The other day Curt and I were driving and I saw this young kid talking away on his cell phone while walking from school probably, so I asked Curt how old he was when he first got a cell phone. He told me probably 13... I was in grade 11!! Thats the difference from small towns to city living I guess. Still I think it has gone a little crazy.. I came accross this post today on one of my friends facebook: 

When I was a kid I didn't have an X-box, Wii. I had a bike and a curfew, the street lights. Mom didn't call my cell, she yelled outside, "time to come in". I played outside with friends, not online. If I didn't eat what my mom cooked, I went hungry. Hand sanitizer didn't exist, but you could get your mouth washed out with soap. Re-post this if drank water out of hose and survived!!! ;)

  This was exactly my childhood! So it got me inspired today to make 

some things I enjoyed when I was little (SIMPLE things).

  Grayer actually LOVED the homemade musical instruments lol.

 

I LOVE homemade play doh, I don't know why but it is WAY better!

  

  

  I hope more people can be inspired to share little things from 

there childhood with their children. I think it's important and special.

  Weekend is almost here and it is going to be another busy one! 

Cheers, 

-Tracie

Go Grayer Go!

  Today we had Grayer's birthday party, and he had a blast. He had his best buddies there who were as excited as he was. 

  This morning I made a coffee and went downstairs to start decorating, Grayer grabbed a toy and came along. We looked like hill billy's, me in baggy sweats and messy hair and him in swim shorts (his new thing) and winter boots (aparently another new thing). He continued to stand there passing us balloon after balloon to blow up. When I tried to take a break, he crossed his arms and gave me a look like "ready yet?". 

  

   When people started to show up the excitement got to him instantly and I could see his overwhelmed eyes starting to get glossy.. 

  He is obsessed with Go Diego Go right now so I tried to make it that theme, even though it was almost impossible to find anything that theme. I actually made the cake too, usually I stay away from working with icing because my biggest pet peeve is sticky hands.. but I did it! 

  

    The details:  

                  

  

Cupcakes made my Olivia! If you want cupcakes made, she's your girl! 

   Some of the guests: 

  The birthday boy: 

                  

To finish this blog post with a contagious smile, here is Mr. Wesley! 

-Tracie 

Happy Birthday Grayer!

Today, my baby turned 2...


When you have a child you are warned about so many things, tend to over-think all the dangers and fears that could happen in the first couple of months. Watch every move when they start squirming all over the place in fear of a face plant or eating something off the floor. When they start walking, you want them to be brave and take a fall without too many tears. I was told to take the time and enjoy every moment because it goes by too fast, yeah OK it does but thats part of life. Yeah, its not as easy as I thought..

I don't remember the first birthday being this hard, but he was still a baby. He is a little man now, who picks out his own clothes and tells me what he wants to eat, watch or do. 

Last night I blew up a few balloons and stuck them to his bedroom door, he loves "bawoons". As the clock hit midnight I snuck in and gave him a kiss and whispered happy birthday to him. This morning he was very happy to see all the bawoons and wanted me to blow up more.

I went the whole day without feeling overly emotional, until I started editing pictures and I shed one tear. Grayer noticed right away, came over to me and wiped it away and gave me a hug. He is the best.


We had a little birthday celebration today, cupcakes, presents, and a good few hours at the playground. We even had a nap together. Todays weather was probably exactly like the weather we had on the       day he was born, I remember because I didn't want to be stuck inside.








I never knew I could be so in love with someone..

                                                                            (My mom and Grayer)

                 

                         

                  

And of course we wrapped our evening up with more play doh playing, puzzles and the usual bath. I let him splash a little extra and stay in a little longer tonight ..

(note: I think he looks like the Caldwell's here, this is rare lol ) 

He may be getting older but I refuse to give up the baby smelling shampoo! 

I had an amazing day. I love my family of three, and couldn't ask for anything else.


Happy Birthday Grayer, we love you so very much. You are the most beautiful, amazing, lovable person I have ever met.


Stay tuned for more pictures after his 'big' party on Sunday!


-Tracie