Tuesday, March 19, 2013

and she is back.

As soon as we think that we can exhale... birth mom comes back. She waves and bam.. visits start.  She has gone on two so far. They are once a week for two hours at a time- of course they are "fully supervised".  The caseworker claimed that both times the "visit went well"... and then goes on to say that birth mom was on the phone the whole time asking family members to come over and see the baby- or talking with her boyfriend about godonlyknowswhat.  So. Yeah. Way to parent-- IN FRONT OF A CASE WORKER AND PARENT AIDE.

All I can do is shake my head and pray to God.

My guess is that she will take off again. She has to. I cannot handle the opposite.

We also got a call for another baby over the last week .. he was a little 4 month old Caucasian peanut. After thinking long and hard about it, we declined placement. The situation just wasn't right for our family and taking on the health concerns may have put me completely over the edge. It was a hard decision to come to but it is for the best.

We started getting some photos back from the wedding... here are a couple... I wish I could go back to that day :)


Engagement
Watching her mama's tying the knot
Listening to the readings
Happily married



Also- my mom is in the hospital. She fell the Monday after the wedding. Prayers her way, please.

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

I feel like a wife ....

I wasn't really sure what I would feel like after Traci and I were married. I wasn't sure that I would feel ANY different, but I do. I FEEL like her wife.

The night prior to the big event, my sisters and my mom took me to get my nailz'did. I have never had a pedicure before, and at one point I believe I squealed with delight. It felt so nice to be pampered.. especially after the grueling eyebrow threading that morning. Dear lord. WHAT THE HELL IS THAT TORTURE? Google something like.. eyebrow threading hurts like hell... and you will actually find videos.

Anywho.. the mani/pedi were fantastic! After that we went to a little bistro and had a fantastic dinner with too many drinks. It was a perfect way to celebrate right before the wedding.

Rebs came down bright and early Saturday morning and we hit the road running. Packing cars, packing bags, taking care of Cora... Rebs even had to run to my work where I forgot copies of readings and the ceremony! We had rehearsal at 10:30am and then I met my bride at 4pm.

Traci looked wonderful.  Grey pants and vest, purple shirt and paisley bow tie. At one point during the ceremony when I was tearing up, she pulled out an embroidered handkerchief for me to use. WHAT? Holy sweetness.  We had a guitar and a stand up bass at the ceremony. We walked in to Bob Marley's "Is This Love" and walked out to James Taylor's "How Sweet It Is". The musicians did a GREAT job! We had readings done by Rebs from the Book of Ruth and another called The Art of Marriage that was read by our friend Karina. They both did a fantastic job! People said it was the best, most meaningful ceremony they have ever been to.  What a great feeling.

Pictures and then off to the reception.

Oh my lord, the reception looked BEAUTIFUL! My friend Rebs, her sister and her sisters friend did an AMAZING job putting it all together. I would never have been able to do it-- and they rocked it out. Rebecca- I know you are reading this- I have to tell you that the words 'thank you' would never be able to cover how grateful I am for everything you did to make our day special.  The time, talent and love that you put behind everything you did simply took my  breath away. Everything was a work of art! You amaze me. Rebs even had to put out a fire. literally. at a table. Yeah. only at my wedding. LOL

I really didn't get to eat much at all- but I guess that is what happens when you are a  bride, right? But I heard the food was fantastic and the cupcakes were delish! We hired a photo booth and that was a hit! Then- the surprise of the evening- Rebs hired Irish dancers to come in and perform. Holy CRAP!!! IT WAS AWESOME! I never imagined something like that would happen. They did a GREAT job!!!!

We danced the night away and by the time midnight rolled around, I couldn't feel my feet anymore. We had SO MUCH FUN! We headed back to our room, took a dip in the hot tub and promptly fell asleep :).

I plan on posting much more from the wedding- vows, pictures, etc- I want to remember it all!
My wife and I.