Family Life - The last of 3 Sisters to Wed

Two weekends ago I celebrated in the marital union of my 2nd of 3 sisters to get married in 2013! It was an exciting time, and while everyone was here, we put together a shower for my sister, Stephanie, who is the 3rd wedding of the year, tying the knot in North Carolina this October. She loves mustaches so I decided to do a lips and mustache theme. I of course went to Pinterest and started pinning like crazy. The catch to this shower was that the room we were using was not available for setup until Saturday, the day of the wedding for my sister, Alex. So I had to make sure I didn't commit to anything that would need a lot of last minute set up. The colors were black, red, pink and gray.
Here is what we got...

For part of the centerpieces I stamped some mustaches and circles in dark pink and gray, and because I couldn't find a lip stamp I just used paint and my own lips.
I added the above to white table clothes, this wrapping paper I found at Hobby Lobby, some circles cut from colored paper, glassware wrapped in ribbon also acquired from hobby lobby, black and red candy and the lips and mustaches I made for the "he said, she said" game from Alexandra's shower, and Voila!

I saw some great pins on Pinterest that used funny sayings tying in the mustache and lips so I used some of them and created designs to match the themes. This is what I came up with:

In case you can't read them, they say: Wet Your Whiskers, Smooch Juice (Fruit Punch) and Add to the "Stache"

It was a dessert evening shower, we had a chocolate fountain, cupcakes, candy etc.

For activities/games, I had a bunch of cookies in shapes of lips and mustaches and had a decorating contest that the bride to be could vote on for a top prize. Then based on some ideas I pinned, I created two games. The first was a Shower Libs - Mad Libs with a wedding twist, and Bridal Scattergories. That was the game that came with the most surprises. The shower was for all the church ladies and let me just say that we discovered some funny bones and humor that we had no idea this group possessed.

It was seriously a good time!

Originally I planned on making a photo puzzle for guests to write on the back of the pieces, but that didn't work out as planned. I didn't have time to make one and services that I did have time for were too costly. So I decided to have one DIY style, unfortunately either the Lowe's saleman didn't know what he was talking about or he took advantage of a woman, because when they didn't have the wood I needed, he sold me something else, claiming it would be the same, and it wasn't! I had it cut, drew out a puzzle template,printed the photo, painted the wood, mod podged the photo into place, but when I took it to my friend to have it cut, I discovered the wood was not what I needed and would only splinter when cut.

So I just gave the photo to the bride-to-be in case she wanted it and went to plan B. My husband works in metal and was able to have a 5'x2' mustache cut and painted black. I got some gold and silver pens and had people sign it.

As you can see the bride-to-be had fun with it.

We ended the evening with gifts and sent everyone home with an assortment of goodies.

We all had the best time and loved this theme!

Like Me

As a young girl, I was exposed to a reality that wasn't pleasant. My former step dad was an abusive alcoholic who took out his hurt and pain on my mom and our family. He would abuse my mom and often as a kid, I would see neighbors just staring out their windows or from their front porches just sitting there, watching us, taking no action. It deeply hurt and angered me that they were finding entertainment value from my troubled reality. We needed help, their help and they were unwilling to lift a finger. There was one amazing neighbor next door who always came to our aid, so I don't want to be remiss in acknowledging that heroic act, but I know the other onlookers helped inspire me to be a woman passionate about getting involved in people's lives and standing up for the person who can't stand up for themselves. Its instinctual to step in when someone is being hurt or bullied, without thought for my own welfare. Maybe that instinct lacks wisdom at times, but I wouldn't change it for the world, because if I can step in for someone who sees others looking on doing nothing, as I did so many years ago, it would fill my heart with joy.

A dance I watched recently actually brought all this up in me again and also brought forth the poem I've written below, which I would like to share now. Its written to others out there who are standing in the shoes I wore over 20 years ago. My heart goes out to all those being abused and mistreated, for no one deserves that! This is dedicated to you...

Like Me
Dear Girl Like Me, Dear Boy Like Me,

Your Life is someone else’s TV
They sit and watch entertained for free.
You desire action, intervention
Of your home that feels like a prison!
Jabs are taken,
Wounds are born,
Repeat on with endless scorn.
You long for someone to care for you
And pay a dime for Pay-Per-View!
This is NOT reality TV, it is real life, your life,
BELIEVE ME!
To sit and watch and do nothing is criminal to say the least.
They are just as bad as THE BEAST.
Your curtain call will soon be drawn and someone will make sure he’s (she's) gone!
But until that day comes, stand strong!
Please know I’m praying for you.

Love,
Someone whose been in your shoes

As I close this post, I must share that the greatest force that stood by me through that difficult time and each one since then, has been my Savior, Jesus Christ! I don't know how a spiritual being can be so present, but He has been. I have felt a hug when I needed one and been encouraged when I felt all hope was lost. I stand strong and continue on because of my Lord! Thanks Jesus!