Monday, December 31, 2012

I dreamed a dream.


Anne Hathaway's I Dreamed A Dream scene alone
is worth the price of the ticket. 



Go.

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

A Christmas Letter

Dear Friends,

In between unwrapping gifts and cooking Christmas lunch, I wanted to stop and take a minute to wish all of you a Merry Christmas!

I've had a really wonderful 2012.  This has been, hands down, the  most interesting year I've had in a long, long time.  So many times I have been faced with new opportunities I didn't expect (not all that turned out the way I originally hoped they would), found strength to accomplish things I didn't know I had the ability or stamina for, and made friendships that I didn't expect to find or love quite so much. 

Many of you have been a part of my incredible year, either directly or indirectly, or possibly you've only followed my progress and journey and cheered me from the sidelines.  In whatever capacity you find yourself here with me, to all of you, I thank you. 

May the love and peace of the season be with you today, and all days.

Merry Christmas,

Angie

Monday, December 24, 2012

Texting Santa

Mashable got ahold of Santa's phone this year.  Santa should really be more careful.  Here are my favorite convos...

Justin Bieber:


Morgan Freeman:


An overly attached girlfriend:


Mariah Carey:

Mars Curiosity Rover:


Just a little holiday humor to get you through this beautiful Christmas Eve!  I still have a gift to buy.  WHAT?? 

I know, Santa. I know.

Safe travels to those of you on the road this holiday season! 

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Merry Christmas!



From our house, 
to yours,
we wish you a 
Merry Christmas!

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Baby K, future heartbreaker.

We have a Christmas baby this year in our family! Meet my brand new nephew, baby K.

I'm enamored.



I got approved to visit the NICU tonight to get my first peek.  (Which, when they say "scrub in", they mean SCRUB IN.  There's a timer and everything.)

His mama had just gotten the opportunity to hold him for the first time in a day or so (he was born on Thursday).  She was very excited. :)  He's had a bit of trouble with his O2, so please keep him in your prayers for a speedy recovery so we can get him home and snuggle him up in person. 


Precious. 

Monday, December 17, 2012

18.

Eighteen years ago today I met one of my two favorite people on the planet.

G, 1 week

He used to stare at me like that, like he was puzzled by my very existence and if he looked deep enough, long enough, he might just figure this strange world out. 

I was content to just stare back.

When he was a baby, he never cried. He was mostly content to watch me watching him, and listen to my voice. I used to sing 'A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes' as I rocked him to sleep.

As a toddler, his favorite book was Green Eggs and Ham.

When he went to school, he always looked after the smallest kid on the playground, took care that no one was left out.

He's funny.  We spend a lot of time laughing around here, much of it inappropriate. 

He loves Tom Hanks.

His favorite movie is Black Hawk Down.

He would probably actually go to prom if Hayley Williams from Paramore would consent to be his date. 

My boy wants to be a soldier.  A friend of mine asked this weekend when it was he started talking about this (the military), and I said, truthfully, "When he was four."

Wherever life leads him, I have faith he's smart enough and strong enough to make a difference and find success.  I might have slightly different goals for he and Lu than most parents; I want them to be happy, and I want them to go out in the world and see what's waiting just around the corner, to not let fear hold them back.  After that, it's cake. 

We've come a long way, G and I and Lu.  I wouldn't trade a single second of it. 


Love you, baby. Happy birthday. 

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Cinderella's Dream Closet

If I were Cinderella, and a suave and handsome prince happened by on occasion to ask me to a ball, I would accept demurely.  And then I would flit away to my singularly amazing closet filled with the kinds of dresses that set all my competitors' teeth on edge.

Dresses, like these.

source

source

source

source

source

source

source

source

I need that prince now.

Or at least a lovely formal event so that I can recreate one of these gorgeous dresses...aren't they spectacular?

*swoon* 

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Dustin's Dream

One year ago today, a former student of mine lost his life in a senseless tragedy.  He was an amazing kid, so full of peace and happiness that you couldn't help but smile when you saw him.

Dustin was a pre-med student at Baylor, and his dream was to work in the medical field and to participate in mission work both at home and abroad.  His strong, beautiful family is continuing Dustin's legacy, with the formation of a foundation in his name, Dustin's Dream.

I was honored to participate in one of their first major projects this month, when they asked my graphic design class to design a poster for their fundraising efforts.


The student designer is Chai L., a senior, and he is simply amazing.  He has a wonderful eye for layout and I gave absolutely no direction on this project until the very end when I made two tiny, miniscule suggestions.  This is Chai's work, and it is gorgeous.

The reverse effect cross was a complete accident... Chai and I were both stunned when it began to emerge.

And then, we weren't.

Dustin's mom told me, after asking how he came up with the idea, that she no longer believes in "accidents".  

You have never heard more silence from a group of teenagers than the moment this 30 x 40 inch poster came off the large format printer in my room.  It's simple, quiet beauty stunned us all.

You can read more about the Guatemala City Medical Clinic project here, and if you find it in your heart to donate to their cause, I thank you.

God bless you, Dustin.  You are often in my thoughts.

Friday, December 14, 2012

Broken.


My heart is broken for you, Connecticut.


Come to me, 
all you who are weary and burdened, 
and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

wednesday wisdom.



whoops...didn't mean to disappear for a week!  
Back soon with fun and inspiration!

Monday, December 03, 2012

On the First Day of Christmas: Castiel

So it's not the first of December.  And it doesn't fit the song.  Or ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas.  Unless I continue to 21. 

"21 Chocolate Covered Cherries..."

I may actually do this.  It could be a new tradition.  A post a day at Christmastime!  ANYWHO.  This weekend, in spite of my very best intentions, I got NO sewing done.  (Tissue bodice admiring, yes).  That doesn't mean the weekend was totally wasted!  For example, yesterday I made another ornament for my tree.

May I present to you, Castiel, Angel of the Lord:


Since it's quite probable you have absolutely no idea who that is...Castiel is the angel on the tv show Supernatural.  His besties are Dean and Sam:

Dean and Sam need to be little clothespin ornaments too. Yes?

If you look to the right of Castiel on my tree, you might recognize those two... It's Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. Complete with sideburns.  *swoon*


Or do you prefer Colin Firth? (Who doesn't?? No really.  I'm curious.  Who prefers the remake over the BBC Pride and Prejudice?  Anyone?)


Before Dean and Sam, I must, MUST, make Mary and Matthew:


*Swoon* again.

These are my favorite ornaments to put up every year.  I have 8 now, including little Castiel.  I used the templates from the Martha Stewart website.  There's also a video clip of the Christmas special segment where she and a coworker made the little ornaments.  One of my very favorite episodes of Martha Stewart; I still have it recorded on VHS!

I also made my Christmas cards this weekend and sent those off to the photo lab.  I love to send Christmas cards, even though I rarely get any in return. WHY don't people send cards anymore?  It's such a sweet little cheery envelope in my mailbox in December. 

You know what we should do??  We should have a bloggy Christmas card exchange.  Quick! Somebody make a yahoo group and we can all enter our mailing addresses and swap cards.  Let's do it! 

And now it's Monday again.  SIIGHHH.