Our Wedding: Formal Pictures - Family and Wedding Party!

After the Ceremony, we hurried downstairs back into the Bridal Room where I got ready! It was there that in front of our Best Man and Maid of Honor and Officiant, we signed our marriage certificate! It was officially official!

I finally got to really look at how handsome P looked in his wedding duds, and finally got to show him the look I was putting together for the past year and a half (especially the shoes!)!

The posing for formal pictures was - I'll admit - slightly stressful. Gathering one group, dismissing another, trying to keep the bridal glow about me :-P and wanting so badly to just be with Patrick - It was tough!

Luckily, Evgenia was a pro at getting things done quickly! We had so many gorgeous pictures of us and our friends and family to share! Here are a few of our favorites!

 

Very dashing!

Mom and I show off the shoes!

This is one of my very favorites.

Next up - I'll gush more about Eve Photography to show you our favorite Bride and Groom formal pictures!

Love,

Micah

Cake Balls! {A Tasty, Not-Too-Naughty Treat!}

Though my heart will forever belong to cupcakes, (Sorry, Patrick) but I thought these cute cake balls would be nice Spring treats!

I have lately been obsessed with a wonderful cooking blog called Skinnytaste! Gina is the author of the blog, and she creates tasty, healthy, low-fat recipes for her family and shares them weekly! Seriously, I'm obsessed. I've been on Weight Watchers to aid me in getting back into pre-pregnancy shape (that's another post), and she creates such delicious recipes and even includes the Weight Watchers PointsPlus value! They aren't your typical diet recipes either --- the other night, P and I enjoyed homemade buffalo tenders for dinner and they were delicious and not too bad for us! Healthy comfort food? You betcha! She creates innovative recipes to make foods that are normally much worse for you (be they loaded with sugar, carbs, butter or worse!) and makes substitutions to make them healthier! 

Along with a large assortment of recipes for dinners, lunches, breakfasts, desserts, smoothies and snacks she posted this one that caught my eye...

Skinny Cake Balls!!!

We were visiting both sides of the family for Easter this year and I thought they'd be the perfect treat to bring along. So I raided my favorite craft store for supplies and got to work!!!

You Need:
16 oz Box Cake Mix, 6 oz Non-fat Plain Greek Yogurt, 2 Large Egg Whites, 1 Tsp. Vanilla, 1 Cup of Water, 48 oz of Colored Candy Melts, Sprinkles, Baking Spray

It Would Help If You Had:
Cake Ball or Mini-Donut Pan*, lollipop sticks, wax paper

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray your pan with baking spray. Combine all the ingredients (except the candy melts) in a large bowl. Transfer your batter into a pastry bag, or a gallon bag, (cut a corner off the gallon bag and BOOM! Pastry bag) and squeeze into the pans. Fill a little over 3/4 full. Bake for 18 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack. 

                                 

If you notice above there are seams on some of the cake balls, because of their rising while baking. You can use a serrated knife to cut the seams off and make them more rounded. 

Stick the completed baked cake balls in the refrigerator for at least 45 minutes, this makes it easier for the chocolate to stick to the cake ball. Melt the chocolate according the the packages' instructions. I used glass cups to hold the chocolate, and did one color at a time. I also took out five of the cake balls at a time to maximize the coolness of the cake balls! (Also, get your sprinkles ready!)

                                 

Dip the tip of the lollipop stick into the melted chocolate, then into the cake ball, and dip the cake ball into the chocolate. If you are using sprinkles, sprinkle them on immediately before the chocolate hardens.

                                 

This recipe makes about 48 cake balls AND they are at only 3 PointsPlus value from Weight Watchers --- which is a really good thing for me! They're delicious, and such a cute little treat for any occasion. 

                                 

                                 

They were a big hit at the Easter dinners! So was a certain little bunny! ;-)

*For this recipe, you really do need the rounded mini-donut or cake ball pan. If you don't have one of these you can follow this recipe from Epicurious!

Happy Spring!

Micah

A Little More on the Ceremony

As I re-read my Ceremony post, I wanted to say a few more things because I feel like, since it has already been over a year, I was not so specific in re-counting the details. To be honest, what I remember from our Ceremony is basically what I laid down in that post. All that stuck (and to me, all that mattered) was that Patrick and I were married in front of our friends. I can't recall every tiny detail, because I was hot, sweaty, nervous, excited and overwhelmed with love that day. And that doesn't bother me.

I know it was a beautiful ceremony. Our best man, Devin, recorded it on his iPhone, and (when we're ready) we'll listen to it again to remember the details more distinctly. But for now, I think my post, albeit it's vagueness covers what was very important in our ceremony. We exchanged our vows in front of our friends and families. We were blessed in our marriage. There was music. There were tears of joy and songs.

I love him, he loves me. We got married.

That being said, I am kind of kicking myself for not getting to these re-cap posts sooner to really get those details in! (Lesson learned). I've been to a few weddings now as an adult, and I find that the most important details will always stick. And that's all that matters!

Thanks for reading my self-concious re-cap review!

Best,

Micah

Our Wedding : The Ceremony

Resuming re-caps!

The Ceremony!

I was shaking as we made our way (sneakily) up the stairs to hide in a little galley kitchen before the boys would see us. I was surrounded by my best friends and my family. This was when everything started to become less dream-like and more real to me. I stood behind my girls, who chatted quietly and excitedly. Every now and then, the girls would check in with me. But it was good to have the 10 or so minutes of quiet reflection for me. I had been waiting all my life for this...for the proposal, for the engagement photo session, to ask my best friends to stand with me, to find the perfect dress, to pick our wedding bands that we'd wear for the rest of our lives...as well as all the other joys and frustrations that come as you plan a wedding.

Just then, I heard the boys lining up on the other side of the door! Someone made Patrick laugh and once I heard his voice, my heart skipped a beat and the tears welled in my eyes. This was it! It was actually here and happening! I was so happy! I heard the string players begin, and knew that my mother-in-law was being led down the aisle by our cousins, then my little brother escorted my mother to her seat.

Next, the boys headed down the aisle!

They were followed by our sweet ring bearer and flower girls --- who took their jobs QUITE seriously!

After my lovely bridesmaids each made their way down the aisle, it was mine and my father's turn. 

I mentioned that Patrick's composition that he dedicated to me would be played by our String Quartet as my father and I made our way down the aisle. Well, I am sure it sounded lovely, but as soon as I stepped out with my dad, I couldn't hear anything. I saw my handsome groom, and that's all there was (He looked pretty happy to see me too!).

We walked together, this man who raised me to the man who stole my heart. It was beautiful. I kept squeezing my father's arm, partly to calm my nerves, partly to let him know how excited and happy I was and partly to imprint the memory in my mind. I looked around at my friends, family and all those who came to support us. I last found the eyes of my mom, and smiled. This was our day.

The room looked amazing. It was grander than I had planned or dreamed it would be. The flowers, the beautiful blue, and all my crafties looked perfect (Special THANKS to my Auntie who did all the set up that morning!). It was exactly as I envisioned, but BETTER!!! Our Officiant, Father Steve began the service. We heard beautiful words. We kept looking at each other. Much like The Office's Jim and Pam Halpert, we took "mental pictures" to remember each moment. 

One of my very best friends from grade school beautifully read our chosen reading. And then we heard our best friends' composition and performance of the Pablo Neruda sonnet in Spanish!

I do not love you as if you were salt-rose, or topaz,

or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off.

I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,

in secret, between the shadow and the soul.

I love you as the plant that never blooms

but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers;

thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance,

risen from the earth, lives darkly in my body.

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.

I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;

so I love you because I know no other way

than this: where I does not exist, nor you,

so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,

so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.

***

No te amo como si fueras rosa de sal, topacio 

o flecha de claveles que propagan el fuego: 

te amo como se aman ciertas cosas oscuras, 

secretamente, entre la sombra y el alma.

Te amo como la planta que no florece y lleva 

dentro de sí, escondida, la luz de aquellas flores, 

y gracias a tu amor vive oscuro en mi cuerpo 

el apretado aroma que ascendió de la tierra.

Te amo sin saber cómo, ni cuándo, ni de dónde, 

te amo directamente sin problemas ni orgullo: 

así te amo porque no sé amar de otra manera,

sino así de este modo en que no soy ni eres, 

tan cerca que tu mano sobre mi pecho es mía, 

tan cerca que se cierran tus ojos con mi sueño 

And then, one of my very favorite parts of our ceremony occurred. We were so lucky we got to hear our ridiculously talented friends sing an a cappella version of our favorite Shakespeare Sonnet. Sonnet XVIII. You can see the tears in my eyes in the picture. This was our love sung by our friends. It was an incredible moment that we won't forget.

Then we stood and looked over one another. We exchanged vows, the traditional vows in a marriage ceremony. Our voices were shaking, but we spoke the truth. I'm not sure about Patrick, but I felt like our vows were these wonderfully traditional words made true and real by the simple fact that we were the ones speaking them. I felt like we were saying them, just us, to each other. It felt like we were the only people in the room. We placed our beautiful wedding rings on each other's fingers. Father Steve blessed our marriage, and pronounced us "Husband and Wife." 

The Vows. 

The rings.

The Blessing.

"You may kiss your bride!"

And we we're officially two souls joined. 

Two very silly souls, joined. 

Next up, FORMALS and RECEPTION RECAPS!!!

Best,

Micah

Hello, my friends, Hello!

Hey everyone! As you can see, if you are still following (fingers crossed) I have a new blog title AND a new layout! Woo hoo!

I have been totally MIA for over half a year now, and that is all due to (I'm sure it's obvious to you) our baby boy's arrival in the world!

Here he is, on his first morning!

And here's our boy nowadays!

Being a new mother has been the most challenging, rewarding and amazing change to my life! We are over the moon with love for this boy. Patrick and I feel like our family is made whole with him, and we couldn't be more thrilled, or feel more lucky.

That is what took me away from blogging (as well as six shows back to back! Whew!). Our little family has been busy with growing teeth, trying out foods and learning to sit, as well as looking for a more permanent home and working on compositions and learning new theatrical skills (try to determine who's doing what here!). On the home front, literally, we are lucky to have made an offer and currently are in the process of closing on a condo in our beloved town of choice! More on that later...

I'd like to start fresh with this blog, if you'll have me. My life is moving in a new and exciting direction; being a Stay-At-Home Mom and an Actor/Director/Producer! I want to share bits and pieces of this new life with you all. There will be many crafts, cupcakes and funny stories and of course, pictures of J (our little guy). AND I will finish the wedding recaps and go through the pregnancy (woof). All this is to say I'm happy to be back and excited to start a new chapter!

Much love,

Micah

Our Wedding: Getting Ready!

Finally...more recaps! Sorry this has taken so long! Now that I am officially on maternity leave (EEK!) I should post more regularly (of course, depending on when the little one decides to get here). I am sorry for really disappearing. If any one is still following me, thank you and I am humbled by your faith in me. I want to be a better blogger again, I had so much fun planning the wedding, and after already a year of marriage, I am saddened by my dropping the ball with postings. I will be trying my darnedest to keep going! Especially during my wait for baby! Anyway...RECAP!

My eyes popped open on the morning of our wedding to overcast skies...but I couldn't care less! I was up, it was early, and we were getting married! We ate breakfast, I showered and we hopped in the car to the hair salon. I was meeting my bridesladies there and everything up until I pulled into the parking lot of the salon felt completely surreal. I found myself jokingly saying "yay!" when people asked how I felt. I was truthfully, completely overwhelmed and just hoping that we kept on time, and that P wouldn't see me on my way into the Towers!

                            

Now, there are no pictures of me during the "transformation;" no before make-up pictures or before hair styles. I wanted to make the best use of my time with the photographer, and I thought prep pics could be covered at the Towers when we were adding our finishing touches (like MY DRESS!). So, that's why there aren't any before pictures! (Plus - no make up and me = yuck!).

I had my bridesmaids (including my MOH) get their hairs did first. And gave the waiting bridesmaids their gifties! I never did a post on what they were, but they were pretty sa-weet! The gift bags included:

1. Flippie-Floppies - So they could get all comfy on the dance floor!
2. Lip Gloss
3. Tissue packets - for "Happy Tears"
4. A water bottle - 'cause...y'know...
5. Heart-shaped white sunglasses
6. An individualized, personalized charm necklace with their initials and matching earrings (I was so thrilled, they all wore their jewelry that day)
7. A hair flower that matched their dresses complete with a peacock feather (another DIY project, I should have posted! GAH!)
8. A card that I wrote thanking them for being there for me 

I was pleased to see that they were thrilled with the gifts! After all, they had given so, so much to me.

Then, it was my turn to sit in the salon chair. My hairstylist decided to adjust what we came up with from my hair trial and I must say, I LOVED it! My mom did my make up, and I think she did it perfectly: enhancing my features, but I never felt like I had too much make up on or, like I didn't look like myself. We headed home to meet up with the rest of the bridesmaids and pick up my dress to get going over to the Towers!

After! (Sorry there's no before picture!)

All ready for the dress! It was waiting for me, all hung up and pretty on my closet door and I was anxious to get it on. But that would have to wait until we got to the Towers!

Here's my dress! I hadn't posted any pictures before in fear of Patrick accidentally seeing it.
Here she is in all her lacy, beautiful glory!

I gathered up my accessories and my shoes, after they were beautifully captured by the photographer, we grabbed the favors and headed to the car! It was finally beginning to feel real!

My shoes, garters, our rings, my hair flower and peacock fan! 

Giving Dad a See-You-At-The-Aisle Kiss!

So we hopped in the cars and headed over. To that place I had seen in my dreams for almost two years. To our place, Patrick's and mine. I had been texting my guy throughout the day --- just last minute questions/answers and timing things. But when we pulled up and parked about a block away from the Towers, my nerves awakened and I was petrified he'd accidentally see me! I quickly texted him "We're on our way!!!" to which he replied "We're all ready. :-)" and my heart soared. I was at the same time calmed and thrilled by that response. That's my man. And in a little over an hour, I'd be marrying him. We gathered our things, me cradling my dress, and briskly headed toward the Towers. 

We had to kind of awkwardly sneak up to the Bridal room, and once there, I felt like I could allow the giddy feelings to take me over. I pulled on my undergarments and got ready to step into my dress. What a beautiful moment; to finally slip into the most precious piece of clothing I'd ever wear. I felt beautiful in it, and I knew Patrick would love it.

It takes a village to get all those buttons perfectly aligned!

Surrounded by love!

When that was done, my little sister, MOH, helped me into my glorious blue shoes!

I slid my garters on and played with my two beautiful flower girls, who were getting excited: their big moment was coming too! After I was ready, the girls finished primping themselves and we waited.

I got a 'special telegram' visit from my soon-to-be mother-in-law! She brought my gorgeous something borrowed (a rhinestone bracelet) and my wedding gift from Patrick! I had sent my wedding present to him via bridesmaid :) and I was ready to see what was inside mine!

He wrote me such a sweet note on a vintage postcard from Capri, Italy (WHERE OUR AMAZING HONEYMOON WAS!) and gave me a beautiful white banded watch. On the face of the watch is a rotating 'hand' that eventually lines up letters to read "Love Knows Not What Time Is." Crying. Obviously. Its so beautiful! I love it so much! He also gave me a mini cupcake phone accessory and a Bane action figure, and a book called "Greene On Capri" written by someone named Greene who obviously had an amazing experience, like we were about to have, in Capri. (GOSH, does the man love me or what? Wee!)

I still had some time to wait before we'd be ushered upstairs to begin the ceremony. It was really nice to have a few moments to really collect myself and realize where I was and what was going on around me. Our day had finally arrived! After a year and a half of planning, crafting, stressing, making, arranging and debating. The day was here. We were about to be wed!

Next up, The Ceremony!

Best,

Micah