still life {you capture}

Still life is not my "thing." 

I really had to stretch myself to create a picture to capture.

I'm much more comfortable capturing life's moments as they happen,

but children do not qualify as still life.

Life, indeed.

Still, not so much.

My wedding bouquet. 

Once vibrant, perfect, red roses, creamy callas, and a bit of sparkle.

This bouquet has been hanging from the ceiling in my mama's house for 3 1/2 years.

I presented it to her at my reception as a

thank you

for all the emotional support she provided while I stressfully planned my wedding.

I won't say I couldn't have done it without her help,

but I certainly would not have wanted to do it without her help.

She was surprised,

and unlike my spontaneous maid of honor speech last year,

I ad libbed it perfectly.

A gift from my beautiful mama.

I'm not sure when she ordered it, but she almost didn't want to give it to me.

When Mia's health hung in the balance,

she didn't know if it would cause me more pain

to see her name engraved next to Laci's.

Interestingly, the necklace arrived on my birthday in August,

just a few days after we brought Mia home from the hospital...perfect timing.

I wear it often,

and even if Mia hadn't been able to come home with us,

I would have cherished it just the same.

Long life or short, she is my daughter.

Tis the month of love.

Paper hearts cut from scrapbook paper, simple and pretty.

Laci squealed, "Ooooo!"

Still REAL life - the table after cutting pretty paper hearts.

No craft project is complete without a mess to clean up.

As always, more "still life" captures can be seen at I Should Be Folding Laundry.