a tale of two boys: the arrival of abigail's twin brothers

tonight has been an evening of great reflection
tonight Jani and Jesse
champion parents to our sweet miracle baby Abigail
were once again brought to that moment of greatest anticipation
the birth of their child
and this time the anticipation was doubled
with the birth of twins
twin boys

i know they have been beyond elated to have two new additions to their family
but i can only imagine what entering that hospital felt like to them
did that overwhelming feeling of anticipation become dimmed by a rush of fear
i dare say that it may have
i know i would have let it creep in uninvited

for those of you who have joined our little community within the past two years
you may not be familiar with the story of little Abigail and the fight for her life
born with part of her heart missing
her heart backwards
and on the wrong side
to be then reconstructed several times within such a short period of time
the waiting
the wondering
the holding of ones breath for great lengths of time
i know so many of you journeyed with me
and like me lived from moment to moment on updates regarding her surgeries, setbacks, and recoveries

hers is a story of courage and miracles
fought not only within her own little soul but within that of her valiant father and mother
for many long months

to watch a video i made of the beginnings of her life including that heart wrenching life flight
come visit here
to read more of her journey over those months click here or on the 'abigail' link in the sidebar

this is a family of warriors
tonight two strong boys joined Abigail as children to my fine brother and his superhuman wife
enduring nearly two days of intense labor
jani fought hard to deliver both of her boys naturally
extreme back labor caused an epidural to be necessary at the end of day one
the position of both of the boys allowed for the need for a c-section to be kept at bay
long did she labor
finally help was given for her labor to progress
but it did not
at least not at all in a manner i would deem real progress
slowly it continued
despite the strong contractions

at last this afternoon baby boy one arrived into this world
nicknamed Flex by his grandpa
with his brother baby boy two, nicknamed Blaze, still rather high up
Flex and Blaze
that's how we have known them
little Flex weighed a healthy 5 lbs 1 oz
and looks so much like my brother Jesse i just love it
he arrived doing well
no surprises
he would soon be named
Thomas Russell Dix
a fine name don't you think

i have never experienced a double birth

but i can imagine the sort of mix of emotions

having delivered pure joy after such tribulation

only to have to continue to push and toil once again

for jani this pushing and laboring lasted hours more

to the point where jani just didn't know if she could last much longer

as i am sure you may surmise this woman is one of absolute stamina, faith, and courage

unfortunately Blaze was larger than Thomas and got stuck in the efforts to be delivered

so a c-section was needed

much to jani's dismay

but i know her heart was only directed toward doing what was best for her babies

a time of communication darkness ensued between those there at the hospital and myself

it is ever so difficult to be so far away from my family during moments such as these

during Abigail's birth, surgeries, and fights for her life

i was in california while they were in utah

this time i am the one in utah and they are in california

the next text message i received told me that Blaze was born but was whisked away due to breathing difficulties

my brother was beside himself

i have no doubt that the memories of Abigail's birth flooded his mind

emotions mixed with experiences mixed with logic mixed with faith

all whirling around inside

i could visualize his facial expressions and his stance in my mind

i will say of my brother that he feels the pain of others like no one i have ever known

he feels what they feel

he takes them upon himself

once again a stretch of a communication void
but then there appeared across my phone screen the most beautiful words and photos
the babies were both breathing on their own
both on their own
and daddy and grandma were holding them
jani was in the recovery room resting peacefully

here is jesse with Thomas Russell
and our first glimpse at Blaze...to be named soon

i think i breathed for the first time

and now i am happy to present the first moments Jani was able to see and hold her babies
Jani is the champion of the world
Movember Jesse looks much more worry free
i am so grateful for the miracles that continue to happen in this family
we are continually blessed with watchful heavenly care
and i have no doubt that daddy is able to be close by for occasions such as these
how i wish these little ones could pass on messages from him

photos below:
Jani and Jes with Thomas Russell {baby one}
with Baby Blaze {baby two}
Baby Blaze
Baby Blaze
Thomas Russell whom I can see a lot of Jani in him now
Thomas Russell

i can not wait to see the whole family together
thank you family and friends once again for lifting us up in your prayers
it is an incredible feeling to be surrounded by an army of prayers from those who care for and love you
it is nearly tangible
as it has been many times before
thank you
thank you

on the count of three: a photo essay of our day remembering daddy

this past weekend marked the one year anniversary of my daddy's passing

as you can imagine the thought of this day arriving lay heavy on my heart

the feelings of loss i had experienced over the year compounded into one single day

we decided as a family, on the recommendation of those who have also experienced great loss in their lives, to create traditions that we could do together to celebrate our love for him

husband, father, and grandpa

our day was full

full of tears

full of laughter

full of memories

full of longing

full of gratitude

details of the day one year ago have been burned in my mind forever

imagining as if i was there again

as i fought and sobbed not wanting to step out of that ICU door,
not wanting to leave my Daddy there
not knowing what to do, how to live by taking one step out of that door
how do i greet people
how do i go to the store
how do i tell my children

Mike took me by the hands and told me to look at his face
oh his sweet and tender face with power in strength and faith behind those gentle blue eyes
and he said, 'one step'

and then together arm in arm with my sisters and mom

took that one step

and then another and another

and that is how i have lived this year

one step at a time

day after day

month after month

this day was a day to share our love for my daddy

and remember what we cherished most about having him here with us

we started off with a saus-cake breakfast 

pancakes grandpa style

we then took time to write letters to grandpa that we would attach to white balloons

i loved the kids sweet messages

"i miss you so much that i wish i was with  you" tate

"i love and miss you so much! i just want to give you a big hug" owen

when we arrived at the cemetery someone had been there already and decorated his gravesite with flowers and lollipops

at the cemetery we passed out all the messaged attached balloons

and on the count of three

1-2-3

we let them go

up

up

up toward heaven

i was not prepared for the rush of emotion that would accompany letting that balloon go

sending my love and my heart up into that vast blue sky

watching it climb

wishing in my childhood desire that somehow that balloon would find my daddy

and he would read my words and feel my love

i am grateful for my knowledge of God's plan that will enable me to be in my daddy's embrace once again

i have put together a photo essay for you capturing the beauty of our day

to experience firsthand the love, the longing, and the triumph of hope

if you have a memory of my father you would like to share

we would love to hear it

thank you all so much for your outreach of support and care over this past year

interview with florist and event designer: petals and lace

today i have the privilege of introducing you to the fabulously talented designer behind 
petals and lace floral and event design
kelly fiorito
who will share this us today some of this summer’s bridal floral trends
as well as some pieces of advice on topics such as selecting a wedding style and venue 
we also will find out a little more about how she got started as an independent florist

a love for flowers is in my blood
earlier in my life i shared with you here that i owned my own floral business
a rose is a rose
and even have shared a tutorial for a backyard date night corsage here
my grandmother did flowers 
my mother knows every name of every garden flower there is
and my aunt has a thriving floral business

yes, kelly fiorito is my aunt kelly
i am so honored and proud to share her vision and floral artistry with you today
her creations are simply breathtaking and her ability to transform a bride’s ideas into reality is pure magic

Q: At what point did you fall in love with your job as a florist and designer?

A: I’ve always loved working with flowers.  My mom had a floral business when I was young and I helped her at home and worked with her doing weddings.  In high school I did greenery, cleaned flowers, and stripped roses at a local floral shop.  Since then I’ve done flowers on and off for friends.  I later worked at a large floral company but knew I’d much rather do original work than 80 of the same corsage.  Petals and Lace began five years ago when my friend asked me to do their wedding in La Jolla.  I didn’t know then that I would be raising my grandson.  One day I had my 4 year old grandson with me and he said, ‘There are succulents over there, do you want to get some?’  I realized then that I had become my mom who had always carried clippers wherever she went.  

Q: What are the main trends for brides this summer for flowers and decor?

A:  Vintage rustic has definitely been the most requested style this summer.  Adding lace and prints including stripes and chevron as well.   For bouquets, a monochromatic color palette of champagne, blush, and ivories.  Soft yellows and greys as well.  Yellow and corals are also coming in this year.  

Personalizing a reception to reflect the hobbies and lifestyle of the couple has also been a major trend.  Book lovers incorporating old books, candlesticks, teacups, and pearls.  One couple loved astronomy and so they had telescopes at night at the reception.  

Receptions are also including things to do instead of just sit around:  games of horseshoes, bacci ball, and even dance instructors.

Couples are also making the wedding not just about that day.  Instead of having just a 4-5 hour wedding and reception, there are after-hours receptions where the guests go to a new location with a fire pit, s’mores bar, coffee bar, or even food trucks.  Guests spend the night and then have breakfast together in the morning.  More venues are allowing couples to rent the venue for the whole weekend where the wedding party and guests can stay.  Since so many people travel far distances, it makes it a nice, whole weekend thing.

Memory tables and momentos are also becoming more popular, remembering those special family members with table displays with photos and their belongings.  One bride created a special place setting at the table and boutonneire for her beloved grandfather.  I wrapped a photo of my daughter in law’s mother around her bouquet.

Q:  What are your top recommendations for a bride who is trying to decide on a style or theme for her wedding decor and flowers?

A:  Make it personal.  Make it individual to you.  Make it different.  If its something that you love and you want to do, then do it.  Its about you the individual couple.  Anything goes nowadays: taco bars, ice cream bars.  If you are an art lover, have your reception at a gallery.  Get your inspiration for anywhere.  So many brides are limiting their choices of what to do for their wedding to just what the see on Pinterest, which right now seems to be so much of the same.  Don’t be afraid to use color everywhere else, if you are afraid to use it in your own bouquet.  There are so many gorgeous flowers.  If there is a flower that you love, but its so expensive, just do it in your own bouquet. 

***

Q: What finally lit the fire under your feet to help transform a wedding venue?

A: I have been wanting to do this for years.  The opportunity fell in my lap when my son Bryan had his rehearsal dinner at Lazy H Ranch.  The owner wanted to transform his property but didn’t have any idea where to start.  My business partner Sandra and I met with him and showed him a vision of what we could help him achieve, a tranquil place where bride’s style could be showcased at this all outdoor venue.  Whispering Meadows was born.

{see photos of Whispering Meadows on my post about their launch bridal fair here}

Q:  What advice you would give a bride who is looking for a venue for a wedding?

A: Find somewhere that when you walk onto the venue you can say it takes my breath away.  That by the feeling you get when your first step onto the venue that you can imagine your wedding there.  Think about your guest, your older guests, and the ease of getting to it and staying nearby.  Be sure that the venue is flexible to your needs and does not charge extra for every little thing nor have time constraints that are super strict.

Q: You also started a rental portion of your business.  What sorts of items could a bride rent from you?

A: Most of what you see in our photos comes from our rentals.  Chandeliers, containers, mirrors, candlesticks, wood tree trunks, settee for sweetheart tables, signs, old books, table setting, linens, chalkboard items, parasols, the list goes on. 

{Be sure to check out Petals and Lace’s Rental Gallery to see the full line of rentals here}

Q: After all the work is done, at what moment does it make it all worth it?

A: When I hear from my bride that she is satisfied with her wedding, hearing her exclamation, ‘oh i love my bouquet!!‘  When the bride appreciates it and it is more than what they expected.  I received a letter from one of my brides who told me that her wedding looked like it belonged in a garden and how when she walked in she was in tears because she couldn’t believe it could look like that, that it was more than she had dreamed. 

***

Do you have a question you would like to ask our resident florist and event designer?  Leave it here in the comments and I'm sure she'd be happy to respond.

Do you live in Southern California and would be interested in a free consultation with Petals and Lace?  Be sure to leave your information here and they will be sure to get back with you. 

*all sources of photos are cited or are from Petals and Lace home site or Facebook page

whispering meadows bridal fair

fresh air can do wonders for any soul

and breathing it in at a dreamy location magnifies the effect by an hundredfold

i was privileged to attend the coming out party for San Diego's newest wedding venue 

the whispering meadows bridal fair

Whispering Meadows is the wedding venue located at the Lazy H Ranch

in its prime in the 1950s Lazy H Ranch was one of san diego's most popular gathering place for locals and celebrities with its airstrip, clubhouse, swimming pool, croquet courts and stables

the grounds and rooms have recently been renovated to restore and refresh its charm

one of the women behind this grand undertaking is my aunt, Kelly Fiorito,

owner of Petals and Lace Floral and Event Design

{look for an interview with her soon with her top tips for brides in selecting flowers as well as this summer's bridal trends here in Southern California}

along with her partner Sandra Buczek of Sandra Nicole Designs

located in north san diego county

Whispering Meadows carries a peaceful feeling which Kelly says brings her back in time with every visit she makes

you lose the reality of the hustle and bustle but are only 20 minutes away from the neighboring town

it is an all outdoor venue

which allows the bride to transform it to whatever style she envisions

be it rustic, bohemian, modern, or vintage chic

and petals and lace event design can help you carry out your vision with their rentals

from chandeliers to candlesticks to table settings to furniture

you can rent it all from petals and lace

onsite there is a bride's quarter allowing the bride and maid of honor to stay over the night before in preparation for the big event

rooms for the wedding party to stay at lazy h ranch are also being remodeled and decorated

seeing the personalization and creativity that goes into today's weddings is astounding 

chatting with the vendors it was easy to see that the modern bride can expect more because her options to transform her lifelong vision of that perfect day are nearly limitless

i was delighted by the scallop gold leafing on the cake 

and the scrumptious tasting cupcakes of 

hey there cupcake

meeting melissa and corbin of pow wow vintage rentals was a sort of celebrity siting for me
i had heard of their incredible event design and vintage rental business and had been wanting to meet them, witness their style in person, and find out more about how they got started in the business
read more about melissa's journey as an artist and designer here
their company provides the opportunity for a one of a kind wedding through their customized design to meet your vision and have your guests feel your intended unique vibe
see some examples of their dreamy events here and here
i covet their jobs

being outside and amongst all this beauty
was the perfect recipe for rejuvenation for me that day
sometimes life gets a little heavy and we just need a change of scenery to lighten things up
scenery changed
life lightened
sometimes its just something that simple

to receive more information regarding having your wedding at Whispering Meadows, be sure to contact Kelly or Sandra here
you will be overwhelming pleased to be working with these talented women
and breathtaking venue