Well, graduation week is over and I survived!!! Hallelujah!!! I can't tell you how proud I am of my son. He is so brilliant and bright and loving and compassionate and kind and funny and all the good things! It was a great honor and blessing to watch him partake in the ceremony and then to listen to his speech. He left his dad and me in tears. I never knew he felt these things for me, his mom, and as he spoke them, my heart grew to bursting (yes, I was wearing waterproof make-up...). Then to watch this adult child of mine interact with other adults...I wish you could feel what I felt. Like, WOW! This child we raised, he is a GOOD person! I don't know if it is because of our raising him or in spite of raising him, but ya, he's awesome. And there is of course all of God to thank for this person. He gifted us with Cody, He gave us the patience, understanding and help to raise him. He has drawn Cody to Himself and has made him a great Man of God. I can't wait to see where his life takes him after this, his first step into the great unknown! My mom says, "Your kids are always your kids" and I totally understand more and more of what that meaning is. We just have to place our child into the hands of God and trust that He knows best how to lead Cody. I have some images of the evening below. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!
Because I had mom's camera at my house, left over from Cody's graduation and party, I decided that today would be the day to do the photo shoot of the fencing outfit. I did my hair (something I generally do not go out of my way to do) and Colton snapped away. I think he did a wonderful job!
I have decided to start a YouTube channel for Beauty From Ashes. My hope and goal is to do a video every time I write a new blog post. I am always wondering what the people whose blogs I read sound like and how they act. Are they really as funny as their blogs make them out to be? So, in case anyone who reads my blog is like me, you get to hear how dorky I sound! hahahahaha!!!
Beauty From Ashes YouTube channel
I used Laughing Moon 110, Ladies 1890s Sporting Costumes pattern. The bloomers are made of lightweight wool and the top is made of cotton canvas. For the buttons I used antique bone buttons. Another inspiration was a fencing jacket from The MET.
Inspiration for the whole thing from Get Thee to a Nunnery Tumblr.
I had fun with all the different poses that fencers assume for the actual fencing.
I used many images from my Pinterest board Sports: Fencing as inspiration for the poses above. Unfortunately, I didn't have any place that was suited for taking the fencing poses, so I tacked dupioni silk to my wall and used that for a back drop. I think it worked rather well, but it wasn't wide enough to get really good pictures of some of the poses...
Me, fencing a fence. I literally got the idea to do this while Colton was filming me for my first ever YouTube video. Why hadn't I thought of it before I had downloaded all the pictures the first time?
The fence won.....
My Fabulous Graduate!!!
Again, this was the most wonderful weekend. I so appreciate everyone who came to support and love on my son! He is my favorite 18 year old in the whole wide world, and I thank God every day that he was given to Greg and me!!!
Many times I have watched other parents of graduates and have wondered what it felt like to feel their joy and happiness. Thursday evening, I knew exactly what that felt like! It was surreal to see this kid who is mine (I'm so not old enough to have a child this old!!!) graduating and taking another step into adulthood. I wish I could bottle that feeling and take it out every once in a while and just savor it!
We four. Greg, Cody, me and Colton. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my family!!!
Us four with my Mama and Daddy, Lana and Ray! They have been HUGE supporters of Cody and love him without measure! My Dad taught Cody to shoot and takes him hunting every year. My Mom takes the time to listen to his heart and is such a great Nana! They both gently and lovingly give grand-parental guidance to him. I know he takes their wisdom and life lessons to heart!
With my incredible Mother-in-Law Pam. She loves on Cody from far away and flew to town just for his graduation. She is another great supporter of my Cody! She takes time out just for him to have great conversations and gently lends her own guidance. She can't wait to move her to be closer to him and the other grandchildren!
Receiving his diploma.
Yes, I was crying...He gives the best hugs!
He gave the best speech. Yes, he is my son and yes, I can be biased. But he was eloquent, even, didn't waver and spoke his heart. I was not only touched and blessed, but seriously impressed!
Pomp and Circumstance
At this time, the water works that I was bravely holding back, sprang forth!
My fabulous, handsome son, Cody! He is truly as happy and joyful as this picture shows. I LOVE this boy man!
I hope you are all having a marvelous Monday and I hope (if you live in the USA) your Memorial Day is one of reflection and gratitude!
Be blessed my friends!
g
*Title has been edited to reflect correct year of fencing outfit. I have no idea why I titled it Edwardian Era...no idea at all as the inspiration images are from 1897!!! I totally blame it on the craziness of the previous week!! Ta!!! *
The Fencing Outfit is fantastic. Also great to hear your voice. Cool pics taken. Thanks from Down Under.
ReplyDeleteThank you so very much Beky! It was a super easy outfit to make, which was refreshing! Thank you also for you compliment on hearing my voice...That is something I always yearn for on blogs!
DeleteBlessings!
g
Coolest outfit ever!! I think I'm going to have to add fencing attire to my (looooong) list of historical sewing projects. :) And a big congratulations to your son. That's so exciting for you all!
ReplyDelete-Emily
Thank you Emily! I am so loving the sporting outfits of the Victorian/Edwardian etc eras...they are super easy to make and very fun and easy to wear! NO petticoats and fluff to get in the way and one can (dare I say it?) gallivant around! It's awesome! Thank you for your congratulations for Cody! It was such a "proud mama" moment!!
DeleteBlessings!
g
Firstly, congratulations for your son, that's a really big deal! Secondly, I absolutely adore your fencing outift, those pants are simply fabulous :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for your congratulations for Cody and the compliment on the outfit! I am very proud of my son and the outfit was so fun to make and wear!
DeleteBlessings!
g
Congratulations to Cody, you must be so proud. And what a lovely set of family photos to remember the day by.
ReplyDeleteYour fencing outfit is fabulous; I love the top. More great pictures from Colton, and it's so good to know what you sound like!
Thank you so much BT! I am very proud of my boy. He is such a great kid! I was very pleased with how great the pictures of the day turned out...because you can't go back and re-take them! Thank you for your compliments on the outfit...it is so fun! Colton did a great and patient job on the pictures and it was fun doing the video! I can't wait to do more!
DeleteBlessings!
g
You are adorable. I think that your personality comes through in your writing and is only reinforced by a video. ;)
ReplyDeleteBest,
Quinn
REALLY expected to see a pink bubble popping out with that sword swashed about. :)
ReplyDeleteVal