Celebration of a Beautiful Life....(Blog Catch Up from May)

Another hard blog to write, but important to share...this is the day we held the Celebration of Life for my Mother- In-Law: Barbara Starr.  Although of course, it was a very sad and heartbreaking day....it was also a day of true beauty and joy.  It was really important to us that Barbara was honored for the wonderful person she was and a true celebration of all the amazing things that defined the life she led.  When making the arrangements I kept trying to think to myself....how would Barbara want this to be? what would she like? what would be important to her?  And this was really difficult because Barbara just always wanted everyone else to be happy, comfortable and cared for~she was most happy when her loved ones were happy. 

We held the Celebration at Gainey Ranch Golf Club in Scottsdale, we wanted to choose a place that was intimate, beautiful, and peaceful.  The Memorial Ceremony took place in one room, while the Celebration Reception took place in the room right next door ~filled with large windows that overlooked the Golf Course.  

At the Memorial Ceremony we had a live harpist play some of Barbara's favorite songs as guests entered.... followed by prayers and speeches from Barb's loved ones sharing many beautiful memories, thoughts, experiences and love stories. 

After the speeches we shared a Celebration Montage Tribute complete with photos of Barbara as a little girl, through her teen years into young adulthood, and mommyhood... up until our most recent family photos.  The montage ended with a video clip of Barbara last Christmas telling her kids what "great kids they are".. and how "she has the best kids in the world and she loves them so much".  It was truly such an amazing montage that really captured Barbara's loving spirit and enormous amount of love she gave to her family.  

Following the Memorial Ceremony all the guests were invited outside on the patio overlooking the course to participate in a Butterfly Release in Barbara's Honor (following the Native American Indian Butterfly Legend).... it was quite beautiful....

Afterwards everyone was invited inside to celebrate in some of Barbara's most favorite things:

Spritzers, Jazz, and Burried Treasure Pie

The room was filled with flowers everywhere~all white including orchids and roses. There was actually 59 roses placed all throughout the room symbolizing each beautiful year of Barbara's life....

We also displayed many framed favorite photos of Barbara and her loved ones and included other little special touches that represented so much to us.  A "Sweet Memory" display was set up asking guests to write down their special stories or funny moments they shared with Barb~so that her children could share those stories with her future grandbabies....

The family was so incredibly touched by all the guests who attended that day and it was so wonderful to know and see first hand how many people loved Barb.

Mere words cannot express the heartfelt gratitude we have for those who attended this celebration and the love you showed for Barbara and our family.

We will forever have Barbara in our hearts, we will forever have a guardian angel.

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Early Mother's Day Afternoon (Blog Catch Up from April)

Looking back on this now.... this was a tough day.  I hadn't been that long since Barbara had passed away and life started to get back to "normal" or shall I say the "new normal".  Mother's day was approaching but we knew that we'd be very busy with Barbara's Celebration of Life that upcoming weekend, so we needed to celebrate mothers day with mom and granny the weekend before. 

So, mom came up to Chandler and although we were very exhausted and still feeling very out of it... we decided it was important to go to lunch with Mom and Granny for Mother's Day.  We went to this restuarant called: Brio at the San Tan Mall. 

With both of us wearing hats.. you can certainly tell we're mother and daughter huh?

Chase and Granny....

The "girls"... are very precious to me and Justin both... We Love You, thank you for being you Mom....you always seem to amaze me with your incredibly loving heart.  I hope you enjoyed your mother's day. 

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Most Precious Time Spent (Blog Catch Up from April)

(taken at our wedding in 2006)

Okay, this is going to be another hard blog to write, but I feel it helps to reflect back.  On March 30th, we had learned that Justin's Grandmother: Ruth Conley has passed away at the age of 92. 

She was such an amazing person.  Although I only had the opportunity to meet her twice (once at our Wedding, and once last year when we went out to Ohio to visit) I knew she had quite a "spark" about her. 

After hearing of her passing, we soon realized that we would be flying out to Ohio Easter Weekend, to be with the family and attend her memorial services.  So here we are (below) on Easter Sunday, after the plane ride and hotel check in... having "Easter Dinner" at a sports bar. 

And (although this may sound a little weird considered we were in town for funeral services)... we had such a wonderful time following this dinner!  The boys~ Justin, Shannon, Trevor and the girls ~Barb, Aunt Linda, and Me decided we would hit the hot tub!

(Linda and Barb...the eldest sister and the youngest sister)

(Justin's brothers...Shannon and Trevor)

(Trevor showing Justin some brotherly love)

(Justin really loved his smooch)

(This photo is too funny.... we had no idea Shannon was behind us when this photo was taken)

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Then the following two days were full of activities to honor Justin's Grandmother.  On the last day we attended her memorial service at a church in Westerville.  At the end of the service Justin thought I would be a good idea to take some family photos.

(Barbara and her sisters:  Carol, Barb, Linda, and Sheila)

(The Tompos Family)

(Carol, Tim, and Linda)

(Justin's entire extended Family)

We have to appreciate the very precious time we had together during this weekend....

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Really, we've been married for 4 Years? (Blog Catch Up from April)

I really, really can't believe we've already been married for 4 Years now....It has truly gone by so incredibly fast, and we've had so much fun together. 

Justin always goes well out of his way to put the special touches into celebrating...he's really such a wonderful husband and such a loving person all together~I'm just lucky enough he asked me to be his wife. 

I'm always touched by our family and friends who send cards on our anniversary...it's so wonderful to know that other people we love support and take the time to honor our marriage~it's so kind, and means so much.

And I don't think a year has ever gone by that Justin hasn't brought me flowers~ I just love that about him!

Justin had pre-planned the dinner date... and I had no idea where we were going...all I knew was that it was somewhere we had never been before....

So after a short drive we pull into Cork, a very chic yet low key and romantic little place.  After we were seated and the wine was ordered... I noticed that at the top of our menus in fine print the title read

 " Happy 4 Year Anniversary to Justin and Jennifer Starr"

My eyes of course filled up with tears, as I looked across the table at my super handsome husband....he knows how to get straight to my heart I tell ya. 

The next day we decided just to have a fun lazy day at home.... so after sleeping in, breakfast and playing with the pups... we decided to hit the pool.  But first Justin had to play "Cocktail" in the kitchen for awhile first...

 (I'm sure he's never even seen that movie, but one of my all time favs for sure!)  

He whipped up some of our most favorite pool side drinks of all time.... Hummingbirds.  We were first introduced to them on our Bahamas trip....very very refreshing and oh so good!

My little Tom Cruise in action.....

Let's go to the pool!  I'm guessing Olive thought she was coming too..... too bad she lost her goggles and judging by this photo I must have lost my hair brush.... fun times....

Here's to another fun year!

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Happy Birthday Dear Andrea.....(Blog Catch Up from April)

I'll never forget the day I called my friend Andrea and said...."So, I'm thinking of throwing you a huge birthday party, complete with lots of fun guests, hors d'oeuvres, dinner, full bar, cake, gorgeous decor and live entertainment...what do you think"??  A few moments of silence later she's says "umm, okay, I guess.....?"  I then asked "So, you wouldn't mind I went ahead and got married that same night huh?".....That's right I was a total thunder stealer...I got married on April Fools Day...same day as Andrea's Birthday.... so I'm always happy when we can coordinate celebrating around both occasions...

This year we along with Melissa and Heather were able to celebrate with Andrea at the oh so famous and yummy...Olive Garden in downtown, Scottsdale. 

P.S. I did make everyone sing "Happy Birthday" to Andrea at our wedding...

 

I love you Freshman Roomie...you're very special to me:)

Thanks for allowing me to share in your special day. 

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Easter Inspired...(Blog Catch Up from March)

I don't really follow Martha like some do (mainly because she's just so complicated...and tends to lack all emotion in her designs) but once in awhile I'll see something "Martha Style" that I'm just totally drawn too..

I saw these little Easter Designs in a Living Magazine and thought they were so stinkin cute...I decided we had to create them.  So one Saturday afternoon (before Easter) I had Mom and Granny over for lunch and told them after lunch I had a surprise for them.....So I'm sure they were probably thinking that meant dessert...but oh no...once I started pulling out easter grass, baby chicks, endless candy, and jelly jars... they knew they were in for quite a ride.  The three of us had a blast...although mom of course, had to make it a competion ;)

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Olive Starr Shares her Birthday.....(Blog Catch Up from March)

Not only is March 26th Barb's Birthday..but it's also Miss Olive Starr's Birthday....and our "Dating Anniversary"

One of the big reasons, we decided to adopt Olive into our family was because she shared the same birthday with her Grammie Starr xoxox (Barb always loved this)

Happy First Birthday my little Ollie Dollie... how nice of your daddy to buy you this bone! 

 What a big girl you are!

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Making Little Things, Extra Special (Blog Catch Up from March)

This blog really pulls at my heart strings... I debated not blogging about it, but I think it's just too important of a special time not to celebrate and share (and Justin agrees)....

 This was the night we celebrated Barbara's 59th Birthday. 

This was the last photo of Barbara and I alone ever taken.....

We always try to make a big deal out of birthdays ~and sometimes it's hard because life, work, day to day responsibilities tend to seem more important...but we are so happy and thankful that we were able to make this a special night for Barbara. 

On this particular night we decided that we needed to take Barbara somewhere very special for her birthday.  I had thought of a few ideas...but after discussing them with Justin he keep saying....yeah that's a nice place and all..but I just don't think "it's mom". 

So I kept looking, and finally after a good couple of days going back and fourth on this...Justin finally decided that we would take her to Bobbys in Scottsdale...known for

 jazz, italian cuisine, and wine ~ all of Barbara's favorite things!

We had such a wonderful time (a three hour dinner) , especially the Birthday Girl.. complete with all the works.  Bill, Barbara's partner in crime joined as for dinner too... Bill truly enjoys the dining experience...so hors d'ouvers, salads, main dishes, dessert and wine were always a must. 

I remember so many special things about this night...that I never want to forget....

~as a last minute thought, Justin and I grabbed a vase with fresh flowers to give to Barb

~ me taking extra time picking out my outfit to wear, because Barbara always paid special attention to my wardrobe and accessories..she loved all girly things

~I remember we were so proud because we had arrived somewhat on time, we're always running a little behind, and we were so happy we didn't keep the bday girl waiting too long

~We had even decided to valet our car that night, just to cut down on our arrival time. (finding out later that car had been parked about ten feet away from the door).

~when we walked into the restaurant there was amazing live music playing

~Throughout the meal Barbara quickly would scoop food off of her plate on to our plates and insist that we needed "to try it" (especially her Justin)

~I think she ordered Prime Rib that night, which I was totally impressed by and she told me...

"why not live it up"?

~ I remember taking a trip to ladies room and talking "girl talk"...babies, shoes, diets, etc

~I remember that night that Justin had pre-arranged for the server to bring out a special dessert surprise for his mom

~I remember I tried very hard not to eat any dessert but Barbara was insistent that I try it, and it was amazing.  

~I remember how we hugged goodbye for the second time, or third time...Barbara gave many hugs

It's just unthinkable and almost unbearable, to know that we wont have any more nights like this..but it's such a precious treasure that we were able to experience this wonderful evening. 

Making Little Things, Extra Special, is so Important.....

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SURPRISE ~MASH Style! (Blog Catch Up from March)

Ladies and Gentlemen...please allow me to introduce you to one of my most favorite people in the world:  Renata Hodl! 

 Seriously, I just adore her.  She's very talented, crazy hard working, and way too humble and I feel so honored that she's my friend. 

I met Renata just about six years ago... she was working at Seville as a server and I had just started as the Membership Coordinator.  We hit it off right away...chatting about all the fun things in life.... one of my first memories of her is one day she brought in photos of her and her hubby and their hot air balloon adventure, complete with all the romantic touches...that's when I knew we could be great friends~Renata really appreciates the beauty in life....fresh florals, fine wine, new ideas, and she loves her desserts and coffee!

  Throughout my time at Seville my role and Renata's role changed several times, along with GMs, new ownerships, and several office location changes.  Ultimately we both ended up as directors of our departments ~Me: Private Events....Renata: Banquets... and what a great team we made together!  Although I don't get to see her on an everyday basis anymore, I'm so thrilled that we've managed to keep in touch:) 

So over a year and a half ago...Renata told me that she wanted to throw her husband Marc a Surprise 40th Birthday Party~ and she wanted to do a M.A.S.H theme.  M.A.S.H. was Marc's favorite show of all time and she was certain of two things:  the theme had to be M.A.S.H. and the party had to be a surprise!  Although I didn't get to see Renata put together all the fun final details of this event.... I was so happy that her dream for her husband's most special day came true.  And she did such a great job pulling it off! 

 I brought along a professional camera and did my best to take some decent shots...Justin had given me a ten minute lesson prior to me leaving the house that day....I later found out that I had made some critical photo taking mistakes, but luckily Renata knew that I was just practicing...none-the-less...here are some fun shots from this day...HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARC!

Check out the army swagged ceiling.....

Custom shirts for all the party guests......

Signage around the room.............

Best part was of course....THE SURPRISE! Renata had told Marc that he was scheduled for a bartending shift that day..Marc was kind of bummed about having to work... Renata had caught up with him as soon as he was on propery and asked him to carry a bottle of wine over to the meeting rooms.... so in walks Marc with the heavy box (see his look of surprise?)..and Renata (grinning from ear to ear)....

Marc was so touched....it was so sweet............

The food was even set up to match the theme, complete with trays and all!

The cake was outstanding!!!!  And oh so Yummy!!!

Adorable family moment......Renata and Marc has a precious little one named Sebastian.

And Sabastian had to have the first taste!

The girls of Seville...past and present....

And the party continues........

My precious little Stinkerbell was my date (although this photo is somewhat scary looking)....it was one of those days when Justin had so much studying to do he just couldn't swing attending the party with me (that's the life of a grad student)...so I was so happy when Chase at the last minute said come pick me up Sis, gotta luv little brothers. 

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