Monday, February 6, 2012

Pirate Party and the Powells

February is almost as crazy as December at my house.  Between both my sons' birthdays and Valentines, I spend a lot of time in my craft room but not working on stuff for my business.  Which is why I don't schedule any classes at my house in February.

My youngest son's birthday is next weekend.  I don't generally share retired product on my blog, but I am today because it's whats been keeping me busy this past week: (click on the picture to get a better view)
Colors: Naturals Vanilla, Riding Hood Red, Island Indigo, Pool Party, Close to Cocoa (retired), Soft Suede, Chocolate Chip.  Stamps: Ahoy, Matey and matching wheel (both retired).  Accessories: Markers, Blender Pen, Aqua Painter. 
My boys only get birthday parties every other year.  But for the past three times I've done parties, the boys have picked a pirate theme.  I'm just glad that I kept this set for just this purpose.  I saw some invitations like these on Splitcoaststampers four years ago when I did my first pirate party.  It's been so long, I don't even know who to give credit to anymore (after all, they didn't have Pinterest in those days.)  The invitations where delivered on Saturday and they were well received.  One mom told me at church yesterday that her daughter slept with it.

I don't generally get extremely personal here on my blog, but with all the good and busy things happening here, we also have some very heavy hearts.  It's been all over the news about the unspeakable thing Josh Powell did to his sons yesterday in Washington state.  The Powells were neighbors of ours in West Valley and we attended the same church.  It would be disingenuous to say that Susan and I were close friends but to know Susan was to know her well. We served together in the Relief Society presidency and both sang in the church choir.  Her oldest and my youngest were just weeks apart in age and I can't help thinking if things were different, if Susan had never disappeared and we hadn't moved, one of these invitations would have been for Charlie.

This entire thing has been like a bad made-for-TV movie that was too outrageous to be believable. Yet it happened and is happening to real people that are more than just names and faces to me. Yesterday, I spent a lot of time being angry at Josh for being so spiteful and so controlling, right up to the end.  Today, I'm trying to leave the anger behind and send lots of healing prayers to Susan's family and close friends who are left to deal with aftermath.   I hope this is not where the story ends.  Her family deserves to know exactly what happened to Susan but I don't know that they ever will. In the mean time, I find comfort in knowing that those two cute boys are in a better place with their mother who loved them more than anything.

12 comments:

Deb B (Debadoo) said...

Not having TV I wasn't aware of what had happened. Didn't get on the net at all yesterday. Such a horrible thing, but yes those boys are with God and in a much better place and completely safe now. I do so wish he'd said what he did with and to Susan. Her poor parents, my heart grieves for them.

Yapha said...

Super, super cute pirate party invitations!! (And sending healing thoughts your way.) Hugs.

RhondaG - The Stampin' Bunny said...

These are wonderful Paula!! I love that the guests will feel SO special!

Hugs sweetie!

Cindy said...

What an adorable idea for the invites - no wonder your boys keep choosing a pirate theme. :)

Keeping you and Susan's family in my prayers today, too. (((hugs)))

Katherine said...

That is such a sad story. I'm sorry that something so awful happened to someone so close to you.

The invites are sweet. Can't wait to see what you make for favors!

Mickey Roberts said...

So very sorry that what we see and think of as far away is affecting you so closely. Prayers to you and your family as well as to the Powell's. It really is a comfort to know that those little boys were welcomed to Heaven and folded into their mother's arms.

Love the invites for the party. Very clever! Your boys are very lucky!

Sara Mattson-Blume said...

The best way to honor those who lived life well is to live life well. Your pirate party will serve to be a part of that living well for you and your boys. Love those invites!

Anonymous said...

Probably the cutest invitations I have ever seen - WOW!

((hugs))

Tanya Boser said...

Oh My Gosh adorable on those invites!! They look like they were worth every minute (and when I say minute, I mean hour ;) ) of your time and effort!

And as for the rest, (((hugs))) and prayers for peace.

Shelley Z said...

Too cute! Love the whole pirate theme. You carried it out well.

Prayers have been said for the Powell family and for you while you heal from this devastation.

Carmen said...

Love love the pirate invitations!! Very cute!

Holly/Rubber Redneck said...

Love these invites that is adorable! Lots of (hugs)