• Home
  • About
  • Wild Olive Tees
  • No Hands But Ours
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • RSS

Ni Hao Y'all

when east meets south

  • Ni Hao Y'all
  • Faith
    • my faith
  • adoption
    • special needs adoption
      • clubfoot
      • Down syndrome
      • dwarfism
    • shared list
    • advocating
  • family
    • Magnolia
    • Clementine
    • Tallula
    • Poppy
    • Esther
    • Vivienne
    • Shepherd
    • Jude
    • Isabelle
    • Sophie
    • Dalton
    • Asher
    • Zach
    • Victoria
  • Life
    • memory lane
    • what works for us
    • things I love
    • Q and A
    • marriage
    • cooking
    • celebrations
    • blogging
      • love others
      • kudos
  • photography
    • photography 101
    • Sunday Snapshot

his big day

Today was a big day for my husband.

So big, his parents even came to town. All the way from Texas.


So big that the littles missed their nap and I was forced to substitute M&Ms for sleep.

It didn’t work, by the way.


So big, I had to wear lots and lots of rubbery undergarments.

The kind that are so thick and cumbersome, you wonder if your dress is tucked into your undies, because you’d never be able to feel it.

I also re-discovered some panty hose I hadn’t seen in years.

It wasn’t a joyful reunion.


But we endured a 1.5 hour ceremony in which my husband was honored.

And in turn, our family, as much as we might have preferred not to be, was in the spotlight.


Spotlights and big families aren’t terribly compatible. Throw in some suffocating undergarments, missed naps and sugar overload and you’ve got a real recipe for disaster.

My dress was pulled up. Twice.

Shepherd threw a screaming fit. He had boogers everywhere. And not a napkin in sight.


Jude almost pulled me over trying to make a dash for some chips.

Sophie kicked some unsuspecting passers-by in the reception line.

Isabelle couldn’t keep her dress down.


It ain’t always pretty, but I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way.

Congratulations, baby. I am so proud of you.

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • More
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
«
»

10.03.09 · celebrations, family, kids, kudos, marriage, real life 37

Comments

  1. Tiffany says

    October 3, 2009 at 1:16 AM

    I love your posts.. they so make me LOL… and look closely… one of your precious children had their shoes on the wrong feet! After your wonderful day, with a house full of company, I imagine, I hope you too can LOL!!

    Reply
  2. Stefanie says

    October 3, 2009 at 1:24 AM

    Oh my gosh, Tiffany. I spent all DAY with Jude and although I clearly didn't put his shoes on, I DID dress him, carry him around and sit next to him. And I had NO idea he had his shoes on the wrong feet.
    My husband and I just died laughing when I read your comment because neither of us even noticed ๐Ÿ˜‰
    I AM laughing out loud! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  3. Chris says

    October 3, 2009 at 1:25 AM

    Oh yes children, have a way with keeping moms and dads down to their proper size.
    I wear a skirt all the time and have shown more leg than comfortable too many times esp. with little ones
    They actually look like they did pretty good.

    Reply
  4. Lisa says

    October 3, 2009 at 1:34 AM

    You guys look really cute!! : )

    Reply
  5. Andrea says

    October 3, 2009 at 1:37 AM

    Your family looked gorgeous!
    Your hubby is handasome in those "BLUES".
    Congrats to the WHOLE family.

    xoxo,
    A

    Reply
  6. Carrie says

    October 3, 2009 at 1:39 AM

    Congrats to Chris! Thank you for serving us! Stefanie ~ you and your precious family look fabulous! Thanks for keeping it real ~ I always know I'll get the real deal when I read your posts! ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply
  7. Patricia/NYC says

    October 3, 2009 at 1:55 AM

    Congratulations, Chris!! And THANK YOU for protecting us & keeping us safe!!

    GREAT post!! I LOVE the family photo!! There is so much spirit in that photo, it's just beautiful!!

    By now, I hope you are in your "relaxing clothes"! ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply
  8. Cindy says

    October 3, 2009 at 2:04 AM

    If nothing else all those adorable high jinx simply make for a more memorable day! ๐Ÿ™‚ Congrats to your hubby!

    Reply
  9. Kathy says

    October 3, 2009 at 2:39 AM

    Great family photo – Christmas card maybe ? Oh, and your dress is so cute ! Love it !

    Reply
  10. Holly says

    October 3, 2009 at 2:51 AM

    Congrats! Promotion comes from the Lord ๐Ÿ™‚ Way to go Chris!
    And Stef…b/c you serve alongside him…really you know you do!
    You have been blessed with much and in turn you have been a big blessing to others!

    Reply
  11. Annie says

    October 3, 2009 at 3:07 AM

    How great!!! Big congrats to Chris!!! And a BTDT for you Stefanie:) I feel your pain:)

    Reply
  12. Wife of the Pres. says

    October 3, 2009 at 3:20 AM

    You were cracking me up with the undergarment bit. Yeah, I have some of those and they just don't get the job done โ€ฆย I still have to remind myself, "Suck in, suck in" while I'm wearing certain dresses at church. Yes, I even gave away a dress after being asked one time too many while wearing it if I was "expecting." And I was NOT!

    I have to say with Andrea, if I were you, I'd be not only proud of my husband but โ€ฆ well, there is just something about a uniform! The Prez worked for the Army once, but they never gave him a uniform. I only dreamed about it!

    Congrats to Chris! Does he fly that big plane?! Wow!

    Reply
  13. adoptionroad says

    October 3, 2009 at 4:05 AM

    Ah, the love/dread relationship with the COC. Congratulations! You all look beautiful and I hope you got to enjoy some of the food and the band. I know it takes a lot of work, but it is good to see our men in their best and remember how honorably they serve each day even when their boots aren't as shiny as today. ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply
  14. trina says

    October 3, 2009 at 4:27 AM

    Congratulations!! You should be so proud. The pictures are great…and as always, your family is beautiful. I'm sure you were sweating…been there..a balancing act…and when do mamas get to rest. It's all good. They grow up so fast. Vivi will be in the mix next celebration.

    Reply
  15. Michelle says

    October 3, 2009 at 8:05 AM

    Congratulations, Chris!!! I just love to see the men and women who serve our country be honored and so glad to see Chris was honored in a big way!! Very well deserved!!

    Great post. Yes, I, too, love that you always keep it real. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  16. Valerie and Jeff says

    October 3, 2009 at 12:40 PM

    You are hilarious! I thought only that kinda stuff happened to me because I had 3 boys! And it's good to know that's just kids being kids … whether you have 3 or 6–that's so encouraging … and heartwarming.
    Thanks for the reminder and the laugh!
    Congrats too.

    Reply
  17. Kim says

    October 3, 2009 at 1:05 PM

    Another beautiful post that is heart felt and real. So love your transparency. The photos are precious!
    Congratulations to your husband. We are grateful for his service!
    Love & Blessings from Hong Kong,
    Kim

    Reply
  18. Ladyblog says

    October 3, 2009 at 3:54 PM

    Congrats from another military family! BTDT….Fortunately, I have not had to be at the last 2 'cause they were done in theater. My lil guy was up in stage for one and my hubby made a joke that he was practicing his plf s. Thank goodness others usually thinks kids' antics are adorable…

    Reply
  19. Victoria says

    October 3, 2009 at 4:38 PM

    DANG MAMA, you look HOTTT! (:

    Reply
  20. Carrie says

    October 3, 2009 at 5:19 PM

    How awesome!

    Reply
  21. Nancy says

    October 3, 2009 at 8:06 PM

    Congratulations Chris!
    Thank you for all you do for our country.
    And Stephanie, I love your blog!
    Nancy in MN

    Reply
  22. Lost and Found says

    October 3, 2009 at 10:06 PM

    Wait so what was he honored for? How fabulous!

    Reply
  23. Donna says

    October 4, 2009 at 12:04 AM

    You don't need rubbery undergarments! But I cracked up at your description of them — specifically how you'd never know if your dress was tucked into your underwear! Gosh, that's so true!

    Your family is beautiful! Every perfectly imperfect one of them!

    What was your husband honored for? Can you share or is it Top Secret?

    ๐Ÿ™‚

    Donna
    Our Blog: Double Happiness!

    Reply
  24. Wendy says

    October 4, 2009 at 12:20 AM

    You say it isn't pretty, but it looks pretty beautiful to me! What great photos of your gorgeous family. I love the way you tell a story…you always crack me up…you are so bright and funny and real! Congrats to Chris. It looks like it was a great day…in the photos at least!

    Love the comment about Jude's shoes. I have to go back and check it out. Big families are fun and crazy and chaotic. Mine's not nearly as big as yours but it feels insane a good deal of the time, but we love it!

    Reply
  25. Shanna says

    October 4, 2009 at 1:32 AM

    First, Congrats to your hubby!
    Second, I want to frame the picture of your family and tell everyone that y'all are some of our best buddies. heh. Everyone would be jealous ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  26. Karin says

    October 4, 2009 at 3:07 AM

    Hey…I don't have any rubbery undergarments! I'm missing out on a tummy-tucking thingy??

    You crack me up!! I also loved the comment about Jude's shoes being on the wrong feet. I can't tell you home many times that has happened to me. One time we went out of town for a special adoption banquet and one of my daughters was wearing filthy, way-too-big flip-flops with her beautiful Chinese silk dress. Ack!

    Congratulations to your husband–and thank you both for serving our country. My oldest son is leaving for bo*t camp in Jan. 2010.

    Reply
  27. Lisa says

    October 4, 2009 at 3:14 PM

    CONGRATS, Mrs. Commander! We are so sad we missed Chris' big day!!!! And I loved Tiffany's comment…that is hilarious. You looked lovely, by the way…

    Reply
  28. Kris says

    October 4, 2009 at 5:10 PM

    congrats Chris!! all good memories, especially with the kiddos making it "extra" fun :O) (i don't see any shoes on the wrong feet tho, maybe i'm blind?)

    Reply
  29. Nicole A. says

    October 5, 2009 at 1:22 AM

    Congrats to your husband, and a huge thank you for his service to our country!!

    I bet he was thrilled to share the day with his family, no matter how much kid-induced-chaos they bring to it!

    All the best,
    Nicole A. in OH

    Reply
  30. Jenna says

    October 5, 2009 at 1:34 AM

    What a GREAT family picture!!! You all look GREAT!

    Reply
  31. Ohilda says

    October 5, 2009 at 2:40 AM

    How wonderful that hubby (and the family) was honored. Please give him a great big thank you for his service to our country!

    Reply
  32. Miss Anna B says

    October 5, 2009 at 3:07 AM

    Stef,
    What did Chris get honored for? I love that you are such a supportive and proud wife ๐Ÿ˜‰ SHoes on the wrong feet, boogers and ALL………….

    Reply
  33. Karrie says

    October 5, 2009 at 12:46 PM

    You look GREAT, rubbery undergarments and all!!!
    Hectic day, but awesome pictures!
    And Congrats to Chris!!!

    Reply
  34. seaview says

    October 5, 2009 at 5:46 PM

    I have to say I was laughing all the way through this entry – just wonderful and what a way to celebrate! There's a programme over in the UK called Outnumbered and this could have been a script from it! Wonderful photos though and wonderful memories

    Reply
  35. Deb says

    October 6, 2009 at 4:13 AM

    Congratulations Dad! You must all be so proud!

    Reply
  36. Susan says

    October 6, 2009 at 2:24 PM

    Stefanie, you are simply beautiful, elastic garments & all. Hee,hee!!!Congratulations to your husband. Tell him thank you for serving our Christian nation. I enjoy reading about your life. Life: it's just so stinky daily. I thank Jesus for His Strength. Blessings to you & your sweet ( and boogery :)) family.

    Reply
  37. Dita says

    October 9, 2009 at 5:03 AM

    Congratulations! Wow…he can wear a uniform, Mama…..can't he?!

    Speaking of wearing…I can't believe with your fantastic shape that you'd even consider the toxic tuckers. You look amazing….do yourself a favor…NO MORE of those to ruin your day.

    What an incredible role model your hubby is for the children…all children!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

I'm Stefanie. Wife to one, mom to 13. Occasional blogger and t-shirt maker. Wannabe photographer and exerciser. Constant grace-needer and orphan advocator. more
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS

Subscribe

instagram

see more...follow us on IG

our china journeys

magnolia - 2016
clementine - 2014
tallula - 2012
penelope - 2011
vivienne - 2010
shepherd - 2008
jude - 2007
sophie - 2006
isabelle - 2005

ways to make a difference

Love Project

proceed with caution

a dirty secret in adoption
we don't celebrate gotcha day
there's no such thing as an easy adoption
if I can, you can.
co-sleeping, why we do it.
gawsh. the series.
crazy
affording adoption
God and me.
Vivi's diagnosis
the ugly, beautiful truth
special needs: my .02
my testimony
dear anonymous
my chinese son

Creative Commons License

Copyright © 2023 · Darling theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 ยท Darling Theme on Genesis Framework ยท WordPress ยท Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.