God had his hand in this...

relationship, there is no doubt about it.

This is a love story of my little boy, Ian, and Miss Michele.

They met in the fall of 2007

at Rhythmic Notions Dance Studio in Owasso, Oklahoma.

Barely 3, dressed in comfortable clothes

and black ballet shoes he was ready for his first lesson;

not knowing that it would

change and enrich both of their lives

more than we could have known.

(fast forward 3 seasons)

Ian, now 5, continues dancing; tap, jazz, and ballet

-he LOVES it.

As the years have passed from the initial moment when Miss Michele saw

this little blond hair, blued eyed boy -their bond has grown!

In 1997 Miss Michele's own little blond haired,

blue eyed boy, Austen, became an ANGEL, after a tragic accident took his life.

He would have graduated high school next month.

In honor of his memory there will be a scholarship dance competition May 15th in Owasso.

Ian's ballet class will be part of the entertainment, dancing to the most beautiful song, one they played at Austen's funeral 13 years ago.

I'm crying already.

I can't even begin to imagine

what Miss Michele has gone through to survive, herself.

As Ian's mom, I believe God crossed their paths

3 years ago to get us to a fabulous night of dance

where a young dancer will be blessed

with an opportunity to further his/her dance education,

a night where a little boy will shine,

and one where a very special Angel

will be watching over his mom with the biggest of smiles,

and tears sent from Heaven.

*****************************************

This week at the The Pixie Cottage

we are on CHALLENGE 15:

giving tribute to a Mom or Special Lady

(remember you have the choice to use both challenge ingredients or just one)

Here is Ian's fun & heartfelt tribute to Miss Michele...

and using this sketch by
Pam

One day at dance class Ian was really needing

some quality one on one time with Miss Michele,

so being ever the dashing young man he his...

he asked her out on a Coffee Date!

(wonder where he got the idea ladies like coffee!?)

Here is the "sketch" portion of my layout...

Ian's favorite color is YELLOW...

which in keeping with the primary scheme

worked out perfectly for me to color with my Copics a trio of Simply the Best Roses.

Extra neat that the image is one that I created for Pixie Cottage Stamp Collection .

In efforts to follow the sketch and provide a balanced grouping I wielded my gardening sheers and strategically trimmed off a few petals on the outer blooms and mounted them the pop-dots for added dimension.

The true scrapbooker in me shows...as I passed over my journaling pen to Ian...he may only be 5, but he knew exactly what to say; backwards 'g's and all.

You know his number Miss Michele...

have your calendar out when you call.

Whip cream kisses await you!

*****

Whether you are making a card or honoring a special lady

with photographs in layout form,

or you just want to use Pam's sketch

link your creation back to CHALLENGE 15

from your blog for a chance to win.

One winner will be drawn randomly to select

2 Pixie Cottage Stamps ,

and the top 3 will get a winner's banner for their blog.

Take a moment today and tell someone

you are blessed THEY are in your life.