Why Brandon is afraid for his future.

I ran out of laundry detergent Monday morning. As any mom will tell you, running out of dishwasher or laundry detergent will bring a household to a halt. So, after ballet Meredith and I went to Costco.

When our entire family goes to Costco, I have to set aside at least an hour. If it’s busy, and hour and a half. We also spend way more than we need to. Merdi and I can be in and out buying only what we need. And yes, we needed a three pound bag of pita chips and a huge tub of hummus. (Which, by the way, was labeled, "hommus." I found that slightly unnerving, but I managed to gorge myself just like hummus.)

As we were rolling towards the detergent aisle, Meredith couldn’t help but notice the ginormous inflatable water slide/basketball court/climbing wall/pool suspended from the ceiling. Of course she wanted to buy it. Heck, I wanted to buy it!

Meredith: “Oh WOW!!! Mom, let’s buy that! It’ll be perfect for the yard!!! My friends will freak out!!!”

Me: “Oh, gosh I don’t think so. That’s a lot of money.”

Meredith: “O.K., I’ll buy it.”

Me: “It’s $744. Do you have $744?

Meredith: “No, but you do.”

Me: “No I don’t.”

Meredith: “Well you don’t, but Dad does and you have Dad’s cards.”

Me: “I’m pretty sure Dad would be really, really mad at us if we brought that home.”

Meredith: “No, he won’t. He won’t know about it. We’ll hide it in the garage and we won’t get it out on the weekends.”

Uh oh. I recounted the story for Brandon and his only response was, “Yeah, well I know who won’t ever have a card.”

I tried to find a picture of the inflatable heart’s desire, but Costco doesn’t even have it on their website, which is a good thing. If Meredith knew how type, it would probably arrive via UPS by week’s end.

We can't keep a horse in the garage.

You know how every parenting magazine discusses the importance of not over-scheduling your children? The articles always talk about parents who push their kids into every activity in order to one up the neighbor’s kid. I’m not one of those parents, but I think Meredith would over schedule herself with glee if we allowed it.

This is our second year in ballet and tap. I don’t see this interest ending anytime soon, and I am more than fine with that. Meredith was too young for soccer this year, or she would be running up and down the field every Saturday. Alex is in gymnastics and she watches with envy during every lesson. I have a long-standing hope that Meredith will take an interest in Irish step-dancing and beg for lessons.

Meredith’s interests are deep, wide, time-intensive, ever-growing, and expensive. I may need to go back to work just to fund extra curricular activities.

We have a one-activity-at-a-time rule in our house; at least for the time being. So, both of the kids are pretty choosy about what they do. Meredith seemed fairly content with her current ballet/tap commitment until Sunday.

Sunday afternoon, Meredith went to her friend Luci’s birthday party. My Little Pony is back, which cracks me up and Meredith, Luci, and their mutual friend Ava really love to play with their ponies. So, it came as no surprise that Luci was having a My Little Pony party. What was somewhat of a surprise was the party was at a pony farm. We’ve been to just about every type of birthday party the preschool set can have, and this was a new one. Meredith was on cloud nine and talked about the party for weeks.

She was so excited about the prospect of riding a horse until I told her she would have to wear pants. She was fine with that but wanted…and I’m not exaggerating in any way…khaki jodhpurs, a white blouse, and a velvet riding hat. I waited for her to ask about riding boots, but oh no, she thought maybe she “could squeeze my foot into my pink cowgirl boots.” They are two sizes too small. Meredith made do with a pair of leggings and a sparkly shirt.


The girls’ names were drawn from a hat, and Merdi was second to last to ride. Bless her heart, she was very patient. When it was her turn, she shot forward, helmet on, and swung her leg over the left side of the horse like an old pro. I heard the trainer her ask her if she’d like to trot. I told her I knew she’d be fine, and off she went. Her form was a little loose, but she was grinning from ear to ear. I braced myself for the inevitable.

Meredith was off the horse for 17 seconds before she said, “Guess what Mom? That lady told me I can sign up for riding lessons!”

The women are smiling because they know I'm going to wind up writing them enough checks to feed Molly the Pony for the rest of her life.

Time travel

I love my husband. I really do. What I do not love is his indifference when it comes to schedules. When it comes to travel and work and meetings and conference calls, Brandon never misses a beat. He’s always there. On time. More than one person has pointed out to me that because Brandon’s professional life is scheduled down to the minute, he needs a break. I need more patience, because I like to plan.

Alex had early dismissal from school on Friday. Parent teacher conferences would allow us to get on the road three hours early for a much-anticipated trip to visit the Burgins. Perfect! Brandon assured me he would be able to leave around 1:00 p.m.

Fifteen minutes prior to Alex stepping off the bus, Meredith fell of a step stool and split open her chin. I ignored the sweat beads that always show up on my forehead when we start to run late and took Meredith to urgent care for stitches. Woo Hoo, we didn’t need stitches, special glue did the trick. Great! No scar and we’ll leave almost on time.

I called Kelly with the news we would leave a little later than anticipated, but wouldn’t be that late.

2:00 p.m. rolled around and I was pantomiming to Brandon through the glass doors of his office. (He regrets requesting those doors.) He was tangled in a web of calls trying to figure out where his current project was taking him the following week. Ugh. It didn’t look good. Alex wrote him a note that read: "How longer?"

The three extra hours evaporated, and we left at the regularly scheduled time of 4:30 p.m. Don’t get me wrong. I’m very, very, very thankful Brandon’s job hasn’t fallen to the economy. I’m thankful work prevented us from leaving on time. I just need to convince my tightly-wound self that the world won’t shatter if we show up late now and again.

We finally pulled into the Burgin’s driveway a little past 9:00 p.m. our time. The kids were so excited to see each other! I have no idea what time they actually went to bed. I do know both of our kids were up pretty close to their regular waking times. They were rays of sunshine all day, let me tell you.

We had a fun and very rowdy visit with the Burgins.

Poor sweet Maya has no idea what she’s in for. I don’t know how she slept a wink with deer calls, games of tag, and light saber battles going on simultaneously around her. Not to mention man handling by the Webber kids every chance they had.

Meredith paid little attention to Maya until shortly before we left. Then, she wanted to take her home. Alex always loves babies, but he was far more concerned about guarding his Nintendo DS. We left the Burgins’ a little before noon because, bless their souls, more company was on the way.

It will come as no surprise, that I was excited to visit the Abraham Lincoln Museum. I hadn’t been to Springfield since our 8th grade class trip. No, actually that’s not true. I’ve been to Republican Day at the state fair with my grandparents a few times since. But we were there to shake hands and visit the butter cow. Anyway, Jill C. and Annie both told me we’d love the museum. It is really neat and I cracked up at Meredith who, like a human brochure, told us repeatedly she was done eating and wanted to go “explore and discover.” We missed what I’ve since heard is the neatest thing at the museum, the holographic Abe Lincoln.

Similar to Disney, you exit the museum through the gift shop. I’m very anti-gift shop because I come from a long line of people who are anti-souvenir. Growing up, I knew better than to ask for a Six Flags t-shirt and no one collected spoons or salt and pepper shakers. It was “junk we didn’t need.” As an adult, I stand in complete agreement. I’ve been known to get carried away at the Christmas store in Downtown Disney, but aside from that…I did however, buy a giant penny on our 8th grade class trip in the capitol gift shop and it must have made an impression. I mentioned it to the kids and guess what we found in Abe’s gift store?! It wasn’t spendable, so Alex dismissed it as ridiculous. Meredith thought it was great. Alex chose a wooden pop gun, so that made for a jarring ride home. Meredith held her penny the entire trip. Alex pointed out it was silly to spend $4 on a penny and that by the way, it wasn’t spendable. Meredith said, “Yeah, well I sure am happy with it!”

We ate a light lunch because I was wearing jeans and we were stopping at The Beef House for dinner on the way home. This restaurant is on the way between Bradley and Carmel, so Brandon and I used to stop there on the way to visit him parents. I’m not a huge meat eater, but the salad bar is unbelievable and the rolls and homemade jams are to die for. I knew Alex would go nuts over the salad bar and sure enough he did. It is hilarious to watch him artfully arrange shredded carrots over lettuce. Meredith ate a roll and then stuck French fries into her hamburger. We left after a lack of sleep induced meltdown started when Alex asked Meredith to hold one end of a rubber band and let go of his end with a snap. It was in retaliation for something Meredith did, and three of us laughed. Meredith did not.

We got home around 7:30 p.m. The kids went to bed and slept until nearly 8:00 a.m., which is something of a record. Alex and Meredith both had busy Sundays but after rambling this long, I’ll do you a favor and save it for tomorrow.

The people your mother warned you about.

I’m a bad influence. You shouldn’t hang out with me.

Since Alex sprung himself from his school commitment on Tuesday, he was free to go to the parade with us. His buddy Joe, was not. But then, I talked Joe’s smart mom into keeping Joe home and brining him to the parade with us. It wouldn’t have been the same without Joe! When we go somewhere with the Staperts, we’re usually a unit and it would have been sad not to have Joe there. There was only one solution. It couldn’t be helped!

If you are truancy officer, you should know I’m a known liar and this story probably isn’t even true.

My friend Marianne met us at the parade with her two boys, Evan and William. All together we had seven kids and they were really well behaved. It was, dare I say, manageable!

We had a great time! The weather couldn’t have been more perfect. The parade doesn’t amount to much aside from television anchors, Catholic school groups, and several past and present “Irish Citizens of the Year.” Chicago puts us to shame. People threw candy and that’s all the kids were truly interested in anyway.

Joe even wound up with a green roll of some sort. Or maybe it was a bagel, we’re not sure. Marianne said, “I think they just threw Joe a sandwich.” I laughed out loud when I realized she was exactly right! Odd, but ‘hey, free roll!’

As the parade ended, Marianne treated the kids to cotton candy. Actually, my big mouth called the vendor over and Marianne wound up paying. That wasn’t my intention but I wasn’t up for a wrestling match. Try giving cotton candy to children whom have eaten nothing but sugar for two hours and then ask them to walk calmly back to the car. It was crowded and they seemed to be determined to get lost or kidnapped. We made it to the garage with everyone in tow and none the worse for the wear.

I don’t have any fabulous pictures of fun things in the parade or adorable group shots, but here were some fun individuals that could have just as easily been taken in my driveway.

An t-ádh na nÉireannach!!!

Every time I’m on the phone with someone and call waiting interrupts my train of thought, I always say, “Hold on, let me grab this in case it’s the school.” I’ve been saying that for six years. It’s never the school. It’s usually Am-Vets asking me if I have anything for pickup.

On the way home from ballet today, my cell phone rang. It was the school. It was the school nurse! Alex ‘got sick’ after recess and would need to be picked up. Luckily, I was two minutes from his school and swooped in right away. Poor baby was lying on a bed in the nurse’s office and looked pale. He was pretty quiet too.

Alex’s amazingly good-natured teacher laughed off the whole episode even though it happened in her classroom. She was quick to tell me he ran for the tile instead of the carpet. Alex later told me he did so because, “You know how hard that stuff in to get out of carpeting.” He’s a considerate upchucker.

After a fountain Sprite from McDonald’s, some saltines, and a shower, Alex seemed fine. I had to force him to rest in his bed for thirty minutes. He played Wii this afternoon and has discovered some game where you act as the manager of an amusement park. I think the fun is supposed to be in designing the rides. Alex’s idea of fun is to leave the game running and come back to check to see how much revenue his park has generated. I’m not kidding.

The important part is, there have been no repeat performances. Alex is already guaranteed a day home tomorrow because the rule is if you loose it at school, you’re out the next day. Completely understandable and completely agreeable to me because tomorrow is

ST. PATRICK’S DAY!!!!

It’s going to be 75 and SUNNY! We’re going downtown to the parade. I even told his teacher my plan and she gave me the thumbs up. We’re being forced to play hooky. Luck of the Irish, indeed!

Healthy until you need us to be.

I’ve had the great fortune of good health this year, which is amazing considering the lack of attention I pay to my well-being. The kids are rarely sick…maybe a sniffle or a cough every now and again, but little else. For this I thank God each and every night! However, it never fails. When we need to be healthy and well, one of us almost always comes down with something.

Want us to be in your wedding? Great! Two days before your walk down the aisle, we’ll get chicken pox. I agreed to host your baby shower? Super! Our house will be hit with a stomach virus the morning of.

We are healthy as horses until we need to be.

This week was one of those weeks we’d been looking forward to for nine months. Kelly, “Aunt Kelly” to Alex and Meredith, had her baby last Sunday. The Burgin family was so excited to welcome their first girl, Maya Jane, and we couldn’t wait to meet her. To make the visit even sweeter, our families hadn’t seen each other in ten months. Kelly and I talk on the phone at least three times a day. So it feels like we see each other regularly, but we don’t. It was going to be a fun trip! We were leaving Friday.

(Photo lifted straight from www.kellyburgin.blogspot.com With no permission whatsoever.)

Alex stayed home from school on Monday with a barking cough. I ominously warned Kelly there was a slight chance we couldn’t visit. I would not take a sick child into the home of a newborn, no matter how badly I want to smell her baby-powder-scented head. Kelly laughed and reminded me it was their third.

Tuesday, I started coughing. Wednesday, I missed Meredith’s preschool conference and blamed it on my “illness.” Thursday evening, I had a full blown cold. Fever, chills, achiness…wait, maybe I did need a flu shot. Friday, I knew there was no way we were going to see Baby Maya. Maybe I’d be better and we could go on Saturday???

I was going to call Kelly at 9:00 a.m. her time and break the news. Instead, my phone rang an hour earlier. It was Kelly’s oldest, Mason. The conversation went something like this:

Me: Oh, Hi Mason! How are you?!
Mason: Um, when are Alex and Meredith going to be here?
Me: Oh, Sweetie. I’m sick and I don’t think we’re going to be able to come today.
Mason: Um, (voice cracking) you better talk to my mom.

Kelly added to my guilt by telling me he was standing in their kitchen with big tears. Why didn’t I get a flu shot?!

I felt better Saturday, but didn’t want to expose the Burgin family. With a little finagling of the schedules, we plan to visit next Friday, but I’m afraid to say it out loud. We might get rheumatic fever.

My love affair with elastic.

Really?! I've had NOTHING to say since Monday?! Wow! I didn't realize it had been so long. I bet you're on the edge of your seat, huh? :)

My year of eating has resulted in a weight gain I’m not proud of. I have to loose the weight soon because it’s becoming impractical to be me. I’m tired all the time, more so than usual. I’m disorganized, which I attribute to my lack of energy. My feet itch from poor circulation after a walk around the neighborhood. It’s ridiculous.

The biggest issue of late is? I can no longer fit into my clothes. I have no idea what I’m going to wear this spring because currently I have one shirt I feel comfortable wearing in public. That’s right. I’m not kidding. Nor is it an exaggeration in order to snag the go ahead for a shopping spree. I hate to shop when I’m a size I’m happy with. I really hate to shop for clothes for which I’d like to remove the sizing tag. So, I refuse to shop. Something’s got to give.

So what’s my current solution? Stretch pants. Ugly, unflattering stretch pants. Which scream, “LOOK AT ME! I’M A HOUSEWIFE WHO NO LONGER TAKES CARE OF MYSELF!” OR…pajamas. I’ve caught myself wearing pajamas in the middle of the day twice in as many weeks. It’s a problem and it’s rubbing off on Meredith.

Either that or she knows about Hugh Hefner. I really hope it’s my bad influence and not his.

Meredith has gone from the black leotard of last week to her pink robe. She was wearing it around after school today and said, “Hey Mom! This robe is sooooooooo comfortable! I should have been wearing it a long time ago! Can I wear it for dinner?!” She ate her baked cavatini in her plush, pink, princess robe. Uh oh.

Like a trained bear

Something happened this weekend that I wasn’t sure ever would.

Saturday morning, our family went to a birthday party for our friend Catey, who turns two today. We had fun helping her celebrate, but I had a migraine headache. I used to get them fairly regularly, but haven’t had them in years. For whatever reason, I’ve started to have them more frequently. So I crawled into bed with Meredith for her nap and suggested that Alex and Brandon go outside to enjoy the amazing weather.

Meredith’s room is above our driveway and I could hear Alex pitching some sort of a fit. I couldn’t make out what he was complaining about, and my nausea inducing headache wasn’t interested in his grievance. I fell asleep.

When I woke up an hour later, Alex nonchalantly said, “Hey Mom. I can ride my bike now.”

I thought I was in an Aleve coma. “What? Really?”

“Yep. Dad just taught me. Wanna see?”

Or course I wanted to see! I thought he was going to ride one of those giant tricycles to friends’ houses through junior high.

Sure enough, the boy can ride. Not only can he ride, but he’s completely confident, steady, and entirely in control. It isn’t the same wobbly ride that relegated me to empty parking lots and on the tennis courts until my dad trusted me on a sidewalk with pedestrians. Alex rides over curbs and through our yard. I was slack jawed.

From what I hear, there was no running behind the bike waiting for him to balance. Brandon just took off his training wheels, which was the source of the temper tantrum I heard from above. Alex pushed the bike around our driveway with his feet and then just started riding. What do you know?

This takes a couple of minutes to watch, and about half way through Meredith appears chattering about her My Little Ponies. Annie, if you're reading, see if you catch the name of one of her ponies. :)

We wasted no time, and took a family bike ride around our neighborhood and decided to pedal onto the park. Meredith cranked her pedals with all her might, but “yittle yegs,” can only go so fast.

Meredith, who is the Paris Hilton of our house---Paris Hilton with morals, had another party to go to Sunday afternoon. A little girl from her ballet class had quite the bash. Dora was even there. And she made balloon hats! She made an announcement that she would be painting faces, which I was dying to see her pull off in her giant head. The birthday girl’s mom put the squacho on that, so Dora was forced to announce Swiper the Fox had taken the face paints. Nice save, Dora.

I'll be well cared for in my golden years.

I worked the morning shift of the book fair at our preschool today. They sent out an e-mail begging for help with the early morning slot, and being an early bird, I volunteered. Because Brandon is home, Meredith had the option of staying home with Dad, but I had a feeling she’s choose to come with me.

I told Meredith we would be running a store of sorts, and asked her if she’d like to help me with the customers. I explained to her, we couldn’t bring home every book, and we would ring up purchases for other people. She was more than game and was dressed and ready, well in advance.

There were a couple of other moms working too, so we had loads of coverage. I knew someone else was there to check my math! Lucky for me, no one paid in cash, so I didn’t even have to make change. Yahoo!

About 45 minutes into our hour-long shift, a mom came in with a baby. The baby was mildly interested in Meredith, but mostly wanted to explore and pull books off the low shelves. The mom and the baby were near a front table when Meredith walked up to them and said, “Does your baby like music? Because this book (she pulls a book from another shelf) comes with it’s own CD! She would LOVE it!” The mom tells Meredith the baby does, in fact like music. Meredith follows up with, “Well does she have a CD player in her room? If she does, you should buy this book for her.” Sale closed.

The mom then mentions that her baby really loves cats. Meredith says, “Look at this! We have lots of books about cats!” Second sale closed.

I was cracking up! I told our school directors what had just happened and one of them said, “I have no doubt our sales numbers go up when Meredith is at the book fair.”

I always joke that we’re putting money into Meredith’s 529 and she’ll probably come to us when it’s time for college and tell us she’s going to scrap school and sell Mary Kay instead. We’ll be mad, and then she’ll sell $9 million worth of eyeshadow in a year. After today, I’m revising my theory. I’m guessing Merdi won’t wait until she’s college-aged and her first car will be a pink Caddy.

A Taste of Spring!

It’s 67degrees and Meredith is feeling her oats. I have no idea what that means other than when I was a kid and my grandpa’s horses would run through the field on a nice day, my dad would say “They’re feeling their oats!” It probably means something gross and I’m posting it for the world to see.

First of all, Meredith was so excited to go to school today to show off her new shoes. Land’s End clearance is the best and the ONLY reason I’ll go to Sears willingly.

I picked up Meredith from school and she was already in a squirrely mood. I had the sunroof open and she asked me to roll down her window. I did and she was so happy. With her curls whipping around the backseat, grinning as broad as the day is long, she said, “Oh I LOVE too much wind! This is great!!!” She waved to every car, and laughed hysterically at a purple semi. Then she pulled Alex’s stocking cap on and said “Look at me! I’m Alex.” She looked like a rapper. All she needed was a gold tooth.

Meredith is outside riding her scooter up and down the driveway waiting for the bus to bring her playmate home. Brandon is cleaning the grill! His dad’s birthday is today and instead of being chained to the stove making the requisite chicken parmesan, Brandon is grilling. I couldn’t be more relieved. My part is over. The cupcakes are frosted. Hope Al doesn’t mind pink.

Alex was in a particularly good mood this morning too. He looked so grown up and I asked him if I could grab a few pictures of him. He said, “Sure you can. I woke up on the right side of the bed today.” I wish I could bottle this weather.

An uncharacteristically silly Alex.

A little less silly, but much less stiff than normal! Also a little blurry, but I’m going with it…

Meredith's public appearances are on hold.

When I was little, my grandpa would often tell me I had “wheels in my butt.” My grandpa was full of colloquialisms that I didn’t always understand and most of which I can’t share in public, but I knew what he meant with this one. He meant I always wanted to go somewhere. It didn’t necessarily matter where, I just wanted to G-O.

I’m still like this for the most part. I would travel 364 days a year. (I have a thing about being HOME on Christmas) I am always happy to leave the house for a trip to Target, or even, Lord help me, Menards. Lucky for me, my family suffers from the same affliction.

We’re on the go. A lot. Since getting the new car in August, I’ve put over 10,000 miles on it. Gulp. That worries me because when this one wears out, I probably won’t be legally allowed to purchase a new one, if they’re even still in production under the new world order. Anyway, my point is it’s usually hard to catch us at home; at least it used to be until Meredith discovered a black leotard…

For those of you who know Meredith, you know she spends most of her time living in a fantasy world. The floor of her room is almost always littered with puffy dresses and plastic shoes. I find tiaras and beads in every nook and cranny of our house. The shower, on top of the dryer, in our junk drawer, you name it. Our life has been this way since Merdi was old enough to know what a princess was and what they wear. Lately, the princess dresses have started to loose their luster. They are becoming “too itchy” and “too boring.” Oh no! I see reality creeping over the horizon.

Last weekend, Meredith dug out a black leotard and a coordinating gauzy skirt. They are remnants of the butterfly Halloween costume Meredith never actually wore. Our plans changed, when Sleeping Beauty was available for lunch. (Halloween was spent in Disney last year.) So, this costume is fresh and new and now worn by Meredith on a daily basis, except for the wings and the antenna. You know, the very things that turn a black leotard and tights into a butterfly. Meredith instead has chosen to accessorize the outfit in her own, very Meredith way. She LOVES this outfit. The only problem is, it is in no way acceptable for outside errands. Not on a 14 degree day.

Meredith is like me and when she hears keys jingle or the garage door open, she’ll risk breaking her neck to get down the stairs fast enough to go wherever it is someone is apparently going. Not the case the last three days. Meredith does not want to leave the house if it means wearing real clothes. She even turned down a trip to drive her brother to school, which she normally LOVES. Luckily for her, Brandon is still home so she can hang out in her FAME inspired outfit more than our schedule would normally allow.

Meredith is willing to dress for school and also agreed to leave the house for an afternoon of bowling with Alex, Joe, and Annie. We had an early dismissal day yesterday, so my friend Dawn and I planned to take the kids bowling. Who knew the alley didn’t open until 3:00 p.m.? Luckily, the little arcade next door was open and the kids played games for a half and hour and spent another 30 minutes selecting seven cents worth of junk. We capped our afternoon with a rowdy trip to the DQ.

Alex had gymnastics later that afternoon, and was so excited that Brandon could come and watch. It’s quite a show, let me tell you. Alex is all arms and legs and not the most coordinated kid. Neither is his mother, so it doesn’t come as a shock. After his first lesson he said, “I’m TERRIBLE, but I LOVE it!!!” At this age, that’s all that matters Buddy. Alex burns off energy and grins from ear to ear the entire time, so it’s a good fit.

Today should be a fairly slow paced day, and I’m hoping to get caught up with thank you notes and laundry. I don’t think princesses let their notes slide until a month after their parties, so I better get crackin’.

Thanks to all of you!

Friday was Linda’s memorial service. We knew the day wouldn’t be easy and we dreaded sharing our grief publicly. Brandon doesn’t cry in movies or at weddings, so he’s not used to crying in front of others. I’ve cried in front of absolutely everyone I know at some point or another. I am a very uglier crier though, so I always dread the crying and its after effects. I get very swollen and very splotchy. So, we were both a nervous wreck. To our surprise, it wasn’t all that bad.

My father in law planned a “casual gathering” that would last four hours followed by a more formal service. Again, the idea of standing around for four hours in an awkward situation wasn’t something either of us was looking forward to. I even let Meredith take her regular nap and waited until Alex got home from school in order to avoid two hours or standing around sobbing. After we got to the gathering, I wished we’d been there for the entire time. Instead of feeling anxious and sad, we both felt a sense of peace and comfort surrounded and supported by so many friends.

We also saw relatives who we almost never see. I think it’s sad that people wait until someone dies to get together. When my grandpa died, I remember one of my cousins saying, “It’s ridiculous that the only time we’re ALL together is when somebody dies!” I agree. My family is scattered to say the least. One my dad’s side it’s, um…complicated. It’s great to see everyone, but it would have been so much better to do so at a family reunion…which I always complain about going to, so you can’t win with me!

We wound up spending extra time with Brandon’s cousins who I’d never really gotten to know and while it sounds really strange, had a great time. It was bad timing, but Linda would have been thrilled that Brandon and I were able to enjoy a part of the family neither of us had seen in years.

Thank you so much to all of you who were there, sent flowers, food, books, cards, words of encouragement, and prayers. We felt very loved and very, very blessed to have such an amazing group of friends. I’ve said it a million times, but my friends are so important to me and all of you were there once again. (By the way Pigeons, I burst into tears over the tulips. The miles melted and it felt like you were all in my kitchen.)

So, now we pick up the pieces, we lean on God, thank Him for his grace, and we move on. Our grief isn’t over and it isn’t packed away in a box, but we’re proceeding as normal as possible and crying at random intervals. We won’t be over loosing the head of our family any time soon, but we will live each day with joy and promise just as Linda would want.