Olivia's Spring Musical

Olivia had her spring musical a few weeks ago. It was very cute! She did such a great job! She's a pro at this because she did it last year with her junior kindergarten class. My Mom, Auntie Diane, and Ryan joined Makenna and I to see the performance. There are a few videos of Olivia and her class and some of Makenna. Not that anyone but probably Eli's family would be interested in watching. Just click on the pictures with the little video icon on the lower left hand corner when you get to the web album and it will play them. The video's didn't come out that nice but Olivia is the one with the light blue long skirt and shirt on.

Olivia's Spring Musical

WEB ALBUM

Gypsy Moth

Erika was a gypsy moth in her spring musical. It was all about bugs and spring time. It had a lot of cute comic relief lines and a bunch of songs. She had a quite a few lines she did beautifully!!! I was so proud of her. There were 2 classes that participated in it and they all did a great job, it was a lot of material to remember! I would've posted some of it but I have it recorded on my dinosaur video camera that uses VHS and couldn't record much because I had Makenna with me. Thank god a friend of mine was there to help me with Makenna, because she ate all the good suckers in the first 10 minutes of the program. I also wore my brace.

Shasta went to her new Mommy

Olivia and Shasta on their last night together

Shasta went to her new home yesterday. Erika, Olivia, and I took her to her new Mommy's house last night. Monaca's Mom saw her on my blog, fell in love with her and decided she was ready to have a new kitty in her house, she had lost her 20 year old cat about 2 years ago.
Olivia and Shasta were quite a pair and it was difficult to decide not to keep her and difficult to explain to Olivia why we couldn't keep her. After we dropped her off, Olivia did shed some tears but was very happy that her new Mommy had all sorts of toys for her when she arrived and that made her feel so much better. Carolyn (Monaca's Mom) sent Erika and Olivia an email last night thanking them for Shasta and thanking them for taking such good care of her. They both had huge smiles on their faces after I read them the email last night. Olivia is still missing her but she is also so very happy that Shasta and Carolyn get to be together.
AND Eli is happy we don't have 5 cats. I am just happy that I saved Shasta's life and could bring joy to someone else. She was so much fun and will be missed.

My step back

I think I am at the point in one's life that when I am older I hopefully can look back at all this and laugh. This whole situation will be a story I can talk about and say I went through it and tell someone who is in the same situation that YES they will get through it and one day it will be better. But right now I am loosing faith, hope, and my sanity.
Tuesday morning when I woke up I felt great, went to physical therapy and was so proud of myself. Frank (my physical therapist) was happy with my progress and I was ahead of schedule. I was a little stressed that Frank told me he didn't think I should go back to work for at least another 3 - 4 weeks, but he said "we will see how it goes". He even gave me new exercises and I kicked butt. Wednesday was ok, a little sore from doing so much on Tuesday but still....I was happy and had a great attitude. It was a good sore, a work out sore.
Thursday at the dentist, Makenna was being a good girl for the first 45 minutes, after that, she lost control. Dealing with hearing the news about Olivia's teeth, trying to understand the treatment plan and trying from keeping Makenna from tearing up the place I had to pick her up and hold her more then once. Long story short, my back didn't like it. A few hours later at PT my back was spasming and I spent about 2 1/2 hours with my PT crying and in pain. He told me that just because I feel better one day doesn't mean that I am healed, that I have to remember that this is serious and I have to take it slow. He reassured me that sometimes this happens and that I just aggravated it a little and this is just a little bump in the road, that I pushed it a little too far. I felt like a complete ass because I had one of the moments that when you start to cry you can't stop. I was so frustrated, my PT and his tech did everything they could to help relieve some of the pain. I felt that everything I had done and all the work that I had done at PT was just erased and I was back at square one.
Friday I went back to the PT and I am now off most of my exercises and back on just massage, traction, some sissy exercises and the tread mill, plus I am back to being on pain medication regularly. Depending on how it goes through the weekend we can start adding things slowly again next week.
I want to take a huge jump forward!!!!!

Our Olivia

Olivia has been having mouth pain again. I was referred to yet another dentist by another mom I know (this is Olivia's 4th dentist). They squeezed her in yesterday morning, as a new patient and off we went. The tooth she had a pulpectomy done on at the 3rd dentist (that had refilled 2 times already) has now abscessed along with 3 other teeth that are on their way to doing the same thing. Olivia, who is now terrified of the 3rd dentist, has to have a tooth pulled (by an oral surgeon under anesthetic), a spacer placed, 3 pulpectomy's, 4 caps, and 4 other cavities filled. There are nine teeth total that need to be worked on in 7 visits total. 2 at the oral surgeon and 5 at the dentist. We have appointments all set up until the beginning of August.
Olivia has been through hell already with her teeth, ever since she was 2, this is why the dentist recommends anesthesia with the abscessed tooth, she believes that Olivia would loose the only trust and cooperation she has left if they were to pull the tooth with her being aware of the situation.
Monday we go in to see the oral surgeon for evaluation and to get her set up to have the tooth pulled, which will probably be sometime next week. Once that space has healed, the dentist will go to work on the rest. Olivia did a lot of crying yesterday and she hates her medicine that she has to take every 8 hours.
I feel so bad for her but I am trying really hard to be ok with putting her under anesthetic again, for her sake.
I am happy with her new dentist and Olivia seemed to really trust her. The office staff worked really hard to make her experience yesterday a good one and they succeeded. So I feel that we are in good hands. I just can't believe that 9 teeth can go this bad in 6 months.
Hearing all this and dealing with all this along with finding out that blue cross blue shield will only cover $1000 and Makenna was running around screaming and acting a terd was a lot to take.

Queen of Hearts

Who's been painting my roses red?

I am no longer know as the Sea Witch. Now Makenna calls me the Queen, but not just any Queen, the Queen of Hearts. She says........

"YYYYYYEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSS, your Majesty!"

Sometimes she will even curtsy.
In my opinion, I feel more like the pot smoking caterpillar with all the drugs I'm on.

OFF WITH HER HEAD!!

(Gosh, I think I'd rather be known as the Sea Witch)

Nursing Orientation

Tonight is my nursing orientation. It is from 6-8pm smack dab in the middle of campus. My sister is driving me because I don't know how well I will do going 75 mph on I96 (ok so I really usually go 80 mph). Eli offered to take me but I thought he needs a break from me and needs a little Brad time. So I am excited to go and I have a starbucks gift card so Diane and I can get a coffee for our drive. The best part about it is that I have a handicap sticker. So I get a great parking spot, but I am leaving my walker at home.
Dave you will be happy to know that I will be sporting my fanny pack though.

Brad, Joann, and Sue

I love my bosses, well gosh, I probably have more bosses than I should because of all the hands in the cookie jar....but for the most part I am treated like family, sometimes too much like family, mostly better than family. We all bicker like old married couples. When my back injury at work happened Sue, Brad, and Joann were so caring and understanding. They love Eli and my girls like they love their own family and they are such giving people. I have had many ups and downs through the years and some of the dynamics with Jeffrey Animal Hospital were hard to handle but this is my home away from home and would never change a thing. To think of how good they have been to me over the years and that I will be leaving in the future brings tears to my eyes and was one of the hardest decisions I had to make.
There are clients and patients there that I have seen as a puppies and kittens, seen them grow and helped walk them to the grave and loved them with the all the love that I have in my heart.
Anyways.....Brad, Joann, and Sue have bent over backwards to take care of me during this injury. My family talks about Brad, Joann and Sue like they are family. They are great people and they will always be a part of me and who I am and what I will become in the future. Thank you Brad and Joann for giving me an opportunity to shine, show who I am, and deal with my....lets just say, dominating personalities!
Joann is also having a hard time with her foot right now, she just had surgery and will be going through PT as well. We actually will be going to the same place I believe. Please keep Joann and her family in your prayers, she needs prayers just as much if not more than I.
Also please pray for Eli and Brad that they can put up with us.......

Physical Therapy

So today was my follow up with my internist on my progression to the incident. I have finished the Prednisone and I am not happy about it. It was the only medication that was really helping and it gave me energy to kept me positive and kept trucking. I begged for more but it was a no go, she called it an immediate fix and not a long term fix. Instead I got more Vicoden ES and Valium, good think I am a happy drunk. It keeps me cool, calm, and collected. I am ready to start my physical therapy and I am going to go to the PT that my mother uses. The one my internist recommended couldn't get me in until June 2nd, and I was not about to wait that long to get back to work. I am going to Oakland Physical Therapy starting Monday three days a week for 4 weeks. I am going to be under the care of Frank Kava so off I go. If PT doesn't help the next step would be epidural injections, but I am going to be optimistic and work hard. I can do this!

We all need a nap once in a while

Kenna fell asleep on the toilet taking a "turtle poop" (that's what she calls it)

This is what happens when I can't run after Makenna anymore (she is much faster than me lately, my walker just can't move that fast), I slipped some of my Vicoden and Valium in her apple juice. (OK TOTALLY KIDDING, I don't need child services at my door, yet I could probably use a vacation) She always asks me "You back hurr Momma, oh poor Momma, you yet me wub it?"
And I don't usually post nasty pictures of myself (or frumpy as Jon would call them) but having Kenna in a peaceful quiet moment with me was too precious to pass up. If only she was this quiet.......

Kenna loves to play outside on the swing set and her favorite is the teeter tauter. She has a huge cut on her nose to prove it. She can get up pretty high all on her own...."LOOK AT ME MOMMA", yes Kenna I see you and please God don't let her fall. FEARLESS I SAY!

OK I think her name is "Shasta"

AH HELP ME!!!! Put me down so I can bite you!

Eli loves kitty cats.......

Erika is a PRO

I am so happy that Shasta is bottle feeding. It makes life so much easier. She is so much fun especially when she bounces around and bites you. Well actually it scares the S#&* out of you. She loves Titus, but Titus just runs from her. Anyone want her? I have strict regulations and there with be a home visit.....

Bed Rest

On Monday I was sent from work to Botsford hospital by ambulance because of a back injury. It took 3 doses of Fentanyl and 4 men to move me from the kennel room to the ambulance. I would take childbirth any day over what I felt. After being at Botsford for almost 6 hours, they couldn't tell me anything and/or control the pain properly. In my opinion Botsford ER sucks! Tuesday I had an MRI and yesterday I went to my internist for my results. I have a bulging disc between L5 and S1 with degeneration and arthritis in my sacrum, she said that it wasn't really normal for my age, but hey nothing ever is in my case. The good news is that the the disc is not completely herniated and cutting off the nerve supply but the inflammation that all this has caused, intermittently puts too much pressure on my nerves. So she has also started me on Prednisone (yeah so I get to gain 10 pounds). After the pain and numbness resolves I will be starting rehab. So as of right now I am sporting this baby.......
Having a quad level house doesn't make life any easier, but I am starting to master the stairs. I have only fallen once and Eli (thank God) was there to catch me.
Erika helps me get dressed in the morning (what a big girls she is). Olivia loves to do anything for me. She has even been doing some laundry. Makenna has picked up on things and tries to help as much as a 2 year old can and she keeps me smiling through the day. I have the greatest friends and family. My Mom and Dad have been here almost everyday. Kimmy is taking over the mommy role for my sick kitty. Jen brought dinner over Monday night, Cath came over and spent the day with me, folded laundry for me, took me to the doctor, made dinner, and made me laugh. I can't even begin to tell everything Eli has done, some things I cannot elaborate on. He has been my sole support system and I can honestly now say he has seen me at my worst.
I am a control freak and relying on other people is very difficult for me. I feel helpless and useless. Thank God for the all the important people in my life, I just hope one day I can return the favor.
So to make a long story short....I am in pain, highly medicated, and very bored. So if anyone is bored and wants to be bored with me, come on over and you could bring me some people or star magazines. I love the gossip smut magazines. I want my independence back and I am trying to find the humor in all of this.

Ryan's feminine side

Erika, Lauren, and Olivia were born one after another. They have pretty much been raised together treat each other like sisters which includes sibling rivalry. All girls included a lot of whining and foo foo stuff. We had a little break, then we saw a light....A BOY. Poor Ryan. He has been with girls girls girls. He has adapted well. He likes to play dress up and princesses with Makenna (as you can see above). Eli and Jeff are constantly chasing him around telling him to put that down or take that off..."be a man". I love Ryan and I think he is perfect just the way he is. He definitely knows how to play like a boy, he is just in touch with his feminine side. He will make some woman very happy one day. Makenna and Ryan are great together and it's a nice break from the constant bickering that Erika, Lauren, and Olivia do.

Vesta

Vesta is an orphan kitty that I have been taking care of since Saturday. She has had her good days and bad days. She has a severe upper respiratory infection. So I have been tube feeding her, medicating her every 4 hours and being her Mommy. Yes I am falling in love with her. If I put her down she finds me and follows me all around the house. This is the reason why I already have 4 cats. I cannot Mother something and then give it away. Eli is trying to remind me that we don't live in animal kingdom.

A visit with Sophia and Marina

Erika and Sophia

Makenna, Olivia, and Marina

The Dennis's came over last Saturday night and the girls were up and cheerful until 11pm. Bobby and I were dwindling before they were. Marina and Makenna are so fun to watch. It is nice to see Makenna interact with children her own age. I can't believe Marina and Makenna are growing up so fast. I hope they stay the best of friends. It seems like yesterday that I was still watching Marina and my days were filled with diaper changes and bottles. I don't miss the babies crying and needing to be fed at the same time or waking each other up from their naps, but I do miss all the precious moments. Marina was like my forth child and I feel like I don't even know Sophia because of life's busyness. She is a happy baby and has big beautiful blue eyes.

My Big Sis

Diane is graduating tonight from U of M Flint. She will now hold a bachelor's degree in social work with HONORS and will be moving on in the near future for her Masters degree. I am so proud of my big sister. She has worked so hard! Diane is a huge inspiration to me! Great Job Di!!! Wish I could be there to see you tonight, but I will be with you in spirit! YOU DID IT!!!!

This could be Eli one day......

A man and his ever-nagging wife went on vacation to Jerusalem. While they were there, the wife passed away. The undertaker told the husband. "You can have her shipped home for $5,000, or you can bury her here in the Holy Land for $150."

The man thought about it and told him he would just have her shipped home.

The undertaker asked. "Why would you spend $5,000 to ship your wife home when it would be wonderful to be buried here and you would only have to spend $150?"

The man then replied, "Long ago a man died here, was buried here, and three days later he rose from the dead. I just can't take that chance."

It's Official

Dear Dana,

We have completed Phase II review of your application for the Career Ladder Nursing Program. You have been admitted to the Fall 2008 class. Please accept my congratulations!

The rest of the letter pretty much read blah blah blah, orientation meeting blah blah blah. Holy crap I did it! In roughly 25 months, I will be an RN!!

Twin Lake Chalet

The view during the day

The view at night

The Cottage

Diane and I put many hours into a search that seemed endless at times. We looked online at so many different websites. We have talked to people on the phone and through email. At one time I think I had over 50 emails that were conversations back and forth to renters, Diane, Jeff, and Eli. Well the original one we wanted ended up having a cancellation come up on Saturday. Diane had jumped on it and we have reserved it for 1 week at the end of June. We are going with the good ol' Meadors family. This cottage is perfect! It is equipped with boats, tubing, fishing equipment, game room, private beach, horseshoes, fire pit, and fully stocked wine cellar. What we will add is lots of laughter, probably some tears (with Makenna it's inevitable), euchre tournaments (Jeff and I will of coarse prevail), Texas hold'em, exquisite barbecued food by Chef Eli and Chef Jeff and lots of memories! I am in need of some family time and knowing it is in the near future makes life a little easier. The one thing it won't be is quiet, that's for sure, but that's just part of the territory.

Thank You Norma Pegram

I received two envelopes from LCC yesterday. One being in a regular envelope and the other in a BIG envelope. I let Eli open letters from LCC because I would rather hear bad or good news from him, it went like this........

Dear Dana,

CONGRATULATIONS! On behalf of the LCC Foundation Board of Directors, it is my pleasure to inform you that you have been selected to receive the LPN Scholarship in Honor of Mrs. Pegram. This award covers the 2008-2009 academic year (fall and spring semester) and will be administered through the LCC Office of Financial Aid.

We congratulate you on your academic achievements and wish you every success as you pursue your career goals her at Lansing Community College.

Sincerely,
Susan D. Fisher
Director of College Advancement

I hated school, I was never a good student. I received horrible grades and struggled all through grade school, junior high, high school, and college (the first time around). Without an acceptance into the nursing program as of yet (a couple more weeks of agony before I should find out). It keeps my spirits up knowing that someone believes in me enough to give me money for a goal they believe I will achieve. I didn't expect to receive any scholarship. I filled out an application, had two letters of recommendation (from Dr. Muns and my academic adviser) and wrote a personal statement and hoped for the best. It was a pat on the back for me, to actually know that all I did to redeem myself academically was noticed. Last night, laying in bed with Eli, I thanked him and told him that this scholarship was for him too. If it wasn't for him, his support, his help, I would have never been able to accomplish what I did and get the grades I did. I love being able to share these moments of greatness with him. I could not have done this alone or ever want to do this journey without him. This accomplishment I truly share with Eli, because we did it together.
The scholarship doesn't pay for all my tuition for the next year, but it will help and it is money that I don't have to pay back! What a great feeling!
One of the reasons that I chose LCC was because half way through the RN program I will be eligible to take the National Council Licensing Examination – Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN). If I pass the examination I can work as a Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) while I finish my second year. Some employers have been known to help with tuition for the second year if you sign a contract saying you will work in their facility after graduation.

Oh.....so that's what God is doing

I had to laugh this morning when I read this bible verse for the day on my Google homepage.

"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Bowling for a cure

The relay for life walk that I am participating in is having a bowling fundraiser at MerriBowl lanes on Friday April 25th at 9:15pm. Tickets are $20 per person and includes three games of bowling, a piece of pizza and a pop. Shoes will .99 cents, small price to pay to share feet lint (sorry, I think renting bowling shoes is a lot like wearing someone else's underwear). Spending a night with Eli and I.......priceless. The money will go toward our booth at the relay to help up sell hats, food, etc. Oh and there also will be 50/50 drawings that night.

It's all about me......

I know....my house is a mess
I believe...in God
I fought....for almost everything I have
I am angered....by disrespectful and hurtful people
I love....everyone in my life
I take.....things too seriously
I hear....Makenna playing and talking to herself when she should be napping
I drink...too much coffee
I hate.....doing bills
I use.....mistakes as learning experiences
I want......to be out of debt
I like......who I am
I feel.....exhausted
I wear.....whatever is most comfortable
I left....work on time last night
I do.....everything I can for my family
I hope....for the future
I dream...of a vacation
I drive....well, even though my husband doesn't agree
I listen....to music all the time
I type....very well
I think.....I can get through it
I need...Eli's strength and support
I wish...I already finished nursing school
I am....a thankful wife, a loving mother, a great friend, sister, daughter, and student
I regret.....not believing in myself enough to go to nursing school after high school
I care...about everything and everyone that is a part of my life
I should...take a shower
I am....usually happy, goofy and slightly obnoxious
I said....I love chocolate near my area
I wonder....why God hasn't given up on me yet
I changed....too many diapers
I cry...when I watch girly movies
I lose....my car keys, camera and cell phone all the time
I leave...no one behind

NO MORE DIAPERS

Makenna is officially potty trained, including night-night time! This is the first time in over 8 years that we will not have to buy diapers, wipes, pull-ups, or goodnight panties! WHEW, that was a long ride. I never have to clean a poopy diaper again, at least until grandchildren come along......

Spinning my wheels

I am absent. That would be the one word that describes me at this moment. I haven't been answering my phone. If you don't have a problem with your animal, I have nothing to talk to you about. Every muscle in my body is sore. Work has consumed me and and spit me out. I don't remember the last time I had a real adult conversation that didn't consist of children and/or animals. It has almost been a month since I worked less than a 45-50 hours in a week. I am trying to find the time and energy to be with and truly enjoy my family and my house and I am ultimately failing.
Yes I know that things could be worse and I should feel grateful and blessed for all the wonderful things in my life. I should be grateful that Eli and I are employed and have each other and healthy children. It would actually be easier if I actually had time to enjoy the wonderful things in my life. There isn't enough time nor energy left.
The sad part about it, is with all the work I have been doing, we have caught up on how bad we were financially, but still have nothing to show for it. Once school starts again, it will be just as bad once again. One good thing is work will not be all that I am. I would rather be by myself studying than be with some of the people I work with that have a total lack of respect for one another. It is frustrating that I am putting so much effort into something that I feel is so unrewarding. I don't expect special attention for a job well done, but a simple thank you once in a while would be nice. Not the constant nagging, disrespect, demanding and bitching. Being with the animals is what gets me through the day, knowing that I am actually helping them, they even seem more grateful most of the time. I am having a problem with people and I am starting to question if I will be able to handle it in the medical field without the animals to buff the crappy attitudes. I don't expect everyday to be filled with sunshine and roses, but an occasional day, when you feel that you really made a difference makes it all worth while.
Eli has been trying really hard to help me with my little attitude problem and being the wonderful man that he is, is what is keeping me from throwing in the towel. He is the strong one, he is my grace. I remember when I first started going to church, alone, when Erika was a baby, searching for God knows what. Praying so hard for Eli to do church with me. Begging him to come with me, wanting so much more for us. For him to see God the way I saw him. Struggling to stay committed to my want to be in relationship with him, when Eli wanted no part of it. The role has drastically been reversed. He is involved probably as much if not more. He has been reading bible verses to me that he got from his small group and it is taking all that I have in me not to tell him to shut up and leave me alone. He is reading the bible, trying to give me insight on life and love. I tune him out the way I tune out Makenna, Olivia, and Erika when they are whining. Every chance he gets, he tells me that he loves me and why he loves me and how much he loves me. He hugs me and just gives me a simple kiss and I think to myself, why? Is he mental? I have actually thought to myself that he deserves better. I am truly ugly inside right now, filled with a ton of hateful and pessimistic feelings. I am doubting my strength and courage.
This is not who I am or what I want to be. I have always been a happy go lucky, social person who loves to be with anyone and everyone. I love to laugh, especially at completely inappropriate times and add my smart ass two cents in at all cost. Lately it is hard for me to give a simple smile and say hello.

Let it be

I am a huge American Idol fan, but I never vote. Eli & I are pretty good at picking the top 12. My favorite from the initial auditions was Brooke White and I am happy to see her still in it. Eli was not a huge fan, but is slowly converting. This past week, she sang Let it Be. I am not a huge Beatles fan, but WOW. I had chills and yes I even shed a tear or two.

Booogers

Makenna: As she grabs my finger and puts it toward her nose...

"Momma pick my booooooggers, it sucky"

I guess I should just be happy that she isn't picking them and eating them.

Proverbs 31 Ministries

The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish tears it down with her own hands" Proverbs 14:1

My cousin from Tennessee had sent me a link to a womans daily devotional to subscribe to about a year ago. I get a daily devotional sent to me every morning Monday through Friday. At first I read them and tried to reflect on them the best I could. After a little while I just read them and deleted them, then I stopped reading them all together. The past couple of weeks, I've really been trying to read them again. Todays devotional really home for me, not only in regards to my marriage, but in the way I am with the girls as well.
There have been many instances that I blamed Eli or the girls for my behavior and for the reasons I reacted to a situation or the way I felt. I expected them to change. Stomped my foot and acted like that little girl I once was and say "Well he/she did it first" or "I did this because they did that".
I have really been trying to go about my marriage and my parenting skills a different way. I tell myself to take a deep breath and bite my tongue before some horrible damaging words flow out of my mouth. I pray for patience, understanding, and strength everyday, sometimes 100 times a day. It is frustrating and so hard to change, even when I am well aware of how capable I am of hurting someone I love. Self control is a huge struggle for me and is probably the first characteristic I would change about myself. I can be self absorbed at times and so often I look back at how I have acted and an enormous amount of guilt takes over. I go to bed saying tomorrow will be different, and first thing in the morning I find myself getting pissed off when the girls aren't listening. Instead of letting it go, I dwell on it, and I let it set my mood.
I am a work in progress.

Norma Schultz

Eli received a call from his Dad yesterday that his grandma is not doing well. I have only met her once when we were in Utah in 2002 and exchanged letters when she was still able to write them, she always enjoyed getting pictures of the girls and never did meet Makenna. She is a huge part of Eli's younger years. If you could please keep Eli and his family in your prayers. She is a great woman, from all the stories that I have been told from Bill and Eli.

Moments like this is when I feel sad for Eli, his family, and the girls. Eli being so far away and unable to be there......I feel so often that we miss out so much, even on the everyday.

Man and Wife

Congrats to Mr and Mrs William Brown

Mr and Mrs Dave Kurt

Eli and I were honored to attend the wedding of the year on Friday. We both met Will and Monaca a couple of years ago though Brad, Dave, and Cathie. The wedding was perfect and beautiful and reception was a blast! I am so happy for them and they are truly blessed to have each other.
I was honored enough to finally meet the rest of the Kurt family and am relieved to find out that I am not Diane (not that being Diane would be bad) and I am not as frumpy as I look in pictures. I do like playing dress up once in a while with Eli, but mostly I can be found in sweats or scrubs and my hair thrown in a pony. Eli only wears a suit for weddings and funerals and always sports it well!
After the wedding we had a post party at the Marriott that lasted till the wee hours and am still catching up two days later.

You can see all the pictures here, including a few pictures that I borrowed (well....stole) from Susan and Dan.

Wilaca Wedding