Bling@!

We participated in Randy and Stephanie Tedy's wedding this weekend in Breckenridge, Colorado. It was a beautiful event, unique and perfectly suited to the couple's tastes and personalities. We felt so welcome and special and I believe everyone did! They were so considerate of everyone . . . including pictures of all the wedded family members, remembering those who had passed and were not with us, and even Aunt Marcia remembering my son's birthday gift at her own son's rehearsal dinner. Wow.

After the Blessing of the Hands poem was read (at which point I was weeping!) my favorite part of the ceremony was when Randy feigned forgetting the ring. The groomsmen played along, all very dramatically. I wasn't fooled, though. This is a prankster family . . . (at which point I was laughing).

When he finally "found" it, he pulled out a spectacularly huge upgrade to what the bride was expecting. The moment was classic. It was a movie scene, or better yet - a diamond commercial! Zales, they one-upped you!

Happy Birthday to My Dear Friend

Today it is my friend Jennifer's birthday. She brought ME coffee. I kinda dropped the ball. I want to do something incredible for her, and so I offered to clean her house, which she refused. She is embarrassed about it. This is coming from my friend who accompanied me to the obgyn last Friday for my 2nd visit to to make certain that the babe inside me didn't have a heartbeat. I told her that our relationship had moved to the next level, and oh, we are so far beyond dust and toilet rings!

God Bless you Jennifer, Happy Birthday!

The Pleasure of Hard Work

After an emotionally draining weekend, and it was physically difficult too, this morning I headed out to the garden. I was feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of hoeing the weeds and had a generally reluctant attitude - convincing myself that I'd only do it for 15 minutes and be done. Well, as I worked in the morning sun, which wasn't too hot - I became distinctly aware of all of my senses and through the discomfort of the work, I found blessing. First, the realization that this job was fleeting, and even deeper, that this time and place in my life is fleeting. I am after all, here alive and well and able to do the work. That isn't a guarantee, as we know - but often can't live with that reality and remain stable! So, I weeded. . . the whole garden. I was alone, it was therapeutic and the soil was warm, and alive. My garden is growing, the corn is up. . . so are the beans and peppers and lots of tomatoes. Ahh.

Ten tiny fingers, ten tiny toes

We have a child in heaven now. Baby Ray Michael stopped growing at 10 weeks, 3 days. The most consolation I have received was from my friend Jennifer who reminded me that I haven't "lost" a baby. He is just not where I expected him to be . . .

For all of you who have been at our side through this tumultuous week - thank you. I praise God for the gift of good friends and family. You are all in our prayers. We love you.

Life and the Campaign Trail

My sister Nicki and my niece Hanna arrived Wednesday night. Hanna spent the day with me and the kids while Nicki went to a training class. We awoke to a wet, cold morning - but all three kids tromped outside with me to plant my long awaited WaySide Gardens plants, ordered by mail. We got all of them in, without too much muddy laundry to follow.

Friday was bustling as we hoed the garden (thank you, thank you to my sister, who did most of it!!). We cleaned house, tidied up and then headed off to the swimming pool. Friday was a beautiful, sunny day. Friday night the kids went to see Kung Fu Panda with Nicki and Katrina, a wonderful young lady friend of ours. Kevin and I did our first precinct walking (technically driving - we were in our home precinct which is mostly homes with large lots and acreage). My mother arrived around 8pm in time for Nicki to skate out for a date. The kids were in bed and Kevin and I went out to Mojo's our local hang out for some hot wings and beer (I was drinking root beer, feeling really old considering the rest of the crowd at 10pm on a Friday night!).

Saturday was CultureFest in Brighton, and we'd arranged for volunteers to come help pass out helium balloons and wear Kevin Priola t-shirts. It was quite a success! If you were there, and you were helping, and you're reading this -thank you!!! My dad was in town for the day, so it was fantastic to spend the day with my mom, dad, and sister! We finished the evening at a Pig Roast, aptly title Hog Heaven. Our neighbors do this every year, and this was the 5th one. Delicious food, and over 100 people! I tasted a salad that I went back for 2 times (I passed up the amazing dessert table in order to have more salad!). My neighbor Caroline made it, and it is an Italian recipe for rice and vegetables. It sounds so simple - rice, ham, havarti cheese, vegetables in vinegar, olive oil and salt and pepper. I've got to get the proportions! My mouth is watering ...

Sunday we went to church. Then we cleaned up again and prepped for a party. Nicki, the kids and I went to my cousin Lisa's graduation party for a while then headed home to our own BBQ. My mom drove as Kevin drove his precinct again. The purpose for this is to get out and meet the voters, hand out campaign literature and ask for yard sign commitments.

We hosted another campaign event, this time trying to get to know people in our House District 30. I expected 20, prepped for about 40, and fed over 50. We had a gorgeous display of potluck items. We really enjoyed getting to know everyone and talking a little local politics! My mom was the grill master and I couldn't have done it without her help, or my sister's!!!

Late Nights

I swore earlier in the evening that it was going to be an early bedtime, or at least an on-time, bed time. However, this phenomenon is occuring at our house - campaign life is taking over! Dear hubby and I are becoming office buddies. This is a fun endeavor and I try to be there with him while he's working . . . and help when he needs it. Once I get past the initial hump of 10 pm, then the time flies and I can really begin to enjoy the quiet rhythm of the house when the kiddos are sleeping. Amazing things can happen, like cleaning out one's inbox, or writing and publishing an article on YourHub or even editing lots and lots of pledge and thank you letters - all without interruption (with the exception of my rumbling stomach!) I don't understand how I was full and nauseated with a dash of heart burn an hour ago, and now I feel that I will surely die if I don't eat. Pregnancy mysteries!