Life and Death

I went to a funeral today of a high school friend of mine who took his life this week. What a tragedy! My questions, thoughts, and feelings have made it nearly impossible to sleep the last couple of nights. He was so full of life and laughter on the outside. I wish he could have shared with people what was going on on the inside. Part of the sermon at the funeral was about choosing life and really living. That is what I want to do.

After the funeral a local bar opened its doors especially for the friends to come hang out. It was so wonderful to share good memories of Sean together and to laugh and cry with dear friends that came from all over to mourn and gain support from each other. Here are pictures of some of my high school friends spending time together today. I love how good can always come from bad.

When I got home a wonderful neighbor had dropped by to check on me and brought a fresh homemade strawberry pie. So I sat and enjoyed a piece with my family and cherished the moment! I even let Eva eat some. Her first taste of sugar (expect what her uncles have snuck to her when I wasn't watching).

A New Woman

Well my basketball season ended last Thursday with a 1 point loss to Fairfield. The girls played great and I couldn't have asked for a better game.

Then my mind was 100% focused on the women's retreat for our church. I found out Wednesday evening that our guest speaker who was supposed to fly in from New York could not come. So Thursday was full of meetings and phone calls, but we came up with a great plan B. The retreat was good. I was overwhelmed by all the people that pitched in to make it a success, especially the other members of the retreat team.

I got back Saturday evening and then Sunday is always a busy day for us. But then came the much anticipated March 16. I woke up and had NOTHING on my mind but my kids. I cleaned house, took a nap with the girls, made dinner, and we all hung out as a family after supper. Then Tuesday came and it looked a lot like Monday. Ahh... and today I am feeling refreshed.

I picked up a new slogan from sitting in on 10 minutes of Jean's workshop at the retreat. It is something like this - "Spoil your spouse but not your kids." Scott really did a lot the past few months with me at basketball. He would get home from work, be in charge of supper, get the girls baths and put them to bed all while I would be at a game. I thought that was a good motto to come home with to show him how grateful I am for what he does.

So back to life as normal as we know it. I am looking forward to the spring and a visit from Scott's sister and her family.

Here are the pictures from a photo shoot I thought I could get of the girls with their Cubs outfits on. I don't think there is one good one in the bunch.

March!!!

I am so glad it is March! But it has started out a little rough. The girls both have colds. Poor little Eva can't sleep because when she sucks her thumb she can't breathe. She is up A LOT during the night. It is going on 2 weeks now. Also, I hurt my knee at basketball practice last month and finally got an MRI because the pain just isn't going away. Found out I have a torn meniscus and scheduled surgery for March 25. A little bummed but glad I can get it fixed.

Basketball has been a lot of fun - but I am looking forward to my evenings at home with the family again. Another thing that has been taking up a lot of my time is the Women's Retreat for our church. I have been heading the committee for that and some days it feels a little overwhelming. I have a really good team around me doing most the work or else I couldn't do it. Both basketball and retreat end next weekend. Come March 16 I am going to wake up and not know what to do with myself. :-) I am guessing I will blog a lot more then.

For now this is all I've got and I am pretty sure you won't hear from me again until that March 16 date.

We are off to the park. Looks a little wet outside but we are going to try it.