Blissfully Unaware of the Chaos the Surrounds Me

Insanity . . .

No, I'm not talking about the workout video . . . just life in general! Although the workout video wouldn't be a bad idea. And there have been several times that I've suffered from insomnia and watched the stupid advertising countless times on TV and thought about it . . . but anyway . . . 

I keep thinking that things are going to slow down. Apparently? They are not going to.

This was my deadline week at work. And try as I might? It seemed like I was running through quicksand all week long. Some of that quicksand was a monster headache. I tried Tylenol. I tried Excedrin. I tried yoga. I tried the chiropractor. I finally had John give me a shot of Toradal last night after fighting it for 48 hours. Problem seemingly solved. 

Since I was moving so slowly and/or ineffectively? I knew I'd have to work either late at night or early in the morning at least a couple of days. I can't seem to stay awake or do good work after about 2:00 in the afternoon, so 4:00 am it was. Ew.

BUT . . . I got 'er done. By 11:25 this morning. (That was 35 minutes early, if you're counting.) So to celebrate? Off to the Pourhouse with my BFF for a drinking lunch. I had the most amazing Korean spicy beef street tacos. And a couple of drinks. Because I could.

Then I quickly moved into Halle's "real" birthday party planning. I put together the favors. I braided a few yarn braids and cut apart fake flowers to decorate them. I bought a Princess and the Frog pinata and then took it apart. (It all makes sense. I swear.) I went to the Dollar Store. (Ew.) I stuffed the pinata.

At some point, I need to run the vacuum and Swiffer the house. Why, you ask? Because my MIL arrives tomorrow. And the birthday party is the next day.

Must. Pull. It. Together.

But first? I'm watching Modern Family. With my family. Cuddling Mr. O'Malley. Otherwise known as the tiny, fluffy thing that meows all night long and is impossibly cute. It's a good thing. That's all I'm saying.

P.S., even the dog is (now) a fan of Mr. O'Malley. That is a good thing. 

Weekend Wrap-up . . .

1. Heather and Anton's wedding? Beautiful. It lightly rained off and on all afternoon. It cleared for the ceremony and was gorgeous. They will be good together. We go to lots of weddings and cannot always say that, but on this couple? I'd place my money!
2. We got to enjoy a cocktail with our friends Linda and Andrew. A mountain cocktail at that. God love the Outpost in Butte Meadows. Dogs in the bar. A barely-better-than-an-outhouse for a bathroom. But it works. I kinda love it!
3. Our Shannon came up to spend the weekend with my kiddos. Love her. Beyond measure. My kids love her. And I will take any chance to spend time with her.
4. Speaking of spending time with her, we did a little movie night on Saturday after the rehearsal. Shannon, my BFF and I watched Bridesmaids. (Again for KJ and I.) I had to hire a neighborhood girl to keep an eye on Halle and banished all the under-age set to their bedrooms. We had a delicious salad and yummy drinks. (John was at work, lest you think I banished him to our room!) We ladies do indeed find ourselves amusing.
5. We got a kitten. (I know, right?) I don't even like cats! Sigh. I hope I like this one! He is awfully cute. Which he has going for him at the moment. He officially comes home today. He is still nameless. Although Dobbins O'Malley (Dobby) is the top contender. Said with an accent, of course. Halle would prefer Noah Seeya. Don't ask me where she comes up with these things!
   Now, the work week officially begins. I have a meeting in Redding at 9:00 am, so I'd best be getting some hairs did and some makeup on!

Another Weekend . . .

another wedding! It seems to be the season and I love September weddings. They remind me of our own September wedding five years ago.

Today we are headed up to Butte Meadows to celebrate the wedding of a dear friend of mine. Heather and I have been friends since late junior high/early high school when we were in youth group together. We've traveled on a mission trip to Mexico City, spent countless hours running around church and town when we were young, carpooled together in high school; and blessedly, have remained in each others lives since then. We get together for lunch every now and again and each time, I am reminded of how delightful she is!

Heather and Anton are amazing together. I don't know him well, but if what I see in him runs true? I couldn't have picked a better guy for Heather! He seems solid. Well-intentioned. He wants to make things good and easy for her. I really, really enjoy seeing them together.

They are getting married at her Uncle's cabin, the same place that my friend Keri (Heather's cousin), got married last year. There was a small chance of rain and today definitely feels like the weather is leaning towards fall, but I think that the clouds will blow away and it will be an amazingly beautiful afternoon in the mountains. 

I put together this little monogram decoration for them as a small gift. Burlap is all the rage according to the fall catalogs that are piling up at my house. It was simple and I think it turned out sweet. 

Congratulations, Heather and Anton! May today be the first in many, many blessed days together.

Phone Dump Friday . . .

Insta Friday . . . 

Whatever you want to call it/where you want to link it up, here it is:

From the top left: (1) I kick ass at blowing. Go ahead. Giggle a little. (2) Laundry. Ew. (3) My fabulous and beautiful breakfast date on Thursday. We ignored the fact that she wore her gardening Crocs. She's still gorgeous! (4) What I eat for breakfast almost every day. Two eggs, scrambled with spinach, with Avocado Salsa Verde. A fresh peach. Yum! (5-8) Family game night. Life. I don't think we ever finished. If so? Halle and I didn't come close to winning! (9) Halle told me after school on Tuesday that she wanted to save a couple of rocks from the school playground. A few minutes later she told me that her feet hurt a little. Apparently she saved a lot of rocks from the school playground. In her shoes. (10) The rainbow Halle drew for me. (11) A random photo Halle took of herself on my phone. No, she did not get collagen implants. (12) Me driving while wearing my broken sunglasses. (13) Dylan's "prince" costume for Halle's Rapunzel birthday party. So handsome and cute! (14) Me. On Sunday. Watching football. Drinking the last Summerfest in the fridge. (15) Our newly seeded lawn. (16) John and Sis playing a game at the Donut Nook this morning.

Wow! My phone camera was busy this week!

The Post in Which I Finish Talking About THE Wedding . . .

maybe. (What can I say! It was a great wedding!)

While focusing on my quasi-toast/manifesto (according to KJ) to Lauren and Bobby, I forgot to report on the wedding itself. And just as importantly, on the World's Cutest Flower Girl! So the burning question was, would she walk down the aisle or not?

And . . . drumroll, please . . . 

She did it! Like a professional! She walked when she was supposed. She walked slowly like she was supposed to. She dropped petals where she was supposed to. And she stood where she was supposed to! That's my girl!

As for the wedding ceremony, I have never been to a ceremony that was as personal as theirs was. It certainly helped that Lauren's Dad was one of the Pastors officiating, but both of the other Pastors (yes, there were three); did a fabulous job as well. For a 200 person wedding to feel as intimate as it did? Was a huge testament to Lauren's vision and planning. 

As an aside, when we went to take communion during the wedding? It became clear that the entire row of people sitting next to us (i.e., between us and the communion) were not going to receive it. So I got up (we were seated on the aisle). And walked around. (I didn't want to pressure them, for goodness sake!) Then I "cut" into the communion line. John was deeply appalled and embarrassed. But like I told him, it's not like it was a line to get tickets to the big game, for goodness sake! (Or if you would like to apply that metaphor as a ticket into heaven, then I think we're all getting in by grace, not by where we stand in the communion line.) 

The processional/parade was a huge hit! When Lauren and Bobby finished with a few pictures, I had them sneak back into the church to ring the church bells and exit down the front steps. We were all there waiting with our noisemakers and ribbon wands and it was fabulous! (Can't wait to see the photos from that moment!) We then headed off, all 200 of us, walking behind Bobby and Lauren, passing out candy and making noise while cars honked (happily) and strangers waved. I think every wedding should have a parade!

The only downside? I stepped in dog poop on the way. Lame. So I had to drag my feet the entire rest of the time. Which probably contributed to my giant blister.

The reception was lovely. Really, truly lovely. The lighting was magical. Lauren's Aunt, Dad and Bobby put in countless hours making it just perfect. Lauren put in countless hours (and countless $$$ on etsy) making evey corner of the yard just beautiful. Photos were everywhere, banners, the candy bar, the pool fountain . . . it was indescribably gorgeuos.

John and I snuck out and decorated their suite. We kept it classy, although several people really wanted us to short-sheet their bed. Glad it was us doing the decorating, not them! Candles and rose petals just seemd like a better idea than shorted sheets and Whoopi cushions! I stocked their refridgerator with three full dinners, drinks, water, cake, candy . . . you name it. Lauren told us the next day that she has eaten everything we put in there! Bobby chimed in with the fact that she'd also eaten an Almond Joy at 8:00 am as well. (Hey, getting married makes you hungry!)

We danced and had a blast at the reception. The only time I really regreted not having my camera was when I realized that the photographers had left before Lauren and Bobby made their getaway. On the most adorably decorated bicycles through all of their guests holding sparklers. I grabbed Lauren's camera but didn't have time to do anything but snap some photos. In auto. Which are going to suck. Bummer.

Then John and I headed off to our own room at the Hotel Diamond. How sweet were Bobby and Lauren to treat us to a room? They are amazing. Simply amazing!

The next morning, we saw Bobby and Lauren while we were walking back to the hotel after getting tea. I basically started crying and possibly didn't stop until Sunday night. I was a mess. Total mess. Sigh. 

Anyway, this is it. I swear. (Maybe.) I'll find something else to talk about post-haste. Or at least I'll try!

* Thanks to Bobby's Mom for the pics, which I stole off Facebook! I probably really should have taken my camera. Whoops.

* And thanks also to my left breast which did ultimately stay in my bra/dress in the above-photo. Whew. That was close!

Girls' Night . . .

is always a good thing! Especially with these two:

The conversations that we have? Priceless. And also? Hilarious! I love these two ladies like crazy. We've been causing trouble together for twenty years. I can only imagine what we'll be doing together in another 20 years. Or what, God-forbid, our bucket list items will look like then!

And by the way, Karissa Jean . . . happy birthday! You deserved a birthday re-do and I'm very glad that I got to be there for it. Lots of love to you, my dearest friend! (I don't want to say too much, lest you accuse me of writing another manifesto.)

Dearest Lauren and Bobby,

Yes, I know now, without a doubt, that giving me a microphone at any point over the last three days would have been a REALLY BIG mistake. Good call on that one. For the moment, my tears (of joy!) have subsided, so I am going to say here, what I would not have been able to blubber through on an official toast.

First, to my dearest Lauren. You are right. It's difficult to define our relationship. You are some combination of daughter/sister/friend/Auntie to my children/Godmother to Halle/sister and mentor to Dylan/wise adviser and so much more. Out of all of that attempt to define what and who you are to me? Know this:

You are one of the most amazing people that I know. You are incredibly talented. You have more determination and a harder work-ethic than anyone I know. You are beyond beautiful. You have this amazing gift of being able to focus on the most minute details, all while having the grand overall vision. You are so very kind. You are such a giver - and a fantastic giver at that! You spend so much time picking out the perfect gift for every person in your life (and then wrap it up so well)! You are, simply put, one of the nearest and dearest people to my heart.

I have watched you grow from your teen years and listened to your struggles and rejoiced in your many successes. I have seen you blossom into this amazing woman that you are today. I am blessed beyond measure by the time that you and I have had. And for what you have given to my children? Your love, your care, your attention and relationship? For that I can never thank you enough.

As for you, Prince Bobby . . . after you read all that Lauren means to me? Know that you and you alone are good enough for her. I wasn't sure at first, but you began a slow and steady work on my heart. Steadily you chipped away at my insistence that NO ONE would be good enough for my Lauren. You won over my children first. (And Dylan was really watching you, FYI!) Then I watched Lauren just bubble over with her love for you. She grew steadier in herself. She grew assured. And I watched. And listened. And finally, just knew.

Thank you, Bobby, for not only sharing Lauren with our family, but also for sharing yourself with our family. Your willingness to just spend time with us, to hang at our house, to hang with my children and to just be you when you are with us? It let us know that you were the real deal. You are a very genuine young man. You match Lauren in her determination and work-ethic. You match her in your kindness and giving nature. You are steady. You are exactly who she needed. Plus your love for Apple products and Disneyland cannot be argued with. 

Now to the both of you, thank you. Thank you for sharing your most amazing wedding journey with us. Thank you for blessing us with the amazing gift of our night at the Hotel DIamond. How you could be so kind and outwardly focused and give to us on YOUR big day? SPeaks volumes about who you both are.

Now that your perfect wedding is over, I am praying that you have a relaxing, yet adventurous time on your honeymoon. Enjoy it all. Revel in it. Tuck away moments of peace and connection. Fill up your memory bank of those most special moments, both of your beautiful wedding celebration and your amazing honeymoon. Those will help sustain you when you return to real life and have a moment or two that are not as idyllic. Continue to lean and grow in your faith. The next couple of years will be a time of growth like you have never known. Throw yourselves in, 150% (like you do in every other aspect of your lives) and then throw in about 200% grace. For each other. Remember that no one wins an argument because you are both on the same team. Grace is the word of the day. Every day. Lean on God. Lean on each other. Build a small community of others that you can lean on when leaning on God and each other needs a little support.

I love you both beyond measure. Our family loves you both beyond measure! We will pray for you every single day and we will be here whenever you need us. Or even if you just need a diet Coke, some Almond Joys and other various forms of candy sustenance.

Enjoy your time in Paradise. Have Eggs Benedict with blackened Ahi for John and have the Ahi fillet for me at the Blue Dolphin. Since I was the dummy who ordered chicken last time we were there. 

Love and blessings to you both!

Wedding Weekend . . .

has arrived! We are so incredibly excited for Lauren and Bobby today. They are truly, some of the absolute best people that we know. Spending this week, walking alongside of them and their amazing families? Has been an awesome blessing!

Today will be busy, for sure. But my hope and prayer is that they can be in the moments. Celebrating even if schedules go awry or bridesmaids go temporaly missing. I made Lauren go out last night after the rehearsal dinner. (Bobby was much easier to convince!) I wanted her to go and enjoy herself and to step away from any concerns about table seating or lighting or anything like this. She did . . . she let go . . . and I am so proud of her!

As for me, I still have lists to make and details to deal, so I am out. But first, let's reflect on Amazing Wedding Coordinator Moment #1057:

What? The floor had a huge peak in it . . . like you could have jumped skateboards over that thing! The flooring guys tried to sneak out. So I chased them down and made them come back in. They wouldn't shovel out the grass, so I did. (And I made it to the rehearsal 40 minutes later, somewhat clean and in a cute dress. Because I'm good like that!)

A Few Things . . .

on my plate!

First and foremost, I finally finished and mailed Halle's "friend" birthday invites.

 which were pretty much (about 100%) modeled after the invites that SuperMom put together!

We've also created a looooonnnnnngggg braid. We e are not quite certain as to it's exact purpose. But still . . . it's a big braid!

And the dog loves it. Really.

Other than Tangled birthday party stuff? We are 150% deep into Lauren's wedding stuff. I took the week off and it has been blissful! I have been able to enjoy helping her and her family prepare for this most amazing day and not been stressed at all about managing work+kids+husband+life+all that other stuff! It's amazing how simply taking work out of the picture makes it all so much easier!

I even managed a quick run to Roseville Galleria. With my Mom and Auntie and BFF. It was tons of fun. We picked up some cute things. (A sweater vest in Eddie Bauer. A scarf for me and a tie for Dylan at Nordstrom Rack. A pair of shoes at Marshall's. And some make-up at Bare Minerals.) Nothing crazy exciting, but all good stuff nonetheless! BFF and I even snuck out for a delicious margarita at Tres Agaves.

So there.

Oh, and we tried on trashy/ugly/sparkly shoes. Just for the heck of it . . . 

(More details/better storylines tomorrow. I'm so tired that my fingers feel numb!) 

Happy No. Four . . .

to my baby girl. I cannot fathom how the last four years have flown by. 

Slow down, little one! Just a little! As a favor to your Mama?