Wedding Week

Here we are the final week before the wedding. The plans have been set in motion with last minute details left to take care of. Britni has done a good job of dreaming and planning and organizing and budgeting. She will be a beautiful bride and my prayers for them are to put God and each other first in their lives. I seem to be pretty calm but know there will be stressful moments during the week. I have a lot of things that need to be done before we take off, with the store and home. I would definitely feel better if I was more prepared for the holidays at the store. I keep trying to tell myself to do what I can and then not stress over what doesn't get done.
I am looking forward to spending a few days with the girls before everyone else starts showing up.
Kevin has off until the 10th so hopefully he will be able to get lots done too. We will try and get stuff done here then head to Chicago on Wednesday. Try and finish up some last minute seating arrangements, gift bags and misc. Then Thur and Fri run errands, pick up Tuxes, pick up Malori from the airport get settled into the hotel. Fri morning the flowers are suppose to show up and then Cheri our florist and her crew. I think it will be really pretty. It is kind of funny that Cheri did the flowers for our wedding. She does a really good job. I'll post some pictures after the wedding.

Sister Weekend

My sister, Becky, and sister in law, Kathy, and I decided that we would celebrate our birthdays with a trip. It is a new tradition we are starting that each year we go somewhere. We started out this year with a 2 day trip to Nashville, Indiana. Thanks to Dave's hotel points we got to stay in a very new and modern Hilton. It was really nice. We did a little shopping at the outlet mall the first evening and out to dinner. The next day we spent in Nashville.

Here are a few pictures of a time. We also decide to start a journal of what we did and the stuff going on in our lives. Then each year add to it. We also want to try to do something each trip we have never done before. This year we did one of those old fashion photos and dressed up as salon girls. We had a lot of laughs doing it.

Next year we would like to take a cruise but we'll see.
I have the best sisters!

Things in July

Summer is seeming to fly by. We have had some hurts this summer that has kind of left us all feeling down. There are several things weighing me down of which I have no control of. It is hard to see the direction God is taking me. I know when life takes an unexpected turn it is hard to get a fresh vision and get excited about it.

The store is struggling big time. I would love to be able to do some new stuff
but can't. Still unsure of where to go from here. Waiting it out for now but not sure if I will be able to hang in there.

Britni's wedding is in November. She has pretty much everything organized. So we're not doing to much right now.

Kevin and Cortni took off work this week to go boating. I didn't have anyone to work (or couldn't really pay anyone) so I'm stuck here. I am closing the store Saturday to go to a wedding and then have 4 days off. Maybe I can get refreshed and excited about something.
The next few months will be full of changes. Hopefully we can all adjust and everything will go smoothly.
Didn't mean to be Debbie Downer but that's me for now.

Birthday Celebration!

 

The end of May we went to Chicago to celebrate Malori's birthday, and Sebastians which was a few weeks ago and Britni's which is in a few weeks. We tried to surprise everyone but I'm pretty sure they all figured it out. Kevin took Sebastian to a Cubs game and I was taking the girls to see Mary Poppins.
Saturday there was a street fair on Division, which we like to shop, and Cortni had already planned to go to a Cubs game with 3 girls from work. We were all getting ready to take off and Kevin, who hates to shop, said he would rather go to the game then shop. So Cortni called and somehow was able to get him a ticket.
So Malori, Britni and I took off and walked to Division street. We had a blast and ate some great food. We got to try different things because of all the vendors set up. Malori also got some shirts. They each got some money for clothes for their birthday too. Cortni and Kevin also walked because they had extra time. They were suppose to catch the bus but ended up walking almost the whole way.
That evening Malori, Cortni, Kevin and myself grilled out. Britni and Sebastian had something else to go to.
Then Sunday we tried to drive down to the Lincoln Park Zoo. But we drove around for an hour and couldn't find parking. So we ended up on Damen and did some shopping and got some coffee and ice cream.
Then Sunday evening everyone got ready and the guys went to the Cubs game and the girls headed to see Mary Poppins. It was fabulous!! We were sing right along. One of the best scenes was the chimney sweeps and when he walked up the wall and the ceiling. And of course Mary Poppins flying.
If you get a chance go see it!
It was a great weekend and coming off of Malori's graduation enjoyed some fun and relaxation!

Congrats Malori!!

Our baby is officially out of high school. I still can't figure out where the last 12 years have gone. I still remember the first day of kindergarten, walking down the drive sporting a Pocahontas backpack, last day of school driving away in her red mustang.
She made a senior video and Friday night wanted us to watch it. It was full of great memories. I don't think we realize all those little things we do are wonderful memories to cherish.
We are very proud of all of her accomplishments and even more the type of person is she. We are privileged to be her parents.

Busy Week

It has been a very busy few weeks and week will be no different. Malori's graduation is on Saturday, then her open house, Bailie's is on Sunday and her open house is Monday. We have been cleaning up the yard, planting flowers, cleaning windows and the house is still a mess. I only have a few days left to get the house cleaned, food figured out and bought and cooked. Besides work, Malori's track sectionals, school groups coming to the store and a author book signing at the Library on Thursday night.

After church I had a birthday party at the store and now finally home and should be doing something but I am so exhausted I can't get up. Thinking about just going to bed but guilt is keeping me from it.

Well we'll see how the week unfolds as we prepare to watch out youngest daughter graduate and move on to the next stage of her life.

Mothers Day

Today is a day to honor our mothers. Mothers come in different shapes and sizes. But each one of us has a unique mother. It is something we will always have whether they are still here or in heaven.
I am fortunate to still have my mother. She is an amazing woman. She has always been there for me and is always encouraging me. Even though I am an adult, she is still teaching me things. In my eyes she has been a super woman. Doing everything well. Loving her family and God above her own needs. She sacrificed for us, worked full time jobs, made holidays above expectations. Not just in materials things but the memories and the traditions she has taught us to embrace and cherish. Even my children who are growing into adults still cherish those traditions. In may ways I struggle to even get close to accomplishing the things she has done. But she has encouraged me to be myself and strive to keep my family close. Even if things do not seem ideal but it is what we do, we are still creating memories. For instance, Kevin has had to work a lot of holidays including Christmas day. I get frustrated just thinking about how that "it's not fair". But we started getting up at 3am so the kids could get up on Christmas morning and open presents. They actually get excited about that. No it isn't what I really want Christmas morning to be like but it is OUR Christmas morning, creating memories for our family.

This is just one example of the things my mother has taught me. If I can be half the Godly mother and wife she is I will be proud.
I love you mom and glad your will always be in my life.