Easter Weekend

It was a lovely weekend with lots of family time. We had my side of the family over for dinner Saturday evening and it was the first time I did a family party here without Marmar. Very strange, but not really sad. We definitely missed her, but knowing she had such a wonderful long life and is in Heaven is such a beautiful thing. We made a 7&7 in her honor, in her favorite glass and passed it around, each of us taking a sip. And that's quite a tribute to Marmar because we have several germaphobes (if that is really a word!) who normally would not share a cup with anyone!
On Sunday, Jack, Wayne, Sally and I went to mass together. It was beautiful and Father Bob was so positive and uplifting. We had dinner with Grandma, Bucky, Paul and Downtown Sue. Matt joined us as well. Sue and Lauren celebrated with her side of the family after they made a trip to Mike's niche. Tough times. Jack and I had a great conversation with Sue Friday night.
She is working hard at healing and doing a great job of it.

Wedding planning begins

So many details! But for now, just thankful for these two

Spring is in the air!

Two indicators that it is officially spring:
1. Beautiful tulips in bloom! I wish this picture was taken in my yard. It wasn't. Sally and I made a quick run to the OakBrook Mall this afternoon and there were gorgeous tulips everywhere.
2. Nesting geese! Also at the mall. Right smack dab in the middle of the busy mall. Nesting geese are not friendly as Sally can testify. They have one in the courtyard at her school. I wanted to get Sally in the picture but she was having none of that.

Holy Thursday

I find meaning in Lent and especially in Holy Week in ways other than the traditional services. This year I have had the privilege of witnessing the faith journey of my co-worker, Ellyn. Her husband is going through the process of being put on the list for a heart transplant. That is such a big deal. So scary and there is much uncertainty. Ellyn lives her faith everyday as she does the possible and lets God do the impossible. In the meantime, she maintains her sense of humor and constantly shows empathy, understanding and compassion for others. Tomorrow Ellyn has been asked to carry the cross in a procession at a Good Friday service. So fitting. She carries her cross well everyday. I have been so blessed to work side by side with her for the last seven years. Please say a prayer for Ellyn and Tim

I love to reread my blog

I know my blog is a bit like "Dear Dairy, You'll never guess what!", but I gotta tell you that I really am glad that I took that continuing education class taught by Ruthanne 2 1/2 years ago and got this thing started. I really love reading my old posts. And because this thing is online, I am pretty careful about what I say and how I say it. In the old days, I kept journals and actually still have them tucked away in a drawer. Those journals, kept in spiral bound notebooks, were such great therapy for me. I poured my heart out. I probably should destroy them at some point because they can be a bit embarrassing to reread. A few years ago, I was reading excerpts from my journals out loud to my kids and I have never heard the end of it! In one entry, I had written about Jack, a few months after we had started dating. I think my exact words were "Lordy, I am smitten". That's all Wayne and Sally needed to hear. Luckily, I can laugh at myself. Usually. Not always. I am working on that.
But the best part of keeping a journal or blog is that it becomes evident how God answers prayers and how problems always get resolved.
I am thinking that I should make a pledge to myself to post a little something here every single day for the next week. Just to be a bit more faithful to my blog, my three faithful readers and the whole process.

Spring Break 12

I cannot complain about a spring break that included an engagement and unseasonably warm weather. And now it is already April and we are headed into the fourth quarter. It's all good.
We had a quiet weekend. Some of the highlights were a nice long walk with Teri on Saturday morning. So fun to catch up on all the family (both families) news. Then Sally and I saw The Hunger Games (good adaptation of the novel) and went out for a bite of lunch. This morning, Sally, Jack and I went to Palm Sunday mass, then Jenny, Abbie, Nina, and Susie met at our house for a quick carry out lunch. Abbie and Nina are excited about being flower girls, though they are not quite sure what that means. Sally showed them videos on YouTube and they were enthralled.
Good night, everyone.

Sally and Matt are engaged!

I am one thrilled momma! This past Saturday, March 24th, Matt proposed to Sally while they were dining at the 21 Club in New York City. What a wonderful, momentous occasion for our family! Here is the back story:
Sally and Matt began dating 3 1/2 years ago when Sally was a junior and Matt was a senior at Illinois. Matt is such a wonderful guy, the perfect match for Sally. And we are crazy about his family, too! The relationship has been a solid one since day one and it's been pretty evident that they have been moving toward marriage. Well, on Feb 13, Jack was in Utah on business and got a text from Matt asking if Matt could take Jack and me out to dinner that Thursday, February 16. Sally was not to know. She was chaperoning an overnight event at school and so she wasn't going to be around. So on that Thursday night, Matt came over and told us he wanted to ask Sally to marry him. I cried pretty much the whole time he was talking. Of course, tears of joy. Matt is really everything in a man that I could hope for for my daughter. Matt is even keeled, thoughtful, responsible, funny, spiritual, and treats Sally with such love and respect. After hugs all around, Jack, Matt and I celebrated with a toast from a bottle of champagne he had brought with him, then Matt treated us to dinner at Wildfire. It was an evening I will never forget. So fun!
Then came the hard part. I COULDN'T TELL A SOUL!!! I am not the best liar or bluffer, but I did not want to be the one to spoil that surprise for Sally. I kept that secret for 6 weeks!!! Thank goodness they had this trip to NYC planned for spring break and that was the perfect opportunity for Matt to pop the question in one of Sally's favorite restaurants in her favorite city to visit. We knew Matt was planning on asking Sally sometime on Saturday, but we weren't sure when. We finally got the call around 4:15 our time, then we proceeded to spread the happy news. They are talking about a summer 2013 wedding. Can't wait for them to return from NYC tomorrow night so we can get this show on the road!
God is so good!