Speaking of Weddings...

Todd and I celebrate our 14th Wedding Anniversary tomorrow.  14 years ago today we were cleaning up the trailor park party room (for real), and kissing goodnight-looking forward to our wedding ceremony the next day among family and friends, and in our favorite place on earth-Aggieland.  So much has happened in the last decade and a half (almost!) that it's hard to wrap my mind around it all.  We've grown up.  We've had jobs.  We've quit jobs.  We've bought houses (that was houseS-PLURAL!).  We've bought cars.  We've had CHILDREN-3 OF THEM! We've said goodbye to Storm, Ringo, Windy, and Sandy.  We've welcomed Chrissy and Marley.  There have been fish, but we won't discuss those-there were many.  We've seen some of the world together.  We've made plans to see more of it, again, together.  We've made friends.  We've started traditions.  We've had fights.  Big ones.  Really Really BIG ones.  But, we always seem to make up.  Somehow, we always want to make up.  We're blessed...as friends, as partners, and as kindred spirits.  And that kindred spirit part-that's the very best part.  That's my favorite thing about Us.  We make our own fun, have our own adventures, and live on the same page...I can't wait to see the next 14 years...and spend them with my Biggest Fan.

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Good times...old times

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Old Friends

what can you say...we have known each other half our lives...good times in Natalies future hometown!

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Outta Sight!

Todd and I went to a costume party Friday night.  I think I've seen Todd in costume twice in all my years of knowing him, once as a pimp, and now as an Outta Sight Dude.  It was fantastic.  Especially when we walked out the door, and the kids asked what we were.  We tried to explain that we were Grandmom and Grandad when they were our age-ish.  They didn't believe us, but they did think we looked groovy.

The party originated with a 70s theme, but as we searched the internets, we found that 60s was way easier to find, dude.  So, the results were a combination of the two decades.  I actually had plenty of "hippie" in my own closet, but Todd would not have it.  If he had to be "in costume," then I dern well better walk on the wild side with him.  So, I was on the search for GoGo Boots (the best shoes ever invented). On a sidenote, if you do happen across some REAL bellbottoms, fringe, or flowered shirts, buy them up.  I think all the thrift shops have been picked over in the last 40+years.

For fun, I edited these two pics on http://www.picnik.com/.  There is a "60s effect," and I just couldn't resist.  I think it works for us, especially with the fringe and white boots.It was a superfun party, and I think everyone had a fantastic time.  I was definitely in the mood to let my hair down (or put it up in this case), and of the 89 (!!) pictures someone took that night, everyone is smiling ear to ear.  Either we know how to party down, or the 60's gave us a great reason.

We tore ourselves away from the fun about 1 in the morning,  but promised a new tradition:  a Halloween Decade Party.  Next year, the Roaring 20's.  We're making our own history book!

Peace.

U2

Last night, I fulfilled one of my Bucket List Items by attending the U2 Concert.  It. was. amazing.  It took me a long time to realize that I was actually in the presence of my Moment, much to the annoyance of Todd.  He kept asking me if I was excited, if I was looking forward to the concert, if I was hoping for "With or Without You" to be the opening song.  And sure, I was all of those things, but just very calm in anticipation-which is odd for me.  Calm Excitement.

We gathered our group of friends, left Decatur around 4, and headed to Cowboy Stadium to find our parking pass.  Our fearless organizer, Jennifer, had researched the best way to park and cemented a safe spot right across the street from the GIANT structure that is Jerry Jones World.  MUCH better than the $10 parking her "better half" kept eyeing.  :)

We had just enough time to treat ourselves to dinner and a few drinks before the big Hike and Climb to the concert.  The stadium was a little HUGE.  If it's possible, it looks SMALLER on the outside than the inside.  But enough about that, it is just metal and concrete...back to the MUSIC.

The stage was set up off-center and was GIGANTIC.

Here is the view from our seats.  We were on the third deck, second row, and if not for that arm right in our line of vision, we would have been giggly about our location.  As it turned out, the awesome U2 was so energetic and excited, they never stayed in one place and we were just as much a part of the concert as those right there in the guts and glory section.  It was an odd looking stage though; Bono himself called it a spaceship.  :)

Muse was the opening band-guys I'd never heard of, but was entertained by during the anticipation of the awesome U2.  They were one of those kind of bands that draws me into their sound, causing me to dissect it into the individual parts.  Sometimes I'm just so amazed that those parts can come together to make a whole sound.  I think that's the band geek in me coming out. :) They FINALLY finished, and it was time to wait for the awesome U2.  and wait.  and wait.  Lots of waiting-which added to my Calm Excitement.

And then, they arrived.

I could hardly believe my senses.  I felt like my entire body was lying to me.  I couldn't possibly be in the same universe as This Band.  This Band that took me under their wing in my "tween" years, giving my music substance, and my brain some exercise.  I fell in love with U2 in about 7th grade.  Before then, I'd mostly dabbled in Country (I was SO country when country wasn't cool).  Joshua Tree seeped into my bones and began to shape my philosophies.  I started researching my Irish Roots, and tried to understand the turmoil in that country.  I, too, became an advocate for Peace.  From that moment, I devoured every album.  I actually bought two Rattle and Hum CDs because I wore one of them out.  So, standing in that stadium, listening to their music, straight from their bodies, I was starstruck.  All I could do was inhale, exhale, and listen.

They were incredible.  Bono never stopped.  The Edge (my favorite) was subdued perfection.  Their music filled the stadium.  Their lyrics filled our souls.  Always with a political message, Bono thanked George Bush for his work in Africa, and asked all of us to become One in the quest for Peace.  The encore came in three parts, and they FINALLY played "With our Without You," which I FINALLY decided is my favorite song. 

As we left the stadium, I was also FINALLY filled with that outward excitement Todd had been wanting to see.  At one point during the encore, he told me I needed my own section at a concert.  Hey, when you feel the music, you just gotta move.  :)  I think it took the entire concert for the Moment to sink in and become part of me. 

We spent the drive home recapturing our favorite moments of the concert, dodging cars driving the wrong way on the highway, feeling our way through the fog, justifying the late bedtime, and reliving a perfect Bucket List Moment.  Like I said.  Amazing.

River Trip 2009

One of our favorite getaways is a float down the river. I know, classy. But we are who we are, right? It started in college, and then was intermittent throughout the "baby bearing years," and now we have a yearly date with the river. I'd say we are dern close to making it a tradition to float the weekend before Back to School Chaos. This year started out a little rough for me; I was under the spell of a Stress Cold as I like to call them. Fevery, snotty, coughy. The Works. But, I plowed through, doped up, and came out ahead of the game by Saturday morning. Good thing. Also this year, there were no ipod issues, instead there were sunburn issues. I distinctly remember the river always being in the shade, but this year, that was not the case. But then, my memory could be going. We are getting a little older, it's true. We did have a tad bit of culture shock upon opening the door to our "condo." And yes, I used quotations there for a reason. Technically, it was a condo; after we saw past a few carpet stains and outdated kitchen gadgets, we were able to slip back into true River Trash Status-but it was sketchy up until that first popped top. By the end of the weekend, we were resigned in the fact that it "wasn't that bad," because at least we weren't driving anywhere-ever so responsible of us. See? I told you we were getting older. Wiser too.Great friends, great food (because of all the pre-floating planning-another sign of the Wiser Times), and awesome music made the weekend one for the memory books. One last fling with summer to give us the boost to give Fall our Full Attention. The football games, the pumpkins, the Holiday Shopping...only another year until Toobs, coolers, and ice cream topped with Crown for dessert...

13 years of "I do"

She looked at him.

He looked at her.

And everyone who saw that look wanted to throw up a little.


-brought to you by Hallmark, but purchased by Todd.

Thank you for the card Mr. Beancounter. It was wonderful to come home to your arms after the long weekend in Ohio. I'm your biggest fan today, as I have been most days since the day we met. I love you. :)

Letting Go

I'm not very good at letting go. In fact, I kind of suck at it. I blame my nomadic military brat childhood, but in reality, it's probably just part of my genetic fiber. I spent my primary years desperately trying to put down roots in a new place only to have them pulled up seemingly minutes later. I was a dandelion; springing up all over the place, spreading roots as far as I could, but not really sticking around for the whole season. I have no doubt it was good for me, and helped shaped me into the person I am today, but it also made me wish for deeper roots and lasting friendships.

I remember moving from Beeville, TX in 4th grade, and vowing to write my friends everyday to keep them in my life. I did write, not everyday, but enough to send them a wedding invitation years later. That situation repeated with every new home. We moved. I made friends. We moved away. I missed them. Their memory wasn't enough. It was and still is incomprehensible to me that friendship should change because of distance, circumstance, or plain old life. But-I am beginning to think that might be how life works.

Recently, my daughter attended a birthday party for a little girl I've known since my first minutes as a stay-at-home-mom. They have spent a lifetime playing together-literally. They were potty-trained together, and napped together. My daughter's first sleepover was at her house, and they both orchestrated a lemonade stand during a garage sale. Twice. They've made sugar cookies, mini-pizzas, play-do castles, and beaded jewelry. They consoled eachother on the hardships of younger brothers, and shared the wonderful excitement of kindergarten. They dreamed of how they could be "real sisters" someday.

While this wonderful bonding was happening between the girls, a unique friendship evolved between their moms. A friendship sharing our children, our parenting, and the hardships that accompany motherhood. A friendship that was raw and real-as friendships among moms can be. In those moments, there's no glossing over the fact that your baby won't stop crying long enough for a phone conversation; no laughing off #2 in your 2 year old"s "big girl panties"; no miracle cosmetic to hide those dark circles, and no solution to hide your exhaustion, your worry, and your insecurity. We shared everyday stuff. The boring stuff. Lunch, naptime, playdates, stroller rides, Old Navy sales, sunscreen, broken dishwashers, dirty houses...the stuff of life. We talked about losing weight, cheap vacation spots, scheduling date nights, and how to get our husbands to just "get it." It could have been my house or her house, and the kids felt at home. That was truly a gift. For all of us.

Then we moved. I moved. Again. Since that move, I've struggled with keeping this friendship. She and I have been in different places both geographically and mentally. We visited at the gym, and tried setting up playdates, but something always interfered. Once, she completely forgot our plans. Of course, she felt terrible and promised to reschedule. And of course, I told her it was nothing, and that I'd wait to hear from her. I tried to brush it off, but being me, it ate at me little by little. When we would meet or talk on the phone, things seemed strained. Something was different. Occassionally, a piece of familiar comfort would breeze into our conversation, but it was fleeting and untouchable. Then, most recently at that birthday party, we were two strangers in the room watching our daughters celebrate "8". I was overwhelmed with a sadness; I felt I was grieving for someone or something that still seemed to be "there", and it just seemed so wrong.

I've visited these feelings since that day, and mulled over the road our friendship has traveled. My mother's words "everything happens for a reason" have echoed in my mind, and I've realized that perhaps friendship is also seasonal. Liane, my friend in first grade, was the best thing I could hope for. We were both nerdy, chubby, and shy. Because of her, I had someone to play with at recess. Margaret, my friend in 5th grade, lived near the school, and we would retreat to her house before the long hours of the day. Because of her, I learned about lip gloss and seaweed. Amber, my friend in 7th grade, lived on the military base just a few streets down. Because of her, I fell in love with George Michael and almost went to University of Texas. I've wondered if these girls ever think of me, and though I've lost touch with them, they are a part of my memory, and in some ways, I miss them. I've spent a lifetime clinging to friendships as I've moved through the ever changing status of my life, but I'm wondering if it's ok to let some of them go. Maybe there is a Greater Plan, and these friendships are part of that. Maybe friendships are seasonal, some annual, others perennial. Maybe I shouldn't be sad as things change, but grateful for the time and experience I was given.

When I think of my children as toddlers, I will remember this friendship and the time we shared raising our babies. I will remember her advice, her laugh, her tears, and her support. I will remember all this with a smile. Her friendship was a wonderful Gift for a special season in my life, and I will always hold that close to my heart, but I won't keep grasping for more. Because of her, I knew my children were normal and my trials in motherhood were also normal. Because of her, my everyday was more than ordinary. Because of her, I'm a better mother. Life forces us change and grow, and I suppose that's a good thing. I also suppose that sometimes we don't get to decide where our roots grow or how they change, and that's a good thing too.

Big Kid Fun

We had big fun this weekend! One of my most favorite people, Brandi (and her lovely family) came to visit. They rolled in about 8 Friday night, and we began the immediate comfortable conversation of old friends. We sat on the back porch sipping beverages and telling wonderful stories, both old and new. Saturday, we parted ways for a few hours while they spent some quality time with family still living here, and Todd and I spent some productive time getting dinner and spirits ready for another night of relaxing fun. Shelly and Jared came over for round 2, and we again laughed around the dinner table for hours and hours. With still so much to talk about, Brandi and I forced ourselves to go to bed around 2 this morning. I guess we wanted to soak up each second of that quality time; it's great to be blessed with such good people in my life-people that make me feel happy.

During all of the big grown up fun, our kids had wonderful little person fun. They spent most of the time in the backyard on the trampoline, but also went a hike, colored, played Wii, Star Wars, and Barbies (depending on how teams were divided.) There were even a few slumber parties thrown in for extra super bonding fun. Our families don't see eachother often, so it was neat to see our kids form their own little relationships and realize their own common ground.

Here's to a great weekend with wonderful friends! We miss you guys already! :)

a weekend away

We made a field trip this weekend down to Houston to visit Natalie and her fam. It was our turn to make the drive since they were here just last year. It's crazy to think it's been a whole year since we hung out, but I guess that's what they mean when they say time flies. It's always so nice and relaxing to hang with them-I wish we both had settled in towns closer together. *sigh*

We rolled in about 10:00 Friday night after waiting for school to let out, stopping one million times to go potty, and stopping once for Todd to tank up on cheese enchiladas. No meat on Fridays left our fast food choices more limited than we anticipated, and Todd was having no part of me packing cheese sandwiches for a quickie dinner. He's so spoiled like that. :) We stayed up late catching up, and listening to Todd's unlimited knowledge on flat screen TVs.

Saturday, it was COLD! I had no idea Houston even knew HOW to be cold! Just our luck I suppose. Despite the chilly temperatures, I kicked my kids outside to use up some of their energy. The boys especially. Grady had taken to using Mackenzie's play hairdryer for a gun and the living room had turned into his war zone. Crazy boys.

Patti and her Tony came up for the afternoon (when we got Happy Hour going), and the boys played Chad's new golf-ball-throwing-game. The girls stayed in the kitchen talking "woman talk"-why is it things always work out like that? We talked the boys into taking the kids to the park when the day warmed up a bit. I think we finally burned some of the Scroggins energy, and Mackenzie and Reagan were all smiles playing with their 'friends'. Madison seems to be pretty popular among 2-4 year old girls. :)

All was good until Grady realized he needed some Mommy time-then he blew that whole park deal and headed home. I'm pretty popular with a certain 2 year old little boy. We all have our talents I guess. :) We finished out the evening with fajitas, beverages and Wii Golf-with Todd as a commentator. I don't even have to elaborate on his explanation of how to put the ball in the hole. You all know how he is! Sometimes he is a little funny...I guess.

This morning I was pretty impressed that we were all dressed and out the door by 8:30 for Church. Natalie and Chad are good influences like that-Grady's lucky to have them for Godparents. We got on the road after lunch and headed home; now we are unpacked and ready for the week ahead-a little refreshed from a mini-vacation with some of our favorite people. Thanks so much Nat and fam!!

i believe you...

Today we are hibernating from the cold Winter, cooking up a yummy lunch, drinking some hot chocolate, and listening to some of my favorite tunes.

I believe I've mentioned Todd Snider before, and how much I love him. We became fans back in the day. Once, he showed up to Jerry Jeff Walker's Labor Day Fest with long hair, a sweaty tshirt, and a speech that just about made me write in Willie Nelson for President of the United States. I quickly bought a tshirt and subsequently joined the mob for a signature. Since then we've trapsed all over to listen to him play-I even got his pick and set list on my 30th birthday. :) His music is a mix of Texas Country, Nashville Country, Blues, and Rock-n-Roll. I'm sure he'd rather be viewed as a rocker, on the other hand, he probably doesn't think about his image all that much-another reason I'm giddy for him. His music tells a story, brings you back down to earth, and most of all refocuses you on being Happy to be Here (one of his title tracks.)

Just now, one of my favorites, I Believe You, just came across the itune airwaves. I found a video of him below, but an official music video (produced and everything) can be found here. They won't let me imbed that one. :(



See? I have music opinions too. :)

Old Man Laaser

35 years old. Man, that is OLD! Just think, a mere 15 years ago (FIFTEEN YEARS!!) we happened upon your friendship. Now, after many camping trips, Aggie Games, NASCAR weekends, scrapbook weekends, catering gigs, port-a-potty incidents, Go-Cart races, garage sales (todas las mesas uno dollaro), nachos, beers, domino games, spades games, Fightin' Texas Aggie Bonfires!, bar fights (well, not really-but almost!), bets, Cuban Cigars, bad-mustache-new-year-parties, midnight yells, late night chicken-on-the-bone, crawfish boils, trash can punch fruit, rock band concerts, and FIVE CHILDREN we get to settle down in this little 2 horse town for the duration.

It's an honor old man! Just think how much fun the next 15 years will be (what with us leaving the windows unlocked and all). What will those pictures look like?! I hope you had a fabuloso birthday-save a little celebration for Daytona Weekend-it's just around the corner. Yay Memories!

Christmas Cards

I've been trying to finish my Christmas Cards for the past week. It's a process around here, but a process I really do enjoy. I'm dorky like that. :) I'm one of those "letter writers" that sends out a sampling of our year in one page or less. I've written these letters since our First Christmas, and it's superfun to go back and read through them. I have them all in a Christmas Scrapbook, and flipping through so many years in one book with those letters as commentary-well, it's just neat. We've done a lot of stuff in the last 13 years. In our first letter, I wrote about the "wedding catastrophe" as our leftover wedding napkins flew out of Todd's pickup on the way home. Fast forward to this year, and I wrote about our 3 kids with their many quirks and milestones. Funny how life gives you a ride. That couple that laughed so hard at the irony of a wedding catastrophe happening post-wedding, also laughed at the look in their kids' eyes when Santa called tonight. I guess our sense of humor has aged along with us. :)

It seems redundant to summarize our year, pick a picture, and mass mail it to everyone when I update our life almost daily on this here blog. In theory, I guess I could just post my letter and get on with it. That just doesn't seem as fun though. Or as Christmasy.

Now I just need to carve out the few hours it takes to address, stuff, and stamp everything. That time is proving very difficult to find as the years wear on, but I will find it-as I do every year, and will for every year to come. Just think when I have a book of 40 or so letters to read through-what a story that will be!

Why Daniella?

In light of the most recent hijackings, I have been asked why "Daniella" for my blogname...so I thought I'd give a little history:

The semester after I graduated Texas A&M, I was on course to student teach. Todd, I'm sorry-Coldplay, still had another year left in College Station to work on his Masters. That August I received a call from the Agricultural and Natural Resources Internship Program-something I had applied for earlier in the spring simply because they kept sending me the application. In my incense and crystals way, I filled out the application so as to leave no "omen" unaccounted for. I went through the interview process, and did not make the cut. For me, it was actually a relief. I didn't have a nagging feeling about that application anymore, and I could move on with the rest of my education. Here again, I got that call. They offered me an internship in Ruben Hinojosa's Office for the 15th District of Texas. Apparently, I had been the alternate. Without skipping a beat, Todd told me to take it.

After celebrating our First Wedding Anniversary, we packed up and Mrs. Scroggins went to Washington. As Fate would have it, there was an apartment of 3 girls that needed one more roommate. I moved in. Todd and I spent the weekend taking in the sites; Sunday I took him to the airport, and I drove "home." It was terrifying.

The roommates-my live-in family for the semester-quite the group. (You'll have to excuse the photo quality-this is pre-digital.)

That next Monday, I started the "job". I was very blonde in Congressman Hinojosa's office, and "Daniella" quickly became my nickname. It stuck. It stuck so much, that all the other interns called me by that name. Sona-the girl in red above, still calls me Daniella. It began to define a part of me that I was just beginning to know. The Independent part of me.

While I was only in Washington, D.C. for a few short months, I can say I learned volumes of information. There was so much to know about the innerworkings of our Government in Action. At the time, I was so engaged, I actually watched C-SPAN on the weekends. I know. Nerd.

It was fascinating to see how our Representatives engaged in the process-how they leaned on their staff, including their interns. I went to countless receptions, parties, dinners...Many work nights did not end until 10 or so at night after a couple of drinks with someone wanting our attention. I planned meetings with the White House Staff, and met Al Gore in the process. I drug my new roommates to Congressman Sonny Bono's office after hours so I could meet "The Babe" himself. (He was most obliging by the way.) I also learned how to rely on myself, how to handle myself, and how to speak up for myself. I always refer to this time as the time "I grew a backbone."

So, Daniella? It's part of me-It's me when I speak my mind, and talk about what truly engages me. It's me when I see injustice, and need that brought to public attention. It's me when I laugh so hard my ribs are sore for days. It's me when I love so intensely it brings tears to my eyes. It's me when my sense of adventure gets the better of me. It's me when I'm in the moment. It's just me.

And Coldplay? He's the one that gave me the nudge to find that part of me. He knew I needed a little push, so he pushed. Fate would have it no other way.

Where Were You?

1 minute ago: Reading Tammy's Blog

1 Day ago: Volunteering in Tanner's classroom, getting ready for a crazy Thursday afternoon of music program, horse riding lesson, and piano lesson.

1 week ago: Mourning the loss of my broken cell phone and making plans to see Madagascar.

1 year ago: In the middle of building this house, and living with my parents. Madison was in the first grade; Tanner was in Museum School, and Grady was learning to talk.

5 years ago: Almost a year into our new house in Keller. Tanner was 6 months old, and Madison was 2. I was learning the 2 kid juggle, and finding my way as a new Stay at Home Mom. Todd had just started working with his sister at McGladrey.

10 years ago: I was in my 2nd year teaching, and Todd was working for Arthur Andersen. We were living in Coppell and trying to figure out how to "fit in" as "grown ups".

Wow. Time really does fly.

Patticake

Dad dressed me for the day. I remember my hair was in an awkward ponytail, and my dress was on backward. I was six, and in first grade, so I didn't correct him. We went to the hospital, and that's when I met my baby sister.

Since that moment, I have fed her bottles, listened to her stories, and even played with her toys. I was protective of her, and let any babysitter know exactly what she needed. When I was in third grade, my mom would joke that Patti and her friend Adam could close down any restaurant. When I was in sixth grade we would set up all our barbies outside on the patio and play for hours. (yes, our barbies-I was a little on the immature side) She was in kindergarten. When I was in eighth grade, we moved to Decatur and shared a bathroom. She spoke in tongues in her sleep (I could hear her through that shared bathroom), and she stole all my bows. She always wanted to be included when my friends were over, and the great friends that I have, they always obliged. She couldn't wait to have a "big life" like me.

When I left for school, she was in 6th grade. Her life got bigger. She came to visit me, and we even spent the 4th of July together once-just the two of us. When she was going into high school, I got married, and she was my maid of honor. I was on my way to being a grown up, and she was entering those turbulent teenage years. It seemed we were always a page away from eachother.

She graduated in 2000, and I took her to visit colleges-Tech, A&M, and Texas (just to show her the bright spot in all 3). She picked Texas. I blame myself for that one. I went to visit her this time around, and she gave us the grand tour. I told her I was expecting our little "leafy twig"(long story). I asked her to be a Godmother.

It's amazing that Patticake is all grown up, and taking on the world by its Longhorns. Now I steal her rubberbands, and she buys bows for my daughter. Our lives are both big, and sometimes we just want to make them small again. I'm lucky to have a sister and a friend-it was a long journey, but one so worth the wait.

Happy Birthday Patti!!!! Gig 'Em!

Runaround Sue

We met in 8th grade. I was new to Decatur...a "move in", and I'm pretty sure she admired my fringe jacket and tie-dyed shirt. If she didn't back then, she's learned to appreciate the style by now. :) Throughout high school we shared drill team dances, girls' nights, double dates, study habits...college took us down different roads, but we shared some great roadtrips. Ironically, she was Todd's first 'real' girlfriend, but as one of my best friends, stood up for us at our wedding. It was at her baby shower I officially let the world know Madison was on the way.

Now we are living parallel lives as we raise our families in smallish towns. Hers is in Stillwater, mine here in the metropolis of Decatur. We both are juggling kids, stay-at-home vs. working mommyhoood, new family traditions, and family matriarch training. :)

This weekend Brandi made the roadtrip with her youngest, Audrey. They were here on business-to do some Grandparent bonding, but got to crash at my place. They got in Friday night after 10, and we stayed up until after 2AM chatting the night away! Her first question: "how do you live here???" I explained the adjustment of being an adult on the same paths I was a teen...and she....didn't really believe me when I said it was neat. :) I don't even remember all we talked about that night, just how easy and comfortable it was.

Saturday was the same mellow wonderfulness as we sat on the back porch with our bottles of wine and watched the kids hike through the back pasture. We tried to rally Saturday night, but one great thing about great friends is being able to wimp out. We crashed before the news on SNL. Ain't no shame either. Sadly, they had to leave Sunday morning and, as soon as they left, Madison was making plans for their next visit. Brandi promised it would not be long. I hope not.

I might have to pull out the Slumber Party or Senior Lip Sync videos as blackmail...

I remember...

7 years ago those planes hit the towers.

I awoke and dressed for school. I wore a black skirt, red blazer, and heels. Todd dropped Madison at her babysitter, and I drove to school listening to a CD instead of the radio. I always listened to the radio, but that day I just didn't. No reason. I arrived at school and didn't check my email. I always checked email first. Instead, I set up for a lecture and lab on Protein Synthesis. Overhead in place, lab equipment set, I finally sat down to my computer. The first email I opened read "a plane just accidently flew into the tower in New York." I didn't understand. I had a TV in my room, so I turned on the news and watched the events unfold as my students entered the classroom.

Together, we didn't understand. We thought it was an accident, a terrible terrible accident. We tried to make sense of how something like this could have happened. I muted the TV and started my lesson. In the middle of RNA Transcription, one of my students gasped as another plane hit the building. We stopped and watched the news again. We still thought there was something wrong with the planes. We still thought it was an accident.

Again, I muted the TV and continued my lesson. We got to RNA translation I think-and another plane hit the Pentagon. I felt it hit my chest. We closed our books. I sat in a student desk with my kids around me, and we just watched. Now we knew; this was no accident. One student started crying. Another tried to figure out who and why this was happening. They all asked me their questions. They all expected me to have the answers.

Those kids knew me well. This was the second time I had the opportunity to teach them; I had them when I taught 7th grade. They watched me co-teach with some of my best friends. They knew my passion, my love for them and my job. It was because of these kids that I had the courage to move to the high school to teach Freshman Biology. I knew I would have these kids, and I looked forward to it. We were old friends, and I didn't want to let them down. I wanted to have those answers too.

The bell rang, and first period ended. My kids left my classroom, and my conference period began. Like everyone else in the country, I got on my cell phone and began to check in with my people. First, I had to know if my dad was in the air. He flew for Delta, and I had no idea where he could be. I had no idea if he was at work or out golfing. It took over an hour, but eventually I talked to him. He was home. He was safe. I started shaking. Next, I called my babysitter. I told her I would be home as soon as I could. She was upset. Finally, I drove over to my old school and hugged my old friends. I needed a safety net. We all needed a safety net.

The bell rang again, and third period started. Another class of kids entered my room, and we talked through the day's events. We prayed, and again, I tried to start my lesson. An announcement was made. We had to evacuate the building; there had been a bomb threat. We gathered ourselves and made our way outside. There were no planes in the air. We waited and waited. Chaos. Organized chaos. Finally, the school day ended.

I sprinted to my car, blasted the speed limit, and raced to get Madison. I could not to get her fast enough. I needed to see her, hold her, and let her know that everything would be ok. She was 3 months old. I scooped her up and drove home. I called Todd and asked him to come home early. I called my dad and asked for an explanation. I looked at Madison and hoped for safety.

I know the days and weeks that followed were surreal for everyone. American flags sold out. Everyone was proud to be an American. Firemen flocked to New York. Everyone prayed for survival and reunion. It was a humbling day seeing our Country attacked. It was a sobering day seeing our kids scared. I think of those kids every year on September 11th. I remember our naked skies, and I pray we remember our naked eyes. I am still in awe of our delicate life, and I will always be proud to be an American.

The Gods Were Smiling

There is a special river in Heaven set aside for the sole purpose of floating. I just know it. The Gods smiled upon us this weekend as we set out for a last summer fling before the chaos that is the school year.
















The Crew was perfect, and survived dangerous rapids, crazy waterfalls, scalding sunshine, and a torrential downpour.

The food was great-always important to a gathering, event, roadtrip, vacation. Fried. Bologna. Sandwiches. That's what we had for lunch...new for me, and I have to admit...not that bad...in a little-kid-playing-outside-trip-down-memory-lane-kinda-way. Cheese. That's what Some of us snacked on down the river. Homemade Ice cream. Everyone submerged themselves in the ecstasy that was the homemade ice cream later that night between poker, dominoes, and napping.

A. Perfect. Weekend. Thank you Gods.

Next time we won't let Todd be in charge of the Ipod.

Weekend Hopes

It seems the Gods are conspiring against us. This weekend we planned to float the Guadalupe...my own kind of paradise.

Earlier this week a few of our friends had to drop out, but we hung on to our hopes.

Today it's raining-40% chance of more this weekend.

I'm clutching my kite string and holding on. I have a certain obsession for TOOBING. Nothing is more relaxing than grabbing a beer and a floatie and drifting...well, I guess there might be something, but I'm not quite sure what that is.

Cross your fingers-my sanity for the school year rests on this.