The reality of my age

I have had quite the spring! I feel as young as I did 15 years ago . . . maybe even a little younger. But, events have been sure to remind me of the reality. Within 7 weeks, Jordan turned 8 and was baptized, I turned 30, and my baby brother got married! Crazy! But his wedding weekend was a great one with lots of fun and memories.

The first thing that I'll remember is the panic I felt inside of myself as I watched my boys reverently roughhouse on the temple grounds. They did turn things down a notch as we waited for the just-wedded bride and groom to emerge from the front doors, but even 'low' is a bit too much for that setting.

Brett discovered a very effective way to quiet rowdy little feet -- precariously suspend

them eighteen inches in the air. This worked for nearly 30 minutes!!

Jordan was quietest left up to his sneaky mischief.

The next thing I'll remember is that we had pppplllleeeennntttyy of time to catch up with friends while we waited . . . and waited . . . and waited.

But the couple finally graced us with their arrival and I will never forget how beautiful and happy they looked and what a perfect a match they seem to be.

(It is always interesting to meet your new sister-in-law within 24 hours of the marriage ceremony. This was my second time for that.)

(Ours was not the primary camera . . . obviously. Sorry about the off shots.)

My grandma -- one of my most favorite people in my life.

I will also always remember the games that the weather played with us that day. It went from promising to threatening and back again all day. We had dry pictures and soggy pictures, indoor dining and outdoor dining, and a reception that started in and ended out. Phew! It's a good thing that we are all fast acting and efficient.

Finally, I will never forget my rude awakening to how distant my life has been from that of my family for most of the last decade. I was asked who I was and how I knew the wedding party over and over again during the wedding reception at my parents' house. I've never been in so familiar a place with so many unfamiliar people before. Most callers were surprised to learn that I even existed. Those who had a faint memory of another older sister didn't recognize me right away. In making a life for myself in my new town, I've become a stranger in my first. I've come to understand something I hadn't realized -- this obscure little place in Washington and the people here are "home."

Overall, "Operation Wed Alex and Orchid" -- SUCCESS!

Congratulations!

School's out for summer

We were so happy when the end of the school year finally came around. Between a full school day, piano lessons and practicing, chores, scouts, sports, and friends, Kade and I have really been missing having Jordan around.

In the final week of school, Jordan's school had a spring concert and school barbeque on the school grounds. Kade and I got to listen to them perform the songs they have been learning the last few months and then have a picnic lunch with Jordan and his friends and their families on the school lawn. He's such a fun and handsome boy. We loved sharing that time with him.

On the same day, Kade graduated from preschool. They performed their zoo alphabet and several songs and then took some time to tell us about all of their preschool favorites. Kade was so fortunate to be part of this class. His teacher was the greatest! She even kept things going until the bitter end from her wheel chair when she broke her leg skiing during spring break. Kade will miss his teacher and his buddies from school. In the fall, it is off to Kindergarten!!

Due to her mobility challenges, Kade's teacher let us make the cupcakes for the graduation celebration. They were a bit messy on our sunny, hot graduation day, but the kids really liked them.

Out of the Mouth of Kade . . .

About the sloppy joe I set in front of him before his T-ball game this evening:

"If you make me eat that, you might lose a finger."

Surprise!!

I looked forward to my 30th birthday with quite a bit more dread than I had anticipated. It is tragic to feel younger than ever, but have time slipping through my fingers at this horrible pace.

It had been a couple of months since Brett and I had been on a date, so he asked me to find a sitter. He wanted to take me out for a "nice, quiet dinner" and then to a movie the Saturday before the much anticipated day. Little did I know how much I really should have been anticipating.

Upon arrival at the restaurant, Brett led my into the back to a room filled with friends, roses, balloons, party blowers, confetti, and the likes. It took me several seconds to figure out why my friends that had never met each other were all in the same place at the same time.

18 people came and went that night in my honor. I had a terrific evening laughing and chatting with some of the people I love most in the world. My friends flattered me with the nicest compliments and funnest gifts.

My husband is the greatest! I can't imagine anyone loving me as much as he does. I'm not sure how he was able to put this party together without me catching on. In retrospect, there were signs throughout the week that should have alerted me to his scheme, but I never caught on. I didn't even know he knew how to call my friends!! I'll never underestimate him again. My only complaint was that he didn't suggest that I dress up a little more or spend a little time freshening up before we left. I attended my own party super casual with droopy hair!! But, it didn't seem to matter. Happy 30th Birthday to ME!

Find Cover!!

I was in my family room this past weekend enjoying a quiet minute to prepare a lesson for children's Sunday School when I heard a horrible roar and my hair started to rattle at the roots.

It isn't everyday that a helicopter lands inches from our property line. Here is the view from our back porch.

It continued to lift off and land about every 10 minutes for the following hour. That must have been one great graduation party our neighbors were having!!

The very next morning, some friends called us from a Sunday drive to warn us that a cow was about to cross into our yard. It veered off at the last minute, so we were spared any more unpleasant "surprises."