Mike & Sherah

This is how Owen dances- hands in his pockets. Shoes off.

I hate that necklace. Why didn't anyone tell me?

I went to a very fun wedding last night. Aaron's sister, Sherah, got married yesterday. If this feels like a repeat of last August, well, you're close. Aaron's other sister got married last August, and now the fam is 4 and 0. Josh is the hold-out.

As long as I've known Sherah, she's always had a friend to pull out of her hat for any occasion. "I have a friend who's a cruise director. Let's take a family vacation." "I have a friend who will set up Rachel's reception." "I have a friend who owns a salon- she can do our hair for the wedding." I guess at some point I started trying to discern her definition of friend. But guess what? It's all true.

I guess since I don't live in the city I grew up in, I forget that when you spend your whole life living in one spot, you get to keep lots of friends. Sherah and Mike both have friends from grade school, lots from high school and college, work friends, and then tons of family. And they took the extra step to introduce ALL of their friends and family to each other at the rehearsal dinner. One by one, they introduced each of them and told stories. Even though it's awkward talking in front of lots of people, and especially CRYING in front of lots of people, they really thanked everyone who was in the wedding individually and that made it so memorable and special.

Fast forward a day to the wedding. That cruise director could not have done a better job as the master of ceremonies. I mean, I have never. He even interviewed some of the bridal party on the spot, put his friend and bridesmaid Mandy on some single guy's lap, and on and on. He was fantastic. That guy should be on tv.

When it came time for speeches they were eloquent, not awkward. I love it when the speeches aren't awkward. Although Mike got outted for wetting the bed a good portion of his childhood, the speeches (4 of them) were fantastic.

Ok, enough of the play by play, I just mean to say that I really could see how fantastic Mike's family is and how great all of the couple's friends are. It was a great wedding because people really shared from their hearts. Because Mike and Sherah are a quality couple and they finally got it done. Because their families are both happy and blessed to be joined. And because lots of people danced! Even me. Shhhhh.

So I had the boys stay for the dance instead of going home to bed and Owen morphed into...I can't think of a description. He was trying out his moves for sure. He went to find a bridesmaid that had promised him a dance in the limo (he got to ride the party bus to the reception). He watched. He learned. He danced with lots of girls. Little dancer Asher was too tired to try out his moves, and he's the one who actually has moves. Owen's eyes were practically closing on the dance floor. "Are you ready to go home?" "No. Can I lay in your lap?"

We finally turned in at 10:30. Sherah and Mike, I hope all of the planning and stress were worth it last night. I hope it was a memorable day you will never forget. We are blessed to be called your family and we have great hope for your future. Thanks for giving us a fun time. We love you.

What I Did Today

Sometimes I have to write down what I actually did during the day. Sometimes because my day and the boys' antics are so unbelievable or funny. But sometimes because at the end of the day, I often have this general sense of dread or dissatisfaction with the job I did that day. Mostly when I completely lost it with the kids. So sometimes I need to write down what actually happened so I can "take stock," and look at the truth instead of letting a general feeling overtake me - one that is usually based on nothing.

So here are some of today's highlights, for your reading pleasure:

I woke up in a hotel room and had coffee and breakfast with the family. I love that.

Watched Owen slide down the water slide approx 563 times, and doggie paddle his way to the side.

Actually swam with the kids, even though it was freezing. I did not sit on the side of the pool like most of the other parents. I got in. (Can you tell I'm annoyed?)

Negotiated my way out of spending my last $5 in cash on video games. Spent $3 instead.

Ate at McDonalds. Again.

Comforted Asher when he sprayed hair spray in his eyes.

Hit a home run talking with Owen about lying, and got the confession out of him. Reached the heart. Score.

Encouraged him not to do what the older kids do. Even backed it up with a Bible verse (1 Tim 4:12). Double score.

Considered ironing the sheets. Only because a guest is coming who actually does that.

Went for a bike ride. Let them stop to throw rocks and climb trees.

Read books.

Told them I would tuck them in again after my show was over. Felt guilty for that one.

Had absolutely no sympathy for the "I'm scared of spiders" routine at bedtime.

Collapsed. I hope the good outweighs the bad today. I think it does.

Birthday Recap

I've been told I need a birthday post. Pictures would be great, if I had them, but I need Aaron in order to work the camera. Sad, sad, sad.

The birthdays will never be repeated in the same way again. And now that I've written those words, I can be held to them next year.

Somehow I decided to have AP, Owen and Asher's party on the same day. I did Aaron and Owen together last year, and it went so well! So, let's repeat and add Asher's too, I thought. Except. Our friends with their 3 boys decided to come into town to attend. And we decided to invite our neighbors who the kids have become better friends with. Four more. And now we have several church friends, who we've never invited before. And on and on.

When I sent out the evite, quite a few people were going to miss out, and I was disappointed. But as it turns out, 21 children is just a fine number and I really should not have been worried. Twenty one. Mostly boys. Thankfully I baked a cake covered in candy and had a big batch of spiked punch available for the rest of us.

Throw in that my husband was in charge of the obstacle course, and came up with such a masterful, long, professional obstacle course, the likes of which has never been seen, and well, you have quite a party.

Madness. Noise. Running. Scared little girls hiding in corners. Boys being hit in the eye with baseball bats. Pinatas breaking on the 3rd try and big kids hogging all the candy. Crying children. People running for the exits the moment the event was over.

And then...breathing room. Space. Calm. Everyone was gone. Just in time for the adults to really unwind with their adult friends. Except (insert sound of screeching record here)....they were all scared away by the kids.

Oh well. Better luck next year. Who wants to meet me a Chuck E Cheese?