Bryan & Maggie Wed

We drove like mad all day Friday to make it on time for Maggie's wedding in Chicago Saturday morning.  The neighbor girls had keys to water the plants, retrieve mail, love Evie, and feed the fish, the kids surprised me by being awesome travelers, snacks were paced well, Cesar stayed awake till the middle of Indiana, and I couldn't think of anything major which we'd left behind at home.  Once I began the last stretch of our drive behind the wheel, I thanked The Lady, of my van's navigation system, yet again for giving me the added boost of confidence I needed as I drove through the dark of night, with all passengers sleeping, to our waiting hotel north of the city.  The only snag in our trip was that the hotel gave our booked crib to another family.  We had packed one pack-and-play, but have two girls... Sabine slept with Cesar and I that first night, and well, it was a loooong night for me.  The girl would not settle.  The next afternoon upon arriving back in our room after the wedding reception, there was still no crib and our room was a mess.  I raised a stink.  The hotel bought a pack-and-play for our use that night.  We all finally slept well.

Saturday morning was a wonderful experience for me by being in the temple with so many of my family.  It was a powerful feeling as I held back happy tears and smiled from ear to ear.  I was a bit late due to the fact that I had forgotten my recommend in our hotel room.  Cesar had doubled back and ran up to our room for me as I anxiously waited in the van.  He dropped me off in front of the Temple doors and I ran in as fast as my high heels allowed.  I rushed the desk to ask, in a frenzied whisper, if I'd missed the Hughes/May wedding.  As the man began to answer, my Mom appeared from out of no where and she rushed to hug me in a blur of deep lavender with her arms stretched wide.  I cried right there.  It seemed so natural, familiar, and appropriate for the first person of our family to greet me in the Temple to be my Mother.  It was so, so nice.  She quickly ushered me into the chapel and I scooted into the pew beside Millie, we were both husband less at that moment with Trent on a ship in the middle of an ocean and Cesar tending to our children outside.

Bryan and Maggie's wedding day was beautiful.  Perfect weather, lots of family, and lots of love.

Surprise By Papa

Just before dinner, a cube truck lumbered its way up our drive.  The low cedar branches and lilacs were not happy as they were knocked about, making way for this late afternoon intruder.  The kids had been jumping, splashing, and lounging in their new blow up pool to keep cool.  Everyone froze at the sight of the truck.  Who, what, why could it be?  Well, it was Papa.  Home to make a quick pick up of tools and expendables for his new movie.  Cesar and a greenie PA hopped out of the truck and proclaimed that they were famished.  While they readied Cesar's gear, I began a simple dinner of ham sandwiches.  I offered chocolate cake, but had no takers.  Really?  Really.  I forgot I had a watermelon which I should have chopped and placed on the table for easy grabbing, but I didn't think of it till after they had gone.  Our visit was short and sweet, like a thief in the night, with our Papa, but it was just right.

Hugo + Olivia

After school today, Hugo excitedly informed me that he gave directions to our house to his little friend Olivia.  In one ear and out the next, this piece of information hurried.  Throughout the rest of the day, Hugo made little comments about Olivia.  Olivia this, Olivia that, no big deal.  Around dinner time, all exasperated like, he finally let out, "MooOoomm, when is Olivia gonna get here?!"  I just looked at him and tried my best to not laugh as bells went off in my head.  It hit me that he had been expecting little Olivia to walk through our door, all afternoon!  Poor thing.  I do have Olivia's mother's telephone number, I suppose I best use it!