Eyes wide open.....

I wish they weren't, but my eyes WERE (barely) open until about 3 a.m. Sunday morning. I participated on a 20 mile suicide prevention walk overnight through the streets of Chicago. It was a great event and more so than my eyes being open for that time frame of the day I noticed my heart opening even wider for the following reasons...

1. These families have truly been through the ringer

2. I never knew it had such a vast influence on all types of people.

3. I talked with total strangers about their loved ones being lost and thought how brave they were to be out and about so shortly after being effected.

4. I was surprised to see other people that I know, that I haven't seen in years walking because they also have been effected.

4. I witnessed folks who have lost, siblings, parents, children, or have attempted themselves.

5. I was amazed at how these people, no matter how hurt or angry they are, were not willing to give up on telling their loved one's story and not letting people forget.

For most of you who know me emotion and compassion are not two words that I do "easily" but I am human, and it was natural to let the cynical, sarcastic side of me go for a night and just listen to these people (another skill I am not real good at!) I went to this event to support a friend whose world has been turned upside down by this cause, but if anything she showed me what it is like to support someone, and not let them be forgotten not matter what.

Besides the underlying reason we were there, we had a great time and enjoyed 3 full days in the great windy city and laughed, ate, shopped and walked our butts off! Thanks for letting me be a part of something special.

3 ladies - child free and out for the night.....

Lucky us.....It also happened to be the taste of Chicago....Start of the Walk - opening ceremonies was held at Soldier Field.

Picture in front of the city before it got too dark!

3 a.m. and dunzo.......we picked up some folks who were alone and welcomed the company!

Let's hear it for the boys!

We spent the weekend honoring a few good men....
We traveled to Chi-town and it was eye opening that we were going to celebrate my OLDER brother's 40th birthday and realizing he isn't that much older than me!!
Yikes.
I clearly remember the mid 80's when my parents were delivering black balloons and purchasing the "over the hill" merchandise for their friends and I remember thinking....
#1 These people are ancient
and
#2 How silly to make fun of them for getting old.
This flashback made me giggle as I was at Spencer Gifts purchasing an inflatable walker, a "still kickin it" cowboy hat, and digging up old incriminating pictures in order to poke fun at good ol' brother for reaching this milestone....how circular life is......not much changes. However, realizing I am closer to 40 than I ever anticipated I have somehow created a twisted rationalization that 40 is hardly old anymore as I once did in 1986, it's just all relative....how convenient right?? But since I have a few more years until I catch up to him I will still consider him ancient :)
So my brother seemed to welcome 40 with open arms as he raced a Nascar car at 140 mph, partied until 2am, and got up at 4am to fish with his son, I realized not much has changed. Sure there are a few more gray hairs, a couple added lbs, and some lines on our faces, but bottom line you are only as old as you let yourself be (or at least as old as everyone is making you feel on that particular day) I hope I remember that in a "few" more years!!
Here are some pix from the big event!

40 old crows dawned the lawn....

Yeah the inflatable walker gag gift is really short lived!

The cake....

He TOTALLY looks 40 - RIGHT?? (well of course next to his BABY sister!)

Jenn did a fantastic job pulling it all together and ACTUALLY surprising Mr. Nosy!!

The three cousins cooling off from the heat and humidity!

The pool was a total party - I mean why not a trampoline to assist pool jumping?!

Gorilla glued together - per usual!!

Mom and Bugs hanging poolside!

The other man of the hour was daddy dearest as we celebrated fathers day. The kids showered dear ol' dad with homemade crafts and pictures (below is one of my favorites of Brady bugs made at school..... shaving just like big daddy does) and Mom lent a slight reminder of that game seven Stanley cup ticket he purchased last week and not to be too disappointed at the watch and Superman underoos that Brady MADE ME get him! To watch our kids is the biggest Testament that you are a fantastic, patient, fun loving, caring DAD! Keep up the good work and who knows you might find a Superman Cape upgrade coming your way next year! Happy Dad's Day!

Dad and the nuggets out on the Riverwalk.....

Random happenings.....

There has been a lot of wrapping up activities, classrooms, & seasons going on - it has made things busy and eventful, hence not posting anything in quite some time. Here is a recap of what has been happening.....

We wrapped up spring with our annual Memorial day block party where the kids enjoyed the bounce house and introduced an egg toss that started out as a friendly game with all the kids - Brooke of course being the first one out with her egg cracked all over her face! And ended up with a very competitive adult messy version of the game!

Then I am not sure when the prom fur wraps came about but funny that each one of these peeps including some adults owned one.....

Brooke has also finished up Soccer, which she IMMEDIATELY wanted to sign up for again, but its not offered at night in the summer time so we will wait until fall, so she is going to give T-Ball a shot this summer! The challenge there will be trying to keep Brady off the field and him begging to play.

Both the kids have transitioned to new classrooms and new summer activities. Brady stepping it up to the big boy class and going to give potty training the ol' heave ho here soon. Brooke joined a summer "camp" at Brady's school and is able to go to on a field trip and swimming and a park every week so she is in her glory.

Which in turn means Brooke had to say goodbye to her beloved teachers and has resumed the mourning process of hyperventilating and crying out "I miss her" but the way I can tell that she has grown up a bit from last year is that she is now asking me if she can send her teachers an email because she wants to tell them how much she misses them. So much for stationary and envelopes!



Chris and I wrapped up our 11th year of marriage (Yikes!) and celebrated up north on the harbor in the unseasonable 50 degree weather......brrrrr still nice to be away and eat, drink and be merry!

Brooke wrapped up her gymnastics class and finished with her balance beam routine, she still really enjoys it but agrees we will wait until next winter when we HAVE to be inside!

I think that is about it, hasta la vista spring ......Bring on Summer time fun!!