THIS PAGE TAKES A MINUTE TO LOAD. THERE ARE TONS OF FUN PHOTOS FROM OUR TRIP

We did so many things this week!  Maddie swam, made cookies, lit fireworks, took baths outside, played with puppies, played cards, we golfed, had a princess party, met family, cousins, aunts/uncles, great grandparents, and new friends.

12 years ago I was living in Nebraska and decided to pack up my car and head 14 hours east to Michigan in search of “The Good Life.”  While yes, I did find a great life in Michigan, a great husband, great job, and a great home.  What I didn’t realize was that there is something missing from ‘my great life.’ 

In fact, life really is not life without this piece.  And, I didn’t really need to go to Michigan to try to find it.

It was right where I had left it, in Nebraska.

My Family.....  

This past week, we spent time with parents, grandparents, godparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, niece and nephew, and friends.  Throughout the week I heard comments of how proud people were of me, and what a great mom I am, or what a strong woman I have become.  I have to let you in on a secret.  

You (my family) are the ones who have so delicately modeled parenting, love, forgiveness, integrity, strength, confidence, and compassion.  

I have become who I am because.....of you.

Without further ado, let me share with you all the events from our perfect week. Maddie and the dogs loved the road trip to Nebraska!  We watched a movie on shapes, sang songs to Daddy and the dogs, played with an entire bag of toys, and of course...Took pictures!

We split the trip and drove 7 hours the first day, 7 hours the second day.  Maddox spent her first night in a hotel in Illinois where she took a bath in the sink and slept peacefully in her porta-pack-n-play!

Here is Maddox riding so patiently while we drove to see her Sito and Pop Pop!

The first morning while I was getting ready in the bathroom Maddox found her favorite spot in the house.  I loved mirrors growing up and we found out that Maddox does too.  She spent some time everyday in the bathroom learning to sit, stand, and talk (to all four of herself).    

Maddie and Pop Pop went out one morning and picked flowers for me.  The card was carefully attached to the roses with love and with a twisty tie from the junk drawer.  This just plain stole my heart (Thank you daddy Pop Pop)!

The weather was extremely hot and sunny in Nebraska this week, it didn’t take long to discover that Maddox was happiest indoors chillin’ in the air conditioning! 

One of her jobs this week was to help make cookies for all the new people she would meet.  What better cookie than a handprint that would show off her signature mark, a single crease in her hand.

Maddox had a blast making cookies and was SO PROUD! 
Or as Pop Pop would say, “Go big or go home.”

Did I mention that Maddox adores her Pop Pop?  One evening, they were partners in crime.  Oops, I meant, partners in cards.

Maddox’s great Aunt works in the Library and brought some new books for her.  She loves turning pages to books.  Ann, my Godmother also came to meet Maddox.

We had another photo shoot (of course).  Sito makes the prettiest headbands for us.  Yep, I have to post every photo from this shoot because I just couldn’t decide which one I liked best!

Did I mention....Maddox adores her Pop Pop!

What a memorable week, especially when you get to take your bath outside in an inflatable quacking duck!  We had so much fun!

The best part of the bath was watching Maddox and Daisy interact.  This three part photo series is Priceless......

Ok, so Maddox might really be saying to Daisy, “I forgive you for eating my pacifier.”


We had a special party so all our family and friends could meet Miss Maddox, including Great Gido and Great Sito.

I had one bittersweet moment at this party when we did the “Four Generation’ photo shot.  I had dreamt of this moment for a long time.  Four generations of strong women, it is amazing what each one of us has accomplished and learned in these years from traveling by boat to the USA and writing letters by hand to traveling by solar powered cars and communicating via text messages.  There are over 150 years of life within the four of us.  I couldn’t help but wonder what Maddox’s life will bring.  What things will she see, what will she accomplish? 

These thoughts are not bad but I must be 100% honest with you.  I had a terrible thought too.  I thought about how this is the end, no more generation photos.  Great Sito will not become a Great-Great Sito, Sito will not become a Great Sito, and I will not become a Sito.

Maddox will not have children..... Yes, as the literature says, I will have tough moments when I least expect them.  This was one of them.  Although, I knew I couldn’t get lost in that thought for very long, my family was here to meet Maddox.  Aunts, uncles, great aunts, great uncles, cousins, second cousins, etc....  My precious family all gathered around to celebrate the newest addition.

My grandfather was at his very best today.  He entertained, told jokes, took walks, and must have just plain wore himself out because that evening we got word that he fell and broke his hip.  He had surgery and pins were placed in his hip.  He will be in the nursing home recovering for 6 weeks.  Please say a prayer for healthy healing for him. 

My mom and I managed to get in some shopping this week.  Maddox played in the toy box at one of the shops and I had to chuckle at the pig jax game.  Only in Nebraska......

One evening we went to the park.  I think Daddy had the most fun!

And of course Scott and I managed to sneak  in a healthy helping of potato ole’s at the one and only..... Taco Johns!

The highlight of the trip was my birthday!  My family loves to celebrate birthdays and since my birthday is in the summer, it always seems like we find ways to celebrate any chance we get during the month of July.  It has been years since we were all together on this day so my family threw me once in a lifetime surprise princess party.  This party definitely goes down in the books as being the most memorable.  My sister in law lured me out of the house with some shopping while the rest of the family decorated.  I came home to this.

A chalk drawing at the entrance to the house that said, “Welcome to your kingdom” made by my niece Ally.

My family had decorated the house and dressed up as kings, queens, princes, and princesses. 

Even the dogs got decked out in princess gear.

The boys were not at all impressed with King Copper and Princess Daisy.

I made a wish and we sat around in the Awtry Kindgom to eat my princess cake.

I have the most incredible family in the world.  I love them so much.  Yes, I did feel like a princess today, a very loved princess.  Thank you a gazillion times for throwing this amazing party.  I will never forget it.

Some other fun things we did this week.  We painted Maddox and her cousin Ally’s toes like watermelons (thanks to my awesome hairdresser for the supplies)! 

We went to visit Daisy’s family (Uncle Luther, Daisy, Sister Atti-tude, and Mommy Isabella)

A week with Maddox’s grandparents would not be complete without a trip to the pool!!  Maddox loves splashing and kicking in the water and even went down the slide!

There is nothing better after a swim than a warm bath in Sito and Pop Pop’s sink.   If you are wondering about Pop  Pop’s expression in the third photo he is saying, “3-2-1 Blastoff” and imitating a rocket.  Of course, Maddox is smiling at him.

Because this picture makes me laugh so very much, I just had to post it.  This is Sito while cousin Drew was getting his bath!  Yes, those are what you think they are!  Big boy undies!

I have talked in my other blogs about how much I love the month of July.  Birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, fireworks, but I have not mentioned how much I love catching fireflies.  This year, the tradition went to my niece who delicately filled the glowing jar.

Those that know me really well, know that I can’t make it through the month of July without doing fireworks every chance I get (there are no rules that say you can’t use your niece and nephew to help you get what you want)!  I just love these guys to pieces! ☺

Whew, what an incredible week in “The Good Life” state.  A great big thank you goes out to my mom for all her planning and shopping so that my trip home would be perfect.  Mom, mission totally accomplished.  Love you!! 

CATHY
Seriously.... you want me to comment on that?  It would take me years.  You are beautiful, your daughter is beautiful and you family is beautiful.  I can't believe that I missed the princess party!  Love the watermelon nails.  :)  <3
SUNDAY, JULY 25, 2010 - 06:55 PM


POP POP
Maddie,
I want my heart back! (I didn't mean it when I said, "Go big or go home!")
SUNDAY, JULY 25, 2010 - 08:11 PM


AUNT CHERYL
These are amazing pictures of all of you!!!! Love you all lots and lots
SUNDAY, JULY 25, 2010 - 11:00 PM


SITO
t's unanimous, we didn't get enough time with our beautiful baby doll. I knew Maddie had changed my life but come to find out her Pop-Pop as well. We miss you soooo much. The snuggles, the smiles, the doubled dimpled smiles, the talking and yes even pulling my hair. We love you baby doll.
MONDAY, JULY 26, 2010 - 11:12 PM


S-I-L KARENNA
It was a really great week. ;-)
THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2010 - 09:17 PM

Simply Precious!

What does one do the night before the second biggest doctors appointment ever? It is her heart follow up tomorrow.  Our instructions six months ago were “let things ride” and “let time do its thing.”  Tomorrow we find out if time really was on our side.  

I am wondering, are we in the clear?  Will she be able to play basketball?  Will they find something more that didn’t show up on original tests?  What if everything looks good on the outside but is malfunctioning on the inside?  Is the murmur gone, or was it ever there?  Will we be fortunate to have yearly follow up appointments or will Maddox have to be seen every three to six months?  My mind is racing while reviewing all the possibilities.

So many questions, so many questions about the most vital organ in your body.  The organ that pumps your blood, fuels your brain, and recharges your muscles.  This powerful organ not only runs your entire physical being, it is also in charge of your emotional heartbreak and happiness. 

I have two wishes going into tomorrow.  I hope the doctor gives Maddox the lifetime guarantee for the her physical heart and I hope mommy can give her the lifetime guarantee and protect her emotional heart.

It is 10 hours before Maddox’s appointment.  My mind is spinning.  I decided to get on her web sight to make a few updates only to find that 30% of the sight has crashed.  Scott is looking at me and telling me not to stay up too late because we are driving to Nebraska tomorrow after the cardiologist appointment and we need our rest. 

When I am nervous I obsess on something.  I decided to obsess on rebuilding my web sight.  Yep, four hours later and 3:00 AM, here I am.  The sight is rebuilt and will be done uploading by 5:00 AM.   So much for going to bed early.

I am not going to be a good passenger tomorrow.....




THE NEXT MORNING

We get up and load the car for our 16 hour trip.  Yes, Scott, myself, Maddox, Copper, and Daisy are all going.  Any bets on when Scott’s patience runs out?  Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska?

We went to town for Maddox appointment and expected to be waiting forever.  We got there early and they were so far ahead of schedule that we were walking out darn near the time of our scheduled appointment! 

Here are the details.  First she was placed on the scale.   The nurses all laughed at her as she hung out on the scale smiling and swinging her legs off the end as if she had done this a million times.  She probably has!  Maddox had to squeal a ‘hello’ to every single staff member, the housekeeper, the nurses, the patients, the and the doctor.   She is already won over the hospital, it is really cute!  I couldn’t help but think about how things would be when I bring her here when she is 2 years old, 6 years old, and even 10 years old.  She’ll think she owns the place!

They did the EKG and Maddox’s only job was remain quiet and still for 10 seconds.  Seriously....?IMPOSSIBLE!!!  Between talking, grabbing the cords, and playing on a gigantic sized piece of crinkle paper, Maddox was living it up.

After the EKG, the doctor came in and gave us an update on the three holes in her heart.  The Ventral Septal Defect should be closed.  The Patent Ductus Arteriosus is nothing to worry about.  The only hole left in question is the Atrial Septal Defect in which we will follow up with an Echocardiogram in March.  Chances are slim that the doctors will find anything alarming. 

Eyes are good, heart is good....Give it to me. 

We are ready. What’s next?

Peace out! 

We are westward bound!

SITO
 And my heart is racing as fast as it can, knowing in a few hours I will be holding our littlest Angel.
 THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2010 - 10:09 PM



KRISTIE
 That is wonderful news Jamie!  Have a great time with your family!
 THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2010 - 10:51 PM


ANONYMOUS
 Great news.  cory also has heart checkups and has also won over the hospital.  Even now at 15 they remember him.  cuz as a baby he was the same way talking and giggeling to everyone he came in contact with and he is no different today.  But now everyone he meets gets a hand shake if they are a man, a hug (usuallly) for the women and a fist bump for all the kids/teens.  And a "hey, I'm Cory West"

 Glad to hear all news was good.  Hopefully as time goes on you will visit only as frequently as we do, U of M is on our list every 3 to 4 years for check ups!

 Hugs


Melissa


TUESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2010 - 09:16 AM

I wonder if those sunglasses are UV protected or not?  Either way, we look pretty darn cool!

Maddie and I felt pretty accomplished this weekend, thanks to great friends and family.  Scott and I were able to take Maddox to the family camping spot, on her first boat ride, and swimming in her first outdoor pool.  She went with the flow the entire weekend, and never got upset.  She absolutely loves to be on the go; seeing and doing different things.

First, she scoped out the swirls in the wind at the campground with her grandpa.  She would eye it up, watch is swirl, reach for it, and beam with delight!

The boat ride around beautiful Hubbard Lake was incredible.  When the boat first started Maddox was in her car seat talking nonstop with the whirr of the motor.  When she was done talking, we took her out and the rest was history!

We watched a gorgeous sunset with some awesome friends.  Maddox cuddled with daddy and before we knew it, she was out cold.  Nothing like falling asleep to the motion of a rocking boat.  I am telling ya, the baby swing manufacturers are missing the boat completely by creating linear swings! They need to be thinking boat, water, motion, rocking....  Twice now on the water, bedtime was a cinch! 

 The next day we hung out at the outdoor pool sporting our 4th of July swimming suit.  Scott was in the middle of doing laundry and I pulled the suit out of the wash.  He said to me, “You have a million other suits and you seriously have to snag the wet one in the washer.” My response, “Yep.” 

Because if I had chose a different swimming suit, we would not have captured this photo of Maddox trying to sport the look of the Coppertone Water Babies Sunscreen.

She loved the water, loved watching the big girls play in the water, and managed a few splashes herself! 

After this weekend, my little fishy sure was tired out!! 

MOM
 And Mommy Fish loved the water too growing up. The higher the diving board the better. No Fear is what we called you! Great photo's photo-gal.   P.S. You have good taste in homes and you've always wanted to live on a lake.
 MONDAY, JULY 12, 2010 - 09:12 PM

Lovin’ the bubbles

I was able to get Maddox’s outdoor swings hung up today while daddy was at work.  The dogs really stepped up to the plate.  Daisy was the designated swing pusher.  She would try to put her paws on the swing and her weight would set the swing in motion.   Copper’s job was to keep Maddox safe and decided to be the cushion in case my rig fell.

Maddox loved her new toys so much that when it was time to get out, this is the face she gave me.

Ok, so that is what I would like to think.  Actually, the chewing mommy out face is because this ordeal took me too long, it was hot out, her diaper was full, she was hungry, and she totally did not want her picture taken!

Scott came home from work and with a little bit of begging and pleading I convinced him to take us to Friday Night Downtown.  Lots of people, loud bands, and unsupervised kids....Totally not my husbands idea of a fun time but he said yes.  He REALLY loves me.

Maddox saw lots of her friends there and is starting to recognize them.

Maddox was fascinated by the balloon butterfly!

    She also enjoyed blowing bubbles.

                                                                               Our favorite part of the night was dancing in the graffiti streets!!

And when the night was done, Maddox curled up in daddy’s arms.

Ok, so my near perfect day looks perfect on paper and in the photos right?  Almost...

I had one ‘moment’ where I do the usual (squeeze Scott’s arm, shake at the knees a little, then take a deep breath).  That ‘moment’ was when I absorbed the Friday Night Downtown scene.  All these parents with thier children.  I saw grandparents carrying newborns, teenage siblings helping their little brothers and sisters with the games, moms pushing strollers, and dads with their kids on shoulders, it was all around me.  Perfect, smart, healthy kids with happy parents. 

i had a ‘seriously’ I followed every single possible rule of pregnancy moment.  A ‘why me’ moment which I had not really had before.  I had dreamt of taking my new baby to Friday Night Downtown events but I never dreamt that I would barely be able to breathe my way through it. 

The good news though, there is always good news.  My philosophy is, if you don’t dig deep and find the good in things, you will never make it in this life.  So, with the bad, I also have to tell the good. 

After I squeezed Scott’s arm, shook it off, took my deep breath I said to myself, “I have a job to do.”  That job was to make sure Maddox experienced everything there was to experience at this Friday Night Downtown event.  This meant she needed to be given the opportunity to color the sidewalk with chalk, get her face painted (we tried but the line was too long), blow bubbles, play games, hang out with her friends, and dance in the street. 

And with that mission on my mind, I forgot about the “rest of the stuff.”

ANONYMOUS
 Sounds like a wonderful day!!
 TUESDAY, JULY 13, 2010 - 08:13 PM

Maddox is so intrigued by Addison! 

Thank you Addison for being such a good friend!

We have had a blast the last few days.  Maddox’s friend Addison came over to play a few times (hence the girls’s outfit change in the middle of the blog). 

Addison loves loves to carry Maddox around, help do things for her, and have Maddox sit on her wap (AKA: lap).  Check out the photos of Addison helping, they are too precious.

Addison really thinks that Maddox is her very own real life Nina doll.

The playdate was all fun and games until Maddox pulled Addison’s hair and we had an all out brawl ending with Maddox in a head lock!  (Just kidding about the head lock part, it was a staged photo gone bad)

Good friends don’t hold grudges because the next day, Addison came back to play and this time the girls wanted to feed the horses.  Addison showed up with two bags of kayruts (AKA: carrots) and shares a bag with Maddie.  Maddie thinks these kayruts are the best thing in the world!  This is just too darn cute.

Addison was a brave little girl!

I have to tell you, these are the most amazing horses in the world.  They love people so much.  Their temperament has to do with my incredible neighbor who truly is the “horse whisperer.”  She shares her awesome animal playground with me and I am forever thankful. 

Maddox wanted to feed the horses too.  I love Maddox’s eye contact as she watches the horse gobble up the carrot. 

Feeding the horses was hard work and left Maddox hungry so little miss Addison came to the rescue.

As a child, my best friend and I used to argue whether food, friends, or money was more important.  We both agreed that we could live without money.  Yes, I am guilty.  As a child I always tried to convince her that you needed food for without it you would die.  She fought hard to convince me that friends were the most important because friends could help you hunt for food or help you build shelter. 

I realize now more than ever how right she was.  Life could get pretty tough without the support of friends.  I am blessed to have amazing friends in my life, but you know who the real winner in this situation is? 

Maddox. 

My awesome friends are raising some pretty darn incredible children.  They wholeheartedly love Maddox and for that, I am more thankful than you will ever imagine.  You can see how much Maddox adores and looks up to her friends. 

Thank you Addison, Amaya, Callie, Carson, Gavin, Grady, Jack, Hannah, Kylie, Rayna, and Ryker.

SITO
Precious post. The pics of Maddie, Addy and Horses are so darn cute. Good job photo-gal!
 SATURDAY, JULY 10, 2010 - 07:19 PM

Start light, star bright.  I wish I may, I wish I might, have this wish I wish tonight......

I absolutely love the Fourth of July, for all that it stands for and more.  I get so giddy about this Holiday that I usually drive Scott nutso.  I beg him to buy fireworks beginning the very moment the stands open and then beg him some more to partake in the lighting of the fireworks.  Some years I get better results than others depending on his tolerance of my nagging!

Anyhow, this year was a bit different than the others.  We had a great time, but there were moments.  It unfolds like this. We started with our traditional red, white, and blue breakfast!  Blueberry pancakes with raspberry syrup and cool whip.  Check it out!   YUM

Maddox also enjoyed her red and white breakfast which consisted of cereal and her first taste of watermelon.   It took a moment for her to figure the teether out, then had to plan how to get it to her mouth, but when she finally does, she goes gaga over the melon!

After breakfast we painted our toes red, white, and blue.  We also changed into outfit number one.  Maddox had four different outfits for today’s occasion.  I didn’t even have to pretend to spill something on her, she earned the messy award on her own every three hours!!  I will try to post photos of her wardrobe from today, right now, they are all in the laundry! 

The day started in the park for lunch.  Pictures will be posted soon!  I can’t believe how much STUFF we needed just to spend 12 hours in town.  I need a bigger SUV, maybe something with 5 rows.  One row for Maddox, one row for Maddox’s supplies, one row for the dogs, one row for Scott and I, and I guess, one row for whoever wants to join our adventure!   The sandcastle contest was in full swing and lunch at the park under a shaded tree with the waves rolling in was very peaceful. 

I must add that I usually have spunk on this holiday.  Today, I was a little less spunkless.  I guess it started when a young gal at the park asked why Maddox’s head looks small and her eyes look funny or why she keeps sticking her tongue out.   My mind froze.  Is this an innocent four year old simply asking questions or could this little girl quite possibly detect that something is different?  In my profession, you get really good at improvising answers to a variety of children’s spontaneous questions, only this time ‘I had nothin.’  Literally nothing.   “Do you want another cookie?” I asked.

Next is the parade.  I had dreamt of taking our new baby to the parade.  I wanted to see her reaction to all the floats going by.  For some reason we bailed.  Yep, we totally skipped it.  The three of us went home, piled in our king sized bed with the two dogs, a cat, and snuggled for a nice family nap in the AC.  Now, that family time was much better than any ol parade! 

A few hours later we loaded up again to head to a good friends house to celebrate the evening.   We ate an incredible barbecue and had fabulous company.  Usually Scott and I are the doers, but today, I found ourselves being the followers.  Wonder if the whole new parenting thing has anything to do with it?  We have to me more concerned about Maddox’s needs now.

Regardless, we were totally breaking parenting rules today.....  Drink your dinner, kibosh the bath, bye bye bedtime, and please stay awake for the fireworks.  I think Maddox was training for this, the previous two nights she stayed up until almost 11:00 PM!

Here she is waiting very patiently with her not so patient daddy for the firework show (actually, Scott was a trooper today, thank you babes for going along with everything). 

I have a firework buddy for life.   Isn’t this picture priceless?!

To the right is a photo of Maddox hanging with her fan club (and glow sticks)!

Funny fact: Every Saturday I tell myself I am going to stay up and watch the entire episode of SNL. It never fails, I barely get to the part where they say, “Live from New York, it’s Saturday night” before I am out like a light. 

Maddox seems to take after her mommy.  She saw the first firework and then WAS OUT LIKE A LIGHT!

 We fought the traffic and arrived safely home with only one swear word from Scott.  Tradition has it, I usually end up lighting a few sparklers on the back deck all by myself as I wind down from the day’s highs.   That didn’t happen this year.  Instead, I grabbed my camera and lit up the flash in the bedroom of my most precious sparkler.  Happy first Fourth of July baby!

While this 4th of July seemed difficult, different, a little sad, and at times, emotionally draining, I do think a lot is going to change.  I believe that 365 days from now will bring a whole new attitude and I really can’t wait to see what my blog post reads.   I suppose it is like grieving a loss in a way.  With every first time event you can’t help but think about how the experience ‘would have been’ if things turned out differently, more like I had planned.  And, unfortunately everyday there is a new first and tagging right along with that comes a new grieve.  So, I guess the goal is to get through the year, then all the first firsts will be over.  I won’t have a choice but to pick up my baggage and throw it overboard because there is no excuse, it will be time to start building positive memories.

Four years ago today, without a doubt in my mind, marks one of the happiest days of my life.

27 years of patiently searching before I could finally embrace my love of a lifetime. 

You’re irreplaceable, inspirational, and incredibly all mine.

THE ABSOLUTE BEST WAY TO PRESENT MY
ANNIVERSARY BLOG IS TO SHARE WITH YOU
WHAT I WROTE FOUR YEARS AGO TODAY. 

6-30-06
 This all became a reality as Scott and I were going through the serving line at our rehearsal dinner.  During the past few months we had eaten several celebration dinners but this one was different.  This one marked the beginning of an extraordinary journey empowered by love. I sighed, took it all in because…. Tomorrow I was getting married. 

I really never knew the power of love had until I looked around the room at the rehearsal dinner and saw two separate families intermixed with each other, soon to become one.  I loved giving all of those gifts to people.  Seeing the smiles, watching them dig through their bags…was just purely joyful.

As the rehearsal dwindled, it was my turn to say goodbye to Scott for the night.  We were in the driveway at his parent’s house.  I became a bit anxious and teared up.  We kissed and he hugged me a hug like I have never felt before. Scott’s entire body surrounded me with power to make it through the night. 

The night...more restless than the night before I started middle school.  Though we had an amazing room at the Ashman Court with the most amazingly fluffy feather bed I still managed to get zero sleep.  I said my prayers and wrapped my blanky around my thumb and rubbed my lip for old times sake and tried so very hard to drift away into the most calming sleep.  Instead, I found myself watching the lights flicker over the tridge and wondered what thunderstorms tomorrow would bring.  Unable to fall asleep I turned on the weather channel and watched (over and over) the storms that were headed right to Midland Michigan….. at 5 PM.  Our ceremony starts at 4:30. 

So much for sleeping peacefully that night.  I finally went to bed at 2:30 and woke up at 4 AM.  I immediately turned on the weather again and began to get very sick, landing me a front row seat in the Ashman Court bathroom! 

At 6 AM, I put on my workout clothes and ventured in the darkness to the 1980’s workout room at the hotel where I ran a few miles and lifted squeaky weights from an old rustic bench.  I changed into my swimming suit and soaked my feet into the frosted hot tub with a gleaming smile on my face.  Today I was getting married.  

I ventured up to the hotel room at 7:15 AM and called my mom, we really didn’t talk about much except my fear of the huge storm that was to roll in at 5 PM.  Mom said, “Not to worry, I know you, and it will NOT rain on your wedding day, it just won’t.”  For some reason I had confidence in my mom.  I hung up the phone and called Scott, he was rolling into the backside of the Ashman Court to pick up people for golf.

I waited by the window to see him and then realized I needed to bust a move.  I was already running late.  I needed to shave my legs, wash my hair with the blue sweet tart smelling shampoo, and look decent enough to get my hair done!  Seriously….I have been up all morning and could have had all this done, but instead, waited until the last half hour….

Hair, I think we should omit this paragraph as this was the worst part of the day.  This did not go well.  In most ordinary cases I would have broke down and cried, but today there was such a positive energy in me that it really didn’t matter what my hair turned out like.  What I choose to remember from the hair salon is that my photographer picked me up a dum dum sucker from the check out counter and gave it to me in the car on the way back to the Holiday Inn.  That sucker gave me the ability to shut my mouth, not complain, and remember the sweet things about today. 

 That was…Until….

I get the dreaded phone call from Scott saying the storms are moving in fast and we were to meet at 2 o’clock to take photos, BEOFRE the wedding.  Panic.  I didn’t want to see him before, and there was no way I could be ready in time. 

The next hour was a blur, I saw people, dresses, food, makeup, shoes, etc…  I do remember chowing down an entire Jimmy John’s sandwich.  But for the most part, this is how it happened.  It was really a Cinderella experience, I stood there, my mom waved a wand and I was the most beautiful princess in town.  That’s when I posed by the clock and it read 2 PM.  I was supposed to be at the Sun Bridge in Dow Gardnes.  Guess what, I am late!

I remember hauling butt along the trail to the Sun Bridge saying to myself, “ You should have paid more attention to where we were going every time you came here instead of looking at the flowers!”

I rounded the last corner and someone told me, “Walk to that tree.”  Ok, how hard can it be, walk to the tree.  That was it, I lost it.  I was about to see my husband for the very first time.  Every single emotion that you could ever possibly dream up funneled through me in that 60 second walk.  I remembered growing up, I sighed relief that I would never fight with my dad again about boyfriends, I thought about my brother who made this trip for me and how time will bring us even closer, I though about my best friend in the whole world who made the trip here for me, I thought about my mom and how close we would become.

As I begun to dig deeper into thought about what the next chapter of my life would bring, I look up and Scott is standing next to that tree facing the river.  I can hardly breathe now and each step I took I was closer to being in the arms of the most incredible man any woman could ever ask for.  I finally reach him and really didn’t know what to do so I tapped his shoulder.  He turned around and gave me another one of those powerful love-encompassing hugs and said, “You look beautiful.”  SNAP, the photo, the one that captured all the emotion I was feeling at that particular moment, was taken.  I wiped my tear with my Great Grandma Gina’s hanky.

And so our day beings.  “My shoes hurt, my feet feel like ice, the dresses are too hot, does anyone have any water, can I go barefoot, I don’t want Jimmy John’s for lunch, I don’t like my hair, I don’t want to walk on the toole, I want to wear my own makeup”…These are the comments from my beloved bridal party!  That positive spirit I had in me told me not to listen to the complaints and wished they could see the meaning in today.  None of those things matter, I was about to marry my best friend.  I walked off and found myself alone just as my nightmare came true. 

The blue sky never changed but there they were, heavy sparkly raindrops.  I stood frozen and had no idea what to do, where will the guest go, where will I go, will there be a wedding?  Frozen in thought, I hear my photographer yelling at me to get under a tree and hands me the Marriott laundry bag to cover up with.  The good news is that my mom was right, it was not going to rain on my wedding day.  90 seconds later the rain stopped and the blue skies never went away.  This was good luck.

It is moments before the ceremony and my dad asks, “Are you ready?” |He gives me a thumbs up and I respond with a thumbs up (thanks to my photographer for catching that moment).  Just before it is our turn to walk, my best friend starts singing you are my sunshine with a sunflower on a flyswatter! 

Here I go, down the isle.  The walk I had always dreamed of.  It was not as hard as I thought it would be.  I began the journey towards my husband.

The service itself was brief and I really hardly remember it, actually I remember more from the rehearsal than I do the real thing except Scott kept squeezing my hand and letting me know everything was ok and I got to finally put on my beautiful ring! 

The next thing I know we are marching out as husband and wife.  The reception line was incredible with tons of thank yous.  All these people here to support the joining of our lives was absolutely amazing.

We signed our Marriage Certificate and I realized I had never practiced signing my new last name.  At this moment, I thought about how my Grandma and I would sit at the table in her restaurant and use the place mats to practice signing what my married name would be.  Gram, we never tried the name McClintic, that was the one that sounded perfect.  I now have the rest of my life to practice.

The reception is mostly a dancing blur.  The toasts were incredible as our friends spoke from the heart.  I know I pigged out at dinner and had a blast pushing cake into Scott’s face.  I remember the DJ did not have all the equipment and left my brother tending the music for a while and Josh shrugged his shoulders and didn’t know what he was doing but he loved me so much to try!  I remember seeing how happy my dad was talking with his old friends, and I prayed so hard that my parents would end up living near me again someday.

Before I knew it the party was over and Scott and went to bed at 3 AM.

9AM……..A truck somehow smashed through our hotel room door and ran me over.  Every single part of my entire body ached.  We packed up and headed home because there was another reception in Nebraska exactly one week later. 

Some things that happened during the week.  I decided to climb a tree in my wedding dress, and took some photos in the living room.  Mom made the most wonderful barbequed chicken for dinner and is the most outstanding cook in the world.  I took this for granted for so many years!  Scott and I made a red white and blue cheesecake for desert.  We let the evening go down on us and as tired as we were, we went outside and lit off the fireworks first with a punk, then with a lighter and then resorted to the blow torch.   I had some fireworks reserved for the wedding but out of excitement, you know, one more, one more…And then they were gone. 

The night goes silent and mom and I ran out to find more fireworks.  She would do anything for me.  Unfortunately, all the stands were shut down.  We drove home and called it a night. 

The next day we do it all again.  Another party with a room full of Lebanese people!  These people know how to throw a party!  The afternoon starts with the most amazing toast from my dad.

I believe it was 8 years ago when Josie and I stood in this very hotel, attending a wedding reception. The following morning Jamie, and all of her worldly possessions packed into her tiny Toyota and headed east on the Interstate to Michigan. Packed with her were dreams of a new life. At that point all a parent can do is hope for the best for your daughter... you hope for three wishes... one, that she finds the man of her dreams, two, that she marries him, and three, that she lives happily ever after.

Well Jamie, you have two out of three checked off your list. You found the man of your dreams, you married him, and now all you have to work on is "the happily ever after" part!  We are not too concerned about this part, because the man of her dreams, Scott, is full of love and caring for Jamie.

hat night we feasted on the most amazing Lebanese meal, danced on chairs and even went down the waterslide in my wedding dress.  The events ended just as I dreamed of, staring off hand in hand watching the fireworks.

This week was the absolute highlight of my life; it was every last bit of everything I dreamt it would ever be.  I have a wonderful, patient, kind, funny husband who I will cherish every day with.  I am the luckiest girl in the world. 

I promise to be honest to you.

I promise to care for you, sniffles and all.

I promise to be loyal and true to you.

I promise to set aside time for you.

I promise to be your best friend.

I promise to consider your feelings.

I promise to keep my legs shaved for you!

I promise to make you laugh.

But most importantly,

I promise to love you, forever.

So.....On our anniversary this year what do we do for each other? Scott buys me beautiful sunflowers. 

What do I do for him?  I finally repay him for the worlds nastiest cup of death he gave me four years ago!