First Day of School

Elena has started school, and today was her first day of Kindergarten! I can't believe how big she's gotten! She was so excited and was thrilled to go, and only cried when it was time to leave! She kept hugging and kissing us saying she would miss us, but when it was time to go in, she ran to the assistant and told her who she was and where she needed to go, then turned and looked at me and said "Bye, bye, Mommy! Have fun today! See you later!" and she was off. And I didn't cry...well, sort of...watching that little pony tail bobbing up and down and she bounded away made me lose it a bit. ;) (The flower picture: Eric brought Elena flowers the day before to celebrate her big day. Rainbow Roses! ;) )

Miss Julie

My chosen sister, Julie, came for a visit this last week and we had such a good time visiting and going out. We even took in a pageant! We broke a new record of ours, staying up in the wee hours talking and talking and talking, and oh, yeah, talking some more...our latest was 4:30am...we beat it at 5am Saturday Morning! SCORE! So here's pictures of the weekend...by the way, is she not the most stunning new mommy ever? And that "new do" she's sporting? She just donated 8" of hair through Pantene for charities such as "Locks of Love" that provide wigs to cancer patients. So some person, somewhere, is going to be blessed wearing Mrs. Illinois' hair!!! She is awesome! Thank you, Julie, FOR EVERYTHING!!!!! XOXOXO

The pageant photo is courtesy of Jason Pawlowski! :) I'll add more from Julie - she was much better at taking photos than me!

It's Been Over a Week, Honey!

Oh, c'mon...get your head out of the gutter! Eric has been giving me flowers almost every week since July, and I came home to this with an apology from him that he hadn't been on time in getting me more...awwwwwwww...honey, I love you, and thank you. I don't deserve you!

Rough Day

Anyone ever seen "Blazing Saddles" and the part where the song "Tired" is being sung? Yeah...that's about it here...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQU0_PHUB2E

More Workin' It with Help!

Our new windows are installed and now Eric is putting in all the trim...with help from Elena...oh dear!!! ;)

Bedroom Furniture for Elena

The bedroom furniture arrived today for Elena, and we were so excited to see her room start to come together! Although, at first, Elena was concerned because it did not come with pink and polka dots...HAHA! When it was all put together, she decided she liked it after all, "It's just lovely, Daddy! It's the best bed ever I saw!" Cute! Now just last minute painting, accessorizing, and some pictures and that room is done! YEA!!! Progress! Thank you, Daddy, for making your little girl a very pretty room.

PGA, BABY!

Welcome to the Whistling Straits of Wisconsin and the PGA!!! Did you see my hubby, brother, and brother-in-laws on TV?!?! No? Too busy watching Bubba instead? Yea, I get that...but the boys had an awesome time getting to watch and golf themselves! Thank you, Kirby, for sharing your tickets with everyone!

www.pga.com/pgachampionship/2010

www.destinationkohler.com/golf/ws_index.html

Mrs. Wyoming is in Chi-town!

The ever stunning and fabulous Mrs. Wyoming 2009, Mrs. Joanna Hamilton, was in town as a Keynote Speaker for an Eczema Convention (most of her children suffer from this chronic skin disorder, in very debilitating ways...her youngest has far survived more than he should have and is a walking miracle!). We had the pleasure of getting her sweet 7 year old Logan and Elena together for a "play date" at The Children's Museum at Navy Pier on Monday, and it was a very, very good day.

Elena was over-tired from getting up way too early being excited about the trip into the city, and Logan was a bit shy at first, but every moment spent with Joanna is like seeing slivers of heaven wafting down to us in little sprinkles of light. She is one of the most beautiful people I know, from the inside out, and each word that comes from her is pure, gentle, loving and real. She is a breath of fresh air, an inspiration on so many levels, and one of the many blessings I have gotten through the Mrs. America experience. Being with her makes me want to "Seek Him First" all the more. She is an example to follow, an angel on earth, and she will be the first to humbly say "It's not me...if you see anything good, it's God..." WOW!

I hope you'll take the time to learn more about the severity and seriousness of eczema and the affects it has on people, especially children. Many think that eczema is an "itchy spot on the skin" and for some it is, but in reality it is not anything to think twice about and forget. Many, Joanna's children included, suffer over 90% of their body in inflamed, infected, and painful sores all over that can be life-threatening. Literally!

See more at: http://www.nationaleczema.org/

Joanna, thank you for giving us a day to be with you and Logan, thank you for your story, your hard work, your dedication as a wife, mom, and advocate...thank you for blessing others in such tangible ways! God bless you, Sweet Lady!

PS - I love the picture of Joanna and the kids catching leaves, sparklies...not sure what really in their arms...very cute, and also kind of poetic in that it looks like they are "catching blessings" and side note that Joanna made a point to spill them over onto the kids...I think that way because that was how the day felt, so had to say it... ;)

3 Day Success!

Walker, Volunteer, Cheer-Section...Survivor...whomever you are...thank you for this weekend! You are making miracles happen! See you in September (Pictures are of early set up in Northbrook...did I see you there?!?! Probably not being bleary-eyed and all!)!

Susan G Komen 3 Day Chicago

The 3 Day is upon us! 60 Miles in 3 days in Chicago August 6-8, 2010! Will you be there?! If you can't be there to walk or to volunteer, you can always shop!

See http://www.komenchicago.org/ or http://www.shopkomen.com/

There are many, many ways to support our survivors, sufferers and families...every little bit helps! Blessings!

Because..."I Love You...That's Why!"

Flowers Eric brought home tonight...just because... "Love you, Honey"...thank you for making me feel so special and so loved...

Crown Molding

Busy, busy and still plugging away at all the improvements...the latest has been crown molding that Eric painted, cut, pieced together - yes, he made those corners all himself! So proud of him...I have helped with measuring and holding things like ends of tape measures, nail guns, the other end of the molding being put up...not as crafty as Eric, but hey, who is?!? ;) Love ya, Sweets!

Pictures are of Elena's room as well as ours... ;)