I think it has been very hard to get back into the swing of things this week. Besides the fact that re-entry into reality after a trip is always hard for me, we were thrown a complete curve ball while we were on vacation as well.

One of my very best friends in high school passed away while we were in Orlando. He was only 38 years old. I cannot even begin to explain the emotions I felt as I heard about the complications from (what should have been) a very routine surgery, and the agony of waiting for the final call. I’m still having difficulty putting it all into words, which as most of you know, isn’t usually a problem for me.

Thankfully we were already cramming a few days on to the end of our trip to stop in Michigan. This allowed J. and I a chance to join in the memorial with some of our high school friends, and gave us an opportunity to remember and share stories about our dear friend. I thought that the evening was very cathartic and I actually was feeling better – a little bit less in shock.

But now we are home. I’ve since dug out old photos, scrapbooks and yearbooks and now – I’m sad all over again. He was so incredibly smart. He was everyone’s friend. He was one of the kindest, most caring guys I have ever met. He always had a smile, hug and word of encouragement for everyone in his path. And now I’m angry with myself for not trying to make time to see him when he was in LA a few months ago. I’m mad that the hospital could be so inept and careless. And I’m furious that he was taken from us so soon. He was really so special.

And the worst part? I mean besides the fact that he is no longer here, the worst part was talking with his mom. Now that I’m a mother, I cannot for the life of me understand how someone “goes on” after something like this. How you lose a child and continue on in this life without them? My heart breaks for her.

So two things. Now I’m determined to tell my friends and family every chance I get how much they mean to me. I know it is always said, “Don’t take life for granted – you never know what tomorrow might bring,” but there is nothing like a wake-up call like this to remind you.

And also, I admired Michael for figuring out what he believed in, what was best for him and his world, and for choosing to live his life to the fullest. He didn’t live the way he was “expected” to, and he didn’t act how someone wanted him to act. I’m figuring out how I can do this in my own life. See, even though he isn’t here with us, I’m still learning from him.

I miss you, Mikey. Rest in peace.

(Mikey and I worked on the local newspaper together and apparently we always had cameras up to our faces – we have VERY few good pics of us back then. Hmmm…still sounds a bit familiar. At least the digital age has brought us a little better photo quality!)

We most definitely need a vacation from our vacation, we are a little bit exhausted over here.

I have a ton of photos to get up and even more stories that I’d love to tell, but let’s be honest here, it probably isn’t going to happen – at least not any time in the near future.

As you probably noticed, there wasn’t a lot of blogging happening around here while we were on vacation. I did however do a little bit of photo blogging using Instagram. But, if you aren’t following me or a friend on facebook then you wouldn’t have known that now would you? Maybe I’ll try to get my stream of pics up here later, then again…maybe not.

All that I know is there are a few things that I really need to do this week, and who knows…they probably might not get done either. I just need a few days to recover and get my head back in the game. We will see you back here soon….or maybe we won’t?

Happy Anniversary to the love of my life. Eighteen years. EIGHTEEN amazing years.
Every day I feel so very lucky to share this crazy life with you.
Thank you for being my rock and at the same time a soft place to land each night.
Thank you for working so hard to provide for our family
and playing just as hard to make everything seem more fun.
Thank you for letting me cry til all my tears are gone and making me laugh so hard that I end up crying.
You are the best husband, father and friend and I’m so happy you are mine.
I can’t wait for the next eighteen.

All my love, all my life.
xoxo

It has bloomed.

And, to Addie’s great gasps of joy, one of her other little sunflowers showed up too.

She is thrilled because all of Emma’s friends are coming over to her garden for their book club this afternoon, and now she has beautiful blooms to share with them.

While we were waiting for our flowers to bloom we spent hours playing with…wait for it…empty boxes. Yes, cardboard boxes.

You know – whatever keeps them happy – and gives me photo opportunities like this.

And then…just to blow their little minds, we finally were able to get bunkbeds this weekend. And whenever I couldn’t find them on the patio in the boxes, I just had to look up in the top bunk. I am not sure what the allure is, but hours, HOURS have been spent hanging out on the top bunk. Just look how many monkeys were (NOT) jumping on the bed. (And try to not look at how badly our trim needs to be painted. Ugh. Dingy-ness. Add it to the to-do list)

All of this (kinda, somewhat) free entertainment is mighty handy since I just realized that we leave one week for our big trip, and we are taking Audrey to Disney for her birthday tomorrow, we leave for the weekend on Friday, and essentially have Monday and Tuesday to get all our world in order. Yikes.