It takes a village...

I remember hearing this from Hillary Clinton, I don't know how long ago & not really getting it.

But I understand now. Although I think it should be different.... it takes a village to not only raise a child, but also to create the kind of person that we are. And I think it changes every day. I know that for me with each new person & new experience, I change a little bit.

I have taken a part of a childhood friend, who amazed me our senior year when she went out to breakfast by herself. It might not seem like a strange thing, but I just thought it was the bravest thing. And I have learned that a little alone time is not only okay, but it's healthy. Thank You Jennie.

I have taken a part of my neighbor who is so good to the environment & animals. And a few years back started using those recycling bins to try to do our part, instead of just using them to make snow forts. Thank You Sue.

I have taken a part of my mother-in-law who can always seem to find the good in people, and a rational way of thinking of things, when I tend to be hot-headed & over analyzing. Thank You Diane.

I have taken a part of my sister-in-law who speaks her mind, and trusts in herself. When I have always been too afraid that my opinion was insignificant. Thank You Shelley.

I have taken a part of my other sister-in-law who is the kindest person that I have ever known. Her thoughtfulness and compassion have made me strive to be a better person. Thank You Jerilynne.

I have taken a part of my husband, who has told me a hundred times, that everyone puts their pants on one leg at a time, just like me, and that no one is better than anyone else. Thank You Sammy.

I have taken a part of my oldest friend, who is such an amazing mother. Not only is she not afraid to let everyone know how much she loves her children and how proud she is, her enthusiasm spills over to everyone around her, and it has made me a better mother. Thank You Kristi.

I have taken a part of one of my best friends from high school, who can laugh at herself, even when things happen that can be really frustrating. Not only can I laugh at myself, but I know that there is someone out there who often feels exactly how I do. Thank You Julie.

I have taken a part of my Aunt, who in the face of a battle for her life, was making jokes, to ease everyone's concern. And I've begun to look for the silver lining & the laughter . Thank You Aunt Susan.


I have taken a part of my Mother, who has continued to love unconditionally in the best and worst of circumstances, who still lets me vent at her (which is different then venting to her, venting at her isn't always nice). And I've tried to love without conditions. Thank You Mom.

I have taken a part of my beautiful daughter, who came home to tell me that a fellow student was being mocked at school for wearing braids in her hair, then the next day asked me to braid her hair the same way & proudly wore it to school that way. She sticks up for the underdog. Thank You Samantha.

I have taken a part of my other beautiful daughter, her sensitivity amazes me. As a 5 year old she told me how she wanted to go back in time, to the days of Martin Luther King Jr. so she could tell everyone that they just need to be nice to each other. If they could just do that, there wouldn't be so many things wrong with the world. And so I've tried to just be nice. Thank You Libby.

I have watched old friends lose husbands & children. And fight their way back from a depth of despair I never knew existed. Then turn around and do amazing things. I am humbled to have taken a part of that. It has made me love deeper & appreciate each and every day. I thank them.

There are a million other people that make up who I am..... and I thank them .

I love my village....

'til death do us part .....

I want to re-write my wedding vows. Then I want to have a do-over with the whole ceremony so that I know the important things that should be promised, are promised.

I don't know how much I would change about mine, but the parts that Sam has to say I would most certainly like to add some things...

For example ...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I promise to pick up my wrappers & drink cans from the end table before I go to bed each & every night.

I swear to never complain about the way you cook, do laundry, make the bed, or clean. I will simply always appreciate the effort.


I promise to always go grocery shopping with you, I eat the food too, therefore would love to participate in the selecting of it.

I will never ask for a "prize" just to go to wal-mart or target with you. I will go just for the sheer pleasure of spending time together.

I swear that my clothes will always make it into the hamper.

I promise to stop hanging towels off the bedroom door, and to never ever just toss them into the tub, because someone could accidentally soak them when they turn the shower on.

I will not hog the covers.

I promise to always hold onto your purse when you ask me, and I will do so proudly because it will show everyone that I do not feel emasculated by helping my wife out.

and most importantly ...

I will always leave the room to fart because I realize that they just don't smell the same to you as they do to me.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------




Then there is one part that I would simply edit, I'm sure you'll recognize it .....




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

.... for richer or for poorer, in sickness, which by the way I promise to never act like a big giant crybaby complaining so much that you'll want to jam ice picks in your ears to just make it stop, and I will realize that if indeed I expect the world to stop because I don't feel well, then if you are ever sick, I will make sure that you have nothing to do other than feel better because I will take care of the house & children, and in health, 'til death do us part.....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



I'm sure he wouldn't want to change a thing on mine ...................

Holiday Road...... the finale

I'm sorry. I just can't do it. I thought it would be one of those things that were frusterating when the happened, and be funny later on..... It's not. Please understand while we were in NC, it was one of the most relaxing & wonderful vacations we've had..... It was getting there, and getting home....

Each time one of my girls says something like "if we walked to North Carolina instead of driving would we be there yet? " (Libby) or "Two months ago today we were driving to North Carolina" (Sam), my stomach flips, I break out in a cold sweat, and I bury my head in my hands trying to think nice thoughts, and to not remember......

Nope, it's not funny yet.

I will wrap it up though, it's been like a hang-nail waiting, and hurting a little, so I'll just go ahead & rip it off quick & hopefully without pain....

Our "detour" put us 100 miles out of the way. Up a mountain with a road so narrow I thought we were going to tip over the edge. I swear I was leaning in towards Sam as he drove (the edge was on my side of the van) with my book in front of my face so he couldn't see my eyes were closed..... Well he did.... didn't appreciate it much either..... Once we were safe again, the mountain road ended at V. With no signs & Sammy was almost yelling/chanting "which way, which way, which way you're the one with the map!!! which way, which way....." Well I offered up a prayer & guessed & a few miles down the road, we were right !!!! Hooray!

There was one "missed a turn" & having to back-track about 20 miles...... Then (I forget where) there was a college game going on , and the traffic was reminisent of rt. 81....

I almost can't talk about it anymore....

Let's just say we arrived & we arrived safe. My father-in-law was kind enough to have a bottle of wine waiting for me, so the first thing I did was pour myself a glass... We had been at the house for approximately three minutes....

I walked away for a minute...... 30 seconds..... and in his excitement of unwrapping the zwiegel hot dogs we brought down with us, my father-in-law knocked the whole glass, of RED wine, onto the WHITE carpet in the dining room..... in this same moment Sammy yelled from the bedroom that the dog had just jumped up onto our bed & peed all over it. I felt as if our craziness followed us right into the house..... I thought they might just ask us to leave..... but they didn't..... and the carpet eventaully came clean, and we kept the dog off the bed.... and we had a great time :)

Until we had to drive home.......


p.s. My in-laws are coming to visit in a few weeks. They are flying.....