Greg..."will you marry me?" Amy..."Yes!"

It was an exciting weekend! Greg had been plotting and planning for weeks. He had purchased the ring some time ago...but didn't to give it to Amy during finals...or when they were just worn out after finals. So he has been patiently been waiting for just the right time..and setting. He had decided that because they were such family people....that the proposal would involve their families....which we loved, of course!

He had a "one-sy" made for Shelby that said "Uncle Greg?" on the front and "Please say yes!" on her little bottom. Then his sister had t-shirts made for her daughters...Greg's nieces. One said...."Once upon a time" and the other said "they lived happily ever after". With all the nieces dressed and ready he had a plan! Greg had arranged for his parents, his sister and her family to all be here for the big question....making it a big family affair.

That morning early Katie and I decided that it would be a great idea for all of us to go get pedicures and manicures ...with the idea that it would be good for Amy's hands to look pretty. :) While we kept her busy and got her all beautiful.....Greg was checking and organizing behind the scenes. The plan was that his family and Bobbie, Andy and Shelby would all arrive at DeVoli's around five and we would arrive around 5:30. We had to get Amy dressed up somehow....so we convinced her that they should at least try to make it to one of her friend’s wedding reception...... so with that in mind she got all dressed up (which is not the usual case for Amy!) We walked in and she sat with her back turned to the "big room"....Greg excused himself....and then walked toward her with Shelby, Emmie and Bailey (all nieces...in their "will you marry me?" attire) It was a complete surprise to Amy especially as she saw one unexpected family member after the other. Then Greg got down on one knee and with the ring......just said the sweetest words......... all the while Amy is bouncing up and down saying "yes! Yes! YES!" We were then moved to another...much larger table....and we had a wonderful family dinner together. The music played....they danced….it was a perfect evening.

After dinner we came back to our house for cake and coffee....it was Greg's sister, Kristen's birthday. So we had a birthday party for her. We invited our neighbors over.....they knew about the whole surprise... they couldn't wait to share in the excitement. We took the kids next door for a swim...at Linda's house....and we just had a relaxing time there. When the little ones almost fell asleep in the pool....we called it a night....although I am not sure anyone was quiet ready for it all to end.

Greg's family went to church with us....all together we had around 14 or so....then on to our traditional spot...Cotton Patch.....where we visited some more. The talk was of wedding colors, customs and traditions......and other weddings we had attended that were memorable. Their family is just great....and it just feels so right. Lots of hugging ....and lots of excitement about the future….

The kids left this afternoon.....all smiles...and full of plans. It has been a fun and exhausting weekend. Amy will come home next weekend...and will be here for a couple of weeks. I am hoping to get some things done with her while she is here. Spring weddings fill my mind…..

one layer

What a week! The possibility of feeling happy and sad at the same time....is exhausting. It is the sandwich of life once again....smushing me! Our 24 year old baby brought home her honey...and he asked for her hand in marriage. We couldn't be more delighted. He is just precious. They will make a fine pair in life...their hearts compliment each other. While basking in the joy of future beginnings....Grief decided to make an unannounced visit. Like a sneak he slipped in the back door and made himself at home in our hearts with news about my dad....Daddy Bob to my children. Daddy Bob has cancer. What an awful word. It just sounds like itself...a word that eats away at a sentence...and your life.

We have known a while that something was wrong...all the signs. The weight loss....no appetite....sleeping many hours....symptoms of a body weary from fighting an invisible enemy. But still... to hear the word....the word you thought you were mentally prepared to hear....Fear, the old friend to Grief....sucker punched us right in the gut. Just simply took our breath away....tears are just on the edge like a cup that has been filled too full....just the tiniest incident and they travel on their own, making little snail trails across my face. Fear and Grief feel like a heavy coat that you want to shed in August.....but you can't quite throw it off.

Until....Joy elbows Hope and they come to your rescue in the body of a beautiful 8 month old baby girl. With twinkling eyes and a little pouting mouth she succeeds in defeating Fear and Grief by just simply giggling and clapping her little chubby hands. The heavy coat of sadness lifts and my heart feels light and joyful once again.

Life with new babies, new beginnings and endings.....and I am in the middle where I experience it all....with new perspective each day. Perhaps the endings are just new beginnings as well. If I believe that...and I do....can Grief and Fear ever become frequent or permanent visitors? I don't think there is room....my heart will always be filled with my loyal and faithful friends, Hope and Joy!