Dr. Horrible

Admittedly, it sounds like it's the latest craze, but I totally loved the musical for Dr. Horrible. Check it out here: http://www.drhorrible.com/index.html

:>)

Please cover your mouth and nose!!

I absolutely love this video! I've sent it out via email (I got it from work) but have to share it again. One of my pet peeves is when people cough/sneeze and don't cover their mouth/nose. Worse yet is when they cough/sneeze into their hand and go on with what they were doing without washing their hands (eww!!!!). I'm not a hypochondriac but with three kids bringing home everything from school - I feel like I need to try to minimize the extra germ exposure. Enjoy this video: http://www.coughsafe.com/media.html

I love it! :>)

Congratulations Mom & Dad!!

Today Mom & Dad celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary: Starting the day off by renewing their vows during the homily at 10:00 mass. Admittedly, I felt a bit teary hearing Mom & Dad recite their vows to one another. . . It wasn't a "Do you Sherry take Doug. . . " with an "I do" response; instead it was them saying, "I Doug take you Sherry. . . in sickness and in health. . . til death do us part" -- very cool.

I've been blessed to have parents who still get a twinkle in their eyes and make innuendos for later in the day. I'm blessed to have parents who really mean it when they make those vows. . . Who meant it 45 years ago, who have had countless fights and difficulties and have somehow made it to the other side, and who, 45 years later -- with bad knees and bad backs -- still choose to be together and to love one another. . . . with all the flirtations of 45 years. I praise God for that blessing. Joel and I aren't there yet but it took Mom & Dad awhile to get there too and so I have hope for us :>) Joel and I still have heated arguments that make me wonder if we'll last, and I pray that we can continue to find the determination to make it work and the hand of God soothing us when our tempers are close to their limit. I pray that eventually we make it to the "other side" and realize we're done butting heads and can really appreciate what we have because we worked so hard to get here. Know what I mean?

My parents married young and Mom was bare foot and pregnant within the year (and subsequent years). They, too, had to finish their degrees with children and life (Mom finished 30 years after graduating high school -- that's totally awesome!). Dad was so typical in his wanting to do what he loved: sports, coaching. . . And Mom tried to be a good wife while struggling to discover who SHE was/is. . . I can very much identify: Joel torn between wanting to do what he wants to do but knowing he should be present for our family, and me, struggling to figure out who I am and what I want out of life and what I need from Joel (he's constantly asking me to just tell him what I need from him. . . exasperated most of the time that I'm still figuring that out).

My parents fight and they make up and I can see when they get annoyed with one another and choose not to fight . . . and, thinking of the two of them makes me smile. I like that they are still partners after all these years: taking on the challenges of life, trying to figure out their budgets, their priorities, where God is guiding them . . . and they do it together, as partners. I smile identifying with the feeling of having someone who knows you so well and who can share a moment with you with just one look (like Mom noticing how much Tim playing with his daughter Addie reminds her of Dad with the same mannerisms and Dad seeing the look in Mom's eyes). . . And, I appreciate that they're not perfect, that they, too, experience the frustration in one another when "you still don't get it after 45 years?" :>) Very cute. . .

I pray that I have that in my future. . . That I can have a life partner who shares all my life's highs and lows, and who, years down the road, will be able to share a look with me as we reminisce.

Song of the moment? Alan Jackson's "Remember When" -- seems appropriate for Joel & I . . . falling in love, breaking each other's hearts, busy as parents, and hopefully, eventually, remembering when. . . (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y4NTXT96EM )

Best wishes and much love. Praise & thank you God for my parents and your love in their lives these many many years.