A Must-See

I think I should view this video daily! I cannot even begin to describe how lonely and how sad and how tired I am. It is medicine for the soul! Enjoy!

My Version of a Photo Dump

I don't have a smart phone so I can't post some cool photo dump that people with the iPhones periodically do and I don't have any cool apps to make my photos look old or whatever. What I do have is a camera and I take it everywhere and so I'm going to dump some of my more recent photos on here. Why? Because I love my family, I love our travels, and I love our life :) Basketball in the c-c-c-old!

Briege & Keagan toughing it out in the cold - there's that Indiana blood :)

Better weather for some b-ball w/ Briege, Keagan, and Murphy

...again

St. Ignatius class of 2016!!

Bill and Sugar (before her summer shave - she looks like a homeless dish rag in the picture)

First time on an airplane - going to Bonita Springs, FL (Easter Break 2012)

The kiddos in the airport

Finally, pool time!!!

Lots of "in the air" shots at the pool

The kids first day on Barefoot Beach in Bonita Springs

Amazing sunsets in Florida

Keagan, well, being Keagan - hee hee!

Briege and hubby, Bill

The Family in Bonita 2012

Why It's All Worth It

It Happened!

My heart, my love, my gift! Perhaps the most beautiful and exciting part of my trip to Alaska was that Bill proposed and I said yes! Not perhaps...DEFINITELY!!! I know that many people assumed it would happen but I stopped "planning" my life a few years ago. When I met Bill I decided that I would let God lead me on this path and that I would allow (that sentiment makes me laugh as I dare to think that I know better than God!!) things to unfold according to God's time. I trust God and I trust Bill's timing as he has an awesome relationship with God!

It was the 4th of July. We approached the last night in Alaska. We were on a deck in the back of our hotel in Fairbanks, Alaska. We were remarking how we could not believe it was 11:30 pm and the sun was still shining in our eyes. (I realize that these are all incomplete/run-on sentences but I'm just reporting the facts) It was mentioned that we would be back to the grind in one more day. I whined about his broken air conditioner and clogged drain. I closed my eyes for a moment. Bill was on his knee with MY ring in his hand. I cried. He wondered if that meant yes. I cried some more. YES. YES. YES.

It was the one of the sweetest moments of my life. In a flash I tried to recount our conversations leading up to this moment. In horror, I realized that I had had a few cocktails and so my lips were moving a mile a minute! We had spent some time with his brothers and their wives and I think I had mentioned that my bra did not hook in the front - horror!!! (In context: we were talking about how difficult things are for the elderly - things that we take for granted) So, imagine my surprise that, despite my ability (and talent) to let things fly out of my mouth, that this wonderful man still wants me to be his wife!! He is a gift to me. He has done so much to restore my heart. He loves me for who and for what I am and I will spend the rest of our lives showing him how much I love him!

Upon arriving home, all of the giantness (word?) of the the engagement hit me! I'm just as over the moon as I was in Fairbanks - maybe more, if that's possible?! I realize that this means a move to Cleveland for my kids and me. It will be difficult and quite emotional but I don't want to spend one more moment away from this amazing man! I am cleaving and leaving! I trust that God will keep us protected - I can't exactly trust Him in some parts of our lives but not in others!

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Here is the beautiful ring that Bill picked out for me (with no assistance from myself or from anyone else)