stealing ideas from Flo

I haven't been online for a bit, cause I've been having some great adventures and I've got a ton of good posts coming up, but, before i can get there i need to follow Flo's blogging etiquette and do a couple of catch up posts. So here's catch up post 1, entitled:

Gutenberg Graduation 2007





Carson Black.........










.........Zak Davis









In true, senior class tradition, this year's graduation was unique and matched these two graduates perfectly. I'm trying to figure out a way to post their graduation march...we shall see.

*UPDATE* Click here to listen to the Gutenberg Class of 2007's Graduation Recessional. It's located on the music player as "Graduation Recessional," currently the first song listed.


Well, once the event was over, we headed back to Gutenberg for the always amazing "Graduation Reception." And, although I tried my darndest not to eat a piece of cake, Andy was thoughtful and got a large piece so we could share...and I'm admitting now, those 4 bites were like if heaven was made of chocolate and it wasn't a sin to eat them.


We couldn't stop the party there, so we got the handy bike rack out of the trunk, threw on Walter and Josiah's bikes and headed to the liquor store. We didn't make it in time.* So we had to settle for beer and wine from the grocery store.



*for those of you not aware, in Oregon we can't buy liquor at the grocery store, we have to go to a State-Run Liquor Store, that isn't open very often - say past 9 o'clock - or on sundays. so, yeah. that's fun...



Josiah and I stood guard while Andy & Walter went inside to purchase alcoholic beverages for all of us. Then it was back to our place to reminisce, laugh, and make plans for the summer.

When I realized that Gutenberg's graduation was upon us, I have to say I was stunned. That means...

...it's been a year since Andy graduated...
i've been desperate, searching for the photos from Andy's
graduation, but since it was a year ago, I can't find a one!

...it's been a year since our parents were here...



...Andy's been working full-time and
I've been working part-time for almost a year...



...we've gone another year without getting pregnant...
and we've celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary...



I just can't believe that four years seemed like a lifetime and this past year has seemed like a couple of months. I have to say, this past year has been filled with less stress, more friends, and a ton more us time than ever before.

I'm also so proud of my husband. When he said, "when I graduate I want you to quit your job," just the thought was like a dream come true, but I never thought it would really happen.

But, look at me now.

I'm working part time, at a job I love, I'm finally getting a handle on all the chores, I'm cooking meals everyday, I'm exploring creative outlets, I'm running in a 10K -more on this in a future post - and I'm enjoying heaps of time with my husband and our friends. Graduation was the best thing that ever happened to us.

...I hope the same is true for Carson and Zak.

not late, right on time...

Marianne & Andrew welcomed
Elliot Chancy Scrivner
On June 17th at 12:06 p.m.
9 lbs. 7 oz, 20 3/4 in.


To read about Elliot's journey into the
world of breathing visit Marianne's blog.

you be the judge

So, my dear friend McKenzie saved me from an afternoon at home, by myself, laying on the couch watching "Dreamgirls." Or...wait, is that right?

It all began like this. After church on sunday, McKenzie asked if we wanted to go get lunch and hang out. So off we went to Cafe' Yumm. After a very delicious lunch, and quick visit with our neighbor (she works there), Andy headed off to band practice, or as we usually say...Andy headed off to Make Science.

McKenzie looked at me and said, "what are you going to do?"
I replied, "go home, curl up on the couch and watch "Dreamgirls."
McKenzie's eyes glimmered as he pondered, "You wouldn't want to come see a musical with me would you?"
"Oh, yes I would!" I blurted out.
"It's one of my student's performances" (McKenzie is a piano teacher by night.)
A little less enthusiastic, this time, I replied, "I'd still like to go. I love plays and musicals. And if anything, it'll be good for a laugh."


As the minutes passed and he told me more about it I realized this would not be a High School musical - which could actually not be so bad - or an elementary school musical - which would definitely be adorable and fun - but this was a Middle School musical.

My excitement was dwindling. But, I still wanted to go. The ticket was free after-all. And also, Andy was super jealous that we were going on a date.


On our way to the auditorium, McKenzie and I joked about the impossibility of the musical being more than an hour and a half, even if they did take a tiny intermission, and he thanked me again and again for giving up a little of my sunday afternoon.

In the director's notes she boasts, "you are watching over 75 of the over 200 students who auditioned....Whether you agree that paradise is wherever you loved ones are (Act 1 - "The Diary of Adam and Eve") OR we all have tough decisions to make in life (Act 2 - "The Lady or the Tiger") OR it is best to be yourself (Act 3 - "Passionella")..."

Alright, what?!?! These aren't 3 Acts, these are 3 different Plays!

I won't bore you with the details, but I will let you see and hear some of what we endured for THREE HOURS. Yes people, this lasted for three hours! In the words of McKenzie, "that was just ir-responsible of the director." I concur.






that's right, 75 student cast

the "tiger tamer" on the left is the student we came to see

passionella was a little too sexy for middle school...half way through this "ACT" the main character grew big boobs and some major junk in the trunk...seriously, this is middle school...not cool people.


she dazzled for the first few minutes...




...and then it fell apart

i do.

Last weekend I had the honor of helping my dear friend make her wedding day grand. Here's a little photo journey of her big day.


I couldn't sleep the night before, I just wanted to be sure I didn't forget anything on the list. I had quite a few jobs for the day, hair and make-up for the bride, coordinating the reception, making sure everyone was where they were supposed to be and on and on and...














...hair-did? check.







The bride and her bridesmaids





her something old


She's ready.



The first look.
they choose to take all their pictures before the wedding, there were only a few of us that witnessed this moment.




the adorable flower girl


ring bearers keepin busy










happy & in love.





not even the rain could stop the love.




Mr. and Mrs. Parrish
June 9th, 2007

love comes in little packages

Erin and Karl welcomed
Sören Lundeen
Born June 7th at 3:15 p.m
9 lbs. 4 oz.
21 inches


To read all about Soren's birth visit Flo's blog



Jen and Andy welcomed
Zain Elyas French
Born June 7th at 4:05 p.m
6 lbs. 9 oz.
20 inches



To read about Zain's steps to being born, and
see more pictures, visit Andy's blog

where are you baby?

I love babies. The fragile - tiny - mini - ness of them. I love newborns most of all. You're lucky if you see their eyes open, they smell like what heaven must and did I mention how every part of them is so tiny and fragile? I currently have three friends that are pregnant. I don't know when I'll get to meet their little ones, but before each of them join us in the world I just wanted to take a minute to introduce you to my friends, before they become, full-time, a little man's mother.

Marianne
Elliot
Due June 3rd

Marianne and my husband graduated together from Gutenberg, and this means they were classmates for four long, ever changing years. My husband was instantly drawn to Marianne, because he said she reminded him of me. So of course she was dubbed his "School Wife". I still remember the first time Marianne came over to our house on Hilyard. I was wrapping little Christmas gifts for our nieces and she 'n Andy were working on some school project. I'm not sure the exact record, but practically every project they were coincidentally - randomly picked to be in the same group. Of course, because of Andy's a-for mentioned opinion of Marianne, this first meeting was an intimidating moment for me. Now that five years have come and gone, I am proud to call Marianne a dear friend. Although we no longer live in the same state, we no longer have the majority of our lives in common and we were never roommates or daily conversation kind of friends she will be kept in my little box for lifelong friends.
*this is Marianne's second baby boy, her first is Soren and you can meet him here

Erin
Soren
Due June 4th

Erin has had the same best friend, Flo, for 21 years, who also happens to be one of my oldest friends, and threw her a gorgeous baby shower. I don't think Erin and I have been in the same room since Flo's bridal shower six years ago. But, thanks to Flo, myspace and the world of the blog I've been able to catch up - of sorts - with Erin's life since 6th grade when we first met. I don't know if I'll ever see Erin's son in person and it's okay. That's the way our friendship's been. We had our moments, in Junior High, of extreme closeness and of course our years of forgetting we ever knew each other (don't get feisty, we were living in different worlds, it had nothing to do with hating each other, did it Erin?) I've never hung out with Erin and her husband Karl and I haven't seen Erin's belly grow each month but, never-the-less, I can't wait to see her little baby boy. I feel a kind of overwhelming love and friendship for her when I think of this newness of life.

Jen
Zain
Due June 27th

Jen and I are friends by not any doing of either of us. Well, perhaps a little doing by each of us, since we both tamed an Andy into becoming our husbands. Our friendship is one paired with a car ride. I think every time we've seen one another, one of us has driven over an hour just to hang out. If that's not friendship, then what is? Our husbands, both named Andy, have been friends since childhood when they lived down the street from one another and her Andy's mom worked for my Andy's dad. Jen and I, correct me if I'm wrong, met at the rehearsal for my wedding over seven years ago. And, I must admit, I wasn't really into making a new best friend at the time, I was a bit pre-occupied with a little something called getting married. We have never lived in the same town and for the majority of our friendship we haven't even lived in the same state. But let me say, I have never enjoyed becoming friends with someone more than with Jen. Our friendship has grown, and I hope will continue to, over the years. We are never without a topic for conversation. And though we are all still such kids, our friendship is growing and changing with each car ride. I can not believe that the next car ride will take us to meet her new little boy. I can't wait to meet him and I must admit, this friendship has already brought me to love him, even before I gaze, in awe, at his fragile - tiny - mini - ness.


One of the best thing about babies is the waiting. I love the anticipation and the surprise when you see them for the first time outside of their mommy's tummy. No matter how well you know the parents, or for how long, the beauty of a newborn is something you can never quite imagine well enough. It's one of those things in life, a mystery you just have to wait to see.

Dear Anonymous,

As of right now, my blog allows anonymous comments. With this comes great responsibility. And so, dear anonymous writers, please indicate who you are for the rest of us. How can I answer your questions or respond to your brilliant and often funny comments if I don't know who you are? And, if I do not know you in the real world, it's okay to comment, in fact I love it. I appreciate the views of others, but give the rest of us some indication as to who you are...like your name. Or if it's your first time commenting, then tell us all a little about how you found this blog, where you're from or some little detail about you. We'd appreciate it.

Thanks.
The Writer and Readers of Words for Eyes.

The Little Friend

I finished this six-hundred and something pages of book a couple of days ago and the farthest I got with this review blog was downloading a photo of the book. To say the least I was just plain disappointed when it was over. We were hanging out the next day and Toby asked me what I was reading. I mentioned that I'd just finished a book so, of course, he asked what it was about and how I liked it.


That's when I realized how upset I was.

Apparently it isn't enough for me to read a giant book and enjoy the journey and the "place" the author takes me, I have to feel something more than just the accomplishment of reading a long book. I have to like it in the end.

You know when you watch a movie and at the end of it you feel like what's the point and then you complain about it to people and tell them it wasn't good? Well, I think that's dumb. Cause, seriously, what did you think Spiderman 3 was going to be about? It's called entertainment people. Geez.

I do not, however, hold literature in the same category and I think Donna Tartt, author of "The Little Friend" would appreciate me not characterizing her work as entertainment. This woman is a very gifted writer and she did extensive research that makes this book so authentic. What I then wonder is... Why take me on an incredible, insightful journey into a family traumatized for twelve years by the mysterious death of a child? Why explore the minds and lives of meth-amphetamine drug manufacturers and users? Why bring me into the world of a small southern town and create a fantastic setting? Why do these things and then pull a big finishing chapter hollywood ending?

I know, truth is often stranger than fiction, so when a book is - appropriately (see this blog) - categorized a non-fiction I allow for some "real life is crazy" moments. But when an author spends so much time focused on every detail, and she really did, then why, WHY I ask ruin it all with a gi-normous coincidence wrought ending? It just made me sad.

If you have no idea what I'm talking about then, well, that's okay. I don't want to talk anymore about this book. It's just making me depressed. And listen, if I'm depressed then I'll never get out of my p.j. pants.