Wyndham...as the Flower Girl~

This is just a sampling of the pictures I took at the wedding on Saturday. What a special and memorable day that was. In true Ferlaak family wedding style, the weather was a major factor, and was responsible for power outages and added a bit of stress to the day. But by mid-morning, things were going smoothly and Wyndham was in the beauty shop hair getting her curls done. She sat so nicely and watched part of Madagascar movie during the process. I recommend Kid's Hair in Woodbury to any parents that dread taking their kids for a new hairdo. The glitter spray that Wyndham had spritzed in her hair was the perfect touch. =)

As soon as she slipped into the dress and got her shoes and flowers, Wyndham just seemed to know that she was up to something pretty special. She pranced around and smiled almost nonstop the whole day. She definitely was enjoying everything about being a flower girl. The heat and humidity were the only things that added a little stress to the afternoon and evening. It was 90's and sticky outside....the wedding ceremony was outdoors on the golf course. Thankfully the airconditioning was going strong just inside the clubhouse.
These pictures sort of speak for themselves. Click on any one of them to see it enlarged...to see the smiles even brighter. =) It was a happy day. It was a fun day. It was amazing to see Wyndham hold up so well and to enjoy herself in such a busy environment. We could hardly tear her or Ava off the dance floor- even at 11:00 at night! They just didn't want the fun to end. The sugar from the cake and soda pop they had helped to keep them going, I think.

I have to admit I had some concerns going into the day. I wondered how Wyndham would do. I shouldn't have lost a moment's sleep. She held up like a pro. I only wished Teagan could have been physically there with us too. It would have made it one of the most perfect days ever.

Trip day...

We are headed out of Minnesota through Wisconsin and across Lake Michigan by ferry boat in just a couple of hours. The weather looks beautiful. Perfect for four kids to close their eyes and nap the whole way home.
Although I can guarantee you none of them will think so. =)
It's been a really great 'vacation' for us...lots of wonderful memories were made. It sure feels good to catch up with family and friends in person- old and new. As much as I love the internet and try my best to keep in touch, it just doesn't compare to real life conversation.
I do promise to get some pictures of Wyndham, specifically, as well as a few other wedding photos posted just as soon as I can. You would not believe the energy my kids had and how much they loved the dance floor on Saturday night. I think Wyndham found her calling...shaking her little self to the beat of any kind of music just lit her up and kept her going til way beyond what any of us thought she could handle. She nearly stole the show. Somehow, I don't think anyone would have minded it is she had. She was that cute. =)
I'll catch you soon...in Michigan!

Our wedding anniversary...

is today...12 years on the 12th! {Warning...lots of run-on sentences may dot this blogpost.} =) I am so happy. And maybe even a twinge bit proud. Truthfully, because there have been a lot of times {I especially!} have been ready to call it quits and walk away and just 'split our problems in half'. But I can see now, how Chip and I are stronger and better and that we have learned and grown in so many ways that it is almost foolish to me now, looking and reflecting back, to think I would have missed out on the goodness and happiness and love we share now. That whole 'for better, for worse' part in the vows wasn't the part I was thinking in truth about on our wedding day in 1995. I was so focused on the love you forever part and get to spend a lifetime together...all the flowers and smiles and laughter and fun and family and especially that Coconut-frosted Carrot Cake on our wedding day...not to mention my handsome hubby and my beautiful handmade gown, sort of blurred the real picture of our future.
Today, as we celebrate and mark 12 years together, I thank God for our blurred vision. Because it has allowed or love for one another to blossom into something I never could have dreamed. Not without struggles and hurts at time, but amazing and strong nonethless.
I just wanted to share this with you...and encourage you in your own relationships too. Life is short, love is so important...to be shared with everyone around you...everyday. Even when it's tough. Especially when it's tough. But I can truly say there is much beauty in the blessing!
I love you, Chip. On the good days; on the bad days; and all the very ordinary ones strung in between. I thank God for holding us together for 12 years now. I can't imagine my life had you not been in it all these years. I am blessed to have you at my side, walking this journey with me and our family. I would never have expected that as I stood outside in your parents' backyard, surrounded by beauty and family and friends, that we would have this much blessing in our lives. I couldn't have imagined that the love I felt for you, as my dad pronounced us married, would grow in height and depth and breadth. It isn't perfect...but it is still beyond words at times.
I love you more now, than I ever have before. And I fully expect for that love to only continue to increase with each passing day. Happy Annivesary, my love. We are one lucky couple.
{Note: I took soooooooo many photos at Chip's brother's wedding yesterday. Wyndham was stunning. As were the others in the wedding party. =) You know I will be sharing lots of close-ups soon!}

Never say never.

Six years ago on this day Wyndham was having brain surgery to place a shunt as a result of the extensive head trauma she received in the tragedy that struck our family. We were told by her surgeons that there was 'great chance that she might not even make it through the surgery'. She was small and had such a serious head injury and brain bleed- they warned us of the risks, but said they had to do this surgery because doctors are required to do everything they can in such instances.
Her surgery went exceedingly well. Wyndham was conscious and off of the ventilator only hours later. The doctors and nurses were amazed. But the hardest part for them wasn't that she had survived the operation...but that they now had no prognosis to give us. They couldn't tell us what to expect because in reality, they never expected her to live.
In the past 6 years we have shed a lot of tears and watched Wyndham go through life facing challenges that are just second nature to others her age and size. She has had numerous hospitalizations and countless shots and IV's and logged hundreds of hours of therapy and rehab. It would have overwhelmed me, to tell you the truth, had her doctors and neurosurgeons told me what to expect in her life. I would have never thought I could walk through her struggles with her.
Here I am though, tearing up on the eve of a family wedding. Chip's brother will be married and Wyndham is walking down the aisle as the flower girl. We never could have dreamed this moment would even be possible in her life. Yet tomorrow it will be a reality. And I couldn't help but share this here on Nitty.Gritty. This is where I go to spill bits and pieces of myself, my family, our story, our miracles. Tomorrow many will actually see one of the miracles in our lives...a true, undeserved gift and blessing from God. He has healed Wyndham, even though the doctors had doubts and even as she continues to have ongoing challenges and hurdles in life- that we have yet to learn if/when she may overcome them. I am grateful and humbled that I not only have been privilege to be a part of her life...but that she is still here with us, teaching us, laughing with us, sharing her joy and making me and so many others believe in miracles. BIG miracles.
You know I will post pictures as soon as I get the chance. I have no doubt that there will be smiles on many faces. Tomorrow and beyond.

Gotta love honesty. =)

I just washed my hair and towel dried it. It was sticking up all over while I buttered and jellied my girls' toast. I was just about to turn and head to the bathroom to comb down my wild hairdo as the girls ate breakfast when Ava said, "Momma, I love you...{pause} and your hair's not perfect."
I have to admit...it's one of the best compliments I could get...to be loved in spite of my "imperfections". I love, that as small as they are, my kids seem to understand that love comes from the heart- and it loves. No matter what.
I challenge you to love today without judging first. Easier said than done...but I promise you it can make or break someone's day.

Swimming and icecream

These pictures are some that were taken when I didn't have my camera on hand. Kids can go from morning til night it seems, when there are pools and ice cream involved. =)
I enjoyed reading the previous comments about some of your favorite childhood summertime memories. I have so many it's hard to pick a favorite. I wish I had more pictures of all the times my family went camping or hung out at a lake or just played games in the backyard til dark with all the neighbor kids.
Most of my favorite memories include things such as s'mores, fresh produce from our gardens and being together with family. Much of the same things my kids are experiencing now. Only I take more pictures. =) {And don't worry...my mom and dad will find that funny and will take it exactly the way I meant it. Love you two!!}

Where in St. Paul, MN were we?

This many smiles combined with swimming polar bears, Sparky the seal, kiddie rides and mini-donuts can only be one place...Como Park. I loved going there as a kid. But I think it's even more fun as a mom seeing your own kids and nieces and nephews enjoying the sights and taking it all in.

I think maybe that's what God had in mind when He created people. He loved the world and all He had created. But I think He gets pleasure out of seeing people love the world and all that's in it even moreso. Como Park doesn't begin to compare with the Grand Canyon or the Cayman Islands or the Swiss Alps...but I still enjoyed every minute of fun and laughter that the kids soaked up on a humid afternoon in Minnesota.

That was yesterday. Today was spent swimming at Grandma Karen's pool and making homemade icecream outside on the street for Neighborhood Night Out. My camera was left in the backseat of my sister's car. So I am missing pictures of those two events. But I plan on getting copies soon.

Simple times make some of the best memories of all. Wouldn't you agree?! If you recall a fond simple memory from childhood...share it with me in my comments here. I still have a few more days to make memories on this trip. Including a wedding this weekend for Chip's brother...and our own annivesary too! Yep...more good times ahead. Hopefully I'll get my camera back just in time!

Family notes...

I normally blog a lot- to keep my family up to date with what's going on in my life, family, scrap scene and on my mind. Now that I'm actually hanging out with them and spending time in person catching up, my poor blog has suffered. I can tell you we are the kind of family that just picks up where we left off and makes the most of our time together.
It's been fun for me to be with my them {I have 2 brothers too...I'm the middle of 5 kids...we just took pictures of only the girls, I guess...I still love my brothers though!} and for us to have all our kids together has been a crazy, fun time too.
It makes me think we shouldn't live in different states. Seeing each other once every so often just isn't enough. Too bad Las Vegas and Michigan and Minnesota aren't closer. Even the same time zones would be nice. =)
Grandma Shirley has enjoyed our visit too. She told me so...I'm not just making that up. Truthfully, I think seeing kids run circles around her makes her happy. Because she realizes even moreso how a quiet house with time for naps is really something to be grateful for. =)

The truth behind our trip so far...

What we've been doing the past few days...

* Trip to IKEA...Can you believe I only spent $11.00 there?! I was having too much fun to shop.

* Jumping

* Enjoying the summer heat

* Playing outdoors

* Having a great time with grandparents and cousins

* Relaxing in the shade

Not pictured...

Eating too much, not getting enough sleep, laughing and goofing off and basically staying just enough off-schedule that the kids are enjoying every minute...but the mom {that would be me} is getting worn out. And that is the real reason why I don't travel with my kids more often.

Three hours later...

I asked Chip to pause for a couple of minutes and take some quick family pictures before he would fly back home to Michigan. He rolled his eyes at me, but smiled and said, "Okay...but let's make 'em quick." I said, "Hey...be nice. These could be the last family photos we take with you."

That was around 3 pm. At around 4 pm Chip was on a bus that rode over the bridge that collapsed here in Minneapolis over the Mississippi at 6:05 pm.

I was helping my mom make my kids crepes with peaches for dinner when we heard the inital report of the bridge collapse. My heart ached for everyone touched by this tragedy. Literally...two hours made the difference between this being my story and someone else's story. I am not immune to the hurts and horrors of this world just because I've lived through some already. I appreciate every moment in my life- simply because it IS a gift. Everyday.

Maybe I say it too many times around here. Maybe. But it's so true.

And tonight I am thanking God for sparing me the unbelieveable pain of the events of this bridge collapse. I am praying for the families of those who are coming to grips with this reality in their life. And for all those touched so unexpectedly by loss. It is sad. It is hard to understand. I hope you will pray for the families whose story took such an unexpected turn today. And thank God for your own life...which is a gift to be treasured. Daily.