appreciation reminder

i was having one of those mornings where nothing seemed to work out in my favor.  i felt frustrated, but not as much as i have in the past, which is a way good thing for me.  i worked to stay positive and it helped.  i had an enjoyable lunch period in which i sat in on a presentation by a speaker that talks about how being an adult and follow these dumb rules kills our fun and laughter.  what he had to say resonated with me greatly.  i headed back to work and learned that a new friend found out she has pancreatic cancer.  she's young and has dealt with a host of medical issues in her young life, and this news is just flattening.  she says she is going to fight like hell and if anyone can, it's her. 

so dear universe, thank you for the reminder to appreciate life and to not take myself to seriously, and to enjoy each stinkin' moment here on earth.  i needed it.  and if i have any pull with you whatsoever, dear universe, please go easy on A.  she is a truly wonderful human being, one that deserves good things to happen to her. 

best,
denise

2013 Ironman WI highlights

On Sept. 8th, 2013, I witnessed a good pal cross the finish line at Ironman WI.  Something he has worked his ass off for.  To watch his journey has been a gift.  Here are some of the highlights of our day....

One of the most incredible ladies I've had the opportunity to meet, Sep's mom.

And Sep's dad.  Seriously, these two have raised an pretty cool human being.

Some year I am going to come to IMWI and watch the swim start from up here.

Just keep swimming.

Finish line against the capital building

Man on the run.  Sep's starting the 26.2 mile piece of the race.

It's blurry, but it's one of my favorite photos of the day.

Sep, aka "The Beard" and one of his groupies.  Seriously, this beard itched like crazy.

What the participants see as they come to the finish line.

And here he comes!

Seth A., you ARE an Ironman

struggles

i have this friend and she's struggling right now.  she's an "internet" friend, one of my preeclampsia sisters.  she has recently shared her experience with depression on her blog and let's just say her writing hit me at my core.  i have had my bouts with depression and this year have been flitting the line.  i am so damn proud of Jenny for having the balls to share publicly as well as take steps for her own safety.  i love ya, my dear.

for a period of time i was on an anti-depressant and ultimately it saved me from a possible severe post-partum depression when the experience that was Ari's birth occurred.  i had first starting feeling down in 2000/2001 after i had my breast reduction.  one of the best things i had ever done for myelf, however i struggled as my identity as the "girl with the big boobs" was gone.  i had normal boobs and didn't know what to make of it.  it took me a while to figure out that the image of myself had shifted and i was uncomfortable with it.  fast forward several months to a work holiday party at which i got the most intoxicated i had ever been.  i have no memory of much of the evening.  the week after, i could barely get out of bed.  within the week, i knew something was wrong but i just couldn't make myself DO anything about it.  it was the urging of my boss that pushed me to call for help.  i must have sounded severely depressed on the phone as the receptionist was worried i wouldn't be okay over the holidays until my appointment.  i assured her i wasn't suicidal, just bone fucking depressed.  after i started meeting with the psychiatrist and the psychologist, i learned what alcohol does to your brain and how it can affect someone already depressed.  with the amount of alcohol i had that evening, my brain went into depression overload.  i worked through some issues at that time and just about the time we decided to have me wean off the meds, i mentioned we wanted to get pregnant.  we made the decision to stay on to help me stay even keel throughout the pregnancy.  while i know this was a lifesaver for me, later on it would be one of many things i would try to use to explain or blame the HELLP on.  which didn't help, duh.  eventually i went off and remained off meds for several years.

about two years ago, i went breifly back onto the same anti-depressant as i dealt with kid issues.  i was feeling anxious and the doc thought it would be a good idea.  i didn't stay on them long.  i currently have a prescription for those same meds that my doc suggested i take again as i work through the crap i'm working through this year.  just to help me through it and to ensure i don't nosedive.  i hate them.  i hate that even though i know it's good for me and meant to help, i feel weak taking them.  that i'm back to being fucking crazy and that i just can't get my shit together.  and so i haven't been taking them.  but after hearing about how Jenny is doing, i intend to start back on them.  i am scared shitless that i will tank again and i just can't. 

this is coupled with an awareness i came into this year about alcohol and me.  i have never been a big drinker, especially after seeing what it can do and having to help my mom on her "good times."  i have a drink or two each week, but they are quite weak and i don't like the feeling of losing control so i don't consume more than 1-2 drinks at a time.  i have been thinking on this lately as i have developed a fear of drinking too much or too often.  and i realized it is because i think i could very easily become an alcoholic.  the send of deadening my feelings, things i am working to feel after not allowing myself to feel for years, things that fucking hurt my heart/mind/soul.  i am fearful of wanting to drink more.  i had a discussion with a friend recently who shared that is why she doesn't drink much, if at all, anymore.  the allure of not feeling is too strong.  i shared this with J this weekend and he appreciated my honesty about it with him.  i knew it was important for me to discuss with him in the event i do cross a line, but i've kept myself in check for several years now so that i hold dear.

i am focusing on strength now rather than weakness.  i read a quote that said something about how on rough days when one cannot think they can make it through one more thing, to remember that one's success rate for making it through the tough times is 100% and that's pretty awesome.  i loved it and it really motivated me to change my perspective on a few things.  i went back and forth about whether to write this post, but decided being truthful and authentic meant i should. 

amazing human being

i have this friend.  he's pretty darn cool.  and he does awesome things like travel across the globe to volunteer.  he does lots of other awesome things too, but this post is about his way cool awesome global citizenship.  to start with, this is what he has to say on his GoFundMe page.......

Starting this fall, I will be traveling back to Nepal to start a long-term volunteer trip.  In addition to reconnecting with Support the Children Nepal, an orphanage I spent 5 weeks with in 2011, I hope to travel through Asia and South America, volunteering most of my time to people and communities in need of help.  

100% of the funds raised through this site will be used to purchase basic necessities for those in need: clothing, hygiene products, food, medicine, etc.  All personal expenses will be paid for out of my own pocket.  

As I have with past trips, I will be blogging my travels at www.septastic.com.  

While my goal is to get 750 people to donate just $10 each, I'll accept any donation in any amount you are willing to make.  Your generosity would be greatly appreciated!  More times than not, a little goes an awfully long way in developing countries. 

 

 

in five months time, he has raised $3551 for this adventure.  how frickin' cool is that?!   i've donated and knew I had to do something else. and here is my something else:

our city has a marathon it is hosting and mile 22/23 runs right down my street, past my home.  on aug 24th, it was my intention to host a "spectator party" and invite friends & family over to join the fun & festiveness that is spectating a marathon.  (think lots of cow bell, clapping, vocal encouragement)  seth also is a fantastic athlete and i have had the pleasure of spectating ironman wi for the last two years as he participates.  so, what did my thoughts turn to as i brought together spectating, seth's IM journey, and his volunteering???  Um, let's host a breakfast and have people pay to spectate my my home.  i can do this small thing to bring some extra $ into his fund to make a difference in the lives of someone who lives a very different life than i do.  i don't have a set goal, but i hope to raise at least $100 for his adventure and know that he will put that money to good use.  i trust his judgement 100% and i can feel great about helping him (and others) in a small manner.

rock on, my friend.

friends 2.0

i have such gratitude for the lovely friends in my life.  you are my lifeline and i don't know that any of you know that.  for so long i have pushed people away and that gets really fucking lonely.  but as i have grown and learned about myself, i have come to accept who i am and to put myself out there for the friends in my life.  it is not easy for me, but it is part of my personal growth mission.  and i certainly do not tell these individuals enough how much they mean to me.

i received a lovely card from a long time friend earlier this year after i shared very private things here.  this is a friend whom i do not get time with much at all, but that card made me feel.  i cried, i stopped breathing, and i felt loved.  by someone who didn't have to give it or share her appreciation for my sharing.  and i did not properly thank her (wasn't sure how).  L, thank you from the bottom of my heart.  i will never forget that kindness.  i am so thankful you have graced my life.

for my pal S, thank you for setting me straight when i get in the funk and for setting a positive example of a fabulous human being.  in the 4+ years we've know each other, you have taught me to be more kind, more understanding, and just simply how to be a better life force.  your dedication to helping others is one helluvah example.  we've had less time for chats since we no longer work in the same office, but please know i hold you in high esteem.  and that's all i'm going to say as it will make us both uncomfortable if keep going.  :)

for my vagina buddies...seriously, thank you for keeping me laughing and smiling.  for reminding me to not take myself too seriously.  K, for helping me be more "out" socially and encouraging me to grow as a dancer, as a friend, and more.  your attitude is always refreshing and bubbly, and your sparkles are something i want to have more of in my life.  M, thank you for allowing me to be real and calling bullshit when it needs to be.  you make me want to be more educated, more articulate, more of a deep-thinker.  and you encourage that, which is awesome to have in a friend.  what would i do without our vagina time?

R, for the friend who gets me without me having to speak.  we can not talk for weeks and pick right up where we left off.  we can have a deep discussion without being too deep.  you respect my beliefs and experiences and i thank you so much for that.  really, i cannot express how much it means to me.  thank you for being my first panera date and for being silly with me at IM, or just in general. 

i love you all.  thank you for allowing me to be me, for helping me be a better me, and for encouraging me to be myself, my authentic self.

a long time coming

i have started and deleted a few blog posts in the last two weeks, the words just not flowing like i wish they would.  and this post will probably be a jumble of words, so hang on tight.  :)

i have had some up days and down days, but i continue to work on personal growth and acceptance.  i struggle with acceptance as i feel there is something i should do (as in a task) or that there should be a difference in feeling, but there isn't.  well, there is a sense of freedom that comes as i move through acceptance.  but sometimes is way fucking difficult to do.  all in all, i feel better.  i feel better about myself and how i talk to myself and think about myself.  i know that i am capable, loveable, and pretty darn awesome.  gosh, that sounds so freaking egotistical.  i feel powerful, in a good way.  and that is amazing.

i received many gifts today as it's my 37th birthday.  some were material things, some monetary.  but the greatest gifts i received were those of love.  people who care about me and love me for who i am gathered together to celebrate the day.  people on facebook shared their birthday wishes.  i had some awesome texts as well from some special folks in my life.  what an amazing gift.  i am so grateful for everyone's love and friendship. 

this week i took part in a phenomenal event, One Billion Rising.  It was a call for a revolution that demands an end to violence against women & children across the globe.  We had some "random acts of dance" at work that involved some great dance moves (the sprinkler, the lawn mower, moonwalking, I could go on and on) and lots of laughter.  At work it's easy, everyone gets why we are doing this.  We are all aware of the violence and the atrocities committed.  Outside of work, it's a different story.  Getting people to care about violence in another country or even across town is difficult.  That is something I have difficulty understanding, but human rights, particularly female rights are a passionate cause in my heart.  I also had the opportunity to help plan and participate in a community event for OBR.  It didn't turn out as planned, but we had fun nonetheless. 

The snafu of the event led to a nightmare about the walk that I coordinate....I dreamed that no one but my family of four showed up at the event.  No one else.  Ack!  What a nightmare.  My heart is bursting with love for this event and I always want it to turn out well, but there are challenges.  something i figured out through this process of self discovery & growth is that i need validation from outside source to feel worthy.  and when planning a community event, this can be an issue.  when i feel as if no one is listening or cares, i feel like it is a rejection of me.  i can logically understand this isn't so, but deep down if it's important to me and i am important to someone else, why don't they recognize the passion and support it.  it is something i am working on and with multiple projects going on, i am getting the opportunity for lots of practice. :)

i am learning to love myself.  to be comfortable with myself and to hell with what others think.  that i need to please myself rather than pleasing others first.  i got an amazing text tonight from a friend and her words touched me in a way she cannot possibly imagine.  i love her and her friendship and i am so fortunate to have her in my life.  she gets me and accepts me for who i am at my core, quirks and all.  what a gift.  she's a pretty spectacular person herself.  love ya.

the hubs and i are doing awesome, working on our communication and support of each other.  it's been fantastic.  it has been a new commitment to each other and our family, which was needed. 

we had parent teacher conferences this last week.  the kids are doing great!  the boy child has been doing well with OT and the extra things we've added at home for his needs and we are seeing improvements with those additions.  the girl child is also doing great and continues to amaze me.  they both slept through the night, in their own beds for 6 nights in a row.  YES.  i could not say if that ever happened before.  it is pure awesomesauce!

well, that's the wrap-up for now.  signing off for the night.

IMWI 2011

A close friend of mine  participated in the 2011 Ironman Wisconsin race two weeks ago.  And I was fortunate enough to be there to watch him and a few other folks, say about 2500, give their all.  What an amazing day to witness.  The perseverence, the sweat, the tears, the pride.  The day was powerful, amazing and left me awestruck to what these individuals do with their bodies.

Here are some of the highlights from the day.....

My friend gave it his all, however he ended up passing out at approximately mile 9-10 of the marathon portion and was transported by ambulance to the med tent where he spent the next 3 hours or so receiving IV fluids.  It was heartwrenching to see him process the day later that evening and then throughout the following week, but my friend is a go for IMWI 2012 as of this week!  So, we'll be back in Madison for the race next year.  His training this year was rather short for triathlete standards and he's laying a plan for training in 2012 that should have him finishing this race in 2012!

Interested in seeing what Ironman is all about?  Check out:

I've Got a Friend

I've got a friend. A friendship that seems to be more one-sided than reciprocate both ways. I've known this person, let's call her Elva, for almost two years now and a friendship has grown in those two years. However, I've learned that this is a friendship like no other I have. She's not a person I'd call in crisis, and to be honest, hanging out with her is beginning to feel like a chore.

Everything is always about her. Everything. She may ask how I'd doing, but she doesn't really listen for an answer. I rarely talk about myself with her as most often my views or comments are dismissed. Elva has major issues with her mother and I've hung on the phone as she wailed and vented about that wretched woman. And yes, the mother is wretched to be fair. I've offered support as she weathered a family crisis. She calls me one of her best friends. And that always gives me a pause when she says it. She complains endlessly and I'm tired of it.

When I was going through my own personal crisis last summer, she knew the basics of what was occurring. I got hugs and sympathy, but no other show of support. I felt I was kind of handled as "hands off" during that time. The phone calls slowed from her. Maybe she was giving me space, I don't know. She has no clue about most of the things I have going on in my life. She doesn't ask. At all. Ever. But we are the "best of friends."

We do some things together as a group with another person or two. We are learning a new craft and as we make mistakes or have ideas, mine are not really listened to. Or I get shafted on quite a bit. She says it's because my personality is more amenable and she knows I won't get pissy if she shuts my idea down. So, the other person or two always seem to have their way. She has said it's easier for me to change than them for what we are doing. Now, how fucking fair is that? I have to adapt to fit the others who don't "get it." It sucks.

She was over to my home recently for the first time. As she sat on my couch and looked around my living room (with this odd look on her face), she remarked with this incredulous tone of voice, "Wow, you certainly have an eclectic decorating style in your home." Our living room consists of a deer head, three Packer prints and my lighthouse print. And tons of toys. We don't really have a theme. But it works for us at the moment. It's hodge podge, but we have kids and don't have a den for him to put the deer head and Packer art. It's lived in, not a showpiece. I let the comment roll, but was put out a bit by it. And then the kid talk started.....

See, she doesn't have kids. And let's be honest, there's a difference in lifestyle for most people if they have kids vs no kids. She thinks kids are cute as long as she doesn't have to touch them, or take care of them. I have childless friends and think nothing of it, and they don't really make an issue out of me having kids. Elva is a different story though. When we are on the phone and she hears my kids in the background, she nearly almost remarks "I don't know how you do it." Or, "Geez, you're kids are sure loud." Or so many countless others. It's starting to annoy the crap out of me, but I haven't said anything. Yet.

Her husband wants kids, in a major way. She's put him off for the last two years, saying she needs more time. She's held a couple babies in the last few months that have made her heart melt a little (her words). But she says her mind is stronger and her mind says no babies. I get that. And I'd be okay with it. If she didn't comment about how awful kids are, how much work, etc. Um, you don't have any, so shut the fuck up. Until you are up in the middle of the night, changing countless diapers, etc...keep your trap shut. You don't know what you are talking about.

It would be different if she'd talk about it to another childless friend. But no, I get to hear it since we are the "best" of friends. She called me the other month around 9pm on a Saturday evening to talk her out of children. Um, I have kids, why are you calling me? I've told her she needs to talk with her hubby about this more and really decide what she wants to do. And then this last week, she calls to tell me that she held a baby that day and it's making her heart melt again. Then she admits she's too selfish to have children. She wants her time to do whatever she wants, she doesn't want her body to go to shit (her words), she likes to sleep without interruption, and on and on and on. I don't know what to say in response. Honestly, I feel insulted.

I'd like to tell her that she needs to take her anti-kid attitude elsewhere since it's mildly offensive to me. But then I worry about hurting her feelings. I really hate that. So, I'm sure I'll continue to suffer through for a while until something is said that really irks me and I blow. I don't know how to tell her that we are not the "best" of friends.

There, I'm done whining and bitching.

Pixies needed for a friend

Please keep my friend Jen, and her daughter Grace, in your thoughts if you can. Grace has a lump on her neck and will see an ENT this week. They've been through so much already, and I hate to see Jen have another thing to worry about. Check out her blog on my sidebar, Unique But Not Alone.

Much love and pixie dust to them.

Nice Surprise

A fellow preeclampsia survivor and blogger, Jen , gifted me with blogger awards.

The Daily Dose award is supposed to be passed along to “All the blogs that you’ve discovered that you can’t possibly live without. They make you laugh, cry, think and feel connected every time you read a post. They give you a thrill as you see them loading into your browser and you get an equally satisfying thrill when you see that they have commented on your blog.”

Friendship award

Wonder Woman award

I was surprised to see my name listed in her post with the awards. Jen is one friend who always comments when she visits, seems to have the "right words" to describe what she's feeling, and is one awesome woman. Hats off to you my dear!

And I pass these awards to a few other fellow bloggers I've happy to call a friend, or to have met via the internet. You all make me smile and laugh, and I thank you for that.

Dawn at Brown Family

Kate at Mothers Who Write

Casey at Quilao Triplets

Becky at Mommy Wants Vodka

Heather at bubbles and ducks

Snow Tubing

We went tubing this weekend with Dawn and family. We had a BLAST!!!
Okey dokey, here's some photos and a video. Yep, that's me screaming like a little girl.

Girl Power

Growing up, I was one of those people who was pretty much friends with everyone. I didn't identify as being in one group over the other. I still don't. While it was beneficial, it's also affected the way I engage with people yet today. I don't allow people to get too close to me, I think it's a protective measure that I have in place. I skirt the closeness of many friends, keeping in touch, but not constant contact. I have a few people that I talk to regularly, and to be honest only one of them is someone I call a best friend, one who I can share anything with and know she will never shit on me.

(Crap, this post is completely going in a direction I didn't mean it to already.)

I was friends with this one girl in grade school, Becky. She was a good friend to me and we did lots together. She, however, was not part of the "in" crowd, she fell into the "dork" crowd, for lack of a better word. This was not apparent to me in grade school, but once we started middle school I learned more about the cliques of life. I moved away for a year & a half, coming back to start 9th grade high school. During that time, we fell apart. I made new friends that year, but I'd still run into Becky in the halls or a class together. I felt the sting of peer pressure in force that first year. That person's not cool, or ew, why do you want to hang with that person? I tried to walk the line, but it was very difficult.

Let's face it, girls can be cruel to each other. And it continues into womanhood. The female gender picks at each other rather than supporting each other in many cases. The name calling, the clothes comparisons, etc.

I've tried to stand up for those less fortunate, less pretty, less wealthy, etc. But I have also succumbed to the pettiness. I'm not proud of that. As you grow up, you learn who your true friends are, and I'm sorry I haven't been a better friend to some. I'm working to change that.

And now, onto the real issue of this post. The friendship crap has started already for Ariana. They are in 4you kindergarten for cyin' out loud! But, she's already witnessed exclusion by a couple. And not all in school. But I'm going to take up the school experiences.

On our visit to class before school started, we met other members of her class. Of course, most of the kids were shy and didn't really interact with each other. We felt a bit wierd as one mom seemed to be pushing a friendship between her daughter "E" and Ariana. Her insistency is what made us hesitant. The girls colored next to each other, but didn't really play together. Fast forward to the next week and class begins. Ariana meets new friends and can't wait to get to school to play. She talks about her new friends at school, but there's one that she talks about alot. "C" is pretty much like Ariana from what I've witnessed. They are peas in a pod. E's mom continues to push a relationship between the two girls, sharing that E is shy and doesn't have friends. She wants to get together on the weekend, etc. Quite frankly, the woman was annoying. (You know how there are some people you just don't like, no matter how hard you try? She's one for me.)

I want Ariana to develop her own friendships without my interference. I also encourage her to be friends with everyone, and stick up for those less fortunately. So I faced a challenge of me personally not liking this woman and our girls being friends. Over the semester, the girls have become friends which I'm alright with. On most levels. What bothers me is that most of the other kids do not play with E. So, Ariana is pretty much it besides another boy in class. Ariana plays with all the kids in class, but I worry about them excluding her one day because she is friends with someone who is on the outside of the circle. How do I balance that?
These are the kids she'll be in school with the rest of her school time. They'll be in grade school, middle, & high school together.

There is another situation that has caused me to be shocked at how early the "girl" spirit occurs. So, Ariana is friends with C. H says that C is HER best friend and no one else can be friends with her. Ariana comes home to tell me that she can't be friends with C anymore because H is her best friend. I try to explain that she can be friends with whomever she'd like if they return the friendship. I don't think she really gets it, but how do I explain that some girls are like that?

I want her to be independent, proud of herself, and a good friend. As a parent, this is much more difficult than I imagined. I battle my own demons while trying to teach her. And of course, I want to protect her from hurt feelings and broken hearts. I know it will happen, but I just didn't think it would be this soon.

Why do I?

Why do I fall into another person's created crisis? So, the friend that I mentioned the other day called me back and we spoke at length about how things are going. She does have PPD, and her doc put her on meds right away. She mentioned it to the people she works with when she came for a visit. Lots of things culminated into this frantic "We're worried she's going to kill her baby" and "We're so worried about her" talk. Apparently when she came for that first visit, she had someone help her carry the baby in and back out to the car. Baby was passed around and at one point someone asked if she wanted the baby back and she said no, I'm with her all day you can hold her longer. Then since she was meaning to make a quick visit and the baby had just eaten before they left, she only packed one bottle to bring along. If you take these things in the regular context of a new mother, it's not really a big deal right? I don't think so.

Well, with the PPD announcement and skewed opinions of some, the assumption was made that mom didn't want anything to do with her baby and that she didn't have enough food to feed her. I am so pissed at the judgements that were made, and I still don't have the entire story. ONE person went to someone else and shared HER assumptions, without asking more questions. Did it come out that mom's c-section scar was oozing and causing issues, and her doc suggested she carry minimal amounts? No. Her last week of pregnancy included multiple admissions to the birthing center for induction due to a high blood pressure scare. She ended up laboring and never getting passed 3cm. Baby pooped inside and there was an infection in her placenta, all these things resulted in a c/s. Mom was plum tuckered out, and I don't blame her.

There is some history with this situation that I think colored people's opinions and assumptions. When this person discovered she was pregnant, she was thinking about all of her options. This pregnancy was unplanned and they are not in the best financial situation at the moment. She was thinking about terminating, and that pissed some people off. What upsets me about this is the work that is done by these people is that of discussing options and empowering yourself to make your own choices. She did not get the support that some of these people offer to clients. Why is she different? (She did have pressure from other sources to keep the baby, so this wasn't the only source.) Obviously, she decided to carry the baby. There is one person who is struggling with infertility and all of this resulted in some poor assumptions and judgements made. I understand the jealousy, anger, and disappointment of not getting pregnant when it seems like everyone else is around you. I get that, I remember the sadness of each month. But while I was jealous and sad for myself, I never let that diminish another person's joy. I supported women who were looking at termination for their pregnancies while I was pregnant, and I never allowed my personal life to interfere with that. It's not my right. It is her choice, not mine.

I could go on and on, but I won't. I'm saddened that some could not support this person in a way they would a client. I'm saddened that she was made to feel like an awful person for wanting to "get rid of her baby" (one person's words). Until you walk in her shoes, or anyone else's who even has to take that under consideration...shut the hell up. It's not an easy decision and many struggle with it and grieve. I'm disappointed that people take things at first glance and run with them without asking for more information or providing support and care for someone who is struggling. Not everyone there did this, but there were a few who did. And all it takes is one person to start something.

In the end, mom is getting help, feeling better, and enjoying her little one. She's understanding now how much work it is to care for a baby, and wishes for more sleep. But were we all like that with our first child?

Worry

A friend of mine had her first child last month. She's a wonderful person who always puts others first. She was very nervous to have this little being dependent on her. That her baby would grow up to be a bad person. She had a rough delivery, but when I saw her a day later she seemed to be in good spirits.

I have thought about her often over the last two weeks and have been meaning to call her to see how things are going. I find out tonight that others are worried about her and that she may be sufferering from postpartum depression.

I'm now worried about her. I called to leave a message tonight, I'm just hoping she calls me back. This is not something that I've experienced myself, so I'm not sure how to best help her.

Another heads to Iraq

I received an email this morning from a friend sharing that her husband will be heading to Iraq in Jan for a 6 month tour. Please keep Dan, Amy, and their kids in your thoughts. We wish you a speedy and safe return.

C-Ya Later!

I'm heading out for the weekend, and I am so looking forward to it. It's time for our annual Passporter Mall of America meet. This is the 6th year we've gotten together, and I've made each one. There's friends, good food and drink, scrapbooking, and of course, Disney talk! Mom and I are making a stop at Ikea as well this weekend, in addition to a few other stores.

Good Times

We spent the day with our good friends, Dawn & Eric and their kids. We met up at Bay Beach and enjoyed the sunshine. Ariana and Greydon were peas in a pod. We don't get to see the Brown's too often, so I was estatic to spend the day with them.