It's time...

A little picture review follows to chronicle the good times had this past week. My sister Gail has been in for a visit and we got to hang out a lot. Last Sunday we went out to Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood IL to see the headstone plaque for my mom and dad's ashes. Thursday night Gail and I visited Parky the Clown at his Dairy Queen in Northbrook and then off to the bike races, a place where we spent many, many hours as girls.

Another fishing adventure, still no fish caught, but we're patient. Friday we did some serious damage at the Jewelry Show. 7 headbands for me and Maya, purses, watches, bracelets, more earrings! Argh, I need a 12 step program for my accessories addiction. And yesterday the rip roarin' birthday party for Hayden and Reece (Ages 4 and 2) at the Dolphin Aquatic Park. Everyone had a blast.

I am truly thankful that a hideous bout with bronchitis is coming to an end. Three nights of sleeping sitting up is not fun. And the blessing in disguise, while at the doctor's, was his mentioning a new drug to help quit smoking. Still smoking is the one thing that has just plagued me. I know it's bad for me, it smells, costs too much money and going up all the time, and in Chicago, smoking will be banned January 1, 2008. So it's time, although smoking is my favorite crutch and stress reliever, it's time. The way the meds work, August 1st is my quit day. There, I have declared it! Now I just have to do it. Wish me luck...

Mom and Dad's Memorial Plaque

Cousin buddies, Isaiah and Brock

Grandma Gail and her cutie Grandson Brock

Huck "Denver" Finn

Kylie and Rylan Update

The Dolphin Slide was a Hit!

Reecer-Piecer

Katie and Maya slid in to say hi to Reece, Grandma and Christa

The Birthday Boys

Isaiah celebrates summer.

The perfect way to spend a Tuesday afternoon.

Duck, duck, goose...

How this all works...

Dial back to about 1999, some young women leaders are praying that I would consider being a small group leader to high school girls in the Student Impact ministry at church. I didn't know this then, but as God would have ordained, I volunteered for a few events and then, with Laurie's whole hearted approval, jumped in.

My first real event was Blast, a weekend retreat, where I was assigned a group of young girls, mostly sophomores and juniors in high school. From our first meeting I knew this was going to be cool and it still is. We have stayed connected even through their college years. I marvel that some how I thought that I could help them through the turbulent teens only to realize that they have seen me through the turbulent times of Laurie's death.

Yesterday was the wedding of one of those girls, Lisa. I was at the bachlorette party Thursday night, so fun. A cruise on Lake Michigan with these young women, dinner at Ed Debevic's. And yesterday the ceremony, the reception, with Pete as the DJ and me giving the blessing... full circle, dancing with these amazing young women, each so unique. God knew those many years ago, I would need a special circle of girls, not to replace Laurie, but to help me through each phase she would be in. And they have been there...Lisa, Elizabeth, Lauren, Karen, Mandy, Alex, Kim, Vanessa. I love you, girly-girls.

Chicago sunset.

Setting sail.

Beautiful night for a cruise with the girls...

Eat at Ed's...

Bridesmaid Brower and Barb.

Lisa, the beautiful bride and the girly girls...

The Welcome mat, er, driveway is out for Slumberfest 2007

Kylie and Rylan wonder who are all these people?

Is that a cardinal? Maybe...

Okay, we've all smiled nice for the "real" photo...

Serious family photo!

Jumpin for joy...

The best big cousins ever...

The ladies.

Awww, that's sweet...

Giddy up...

Wheeeee....

Bring on the S'mores...

Phil and Brooke, pre Phil's paintballed back...

A few of the scattered sleepers...

Treehouse feast...

Slumberfest 2007

I said I would post pics from Slumberfest 2007 and today is the day. The event was planned by son Chris and his great wife Christa at their house so that we could all have an extended time with Greg and Cheryl and the girls to hang out and have fun. There were 25 family members there for most of the event and 21 of us that actually stayed overnight.

Words and even pictures (between all of our cameras, there were at total of 332 pictures and some video taken.) cannot tell the whole story. You cannot imagine the creativity and excellent organization it all took and basically the kids did it all. Food, drink, games, the surprise breakfast hike over to the new Barrington Park District Treehouse. The laughs that never ended and Chris' occasional bellow "The Crown of Life" (Have no idea what that means; it just seemed appropriate.) I will use Chris' words in the wrap-up email he sent after it concluded:

Fam,
Now that was one awesome party!!! SlumberFest was off the chain.
We were talking this afternoon about how much fun we had last night. We loved every minute of it. Christa was commenting on how fast it went. I completely agreed and it was 17 hour long gala. My favorite memories include: Phil's paintball injuries, watching Mike throw himself to the ticks for the sake of a picture, Pete's midnight steaks, Brock's cut foot, Kristin snuggling Reece as he turned two years old, Denver's "Who took my butt?" line, the incredible Treehouse breakfast, and, of course, the soothing chorus of "The Crown of Life."
A big thanks goes out to the Heick family for getting up before 7:00am on a Saturday to get and set up our food at the Treehouse. Technically, I consider them part of the family so I'm glad they were a part of it.

Who is up for SlumberFest 2008?
Love you all, CB

This was one amazing memory!

Let Freedom Ring...

This from a daily devotional Pete and I receive:

"If you hold to my teachings, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." - John 8:32 NIV

There has been lots of talk about freedom these days... with the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars... doing our best to give the people freedom from corruption... freedom from oppression... freedom from tyrants and psychotics... and certain death... The lack of freedom and prison term of the two Border Patrol folks in jail after shooting an illegal alien (maybe there is more to the story that we don't know)... Paris Hilton and her jail time and freedom and then jail time again... And the latest Scooter Libby news where he has been commuted from his 30 month jail sentence... free to serve his punishment without a jail sentence...

Lot's of talk about freedom... and what it means... and what our Founding Father meant in the Declaration of Independence... and ultimately the Constitution...

All of us seemingly forgetting... or better yet, not really understanding... True Freedom... what it means and from where it comes...

This Independence Day... Celebrate TRUE Freedom... that can only come from the Son of Man... the Son of God... Jesus

"If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." - John 8:36 NIV

Keep the Faith... Carpe Diem

I just sat out in the backyard, by myself with a glass of wine watering my new black eyed susans, and listening to the booms of pre Fourth of July fireworks. I stopped to reflect on the fact that there are mothers in other parts of the world who hear those some sounds and worry if their family members are safe. Those same sounds could be bombs or gunshots...I hope I never take for granted the fact that I live in this country full of freedoms. I am forever grateful.

This makes me smile...

Sweeeeet...

The days that pass too quickly...

Right now the Malaysian Bonciminos are at the airport ready to board for the last leg of their US visit. We had sooo much fun, hanging out, visiting memorable places (Gene and Judes Hot Dog stand) barbecues, Willow Creek and the amazing Slumberfest 2007. Once all the pics are in I plan on writing a whole blog on how 24 family members spent 17 hours together. An unbelievable hoot!

But for now I just want to reflect on how sweet it is to have this family. I think the pictures show how much I have been blessed. Just look at all those smiles! We got to celebrate little Reece's 2nd birthday together, with Hayden's 4th birthday right around the corner (tomorrow). And today we remember it has been 10 years since Lin entered the gates of heaven. That does not seem real, even yet. And today Chris and Christa celebrate their 12th anniversary.

Can't help but think how much Lin and Laurie would have enjoyed this past week. I miss them but love the security of knowing exactly where they are...