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Sunday, April 11, 2010

in the company of amazing people...

my week was ummm... INSANE

really - truly insane. but wonderful.

I think I met some of the most amazing people on earth. There were also some amazing people that I'd already met thrown in the mix...

Monday I woke up - packed my bags for the week - tried to clean up the house - had the tires re-balanced - and crammed in lunch with Shelle, April and her husband, and Crash and her husband. Now... these ladies are hilarious on their blogs - and do not disappoint in person! So happy that we could fit in this little lunch before I had to fly out of town at 3:00! (and here's hoping that Crash's husband has not filed a restraining order because since I finished hugging his wife I just felt in the huggy mood - handshake shmandshake, that's what I always say!)

Tuesday/Wednesday - I spent the whole day(s) in a FREEZING cold conference room at the Hilton for the commission on volunteerism. Seriously - this nice hotel put a newspaper outside each room in the morning but didn't have refrigerators in the rooms... apparently they wanted you to leave your leftovers/water bottles in the conference room because they kept it cold enough in there to keep a dead body fresh for days. As a matter of fact, I wondered about a conference attendee for most of Wednesday until I finally saw her flinch. I came very close to sending a message to Kristina and asking her to sponsor an emergency "Snuggies for Conference Attendees" drive.

Thursday - after a fun service project that involved trees, dirt, trash bags, and lots and lots and LOTS of mulch... I was ready to go home. Eager to get on the road for the 5 hour drive I was a little peeved when I noticed my friend/carpool member striking up a conversation with a fellow volunteer. I want to formally apologize for that moment of peevishness. This man (Michael) is originally from Sudan - he lived there until 1985* at which point he left - and spent some time in Kenya, a bunch of other smaller African nations, and Egypt... he showed us photos of him with an Ambassador that he used to drive for and drew us a nice map of Africa to illustrate the journey. He left behind 4 brothers - 2 of whom joined the military - who have all since died due to the political unrest in their country. As the last remaining brother, Michael is making plans to return to Sudan to take care of his 9 nieces and nephews who are currently under the care of his 14 year old niece. Asked whether or not they could come here he explained that although it was possible it would take a long time, and he needed to get there quickly so that the 14 year old could go back and finish school. When I came home and told my family this story MY 14 year old son just wanted to help... and I'm ashamed to admit that I don't know anything more than Michael's first name. You know what though - I am keeping this story in mind... hoping to stay more appreciative and thankful for what I do have.

Friday - home again I worked a crazy day - but was able to fit in lunch with Shelle and April once again - this time joined by Tauna... who is from a MUCH colder place and spent the lunch amazed by us locals who were wearing hoodies to keep from the chill in the air... yep, we're wimps :)

Saturday - I spent the day with lots of people I've met many many times - but who constantly amaze me. Family. Lots and lots of family travelled a goodly distance to come and see my daughter as she chose to be baptized into our church. It was just wonderful to look around and see friends and family who came to support us. One sister-in-law spent a goodly part of the morning cooking with me - as a part of her spring break no less. Each person was appreciated and the day was beautiful. Being able to take my daughter's hand as she came out of the water I was just ready for a special mother/daughter moment where I told her how proud I was of her for making such a responsible decision. She spoke first... her wise words? "Holy CRAP that is cold water!"

ahh... gotta love her!!! Maybe we'll try for a sweet spiritual moment when she's a little older :)

17 comments:

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

I had NO IDEA that your week was so PACKED!!!! I feel a little guilty that I took a few hours of your precious time.....but not really.

It was truly fun to meet you and Shelle and April.
You are all three awesome.

Hoping for tickets.

Again, thanks for being so sweet!

cold cocoa said...

Wow- sounds like an exciting week! We are sad we couldn't be a part of that amazing Saturday group, but are glad it went well.

Kristina P. said...

I needed a Snuggie for the conference I was at! It went between freezing to extremely warm.

We will meet someday!

Megz said...

I've been trying to cure Mitch of his 'crap' comments---granted he says them when losing at video games and not during special reverent moments so maybe I should be grateful?
Lovely time in your city. You're always so hosptiable amongst the craziness.

Nutty Hamster Chick said...

So sad I missed out on all the fun, maybe next time. Congratulations on the baptism. Those events are always so fun in a stressful way I am sure.

The Crash Test Dummy said...

Awesome! What I want to know is, how was "The Hobbit"? Inquiring hubs want to know. ha ha ha Did he overstate the obvious, or is he a book-on-tape illiterate?

It was sooooo fun to meet you. You're such a little cutie patootie. I wish I had thought to send you with a snuggie for your hotel room. ha ha ha That was funny.

April said...

Ahhhhh, I am so proud that you are raising a "mini" T! I had a blast meeting with you twice this week! Hoodies and all! :)

Barbaloot said...

Jealous of all the fun meetings you go! And died laughing at your daughter's reaction. Priceless:)

TisforTonya said...

darn! we decided against the Hobbit... we reviewed the book we were supposed to read before the conference - which of COURSE I had already read... but a little reminder never hurts :)

Heidi said...

Goodness, gracious, I surely admire a mom who is so organized she can be gone for the week prior to her daughter's baptism! You rock (and not just b/c you hugged Crash's husband).

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

Hey you!!!!
I scored and paid for a ticket to the CBC yesterday!!!!!

Are ya still interested?

Shelle-BlokThoughts said...

Yay! For Garden of Egan!!!

Okay so i why did we not talk about our kids' baptisms! Lol! I love that the first thing she said was the water was cold! Hehehehe and then I'd talk to someone about that!

Loved doing lunch with you twice!

Jason and Summer, but really just Summer said...

WOW! Sounds like a crazy busy week. Isn't it funny how we plan things out in our head and then our kids totally ruin our "moment". But in reality they really "make" the moment. How you could leave the week of her baptism and pull it all together is amazing to me!

Sherie Christensen said...

It was really great to be there. I loved the weather and I always love the company. Too bad about the cold water but it did have an hour to get that way -- not that we noticed:) Hooray for her for not commenting on it loudly before she was baptized. Some kids would.

Homer and Queen said...

Good thing I didn't make it to lunch and ruin your perfect week!!!

Rockin Austin said...

Gotta love the things kids say! I think it's precious. And what a week for you! Go T, Go T! (said in that hip-hop, cabbage patch dance, sort of way!)

LC said...

What exciting adventures you've been having!
Glad H had a good day. She'll always how she felt on her special day--cold!