A Swift Punch to the Gut...

I was catching up on my blog reading today...and tuned in to Matt, Liz, and Madeline. Before I lightened my blogroll, I was an ever faithful reader of the newborn identity and the Spohrs are multiplying, where Heather and Mike wrote with great talent and humor about their baby Maddie. Today...as I was reading Matt Logelin...he posted that Maddie had passed away...pause...pause...sigh...I just read her blog a week ago when she was playing April Fool's day jokes on her Dad and Maddie was sitting in the high chair laughing...how does this happen? Please take a moment to keep Maddie and her family in your prayers through this most hearbreaking time...

It is Well With My Soul...

The first song you hear when opening my blog is It Is Well. This was always a victorious song for me...one I loved to sing at the top of my lungs as almost a victory march against life challenges. One year my daughter's competition dance team danced to this song and I have just been so moved by it ever since. When I attended my pastor's funeral a few weeks ago...this song was played at his service. It was no longer a song of victory for me...it was a song of intense sadness and longing. As time has passed I have not yet found myself able to change my music...even though usually after a couple weeks I have to change songs because I get tired of them.

Today I realized why I haven't changed this song yet. I believe I may almost be to the point that I can sing this song victoriously...having faith in the Father...and knowing that Pastor Bill is where he worked hard to be his entire life. It seems that a bit of healing has moved over me. *sigh*

Sign collecting UGH!

Worked my 13 hours, ran to Rockton to pick up the precious one's super cute party invitations that my friend Sarah made for her, then ran out and picked up loads and loads of signs. I'm pretty sure we got all the small ones, but it was dark, so tomorrow I'll have to drive around in the daylight to double check. The hubby has to bring home the truck to bring home two enormous signs and then we have the challenge of storing them, should I run again in four years. Today I am grateful for young legs (not mine) that can jump out of the car quickly to make this job SO much easier! If you see a stray sign anywhere...let me know!

I'm In!!

I won, I won! Great news! Now...I have lots to learn...just what I love doing best! Thank you SO much to everyone that voted for me...and if I have a sign in your yard...it'll be picked up no later than Thursday...gotta work 13 hours today! Have a great day!

Civic Duty

You knew this post was coming...

today is the day to perform your civic duty...to acknowledge the freedom that we embrace as Americans...today is the day...

VOTE!

To the Dr. we shall go!

Let me just say that glasses for 5 people can be outrageously expensive. So much so, that we have avoided the eye Dr. and committed to a life of bluriness, except for the big girl who can't see to get out of bed without glasses. Have I mentioned that I love my new job? Oh yes, I think I have...well here's reason number 126...vision insurance! For real! We now have vision insurance AND my very own eye doctor takes it...so beginning this Friday, we're all going to the eye Dr...one at a time of course, but over the next few weeks, my family should be looking like a walking lens crafters commercial! Aaaaahhhhhh how sweet it is~

RUCH for school board and other pressing items

WHEW!!! What a busy week it's been...Monday...worked on my research paper...just about done :) Tuesday...to Tinley Park for a meeting, back to work for a meeting and worked at the clinic...Wednesday...13 hour day...Easter Seals...UIC...YWCA...home at 9 to collapse :) Thursday and Friday...I was in Chicago for training...great training...can't wait to get back to work and implement it....while I was there I ate here... YUM.MY. I had some delicious spinach pizza and salad Pompei.

When I returned home Friday night...my signs were finally done..about 3 weeks later than anticipated, but really, I'm glad I waited. I think the other signs are a sea of mess right now, and it gave me a chance to see everyone elses signs, so I could be sure mine show up...which they do! The hubby (seen here) was a fabulous help...and I can't thank him enough. AND guess what?!? 4 X 8 foot signs fit in my suburban! Who knew? I did have to play hookie from school to ensure that they got up promptly. It was quite a day since I'd been up since 4. I finally arrived in lake Geneva for school at about 9PM...definitely too long of a day driving too many miles! When I got home on Saturday, the big girl was learning how to check her oil... how cute is that?

Now...here's the important thing...It's really not my place to tell people how to vote, but if you want my opinion, when voting for Harlem School Board...please vote Ruch, Lawrence, Geyer, and Ranieri. The 3 ladies and Vic. No newly running candidates attended the school board events and one candidate did attend the voters' quarum and in my humble opinion....let's just say I'd appreciate your vote for the 3 ladies and Vic. 'nuff said. To end on a bright note... Spring has sprung in the Ruch house! No more socks! I'm off to my great nephew's second birthday...until next time...