Graduation accomplished

Well, I finally made it. I knew it would eventually be over but the sense of accomplishment is finally settling in. I had one crazy graduation weekend. My dad flew in from Washington for the event so we were all excited to see him since it had been nearly a year and a half since the last time. On Saturday, April 18th, I accepted my diploma with my husband and families watching. It was such an emotional moment for me after working so hard for the past 5 years. We all went out for a bite to eat at the local Pub and then Dad drove us home to play with his grandkids. I was ready for a relaxing evening at home, boy was I wrong...

Jamee and my friend Kate planned an amazing surprise party for me. Up until the moment I walked up to the building, I really thought I was going to "stop in" for a quick drink for Angie's "going away party" (one of the best things of the night was when I was informed Angie wasn't even moving...Yay!) I walked into a room packed with all my close and extended family and friends. It was such an overwhelming experience and I still can't put it into words. My cousins from the U.P. were there, a few of my aunts from the Byron side came with my Grandma and Grandpa Byron and dad, all my siblings and most of my cousins. All the pregger women in my life (Kate, Kerri and Lin) even scrounged up enough energy to make it happen. I was so thrilled.

So, I owe a HUGE thank-you to each and every person that contributed or just showed up to show their support!

30 years, ear infections and basketball

It seems like so much has happened in the past few weeks and writing about it just wasn't in the cards until now! Life just gets busier and busier!

Let's start with my 30th birthday. UGH! This was a day I was dreading since my 29th birthday. I didn't really want to do anything but hunker down in my bedroom and forget it was happening. My hubby planned a fun weekend though so I had to put on my game face and I'm so glad I did because it turned out to be so much fun that I truly forgot I'd punched my 30 and over card. We celebrated with lots of friends and family all weekend long. We ventured out to MP and stayed at the Casino with the Stipcak's and Duflo's. I decided I'd rather eat BW3 wings more than anything so we carpooled there and filled up on beer and wings and laughs! The Uptons, Matt White and the Guerreros met us there. I guess it's a good thing that Kate and baby like spicy food right now! Then Sunday afternoon Jamee made a good 'ol Italian dinner for the fam and Lin and Alex came down. It was so fun to see her little babies growing! She looked so cute in her maternity clothes. Actually Kate, Kerri and Lin all looked cute in their maternity clothes!!! I felt really blessed to be surrounded by some of my favorite people over the weekend, so thanks to everyone that was able to make it out...

Saturday Jamee had invited some friends over to watch MSU play in the final four. At first I was a tad miffed since I had a huge paper to write and a test to study for, but I love State basketball so much that the excitement sort of took over. What a great game! We had so much fun. We were all so wired at the end that we hired a sitter and decided to go check out the new bar in MR...smoke free, YEA!!! Still, we are lame and were home long before midnight!!! I think the same crew is coming over tonight but I don't know if I'll make it all night this time around...GO STATE!

Lastly, I took the dreaded trip to the ER last night. Laney had been running temps off and on all weekend and complaining that her ears hurt. My plan was to try to make it through the weekend and take her to the doctor Monday morning but she came up to me around 7pm last night crying and asked me when she could go to the doctor. At that point, I really didn't want her to have to suffer any longer so we bundled up (BTW, what's up with this winter weather in April..YUCK!) and as we thought, she was battling a double ear infection. She was such a princes in the ER though. When the dr asked if she had any allergies I told her no and Miss D corrected me and told the doctor she was allergic to mosquito bites. Then she refused to take the medicine they brought because it tasted "terrible." After crying for 10 minutes and me desperately trying to coerce her into taking it, the doc switched the med. She took it in her hands, smelled it, immediately stopped crying, smiled, drank it in one gulp, and as sweet as can be said, "thank you" to the nurse. The nurse started giggling. I looked at her and said thanks as well, and followed it up with a "so much for positive reinforcement huh?" Bottom line..I'm glad Miss D is finally feeling better this morning!