It's getting closer!!

Wow, we had such a great time up in New England this past weekend with my family. Patrick and Uncle Terry bonded over early morning breakfast conversations (and conversations in the car, and around the house, and during marital counselling, and did I mention conversations?), and he bonded with Brett as they bunked together in the basement.

Interestingly, I saw a new side of P that was kind of scary: the PYRO side. During our visit, we sat around a fire pit twice. On the second night, Patrick realized that "Hey--it's FUN to make fire!" and began running around feverishly like a chicken with his head cut off to throw more pine needles and branches onto the ever-rising flames. Aunt Debbie had to tell him to calm down and wait twice because the fire was taller than he. The grin on his face while he ran back and forth was hysterical.

We visited briefly with the Ventura family on the way back, and we had an AWESOME trip!

Once we returned, we got the marriage license, and we got the wedding bands today. I'm working on arranging the ceremony music right now (gotta love Finale!). Everything is getting done little by little. Mom and I are planning to go out shopping for more wedding stuff today.

The response cards are coming in. It's exciting to go to the mailbox and see a bunch of little ivory envelopes waiting to be opened! I love getting mail! :-)

There's a shower out in Frederick on Saturday, and I'm looking forward to meeting a ton of people! It should be a lot of fun! On the same day, my cousin Gary Strickland is having his graduation party--we have a doctor in the family!! Congrats Gary!!!

Next weekend, I am going with the family down to Lynchburg for Nick's high school graduation party. I can't WAIT to see everyone--especially Emily!--and it's so exciting that another one of us has grown up! Congratulations Nick!