Tragedy

Rule number one is; don't sweat the small stuff.  Rule number two is, it's all small stuff. -Rober Eliot

Yesterday a tragety hit my life.  As I was en route to my date with my favorite 5 year old, I realized the temperature gage in my car read way above "H".  I pulled over, made some calls to the Auto Guru's in my life, and decided that I would turn around and head home.  About a mile down the road, at the crossroads of a busy street in Bloomington, my car died and smoke started to spew from under the hood.  Wonderful.  An hour plus later this was the scene.

Life has been down right hectic this last week.  From traveling, to class at church, to work, to training at corporate, moving and settling in our new place, to oversleeping numerous mornings due to the late nights of moving/cleaning/studying, to more work, etc...etc...etc.  "Tragedies" like I experienced always tend to hit when life is hectic...never when you are calm and prepared.  However, oddly enough despite this vehicle 'tragedy', I'm calm as a cucumber.  Why?  Because its a vehicle.  I still have my health, my family, and my friends.

Real tragedies are the 2011 Tsunami killing over 13,000 people and leaving 12,000 missing.  Tragedy is Hurricane Katrina in 2005, killing 1,836 people, leaving $81 billion of damage in its wake.  Tradgedy is the fact that 6 MILLION children die of hunger every year.  And 925 MILLION people around the world are malnurished. (And to make that worse...obsesity is the #2 leading cause of preventable death in the United States).

My vehicle issues are simply an inconvenience, and truly a reality check.  I have so much to be thankful for in my life, this hiccup is a blessing.  If you are reading this, you too have a lot to be thankful for.  Take a minute to take some deep breaths, let go of what you've been stressing about this week, and be grateful.  I am.

Kraft Nuptuals

6.9.12. As in June Sixth, Two Thousand and Twelve. 


(Last) Saturday I was able to celebrate the love and commitment of Brianna Johnson (now Kraft) and Russell Kraft. Last winter my cousin, and one of my best friends, asked me and my other cousin (Leah) to be her maid and matron of honor. We have all been KRAFTING ;), planning, chatting, stressing, and yearning for this exciting event. From finding Brianna's AMAZING dress, to the bridesmaids dresses, making centerpieces, throwing and attending bridal showers and bachelorette parties...every aspect of this wedding planning went flawlessly. The result...an incredible day for an incredible couple.


I couldn't stop gazing at Brianna on Saturday, as she was absolutely STUNNING in her dress; her outfit was topped off by a radiant glow of love and happiness as she married her best friend. I think she was also glowing slightly at the fact that this party was for her...and boy did she work it. As she pranced around the reception, she without a doubt was cutting loose and having a great time! Seeing that made this maid of honor, extremely happy. Brianna has a contagious attitude and zest for life, she constantly has a smile and a witty comment on the tip of her tongue...followed by her adorable laugh.


I'd be remissed if I didn't send out a post in honor of this terrific weekend. I'm looking forward to viewing the professional pictures in the near future...but for now - a few pics we managed to snap as the day went on, and an excerpt from Leah and my speech...(slightly altered to make sense to a reader).

BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS :)

Granddaughters giving Gramps some love.

Party Rockin'.

Me and Papa J.

My Co-Maid of Honor and her Hubby.

For Starters, we want to thank you all for coming to support and celebrate Brianna and Russ. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank someone who has been a fixture in my life for as long as I can remember. She is beautiful, compassionate, loyal, patient, has a great sense of humor, and loves me unconditionally...Leah...I want to say Thank you for helping me through this Maid of Honor business....  ;)

Okay, okay...Brianna is all those fabulous things too...but, Brianna, thankfully she is also very patient and determined. When Brianna first came on the scene in the fall of ‘86, Leah and I weren’t exactly thrilled.  Who was this Brown Eye’d Brunette Johnson? Brianna persistanly tagged along and wanted to join us.  After being scolded by Denise several times, to “play nice”...we realized how incredible this Beautiful Bride really is.  Our frienship has grown through the different chapters of life, seasons, and activities.  She has always been someone I can share my joys, concerns, and my secrets with... (wink), and she often has many to share as well.  

While at Brianna and Russ’ bridal shower that was held at Russ’ parents house, Leah had the chance to look at several of their family photos. Amongst the pictures, was a sign that said grandma and grandpa’s house is where cousins go to become friends. That statement couldn’t be any more true.  Growing up we spent many hours playing at grandma and grandpa’s house, sitting at the table coloring, telling secrets, choreographing and performing dances, and dressing up in some of our aunt’s dresses.  We’d race up stairs to get the best dress.  Of course, the oldest cousin, Stephanie always got the black silk dress that we all wanted.  Abby and Leah would take the mauve and blue dresses, which then left the ugly orange and yellow flowered dress for Brianna.  Hands down, Brianna has the best dress of all today and looks absolutely beautiful.  

In high school Brianna and Leah had a small red book that they would pass back and forth with notes.  Leah recently came across that book and read some of the entries.  One entry from Brianna said that all of her friends had boyfriends except for her. As Leah read that entry thr first time, her heart went out to Bri; however the second time reading this, all she could think of was that she knew Brianna had finally found her true match.  

We will always be grateful for the family that we have, and all the memories that we’ve shared.  And we are completely thrilled to have Russ join our family.
A toast the New Mr. & Mrs. Kraft.: “May your troubles be less, and your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness come through your door.”  Congratulations...