Happy 1 year anniversary in Bridgeport!

Wow, what a crazy couple of weeks we’ve had here! So sorry to all my loyal fans who logged on Monday, only to be disappointed by a week-old blog. I can explain. We were gone all weekend, from Thursday forward. Al had a Pre Lent workshop in Lincoln on Friday so, on Thursday, he dropped me and the kiddos off in Kearney at the Holiday Inn. He caught a ride to Lincoln and the three of us went to Wilcox for a quick supper with The Jenkins. On Friday, we met up with Lisa and Tyler and spent the afternoon in the hotel pool. Al came back that evening and I got up bright and early Saturday morning for my day long EMS conference. At the end of the day, we drove back to Bridgeport and went to bed. The week was swallowed up with a cuddly, crabby, teething baby and his jealous sister.

This week, my computer was out of commission while we rearranged the basement furniture to make way for our new stereo system and flat screen TV. Even though this is very exciting, I hate living in and amongst unfinished work. Therefore, while Al worked diligently at installing the new system, I kept the door shut all week. Tonight, Al installed a key only lock on the door to the new stereo, hung the toggles for the blind cords and is currently in the final stages of building shelves in the toy closet (with Eden’s help) and hanging the CDs in the water softener closet, out of Eden’s reach.

All this flurry of activity started Sunday afternoon when Mark & Laura were kid-less for the afternoon and felt sorry for us. They came over to help move the monsterous couch, huge entertainment center, heavy futon, tables etc… and then mount the TV. Of course, no construction project with Al is ever complete without a few hiccups. So, they put together the new entertainment center with the center support in upside down and had to tear it apart and start over. Then, after they got the wall mount on the wall, they determined that it was too small for the TV and had to take it back down. We rejoiced over these accomplishments with German refreshments, lime margaritas and hot Mecican food.

Beginning Monday morning, Lars decided to start waking up at 0400 and stay up for the day. Or at least until Eden was ready to wake up, then he’d take a nap. Of course, it was too late for me to go back to sleep. All the while I was trying to make it through until bedtime. Every evening of the week, one of us had something until late, so we took turns putting Eden to bed. I managed to get an hour and a half nap on Thrusday and that was something of a novelty. I celebrated by staying up until 0100 when Lars woke up to eat. That was stupid on my part. But currently, I’m somewhat addicted to HGTV.

Friday, the day off, was spent doing odds and ends that have needed to be done since we moved here. While I was cleaning up the laundry room, Eden was stripping down, trying on “Daddy and Mommy’s dirty clothes”. She also found the summer swimming bag and put on three different swim diapers and swim suits. She stood at the bottom of the steps, waiting for me to take her swimming. Even had the beach ball in hand.

Saturday evening was the awards banquet for the Fire Department and city supporters. We got a sitter and anxiously awaited the handing over of the children. The evening came and went quickly. We had an enjoyable time at the banquet, met some new people, ate some good food and enjoyed rehashing old calls over drinks. I came away with a 2007 Top 5 responder T-shirt (I was number 3 in rescue calls this year) and, most honorably, the 2007 EMT of the Year award. I was totally shocked and didn't have a nice little speech prepared, like some of the other award winners did. I hoped that because people missed the Golden Globes this year, they weren't expecting a laundry list of thank yous and "oh my, I don't know what to say" speeches. None-the-less, I accepted it graciously and sat back down thinking, "Oh Jeez, I should have said something."

So, delayed but necessary, here is what I would have said, had I been quick enough:

"Thank you. This is a wonderful community and a great department and I am honored to be able to serve you with the gifts God has given me."

That's all for today. Have a great week.