My first trip to Cabellas

Freedom

Today Mom, Dad, and I went to visit the hospital where I was born. Its also the hospital that my brother Charlie was born. We met with the social worker, Rachel. She's about as nice as they come. We delivered a bunch of baby blankets for the babies in the NICU, in memory of my brother. I think it was a nice thing to do. I know that my parents really appreciate the little walrus beanie baby, Paul, that they were given when Charlie was there. Its their most prized possession. So, now the mommies and daddies with have these little blankets for their babies.

Tonight uncle Derek and New Auntie are coming over to babysit! Mom and Dad need a night out. They haven't had on since April! I asked them where they're going, but they still don't know. They're paralyzed with freedom.

Cream of the crop,
HAJ

Reflection

I don't know where to begin to talk about the bridge collapse yesterday. We're all safe; everyone I know is safe. There were a few close calls, including that Daddy drove on that bridge earlier in the day, but everyone we know is safe. I feel very sad. Its similar to the feeling of 9/11. Obviously, on a lesser scale, but remember how all you wanted to do that day was go home to be with the ones you love, and call those you couldn't be with, just to make sure they're there? That was/is the feeling right now. The whole city is shaken to the core. As much as we tease our city that it thinks its bigger than it is, this is a time when you really feel like you live in a small town and everyone around is in the same kind of shock and pain dealing with this. Things like this don't happen here, or to our beautiful city. It happens in New York or San Francisco. Its just shocking and we still can't grasp the severity of it. Its too real.

I'm sorry for the families that lost loved ones. Our prayers are with you, with those recovering, and with the citizens of our city. There's a big hole in middle of Minneapolis now, that can't be repaired for years. But at the same time, the stories of the heroes and bystanders who came upon the scene and started pulling people to safety, it gives me hope that we'll all pull together to get through this and rebuild.

Yesterday Mom had a little pity party for herself. She was overwhelmed with her new class, her job, and balancing all of it with her family. Unfortunately it took this tragedy to get her to put her head on straight again. She's ashamed of how she acted, and will again try to remember how lucky she is, and that things will work out, don't worry about it, relax, and be thankful for every moment.

HAJ

We are ok, pray for those hurt in the bridge collapse.

Blue Shirts

Blue shirts and blue eyes and as far as you can see!

We're getting ready for another big push this weekend to get the house ready for G&G M coming next week and leaving for our camping trip, and the whole time Mom's gotten really busy at work so she'll be working from home and the she's taking that class too! Daddy's going to have to intervene on this one. (BTW - the class may not last, it is really hard and almost made Mom cry today. If it wasn't for the fact that her office paid for it, she'd drop it like its hot!) So, today is the last day of rest before things start going crazy!!

Hope you guys are takin' it easy,

HAJ