What a week!!!

So, as many of you know, my sister (one of the strongest people in the entire world--this was confirmed a few days ago) and her family suffered a tragedy that I just shiver to think about. My greatest fear in the entire world is fire. Their house caught on fire. Apparently lightning hit the roof and BAM--that was that. They are SAFE and have found friendships that they might never have found, but for this incident. The garage is gone as well as a few other important rooms. Most of the rest of the house (theirs for TWO weeks now) was, obviously smoke and water-damaged.
Fortunately for them, they have good insurance and no one was hurt. Unfortunately for them, they will have to find a place to live for maybe six months while their Texas castle is being rebuilt. Man, that just SUCKS.

My sister is an amazing person. She has weathered LOTS of things in her life and just keeps going on. I know her faith and her family are huge sources of strength for her, but man, there's got to be more than that. I truly admire what she has done for her family in the last 10 years (moving and moving and moving), but mostly because she has had to do it by herself. Just putting this out there, but if anyone EVER needs moving or packing advice--call this girl!!! But it is SO much more than the moving and logistics and such. She is one of the friendliest people you will ever know and there is no place she has ever been that she didn't find SOMETHING to be involved in or a group of people to hang out with. I just want everyone to know that even though I am the "big" sister, I definitely look up to that woman every day.

OK, enough about her--now about ME!!! This is a pretty busy weekend for us. Tomorrow I am co-hosting a wedding shower for my sister-in-law to be. It should be really fun (and educational)! Because the guest of honor is from Germany, where wedding showers don't exist, this is all new to her. Her mom is here, too, so that should make it doubly exciting!!! We've got games and food and fun and presents, so I think we're ready to rock and roll.


Sunday we're hosting Shannen's family reunion. All week the weather has been predicting sun and warmish (80s) temperatures. Now we're looking at rain and coolish temps... UGH. I certainly don't mind everyone in the house, but it is so much better to be able to sit and eat and have fun OUTSIDE!!!! We'll see. These weather guys aren't good (winter storm=MAYBE one inch of snow OR twelve inches...), so I guess we'll just see what happens Sunday afternoon.

Sunday night I will be hosting the annual board members retreat for Natalie's preschool, Willowcreek. This is the LEAST of my worries, although I don't think that will be the case come Sunday afternoon. We have lots of planning to do and many "strong" personalities on the board. This makes for fun meetings.... Seriously, if I can make it through a family reunion where I know like 5 other people, this should be cake.

OK. I'm off to clean. At least the house looks good. As far as the LONG grass in the backyard, that's another story. Not my job.
Take care, all. Look for all the details next week!