no. 330 here

back in virginia...
NOT missing the nasty traffic
one
single
bit
but-
missing the friends and family means
so
seriously
looking forward to catching up with lovies in spite of the traffic!

wedding madness makes updates kind of hard, so i'll do my best between now and next week, the actual event is saturday the 3rd in camden maine...deborah-TOTALLY eating a lobster roll for us both and toasting our superhero reading powers!!
we head up to maine on thursday, with a stop coming and going planned for a quick trip into boston for mr. ben and siblings!
(lil' kim...any "must do" food stops or goodies you want us to get?!!)

from there:
hugs and love with the VA peeps, and then another LONG drive to sunny florida for harrison family fun, cuddles with the sweetest niece and waay too grown up nephew (who graciously lets me call him my honey bear...still)
late nights hitting then 24 hour target with the world's best sister in law, laughing and eating Big Apple pizza!
we
cannot
wait!!

lovies in germany-WE MISS YOU!!!
and have our fingers and toes crossed for a WM WIN!!!
umarmen und lieben
essie

no 329 on a manifest

after 2 years...pres and i will be back in the states!
everyone else has been back since our last visit summer '08

not me and my boylie-we're very excited, and hope we get to see everyone while we're home!
angus...CHECK FB for the flight info

umarmen und lieben
essie

no 328 the one where we watch the US play Ghana

so... we didn't get on the flight to charleston.
20 seats off.

BUT

because of this, our numbers look fantastic for tomorrow!
for now-PRAY for the seats
AND
that we make a goal on this penalty kick

s.e.r.i.o.u.s.l.y!!!
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

USA
USA
USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

umarmen and lieben
essie

no 327 update

looks like we are waiting on Charleston for today...
back soon with good news-i hope!
tomorrow there are a number of flights headed to all of you, and our numbers look good!

umarmen und lieben
e

no 326...space a

it's official...our summer travel adventure has begun!
we're sitting tight in our hotel room right now, heading over to the terminal in a few hours to see what the stars have in store for our traveling wilbury family!

no matter what, it looks like some family in VA will have to drive a few hours to pick us up-the joys of living in the woods!
just remember, if you hit traffic on the highway, we've already traveled 6000 miles to get back to ya...i'm just sayin...

we promise to keep ya'll posted as it is always an adventure
when your tickets are
free.
(SCHAweeet deal, minus all the wait and see pudding when you have a large family and full fares are as ridiculously high as they currently stand)
cross those fingers and toesies, we're trying trying trying!!
umarmen und lieben
essie

no 325 birthday wishes

wake up
it's the last day of school
your 14th birthday...
all at once
in the minute that she took
to make a birthday wish
while we sang
our daughter turned a page in the book of
her
life...

the funny thing about her birthday as i go back in time-
every year it has rained...without fail, every year
rain.
we brought her home in the midst of an indian summer-
somewhere past 107 degrees on the 17th of june
she made her place in
our
book of life...
it
has
been
a
blink~

too soon
too fast
today.

umarmen und lieben mein schazi
momma

8th grade formaland some more formal

no 324 the birthday trifecta

tuesday goes to dunc
(happy birthday little brother!)
wednesday goes to oma chris
(happy birthday oma!!)
and
thursday...
thursday is all about the girlie as she turns
fourteen.

*sigh*
too fast
too soon
tomorrow

umarmen und lieben
essie

no 323 baby olive juice 2

seriously, i knew you were born on the 8th
my computer is in another time zone...
trust me
and in a pinch,
your aunti*e* will vouch!

most importantly...
you
are finally here!

umarmen und lieben schazi!
the other e

no. 322 baby olive juice

dear baby zeus,
today is your day-
you will be welcomed into our world
with love
and tears of joy
relief and
satisfaction
thoughtful knowing...
we've been waiting for you
after today
you
will be here!

i hope to meet you sometime soon-it's been toooooo many sleeps since i saw your momma and auntie, so this love note on your birthday is my attempt at the cuddle in the hospital you would have gotten from me, today.

i begin here:
there isn't enough i can say about the women in your family...
i love them all

they are strong
they are sensible...most of the time
they are silly...lots of the time
they are creative
they are kind
in the face of upheaval they focus and do
they love deeply
and in return they are deeply loved
you are one of them-
simply the luckiest baby girl ever!

your momma is a sweet soul-with a heart of gold
remember that when she comes atcha with a medusa head
she will in about 13 years,
because that's what good mommas do
raising kiddos isn't easy, lovebug
but your momma
she will do it with the
grace and ease that she has put into raising your wonderful big brother
she has a heart that beats to the sound of yours
nothing means more to her than you and your family...

your auntie is wise, thoughtful, funny-oooo so funny and will spoil you rotten!
your auntie is one of the most important people in my world-
she will be that to you too...i already know it.
her laugh is hearty and rich
it fills a room
just like the big boys who fill her house!

the treehouse with uncle col and the littles...
it is a magical place
where you wil become the pretty princess ruling over everyone in your kingdom
or
the warrior princess who loves to ride motorcycles
either way
the treehouse will be your safe place filled with all the folks a girl could ever want-ready to save the day or spice it up!

your aunt alex was a force of nature.
i think of her everyday-
you will
see her in rainbows,
feel her in the heat of a sunny day
hear her when thunder cracks and snow crunches under your feet.
she is part of you, and you, part of her...


your grammie in Wisconsin...she is just plain cool!
mr. tony and i LOVE lana.
i predict, that you might be a teeny tiny bit like her...
we shall see.

today sweet little one, rest in the arms of the family who has truly waited a lifetime for you,
a journey such as this needs to be celebrated in every way
but
also in the most important way...
with the love and wonder of your big brother, daddy, and momma rocking you to sleep
counting fingers and toes
cooing into your ears
kissing the top of your head
tickling your feet
welcoming you home to them.

happy birthday baby girl!!

loving you already, forever and always!!
your other e