Not so much new to report here so I'll simply post pictures of my beautiful children taken by my beautiful sister on our beautiful hometown farm in Sterling, Nebraska.

a bit stressed, a bit depressed

Stressed... I just returned from my week in Nebraska with kids, without husband. After the first five days, my children were in permanent out-of-control mode from lack of structure. The 12-hour drive home was harrowing. I called dear Mikey from Dallas with warning that, upon my return, I would be locking myself into my bedroom for the rest of the night. No, I didn't need dinner and no, I wasn't taking calls. I was showering and laying in bed watching mindless TV and, most likely, crying myself to sleep for various reasons of both the rational and irrational.

Depressed... While gone I received devastating news that my former boss, the man I was assistant to for 2 years, died quickly and shockingly from complications resulting from Strep Pnemonia. I had so much going on and so many responsibilities with the kids while on the trip that I haven't really had a chance to mourn and grieve. I very badly want to make the trip to Columbus, Ohio for the funeral, but I do not think it will work out. I can't think of a word for how I feel now. Russ was a great person, great sense of humor. We got along so well and in those two years I worked for him, I grew in many, many ways thanks to his leadership. He leaves behind an awesome wife and two beautiful daughters ages 5 and 7. Luckily, I do know that there is strong family support in Ohio for them and just from knowing his wife, Christie, I am positive she will make it through this and bring her girls through it with admirable strength and courage. God bless Russ's soul...

small town fun

here's a shot of me and my girls (cousin, sister, nieces) at the annual Firemen's Picnic in Sterling, NE (my hometown). More Nebraska photo-documentation to come...