Saturday and Sunday

Our dear friends Jesse and Heather came to visit Saturday afternoon after driving 7 hours to come here. How wonderful of them, right? Heather and I grew up together from 4th grade on as well as did volunteer work right out of high school putting 1000 hours in one year - so we know each other quite well to say the least.  We have continued our friendship throughout the years and now include our husbands :)

They arrived right around 3:30 when we put Elan down for a nap so we chatted and had a great vodka and tonic since it is the weekend after all (not quite 5 when we started but 5 somewhere :0)!  After Elan's nap we headed to the Taste of Bloomington. Basically waiting in line for food but ended up being a great time even though rocking out to a Pantera cover band wasn't EXACTLY the best soundtrack.  Just nice to be together and have a bit of bonding time again.  Jesse had fun with Finn on his shoulders and gave poor Erik's back a break.

We then headed back home and just caught up for the rest of the evening.  We then used Spotify to change the soundtrack a bit - boy is Spotify AWESOME!!!!  So need to check it out if you haven't.

I just cry thinking about them taking the time out of their crazy hectic lives to drive and see us!   We just needed some normal time and they gave us just that.  Fun to talk about old times catch up all around.

We slept in (not sure if O'Neils would classify it as such) and then had breakfast here and chatted some more.  Finn showed off with all of his toys from the Proton Center we are borrowing and Elan acted adorable as always.  He was a bit cranky but went down for a nap easily which took care of that.  Both boys stayed up waaaaay too late (11 PM) and boomeranged all night - expected since super fun Heather and Jesse here!

After they left we both felt so loved!  They just poured on the love and kind remarks!  Once again we have been surrounded by positive people.  They took off around 1 to head back to Dubuque.

We then decided to head to the 2:30 congregation meeting since they were gone - we arrived and 2 cars in the parking lot!  This congregation went to the District Convention this weekend - wouldn't you know it? ARrrgh!

So we went home to change since we had planned on going over to a family's home from the congregation that we have been going to since we have been here and had their District last weekend.  Lisa (the mom) called and change of plans...  since it was so hot it was decided to meet at the mall.  Elan can't handle a bunch of sun and heat now with the radiation treatment (his head looks pretty red at times during the day, like a sun burn) so it was decided to meet at the mall and pet the puppies at the pet store.  We headed there and had a great time!  So sweet of them to include us in their weekend!  They had their kids do the trampoline jump with harnesses and they paid for Finn - how generous!  Finn was so concerned as to how he was doing it but had a blast.  We plan on getting together again with them during the week - somewhere inside since 100 plus forecasted.

CONCLUSION:

Boy did I luck out with fantastic friends I grew up with in Dubuque!  I have known them from 4th grade on and just can't believe how everyone has been there for us.  I guess when something like this happens no matter how long it has been we all rally around each other.  I feel like one of those sappy movies like the YA YA sisterhood, Traveling Pants or something.  We just need to start a quilt together or mail jeans back and forth for it to be just that :).  The Lewis girls and family - all 3 have been so super amazingly supportive during this.  Cindy LEAVING her 3 boys with Aaron and getting on a plane (if you know Cindy this is crazy!!!) - the Potter girls and families with how they are always amazingly kind, understanding, and generous and (great bakers!!!)  The Beresford family and Hannah (Hannah left her kiddos and her awesome husband too for us in Charlotte while Elan was in the hospital - but planes not as big of an issue - but still AWESOME!).  Beth and Nate (who I literally stood behind all 4th grade - last name Duccini and mine was Dykstra DON'T LAUGH!)  her loving family and her crafty ways (will post a picture of the adorable PJ's she made Elan CUTE!) and many, many others who have done loving things.  I have known all since r4th grade and they are still so here for me and my family!!!  I just hope our kids have such a bond of friendship too during their lives.  I know we have many, many friends and family for us who throw so much love and positive energy and prayers towards us but just something about someone who knew you when you didn't drive, had REALLY bad haircuts - (thanks girls since I had super cool hair with NO bangs before the slumber party and awful hair after it!)., awful taste in clothes etc.  Just makes things a bit easier today.

Photos:

Finn and Jesse at the Taste of Bloomington - super hot out!