Chi-Town

Ten years of marriage. So much has changed in ten years. When we got married, although we weren't young in society's eyes, I feel like we were immature in so many ways. I feel like a "real grown up" now. I am just thankful God has a plan for my life. I told Jeff I feel like a completely different person than what I was 10 years ago. A person who goes to Chicago for four days, and enjoyed sitting quietly by the river holding hands with her husband, reading a book in her hotel room, and sitting at a coffee shop just simply people watching.

On Thursday we went with the Lacey recommendation. We had dinner at Banderro's and enjoyed probably one of the favorite food items of the trip. The prime rib sandwich. It was delicious, and we seriously thought about going back a second time! But we were in Chicago, and so much to see - so many places to eat...so little time.

On the late night walk back to our hotel, we found out that they were going to be taping the Transformers 3 movie right outside our hotel. It was fun to watch them turn Michigan Avenue into a war zone. Crashed cars, explosions, sky divers...all for about 10 minutes of movie. We also visited the American Girl store and the Hershey's store. Oh my...I can't wait to bring the girls back to this store!




Day two we had tickets to the Cubs game. We headed out early in the morning with a quest to have breakfast via recommendation from Rachel Ray. Warning: The maps they give you in Chicago are deceiving. I - wanting to look cute - wore flip flops to the Cubs game. I had no idea the restaurant we were going to have breakfast at was 20 blocks away!! Perhaps I should have planned better. But we got to enjoy a llloooonnngggg walk around through some old neighborhoods. I loved seeing the old condo and houses. Some have "For Rent" signs, with 2 bedrooms for $1,400...wowser. Although living there while single would have been ideal, living their raising a family would be nearly impossible. After the game, we enjoyed a great dinner with Rich - Jeff's brother. He always has the best restaurant recommendations...I enjoyed a couple great Chardonnays and Lobster Mac and Cheese. Okay....roll me home to bed now!!




Saturday we had no plans. Imagine that folks - Micki...with no plans! We walked along the river and ended up on Navy Pier for awhile. We also went into some great trendy grocery stores (think Fresh Market on steroids). I can't imagine having all those food options right around the corner. Every time when turned the aisle, we were amazed with all the options...virgin oil, balsamic, honey, cheeses, olives...the list goes on and on....





My husband truly loves me. I know this because for our anniversary dinner he agreed to a Brazilian Sushi restaurant - Sushi Samba!! This restaurant was close to the theater district of Chicago, and albeit...I felt a little Ma and Pa Kettle there (as my mother in law would put it). The hostess and waitresses were dressed in 6" heels and dresses out of movies. And when we went to eat at 5:00p, we were still considered the "lunch crowd." I don't think the "dinner crowd" starts until 9:00p. Yes, we are getting old and I am okay with it! Jeff has a Brazilian rum drink, and I started with a grapefruit martini. The dinner was so good, even Jeff enjoyed it! But as Jeff pointed out later ... sushi does not stick with you long. So after watching a movie in our hotel room, around 9:30p, we ventured out for dessert. We came across a giant Brownie Sundae, which we joyfully ate at 10:00p at night. Yes, this is an anniversary I will remember.




I am going to start planning my 20 year anniversary....when I was thinking about that on the way home, I realized Carlie will be 18 years old...a senior in high school. Ummm...we won't be leaving her at home alone. No, she is my daughter...and I know what I would have done had my mom and dad left me. Maybe 20 years calls for a family vacation to Hawaii....or Ireland. Yes...I like that idea a bit more!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Today my best friend turned 40 years old. I may need to remind you that I come from a family that birthdays are not simply remembered, but celebrated ... with cards, gifts, dinners out and much more! Now Jeff's family is just as happy to let a birthday come and go without acknowledgement. Sorry honey, you married into the wrong family. Knowing I could never pull off a "surprise" anything...as my husband's intuition is uncanny. In the first year's of our relationship I would get frustrated and mad and even try to scheme better (is that saying?). Finally I have given up. I know when I have met my match. So now, I simply let him in on the planning and leave the surprising up to him (you might be surprised just how clueless I am when it comes to people planning things). Yesterday we kicked off Jeff's birthday with a dinner at Munchie's with his family. Today continued to celebration with the TinCaps game. Although it was hot, I was a smart mommy and packed swim suits for the TinCaps fountain. Jeff got to watch the end of the game from the outfield seats and my girls got to cool off. Jeff's birthday dinner tonight was Taco Bell...yes, my friends, he picked Taco Bell. That's my husband, never wanting anything fancy or attention drawn to himself. God probably knew that someday he'd have three needy women in his life, three women whom he loves to give attention to and dress fancy.

League Champs!!

At last, the season ends. We ended Carlie's regular season of softball last week, and this week began the single elimination league tournament. The girl's came together this week and brought home the championship. Carlie has found her niche in catching. She enjoys it, and quite frankly, is pretty good at it. I can't believe my "girlie girl" likes putting on that HOT equipment...but she does. Our team this year was made up of great families who cared about the kids more than the game. Don't get me wrong, we had a couple of "heated coach moments." But for the majority of the games, our coaches congratulated other players on good catches and hits, helped the other team in the outfield, and all in all showed great Christlike sportsmanship. Again, don't let me fool you - we WANTED to win...but ultimately the girls just liked to play the game and trade silly bands. Now...add a trophy to the win, and Carlie REALLY wanted to win!! Jeff now thinks he needs to retire from coaching. Winning league championship in Carlie's first year of instructional softball was just too much. Where can we go from here? So, I am going to by stock in sunscreen, bottled water and seat cushions, as I can predict many more hours spent on wood bleachers yelling at my girls to do their best.

RiverFest 2010

Don't you love the watermelon icee stained lips?

Today we attended Fort Wayne's first (annual?) RiverFest at IPFW. Free events and arts for everybody. Well, why not attend? It's free! We were worried about the cloudy skies in the morning, but God blew away the clouds and brought us blue skies. The event was a huge success. Booth after booth, game after game, for the kids - all free. We got balloon animals, made sand candy, petted an African centipede, jumped in a bouncy house, sat in a fire truck, crawled through an ambulance (tired yet?), followed water bubbles, played putt putt, played a violin, got schooled on sunscreen, watched people barefoot on the river, played a trombone, ate slushies, ran into several old friends, had some ribs, whew....and sweated, a lot! If you missed this year's RiverFest, mark your calendars for next year my friends. The festival even goes into the evening with bands and fireworks. Perhaps next year....kids during the day...date at night? Hmmm...too early to plan a year ahead? Never too early to plan!




I just love this picture...sweaty heads and true summer smiles....

Another Summer Weekend

Another summer weekend at the Ringger's Pond. On Saturday, we gathered at mom & dad's this weekend for Father's Day. This week has been a rough one on the Ringger family. God holds each plan for our lives in His hands, but this week, I found myself asking "why?" more often than I normally do. As my sister's each struggled this week, my heart hurt for them. Sometimes I don't realize how close I am with my sisters until they are hurting, and as silly as it sounds, I physically hurt for them as well. My get stomach aches of nervousness right along with them. I wonder if Carlie and Lucy will have this type of bond. I wonder if years of playing in the big red barn, or the "apartment" basement had a founding of this bond. Perhaps. But I think the bonds of motherhood and maturity have brought us together as adults.

With the day spent swimming, riding golf carts and ended by a bonfire, I remind myself ... THIS is what summer is about. Not t-ball game after t-ball game, not swim lesson after swim lesson, camp after camp, but instead sitting on a swing with your mother-in-law enjoying an iced drink while watching your children play with their cousins, squealing with delight as they get squirted with a squirt gun. When I kissed my girls tonight, I could taste the chocolate from the ice cream, I could smell the Off and sunscreen on their skin. Yes, this is what summer is about. My prayer tonight is to enjoy each summer day, enjoy each family member I have close to me, and to not spend my time being "busy". Unless of course, busy means ice cream and swimming pools.

Saturday, Saturday!

Canal Days has came to New Haven! Unfortunately due to our softball schedule, today was the first day we got to enjoy it. Enjoyed it in 90 degree heat and almost 100% humidity. Yeah...we sweated a little. Okay, a lot! We started out the day walking for Upward Cheerleading & Football in the parade. The girls got to pass out candy...which they loved. Although about 3/4 the way through the parade, Lucy was ready to ride. Float we did not have. So she stuck it out and walked the rest of the way. I was proud of her! After the parade we had graduations parties (more humidity...more sweating...) and then we came back to the house to "cool off" and "snack up." After a couple of hours and a rain storm or two, we headed up to Canal Days to ride the rides. Our "little" Carlie has turned into quite the dare devil. The faster, the bigger the ride, she is all about it. We met up with her friend from school, and even she wasn't brave enough to ride some of the rides Carlie was riding. My heart stopped sometimes watching her ride those put-up-in-two-minutes rides. Many laughs were had by all...I think the pictures say it all!

FFBF = Fun Date Night!

My wonderful husband (of almost ten years!) planned a FFBF for my birthday. What is FFBF you may ask? Well, of course, it is Fabulous Fun Birthday Friday! Those who know me, know that I am a planner. Almost to a point of annoyance. But after planning so much, I WELCOME the idea of others stepping in...! Without me knowing, Jeff lined up an overnight stay with Grandma Barb, scored tickets to the TinCaps game, and even picked out our place for dinner - Flannagans! We started the night at JK O'Donnells with a little Irish cheer, and then headed over the game. It may sound funny...but a little "adult time" goes a long way! We actually got to WATCH the whole game...I got to drink my adult beverage at the game without it getting warm, and we had dinner at 10:00 P.M.!! We made him home before my carriage turned back into a pumpkin. What a great kick off to my "birthday week"!

Now..the rest of the story. This mama doesn't get out too often, and it being my birthday and all, after two adult beverages, I thought I was entitled to get my picture taken with the "Bad Apple Dancers" from the TinCaps.....and so I did. Oh dear.