Goin' To the Chapel

This weekend my good friend Nikki was married at the Cathedral Basilica. She had to call and reserve this date on January 1, 2009 at midnight. While others were ringing in the New Year and kissing their sweeties, Nikki was dialing the Cathedral's office voicemail and putting in a request for a wedding date 18 months in the future. If you've ever seen this venue, you would understand the demand. It houses the world's largest mosaic installation and its beauty is breathtaking. I was thrilled to be an attendant and equally excited (and nervous) that Teagan was asked to be a flower girl. The wedding party was large - 9 bridesmaids, 9 groomsmen, one flower girl and two ring bearers.
Beginning on Thursday, we were pampered and coiffed with manicures, pedicures, tans, makeovers and hairstyles. Friday afternoon I was thankfully able to get Teagan down for a decent nap and then hauled her over to Chase Park Plaza to meet the other girls so she could get her hair done while the rest of us got dressed and ready. She enjoyed the attention and being part of the group. It was rather funny at times to see her swimming her way through the sea of satin calling out "Mommy? Mommy?"... I guess we all looked similar from her perspective.
Once the ceremony began, we all waited in line for the processional while Quinn and Teagan started in on each other at the back of the line and sweet little Brendan just looked on, probably wondering what he was getting himself into. Quinn and Teagan can be really sweet with each other, but at times they're also like siblings. This was one of those times. They started using their flowers as swords and aggravating each other. After reprimanding them, we proceeded to the front and took our places at the altar. Kelly, Lisa and I held our breath as our three little ones began their ascent up the aisle. Would one of them refuse to walk? Would one start crying? Would they run? Would they trip? Would they fight? I'm pretty sure Teagan thought it was a race. She didn't run, but she booked it quickly up the aisle, leaving the boys to fend for themselves and checking out the women she passed and the shoes they were wearing. Quinn followed behind but kept up with Teagan's pace pretty well, and Brendan fell back and did his own thing. Each of the boys did as they were supposed to and walked over to their families as they got to the front of the church, but Teagan walked right up to the altar, up the stairs, turned around and stood in the center like she was supposed to be there. Poor Rog had to run up and retrieve her, which she didn't accept well. (He also forgot to stop recording, which is why the video gets a little crazy after she passes by)



Fortunately all was clear as Nikki began her walk. She looked absolutely beautiful and when her soon-to-be-husband started crying, I lost it, too. I'm so glad to see her so happy. The ceremony was perfect and the reception was gorgeous as well. Nikki has always had a very distinct personality and style and it was reflected in the decor, and it all looked amazing. It was a long and exhausting but fantastically fun day and I wish the newlyweds a wonderful honeymoon and a long and happy marriage!

I'm really looking forward to this weekend. It's going to be a hectic few days but hopefully it should be fun. Today is my last day of work until Monday. (I'm on my lunch break now.) Friday evening one of my closest friends is getting married at the Cathedral Basilica. I am one of nine bridesmaids and Teagan is a flower girl and will have a ring bearer on each arm. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that everything goes smoothly with naps and cooperation from the little ones. And that I can walk down that very long aisle without tripping or passing out.

Giggle & Spin

I'm Baaack

I know, I know, it's only been what, 5 or 6 months? I don't have any good excuses except that every time I think about updating I get stage fright or writer's block, or whatever you want to call it.
I don't really even have anything in particular to say, so I guess I'll just try to sum up the past few months which have been very busy.
My company was acquired about a year ago and the last 6-7 months been extremely stressful. As I keep saying, I enjoy being busy, but I don't enjoy being stressed out. I've been content with my job for a long time now. In July I'll celebrate 8 years with the company. In my time there, I've been afforded opportunities to pursue my interests and to develop a position that I enjoy. I manage my own workflow and my supervisor has never been one to lean over my shoulder. Sometimes I'll go a week without even seeing him. But going from a small company to being acquired by a large company has lead to a pretty major culture shock for me and my St. Louis co-workers. It's a wonder that any work gets done with all of the policies and procedures that we have to learn and follow. I'm surprised we don't have to fill out a form to use the restroom. Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful to still have a job. Some weren't so lucky. But for the first time in a long time, I'm seriously considering looking elsewhere. I don't enjoy working in a large company environment. But alas, with the economy still in recovery mode, I figure I better stick it out as long as possible.
Speaking of large companies, Rog has been working a major project in Illinois since October of 2009. It was a blessing when he was offered the job, as he had been out of steady work for about a year and a half. However, it has morphed from 40 hours with opportunities for overtime to a mandatory 56 hour week. Add to that more than an hour drive each way, and Rog is away from us about 70 hours per week. I know it's hard on him. I don't mean to sound ungrateful. I try hard to say prayers and count my blessings and show my gratitude each day, but some days are easier than others and right now Rog is absorbing the brunt of the difficult ones.
Without question, we are most thankful for that daughter of ours. I can no longer remember what life was like before her. The words and phrases and thoughts that tumble out of her mouth humor and amaze me to no end. In the past I have been diligent about writing them down, but they've been coming so frequently lately that I've become lax in doing so. Many times I'll just post them as my Facebook status, assuming that one day I'll go back and collect them from there. Other times I can't write down and accurately convey the hilarity of the situation. She's just this little person with all of these thoughts swirling around in her head and she voices most of them. She talks almost non-stop. She's our little chatterbox. I love that she really lacks shyness and she loves to talk to people. Most often she will compliment women on their shoes or dresses. I never know what will come out of her mouth and it has led to a few embarrassing situations, but nothing that was so mortifying it couldn't be laughed about later. (Yet.) Anyway, I've rambled on enough and I'll try to post with a bit more regularity, even if it's just random "Teaganisms". I'll close with a few recent photos and a short video.