Rollercoaster Time

When we look back on these days I am ninety-nine percent sure that the thought which will come to mind is rollercoaster.  Beginning in July when Chelsea and Chadd were engaged to just over a week later when he had his accident.  That has been the pattern.  We are happy....really happy.  And then we are blindsided by deep darkness.  It has become common, not right... but common... for me to think, "Wow, that was fun....I wonder what horrible thing is coming next!".  I'm not sure how to break out of that since it has been months like that.

Recently, the highs have included a Bachelorette party for Chelsea.  All of her bridesmaids were able to attend.  Even this event was impacted by the craziest of events...two of them.  Emily had arranged for all of the girls to show up at our house on Sunday morning as Chelsea was just about ready for church to kidnap her and they were going to head to Washington D.C. for the Cherry Blossom Festival.  However, you may have heard about or experienced the insane windstorm that came in Saturday night.  With trees falling down, wires down and the cold temperatures these ladies made the wise decision to work around the storm a few hours later than planned and within Lancaster County.  And so, in the following photos you see them "kidnapping" Chelsea from church just following the morning service.

 They brought her coffee!!

Chelsea truly has the best friends.

they have been such a support system for her through

these stressful times.

Emily has been a fantastic Matron of Honor.

They headed out and I only know the rest of the day from what I've heard

until Chelsea and Emily unexpectedly showed up at our house

that evening.  They were all supposed to have a sleepover at Mikey and Emily's.

In fact, Michael was down with us for the night so that he wouldn't be 

in the way up there.

He and Jonathan had gone to dinner with Warren and I just prior to 

the girls return.  That was so much fun!!

Turns out that after going to dinner at Panera the ladies had headed back

to Mikey and Emily's only to find themselves redirected to the local fire company.

You see, some neighbor had gone a bit crazy and threatened to harm 

himself.  He had told the emergency personnel that he had poured gasoline

all over his apartment and was prepared to light it.

You can't make this stuff up!

Really.

So, while the authorities gave permission for all of the girls to go back 

to the apartment they let them know to be prepared to evacuate at a moment's notice.

This seemed a bit more stressful than fun so the others opted to go on home 

while Chelsea and Emily came down to our place to watch the planned movie

and sleep.

When Michael heard what was going on near his home he headed up

to be there and keep an eye on things....through his eyelids...since work

was coming extra early on Monday morning.

Can you even imagine???

I mean, the weather.  That's often unpredictable.

But for two crazy things in one day?

Thankfully Chelsea has commented several times that it was a great day!

She has no regrets!

Taken from Emily's FB page.  She commented that the day only drove her a little bit crazy

with all of it's twists and turns.

Monday morning found Chelsea, Emily, J the flower girl and I 

at the Tomato Pie Cafe in Lititz for breakfast.

It was great!

And the perfect ending to a great but unpredictable weekend.

This week we have had news that the next hearing won't happen until 

after the wedding and honeymoon.

When the preliminary hearing was postponed with no new date we feared the 

worst...that it would be rescheduled for some critical time.

But thankfully, the kids are being spared that.

Our final highlight of the week was a dress fitting.

Chelsea looks so pretty.

I know you would expect me to say that....

but you'll see.

In time.

She really does.

But we have to find new shoes. 

The ones she got just aren't right for the dress length and style.

I don't think she is too upset

to shoe shop again.

Wishing you peaceful days.

I know I would enjoy some about now.