Surprise!

Friday night we celebrated Mom's 50th birthday with an old-fashioned surprise party. After many plans failed to get her to the church, Shaun finally just had to call and kindly suggest she come up to the church. So, she knew something was up, but I don't think she realized the scope of the event. We had family, friends from work, friends from church, and friends from grade school through high school. I think we had around 65 guests, which seemed like the perfect amount.

Shaun and I have been busy for weeks planning the decorations and food, and I think things turned out quite nicely. Here are a few pictures from the evening.

Wedding Bells Are Ringing

Last Saturday, we celebrated Grandma Norma and Grandpa Joe's 55th wedding anniversary with an open house reception at the new blue barn in Atkinson (St. Anthony's new parish hall). After announcing the event in the local paper, around 200 people came to celebrate. It was a delightful day!

Sorry for the Delay

Last weekend we were in Champaign for Fat Fest, an annual tradition that involves eating a disgusting amount of food at ten different restaurants all in one afternoon. We had a delightful time, as usual, and I'm happy to report that Dunkin Donuts finally made it on the list of stops. I don't think anyone was disappointed. In addition to donuts, other restaurants stops included pizza, Korean, Chinese, frozen yogurt, hot dogs, and bar food. Here are a few picture highlights from the day. In other news, my new job is not my favorite. Here's hoping this coming week is better than the last two have been.

First Day

Tomorrow is my first day at my new job. I'm crossing my fingers that the transition is a smooth one.

Working Out at the Track Meet

Butch, Janet, and the kids were in town on Friday and Saturday. Sarah made state in two track events, so we were all excited to watch her race. It turns out, the spectators got a work out, too. After waiting in a long line of cars for 20 minutes, we finally parked almost two miles away from the sports complex. (I just Google mapped it!) Two GIANT hills and 30 minutes of walking later, we were in our seats, ready to watch for Sarah. Her relay team had their best time ever, so they were quite happy.

I was happy to see the family and to go to Twistee Treat after.

Where Have I Been!?

Well, here, there, and everywhere.

I'm sure you all have been wondering about the job interview. It went great. I'll be starting June 1. So much for my hard-earned summer off :0) I'll be working at a very nice nursing home for the most part, and doing some out-patient pediatric and adult work as well. Both locations are five minutes from my house. I'm excited but very nervous. I hate change, and I hate feeling like I don't know what's going on; both are inevitable in a new position. June could be a rough month.

In other news, Joshua and I took a surprise road trip up to Wisconsin on Friday. Grandpa Ed had a serious health concern come up on Thursday night. Many adjustments will have to be made by Grandpa and the entire family, but I'm confident that there are still many happy memories to be made. We drove back Saturday evening, glad that we went, but still tired. I think Joshua's medical information was needed, and the family seemed to appreciate my input on speech and language issues.

We celebrated Mother's Day with a cookout at Aunt Kathy's on Sunday. I really do have a super mother! Love ya, Jon G.!

Hello, My Name is Mandi, and I'm a Great Worker.

So, I have a job interview tomorrow at 4:00.

I'm not terribly excited.

The job itself is interesting, half time at an outpatient medical setting and half time at a small nursing home. It sounds like a great opportunity, and both settings are only five minutes from my house. However, interviewing does not excite me. Until now, I've had a phone interview (in my yoga pants) and a very casual interview for a PRN position that I pretty much knew I was hired for before I went to the interview.

Tomorrow will be my first big-girl interview with an HR representative. I also have to navigate to a new place in downtown Peoria. I hate driving to new places.

Enough whining. I am prepared. I am confident. I am a good worker. I ironed my pants and steamed my interview jacket (Thanks, Lena, for the fantastic steamer on loan while you're away!) What else can I do?