The Story of Logan

I normally like to keep this corner of my internet upbeat and optimistic, however today I feel an overwhelming need to share the story of Logan with you.

Back in 2008, my hometown of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, flooded so badly that the entire downtown and beyond was under water.  It was devastating to see the places you grew up ruined so quickly.  The library and all of the books - under water.  The Science Station, which was like a children's museum - under water.  My dentist's office - under water. Bridges I used to travel daily - closed and barely visable.

Library

Mercy Hospital

 On Tuesday, severe storms with epic amounts of rain made their way through Eastern Iowa and on to Chicago, where I am.  Pictures began flooding my Facebook of my friend's basements flooded, reports of friends and their families going hours and hours without power.  After checking in with my parents (both houses were ok water-wise, just a few hours without power), I began to scour the local newspaper for updates on the river, praying that it wasn't close to flood level again.  Instead I found a report of three teenage boys that impacted me deeply.

Logan (age 17) and his friends, David (age 17) and Jacob (age 16) were playing in the street after the rain had stopped Wednesday, one block from my Mom's house.  There was standing water - reportedly about ankle-deep.  Logan went to get a frisbee near the side of the street.  The stormwater took control of his body, knocking him down and into a sewer drain.  David went in after his friend. 

David travelled over one mile throughout the sewer system of Cedar Rapids, finally emerging in Cedar Lake.  He was able to walk to the hospital for help.  Logan did not have the same story.  His body was found this afternoon in the same lake.

This story has really affected me.  How many of you have gone to jump in puddles or play in the rain?  Especially when water isn't very deep - I never would have known the dangers, and I certainly never would have thought twice about seeing three teenage boys playing in the street with some rain water in it.  My heart aches for his family.  For his friends - especially David and Jacob, who will forever have the memory of Tuesday in their minds.

Today is Wednesday Wishes with Anne from Love the Here and Now.  Today my wish is for strength and healing for Logan, his family and friends, and the city of Cedar Rapids. I also wish for everyone to be careful in standing water - you just never know the strength of Mother Nature. 

Hug your loved ones a little tighter today - I know I have.

It's My Party

Today is my actual birthday, but I celebrated over the weekend.  Friday night I had dinner and drinks with some of my best girlfriends - all of the girls I wrote about here.  We ate way too much, discussed our celeb crushes (mine is Ian Somerhalder, anyone else?!) and began planning our next girls trip.  Win win win in my book!

Saturday was hard to beat.  For Christmas, "the girls" had gotten me a gift certificate to a hotel and spa in Geneva, IL - The Herrington Inn.  I've been craving some one on one time with my husband for awhile now.  This was the perfect opportunity!  I left early and headed to the spa.  I started with a Swedish massage and it was probably one of the best I've ever had.  The therapish focused exactly in the areas I told her about, and I definitely fell asleep at least twice.  After waking up, it was time for my first facial.  I still can't decide if I'm a fan or not - but there was one moment when my face was wrapped in hot towels as a treatment set.  She left the room and I absolutely fell asleep again.  Either I was extremely tired (yes) or very relaxed (also true). 

The Herrington Inn, via Google

After my three (or more) naps courtesy of the spa, I got ready and went off for a solo shopping trip.  This alone would have made my entire month!  I had time to browse, go in to any store I wanted, and try things on in silence.  Perfection!

As if all of this wasn't enough, I have to share my dinner experience.  If you live in the Chicago area, or are ever in the Western suburbs - you have to go to Bien Trucha in Geneva.  I ate so much delicious food that I could barely walk out, and I'm not kidding.  But let's back up a bit.

We knew that they didn't take reservations and had been told that in order to eat there at all on a Saturday, we should get in line by 4:45 to put our name on a list when they open at 5.  So we did - and still had about 20 people in front of us!  (I also need to go ahead and apologize for the iPhone pics... didn't plan that out very well.)

 

Luckily, once they opened we were in the first wave of tables to be seated.  We ordered some delicious drinks - cucumber margarita to be exact - and the "Guacamole of the Day".  It's always traditional guac with fresh fruit - Saturday was watermelon.  Delish!

 

 

We ate so much food, but I only thought to take a few pictures.  Bacon wrapped shrimp, pork tacos, roasted corn, shrimp tacos, mexican rice.  All menu items are in small plate form, and so so delicious.

 

 

While walking back to the hotel, we passed a bar that advertised "200 Craft Beers".  As if we weren't full enough already, we thought that sounded like a good idea.  We ended up staying a few hours because they had a live band.  It was so fun and amazing knowing that we didn't need to get home for a babysitter.  (The girls stayed with my in-laws).

 

We got to sleep in yesterday morning!  And just lay in bed.  We were laughing because we honestly don't know the last time that happened.  Normally, when we wake up its because one of the girls is awake so we have to hit the floor running.

 

It was a perfect weekend and I'm so thankful to have been able to spend that time with my husband.  We really, really needed it.  And - I was able to cross off "get a facial" and "have a staycation" from my 101 in 1001 list.

 

It's Monday - which means I link up with Emily from Ember Grey for Grateful Heart Mondays.  Today I am grateful for time to laugh with my friends.  For time with my husband without any distractions.  This birthday will definitely be remembered as one of the best yet - and the actual day has just begun!

 



 

Influenster TLCVoxBox

I recently signed up for Influenster, and was pretty excited to learn that I would be recieving the TLCVoxBox.  I was pretty excited - as I spend a lot of time filling out surveys on their site - mostly when I had some downtime at work, but it was still nice to see my efforts getting me somewhere.

Here's what was inside:

 

Ivory Bar Soap: I'm not going to lie, I wasn't too excited about this.  I don't use bar soap, no one in my family does.  I'll have to check Pinterest to see if there are other things I can do with it - otherwise, to the garbage it goes.

 

Puffs to Go: I don't really have a preference in brand when it comes to tissues, so this was great.  I love this size for my diaper bag.

 

Shell Fuel Rewards Network: I love a good rewards program.  The gas station closest to me is Shell, so this will be used, if I remember to put it in my wallet.  I used the Cardstar app, so carrying actual cards with me doesn't happen often.

 

Breyer's Gelato Indulgances: This box included a coupon for a free tub of ice cream.  When I went to the store, they had three flavors: Vanilla Caramel, Tiramisu and Triple Chocolate.  I should have went with my gut here (Vanilla Caramel), but because I had a free coupon I ventured out and got Triple Chocolate.  It was too rich for me.  I usually don't like chocolate ice cream, so I'm not sure why I thought this would be different!

 

Neosporin Neo to Go: Another item perfect for my diaper bag.  I used it at the park about a week after I got it, and E immediately stopped crying and went back to playing.  Win for me = will be buying again.

 

Avon Anew Reversalist Express Wrinkle Smoother: I have used Avon products in the past, so I was excited to try this.  I don't have a lot of wrinkles, so that effect was lost on me.  It did feel a little heavy for summertime, but I think it would be better in the winter when makeup doesn't slide off your face.

 

Overall, I was excited to try most of these products and hope that I have another chance in the future to try more.  And, if you are a mom, nanny, big sister, aunt, spend any time with children, buy yourself the Neosporin Neo to Go!

 

**I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.  All opinions are my own.

 

 

A Family Full of Moving Violations

I have to start this by saying that it's been nine years since I've gotten a ticket (besides the random, annoying parking ticket).  NINE YEARS.

I've mentioned a few times recently that my husband was in Canada last week.  He drove.  It took he and his cousin 18+ hours to get to Northern Ontario.  On the day he left, I got a phone call asking where my insurance card was.  I casually told him it was in the glovebox, or he could get it online.  I thought it needed it to get in to Canada - but no.  He responded with "Well, the cop wasn't too happy to hear that."  He was speeding and was pulled over.  Honestly though, I'm surprised he made it north of Minneapolis until getting caught!  Turns out he only got a warning!  Score for us.  Until he texted twenty minutes later with "The second cop wasn't as friendly."  You'd think he would have learned his lesson and actually take the warning - yea I thought so too.

Fast forward to Saturday when I was driving to my sister's for the weekend.  While in Canada, there is absolutely no cell reception, so while he is there we talk to him twice - on collect calls from the camp's small office.  So, while I was driving, my cell rang and it was Tim!  I immediately answered because I hadn't really talked to him in over a week.  That's when I looked to the side and saw a state trooper glaring at me.  I was sitting in traffic and couldn't easily conceal what he had just seen.  I got pulled over and was given a $120 "no hands free" moving violation.  In my defense - my car has bluetooth, but I was in Tim's car.  I really thought about taking a selfie while he was in his car, but didn't want to make the trooper even more mad, or give me another citation!

Two tickets in one week!

Here's where it gets interesting. In Minnesota, they give you a citation number and you have to look up your fine.  Over seven days later... his citation number is not in the system, even though the trooper told him it would be there within 48 hours!  With my ticket, I can pay the fine, put myself on probation and if I don't get any more moving violations in 90 days, nothing goes on my record.  Seems like a no-brainer, but it makes me nervous.

What would you do - in both situations?