Donate Life Day at the State Capital

As I have mentioned already, April is National Donate Life Month. Yesterday was Donate Life Day at the State Capitol. LifeSource (the non-profit organ and tissue agency serving the Upper Midwest) hosted the event. It started out with a presentation in the rotunda at 9 am. Volunteers and LifeSource staff gathered in our matching t-shirts. Secretary of State Ritchie talked about his personal connection with donation. His daughter was killed by a drunk driver 10 years ago. Her heart saved a girl who recently graduated from high school.

After the short program, volunteers went to personally visit their state representative and senator. As individual, we set up appoints in advance of the event. After, we were invited to the Senate Gallery to be honored as volunteers.

The most inspiring part of the day for me occurred while sitting in the gallery. Although I know some of the LifeSource staff due to my former job at the Red Cross and then volunteering, I do not know their volunteers. While we were waiting I was chatting with the volunteers on either side of me. To my left was a woman who had received a heart. To my right was a woman with a 12 year old donor heart. She appeared quite ill. She explained she had been on the donor list for 2 and a 1/2 years for a second transplant. She was in the hospital for her first transplant when she turned 22 years old.

I advocate donation because my life was impacted on the opposite end. These woman had received, and one of them was in NEED. We are lucky to live in a state that is progressive in promoting donation, and I hope our activities yesterday help to keep us in the forefront.

How can one say 'No' to donation? 18 people in the U.S. today will die waiting for a transplant.

Group photo

My self photo as leaving to return to work.

RECYCLE YOURSELF PLEASE!

The Thomberg's Weekend - CHANGE of Plans

This past weekend, I thought Mark and I would enjoy happy hour, a movie, sleeping in, hanging out with OUT the Twinners, go to dinner in NE Mpls, and etc. You see Kelly came to get M&D around 3:30 Friday for a weekend at Auntie's. At 4:45 I had just changed my clothes and fixed my make up to go for drinks, when Kelly called. Pat wasn't well and we needed to get the kids. We will pray for Pat's speedy recovery!

So in the mean time, we moved on to Plan B. Saturday we took the kids to Como Zoo (for a trip back in time to Como, click HERE)


Can't be without my Caribou. I swear, I am a coffee addict, not a caffeine addict. It's a half caf latte!

Click HERE to see the kids at the Conservatory in 2008 or HERE at holiday time.

The fish were a huge hit.

I was so busy with the kids, I didn't get a chance to digest the true beauty of the Conservatory.

Heading home for a nap. Later in the evening, we had the Lyon's over and grilled burgers.

Sunday we made a second trip to urgent care in a week and a 1/2 for PINK EYE!

But everyone was still able to enjoy the beautiful weather, including a picnic lunch on the lawn.

7 & 37

Monday was Mark and my 7th Anniversary.
Tuesday was Mark's 37th Birthday.

Both came and went with little fanfare. Like any other Monday, Mark was long gone to work before I ever woke up. Like most any weekday, I got home around 5:30. Minutes after I arrived, Mark needed to go back to work. We quickly exchanged cards. We both admitted we didn't even really like the card we had bought for the other, but both felt we needed to provide some acknowledge. Mark then departed with nary a kiss...

Alas, neither of us even feel bad about the lack of anniversary hoopla. Heck, we are still married while managing careers, parenthood, home, bla, bla, bla... Getting by from day to day seems like enough to us. So - bring on the 8th year.

Mark's birthday did include a cake I picked up from Byerly's while also running a work errand, and we did go out to eat Tuesday evening. Big celebrators that we are, we both ordered $1 tacos on special at a nearby bar and grill we like. The kids each got a mini slider meal.

Anyway - Cheers to us, and Cheers to Mark!! The good news is Kelly requested to take the kids for the weekend. The two of use will have plenty of time to relax and celebrate this weekend... although neither of us have taken a minute to plan anything yet!

Easter!

Easter Sunday we went to church, took photos of the kids in the yard, then headed to Rachel and Brett's for Sunday Dinner.

Notice the daffodil peeking up from behind the Twinner's. The deer haven't eaten them, but they show no sign of blooming yet. We asked our neighbor who works at a nursery about planting them under the big pine, and she thought they wouldn't get enough sun...

Rachel set up an Easter egg hunt for the next generation of Melberg cousins, including Sutton, Saxton, Sawyer, Mikayla, Mariah, Wilson and Marly & Dean.

Marly, Nana Chris and me.

Dean and Papa.

The Thomberg's!

Saturday with the Thomberg's

Saturday night the Thomberg's dyed Easter Eggs!

For some reason, Marly insisted on wearing a pj top....

A kiss for Daddy!

I am sure you would never guess, after we put the Twinner's to bed we sipped wine, put together Easter baskets and eggs, and hid both eggs and baskets.

Whose Driving???

Like most Mommy's, I try and make the drive to daycare smooth and contented. I do my best to avoid tears and tantrums. I do my best to encourage some giggles, smiles and chatter.

Dean does NOT like music on the car radio in the morning. Both Twinners object to my singing. No "Wheels on the bus" or "Jesus Loves Me". Any off key cords that pass my lips are met with a chorus of "NO Mommy! NO!"


Here is what they do like - When their bear or animal helps mommy drive! Here is Oscar and Marly's teddy-of-the-moment taking the wheel.

Oscar at the helm. Poor Oscar, he's flat as a pancake from over-lovin' BUT, he can still steer!

Next teddy and Oscar drink mommy's coffee....

There are no photos of me holding Oscar and putting the Amy's Blend 'Bou stainless travel coffee mug to Oscar's yarn mouth because it takes one hand to hold the bear and the other on the mug, and I am not sure how I drive too, so clearly a photo was NOT obtainable.

Yes you can question the safety involved with me driving with bears, and most certainly while clicking the Nikon! (It's all in the name of fun!)

Four Girls Gather

This past weekend my friend Dawn flew into town from Massachussets for a girls gathering. Dawn lived her oh-so-long ago and her presence is missed! It was a much needed time for four dear friends to catch up IN PERSON, instead of ON LINE for a fly by weekend. Dawn's plane landed at 8pm Friday. Our friend Heidi was on hand to picked her up and whisk her straight to our gal pal Jesse's house where we reunited for delicious appetizers and drinks.

The next morning I hosted a brunch for friends. The invite was for 10 am. Turns out that is early for individuals who don't have small kids....

Below are Dawn and Dean.

Below - Dawn's friend Anne with her daughter Libby.

Friends...near and far.

Saturday afternoon Dawn, Jesse and Heidi went shopping. I caught up with them at Arbor Lakes in Maple Grove just in time for a happy hour cocktail, then we cruised downtown. We had a room at the Marriott City Center and reservation at Bar La Grassa at 9 pm. Jesse called for about 3 weeks straight, hoping for a cancelation, to get us in at the metro's hot new dining destination.

Here we are all dolled up & out for drinks after dinner.

The weekend was a fast and furious, too short, and each of us were tired in our own cities, at our own jobs on Monday morning, but of course it is worth it to spend time together.