So what can we say about this weekend except…um….wow.

We went to Bowling Green to see Chris’s Mom, trade in my beater Cavalier, and attend a engagement party breakfast (breakfast party? Something like that) Anyway, we started with the breakfast. (Makes sense) Becky did a Bee-YOO-tiful job bringing people, decorations, and logistics together. It was a little stunning since Chris and I were not expecting any presents. We walked in and the table was stacked high with gifts. There were roughly 85 people there, all friends of Chris and his Mom. It’s really cool to be in a room where people all are wishing the best for you. Not that I spend a lot of time with people wishing me ill, but this is a little different. Everyone was just super, so it was a lot of fun. A lot of these people have known Chris since he was knee high to a grasshopper, so hopefully in the future, they can spill the good stories on him. Of course I know that can work both ways as a bunch of people at the wedding will be able to share the goods on me as well.

After the breakfast, we picked up our shiny new Accord. Then it was back home to open presents with Chris’s aunts. We filled Becky’s living room with gifts. It was amazing, gratifying, and completely overwhelming. We’ve kind of lived fairly simple lives, at least when it comes to owning/buying non-bike-related things. Chris moved to Pittsburgh in 2 station wagon trips. I have a lot of stuff, but it’s mostly papers, keepsakes and mementos. Suddenly we have pyrex, corning ware, towels, lamps, crystal, ornaments, etc. Oh sure, I signed up for a lot of this, but it’s still odd to see how much was there. And then there were the gift cards, and money. We both feel guilty, which I know is odd, but the whole experience is just strange. This will probably be the only time in our lives that we go through anything like this, and there’s really not much to prepare you for this outpouring of love and affection for us and for our parents. Anyway, not that it makes sense, I think a lot of it was just sort of the shock of the whole weekend. Then Sunday morning we loaded up the new car with our new gifts and drove home playing with the new XM radio. We did indeed get everything into the car – that’s a trunk full of gifts, the big bike bag, the suitcase, a bike, and the dog with room for him to stretch out in the back seat. We won’t mention any names but SOMEONE thought we couldn’t. She was afraid this car wouldn’t be able to fit a baby either…

Anyway, I have to say, for those of us who travel, XM radio rules. First three months are free, and that’s a good gamble on their part. We’ll probably keep it.

And now I’m off to talk Chris out of selling everything and going to do missionary work in India.

For those of you who are in a praying mode, my first CPIM test is tomorrow, and I feel woefully unprepared. Pray for me for clarity of mind, so I do my best!

- posted by cam @ 8:33 AM