This weekend we will be celebrating Curt’s 44th birthday in California with the Ziemke family.  This is a celebratory party to celebrate Curt’s life and all that he means to us. 

Curt was diagnosed with ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease, right after John’s wedding in November.  His body is shutting down and the disease is progressing rapidly because he is so healthy. 

Cindy, his wife, is one of my best friends in the whole wide world.  What do you do?  What do you say?  My best friend’s husband, who is AMAZING, is dying.  I was their flower girl.  They have the best marriage in the universe!  Mike and I respect and admire them so much!  They are high school sweethearts, best friends, soul mates, not to mention they have three of the best, coolest kids in the world!  This is the hardest thing we’ve ever been through…

So, we are going to laugh and dance and party, and celebrate, but the dark cloud looms overhead and the mixed bag of emotions the weekend will bring are staring us in the face.  So we will go to be, go to love, go to share life together. 

These are some of my favorite recent memories with Curt:

Unbelievable!!!  I couldn’t even stand up!

California visit, summer of ’08!

Curt’s middle child and our buddy, Cayden (I have a picture holding Cayden when he was Anna Kate’s age), lovin’ on his daddy.  (and Mike being goofy along with John)

Crazy T-shirt night – Curt definitely won!

Commando night – we brought the Texas to the city folk!

Curt and his youngest son, Corbin.

Curt and Cindy!  (The disco ball in the background is perfect – so them, always in it for a good time, always ready to party!

The Ziemke family with John and Nancy at their wedding outside of Austin in November. 

The thing I admire the most about Curt and Cindy is that they have NO REGRETS.  With the time they have left, they literally don’t have any wishes of what they would have, could have, or should have done.  Isn’t that amazing!?!  May we all live life with NO REGRETS.  Hug your loved ones, go and do good in the world, make a difference, be alive.  Love God, love the creation.  Curt has done this with all of his heart, and he has done it well!

It’s been real.

Mike and I took a picture just like this with a snowman we built at our first apartment in Waco over 7 years ago.  We really need to scan that picture next to this one for you to see.

Our neighbor Julia, who moved next door to us in December, came over to say hello and play in the snow with us!

Ahh… my girls!

Cutie Patootie!

Mike just wanted a picture of me so that he could say, "Mo in the Snow!"  Lol…

Yay!  Step 1 is finished. 

The best snow"girl" maker in the entire world hard at work!

Little bit packing on snow with her daddy!

Snowball break!

                 Here’s sweet Anna Kate watching with anticipation from the wagon!

Noelle couldn’t wait to put the carrot on our snowgirl.

Noelle loves to get books and "read" in her bed at night, just like her Mommy.

I found her in her room reading "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi" to herself the night before Valentine’s.  I was very impressed.  Noelle is so responsible!

Michele is amazing!  She’s throwing a baby shower for a friend in Japan, and she made this canvas for her.  She’s so creative and special.  I miss you, Michele!!!