Doozy of a day at Budget Blinds

The story is long, but here are the bullets/highlights:

- Hail that caused lots of damage - Dave's tesla was totaled, Sam's and Syd's rear windows punctured out, every work and personal vehicles have major dents, every work van needs new windshields because of cracks.

- Violet was traveling and popped a tire on her own vehicle. Jimmy (Drew's dad) helped her put on the spare on.

- Noah's work van (Dubuque install) mid-day didn't start, had to have it towed to Falls Auto, they put in a new starter.  

- Later in the day, Noah was traveling back to Dubuque (almost home) and got struck by LIGHTNING.  He is OK (praise the Lord) but he said it was the strangest feeling/loudest boom he's ever heard.  The van is completely toasted, had to get towed back to his house in Dubuque.  

- One of Voyen's installs late in the day was going very badly, with a lot of manufacturer issues - David went to help him and they stayed at the customer house until 9:30pm working on the issues.

The Vanessa post - kitchen dweller

This is just a simple post so that I remember how much of a kitchen rat Vanessa is.  Not in a bad sense.  She's just literally always in the kitchen.  She makes up little one-serving recipes she sees on instagram daily, or multiple times a day.  She meal preps breakfasts and lunches, and texts me asking what's for dinner almost every day.  She loves her protein and cottage cheese.  She made this strawberry cake for Easter that was 10/10!

Also a pic of celebrating basketball season!

 

Eli finished Awana! Marks the end of an era for the LaMarches

Our family has been involved with Awana since Violet was a Puggle, age 2.  That would be 2008 to 2026....total of 18 years.  Eli struggled to get through his last year - needing lots of help to complete his sections....but it's DONE.  I think David and I are more relieved than anything.  Great job kids hiding God's Word in your heart!

Eli finished his 8th grade Trek book! 

 

Wedding planning/showers!

This is a quick season of celebrating, planning, and cramming.  Violet and Drew have taken off with wedding planning - the venue is selected, bridal party asked, date set, invites sent out, dress shopped for, two bridal showers, and lots of details.  We don't really know what we're doing but figuring it out as we go!

Here are pics of all the fun-

She said yes to a dress on her birthday 1/20/2026

Vanessa got out of school to help shop - she picked out the dress Violet said yes to!

the windows that will get shades at Frolic Event Center to start!

Bethany Bridal shower March 21, 2026

Drew came over to check out all the gifts

March 28, 2026 - Grace Baptist Church bridal shower, hosted by Drew's aunts Jodie and Nikki

The Calvin post

Calvin has transformed after football season - he calls it "the cut" - and controlled his eating so significantly that he lost 35-40 lbs.  He is always upside down, has a goal to get back his 6-pack of abs, and cut his track 200 meter sprint from last year's 33 to 26 seconds.

he loves his eggs

loves to chop steak up into chunks and fire roast it

I think this was the moment Calvin figured out he was a millimeter taller than dad.