Well. I can honestly say I have NEVER had a day like today. No words for the craziness (somebody told me google has 350+ stories about 52 Zoos). If you were keeping up on facebook or twitter, I almost feel like I owe you an apology. And if you weren’t and want all the juicy details now, I owe you an apology too, because I don’t have the oomph to go through it all again.

I’m just sorry all across the board.

If you care about all the news stories and radio interviews and such, click on the links above to follow us in Social Network World.

When I’m too tired to think, I default to Zoo Reviews. Here’s #41, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, also known as our first of 11-Zoos-in-15-Days from July 10-24.

Now every time I see a pic of us in front of a zoo sign, I’m going to think about the article that said “the Taviano family claims to hit 52 Zoos in 52 Weeks.”

I posted another pic of this little jaguar a couple days ago. I could’ve eaten him, he was so cute! And in a week (ish) we’re going to take a little trip back to the Akron Zoo (Zoo #2 on our Tour) because they have THREE four-month-old jaguar cubs. I’m hoping to bring one home with me.

Okay, whoever (wink) designed this stunning creature is a GENIUS.

I’ve got a thing for waterfalls.

Awww… look at the cute, sleepy little polar bear.

Two bird pics in one post. What has come over me?

I thought this was a fun view of P. Bear.

The enormous Desert Dome is way impressive. Too bad I’m mad at the desert (how hard is it to install a gas pump out there, really?). And too bad there’s not a single animal in the desert that I even like. A bit.

I think this beauty is a leopard. I have no idea what the difference is between a leopard and a jaguar. Usually I just instinctively “know.” So if this isn’t a leopard, I must just instinctively “not know.”

And that’s the zoo in a nutshell. Lots more to come in El Booko. Thanks for all your prayers, friends! For wisdom, strength, courage, provision and grace as we navigate our way through the wonderful world of Zoo Aftermath. Love you guys!

More pics as promised. But first, many items of business.

1.) I’m not sure how many e-mails/facebook messages I got today (Monday) from those of you who RSVP’d to come to the party but then couldn’t make it. You were all so sweet and apologetic and even gushing. I felt AWFUL! Like you came to my blog this morning for a happy update–and WHAM! You felt like you just got reprimanded. I am so sorry. Yes, I was bummed that so many people couldn’t come, but NO, I wasn’t upset with anyone!! Remember–I gave it all to God and counted my blessings and focused on what DID happen–and wow. So many of you had such sad stories too–lots of vomit and really tough family issues, even a miscarriage. I’m so sorry and prayed for each of you today! Let’s do another party when the book comes out–whaddya say??

2.) Sorry about all the drama tonight with the Fox News thing (if you were on twitter or facebook). Here’s the scoop. I got an e-mail this evening from a gal at Fox News who works with Shepard Smith. She asked for permission to show pictures of us and have Shepard briefly share our story. (Whoa.) Then someone else from the show called and asked if we could do a live interview via satellite tomorrow (Tuesday). We got bumped from Monday night’s show (cash for clunkers and all that), and we’ll find out tomorrow a.m. if Tuesday afternoon is a go. Wowzers. You can friend me on facebook or follow me on twitter for real-time updates.

3.) And don’t worry about the potential national news coverage going to our heads. Fat chance. We had an awful night. The girls were bickering and fighting–even hurting each other. I was trying to read a Bible story before they went to bed. They were being disobedient. I lost it. Threw one of their dolls across the room. Yelled. Wow. A very low, low moment. Took me awhile to even want to ask their forgiveness. By that time they were already asleep. Tried to wake them up. Will have to wait for morning. Praise the Lord for His mercy and grace. Really wish I didn’t need it so often.

4.) Stacy McKay from 104.9 The River (Columbus, OH) just messaged me to let me know they posted a link to this morning’s interview. Here it is if you’re not already SICK TO DEATH of this 52 Zoos story.

My wonderful in-laws. Thank you, Tug, Angie, Rock, Janelle, Morgan, Reese and Tanner for helping make our day so special!

This girl is a true friend. Her hubby was working and she single-mommed it with 3 little boys and a gigundo giraffe cake. Love you, Jamie!

If you can’t read Shan’s shirt, it says, “I love GABE.” The whole fam–Shan, Jen, Noah and Titus all sported homemade 52 Zoos tees–so awesome! You guys rock!!

Our friends, The Jared Mahone Band. They made the party what it was. Old TV theme songs. Saying our names backwards. Gettin’ our groove on. How Great Thou Art. Thanks so much, guys!

My cousin Brian stuffing his face. He, Christy, Emmett and baby-in-the-womb made the trip from Indy. Love you guys! Brian won a $25 gift card to Marie’s Candies that my friend Rebecca donated. Speaking of Rebecca (one of my bestest friends from high school), I didn’t get a pic of me and her and her darling son Cooper. I get to see her again Friday though! Love you, Becs!

Our friend Kary (and Keegan and Isabel). Kary’s wife Kelly is due any second with a baby girl, so Kary brought the kiddos out for a smashing good time. Kary writes books too and is always so supportive of everything we do. Thanks, man!

I’m not sure what the rest of this week will hold blog-wise. I have a bazillion zoo posts to do, a book (or 2) to write, a grandma to visit, a behind-the-scenes tour at the Columbus Zoo (!!), a baby shower, and soccer starts up. All in the next 4 days! Yow-zers. (well, I think it’s safe to say the book won’t be done by then)

Thanks again for everything–all of you! I plan to properly thank you somehow some way. Love and hugs and smooches for your Tuesday!

If you’re here looking for links to our TV interviews, scroll down until you get to the bold print and blue links. Thanks!

We’re blessed. No two ways about it. I have a sentence in my brain that’s just BEGGING to come out through my fingers. But I’ve gotta save it for the book. I’ve spilled too much already. Suffice it to say that we asked God for one thing, and He gave us something else. And we’ll never ask for what WE want again. Because His ways are un-bee-leeeee-vably BETTER.

We had a party this weekend. And I’m going to try to make it through this post without using my 3-letter cop-out word when I’m feeling speechless (wow).

I’m going to be honest. A few things bummed me out. We got home Saturday afternoon, and I had a list of regrets running through my head. We didn’t get enough pictures (and since I was the photographer and don’t know anything about when to use a flash…). We had lots of people RSVP and not show up (many had very, very good reasons, and the others? not sure). I got waaaaaay too much lemonade (and forks/cups/plates/goody bags…), and if there’s one thing I hate, it’s waste. I didn’t get my picture taken with this friend… or that friend… or that friend…

Anyway. Typical spiritual battle stuff. God does an AMAZING thing, and the devil would love to keep me focused on the shoulda, coulda, woulda.

I’m done with that. It’s over. The party ROCKED. And you know why? Because God has surrounded us with some of the most selfless, talented, giving, sweet, encouraging people in the UNIVERSE.

Here are five of those amazing people–Amy, Emily, Kim, Ali, and Holly. (Denise was working hard at the prize table, Cindy was holding a neon green sign, directing people to the party, and we missed you, Val!) These gals MADE MY DAY. Ali (in the green) gently offered to be the Party Coordinator when it became apparent that I was floundering under the enormity of it all. And each of the other gals (and many others!) sacrificed time, energy, and money to make our day special. Bless you, friends. My heart is swollen with love and appreciation.

We had about 140 guests (who had RSVP’d), then about 30ish more who popped in unexpectedly. The band was awesome. The prizes were great. People had fun. All, all, all glory to God!

Can you believe this cake?? Because I haven’t been able to get over it since I saw it for the first time. My friend Jessica, cake GENIUS, showed up at the party with this little beauty and stunned the daylights out of me. If you live anywhere close to Dayton, OH and need a cake, call Jessicakes immediately.  My friend Jamie made the cutest 2-foot-tall (at least!) giraffe cake–melt my heart! My friend Missy made a beautiful cake that said 52 ZOOS in animal print letters (and sent her cake with Jess because her little girl got sick!), and my friend Jen decorated a cake with hershey bars and adorable wooden animals. Crazy-awesome! And so many people brought cookies! My friend Sarah and her girls cut out animal-shaped cookies and decorated them–so sweet!

This picture is a total God-thing. This is my friend Cheryl and her four could-be-super-models children. I’ve mentioned Cheryl before. We rode the bus together in elementary school. And despised each other. I was viciously mean to her. And she hated me right back. A few months ago, God brought her into my mind, and I couldn’t get her out. Then, two seconds later (or something like that), I got a friend request from her on Facebook. She told me later she had been debating about it forever (does Marla still hate me??) and finally did it. Praise the Lord! We asked for forgiveness, gushed all over each other’s kids, and thanked Jesus for His amazing grace! Thank you SO much for coming to the party, Cheryl!! Love you!

This is Scott (?) from 10TV Columbus interviewing us for the evening news. Our friend David Hutchison (thank you, David!!) took the video clips from TV and made them into YouTube videos so we could share them with all of you. They did a phone interview with me for the Weekend Morning Show (Saturday at 6:20am). Then coverage from the Zoo Party was shown at 6pm. Then some slightly different coverage at 11pm. Then (we missed this one) this morning at 6:15, they had another clip. Sweet.

Here are links if you want to watch (the first one is 5 minutes, but the other 2 are short):

10TV Weekend Morning Show Saturday (phone interview with zoo pics)

10TV 11:00 News Saturday

10TV Weekend Morning Show Sunday

And I’ll be chatting with Stacy McKay on her Morning Show at 8 a.m. Monday (today) on 104.9 The River (Columbus). I’m pretty sure you can listen live on their site if you’d like.

I’ll have more pics and party news tomorrow. If you came to the party and didn’t get a chance to sign our guestbook, leave a comment here, and I’ll print it out and glue it in the book (I’m not kidding). Or if you signed the guestbook but have something else to say, feel free! Or if you wanted to come and couldn’t, I’ll put you in there too! And if you want to just praise God for something, I want to hear it!

We have so many people to thank. It’s going to take a long, long time to show them all how very much we love and appreciate them.

And there’s this book brewing and stewing in my head that’s not going to write itself.

And my house is a wreck.

Anyway.

I love you, Jesus! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

I’m weary tonight and have a big day ahead of me tomorrow (Tuesday). Some of my favorite girlies are coming over for Zoo Party Prep and Taco Dip. And much chatting and laughing I’m sure. And I’m sooooooooo glad none of them mind crumbs on the floor or dust on the end tables or a toilet in the upstairs bathroom that doesn’t flush unless you take the lid off and pull on the handle. They’re awesome like that.

Here’s a post I wrote a bit ago about LPZ, a lovely little zoo smack dab in the middle of downtown Chicagoland:

Lincoln Park Zoo is just beautiful—there are no two ways about it. If I lived in Chicago, I’d spend as much time as possible there—visiting the animals, sure, but also reading, writing, dreaming. (And it’s free! And right across from the beach!)

Some nice fellow took our picture. Marla, that is a nice tan line.

With the city skyline for a backdrop and beautiful trees, landscaping and architecture, the atmosphere is just incredible—very You’ve Got Mail-ish. (I know–that’s in NYC. But still.)

The tiger exhibit was beautiful. I’d live there! Well, minus the tiger.

And we saw some amazing big, beautiful-eyed cats in the Lion House. I’m going to pretend I know what kind of leopard this is (if it is indeed a leopard–Amur perhaps?). Too bad there’s not enough room in the zoo for them to all roam and play outside.

The Kovler Seal Pool is really pretty, but our favorite part of the day…

was the polar bear! As we pressed our noses up to the glass of the underwater viewing area, he swam right up to us over and over and over—like he was kissing us through the window. So awesome.

This picture totally makes up for the time we visited one of the best polar bear exhibits in the nation (Detroit Zoo) and all the polar bears were asleep!

We don’t see reindeer all that often. Take a gander at those antlers–wow.

Lincoln Park is one of America’s best small zoos for sure. If you’re ever in Chicago, you should check it out!

Thanks so much for praying for Gabe! No, everything’s not hunky-dory, but he called me this morning (he’s teaching/speaking at a conference in C-bus all week from 8-4) with some good news. All God. Praise Him!

Have a top-o’-the-morning Tuesday!