On The Move Again

Emma Reading To Her Baby At Bedtime

 

 On the move again…both figuratively, in that I have dusted off my latest attempt at blogging, and literally, in that we are again visiting New York, this time for Easter. Time continues to amaze me, in how it can seemingly coast by at an infinite speed, yet stay utterly still from the last time I was home. I look at my children, and my beautiful nephew, and bask in the beauty of their play, a dream I know i have had for as long as I can remember, and find it amazing that six months ago, things were so different. Yet, I look at my stunning and amazing Nana, who at the age of 90 looks no older then 70 🙂 and I feel like time has stopped…I’m not 36, everything is just like it was before I moved…but now it’s a new joy, to share my children, my husband, my life in Minnesota, with my family and my life in New York…the heart that is always there, and never changes, even though time passes us by. 

 

This trip is a mommy and Emma trip…and we are having a wonderful time! We arrived late Friday night, and started the week off with a party for Alex’s second birthday! I’m so proud of how perfectly perfect my nephew has begun to grow to be! Of course, he has wonderful parents and grandparents to help him along the way!

4 Generation…ill have to photoshop in Evan!

  Tomorrow we are heading up to Lake George to see Gramma Joan and Grandpa Chuck. I asked Emma tonight if she remembered what kind of animals we saw at their house last summer, and she promptly told me she saw geeses and a chicken! I only wish spring had decided to come earlier this year so we could have at least enjoyed some of the scenery while we are up there. but I’m very excited to see my in laws (Chuck I promise to remember your hats!)

While Emma and I are in New York, daddy and Evan are enjoying their time together as well, assembling Lego models and burning off some excess energy. I think Jim will be happy when I’m home to cook again though 🙂

 

With some recent news I have read on Facebook, or heard from talking to friends and family, I am increasingly thankful and blessed for my health, the health of my children and husband, and of my entire family, including nana who I challenge ANY doctor to find an ailment on. life continues to confuse and astound me. But my sincerest prayers go out to all of my family and friends who are going through some of the toughest times I have ever seen…Aunt and Uncle Purple Pants, Lu and beautiful baby “A”, Jenn and “D”, Aunt Catherine, to name a few…I can only pray for peace, comfort and resolve in whatever way possible.

Peaceful sleep and Sincerest Prayers..and in the truest and purest words from Alex “God Bess mommy and daddy and nonni and pop and Eban and emmmmma and eban and nonni and pop and ant dessca,and mommy and daddy. Amen.”

God bless to all. Amen.

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Life Lessons

Our life is full of memories, decisions, choices – both good and bad – all of which hold some type of life lesson, whether big or small. It is what we choose to take from these lessons that help to shape us into the individuals that we become.

As I get “older” (even though I still feel 20!) I look back at what life has challenged me with, and I like to think that I have ended up on the good side of those lessons, at least I hope so! But as I went from young adult to wife, to mother, I began to see what choices, what actions, what decisions had made me into the goodness that is within my heart. I know some of us fear becoming like our parents as we grow older, but in my case, it isnt fear, it is hope; I can only HOPE that I can give my husband and my children what I know and realize on a daily basis, that our parents have given to Jason and I. “That” is Profound Love, Trust, Faith, and Whole Hearted Goodness.

The past 8 glorious days provided an opportunity to spend uninterrupted time with Mommy and Daddy, here in Minnesota with Jim, and the kids. It is evident that what my parents have taught me, and what Jim’s parents (Chuck and Joan) have taught Jim. And that is profound and unconditional love. Our kids have learned so much not only from what we have gleaned from our parents growing up, but from what they do and see in their grandparents as well. They love their grandparents so much. They talk for days after our trips about their time with their grandparents. I am proud to pass along the love, trust, faith and did I say love?  that my parents have given to me.

Evan and Emma are too VERY lucky children and we dont miss one day of showing them how much they are loved. I want them to be able to sit down in 30 years and have the same thoughts in their heads about us.

To that end, it has been a VERY event filled and photo opp week! I look forward to sharing our outings over the next couple of posts. But for tonight, I just want Mommy and Daddy to know how much I love them, and miss them. And how blessed I am to have you as my parents. I love you both with all my heart.

Labor Day Weekend 2012

On Saturday, I participated in my first 10K Race since high school (which at this point is a long time). While I hadnt trained for it at all – It was an impromptu decision just three days prior – I managed to finish in 1 hour 17 min, an average of 12:29 Min Mile. Not too bad all things considered. Now that I have “the bug” we will look for some local 5K Races in the area which are much more in line with what we are ready for :). My wonderful husband awoke on Saturday morning earlier then he wakes on some weekdays, and drove me down to the race, with the kids in tow. They were there to cheer me on as well. I Love You Jim!! (And I love you Emma and Evan!)

Uncle John, Aunt Kati and Kyson were in town this weekend so we decided to visit the Minnesota State Fair again! We had a great time! We were there for about 7 hours total and saw a lot of things! We saw a horse show, to which Evan had many questions. “Why werent they running? Arent horses supposed to run?” He asked. While Emma napped, Evan got to ride on a bunch of rides. He felt like such a big boy! Overall we had a great time.

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Minnesota State Fair – 2012

Time once again for the Great Minnesota Get Together!! Our trip tonight was quasi planned, but we were originally going to wait because it was supposed to be SO hot. Thankfully, the heat held off  a bit, and it was actually a very nice night out. We had a lot of fun and thankfully it wasn’t too crowded. We took the shuttle direct from the Mall of America. Definitely saved us a lot of aggravation! And the kids got a kick out of riding on the bus 🙂

Our first stop after arriving at the Fair was the Miracle of Birth Barn. The kids loved seeing all of the little babies! We saw Mama and Baby Pigs, Cows/Calves, Goats and Sheep. We were even “lucky” enough to watch the birth of one of the calves on wide screen TV before we left. While Jim and I watched, we had hoped Evan wasn’t paying attention. unfortunately for us, he did see it and had many a questions for us. Regardless, he was insistent that he did NOT want to go see it again.

After the Miracle of Life Barn (which I still think was pretty cool!) we headed over to get a bite to eat. Corn Dogs, Pronto Pups and Bloomin Onion were on the menu for dinner. After eating so well the past few months, that was quite the gut bomb! Afterwards we headed over to the raging river where I managed to get SOAKED. From there it was the Reptile Barn, Cotton Candy (which for some odd reason scared Emma) and then the Merry Go Round. By then it was about time to head home. But what a wonderful time we had! This was really the first year that the kids were old enough to understand what was going on. We plan on going back once more before the fair ends.

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On Center Stage, at the Minnesota State Fair Lets Give it Up For The Dancing Duo!!!

Sunday Home Reno!

I remember when I was younger still living at home, I loved to watch This Old House, week after week, seeing how it would progress over time. I always thought how nice it would be to live in such an estate, or to even do some of the repairs myself.

Over time,I have tried a few myself; we redid the kitchen in our home while I was pregnant with Evan. We completely landscaped our back yard; I replaced the floor in our beloved three season porch. So what is next???

Well, I guess you could say I had the seven year itch. We have been here seven years, and have had the same dreary bathroom that entire time. Enough time had passed for me to “Just Do It” and that I did! Unbeknownst to Jim, I took a trip to Home Depot earlier this morning, and purchased a new vanity and flooring for our upstairs bathroom. Nothing crazy – not looking to sink too much into this house. So off I went! Tile by tile, inch by inch, I tore out what had to be close to original tile in the bathroom (some of which has come up over the past year or so). The room soon became very musty! But onwards I pressed.

Soon the dark bathroom looked even darker, as ripping the tile out did nothing for the room :). But slowly as the vanity came out, and the new floor and sink went in, it began to take shape. It isnt my dream bathroom, and it isnt the best work that could have been done. But the sink doesnt leak, the floor is sealed, and it doesnt look like a 5 year old did it. So I guess I consider that a success!

Now we have to sand down the walls, paint them, then buy new fixtures for the bathroom, and that will be it! Shoudl stay well below the $1K mark which was more then my allottment in the first place!

Thank you to my sweet husband for coming to my rescue when I realized I couldnt do ALL of it myself! And to my little boy for helping me lift those “heavy tiwles mommy. Im stwong!”

I Love You…And Thank You!

Self admittingly, I have behind on the blog 🙂 But while I am catching up, I wanted to post a quick message to everyone who we had to say “See You Later” to yesterday and today.

Saying goodbye is never easy, but after this last trip, it is particularly difficult to leave.

Our first week home, was so refreshing to see everyone. The joy on the kids faces to be able to play with their cousin Alex, and to be surrounded by the warmth and love of our family was comfort beyond words. The ease in my mind and my heart while on this trip is unsurpassed. Thank you Mommy, Daddy, Jay and Angela, and of course “Baby Awex” for bringing that peace to my heart! I love you all a bushel and a peck! Nonni and Pop, we cant wait to see you for the kids’ birthdays!!!

Our second week brought us to Vermont, where that warmth and love continued. Never have we had a trip such as this time. To have Grandma and Grandpa there to visit, but then to have Aunt Heidi, Uncle Bruce, Shane, Chelsea and Waseem with us, was a time never to be forgotten. I have been coming out to Vermont for quite a few years now and this past week’s trip was one of the most enjoyable, relaxing, fun and did I say enjoyable? Trips.

Thank you to everyone for making this such a memorable trip not only for the kids, but for all of us. Jim and I love you so much. And we cant wait to see you again soon. As the tears run down my face, my heart is comforted by all of the memories fresh in my mind from our wonderful trip this year. XXOO

East Coast Trip 2012 Day 9 – August 14

Good Morning Fairlee Vermont!!! You know, before we left, Jim reminded me that evenings in Vermont tended to get very cool. I didnt believe him though, and ignored his request to bring warm clothes for myself. I did bring some for the kids though, you know, just to keep him happy. Little did I know he would be RIGHT. Oh well, there is a first time for everything!

My loves!!

 

Emma and Elise awaiting launch.

 

Tuesday morning we rose to a beautiful day. The cabin was wonderful – just what we needed for the four of us. It provided ample room for us all to sleep, and gave us a place to take a break for naps, etc during the day. After waking up, we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa’s house for breakfast – Bacon and Pancakes with real Vermont Maple Syrup! (Hense my first day falling off the diet wagon). It was sooo good that we decided to take a walk in the warm morning sun, and burn off some of the calories. We had a very relaxed morning, just what we needed. We headed back to the cabin after lunch, and took a nap. All four of us!! When we woke up, we headed back to Gramma and Granpas. We had a great visit with Jim’s cousin Eban, Lena and Elise! Evan, Emma, and Elise had a great time playing together! Shayne worked on launching apples to the geese via the homemade treveche. And of course Dad was right there to help out whenever possible! The first launch didnt

generate great results. The men determined there wasnt enough weight associated with the hinge to launch the apple appropriately. So they decided adding some horseshoes was a good idea, for some additional weight. The second launch proved to be a

Emma watched intentely…

bit too successful, lanching the apple clear over the geese. The third was a “success” being that the apple landed within reach of the geese, albiet a little close for the geese’s comfort! It was a TON of fun just watching the kids just be curious about what was going on. Evan wanted to know everything that was going on. “Granpa, what is it. What does it do?” and there were lots of “Why’s” Too! But to see them so inquisitive and curious was just so much fun! I know my Grandpa would have loved to do the same with the kids 🙂 So its wonderful to see my kids have that same experiences with their Granpa.

After a night sitting by the “Fire Camp” as Evan calls it, we called it a night and headed back to the cabin. It was such a great day…

East Coast Trip 2012 Day 8 – August 13

We are on the road again! This time it was a relatively short jaunt to see Grandma and Grandpa, Aunt Heidi, Uncle Bruce, Chelsea, Waseem and Shayne in beautiful Vermont. We left relatively close to baptisms which made the drive pretty easy! When we arrived around dinner time, the kids started playing right off. They just love to run around in the back yard there. And It was wonderful to see the kids explore and be free.

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Monday night, Waseem and Chelsea headed out for a walk, while we all stayed close to the house.  We knew they were going on a hot air balloon ride, so we were all anxiously awaiting the launch of the balloon.

Little did we know that Waseem was planning to propose to Chelsea! Congratulations to Chelsea and Waseem on your engagement!!

After the excitement of the night, we all sat around the fire talking and relaxing. What a great first night in Vermont. After dark, we headed over to Silver Maple Lodge in Fairlee. What a great place to stay!!

East Coast Trip 2012 Day 7 – August 12

Sunday, August 12 marked the end of our first week on our East Coast 2012 Trip. But the day proved to be fun as always.

Early in the afternoon, we traveled to my mom Celeste’s house to celebrate Billy’s homecoming from the Navy, before venturing off to Japan for the next three years. We are proud of Billy’s accomplishments but will miss him greatly while he is gone !

  

But we greatly enjoyed the time we had together at Celeste’s house. Billy spent a lot of time playing with the kids in the pool (thank you Billy!!) and the kids really enjoyed themselves again. I swear Evan learns to swim a little more each time his feet hit that water!

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Later in the day, Jim and I got to take a 10 mile bike ride down the Rail Trail. It felt so good to get out and stretch our legs. It was a beautiful ride through the woods – I cant believe I never knew that we had such beauty so close to my home. Afterwards, we came back home for a great family barbeque. The kids had so much fun playing together!

 

 

Jason and Angela, my brother and SISTER, I love you unequivocally, and could not be more blessed in life than to share my life with you guys as my siblings. And to have our children play together, there is nothing better.