I have never been a person that jumps at the opportunity to get started on my day at 6:00 am, but I am finding myself doing just that more and more these days. Tom and my life has gotten so chaotic with this mess in Chicago and chasing around a toddler that it is nice to just sit in the quiet of the house, all by myself, and have some time to just be.
So, here's to you, 6 am! I think we will be great friends!
Speaking of 6:00 am.... I am writing this from a condo in Breckenridge, with the fireplace on and the mountain outside my window. It is delightful! Tom and I booked a trip out here last August, figuring that it would be nice to come back to where we were engaged 5 years ago (how can it be that long?!). We spent a day at Keystone and also gave Loveland a try. Snow has not graced these mountains yet this year, so runs are few and snow is man made. Nevertheless, we have gotten enough runs in to feel it in our quads, and to really enjoy that "take off your boots" euphoria.
We drove up to Vail last night, and ate chocolate right under the Christmas tree that Tom popped the question by. After, we dined at Kelly Liken, enjoyed a very nice bottle of wine, talked about what the next five years may look like for us, and just enjoyed being together. As much as we miss our sweet little boy, we have loved being away, just us two. It seems that life continues to get busier and busier, so taking some time to leave it all behind and just be with the one you are building a life with seems all the more important. I love you, Tom.
Now. Is it time for me to be home to kiss my little man all over his sweet little face?!
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Yikes
It has been brought to my attention that this blog has not been updated since June.... This comes from a Mother of newborn twin girls, who has found time to update their blog. Yikes, I am a slacker!
Summer was great for all of us. We spent tons of time at the Cabin, surrounded by family and friends. Michael started learning the joys of relaxation in the woods, and dipping his cute little toes in the lake. It also brought the news that he will have a Cousin, who will be born right around (or on) his 2nd birthday. I am so excited to see another miracle join this family, and for Michael to have a built-in playmate at all family gatherings.
Fall has been very busy for us so far. We feel like we are constantly on the go, with weddings, trips and work. We witnessed Betsy and Dave, who might as well be siblings to us, welcome their beautiful twin girls into this world. They are adorable and perfect in every sense of the word. Michael will have lots of kids now to teach all sorts of mischievous tricks to- sorry guys!
Despite the how chaotic things feel, we have managed to get out and do some things as a family that will be memories for us forever. We took Michael to the Apple Orchard, and he was even quite helpful this year. He loved pushing the wagon around, and throwing out all of the apples that he didn't think were good enough to eat (which were most of them).
Last week, we gave him his first try at carving a pumpkin (or, just scooping out the seeds). He wasn't so sure about it at first, but then couldn't get enough of the goop and we were picking off seeds and guts from every inch of the kitchen. It was a giant mess, but he loved every minute of it. He also went out on his first Trick-or-Treating adventure with Tom, as a Dalmatian. Tom took him to my parent's house, Carrie and Jason's, Brian's and Emily's new house. By the end of the night, he was starting to figure the whole thing out.
Tom and I have listed our house in Chicago once again, and are hoping to be done with that chapter of our lives soon. Things have become very messy with that situation (so messy, that I am not even going to dive into it on here- in case it got into the wrong hands), and I need to keep telling myself to take deep breaths and that eventually it will all be okay and that we will come out on top. Some day, it will be quite the story to post on here for your reading pleasure. I just hope that by then, I can see the comedy in the situation, and will have forgotten how it feels right now.
Now that Halloween is out of the way, I am focused on the upcoming Holidays. Holidays are so much more magical now that Michael is in our lives. Starting our own family traditions, and watching him take it all in is one of life's simplest treasures. We will be spending Thanksgiving at my Mom's house with just about everyone from her side of the family. It will be such a treat to have everyone under one roof, and to have Grandma surrounded by all 10 of her great-grandchildren. I am going to get a dear friend to take some nice pictures of all of us, since these opportunities come so few and far between. It will be so special to everyone there.
We also struck gold with Christmas this year. I love when Christmas falls on a Monday, Thursday or Friday, but this year with Christmas being on a Tuesday, it allows us to spend it with both sides of our family. I am very much looking forward to it. It seems strange to be thinking about Christmas already, but I know it will be here before I even realize it.
There. That is our life, all the way through Chrismas, ha! I guess I am off the hook for posting on here until 2013 at the earliest. Kidding, kidding.... I am going to be better about keeping this updated- and it is in writing now, so that holds in a court of law (which I am all too familiar with at the moment)! I hope you all have a blessed November, surrounded by the ones that remind you how lucky you are.
Summer was great for all of us. We spent tons of time at the Cabin, surrounded by family and friends. Michael started learning the joys of relaxation in the woods, and dipping his cute little toes in the lake. It also brought the news that he will have a Cousin, who will be born right around (or on) his 2nd birthday. I am so excited to see another miracle join this family, and for Michael to have a built-in playmate at all family gatherings.
Michael's first ride in the tube. He thought it was boring.
Getting messy with Finger Paints
Relaxing at the Lake with Grandpa
Fall has been very busy for us so far. We feel like we are constantly on the go, with weddings, trips and work. We witnessed Betsy and Dave, who might as well be siblings to us, welcome their beautiful twin girls into this world. They are adorable and perfect in every sense of the word. Michael will have lots of kids now to teach all sorts of mischievous tricks to- sorry guys!
At a wedding for one a cousin of Tom
Despite the how chaotic things feel, we have managed to get out and do some things as a family that will be memories for us forever. We took Michael to the Apple Orchard, and he was even quite helpful this year. He loved pushing the wagon around, and throwing out all of the apples that he didn't think were good enough to eat (which were most of them).
Last week, we gave him his first try at carving a pumpkin (or, just scooping out the seeds). He wasn't so sure about it at first, but then couldn't get enough of the goop and we were picking off seeds and guts from every inch of the kitchen. It was a giant mess, but he loved every minute of it. He also went out on his first Trick-or-Treating adventure with Tom, as a Dalmatian. Tom took him to my parent's house, Carrie and Jason's, Brian's and Emily's new house. By the end of the night, he was starting to figure the whole thing out.
Unsure of the guts
No longer cautious, and getting right in there!
Tom and I have listed our house in Chicago once again, and are hoping to be done with that chapter of our lives soon. Things have become very messy with that situation (so messy, that I am not even going to dive into it on here- in case it got into the wrong hands), and I need to keep telling myself to take deep breaths and that eventually it will all be okay and that we will come out on top. Some day, it will be quite the story to post on here for your reading pleasure. I just hope that by then, I can see the comedy in the situation, and will have forgotten how it feels right now.
Now that Halloween is out of the way, I am focused on the upcoming Holidays. Holidays are so much more magical now that Michael is in our lives. Starting our own family traditions, and watching him take it all in is one of life's simplest treasures. We will be spending Thanksgiving at my Mom's house with just about everyone from her side of the family. It will be such a treat to have everyone under one roof, and to have Grandma surrounded by all 10 of her great-grandchildren. I am going to get a dear friend to take some nice pictures of all of us, since these opportunities come so few and far between. It will be so special to everyone there.
We also struck gold with Christmas this year. I love when Christmas falls on a Monday, Thursday or Friday, but this year with Christmas being on a Tuesday, it allows us to spend it with both sides of our family. I am very much looking forward to it. It seems strange to be thinking about Christmas already, but I know it will be here before I even realize it.
There. That is our life, all the way through Chrismas, ha! I guess I am off the hook for posting on here until 2013 at the earliest. Kidding, kidding.... I am going to be better about keeping this updated- and it is in writing now, so that holds in a court of law (which I am all too familiar with at the moment)! I hope you all have a blessed November, surrounded by the ones that remind you how lucky you are.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Catch Up Time!
Is it just me or is time speeding up exponentially? I can't believe that the last time we caught up on this blog, Michael had just turned 1. What a difference a few months makes in such a small person's life. He is now walking running everywhere! He has complete conversations with us in his own special language and is getting to be so curious about the world around him. It is amazing to watch and see him grow and learn. He has enjoyed the cabin a few weekends and is learning the art of relaxation on Schafhauser Shores. He loves to dig in the sand and dip his cute little toes in the water. He has even managed to take a boat ride, jump off the dock and nibble on a pinecone. Next up- taking a ride around the lake in a tube. Bring. It. On.
Tom and I also took a weekend trip to Chicago to check on the house and fix up the landscaping where the new sewer line was put in. We were less than thrilled at what we saw, and choked back a few tears while looking at all of our hard work and dedication being disrespected in such a way by our renters. We managed to only address the major issues at hand and remember that, in the end, they are paying their rent. The rest we can deal with when the time comes, but we can't change the way that people live their lives. We have learned a lot from this experience, and are now very ready for this chapter to be done with. We are optimistically hoping that we are able to sell our house this fall and be done with our lives in Chicago once and for all.
There are multiple screen-frames that have been
ruined. Keep in mind that our house is old, and most windows were not a
standard size. That means that we have a lot of custom screens to
order in our future...
Tasting the sand. It wasn't his favorite.
Playing in his pool.
Taking his first speedboat ride.
Look out, world! Mikey is at the wheel!
Tom and I also took a weekend trip to Chicago to check on the house and fix up the landscaping where the new sewer line was put in. We were less than thrilled at what we saw, and choked back a few tears while looking at all of our hard work and dedication being disrespected in such a way by our renters. We managed to only address the major issues at hand and remember that, in the end, they are paying their rent. The rest we can deal with when the time comes, but we can't change the way that people live their lives. We have learned a lot from this experience, and are now very ready for this chapter to be done with. We are optimistically hoping that we are able to sell our house this fall and be done with our lives in Chicago once and for all.
Both the front and back storm doors are ruined. Not to mention that they changed the lock without asking/telling us.
Somewhere in there is the garden that Tom and I built. If you can see through the foot-long grass...
The new blinds that I put in? Destroyed.
Somewhere in that disaster are the Lilac bushes that I planted the summer before we moved.
We took pictures of the yard as we left it, so that we have proof of how it looked for when they move out.
Oh, hello Lilac bushes! I bet they will grow better now that they aren't being strangled by weeds!
On a happier note, Tom and I have been keeping extremely busy with our friends as of late. We play on a co-ed softball team on Wednesday nights which has been a great way to get out and get some exercise. There are many laughs shared at the games and it is nice to remember that you can have a life outside of your children, even if it is for just a few hours a week. We have also had the pleasure of watching some of our closest friends marry the loves of their lives and find the happiness that they have always deserved. We have so many great people in our lives, and the new additions through marriage are such blessings.
Tom and I are headed off to Wisconsin this weekend without our little Dude for some fun in the sun with friends. It will be nice to escape our busy lives and enjoy the company of some of the people that we treasure most. While we will miss our little boy immensely, we know that he will love being with Grandma and Grandpa at their big sand box.
We hope that everyone is doing well and enjoying their summer!
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Happy Birthday!
I can't even believe that it has been a whole year since our little man entered this world. He is such a joy to Tom and I, and I can't even imagine our lives without him. He has taught us so much about love, patience, humility, ourselves, and what really matters in this world. I am so grateful to this little boy for teaching me so many lessons in just one year.
We had a wonderful birthday party for him, surrounded by family and friends. It was the best 1st birthday I could have imagined for him, and Tom and I felt so incredibly loved. We ate food, drank wine, reflected on the previous 365 days, and spoiled Michael rotten. Just as it should be.
Our lives seem to be speeding up exponentially, and with summer right around the corner, I'm sure the weeks are going to fly by. We are heading to North Carolina on Friday to kick off the wedding season, with Tom's sister, Danielle and her new Husband Jeff. Cheers to all the happy new couples out there!
We had a wonderful birthday party for him, surrounded by family and friends. It was the best 1st birthday I could have imagined for him, and Tom and I felt so incredibly loved. We ate food, drank wine, reflected on the previous 365 days, and spoiled Michael rotten. Just as it should be.
Our lives seem to be speeding up exponentially, and with summer right around the corner, I'm sure the weeks are going to fly by. We are heading to North Carolina on Friday to kick off the wedding season, with Tom's sister, Danielle and her new Husband Jeff. Cheers to all the happy new couples out there!
Monday, February 13, 2012
Friends
First of all, Happy 27th Birthday to my amazing Husband. He is one of a kind and I am SO lucky to have him all for myself.
Now on to the purpose of this post: Friends. Aren't they incredible? As I think about the friends that I have made throughout my life, I feel so blessed. Some friendships have faded, others have formed, and some have made it through the tests of time. While some friends are no longer in my life, I feel that they were in my life for some reason. Maybe it was to get me through a heartache of a first love, the transition to college, the start of my marriage, or now the journey of motherhood. Either way, they had an impact on my life and helped to shape me into the person that I am today.
One friend in particular has been stupendously awesome and is getting her very own post (let's ignore the fact that she has been harping on me to get this done for quite some time...). That person would be Jen.
What an amazing woman she is. Her sense of calm in stressful situations, her belly-laugh that could make the angriest person smile and her compassion for everyone around her makes me so honored to call her my friend. She has carried me through the situations that I never thought I could tackle, been my strongest supporter when I took a chance and has never let me forget that no matter what, she is there to catch me if I fall. She is the friend that I wish everyone could have. And she is the type of person that everyone should strive to be. She is fantastic.
So, thank you, Jen. For sitting at my lunch table way back when, and being my friend (even if you had no other choice at the time). For being the best Godmother Michael could ever have, and for being a constant reminder that there are great people in this world. You are so special to me and my family and we love you more than you will ever fully comprehend.
Now on to the purpose of this post: Friends. Aren't they incredible? As I think about the friends that I have made throughout my life, I feel so blessed. Some friendships have faded, others have formed, and some have made it through the tests of time. While some friends are no longer in my life, I feel that they were in my life for some reason. Maybe it was to get me through a heartache of a first love, the transition to college, the start of my marriage, or now the journey of motherhood. Either way, they had an impact on my life and helped to shape me into the person that I am today.
One friend in particular has been stupendously awesome and is getting her very own post (let's ignore the fact that she has been harping on me to get this done for quite some time...). That person would be Jen.
What an amazing woman she is. Her sense of calm in stressful situations, her belly-laugh that could make the angriest person smile and her compassion for everyone around her makes me so honored to call her my friend. She has carried me through the situations that I never thought I could tackle, been my strongest supporter when I took a chance and has never let me forget that no matter what, she is there to catch me if I fall. She is the friend that I wish everyone could have. And she is the type of person that everyone should strive to be. She is fantastic.
So, thank you, Jen. For sitting at my lunch table way back when, and being my friend (even if you had no other choice at the time). For being the best Godmother Michael could ever have, and for being a constant reminder that there are great people in this world. You are so special to me and my family and we love you more than you will ever fully comprehend.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
We're Alive!
My, oh my, how time has slipped right past us. I feel like there hasn't even been a spare second in our lives to sit down and write about all the things going on. But, now that Michael is taking a nap like an angel, I have a few spare moments.
Christmas was lovely. We spent Christmas Eve preparing a delicious meal for a Women's Shelter here in St. Paul. Christmas Day, we went to the shelter to complete our cooking and serve our meal- it was so rewarding to do something nice for a group of people who were extremely down on their luck. I know that they enjoyed their meal, the Christmas cheer, and the leftovers the following week. It was our honor and pleasure to be able to share what we have with those who have none. I hope that something similar becomes a family tradition for us, as it reminded us all of what Christmas is all about, and of how incredibly lucky we are to be surrounded by such amazing people in our lives.
The beginning of January, I jetted off to California for 10 days to complete my training for my new job. It was nice to be in such a warm climate, but I missed my boys terribly. 10 days was just too long. Kissing my sweet little man all over his chubby little cheeks never felt so amazing as it did when I saw him in the airport. How servicemen and women do it, I will never know. Kudos to them.
After a quick 4 days at home, I left again for Arizona for a ride-along. While that trip was much more tolerable, I still wanted to be back at home, in the freezing cold, with my boys. I have one more trip coming up, the last week of January, and then I will be home for quite some time. Thank goodness!
During all of that time, Michael had his 9-month check up. He is 18.5 pounds of charm! And, he is now a whopping 28 inches long....where did my baby go?! He is SO close to walking and would rather be standing up than anything else in the world. My parents have always told me how fast your life flies when you have kids and I never really believed them. But, it is true- so true.
Speaking of my little man- he is up! Better go grab him and get some smooches in before he is 16 and hates them!
Christmas was lovely. We spent Christmas Eve preparing a delicious meal for a Women's Shelter here in St. Paul. Christmas Day, we went to the shelter to complete our cooking and serve our meal- it was so rewarding to do something nice for a group of people who were extremely down on their luck. I know that they enjoyed their meal, the Christmas cheer, and the leftovers the following week. It was our honor and pleasure to be able to share what we have with those who have none. I hope that something similar becomes a family tradition for us, as it reminded us all of what Christmas is all about, and of how incredibly lucky we are to be surrounded by such amazing people in our lives.
The beginning of January, I jetted off to California for 10 days to complete my training for my new job. It was nice to be in such a warm climate, but I missed my boys terribly. 10 days was just too long. Kissing my sweet little man all over his chubby little cheeks never felt so amazing as it did when I saw him in the airport. How servicemen and women do it, I will never know. Kudos to them.
After a quick 4 days at home, I left again for Arizona for a ride-along. While that trip was much more tolerable, I still wanted to be back at home, in the freezing cold, with my boys. I have one more trip coming up, the last week of January, and then I will be home for quite some time. Thank goodness!
During all of that time, Michael had his 9-month check up. He is 18.5 pounds of charm! And, he is now a whopping 28 inches long....where did my baby go?! He is SO close to walking and would rather be standing up than anything else in the world. My parents have always told me how fast your life flies when you have kids and I never really believed them. But, it is true- so true.
Speaking of my little man- he is up! Better go grab him and get some smooches in before he is 16 and hates them!
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