Yikes

I am such a slacker!!  How is it that my last post was 3 months ago?!

Let's see what I have missed in those 3 months.....

- Carrie and Jason welcomed their beautiful baby girl, Regina.  She is perfect in every way, and is the light of their lives.  She is healthy, sometimes happy (ha!) and overall a blessing to them, and the rest of our family.  I can't wait to see another baby on the beach this summer, enjoying everything that the Lake has to offer.  Carrie and Jason are already wonderful parents and I am so excited to see how they handle all the milestones and hurdles along the way- I think they are naturals.

-Michael turned two in April, and picked out his Birthday Party theme- Curious George.  It is crazy to think that our Little Dude is a little boy.  He loves all things "boy" including throwing rocks, playing with cars, finding big trucks and construction vehicles, and living on the edge.  He is overall a really great kid, who tries to test us on occasion.  He is extremely intelligent and very aware of his surroundings- it is so cool to see his little brain process new things and really begin to understand the world around him. 

No more crib.  Time for a "Big Boy Bed!"

-Michael had a few "firsts" this spring as well.  He had his first teeth cleaning, and did fantastic!  He also dyed his first set of Easter Eggs, which was incredibly messy and cute all at the same time.

-Tom and I are in the townhome for sure until the end of September.  Who knows where we will be after that...  If you want more details on the house-front.... give me a ring!

- Tom and I also just celebrated our 4th Anniversary. It doesn't seem possible that we got engaged 5 and a half years ago, and have been married for 4.  I simply can not imagine my life without this incredible man by my side.  He is my rock and I thank the Lord every day for making our paths cross. 

-Summer is quickly approaching, which is hard to imagine since we had snow a week ago.  I can't wait to bring my boys up to the Lake, to grill out on the deck, to go for bike rides, to play outside with bubbles, to go swimming, to take a moment and just enjoy life.  

Merry-Go-Round

Why is it that life never slows down?  Tom and I feel like we are in a never-ending cycle of ups and downs and we can't seem to break it.  Things continue in Chicago and not in a positive way.  I want nothing more than to be done with that phase of our lives and to move on from it all.  It seems as though our tenants have different plans and they will always be this nagging thought in the back of our minds.  I have to keep reminding myself that good things do happen to good people, and that eventually things will sort themselves out.  I just hope and pray that it is sooner than later. 

We also lost the life of a wonderful woman last week- Grandma Voss.  She was such a positive influence on my life and a great example of the lives we should all try to live.  Hardly ever a complaint fell from her lips and she was always focused on the positive in every situation.  I will never forget the moment that I watched her lose the love of her life- her heartbreak and grace all the same moment.  It was a true testament of how deeply she loved and how strong she always was. I will always remember the grin she got when I told her that Michael would be born on her Birthday, and how special it was introducing her to him for the first time.  They had a very special bond and it gave me such pleasure to see her face light up when we would visit.  Her heart had such a capacity for love and she was so open with sharing that love with everyone in her life.  3 days before she passed away, Michael and I visited and it was clear to see that she was ready to let go.  She told me, "God always knows when I am feeling blue and sends you and Michael to come and see me."  We didn't speak much that day, as she was in a lot of pain and very short of breath, but the smile on her face that extended to her eyes told me how happy she was, and comforted by our presence.  It is that moment that I will hold on to the most- being there for her as she was preparing to start her journey into the next life.  She was such an inspiration to me and everyone else around her, and I hope that I can live my life with even half of the poise that she had in all of her 94 years. 

Michael now holds on to the Angel that was in her room, and asks to see it every day.  It is so sweet to hear him say "Great Grandma Angel," and to know that she is looking down on us and grinning, maybe even scrunching up her shoulders, too.  I wish Michael could have had a little more time with his Birthday Buddy, to learn from her and understand what being devoted really is, but it is now a legacy that I will try to carry on for him to see. 

Speaking of that little monster.... He is that absolute love of our lives.  He brings us so much joy, and I can't imagine my life any other way than with him in it.  He continues to amaze me with all of his knowledge and understanding of his surroundings.  Even when he is being a stinker, he is so darn cute about it. 

That just about sums up our life these days.  Can it be summer now so we can go to the lake?

Ups and Downs

Tom, Carrie and I just returned from Chicago.  The saga continues.  I don't want to get into it onto here, until we know this chapter is closed.  So, for the full story and the heartbreak- just ask someone in my family. 

On a happier note....

Christmas was wonderful.  It was so much fun watching Michael figure out how this whole thing works.  By next year, he will be a pro!  We spent time with my family on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and then rounded out the Holidays in Wisconsin with Tom's family.  I can honestly say that this was the most excited I have been for Christmas in a long time.  I have always loved this season, but to experience it again through the eyes of your child takes it to a whole new level.  I can only imagine how much fun it will be next year, when he really understands what is going on. 

New Year's Eve was spent in Chicago.  It ended okay with a lovely dinner out and some cocktails that were greatly needed.  Carrie, Tom and I were so beat from the day's events that we were in bed by 10:00.  Let's just hope that 2013 starts off better than 2012 ended. 

Sorry for the "Negative Nancy" post, but we are feeling a bit deflated.  I hope everyone brought in 2013 surrounded by loved ones and happy memories from the year before.