I've watched this so many times...

I can't tell you how much I love this song.

I've watched it over and over and over again.

It's pure beauty.

Enjoy.



And, Merry Christmas! :)

Summa Summa Summatime!

Wow...is it really already the middle of August?? How did this happen?!

 

We've been in Wisconsin for a little less than 2 months now and we're all getting adjusted pretty well.

Taylor has become pretty good buddies with some of the kids in the neighborhood and she can usually be found outside playing with one, some or all of them.  She's officially enrolled as a first grader at Greenville Elementary School and is excited to get started and make even more new friends! After all, that's what school is all about, right...your friends?! {She is so much like me, it's scary sometimes!} She's too busy to want to do anything other than play, which means getting her to read or do any kind of "school work" this summer has been a challenge. I pray that she isn't behind when she starts the curriculum at her new school. She was always ahead of her class at home so I'm sure she'll be fine...but, I can't help but worry. Reading even 10 mins a day with her is a challenge, let alone the recommended 20. The problem is, I don't want to force her to read when she doesn't want to and then have reading turn into something she hates, rather than loves. I'm hoping once school starts and the days are shorter and we're inside more and have more of a routine that she will settle into a good reading habit. She's been pretty emotional and sensitive lately {another reason I haven't wanted to push her too much} and I think it's got a lot to do with her missing her family and friends back home. Skype and phone calls seem to help but I think she just feels a bit lonely sometimes...and I totally get it. So, as challenging as she's been this summer, I'm trying hard to remember that we're all fumbling through this transition and she's probably feeling all the same feelings I am, without being able to understand or verbalize them. I'm hoping school starting will give us all a good kick to get back to life as we used to know it.

Benjamin. He is the classic definition of both a two year old and a boy.

He's just one big, loud mess.

He cannot sit still. Hates to be contained or confined. Loves to find mischief wherever he can. And I literally cannot take my eyes off of him for more than a second for fear of what I will have to clean up if I do!

He is the exact opposite of his sister and sometimes I just laugh and shake my head, remembering the sweet, agreeable baby that she was, while I'm staring at the little savage in front of me.

He talks like a 4 year old...saying complete, 5-7 word sentences. He understands everything and has a vocabulary that exceeds normal for his age. You can ask him anything, tell him to do anything and he knows exactly what you're saying, and will do it.

His favorite things to do right now are feed Lambeau, ride his scooter {which he taught himself to do} and throw a ball...specifically his softball or football. He can swing a bat, throw and catch a football, and ride his scoot trike like nobody's business. We're thinking this boy will be our athlete!

Did I mention I love him dearly?

Matt is doing extremely well at work and I'm so proud of him! He's enjoying the company and his co-workers and I couldn't be happier for him...they really are a great group of people who have gone out of their way more times than I can count to make us feel welcome. Now, if they would just quit trying to convert me to the green & gold team I'd be happy...cuz that's not gonna happen!! ;)

He sold his beloved Harley Davidson since he doesn't have a lot of free time right now and he got tired of seeing it sitting in the garage, collecting dust, while he walked by it everyday. It wasn't as hard of a decision for him as I thought it would be, but he was a little sad to see her drive away. I think the new patio we're planning and finishing our bar downstairs will ease the pain a bit. ;)

I'm doing pretty ok, too. That probably doesn't sound too convincing but, really...I'm ok.

I miss my family and my friends like crazy and there are certainly days where I let myself get down about it but, for the most part, things are good.

I'm learning my way around town and can usually go without my GPS now, which is a relief!

We've found a few good parks and some fun places to play and we spend a  lot of time outside. I try to keep myself busy, which isn't hard with two kids and honestly, the days seem to be flying by! I'd be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to summer ending. I love the sunshine and the long days but I'm also craving some sort of normalcy. I'm so, so thankful we didn't move here in the wintertime, but I'm also feeling a bit lost without the routine that school brings. I'm trying to get my home and family settled and it's a big task, and then throw in things like trying to find the best grocery store and figuring out where to pay the utility bill while trying to entertain 2 kids, one who's bored and one who can't sit still, and still get home for naptime...it can become a little challenging!

I'm really looking forward to a visit from one of my oldest and dearest friends at the end of September, and then in November our really good friends are coming to visit and go to a Packer game...seriously can't wait for that!! We're also planning on heading back to Washington for the holidays so that gives me something to look forward to, too...even if it is 4+ months away. :)

And last, but certainly not least, we found a new church that we all loved this past weekend! I literally blinked back tears while sitting there listening to Father Peter talk about stepping out of your comfort zone and letting God lead you to something amazing...something only He knows is in store for you.

I felt like he was talking directly to me.

And I heard a little voice in my head saying "maybe this is why we're here."

 

**********

Lunch date, complete with ice cream, of course!

Snuggling and singing lullabies to his baby at bedtime. <3

Loving on our pooch...he likes the new house, too!

Having some fun at Bay Beach...although she liked the big, wooden roller coaster much better than the "baby rides!" ;)

Visited the Packers training camp and the new Pro Shop at Lambeau Field...pretty cool!

A tradition in Green Bay...the players come out of the stadium, pick a kid and their bike, and ride across the street to the practice facility while the kid tags along, carrying the helmet and chatting with them about Packer football. So cool!!!

Taylor was hoping to see Aaron Rodgers but he didn't make an appearance. We did see AJ Hawk, though...he's a beast!

Ben eating his first ice cream cone...

...and getting dressed up like a little sister. :)

And here's the little stinker in action..."I washa my feet, mommy!"

My pretty girl at the Brewer's game. :)

 And even being at the Brewer's game made me miss home! ;)

 

We made it!

We're here!

We're home!

Wait...home??

Yep.
Home.

 

Where my family is...my little 4 person family, that is.

Where we love our new house...it really does feel like home.

Where I'm starting to learn my way around...but still like to drive the car with navigation.

Where our kids have made new friends...so many little girls {and a few boys} close by.

Where our neighborhood feels safe and welcome and everyone is super friendly...people were stopping in their cars to welcome us to the neighborhood while we unloaded our trailer.

Where people wave and say hello to strangers...which is something I've always done, too.

Where they can't get my coffee order right...so I've changed my coffee order.

Where I'm searching for a good radio station...and every time I think I've found one, they play something to completely throw me off.

Where I don't have internet, so I have to go sit at Starbucks and use free Wi-Fi...bummer!

Where it's rained once every day since we've been here...I must have brought it with me.

Where it's humid...not super crazy about that so far.

Where there's no traffic...driving here is a breeze, even during rush hour.

Where everything is within 10 minutes of us...including all my favorite stores and a mall that's getting a Nordstrom soon! Yay!

Where we're getting settled, enjoying each other's company and looking forward to making some amazing new memories.

 

Oh, and we're heading back to WA next weekend for my cousin's wedding, so I don't even have to miss anybody too much...yet.

 

XO

Happy Mother's Day and Happy Birthday to me!

 

What a beautiful week{end} to celebrate Mother's Day and my birthday!

It started on Friday...I met my oldest and dearest friend in Tacoma and we spent the afternoon eating, drinking and shopping...the perfect kick-off to a celebratory weekend!

Saturday was a beautiful day spent at the RAC {an outdoor sports complex in Lacey} for my niece Abbie's softball tournament where we cheered her on, the kids played and we soaked up the sun.

Sunday {Mother's Day} was another gorgeous day! We visited both of my Grandmas, my dad made French Toast for breakfast, my brother-in-law BBQ'd for all the moms and we all celebrated my birthday, too.

The only thing missing was Matt...and I thought about him a lot...wishing he was there.

 

With Grandma Peterson on Mother's Day morning. :)

 

The moms on Mother's Day...my sis-in-law Karena, my sister Cheri, me and my mom. <3

 

 This was the best we could do with me and the kiddos this year. :)

 

Can't even tell you how much I love these four...and how much my heart is going to ache, missing them.

 

Not the best quality coming from my phone, but I like it. :)

 

The morning of my actual birthday, Benjamin took me to Starbucks where we had ourselves a little coffee date. :)

 

 

 

And, finally, on Wednesday, my two best girls and I celebrated our birthdays at The Melting Pot...which was, as always, amazingly delicious and so much fun! Tiff and I have the same birthday, which is great because it's always better to celebrate your birthday with your best friend!

 

 

These girls mean the world to me and I am seriously going to miss our time together.

Lucky for me, one of them is moving to Minnesota not long after we're moving to Wisconsin!! Four hours to see one of my besties, instead of 30?! Yes, please!! :)

 

And, that about wraps it up.

I'm 37 now.

Man, that sounds old.

I don't feel that old.

I still think of myself as young and hip...like I'm still in my 20's!

Then I realize I'm listening to music that came out in the 90's...and my 20 year high school reunion is just one short year away.

That kinda brings ya back to reality...

 

*****

 

29 days until we hit the road!

 



N1779 Schroeder Farm Drive, Greenville, WI

In one month and one day, that will officially be my new address!

As June 17th quickly approaches, I find myself feeling a bit more excited and a bit more anxious.

Goodbyes are going to start sooner than later now...which instantly gives me a lump in my throat just thinking about it.

So, instead of dwelling on that, I've been focusing on the good...like that new address!

 

And, here it is! 

 

 

 

Four seasons room off the kitchen, which will be our play room!

Lockers, just inside the garage entry.

 

Finished basement...

 

...with built-in bar...

 

...and fireplace. There's also a large, unfinished area where there's a ton of storage and where we'll eventually be adding a 4th bedroom.

 

The backyard backs up to another backyard, which is not ideal...BUT...there are tons of kids in the neighborhood, and I foresee it being a great place for them to roam and play. :)

 

Our closing date is scheduled for June 6th and the kids and I should be there and ready to move in 2 weeks later!

Now, I'm really looking forward to shopping for furniture, window treatments, new shower curtains, towels, etc.

That'll keep me busy for awhile. :)

 

 

 

Easter 2014

Ready for church on Saturday night!

 

This year we spent our Easter in a most wonderful way!

My nephew Jake {who happens to be turning 15 tomorrow...which I still can't believe is really happening} was baptized, took his First Communion, and was Confirmed all on Holy Saturday at the Easter Vigil mass.

 

I am so proud of him and the choice that he made and I am grateful to have witnessed such an amazing day in his young life...a day that will change the rest of his life in the best possible way!

 

Afterward, with his proud family!

 He chose my mom to be his sponsor. :)

 All the kids after a looong mass!

 

The kids both did great at mass, despite it starting at 8pm and lasting over 2 1/2 hours. Neither of them fell asleep {which kinda surprised me, but kinda didn't} but my arms did after holding Ben for nearly the entire time.

 

Again with the binky...*sigh*...it's gotta go.
But seriously, is he not just edible?! His cuteness kills me.

 

This morning was the ususal...finding Easter baskets, eating candy and cinnamon rolls and boiled eggs for breakfast, and visiting both of my Grandmas.

Then we headed to my brother's house for our annual egg hunt and delicious Easter dinner.

The weather was perfect for an outdoor celebration and the kids had an absolute blast!

 

 

We also celebrated Jake's birthday, Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation. He was a popular guy this weekend! :)

 

XO

 

The kiddos.

Benjamin ~ 22 months

 

The absolute sweetest boy in the world...at least to his mama!

He loves to play and uses his imagination to pretend and play things that are way beyond his years.

He hates vegetables and won't eat anything green.

He loves waffles and asks for one every morning.

His new favorite thing is chocolate milk.

He's getting his 2-year molars on top and hasn't had much of an appetite lately, so the chocolate milk is my go-to when I need to get some calories and protein in him.

He's in size 4 diapers and 18-24 month clothes.

He's still on the bottom of the height/weight chart...a !

He loves to take a bath with Taylor. They giggle and splash like crazy the entire time they're not fighting over who has more space.

He loves to go to bed. At nap time and nighttime he asks to go "nigh-night." {I'm really not sure how we lucked out with two amazing sleepers!} If I forget and leave the side of his crib down he'll climb in and snuggle himself up in his blankies.

He loves anything that has wheels and makes noise...cars, trucks, tractors, trains...definitely all boy.

He asks at least a hundred times a day to go see the cows...but he can't say the 'c' sound so it sounds like "he hows?! he hows?! We take a lot of walks down to my Grandma's and to the barn. Thankfully we've had some really great weather and we've been able to make a lot of trips! It's especially fun when they're in the field that's right behind my parents' house...they're literally right out the back sliding door and the kids can watch them all day! Pretty cool.

He's also been spoiled by getting to do all kinds of fun boy stuff with my dad, like riding on the lawn-mower, going for tractor rides and getting to help feed the cows. I can't help but get a little sad watching the two of them together, knowing that in a few short months my dad will be missing his little buddy like crazy.

He talks a lot and says a lot of words...and if he can't say it, he can usually get his point across so I can figure it out.

He can get on or into anything...especially if there's treats involved. He gets a chair or stool, carries or scoots it where he needs it and proceeds to get up on the counter, or on the bed, or on the table, or into the refrigerator. He's relentless!

He's been going on the potty for a few months. He usually stands but likes to use the training seat every once in awhile. He still goes in his diaper most of the time, but if I take him to the potty he will go every time. He knows how to make himself go. He will also tell me that he has to go if he doesn't have a diaper on...or if he's in the bathtub. I'm crossing my fingers that he's going to be one of those kids that potty trains in 2 days once we really start trying!

Mostly, what I want you to know about my sweet boy is this...he is my heart on the outside of my body. He is silly and snugly and loving and hilarious and adorable and stubborn and rambunctious and practically edible. This boy has made my life and my heart so much fuller than I ever expected or thought possible. And every single day I thank God for the gift that he is to me, and for choosing me to be his mommy. Oh, and he calls me "mommy" now, instead of mama. &hearts;

 

Taylor ~ 6 1/2

This girl challenges me more and more every day.

I can look at her and want to cry because she's such an amazing girl with the most loving, tender heart...and 5 minutes later I want to shake her because I'm so dang frustrated! I know that it's all part of her age and she's testing her limits and trying to fight for her independence, but boy, does she know how to get me riled up!

She's doing so amazing in school. She is one of 3 kids in her class who are reading at a higher level so she gets "extended reading" practice twice a week outside the classroom. She takes an extra reading test on top of the test that the rest of the class is taking and she's doing so well. I'm amazed at how quickly she has learned to read and I'm so proud and relieved that she loves it! She loves to read books to Ben and to the daycare kids and loves to sit and read by herself, too.

She is just starting to take an interest in what she wears. I usually set her clothes out the night before and sometimes in the morning she'll request a wardrobe change. The good thing is that I can usually still talk her into whatever I have picked out! ;)

She wants the same thing in her lunch pretty much every day...a PB&J, Chobani greek yogurt, raisins or apples and usually something like Pirate Booty, mini rice cakes or fruit snacks.

She makes a mess everywhere she goes. Matt calls her "Pig Pen." If I didn't pick up after her, or get after her to pick up after herself, she would leave a trail of evidence of everything that she'd done that day in every room she'd been in. She is Messy Messerson.

I literally have to repeat myself at least 3 times before she will listen to anything that comes out of my mouth.

She still gets a little jealous of Benjamin and his cute baby charm and asks for alone time with me, or "girl time" as she calls it. She says that sometimes it's good to get away from boys and just have some girl time. And I completely agree. :)

She hates going to bed and will stall as long as possible.

She hates getting up and will stall as long as possible.

She loves it when my dad drives her to school...and so do I!

She's an awesome eater and will almost always try new things...and usually likes it!

She loves to be outside.

She still loves her stuffed animals and plays with them almost everyday.

Her imagination still goes into overdrive when she's alone with her toys and she will play for hours by herself...perfectly happy in her own little world.

She's nervous about moving. More and more she's been telling me about her fears and I'm happy to talk about them with her, but it's also breaking my heart. She's afraid she won't make any new friends, or more accurately, that nobody will like her. She's afraid she's going to miss her family here, which she is, like crazy. She's sad to leave her friends at school because she doesn't know when she'll see them again...she probably won't. I put a smile on my face, take her in my arms and tell her that it's ok to feel all the things that she's feeling, while at the same time reassuring her that she's going to make some wonderful new friends and love her new school. And yes, we'll miss our family here, but we'll visit as much as we can and we can Skype just like we do now with daddy. "But mom, it's just not gonna be the same..." :(

She loves her Barbies, her princesses and Legos.

She wants to know when we can go back to Disneyland.

She can't wait for summer.

Pancakes are still her favorite dinner...and her favorite breakfast, for that matter.

She loves to shop.

She's a social butterfly and always wants to have a play date or a sleepover. God forbid we stay home by ourselves!

She's excited to start swimming lessons and gymnastics again after we move.

She's a really good big sister.

And, as frustrated as I can get with her these days, she is honestly the sunshine in my day. I love this girl with everything in me and I know she's going to keep testing me for a long time to come, and that's ok, because that's what she has to do to grow up. I just pray that I find the right words, and have the patience that she needs from me, to help her along her way to becoming an independent, intelligent, beautiful, responsible, caring, considerate, well-mannered, respectable young lady. I see it in her everyday...and it makes my mama heart so proud. &hearts;

 

I'll save Me for next time. :)

 

Spring sun is so much fun!

This is the time of year that my body and soul ache for some outdoor, sunny, fun time...and this Spring has been everything we've wished for! Check out all the fun we've been having while enjoying this beautiful Spring weather...play dates with our besties, family time and lots of much needed Vitamin D!



 

Our little buddies, Tristen and Makenzie

 BFF's

 

Cousins!

 

 

 Sibling love. Ha!

 Ben and Abbie on her 13th birthday! She's his favorite...and vise versa. <3

 

Papa's are so much fun!

 Osa and Grandma's daycare friend, Jennie.

 "Knock, knock!" :)

 After school buddies!

 Swing batter, batter!

 

Happy Spring!!