The Reason We Have Thumbs

During a strange discussion the kids and I were having about what it would be like to have no fingers, I asked Anna why it is important that we have thumbs, her answer...."so we can text"! Only in the 21st century would a five year old come up with that answer!

Half Way Around the World

I am always wondering what everything means and why certain things happen. Although, I don't always find answers immediately, I eventually see the greater purpose. There is nothing more amazing to me then when it all comes together for the giant "AHA" moment! The last year has been interesting to say the least and I have found myself asking "what should we do" on many occasions. In an ideal world, Trent would have a great job (in Arizona) and we would stay in this home that I love and finish school and our cookie cutter life would just go about its very normal business. But as dramatic as the personality I was born with so is the next big chapter of our life! Trent received an incredible offer to work in Johannesburg, South Africa. He was originally scheduled to work there a few months, so the kids and I planned to head over for a month over the summer and then Trent would be home soon thereafter. A month in South Africa was more than I could have ever dreamed of, but then the offer got even sweeter. With plenty of work in South Africa, Trent was told he could stay as long as he would like! When he first called home with the news, it seemed impossible. How can I leave the job I love, my grad program, is it even safe to live there, and where would the kids go to school???? But after days and days of thought and prayer the answer came not easily but clearly...we should go. It would be the only way for our family to be together (even if Trent came home, there is no work here and he would go back to Canada) and I would be forced into rest after an insane year. So I petitioned the grad college for a leave of absence, I resigned from my job and our house which was already sold will close in early July. In less then 1 month, the kids and I will board an 18 hour flight and join Trent half way around the world! This is an amazing opportunity and adventure we will never forget. I am so anxious for what is in store and the experiences we will have. This last year has lead up to this incredible journey and it doesn't get any better than this!

The Windy City

My friend Nicole and I desperately needed a girls weekend. She lives in KC and so we wanted to find a location somewhere nearby one of our hometowns and decided on a little trip to Chicago! I love a big city and I am excited about any location that offers great shopping. What I didn't expect to fall in love with is the architecture and ambiance of the city. Chicago is an incredible place. Its clean and interesting with friendly people and plenty of things to do and see! The shopping was as good as we hoped and we literally shopped from sun up to sun down on our first day there. I think we hit every store that was worth seeing and we were so sick of shopping and hiking through the city that we spent the next day on a double decker tour bus! It was a great way to see the sights and we were able to get off at a few locations like the Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium. We ate hot dogs and deep dish pizza, enjoyed the night life and overall had an amazing time. Nicole may be the only person in the world who I get along with 100% of the time and she can actually keep up (or put up) with my fast talking, opinionated, crazy personality. We left just a few days after my last final and the trip could not have come at a better time. I was there for my birthday and it was a great way to celebrate the end of a semester and the day of my birth! My amazing and supportive husband was home with the kids and genuinely wanted me to enjoy myself, waste money and relax! I was able to do all that and more!! It was truly the very best girls trip ever!

Baseball Season

I am not much of a sports fan but if there is one sport I actually understand and can watch, its baseball! So naturally I signed up the kids for the only sport I can bear to sit through. And what is more entertaining than watching 15 five year olds chase a ball! This was Anna's first year playing and although, she looked adorable in her uniform I could tell immediately her heart wasn't in it! She was the only girl on her entire team and while some ladies would have liked those odds she felt a bit out of place. She was a great little slugger and put as much effort as she could exert to run around the bases but when she was in the outfield she just stood there looking bored! It did not help that kindergarten is exhausting, and she just didn't have much left to give! Unfortunately, even the shiny new trophy she received was not enough to entice her into playing again next year and she has sworn off baseball forever!

Aiden on the other hand is definitely in his element. He is a natural athlete (thanks to Trent's gene pool) and did great for his first year of coach pitch! It took him a little while to really understand the logistics of the game, but he was a great team player and definitely held his own! With some practice he may turn out to be really good. I was so grateful that Trent was around for the majority of the season. I was a little surprised that I was the one yelling, "get that bat up", "watch the ball", "RUN" much more than Trent, who just sat back quietly and let Aiden figure it out on his own. My parents helped with the sideline banter and along with Trent's parents made a nice cheer squad for the kids at every single game!

New Years in Pinetop

 

In an attempt to keep this blog updated and consecutive I am trying to add all events between Christmas and June! The next big event after Christmas was celebrating the New Year in Pinetop with the Steven's family and the Wood's. We are very fortunate that my grandparents have a beautiful cabin in Pinetop and (albeit with some hesitation) believe I am responsible enough to use it! So Trent the kids and I spent a week there and brought the Steven's family along for entertainment. There was plenty of snow and the kids enjoyed sledding and building snowmen. Everyone got along beautifully and we really enjoyed our time together! On New Years Eve we were invited to Sandy's cabin, which is amazing! Even with 30 people, 15 of which were kids there is plenty of room for everyone! They prepared a wonderful dinner and a scavenger hunt for the kids. In each location the kids received hats, blowers, candy and other fun goodies. The best part was they turned the lights off and the kids wore head lamps to see! One fact about the Wood family is they think of everything and really know how to throw a party! It was a great way to bring in the New Year! I have a feeling 2010 is going to be out very best YEAR!