New job

After lots of thought and prayer, I decided it was time for a new adventure. Materialise had been my family for the past almost 6 years so it was a very hard decision. 

My last day was Thursday the 17th and I jumped on a plane in Monday to go to Boston and then on to Berlin. It was a crazy couple of days meeting everyone, leaning so much, and being fully introduced to the BigRep.  But as I sit on the plane back from Germany I know I made the right decision. And that makes me happy!  My new BigRep family is great and actually reminds me a lot of my old colleagues. They are passionate about their work. Energetic and willing to help. And so far seem very nice. 

So here is to the start of a new adventure! 

Bunk Beds

The time has come for Lola to move out of the crib... which for me is super hard. She’s growing up and it’s just another sign that she’s not a baby anymore. 

But I just wasn’t ready to move then upstairs... so I came up with a great solution! Bunk beds!! And after lots of looking online, I found some awesome ones! 

They arrived in like 10 boxes and I was quite nervous but Ryan and I managed to put them together in like 2 hours! 

Then I just had to buy a mattress and tada!!

Moving time

After much anticipated redoing Grandpas house... it was finally finished and Julie and Jason and Brayden were moving in! And of course after all the times they helped me move and the big move to our house now, we rushed right up to help. 

So happy for them! 

Plus that meant I got it hang out with my lil man! Who is just th best ever! So happy and smiley and laughs! You just have to smile at him!  And the girls absolutely are in love with him! 

Summer nanny

In my job, I’ll have the opportunity to work from home and what’s better than working full time at home, than having th opportunity to have a picnic lunch with the girls or 5 minutes to watch the girls swim. But I knew I wouldn’t be a good mommy if I didn’t have some help at home. I wouldn’t be able to devote that much time to the girls and work would summer. 

So solution... hire a summer nanny! I screened lots on care.com and found the perfect one! And luckily after introducing her to the girls and Ryan - they all over her too. 

This was her first week and I’ve been gone so I’m hoping everything has gone well. She got them to pick up their toys and clean up the house so I’ll take that as a major bonus!! 

Here’s to another new adventure! 

What being a mother means

As I sit and wait for the girls to get out of Sunday school, I had a few quiet minutes to reflect on what being a mother really is all about. 

It’s smiling when they don’t think you’re watching and they are hugging and holding hands. 

It’s softly crying when they fold their hands to pray without you begging.

It’s hiding in the bathroom and locking the door when you need a moment to pray to God so that He gives you patience. 

It’s hugging your child when they fall down, even if you told them not to jump and they did anyway.

It’s kissing away boo boos that you don’t even see but they know are there. 

It’s laughing when they are silly and dancing and singing at the top of their lungs. 

It’s pushing them on the swings and to be their best. 

It’s encouraging them to try new things like didfermt vegetables, meeting new friends and more.

It’s teaching them right and wrong... like biting your sister is wrong and saying you’re sorry is right. 

It’s accepting being tired knowing soon they won’t wake up at night to cuddle and need you. 

It’s knowing what socks, shoes, bathing suits, clothes they like and what will ruin an entire day. 

It’s dancing when they say you can and stopping when they want to do it alone. 

It’s seeing the world through their eyes even if that means stopping every few feet to look at a bug, a crack, a flower, a bird, or something totally off the wall. 

It’s celebrating with them when they write their name or read their first sentence. 

It’s secretly being sad because you know with each new milestone they are getting older and aren’t your babies anymore.

It’s knowing when to hold on and when to accept they can do it themselves even if it means their shoes are always on the wrong feet.

It’s liking them even when they are not kind and you wonder what you did wrong.

It’s teaching them to be kind to others. 

It’s feeling truly blessed that God have you an amazing mother to show you the way, an amazing husband to be your partner, and 2 amazing daughters who are your entire word. 

It’s loving your children forever and always! 

Happy Mother’s Day! 

Kindergarten registration

Went to Milan for kindergarten registration... and this sign was up! 

What? How is that possible?! 2031! 

Not going to get sentimental yet but it’s coming soon! 

First trip to the zoo

Finally a nice warm sunny day... and so we loaded up after swimming and headed to the Toledo zoo. It turned out to be really warm and a lot of the animals were napping but we still saw everything and had lots of fun. 

Highlights

Riding the carousel 

Riding the train

Funny faces and imitating animals 

Watching the monkeys eat 

Seeing the fish, turtles and penguins

And memories and smiles for miles 

Soccer week 3

Each week with soccer it keeps getting better and better. Greta is really good and has a powerful kick. And this week Lola joined in and did all the drills and she’s also really coordinated... she might be the athlete of the fam.

Today we even scrimmage against each other 3 on 3 and the kids did great. They actually got it! Coaching success!