The long Kevin-commuting-5-days-a-week-to-Arkansas has ended. He is home and Monday we leave for Bentonville for a brief visit and then off to Dallas for 9 days. Here are some images from the past few weeks ... I'll write more when I am up to it ( :
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Final days in Chicago ...
I never thought I would be sad to write this post, but life takes you by surprise.With Dallas, I was devastated leaving family, friends, my job; but this time, my kids are also upset. And, I can tell you, it's much worse to watch your kids carry a heavy heart than it is to simply deal with it yourself.
The long Kevin-commuting-5-days-a-week-to-Arkansas has ended. He is home and Monday we leave for Bentonville for a brief visit and then off to Dallas for 9 days. Here are some images from the past few weeks ... I'll write more when I am up to it ( :
The long Kevin-commuting-5-days-a-week-to-Arkansas has ended. He is home and Monday we leave for Bentonville for a brief visit and then off to Dallas for 9 days. Here are some images from the past few weeks ... I'll write more when I am up to it ( :
Saturday, November 29, 2008
It's Just That Great
Kellen summed up Thanksgiving 08: "This has been the best Thanksgiving ever, Mom." He said this as he wrapped his little arms around me (even before we ate). The day started off with a trip to Starbucks/Walmart (to convince Grizzy that she needs to shop there) and the neighborhood football game (Kev was the quarterback - of course!) and then cooking, cooking, cooking! We have our set menu and we've been tweaking it for years. I have to say, it was darn near perfect this year: From Vicki's sweet potato casserole (that I've adapted and Kevin says is his all-time favorite dish) and a long-searched for delicious gravy recipe (thanks to the Barefoot Contessa) to Grizzy's Mom's stuffing (with new little tricks added to it) and the star-of-the-show: Kevin's Cajun FRIED Turkey (Hubby has this job down pat). Grizzy even made chocolate chip cookies from scratch with the boys. Here are some pics to highlight the memories made. I am truly grateful for every moment we have with Aunt Diane - she's a one-of-kind friend and a soul sister to both of us (and the boys adore her - she's so good with them, even getting down on the floor to play football). And, we are deeply thankful for our three little boys, our health, exciting opportunities coming up and our friends and families.
Kellen was a BIG help.
They have a silly bond - can you tell?
The Woolford boys stopped by to witness the Big Turkey Drop.
Kevin and I in our matching Christmas shirts - an inside joke thanks to Grizzy. (Kevin playfully changed outfits several times to wear all the t-shirts Grizzy has given him over the years.)
Lisa & her Mom visiting.
In it goes ...
Out it comes ...
Grizzy's favorite part of the tradition!
All dressed up ... just for each other - lol! We ALWAYS go all out for TG.
After a day of cooking, we don't look too tired, do we?
The Main Event!
Dinner's over! And, we were too stuffed to eat the pumpkin mousse cake.
Kellen was a BIG help.
They have a silly bond - can you tell?
The Woolford boys stopped by to witness the Big Turkey Drop.
Kevin and I in our matching Christmas shirts - an inside joke thanks to Grizzy. (Kevin playfully changed outfits several times to wear all the t-shirts Grizzy has given him over the years.)
Lisa & her Mom visiting.
In it goes ...
Out it comes ...
Grizzy's favorite part of the tradition!
All dressed up ... just for each other - lol! We ALWAYS go all out for TG.
After a day of cooking, we don't look too tired, do we?
The Main Event!
Dinner's over! And, we were too stuffed to eat the pumpkin mousse cake.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Musings on Moving
Someone said to me recently, "I don't know how you do it - all these moves." Let me clarify (for the sake of my kids who will - hopefully - read this blog as their digital scrapbook someday): I wouldn't trade our experiences for anything. When Kevin and I started getting serious while he was still in grad school at Kellogg, he cautioned me that with an executive future we would likely relocate several times. The adventurer part of me was totally ready. The irony of this, of course, is that we moved to Dallas and stayed planted for 10 years. It wasn't until we had three kids under 5 that he decided to put the "move" part in to play. But, you know what? I applaud him. He had the guts to take a job in an industry he loved. We took a chance and moved back - against the obstacles and naysayers - to the area I grew up in: Chicago.
I insisted we make the experience completely different, so we bought a house in the NW suburbs (I grew up in the south suburbs). I had no idea what tough was - leaving my cushy life in our new house in Frisco (live-in nanny to boot) for a corporate apartment on the third floor (all three boys shared a bedroom; we set up Karsten's pack & play in the closet) and no help. Things would get tougher ... the winter hit, I missed my family, friends, LIFE in Dallas. The low point probably happened when I was horribly ill (had to pull into a Walgreens parking lot to throw up with Kieper watching) and Kevin couldn't get away from work until late that night, leaving me heaving in front of the boys. But, somehow we pulled through. We made friends, set up support systems, grew in our faith and trust in each other and became closer as a family; we learned how to be self-sufficient in any environment. Since Kevin and I met, we've been a force together. And, that magnetic bond has served us well through these transitions.
There are life lessons in moving ... you learn which friends and family members are true blue. People who make an effort because it's convenient or those who are in it for the long haul no matter the distance. Kevin and I have discovered who we really are (and, conversely, who we're really not). We've met people who have made an imprint on our hearts. Incredible neighbors, longtime Chicago friends and family, new school and sports friends. This is an experience that the five of us alone share. It's special and magical. It's forever changed us.
As we move forward in the next adventure, Adriana (our first nanny here - refer to imprint on heart) agreed to watch the boys for a weekend so I could fly to Bentonville to be a part of picking out our new housing. Kevin and I had a wonderful time together - whether we were driving down a dirt road (I'm not kidding), traipsing through houses where the agent declared that he predicted "exactly" to a tee what my reaction would be or dining at an upscale restaurant (Bentonville really is high-low).
And, today, on a cold day in Chicago I received a text from my husband: "It's in the upper '60s today in your new hometown, sweetheart."
If we had not moved to Chicago, here's just a smattering of what we would have missed:
Grammy's 85 & 86 Birthdays
Spending time with my cousins and their wonderful children (who can forget the bonding of Kieper and Jonathan or Kellen and Jacob/Jackson or the way the girls looked over the boys).
Learning that my kids don't need fences to stay close to home.
Our neighbors the Bakers and how our kids run back and forth and in and out of each other's homes effortlessly. We have an open invitation with each other and the kids love it.
Allie Baker - our adorable teenage babysitter.
Running with Michelle - my next door neighbor ("project hill").
Hanging out with Dan and Michelle and their boys Zach and Max (especially the night Karsten took the golf cart for a "ride" in their yard).
Nick's with the Synons.
Friday nights at Tony V's.
Volunteering with Girls on the Run and helping 5th-grade Katie run her first 5K.
Lyons Park.
Joe Caputo's, Joseph's Marketplace, Trader Joe's (seeing a trend?) and Rex's.
Divey little restaurants where every sandwich on the menu is the best you've ever had.
PIZZA (particularly Lou Malnatti's).
The Chicago accent - or, more likely, Eastern European or Korean accent.
The practical, warm side of Chicagoans (OK, and the occasional rudeness - it's cold here; everyone gets a little testy).
Going to a home Purdue game (with the Eckhoffs) and Bears game in one weekend.
Watching a Christmas parade in the snow in our little town's main street.
Date night at Francesca's.
The night we discovered Villa Bleu (it's Irish, we watched a Texas football game there and the waitress kissed us - don't ask).
Bunko Midwest style (and my Dad babysitting all three while I was out with the "ladies" as Karsten says).
Celebrating Kevin's 40th birthday at the Four Seasons in Chicago.
Cubs games in Wilson seats.
Visiting Lincoln Park Zoo, Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum and The Museum of Science and Industry (with the Landes Family).
Spring Break with the Landes fam - they have steadfastly made time for us despite a very long, grueling drive and the chaotic schedules that come with a busy family of four kids ages 16-9.
Watching my cousin Richie's daughter turn 1.
Meeting the teachers at the Montessori School of Long Grove, particularly Marci (Kieper's teacher). She takes the boys home for me once/week and spoils them rotten - or takes them on walks through the nature preserve next to our neighborhood with her dogs Teddy and Skippy.
Deer crossings. Giant ducks everywhere.
Looking out our front door to see Kev playing golf.
Halloween in our neighborhood (decorated golf carts! candy for the kids - shots for the adults).
The boys taking my Dad to the "pickle" place in Long Grove. Or, Kellen requesting a trip through the "Christmas" store.
The boys sledding down the massive hill across the street.
My 66-year-old Dad sledding on said hill.
The day Kieper sled right into the path of a ski jump - created by the big kids - and went flying off of his sled. I didn't see it (thank goodness), but he came home to tell me: "I hurt my hinder." We laugh about it now and he got right back out there.
Enduring the coldest day of the year (20 or more below zero - who remembers) and going out to shop anyway.
Re-energizing our faith at Willow Creek Church, where Karsten was dedicated right after the choir sang a rousing rendition of "Sweet Home Chicago."
Thanksgiving 07 & 08 with Aunt Grizzy.
Shopping at Woodfield Mall and Old Orchard again.
Visiting Lake Geneva with my Dad (always our special place) and my other four men.
Ugg Boots.
The Foglia YMCA (stop laughing).
Learning how to negotiate remodeling contracts and dealing with contractors!
Meeting Marianne - caretaker, organizer, Godsend!
Hearing Marianne (mother of six and former daycare owner) say that she's never seen kids who adapt and make friends as well as my three.
Antique furniture scores with Lisa in Barrington.
Many a laidback, don't-want-it-to-end evening with the Woolfords, who live just 10 minutes from us. We don't even call - we just drop in on each other and it's always welcome and enjoyable (half the time we walk in and don't even knock - it's that kind of friendship - and what's really cute is that it's usually Kevin who says, "the door isn't locked, let's just go in"). On date night, that's where Kevin and I end up - our nightcap with the Woolfies.
The boys learning TaeKwonDo with Master Tae.
Watching Kellen blossom in a close-knit Kindergarten class where he bonded with the only other boys, Alex & Steve (Pokemon fever!) and was Big Man on Campus with lots of little girl crushes (Jess, Sasha, Hannah, Alice).
Watching Kieper grow in confidence and find his own niche (soccer star!) and best friends (Ben and Evan).
Karsten potty training on his own in the potty he shares with his bro-bros.
The old man asleep in the chair (this is only funny to us).
The Broken Oar ("Old Oar") Marina Bar & Grill (this is only funny to my Dad).
Eating at Egg Harbor, The Canteen or Bolonies in Barrington; Tracks in Cary; Kobe's in Lake Zurich.
Lunch at Noodle Company ("Companies") or Moes.
Free Internet access at Panera Bread (aka "the office").
Watching Kevin get up excited every day to work with baseball icons such as Barry Bonds and Coach Murph (and bringing the boys to hang out at the super-cool Wilson offices, where he had their pictures splattered all over his office).
Remembering the excitement in Kevin's voice when he'd call from the field (literally) of Wrigley or from MLB spring training in Phoenix.
Riding the Metra & L (and the fact that the boys can see either when we are out and about).
O'Hare & Garrett's popcorn.
Meeting Sally and Stephanie - two Midwestern gals who brought me back to my roots (and taught me the phrase "stop talking about that!" - the polite version of "shut up").
Lakes, trees, hills everywhere and driving over the Fox River every morning on the way to school.
I insisted we make the experience completely different, so we bought a house in the NW suburbs (I grew up in the south suburbs). I had no idea what tough was - leaving my cushy life in our new house in Frisco (live-in nanny to boot) for a corporate apartment on the third floor (all three boys shared a bedroom; we set up Karsten's pack & play in the closet) and no help. Things would get tougher ... the winter hit, I missed my family, friends, LIFE in Dallas. The low point probably happened when I was horribly ill (had to pull into a Walgreens parking lot to throw up with Kieper watching) and Kevin couldn't get away from work until late that night, leaving me heaving in front of the boys. But, somehow we pulled through. We made friends, set up support systems, grew in our faith and trust in each other and became closer as a family; we learned how to be self-sufficient in any environment. Since Kevin and I met, we've been a force together. And, that magnetic bond has served us well through these transitions.
There are life lessons in moving ... you learn which friends and family members are true blue. People who make an effort because it's convenient or those who are in it for the long haul no matter the distance. Kevin and I have discovered who we really are (and, conversely, who we're really not). We've met people who have made an imprint on our hearts. Incredible neighbors, longtime Chicago friends and family, new school and sports friends. This is an experience that the five of us alone share. It's special and magical. It's forever changed us.
As we move forward in the next adventure, Adriana (our first nanny here - refer to imprint on heart) agreed to watch the boys for a weekend so I could fly to Bentonville to be a part of picking out our new housing. Kevin and I had a wonderful time together - whether we were driving down a dirt road (I'm not kidding), traipsing through houses where the agent declared that he predicted "exactly" to a tee what my reaction would be or dining at an upscale restaurant (Bentonville really is high-low).
And, today, on a cold day in Chicago I received a text from my husband: "It's in the upper '60s today in your new hometown, sweetheart."
If we had not moved to Chicago, here's just a smattering of what we would have missed:
Grammy's 85 & 86 Birthdays
Spending time with my cousins and their wonderful children (who can forget the bonding of Kieper and Jonathan or Kellen and Jacob/Jackson or the way the girls looked over the boys).
Learning that my kids don't need fences to stay close to home.
Our neighbors the Bakers and how our kids run back and forth and in and out of each other's homes effortlessly. We have an open invitation with each other and the kids love it.
Allie Baker - our adorable teenage babysitter.
Running with Michelle - my next door neighbor ("project hill").
Hanging out with Dan and Michelle and their boys Zach and Max (especially the night Karsten took the golf cart for a "ride" in their yard).
Nick's with the Synons.
Friday nights at Tony V's.
Volunteering with Girls on the Run and helping 5th-grade Katie run her first 5K.
Lyons Park.
Joe Caputo's, Joseph's Marketplace, Trader Joe's (seeing a trend?) and Rex's.
Divey little restaurants where every sandwich on the menu is the best you've ever had.
PIZZA (particularly Lou Malnatti's).
The Chicago accent - or, more likely, Eastern European or Korean accent.
The practical, warm side of Chicagoans (OK, and the occasional rudeness - it's cold here; everyone gets a little testy).
Going to a home Purdue game (with the Eckhoffs) and Bears game in one weekend.
Watching a Christmas parade in the snow in our little town's main street.
Date night at Francesca's.
The night we discovered Villa Bleu (it's Irish, we watched a Texas football game there and the waitress kissed us - don't ask).
Bunko Midwest style (and my Dad babysitting all three while I was out with the "ladies" as Karsten says).
Celebrating Kevin's 40th birthday at the Four Seasons in Chicago.
Cubs games in Wilson seats.
Visiting Lincoln Park Zoo, Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum and The Museum of Science and Industry (with the Landes Family).
Spring Break with the Landes fam - they have steadfastly made time for us despite a very long, grueling drive and the chaotic schedules that come with a busy family of four kids ages 16-9.
Watching my cousin Richie's daughter turn 1.
Meeting the teachers at the Montessori School of Long Grove, particularly Marci (Kieper's teacher). She takes the boys home for me once/week and spoils them rotten - or takes them on walks through the nature preserve next to our neighborhood with her dogs Teddy and Skippy.
Deer crossings. Giant ducks everywhere.
Looking out our front door to see Kev playing golf.
Halloween in our neighborhood (decorated golf carts! candy for the kids - shots for the adults).
The boys taking my Dad to the "pickle" place in Long Grove. Or, Kellen requesting a trip through the "Christmas" store.
The boys sledding down the massive hill across the street.
My 66-year-old Dad sledding on said hill.
The day Kieper sled right into the path of a ski jump - created by the big kids - and went flying off of his sled. I didn't see it (thank goodness), but he came home to tell me: "I hurt my hinder." We laugh about it now and he got right back out there.
Enduring the coldest day of the year (20 or more below zero - who remembers) and going out to shop anyway.
Re-energizing our faith at Willow Creek Church, where Karsten was dedicated right after the choir sang a rousing rendition of "Sweet Home Chicago."
Thanksgiving 07 & 08 with Aunt Grizzy.
Shopping at Woodfield Mall and Old Orchard again.
Visiting Lake Geneva with my Dad (always our special place) and my other four men.
Ugg Boots.
The Foglia YMCA (stop laughing).
Learning how to negotiate remodeling contracts and dealing with contractors!
Meeting Marianne - caretaker, organizer, Godsend!
Hearing Marianne (mother of six and former daycare owner) say that she's never seen kids who adapt and make friends as well as my three.
Antique furniture scores with Lisa in Barrington.
Many a laidback, don't-want-it-to-end evening with the Woolfords, who live just 10 minutes from us. We don't even call - we just drop in on each other and it's always welcome and enjoyable (half the time we walk in and don't even knock - it's that kind of friendship - and what's really cute is that it's usually Kevin who says, "the door isn't locked, let's just go in"). On date night, that's where Kevin and I end up - our nightcap with the Woolfies.
The boys learning TaeKwonDo with Master Tae.
Watching Kellen blossom in a close-knit Kindergarten class where he bonded with the only other boys, Alex & Steve (Pokemon fever!) and was Big Man on Campus with lots of little girl crushes (Jess, Sasha, Hannah, Alice).
Watching Kieper grow in confidence and find his own niche (soccer star!) and best friends (Ben and Evan).
Karsten potty training on his own in the potty he shares with his bro-bros.
The old man asleep in the chair (this is only funny to us).
The Broken Oar ("Old Oar") Marina Bar & Grill (this is only funny to my Dad).
Eating at Egg Harbor, The Canteen or Bolonies in Barrington; Tracks in Cary; Kobe's in Lake Zurich.
Lunch at Noodle Company ("Companies") or Moes.
Free Internet access at Panera Bread (aka "the office").
Watching Kevin get up excited every day to work with baseball icons such as Barry Bonds and Coach Murph (and bringing the boys to hang out at the super-cool Wilson offices, where he had their pictures splattered all over his office).
Remembering the excitement in Kevin's voice when he'd call from the field (literally) of Wrigley or from MLB spring training in Phoenix.
Riding the Metra & L (and the fact that the boys can see either when we are out and about).
O'Hare & Garrett's popcorn.
Meeting Sally and Stephanie - two Midwestern gals who brought me back to my roots (and taught me the phrase "stop talking about that!" - the polite version of "shut up").
Lakes, trees, hills everywhere and driving over the Fox River every morning on the way to school.
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Halloween in the Hood
BEST Halloween EVER! We have the ultimate trick-or-treat neighborhood (sniff, sniff ... and we're leaving it!). It's one big block party with the kids and parents out in force - mostly jetting around in their decorated golf carts. Then, after the Big Candy Collection, everyone meets at one neighbor's house (annual tradition for years now). The kids play on the golf course and grill hot dogs in the fire pit, while the adults indulge in homemade soup and lively conversation. It was in the low 70s - perfect weather. And all three kids 'got it' this year. It was so much fun watching them run from house-to-house with their best bud Ethan. Just priceless memories and the pics don't do it justice, but here are some highlights of the eve ...
ps ... so much for my no gun rule - well, we ARE moving to Arkansas!
The boys ... ready to head out mere seconds from arriving home from school! (ps ... Kevin & I spent the day working, then doing school conferences & watching Kellen solve square roots, as well as catching a presentation in Kellen's class on Diwali, a major Hindu holiday.)
The Girls (and our babysitters!).
The color in our yard ...
Daddy & Karsten ("Boxer") getting ready to head out.
More of our yard ...
OK, one more view of the backyard (and it's not even the other side!).
Common sight ... decorated golf carts (since we have moved to this neighborhood, our neighbors have been sweetly been asking us two things ... when are you going to get a boat ... we live 2 minutes from the Fox Lake River ... and when are you going to get a golf cart?!?).
My Kieper, I mean Batman.
Cracks me up ... my kids in Halloween mode.
View along the way ... golfers still playing oblivious to our mayhem.
Following the Moppers (as my Dad calls them).
Stopping along the way to munch on candy. OH YEAH, we paid for that today!
ps ... so much for my no gun rule - well, we ARE moving to Arkansas!
The boys ... ready to head out mere seconds from arriving home from school! (ps ... Kevin & I spent the day working, then doing school conferences & watching Kellen solve square roots, as well as catching a presentation in Kellen's class on Diwali, a major Hindu holiday.)
The Girls (and our babysitters!).
The color in our yard ...
Daddy & Karsten ("Boxer") getting ready to head out.
More of our yard ...
OK, one more view of the backyard (and it's not even the other side!).
Common sight ... decorated golf carts (since we have moved to this neighborhood, our neighbors have been sweetly been asking us two things ... when are you going to get a boat ... we live 2 minutes from the Fox Lake River ... and when are you going to get a golf cart?!?).
My Kieper, I mean Batman.
Cracks me up ... my kids in Halloween mode.
View along the way ... golfers still playing oblivious to our mayhem.
Following the Moppers (as my Dad calls them).
Stopping along the way to munch on candy. OH YEAH, we paid for that today!
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