Packing, horses, bbq'n, & dirt!

 3 days of non-stop packing isn't very much fun.   It's much harder this time around b/c we are not just packing, but sorting- storage, yard sale, suitcases, or ship to Jordan.  Deb & Joe stopped by to pick up some stuff up on Sunday, and convinced us that we needed to take a break on Monday and come over for a bbq.  Deb had promised Hailee she would take her out to see the horses, so before the bbq, we headed up the road and let the kids ride the horses.  They all loved it!  Billy is in Rome, he'll be racing this Thursday, so Alisa and the kids drove up to visit and joined us for horse rides and bbq'n at Deb's.  We had a great time.. I'm really glad we took a break!  It's been an EXHAUSTING but productive 3-day weekend!! I would say we are about 75% done, with 13 days left.  Back to work tomorrow- 7 days left with students 7 1/2 left of work.  I'm ready to be done- with work and packing!

 

At the end of the night, Noah & Charlee thought it would be fun to play in the dirt!

Memorial Day Weekend

Lots of friends are heading out for fun camping trips, trips home to see family, etc.  Us?  We are really living it up this weekend!  Packing!  Woohoo!  Party at the Nelson's!  At first I was a little bummed that we would not be able to head out to enjoy the long weekend.  But then I remembered I am only 14 days away from a long vacation, one in which the hubby, girls, and I will truly enjoy.  We have never been to CA as "vacationers", and will have 2 months to enjoy time w/ family & friends, take beach excursions, hit a few theme parks, watch Billy race in the Olympic Trials, etc.  I think I can endure packing this weekend ;)

We got quite a bit accomplished today.  A friend is buying some of our bedroom furniture, so we had to get our dresser cleaned out and packed today.  We also completely finished the girl's rooms.  Charlee's room is completely empty and Hailee's room is empty except for their beds, clothes for the last 2 weeks in CO, and minimal toys and books.  Next weekend we will have another yard sale to try and get rid of the majority of our stuff.  So far we only have 3-4 boxes we are shipping to Jordan, and 4 suitcases full.  Alisa picked us up a couple suitcases that she'll be bringing down in the next couple days, so we'll be up to 6.  We have a few totes we will store with family in CA, but other than that we are getting rid of everything else.  It's not worth putting into storage, and we have no idea how long we are going to be overseas.  2 years in Jordan, and then who knows where we will end up next!

Poor Hailee has learned what happens when you spend lots of time on the monkey bars!  2 opened.. ouch!

Tomorrow we're going to attempt the basement and/or garage.  Hopefully we can get through them because they are the biggest projects we have left!


After calling it a night, we were too tired too cook, so we ordered in pizza.  Then it was time to relax and enjoy a family movie-- Fox and the Hound, which actually held Charlee's attention for a large portion of the movie!  P.S.  Bill mentioned that we have almost 700 movies and that if we sold them at $3 a piece, that would be $2100!  Temping.. but no!

Bedtime story!  First night in 27 straight nights of reading Brown, Brown Bear, we finally were able to read a different book ;)

Charlee's birthday weekend

May 19th again already?  Can't believe my baby girl is already 2.  I no longer have a baby.  I have a toddler.  No more babies for this mommy.  Man, time definitely flies!  Charlee's birthday started with a trip to her sister's last soccer game of the season.  Hailee is such a talented player.  Poor girl plays full field now, and her coach leaves her in for the entire game.  She was exhausted by the end of the game.  She also took a rib shot during the game, but only came out for a few minutes before jumping right back into the game.  

During 1/2 time, Charlee enjoyed riding her Strider through all the puddles, making sure to stomp her feet in each and every puddle!

Charlee decorating her bike, or rather herself ;-)

Charlee & her buddy Kenn

Next up, we headed to The Brummers' to help Cayle celebrate his 2nd birthday (Cayle's is the 18th, Charlee's is the 19th).   He had a bike party, and the girls had a great time decorating and riding their bikes.  Charlee was just getting the hang of her new Strider, but she did really well with it.  After the party we headed home, and Charlee (shhh.. & Mommy) took naps.  After naps we made Charlee spaghetti, her favorite, for dinner.  We then spent some time hanging outside with the neighbors while the kiddos rode bikes.  Charlee is really starting to get the hang of her new Strider! 

All day, we kept singing and wishing Charlee a happy birthday.  Her response was always, "Happy to you!"  It was so cute!


Hailee ended up spending the night next door with her buddy Evie (we are seriously going to miss our neighbors), so after getting Charlee down, mommy & daddy were finally able to just relax and watch a movie.  We've been so busy this hasn't happened in months!

Heather (a close friend) & Kennedie decorating bikes

Sweet Kennedie (Charlee kept trying to steal her bike )

Daddy helping Charlee figure out her Strider

Cayle's bike gang ;-)

The girls admiring Cayle's new sister, Lindy <3

Happy Birthday Cayle!

Charlee helping us pack ;-)

The next day was not so eventful.  We had some errands to run, and Hailee had another birthday party to go to.  Then the party really started.. packing.  Blah.  Have I mentioned how much I despise packing?  We were able to get almost all of our clothes packed, leaving out only enough to get us through the next 3 weeks.  Can't believe I only have 11 days until school is out.. but who's counting? ;) 

Charlee's yearly visit to Children's Hospital

This has been a marathon of a week!  Monday night we spent at the middle school hosting a spaghetti dinner for our track athletes.  Hailee had a field trip and was off to the zoo on Tuesday and after work, Bill and I were off to the RML Championship meet.  Our kiddos did great!  Both our 7th grade girls and 7th grade boys brought home the trophy!  Our 8th grade teams were very small this year, so we were quite proud of them still being able to place 3rd in the league. Turned out to be a pretty emotional night.  I have absolutely loved coaching at Gypsum Creek, and have formed a bond with my athletes, their families, and the other coaches.  When parents started thanking me for my hard work and expressing how much they were going to miss me, the floodgates were opened.  Then Becky started crying, as we realized this was our last meet coaching together.  I don't do good-byes very well, so this is going to be a rough 3 weeks. 

That brings us to Wednesday.  Hailee had a soccer game in Edwards Wednesday night at 6:30.  We also planned to drive to Longmont to stay with Billy & Alisa, as Charlee had her yearly neurology check-up at Children's this morning. This made for a very late night, but at least we knew we would get to sleep in a little. 


I always get a bit nervous and maybe even a bit emotional pulling into Children's.  The first time we pulled onto the campus I was pregnant and we were given a prognosis that our baby may not make it, and if he/she did, would likely be blind, have developmental problems, trouble maintaining body temperature, etc.  Although this was upsetting because we of course want the absolute best for our child, we knew that no matter what, we would love our little one and give them the absolute best life we could provide.  Pulling onto the same campus almost 2 1/2 years later, with Miss Charlee all smiles and talking up a storm, you can understand why this trip is an emotional one.  I had half a mind to march her up to the office of the doctor who told us during the delivery that if the baby's heartbeat should slow, we should just let the baby pass.  Why?  He said we really needed to consider her quality of life.  What do you have to say now doctor?  I'm pretty sure her quality of life is just fine :-)

Charlee was into everything waiting for doc!

She refused to look at me and smile for the camera!

 

Charlee loves this ball contraption on the 1st floor.

Yes, she's laying on the floor in the doctor's office,..crazy girl :-)

Okay, enough with that rant.  We absolutely love Dr. Parsons, Charlee's neurologist.  She has been Charlee's neurologist since she was in my belly.  She is absolutely thrilled with Charlee's growth and development.  I'm pretty sure her words today were- "I have absolutely nothing to offer!"  Yep. That's great news!  It means she's doing amazing, but let's be honest.. we all already knew that! ;-)  Although Charlee was a bit stubborn because she wanted more sprinkles out of Dr. Parsons' bag, she passed all of the developmental tests with flying colors.  Doctor said she's happy to see her in a year, but she really doesn't need to see her for 2 years!! That's huge folks!!  At that point, we shared our news that we would be leaving the country for the next couple years, but we would come home each summer.  She was very excited for us, and even asked us to send a Christmas card and wants our blog address. 

After her appt., we went down to medical records and ordered copies so that we would have them with us overseas.  That's one more thing off the list.  T- 3 weeks until we leave Colorado! 

As a last thought, I'll leave you with this song.  B and I heard it on the radio, and she told me to listen to the words as they were perfect to think about in terms of Charlee.  I couldn't agree more, especially considering today's appt.

"Wonder"

Doctors have come from distant cities
Just to see me
Stand over my bed
Disbelieving what they're seeing

They say I must be one of the wonders
Of god's own creation
And as far as they can see they can offer
No explanation

Newspapers ask intimate questions
Want confessions
They reach into my head
To steal the glory of my story

They say I must be one of the wonders
Of god's own creation
And as far as they can see they can offer
No explanation

O, I believe
Fate smiled and destiny
Laughed as she came to my cradle
Know this child will be able
Laughed as my body she lifted
Know this child will be gifted
With love, with patience and with faith
She'll make her way

People see me
I'm a challenge to your balance
I'm over your heads
How I confound you and astound you
To know I must be one of the wonders
Of god's own creation
And as far as you can see you can offer me
No explanation

O, I believe
Fate smiled and destiny
Laughed as she came to my cradle
Know this child will be able
Laughed as she came to my mother
Know this child will not suffer
Laughed as my body she lifted
Know this child will be gifted
With love, with patience and with faith
She'll make her way

The PINK party :)

This past weekend we hosted a bbq in our 1/2 packed house!  Let me just say that I had a track meet that day and Hailee had a double header soccer game.  We also had just sold our couches, so I came home to an empty living room 3 hours before party time.  Luckily, we have an awesome neighbor who had one in her garage for us to borrow.  Yep, that's right.  You borrow sugar from your neighbor, we borrow a couch.

Our guests didn't seem to mind our 1/2 empty house, as everyone seemed to be having a great time!  The party was to celebrate Charlee's 2nd birthday (which is May 19th), and to celebrate our upcoming adventure.  I wanted an easy theme, so I picked the color pink for Miss Charlee and asked guests to wear pink.  It was super easy to decorate and worked out really well.  Enjoy the pictures!

This is about as extensive as the decorations got.. well, except for the balloons!

The Steiners, I work w/ Paul & Vessi & Charlee went to the same preschool.   Vessi loves Charlee <3

Charlee's favorite part of the party was the balloons :)

Jess, Natalie and baby Lindy, & Amanda

Becky, her sis Trudy, & Ryder

3 of my girls- Nette, Beth, and B

Brook & Josh (Brook & I work together)

beautiful baby Lindy

The Brummer Family rocking the pink!  When I met the Brummers.. there were only 2!  Now a family of 4 :)

Tonya & Kathy

Charlee & Cayle- both turning 2 this week (Cayle the 18th & Charlee the 19th)

We've spent a lot of time together coaching track- Amanda, B, and Jess

Mark, his date, Stacie, & Matt (I work with Mark and Stacie)

Alayna & I.. we are on the same SPED team and she rocks!! 

Mark the calendar!  He smiled in a picture :)

A little pregame frosting

Nelsons in PINK

It's cake time.. ice cream cake!

Charlee wasn't sure how she felt about the singing this year..

Sister went after the candles

an attempt at a kid photo

While I was cutting the other cake, the kids dug into this one!

Sisterly love <3

Nette, B, Beth, Tiff, & I.. love them!

Charlee's present.. a strider!  Notice she changed into her sister's ballet slippers, lol

Bubby helping with the new Dora helmet

The helmet was clearly a hit.. she LOVES Dora!

Vessi helping Charlee w/ the present she brought her.

Stacie & Matt.. they are getting married this summer! So happy for them!

I'm going to miss this girl!

DJ being DJ, lol

Carol & Jay, Carol & I shared an office for 6 years

The Russells (Dave is now my boss, but we've know the family for years.. our girls were at the same preschool for awhile)

The Farmers.. our first neighbors & friends in Gypsum

Tonya & I

The girls w/ our neighbors the Gundersons.. we live in such a great neighborhood!  Going to be so hard to leave.

Carol & Charlee enjoying the bubbles

Kent.. he is so funny!

She loves her new Strider!

Hailee & Bella.. they are so close!

The Nelsons.. I'm going to refrain from commenting on how much we are going to miss them as it will only bring tears.  They better make their way to Jordan this year!

The end of a great night!  One of my favorite pictures of us.. thanks Billy ;-)