Professional Pics!

Photos from Kati and Ryan's lovely day are in, and I've finally chosen my favorites.  Blessings to Kati and Ryan as they begin their married life!

I've been away!

Since my last post following Kati's wedding, things have been busy!  Really busy!  We're not used to that...

The first weekend in May we moved to Peoria.  Joshua had been commuting to his new job for a month, so it was time to go.  Our Monticello house sold on May 5, and we currently live in a rental house in our old neighborhood with lots of shade trees and hills for coasting.  It's fine for now, but we are busy looking for something to call our own.  This seems to be a bit of a challenge.

Throughout May, Forrest and I did our best to be in Monticello during the week for school.  I hate not finishing things I start.  I say we did our best, because, unfortunately, we had many sick days.  I had a rough patch and Forrest had at least two.  We finally got him in to see an ENT, and he's scheduled to have his adenoids and tonsils out mid June.  I'm feeling nervous about this but am so hopeful that we can put behind the fevers, sinusitis, ear infections, snoring, constant drainage, and sleep apnea we've been dealing with since Christmas.

Our final day of school was last Thursday, with a family picnic on Saturday.  How we will miss all of our friends!  I've shed some tears.  It really was a lovely year.  Forrest's teacher, Heather, has made such a positive impact on our lives over the past two years.  What a lucky chance meeting we had on a walk so long ago.  This fall, Forrest will continue at Peoria Montessori School in a primary program five days a week.  Yikes!  How can my little boy be nearly three-years-old already?

During the month of June, we don't have too much planned.  Forrest and I will keep busy enjoying the ease of access of Peoria that I missed in Monticello.  Joshua is working a lot but really seems to like his new job.  Here's hoping for peace and joy in our household throughout the summer.

Kati and Ryan's Wedding

Last weekend was the much-anticipated wedding!  We flew out to Phoenix to celebrate and enjoy a long weekend with Kati and Ryan.  Here are a few pictures until we see the professional ones.

Now for the big move on Sunday.  The house is in mid-pack-up and a complete mess.  I'm feeling anxious and ready for this business to be over.  Here's hoping we love our rental house because moving is quite unpleasant.  

One Way Ticket Please!

We're home from visiting Joshua's grandparents in Florida, and I'm thinking Florida might be the place for me!  I suppose the perfect temperatures, pool, beach, and no responsibilities may be influencing me...

 (Cheerio necklace-making with Grandma Parsons!)

It really was such a lovely vacation.  We left Peoria with snow and freezing weather and landed in the sunshine for a week.  Thank you to Grandpa and Grandma Grogg for their hospitality.  They always go out of their way to see that we have a great time.  

Now that we're back Monticello, we're getting ready for a busy few weeks.  We have accepted an offer on our house; the inspection is Monday.  Hopefully there aren't any bumps in the road between now and May 6, when we're scheduled to close.  Besides house sale stuff, Joshua is getting ready to begin his new job March 30.  We still don't know where we will live.  Better get that figured out soon!

Ready for Changes

Well, the interview process is over; it was extensive!  We have decided that we will move back to Peoria this spring.  Although it's hard to leave Monticello, I did love Peoria while we were there.  I'm looking forward to living closer to things to do, shopping, and my family again.  Hopefully Forrest accepts the change easily.  I feel sad knowing that we are leaving his only home and family he loves to visit so much.

The plan is for Joshua to begin working in Peoria on March 31, staying with Shaun or Wes until Forrest and I can join him at the end of May when our school year is over.  We're hoping the sale of our home in Monticello is not too challenging, but truthfully, there are many for sale in our neighborhood, and I'm feeling quite nervous that we will get an offer.  Over the past several weeks, I've been working to get the house in great shape, so hopefully someone will want it!

A few pictures from the last weeks.

The love of the mixer continues, stronger than ever.  I'm not sure I'm going to be able to tear the red one away from him to give to Kati, as was the plan when we got the blue one for Christmas.

Who wouldn't want a house with this view?  Not to mention the amazing new deck railing that I installed in the middle of January, replacing the old, awful one.  Yes, I was quite proud of myself.  It was all me on a lovely 45 degree day (thank goodness!) and Mom watching Forrest while I worked.

Happy New Year!

I'm watching the snow blow by out my window this afternoon and thinking about the old and new years.  2014 was such a nice year (even if the snow is reminding me of the never-ending winter right now!).  It was a year to get out and do things!  Forrest was ready for adventure, and so were we!

We took several trips including our annual trip to Wisconsin, a first trip to visit Kati and Ryan, and quick trips to St. Louis and Branson, MO.  Forrest and I spent time at Poppy and Gigi's, and Joshua stayed busy with his projects.  His store underwent a name change.  They are now called Titan Games, and they are busy!  Their sales exceeded expectations in 2014, and now they are in the process of training a new store manager so Mark can pursue medicine in the future.  They're also looking into adding more stores under their name.  Apparently a nerd empire is the goal!

Besides staying busy with his shop, Joshua continued to work a lot, taking on many weekend shifts at a prompt care in Peoria.  It's hard to turn down the money when we would like to be done with our student loans!  He doesn't seem to mind the work, and several times, Forrest and I tagged along to visit Shaun.

2014 was a comfortable year in our home.  We got out and enjoyed Monticello often.  We spent too much time at the Dairy Queen, and visited grandparents and great-grandparents regularly.  We attended our Montessori sessions, and I can say now that I've jumped in completely.  I like Montessori philosophies and ideas, and I hope Forrest can continue with a Montessori preschool program next fall.

Yes, we are very comfortable here, but it seems that it's time for us to have a new adventure.  A few weeks ago, Joshua made the decision to leave his job here in Monticello as of the end of March; I support his choice.  So, he's now busy interviewing... a lot.  He has a couple of great offers, and we're hoping to make a decision in the next few weeks.  It seems that 2015 will be marked by change again, a house to sell, a rental to find, and new routines to build.  I'm praying for an open and flexible mind; change has never been my best skill.  I'm optimistic that we will be happy and settled in before long.

Other events to look forward to include Kati and Ryan's wedding in April and Forrest's third birthday.

Welcome 2015!

Christmas Update

Despite Forrest being sick, we had a lovely Christmas celebration at Dad and Mom's.  (They finished their family room 20 years after beginning the project, spurred on by the need to host due to Forrest's dog allergy at Shaun and Bill's).  Here are a few pictures!

Yes, I did approve of a bounce house.  Being a parent makes you so gullible... 

Can it be?  A new, blue mixer?  Yes, this is what he has been asking for for months.  All other presents were disappointing until this one was opened.

Christmas suspenders?  Yes, indeed.

The grandparents came over for a beautiful, and delicious lunch.

Hope everyone else had as nice a holiday as we did!