Farewell after 26 years

We moved my mom last weekend out of her house of 26 years. I have been a little reflective this week about all of the memories I had in that house. My mom & I moved there when I was in Jr High after my parents split up. At the time it was both bitter & sweet. Bitter because of the circumstances that caused us to move to the house. Sweet because as a kid who formerly was a 'country kid' it was pretty awesome to become a 'town kid' having more things to do within walking and biking distance.

In this house I went on my first real date, started high school, went to many dances, proms etc. This is where I learned to drive, graduated from high school and spent weekends and some summers home from college. I graduated from college, started my first job in corporate America, met my husband & got married.

We hosted over 20 exchange students during our time in the house from about 15 different countries. Including the younger brother of our very first student from Brazil many years after she stayed with us. Because our house was in town it was often the hang out for friends after school, between events and just in general.

Most recently, this became 'Grandma Mommy's' house for our daughter. She knew just where to toys were kept and wasted no time after saying 'hi' to grandma making a bee-line for that cabinet.

Once again, I am at a bittersweet point in life. Sad to see mom moving out of the house that played such a big part of my life, but happy for her to begin a new chapter in hers. Her new place is an apartment with a beautiful lake view from every window and it sits right next to the only big park my hometown has to offer. Maddy has once again found the legos & grandma's bear at the new place and is happy to see grandma no matter where she is.

Thankful Thursday

I haven't had time to post much as I've been busy with a project at work. Our big deadline in the week after next so hopefully things will start settling down a little. I am thankful today to have a job. I see so many people around me unemployed or having their hours cut and my heart goes out to them.

2009 State Fair

We took Maddy to the State Fair this weekend. We have the traditional foods that we usually get every year, but this year we also decided to buy one of the Blue Ribbon Bargain books which was fun to use for trying a few new things. We also both took a turn with Maddy on the Giant Slide which is still one of my favorite rides after all these years.

I lost my camera a few weeks back when my family was in town for my uncle's 80th birthday so I've been a little lost. We finally broke down & bought a new one just in time for the fair. Though it's not the DSLR I've been pining for, it's better then the disposable box camera I had been using.

Here are a few shots from the fair-

Two Years Ago today, our referral

Two years ago today we got the call we had been waiting to get for years telling us about Madison's referral. That call & the little picture that was e-mailed to us after has forever changed our life. We are so blessed to be Maddy's Mommy & Daddy and thank God every day for our daughter. Here is the then & now picture:

Playdate w/Mei Mei

Last Saturday Maddy & I met up with June & Mei Mei at a local community center pool. There was a very nice indoor pool with a fun kids play area. Here are a few photos-

Taking a little drive in the Ice Cream Truck after snacks

2 1/2 Years Old Today

So hard to believe that this beautiful young lady:

was ever this small:

Happy 1/2 Birthday Baby Girl!!!

Meeting Kai Lan

Today Maddy & I ventured out to the Mall of America (or 'The Mall to The America' as Maddy calls it) for Toddler Tuesday. It was a special day because one of her favorite cartoons were featured there- Kai Lan from the show Ni Hao Kai Lan on Nick Jr. (http://www.nickjr.com/shows/ni-hao-kai-lan/index.jhtml)

They had a character dressed up as Kai Lan & the young lady that does the voice of Kai Lan also came out for a while & read a story to the kids. Maddy wasn't quite sure what to think of the big full life Kai Lan, but she did give her a hug.

Some of the other Red Thread kids came & many were decked out in their Kai Lan wear. We also got to meet one of the newest additions to the group, Olivia.

One of the best moments of the day was when we were walking back to the car & the young lady who does Kai Lan (Jade-Lianna) was walking around with her mom & a friend and they came up to Maddy and asked her if she enjoyed the show and how old she was. It was a fun day, here are some pictures:

Giving Kai Lan a hug

Coloring with OO

Miss C & mom checking out the craft


Jade-Lianna reading a story