Milwaukee Oh-nine

Since returning from our trip to Milwaukee two weeks ago, our lives have been kicked into HIGH GEAR!! I'm going to focus on pictures of the trip then give an adoption update at the end.

Company Zoo Picnic on Sunday eveningCamel rides at the zooSea Lion Show Our favorite ice cream spot at the zoo

Kaiya on the Titanic ride--she's so brave!
train ride around the zoo
What makes the zoo day so much fun is that everything is FREE!! All the rides, all the food, all the shows.

Day 2 in Milwaukee

Is he real?

Betty Brin Children's Museum

While daddy was in meetings on Monday, we used the free passes to the children's museum. Day 3 in Milwaukee

Water park fun in the HotelThat's my brave little girl.

Makin' a big splash!

That evening we went to dinner with friends at a very unusual restaurant called the SafeHouse. This was quite the amusing place. You walk in a room that has four walls with no visible entry to anywhere. Someone comes on a speaker and tells you that you need to whisper the password to gain access inside. If you get it wrong, which we did, you must play "ring around the rosie" which later we realized was broadcast on TVs for the whole restaurant to see. Finally a secret door slid open for us to enter. The walls inside the restaurant were full of spy holes and secret passages. After we finished our dinner and wanted to leave, we had to figure out how to get out of the place. It was hilarious and quite an adventure! Here we are outside the front door.

After dinner, we headed to the company concert...

featuring Danny Gokey from American Idol

...and Kool and the Gang.Milwaukee is always a highlight of our summer. It's exhausting with all the activities that we pack into those few days, but the kids will continue talking about it now until we go back again next year. They love it!

Quote of the day:

While in Milwaukee when we were in our hotel room overlooking the city Caedmon said:

"I love New York City!!"

Adoption Update:

Since returning from Milwaukee we've had two meetings with our birth mother. One of them was today. We got to meet the birth father at this meeting. It went pretty well and everything is continuing to move forward at this time. We were hoping the birth father would sign his papers today, but he decided he wanted to wait until after the birth and sign them along with the birth mother...a bit disappointing to us, but our social worker said this happens a lot and said she still feels really good about this potential adoption. We ultimately won't know until after the baby's birth and those papers are signed...it's so hard to wait. The birth mothers Dr. appointments have been going well and the due date is still set for the 19th. We appreciate all the prayers, emails & phone calls of encouragement. It's helping us tremendously through this anxious waiting period.

focusing on the positive

It's been almost a year since we started this adoption process. My friend Angie is also in the waiting process of their adoption and recently posted a list of things she's learned and is grateful for along their adoption journey. She reminded me that it is sometimes hard to focus on the positive when the waiting seems unending. It is refreshing to take notice of what God has taught me along the way and to take the time to notice the little blessings.

Here's my list of things I've learned or am grateful for in no particular order:

1. I've learned that we can accomplish a lot in such a little time...even during the busiest holiday of the year.

2. My friends and family care so much!

3. I'm thankful for the extra time I've had to focus on Caedmon and Kaiya...playing games, reading and teaching them to help out around the house and be more independent.

4. I've really enjoyed the independent ages that my kids are at...they dress themselves, go to the bathroom by themselves, put on their own shoes etc.

5. We've been able to save more money to put toward the adoption.

6. Learned to give it all to God.

7. Kevin and I were able to get away by ourselves several times in the past year.

8. Had the opportunity to teach our children more about prayer and faith.

9. Enjoyed all the questions and comments from the kids about their new brother or sister. (from the beginning, Caedmon said we were getting two babies...now he says we're getting eight)

10. Learned that I can fall in love with someone instantly before ever seeing them or feeling them move inside me.

11. Learned that God can heal the brokenhearted.

12. Learned about different medical conditions.

I could go on and on.

Kevin and I were able to get away on Saturday evening for his company awards dinner. The kids stayed with Grandma and we enjoyed a lovely sit down dinner and the adult conversation.

On Tuesday evening, Caedmon had his first school program. A winter concert put on by the PreK and first grade classes.
I was a little nervous that he wouldn't stand still and do what he was supposed to. We had lots of encouraging conversations leading up to the program and I was pleasantly surprised and very proud of how well he did. Another exciting treat was having both sets of grandparents there to watch. And the cherry on top was that Kevin's sister from Alabama came as well along with her sweet little family. We all met at the Dairy Queen afterward and how fun to soak up the time with all of them including my niece and two nephews. Someone is extremely excited in these pictures...too much sugar, high on attention and awake way past his bedtime. :) Thankfully we had a two-hr. delay the next morning for fog since we didn't get home until after ten on a school night.

baby Jack

sweet cousins - Helen & Kaiya

Milwaukee Annual Meeting 2008

Wow, what a trip we had to Milwaukee these past few days. This was our fifth year to go to the Northwestern Annual Meeting in Milwaukee. We always look forward to it and it's so family friendly which is such a blessing. We left on Saturday morning, stopped by the Jelly Belly Factory on the way there and arrived in Milwaukee early evening. Here's a video glimpse at some of the fun...

I got sick right before coming home and by the time we walked in the door, I had a fever and was aching all over. Kevin sent me to the couch and he and the kids unpacked everything. Thank you, honey! You are amazing!

As I was laying on the couch in pain it was so sweet to hear the kids saying their prayers that night with Daddy before bed. They prayed for mommy to feel better and after Caedmon thanked God that we could go to Milwaukee, he broke out in tears...he was so sad that he had to leave Milwaukee and come home. I told him that we will go again next year and that seemed to help, but then I realized the next morning that his sense of time isn't quite right yet. When he woke up, he thought we would be going back again that day. On the way home he asked Kevin how much longer we had to get home to which Kevin replied "two more hours"...a few minutes later Kaiya asked how much longer and Caedmon replied "two more weeks". Thankfully it didn't take that long!

Well, I'm feeling a little better today. The fever is gone, but I haven't been able to eat more than a couple crackers and a little chicken noodle soup. My mom was so sweet to drop off the soup this afternoon along with supper for my family tonight and cookies and cinnamon rolls. Thanks Mom! I don't care how sick I am, I couldn't resist eating a roll even though I was in pain from it later...it was worth it! :)

Northwestern Awards Party

On Saturday afternoon we travelled north to the Northwestern Awards Party held at the Windsor Park Conference Center in Mishawaka. Kevin's business partner, Rob rode up with us. His wife, Jenny was supposed to join us as well, but unfortunately she had to stay home with sick kids. Dissappointing for me, as I always enjoy chatting with her... but we enjoyed the conversation with Rob and had a few laughs. We had the kids with us and planned to drop them off on the way at Grandma & Grandpa B's house. I have to brag on my husband a little now. I am so proud of all the accomplishments Kevin has made since joining Northwestern four years ago. It certainly has not come without lots of hard work and sacrifices. Those evenings when Kevin would get home late and I was home taking care of the kids again after having them all day were certainly not easy days...and I probably wasn't always the most supportive. Now he's usually home by 5:30 or 6...some days earlier and some days later. He didn't want me to take this picture, but I forced him. He walked away with the most awards that evening and I was very proud of him. The kids ask almost everyday why daddy has to go to work and I give them two answers...to make money and to help people. I'm grateful that his job gives him the opportunity to help others and that is fulfilling for him.

Turning 33 in the Windy City

I celebrated my 33rd birthday this past Thursday and had an amazing week spending time with family, friends, my husband & myself. The week started off last Sunday with a birthday dinner at my Mom's. She made all the comfort food that I love. Growing up, our traditional meal on Sundays after church was a beef roast, mashed potatoes & corn. That was exactly what I wanted and she even threw in a green bean casserole & sauteed mushrooms...two more of my favorites. An extra little treat for me on that day was having my son fall asleep in my arms. Now that hasn't happened for a long time. Caedmon has never been one to like a whole lot of snuggling so sometimes I have to hold him down and attack him with kisses against his will. I cherish any chance I can get so I kept smelling his skin and kissing his head. I loved it!
On Wednesday, we dropped the kids off at my Mom's at 7:30 in the morning and headed north. Kevin had an appointment in Sturgis and dropped me off in Shipshewana for a few hours. I had fun browsing around the little crafty Amish town. My most exciting purchases were a bag of popcorn from Yoder's & some homemade granola from the Blue Gate Restaurant.

From there we headed to Chicago for Kevin's annual business meetings and would spend the next three nights here in downtown Chicago. But first, we drove past Chicago and had my birthday dinner at the Cheesecake Factory in Shaumburg, Illinois. Why drive past Chicago to eat at the cheesecake factory when there is one in Chicago? Well, some of you already know the answer to that, but the rest can keep reading.

We just don't do this enough. It has been a long time since we've gone out...just us. As we were traveling that day, we decided to discuss our family's goals for the next year and one of those was HAVE MORE DATES.

We shared a salad & pizza. Kevin chose both items and I gave him a hard time since it was MY BIRTHDAY, right? But I was so glad he convinced me to try the chopped salad...it was delicious!

Right across the street there just so happened to be this big blue building that caught my attention.

IKEA is one of my favorite stores and we usually come at least once a year. It's the ultimate chic household item shopping center and their prices are good. They have great ideas for organizing in small spaces which is perfect for us right now since our space is small. It's hard to explain the feeling I get when that building comes into view. My heart starts pounding faster and I turn into a little kid. We had a blast cruising around the three levels and posing for silly pictures.

Kevin was having fun too as you can see. Some men have given him the advice to take two aspirin before entering this store, but I have to say that he enjoys it about as much as I do and is usually pretty patient. It helps to have a cafeteria on site.

Our favorite section in the whole store is the AS IS section where you can find the dirt cheap items. I found two medium size glass storage containers for forty cents each, and two curtain panels for my bedroom for three dollars each. They will replace the white sheet that has been hanging there. Kevin also found enough wood to build me a bench for our garage for $3.50.

Kevin was in meetings most of the day on Thursday. I spent most of my time that day scrapbooking. What a dream! I accomplished so much and loved the uninterrupted quiet time. I also caught up on all the news & daytime talk shows that I don't watch at home. That evening was "The Mixer", an event for the Northwestern advisers & their families. Big beautiful buffet style tables are set up all around the room and everyone makes their way around meeting new people and seeing old friends from the company. I absolutely love spending time with the group from Fort Wayne. They're truly like family. Great role models and people you just want to be around. We've gotten to know one of Kevin's business partners well. Rob & Jenny have two children the same age as ours and are expecting their third in March. Jenny and I usually spend time together while our husbands are in meetings. This is the first meeting that neither of us have brought the kids along to. Jenny & Rob, Kevin, Me & Kara G.

On Friday, Jenny and I decided to brave the cold and walk down Michigan Avenue. It was very cold, but fun to get out of the hotel for a bit. We had lunch here.

That night was the Dinner & Dance.

We were served a fabulous dinner. Here is the menu:

APPETIZER

Chili Roasted Apple with

a Bouquet of Field Greens, Duck Confit,

Candied Walnuts, Wedge of Gorgonzola Cheese,

Plum Vinaigrette

MAIN COURSE

Grilled Fillet Topped with

Crusted Vegetables, Blackberry Demi,

paired with

Crab Stuffed Jumbo Prawns, Coconut Beurre Blanc,

Pear Potato Croquette with Sun Dried Tomato

Bundled Snap Peas

DESSERT

Dark Chocolate and Bitter Orange Mousse

Citrus Pots du Cream

Rosewater Feullentine Truffle

Chocolate Pearls and Fresh Raspberries

Dessert is always the highlight for me.

THE DRESS

My sweet niece, Maci, let me borrow her Christmas dress for the banquet. I felt so privileged to wear it and had several compliments on it that evening. Thanks Maci. Sorry no pictures of the dancing...I did get Kevin out on the dance floor for several songs which is a HUGE accomplishment in and of itself.

I couldn't have asked for a better way to spend my birthday this year. I feel so refreshed and ready to be a mommy again. Thanks so much to both sets of Grandparents for keeping the kids and for letting us spend a few days together.