Long Time...No Post

Man, I get mad at myself when so many days pass between posts.  I'm committed to this blog...I hope that people read it.  But, even if they didn't, I'd keep posting.  When I was growing up, my mom used to write in a blank book that you could buy at the stores called "Nothing Books" and she journaled about my life.  She did the same things for my sisters.  I have 5 or 6 books with the first entry being the day I was born, through my senior year of high school.   The first words in that book is dated on my birthday, and says "You were born today"...

...(side note: There were a lot of cool things that my mom did.  I hope my kids say that about me some day!)...
I feel like this blog is my version of my "Nothing Book" for my kiddos.  Not as personal obviously, but it is my way of keeping a journal on their life.  I hope they read it some day :) 
I feel like the few posts I have done lately have been a lot of quick posts with pictures in order to catch up, instead of "content".  Hope you don't mind...but I feel like doing a blog about "content".  So this may get wordy!
However, I do owe the kiddos, and my blog readers, some specific posts: on Valentine's day, my big potty-going girl, my 15 month little man (well, almost 17 now), Disney on Ice, etc.  But today, I'm just going to type.  And of course, add a few pics of 2 kids...that I think are pretty darn cute!

Yes...even this crazy kid is cute. Keeps his mama on her toes, that's for sure! Why do boys take "messy" to an entirely new level?!!!

Hmmmm, where to start?!  So much to chit chat about!  I haven't come right out and said it on the blog - but I think most that follow know that as a family, we entered the world of unemployment last September.  Aaron works in the construction industry -- of course a hard-hit industry in our economy.  He's in the office though, so I was naiive thinking that it "wouldn't happen to me/us" ... but it did!  He lost his job in September and has been diligently searching since.  One person referred to him as the "poster child" for someone in his situation - applying all over, literally going into businesses and just giving people his resume, etc.  And, of course - with me being in Human Resources...I tried to prep him as much as I could in what to expect or do --- but it is so hard.  Every company and industry is just so different!

It's been a crazy, stressful, eventful 6 months.  I'm thankful daily for the support the government has implemented for times like these (a.k.a. Unemployment Insurance).  And I praise God for giving Aaron the carpentry talents that he has...since it has allowed for Aaron to do some side-jobs.  He's remodeled a kitchen with new countertops, done a few backsplashes, updated a bathroom with some new wood walls (car-siding??), tiled a kitchen and a shower...and has a deck to build on the horizon and potential for more backsplashes, etc. 

...somehow, life works out when you have faith and trust...

Well, with relief - there is light at the end of the tunnel this week, as Aaron accepted a job with a road construction company in Rochester this week!  His experience has always lied in structural construction vs. roads --- so it'll be a change, that's for sure.  He's starting in the labs to understand the basics with the potential for estimating and/or other opportunities to arise.

Road construction....wow!  It's going to be a busy summer!  Ya know, because summers aren't busy as it is.  :) 

Even though my little girl is accident prone (think last March...HUGE SHINER...) -- this isn't another black eye.  It's her idea of putting on make-up.  Isn't she BEAUTIFUL??!!!

So, I'm happy to say that this chapter in our lives is about to be behind us - but not forgotten.  It's changed my perspective on the important things that are needed in life.  I feel that I've always had a good grasp on what is important, but this challenged me to think about it more.  I will continue to trust that there was a reason that it happened, and that I am to learn from the situation.  So, learning is what I am doing!

I also started my new job last September - Staffing Specialist at the Mayo Clinic.  It has been a new challenge that I was ready for.  I am enjoying my new role and company that I work for.  I loved working for Rochester Medical as well.  They are both wonderful companies in very different ways!  HOWEVER --- training in to a new role is exhausting in itself, so that was a new adjustment that the Anderson's were dealing with at the same time. 
I think we have done okay for ourselves :)

This girl's got style...picking out her shiny red shoes for our Saturday trip to Target :)

And finally, our house was listed this week!  Such a bittersweet thing.  I love our house, and the blood, sweat, and tears that have gone into making it what it is.  Again - so thankful for Aaron's carpentry expertise.  His work truly made our house a home.
I'm sentimental...always have been...always will be.  So, listing our house is providing mixed emotions for me. It was part of "the plan" since the day we bought it in January, 2007 to be in it for about 5 years before we listed it.  However, now it isn't just a house, but it is the place that I brought my babies home to after they were born...it's the house that we were in when we got married and hosted our gift opening in.  We both turned 30 in this house.
I know that the longer I'm here, the more memories I'll have to tie to it, and I'm excited to figure out where the rest of those memories will be.  The plan???  Well, right now it's not really for sure.  9 months ago it would've been to be building a home for us to plan to stay in for good.  Now, I think it will be for us to figure out what is best for us, and likely rent a condo/town home for a year and then hopefully build.  But, I'm trusting that what is meant to be will be.

We will be moving to Pine Island most likely - where I grew up (about 15 minutes from Rochester) so that we will be there when Addalyn is ready for preschool.   

So, I want to share all of the pictures that are in our listing because they did such a good job of showing off the features of our house...but there are many, so that is for another post.  But, I do have to be a proud wife, and show off some of the hard work and time/effort that Aaron has put into our house :)

Built-In Entertainment Center with tile on bottom wall (there is a half wall from where the photographer was standing for this pic that compliments that tile on the entertainment center)

Granite tile countertop, as well as the tile floors and shower were all done by the hands of my hubby (okay, so the entire basement was done with the exception of plumbing and electrical work....but these are the things that stick out!)

2-level deck

Backsplash (and actually the tile flooring all over house, including the kitchen) was done by Aaron...

I'm so proud of my husband!  He does wonderful work :)  He also is such a strong person - through these last 6 months - he has not complained.  He has pushed through, and stayed motivated and strong.  There were times where he was definitely holding me up --- even when it probably should have been the other way around. 

Thanks for being you, Aaron Lowell! ....




 ...We LOVE you!!!

Blaker's 1st Haircut!

In January Blake got his first haircut.  I was hesitant to have it cut, I was loving the curls, but they were getting a little out of control.  Aaron had been wanting to get it trimmed for over a month before I gave in!

Aaron actually cuts his own hair, and so he did Blaker's :) 

Before (with m&m's in his mouth...the "distraction")

He actually did pretty good throughout the cut...he wasn't scared at all, just curious!

Addy was very curious also.  She's never had a haircut...her hair is still barely to her shoulder even though she's 2 1/2!

At one point, he got a bit antsy :)

 After he got his haircut...he AGED LIKE AN ENTIRE YEAR!  Seriously, he immediately looked more like a little boy then my baby.  Ugh, that makes me sad.  But, he sure is a handsome little man!

My new look!

Grandpa's #1

When I was on vacation around New Year's, we went and watched my dad play hockey one day.  He is on what they call an "Old Timer's League"...the crazy guy is over 60 and still plays twice a week.  Hey, when you love the game, I guess you stick with it!

Growing up, my family attended church on Saturday nights, because Sundays were when dad would play hockey.  I spent many Sunday mornings wandering through the rec center in Rochester.  Being there watching my dad was very entertaining, and brought back some good memories!  My sisters and I used to walk up and down the bleachers trying to find enough change to get us a snack from the vending machine...sometimes we'd be successful enough to pool together 30 cents for a hot chocolate.  Ha, living the high life I guess!

My dad...#1 (literally, he's the one in red, LOL)!  Right after I took this pic, he scored a goal.  Not gonna lie, I was so proud :)

So cute...peering through the glass at the rink below :)

Addy and Grandpa Tim

This video is of Addy cheering for grandpa...

Funny side story - so about a week after we went to watch dad play, he actually took a puck to the mouth.  He actually had to go the ER and have 2 of his teeth put back into place and had to wear braces to hold the teeth there while they heeled (kinda makes you nausious, huh??!!).  He also was unable to eat anything solid for almost 2 weeks!

My mom had emailed me and said "his lip was an inch thick!!".  I called my dad the next day to see how he was and I asked him if he was going to take a week off of the game.  His response:  "Oh no, I'll skate on Tuesday!"   (this was Friday) --- yeah, he loves the game of hockey. 

Funny thing is, he actually had gone to the store before playing that day to buy a new shield and considered buying the one that is full coverage instead of just a half-shield, but decided to go with the half-shield.  Well....the next week he went back and got the full-coverage shield.

Christmas Celebrations at Home

Santa made a special arrangement with us and came on New Years Eve instead of Christmas Eve.  To Addy, it made no difference!  Before we went to bed, we got things ready for his arrival. 

We fed the reindeer:

Put out cookies and milk:

Wrote Santa a little note:

"Dear Santa, Blakers and I were angels all year long :)  Enjoy your cookies, Love Addy"

And then Addy went to bed...and the elves got to work!!

The next day...Addy must have run out to the living room first before coming in our room to tell us that she was awake because when she came in our room, she was SOOO excited and said "Mommy, DAddy - Santa ate the cookies and left us presents!"

To witness this season through the eyes of a 2 year old --- too cute for words :)

When we walked out with her, she said see - and started pointing towards everything.  The kids got some coloring books, suitcases for traveling, shovels to help with the snow (but they haven't been needed yet this year), a few games, books, and other little odds and ends.

You can't really see it here...but Addy is trying to show that Santa left one cookie with a bite taken out of it :)

Blaker with his coloring book he found in his stocking!

Oh yeah....that half eaten cookie that Santa left.  Guess who found it and finished it off??  Surprise Surprise!

Addy with her stocking "loot"

 I did take other pictures of the kiddos opening their presents, but they are not looking at the camera in any of them so I figured I'd just share what I have here.  The rest of the day was spent enjoying each other's company.  We played about 50 games of "Elefun" (one game that Addy LOVES at daycare and Santa brought for her)...about 25 games of "Don't Spill the Beans"...and we read Dora and Tinkerbell with her new TAG reading system ALL -- DAY -- LONG! 

 I love family fun day!

An action shot of Elefun :)  Blake loves to play too!

Christmas-time in Michigan

We decided to venture a little over half-way to Michigan on Friday night and get a hotel, and arrived in Aaron's hometown on Christmas Eve day.  The trips get long, especially with our little Addy...she gets carsick still.  It's not really a matter of "if" she'll get it, it's more like "when".  So, if we are able, it helps to break up the drive.  Thanks to Ed (bro-in-law) working for a hotel, he's able to help us out on our trips!!

We didn't have much time after we arrived in MI before we needed to start getting ready for Christmas Eve mass.  

Our little ones before church :)

 I was very proud of Addy this Christmas.  Of course she gets excited about santa and reindeer, and all the "fun" Christmas things.  But, if you asked her who's birthday was on Christmas day she would say "Baby Jesus".  We definitely did our best to talk about the real reason for the season in a way that a 2 year old could grasp.

After church we went over to Grandma Barb's (Aaron's grandma's) for the evening.  Most of his aunts/uncles, cousins etc were there at different times in the night as different Christmas services ended so we got to see most of the extended family...even if it was brief!

Then we headed home to bed :)

Getting ready to go to bed...Elf jammies...love them!  (the sleeping bag didn't last long that weekend...we pretty much shared a bed with Addy the entire time, LOL!)

Blaker says "I'm not going to sleep...SANTA'S coming"!

 When we woke up, we opened stockings from Santa with Grandpa Lowell, Auntie Tammy, Uncle Eddy, Brandon & Alesha as well as the presents that everyone had brought for everyone. 

Addy & her stocking!

Blake & his stocking!

Addy got an awesome Harley Davidson sweatshirt from Papa Lowell...she's so cute when she wears it!

Blake was more interested in his waffle than the presents...where there is food, there is Blake :)

Addy wearing Papa Lowell's new gloves!  (Blake in the background by the food, LOL!)

Our windchime that we made Lowell :)  Aaron made the camp and Addy painted the things hanging from it

Super-Blake sporting Ed's new hat :)

Santa had brought the Addy & Blake a donut maker (Addy LOVES LOVES LOVES her donuts!).  He had put a card on the present letting them know that when they were back in MN, he would be sure to arrive with the rest of their presents. 
After we were done opening gifts, Lowell went for a coffee run and we started making some donuts!

Waiting for the timer to go off

Frosting the Donuts (this donut maker is so cool!)

At first, Addy was very tame with her sprinkles....

...but then she realized how awesome sprinkles are!...

And our donuts ended up like this :)

Blake was the judge of the donuts...who else would be???!!!!! (he approved!)

This picture sums up the rest of the time in Michigan...relaxing with family.  :)  I can't believe that I have no pictures from the rest of the weekend.  We did take Addy sledding one day, but we didn't have our camera with -- I think Tina has some pictures!

As always, as I"m looking through my camera, I'm wishing I had taken more pictures.  Especially of the kids with family.  UGH!

I was very happy with how the kids were this trip - they were not shy or going through any stage where they only wanted me or Aaron, which is so nice --- since we don't get to see everyone as often as we would like, it is nice to watch my kids warm up to everyone so well.

I almost got tears the day we left when we stopped at Grandma Barb's house to say goodbye and Blaker reached out to her and then gave her kisses without anyone telling him to.  I wish I'd had my camera!  Addy has talked about Grandma Barb randomly since then (and of course she talks about her Papa Lowell, aunties, uncles, and cousins ALL OF THE TIME!).

Seriously...wish we could see everyone much more often.  It is always so good to be with the Anderson fam :)  We miss ya!