Wednesday, December 9, 2015

And then life really decided to test us...

I'm somewhat thankful that I was incredibly behind on my blogging when the end of October-early November was happening, because I will be honest with you- it was quite a doozy.
 
As I sit down tonight to write about it all, I am at- we are at- a much better place. But during it all it was one of the most overwhelming periods of my life.
 
In a matter of 9 days...
...we returned from Disneyland
...began moving the next morning at 6 a.m. from the apartment to the new house (even though it wasn't completely done)
...had two professional cleaners cancel on us
...found new cleaners who were lovely, but not entirely equipped for a move in clean, so mom and I ended up cleaning while moving all day
...thanked my brother over and over and over for helping us
...thanked Nick's brother Hans over and over for helping us
...thanked my mom over and over and over for helping us
...thanked Rothie for taking the girls for the day
...Nick side swiped a parked car while driving the moving van
...apartment door gets left open, Max escapes and I'm sobbing driving like a mad woman to get back to him
...collapse on the ground when I see that Adelaide and Dave have found Max in the yard
...unpack, unpack, unpack
...try and get rid of all the construction dust
...finally feel like things are somewhat getting in order
...get the call from Dave Monday morning that their law office completely burned in a marina fire. They had lost everything.
 
So yeah.
Overwhelming.
 
The thing I've learned about myself as I grow older is that the unknown is incredibly difficult for me. Sure, I'm down for some impromptu gatherings or adventures...but big picture things, I like to know what lies ahead of me. For better or worse, that is me.
So when the guys' office burned and they lost absolutely everything, it was devastating in so many ways.
What did this mean for them? Could they land on their feet? All this work that was finally paying off for them...to lose it all, where did that leave them?
Where did that leave us?
What was going to happen?
 
November somewhat became a blur now that I think back on it, but I don't know that I've ever been more proud of Nicholas and the way that he and Dave trudged forward. The worked so hard, took one day at a time and were determined to make it all work.
 
Today: they are good. We are good.
But, I've gotta say, 2015...whew. You have really tested us and pushed us to our limits.
I feel proud that Nick and I have come out of this stronger and closer, but that's not to say it didn't come with some very trying and stressful times.
As my girl Glennon Melton describes, life is so beautiful and brutal. All at once.
Life is Brutiful.
 
 
 





Halloween 2015.

From Harvest Parties and Festivals...to classroom parties...to neighborhood trick-or-treating parties...
Halloween 2015 was a good one!
 
 




Check out Ralphie in row 1! I'm thinking his parents are pretty awesome. Must find them and convince them to become friends with me :)
 











Wednesday, December 2, 2015

The most magical of magic places.

That's right Disneyland.
Or as my girl Charlotte calls it, Dis-a-neyland!!!
 
We took the plunge and booked the trip months ago- deciding that the time was right to take our girls to the magical land.
After the summer rush, before the big holiday crowds, and heck- she's still in kindergarten, so we can pull her out, right?!
Little did we know it would be the week leading up to the day we needed to be out of the apartment and in the new house.
Gulp.
(more on that later)
 
But for those 4 glorious days, none of that mattered.
We left the world behind and just focused on them and being together and the magic of it all.
Adventuring together.
 
Let's be real though, shall we. There were some moments of tension. Some melt downs at who was going to ride in the back of the stroller, which lines looked the shortest, what the best plan of action should be, and how many trinkets we just needed to have.
 
But overall...oh my goodness. It was such a delight. Having not been back since I was in second grade I think I was just as excited as the girls to experience it all again. And to have my mama with us was the icing on the cake!
Those days gave us a glimpse into the life through the eyes of a 5 year old and an almost 3 year old...and there is a reason why they call it the happiest place on earth.
Kids and Disney know how to do it right.
 
 


We made it!! And it is bright and sunny.
 















A hotel with the castle and glowing lights of fireworks and lamp music boxes that sing you to sleep? Yes please.












Mader!! I love this picture of these two.


Oh, and did I mention it was my birthday while we were there?! BEST birthday ever. Someone really set the day on perfect, and I'm pretty sure no less than 60+ people wished me happy birthday.

 
Her face.
 

Princess breakfast at Ariel's Grotto.
 






DOLE WHIPS!








 
The light parade and fireworks was one of my favorites of the entire trip!
 



She definitely did not need this nap...
 









Nick wasn't so sure of the swaying on this ferris wheel.



 
Until next time Disney...thank you for the magic.