Back to Balkemania

Thursday morning, Samuel, Lisa, Elsa and I boarded a rented pickup and made the eight hour drive up to Michigan for Balkema wedding. I was a little concerned about the long drive with Elsa, but she was fantastic and didn't get car sick, which was AWESOME!

Lisa read Cruel as the Grave by Mrs. Southworth on the way up and back and that helped the time past quickly. We made really good time going up and made it to the rehearsal dinner. After the rehearsal, we went to the reception venue and went to work on some of the decorations.

The wedding was sweet. Everything went well and the reception venue made a stunning transformation from a gym to a reception venue. It was gorgeous and Lisa's Aunt Julie did an amazing job!

It was quite awkward for me because I didn't know hardly anyone there (besides bridesmaids), although tons of people seemed to know me and it was weird, cause I hardly know who they are. I'm pretty sure it's cause they see all the pictures I post of Elsa and it makes them think they know me....

Due to a culinary conversation during the wedding reception, Bob and Julie (Mrs. Balkema's sister) brought sushi the next day including raw scallops and raw tuna. It was delicious and super sweet of them. I had a fantastic time getting to know them this weekend!

Besides the horrible allergies I had the entire time I was there, it was a fantastic weekend. I love the Balkema family!

I made several realizations over the weekend:

-I have now been to three outta four Balkema kids' weddings. :-)

-I've never been to a wedding where I haven't worked in some way. This time, I was asked to run through the kitchen to look for necessary equipment, walk the cooks through the kitchen instead of the bride, moved chairs from the church, to the rec. center, helped slice and serve cake and all sorts of cleanup stuff...

-Even though I was busy almost the entire weekend, I missed my family even more than ever.

-My home away from home felt like home when I was away from it and came back. If that makes sense. ;-)

The sunset on the way back was gorgeous! We got back in decent time and unloaded the back of the pick up. It felt good to be home.

Listen, Learn and Live

The past few days I've been thinking a good deal. About writing, reading, expressing feelings and being empathetic. I've thought about how to listen better and focus on understanding what people are saying rather then trying (and usually failing) to look smart.

I've had the desire to read poetry, listen to the lyrics of songs, sit and watch the sun set or watch bubbles blow away. I've put down everything and just sat, curled up on the couch watching the rain gust down the street and how many thousands of droplets land on the road and tumble down the blades of grass to the flowers. I've put down my electronics and books to watch the lightening brighten the clouds and the thunder that rumbles from one side to the other. It's been peaceful. I want to improve myself, learn new things and listen to what's gong on around me.

Turn on Pandora or your Ipod music. Randomly select a song. Really listen to the words and understand the meaning.

Go on Pinterest. Pick a word that sums up how you feel or what you've had to do that day. For me, it was choice, or decision. Search that word with quote and see the results. It is encouraging.

Learn a new song. Explore your voice and sing with passion.

Find something in your life that you can change no matter what. So when the impossible things (or so they feel) come, you can always know that one part of your life you are in charge of. For me, that is eating well and exercising.

Ask questions and listen to answers. Problem solve and forgive.

Sometimes when I'm creative writing, I find myself wishing to give a character a deeper personality, believable struggles and weaknesses, strong and brave. Then I wish I had a character like that. It makes me want to explore the character I have become and see what changes need to be made

Autumn

I had to find fall today. It is October 18th and outside is sunny, blue skies, and 88 degrees outside. Coming from Washington, I was ready for boots, scarves, coats and chilly walks, not this warm weather nonsense....

Elsa and I took a walk around towards the school area, where three schools sit next to each other. There was a small cluster of trees with leaves on the ground and wind blowing. We picked up leaves and took pictures before heading home. Of course part way home, she got tired and needed me to carry her.

So I could my touch of Autumn. I can't wait for the chilly days. They are my favorite. My pictures of Elsa also turned out pretty sweet. She looks so great in black and her hair was so floofy that the braids looked thicker and cooler today.

A Happy Day

Photo shoot with babe today. Changed her outfit three times and she was awfully good about it all and I got a few good pictures. 

We watched Sofia the First, did dishes and made macaroni and cheese. It was a happy morning. 

The afternoon started with 3 mile workout, shower and then break while Elsa napped. I did some watercolors and Spotify. 

The best part of my day was Skyping my best friend and catching up with her. Elsa took an immediate liking to her and popped in and out of the screen while we talked. It through her off that we had the same name. I needed to do dinner, so we just hung out while I cooked. It was like we were hanging out together. It was awesome! 

I made Hawaiian BBQ wraps for dinner, which were a hit and after Samuel, Lisa played Wizard. It's a pretty sweet game and although I was in the lead for the majority of the game, I still managed to lose. We made chicken and avocado eggrolls, which are a favorite here. It was a good day.

Outting Adventures

Yesterday, we headed to Opry Mills Mall in Nashville. It's like quite literally next door to the Grand Ol' Opry and Opryland. We had dinner at The Rainforest Cafe, which was an interestingly fun experience. Elsa loved all the fake moving animals and the jungle feel. 

We watched Storks that night in theater. After The Secret Life of Pets, I had little to no hope for it being a good movie. I was pleasantly surprised, it was a super cute movie, all made better because I got to snuggle with Elsa almost the entire time. 

So, I had my first time in a Disney store. SO. MANY. SPARKLES. Lisa got Elsa an adorable pair of pajamas. They're adorable on her. 

Anyways, ended up staying up wwwwwaaaaaaaayyyyyy too late and fell asleep on the floor of my room for a few minutes.

It was a good day. 

The Things I Learn- Number 2

Of course while I'm potty training her, she wants to wear a tutu. And pants. -_- Small victories, however, are worth celebrating with 1/4 pieces of Starbursts. We're making progress.... I still never thought I'd potty train someone else's kid.

The Things I Learn- Number 1

Random things I never really realized....

There is such thing as a Starburst run. Yes, it involves cravings, exhausted parents and sending the nanny (me) to the store. Shoes on, cash in hand, I made the two mile drive to the store just for two bags of Starbursts.

It was worth it. That is all, folks.

Routine

The Tennessee routine is setting in. Today has been wonderful so far. The morning was filled with playing with Elsa, potty trailing and picture taking.

The afternoons around here are beyond quiet. With the little munchkin sleeping and no one else in the house, it is completely silent. I worked out, showered and still had 2+ hours of free time before she woke up. For me, that means I get to recharge my batteries. It means art, reading, writing and listening to music. It means chatting, looking up new places to go and thinking. 

The late afternoon and evening will be filled with dishes, tidying up and games. It is a slow paced day, but I'm cherishing these slow moments because one day, I will want them back. 

2,385 Miles

That is how far I traveled today. It didn't feel like I traveled that far. The direct flight felt short and between watching the clouds and amazing views of the states. After staying up until 1:30am last night, I was running on very little sleep, which was awesome - I slept for around two hours of the flight, another reason the trip felt short.

Samuel, Lisa and Elsa met me at baggage claim and as soon as Elsa saw me, she ran up and hugged me tight. She hasn't stopped talking since. We did Trader Joe's shopping and didn't get home until dinner time.

And that was my day. Samuel and Lisa are super warm and it feels comfortable around them. But even so, I feel incredibly homesick this go around, so prayers would be greatly appreciated as I make this transition.