Life Lately

I haven't been taking many pictures lately - maybe life is moving too fast. Yes, that's it. 

Lila & I went to her school picnic last week. It was at our park and for the 438th time in the last month, I was extremely thankful that so many of our events are within walking distance. It certainly dials back the overwhelming feeling one can get with the activities of September and October. 

Friday was a beautiful day, so we picked up a milkshake and headed for the park.

All arms and legs..

 and a whole lot of crazy!

On Saturday morning, Lila played some more soccer...she is loving it and will be sad when it's over.

It was frigid to say the least!

And just because, here's the one that is attached to my hip during the day:)

The End of an Era

I wrote this on my last day, but am just now getting around to posting it...

I'm sitting here thinking about my last day at EFT Source. It's been coming for awhile and I didn't think I would feel sadness. I dealt with most of the emotions back in December when I stepped away from the day to day activities. Since then I've remained employed to provide a bridge of knowledge and to manage a few projects. Today, I am moving on. 

But I do feel sadness, not necessarily for the work I'm leaving now but for the memories and the people. I've been at EFT Source since 2001, about 3 months after Scott and I got married. I interviewed on September 10th, 2001. September 11th happened the next day. And I started full-time on September 12th. It was a very interesting time to start a new job, to say the least. 

We adopted Kitty Paus while I was there. 

I went to graduate school and got my MBA while I was there. 

We bought our first house while was there. 

We brought Nate into the world while I was there. 

Scott got his Ph.D while I was there. 

We moved to St. Louis while I was there. 

We brought Lila home while I was there. 

Scott completed his post doctorate work while I was there. 

We got Truman while I was there. 

And countless other things. 

Most importantly, I grew and grew and grew while I was there. I made friends that will be with me for life there. I'm beyond grateful for their friendship, honesty, and loyalty. They bring me happiness every day. Although it wasn't always grapes and giggles, it was in fact a job sometimes, the time spent there and with these people will stay with me forever. 

So what's next? Other than continuing to be an employee for my family of 4, and a volunteer at St. Louis Children's Hospital, I'm not sure yet. But I'm not worried. I believe strongly that closing this door means the next one will open when it's time. 

Cheers to closing this era with EFT Source and to whatever comes next!

I'm Back and Boston

It's been a while! We've had a busy last couple of weeks, not crazy busy, just normal busy. Lila has been busy with soccer and dance and Nate is cranking away at swim practice. It's been an exciting, emotional, up and down couple of weeks for me as I'm now officially unemployed. By choice. More on that in a future post. 

When Emily was here over the summer, I asked her to let me know when she was going to be back in the States for work (she travels for business to the U.S. with some frequency). When she told me she was going to be in Boston, I jumped at the chance to spend a couple of days with her by myself. It was glorious. Truly glorious. We talked, laughed, shopped, solved problems and enjoyed sharing complete thoughts (a luxury when you have small children). 

Her meeting was at Harvard, so we stayed in Cambridge. I got there before her, so I walked around the Harvard campus and listened in to a tour in progress. This is the Harvard Library that was funded by a lady who lost her son and husband when the Titanic sank. 

John Harvard himself...

My mom's college roommate and lifelong friend, Martha, lives near Boston and we were so happy to catch up with her for lunch! It was lots of fun to visit and share about what is going on in our lives! This turned out to be the only picture I took of me and Emily too. So enjoy.

One afternoon / evening, we went down to Fauneil Hall, the older part of Boston, and then ventured over to the North End, which was full of shops and restaurants.

I loved looking out over the water as the sun was going down.

It's no secret that I love seafood. This lobster chowder was so delicious. I wish I had some right this very minute. I had to text a picture to Scott to tell him I was so very sorry I was enjoying this without him.

While Emily was at her meeting, I enjoyed a muffin and a diet coke and some quiet time outside. I mean it doesn't really get better than that!

It was so so nice to be with Emily. Even though I just saw her in August, we don't really get to visit for hours on end with the kids around . I'm so thankful for this trip and felt rejuvenated coming home.

Good that I had extra energy, since a discussion with Lila about chevron stripes and plaid had to happen with the quickness when I got home.

Jam Packed Weekend

We divided and conquered on Friday night as we were all scheduled to be down at the cabin for the weekend. However, Lila's first soccer game got scheduled after we picked the weekend. We were originally going to skip it, but at the last minute, we decided that she didn't want to miss her very first one, so we stayed home on Friday and Scott & Nate headed down to the cabin. 

I seized the moment and took Lila to get new tap and ballet shoes because the new dance year starts tomorrow. She would barely stand still after we got home so it was hard to take her picture! She danced and played her heart out in her new leotard and shoes. It was a very pleasant evening, just the two of us. 

Then bright and early Saturday morning, we headed down to the soccer fields (which are just two blocks from our house, so thankful!) She was very excited to play in her first game! The team socks that she is supposed to be wearing didn't arrive in time for the game, so she's happily sporting a red shirt and pink socks. Yes, I just had to look the other way. 

Taking a breather during the game! They sub the players in and out so everyone gets playing time, but she wanted to be in there the whole time. So proud of her!

Right after her game, we went straight to the cabin and straight into a canoe when we got there. We enjoyed the beautiful weather and the company of some of our MRH friends! After an afternoon of canoeing, we came back and grilled out and roasted marshmellows.

It was a jam packed weekend and I think the kids slept 12 hours last night. September and October always bring lots of fun, we'll sleep later:)

Days with Lila

I'm really soaking up the days that Lila is home from school this year. It won't be long until she's in kindergarten and in school 5 days a week. We are starting to get back in our Tuesday-Thursday routine. One of our activities is to attend story time at the library on Tuesdays. 

Sweet girl doing a little craft. She looks so long and lean to me these days. I assure you she's not sad. 

See??

This past Tuesday, we went and had lunch with Scott at the hospital. One of her favorite things to do is go up to the pharmacy after we eat and use the tube system. I remember being just as enamored with the tubes at the bank when I was younger:)

Even though she will be so ready to go to kindergarten next August, I'm hoping this year with our days at home goes really really slow.

Swim.Bike.Run

With a little encouragement from us, Nate decided to do the JCC Kids Triathlon this year. Here's how he felt about it on the morning of the race...

But he quickly snapped into shape when he got in the pool for the first leg of the race! He swam like a champ and was the first one out of the water in his heat. We were so proud!

Off he goes on the bike...

He would make a funny face at me every time he came by on the bike. A look that said, "Please, for the love of all good things, stop yelling my name."

Finishing the run strong!

I have to admit he wasn't super fired up about doing the triathlon this year. But afterwards, he was so proud and confident. Sometimes, parents do know what is best. Sometimes.

And this is how little sister felt about not being able to do the triathlon. Next year she'll be old enough.

That's better! It was another fun year at the JCC, we'll be back!

M-I-Z

In honor of the first weekend in football, I had to go pull some throwback pictures! 

M-I-Z

Z-O-U

Go Tigers!!