College Home

Today we moved Tyler into his college home. We met his roommate, Jacob Neerland, and his parents. We quickly became acquainted as our boys will be sharing a dorm and college experience for the next 9 months. We helped the boys settle into their new space, went out for pizza at Jeff's, and said our good byes. My only request from Tyler on moving day was that I receive a hug and he didn't disappoint. To my surprise, I didn't cry. The only emotion that came over me was how proud I was of him and how excited I was for him to start his adventure at ISU. For 18 years we have helped guide and mold him into the young man he is today. He may not know everything but I am positive he will figure it out along the way. And with that as he walked to his dorm and I drove away I knew he would do just fine in this next step of his journey called college life:) 

Moving day

For 28 months we called 1053 3rd St SE, Lemars Iowa our home. We have a lot of fond memories there, big and small. Yesterday we made the move to live in Ankeny, temporarily. We will close on our house this week, start rehabbing the inside, and then move to our permanent home in Polk City. There are so many thanks to give for all their help. The first goes to the Smith's. For the last 3 weeks they have opened up their home to Steve as he started his new job. They will continue to let us live there until our home is done. Next is my parents. For 17 years Tyler and I have lived within one hour from them. They have shared in so many day to day activities. I am so thankful they were able to share in the joy of raising Tyler. Last but not least the Kneifl's are letting us store our "things" in their third stall until our home is done. Even though they just got it cleaned out we filled it back up again. There are so many little but big things to us, they have done but we are grateful for them all just the same. Thank you to all of you for making our move smooth:)

Going away party

Today at work Tyler's coworkers took him out for lunch and got him some going away "college safety equipment."  They've all appreciated his hard work and wrote many words of encouragement to him moving forward. Friday will be his last day at the Lemars store but he will be transferring to the Ames store when he starts school on the 25th. 

Adventures in babysitting

I'm pretty sure this is the first time Steve has babysat in his whole life and he survived! It has been Steve's idea to give Hollie and Jason a date night as a thank you for letting him stay there. He sent me these pics with everyone smiling.  They enjoyed playing outside, watching Mickey Mouse and drawing. It looks like Steve will be bartering HIS babysitting skills when we need electrical work done at our new house;)

This weeks happenings

This past Monday Steve started his new job with Franklin Energy. When he gets home from work he is greeted by these two munchkins with their enormous amounts of energy ready to play. 

Steve also enjoyed helping Rich, Dan and Andy put the hitch and lights on Andy's bike. Andy and Brenda took our camper to Sturgis and are sure they are having a blast not sleeping on the ground. 

Steve is always fascinated by little Everlee. While she was in the garage helping the men with the bike she would hand Steve tools and say "thank you."  

I'm glad she is enjoying the meal I prepared for them. We will be enjoying many lunch dates together and I can't wait to spend them with her. 

Saturday morning we rode our bikes to the Hard Rock. $5, one pull, and mom won $200! She cashed out right away. 

After cashing out she treated us to brunch at the restaurant inside. It was delicious and great fuel to start our bike ride. We did a fun run through the loess hills. We stopped at some old favorites and some new places. The weather was perfect for riding. Another great day in the memory books!

Cousins

Saturday we went to Sioux City to see my cousin Jennifer. She lives in DC but is doing a 12 week internship in Minneapolis and decided to come down for the weekend to see family. We had a great time catching up. If she gets the job at Quaker at the end of her intern she and Stephen have decided they would leave the mild winters of DC and take on the winters of Minnesota!

Plymouth county fair

Tonight son in law and father in law enjoyed the tractor pull, mini rods and wrestling on the main stage. While they did their men thing mom and I enjoyed browsing and buying in the buildings, bingo, hypnotist, and a band. Of course the best part of the fair is the food and we ate a wonderful supper of mini donuts, funnel cake and kettle corn. Steve and I have a favorite fair game of skee ball. He won tonight but I was close;) Were so happy that we get to do and enjoy things together. We had a great time!

Bike Trip summer 2014

Mom n Dad in their luxury accommodations. 

Bike night at Quaker steak and lube in Council Bluffs. This was only 1/4 of the bikes there. 

Our camp site at Lake Manawa state park. 

The men making breakfast over an open fire. 

Our beautiful view waking up Thursday morning. 

Thursday night we stayed at Ledges state park. We went to a bike night in Kelley and then back to the campgrounds for a night cap of some wine we bought at a vineyard in Elkhorn. 

Friday night bike night in Indianola. We were excited to have the Smiths join us. 

We have been planning our summer bike trip with mom and dad for the last 6 months and it finally arrived. The weather was perfect and the company was first rate. We made so many memories that bring a smile to our face and laughs to our belly when we reminisce about our trip. Friday and Saturday nights the Kneifl's hosted us. We went to the four seasons festival in polk city Saturday. I think we are going to love our new hometown. Saturday night we enjoyed a family dinner at the Kneifl's and some visiting at the Millers. Sunday we drove home in some more perfect weather. What a great bike trip enjoyed with our family:)

Catch up

We have many updates to tell everyone about. First, Tyler has been busy working at Fastenal this summer saving money for college. He had good news come from the bigwigs that their audit they had went well. He was very relieved and happy since he counted 90% of the inventory. He will also be transferring to the Ames Fastenal in the fall when he attends ISU where he will work a few hours a week for some spending money. This weekend he went to a concert in Des Moines and hung out with some ISU basketball players. He said it was one of the best days in his life. 

Our next bit of big news is Steve got a new job and will start July 28th. He will be the program manager at Franklin Energy in Urbandale. The company designs, develops and manages energy efficiency programs for businesses and homes across the nation. He will only have a 7 mile commute which he is most looking forward to. 

Then our biggest news of all is Steve and I bought a house in Polk City! We close on August 15th. Although we won't be moving in until the beginning of September. We are going to be doing a lot of renovations for the first couple of weeks so we will be living with the Smith's. We are very grateful to them to let us bombard the guest room for an extended stay. 

The middle of August we will be moving Tyler to college. Then when all the dust settles I had decided I will take a break from nursing and nanny for Everlee and possibly our distant relatives the Millers. Hollie and I had actually decided it quite some time ago but now it will be a reality. I feel like the luckiest wife, mom, sister and aunt alive!  

The summer has gone by so fast and these next few months will surely be a whirlwind also.  

4th of July weekend fun

Steve's favorite new biker shirt;)

The parrots name is chicken legs and he was the hit of the party at the broken throttle saloon. He is a very friendly bird. He even gave me a shake. 

When it was time to go to the bathroom he hopped off his owners shoulder, sat on the edge of the bar and went #2. 

To say we had a blast this weekend is an understatement. Thursday Steve and dad did a mans bike day while the woman worked. Friday we all went on a day trip to Ute, Soldier, Moorhead, and Sgt Bluff. Saturday we headed the opposite direction to Yankton, SD. I hadn't been to the Gavin's Point Dam since I was 12. It was very reminiscent for me. We had so much fun and made so many memories. Our cheeks still hurt from all the laughing we did. What a perfect weekend:)

We all scream for ice cream!

You're never too old to get a cold treat from the ice cream truck! The kid that drives the truck for his summer job is one of Tyler's friends so he drives buy frequently. Tyler is a good customer;)

The weekend

Chloe loves to "steal" my camera and take pics. 

But first let me take a selfie!

She loves to take even more selfies. 

Coop and Furball

On the way to Ankeny Unplugged

We had such a wonderful time this weekend with the Smith and Kneifl's.  Chloe is 5 going on 15 and such a fantastic helper. Cooper is Steve's new best friend and loves to say his name a 100 times. Everlee is the most layed back, easy going toddler. Steve continues to say every time we see her how happy she is all the time.  We always enjoy our time with them and have so many laughs. 

Sunday and Monday we attended Tyler's ISU orientation. His highlights were seeing Georges Niang and Matt Thomas. It was fun to spend this family time together preparing Tyler for college. In 2 short months we will send him off to start his adventure. Watch out ISU...here he comes!

Happy Anniversary

Forty two years ago they wed on this beautiful June day. What a wonderful milestone:) Congratulations to both of you!

Happy Fathers Day

Happy Father's Day to the man that makes me laugh everyday. I enjoy our time together so very much. You truly complete me:)

Thanks for working so hard and taking care of us. 

Thanks to my father for all your guidance.   

Thanks gramps for being such a patient teacher. He's even taking after you in his thoughts and worldly wisdom. 

I'm so lucky to have both of you teaching and guiding Tyler what it is to be a young man. 

Happy Father's Day!

That's what friends r for

Tonight we were supposed to attend our good friends wedding but the bride called it off. So instead we went out and had a good time anyway with Kent. We love our friends:)

Bike Night

We LOVE our weekly bike nights with mom n dad on Thursdays. Last night we ended up at The Firehouse. The sign there reads: It's a bar, your supposed to drink. If you're not you're just taking up space.  Mom and I did our part;)

Puppy Love

Yesterday grandma and gramps had us over for a delicious smoked rib dinner (the best ribs I've ever had). Great uncle and aunt, Vin and Karen, are still touring around the lower 48 and brought over their newest edition to the family, Duke and Dixie. Tyler has wanted a dog forever and wanted to take one home with us. Unfortunately, he will have to wait until after college when he gets his own place to have one;)

Some guy at bdubs last night...

...Wanted a pic with Tyler. 

Sign my husband and son up!

Old friends, New endeavors

Yesterday I went to Storm Lake for the day. Our old neighbor, Joyce, had Devo and when she moved to assisted living last December our other neighbor, Donna, took over the reigns watching him. When I sat down on the couch Devo came and sat right beside me. They are perfect companions for each other. 

My new endeavor:

An old coworker of mine, Diana, approached me about blogging my journey through being a birth mother for her adoptive sons non profit ministry www.beautyamidsttheashes.com. 

Their mission is to advocate and educate about adoption through public speaking and written materials. 

Of course I said "yes!" Once I get it started I will post a link here for all to read. I'm very excited to share my story in the hopes of helping someone. The ministry is located in Ankeny so will fit nicely when we move. And I thought I was going to be bored when Tyler went off to college. LOL