DOLPHINS!

So in my 34 years of life, I have only dreamed about being close enough to touch a dolphin or feed one a fish.  My 32 month old got to experience a great day of learning that ended with a chance to be up close to them...feed them and touch them.  A special thanks to the moms group that I belong to, our leader Mary had set all of this up for the families to enjoy!  This was at the Kahala Resort...just in case anyone is interested.

We started by learning about turtles and stingrays.  The kids listened to a  story about dolphins, so it got JJ very excited to meet them.

 

They got to pick an animal to hold during the lesson....JJ picked a crab...not surprised!

Jayden does not sit and listen for an extended period of time but when it comes to animals of any kind...he is very interested.



 

 

Learning about what is in the sand.....

 

Watching one of two stingrays being fed.  JJ would have jumped in if I would have let him.

 

A pretty waterfall at the resort

Next it was time to meet the dolphins...who is excited!!

Warning...there are a lot of pictures! 

We got to go on three different docks with our dolphin friend.  The first we learned some tricks, the second we go to look at the belly and tail of the dolphin and finally we were able to feed and touch the dolphin on the last dock.  JJ threw the fish right into his mouth.

When JJ first saw the dolphin, he didn't scream or clap, he made a high pitched sound like he was trying to talk to it.  He was loving it!

 

On the second dock, JJ wanted to go in the water....I had to stand back a bit with him.  He finally understood and said "Mommy it is too deep"

 

MY FAVORITE!! 

 

The dolphin was walking the same way as we did.

 

Saying Goodbye!

 

Group Picture.

 

Enjoying our snack on the beach.

This was one of my favorite days on the island.  I hope one day this boy realizes how lucky he is!



Memorial Day...remembering last year

Last year is a Memorial Day I will never forget.  Joe, Jayden and I went to the Memorial Day Parade in downtown Appleton.  We didn't have too much planned for that day.  Joe had been contacted by a recruiter regarding a job in Connecticut and had a skype call scheduled that night. 

Joe & I have always supported each other when it came to our careers. They were important to us when we met and we knew there might be a point in our marriage when we went after opportunities for one and not the other. We are a team and that is how it works.

I had been feeling sick and lacked energy to do almost anything. I was getting extreme migraines about twice a week and also taking injections of meds every 8 weeks. I struggled with the side effects of the medication.  We also wanted another baby...someday...and the doctors basically told me to get that out of my head for a while. I knew I needed a change so I was excited to see how Joe's call went.

JJ and I stayed in the playroom while Joe made his call. He came into the room and sat down in the chair and told me that he wasn't interested in the job in Connecticut.  The recruiter also mentioned there was another opportunity that might interest Joe.  I asked Joe where is was.  He looked at me, smiled and said "Hawaii."  I don't know if I laughed or smiled but I was shocked.  Never in a million years did I think we would pack up our family to move to an island in the pacific.  We both agreed that Joe should continue to pursue the opportunity and see where it leads.....it didn't take much time at all....and we all know how it ends.

Joe has enjoyed his new role as Plant Manager for Simmons Bedding.  I am very lucky to have meet some people that Joe works for/with. The excitement and energy in this company is great to see.  I know he will do great things in this role and in the future with Simmons.  I am very proud of my husband.  He continues to set goals and works very hard to achieve them.

We knew that I would be staying at home with JJ if we moved here and that would also allow me to focus on my health.  I took my last injection in September 2012 and have not had a migraine since late 2012.  I have the ability to make most of our meals at home and focus on buying organic and local foods.  I love to cook and bake (as my neighbors in Hawaii have learned) but I am able to focus on ingredients that work with my body.  It has been a long journey but well worth it.  Our second child will be joining our family in Sept.  We can't wait to meet her and love her so much!

We could not have started this journey without the love & support of our family and friends. Thank you all so much for everything.

Thank you to all who serve our country and those who have given the ultimate sacrifice so that we are able to have the freedoms we enjoy today.  Happy Memorial Day 2013.

Train, Trains & EVEN MORE Trains!!

If you would have asked me one year ago if Jayden liked or even knew who Thomas the Train was, I would say no.....fast forward to today and the boy is obsessed.  He loves them.  He creates stories with them, he plays games with them and....once and a while he will even ask if one can sleep in his bed.

I was cleaning them up this weekend and I counted 62 trains & freight cars...crazy!  And Grandma sent a package for us to pick up today...with more!

Below is  video from this morning of JJ lining up his trains and saying their names.  Sorry for the underwear shot but they are Thomas the Train!

Have a great Monday!

Mother's Day 2013

So my mother's day started with JJ coming into our room and climbing into our bed.  Usually he tells me he wants to eat or play trains and that means we are up for the day.  Today he slept for another hour.  Then when we all woke up, our little girl in my belly started to kick like crazy...we were all ready for the day ahead.

We went downstairs and Joe started to take out food to make breakfast.  Every Sat & Sun I make a big breakfast for us, something we started a couple years ago and it has just continued.  But today, Joe was going to make it.  He pulled out his phone and started looking at a recipe.  When it was all complete, we had eggs benedict (even the hollandaise sauce was from scratch) and fresh pineapple.  Very good!

Later in the morning I got a very sweet card and a nutribullet from my boys.  Which is perfect for someone like me who has issues with breaking down food...can't wait to use it.  JJ even looked at me and said "Happy Mother's Day" and it melted my heart.

We had a very low key day.  We went for a walk, had some lunch, talked with family, ran some errands....a perfect day for me.

As a pregnant woman, I am always having cravings, so I decided to celebrate Mom's day I would make some cupcakes & frosting from scratch...very proud of myself and can't wait to play with
 the recipe some more.  They were the perfect end to the night!


Happy Mother's Day!

A little get away...Cancun

So I got to move to Hawaii this year...I didn't think I needed to go on vacation but we did.

I am so proud of my husband, his plant was voted "Most Improved Plant" so with that the Plant Manager, Controller and HR Manager all got to go to Cancun for a little celebration with Simmons.

Joe was in Vegas for a work conference and I was out to dinner with my friend Karena (her husband Matt was watching the kids--good man).   I kept sending Joe's text messages telling him to stop taking money out of our account and start winning...of course just joking.  But I got a text message at dinner and he says "what if I tell you I won a trip to Cancun".  The whole time I am wondering how and where he won this trip. 

His company celebrates success in such a great way.  We were flying to Cancun for a little vacation.
Once I learned the dates, my heart sank....it was in the middle of the week that our good friends were coming to visit.  They were so understanding and we still got to spend some great time with them.  The next thing I worried about was what to do with JJ.  Our friends offered to watch him while they were here and then our neighbors offered to take him for the weekend.  I also considered flying him to the mainland....believe me I thought a lot about this and was up many nights...I almost didn't even go because I didn't want to leave him on an island in the middle of the pacific with out one of his parents.  Joe was understanding but we knew we had to go....our neighbors actually took him for the whole trip.  So happy we have made dear friends on this island.  He had so much fun and feels so at home there.

I thought I would cry once we left him but I think I cried enough on the days leading up to it.  And luckily we were running around with our friends, I didn't have time to think about it.  I did cry around his bed time on the plane ride.  I knew he was in good hands but I didn't want to leave him.


When we got on the plane....my husband got a drink....I was very jealous. I could have used a couple.

 

So let the relaxation begin....we flew overnight, so we were a little tired when we got there but we were able to check in right away.  We stayed at the Ritz Carlton and all rooms had ocean views...pretty awesome.

 

 

 

 

The first night was a welcome dinner.  It was awesome to meet all the people who won awards with the company and their significant others.  I think in total there were 45 people there. 

 

 

 

 

The following day we met for breakfast to discuss our day ahead.  Each year on this trip, Simmons gives back to the community.  This year in Mexico it was for the City of Joy.  A pretty amazing place for young children, unwed mothers, abused women, elderly and more. 

 

We had a fun task ahead of us for the day.  They split us into 4 teams and gave our team leader a check card that was prepaid with US dollars.  We had to then shop from a list of items needed and convert pesos into US dollars/spend all the money/and go over the amount the least.  This was also a timed activity.  So they wanted us to shop and be competitive....right up my alley!

 

Below are some pictures of the City of  Joy and all the supplies we were able to purchase.

 

 

 

That night Joe & I had a wonderful dinner at a hotel restaurant.  All of the food was amazing.  They also gave every woman a rose at the end of their dinner. 

 

 

The next day was a trip to the Mayan Ruins.  I was very excited because we had been to Cancun before but never been there.

On the way there, we stopped an had lunch as a group at an amazing restaurant.

 

 

 

  The first thing I saw at the Ruins was a DQ in the parking lot (for my dad or maybe because I am a pregnant woman).

 

 

 

 

The history lessons were very interesting.  I am very glad we went.

 

 

That night the Operations team had a dinner on the beach.  It was awesome but I was ready for the next day....Joe was golfing and I was getting a massage.  While waiting for my massage, I actually took a little nap by the pool....not something I get to do everyday!


That night we had our farewell dinner with the group....a wonderful meal and a DJ.  Yes, we all danced...even the president was on the dance floor.  It was a lot of fun.  Joe & I called it an early night because we were the first ones to leave in the morning.  An early flight and all day travel but we picked up Lanie (she also was spoiled for 6 days) and JJ when we got home. JJ had so much fun! 

We were able to relax and have some fun!

Below is just a little something for our friends the Westphals.  We still have a pack of these in our pantry from Punta Cana  (they moved to Hawaii with us)

Now it is time to focus on Baby Girl Teska!