Moving Home

A few months ago I mentioned writing about why we decided to move again. I have some time (finally) to write about it and don’t want to put it off another second! I hope you'll notice a reoccurring theme of how God has worked in our life so thoroughly. It is difficult for me to look at this story and not see God's perfect timing.

(In a weak attempt at catching my blog up to present day, I am dispersing pictures from the months since we've moved back to Rapid City throughout this post. Please forgive the randomness...)

 

This past summer Ava went through a period of being intensely sad every time I dropped her off at day care which made ME intensely sad because she was always a happy baby otherwise. I didn't like the feeling of dropping her off, leaving her crying and knowing that she had to compete for the attention of the caregiver along with 10 other babies. Thankfully at the time I really liked her caregiver and I felt like she did an adequate job of distracting Ava and helping her not feel so sad but it still broke my heart nonetheless. Every time one of my children goes through a streak like this it makes me start thinking about ways to help them and how I can make the situation better. This time though my thoughts took a different path then they usually do. I think this is one of the ways that God showed me that something needed to change.

 

I remember sitting in my office, feeling pretty low, and different thoughts started popping into my head. First I thought about how it's an absolute necessity to make sacrifices for your children. I would argue it’s necessary in order to be a great parent. I have read articles and blogs and had discussions with other parents, both seasoned and new, and it's become a part of my belief system that parenting is one of the most selfless things you can do. Now, as with most anything, you can do a very poor job of parenting and decide that you are not going to sacrifice and everything is going to stay the same as it was before you had kids. In that case, parenting becomes one of the most selfish things you can do because you are creating a toxic environment for your child(ren). As a believer in Jesus, I believe it is my calling to be a mom therefore in obedience to God, I strive to take it very seriously. God, in his infinite wisdom, blessed us with two beautiful children and I don't take that lightly. That summer day I felt like our decisions needed to be re-evaluated after I saw my child was hurting. I knew I wanted to change things even if it made DJ and me uncomfortable in some way.

 

So what did we need to change? My next thought revolved around our current lifestyle. Ava and Jayden were in daycare because DJ and I are full-time working parents. I've thought a LOT about what that means for our family, our kids, me...and it's not simple. I won't get into the topic of working parents now but to put it simply for purposes of this story, I will just say that we didn't feel that God was telling me to quit my job for a variety of reasons. It might happen one day and I will pray that I hear God's voice clearly when that time comes. As for now, we didn't feel now was that time.  

DJ's job, on the other hand, had been taking a toll on our family little by little and we knew times were changing. The field of athletic training is intense and specifically in football, it requires 100% dedication for all parties involved. This wasn’t the first time we had discussed a change of careers for DJ. Our kids were getting older, the pressures of his job were increasing and I felt in my heart that we needed to take a hard look at where he was going with his current career. Thankfully, DJ had been thinking along the same lines so I knew God was working on him at the same time He was working on me. My thoughts started down the path of changing careers again but this time more seriously than ever before. That led to my next thought…DJ and I have always agreed we would never live in Rapid City again.

 

DJ and I moved to New Mexico for college and I feel like it was one of best things I could have done for myself. I loved the independence that move provided and it gave me a chance to really spread my wings. I loved the new culture that New Mexico offered and the new beginnings I experienced while living there. I've always had an adventurous spirit and that spirit has served us well as DJ and I lived in New Mexico for 7 years, then Knoxville, TN for 1 year, and finally Laramie, WY for 3 years. Before we were married, we were also separated at times for various reasons and I think it worked because it was an adventure. To move back to Rapid City did not seem adventurous. It seemed safe. Honestly, it almost seemed like failing. Moving back home was not in my plan. DJ would have to speak for himself and his reasons for not wanting to move back but I think it more or less was because of his chosen career. He couldn't work for a Division 1 college football team in South Dakota because there isn't one! He LOVED being an athletic trainer and when he chose that field in college, he wasn't married. Obviously kids were not in the picture. And frankly it was a good fit for him as a single, sports-loving guy. It wasn't even that bad as a newlywed couple although I think we can both look back now and say it probably wasn't ideal. But hey, what is in this life? Anyway, that was the path God put us on then and now we could feel him leading us down a new path.

A glimpse into our sleeping arrangement that we love so much.

 

The last thought that played around in my head that day in my office involved thoughts of family. Family is really important to both DJ and me. We had agreed that if his job ever moved us away again we would have to seriously reconsider his career choice because living in Laramie put us as close to our parents...our children's grandparents... as we could get in his current field of choice. When we lived in Tennessee, it was HARD. That was the furthest we had ever lived from our hometown and we felt every mile of that separation when we announced our first pregnancy, when we celebrated Christmas by ourselves, when we helped our families plan trips to come see us or any other life moment that happened while we were there. Once we had our children, I couldn't imagine adding more miles between them and their grandparents. We were so grateful that our families were willing to drive the distance between Rapid City and Laramie as often as they did while we lived there. As a result, our children were forming bonds with two sets of grandparents, great-grandparents, and aunts and uncles that they wouldn't have otherwise been able to do, even with the great technology like Skype that we had been using in between visits. Each visit reminded both DJ and I what a gift we had in our families and what a gift our families are to our children. DJ and I agreed that our priority of being close to family would dictate where and when we moved.

 

God was placing each of these thoughts in my mind I have no doubt. He was piecing the puzzle together slowly and methodically so that I would understand exactly what He wanted us to do. I feel like God also did it this way so I could explain it in a way that held meaning for DJ. This would not be an easy choice for DJ. He loved his job but he did not love what it required of his family. I laid out my thoughts to DJ later after I saw the big picture and at the same time I prayed that God would give us clarity about what we were supposed to do. The fact that DJ didn't immediately shut the idea down when I first brought it up spoke volumes to me. I suggested that we spend a week praying about it intensely and revisit the idea again after that. I knew God would be faithful to put us on the same path and if we were supposed to move then we would both know it. I also prayed that God would help me trust my husband's decision, whatever it was. If DJ said no, then I knew, it's not the right time. This was also a way for me to know if my strong feelings about moving were just a result of emotions. I certainly didn't want our family to move just because we felt like it! I've made the mistake before of making a decision based purely on emotion and it wasn't one I wanted to make again, especially for something huge like this!

During the week some interesting things happened. First, DJ's boss quit so the head trainer position was now open. This was a huge opportunity because if DJ got the job he would be able to fulfill a dream AND we wouldn't have to move far from family for him to do it, a factor we thought would be required for such a dream. So DJ decided to apply for the job. We discussed the chances of him getting the job and knew it was quite possible since he had been with the school now for 3 years, the coaching staff trusted him and he had good relationships with the players. The possibility that he could be one of the youngest head trainers in Division 1 football was exciting and admittedly overwhelming to me. After a week of prayer we decided that we would stick it out for one more season if he got the head trainer job. After the season was over we would move to Rapid City. We both felt good about that decision and even though I dreaded the idea of going through another football season, I knew I could do it if it meant DJ got to realize a dream and it would lead to an END to the current challenges we were experiencing.

 

We went home to visit our family for the 4th of July, a trip that had already been in the works before this idea came up, and broke the news about our impending move. We knew they would be stunned since we hadn't told anyone at that point about our change of heart. We wanted to make our decision without any outside influences. They, of course, were excited! We told them the actual move date was "to be determined" based on whether or not DJ got the job. Little did we know that just a few days later when DJ called in to work, we would find out that they had decided not to even give DJ an interview. In fact they were interviewing prospective head trainers while he was on vacation. To say we were shocked and hurt would be an understatement. It was an interesting conflict of emotions because in a way this was the answer we had been praying for. At that moment we saw our answer about our future set before us in full-flashing, neon lights that could have put Las Vegas to shame. The fact that he wasn’t even given a chance hurt DJ but it was also comforting to see God's hand in that decision. We prayed for clarity and God answered our prayer by giving us crystal clear clarity!

 

We went back to Laramie after our 4th of July vacation and started packing. It was surreal at best given that we had left on our vacation with no intention of moving so soon. But without a job for DJ, we had no reason to stay in Laramie. DJ wouldn’t be going through another season as an assistant football trainer and I could work wherever we were. We had packed up all of our personal belongings by the following Monday when we met with a realtor. We put our house on the market by the next Monday and I wish I could tell you it sold by the next Monday after that!

But it didn't.

Aaand it still hasn't.

But don't make the easy mistake of thinking that it means we made the wrong decision. I feel like the sale of our house is all in God's perfect plan. The reason it sells will be because God chose that time. There are factors and variables beyond our scope that we can't know about which is why I choose not to worry. To be perfectly real here, sometimes I do fall into the trap and start to worry but I quickly remind myself that it hasn't sold because it's not the right time. It will sell in God's time and that is the perfect time.

Papa and Jayden                                            Nana and Ava

Grandpa and Ava                                            Grandma with Jayden and ava

                        



DJ's last day as an athletic trainer was July 31. We had almost the entire month of August, during which time he was unemployed, to get ready to move. Unemployment may sound like a bad thing but it was actually a gift. The kids and I got to have DJ around and we all loved it. I continued working and DJ watched the kids and spent valuable fun summer hours with them. He even potty trained Jayden during that time! I think back on that time and love the memories we have of our last month in our first family home.

We moved to Rapid City in time to celebrate Jayden's third birthday during Labor Day weekend. DJ had applied for a job the last time we were in town for the 4^th of July so he finalized that process when we officially moved. At first they only had part-time positions open so he worked two different part-time jobs for a short while. (The other one was at a physical therapy clinic.) However he went from a part-time sales associate to a full-time golf manager in less than 3 months! So he didn't need the other part-time job for long. Now if that doesn't have God written all over it, I don't know what does! The fact that he now has a full-time job is fantastic but the fact that it's in a golf-related sales position is absolutely God's design. DJ's passion has always been golf for as long as I have known him and we've even discussed other golf-related careers he might pursue over the years but little did we know what God had in store! We feel truly blessed because he left a field that he loved and he was given a new job that he is learning to love as well. The company he works for is the polar opposite of college football in terms of priorities and work ethic (all in good ways!) and we cherish the family time that we get to have now. He works one evening a week and every other weekend and to some that would seem burdensome and a negative aspect of the job, but I look at it as a huge blessing! He works ONLY 1 night a week and ONLY every other weekend.

                                                                     Taken through the screen of my office window

 

God has taken care of the details as noted by the job that DJ has now. He has also blessed us with the family time that we wanted for our kids and fantastic child care since we've moved, which includes being watched by Grandma twice a week and Daddy once a week! I've seen other blessings come from this move as well, both for our family and for me personally, that I never could have expected when we first made this decision. I try to remember to thank God as often as I can for bringing us back to Rapid City. The move has been a life changer in so many ways. It also has shown us one way that God kept His promise that is written in Jeremiah. It is a promise that I have clung to (and will continue to do) and one that I pray for my children:

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

FALLing back into a routine

As you may remember when I posted back here, I am not really looking forward to fall this year. However, because it IS inevitable, I am trying to find things to keep me looking forward! Pinterest is a great pick-me-up and if you haven't discovered the wonderful world of Pinterest, then allow me to introduce you...

Pinterest, meet fellow blog follower who has never met you... (you will need an invite to actually join and start your own pinning so just let me know and I can send you one!)

Anyway, I spent a good hour finding all sorts of yummy fall foods, decor, crafts and toddler activities associated with a fall theme so I'm sort of, a little more, kind of, ready for fall now. Now I just need to find cute fall outfits and that might boost me over the edge into a teeny more ready for fall!

On another note, fall has brought with it a bunch of work. I started back to work two weeks ago and it's been a whirlwind to say the least. I am forever grateful to the woman who took care of my duties while I was out but it was a little much for her since she was taking care of my work PLUS still doing her own work that gives her a full-time job. So I started out behind and I am still behind but slowly creeping forward day by day. 

On top of my work, I have decided to keep Ava home with me until she is six months old. At six months or so, she will start part-time at the same day care that Jayden goes to but I wanted to wait until she was a little more independent and aware of her surroundings, not to mention she can get a flu shot at that point. Sooo many germs in a day care, especially in November or December when she will start going! But for now, she is with me. I work when she sleeps or when she's happy to stare at a toy or sit on my lap but the rest of the time, I have to wait till everyone has gone to bed and get some work done then. I have also "hired" two girls to come watch her three afternoons a week so that gives me some solid time to get things done which has been a sanity saver for sure!

We're well into football season now too which makes for busy weekends! So far we have either been gone or had company every weekend since September began and that will continue till about mid-October. It's great having the diversions but it sure does make the weekends go by fast! Unfortunately our Cowboys are 0-3 so the football aspect of our weekends haven't been near as much fun as we would like. Here's to hoping that will soon turn around!

Jayden is going to day care full-time now but, to be honest, I haven't missed him as much as I thought I would, only because I have been so extremely busy while he is there. I don't even have time to miss our park visits....yet. As soon as I get caught up on my work though, I know that will change. And as soon as the first snow falls and it's not as easy to make a run to the park, I will definitely be missing him like crazy!! He seems to be handling the transition from part-time to full-time fairly well. He has developed a new little "habit" which shows itself when he doesn't get his way or gets frustrated. He has started hitting. Nothing painful for the one getting hit but definitely a new challenge for us parents as we try to figure out how to change that behavior. He also bit another kid at his school one day - now that was a shocker! He has never been a biter and so far, that was the only instance (and they're not even 100% sure it was him although it's quite likely based on what they told me they saw after the incident - they didn't see the actual incident itself) so I hope that was just a one-time thing!

DJ is busy as ever but I have found that not thinking about when he will get home (usually around 7:30-7:45 pm every day except for Fridays and Sundays which are later and Mondays, which have been earlier) or when he will leave in the morning (6:30 every morning except for Wednesdays and Fridays when he has to be gone by 5:30 am) has helped my mental state. I just get in the groove and determine to get things done without his assistance for the most part. It is much easier than what I had been doing the last couple of seasons. I always expected his help and then would frequently get disappointed when he would be late or unable to be home for something. I think we are both happier this way! He doesn't feel like he's always disappointing me and I don't get constantly frustrated with his ever changing schedule.

Coming up this fall, we have several trips planned, some with the kids and some not. I will be going to Reno, Nevada in a few weeks for the football game and it will be the first time that the kids will stay overnight without me or DJ being there. Crazy to think about but probably time! I also have planned trips to Albuquerque and Phoenix - the former trip, Ava will be going with me and the latter trip, both kids are going with me along with my brother.

So as much as our life right now is NOT a routine, it sort of is. Things are a little more predictable week over week and since I've read that kids like a routine, then I guess I am grateful for that aspect of fall this year.

In the army now!

Well, not really, but for one game last season, the army was the sponsor (I don't know if that's the right term but the army was the focus that game). As part of the army "theme" the staff wore these totally awesome hats. At first, from a distance, I wasn't sure it was quite DJ's look but we received this picture yesterday, and I decided it's not so bad after all! It could be that DJ's serious facial expression with the tongue sticking out slightly helps a bit.

The other guy in the picture is DJ's friend and boss, the head trainer of the athletic department. 

A Much Needed Update

Hello from the blustery dang cold Wyoming prairies! We have solidly landed in the middle of winter here and I don't like it. But I'm learning to deal with it.

Since my last post about Jayden's birthday, lots has happened!

There's been a couple of haircuts, which have proven to be Jayden's least favorite thing in the world,

Lots of playtime and discovery of new favorite playgrounds,

Successful, and not so successful, nap times (this was after a particularly active nap time apparently),

A baby turned ferocious dinosaur,

A successful first trick-or-treating experience (as you can see he wasn't the only ferocious dinosaur),

If you count, there are a total of 3 dinosaurs, 3 ladybugs, 1 Alice (in Wonderland), 1 lion, 1 Ironman, 1 Peter Pan and 1 airplane.

We've also traveled to Arizona, just Jayden and I, which was the first time I have traveled by myself with Jayden. It was a success but I wouldn't want to take any flights longer than what we did (2 or less hours). It is hard keeping an active toddler busy in a small space!

We have attended many football games. I'm happy to say that, of the home games, we've only missed one! That's a big improvement from last year when I think I only attended one. Jayden usually takes naps midway through the game and I wear him in my wrap the whole time. It's worked out really well for us this year. Unfortunately we will probably miss this weekend's game because it is going to be COLD and snowy so, no thank you. I'll watch the game indoors. But the Cowboys are having a winning season and bowl talk has begun. So proud of our Pokes!

We've had many many visitors. I don't think a month has gone by where we haven't had at least 2 weekends busy with people visiting. It's been great and I'm so glad we live closer to our family now. Grandma and Grandpa Martinez will be arriving today as a matter of fact!

As for Jayden...

• He's a full-fledged walker and has been for a good two months now. He started walking soon after his first birthday and hasn't stopped since. I'm convinced he'll be running by Christmas!
• He says "Hot", "Uh uh" (uh oh), "mama", "dah" (daddy), and I'm sure there are others but I haven't deciphered them yet. He's always making noises and I'm convinced there are times when he is singing. I really think he's got a knack for music but we'll see as he gets older.
• Speaking of music, his favorite show is "Sing-off" and he loves to dance during the performances. Pretty much anytime music comes on though, he is bouncing his little legs.
• He's forward facing in his car seat now which was by necessity rather than my choice. I was hoping to keep him rear facing for another year but traveling backwards is torture for him apparently which means its also torture for me. We turned him around on a road trip in October and ever since he's been facing forward because I just couldn't bear to turn him around. He loves to watch the road and I love to see his face.
• He is a good little eater and will eat, or at least try, anything you put in front of him.
• He still doesn't like milk but he's getting better.
• He's started at day care. No more nanny, so we've been transitioning him to day care the past couple of weeks and he's been doing so fantastic. I'm so proud of him!
• Still nursing but starting the weaning process because...

• He's going to be a big brother!

And that's the last of the news! Baby Martinez #2 will be arriving sometime around May 21. We're very excited. I've been feeling much better as compared to my pregnancy with Jayden and I can't help but think maybe that means this one will be a girl?? We'll find out sometime around Christmas/New Years. Yes, we will be finding out and I wouldn't have it any other way. I've gotta plan for these things! I'll talk more about the new baby later though.

As for the immediate future, I am so excited the Holidays are here!! This is my favorite time of year and my second trimester is starting next week, just in time for Thanksgiving! I already feel more energy coming back and less nausea (which is usually the extent of my morning sickness when I'm pregnant) so I'm very ready for the weeks to come. I just need to start my Christmas shopping now.

Happy Thanksgiving all!

Atlanta - Part 4

The latter half of our Atlanta trip was a busy one. We took in the Aquarium, the New World of Coca Cola and attended the game day festivities before the actual game for which we were in Atlanta for in the first place.







The Aquarium had a great variety of exhibits and I'm glad we went but at the same time I could have skipped it. There were sooo many people there when we went. You couldn't really take time to watch any of the animals because you were surrounded by people everywhere you went that were waiting their turn to see whatever it was. And my camera battery died halfway through. So I don't have any pictures of the 22 foot whale shark that we got to see or its smaller counterparts (and by smaller I mean, they were ONLY 17 or 18 feet long). That exhibit was probably the coolest and we were there during feeding time. I now have a better idea of how Noah was swallowed by the whale. Heck, he could have been eaten by a whale shark by the looks of things. When that whale shark opened his mouth to take in the food, it was like a vacuum sucking in everything within 10-15 feet of it. It was pretty cool. Unfortunately the exhibit for the Beluga whale was closed for maintenance so I would like to go back to the Aquarium some time when that exhibit is open and there are fewer people.

That night DJ and I were invited to a dinner hosted by a medical group in town that always hosts the medical teams of both teams during the Chick-Fil-A bowl. We took a big comfy bus with everyone from the UT medical staff and Virginia Tech medical staff to Maggiano's Little Italy where we were fed appetizers, salads, entrees, desserts and as much drink as you wanted. The food was delicious and DJ made some new contacts that will hopefully become useful one day.











On Wednesday we headed to the New World of Coca Cola, which was a tour of everything Coca Cola. It covered everything from the history of Coke to an animated movie of what happens when you deposit your quarter in the Coke machine to a 4D movie about Coke around the world to sampling Coca Cola-made beverages from all the continents to the impact of Coke on our culture. And at the end of the tour, we each got to take a bottle of Coke home with us that we had personally seen bottled. It was a great tour, especially for someone like myself that loves the Coke commercials and the marketing strategy of Coke. They really are marketing geniuses.

Finally Thursday came. Game day. At times, I forgot why we were even in Atlanta! But not on game day. There was a new feel in the air. People had arrived to the hotels and things were bustling. Don and Lorraine had arrived the evening before and we were ready to see the Vols kick some Hokie butt! But first we went to a parade that morning.





















The parade got us pumped up and then we headed to the hotel to warm up. Could you tell it was freezing?? In an effort to be as in the spirit as possible, we decided it was absolutely necessary to drink some Fuzzy Navels before the game. The Chick-Fil-A bowl used to be the Peach Bowl so it was absolutely necessary to drink Peach Schnapps before we headed out to the game. Oh and we ate Chick-Fil-A for lunch.

The next part of the saga can be summed up in two words. We. Lost.

Nothing more can be said. It was incredibly disappointing and I will share only one picture. A picture that shows the hope we still had before the game began.



To be honest, I don't think it even mattered to Don and Lorraine that we lost. I mean they definitely wanted the Vols to win but more than anything I could tell they were so proud to see their son on the field working hard and taking care of his team. If I would have taken their picture after the game, they probably would have still looked all happy. It was so much fun to finally watch a game with them in person!

Ok so that was more than two words about the game and I just have to talk about two other things. They had soap clouds that wafted to the ceiling during the game. They clouds were in different shapes appropriate for the game, like the Vols sign and the VT sign and the Chick-Fil-A symbol. And right before the game started, little stuffed Chick-Fil-A cows started parachuting from the ceiling for like 5 minutes. That was the best part of the whole night, even though I didn't catch one.

After the game Don, Lorraine and I (DJ had to finish up at the stadium) took the metro back to the hotel (best idea we ever had - it only took us 15 minutes to get back to our hotel whereas, if we had driven, it could easily have taken us over an hour). We were back just in time to ring in the New Year. We turned on the t.v. to watch the ball drop in NY, poured some more Fuzzy Navels, got text messages ready to send out at the stroke of 12 and started to count down! And just as it reached midnight, wouldn't you know, fireworks started to go off right outside our window?! Directly across from us was a fireworks show that actually was really good! We couldn't believe our luck! It was the perfect thing to make us forget the Bowl loss and really focus on the joy of a new year.

And that is the Atlanta saga. The end.

Thanksgiving Happenings

Yes, I know that we're 8 days from Christmas so I'm way past due talking about Thanksgiving but I gotta get it documented, ya know? But I AM going to do it all in one post and stick to the highlights so here we go!

As you know my parents and brother came down from SD to spend the week with us and we were going, going, going the minute I picked them up from the airport. One of the smaller, but no less important, highlights was waking up each morning and drinking coffee together as we caught up on everything and discussed what we would do for the day. (I was also reminded of the vast amount of coffee that my parents consume on a daily basis. We're talking, at least 3 pots were consumed every morning and Chace and I probably each had one cup each. MAYBE 1.5 cups each. So that leaves the rest of the 2.5 POTS for my mom and dad. I think I have a small inkling of where a lot of my mom's energy comes from...) Not only do I love just sitting around and having a good cup of coffee in the morning but it was great to share the time with my family and just...be.

Another highlight, which we will forever remember for a number of reasons, was going to the Kentucky/Vols football game. In Kentucky. I had told my mom that when they were here we would have to visit another state since we live so close to so many and we did! And this wasn't even a planned excursion initially but when I realized how close it actually was, I knew we had to do it because this would be the only opportunity for my parents to see a game. And I'm so glad we did! The Vols won in overtime and it was the last game of the season so that win clinched us a good bowl game.

Our quarterback Jonathan Crompton

It always cracks me up when the team does its pregame stretches.




Our coach Lane Kiffin - what always cracks me up about him is that it always looks like he's a little boy wearing daddy's clothes. His shirts are always HUGE!

And this would be the hubs.


I love telephoto lenses! It looks like I'm standing right next to him huh?




















It was a little smoky from the Kentucky team's introduction... I think they did that on purpose so we couldn't see our own team enter the stadium.

We ended the night by getting lost on the way back to our car. Not until we were deep in the 'hoods of Lexington did we decide to use the GPS on Chace's phone. Oh yeaaaaah... The GPeeeesssS....

Another highlight of the week was getting a tour of the Vols locker room. It is gorgeous!


Come on in!







It's a tradition to jump up and hit the Tennessee sign before leaving the locker room and running out onto the field.





And then we were able to walk out on the field.

Standing on the 50 yard line. Cool! Standing on the checkerboard end zone. Cool! Running on the field. Thankfully no one got my picture when I ran. Apparently I look like an ostrich on drugs or something, or so I'm told... So those were just a few of the bigger highlights but really the entire time they were here, I knew we were making so many great memories that we would cherish for a lifetime. I was so glad that they all were able to stay in our house and so glad that my mom and I were able to cook Thanksgiving dinner together which by the way, was a HUGE success. (Yaay!! *raising hands in victory*)