A year...

A whole year...

An entire year has passed with this blissful, sweet and yet sometimes sour little girl. I can't believe she is a year old. I have moments when I reflect back and think "yup it has been a year" and then sheer panic moments of "holy cow this has to slow down." But time will come and go just as fast as the wind. I am trying to hold on tight to all her new smiles, grins, and her new mousy voice. Her little arms that reach up to me as her squeaky voice says "mama," and as her daddy stares at me and says "that must make you feel good." And it does; it is a box moment.

You know how we all want this little magical box where we can box up some of our sweetest, most special moments to look on one day when the world is all tumbled upside down. The moment she reaches for me and smiles and says mama would go right in there. It would be tightly snug next to the moment I got pinned with my grandmother's nurses pin; the first time Bradley kissed me; the smell of my grandparents old house in Corydon; old Ryle Christmas Eve moments when my grandpa would shake reindeer bells and we would all stare in amazement that Santa was coming; the very moment my eyes met Veda's when she was born, and so many more that would be jammed into this special box.

So as this year passes it is bittersweet to remember each moment, and to know that there are so many more great ones yet to come. I think I am going to need another magical box...

happy birthday sweet love...words can't describe how you fill my soul

Interrupted Post...I at least tried

Well I would love to say that we are settled...that all "things" have a special box, spot, shelf, etc... But the truth is, things are still in boxes, there are no pictures hung on the walls yet, things still needed painted and repainted. We are however living in our hew home. I love our home. I love how it stays cool, how the dogs have a place of their own, I love the pool, I love that we have made this ours and the resemblance of how it once was is fading.

The move was crazy...it was our most chaotic move yet, and let me remind you that we have moved a total of 5 times. We had things properly labeled, and properly packed during those other, uneventful moves, but of course for this huge, momentous occasion we had somewhat of chaos. We were throwing things in garbage bags, and items got broke, but we weathered the storm with the help of some fabulous people.

I had to pause because this is where I heard/found little "getting-in-to-everything" Veda....

Yes...she is about to eat dog food.

And, now amongst the chaos of trying to get organized, Bradley has decided to rip up the yard to get it prepared for new fresh grass. He has trimmed trees and bushes...the yard looks like a tornado went through it, but it will soon be lush green grass. Bradley has been terrific as my handy man...I really think he could fix anything. I love having a man like that too...it is very helpful and decreases the stress somewhat:)

***This is where I cut my "blog time" short and said I would get to it later. However, later came and the blog was not a top priority...so this is what you get.***

boxes again...

It is a gloomy day in Naples...overcast morning to now a wet afternoon. I just want to curl up on the couch and watch a movie, but my mind is spinning in a million directions over house issues, decorations, repairs, etc... So, I am hoping after I unload in my electronic journal, my mind will be eased and I can relax.

We had to re-sign our contract due to some details. We are hopeful tomorrow that we will get it signed back from the bank, and we can really start this process. I have fell madly in love with this home that is not aesthetically pleasing, but oh the possibilities. I have been told by numerous people not to get "too excited" or to "not fall in love with this home because there are so many others out there." Truth be told, I want this house, and it is my nature to fall head over heels for something quickly. I can't be neutral on anything...I always choose a side. And, I have chose to love this house; this home that may be our first home; the house that Veda will learn to walk in; the pool she will learn to swim in; the home our dogs will actually get their own backyard. I'm sure you can see how much I want this house.

So, diving head first in to everything, Bradley and I actually packed up some of our things last night. We have decided that we are moving; wherever that may be...we are doing it. I feel like we have always be packing and moving, but it feels good to be packing and preparing for this move. It feels right in every way. I am comforted by the fact that we will be moving to something that is ours. Stress and more stress, but it is all worth it for this home. Ah yes, our home.

Keeping those fingers and toes crossed even tighter tonight ;)

fair-weather blogger

I am coming to realize I am a fair-weather blogger.


I really do attempt to sit down and unload all of our moments, special days, or even if there is nothing to write about. However, when I sit down at the computer I tend to drift to other places. I read other blogs that I am following, I check facebook, I check my email, I browse my favorite stores, I check up on the lastest gossip (because I do believe everything I read), and then by the time I get back to my little blogger world I usually have a baby that is awake from her slumber. And, lets face it...she is one cool girl to play with. So, Veda wins, and I think to myself that I will get to it later...and we all know how that goes. Even so, I do try to keep whomever it is out there that may read my little entry in our loop.

So, a little rewind.....

Christmas and New Year's were wonderful. Once again, it is those true hussle and bussle moments that are almost too in depth to blog about...those are almost book chapter worthy entries. So, we will keep those moments captured in our little memory boxes in our hearts to open at our choosing. My parents were here to visit, and at a great time since Veda is having new milestones every day. It is nice for our loved ones to share in her accomplishments with us.

I have come to have a deeper appreciation for our loved ones and friends since we have moved away. I really take each visit with them to a more memorable, deeper moment. It is very easy to take for granted these individuals when you see them day in and day out. We do miss our Hoosier home, our families, our friends, the places we were raised, the country roads, the high school games, and the small town hospitality. (Bradley would probably also want me to include Pizza King and fried chicken.) So, for our family members and friends that may stop by to read into our little world...we love, miss, and think about you often.

Ok, back on track. (I do love that I can write and say whatever and however on our blog...just try to stay with me) We have been going through one big emotional rollarcoaster filled with waves of stress, excitement, heartbreak, excitement, stress, a glimmer of hope, stress, etc... We are house hunting! I feel bipolar during this process. poor bradley! It has been crazy. We have found one and put in an offer for it. It is a quaint little home on a cul-de-sac. It has a fenced in yard for the dogs, a pool for Bradley and my mom (who has requested we find something before she comes to Veda watch while we are in the Caribbean), and it also needs some major touch-ups. I am actually excited about all the work that needs to go into it. We can make it ours in every sense. Keep your fingers, toes, arms, legs, and everything else crossed for us. I would say prayers too, but I feel those may by needed for others during this time.

So, as I lay in bed with my sweet husband sleeeping next to me and Veda in dreamland in the other room, I can't help but think that I have to be the luckiest girl in the world.

Sleep tight everyone.

Until next time, next week, next month....

Oh, and GO COLTS :)

the magic of santa

So we took Veda to meet the magical man of Christmas. {Well, I guess one of them since really Christmas should be more importantly celebrated for the birth of baby Jesus.}

We decided to go on a Monday afternoon to beat all the hussle and bussle of Christmas shoppers, and I really didn't want to have to wait in line. I am impatient, so to compound that with screaming children and obsessive moms, I would have been "blink blowing up" people. Yes, I do that! When we are in crowded areas with people walking the wrong way, or the people that just STOP in the center of the walkway my blood gets to boiling. So, I blink hard and pretent to blow them up. Mean and cruel I know, but that is my way of venting instead of going postal on them.

We were the only ones in line, and we didn't feel rushed. (I didn't have to blink at anyone!) And, our Santa was amazing. I really think he is the real one with his full, thick white beard and rosey cheeks. He was dancing in his throne as we made our way to him. Veda took him in with her little bottom lip tucked under her top one. (People usually think she is on the verge of crying, but she really is just giving you a look over.) And, then she gave him a huge smile. We nestled her into his arm, and I stepped back cautiously waiting for my little lady to start crying. She of course did great and gave us a big smile for the camera. What a magical first experience with Santa!

Only 17 days until Christmas!
Hope the holiday planning, shopping, and decorating are going wonderful for everyone, and none of you are "blinking" to hard :)

sweet chaos

I would love to say the holiday decorating was whismical and stress-free. I would love to paint the perfect picture for everyone of decorating the tree with a clean, clutter free home while we sipped hot chocolate and didn't raise our voice at anyone...especially the dogs! However, it was stressful at times, and I didn't know how I was going to fit in all the decorating. I usually have our home decked out in one day, but this year was quite different. First, I was working a crazy schedule at work, and we were BUSY! The crazy, stupid busy that has become my day to day at work. So, I was also extremely exhausted! But I really, really wanted to decorate. Second, and really the most important, we had a 6 month old in our home who is used to her routine. I'm used to having four hands help with everything, but now it was only two. Bradley or I would do some decorating while the other entertained or fed miss Veda. It was different, chaotic, and special all rolled into one. Veda absolutely adored the lights and the tree. She beamed as I was stringing lights onto the tree like she was so proud of it.

{I have to save, and pause to go get my little lady who is awakening from her slumber.}

So, the holidays began quite crazy, but also so beautiful. We have started traditions with Veda that will be lifelong memories for her, and some that she will hopefully carry on with her family. Since Bradley and I have been together we have always saved a bottom sliver of our Christmas tree. We date it, and have also put the location. This tradition was one we carried on from Bradley's family, and it is so memorable each year when we get them out. We are anxiously awaiting Veda's Ryle stocking that was made by my aunt Cindy. Everyone on my side of the family has one. They are like family heirlooms to me; so special and unique! We also decorated a tree in her room as the "family tree." It is draped in black and white photos of our loved ones. It is our way to bring them to her since they are so many miles away. I love beginning new traditions and keeping old ones. They are so symbolic of the past, present and future of dear family love.

{veda reading by the "family tree."}

I loved getting our tree this year because it was a cool, crisp Indiana-like-day. We had to bundle up to go under the tent to get our tree. We got a fraiser fir this year, and it is gorgeous. It smells fabulous!

                           

{tree hunting under the tent}

{our tree}

{waiting for our tree to be cut and bagged}

So yes it was stressful, exhausting, and cluttery. It was also whismical and perfect in its own way.

Magical Christmas wishes to your family!

Sleigh Bells Ring...Are you Listening?

I can't believe November is almost over. Thanksgiving is this week, and we have so much to be thankful for...

1. Veda Elizabeth
2. Our health and happiness
3. The many blessings and opportunities bestowed upon us
4. Our wonderful families
5. Our jobs (Even though some days I wanna scream and quit, I know I am blessed to have a steady pay check)
6. So many more, but I covered the basics.


I have to work over the entire Thanksgiving holiday, but will be feasting with friends after work. How lucky am I to just get to show up to the dinner without doing any cooking or cleaning?! (thanks Chanel!)

We got our first glimpse into the beginning of the Christmas Season last evening in Naples. I love, love, love the holidays in Naples. They really do it up here! We went to the annual lighting of the Christmas tree on 3rd Street. They had lights up everywhere, holiday music blarring, food, drinks, and more music! It was gorgeous, and a little overstimulating as well. It was also our first time out with the stroller in a very congested area. I ran over numerous ankles, bumped people with the diaper bag, and Veda even tried pulling a girls hair in front of us. Yes, it was beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.

{waiting for the tree to light up}

{counting down...10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.....TA DA!}

I took a picture of the tree lit, but it didn't turn out. Dear Santa, please send me a Canon camera. I have been a very good girl!

So, after the lighting of the beautiful tree the snow fairy made it snow! It was awesome. Snow/foam was sprinkling down from all the light posts. A very magical experience. Even in all the chaos and buggy bumping you couldn't help but smile.

Veda looked confused, but of course tried eating it...

The picture of the three of us didn't turn out well...hopefully Santa will get my note!

We had an amazing evening, and I know it isn't even Thanksgiving yet. However, Naples celebrates Christmas in a momentous way with festivals, tree lightings, they bring in blocks of ice/snow for the kids to frolic in, and even a parade. They have to start early to get in all the celebrations.

I can't wait to buy the tree, to decorate it, to see Veda throughout the whole ordeal. I can't wait to get her Ryle family tradional stocking. I can't wait to start traditions with her. I can't wait to eat, bake, and cook. I can't wait for all the yummy smells, and to see all the beautiful lights around town. I can't wait to have my family here! All these moments and details are what are keeping the stars apart!