CONGRATULATIONS Daddy!

YOU DID IT! Yeah!!
WE are ALL so proud of you!!!

Seriously, you've proved yourself and kept your spirits high as you plowed through numerous interviews. Your ability to go after what you want again is sparkling!

Yesterday afternoon Brad's phone rang. In my heart I knew it was going to be the call. The call we have been waiting for, but I wasn't sure on the news. However, once again, Brad's determination and motivation to get this job was overwhelming. The HR recruiter on the other end passed out a great opportunity....and Brad said YES! Hooray!!!!

The best part about this call was, we are back in the world of employment. AND, I will be able to continue my mommy business and my side photography business! For that, I am so very thankful, especially in today's recession.

So, we have daddy for 2 more weeks before he starts in his new office downtown Milwaukee. He will be working in a tall building with many many windows and many many awesome restaurants! We are so excited. My boys are going to be lost without him home. So we are going to be a family for the next 2 weeks and enjoy EVERY moment together!

This confirms my thoughts that things DO happen for a reason. All things in life happen for reasons...I am a believer. Now we are moving on to our house search and a school for Sam.

Thanks for every ones well wishes and words of encouragement over these past few months. Seriously it's been a long road, however, with the help and prayers of all our dear friends and family, things have worked out! Ah....yes...it does feel good.

Conversations with a 2.5 and 4 year old

I had to post this on our family blog. A friend of mine forwarded this email to me via facebook and the conversations that happened between my darling little boys was precious. So, for keepsake, I am going to post on here as well and hold onto this forever!
~~~~~
Below is a conversation I had with my 2.5 and 4 year old yesterday. The questions were forwarded to me and we had to fill in the blanks.
Enjoy!

1. What is something mom always says to you?
Sam: That you have to go to the Doctor (because he is a picky eater!)
Matthew: Brush your teeth

2. What makes mom happy?
Sam: When I talk well
Matthew: (dancing around)

3. What makes mom sad?
Sam: When I say "Stupid"
Matthew: When I throw things

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
Sam: Makes a funny face
Matthew: Tickle me like this

5. What was your mom like as a child?
Sam: like me
Matthew: baby

6. How old is your mom?
Sam: Six...wait, are you six or seven
Matthew: Two and Two and Two and a half

7. How tall is your mom?
Sam: 5 inches, with hand movements and all
Matthew: She is big

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Sam: Take Pictures
Matthew: Play on computers

9. What does your mom do when you are not home?
Sam: Go to the store and go shopping
Matthew: cwean (Clean)

10.If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
Sam: (blank stare)....
Matthew: (hmmm...with finger in mouth...)

11. What is your mom really good at?
Sam: Making food
Matthew: Walking the doggie (we don't own a dog)

12. What is your mom not good at?
Sam: Saying stupid (?)
Matthew: ?

13.what does your mom do for a job?
Sam: Take pictures
Matthew: works

14.What is your mom's favorite food?
Sam: Pie (well not really...but okay!)
Matthew: Syrup and Toast Sticks (no no no!)

15.What makes you proud of your mom?
Sam: Not saying Stupid
Matthew: ??

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Sam: Being a fire station and working with water and a hose like a fireman
Matthew: Mommy

17. What do you and your mom do together?
Sam: We play!
Matthew: Play, eat toast sticks...

18. How are you and your mom the same?
Sam: Loving each other (tear)
Matthew: (didn't get the question)

19. How are you and your mom different?
Sam: I have a cho cho train, and you don't.

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
Sam: Because I love YOU!
Matthew: kisses

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?
Sam: Loving him
Matthew: I like him too!

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
Sam: Target (right on baby)
Matthew: Target (because that's what Sam said!)

Open WIDE!

He did so well! My little boy Sam took his first trip to the dentist, to get his teeth polished! He did well, considering he didn't want Ms. Jamie to touch his teeth last time. This time, she put on the special tiger glasses and away she went. Dr. Papa Stan gave him a thumbs up for good brushing, and Ms. Jamie sent him home with a full bag of teeth goodies.

Here are some pictures of our special morning.

Sam's tooth chart! They are so little :)

Check out our little Tiger

Ms. Jamie, performing the operation polish

His legs are so little!

So proud of himself

Dr. Papa Stan giving the final exam!

And...tadah! There they all are! All done and full of smiles!

The ditch...

We visited the ditch last weekend! What a great welcome home for us. We were trying our best to drive carefully. We were heading out to my (Erin's) parents house amongst a nice big snow storm! Little did we know the top of my parents driveway was covered in sheer black ice. We slid as we turned into the driveway at a rough 2 miles per hour. There we were, wobbling back in forth, as our van started to get white. We made a call into Triple A, and they arrived 3.5 hours later. It was a super duper busy day for them! After all, the driver just totaled his truck before coming to us....oh yes, the glories of snow, but somehow, after all was said and done, we MISSED this?!

The Tow truck man...

The Florida plates and the snow covered DIRTY van...my baby.

The driveway shot.

Sam, just loving the snow!

Sam's First Movie

Sam had his first movie experience this past weekend! He did amazing. He was surrounded with his favorite boy cousins and he though he was top dog! He sat for the entire 100 minutes as his Uncle David supplied his sugar fix... Cute movie, he asked if we could build a movie screen in our house! Matthew missed out on all the fun because it was during his nap time, but we're soon to go again because now we live in WI.

Our last days in FL

Our last few days in Jacksonville consisted of major kias! I guess I didn't expect anything less, however there was a lot of boxes, tape, boxes, paper, scissors, boxes, open doors and a whole lot of major kias! The boys held their own very well. We moved the boys into the same room the last week before our move. We decided to take apart their beds and put the mattress on the floor. They thought this was the best thing in the world. I guess it was partly a trial to see if they really could share a bedroom! They did okay, but you see, Matthew loves his sleep. Sam would rather stay up all night. So, the fighting would be words from Matthew telling Sam to "BE quiet". I'm trying to sleep! Sam just didn't get it, but we made the best out of it. There were a few nights where Matthew insisted on sleeping on Sam's pillow...HUGE BLOW OUT. We worked through it and I think we can now consider bunk beds more seriously

Here are some pictures from our last week!

Boys up to no good!

Room sharing...The boys playing in their suite!
Helping mommy
and daddy pack....naked for sure Mommy and Matthew on the truck

Inquisitive little boys....

Daddy and boys

Having a fabulous dinner which consisted of subs and chips Matthew and his soda thinking this is so much fun! They boys love love love staying in a hotel. Hotel dining at it's best

Matthew laughing at himself!

The boys found the Holy Bibles in the drawer....Matthew held it close to his heart and would growl when I took it away....

Ms Cathy stopped by to give hugs and kisses to the boys. We miss her :(

Daddy and Ms. Cathy (Old boss) Sam found a shower rod to play with ever so carefully

the movers and us + good friend Ty!
This one is for you Ty!!! (we'll send you a copy)

Oh, I don't like these pictures...they bring tears to my eyes all over again. We miss you guys so much.....can you visit us soon?

Our dear hood, school and playmate friends. It was a coooolllld morning on our moving day.

Giving hugs goodbye. Little friendships....they are so special. Thanks for the goody bag of treats! It was an awesome distraction for us....sometimes you do what you have to do wherever you are

We made it!

...and now, my first post in our new state. We made it home to Wisconsin. We rolled in last night around 4 ish. It was a smooth ride in and my oh my it is warmer here in WI than it has been in FL all last week. It was 52 as we rolled through Chicago and a whoppin' 51 when we stepped foot onto the snow in Brad's parents driveway! Not bad! The temps hadn't topped 50 all last week in FL.
Everyone is doing very well. Last night we had dinner at Family's house, just like old times. Sam and Matthew got a very warm welcome from their cousins and they were so darn excited. I am so happy to report that Sam has only played the "my tummy hurts" card a handful of times. So, for that I am excited! Today we went and rearranged the storage office where our truck is meeting us tomorrow morning!!! The boys found 2 big red sleds and played in the snow as Brad and I did what we needed to do. It was great!
Tonight we're eating homemade spaghetti made by yours truly!!!! The house smells mighty yummie. I have many pictures to share as my computer gets delivered tomorrow. Ty, hold on buddy, soon you'll see the pictures of you and the movers!!!

our goodbye's are done....

what an emotional past few weeks. Wow....I knew leaving Oakleaf would be hard, but I didn't think it would be THIS hard. It's amazing where we've come these past 2 years. The relationships we've built still continues to amaze us. We have been so blessed with this amazing group of friends that I cannot tell you how thankful for each of you, all in different ways.

We had our last good bye this evening. Now we sit here at our hotel as we watch our boys jump from bed to bed wondering where their toys are. Singing the songs to the Imagination Movers because we do not have OnDemand where all their shows are at their fingertips. They have been great through all our stress as we pack up this part of our lives and move onto the next. Sam talked about his stomach aches today as we got out of the car at a friends house. He managed to work though his fear and talk to us. Our conversation went something like this:

"Mommy, my tummy hurts, I don't want to get out of the car" (shaking with fear back and forth)

"what are you thinking about Sam?"

"I don't want to say goodbye"
"I'm going to miss all my friends"
"my tummy hurts because I don't want to leave, yet"
"I'm scared"

I think my heart broke because I think he finally came to understand what was going on...and today was the day we have been talking about for the past few months. I can only imagine how scared he was when this HUGE truck pulled up and took all our toys and 'stuff'. I can only imaging his thoughts. We still have a while before his nerves calm down, and we'll work with him. Unfortunately we still do not have answers as to where or how our lives will unfold, however, I pray that we have answers in the next few weeks. I pray that we'll be able to help Sam in the best way possible to get him through this next phase.

So, this is my last post in Orange Park, FL. We checked out of our house, gave our keys to the property manager and drove away. We drove around our neighborhood tonight as I sobbed. I can't tell you how hard it was to drive past the park we spent all our evenings at. The parks, the pools, the school, PUBLIX, SuperTarget, Bagel Bagel, all our favorites! I can't tell you how hard it was to drive past some of our neighbors homes as Sam and Matthew said, "Good bye _______"). I can't tell you how sad it was to see them hug their friends. I can't tell you how many memories I have of a wonderful past 2 years. I can't tell you how many times I broke down...I can't tell you how many times I said it's going to be okay.

Ickes...I know this is informal however, THANK YOU ALL, near and far for all your amazing support. I haven't figured out why something so right is just so damn hard to do. We are very excited to move back to WI and at the same time so very emotional about leaving FL. What we do know is we will be back to visit, that is a promise. And what I really do know is we will miss ALL of you here in FL. Seriously, what an amazing journey.

As I (once again) wipe the tears away from my eyes, Good night from Florida. TOmorrow night we will be in Kentucky and soon there after in Wisconsin. Hugs to you all. Sweet dreams and don't forget about us!!!! We love you all.

Two years ago...

(the date on my camera was off....)

mommies new website

Check out my new image and website!

www.erinteplinphotography.com

Let me know how you like it!

....and here we go....

it's time to get on packing! I'm happy to say we are about 75% done!!! We have the kitchen done and a lot of other "things". This is going well....for the most part. It's just hard to pack up a house when you have no idea where you'll unpack. I guess it just leaves a little suspense in the whole idea. So, here we go, onto another move....I think we were meant to be professional packers in a second life....or not.

My little helper, an angel from above :)

Copper the Cat who we will miss dearly! She has tried to sneak in our home many many times! She lives next door and is beautiful. She helped us pack up our garage, literally she jumped in a box and wanted to come with us! So we took her picture:)

Riding Michael's motorcycle

Sam and neighbor Michael!

Sam's last day of school

was today :(. I think I took it harder than he did...but it was oh so sad saying good bye to Ms. Jamie, I shut the door on her face as tears were forming...on both sides. We gave her a hug, but she's coming over tomorrow night to have dinner with the boys! Sam was still hesitant today going to school, but once he saw his buddy Aidan, he forgot I was even dropping him off. Thanks Aidan, as usual.

We've had such a great experience at School this past school year. It was full of many many firsts for Sam and for that we are so thankful. What a great opportunity for us to grow and learn. I believe it was also a great learning experience for myself watching Sam go through so many emotions.

We are going to miss all our friends....and I AM GOING TO MISS all the parking lot chats! What am I going to do? I always laugh when I have an agenda to conquer on the days Sam has school, only to find myself at Bagel Bagel, Panera or the park because it just sounded so much better to be with friends! Ladies, I'm going to be sad to leave you all....thanks for all you do. Our Kirkwood experience would not have been the same with all of you!

A run down of our Ms. Jamie's class
Chris & Sam

Sam & Colin

Sam, Colin and Cal
Sam & Evan

Aidan