Cruisin around and growin up

I have a little bit of a hodgepodge of things to write about today. So many things going on :)  Kyle and I got back from our anniversary cruise last Saturday night and it was a blast! We left Hayden with my parents on Saturday night and left for Omaha Sunday morning.  Our flight arrived in Miami Sunday evening and we headed out to the port Monday morning.  I have to admit, after just a few days I was missing Hayden already and starting to get nervous about being gone for a whole week! We set sail Monday afternoon and it was so much fun!  That first day just walking around the boat and getting acclimated to everything helped keep me distracted.  Tuesday was a full day at sea and I tended to miss her a little bit that day as we didn't have a whole lot to keep us busy aside from laying out in sun :)  But...the rest of the week flew by and I was able to thoroughly enjoy myself. 

We went Scuba Diving in Grand Turk on Wednesday, Para-sailing in Half Moon Cay on Thursday and shopping to our hearts content in Nassau on Friday.  Even Kyle enjoyed the shopping! :)  On the boat we enjoyed shows, games, a comedian, lots of food and time in the sun.  We also enjoyed the beaches at each of the ports we went to.  It's so amazing how clear and blue the water is.  The pictures really don't do it justice.  I absolutely enjoyed EVERY aspect of the cruise and had a wonderful time spending every moment with my husband. 

We actually booked this cruise clear back in January and had no idea that we would be getting ready to move in June.  But, God knew and He was looking out for us.  I know we probably wouldn't have planned it this way had we known, but this vacation really could not have come at a better time.  Both of us were getting extremely bogged down and stressed out with house hunting, financing, worrying about packing, work.  We both felt like we hardly saw each other and when we were together it wasn't exactly enjoyable conversation topics.  Like I said, God knew what He was doing.  Kyle and I were able to spend an entire week together rekindling our relationship and remembering what it was like to be newlyweds almost :)  As much as I missed Hayden, Kyle and I needed that time together for just the two of us.  We didn't think about the financing papers we signed just before we left or what we were going to do to the house, packing or even too much about Hayden.  We didn't talk about anything too heavy or serious; just enjoyed the time together doing whatever we wanted to do whenever we wanted to do it.  We haven't been able to do that in years!!!!  It truly was the most relaxing vacation I have ever had and I thank God for it.  After getting back home I can tell that things are just better.  The atmosphere isn't as tense, I don't get stressed about things and I still try to enjoy some downtime with Kyle when I can, even though life is back to it's busy self.

All in all, I recommend warm climate, sandy beaches and time away with each other to every married couple out there :)  It really is worth every penny spent.  We won't be doing it again any time soon....but maybe by the time the kids are out of the house we'll have saved up enough money again :) 

We got back into Omaha Saturday evening and Kyle's Parents came down so Hayden could meet us at the airport.  I was sooooooo excited to see her!  She came running up to see me and I was so happy that she  missed me :)  I told Kyle I was going to be very upset if she acted like she didn't care when I got there :)  We went all the way home that night, so it was kind of a long day but it was so nice to be home and have Sunday to rest up before the work week started.  And Hayden celebrated her second birthday this week!  We didn't do a party or anything this year but we celebrated together.  My parents came down on Tuesday and spend part of the day with us.  They got Hayden a doll dressed up in a swim suit that she can take to the pool or bathtub.  It also came with shoes and sunglasses which she loves :)  Her birthday was actually Thursday and Kyle had to work right away in the morning, I had a board meeting at noon and Farmer's Market at 3....but, we made it through the day and it ended wonderfully :)  A friend, Marcia, came to watch Hayden during my meeting and she got Hayden a little balloon, some bracelets and a watch.  The watch is a special thing between Hayden and Marcia; it was so sweet  :)  Our neighbor also brought over a new outfit for her birthday.  It's so nice to friends and neighbors that care about us and our little girl.  We are going to miss them when we leave.

After Farmer's Market (Hayden got to come play for a while over there with me), we made grilled pizza (Hayden LOVES pozza as she calls it), and I made a Special Agent Oso cake.  Hayden love Oso and asks to watch it every day.  I am thankful we have DVR so she can watch it anytime she wants :)  She loved the cake and had 2 piece!  She kinda had a sugar high after that but she calmed down by bedtime thankfully. 

Special Agent Oso cake, not a pro by any means but it didn't turn out too bad :)

 Now on Friday, as I look back over these last two weeks, I can't help but thank God for all his blessings.  My husband and I enjoyed a wonderful week away for our 5 year anniversary, my "baby" girl turned 2, we bought a house.  Wow, I am so blessed!  He provided so much for us and I can't even begin to thank Him enough.    Especially since I don't deserve any of it.  Thank you Lord!

Our new house

As promised I have a few updates on our move and the house we bought! :) Kyle and I were able to go up and spend an entire day looking at houses last week.  We found a couple that we liked but only one that really stuck out.  There were other people interested in the home and we were a little worried that there would be some competition but thankfully there wasn't!  We went back with both of our parents and looked at it a second time and ended up putting an offer in last Saturday.  The whole process went very quickly and they accepted our offer that day! This week has been spent looking for financing and insurance and we were able to get all the papers signed and that process started today.  Just in time for us to leave on our cruise Sunday!  Here is a link to the house we bought so everyone can pictures :)   http://www.fsbmarcus.com/real_estate_display.php?207-S.-Hamilton-Ave---Sale-Pending-47 
It's a really great house, less than 40 years old.  It does need some more modern updates, carpet, light fixtures, etc. but is really is a great house.  And it's ours which makes it even better :)  Our target closing date is July 22 and we hope to move the last weekend in July.  That will be just in time for Kyle to start football practice on August 1.

In all honesty, this week has been CRAZY stressful.  With us being gone on vacation all of next week I have been working double-time to get everything ready for the people taking over for me this week.  So, with all of the stuff going on with the house, getting ready for the cruise, getting stuff ready for work....it's been NUTS at our house.  But, it seems like when things get crazy that's when we need to slow down and listen for Gods voice.  This afternoon, after running around like crazy all day, Kyle and I took a couple of our FCA kids to a youth retreat up in Emmetsburg.  There weren't a lot of people there but the speakers were so good.  There were a couple testimonies given that really spoke to me.  They were great reminders to live for God and do HIS will for your life.  The main speaker was the youth pastor at the church my brother goes to in Des Moines.  He did a great job connecting with the kids and drawing them into his message.  He spoke on apathy and how we are so easily bored these days.  But when we truly love the Lord we find joy in reading the Bible and praying and serving the Lord in different ways.  As I have mentioned before, I have been reading a book called Small Changes for a Better Life by Elizabeth George.  This book has had a wonderful impact on my life and I find myself getting into a better prayer and quiet time routine. I find myself enjoying my own time with the Lord even more.  After the craziness of the week, and even though I was still spending time with God, I felt like tonight was a nice  little spiritual retreat.  A much needed retreat where I could slow down from all the craziness and remember to listen for the Lords voice. 

Anyway, after this week, God knew I needed a break to prepare for tomorrow....I haven't even started packing yet!!!  I have to completely pack all three of us by tomorrow night.  I know, the craziness doesn't end.  But, Kyle will be home to help and I know that with careful planning and God's help I can make it through.  I also want to be able to spend as much time as I can with my baby girl.  I am going to miss her sooooo much!!!  I have never been away from her for longer than a couple days, and even then she was just with Kyle!   Pray for me that I won't get too depressed being away from her all week and that I will still be able to enjoy my cruise.  I know that Kyle will be a big help tomorrow as well, and he will help me as much as he can.   We drop off Hayden with my parents Saturday night and leave right away Sunday morning to fly out of Omaha.  We probably wouldn't have planned to go on a cruise right in the middle of buying a home and moving, but I think God knew that we would need a break at about this time.