Still taking care of business

I've officially decided on a home insurance company.  Let them know, and now we just sign those papers and hand them into the mortgage lender.  Things are moving forward, one step at a time.  Took me about a week to decide between the different companies.  USAA is about to lose our business for auto insurance.  They've quoted us higher on almost everything we've inquired on than any local places.  That's kind of disappointing.  The banking is great, but everything else is running a bit high.

Still waiting to hear about a car.  I've got a guy looking for one for me...so I just have to be patient.  Luckily, my mom is wonderful and doesn't mind lending her car out if I need it. 

3 more sleeps until my birthday!  I can't believe I'll be 32.  I still feel like I haven't been out of college but a couple years.  I wouldn't go back to that point in my life though, I've grown so much and so have my relationships and family.  I'm really thankful for where I am in life right now.  

I said I didn't want anything for my bday, but I did find a pair of Toms I'm in love with...but they can wait.  

For real though, how cute are they?

Delilah woke up very sad this morning.  Being away from Ben is very hard on her.  So many new changes, so much is just flip flopping in her world.  I'm doing my best to keep everything stable, but we really are in limbo right now.  Most I can do is be patient and understanding, and keep things as normal as possible.  It'll be awhile before things are "on track".  We'll be moving into our new house, the twins will come, she'll start school, Ben will be back in the tower, etc...We'll find our groove.  Luckily, we are a pretty lovey family, and we can get through anything.

I've got her using my watercolor paints and being creative right now, it seems to be helping.  She's so my daughter. :)  

This is what she requested for her room.  I happily obliged. 

My little artsy girl. 

Hope everyone's week went great!

A few thoughts on this Saturday morning:

* Germany has been flip flopping weather like CRAZY, and that's resulted in both Delilah and I having TERRIBLE allergies.  Seriously, we are both just feeling so gross.  I can't wait for this to subside and for us to feel back to normal.  Ben manages to escape each year, and I'm glad but I also envy him for it!

* Ben's birthday yesterday, and I'd call it a total success.  Woke up and gave him his gifts (Neil Young: Rust Never Sleeps album, Fleetwood Mac: Rumors album, and a great pair of running shorts).  Went to Delilah's spring program where she looked like a little angel, and then had a great dinner with great people at our favorite beer garden.  Back to our place for some craft beers and more friends.  Excellent night, and he deserves it.  Now he's out at the flea market finding treasures for us. 

*Healthcare bill: if you support it, I have to assume that either you haven't read it, or you just hate women/children/the poor/the elderly/people with special needs/victims.  

* I have a baby shower today, thrown by some incredibly sweet ladies.  I'm excited, and thankful that I have people take time/energy out for me and my little family.  

I hope everyone is having a successful weekend. 

Moving to America is exciting and stressful!

I think the title pretty much sums up how I'm feeling.  Next week, our first shipment of goods will be packed up and leave our home here to get to America.  Most of what I'm sending is baby things, some of Delilah's toys, and some necessities we'll need right away.  Since we are staying with my mom for a good portion of it, we won't need a whole lot, so that's nice. 

We have our companies set up to pick/pack up our goods, and I'm just hoping and praying that we make it through without any damages.  We have acquired some irreplaceable things along our travels throughout Europe, and I would be devastated if something broke.  

Ben's birthday is this Friday.  His presents have already arrived, and Delilah and I have a very specific cake in mind to make him.  We are going out to dinner with friends that night as well.  Very low key and personable.  The next day is the baby shower that some girls are throwing for me out here, which is just totally sweet.  

Getting the car checked out today to make sure the balance is right on it.  I want no problems on our drive to Paris at the end of the month.  Speaking of that, I ordered Delilah her Aurora mouse ears.  She still has no idea we are doing Disneyland Paris, and I don't plan on telling her until we are parked and walking up to the entrance.  I'm so excited!!!

Life got in the way...

November/December were a bit crazy.  Along with Thanksgiving and Christmas, we also had THREE birthdays in our little group of friends to celebrate...including DELILAH'S!

Yep, Delilah turned 3!  We had a big birthday party at our house...had about 15 kids and a bunch of adults.  It was pretty incredible.  The amount of friends that we have out here just in this short amount of time really warms my heart.   Everyone really made me feel blessed and lucky to have such caring people celebrating my little lovie's birthday!

My beautiful little princess ready for her Frozen birthday!

The food set up in my living room.

Little bit about the birthday girl.

All in all, it was a very successful party.  

So then we had more birthdays and a trip to Trier for a Christmas market!

Gluwein is probably one of the most delicious drinks ever. It tastes even better out of a boot mug.

The boys got a little out of control.

Of COURSE we had to ride the merry go round. 

Before Trier, we also went to Heidelberg for my FIRST Christmas market.  Seriously, Germany is incredible with these.  Magical. 

I actually have a decoration for my house that's like what is in the background, but this one was a Gluwein house!

What a beautiful place to be during Christmastime!

Now it's the New Year, and I've made some resolutions, but I don't want to share them.  Not because I don't think I'm going to follow through, but because they are some things I seriously need to work on.

One I will share is that (whoa, this is so original) I've been going to the gym with my friend Amanda.  I've been working out with her off and on since summer last year, but I've been getting serious and have decided to not only eat healthy, but get my body into shape too.  I'm thin, but I definitely need to work on my strength and flexibility.  

That's all for now, perhaps I'll be better about keeping up with this darn thing. 

Birthday Weekend

Had a super fun birthday weekend.  Went to Kona Grill.  I was late for the reservation, but luckily almost everyone who came lives nearby and they were able to get there on time.  Holy crow, the parking at the Plaza on a Friday night is crazy.  I went into 2 parking garages, and both were full.  Finally, I just decided to do valet. $7 well spent.  

Dinner was fantastic. Had a rainbow roll, my favorite sushi roll.  Had a mojito which helped calm my nerves after driving around the Plaza.

After dinner, most everyone came back to my house for drinks and game night.  We all got to skype with Ben, which was awesome.  A couple more people showed up later, and we all played Cards Against Humanity.  I absolutely love that game.  Delilah was well behaved and slept through everyone being there.  So awesome.  I felt great, I was wearing a cute new dress, and I had a great time.  

Saturday night, a friend came over and we watched a couple movies and stayed up talking.  

All in all, I was thankful for a weekend full of friends and fun.  I need that every once in awhile.  

So on Sunday, I sit happy, exhausted, and peaceful.

My last day as a 27 year old

I still feel like I just got out of college.  It's weird to think that was 5 years ago...so much has changed.

Mom and I are getting our nails done tonight.  That's my bday present from her!  I haven't had my nails done professionally since Delilah was a newborn!  Haven't had the time for it.  I guess my brother is coming by this evening to get some of his stuff.  He's not living here anymore, which is fine with me.  Hopefully being out of the house will help him get his life straightened out.  I really hope so.  

Going out to dinner (sushi) with friends on Friday night.  It'll be fun.  This will be my first birthday spent without Ben since we started dating.  So weird to think about.  I'm waiting impatiently for our passports to come back so we can go and visit him!  He said as soon as I have passports in hand, he'll book the tickets.  I can't wait!  It's going to be hard traveling with an 18 month old, but totally worth it.  

I miss him so much!

Saw my uncle at the store the other day with his new wife.  She's pregnant!  She looks great and they seem to be very happy, so I'm happy for them.  I can only imagine some of the stuff that went on, and it makes sense that things move forward now.  I saw my young cousin too, was nice to her, but unfortunately, she stared blankly at me and wasn't too friendly.  I can't blame her, I'm sure she's been fed the same lies I've laughed about.  Too bad though.

Sold 2 paintings from my etsy shop the other day and shipped them yesterday.  I love doing stuff like that.  It's really cool to think that something I made is hanging in someone else's home.  Such a cool idea!

I'm trying to get to Worlds of Fun sometime soon.  It's been ages since I've been, and I truly love roller coasters!

Til next time!

A birthday wish!

Super Cute!