Sayonara

My current days with Medela are over.

For 12 months, Medela was my partner in crime. We went (almost) everywhere together. Medela even went on the Avon Walk with me. And I must say, it was a lifesaver.

But I do not and will not miss the 2 am visits to keep up with demand (although those have been over for a while...thank goodness). I will no longer need nursing bags (for breast milk...they still transport cows milk to Auntie's), my freezer will have a little more room and my kitchen counter won't include a drying rack.

In the words of Billie Holiday, I'll be seeing you...

Friday I'm In Love

I have many reasons to be in love today.

I'm in love with the fact that LaVor has returned home after almost 2 weeks away. Normally, his "business trips" take him around the state but this one took him across the world. Who thought he'd ever have the chance to go to Saudi Arabia? Not us.

(Notice the guys wearing sandals. Wow!)

Thank goodness for Skype! It made the time apart a tiny bit easier. Tiny bit. Every time The Lime would hear the chime of Skype, he'd say, "Dada!" It reminded me of Evie on "Out of This World".


Our brother-in-law has mentioned how bad the sandstorms can be in the Middle East. Not to mention the heat. When I pulled out LaVor's work clothes to wash, I couldn't believe how much dust was on them. I imagine he felt the same way I did at Girls Camp. The second you walk out of the shower, you feel dirty again.


He was busy working most of the day so by the time he got back to his hotel, it would be after 8 o'clock at night. He didn't have anyone else staying with him, therefore, he didn't feel 100% comfortable leaving his hotel room to grab a bite to eat (no restaurant at the hotel). Based on the "view" from his room, I'd opt for staying inside, too.

(One of the Mosques)

LaVor could only say nice things about the men he worked with. He said everyone was so pleasant and would constantly ask if he needed anything. They even asked him if it was okay to go off and say their daily prayers! He said there aren't many native Saudi's that do his line of work. A lot of them were from surrounding countries since they make more in Saudi Arabia than in their homeland.

The man coordinating the trip was kind enough to arrange a 3 day "layover" in Switzerland, so LaVor could visit with his brother and family.


When we were there 3 years ago (already?!?!), we didn't get a chance to visit Colmar, France. After hearing about the AMAZING pastries they enjoyed, I would have loved to devour with them! LaVor was so grateful for the time he was able to spend with everyone. He just couldn't believe how big the kids have gotten.

Another reason I'm in love? My sweetheart brought me home my favorite thing in the world.

Luxemburgerli from Sprüngli. The most delicious, petite, amazing macaroon I've ever tasted. They lasted 24 hours. Jason and Julie introduced them to us on our trip and when I found out LaVor would be going back, I begged him to bring some home with him. I think I had 3 on the way out of the parking garage of the airport.

He also brought back a darling bag for me and a wooden airplane for The Lime. The Lime makes the perfect airplane noise while he plays with it.

The last reason I'm in love? My two boys were reunited. From the monitor in the terminal, we could see LaVor coming out of customs. As soon as we saw him, The Lime got super excited! I'm sure we broke some TSA laws but The Lime ran through the barrier to give LaVor a hug. I cried. I think LaVor did too.

We're so happy to be together again. There's really nothing better than family.

You can't write if you can't relate - Beck

Sorry Beck, I'm writing.

I don't want to come across as cold, careless, a snot, jealous, anything like that.

I had never heard of Stephanie Nielson until her plane crash. The horrific news seemed to be everywhere; the news, internet, blogs, facebook. I think we were all, those that knew her and didn't know her, hoping for a miracle. I couldn't imagine leaving 4 kids and a husband without their mother & wife.

Based on the video clips I've seen and the stories I've heard, Stephanie was someone that women all over the world admired and related to.

But can anyone really relate to her? And I mean the average mom/woman that has a filthy house, a husband that is gone all day at work, limited space, lack of funds, a car that can barely make it to the next city, gets in arguments with her husband.

It's something I think about. And I think about the poor women who think they have to fit a certain mold and dress a certain way and act a certain way and blog a certain way and entertain a certain way.

Can anyone relate?

Gets Me Every Time

I grew up in a Ford family. I think my sister owned a non-Ford for a few months but other than that, we drove nothing else. In fact, I tried to convince LaVor to use Ford as The Lime's middle name.

I walked into the room the other day and The Lime was sitting on LaVor's lap. LaVor was talking for The Lime when he said, "Mommy! This is what I'm going to do when Uncle Keiffers gets home!" LaVor helped The Lime salute. I think they had just seen this...



Is George not the cutest?

Not a fan of the cars Chevy makes but a huge fan of this commercial.

Tally Mark 16

-Is talking so much. A lot of it still doesn't sound like the actual word but we somehow make sense of it. He does say: Mama, Dada, Dieter, Papa, baby, uh oh, doggy, ball, night night, cheese, water(wawa), keys, phone(baba), lemon(lalalala), balloon (baaaa).

-Understands so much. I'm always amazed.
-Knows who people are. Likes to point at them.
-Loves belly buttons and will demand that you show him yours.
-Giggles like a school girl when he gets near a dog.
-Is only nursing at night, as of the last few days. It makes me sad but he just doesn't seem too interested anymore.
-Loves to look at the pictures on the fridge.
-Loves fruit. I'm looking forward to the Farmers Market starting tomorrow.
-Is like a puppy in more than 1 way. The second we mention going outside, he runs to the door and tries to unlock it. Or at my sister's, if the sliding door is open, he opens the screen and makes a run for it.
-Is doing a tiny bit better at church. As long as snacks are involved.
-Still likes the ABC song and especially likes when you do the alphabet in sign language.
-Is an attention hog. My parents were over the other day and they were playing with all the grand kids. The Lime would stand in front of them, throwing his head back and laughing hysterically so they'd watch him. It worked.
-Thinks that any truck on the road is daddy. He's starting to point to a truck, say "Dada" and then shake his head no.
-Still loves shoes. Especially trying them on and walking around in them. Hilarious.
-Likes to sleep with blankets over his head.
-Is quite the catch.

(Doing what he does best...playing in the dishwasher)

I Wonder

For the last 5 years, I've been looking for my picture from my first year at Girls Camp.

When my parents moved, they found a box of mine that sure enough, had the photo in it.

(My apologies to Ernie Haupt, Sammy Newman and Heather Strom for giving you two faces. I had to scan the photo in sections and didn't do a great job lining it up.)

The Lime was "playing" with it a few days ago and I realized that there was writing on the back.

I had forgotten that one of Zac's sisters wrote me something...

"You are the freshest. Thanx for being Zac's friend. He loves you guys sooo much!! No words can say thanks enough. You make his life easier! Thanx. I'll love you forever and never forget you for that!"

I hope Zac knew how much I loved him, how much I learned from him and how I consider him to be one of my best buds.

Vibrant

I have a vibrant, new, lime green colander from my sister. When she saw it, she said she immediately thought, "Popie!" My room at my parent's (old) house, was lime green and black checkerboard.

She was hoping to get some lemons to fill the colander but didn't have a chance. No worries, LaVor's Grandpa gave me a bag full last night.

The Lime thinks the lemons are balls. He's been carrying one around for a half hour or so, while dragging my umbrella behind him. Not even letting go of the lemon, to eat his graham cracker.


I love the green and yellow together. Reminds me of the A's. And Lil' Wayne's Green Bay Packers song.