Wordless Wednesday

Eric and I at a friends wedding, during "date night"!

Interviews, Interviews, Interviews

Eric is getting interviews (Thank God!). Which I'm thankful for but all of the interviews have been out of the Chicago area. I don't mean a few hours, I'm talking hundreds of thousands of miles from our friends and our families. From Canada, California, to Virgina. I know when we started this process, I said I was okay with the whole "relocating" thing. I still am but it makes me a little sad. I know it would be whats best for Eric and his career and I know it would only be temporarily until we could find something back in Chicago but it would be very hard. Thank goodness Eric feels the same way. We've been saying, "We will be happy and sad if you get the job or don't get the job." We should find out about a few jobs in the upcoming weeks and it makes me nervous! I'm nervous because our lives could change in a very big way. It's weird to think about living our families and friends. I'm just full of mixed emotions right now! All in all we are doing okay, unemployment kicked in, which is nice to have that pay check come in each week. God has a plan and we are just waiting to see what it is...

Show Us Your Life - Master Bedroom

Kelly over at Kelly's Korner is hosting "Show us your life" This week: Master Bedroom. Hop on over to her blog to check out other awesome master bedrooms, you never know maybe you will be inspired!

Welcome to our "master" bedroom. Our bedroom is pretty tiny and not much of a "master" bedroom, hence one reason why our house is on the market.  No matter what, I hope you enjoy your tour.

Looking into our bedroom from the hallway.

Our dresser and mirror

Our other dresser with our TV (which we got when Claire was a week old because I couldn't keep my eyes open when nursing her!)

Our night stand. (The picture is from Eric Senior Prom in 2001 - we were babies!)

Our family and wedding party signed this the night of our rehearsal.

This side table was moved into our room once Claire was born. It doesn't match our bedroom furniture but I'm living with it until we move. (The pictures are two of my favorite!)

Since I didn't do "Show us your life" - Living room addition last week. I wanted to add a few living room pictures!

Thanks for stopping by! See you next week!

Wordless Wednesday

Claire enjoying herself at the Renaissance Fair!

Cleaning Out, I Do's and Saying "Goodbye"

Two days after my aunt passed, my dad, two cousins and I started the daunting task of cleaning out my aunts house. I walked in and asked, "where do we start?" How do we start this process, a process I am unfamiliar with. It was weird being at my aunts house, knowing that my aunt would never return. All though my heart knew she was gone, my mind was confused and couldn't yet believe the certain situation was really happening. It was just a strange thing to have to be a part of. We decided to box everything we want to keep to go through and then let all of our immediate family members take what they want. Black garbage bags were for items we would donate to Goodwill (we end up with over 20 bags) and white garbage bags were for items that would be thrown out.  My aunt kept everything, everything. She had two drawers full of old/new documents. My cousin and I went through each and every single piece. Tossing some and saving others to be shredded. The task was overwhelming, boring and amusing all at the same time. We found her baby book, which was so neat to look through. We found old family pictures, some of which my dad as never seen. The whole process took us three days but by the third day, it was empty and cold. It was sad but as I sit here in my house and type, I can look around my living room and see pieces of my aunt and that makes me smile.

Saturday after spending close to five hours cleaning and organizing my aunts house, I had to get home to get ready for a friends wedding Eric and I were attending. I got home, got Claire's over night bag together, kissed her good bye and off Eric went with her to my parents house. She would be having her first over night stay. She was fine, I was a nervous wreck. Luckily, me getting ready took my mind of the whole situation. I got ready and off Eric and I went to a church on the North side of Chicago. The church was absolutely beautiful. The wedding was perfect and the brides dress was gorgeous. After the wedding, we had a little bit before the reception so Eric and I hit an oasis to get Starbucks. I made my first phone call to my parents, Claire was fine and didn't even seem to be worried that I wasn't around. The reception hall was in the Western suburbs and was very pretty. Our table was full of high school friends, which made for an interesting evening. The food was great, the bar was stocked and the music made our table dance all night long. Through the evening I only texted and called my parents three more times (I know but when you have kids and it's your first night away you would understand! Ever time, she was perfect and having a great time getting spoiled!)
After the wedding a few of our friends got a hotel room, we went over there and had a little "party". Eric and I were actually going to drive home, seeing as we are trying to save a little bit of money. Luckily, our one friend had a room with a pull out couch, seeing that his girlfriend was unable to attend, he offered Eric and I the couch. We gladly except. I couldn't imagine driving home at 3:00am. We got to bed at 3:15 and headed for home around 7:30am. Yup, that's less then 4 1/2 hours of sleep. We were bushed but I had to get home to start day two of cleaning out my aunts house at 9:00 am.

Later Sunday afternoon, my family had a little private memorial service for my aunt. It was simple and quaint. There were pictures, baby books, wedding albums, and scrapbooks all remembering my aunt's life. Seeing as my aunt was one of the least religious people, I knew. It was perfect and I think she would have been very happy. Everyone sat around reminiscing about the "good ole' days" I love to hear stories about my dad and his siblings. I love the family time, all though I wish it was for better circumstance. All in all, it was a very successful days full of smiles as we said our "goodbyes" to my aunt!

No Longer In Pain...

Three months after my aunt was told she only had a little time left, she passed away this evening in her sleep. I got a call from my dad earlier this evening saying that she had been unresponsive today. Eric and I grabbed Claire and went to see her, knowing it would probably be the last time we would get a chance too. She had been taking to hospice a week ago and the place was really nice and the people were very sweet and caring. When we saw her this evening, she was sleeping and looked very peaceful. I talked about Claire, the weather, my dad (her brother and her grandkids. Shortly after we got home, my dad called again, letting me know she passed away. Eric and I were in shock. I have faith that she passed while we were there. Eric told me he saw her take a big breath. I have faith that she had comfort in knowing her family was there, which made it easier for her to let go. Now she is in no more pain, now she is back home with God in Heaven.

Thoughts and prayers would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

I'm Talking Stress

Well, the stress we experienced last week...I'm ready to talk about. Eric got laid off. Very, very unexpectedly. It was a shocker to both of us. Although now as he looks back he saw a few signs here and there but nothing that came out and said, a lay-off is in your near future. We are dealing. The day after he got the news, he sent out over 30 resumes all over the United States. Yes, the United States. We are willing to go any where, seeing that it would only be temporary until he could find a great job in the Chicago area. He filed unemployment - which we will start receive next week. Luckily, we are doing okay. It's really nice to have him home. It just feels like he is taking an extra long vacation away from work. On the plus side of things, we were able to take a long weekend road trip to Nebraska to surprise some of my extended family. It was a such a relaxing weekend. While there Eric made a few work connection/contacts. Thankfully we have a wonderful support system! We are just taking everything one day at a time!

Our new quote, "When life gives you lemon, make lemonade!" and that's exactly what we are trying to do!

Wordless Wednesday

One of her new found loves....my water bottle!

I Will Never Forget

Remembering 9.11.2001

A day I will never ever forget.

I will always remember where I was and what I was doing.

I will never forget how I felt the moment, I saw the second plane crash into the second world trade center building.

Confusion. 

Sadness. 

Heartache.

Most of all, I will never forget all the brave men and women who passed away 9 years ago today.

Warning! Tornado Claire!

WARNING!

Tornado Claire has hit my house!

She hits my house, everyday. From the time she wakes up until the moment she falls asleep at night. 

Nothing escapes her path.

 Everything single toy she has gets scattered around my living room. None toys get played with as well. Diaper bags get unpacked and diapers and wipes are thrown about.  Not even books are safe. Books will be covering her bedroom floor in less then 50 seconds.

Be aware! She's cute but very destructive!

And I just think back to the time when I couldn't wait for her to walk! Ha! Don't get me wrong it's so exciting and such a fantastic milestone but Holy Cow! She's all over the place. She only stops moving when she's asleep! Thank goodness she takes an hour to two hour nap a day! Claire is so full of life, you can already tell she will give us a good run for our money when she's older!

Wordless Wednesday

Enjoying a day at the Brookfield Zoo!

Stressed!

 ^{This is Webster's definition of "stress" and this is what I'm feeling today. Something major happened within our family on Thursday. I'm not really ready to talk openly about it on my blog. Hopefully when things get better and are more positive, I will explain everything but for now, I am stressed!}

²stress verb

Definition of STRESS

transitive verb

1: to subject to physical or psychological stress <stressing the equipment> stressing me out>

Wordless Wednesday

The look of excitement - priceless!