Mom's Last Day!

Today marks the last day of my mom working for the American Cancer Society.  Notice I did not refer to this as her "Retirement Day" .  If you know my mom she prefers to look at it a bit differently.  She is not sure what she wants to do in this next phase of her life, but I can assure you she will keep busy :)  My brother and I did buy her a Kindle just in case she wants to take a few minutes to relax and enjoy! 

My mom has always given 110% to whatever she does. Before this job, she was a Nursing Home Administrator and worked at Avera Brady Memorial Home for many years.   She then decided to switch gears and has since worked for the American Cancer Society in community relations and fundraising for over 10 years. If you have been to a Relay for Life event in her area or bought a bouquet of daffodils then she probably had a lot to do with it.   She is very humble, so I am not sure of how many awards she has earned or what they even mean,  but her office shelves are full.  She is a Registered Nurse and has her Masters Degree so who knows where her next adventure will take her. 

Here we are at her party celebrating her years of service at the American Cancer Society offices in Sioux Falls.  My brother could not make it home from Kansas City so he sent her the flowers she is holding. 

Omaha Visit

Here I am with my dear friend Jill Christo during a recent visit to Omaha.  As most of you know we spent 4 years in Omaha while Will completed his Radiology Residency at UNMC.  Will and I can both say it was some of the best years of our life.
 I knew if I was going to be a stay at home mom with very young children and have a husband that worked very long hours that I would need a good friend.  God put Jill right across the street from me.  We met out on my front porch and became instant friends.  She had 6 month old twins and I had 18 month old Lauren.  By the time we left Omaha we each had 3 children under the age of 5.  1 year later we would each add another baby to the mix.
 We spent almost every week day together.  Most of our time was spent in our drive ways watching our kids on their ride on toys or at the neighborhood park.  We went through tons of blow up pools trying to keep cool in the summers. 
Life was simple back then.  We didn't have calendars we followed other then maybe an occasional outing to the zoo or children's museum.  If Will was home on a Saturday we would load up the kids in the double stroller and head to Panera bread for our favorite "Cinnamon Crunch" bagels and a coffee.  If Will had a day off you would find him playing with the kids or sitting on the deck reading from his text books.(He ALWAYS had a book!) I don't miss that at all :)   
We still strive to live a simple life, but times are much different now with kids in activities and various other commitments.  We wouldn't change a thing of course, but we are so grateful for our time in Omaha and the wonderful friendships we made and still have!

 14614 Grand Ave, Omaha NE.  We lived in Northwest Omaha at approx 144th and Maple.  It was a great little house. 

L to R  Courtney, Madelyn, Jillian, Owen, Drew, Ian, Lauren and Sydney.  Enjoying some time at the old neighborhood park.

Red Robin has a special place in our hearts.  It happened to be near our house and we found ourselves eating there quite often.  They always gave you a free burger and ice cream sundae on your birthday so we literally celebrated every single persons birthday at this restaurant for 4 straight years.  We even had the grandparents on the mailing list so they could enjoy a free burger on their birthday as well.  

Cheers to wonderful friends and priceless memories. 

Last day of school!

Lauren with her 4th grade teacher Mrs. Rehurek

Jillian with her 2nd grade teacher Mrs Hoesing

Madelyn with her Kindergarten teacher Mrs Moon

Owen with his preschool teachers Mrs Vondracek and Mrs McClure

Summer, here we come!

Happy Mother's Day 2012

Happy Mother's day to my Mother-in-law!

Happy Mother's Day to my Mom!

Happy Mother's Day to my Grandma Lilly!

I thank God for the ladies in the above pictures that have helped influence, inspire and support me in my profession of motherhood.  Because of them, I have been blessed with these wonderful kids that call me "Mom".  I have the best job in the world! 

 

Spring 2012

 Dance Recital 2012

The girls have been going to dance class once a week for the entire school year.  Yesterday was the dance recital.  They performed to a sold out crowd and did an amazing job!  Madelyn performed ballet, Jillian did a dance/tumbling piece and Lauren was part of a dance team number.  We had lots of fun dressing up and caking on the stage make-up.  Both sets of grandparents joined us and we celebrated afterwards with dessert at Fry'n Pan.

Also this past Spring.....  Here is Lauren performing a solo at her recent Yankton Children's Choir Spring Concert.  She worked very hard on her part and it really showed! 

 The kids completed another year of AWANA.  Lauren and Jillian received awards this year for completing their book as well as a review book.

Owen and Madelyn also completed their books and received awards earlier in the year. 

As most of you know, its been a beautiful and sometimes even HOT spring.  Will celebrated the first swim of the season (in April) by jumping in with his scrubs on.