Easter Celebrations

As long as we have lived in Iowa, Easter has been a holiday we have just stayed put.  Neither Jon or I ever got enough vacation to make a trip to Minnesota possible.  The Keimig family has always graciously made a trip down, and we have done our best to maintain old traditions from growing up, and establish new traditions.

This year Jon joined his parents in the trip to Iowa, arriving late Thursday night.  Having us all together  for just a few short days, and knowing this was the last Keimig family trip to Iowa, we had to make the most of it!  Friday we enjoyed sampling some beverages at a new local brewery before feasting on sushi for our traditional Good Friday dinner.

Saturday was packed full of excitement and adventure...so much, that Mr. Vincent decided he couldn't miss a second of it, and skipped his nap.  First we colored Easter eggs, then spent the morning hunting for Easter eggs and treats at the Egg hunt sponsored by a local grocery store.  Next we spent the afternoon enjoying our first Kernels baseball game of the season.  Vinnie loved being back at the baseball field and even made an appearance on the big-screen.

Sunday morning we enjoyed a beautiful mass, celebrating the Risen Lord through bells and joyous song then returned home for even more egg hunting in our back yard.  The weekend offered beautiful weather and wonderful time with family and it was very hard to return to our quiet house and regular schedules on Monday.  But, it is not much longer before we are together as a family and have grandmas' and grandpa's just a short drive away!  Only 43 more days!

Preparations for our move continue.  My job search has unfortunately not ended, but the good news is, I am starting to hear from schools and will be making a trip north next week for a string of interviews.  I have drafted the letter for Daycare stating Vinnie's last day, the moving truck has been booked, and Jon has taken the week leading up to the move off of work.  In just over a month, this marathon will be over.  When I think about how quickly time has passed in the last month, it overwhelms me.  There is so much to be done between now and then.  This move, that we have been anticipating for so long, has actually snuck up on me a little bit! 

As excited as I am, the anticipation of all the big changes, especially leaving my friends, my students, and my PrairieWood is pulling at my heart strings!  Our time in Iowa has provided so many learning experiences and opportunities for growth.  I had finally found my groove in the roles I love: wife, mommy, and teacher, before this huge blow hit our family.  Now, I am preparing for yet another change, another disruption to our new-found routine, and while this one is definitely for the better, I am still struggling with the idea of change.  I wonder if I will ever find a job that I love and am so passionate about again.  I wonder if I will ever live in a house that I love as much as this one.  I wonder if I will meet people and make new friends that are anywhere as good as the ones I have made here.  When you spend your time alone, you do a lot of wondering...  But, with all the wonder and question that covers this next phase of life, I know that we will finally be surrounded by the most amazing support system, our family.  While they have provided wonderful support from afar for the last several years through prayers, phone calls, skype dates, and visits, there will be nothing better than having them so close by and feeling their presence as Vinnie and our future children grow older and as we move through life.  This Easter was a milestone.  It marked the very last holiday we will be away, and that feels pretty great!

Change is different and different can be good...right?!? ;-)

All our love from Iowa (for 43 more days)...

Spring Catch Up!

Goodness!  It has been almost a month since my last post!!!  So much has been going on at home and work, and in preparations for our big move that I haven't had much time to write.  I do spend most of my nights on the computer, but it is searching and applying for jobs!  So, there is quite a bit of updating to do.  Here we go...

When I last wrote, we were gearing up for a week in Minnesota over my spring break!  I wish I could say we saw anything that looked like spring weather in our time away from Iowa...unfortunately it was more like November/December weather, with even a little bit of snow!  In any case we enjoyed our time.  We spent the first part of the week in St. Bonifacius.  Vinnie got some time with his "girls," which was a wonderful treat!  We visited a favorite indoor playground and spent some time relaxing in the early part of the week.  On Wednesday we headed over to White Bear.  Vinnie spent the rest of the week with Grandma and Grandpa Keimig while Jon and I flew to Washington DC to celebrate the wedding of Jessica and Ian with my extended Foley family.  We enjoyed mild weather, taking in the sights, great food, and making wonderful memories with family.  It was a great trip!

Vinnie and I returned home and set into our routine.  The weather is on the way to spring here, making it easier to go hear and there so we have been venturing out a bit more.  A favorite trip is always the library and Vinnie enjoys reading the books we pick out for weeks after.  I spend a lot of time trying to find that perfect job up North.  So far I have applied for 14 jobs, and I am hoping to start hearing about interviews in the next week or so.  If I could have a job lined up, we could start making preparations for our new life in Minnesota.  Until then it is just a lot of waiting and praying.  Everything is wrapping up in Iowa...we even have a sold sign out in front of our house...so we cannot wait to get the ball rolling on the other side!

Jon is home this weekend.  Vinnie enjoys having him home so much, and I enjoy the company, the rest, and the sound of their playing and laughter.  I don't realize how quiet this house is until Jon comes home and brings it to life!  We took in a little Easter celebration this morning at a local flower shop.  Vinnie enjoyed petting all the baby animals but steered clear of the dressed up cow, bunny, and pig.  I don't blame him, I find them scary myself...  The rest of the weekend will be spent enjoying the weather and enjoying each others company.

Until next time, ALL our love from Iowa!!!