California Dreaming

We went to California from January 5^th - January 14^th to see my family.  I flew by myself with the girls (see this post about how that went) and Phil met us there later in the week.  We stayed in a gorgeous beach house in San Clemente and had a wonderful time…

Seeing old friends (Lesley and Peyton…gosh I wish we lived closer)

 

 

 

 

 

The house

 

 

Walking along the beach 

 

 

The Meals

 

 

 

 

Walking around Dana Point

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

'Swimmng' in the Jacuzzi 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mani/Pedis and Shopping with my Mom and Sisters 

 

 

 

 

Meeting My New Nephew Brody 

 

 

 

Hanging Out With My Little Family 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hanging Out With My WHOLE Family

 

 

 

 

Cousins Spending Time Together

 

 

 

 

Just Being An Albini Kid 

 

 

LIVING THE GOOD LIFE

Calm Down

For the first time in days my girls are napping at the same time.  For the first time in weeks (other than while on vacation) I don’t have something that HAS to be done for tonight or tomorrow (maybe by Sunday or Monday, but not TOMORROW). AHHHHH DEEP BREATH!!! Which brings me to my post…

WHEN WILL LIFE CALM DOWN??????

Recently I have been on this roller coaster of BUSY! I know, I know, it will only get worse as my kids get older, but jeepers creepers I feel like a mad woman NOW.

Since October I have been living on a day to day basis; waking up at the crack of dawn (usually earlier, way earlier) and staying up long after the girls go to be (usually way later).  I don’t ever get REALLY behind on stuff, but I’m never ahead; stuff gets done, though usually at the eleventh hour (or 11:45 J).

To bore you with the mundane lists of things I’ve had going on would be ridiculous, you have your own lives, you know what I’m talking about.

WHEN WILL LIFE CALM DOWN?????

Life will calm down when I learn to say NO!!!

Life will calm down when I learn that I don’t have to do everything, I don’t have to be involved in everything presented to me, I don’t have to have a clean house,  I don’t have to be on top of things!!!

Life will calm down when I realize I DON’T HAVE TO BE PERFECT!!!

Life will calm down when I learn to be PRESENT!!!

Life will calm down when I learn to say YES to the important things and put the rest on hold!!!

Here is what I want to say YES to

 

 

 

Flying with Toddlers

DISCLAIMER*** I am not an expert on parenting, or traveling and I am likely to eat my words as soon as I publish this post, so get ready to laugh at me:)

I flew to California by myself with both girls last Friday.  It was a 2.5 hour flight to Dallas, a 2 hour layover then another 2.5 hour flight to San Diego with a 6 month old and just-turned 2 year old.

Now, I have flown by myself with just one of the girls a handful of times and I have flown with Phil and both girls once, but this was the first time by myself with both girls.

I compare flying with kids to starting a house project; I just expect it to go badly, cost more money and time than budgeted and give way more headaches than anticipated. That way anything that goes better than a disaster is a sucsess!

VERDICT: IT WASN'T SO BAD!!!!

Everyone has their own traveling style and their parenting style, and every circumstance can change (ie acts of God or stupid delays), but here is what I did and it worked great for me.

I am a minimalist to the max!!! I only packed 1 suitcase for all three of us for our 9 day trip. I didn't bring a stroller. I only brought enough diapers and formula to get us through a day of travel (I went shopping for those things when I got there). I only brought 1 blankie for Aven. While it would be nice to have some of those convenient tools to bring with you (it's hard for me to live without a Bumbo) YOU CAN LIVE WITHOUT THEM!

When we got to the airport I wore Aven in the Bijorn, wore the diaper bag cross body style, slung my purse on my shoulder and held Emrie's hand while she walked. In my other hand I dragged the suitcase with both car seats stacked on top of it.  I checked the car seats and suitcase and headed for security.

I took care of Emrie first (she wasn't required to, but she wanted to take her shoes and jacket off), then took my stuff off and I was allowed to wear Aven through, which helped a ton. They ran a scan on the liquids (bottles) in my diaper bag and we were off.

We did not sit down once we got to our gate. I had Emrie's walking around as long as I could so she could get her energy out.  Boy, those moving walkways were a God send.

Here comes the tricky part...IN THE AIRPLANE!!!

Emrie had her own seat, but Aven was on my lap which can be a little challenging, just because you need your hands to hold the baby but of course the toddler needs your help with everything too.

I brought coloring books and crayons (they have to be old school) for take off and landing when the electronic devices have to be stowed. That bought me 15 minutes. Then I used the iPad with puzzles, games, books and a couple shows to keep her entertained. The beauty of the iPad is that you have all sorts of entertainment with minimal space.

I'm not big on snacks typically, but I brought some which helped (especially when she started getting too chatty :).

The layover was fine because we ate lunch and walked around.

During our second flight is when I realized something I wouldn't have thought through before...IF AT ALL POSSIBLE AVOID SITTING IN THE BULKHEAD! The key to surviving a flight with toddlers is to keep them busy, but if you are in the bulkhead ALL of your bags must be stored overhead...stripping you of your 'stash' to keep them busy (not to mention bottles, diapers, and snacks). Sure you might get a little extra room, but at the cost of all your 'tools'.

How did I survive this unforeseen challenge? I laid Aven on her blanket on the floor at my feet and let her kick around and play with my empty water bottle. I convinced Emrie that she needed a nap (I gave her a binkie and covered her face with her blankie). Thankfully, she fell asleep for an hour so I only had to entertain her for about an hour after that (good thing I have some books memorized).

Ultimately, just come as prepared as you can and be ready to roll with the punches. In the end you'll get where you're going regardless of the process!

Happy Flying!!!!

Hello 2013!

With a new year, comes a fresh start.  But really, fresh starts are DAILY, actually they are more often even, when we are made new in Christ.  That is really my focus this year (as it should be every year, month, day...etc.) is to be made new in Christ!

Just as many of you have, I have been thinking a lot about my goals and dreams for 2013. Within the realm of being made new in Christ, a more specific theme keeps coming back to me: "Family". Not just my own immediate family (although they certainly are a priority), but this year I would like to do something that I haven't been very good at for a while, which is to connect with my extended family, specifically MY SISTERS!!!

Maybe it's because I am now raising sisters of my own, but I truly see the value in the sister relationship and I am sad that I haven't invested in those relationships as much as I should have over the years. But like Revelation 21:5 says, "I am making everything new" and it isn't too late to start.

My sisters, through blood and marriage, are going to have a HUGE year in 2013: Two are about to (or just did) enter motherhood for the first time, one will become a wife, one might be moving across the country, one has decisions about college and her future...and those are just to name a few!

The challenge to growing my relationship with my sisters, is that we live all over the country, rather, the world, from Arizona to California, to Australia.  But, if you know me, you know I'm a 'Doer', so naturally I had a game plan to facilitate my goal and my sisters and I started a Bible Study on-line through Facebook. We read the same Bible Study and scripture (www.shereadstruth.com) and then we discuss what we've read on a private Facebook page.

The first day of our study we read Geniuses 1 and one thing I took away from the story of Creation is that God made us to be relational. He himself is relational, having three parts; father, son and spirit. He also made Adam and Eve for each other. I don’t believe we are meant to be alone.

So, this year I want to let Him make all things new with a priority on my relationships; My relationship with Jesus, my relationship with my husband, my relationship with my girls and my relationship with my family, specifically me sisters.

I am super excited to study God’s word alongside these wonderful girls as I know it will build each of our relationships together, and ultimately our own relationships with Jesus!
I can't wait to see what 2013 brings for us!

What is your focus this year?

Reviewing 2012

I'm BAAAACK!

After a much needed three month hiatus (from blogging only, the rest of my lift has still been extremely busy), I am excited to get back to writing!

With a new year comes new dreams, goals, and focus.  There is something so invigorating about fresh starts. 

But there is something really fun about looking back and reminiscing as well. Cheering at the successes, laughing at the foolishness and learning from the trials.

Here is a look back at my Top 10 Highlights from 2012:

10. Trip to the Grand Caymans
Phil and I went with his company in February for a President's Trip and it was a wonderful, relaxing time (you can read about here).

9. MOPS
In January 2012 I joined a MOPS group (mothers of pre-schoolers learn more about it here).  It is a Christian ministry that connects moms with other moms and feeds them spiritually and socially.  Starting in the summer I joined Steering (leadership) as the MOPPETS (the children's ministry) curriculum coordinator.  It has been a ton of work, and yet so rewarding!

MOPS Steering Christmas Party

8. Christmas with Phil's Family
All of Phil's siblings came home for Christmas and it was amazing to have everyone together.  Pat and Lindsey (Phil's sister and brother-in-law) came home from Arizona and Tony and Rowena (Phil's brother and now soon-to-be-sister-in-law) visited from Australia!

Having fun watching YouTube videos:)

7. California Visit
Over the Thanksgiving Break, Phil and I took the girls to California to visit my family.  It is always great to go home and spend time with my family, and with the addition of their hot tub...look out!

The park with Grandpa

6. Vacation in Cabo
The could sort of be connected to our California Visit, but Phil and I left the girls in California with my parents and he and I went to Cabo for 4 days on our own vacation.  It was so great to get away, just the two of us, and reconnect!

5. Female Fest
The Fourth Annual Female Fest took place in Idyllwild, California this year in October, and I was so thrilled to go.  It is a weekend when all of Phil's aunts and female cousins get together for fellowship and laughter...but what happens at Female Fest, stays at Female Fest:)

4. My Family's Visit to Indiana
This summer after Aven was born, my whole family (minus Travis and Danielle for very good reasons) came to visit us in Indiana.  We had a fantastic time hanging out at the pool, eating out, going to the zoo and the Indiana State Fair.  It was a wonderful time with memories I will cherish.

Catching a ride from Uncle Kyle

3. Running the Indy Monumental 1/2 Marathon
November 3, Aven was 1 day shy of 4 months and my girlfriend Stacie and I ran a 1/2 marathon in 1:55:22.  I am proud to say I finished it (although it wasn't my prettiest race) and we did it in under 2 hours, so I'm happy.

2. Starting my Etsy Shop, Bundle Up Buddy
On a whim I opened an Etsy shop called Bundle Up Buddy on November 12.  I had NO IDEA the amount of interest I would receive and the amount of joy, pride and fulfillment I would have over this little endeavour.  Who knew I had entrepreneurial spirit!  Here is my shop, browse around if you'd like.

1. Aven Rhyse Van Gelder's Birth
There are three days in my life which tie as my all time best days EVER.  The day I married my best friend, the day Emrie was born and now the day Aven was born.  July 2, 2012 was a glorious day, when our family grew from 3 to 4, when Phil and I became parents of GIRLS and when a Big Sister was made!  All three of us were instantly head-over-heels with our little bundle of joy (along with a lot of extended family)!!! To read more about Aven's birth click here.

Amazing photo taken at the hospital by my friend, the talented Jennifer Dowd

Three Honorable Mentions are technically things that happened this year, but I haven't yet been able to experience them in their full glory as I will next year:

3. Gaining my first niece from Phil's sister, Lindsey and brother-in-law, Pat...ETA March 26!

There you can see that cute little pregnant belly:)

2. Gaining a Sister-In-Law, Rowena...Wedding date TBD, but most likely, October 2013 and SHE ALREADY HAS THE DRESS!

She said YES to the dress...(and, NO, this is not it!, nor is that the bridesmaid's dress;)

1. My First Nephew, Broderick (Brody) Anthony Albini, Born November 20, 2012.  Read all about him on his Momma's blog Albini Photography

I mean, honestly, is he not just THE CUTEST!!!

 

It has been a great BLESSED 2012!!!