Pretty

I hope that I can always see Indiana through my first summer eyes.

packing

ugh, the packing...

is it ever ending?

ugh, i'm old

For my thirtieth birthday, I woke up and started planning our trip to the UK then we got ready and headed up to the Art Institute of Chicago to see the exhibition, Impressionism, Fashion and Modernity.

When we got to the Art Institute we stopped at their cafe for some soup and snacks before diving into art. 

The exhibition was AMAZING!  I am so glad that I was able to see it.  The show combined amazing impressionist paintings with period dresses that in many cases were the actual dresses that inspired the paintings.  

You wouldn't know it from our pictures but Reese was not having the best of days which stressed out everyone in the Art Institute (or it felt that way).

We stopped at Millennium Park to see the bean.

And Allison joined us for the day!

Then played in the water.

We had cake at my dad's house.  I am laughing here because when they sang, Reese said "dear Lindsey" and my dad said "dear mom."

Then we packed up and headed to the Indiana Dunes to camp with my mom and Marc.  Reese was in a much better place at the dunes.  We went to the beach the next morning, had candied onions for lunch then headed back to reality.  It was a good birthday weekend despite a lot of tears had by Reese and myself.

Eeek!

 I just realized that we will be there in four days and got super excited!

It will be the first time I have taken a week long vacation that was not to northwest Indiana since before Reese was born four and a half years ago!  It is about damn time, if I do say so!

Pool

The pool at our apartment complex opened finally (it broke this spring). We tested it out last night. Verdict= superfun!

Let the weekend begin...

We drove up north after work today. One of the gas stations we stopped at was near a pretty big farm with this guy out front. Reese wanted to milk him :)

Last day

Today is the last day I will spend in my twenties.  Amy sent me a note with my birthday present that did a great job of reminding me how much I have accomplished in my twenties.  When I turned twenty, I was getting ready to begin my junior year of college at IU, going to live in Hoosier Courts with Amber and Beth that fall and was still dating Jon.  Now, I am a mother of a four and a half year old, children's librarian, living in Noblesville.  I never dreamed that life would take me where it has.
Here is a quick snapshot of my twenties:

• Visited Europe two times: London and Florence, London and Greek Isles
• Worked at three museums: IMA, Indiana State Museum, Phoenix Art Museum
• Skydived twice
• Been to numerous new places: Annapolis, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix, Tucson, Las Vegas, New York, Disneyland...
• Graduated with bachelors and masters degrees
• Fell out of love and in love a couple times, then discovered unconditional love when Reese was born
• Navigated the foster system so that I could adopt my baby and become a mother
• Moved cross-country to scary new places twice
• Met some amazing people
• Read many amazing books (not enough)

There is so much more but I have to get back to work from my lunch break.  

This morning Reese ran to the bathroom as I was getting ready and said "Happy Birthday, Mom!"  I gave her a huge hug and said "Not until tomorrow, baby. But that just made my day."  I was freaking out a lot earlier this week, thinking that my life wasn't where I thought it would be when I turned thirty.  But the combination of Amy's words and Reese's love has helped to remind me that it doesn't matter where I think I should be, this is where I am and that is pretty amazing.

Star of the Week

Reese is Star of the Week for this week and next at school.  These are the answers she gave me.

Indiana official

My new license came in the mail this week... there is no going back now.

Sweet Girl

I had to cry a little tonight about the fact that I am getting older this week and things are not exactly (or even remotely close to) what I thought they would be when I turned 30.  Reese was oblivious to most of it but then she noticed.  She came over and snuggled into me and asked why I was crying.  When I tried to explain she said "why don't we watch some Pioneer Woman to make you feel better."  My sweet little girl knows me well.  

Double Take

Reese and Sophia at about the same age at the same place on the playground.

This photo made me realize that they look more alike than I realized.

Friday Fun

Friday was a beautiful day in Tipton.

At my lunch break, I walked over to the French Market that happens twice a year.  I bought a blue ball jar that has its original lid.  It was nice to get out of the office.

I had to stay late at work so when I called Maria on my way home from work to see what her weekend looked like, it took me a little bit to decide to be spontaneous.  Maria and Anthony were taking Dominic to see his first movie at the theater, Despicable Me 2.  So, Reese and I set a land speed record and drove out to Alexandria to see it with them.  I just loving going to old local theaters!

After the movie, Maria had a sitter so Anthony, Maria and I walked over to the Curve (a small local bar) to meet her sister Adrienne and her boyfriend for some drinks.

The next morning was beautiful.  After a yummy breakfast, we headed outside to play.

Cute little baby Myles.

Dominic and Reese drove around the yard.

Maria was really good a making huge bubbles.

Then we took a walk up to the local grocery store for a treat.

M&Ms and a lemonade = happy kids

We stopped on the way home at a small park so that the kids could make a wish.

I am just so happy that Maria has kids too so we can have these days together.  I am very thankful that they have welcomed us in so unconditionally.

Growing like a weed...

Dumbo 2012

Dumbo 2013

Oh the difference a year makes... she is growing up too fast.  

How do I make her slow down?

with Mickey 2012

with Mickey 2013

California Adventures 2013

Hey, wait a minute.  In the middle of the big move, Reese and I took a trip to California to see the Alford family and Disneyland!  It was a great couple of days away from the chaos.  

We drove and drove and drove. Just the two of us.  Reese was a rockstar.  We just had dinner and played outside when we arrived.  The next day we had lunch at the end of the pier then went swimming at a beach on the base.  It was fun to be at the ocean but Reese and I were a little chilly.

Then we packed up and headed up to Anaheim where we checked into our hotel, settled in and then walked over to the Grand Californian where we met the Waznys.

That night Matt and Amy went to Club 33 and I stayed at the hotel will four very excited, very tired little girls.  We had Mickey shaped pretzels for dinner on the balcony, watched some princess bedtime stories and fell asleep.  I'm glad I was able to watch the girls for Matt and Amy so they could have an amazing night out in the happiest place on earth.

The next morning we went to Disnleyland!

When we entered the park, there were a lot of characters just waiting for us!  

We saw Alice and the Mad Hatter.

And the big man himself!

Mickey Mouse

Pinocchio

Goofy

We were just so excited to be there again!

The first thing Reese wanted to do was to go into the castle because we missed it last time.  It scared her a little because it is really dark in there and Maleficent is kind of scary.

Then we went on King Arthur's carousel and Dumbo, where we had a celebrity sighting. In the picture above in the top left corner is the blue sleeve of Vince Vaughn and right over Reese's head is his wife in a black shirt and his daughter in a pink hat.

Then Reese picked out her ears for this trip and we went on the tea cups.

Next, Reese's favorite: It's a Small World.

After that we met up with the Wazny's, had Dole Whip and met Aladdin. 

Then we had a delicious lunch of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans and I don't even remember where, other than Matt knew about it, it was decently priced and we ate like kings.  It was exactly what we needed.

Next Up: Haunted Mansion

Reese had been talking about going on this all this time leading up to our trip but when it came down to it, she was a little scared.  Charlotte sat in our doom-buggy with us and helped tell Reese that it wasn't scary.

These are the best friends anyone could ask for.  I miss them terribly.

Amy and I decided that this would be the cover of their album :)

Goofy girls in line for Pirates of the Caribbean

Then Matt and Katherine went to ride big roller coasters and Amy had to feed Pudge so I took Reese and Charlotte to meet Tigger and Eeyore after riding Winnie the Pooh.

I think we were headed to Toon Town when we saw Cinderella's Fairy Godmother!

Matt was very impressed that Reese was the first one to put up her arms on Gadget Go Coaster.  It is a roller coaster for little kids and Reese loved it.  We went on it three times.

Then we went to Autopia where I learned that Reese should never get a license. Our car has to restart three times because she was so crazy of a driver.

I love this waiting in line picture.

We had dinner at Pinocchio's German place and Reese was starting to get tired but then we went on Casey Jr. and she perked right back up.  She was very excited that we were able to ride in the lion's cage car. 

Then the sun had set and it was getting time for the park to close so I asked Reese what ride she wanted to be our last...

She picked Pirates of the Caribbean!

Then we went shopping for last minute things and walked back to the hotel.

We slept a lot that night because we had had a busy couple of days.  Then after breakfast in bed with her new baby Lady, we packed up our things and drove back to Phoenix.

It was a very quick trip right in the middle of a very stressful time.  And though it was a nice break from reality, I am looking forward to us being able to take a trip back where we have more time and nothing else to think about.  We had a great time and though Reese may not remember our early trips to Disneyland, I hope she remembers that amazing feeling of magic, wonder and happiness.