A Beautiful Tribute... Florida Style

My Gramma passed away New Years Eve 2015.  She was an incredible woman and it was at her memorial service that I learned just how incredible she was with everyone she met.  She was fantastic in every way, and from hearing from so many family members and friends that day, she was that way her entire life.  My memories though, are of pizza nights, Klondike bars, building sand castles and trees on the beach, and hours and hours spent at the pool with her.  She retired in sunny Sarasota, FL and we would travel at least once a year to visit her on her turf.  She and David would greet us with chocolates from her candy jar, make nests for us on her couch, would play endless games with us, and allow us to 'help her feed' a blue heron that would frequent her patio.  One of my most fond memories of childhood is flying down all by myself to spend a week with her.  She had a schedule of events for us and I can still remember feeling like the coolest kid ever- with the coolest grandmother ever- that week... and when she sent me a scrapbook that she had watercolored all of our happenings of that week- I was in Heaven.  She was amazing... 

What better way to honor her then with a trip down to her happy place- Sarasota, Florida.  My grandmother had two daughters: my mom, and my Aunt Karen.  They decided to honor one of my Gramma's wishes by spreading some of her ashes, together with their families, on the water by my grandmother's home... a small tribute to her- a quiet and peaceful send off- it was perfect.

{can you see why my Gramma loved this place so much?}

   

We took a boat out; enjoyed the afternoon sun and boat-picnic before we came upon her spot...just past the gazebo she used to walk to with my step-grandfather, David...

{a beautiful spot to say farewell for now... we love you, Gramma.}

After the beautiful send off, we spent the rest of the week enjoying each other.  Our families live across the U.S. and we never take for granted the time we get to be together.  We stayed in a large home big enough for us all, complete with a pool just outside the front door- PERFECT abyss for our crew... pure happiness.

But... before I get into that happiness, I want to document a bit of the getting there process...

Traveling with 3 kids is no joke.  Lots of stuff.  Lots of snacks.  Lots of anything necessary to keep the peace.  Lots of patience needed.  Pete and I were 'all hands on deck' as I say.  We knew it was going to be a bit tricky, when we got the notice that our flight was canceled as we were pulling out of our driveway for the airport.  We successfully got on a different flight and all was well...

 

 

{Pete's face says it all;)...and that was even on the return flight- ha!!}

We were all locked and loaded... there was peace... until Ms. Evelyn decided she did NOT want to be a lap child anymore.  She wanted up.  She wanted to run.  She wanted to be anywhere she could be where NO ONE would touch her- ha!  Needless to say, I don't think those around us were so happy sitting next to the Lee's.  No amount of snacks, games, movies, or silliness would keep her still or quiet.  So we just apologized- to everyone- and counted down the time until we were back on the ground.

Such is life traveling with kids?!

As soon as we got there we tucked the little ones in to get some good sleep.. as the rest of the week was spent doing what we love: Family time/Sun Time/Pool Time/Beach Time!  It was a pretty nice 6 sleeps;)!

Maggie was in her happy place: pool time with Papa every morning and endless entertainment from her Aunts and Uncles!!

  

Look at that face!!!!  LOVE!!!

She and her younger sister had such a nice time- they pretty much lived in their bathing suits that week;)!

I think someone enjoyed her first trip to Siesta Key...

...and she was a fan of all the homemade cookin' from her aunts and uncles- YUM!!!

Ms Harper was in Heaven.  My brother's girlfriend, Natalie, decided to bring her niece, Audrina on the trip.  IT WAS PERFECT!!!  She and Harper were inseparable the whole time- so grateful to have met Audrina and enjoy that week with her- fun times!

  

Big sister was also enjoying having everyone together on the beach.  Always someone to take her out to the ocean...

...and cuddle with on the couch!!

This momma was also enjoying her time... so great to have a few days to hang out and catch up with your favorite people poolside.  

A few days in, Pete and I decided (with the help of Nana and Papa watching the little nuggets;)) to surprise Harper with a day trip to Disney World.  

It.  Was.  Perfect.

I would recommend a two-on-one day trip to anyone who gets the opportunity.  Harper has been begging to go to Disney World.  Talked about it for awhile now, and she's always given the same answer: your sisters are still a bit young, we'll go when they're older and you all can enjoy it.  Well, with this trip planned only a couple hours from the theme park, we were able to make this little excursion happen far earlier than we ever thought we could.

It.  Was.  Worth.  It.  

100 times over.

The moment we told her: she lit up and said "all my dreams are going to come true!  Mommy and Daddy- that's the place where all your dreams come true!!!:)"

For Pete and I, as cliche as it sounds, I think one of our dreams came true: enjoying the magic of Disney through her eyes.  Being able to spend this time with just her in a magical place.  She loved holding both our hands through the park, talking about anything and everything Disney, and enjoying a day with her Mommy and Daddy all to herself.  She told us constantly how special she felt... made our hearts skip a beat for sure.

 

{some time at Cinderella's castle} 

{and meeting a few princesses!!!}

{Watching some shows...}

{...and being a part of one- WITH Belle!  Harper was Chip in a short Beauty and the Beast skit- it was the highlight of her time there for sure!}

This guy and I enjoyed our day together with our oldest...

...and I think she enjoyed her time as well.  OUT in the parking lot.

 

Back in Siesta Key, we had a great time with family hitting up all the important spots we'd been to many times before: Big Olafs for ice cream was hit up multiple times- ha!

The last night, we were able to enjoy one last meal together at The Columbia.  Such a fun evening and yummy YUMMY food!!

Great week spent with my favorites.  

Gramma... none of this would have happened without you.  You introduced this family to a BEAUTIFUL place, helped us create beautiful memories, create lifelong traditions, and allowed us all to visit this happy place together this year.  I know we thought of you throughout this whole week and hope you were looking down us through that sunshine.

Florida Trip 2016 - incredible.

Birthday Weekend- times 2 w/some fresh peepers!

After leaving Arkansas, we drove to Minnesota for the final walk through of the house and an appointment with Maggie's new doctor at Gillette Children's Hospital.  House was in great shape for move in and Maggie's new doctor ROCKS- so excited to get to know Gillette for sure.  We left one car and our trailer at the realtor's house (yep she's amazing), and loaded into one car for Indy to celebrate 4th of July with my family- first time in awhile this firecracker baby was able to spend her birthday with her family- I loved it!!

Driving 10+ hours ALWAYS seems worth it when you see this at the end.  Nothing like home... especially when it's decorated for your favorite holiday;)!!

My parent's surprised me by getting a babysitter for our littles, so my sister, Anna (almost my birthday buddy- her due date was actually my birthday;)) and I could celebrate together, at their favorite restaurant, with my other sister, her hubby, and of course my amazing parents for an adult night out- it was awesome!!

Thanks for letting me snap these pics, sisters;).

Parade Day!!!  I went to the Carmel 4th of July Parade EVERY year growing up.  It was great to be back there, doing the parade with many of our childhood friends as well as my own kiddos.  SO MUCH FUN!!!

We all had a blast- Evelyn waved at everyone coming by- ha!

Happy Birthday to me- 33 years in the books!!

And this Nana mini-me was LOVING her time in Nana's chair with the one-and-only Nana!  Hehehe- love her face when she realized she could climb all the way up and then yell for Nana to join her- ha!

Maggie and Papa time.  These two just click.  As soon as she hears his voice, she starts going crazy.  As soon as he picks her up, she pulls at his hands until he'll position her on his lap for her to rock and pull up on his lap- it's so sweet and NEVER gets old, I tell ya!

Rockin' sisters let me tag along for a run and work out.  They may or may not be annoyed at me for snappin' this pic... the sisters that sweat together, stay together right?!

After the holiday weekend, we packed up, yet again, and headed for St. Louis.  Maggie was scheduled for surgery to correct strabismus of her eyes.  Basically, it would straighten out her eyes and help her vision clear a bit.  She did an AMAZING job.  My stomach was knots for a few days prior to the surgery.  I was so worried about all the stress of moving and how it was affecting her- adding a surgery and recovery on top of that I thought, would be awful.  Maggie, of course, rocked it.  She did beautifully through the procedure, her heart tolerated it pretty well, and she was back to herself within a day.  She is a gift.  Truly.

While Maggie rested after surgery, Harper and I went to the mall to enjoy the American Girl Doll Store and the carousal.  She LOVED it!  I swear anything to do with horses- this girl is there.  While we were there though, we had a bit of a hiccup: we weren't going to be able to close on the house as scheduled- we were going to have to wait through the weekend and close on Monday.  Initially, I thought my head may explode as I thought about dragging this moving process out even more.  I wanted to be settled in the worst way, but it ALL worked out....

Remember that sister who was suppose to be born on my birthday?!  Well, she ended up coming on July 9th, which happened to fall on that weekend where we were homeless- HA!  Sooooo, back to Indy we went to celebrate with her and let Maggie recoup from surgery in the familiarity of Nana and Papa's house... no joke, it was a HUGE blessing!!!

The start of 'Happy Birthday, Anna' festivities: going to see the Secret Life of Pets.  Seriously, Anna had this planned long before we were going to be coming home which means she AWESOME, as the movie was so funny- we had a blast!!

SOOOOO much fun celebrating Anna- LOVE that we got to be there!!

... and Maggie (2 days out from surgery;)), was having a blast hanging with her bestie.  She and Anna got this bond that's one-of-a-kind.  I love it so much.

Happy Birthday, not-so-little sister;)!!  

After the festivities, we got the official thumbs-up.... it was time to pack up one last time and head to Minnesota.  We were more than ready to begin this next journey!!!

Last few days on Rosedale...

Our last few days were spent soaking in friends, finishing up packing and cleaning, and taking care of important business- like getting family pictures taken as I was freaking knowing I would have to find a new photographer in Minnesota who could handle our brood.  When would I be able to get in with a new photographer?  Would it be crazy expensive?  How would the girls do 'posing' for someone they didn't know?  Ms. Niki (and her incredible eye with the camera) to the rescue to snap a few shots in the 95 degree, super humid day- ha!  She was a trooper, people, and I'm so grateful to have these shots of the 5 of us in our adored Arkansas neighborhood- THANK YOU MS. NIKI!!!

The Squad.  Pretty much us in a nutshell: myself trying to hold that smile while pleading with Harper to stand still for 5 seconds, Maggie questioning what exactly is happening, Harper's classic goofy smile, Pete begging for it to be over and trying not to sweat- while holding a smile, and Evelyn peacing-out of the whole thing.  Again, Niki- THANK YOU for your patience, friend!!  

And ps: this one is going front and center on our family picture wall- Love!

{I mean when did she start looking so grown-up?!?!  I know it's the Kindergarten-on-the-horizon talking, but geeeeesh!!}

 

{Evelyn had just learned to wave bye bye- the bike riders swinging through the neighborhood were getting' the best she's got- the double wave! ;)}

{And our strawberry-haired sweetheart!  She was so sweet through the whole thing....

...but who wouldn't be having their Daddy tickle them through the whole thing;)!}

{...a little behind the scenes action- the child would NOT keep that bow in her hair no matter what I did!}

{The two of us...sure do love this guy!!}

{The crew once more!}

Thanks again, Niki!  You're amazing... 

 Ms. Maggie spent her last two days with a few therapy session seeing her favorites.  Ms. Mandy and Ms. Tiffany for speech, and Ms. Ashton for aquatic therapy.  I know she's not smiling, but maybe it's because she knew it was the end of her time with them.  Regardless, these ladies ROCK and are the reason little miss is accomplishing all that she is- we miss you all so much, but so comforting knowing you're making the world a better place for little ones with special needs- Go TEAM!!

 

And then it all became real in a heartbeat when this bad boy showed up outside our house.

Movers ended up coming a day later than we thought, but they had out house packed up in no time.  

                            

Walking around a house that looked like this was slightly depressing, but then when you get a knock on your door and welcome these goofballs into your packed-up house, it puts that smile right back on your face...

Maggie LOVED Ms. Beth, the tickle monster...

...and Harper was soaking UP the friend time with her besties!!!

Thank you SO much Beth and Amanda for the last minute hugs, bag of car treats, and all the good bye giggles- it was the BEST!!!

And then THIS crew came by for last minute hugs as well.  LOVE THE PATE FAMILY!!!  Already looking forward to the next time we get to hug you guys!!

 

In true Central Park fashion, there was a water balloon fight the evening before we left.  Harper LOVED it!!  She was able to hang with all her neighborhood buddies, and their parents were able to help us pack up the last of the things into our car.  What a FUN NIGHT!!!

And then... Wednesday came.  I left EARLY with the younger two so they could sleep as much as possible on the way to Minnesota.  Pete hung back with Harper as the movers finished loading our home into a semi (I'm kinda glad I wasn't there for the final moments- would have boo-hoo'ed for a good while I'm just sure of it)... and away we went!

BENTONVILLE, AR IS AMAZING!!!!  I know I was a bit skeptical about moving there in the first place, but I'm telling you, there is something special about it.  The area- so nice, quaint, and fun.  The homes and neighborhoods- fun, affordable, and super safe.  The people- truly incredible.  Love it all and really REALLY hope our path leads us back down that way- until next time- LOVE YOU GUYS!!!

41 Sleeps...

It has officially been 41 sleeps since we packed up our life and headed north to Minnesota.  

41 sleeps since I hugged the necks of our Arkansas family.

41 sleeps in multiple beds as we traveled around for Maggie's surgery, house walk through, a Florida vacation, and our first month's worth in Plymouth, MN.

41 sleeps that were sometimes shorter, sometimes longer, sometimes restless, sometimes peaceful, and sometimes left questioning the journey....

First of all- Minnesota, people, is INCREDIBLE!  From the first moment weeks ago when we flew in to find a home, I was left in awe.  So many trees.  So many lakes.  So much wildlife.  And this flooring bush that I seriously cannot get enough of... I mean it smells FANTASTIC {more on that later- ha}.  So many beautiful parks.  So much amazing shopping and fantastic eating.  And the Targets- I mean- wow... these suckers are the epitome of a momma's grocery dream- ha.  I am enjoying it ALL.  I am enjoying finding new treasures to enjoy with the kids.  Enjoying decorating a new house and meeting new friends.  

It is just change.  Oh man, just typing that word makes my skin crawl.  I suck at it and I don't say suck.  I like my routine.  I like my planner.  I like doing a grocery trip in 20 min flat because I could basically shop blindfolded and know where everything is.  I like KNOWING.  Knowing how to get everywhere.  Anticipating what will happen in a day and feeling comfortable in my own skin around the people who know my weirdness, accept my kids for theirs, and are fine with the utter chaos that is the Lee clan.  I LOVED my life in Arkansas.  It wasn't perfect.  No where even CLOSE, but it was comfortable.  It was peaceful.  It was a life Pete and I had worked 5 years at.  It may have been the hardest 5 years of our entire life, but gosh darn-it... that's what made it so darn hard to leave.  The good, the bad, and the seriously ugly happened there.  But you know- it's what makes life beautiful.  The very best things in life, whether I knew it at the time or not, came with a whole ton of work, tears, and some uncertainty, but THEY were the best: beginning our family, finding our dream home, deciding to go down to one income to continue to expand our family, struggling through losing two children and helping one through a disability, job changes, learning we were expecting another miracle of a child, finding a new dream home to house all the rugrats, and reaching outside our comfort zone and putting ourselves out there to find friends... I mean the list goes on and on.  We worked for it.  We prayed over it.  We fought.  And Pete and I held hands through it all... 

Saying good bye to a place where so many firsts happened was tough.  No lie, I cried many a time just thinking of doing life outside my comfort zone with some of the most incredible people I'd ever met.  It's just hard.  As I get older, change doesn't get easier; saying good bye to friends and a home you'd never thought you'd leave- tough.

The thing about change is, I feel its necessary.  As much as I went kicking and screaming when Pete mentioned the move to Arkansas for work, I went.  I sucked it up, put on my big girl pants (over my growing pregnant belly- ha;)) and I went.  I went hand in hand with my man and trusted that this was our plan.  And it was.  It was 100 times over.  It just took time to see it.

I feel the same way now.  I was a little in shock when the move to Minnesota was finalized.  My head swirly with the thought of acclimating not only myself, but 3 young children to a new city sounded daunting.  I struggled at first, but 41 sleeps in, it gets easier every day.  I still struggle.  I'm still very Arkansas homesick, but I pray.  I pray everyday for us to settle in and find our new place in this great area.  The friends we have made so far- incredible.  The guidance from the community to help us form our new routine- perfect.  We are all adjusting, the kids are finding their groove- and so are Pete and I, but we're doing it.  Getting through the uncertainty together.  It may not be unicorns and rainbows around here every day, but we leave the house every day- we are dressed- and we are working for our new normal.  We are working together and that counts.

So here we are.... 41 sleeps in.  All 5 of us holding hands.  It may sound cliche, but this is my pep talk: we got this.  Every day we work a little more at putting those pieces together, google maps in hand, and finding our new normal.  The Lees are here, Minnesota;)....  now to show all this in pictures!  41 days of memories here we come;).