The Move

Since we've now lived in our new home for 3 months, I figured it was time I blogged about the move! We've been busy working on our house...we forgot how much we loved little projects around the house. It's still a work in progress, but we hope to finish the upstairs soon.

The biggest change has been in the kitchen. This is what it looked like when we moved in...very 80s looking. We knew IMMEDIATELY that the carpet had to go. Who puts carpet in a kitchen?!?! Even though it's small, we knew we could work with this. We planned for new appliances, new counter tops, and new cabinets....along with the new floor. However, all of these changes were not in our immediate budget. Well, the movers changed at least part of that. As they were unloading, Justin and I were closely monitoring their progress. Suddenly

...I become concerned. Where was our refrigerator?!?! So...we questioned the movers. "We forgot it," they informed us. Well, when life hands you lemons...so off to Sears we went. We talked and looked and measured, knowing that we had a small space. We had looked online and decided that a counter depth fridge would work best in our kitchen, but knew they were way out of our price range at the time. So, we went with intention to buy the cheapest one we could find, since we figured it would soon be replaced. We measured...and measured again...and looked...and discussed...and then we stumbled onto our "dream" refrigerator. (Yes, we have dream appliances!) Stainless steel...side by side....water and ice on the door....big. It was on clearance for not much more than the cheapest tiny white fridge they had. Well, you know how I love a bargain, so we measured...and looked...and discussed...and measured again. After determining it would fit in our small space, we gleefully headed for the cashier and made our purchase. We explained our situation and convinced the delivery person to deliver it that day. Two hours later, it arrived, all wrapped in plastic, shiny and new. Immediately I became concerned. It was HUGE. Very, very huge. They brought it in the house, and I started to panic. "It's not going to fit" I said. "It will fit" the boys said. Well...it did fit. Barely. We stepped back and looked at our new shiny, gleaming appliance in the kitchen. I fought back tears and frustration. We measured...3 times. How could this be? "This refrigerator is big...your kitchen really isn't designed for this big of a refrigerator" the delivery man said. "If I were you, I would move these cabinets over here, and then put your refrigerator here." Brilliant. Not in our budget...but brilliant.

(Pardon the amateur drawing, but hopefully you see what he meant.)

With that, the delivery men left, and we were alone with our ridiculously huge fridge. We stood and stared for what seemed like forever. "What do you think?" Justin hesitantly asked. I just looked at him, unable to speak. I walked over to the fridge and opened the doors. I couldn't get through. I opened the dishwasher. It nearly touched the fridge. I looked at the opening where our oven would soon go. My heart sank. What were we going to do? We discussed returning it. We discussed selling it. We discussed moving the cabinets as suggested, but quickly dismissed the idea. For the next couple hours, we were quiet as we unpacked and tried to maneuver in our kitchen. Suddenly, Justin said, "I can do it." "Do what?" I asked. "Move the cabinets" he replied. I asked over and over if he was sure. He assured me he was, so I told him to do it. We emptied the cabinets (less than one hour after putting the stuff away) and the work began. He was nervous. I was nervous. We did not want to replace cabinets...but several hours later, the job was done.

I know it's hard to see in this picture, but we couldn't be happier with the results. Not only did we get to keep our refrigerator, but the kitchen is much more functional now. (I've also refinished the cabinets and we replaced the floor, but more on that later). We still have some work to do in there (including the counter tops) but that will be coming very soon. This project has given Justin the confidence to tackle more projects and do more things himself in the house. I couldn't be more proud of him. I honestly didn't think he could move cabinets, but he proved me wrong, and I'm so glad he did!

All Grown Up

It's official. We have a school age child. There were a few tears on the first day of school...and mommy wasn't the only one that had to grab a tissue.

Alexis really wanted to go to school with "Keisha". As soon as we told her she had to learn to use the potty and be a big girl before she could go to school, the tears started falling. She did great when we walked Kendra in and left, but as soon as we pulled away, she was concerned that Kendra didn't come with us. The tears fell again...and again when she realized she was going to daycare with her big sis. We all have some adjusting to do!

Kendra, however, was happy and excited. She couldn't wait to get there and start school! She had picked out her outfit long ago, so dressing went fairly quickly. We even had time to pick some jewelry. I can't count how many times she asked, "How do I look, Mommy?" Of course, she looked beautiful.

I think there may have been some nerves as we walked to her classroom, but once inside, they quickly diminished. She was eager to join her new friends! She impatiently posed for a couple pictures before eagerly joining her classmates.

It was a great day for her. She was disappointed that she didn't have any homework on her first day of school. Something tells me this excitement will slowly dwindle.

I did pretty good. There was an essay that popped up on my Facebook page that morning. It is so fitting for our little girl, and I teared up twice...when I read it myself, and then when I read it to Justin. I did pretty good when we dropped her up. I teared up as we walked away from her, and cried when I got home...but just a little. She's so grown up, and her infant and toddler days seem like they were so long ago.

Here is the essay I read that morning. Grab a tissue...it's a tear jerker.

I TRUST YOU'LL TREAT HER WELL
The story of a girl's first day of school

World, I bequeath to you today one little girl in a crispy dress, with two blue eyes, and a happy laugh that ripples all day long, and a batch of light blonde hair that bounces in the sunlight when she runs. I Trust You'll Treat Her Well.

She's slipping out of the backyard of my heart this morning and skipping off down the street to her first day at school.

And never again will she be completely mine...

Prim and proud, she'll wave a young and independent hand this morning, and say goodbye and walk with little-lady steps to the nearby schoolhouse...

Gone will be the chattering little hoyden who lived only for play, and gone will be the delightful little gamin who roamed the yard like a proud princess with nary a care in her little world.

Now, she will learn to stand in lines...and wait by the alphabet for her name to be called...

She will learn to tune her little-girl ears for the sound of school bells, and for deadlines...

She will learn to giggle and gossip...and to look at the ceiling in a disinterested way when the little boy across the aisle sticks out his tongue.

Now she will learn to be jealous...and now she will learn how it is to feel hurt inside...and now she will learn how not to cry. No longer will she have time to sit on the front porch steps on a summer day and watch while an ant scurries across a crack in the sidewalk...

Or will she have time to pop out of bed with the dawn to kiss lilac blossoms in the morning dew. Now she will worry about important things...like grades...and what dresses to wear...and whose best friend is whose. Now she will worry about the little boy who pulls her hair at recess time... and staying after school...and which little girls like which little boys...and the magic of books and knowledge will soon take the place of the magic of her blocks and dolls.

And she'll find her new heroes. For five full years I've been her sage and Santa Claus...her pal and playmate...her parent and friend. Now, alas, she'll learn to share her worship and adoration with her teachers (which is only right).

No longer will her parents be the smartest and greatest in the world. Today, when the first school bell rings, she'll learn how it is to be a member of the group...with all its privileges, and, of course, its disadvantages, too.

She'll learn in time that proper young ladies don't laugh out loud...or keep frogs in pickle jars in bedrooms...or watch ants scurry across the cracks in a summer sidewalk...

Today, she'll begin to learn for the first time that all who smile at her are not her friends. That "the group" can be a demanding mistress... and I'll stand on the porch and watch her start out on the long, long journey to becoming a woman.

So WORLD, I BEQUEATH TO YOU TODAY ONE LITTLE GIRL in a crispy dress, with two blue eyes, a happy laugh that ripples all day long, and a batch of light blonde hair that bounces in the sunlight when she runs.

I TRUST YOU'LL TREAT HER WELL.

By Dan Valentine

From the book "American Essays: Sentimental Classics Designed to Make the Heart Sing"

I pray this world treats my baby K well.

Vacation

I know this post is long overdue, but as you will soon see, the Ryan's have been busy, busy, busy! I think since we've moved, we've spent one...maybe two weekends at home, so we have lots to blog about!

Justin and I went to Vegas with a group of friends to celebrate our 30th birthdays. I turn 30 this year (eek!) and so does Justin and one of our friends. We had a fabulous time. It's our favorite place to visit, hands down.

The following weekend, we took the girls to Denver, and were joined

by Grandma and Papa Ryan. It was a fun-filled family get away, and very spur of the moment! We didn't tell the girls, and boy were they surprised when Grandma picked them up at daycare!

We got an amazing deal on an awesome hotel. We could walk right out to the Sixth Street Mall in Denver! Kendra couldn't get enough, and kept saying, "Somebody pinch me!" She's our little city girl.

We spent the day visiting all of our favorite animals. I think we all agreed that the polar exhibit was our favorite! Kendra also got to ride the carousel and train. It was a fun filled day for sure, but rather exhausting for some of us.

That evening, after a yummy dinner at Hard Rock Cafe, we just HAD to take a carriage ride. They had horse drawn carriages that went up and down the Sixth Street Mall, and as soon as Kendra spotted them, she had to go on a ride. Thankfully, I've got my daughter who likes to do things like this! I had always wanted a ride also, but had never had

the chance, so this was a great experience for all of us. Our driver was very interesting and informative. Downtown Denver is full of history!

The next morning, we went to the aquarium. Unfortunately, I somehow lost my pictures from this adventure, but we all had a great time. Though it was very crowded, we still had the opportunity to partake in all the fun exhibits. We watched mermaids, we fed jelly fish, we touched star fish, and oohed and aahed over the various sea creatures in the exhibit!

Justin and I just got back from our latest and greatest adventure together...Kansas City! Justin had meetings for work there, and I was lucky enough to tag along. We stayed at Harrah's and had the best time...when he wasn't in meetings, of course! I got to meet and get to know some of his co-workers, and some other people that he knows through auditing and his current job. It was nice to be able to put faces with names.

All in all, I'd say this is one of the best summers we've had. It's been very busy, but we've squeezed in lots of fun, too. Now it's time for school...and we have a Kindergartner this year. Excuse me while I grab a Kleenex...