To the End of a Chapter!

On June 14th Dad had his final day of work at Porsche Financial in Lisle, IL.  Shortly after we got married, the company made a plan to move the entire Porsche North America company down to Atlanta, Georgia.  We went back and forth with the idea of going along with them, but in the end decided Georgia just wasn't for us at this time in our lives.  They offered great incentives for both moving with them, and for staying with them until the end.  We took the latter and Dad helped in the moving process, as well as, training up new employees to take over his position down in Atlanta.  He was with the company for going on 8 years, and learned a lot through the ups and downs that he faced throughout his time there.  The timing was perfect, and he felt ready to move on to something new.  Back in November he came home from work, looked at me and said, "Let's move to France for a while!"  I was under the impression he was half joking, but in fact he wasn't and so the planning began. 

We have the perfect situation to do this at this point in our lives.  A home to rent out and come home to, no bills (thankful for no debt!), a garage to put our car in, a beautiful apartment to live in while here in France thanks to your loving, hardworking Mamie and Papi, and a flexible little girl (YOU!) to travel along with us at an age that won't shake up your whole life.  We jumped on the chance to have this experience as a family.  To learn where your Dad grew up, and properly get to know the people that surrounded him throughout his life and helped mold him into the wonderful, patient, loving, thoughtful, kind man he is today.  I couldn't be more excited for this journey and all that we will learn together as a little family of three, growing to four in the fall! :)

After Dad's last day of work, we packed up the house, cleaned it with vigor, and headed out to Lake Geneva to spend two weeks with the McKendrick clan before flying over the Atlantic.  Aunt Michelle and your four older girl cousin came up from Florida to join us at Grandma and Grandpa's house!  It was a full, chaotic, loud, wonderful time with the WHOLE family, and such a great way to spend our last couple weeks in America!  We don't get to see the Ott family as much as we would like, so it's always nice when we get an extended time with them.  This was the second year in a row that we all got together in June, and just like last year, they all loved on you a whole, heaping lot! :) You and Aubrey bonded once again, and it was the sweetest thing watching her play and care for you.  If there is one thing you lack in life, it most definitely will NOT be love from your family!! We are blessed with all the chaos that fills the house when we are all together. 

It was so fun watching you, Remington, and Cohen laugh and play together at this stage.  You three are just the cutest, and we can't wait to watch you three grow up together.  Your little brother will have two cousin close in age as well, but just the opposite of you.  Instead of two boys and a girl this time, Aunt Erin and Aunt Janine both are having (had) girls, and we are blessed with a little boy on the way!  All six of you will be so close in age, when years go by it will be fun to see how you all interact together. 

Our time was packed full of memories.  There were days spent at the lake, on the boat, downtown Chicago (crazy!), walking to camp, a lot of time spent in the back yard playing in the sandbox and pool, and a family party for us as a "farewell for now".  It all went by so fast, but was so special and fun to be with so many loved ones. 

It was sad to leave, but are so thankful for Skype and the ability to keep in touch with family even from across the ocean!  The time difference makes it a little tricky, but we will survive, and Grandma and Grandpa will be coming to meet your little brother in the fall.  As hard as it was to leave all the cousins and family, we were so excited to get here to France and settle in to our life here.  It is such a blessing to have this opportunity and we plan to take full advantage of our time here.

At the end of our time with the Ott's, the three of us slipped away for an overnight in Iowa to meet baby Junipar Joy and visit with the Zay's in Davenport.  It was a quick trip, but so good to see family and friends that are really more like family! :)  Aunt Anna joined us, and it was so fun to have her along for the drive and just to be with her.  She reminds me a lot of your dad, and the two of them have always had a special bond.  We love her!

All this to say, we are extremely blessed, and thank the Lord everyday for all He has provided and continues to show us as we follow Him.  Our pray is that this experience will be one that strengthens us as a family and teaches us far more than we could possibly imagine.  God is so good! 

Zaylee Says...

In the last two weeks A LOT has been happening, and as soon as I have time to sit down and reminisce about each of these special events I promise I will write it all down for us to look back on and remember.  In the meantime, I want to update your word bank that has multiplied immensely through all the chaos!

Your words as of 15 1/2 months:

Hot
Mama
Dad/daddy/dada
Hi
Bye 
All done
More
Bapa (Grandpa Denny) 
Baby
Bunny
Caca (Aunt Anna taught you that one)
Night Night
Tonton (Uncle in French, and how you call for Uncle Marc)
Tata (Aunt)
Puppy
Cracker
Book \
           }These two sound about the same!
Bird   /

It's amazing how you have blossomed so much over the last two weeks.  Just yesterday you were "helping me sweep" the living room with a little Zaylee sized broom, and Dad looked at you and said, "Since when is she such a little girl!?"  We love your growing, developing little self, and find you to be so much fun!  You are still so full of life, and are always with a constant smile just as you were as a tiny little baby girl!  We love you and pray you grow to be a kind, loving little woman.  

My Special Day

A few weeks ago, we celebrated Mother's Day!  It was a beautiful sunny day, but a cool breeze filled the air.  Dad woke up when you started talking and quickly scooped you up and took you downstairs to ensure that I could continue sleeping.  He's been doing that a LOT lately, and it never goes unnoticed or without great appreciation!   I heard the mixer going and knew what that meant--breakfast!!  When it comes to breakfast, Dad is the best at making a great spread.  We had bacon, eggs, and  pancakes, and enjoyed our morning together before church.  Aunt Jenny was with us that weekend and snapped a few pictures for us under the beautiful blooming trees before hurrying off to church.

At church we sang, In Christ Alone, which is a song that I have loved for many years, but in the past two years it has hit me in a different way.  When you were growing inside me, soon after we found out about your existence, we sang this song at Bethany Chapel.  As I stood there with my hand on my belly and sang,

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand. 

 my eyes welled with tears as I was hit with the new emotions that come with the realization of motherhood.  Life's first cry.  When we first heard you cry, dad and I cried with you in pure joy, wonderment, and amazement that you were OURS, we were the chosen two to be YOUR parents, and we couldn't have been more blessed with that gift.  My life changed immensely the day I held you in my arms for the first time, and I can't imagine it without you.  You bring me so much joy and make each day so full of life.  I am constantly reminded how blessed I am as you run towards me with arms wide open and squeeze tightly around my neck.  Your sweet little personality and spunky bits with your goofy grin just flood my heart with joy. 

The rest of the day was pretty relaxed, and we even got to hang out with Uncle Timmy, Aunt Bethany, and Liesel for lunch!  Zaylee, being your mom is the greatest honor I have ever been given.  Thank you for making my life so much richer my darling girl. 

Words from Zaylee and a Few Other Things

In the past couple weeks you have started saying a few things, and we find it to be the cutest thing EVER!  Your little voice is to die for, and we just think you are great. 

You still love the word HOT and use it often and whenever something is even slightly warm!

"Hi Dad!" or "Bye Dad!" are your two most used phrases.  You love him, and I love that fact (even when I get a little jealous sometimes ;)).  Today when we dropped him off at work, as we pulled into the parking lot you started waving your little hand saying, "Bye dad!"  You knew where we were and we were quite impressed!  The only person you talk to on your cell phone is Dad, and it is the sweetest thing watching you walk around with the phone to your ear yelling so excitedly, HI DAD! followed by a whole lot of Zaylee talk. 

You LOVE dogs, and get overly excited with shrieks and shrills every time we pass one on our walk, or in the car, or we see one outside our window.  You point and yell hoping to draw their attention.  You have mastered the "Woof, woof, woof" sound and now prefer to use that rather than your form of the word doggie which is so cute to hear you say!  It sounds a bit like daddy, but we know what you are saying :)  Good thing we live in an area with LOTS of dogs and a park that is full of them every day, because it makes for extra exciting walks in the afternoon. 

Along with signing "all done" you can now say it as well.  You have mimicked it for awhile now, but you are officially saying it on your own.  The sign is still used all the time, and for that I am thankful because I happen to love sign language and babies! 

"Please" is probably my favorite sign, and you do it so sweetly with a nod of the head and a very eager, wide-eyed face.  It's adorable, and we can hardly ever say no to you when doing so.  It has been such a lifesaver for our sanity as it stopped the fussing and screaming to get what you want, and we were impressed by how quickly you picked it up and learned you wouldn't get anything without saying (signing) the magic word! 

Every time you snuggle your baby doll or teddy bears, you look at me and say, "awwwww" and I melt.  It is the sweetest thing!!  Dad and I think it's because every time you give us snuggles when we ask we say, "AWW" and you snuggle more intensely. 

You know where your nose and belly button are when we ask you, and you are always proud of yourself when you use your little pointer finger to show us! 

You still love your matchbox cars, and even make a "vroom" sound sometimes when you are driving them across the floor! 

A while ago, you learned how to stack your wooden rings onto the ring holder all on your own.  We of course thought you were a genius :)  It is fun to watch you as you take each ring and place it just right into your other hand and place it over the stand and drop it on.  If you don't get it the first time you grunt in frustration, but most of the time don't give up too easily and other times I help you by holding the stand still to help you concentrate.  It never gets old, and keeps you busy! 

You love shoes, but are still trying to figure out how to get mine on your feet and walk around.  Grunts of frustration usually come with that task as well, and I find it pretty entertaining!  I'm afraid you get that from me, pretty lady!  Sorry about that :)

I am sure there are many more things I could write, but for now my mind is drawing a blank!  Life is getting more exciting each day as you learn and explore, and we love having a front row seat to watch all the changes happen firsthand.  Love you so my darling girl! 

Anniversary Family Picnic

Last week your dad and I celebrated our second anniversary!!  It was a beautiful day outside, with the hot sun beating down on us and a breeze filling the air.  Dad had to work, but surprised us when he came home with the wonderful idea of a family picnic at Herrick Lake where he proposed to me!  It was perfect.  Dad got Whole Foods veggie pizza, I got Jersey Mike's, and you ate Chik-fil-A nuggets.  A bit of a high maintenance picnic, but it was fun driving around getting specifically what everyone wanted :)  It was a wonderful time of just hanging out, watching you run around and greet all the passersby.  You are a happy soul, and it shines through your outgoing smile! 

We always think back on our wedding day with such fond, wonderful memories.  It was such a lovely day (albeit cold and windy!) with so many of our closest loved ones celebrating such an important day in our lives.  Our ceremony is something we will never forget, and were so very blessed by the beauty and heart that went into making it such a wonderful time of sharing our love and testimony through our vows, in front of so many witnesses.  It was perfect.  We loved every bit of that day, and feel so blessed to have one another to go through life with! 

Two years.  It has both flown by, and yet feels as if we have been married for a lifetime already.  We are eager to see where the Lord takes and guides our family, and are confident that He has great plans for our growing bunch!  Life is so very good and we are so very blessed!