Life keeps moving

I have been horrible at keeping up with this and I will continue to try and do better. Since my last post in February a lot has happened!

In the end of February Andy and I were able to go to a Marriage conference with our church in Red Wing, MN. We got to stay at the St. James hotel and go that a great. Book It was a wonderful conference and a great way to check up on our marriage. We just need to work on better at keeping up with the things we learned while there.


In March, Andy's sister Abby came up with their parents for Spring Break. We had given her a ski pass and rentals for her Christmas present and she was coming to cash it in. We did not get a lot of snow this last winter so the snow was not great but the weather that day was great and we all had a fun time skiing.

April was a busy month. Andy worked for Wolter and Raak a tax company doing season tax preparation. He was working at both Sams and Wolter and Rakk so he was gone a lot. Andy's cousin Kevin also stopped in for a visit as he was in Mn for railroad work. We had a great weekend with him. At the end of the month I was able to fly to Dallas for Kristie's Baby shower and the weather was amazing there. She had a wonderful shower and I got to meet her family and see her place. We had a great time catching up with each other.

The beginning of May was Philip's graduation from Iowa State with is PhD in physical chemistry. Rebecca put on a wonderful reception on Saturday as the graduation was at 8 the night before. They made it thru the graduation with out Rebecca going into labor with their second child. CarrieAnn made her grand entrance into the world on May 15 in the morning. Andy and I had time to go to Ames and help with the birth and take care of Lennell. Andy kept Lennell the night of the 14th until I arrived back at the house after the birth on the 15th. CarrieAnn was a cutie with a precious cleft in her chin like my grandmother Mimi. Lennell and I hung out until Rebecca, Philip and CarrieAnn came home on the 17th. My mother was also able to come up and help out with everything. I also finished my physiology class with a B. :)

In June, Philip had accepted a job at Belhaven University in Jackson, MS. He and Rebecca need to make a trip to Ms to find housing. With CarrieAnn being so little she was able to make the trip but Lennell at 17months was not up for being in the car that long. We kept Lennell from the 4th until the 9th. Andy and I made it to where our schedules would work that he stayed home in the morning with her and I went to work and then we would swap. We all slept down stairs on a couple of air mattress. She did great and we did a lot of things each day to keep her busy. At night we would even try to skype with Rebecca and Philip so she could talk with them. Rebecca and Philip were able to find a place and got back into Ames on Saturday instead of Monday like they thought.

The end of June I hosted a baby shower for Bridget a co-worker for her little boy to be born in August. We also mad a quick trip to Kansas and took Rebecca and the girls along with us. Andy's grandfather Malcolm had passes after a very short battle with cancer. We went down for his funeral and then spent some much need time with my family as Philip stayed home and worked on his final defense.

Between June and July we were burning the road to Ames as we only had a few more precious weekends with my sister and her family before they took off for MS. Philip passed his final defense with flying colors and then we all took a mini vacation to Chula Vista in Wisconsin Dells. The boys enjoyed the water slides and the girls just enjoyed being in the water. CarrieAnn even enjoyed the water when she was not sleeping. On the second day we were there we found a toddler lazy river that was perfect for Lennell. She loved the slide and being in the water.

Andy has also played some softball for the church when worked allowed. Sam's has chosen to go to an optimized scheduling which does not allow Andy as much flexibility as he use to have. He is on the hunt for a better job that would allow him to use his degree.

In 4 days we will take off and head to Ms to see my sisters new place and help a little with unpacking and whatever else they need. We can't wait!!!!! In the 2 weeks since they have been gone we have really missed them. We have such a special relationship with Philip, Rebecca and Lennell that we also want that with CarrieAnn. We are currently in progress of what is the next step for our life and where it may or may not take us.

Going Back!

In January, I started a physiology class. This is the first class I have taking in almost 5 years. WOW! I am in the process of updating my physiology requirement so that I will be able to apply to schools if I would like to in the fall. I don't know what life has planned for me in the future but I am getting prepared. :) It has been a little hard getting back into the swing of things, studying, reading, labs, papers, homework, and quizzes. I think that is also makes it hard that it is all online. It has required a lot of time but I am hanging in there. I would like an A in the class but we will see where it takes me.

Also in January, Andy had a little break between the two tax jobs. He finished H&R in December and did not have to start at Wolter & Raak until the end of January. It was nice to have him home at night and he was even able to pick me up from work. It was also nice since I was starting my class and he would help make dinner and clean up. Now he is in full swing of tax season and he usually does not get home until about 7:00ish. I am thankful for the job and opportunity he has to gain more experience but I don't see him very much during this time. Good thing I have my class to keep me busy. :)

Birthday

This year is my last year in the 20's. I turned 29 on the 14th and it was a quiet day. I went to my work out class of Zumba. Then Andy and I ran errands and did some grocery shopping. Church was that night so that we would go skiing on Sunday. I had talked to Dad that night and he was asking what we did and I told him. He said "it sounds like you are growing up". Ha! Birthdays anymore are just another day. I celebrated my birthday with Andy and we had a good normal day. I had lots of calls, cards, and gifts. All in all a great start to another year older.

Family Pictures

Sweet Aunt Linda

On our way back to Kansas, we stopped by to see my Aunt Linda. The absolute sweetest lady I know with lots of spunk! She has put in a long battle with cancer and is doing well. She had just moved back into her house and was enjoying her own space again. We were able to meet her caregiver-that helps her with anything she needs. We had a nice long chat and caught up with each other and life. When Andy and I lived in Texas we would go and see her more then we can now.

Aunt Linda and I

Kansas the Land of my Father

There is nothing better then a gorgeous Kansas sun set. On our final leg home to Kansas I was able to capture this picture of the sun setting. The land that goes forever and meets the sun on the horizon. You just don't see this in Minnesota. LOVE!

Pearce Christmas in Texas

In the middle of our week home for Christmas, Andy and I took an overnight trip to Texas to see Andy's family. We took our gifts for his younger sister, niece, and nephew down with us and got to see them open them. His Aunt Betty's was gracious enough to put on a dinner for the family. We even got to see Dennis and Ben's girlfriend Angie. We ate great food and played phase 10. Man! That game goes forever. We had breakfast the next morning and headed back to Kansas.

Lennell's Quiet Book

The Armor of God

David and Goliath

Jonah and Whale

2 by 2
Noah's Ark

The Front cover with Lennell's Initials.