Mom and Dad

My parents having been living in China since January 2010. I'm not sure how long they will be there, my dad is there for work and the longer he can stay there the better. He loves it...it's a challenge, provides great job security, and he's able to make a little extra money to beef up his retirement. My mom has been able to visit a few times over the last year, but this was dad's first time back to Ohio since he left. Even though we can Skype, it's not the same as being able to call them any time you want. I can talk to them first thing in the morning, or at night...it's a 12 to 13 hour time difference depending on if we are on daylight savings or not. Most of you women can attest to the fact that there are certain times in the day you just need to call your folks right that minute. That has been one of the hardest challenges. Another tough part about them being on the other side of the world, is not having family here in Ohio. Ben and I are both from different places and Ohio is not one of them...my parents living an hour away was one of the reasons we stayed here...that was an adjustment to realize I'm okay here with or without my parents. I've come to terms with the fact that we have a great life here in Northeast Ohio. The other thing I've learned and thought a lot about since they left is family relationships. None of us are perfect and the sooner we can be gentle with ourselves and others, the better our relationships will be.
For the last two months, I've had a ton of fun having my parents come and visit. My mom has been in the states since Christmas, visiting us here and family down in Georgia, and my dad was able to visit two weeks during that time. Family is important! Here are a few pictures of some of the memories we made while they were here.

My dad went with the boys and I to a fun candy/ice cream parlor.

This is us celebrating my Mom's 51st Birthday!

Until next time...we love you and miss you already!

Oh yeah, another thing I'm learning...it's so important that we reach out to all those we know that don't have their family around, or family that has passed from this life.

Happy Valentine's Day!

We just wanted to wish you all a Happy Valentine's Day, filled with LOVE!

Fast!

I've finally figured out how to download or import some home videos onto the computer in order to burn them onto discs. Of course I got nothing else done yesterday because I would put in a new tape and go to walk away while it imported and would be stuck to the screen while watching every second. The funny thing was, I wouldn't sit down, because I thought I would just be watching for a second and thirty minutes in, it would finally dawn on me that this would be so much more enjoyable if I would stop leaning over my computer with elbows on the desk and just give into the moment. Even though I still have little ones, those few family home videos we did take have reminded me how far we've come in just a short time. It truly has gone by so FAST. It was amazing to see the growth in our family, the growth in the kids, and in our home decorating. I sometimes catch myself thinking too much about the future, or the next project I want to start on the house, and forget that the fun is happening right this minute and to enjoy what's happening today. It made me want to spend more time, plain and simple.

When I figure out how to organize all this footage and burn it onto a DVD, maybe I'll try to share a few clips on the blog. Until then, here's a few pictures that show the growth and how fast time flies!

Ben and I the month before we got married, June 2003

Our wedding reception August 2003

Ben's Graduations, May 2006

October 2007

July 2009

November 2010