O Christmas Tree

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, how lovely are your branches.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, I just don't want to take you down.

As you can tell I am having a hard time bringing myself to take down our Christmas Tree this year. I just love sitting at night with the lights low, fireplace on, enjoying to glow of it's beautiful lights. I keep telling myself that I will do it when Mom goes home and since she leaves tomorrow (after a 2 week visit) I guess the time has come. I order to prolong to joy awhile longer I decided to take some pictures of it and some of my favorite ornaments.

A double decker bus like those we rode in while visiting London

Bell given to us by Mom last year (we get an ornament each year)

Looking Ahead to 2009

As we speed toward the New Year, Mike and I not only reflect on the year gone by, but think about what we would like to accomplish in the one to come. This year has seen many happy events including the building and moving into our dream home, visiting a new state (CA), and welcoming our first nephew into the family. Along with these happy events we have faced some struggles that we continue to work through. These include death/illness of family members that are close to our hearts, the continued struggle to start the family that we so much desire, and watching those around us receive the thing that we so desperately seek. Though we rejoice with these friends and family, it is difficult to endure the repeated disappointment over something we feel meant to do.

Considering the ups and downs of 2008, these are the goals that we have set for the coming year:

1. To finish settling into our new home and continue to improve upon it.
2. Relocating Mom to WI so that she can be close to us.
3. Settling me into a permanent position within the clinic system, therefor getting a routine.
4. Last, but certainly not least, to start a family. We hope that this year will bring the addition of a little one to our hearts and home.

If you could please keep us in your prayers as we start this new year and strive to achieve these goals it would be greatly appreciated. We wish everyone a Happy and Healthy 2009!!

Merry Christmas from the Stormes!!

Home At Last

Even though we are sad to be back in the snow and out of the sun, we are really glad to FINALLY be home. It's a long story, but the highlights are, we were supposed to fly out of San Diego at 11:30am on Sunday morning and finally took off at 5:30pm San Diego time. This delay put us into Chicago after midnight last night. Since there was no way that we could stay awake to drive home, it was another night in a hotel for us. To make things more complicated, my Mom was supposed to fly into Chicago yesterday, and as those of you that live in MI know, with all the snow no flights were leaving Grand Rapids. Finally today at 1:00pm Chicago time we met up with Mom and headed back to WI. Tomorrow it's back to the real world, BOO WHO. At lease we had a GREAT trip with an extra day to sight see. I will leave everyone with our favorite picture from each day. ENJOY!!

Monday:

Through it was raining, it was great to see the Pacific Ocean

Tuesday:

Mike and I at the coast. It was hard to explain to the Mexican gardener what we wanted, where was my high school Spanish when I needed it.

Wednesday:

The ABC Christmas party was really fun and we had a great meal with good company

Thursday:

Mike and I got to see the beautiful sunset. Together this time.

Friday:

Jin Jin the 16 month old giant panda at the San Diego Zoo. She was so cute!

Saturday:

The view from the cliffs of Point Loma was amazing. My favorite part was the tide pools.

Sunday:

This was the view from our balcony in San Diego. We were sorry to have to leave it :(

Hopefully we can go back again sometime.

Party People!!

Tonight Mike and I had the pleasure of attending the ABC Supply West Regional Office Christmas party. This was held at the Chart House, a very beautiful restaurant right on the Pacific ocean. We had a great time and are very grateful for the hospitality that has been extended to us by the members of this office. Here is a photo of us all gussied up and having fun.Tomorrow is Mike's last day of work and then we are off to San Diego to stay until Sunday. I am very glad that I will have a sight seeing buddy soon. It gets lonely being in a new place while Mike is at work and wanting to share my experiences with him. I can't wait to explore with my husby. Love Ya Babe!!!

Day 3 of Californication

Though day 1 and 3 of Californication were overcast and rainy, day 2 was beautiful. Mike was able to take the morning off and we went for a drive down the coast to La Jolla where we snagged these gorgeous photos. This one is a view from the cliff looking north toward Los Angeles. We decided to take a steep set of stairs down to the beach to get closer to the Pacific.

FYI: the waves can and will come all the way up to the cliffs. I learned this the very wet way.

Overall the trip is going really well, even with the rain I have gone somewhere different everyday. One of my favorite things that I saw was yesterdays sunset. Having only ever seen one over Lake MI, it was a majestic sight to behold. I will leave you with some great shots of that sunset. ENJOY!!

3 Months Old

Today my nephew Cohen is 3 months old. Mike and I had the pleasure of having Cohen, his Mom and Dad, and Grandpa and Grandma stay with us this weekend for an early family Christmas. This marked the first time that we had a baby in the house, but as you can see things went really well.

Cohen loved hanging out with his Aunt Kate

Mike and I had the pleasure of presenting Cohen with his first Christmas present. This included a fun red and white reindeer outfit, complete with hat, and a penguin friend. Cohen loved his new outfit and sported it for the present opening festivities.

This was not the end of the presents that Aunt Kate and Uncle Mike had for Cohen. There was still the soft and cuddly blanket that I started when we first heard about the little guy joining our family.

I know that this will be his favorite blanket, that he will take to college with him one day.

So Happy 3 month Birthday little guy. We are so glad that you came to join our family!!

Day from H-E-double hockey sticks!!!

This has just not been a good day for me. It started out with me leaving my house at 6:45AM, getting to work to assist with a procedure that involved placing a camera in an area of the human body that NOBODY wants to see, and just culminated in a very large butcher knife falling out of a cupboard only narrowly missing my face. Had I not jumped back at Cheetah speed, I could have lost an eye. Try explaining that to workman's comp. I think that this is one of those days that I should have stayed in bed with the covers over my head. All I can do now is keep repeating my mantra of, 3 days to Cali, 3 days to Cali, Thank God Almighty only 3 days to Cali. If I survive today I will most surely make it...RIGHT????

Snow, Snow, We're Going Away!!

On my very treacherous drive to work this morning, in my husband's little POS car, I had an interesting thought. As I was cursing the little cars handling on the snowy roads I thought, "I hope that the rental car that we get in San Diego handles well in the snow." Note to reader, I put this in quotes, since I have a tendency to talk to myself in the car. Then it hit me, "YOU IDIOT, there is no snow in California!!" This made me very happy to think that next week at this time I will be sitting on a beach with a good book. Only 2 more days of work and one family Christmas (at our house) stands between me and the California coast. YIPPEE!!!

Life is Flying By

I can't believe how fast the last few months have gone. Mike and I spent the whole summer waiting for Sept, when the house would be done, and now we blinked and it's almost Christmas. This year Christmas seems to have really snuck up on us since we are celebrating with Mike's family next weekend, then heading to San Diego. My Mom will be here for 2 weeks when we get back and then it's 2009 already. Where does the time go.
A little update on our week. I was able to pick up my truck last night, and $930 later, it runs exactly like it did before the transmission broke. Oh Well!! Last night was also my first night alone in our new house, which for those of you who have known me for awhile, was something that until 2 years ago I would never do. Note to parents out there: Don't make your kids afraid of everything to keep them safe. It really messes you up as an adult. Mike is in KS for a few days and will be back late Saturday night. He is supervising inventory at a branch in Kansas City. At least I know that he is missing me too, since he called about 4 times last night (only during Greys Anatomy commercial breaks), what a great husband. Tonight I am off to Girls Night In with the cutest little girls in WI. Then lunch plans tomorrow and some cleaning, GO ME!!
Lastly, in case anyone missed to countdown on my sidebar, it's only 8 days until we leave for California. Jealous Much?

Car Update

Well, they figured out what was wrong with my car, nothing big, it just needed a NEW TRANSMISSION!!! Why me?? On top of that it needs 4 new tires, since the tire that was replaced this summer, due to a leak, was the wrong size and ruined them all. You may be asking yourselves "What is this going to cost?" Not much, just $700 and change. On top of all this Mike is leaving tomorrow for Kansas for 3 days, which leaves me on my own to wrap this all up. LUCKY ME!!! So, it looks like it's going to be at least one more day with the Caddie and then my truck may be "running like new". But since it has always SUCKED, that doesn't fill me with warm fuzzes. Keep your fingers crossed.

Car Trouble

The saga that is my life took an interesting turn last night. Just after leaving work I was traveling down Highway 14, a very busy 4 lane road, when I heard a loud thump. My car stopped moving and when I tried to push the gas pedal the engine only reved. Finally, after a few minutes of panic, I was able to shift it into 2nd and drive 10 mph to my house. For those that are thinking these things happen, let me clarify, I drive a 2007 LEASED trailblazer that I have had for 2 years and have had in the shop upwards of 10 times. Yes, I drive a LEMON!! So, now my car is at the shop yet again and I am cruising in a 2008 black Caddie. Maybe they will forget that I have it and I can keep it...A girl can dream.

Thanksgiving in MI

It's been awhile since my last post due to a extended trip to MI and the lack of Internet. Mike and I spent the Thanksgiving holidays staying in Holland with my Mom and getting together with various friends and family.

As always our first stop was to see our Little Man Owen. Mike and I had the honor of presenting him with his first ever Christmas present. In typical baby fashion he was more interested in the wrapping then the gift inside, as illustrated by his death grip on that bow.

Later he did warm up to his gift and as you can see here is now cruising in style. Unfortunately this was or last visit with Owen until after the holidays. We will miss you little one and can't wait to see you in the new year.

The rest of the trip was spent doing various family activities. Mike spent Thanksgiving day with his mom's side of the family, while my Mom and I had a relaxing Turkey day complete with a "chicken wing feast", MY FAVORITE!

Friday Mike and I hung out with my Mom and took her to see a movie. We saw 4 Christmases which was hilarious and so true. It was really good to spend time with the three of us and just have fun. We tend to be really silly and always end up making fools of ourselves. But hey, if you can't be crazy with family, then what's the point.

Saturday took us up the Howard City to spend the day celebrating Christmas with Mike's dad's side of the family. This is always a wild and crazy time, with lots of laughs and a few tears. I think this is a good time to share my new favorite quote, "Christmas isn't Christmas until somebody cries" as said by donkey in Shrek the Halls. If everyone looks back over Christmas's past I am sure they will see the truth in this. Overall, the day went really well and it was great to see family.

Here is my favorite photo of the day:Mike and I with our new nephew Cohen...What a cute group!!

So after a very tense 5 hour drive home, it's back to the real world for 2 weeks, then we leave for CALIFORNIA...YIPPEE!!! Ta ta for now. Kate

Staying Positive

So, as many of you know or have guessed, Mike and I had another disappointing month in the world of fertility. This was the most crushing negative, since we had indications and feelings that we were finally successful. After a few days of feeling very down and depressed, I have decided that I am going to stay positive and look on the bright side at the great things we have. I have started to exercise, get out of the house more, and let go of the negative thoughts and feelings.

With Thanksgiving just a week away and my attempting to look on the positive side of life.
Here is a few things that I am thankful for:

• The fact that Mike and I both have good paying, secure jobs that we enjoy
• The fact that though I have lost a lot in the way of family these last few years, I have a Mom that is extremely interested and involved in my life
• The goods friends that I have made here in Cheese town and the strengthened friendships with people back in MI (Absence really does make the heart grow fonder)
• Our wonderful new home that shelters us from the wind and cold in a time when so many people are homeless
• My wonderful husband who has been with me for 10 years now and has supported me through every storm and in every mood, be it rational or not
• Last, but not least, the fact that though we may not have everything that we want, we have a lot. There are many people out there who are going without the basic comforts that we take for granted.

This list is going to be my new focus as we continue trying for the family that we so desperately seek. Thanks to everyone for your continued thoughts, encouragement, and (this is really hard for me) PRAYERS.

Today is a "RAINY DAY"

The day is cold, and dark, and dreary;

It rains, and the wind is never weary;

The vine still clings to the moldering wall,

But at every gust the dead leaves fall,

And the day is dark and dreary.

My life is cold, and dark, and dreary;

It rains, and the wind is never weary;

My thoughts still cling to the moldering Past,

But the hopes of youth fall thick in the blast

And the days are dark and dreary.

Be still, sad heart! and cease repining;

Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;

Thy fate is the common fate of all,

Into each life some rain must fall,

Some days must be dark and dreary.

Weekend Raod Trip

This Saturday Mike planned a great road trip for us to go on. First we started out with a tour of the Jelly Belly Factory in Kenosha. This was really fun and included free candy and a train ride through the factory. Everyone loves themselves a Jelly Belly!I named this guy Jelly Belly Bob. He is a sour cherry JB, which is the number one in the USA.

Here are Mike and I wearing our oh so cool hats and posing with Jelly Belly Bob. Following the JB factory Mike and I had a great time shopping at both the outlet mall and the artsy, fartsy town of Racine. I know my husband is the greatest. LOVE YOU BABE!!!

GOOD NEWS!!

I just heard from my friend Diann, who's not quite 2 year old daughter Madeline had her tonsils out this morning. The news is very good!! Madeline is out of surgery and resting comfortably, "cuddling with Daddy". Though she will have to spend the night at the hospital at least the procedure is done. Rest well little one. Love Kate

Encouragement Please

So, I know that this sounds pathetic, but with us moving away from family and friends and me not having any siblings, I need some encouragement. As some of you know Mike and I have been trying for about 7 months to have a baby without any success. This is very disheartening, especially for me working in a clinic and seeing all the pregnant women, half of them not even wanting to have a baby. Added to this is the fact that though we are very happy for our new nephew, but somewhat jealous and wondering why it can't happen for us. So if anyone has any encouragement or inspiring words please share them. Thanks for letting me pour my heart out. Kate

California here we come!!

So Mike and I are going to get an early Christmas present. Mike's company is sending him to California to train some other employees the second week in December, and I get to go along!!! We are going to leave Dec 14th and return on the 21st. Neither of us has ever been to the West Coast and are really excited to take a vacation. We will be staying in southern California, near San Diego. If anyone has been there, or know anyone who has, we would appreciate any info. Looking forward to the sun, fun, and time away. Kate

Another Birthday Shout Out

I would like to send another birthday shout out to my little guy Owen. The big "O" is 4 months old today. He is growing up so fast already. Here he is reading a book with Dad.

Look at that concentration. He's going to be a smart one!

Happy 2 week Birthday Peyton Delaney Sanford!

I thought that everyone would enjoy a picture of Peyton Delaney Sanford. She is the 2 week old daughter of Jack and Lori Sanford (Hiligan). I recieved this photo last night and since she is 2 weeks old today I thought that I would share. ENJOY

Isn't she a serious little thing.

Busy Weekend!!

This past weekend was a very busy one for Mike and I. We started out with a 4 hour drive back to MI on Friday afternoon. We wanted to get their early to visit our favorite "Little Monster" Owen. He was actually only dressed like a monster and as always was a adorable angel.

Saturday was a very special day that started with Mike and my first visit with our new nephew Cohen. Though Cohen is proving to be quite a fussy baby, he took to me right away and was content to lay in my arms and "talk". The hour visit went by much too fast and before we knew it it was time to head to our next engagement.

The original reason for our trip back to MI was to attend the wedding of Amber Frost and Ben McClain. Amber is one of my sorority sisters and was a bridesmaid in our wedding. It was a beautiful wedding and really fun reception. A huge CONGRATS goes out to the new Mr. & Mrs. McClain. Mike and I were blessed to share in your special day.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!Enjoy the cuteness that is Owen!!!

It's Pumpkin Time

I just thought that that since tomorrow is Halloween I would take this opportunity to share a picture of the cutest little pumpkin in all of the patch.This is baby Owen who belongs to my best friend Leslie. Though he may not be my "official" nephew, I will always be his Auntie Kate. This picture is one of my favorites since the outfit that he is sporting was picked out with love by yours truly, right down to the strippy orange socks. He REALLY is a little pumpkin!!

Welcome to the Family

Just a little update on the post that I brought you yesterday. I just got off the phone with my sister in law Renee and the meeting last night went well. Sunday morning I will be an aunt for the first time when Casey and Renee bring home their new son Cohen Adam Stormes. Mike and I are very happy for them and look forward to meeting him when we visit MI next weekend. I hope to have pictures to share soon. Kate


Updated 2:30pm WI time:
Here are a few photos I just received of Cohen's first meeting with his new parents:

Welcome Baby Girl Sanford!!

I know that some of you remember Lori Hiligan and Jack Sanford. What you may not know is that they were married a few years ago, moved down to NC, and were expecting their first baby. Well, as of 4:30 am this morning, they are no longer expecting, but welcoming Peyton Delaney Sanford into their family. She is 7 pounds 13 oz and gorgeous. I wish that I could show everyone her picture, but the only one that I have is on my phone. Mom and baby are doing well and I will keep everyone updated. Please keep Jack and Lori in your thoughts and prayers in this happy, but stressful time. Thanks! Kate

New Nephew

I just thought that I would ask everyone to think and pray for my brother and sister in law. They have been trying to adopt a baby for about a year. Yesterday they found out that there is a one month old boy in foster care that's Mom choose them to be the adoptive parents. They are going to meet him today and then can go from there. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers and I will keep you posted.

One Year Later

I know that it is hard to believe, but it has been a whole year today that Mike and I left everyone we knew and loved and moved across the pond. Lake MI may not seem very big, but it was a HUGE leap of faith to leave the home that we had always known and move to another state. Looking back I wouldn't change a thing. Mike has a great job that he loves. I am working normal hours and love my job. Last, but not least, we have made a few GREAT friends here that make our time away from work tons of fun. Speaking of those friends, today we took a trip to a local pumpkin patch with Diann and Nadine, my friends from work, and their beautiful daughters. Here is a group shot from the wagon ride that took us through the pumpkin patch.From left to right: Mike, Giana, me, Megan, Madeline, and Diann (Nadine was taking to photo)
Hopefully the next year will bring an addition to our family and many more happy memories. I keep everyone posted.

Making Our House a Home

Well, Mike and I have been in our new house for almost 3 weeks. A lot of the unpacking is done and now it is time to decorate. In the last few days we have been putting our own personal touches up that make a house a home. Many of you have been asking to see the inside and how things are shaping up...so here go's.

First is our kitchen complete with stainless steel appliances and a large wooden dance floor. What, doesn't everyone dance in their kitchen?



Second is the dining room which is much bigger then our last one. I hate to say it, but this is the first time we have been able to see the top of the table since we moved in.



Last for right now is a few shots of the living room, which is really cozy and a great place to curl up and watch a movie.



I hope that these pictures tide everyone over. I will post more as the decorating continues.

ALL MOVED IN!!!

SO, the BIG move is over and we are OFFICIALLY living in the new house!!! YIPEE!! The only down side is that we can't find anything and have boxes, boxes everywhere. On the bright side, we had our new bedroom furniture delivered yesterday and it is even better then we had hoped. It was great to actually sleep in a real bed last night. The next to weeks will be filled with lots of unpacking and organizing, and then it is back to MI for GVSU Homecoming Oct. 11. We are very excited to see friends that haven't been together in a long time. Most of all I can't wait to spend time with my little Owen who is growing up so fast. I am looking forward to some cuddle and dress up time with my little guy. Well, there's lots to be done and never enough time, so I should get to it. Hope to see everyone soon. Kate