The beginning of change...

From here on out (for the next few months), it's possible that our posts will be less frequent.  It's also possible that I'll continue to blog on a regular basis just because it's nice to reflect back on all the pictures and document these moments in our lives.  However, I'm giving fair warning to my parents and good friend Katie, just in case I can't keep up :).  

There haven't been many times in our marriage that we've felt overwhelmed with all of life's events, but I think it's fair to say that in the past couple months, our minds haven't rest.  It's playoffs and this is the 22nd consecutive year that the Red Wings have made it to the postseason.  This is Randy's 8th season with the team, 6th since we've been married, but each year, it sneaks up on me like a kid in a cookie jar.  We literally plan our days and weeks around each and every Red Wing win or loss.  Randy is back in Chicago for Game 7.  Of course I'm rooting for the guys, however, if they do win, Randy will be heading to California for a week for the third time in the month for the Western Conference finals.  With the lockout, the playoffs are extending into June which means that I'll get a good 6 to 8 weeks of uninterrupted time with Randy before training camp in September.  And that's just hockey...he still has a business to run which means that when he is home, he's "really" not home because he's making up for lost time at the office.

So while he's away, I try to hold the fort down as best as I can.  I have the absolute best in-laws that anyone could ask for and their support is fabulous.  However, we have a few "extra" things happening around here that I'm trying to manage....

*Getting all the details in order to close on our current home at the end of June

*All the things that come with building our new home in Northville (mainly Randy's responsibility)

*Registering Helaina at her new school for this fall

*Organizing the subdivision garage sale for next week (how did I find myself in charge?)

*Organizing our things for our garage sale next week

*Packing for our temporary move to my in-laws mid-July

*Preparing to be a groomsmen in Jeff's wedding this August!!!

*Preparing the room, attending class, making materials, and studying for our new ministry at church that begins this Fall!

And all the while, little man has a severe case of separation anxiety when it comes to mommy, so I practically drag him around on my leg every. single. place. that I go during the day.  

But, life is good. Our families are healthy and we're making some really awesome memories along the way.  

Last week we visited Grandpa on Lake Erie.  He was there for a fishing trip with some guys, and we drove about an hour and half to visit him on the beach.  It was a warm day, and the kids loved the sand, the water, and time with Grandpa. 

She's our little fish...probably only 60 degrees but that didn't stop her!

Trying to skip rocks like Uncle Frank.

Uncle Frank, my dad's youngest brother, was there too.  He helped the kids with their sand art.

1 perk of being marred into the hockey world...tickets to Game 4 with some pretty awesome people from back home!
Shaun, Whitney, and Chris...not so happy! Me...totally thrilled!

Our rainy Memorial Day barbecue at Randy's parents' home.  Caden (Jen and John's son) is so big now, and Helaina enjoyed being "mom" all afternoon. So fun to see the kids interacting.

Progress on the new home...windows in.

Zoo #3

Here are a few pictures from the last week.  We are nearing the end of the school year and anticipating summer break! However, as with most years, almost every weekend on our calendar is filled.  All with happy and celebratory occasions, however, with so many activities, it is sure to make the summer go quickly.  

Zach at his weekly gymnastics class...  We discovered this class a couple years ago, right before he was born.  It's nice because it's a weekly drop-in class so if you have to miss, you're not out any money.  This school year, Zach and I went on Thursday mornings while Helaina was in preschool.  A little mommy and Zach time is always fun!

Our wild man is outgrowing this slide. 

Helaina was the class "helper" on Thursday.  With only a couple more days of school for the year, I know she is going to miss her school and friends that she has enjoyed for the last 2 years.  I hope to stay in touch with some of the moms and kids, however, we know there will be a transition period when she starts at her new school this fall.  The good news is that her 4 year-old preschool will also be her elementary school so this is the only transition she'll have to make for the next few years.

Randy had a project to complete at the house before we close next month, and it's always best to do those kinds of things when the kids are not around.  So I called my mom and on Sunday we made an impromptu trip to Battle Creek, MI and Binder Park Zoo.  I have to laugh because this is our 3rd Zoo visit of the year.  Glad we have the Detroit Zoo membership though because we get half price all other reciprocal zoos in the US.  It has been several weeks since we've seen my family, so the kids were beyond happy to get some Grandma time.  

Easter and Mother's Day

Happy Orthodox Easter! Christ is Risen! Indeed, He is Risen!  I really look forward to this time of year as we focus on Jesus' resurrection and the everlasting hope that will forever fill our lives.  My heart melts as I hear Helaina tell people, "Jesus rose from the dead.  Jesus Lives!"  Last week, we celebrated the Easter weekend with our family and at church.  Easter Mass begins at 10:30 pm on Saturday evening and lasts about 3 hours and ends with a very early breakfast Sunday morning.  Unfortunately, we do not attend that service with the kids being so little.  However, there is an Agape service on Easter Sunday that is followed by an egg hunt for the kids.  Helaina and her friend, Lauren, enjoyed finding the eggs throughout the church lawn.  This girl will do pretty much anything for candy and chocolate! 

                                                           

                                                            

Sunday evening, Randy's parents hosted an Easter dinner at their home.  There were eggs hidden throughout the lawn for the kids to find and they prepared a delicious meal that we all enjoyed.  Zachary and his lamb-chop...perfect holdin' for his chubby hands!

Hunting eggs with Auntie Georgette

 The beautiful cake made by Teta Helen! The kids were literally screaming when they saw her creation.

With the absence of Helaina's afternoon nap on most days, she's been spending a lot of time with her neighborhood friend, Grace.  This picture is very bittersweet for us as the days at our current home are numbered.  It's such a treat to walk out the front or back door, see a friend outside playing and join in the fun.  We're very sad for the kids to leave these friendships, as good neighbors are hard to replace.  I definitely have said a few prayers for our kids during this transition.  Hopefully God will place some more wonderful people in our lives as we continue our journey to Northville.

Friday night, I was able to attend my first NHL playoff game with our cousins Emann and Rana.  Thanks for the babysitting time Aunt Abla!  The game was a thriller in true overtime fashion!  Wings won and took their show on the road, back to CA, for game 7.  As I'm writing the puck is dropping.  With a win, the team will head straight to Chicago tomorrow for round 2 of the playoffs.  Being the sports junkie and competitor that I am,  I continue to cheer them on even though Randy being gone is not always easy for us.  More than anything, the kids have begun to really notice his absence and are counting down the days till he returns.  Such a great experience each year for Randy as you never know when they might bring the Stanley Cup home to Detroit!

So as this night is ending, I'd like to wish all the wonderful women in our lives, a Happy Mother's Day!  To my mom and my mother in-law, THANK YOU!  Thank you for loving us so well and always knowing exactly how to help and support us.  Thank you for loving our children and making them feel special every day.  We are blessed to have both of you as our moms and grandmothers.  

What we've been waiting for...

It's been 6 long months and we have been desperately waiting for the first signs of spring and we are happy to report that IT'S HERE!  The weather the past 2 weeks has been fabulous, and we have pictures to prove it.

Now the challenge is setting the outdoor boundaries for our wild man.  On this particular day, we failed...dirt in the mouth and he thinks it's hilarious.  I find it quite ironic that Zach needs a wet wipe next to him at all meals so he can wipe his hands/mouth after each bite, however, he doesn't feel the need to clean himself after a meal of dirt.  

Last Sunday was Palm Sunday for Orthodox Christians throughout the world.  Teta Helen made the kids beautiful candles with flowers for the procession at the end of mass.  The kids were thrilled to share Mass with the Khoury family.  It's a long Mass, over 2 hours long, so I was quite impressed with how well everyone did.

2 weeks ago, Helaina started a new class at the YMCA.  At this point, we allow the kids to take 2 classes a session.  It gives them something to look forward to but still allows for us to have plenty of free time throughout the week.  Helaina chose swimming and the sports sampler and Zach chose swimming and open gymnastics.  This particular week was soccer in her sports sampler.  Ironically, she is the only girl with 9 other boys in her class.  Since the weather has turned, Helaina also rides her bike to all of the classes since the YMCA is located right behind our subdivision.  I'm thinking she might be ready to take off the training wheels sometime soon!  

Trying on his sister's new shoes

Detroit Zoo for the first time this year! Daddy was away all week in Anaheim, CA for the first round of the Red Wings playoffs.  Not easy to say goodbye Sunday night, but we settled into a good routine and with the help of nice weather and great in-laws, we enjoyed our time together.

Coloring Easter eggs with Sitty and Teta

We had inspection on our current house Friday morning, so Seedy and Teta offered to take the kids to the airport for a unique field trip.  Helaina has been before, however, this was Zach's first time.  Seedy and Teta get them visitor badges, and then they have access to several areas around Metro Airport.
What could be better than first-hand experience of security, escalators, the tram (train), lights in the tunnel between the concourses, handmade lunch at Taco Bell, the club, and lots and lots of goodies.  I do believe our children have had some amazing experiences in their short little lives.

Today we were able to meet our friends from Indy at the Fort Wayne Zoo.  It's the older kids second visit, but for Zach and the babies, this was their first time there.  I feel so blessed to have these woman in my life and to be able to experience their precious children.  Even though we're only able to visit a few times a year, the kids look forward to their time together.  Upon arrival, there's always hugs and kisses and hand-holding and of course, intense silliness.

Probably my favorite picture yet...7 children, all 4 years old and younger.

This is what tired looks like after a week of fun!