Sweet Memory and a Kind Reminder

This weekend we remembered a good man. Kris' grandpa welcomed me with open arms from the first day I met him, and I was kindly reminded of that this weekend. It's definitely not always easy being a second wife or entering a family that's already established.

I met Grandma and Grandpa before I met anyone else in Kris' family, and before Kris met any of my family. We had to have been dating only about a week or so, but after hearing Kris talk they insisted we come up to Grand Rapids for dinner at a nice restaurant. I wore my red dress, black peeptoe heels and my hair curled. Grandpa wore a sport coat.

After dinner we went back to Grandma and Grandpa's condo. In the kitchen Grandpa put his arm around Kris and I'll never forget what I overheard him say: "This is who you've needed all along. A little peanut for you just like Grandma is for me." Don't get me wrong- anyone that's heard us joke about Bill and Virg's relationship can't deny that at times it could be volatile. But after 64 years of marriage, through the ups and downs, there is an undeniable love there.

Those sentences touched me more than anyone could imagine. Grandpa saw what I felt from the first day I spent with Kristopher. Everytime I saw him he never stopped the flow of compliments- he was a charmer and remained that even after he passed. How could he turn on the charm from the grave, you may ask?

Through his sisters.

I'd never met them before, but SO many times during the past 3 years, Grandpa would tell me how much he wanted me to meet his sisters because  would love them so much.

I met 3 of his 4 sisters at his memorial on Saturday. Right when I needed it most, one of his sisters hugged me and said, "Everytime we talked to Bill on the phone he would talk about how we needed to meet you- that we would love you. He was right."

So, Grandpa, there are a few things I am eternally grateful to you for:

1) Always seeing what Kris and I have- from the very start, and never once questioning it.
2) Never letting us wonder how very loved we were by you.
3) For passing your class and grace in every situation onto my husband.

Your legacy continues on and you will be missed tremendously by our family.

Three years ago- all snazzied up!

Can't believe I'm saying I'm ready for Monday...

This is NOT a weekend that will go down as a good weekend in the Karolkiewicz book of weekends.

You know those weeks where you just feel under attack by Satan? I'd have to say, this seems to be one of those weeks.

On Thursday of last week my mom and I went to visit my Aunt, Uncle, Cousin and her family, and her brother and his girlfriend at a cottage out in Whitehall. It was fabulous to see them all, and we had a great day... except for when Keegan and I drove home from Grammy's house in Grand Rapids. He screamed from the time we got in the car in her driveway, until we got home, had our bath and were rocking in his rocking chair. BUT, during our drive I found myself getting VERY frustrated with him.

But then it struck me...

I HAVE a screaming baby in the backseat. So many people would kill to have a screaming baby in their backseat, but for one reason or another can't. Suddenly that drive took on a whole new meaning to me. I turned to Smile FM (the BEST Christian station in mid Michigan!), blasted the music, rolled down the windows and worshipped- all the while with Keegan screaming in the back seat! :)

Keegan and I rocked to sleep and when we said our prayers at about 8:15-8:20. We had a really strong desire to pray for Kris' grandpa just then- who we knew wasn't doing too well and was just placed in hospice care. We got a call from Kris (who was at school at the time) just a few minutes later that he had just passed away. It's incredible how God places people on your heart in their time of need.

Kris was very close to his grandpa, so it was really hard for him here in the past few months to see him deteriorating away the way he did. If anything, he was more relieved to have him pass so quickly.

Here is the link to the Obituary, and the funeral arrangements if anyone's interested:

http://www.tributes.com/show/Bill-Karolkiewicz-92058604

We both took Friday off of work and spent the day up in Grand Rapids with family. We were able to see Grandpa one last time- it's incredible how once the soul's gone all that's left really is just a shell. It was nice to be with everyone, but it was definitely exhausting for us. On the way home I started just not feeling right. We went through our bedtime routine, and were pleasantly surprised with Keegan Michael slept for NINE AND A HALF hours!!! However, I woke up at 5:00am sick as could be. I was convinced I had food poisoning because I didn't have a fever or anything. We ended up going to my Aunt's house for a pool party that we had all planned on for a couple weeks. I'd been SO looking forward to it, that there was no way I was gonna let a little food poisoning get in my way!

We hung out for a few hours, and I slowly began getting more and more sore. I got home and I just KNEW I had a fever. I took my temp and it was nearly 101 degrees. Not that high, but enough to feel junky. I felt bad that I had been near Keegan all day- and I felt bad that I didn't want to be near him anymore. That's an AWFUL feeling when he wants his momma and I just couldn't do it. Bless Kris' heart- he really helped me out last night.

We all went to bed, and Keegan slept Nine and half hours AGAIN! Luckily, I was able to sleep 8.5 of those hours straight, too, and so that helped. However, this morning, KRIS woke up at 5:00am with the same darn bug that I had! Absolutely awful. So today we've been struggling... It's so hard to act like a big baby when YOU'RE sick when you actually HAVE a baby who can't take care of himself!

I'm starting to feel a little better, so I'm praying that as Monday comes, the week can start fresh and we can put all of this behind us and enjoy our week and our family. Because we are blessed. So incredibly blessed.

I'm convinced that when you start really focusing on how blessed and contented your are with your life, and the gifts God's given you, Satan tries to attack from every angle. Whether it be trying to get on your last nerve with a screaming baby in the backseat, or bringing up your insecurities, to even wearing on your physical health... HA! All of the above this weekend for the Karolkiewicz Family! :)

Needless to say, I'm ready for Monday and fresh start to a new week. Here's to a better weekend next weekend!

Zephaniah 3:17: The Lord your God is in your midst, a might One who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing.

Start of the Week, Start of the job!

This has been an awesome week and  half. I have been working so hard to try and pass my Life and Health and Property and Casualty licensing tests. Studying has been so much harder this time around trying to get everything down with the baby around, however, I'm pleased to be able to announce that I am DONE with studying! Last Monday I passed my Health test with an 82% and Friday I passed my Property and Casualty with an 85%... What did I learn from these tests?! I am a VERY GOOD GUESSER... :) Ha!

I'm so glad to be done and I've SO enjoyed starting at the agency. All I've done is train so far, but I have to say- it's a totally different atmosphere than anywhere I've ever worked. They're so "open-door" and want to talk about any issues that you may have. They are encouraging, understanding, and SO family oriented. Totally awesome, huh?! A girlfriend of mine put it into perspective for me, perfectly... Essentially I have two weekends every week! I work Monday and Tuesday, then have Weekend #1, then I work Friday have Weekend #2! I am LOVING it! And to top it off, Keegan's day care is RIGHT by my work, so I've been able to swing by on my lunch break and give him some snuggles and a bottle. I love it.

This past weekend we had a little family reunion in Frankenmuth (for anyone that doesn't know: Frankenmuth is called "Little Bavaria" of Michigan. It's adorable and they have the best chicken restaurants ever). We walked around downtown quite a bit, swam at the indoor waterpark at the Bavarian Inn (where we stayed), ate out with family, and the next morning visited Bronners (the largest Christmas store in the world- open 360 days a year!). Here are some pictures of our wonderful weekend:

Mmm... Bavarian Inn chicken!

The guys swimming! Ha- my cousin, Ashleigh, pointed out the water coming out of Kris' head. HA!

Laughing at his Pappy...

My mom wanted to take our picture at Bronners... as soon as we started smiling, Keegan started peeing all over me... Somehow his diaper had scooted to the side. AH! That's why we're posed so goofy!

So now, Keegan Michael and I are off to enjoy Weekend #1. Probably just running errands, but we'll be enjoying each others company while we run them!

On a serious note, please keep Kris' grandpa in your prayers. He's not doing well at all and is more than likely headed to a Hospice facility. Kris is very close to his grandpa and it's definitely not an easy thing for him to be going through.

Thanks for reading- I hope everyone else enjoys the next two days as much as I will! :)



Three months old today!

Keegan Michael, you are THREE MONTHS OLD Today!!!

Time goes by faster and faster every day. I feel like I just did your two month post... but you know they say time flies when you're having fun... and we have been having fun!!!!

You're still wearing size one diapers, and I think you'll be in those for at least another month. You don't go to the doctor until four months, so I'm not sure how much you weigh, but if I had to guess I'd put you at about twelve pounds. I know my arms are starting to get sore when I carry you around for a while!

You're starting to outgrow your three month clothes and are starting to wear some six month clothes. You're still super skinny- so in shorts you actually still wear a couple of newborn pairs! But you seem to be growing inches every day. Whenever people see you they say you look much bigger... but I still think you're small for your age. You're growing proportionately so I think you're still in the 20-30 percentile.

You go through phases where you ONLY want Mom, or you ONLY want Dad. You are a joy to have around, except for when you only want the other parent... :)

We gave you baby food for the first time yesterday... Your first meal: Green Beans and Sweet Potatoes! Just a little of each, but you loved it, and seemed to react well to it. We won't be switching you to that exclusively, but maybe once every couple days or so just so you can start getting used to it!

You're also starting to grab for things... Better start picking up a little better than I do, or else I have a feeling that pretty soon you'll be getting into things a lot more!

You and I are no longer breast feeding. You weened yourself after getting used to having thickener in your bottle! I tried to for a while, but you would cry and cry. You're just a big kid!

You've gone to daycare a couple days a week for the past couple of weeks so you can adjust and so Mommy can study. You've been a HIT and such a good boy when you're there. You finish every bottle when you're there... Funny, you putz around a lot more when you're at home with mom!

You smile ALL the time. You're a very happy boy, and you have a dimple on your right cheek, just like Mom! You've also started belly laughing this month! So far Mom's the only one to really be able to get you to deep down belly laugh... Don't worry, Daddy. I'm sure SOMEDAY he'll be saying "Good one, Dad!"

You've been consistently sleeping anywhere from 6-8 hours straight a night... Granted, there's always an exception, but you do great!

Things you LOVE: whistling, Baby in the Mirror, walks in your jogging stroller, singing with Mom, "baby weights" with Dad, baths and swimming, bedtime stories (Goodnight Little Pookie, If I Could Keep You Little and Childrens Bible Stories are our routine!)

Life is better and better every day that passes with you. I love learning your likes and dislikes, and getting to see your personality continue to develop!

Thank you for being such a joy, my lovey bug!

First Round Family Photos!

Last Monday we had our first professional family photos taken. {jenn anibal}and I have known each other since kindergarten, and it's so fun to now have her as our family photographer! Jenn took Kris and my engagement pictures and was also the incredible photographer at our wedding. Praise the Lord we had someone with such an artistic eye since it down-poured during our outdoor ceremony! But it made for the most incredible wedding pictures, and the sweetest memories. I think it really IS good luck if it rains on your wedding day :)

If you need a photographer, please don't hesitate to use Jenn. She's incredible and works out of both Grand Rapids and Detroit- and almost everywhere in between!

Here's a couple of our favorites from her blog today:

Isn't she fabulous?! I just love them and can't wait to get the disc so I can print some up and hang them up on our walls/shelves. They'll be just darling in Keegan's nursery.

I will say, I picked up Keegan from day care today while one of the women in the infant room was showing him off to the women in the toddler room. I walked in just while she said, "Isn't he the smilest little baby you've ever seen?" That was one of my proudest moments of my life so far... It's funny how I used to find pride in having a good month at work. Now I couldn't be happier to hear that my baby smiles for other people, A LOT. Good boy, Keegan Michael. Good boy. :)

Wonderful Weekend, Diet Declaration!

I think this will go down as one of the best weekends of Summer 2011. We've been very busy, and nothing inparticular stands out as a highlight... but it was just a perfect summer weekend. Yesterday we took off early and spent the day in Grand Haven, Michigan on the lake shore. My husband spent so much of his time as a little boy during his summers up there- so it's nice to see him enjoying it so much.

We already had plans to go out there on Saturday, and when my sister-in-law, Tracey, heard we'd be out there, she decided that she and her family would meet us out there. It was great to have their company! Grand Haven tends to be very busy on Saturdays during the summers, but we were lucky enough to still get a parking spot in one of the prime lots right on the beach.

My little stud-muffin was a little champ:

We had a beach umbrella and brought our stroller onto the beach so he was able to rest in there in the shade as well. He had all the teenage girls at the beach fawning over him... HA! (I'm not going to lie, I didn't really like that because I instantaneously thought about how I will have to lock him up when he's older...)

We had ice cream and also had my favorite: Pronto Pup! They have the most delicious little corn dogs. Mmmm!

Today my Uncle Dan had his retirement party after (I believe) 30 years of service as a Fire Fighter. It was a beautiful party and it was so fantastic to spend that time with family and family friends that I hadn't seen in years. Keegan (of course) swam in my Aunt and Uncle's pool for over an hour and is exhausted. All this excitement this weekend has helped Keegan sleep for over eight hours straight the past two nights. It's fantastic!

Needless to say, after this weekend I am on a diet. I think that if I don't lose this baby weight before it gets cold out, it's never coming off. Just sayin'. So, I'm publicly announcing that I am officially dieting starting tomorrow! Hopefully that will give me some sort of accountability that if I break this diet, everyone will know :) HA.

So hold this girl accountable, PLEASE! Just about 10 lbs left to go, but those are THE HARDEST to lose!

I hope everyone had as fantastic of a weekend as we did over here.

I also hope that I lose some of this weight soon because I'm no good on a diet.

And, I hope that you'll pray for me as I prepare for my Property and Casualty/ Life and Health Insurance licensing tests... :)

New job, new look, big day!

Well I posted on Facebook earlier today that I will no longer be working at Chase as of today. THAT is the big secret way that God has been working in Kris and my lives, and I'm so glad to be able to finally share it. I will be working at a local insurance agency part time, as opposed to full time at the bank. The thing about Chase, too, is that they don't have normal "bankers hours." Most days when I worked I didn't get home until 7:00 or so, and had to work about every other Saturday when I wouldn't get home until 3:00.

They were great to me, however, I would have the worst possible time being away from Keegan all that time. What's even more awesome is that the man I am working for is an incredible Christian man, who runs his business accordingly. He even told me when I interviewed that he was looking for someone with a servant's heart, and that HIS job is to be a servant to his employees! WOW! I had been praying that God would open a door for me to spend more time with Keegan, and when I got the phone call from this agency, and then when I sat in his office interviewing and he said that, I KNEW it was an absolute answer to prayer.

Don't get me wrong- going from full time to part time will definitely put a strain on us financially. But I'm confident that God is good and He will continue to provide for us. HE placed this opportunity with an amazingly understanding and family focused company in my life, so I know He will continue to watch over us and provide on a daily basis. I will now be home FOUR FULL DAYS A WEEK! Yay!

Any of my coupon clippin' friends out there: I will be needing lessons! I want to be a super couponer now! Ha! More like I NEED to be a super couponer now!

OH, and Hey! Anyone notice the new look to my blog?! Look at me become a little techier! I will try to mix up the page design every season, just for a little change! :) If I still have this summery looking design come the end of September, someone please remind me... I'm trying to be a hip blogger and from what I see, it's "hip" to change your design... HA! Sometimes I love saying things that make me seem so old!

Anyway, the baby fell asleep early tonight, so I will enjoy Dateline before bed... Oh how my Friday's have changed... very much for the better! :)

Enjoy your Saturday, all!