Summer and Upcoming

Wow, the summer has flown by! An update is certainly in order!

Cullen~ Our lil' man is already 6 months old, fast approaching 7 months. I don't know where the time went! I feel like we had him in February, blinked, then opened our eyes in August. His life has gone unusually fast so far. Watching Cullen grow has been so exciting, but really different than Layla. Bobby and I were so aware of time, and waited anxiously for her to do the next thing, but with Cullen, I feel like we are often saying to each other, "What?! He's already doing ___!" Not that we don't celebrate his accomplishments, but it's as though they sneak up on us, rather than us anticipating them. Of course, it's attributed to the fact that we have two kids now, dividing our attention more, it's just still so amazing to me how quickly the days and months are passing with two little ones. Besides the shock of passing time, I must say that Cullen is doing fantastic. He is healthy, happy, and growing. 3 things I am deeply grateful for, and realizing more and more, aren't the "norm" in lots of the world. He is almost crawling, which is 2 1/2 months younger than Layla did, so we are going to have to furiously child proof everything, stat! Funny enough, there are no teeth in sight yet for Cullen, so he's going to be the toothless crawler for a bit :). He smiles with his whole body, by wiggling and kicking when he sees you, he is laughing like crazy, and is grabbing everything he possibly can. He's pretty easy to love! We are so excited to continue to watch him grow and walk through life with him in it.

Layla~ It's hard to believe we have a 3 year old now! On July 24, 2007 Layla entered our lives, and they haven't been the same since. It seems like just yesterday we were bringing her home from the hospital and now we are preparing for school! Yes, school! Layla is going to be starting preschool this fall, and we are so excited to be able to give her this new experience. Not that I am wishing away time with her, but as a parent, you know when your child is ready for the next "thing." She is so ready for something new, that will give her consistent friends, routine, and something of her own. She will go three mornings a week for 2 1/2 hours, so it's the perfect amount of time for her to have her own adventures, while we still get lots of time with her. We are ecstatic for her! Other than school, she is teaching us patience, how to pick your battles, and how to have your own will. She super vocal about her wants, is carrying on conversations, and is very bright. She puts things together pretty easily, and has memory to die for...even at age 3. She remembers things from a year ago, in detail, and repeats them back like they were yesterday. She blows our mind. Layla got her ears pierced for her birthday and is loving them. She'll be able to change her earrings in about a month, and is already telling me what she's going to put in. Bobby and are so proud of her and can't wait to walk into this new phase with her.

Bobby~ Bobby has been playing soccer, and as his wife, it's been fun to see him be really excited about something. We've enjoyed going to his games and cheering him on. He's picked up the game so quickly! Along with him playing soccer, he is working so hard at school and in his job. Early this summer he was given a very generous promotion that is allowing us to live in a place of our own early this fall. We've been so thankful to be at my parents' house, since moving back from Phoenix in November. We are grateful for the year of "getting on our feet" they've given us, the amount of time we've all gotten to spend together, and the relationship our kids have been able to build with my family. We've known all along that living together was just a season, so the moments we've all had together have been really special. Even so, we are ready for this next phase, and looking forward to this new adventure. We move September 9th, and are doing a lot to prepare for that. Moving is exhausting, but we can't wait, so here's to gearing up for another one!
To my amazing husband: Thank you for working so hard, providing for our family, and doing what it takes to make sure our lives feel secure. You are gold, and I love you more than words can say.

Jess~ I decided not to do school right now, with all of the transition coming up, but am not ruling it out all together. I have a few things lined up this fall, that I am super excited about, so I'm grateful for that. I am excited for the routine that fall brings, and am ready for the shift in seasons. Something about the fall, warms my soul. Maybe it's the colors, the homey smells, the warm food, coziness, and the anticipation of the holidays beginning. Whatever it is, it's my favorite season and I'm extra excited for the fall to get here this year. I can't wait to put up fall decorations at our new place, pick pumpkins in boots at a pumpkins patch, learn some new recipes to fill our home with yummy smells, and to look outside and see the absolute splendor of the leaves changing colors. These are a few of my favorite things :).
Motherhood is wonderful, and challenging at all once. Words can't describe how much I love Layla and Cullen, and how much they teach me about what I don't like in myself, haha. They bring out the good, bad, and ugly in me, and I want to be aware of the things that need tweaking. Life is a rollercoaster, we're never "there," and I'm happy to be learning with each bump and dip that rollercoaster brings.

I'll be sure update when Layla starts school and not let so much time pass! I hope you are all well!

Love to you all!

Grandma Margie and the Bellettini

Everyone in our family got a lovely surprise last week, when my grandma told us that she is going to be moving up to Bellevue from her home in Denver. She has spent all 85 years of her life in Colorado, 57 of which have been spent in her current house, so undoubtedly, this is a huge and overwhelming step for her. Between her desire to not maintain her house anymore, not wanting to live alone, needing help with minor things (appointments, etc), and wanting to be closer to family, the pros of her moving here far outweigh the pros for her to stay in Denver.  I think I speak for everyone in our family when I say that I'm grateful she is making the choice to do this because she wants to, and isn't being forced to because of life circumstances. Grandma wants to make this move, and I imagine there is great comfort for her knowing that she made the decision, and isn't moving because she didn't have another option. That should make this major life change, a lot more exciting and bearable for her. In different ways, our families are committed to making this transition as smooth, and easy as possible for her.

My grandma is a special breed-healthy, self sufficient in most parts of her life, active, and full of energy. She is not in need of any assisted living at this point, and doesn't need many of the things you would think an 85 year old would. Therefore the goal was to find a community for her that provides her all the cushy-ness she deserves, independence, opportunities to socialize and be in a vibrant environment, and where care is offered to her if/when she needs it. Her list of needs and wants were more than fulfilled when we found the Bellettini in downtown Bellevue, a retirement community geared toward preservation of life and fun. My mom and I went to look at it this past weekend, and were overwhelmed with gratitude that this place exists. There is such a focus on maintaining the residents' dignity, while giving them a place to feel safe and taken care of. The Bellettini does a magnificent job of making sure that life is valued. There is not a shadow of doubt in anyone's mind, that grandma HAS to live here! Here are few of the highlights and a few pictures...

1) Its looks and feels like a 5 star hotel. There is nothing "medical" about it, even though that is fully available anytime it's needed. It is beautiful, comfortable, and completely free of any institution-like qualities. It looks like it's straight out of Italy!

2) Assisted living is available as needed, without the residents having to move wings or rooms. The caretakers come to your room, give you what you need until you don't need it anymore, and then they leave. Privacy is granted when these services are needed. A HUGE plus for grandma.

3) There isn't a "3 meals a day" plan, and no cafeteria. The Bellettini gives it's residence a $300 food gift card per month (included in the rent) to use at their restaurants, which are public and make their food from scratch. Grandma will get yummy food and can even take us out to eat every once and awhile ;). Continental breakfast with fresh fruit and pastries are available M-F and isn't part of the $300 gift card.

4) There is a private Cadillac that takes the residents where they need/want to go, instead of taking a bus with others, where you are at everyone else's schedule and mercy.

5) The apartments are only 2 years old, very spacious, and accommodating to whatever you need. They have dishwashers, stoves, washer and dryers in the room, and very well lit.

6) The Bellettini is right next door to the library, one of grandma's favorite places to go :).

7) The Bellettini is in downtown Bellevue, close to all of the things our families do. We will be able to visit often, join her in any activity that is offered, pick her up and take her to things we do, and it's close to Overlake Hospital.

        THE BEAUTIFUL ENTRANCE

        3RD FLOOR APARTMENT-SOUTH FACING

           BEDROOM

       LIVING ROOM W/ TWO-SIDED FIREPLACE

      BATHROOM AND LAUNDRY

 

THE VIEW

 

                                           
               2ND FLOOR APARTMENT- WEST FACING
   (similar layout, just no two sided fireplace and green out the windows)

                                   
     COMMON AREA AND THE RESTAURANT, "TOSCANA"

                         
          www.thebellettini.com

Those are just a few of the highlights that stuck out to us. There are so many other things that are available to her, that will make this transition for her as easy as possible, but those were a few of our favorites.  We're hoping/planning to get her here sooner than later, and can't wait to be able to spend more time with her. It's amazing that through Bobby and I moving from to Phoenix and back, my parents having their house on the market and planning to move to Arizona, and my Uncle George and Aunt Laura trying to move to Idaho, that we've all landed back here in the Bellevue area. This is definitely a huge gift to my grandma. She can feel secure in moving here, knowing plenty of family members will be around to love and take of her, and that none of us have any plans to go anywhere else. 

So here's to my 85 year old grandma taking the biggest risk she has in her entire life, and to all of us getting to enjoy her in this phase of her life at the Bellettini!

We love you so much, gramma!

Rebuilding, Discovering, Questions...and life is good!

I think it's pretty standard and routine that we say things like "life is busy," or "we're moving along," or "time is flying by" when describing how our lives are going. Though at times those phrases ring true, I feel like these past few months have been more reflective, and slower, rather than "busy." Yes, we did just have a baby, and that has added a whole new element to our life, but if I'm being honest, having Cullen has forced me to really pause, and think about what's next for me, forced Bobby and I to ask what's next for our family, and it's put life in perspective a little more. We don't have it all together, or have a grand master plan for our lives, but we are finding value in living life one day at a time, one decision at a time, trusting and knowing that God provides and cares deeply about the details and decisions of our life. I am truly grateful that our life is such right now, that we have the time and space to ask questions and ponder what's next, because I know that life has seasons, and this season of rest and rejuvenation won't last forever. Therefore, I am enjoying our mellow days, appreciating the value of the process and questioning, and doing my best to be open and willing to taking some risks. In the midst of it all, "I know the heart of life is good," and I'm thankful for all that's in it.

A little update is in order!

Cullen~ Our newest addition is doing fantastic. Mr. Moo, as we like to call him (no reason, it just came out one day, and stuck.), is approaching 4 months soon. He is smiling like crazy, cooing like he has something important to communicate, and is super content. I was uncertain about how to love a son at first, since it seemed so unfamiliar to me, but it didn't take any time to love him at all. I distinctly remember the moment I realized "I can do this." It was one of his first real smiles, aimed right at me. Simple as that. Right then, all of my uncertainty was gone, as his beautiful, deep, blue-green eyes looked at me. As he is growing and changing, I adore him more and more, and always look forward to his next new "thing." He's sure been drooling a lot, so Bobby and I are thinking teeth are on the horizon! I am grateful, beyond grateful, he is healthy, happy, and ours :).

Layla~ I seriously could not be more proud to have her as our daughter. She's our precious Bug-A-Boo! I love the way she loves people, her attention to detail, her vibrant expressions, her incredible memory, her wild imagination, her curious nature, her fearless attitude, and her deep joy that is so evident in her carefree spirit. Because she is at the age where she is taking in so much, she is forcing me (in the best way), to be a better mother and person. I love watching her do new things and get excited. She has started, on her own, figuring out how write her name, she is picking up bugs without a care in the world, and is telling us lots of "once upon a time" stories. I am in awe of who she is becoming and all I want to do is give her as many opportunities as possible to discover who she is and what she likes. Watching her grow into herself makes me excited to discover what things Cullen will like, and what special quirks he'll have that are specific to him. Layla and Cullen are more than we could have ever asked for.

Bobby~ He is doing so well at work, and loving his job. Auto-Chlor has been amazing to our family, providing the stability that we hadn't had through a job in awhile. I'm continually grateful for Bobby's work ethic, and willingness to do what's needed to be a good employee, but also a good provider for our family. Along with working hard at work, he is working hard in school. Just another reason to love, respect, and appreciate him. He is doing great in his classes and plugging away. In his free time, he has taken up learning how to play soccer and has joined a summer league with a group from our church. He is loving it, and we're excited to go watch daddy play and cheer him on this summer! Another fun thing he is doing is building a playhouse for the kids. It's going to be Layla's birthday present this year, but obviously when Cullen is old enough, he can play in there too. It's coming along really well, and I'm super impressed at how good Bobby is at stuff like that.  Overall, he's doing great!


Me~ Like I said before, I have been trying to figure out what's next for me in life. One thing I'm doing, is starting classes in the fall through Liberty University, studying in their Psychology program. I am doing online classes so I can have time with the kiddos and work around my own schedule...and Virginia is just too far from here to be a wife and mom ;). I'm excited for this new adventure, and look forward to learning more about how our minds, and the unseen parts of us, work. It's a big risk for me, so I am giving myself permission to take it one thing at a time, change majors if I want to, stop school all together, or do something completely different; I just need to get on the path. I am learning a lot about myself right now, and desire to keep moving forward, growing, and changing. Our church has played a large part in that for me and am I really grateful. I'm finally feeling more settled after two very big transitions this last year of moving back to Bellevue and having a baby, and want to get involved there. I'm excited to meet new people, be in small groups, and serve there. I am in great anticipation for what these next few months are going to bring, but recognize that things don't change or progress without action, so here I go!

I know this entry was a longer one, so thanks for reading it all, if you gotten this far :). I really do enjoy sharing our life with you through this blog, even if it is just a small glimpse. I hope you, dear friends and family, are doing well, and that you are meeting life with questions and readiness. I'm finding those things a challenge, myself, but loving the journey...and wishing the same for you!

With love,
The Cadriel's

Here are a bunch of pictures from the last three months. Family Photos, Playhouse building, and Gainer/Taylor visit to Seattle. Enjoy!