My favorites: Nursing and pumping

My little baby turns 6 months old this week!  Hitting that milestone is a big one for the both of us.  Nursing didn't come easy for me and my fist kiddo, and I was determined to try to make it work, and last longer.Now here we are at six months and still going.  

It is so interesting to see how different two kiddos can be.  Yes, all babies need diapers, a place to sleep, something to eat and time to play.  It is how they receive all of those, which is so different.  But these are the things that worked for me these past 6 months.

Nursing and Pumping items I love:

Breast milk Storage Bags

Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags - I have honestly never tried any other brand. My sister told me she liked these and I haven't looked back. I have seen blog posts about testing different brands. But for this rare exception I am brand loyal (that does happen often - I usually am 'off brand' loyal).

Hands free Breast pumping bra

Medela Easy Expressions White Bustier - My husband had to talk me into getting this with baby #1 right after I went back to work. One of my sisters said that she's is able to hold both with one hand and still have a free hand.  I am just a cluts and can't do that.  With this I am able to be 'hands free' and still able to work on my phone.

I tend to be more on the frugal side,  so I don't normally spend this amount of money. But I am so glad I did. Now with baby #2 and use it again 2x a day at work, it was money well spent in my opinion

Homemade burp cloths

Three of my sisters make burp cloths. I have only used two of them but they are great! On my baby registry I had a basic cloth diaper burp cloths. While those are great, let's be honest, they aren't pretty.  I received burp cloths from my sisters and they are cute enough to have sitting out (not displayed, but where I nurse) and we aren't always playing let's hid the ugly burp cloth or where is the burp cloth.

Breast pump

I was fortunate enough to be gifted a pump from an former coworker. Link to same brand, but not the same. Long story short, she had a friend who's pump broke, the company replaced it but by the time the replacement came, she wasn't pumping/nursing. 

With that being said I know you can get ones through your insurance, but the one I had does what it needs to do. Down the road, if mine breaks I will look into that but 1. Why get one when I have one that works and 2. I hate messing/dealing with my insurance.  So I will avoid them at all cost.

Bottles (daycare)

Playtex Vent Air  - With baby #1 I registered for the Playtex bottles from my sisters recommendation.  There are honestly too many bottles to choose from and I go on recommendation, both babies have taken this bottle so why fix what isn't broken?

Yes there are multiple pieces 6 pieces if you still have the lids/covers. But it works. Plus since I nurse when I am at home I haven't had to wash a bottle in a few months. Daycare does though. Baby #2 wasn't the quickest at learning a bottle but my nursing experience can be saved for another time.

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Is there anything else you really need? Anyone have a great bottle brush out there? I don't LOVE mine, it barely fits into my pumping bottles and flings water everywhere when I pull it out. I love recomendations!

March Check In - 2016

Well this was a initial flop... my January edition was scheduled to post Feb 1 and it didn't work, thus I posted it in march for posterity sake. But this will work!

Family

March was a busy time in the house, with sick kiddos, Wedding, Easter, and ended with Spring Break.  

We luckily all survived Day Light Savings time.  But I will have to say it is not a fun time with two kids under 2.  I saw a post that said, why does Day Light Savings Time happen in the middle of the night?  Why can't it happen at 4pm on a Friday?  I would have to agree with that! We also attended a friends wedding, and the kids (Abigail) had fun 'dancing'.  

This it being March our family once again started our March Madness tradition (Can you call it a tradition when it is the second year of doing it?).  All four of us picked our bracket out of a bucket. Winner gets to pick dinner.  At this moment with the tournament not finished yet, Travis and I are both out and Abigail has Syracuse wining it, but right now Theodore is in the lead... #WereHavingMilkForDinner... Just a fun little tradition that we have each year.  But it takes some time for two kiddos to pick names out of a bucket.

Travis and I attended a Trivia Night at his family's parish.  We didn't come in last place (Actually I think we tied for 3rd) out of 20 or so teams!  I really enjoy trivia nights.  I am not going to say that I am any good, but it is fun!

Abigail

We kicked off the month on a fun note (not) with Abigail having an eye infection.  On the fun side that meant that I got to stay home with the kiddos for a day and work from home! 

March was crazy warm, so warm that we were even able to go outside to play once I got home from work.  Abigail LOVES playing outside!  This summer is going to be fun.  With Travis being at home on Summer break he is going to have trouble getting her to come inside!

Easter was fun this year.  A family tradition with my family is that we split into a front yard and back yard team and everyone hides eggs and then we switch.  Abigail had fun helping me hide the eggs.  Love seeing her explore!

Theodore

At the end of March, Theodore turned 5 months!  Where is my baby going?  He is rolling, and rotating. Every time that we get him up from his crib, he is never in the spot where we left him, sometimes on the completely opposite end!  

We are still nursing, while pumping at work isn't glamorous, it is great for him!  He isn't gaining weight like he was, so he will be going in to have him little tummy looked at.  I am hoping that all is alright.  Doctor says that he is strong and happy, who can resist that smile?

On Good Friday Theodore and I went with two of my sisters to Ohio to visit my Grandpa, it was so sweet to see Grandpa interact with little Theodore.  Grandpa picked up Theodore in his big hands, and just smiled and played with him.  Special moments that I will never forget!

Projects

I did 'finish' one of my 16 in 2016 projects, but it isn't hung yet.  But that is huge progress for me!  Travis is also starting the design on a compost bin for us.  While that doesn't sound exciting, I think it is!  hopefully by next summer we will have some good nutrients to add to our garden (that is starting this year). 

Netflix

I thought that I would take a nod from Andrea Dekker (one of my FAVORITE blogs to read!) And post what I am watching on Netflix, and what is on my radar.  March was a low Netflix month since I gave it up for lent unless we were working at our desks or one episode a day. 

Currently watching

• New Girl - right now we are re-watching the series before we watch the newest season (does anybody else do that?) And we are on season 3. The more I watch it the more alike Jess and I seem to be (oblivious, quirky, odd voices, etc.). 
• House of Cards - Travis is more watching this but I hear/see it off and on (Travis complains when I ask story line questions and tells me to watch it to find out). I'm not planning on doing that, but it is interesting to see how politics is dramatized.

Plan to watch

• Call the Midwife
• Fixer Uppers (Season 2 is on Netflix!!)
• Fuller House
• The Royals (Who doesn't like to learn about the Royal Family?)

January Check In - 2016

Scheduling this post didn't work - obviously...

How are we saying adios to January already? I feel as if January was 'catch up from the holidays' around our house.  Outside of work, daycare and basketball, we didn't have many commitments.  I want to have monthly check ins to be able to look back and see how the kids grew up.  I have a feeling that time already seemed to go by fast, now with two, it is just going faster. 

Abigail

With the calendar saying February, our little one will be turning 2 in 2 months!  I guess I really can't call her little.  

I think every day she grows a few inches.  At the beginning of January the middle of the kitchen table was still safe.  I can't say that anymore!  Every day she seems to be talking more and more.  

For being 22 months she is good at listening to directions.  Even if she gets in trouble for not listening, she will behave and sit on her chair for a little time out.  Not all of the time does she sit there, but more times then not, she will just sit there until we tell her that she can get up.  

She loves helping, change laundry (washer to dryer or dryer to basket), unpacking the silverware (after Mom takes the knives out!), and setting the table.  I'll enjoy this time where she likes to help!

Theodore

At the end of January our little man turned 3 months old already!  I feel like the first three months FLEW by!  

He is growing each day.  He holds his head up really well and enjoys 'play time'.  He is consistently sleeping through the night after I feed him at 9:30.  I know that not every mother of a three month old can claim that, so I will count my blessings!

Theodore decided that we couldn't flip the calendar without doing something new.  On the last day of the month he rolled over from belly to back three times! Things are going too quick! Other then that, he sleeps, poops, Eats, and spits-up.  Just maybe not in that order at all times.

Projects

Back in December I posted for the first time in a year, talking about how I am going to work on 16 projects in 2016.  While Mr. H doesn't think that it will happen, I still have that goal.  Lucky for me, many of the pieces go together once hung so I will be able to cross a few at the same time.  The biggest still is accumulating the materials on my occasional shopping trip and working the materials into the budget (eating Ramen Noodles every night would give me a bigger budget to work with!) 

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I am so excited to be writing again!  Part of me tells me that I am crazy because I am balancing my regular job, kids, house, small part time gig, and now writing, but this is something that I have really missed.  Plus I think that it will keep me more accountable with my projects and some house ideas!

Until next time! 

I'm Back: 16 in 2016

2015 was the year that I needed to take off I guess to get my thoughts in line.  I miss writing.  but I think what truly stopped me was that I was imagining myself compared to other blogs that I follow.  I'm not like those other blogs, and I am guessing that those blogs also started out small.

part of my 2016 goal is to do 16 projects in 2016 (If anyone knows me this will be a high goal, my lovely husband doesn't think that I can do it.)

1. Alphabet book for Abigail
2. Microwave Heat Pack
3. State in Rocks art
4. Personalized family Print
5. Anniversary Date Art
6. Home art
7. Our first home ornament
8. Monogram Burlap art
9. Birthday hands art
10. Kid's bedroom curtains
11. 2016 Family Yearbook
12. Kitchen Sink Stand
13. Kids Growth Chart
14. Wedding Reading Art
15. Stain Kit
16. TBD

Some of these projects will only take a day, others (Family yearbook) will take much more time then that.  Some of the above mentioned projects I have links to inspiration on a dedicated Pinterest board, you should check it out!

Epic Fail...

Well this year has been a huge bust when it comes to my dreams of blogging this year.   I was thinking about writing posts about being pregnant and preparing for maternity leave, that didn't happen.  Then our little Abigail was born and I thought that I would be good and write about being in the hospital for almost 24 hours before having here and then monthly posts about what she has accomplished, that didn't happen.  (On a side note she is almost 5 months old already!).  Then I can back to work and then I thought that I would write posts about being a working mother and trying to find a good balance of everything, that hasn't happened.  You might be able to see where this is going, I had many ideas and never followed through with any of them.

I had all of these dreams for me blogging in 2014 but as of yet it hasn't happened.  Actually I don't think that I have posted since January when I talked about my goals... Cue the epic fail music.  I got so buried in work that I didn't seem to have time to write anything and then I would go home and be with my little family.  I also started to over analyze everything and started to think that I needed this whole business plan before I really committed to this blogging idea.  Instead I just read blogs and started to read more and more.

But today I want to come out of the hole that I have been in since January and really start working on my background plans for my future as a blogger.  As a business major I don't think that I can get around not having a plan.  There are many ideas going around in my head and to do something successfully, I believe, that you need a good plan and ideas before you start something.  I don't want to have a half baked cake.  So maybe this will all come together by 2015, maybe sooner.  Life is a bit unpredictable right now, while it is exciting it is also nerve wracking.

So no, I haven't forgotten about my blog.  I just become a victim of overthinking it.

I have just been busy with this little one :-)
who can say no to that face?

Organizing in a rental

We have been living on our house for over 6 months now.  Travis moved in back last April and then I did after we got married.  But while it is a wonderful house, it isn't our long term home.  We rent our house from the church, and we never really planned on putting too many holes in the wall that we will later have to fill in.

But, there have been a few things that I have gotten Travis to hang.  (He got a Dewalt drill for Christmas so now I tell him that he gets to use his new 'toy' and I get something hung).  I call that a win-win.

My first big thing that I got Travis to hang was my organization wall in the kitchen hallway.  I got the idea from the blog "One Creative Housewife" (thanks to Pinterest!).  While not exactly the same I am really happy how it turned out.

my inspiration on the left and mine on the right

I love to be organized, so when I have the opportunity to, I have fun with it.  First I had to accumulate all of the items for my wall.  I already have the calendar wipe-off board (it was a gift from my younger sister at some point, maybe for graduation).

It was next to impossible to find the exact items that the blog had, but I found some items that worked for me.  The pegboard is from Office Depot, and I believe that I got the "H" from Hobby Lobby.  The harder part was to find the baskets and the letter holder.

When it came to the hanging files, I didn't want the plastic ones that you find in an office, I wanted something nicer since it was going to be in my house.  So I searched and searched and found these wire mesh wall files on Amazon.  I really liked what the blog had for the receipts and coupons, but I was not able to find anything similar, so I found this wooden letter rack on Amazon as well.  While it wasn't perfect, it worked for in my price range (Travis says the woodworking is horrible).

Then I went through the process of cutting newspaper in the size of the items.  Therefor I could place the newspaper on the wall and have it correct by the time I wanted Travis to hang everything.  It helps me now stay more organized than I was before.

Right now we are using the calendar for my meal planning, one of my goals for 2014 in attempt to save money at the grocery store.  The top wall pocket holds Travis' items (since he is tall enough to reach it!), the middle one is mine, and right now the bottom one is our shred mail folder. We get so much junk mail and Travis prefers to shred anything with our name on it, so this fills up rather fast and makes it so that we don't have to go to the basement office every time that we need to shred something.  The letter rack hold any receipt and also the coupons that I accumulate before I organize them.

I keep thinking about spray painting the letter rack, but it is something that I will have to do when Travis isn't home.  He thinks that painting a good wood is an abomination.  While it is a nice finish, I think that it would patch everything better if it was black.

I do have some square picture frames like my inspiration blog did, but we are holding off on that until we are in our own home to make more holes in the wall.

Getting organized in 2014 (and staying organized) is a big goal of mine and my organization wall was just my first step!

The Memories of 2013

It is crazy to come to realization that 2013 is coming to a close.  I keep asking myself, "Where did September go?" 2013 has been filled with ups, and downs, but it has been a wonderful journey of a year.  With the New Year almost here I thought that it was time to reflect upon this past year.

1. Changing my Last Name

I have already blogged about my wedding back in July, and I can't believe that it is already almost 6 months!  But that was definitely a highlight of the year.  It started with a wonderful day and it has been a wonderful journey that is never ending

How can you not smile?

There are always ups and downs when it comes to bringing two lives together, but that is all part of the vocation.  Bring the other closer to God and their faith.  My goal in life it to get Travis to heaven, and I think that in itself is a journey that I am excited to take!

2. Baby H on Board

Last year at New Years I was looking forward to a July wedding and this year I am looking forward to a April Baby!  We got to take first pictures of the baby back around Thanksgiving and that was exciting.  I loved watching Travis' face when he would look at the ultrasound pictures, he smiled like any proud father would. :-)

Baby H with his/her hand by his/her mouth

It has been fun watching Travis talk to the baby (usually at night telling it to kick so he can feel it, thus waking him/her up for awhile, while I am trying to fall asleep...).  I had to pack away all of the regular clothing that I usually wear and trade it in for pants with a high elastic waist (actually comfortable!).  I have finally experienced heartburn (not so fun). But, I have also been able to feel the baby move and kick a bit (exciting).  It has been a new adventure, and I am so excited that I get to take this next journey with Travis by my side!

3. Saying Goodbye

2013 has been the year that I have had to say goodbye to many close people in my life.  I am fortunate enough that this is the first year that anyone close to me has passed away.  First in December and January (2012/2013) we said goodbye to the Overby's (I blogged about it once before - #3).  They were the best neighbors that anyone could ever ask for.

Then in October we had to say goodbye to my Grandmother.  That I think, was one of the hardest things in 2013.  As a Catholic I know that she is in a better place, where there is no more pain and suffering for her.  But, the first Thanksgiving without her there was had.  Celebrating Christmas with the Pohlman side without her there was a challenge.  Getting a card that just had Grandpa's signature was different.

One of the last pictures that I have with Grandma from my wedding in July

This Christmas we got two little books in our stockings that Grandma and Grandpa each filled out awhile ago about them growing up and it was questions and they would answer.  I went home from Christmas celebration and I turned on White Christmas and I started going through the books.  Seeing how they life was growing up, their favorite foods, etc.  But then I came upon the holiday section and they both said that White Christmas was their favorite Christmas movie.  Right then I felt like Grandma was sitting there with me watching her favorite Christmas movie.

Eternal Rest grant unto them O Lord, 

and let the Perpetual Light shine upon them.  

May they rest in peace. 

Amen. 

4. Last Family trip

I started 2013 off by flying to Florida on January 1st.  Early morning with Mom, Dad, and Angela we drove to Dayton and then flew to warmer weather.  My Aunt and Uncle have a condo in Venice, FL and we spent almost a week down there.

Me, Dad, Mom and Ang

I always laugh when I think of Dad on the evening of January 1st and we are standing on the beach of the Gulf and Dad was amazed that it was January first and I am in shorts on the beach!  It only got better when we were at Siesta Key and Dad would say: "It's January third and I am on the beach in 80 degree weather!"  Take that outline and every day Dad was amazed at one thing or another!

Ang and I in Florida

It was really the last trip that I took with just Mom, Dad and Ang.  Family vacations were always a wonderful part of growing up and it was like an end of an era for me with family trips that week.  Granted Ang might say that she was happy that it was over because I move around too much at night when we shared the air mattress...

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2013 has been filled with its ups and downs, but it has been a wonderful year of memories.  I am blessed to have such a wonderful family and now a extended family!  Travis and I are excited to start our new family in 2014 along with many other exciting adventures!  I am thankful for my health, and for my ability to have a job.  I am blessed for the friends that I have, and all of the memories that we have made!

2013 was great!  Hears to a even better 2014!

It is in a Moment

Yesterday Travis and I was blessed to have our first glimpse of our little one during our first ultrasound.  It is one wonderful thing to hear the baby's heartbeat at each of the appointments, but to finally see our baby's face for the first time...

It is a moment to see our baby yawn a few times, 

to stretch his/her little feet & legs, 

to see the little nose and little chin...

Baby's Profile

Holding Travis' hand as we see the technician measure the head, show us the heart and the heartbeat, measuring the legs and arms.  It is a moment that I will cherish.

It is in a moment where your husband comments that it is a blessing that the baby had two arms, two legs, one head, and 4 chambers beating in the heart.  Seeing Travis' smile, and seeing the look of pride he already has for his little one.

Taking joy in the simple blessings.  

Having a picture of the baby opening his/her mouth and eye and having a arm raised.  Almost looking like he/she was saying hello.

"For you formed my inward parts;

    you knitted me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works;

    my soul knows it very well."

~ Psalm 139:13-14 ~

It is in a moment when Travis points out that it looks like the baby has my chin.  Moments when the technician hands you a row of photos from your appointment and tells you congratulations.   Walking out of the office holding Travis' hand, knowing that we are a family.

From Left: Baby's Leg, Baby 'Smiling' (aka. yawn), and Baby's chin

Those moments that we hold dear.  It is in those simple moments that you see the wonder of God working through your life, forming this precious gift of a child, with us.

Growing Bump

Last week I finally broke down and pulled out the maternity pants.  My first thought that I thought was "Why was I holding out so long?" I thought that I wanted to get the most use out of my 'regular' work pants before I moved over to the maternity ones.  Then came our work Thank You dinner for our volunteers and I was so uncomfortable sitting down in those chairs for so long.  That night I told Travis that I was moving on.

The hardest part of the first morning was that I had to think about what I was going to wear.  I have had the same go-to outfits for work for some time and I knew what went together and what worked.  But now I have new clothes and I have to start thinking more about what goes together.  Just used more brain power than what I was used to for a early morning.

While my baby bump could be mistaken for more of a pudge then a baby bump, it is still much more comfortable to wear these maternity pants. While it took me much longer to get ready in the morning, I was happy how my first maternity outfit fit and looked.  I remind you that I am not a fashion savvy person.

I got my pants from Old Navy Maternity, Shirt from Old Navy Maternity, Sweater from Amazon (not maternity), and the scarf from Amazon.  I wanted to get some things that I could pair with maternity clothes that I would still be able to wear in a year and such.

While the mornings are harder currently because I don't always know what to wear, each day is getting a little easier.  I just realize though that I got many black shirts, doesn't give me much to work with when I wear black pants.

Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb

Growing up I never knew what I wanted to be when I 'grew up'.  While being Catholic I contemplated a religious life, but it never felt right.  I knew that I wanted to be married and have a family.  I knew that if I was called to that vocation God would guide me to the paths that I should take.  The path that got me to this point is one of blessings, and trust in God, like St. Elizabeth did when she found out that she was pregnant with John the baptist, and whose feast day is today.

Graduating from Bishop Dwenger - Spring 2008

When putting my utmost trust in God, I was lead down paths that I never expected to take if it was up to me.  In the winter and spring of my senior year at Bishop Dwenger I was planning on going to Marian University in Indianapolis.  They offered me a great scholarship that was tied to service and I thought that it was a perfect fit. It wasn't until about a month before graduation that I decided to stay in town and go to Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne.  

I stayed because they had the major that sounded good at the time.  I was still not totally sure what I wanted to be when I 'grew up' but staying in town sounded like a good fit.  Some of my friends from high school thought I was staying in town because my boyfriend at the time was going to IPFW as well.  While that is what it might have looked like, I never put that relationship into the equation when deciding my school.  I started at IPFW in Speech and Hearing therapy, a major that no other school that I had looked at offered.  

Anne and I reuniting at the March for Life - winter 2012

That fall I was approached by my now dear friend Anne, that was working with Students for Life of America and was trying to help colleges start up pro-life groups.  She had come to a Newman Catholic Fellowship Mass on campus to find people to start this group.  I volunteered to meet up with Anne outside of school and see what I could do to help.  I was planning on helping hanging posters and attending a few meetings, I never thought that I would be the one to write a constitution and start Students for Life of IPFW.  But God had a purpose for me and I was putting my life into his hands.

While most of the classes for Speech and Hearing were interesting, it didn't seem to 'fit' and it never felt right.  Something was missing.  I was finding a new major, business, and it was a major that all of the colleges that I had looked at in the fall of my senior year of college offered.  God led me to IPFW, not for my major, but for bigger plans.  But, if it wasn't for the major I would have gone away for college most likely, it is really hard to tell.

One of the first 'events' Students for Life held' - Fall 2009
(also the first picture I have of Travis and me in the same picture)

By going to IPFW I was blessed to meet great people that I now call friends and my life has forever been changed.  I met my husband at IPFW through Newman Catholic Fellowship and Students for Life of IPFW.  It depends who you ask, I say we met at Newman Group, but Travis insists that we met at Students for Life.  Either way, if it wasn't for mine (and his) involvement in both groups, we wouldn't have become great friends.

IPFW Graduation - Spring 2012

After I graduated from IPFW Travis and I became engaged, and I started a position as a Marketing Coordinator at Redeemer Radio. After Travis graduated the next year we got married.  Somehow I had started living my life of "when-I-grow-up" and I didn't realize it. 

But, today on St. Elizabeth's feast day there is another event that Travis and I celebrate.  It is quite suiting that St. Elizabeth is the patron saint of Expectant Mothers, and now I have a good reason to find a close kinship with this saint today.  Travis and I are excited to tell you that we are expecting our first little blessing in mid April.  It is during these wonderful exciting new times that I remember to be thankful and grateful for the many blessing.

Elizabeth said to Mary "Blessed are you who Believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled."  Luke 1:45

Now is time to know that God has a plan and a purpose for our lives.

We Wore Black

The past few days have been a roller coaster of emotions. One moment you are crying and the next you are laughing with wonderful memories. My grandma was a wonderful women who lived her life as a house maker,  who was married to grandpa for 65 years(!!!),  raised her children and was a wonderful grandmother and great-grandma.

Grandma Hold me as a newborn

While I didn't know her the best or the longest, I knew her as a grandmother.  Having that for 24 years have been a blessing and now I have wonderful memories to hold onto.

1. Food

No matter what time of day you would visit grandma and grandpa's house,  you would always leave with a full stomach.

Small boxes of cereal - whenever we would spend the night at the grandparent's house we would wake up to picking out one of the small cereal boxes grandma would have sitting out. It wouldn't be spending the night we would get a delicious sugary cereal in the morning.

Popcorn puffs & sun chips - when playing any game you would only be able to go one round and grandma would be pulling out the plastic pink bowls to be filled with popcorn puffs or some original flavored sun chips. While at first people would say that they weren't hungry (usually because it was right after dinner) but it wouldn't take too long for those bowls to be passed around and quickly would be empty.

Ice cream and brownies - after cards and before you leave,  it was always a good time to pull the brownies or cookies out of the freezer (usually pulled out earlier to warm up) the big container of vanilla ice cream,  and sometimes other flavors, and the chocolate syrup. If you finished your bowl,  you would be asked to

take another brownie or cookie (couldn't dare put them back in the freezer)

2. A&W

Usually when visiting Grandma and Grandpa's one of the places we would usually go to,  especially when we were growing up,  dinner would likely be at A&W where Grandpa would always get root beer float and Grandma would always get a bite or two near the top of glass. Growing up the younger kids would play in the corner with the toys while we waited for the food (when they moved the play area from one corner to the other,  we were a bit jarred). We were always excited to get the small toy in our bags once we finished our food.

3. 5 Crowns & tri-ominos

Playing games around the dinner table at Grandpa and Grandma's were always a norm when visiting.  We would play tri-ominos and Grandma & Grandpa would always find the bridges or the last piece to the circle. It was hard to beat either of them.  When we started to play a new game Nickle Nickle (later 5 crowns - but we would still say "nickle nickle").  Winning was still difficult because Grandma would have 7 points after six rounds and the rest of us would have scores in the 60's (or higher).  Over the years you knew Grandma was doing well still when she could beat your butt at 5 Crowns.

Grandpa, me and Grandma after 8th Grade Graduation

4. Birthday cards

In the past years, it wasn't a gift I was looking forward to, it was a card that you would get in the mail a day or so before your birthday.  It would be a card that inside you would see Grandma's handwriting saying: "Love, Grandma and Grandpa"

Grandma and Grandpa with me at First Communion

Those simple words that I know were getting hard for her to write (writing "Mom and Dad" were much easier on her), but every birthday you would get a card that would be from Grandma and Grandpa.  When I got home from work the day Grandma died, I still had my birthday cards sitting out.  Having that simple piece of card stock meant the world to me at that moment, more than ever before.  The other cards have been packed away, but that one is still sitting out.  And I think I will keep it there for awhile.

5. Being there for grandchildren

Grandma and Grandpa were there for wonderful moments for their grandchildren.  Baptisms, Birthdays, First Communions, Confirmations, Graduations, weddings, and parties.  They were there spreading their smile and support for all of their grandchildren.

6. The outpouring of love seen

Having gone to two of the three showings, you just saw how much Grandma affected the community.  There always seemed to be a line of well wishers, and relatives that I didn't even know before that day were there to pay their respects.  It was just amazing to see how many people were there!

The Grandchildren with Grandma and Grandpa - Christmas 2007

7. Funeral mass

While that was the hardest points of the few days, it was also beautiful!  St. John's Church is majestic and can by itself take your breath away, but add a church filled with with community members, and friends of the family, it was an amazing experience!

The music by their men's choir was wonderful!  It was almost like if you closed your eyes it was like a slice of heaven!  I have had that moment twice before (in Spain a Church next to St. Francis of Loyola's home where we had Mass, and then at me wedding).  You could just imagine if heaven was even more wonderful, then you just knew that it was going to be absolutely amazing! The homily was wonderful, pointing out the
simplicity of Grandma and how being a housewife was enough for her.  There were tear and smiles as we said our goodbyes.

Grandpa, me, and Grandma before the wedding

8. Wedding

I was so blessed to have Grandma and Grandpa come to my wedding at the beginning of July!  Even the day before I wasn't sure if they would be coming.  But,  as I was heading to the back of church to 'hide' there come Grandma and Grandpa through the back door!  I was so thrilled that they came!  It was the cherry on the top for that day.  I just got my wedding pictures back, and now I treasure those photos even that much more!

9. Her voice

This is something that I still hear, especially when thinking and reflecting over Grandma.  I can hear her voice when I called her to tell them that Travis and I were engaged.  I remember her saying: "Bounce" so many times and in so many different ways.  It is something that I hope that I never forget because it was so grandma. nobody else could replicate it.

The First time that Grandma held me in the hospital

While Grandma is gone, her spirit still lives on in her children, her grandchildren, and in her great-grandchildren.  Through the years she taught us so much that we could never really totally forget Grandma.  Just remember that when you have guests over, always have a snack, and ice cream (and brownies) are always good to have on hand.

Rest in peace Grandma.  Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand!


R.I.P. Margaret Pohlman (1925 - 2013)
Obituary

My 24th Year Retrospective

Here we are, September 18th and I am turning another year older.  My 24th year on earth was one with highs and low but I think that it is one that I will remember for a long time.  So here is 10 of the things that were a part of my life this past year:

1. ARISE Together in Christ Group

In the Fort Wayne-South Bend Diocese our Bishop started this small faith sharing community group initiative that brings people together in your church and talk about the Faith through scripture, life and challenges.  Travis was the leader for the young adults at St. Aloysius and I joined him.  By the end of the first season we had made this wonderful group of young adults (mostly our friends from IPFW, but not all).

I am so grateful for this small group because after college and leaving the Newman group at IPFW, I missed having that Catholic fellowship.  Sometimes we don't always stay on topic, but it is a wonderful time to grow in friendship and be there for others when needed. Learn more about Arise from an article in Today's Catholic that features yours truly!

2. Engagement / Wedding Planning

Looking on this past year, this was a huge part of it.  While we got engaged in August, the real planning took place this past year.  What a roller coaster of things to do.  Some were great like meeting with Fr. Tom for Marriage prep at St. Jude. But, some of the other things were just crazy (I am not a hugely social person that plans huge parties focused on me and Travis)

While I am glad that the season of engagement is over in my life, I truly took back on that time fondly.  It was a wonderful time where you are preparing yourself for a wonderful and beautiful vocation.

3. Saying goodbye to the Overby's

I think that growing up we had the world's best neighbors!  It is hard for anyone to get close to Marge and Dave.  Marge and I were birthday buddies and growing up we (my sisters and I) would receive a hand drawn birthday card with a Disney character on it.  Marge would 'happen' to make an extra cake and bring it over, or she wanted to try a recipe and Dave couldn't eat it because of his diabetes so she would bring it over.  They were wonderful neighbors that were called away from this earth.

Marge passed away on Christmas Eve and Dave passed away 10 days latter.  That was a bit hard because they were like grandparents to me, but I hold on to the good memories.  I could reflect on these wonderful neighbors for hours, but on a day like today I just say, rest in peace Birthday Buddy!

4. Florida Trip

Mom, Dad, Angela and I took a trip to visit our Aunt and Uncle in Florida on January 1st.  It was crazy to be driving to Dayton in snow and arriving in Tampa in 80 degree weather.  Dad kept on saying: " It is January 1st and I am in shorts!" "It is January Second and I and sitting on the beach!"

Me, Dad, Mom, and Ang

While we were there I believe that it got to about zero Fahrenheit... So it was nice to be warm!  It was a perfect last family trip with us four!  This was a wonderful time to celebrate family!

5.  Two New Nephews

Luke was just making the same face as me!

I was lucky to have Two nephews born this past year! Luke James was born March 29th and Thatcher Dennis was born September 9th.  How can you not be excited about babies in the family!?!

6. Being Brooklynn's Sponsor

Travis' niece (now my niece as well!) asked me to be her sponsor for confirmation.  I was really excited that she asked me and I love being a part of sacraments.  While we were already engaged, I felt even more part of the family after being asked.

Brooklynn, Bishop Rhoades and Me

She really tested me and my memory skills though because she picked a saint that I has never heard of before: St. Marcella patron saint of Nobel women.  But it was wonderful to be a part of this with her!

7. The year of two Popes

It was a crazy beginning of the year with Pope Benedict retiring and Pope Francis becoming Pope.  But is has been exciting to see all of the spirit that seems to have been brought into the church. A renewed sense of Love.

I saw a post ones that Pope John Paul II was all about Hope and what we went through with World War II and the cold war, he showed the church and world love.  Benedict was the scholar that educated us about the faith.  Now, Pope Francis is showing the love the the faith can offer.  It is a trifecta of Popes in my lifetime!

8. Renting House

Travis and I become renters.  He moved into the house in April and I am still working at unpacking boxes...  I will eventually be all moved it... eventually... But it has been a wonderful experience.  We live right across the street from St. Jude so we never have to worry about parking for Mass, we just have to walk!

While we aren't going to be there forever, it is a great first place to make a home!

9.  Changing my last name

Marrying my best friend has been a highlight of this past year.  Changing last name a bit harder and a tedious process.  You don't realize how many places have your information until you see how many places you need to change your address and name (still an ongoing process).  But I love the Day I become a Mrs.  it is crazy to think that it has been 2 months already!

But Becoming Mrs. has been wonderful and sometimes I still look around and ask if it is real, because it just seems so natural now.  I love coming home to Travis (well, I usually beat him home...)  but it has all been a blessing!

10.  Starting a new Life 

While this past year has been filled with its ups and downs it is always wonderful to look back ans see how blessed I truly am.  I have a wonderful husband, family, and friends! I couldn't ask for more!  Thank you all for what you have done to my life and I am forever grateful!  Please continue to keep Travis and I in your prayers as we begin this new journey of life together.

Now onto being 24!!