I'm a Fr-Auntie!

Ella Carolyn Rothstein was born

at 7:29 PM on November 28th (11 days overdue)

She weighed in at 7lb 11oz

and is healthy and beautiful!

Mom and Dad are doing great.



Here's The Sweetest

picture I have ever seen.

My Grandma Rose (maternal grandmother)

has tried to steal every boyfriend

I've brought home.

I knew Matt was the one

when my Grandma knew

he was the one for her too.

I wish I had an ounce of her spunk.



BUSTED!

Off to the dance floor.

Make a Wish!

Makin' Plans

Last spring, Matt graduated from Carlson School of Management with his MBA.  He spent the last five years pursuing this degree taking all evening classes.  He worked really hard and was rewarded with impressive grades and a diploma.  He makes me so proud and honored to be his wife.

Since graduating, he's kept his eyes open for opportunities.  Originally, we never thought about leaving Minnesota.  That was until he received an email from a recruiter for Lowe's.  He read the job description and filled out an application.  Soon after, he was contacted for a phone interview.  The phone interview went really well and now Lowe's is flying him out to North Carolina for a second interview.  His interview is on Tuesday, November 15th.

We've sat down and talked through the details.  We've always been open to changes.  It is exciting to think about the possibilities.  The big con would be leaving behind our family & friends.  We are spoiled having both our families in Litchfield.  Mayer is halfway between work and Litchfield, making it easier to take weekend trips.  We wouldn't have our parents close by when it is time to have our babies.  I would no longer be able to meet a friend for happy hour or my cousins for dinner.  There are plenty of things I will miss if we make this move.

There are many pros in this opportunity too.  Lake Norman is a large lake near town that would make it a little easier to leave behind Lake Minnebelle.  The ocean is only five hours west.  The mountains are about two hours east.  The winter temperatures typically remain above freezing.  My work will allow me to work remote from North Carolina (HUGE pro).

Whatever is meant to be, will be.  A lot of fine details need to line up just right in order for us to uproot our lives.  We will see after next Tuesday what our future holds in store.

Last Weekend

was spent entirely
with my favorite furr-ball, Lou.
We had a girl's weekend

since Matt was at the shack

getting ready for WI deer season.

We...

Talked about girl stuff.

Lucy went on and on about

how much she missed her daddy.

Had a few drinks.

Wine for me,

water for Lou.

Went to church.

while Lucy slept.

Last but not least... had a mani / pedi!

When I trim Lucy's nails

I ask her, "want a mani/pedi?".

She gets very excited.

This time, instead of trimming

we polished.

Doesn't she look so proud?

Lucy & mommy were very happy

with how they turned out.

Daddy was not as impressed.

Mariah's Scrapbook

One of my many valued possessions

is a scrapbook my friends and family

made me before my wedding.  Each friend

and family member created their own

scrapbook page(s) and Matt's cousin, Erin

compiled them together in one big book.

I look through it often to experience the memories

and love that went into each page.

Erin is putting together a similar (but very different)

book for Matt's cousin, Brad.

Brad's wife Mariah lost her battle

with colon cancer last August.

The book is also for their young son, Logan.

Any family member or friend can put together a page

in dedication to Mariah for Brad & Logan.

I lost my mom 4 days before Thanksgiving

halfway through my senior year.

My cousin, Amy, gave me a poem before Christmas

that gave me a lot of comfort during an

otherwise awful time.

Thanksgiving and Christmas have always

been difficult for me.  I can imagine

they will be for Brad & Logan as well.

It seemed fitting to pass along my poem

in my scrapbook pages.

My First Christmas with Jesus

I see the countless Christmas trees

around the world below

With tiny lights, like Heaven's stars,

reflecting on the snow.

The sight is so spectacular,

please wipe away the tear

For I am spending Christmas with

Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs

that people hold so dear

But the sounds of music can't compare

with the Christmas choir up here.

I have no words to tell you,

the joy their voices bring,

For it is beyond description,

to hear the angels sing.

I know how much you miss me,

I see the pain inside your heart.

But I am not so far away,

We really arn't apart.

So be happy for me, dear ones.

You know I hold you dear.

Be glad I'm spending Christmas

with Jesus Christ this year.

I sent you each a special gift,

from my heavenly home above.

I sent you each a memory

of my undying love.

After all, love is a gift more precious

than pure gold.

It was always most important

in the stories Jesus told.

Please love and keep each other,

as my Father said to do.

For I can't count the blessing or love

He has for each of you.

So have a Merry Christmas and

wipe away that tear.

Remember, I am spending Christmas with

Jesus Christ this year.

Halloween 2011

We stayed home on Halloween night.

This is the first time we've stayed home

since moving to our house in Mayer.

Our house was hit pretty hard.

I'm a country girl, and we'd have at most

one or two neighbor kids show up

and not at the same time.

At 7:00, the witching hour began.

At 9:00, the bigger kids (teenagers) arrived.

I think it was around 9:30 that we blew out our

jack-o-lanterns and turned off our lights.

It was fun to see all the costumes.

All treats - no tricks (thank goodness).

Lucy hates Halloween.

She hates the doorbell and goes nuts when she hears it.

She hates knocks at the door.

She hates  is not used to kids, and barks at them.

She hates when we dress her up in costume

or place anything on her head.

She doesn't get to eat the candy.

Lucy had a bad night - for sure.

Tough life of a bumble bee dog, I guess.

"You are going to pay for this."