12 years later...

12 years ago, I walked down the aisle to meet this guy waiting for me at the end. We were both so young, so in love and so excited about what was in store for us. I loved him then, but I love him more now.

12 years have brought us changes upon changes, some valleys and definitely some mountains tops. We've made major moves and had multiple job changes, all while raising 4 amazing kids.

This year we start out on a brand new foot. Ryan is now self-employed, running not one but two of his own companies. It has been a long time coming for us. Ryan's masters is in Global Entrepreneurship and running and owning his own company has been a life time goal.

We are now walking into that new role and it is both terrifying and exhilarating. I am excited to see what is in store for him professionally and for us, as a family.

This 12th year is going to be a good one, love. It is going to be a good one!

Below is a brief look at Ryan's company, Project Bold Co. We created this for a contest (we didn't win) but it gives a great look at one of his businesses. There is a lot going on behind the scenes for this company and I am so proud of the direction this business is going. Important people are catching this important vision and I am so excited to see what happens next!

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The other is his own consulting company, East Park Consulting that consults and implements for salesforce integrations. (http://www.eastparkgroup.com)

10 Things I Love About You

Today we celebrate our ten year anniversary. Double digits. 10 whole years. That is a long time, but yet, it seems like yesterday. So many things have happened, changed, evolved in those 10 years. We are no longer the bright-eyed, newly graduated babies. (Seriously. We were such babies!) New to the work world, new to adult responsibilities, new to married life.

While I could expound about some much, reminisce for hours, I decided to find just 10 of my very favorite pictures of you.  They say a picture says a thousand words, so I will let these few little memories speak for themselves.

Our very first Christmas married. You let me put you in an very ugly Christmas sweater. And I loved you for it.

We were about to become parents. Babies having babies. Little did we know the joy, love and hard work that would follow.  Now, I would tell my younger, pregnant self to savors those last few moments of just us. They were short and fleeting. Just savor.

And than we became parents. No longer was it you and I. Now it was the three of us. We were a family.

 A new house and and new baby. Colin made our family a foursome.

And than there were three. Three children that we created together. Three little lives, three little loves.  Our very first little lady.

 But in-between the moving and the houses and the babies, there was still us. 

We were in it together.

Piles of babies on pillows. Cuddling and loving on their Daddy. You are just the very best Daddy to our children, a true example of how to act and live. Our children are so very lucky.
Every day something of this sort is happening. Cuddles and loving on Daddy. They may be bigger and heavier and wrestle harder...but they still love to be on the floor with you.

Ten years later, we are still happy, still thriving and still loving deeply. 

I still like you.

Even after I have lived with you for 10 years.

 And now, we are on a new adventure. A new Fedell to bring into the fold. A new little life to call our own.

I love that you want to adopt with me, that you want to take a beautiful little life that was left alone and bring them into our family.

I loved you than, I love you now and I will love you always.

Happy Anniversary, Ryan.

Apple Pickin'

Last week, Michigan decided to show off. 

Sunny skies, cotton clouds and just a hint of coolness in the breeze, hinting of cooler weather to come.

It was a beautiful day to head to the apple orchard and pick ourselves a peck.

Unfortunately all of Detroit Metro had the same idea, so parking and donut/cider lines were insane.

But we were able to head to the corner of the orchard and have some space for ourselves.

Apple picking with my people.

It is a fall favorite.

Welcome, October.

I am so glad to see you again!

Daddy: An Adoption Post by Ryan

* This post is written by my husband, Ryan. We will both be writing about our adoption in this space.

“Daddy”

This word has the power to move me like no other word.  To laugh.  To cry. To worry.  To smile.  To protect. To hold. To encourage. To listen. To miss. To help.   

“Daddy!”

This is one of the most precious words in the world to me. 

“Daddy?”

This word can mean so many things.  In the middle of the night it means I’m scared.  At the playground it means come play.  In the kitchen it means I spilled juice all over the place and I’m not sure how to tell you.  In the living room it means chase me and tickle me.  On the soccer field it means did you see the play I just made.  At the beach it means do we really have to go now. 

But the word means so much more than that.

“Daddy??”

Will you protect me?  Will you love me?  Will you be there for me?  Will you help me?  Will you lead me?  Will you understand me? Will you still want me?

“Daddy”

Every little boy and girl needs a daddy.  This is one of the reasons I’m so passionate about adoption and knew we had to do something about it. 

“Daddy” 

It’s a title for me but it’s not about me.  

Every child needs a daddy to protect them, to love them, to be there for them, to help them, to lead them, to understand them, to want them.  

“Daddy.”

This word has changed my life.  

“Daddy”

 Adopting is one of the most exciting and overwhelming things we have done as a family.  If you’d like to help us, we would love your support.  To help us cover our adoption cost, click here.

I think this video does a great job of capturing the emotion, reality, and power of daddy.    

https://youtu.be/7Jpb2_YdxYM

The Highlight Reel

Well... it's been awhile. Three solid months to be exact. I didn't plan on taking such a long hiatus from the ol' blog, but life just happened. Days turned into weeks and weeks into months...and here we are. The first of June. Summer is just a skip, hop and a jump away.

But in those blank spaces of March, April and May special things happened. Fun and exciting things.

So, instead of a massive recap, let's just go with the best parts.

The highlight reel of sorts.

Happy Easter! 

And a family picture where we are ALL looking at the camera. A small miracle.

Hunting for eggs, but not with out a little ankle poppin' pose for the camera.

The Hubby and I got away for a snowy (and deathly sick) filled spring break weekend in Chicago.

Putting on the Ritz in our fancy clothes for the New Morning School auction.

Macy put on her hat, put a hat on her Daddy and told me it was her "marrying hat".

Nothing cuter than a little girl that wants to marry her Daddy.

In April, I flew back to the city of my birth, Salt Lake City, UT. I joined my parents and my sister and we spent time with our Andrew side cousins and had a burial service for my aunt and grandmother. (My Aunt passed away in 2008 and my Grandmother last fall) 

We brought their urns to be buried with my Grandfather.

While the reason for the trip was sad, it was so good to be with family and to explore Utah and the mountains again. I had not been in Utah in almost 20 years!

(And now I feel super old)

Macy and I took a girls' trip to meet up with my mom, sister and her kids and our good friend from MO.

First stop, Bronners. The largest Christmas store in the world.

Frankenmuth cut out were a big hit with Macy.

Her cousin Elliot was not as impressed.

Mother's Day greeted me with donuts, giant homemade cards and sweet smiles from my favorite girl.

Post-park McD's ice cream cones on Mother's Day. 

Memorial Day weekend road trip. Shades on, ready to roll.

It's bubble time.

I walked in on Colin, just brushing his teeth with his sunglasses on.

No big deal.

Peace out, mom...

And a little Memorial Day festival food under a leafy tree.

So, that is our late spring highlight reel.

Some of the golden moments that were splattered in-between the school lunches, drop offs and pick ups, soccer practises and  potty training conversations.

We are ready for June.

We are ready.

32 years ago...

... this guy came into the world.

Thank goodness.

Because we could not imagine a world without him

Happiest birthday to the best man I know. Thank you for being loving, caring and providing so well. Your integrity speaks volumes to your character and you make me so proud to be your wife.

I can't wait to celebrate with you this year and than for the next 32 more years.

We all love you so much.

Happy Birthday my love.

The Best Is Yet To Come

Happy 2016!

Whew.

2016. 

We made it.

This year. It is going to be a big year for us, I can feel it.

2015 was good and trying and challenging. All years are. We have had some changes that happened late into the year that are bringing us to new places this January.

Late in December, Ryan closed the door on his job in Ann Arbor. He joined the start up with high expectations 18 months ago. If you know us, you know how much he worked. Hours upon hours, way past what is normal or, in my wifely opinion, acceptable. He gave it 100%. Somewhere along the way, the effort grew one sided. Ryan kept working, but expectations were not met on their side. It was a challenging time.

 But, out of the blue, Ryan was offered a new job. A promotion, with a nice raise. They pursued him, and offered everything that was promised before at the former job, plus some.

God is so good. While in the midst of struggling, there was a light at the end of the tunnel. We had no idea, but He did.

So, in this new year, this fresh start and clean slate, Ryan started his new job. The boys are back in school, ready to tackle the new year. Macy and I are home...cleaning up the remainder of vacation fun.

This is just the start though. (Not the cleaning though, that will always be around)

There is more to come.

Good things. Great things. Challenging things.

There is an underlining excitement for this year that I have not felt in awhile.

We are taking some big steps. Faith filled steps. Scary steps. Exciting steps.

The best is yet to come.

Trimming the Tree

 We got a new {faux} Christmas tree this year and the kids were very excited to get it up and to help decorate it.  Everyone was very eager to look at every.single. ornament and we had lots of helpers this year.

My grandmother always gave my siblings and me an ornament for Christmas every year and I love looking through my large collection. I started the same traditions with my kids. Colin got his giraffe when he was two. 

 Boo Boo by the tree.

Macy has a very intimidating "muscle" pose.

After much discussion and debating, it was decided that Colin would try to put the star on the top of the tree. No one could remember who did it last year and the vote fell to Colin.

He was very excited!

I hope that you are enjoying this Season of celebrations and taking time to enjoy a few laughs, a few snuggles and extra "helpers".