Macedonia

I’m talking about Macedonia the country…not the city on Ohio! My grandmother from my dad’s side is from Macedonia and I’m happy to say that I finally get the chance to visit. Ever since I was able to comprehend what it really meant for my nana’s family to come to the states from Maco, I’ve wanted to go. As a kid, we’d go to the Greek festival and I always thought it was just another get together where I’d see all my great aunt’s and uncles. Never did I imagine that this was actually part of my heritage. It wasn’t until I was in high school, I believe, that it really started to sink in. I remember listening to my great uncle Charlie telling stories of fighting in the war and the things that he remembered about living in Bitola that I started to get the idea that this was part of who I was. In one of my first posts for this blog I told the reason behind my blog name and I’m so excited that instead of just being known as Macedonian that I’ll now also get the chance to go there as well. Last week, my mom told me that my great uncle Bill and my nana got together and were talking about going to the old country. When my nana found out she said that her daughter Victoria would want to go as well. Once my mom heard the news, she told my nan that she could also count on me going along. Once I heard the news I was so ecstatic! Never, would I have thought that I’d get the chance. I’ve wanted to go for quite some time but Nate never really thought that would be an ideal vacation…at least for him. We’ve since talked and are making plans for our trip next year…maybe in May. It has been so fun to find out more about Bitola and how we’re going to get there and the things we’re going to see. We’re hoping that we can meet up with some on my nana’s second or third cousins. We have no idea if or where they might be but we’re hoping they’re still in Bitola. I’ve attached a map so you readers know where Macadonia is located and also a picture of Bitola and a picture of the Macedonian alphabet. Last week I was going to get a book and try to learn as much Macedonian as I could but after looking at the alphabet I’m hoping that the Macedonians there will be nice to me and talk in English! I may try to learn a few things like…HELP…SORRY…HOME! I’ll update you on our plans as we make them. I’m glad you get to be a part of my trip!

Soccer

Yesterday was Aiva’s first soccer game. I was so proud of my baby that it’s hard to actually put it into words. She was a little nervous at first but once she saw her friend Jill all was well. These two girls crack me up. They hold hands all the time and last night was no different. The held hands as they traveled from one station to the next and when they were sitting down they held hands. Whatever will work to get Aiva to the point to where she feels OK to kick the ball! They started out doing some drills where they kick the ball and pass it to each other. Aiva loved that! There were four to a team so four of them were kicking back and fourth to each other. The next two stations were scrimmages and that’s where Aiva stopped dead in her tracks. She wanted no part of playing in the game. Even Jill couldn’t get Aiva to play. All she wanted to do was stand in the middle of the field and wave to Nate and I to come get her. She got to kick the ball a couple times which we were happy about that – it at least got her feet wet! The next stop was devotions and conditioning. She liked this part as they got to run through an obstacle course. At first she kept motioning for us to come get her but we kept giving her thumbs up. Jill moved so she could go before Aiva and once that happened Aiva was ready. She completed the obstacle course like a pro…tongue out and pony tail bobbing in the wind! Way to go Aiva!

Cherries

On Sunday we headed over to Nana’s and Grandpa’s after dinner at O’Charlie’s. Nana just had to have ice cream cake from Dairy Queen so she stopped and pick one up and we headed over to her place. It was so nice to visit with her and the family and just share about different memories or about things that had happened recently. Going over to her house makes me remember when I was a kid and going up to her room to look over her jewelry or her clothes. I remember that I used to spend the night at her house and she always had different things for me to do or see and I just felt like I was in heaven. I saw the same adventure in Aiva yesterday as she went from room to room exploring. She just couldn’t take it all in. At one time, Nana asked Anastatsia (Ana is named after my Nana) if she wanted to spend the night and Ana just stood in amazement that she would be invited over and get to stay with Nan. It was so much fun to travel back in time for a brief moment! Once we were done talking and remembering the good times, we went out and picked cherries off of grandpa’s tree. We had such a good time. Each of the girls had a step ladder and Nate and I were up on ladders trying to reach the ripe cherries that were all the way up top. We laughed and threw cherries at each other and laughed some more. The girls had a ball! I told them that this would be a time that they remember when they get older so to take it all in. I want them to be able to look back and have good memories of going over to their Nana’s and Grandpa. I don’t remember all of my great grandparents but I remember my mom’s grandparents and my dad’s one set of grandparents and its fun to reminisce about the good times. When it was time to leave, both girls ran over to Nana and grandpa and gave them big hugs. They didn’t want to leave…instead they wanted to go to Mamaw & Papaw’s! I reassured them that they would be able to go another time but not today. We were all very tired and we all needed a nap…especially me! What a great day!

PutPut

This weekend Nate wanted to go to Put Put for Father's Day so on Saturday we headed out for a round of 18 holes. This was the girls first time so it was extra fun! The girls didn't know what to think at first. They thought they took their pick of holes and they were headed over to hole 14 where there was a pretty cool house that you were supposed to put under. It took a minute for me to round them up and explain that you needed to go in order of numbers. Once they started they were able to get the hang of it. Dad was the official score keeper and I almost felt like he needed a speical hat for the job but he declined the offer! After three holes, Ana lost her ball so Dad saved the day and got another purple ball. After hole 12, Ana decided she had enough Put Put and so she brought up the back of Team Jacobus. It was a perfect day and I almost wished we played another round. By the time you start getting good you get to hole 18. Speaking of hole 18, your's truely scored a hole in one and the alarm sounded and faces turned as I raised my hands and did a victory dance...OK, so I didn't do a victory dance or raise my hands but it was a good feeling to set the alarm and get everyone's attention! When I turned my club in, they gave me a free t-shirt which said that I got a hole in one on hole 18. I know I should have gotten Nate's size since it was Father's Day but I selfishly got a large and smiled politely at Nate and told him next time I'll win one for him!

Gymnastics

Aiva and Ana are finally done with gymnastics! This was Aiva's third year and Ana' first. They had a ball. On the last night they had an awards ceremony and all the kids got their trophies. It was such a precious time. All the "teams" came in to the sound of the Olympics and they did their "routines". Here are some pics of the night. I'm so proud of my little gymnasts!

Roses

Today Nate got me the most beautiful roses! He knows best when I need a pick me up. I just love that man. He can read me like a book sometimes. For all the 24 roses he got me here are 24 reason why I love him:

1) He has the best smile

2) He's thoughtful

3) He has a great laugh

4) When I'm having a bad day he always prays with me, right then and there.

5) He's a great dad

6) He tells the best bedtime stories

7) Sometimes all I need is for him to hold me

8) He's a great encourager

9) Sometimes he knows how much I need ice cream

10) The way his hand fits in mine

11) He has a big heart

12) Always thinks of others first

13) Is a great tickler!

14) He makes a mean milkshake

15) He has great faith

16) We share the same love for Montana

17) He lets me watch girly movies even though he would prefer something different!

18) He calls me sunshine

19) He picks out great flowers...for all the 15 years that we've been together, he still won't tell me where he gets his flowers!

20) He picks out great leg warmers (inside joke!)

21) Even though we both wanted a little boy, he is great with our girls...they adore their dad!

22) He's better than I am at driving in the snow!

23) I love it when he sings...he makes me laugh

24) he loves me+i love him=priceless

Congrats!

This blog post goes out to my mom and dad. Today they’re celebrating their anniversary! I’ve attached a recent photo of them on their new scooters. They’ve found a new hobby and even though I find it somewhat strange, they do enjoy it! I’m sure Nate and I will find something odd to do once we have all this free time on our hands in 20 years or so. I’m so blessed to have such great parents. They have supported me through thick and thin…recently the thick! Even though sometimes it’s hard to take their advice, I eventually appreciate their words and store it away in my little memory bank. Even though the road has been bumpy, as is everyone’s “road”, the journey continues. May God bless them as they go through this life together. God, give them long lives and keep them well in body and spirit. Bless them generously for their loving care for me and my brother. Through your grace, may we experience the joy of together praising you forever.

Preschool

Today was Aiva's last day of preschool. I can hardly believe how quick the year went. She really had a great time. She loves school so much that I really don't know what she's going to do with her self this summer. She just loves to learn. Mrs. Payne gave each student a character trait and Aiva's was thoughtfulness and hard working. She said that Aiva is always making creations to bring in to her or one of the students and she can just tell that Aiva really thinks a lot about her friends and teachers. She also said that Aiva is hard working...which she of course gets from me! Kidding..only kidding Nate! Aiva can't stand to have work that still needs to be done when I come to get her. She has to finish the whole project before she leaves for the day or else she's upset the rest of the day. She does such a great job at home cleaning her room too. I know she a really hard worker. This has been such a great year and we've had tons of changes but we know that God has great things in store for our family. I'm so grateful that he's blessed us this year. Here are some pics of Aiva on her first day and last day of school.

Artsy

This past weekend we went to the Columbus Arts Festival and we had a great time! Nate is totally not a crowd kind of guy but he was so nice to go to the festival with us. We were trying to figure out what to do and it was a toss up between the zoo or the Arts Festival. We figured that we would spend less at the festival so that’s what we did. We really wanted to take the bus down since neither of the girls has been on a bus but

Nate had to draw the line somewhere and that was it! We ended up getting a good parking space so it wasn’t a big deal that we didn’t take the bus. The girls had a blast eating all the festival food and seeing all the art and people. The best part though was getting their face/leg painted. Aiva got a butterfly mask and Ana got a rainbow on her leg. We stood in line for 45 minutes for the occasion but it was well worth it…that was until Aiva decided when we got home that she wanted to be Aiva and not a masked butterfly woman. Ana of course followed Aiva and they both washed their creations off. It’s a good think I got a picture of both.

Dragonflies

Today Aiva is giving her first book report for preschool today! She is so excited she's about ready to pop! She has read all the books and studied all the pictures and she is a pro when it comes to dragonflies! Nate even took her over to Grandpa's to catch a few dragonflies of her own but they all got away! Instead she got a tick...which I'll fill you in at another time. She even brought some color pages for the other kids. She is ready for her star appearance! Here are some pics of her and her poster...

UDF

As I mentioned in another post, we love to walk. I feel some days we walk everywhere. I guess it does come in hand when gas prices are so high. Don't get me on that...that's a whole nother post! Anyway, I was having a pretty good "diet" day...I use that word loosely! I had a few (8 to be exact) points left over so Nate asked what I thought of going to UDF. Did he really have to ask? Hello! I was raised in an ice cream family...get on the shoes and let's get goin! As always, we decided to walk there. It's a little over a mile to get there and come back so I thought why not! We had a ball. It was so much fun holding little hands and laughing at ice cream mustaches! I love nights like these. My love language is quality time and boy, did I feel loved! Here's a couple shots of our trip...looking forward to next time already!

Truckers

OK, I have a new addiction. Now I know some are going to laugh at me but I need to come out with this before its too late. It just started a few days back and I believe it’s out of my system but I’ve had this killer addiction to the show Ice Road Truckers. Laugh if you want to …I know. Nate wants to kick me out of the house for watching it but it truly fascinates me. There are these guys who sign up to haul loads of whatever around Alaska. They travel on these icy roads that are hilly and windy and not only that but sometimes they even get caught in avalanches if they’re not careful. To top it off, between January and March they travel across the sea to transport stuff to city’s in need of whatever. Who are these guys??!! You have to either be dumber than anything or willing to walk a fine line between life and death. They get paid good money too so it’s basically just a gamble. You have to have your stuff together or else you’re dead. On Saturday and Sunday they had an Ice Road Trucker marathon leading up to the summer premier on Sunday night. I watched a few hours on Saturday and a few hours on Sunday. By 8PM on Sunday Nate was truly fed up with me and ordered me to take the dog for a walk. Not to worry…I still made it back for the 9PM premier. It wasn’t all that…I thought for sure someone would die or something. Oh well, it was fun while I lasted!