It takes a village...

....To keep a woman sane for 8 weeks without her best friend and husband! The only way I have survived the past weeks without Andrew is because of my amazing and supportive "village." I can't think of any way to properly thank everyone but do want to post a huge thank you on my blog. The following list is by no means exhaustive and in no order of importance (except the first one of course!)...

Here is a list of the people who keep me standing. (You'll have to excuse the multiple exclamation points... I am really this excited and thankful for my "village!") (Sorry too that some of the pictures aren't the best... its late and I have been thinking of this post for so long, I just want to post it!)

Andrew: These past two months, Andrew has worked 24/7 trying to learn as much as possible from his externships while also woo'ing residency programs. All to become an amazing doctor to impact the lives of his patients. Not only did he spend over 100hrs/week in Oregon and almost as much each week in Wisconsin, he also found time to spend many hours on the phone and web cam chatting with me and the kids. Andrew also sent letters (even one with small drawings for the kids... a bike for Alex and a castle for Elizabeth... she turned to me super excited and asked, "Dad's buying me a castle!?"). Andrew also spent an entire weekend with us at a hotel, eating out, touring LaCrosse, and even eating ice cream at a fun parlor. Andrew is an amazing man, husband, and father and I am so proud of him!

Carrie: Wonderful doesn't begin to describe this lady. She took it upon herself to adopt me and the kids these past weeks. Not only did she invite me over and cook dinner for us every Monday,(and most Wednesdays!), she also took my kids multiple nights (even if it was just to encourage me to hit up the store alone). And my favorite were our dates together! You are hilarious, a blast and I am super thankful for your friendship!

Tony: Carrie's husband welcomed us with open arms every night we barged in on his family. Each Monday, he offered to take Elizabeth to the library for story time (which I normally can't do because of small group). And he babysat Elizabeth and Alexander multiple times so I could hang out with his wife. Tony, you're a "knuckle-head" and the kids and I think you're great!

Allison: Babe, I have had so much fun spending time with you these past few weeks! Everything from our 2am instant messaging chats, dinners, painting nights, random outings, correcting parties, and movie nights... love it all. And love you; your crazy fears, amazing ability to misplace things, and random forgetfulness. I love how I can totally relate to everything about you! You are a remarkable woman and I am still convinced you should move wherever we move!

Jenn: You have the most giving heart and I am so thankful for your friendship. We got to spend an entire weekend with Jenn in October before she left for an externship. And she even took me on a date to Sioux Falls! The kids adore you and I love spending time together. Jenn, you're wonderful and I love you!

Small Group: I can't stop telling everyone how wonderful this group of women are and how much they mean to me. With Andrew gone they continue to be my support; praying for and encouraging me, teaching me more and more about our amazing God, and making me laugh harder than I thought possible! Thank you for traveling with me to St. Paul for an amazing birthday weekend at the Women of Faith Conference! You ladies are Gods gift to me and I have learned so much from you.

Bible Study: Even though Andrew's bible study no longer met at our place, they came over multiple times for dinner and even for a pumpkin carving party. Thank you for the adult conversation and for chasing my kids around, burning their never-ending energy! You guys are great people and I love spending time with you.

Amy: First of all, you are hilarious and secondly, your insight and intellect continue to teach, encourage, and inspire me. Thank you for randomly watching my kids so I could get out and also for staying up late for movie nights! You are schwonderful!

Lindsey: Love our weekly prayer times and knowing that I have a sister in Christ who is always there for me. And thank you for the encouraging card and chocolates! Lindsey has also been helping me out with small group and I am super thankful that she led group for a month. It was wonderful to head to group Monday nights and be able to just relax. Lindsey you're a doll!

Mike: My brother is such a stud for not only joining me for dinner multiple times (and even cooking me a fabulous dinner) but also hanging out with the kids for me. They absolutely love their Uncle Mike and I think he's pretty great too. Love you bud!

Sam: Even though we haven't got to spend much time together these past couple months, I love chatting with you on the phone. You are hilarious and such a sweet-heart! Thanks for spending your birthday with me. I am super thrilled to have you in our family!

Christy: Thanks for joining me for coffee in the morning and watching the kids so I could spend a morning at the salon. Also, loved spending time with you at our painting parties and Sunday lunch. I always have a blast with you! I love your laugh!

Kim: You are such a joy to be around! Thanks for always inviting me and the kids over to your place. I always feel so comfortable and love laughing hysterically with you. The tacky party was by far the best party I've been to and I had a blast shopping and planning with you. You are a fun and an amazing woman!

Sharon: I am so glad you joined my small group for our trip to St. Paul. You are so much fun and I love spending time with you! Also, thanks for all the wonderful phone conversations... You listen to all my complaining and ranting and always offer encouragement and support. I couldn't pick a more wonderful family to be part of!

Sarah: Even from 1000 miles away, you have been a big support to me these past months. Despite your awful (in other words 24/7) morning sickness, you always take time to chat on the phone with me. I know I can always come to you with my best and worst days and you'll listen. Love you chica!

Courtney: Lady, you are my best friend. I am so thankful that after 5 years and over 400 miles away, our friendship continues to thrive. You are such a phenomenal woman and I learn so much from you as a wife, mom, sister, and friend! Thanks for always being patient and listening to me. You are a huge encourager in my life and I love you!

Mom & Dad: My parents drove 400 miles to hang out with my kiddos for a weekend while I traveled to St. Paul with my girlfriends over my birthday weekend. AND wouldn't you know, as soon as I left, the kids spiked fevers and started vomiting. All weekend my folks took care of my sick kids for me! Plus they took the kids shopping for a birthday present, card, and balloons for me and Mom had cake waiting when I got home! I love you guys!!

Saying our goodbyes...

Andrew will spend 8 consecutive weeks out of state doing 4th year externships. The first 4 weeks at OHSU in Portland, Oregon and the last 4 at Gunderson-Lutheran in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Andrew is an amazing husband and wonderful father and I was not quite sure how things would flow without him around...especially without any family nearby... (More on this later but essentially I have AMAZING friends and family!) The original plan was for us to travel with Andrew to Oregon for 4 weeks but housing was a headache and we decided it would be best for the kids to stay put at home. It was probably a good decision because he logged I'm sure almost 100 hours every week he was there! (I realize I can be dramatic but this is honestly no exaggeration!)

Currently Andrew is on week 2/4 in La Crosse and completely in love with the area! It is his enthusiastic phone calls every day that make the separation totally worth it!! The kids and I are super excited to visit La Crosse this weekend!

Watermelon Carnival 09

Our friend Chad organizes a huge, annual Watermelon Carnival at church. Again, we were not let down!

Is it odd to brag that my daughter totally rocked the bottle game (below) on her second try?! Cause she did! Only person that day!

Mike and Sam stopped by but they were, well, lets just say they needed a nap...

Never been to Hillside's Watermelon Carnival? Mark it on your calendars now for Sept. 2010. Inflatable's, live musical performances, a juggling/performing family of 10!, games, crafts, face painting, basketball, tractor rides, popcorn, hot dogs, cotton candy, an amazing magician, and probably some of the most wonderful people you will meet in Vermillion... seriously, you don't want to miss this event!

Rock On!

Making the most of our drive north, we met up with our friend Travis (Andrew's classmate) after the zoo. Palisades the chosen destination, climbing the plan. I'll be honest... the rock drop offs did make me rather nervous! (Mom and Dad would've been beside themselves! Especially when we were chasing bubbles. JK...sort of...sorry! I do my best to protect your grandchildren, really.) As always, the kids were amazing!

The park was a tad busy and there were only a few spots left to choose from... Wouldn't you know Travis and Andrew chose the one that started above water. I was fairly nervous but Elizabeth made her dad proud by asking to climb.

Game faces, boys!

I caught Alexander "disciplining" (I'll explain the quotations...) his dog. This dog is now part of our family as it goes everywhere with us: from the store to the bathroom to the Palisades. At first I thought, ah cute. The puppy is in trouble so he has to sit in time out. Then Alex is screaming and shaking his finger at the pup. THEN he throws the poor pooch against the rocks and stomps on him!! Okay folks, I promise I do not discipline my children this way!! Oh my!

Like I said, the kids did great but towards the end, after I cut off the bubble blowing, they got a little bored...

Before heading to Vermillion for a friend's birthday party, we stopped at Travis' place to visit the infamous pear tree. The anticipation for this tree was not over exaggerated in the slightest! The pears were delicious and Andrew had a blast climbing and picking the tree.

We decided on the drive home that maybe we had overbooked our weekend with family fun activities... We still had the Watermelon Carnival at our church the next day!

Zoo x2

Had so much fun the first time, had to go back for more. Well, sort of... Elizabeth's school sponsored a zoo trip for Head Start families. Not ones to pass up a free family outing, we headed to Sioux Falls. Sorry, wasn't really in the mood to take pictures... just enjoyed my family!

Preschool: Round 2

Elizabeth started her second year of preschool at Head Start in Vermillion! She has the same teacher we fell in love with last year and goes 8am-11:30am eating breakfast and lunch at school. (Mom is very thankful for being in the morning group... means we can still sneak in a nap or two when needed!)

This year, Elizabeth's class meets at the elementary school (instead of the Armory last year) which makes "Elizabeth going to school" seem so much more real... I had to hide my tears that first day as Alexander and I walked away from the school and my baby girl!

Zoo bound

Before school kicked in to full swing, Kim, Christy and I visited the Sioux Falls Zoo. Although we live within 60 miles, this was my first trip. Most likely because we were just coming from the Chicago Zoo, my spoiled kids were a tad disappointed in the animals. BUT the great company made up for it! Elizabeth, Jack, and Anne's entertaining preschool conversations crack me up! And it's fun watching Alexander and Carter try to keep up with the older kids!

To the second sweetest man in my life...

Alexander, you are the most adorable, loving, and hilarious little boy I know! You have a way of warming parts of my heart I forget I have. It starts with your sweet smile and heart-breaking dimple. Then you start telling dramatic stories and jokes, laughing, teasing, and playing and I melt. Even when you throw your oh-so-intense tantrums, collapsing blue-faced on the floor, you eventually decide whatever upset you so much really wasn't more important than a hug from mom.

Your sensitivity is adorable. You also love to cuddle, dance, and draw... a man after my own heart! It is so exciting to think about and pray for your future. I know your laid back, fun-loving attitude will send you farther than your dreams!

Happy 2nd Birthday Alexander Dean Van Osdol!

Bring on the terrible twos!

Happy (early) Birthday Alexander. My dad helped my brother move back to Vermillion for his final senior year and we made it home from Chicago just in time to celebrate Alex's birthday with my dad. He delivered birthday presents from Rapid!

The truck (above) from my Grandma is from the company my parents bought/sold campers from for 20 years. We played with this truck as kids and it is still (two months later) Alexander's favorite toy! (Two months is a long run for a 2-year olds' toy!)

Quick stop down south

Southern Iowa that is. We couldn't resist dropping in on our Burlington peeps on the way home from Chicago. Great conversation with amazing family and of course good food and games!

Grandpa Dean and Grandma Irene are such a huge blessing to Andrew and me. They are very encouraging, loving, and supportive of our family. We always look forward to our living room visits and meals together. Great stories and lots of laughs!

I'll be honest. I'm not a huge fan of schnauzers... But Andrew's grandpa has owned 3 or 4 that I know of and Andrew's had 2. Buddy and Mr Samson started changing my opinions of the loyal breed but Anne (above) seals the deal! Anne is super sweet and adorable and we love her!

Grandma Horn graciously invited us to stay at her place for the visit and Uncle Ted & Aunt Barb had the whole family over for dinner and games. Short but always sweet!