2014 Christmas Card

Nico, 2.5yo

Merry Christmas!

We've had a great time celebrating Christmas this week! Nico definitely "gets" that Christmas is about baby Jesus and gifts, but definitely doesn't get the Santa thing yet - and we're ok with that! She has loved driving around and looking at Christmas lights and opening a small present and book each day for advent. I wonder how soon she'll figure out that Christmas doesn't last forever :)

At the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour with Nana and Cousin Jonathan

At the Grand Floridian seeing the pretty Christmas decorations and real-life gingerbread house

All ready for Christmas Eve church service.... What a beautiful girl! 

Trying on her outfit from China from Tia and Tio. 

Happy Thanksgiving

Continuing to give thanks even after Thanksgiving Day... Happy Thanksgiving from Nico and the Big T!

October fun

We saw a train go by the pumpkin patch!

We ended up with about 5 different variations of her normal clothes as Halloween costumes (football player, runner, KC Royals fan, little chef, hipster), but we settled on Instagram for her official outfit on Halloween. 

My Gym Halloween party

Two and a half!

Happy half birthday! 

Happy 40th Birthday to Jason!

We had dinner out with friends on Friday night (surprise!) and spent a nice day relaxing together as a family to celebrate Jason's 40th birthday today. We're so thankful for him! 

Dr. Pop Art

Nico Swimming Video August 2014

2 years and 3 months old and every bit of her a fish! She loves the water and her new swim teacher.

In other news, Nico will be starting a part-time 2 day a week preschool in a couple of weeks. We know that she's ready, but we're not so sure that mama's ready :)

We've had such a busy summer with some short trips, lots of visits from Nana and Grammy, library story times, My Gym, play groups, doing lunch, running errands, etc. Jason and I are busy planning the next Winter Park Wedding Expo and Eco Baby Fair too, which are coming along nicely!

5 Years

We all miss you terribly, Dad. I wish you could see how much. 

10th Anniversary!

Today we celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary! Can't wait to see what wonderful surprises Jason has planned :)

We have so much to reflect on and be thankful for, an abnormal amount of "stuff" has happened to us/around us in those ten years and I'm so glad I've had Jason by my side throughout everything.

Graduation Weekend

This past weekend I was officially hooded and my doctoral degree was conferred at The University of Kansas. Jason, Nico, my mom, my brother Russell and his wife Renata were all able to be together for the weekend and attend all three ceremonies: the School of Education Convocation, the Doctoral Hooding Ceremony, and the University Commencement. On Friday night before all the ceremonies started we had a little graduation open house at a friends home, which was so generous of them to host and made for a really nice evening to be able to chat with our Lawrence friends and "family." We had a great time together and here are a few pictures that highlight the trip. 

This ring with a green stone is the one I had made in memory of my father. I wore it all weekend and just hope that he was able to see us celebrate and know that I accomplished this goal.

Much love, Dr. Diana!

Happy Second Birthday! (April 17)

Happy birthday to Nico! We had an exciting morning of opening birthday gifts at the house, her 2yr check up, and out to lunch for her favorite food at Ethos - mac n cheeze n peas... Plus a slice of orange cake! Yum! 

From her 2 yr old photo shoot a couple of weeks ago

Kitchen set, lots of puzzles, and beautiful pink roses special from daddy. 

Family selfie at lunch

Thank You

To all the family, friends, and colleagues that have supported me in some way during my quest for this degree, thank you so much. I never could have anticipated how life would change for me over this past while, but I am so glad that I had positive energy around me every step of the way. Even if you didn't think you supported me in any specific way, you probably did! Thank you!

Now let's have a celebration! If you're in Florida, come over this Saturday April 19th at our place (also Nico's 2nd birthday party and our housewarming). If you're in Kansas, Friday May 16th during graduation weekend! Message me if you need the details :)

Dr. Bjorkman Wade

My school journey was completed today (April 15, 2014) at my dissertation defense. Just a few quick wording changes on my paper but I got all signatures and everything is turned in. I am officially a PhD! 

University of Kansas

School of Education

Joseph R. Pearson Hall

The room all ready to go... PPT cued and baked goods from The Merc. 

Boy did I miss these two monkeys! This also marked my first night away from Nico (and first night in a bed all by myself for the whole night!) She's a snuggler :)

Diana's defense is scheduled!

Wish me luck, say a prayer, rub a rabbits foot for me, anything is appreciated! I am so excited and already so nervous!

Happy Valentine's Day!

On to the next chapter

As the sun sets on this chapter of our lives we see how bittersweet it is. The end and a beginning. We're ready to move because we know it's what is right for our family and we know that this physical location wasn't the best fit for us, yet it's very challenging to walk away from so many of the wonderful people we have met here. Tears were shed saying goodbye to many wonderful friends tonight and over the past while. We will miss this time in our lives and in Nico's young life. She went from a squirmy little worm to a squirmy, confident, adventurous, charming, big worm in this house over the past 1.5 years. Rolling over, sitting up, crawling, and walking all seem so far away now. She's jumping, swimming, and talking now!

The first morning we officially wake up as residents of our new and permanent home will be Diana's 35th birthday! Exciting times ahead!

Little fish

We sure are going to miss our swim lessons with Colleen!

The welcoming committee