Officially Retired

One of the hardest part of this move was leaving my job. For the past three years I have been apart of something great at Riley Hospital for Children. I worked for the Child Life Department as a Child Life Specialist in many different areas. I am so greatful for being apart of this group. My friends at Riley are my family, and I will take a piece of them with me whereever I go.  I have learned so much from them, and they have truly changed my life. My Riley family supported me through some hard times, and continued to provide love and support during the up and the downs of the past three years.  I have grown personally and professionally throughout my years at Riley. It was an amazing first job. This job change my persepctive on life because working in a high stress environment you  learned a lot about families, love, grief, and celebrating the small things. It restored my belief in faith and hope. It taught me to appreciate the moment because the future is unknown.

My co-workers did an amazing job supporting me that past couple of months with Chris being gone. My last couple of days at work, my co-workers did so many wonderful things for me. They had a going away party for me.  They built me a bird house, and provided me with great going away gifts. September 2nd was my last day, saying goodbye was very hard, but I know there is something amazing ahead for Chris and I. I drove to Minnesota that same day, which might have been a bad idea. I finally had to pull over and fix my contacts because they were all fogged up! Each day I wake up, fix my bowl of oatmeal  and read a special note from my co-workers! It's something that I look forward to everyday! Thank you everyone!

I got a funny reminder of work the other day when I was doing laundry. My black pants had resin rock all over the bottom of them. That might be one things I won't miss!

Thank you Riley Child Life!!!

Moving Day

August 6th was the big day! Chris flew home that morning and we had lots of help from our parents, Mike and even Charlie provided some direction to the guys. Luckily the truck we were suppose to rent didn't work out, so we got a 26 foot truck! We were shocked on how much stuff we have collected over the years . I can't imagine what it will be like when we have kids. Chris's dad was amazing and got everything loaded. I was hoping I could throw some of Chris's things away. Chris did say we need to down size and I am going to hold him to that. Here are some pictures of the big day!

Chris made the 8 hour drive by himself. Once we got up to Lake City, he had some help unloading the truck. It only took 4 hours! 

Recap of Summer!

Sorry it has been so long, a lot has happen since I last blogged in May. We cannot believe how fast this summer has gone by. After our trip to Europe everything moved so fast, and now it is September.

Things that happen this summer

• New addition to the Tourney family
• House sold
• Moving Day
• Last Day of Work
• Officially moved to Minnesota
• Trip to Mexico

Our house took 58 days to sell! I was planning for it to be on the market for 3- 6 months. Chris placed a bet that it would take 60 days, and he was very close. The weekend after 4th of July, is when we had multiple showings. The couple that bought our house was all business, we accepted the offer and the next day they wanted the house inspection. I hope that all of our house buying and selling goes that smoothly.

On July 5th, we added a new addition to the family. She is a beautiful German Shepard mix. Although we are very dumb for taking her in, she is a sweetheart. The neighbors found her in the corner of his garage with no tags or a micro chip. I said I would keep her until we found her owners. Two  months later she is still her and loves playing with Riley. Speaking of Riley, he has some new tricks thanks to Aunt Lisa and her family. Riley can roll over, speak, play dead, and catch a treat from his nose. We aren't for sure if we will keep Fiona, but she fits in with our family. After getting home last night from our trip all three dogs wanted to sleep in our bed. We will be working on sleeping arrangements tonight!

More posts to come about this summer!

House for sell!

The Tourney's are moving! Chris and I bought this house November of 2008! It has been a long road of remodeling, but it is finally done and it looks great! Good job Chris!

Just some pictures of our house! Cross your fingers that it sells fast!!

Happy Mother's Day

Just in case....

Happy Mother's Day

Sorry we can't be with you on Mother's Day but we will be thinking about you! Love you!

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms! Enjoy your day!

We survived Greece!

After our long bus ride to Thessaloniki we decided to spend the next day driving to a special site in Greece. This was our original plan, but the car rental in Athens did not work out. We rented a car and took to the roads of Greece. I did some reading about Greece driving, and everything tells you to be a defensive driver because you might be the only person on the road with an actual license. The car was a little rough and needed new tires/windshield wipers  come to find out. Greece has a beautiful country with lots of mountains, and forest. Who knew? We wanted to see Meteora, Greece and driving there was our best option.

Little history on this place:
The word Meteora means literally 'hovering in the air' and of course brings to mind the word meteor. What created this rare geological phenomenon is one of the mysteries of nature and there are many theories though they remain theories and none have been proven. But as amazing a marvel of nature as these giant rocks are the buildings on the top of these are a marvel of man and seem just as miraculous and make Meteora one of the most spectacular places to visit in Greece.

We got lost a couple of times, and drive through some heavy rain, but we finally made it.

The only picture of the rental car, because Chris was embrassed by the car.

Some of Meteora

One of six Monasteries left at Meteora. Originally there were 24.

We dropped the rental car off at the airport, then flew back to Dusseldorf. Before leaving Greece, the piliot announced they struck a bird coming to Greece so they had to check the engine.  When we landed all the Greeks started clapping and cheering. Greeks fly much differently then Americans!

Friday we are driving to Southern Germany and maybe to Amsterda on Saturday. We fly out on Sunday at 11:55 am and arrive in Chicago at 2:05 pm. Our flight to Indy doesn't leave until 9ish. Our plan is to catch an earlier flight home! Cross your fingers that we don't have to wait in Chicago for 7 hours! We just might rent a car!

I can wait to get back to "normal" life.

We miss our children!

Greece

Greece has been a little rough. Athens is not very beautiful and is struggling since the olympics. We planned on visiting islands on Sunday, but it ended up being May Day, aka strike day in Greece. There were demonstrations and transportations and public places were closed. That day we climb a mountain to view the city of Athens. On Monday we took a three island cruise. The islands were very beautiful. One of the islands called Hydra was our favorite. The only means of transportation was a mule. Chris and I went for a mule ride. So in Greece there are dogs everywhere with no homes. When we were walking a blonde dog followed us the whole way up the hill. We stopped and the dog sat next to us. Maggie and Riley almost got a new brother. My suggestion for anyone traveling to Greece would go straight to the islands or have a travel agency help you plan your trip. Today's plan was to rent a car and travel northern Greece to see some amazing stuff. When we got to the car rental place the cost was about 500 dollars more than what we had plan. After a long time at the airport, and trying to make new airplane reservations nothing worked out. We decided to take a bus to the city we fly out of on Thursday. It was a seven hour bus ride and no bathrooms. The bathroom was a small whole in the floor!! I took a very long shower tonight! We arrived to the city around midnight and we were able to find a hotel. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.

We are ready to come home! This trip has helped us (Chris) realize that we are getting old! The beds have been small and hard, and we wake up sore in places that shouldn't hurt. A couple of more days and we are Indiana bound!

Maggie and Riley's almost new brother

View from the top

The mountain we climb. On top there was a small church