Knobloch, Geilman, Zauscher, Cowan Christmas 2013

Promotion!

Now if our lives weren't EXCITING enough, about a month ago Ben got some very exciting news: the Company he works for wants him in a position back at headquarters!  And where is this headquarters you ask?  In beautiful San Clemente, CA--an HOUR away from my family.  I haven't lived this close to family in 10 years, which is making this transition much, much easier because hey, I LOVED living here in Philly.

I loved my friends, the history, the culture, our apartment, EVEN the WEATHER...and that's saying something for this California girl.  I loved being able to visit New York and DC so much, flying to Europe on the cheap, and living in the best little borough a girl could ask for.  And don't even get me started about saying goodbye to my Primary kids.  I was really surprised how much it affected me, because I've never sugarcoated the calling...it was tough--but I felt like I was just getting started!  I was sick most of the summer with the pregnancy and I just started visiting the kids because I felt better. I gave myself the summer to get adjusted to the calling and get teachers in place and work a routine and now I'm leaving!  Saying goodbye on Sunday to the kids and the teachers was really, really hard for me.  They made me a book with their drawings and letters...too much, it was too much.  And really, as excited as I am for where Ben's career is taking him and to be so close to my family, we NEVER expected it this soon and it's been a little fast for me.

Last week we were gone for 10 days going to a wedding in San Fran and then down to San Clem to find an apartment.  Honestly, if I had known about this move I probably wouldn't have gone but being there for my oldest friend's most happiest day was really special to me and I'm glad I got to be there.  Plus, she looked FABULOUS!

Seriously, how fabulous???

I also got to spend some quality time with my dear In-Laws and the cutest, funniest, red-headed (and one brown haired!) nieces in the world.  And I got to have dinner with my Aunt and Uncle which was really great too, so it wasn't a bad trip.

Here is a photo of my Sister-In-Law and her family that's on my OTHER Sister-In-Law's photography website...I haven't asked permission from either of them but both their blogs are public and here are the links...so it's all good in the neighborhood, right??  Oh, Mannion! and Expressions by Lindsay 
P.S.  These girls are super adorable and totally hilarious.

Down in San Clemente we still had a little apartment magic left and found a really great apartment.  Really, it was providence, because where we live is REALLY important to me (especially now that I'm going to be home with a KID!) and I didn't put that much work into it before we flew out.  Even while we were there I wasn't feeling that well so the place we signed a lease on is actually the first place we looked at, and the more we looked, the better it seemed.  It's a very nice little unit in a triplex, a BLOCK away from the downtown strip and a half-mile from the BEACH.  There is a bus that goes right by the house that Ben can take right up to work so we can keep going with just the one car and I'll be able to walk to the shops and the LIBRARY, which is always my favorite place in the world.  We even have a GARAGE and BACKYARD.  I'm very excited about the latter because it really extends the space and we'll have room to have dinner parties out there and such.  Plus, the BABY can crawl around out there when it gets big enough.  It's a 2 bedroom, which is really hard to find and I'm really glad because we can have family come to visit!!  I'm just glad we were able to find such a great place and sign a lease in 2 days.  Phew.

Uh, this was a photo I took down the street from our place.  Yes, that is the beach.  I know, right??

So now we're back home packing and sitting down because I caught a MAJOR head cold somewhere along the way and I'm feeling pretty miserable most of the time...but at least I don't have morning sickness anymore on top of it!

Family Visits

A few weeks ago my Mom and Sister came out to visit and it was so fantastic I can hardly stand it, although it (along with the pregnancy hormones) has made me quite homesick.  We did have a lot of fun, and it was so nice to FINALLY announce the baby to family.  Here is a video of my Mom and Sister finding out (sorry for the poor quality...and the fact that it's sideways):

It was really fun taking them to amish country and to all our favorite haunts in the city and to show them the apartment I had worked on for so long.  Here are some more pictures!

Sam with a Llama in Intercourse, PA

Seeesters!

Sam getting picture poetic in Pennock Woods

Sam being Sam

Mom being Mom

Our Little Souvenir

So a few weeks after we got home from Europe we got some exciting news: We are going to have a baby!  We are so very excited to welcome this little guy or girl somewhere around March 30, 2013.

European Adventure 2012

It was amazing and wonderful and romantic and inspiring and adventurous and everything and trip to Europe should be.  All of our plans went really smooth, we met some cool people, saw so many beautiful things, and ate the greatest food of our lives.  Photo time!

Together in Castle Hill, Prague

The milky green water of Lake Brienz, Switzerland

Some mormon missionaries in Milan, Italy

Eiffel Tower, Paris

A church door in Genoa, Italy

The old cobblestone streets of Genoa, Italy

Ben geeking out over his foccacia (baked in risotto, arugala, and proscuitto) in the Mediterranean

Nike of Samonthrace, Le Louvre, Paris

La Spiez, Switzerland

Our view in Interlaken, Switzerland

The Olympics in London!

The Senate Gardens in Prague, Czech Republic

Base of the Jungfrau, Switzerland

Remember that time...

So, remember that time I was going to become THE lifestyle blogger of the Philadelphia area?  I was going to write reviews, be invited to super posh parties, be given lots of freebies to review, and generally experience awesomeness?  I was SO hesitant to start this blog due to my fear of failure: I didn't want to start something I couldn't keep up.  I seriously stewed over it for months and months.  And then we moved and I convinced myself it would be a good way our family could keep up on our ongoings and we were going to be trying new and awesome things ANYWAY, right? 

So what happened?  I'll tell you what happened: Life.  Life happened.  In the last 3 months: I have been working full time, furnishing our house (it's finally done!), started an interior decorating/professional organization business, and been called to be Primary President.  Oh yeah, and then there's that whole business about starting a family, don't even ask.  And a couple weeks ago we decided to flee the country and go to Europe for 13 days...in a month.  Needless to say I have not had the time to blog. 

Now I was about to do the girly/megan thing and start beating myself up for failing at this endeavor of mine that I was so hesitant about starting in the first place...but then I sat back and realized, why would I beat myself up for having an AWESOME life?  I have an amazing husband who is excited for me to be the mother his children, an apartment I love, an incredible vacation all booked, I'm employed, I have clients before my website is even up, and I have further proof that God has a sense of humor for calling me to be Primary Prez. 

So if you don't here from me as much on here, don't sweat it...because baby, I'm LIVING.

Happy Easter!

Oh hey you, been too busy with life to blog about it--just thought I would stop in and wish you a happy easter.  Love, The Geilmans