Current TrueNorth buildingAs most of you know there were some big decisions made last week that will change downtown Cedar Rapids forever. The City of Cedar Rapids voted unanimously that the new $45M library will rest where TrueNorth currently sits. So, naturally...the city will forever be changed in the long run, but right now the biggest changes are for those that call TrueNorth "home."
At first we were all kind of stunned. TrueNorth had been put up as an option in the plans for the new ground transportation center and they ended up choosing another site. And then we were originally looked at again for the library site, but earlier this year the library board was to present their top two options to the city council and TrueNorth wasn't one of them. So, even though we had known that TrueNorth was being considered, to get the news last Wednesday that the city council had decided we were the right spot, over the library board's recommendations, was quite the surprise!
The media has really grabbed on to this story for more than one reason, but mostly because it is a huge decision on behalf of the city since the flooding in 2008. There are people with all sorts of opinions about the matter and we have tried to do our best as an organization to be forthright with our feelings and plans to support the city, even though we didn't really want to move, for all the same reasons the city wanted our spot!
Lila enjoyed seeing her Grandpa on the TV a few times this week during all the press that was swirling around the building. He was on "To the Point with Beth Malicki" and you could see in her eyes that she was excited to see him, but didn't understand why he was in the TV. She was smiling and pointing, but not willing to get too close!
At first we were all kind of stunned. TrueNorth had been put up as an option in the plans for the new ground transportation center and they ended up choosing another site. And then we were originally looked at again for the library site, but earlier this year the library board was to present their top two options to the city council and TrueNorth wasn't one of them. So, even though we had known that TrueNorth was being considered, to get the news last Wednesday that the city council had decided we were the right spot, over the library board's recommendations, was quite the surprise!
The media has really grabbed on to this story for more than one reason, but mostly because it is a huge decision on behalf of the city since the flooding in 2008. There are people with all sorts of opinions about the matter and we have tried to do our best as an organization to be forthright with our feelings and plans to support the city, even though we didn't really want to move, for all the same reasons the city wanted our spot!
Lila enjoyed seeing her Grandpa on the TV a few times this week during all the press that was swirling around the building. He was on "To the Point with Beth Malicki" and you could see in her eyes that she was excited to see him, but didn't understand why he was in the TV. She was smiling and pointing, but not willing to get too close!
Dad addressing questions about the city's decision
We have all had some time to adjust to the final decision and are now over the initial shock and are looking forward to the future. We have a lot ahead of us over the next 18 months, we need to find a lot, potentially demolish buildings, finalize our building plans, break ground, build and move in! The list is overwhelming, but the idea of a new place is starting to sink in! With change comes opportunity!Speaking of change...Miss Lila is changing by the minute, which means a lot of changing for Mommy & Daddy. Just when we get used to one thing it isn't long before things are completely different! We recently moved her swing and bouncy seat to the basement. We got it all packaged up and put in storage for baby #2 to use someday (notice I said someday, not soon)! We also got a big delivery in the mail the other day...new car seats! That was an eye opener for Mom! Mike unpacked everything and pulled one out of the box and I stood there shaking my head telling him how she will never fit into the seat, they were too big. He picks her up, plops her in and low and behold she fills it out perfectly. Can you say "in denial?!?!?!" Unbelievable!
She is still really enjoying swimming lessons and loves hanging out with other kids! We are so fortunate to have good friends that have little ones so they will all grow up together! She is such a good girl and is happy and content as long as she has some toys to play with and her puppy and lovey aren't too far away! She has really taken to cuddling and her newest thing is to give kisses...which melts our hearts!
Snuggling her baby chicks!
As we watch Lila change from day to day, it is hard not to reflect on the past 11 years that Mike and I have been together and think about all the change we have seen as a couple! From high school, to college, to our first jobs, our first home, our first and second dogs, our engagement, our first brand new home, our wedding, our first pregnancy and then the birth of our little girl...talk about CHANGE! I never thought in a million years I (we) would be so blessed.
No comments:
Post a Comment