{long} Love Letters

Dear Target,
I have missed you. It's been a long time since I wandered around, looking I things I didn't know I needed. I promise I will be back...lets set a date...August 12th around 9:30 am? Good. I'll plan on it. Lyla will be the only one with me, so we will have plenty of time. Looking forward to it...

Dear Wal-Mart,
I do NOT love you. In fact when our kids get "rowdy" in public and Brady yells at them and people turn and look at us, totally judging us, I am sure...I turn to him and say, "this isn't Wal-Mart, people don't do that here" OR "try not to go all 'Wal-Mart' on them ok?". Because that's what you do. You make my kids crazy and that makes me crazy. And someday I will never visit you again...your items are improving...slowly. So speed up, or I'm out.

Dear Mall,
You have been taken over by teenagers. I can't stand it. Thanks for giving my girls lots to stare at. I feel like I can't even bring them with me anymore. And my husband feels like you need moving sidewalks, for some reason this guy-who can run 7 miles a day and think nothing of it- whines like my kids about all the walking and is always looking for the nearest chair.

Dear Safeway,
You are much more $$ than other places, but I love you. And I am so happy you are so close that you are my "go-to" store.

Dear Cali,
It's been a while. Can't wait. Soon...

Dear Cali Becks,
We wish we could come visit a lot. We miss you. We can't wait to see you!!

Dear Taysoms,
What would we do without you? Glad we live so close that my kids can get a ride home with you from the same place we are at when they could have just stayed in our car. You are that fun, I guess.

Dear Mom and Dad Beck,
Thanks for a really fun July. It was way better than June!

Dear Patrick,
Thanks for coming home safely. And for all the fun and special moments it has made for us.

Dear Alexa,
You keep me young. Our kids want to be like you. Thanks for helping with them when you can see they are making me slightly crazy.

Dear Mom and Dad Standifird,
Thanks for watching Lyla. And for cooking good food for us. And for raising the man I love.

Dear Hayley,
Thanks for making my family's hair cute. You work wonders.

Dear Mallory,
Thanks for having a birthday, the girls were so excited. And thanks for having a baby too...another nephew....heaven!

Dear Kass,
Thanks for a cute blog that my girls always ask me to show them. And for babysitting, you are a rock star around here.

Dear Dan & Michele,
Thanks for making the effort. And for letting our girls climb all over you! We've missed you.

Dear Grandma & Grandpa Beck,
Thanks for coming to our house. The girls cleaned their room just for you to see! They do adore you both.

Dear Emma,
I love your ever-curious mind. It keeps me on my toes. But, next time give me some notice when you are going to ask those kinds of questions...I'll be super-prepared from now on. Lyla will miss you reading books to her all day...you are one sweet big sis.

Dear Regan,
I'm sorry I don't do your hair really fancy everyday, but we will get back to that when school starts...promise! Thanks for leaning over your plate and for playing with Lyla so I can blog. You make her giggle! What will I do when you are gone all day?!

Dear Lyla,
Soon it will be me & you kid. We are going to party! We'll take the girls to school and come home to cuddle on the couch while we watch Sesame Street. If you'll allow it...you seem to really know what you want. Like people talking to you...you don't want that. When someone touches you and says how cute you are you scrunch up your nose, push their had away, and often times say, "stop." !! Mostly you just scrunch up your nose and make your best worried face...don't worry...I'll hold you. However, I'd prefer not to be holding you from 3-5am as it has been the last few nights. I'd really appreciate it if you'd get your last molar before Cali...so would the rest of the family. Love!

Dear Brady,
I love vacation planning with you. I'll pack the car though...we know that by now, but you are starting to do it like I would and get my logic about it all so maybe I'll let you help a little this time. I know it has been a stressful summer for you, but I am glad we can get away together. Even if it is with the kids...just kidding- they are fun too. But we are going away for our anniversary, right? And oh yeah- I am sorry that I left the HOME phone in the car and we couldn't find it for like 5 days!! Glad you found it though...I was talking to my mom and walked out to the car thinking it was my cell, but when I hung up I realized it wasn't! Too lazy to take it back in I left it in the car thinking I'd bring it in when we got home and you'd never know to tease me about it, Woops! I really love you.

Dear Bachelorette Producers,
What chance in the world does Ashley have of "finding love" when you have planned the dumbest dates possible?! Come on, a "roast", a fake Vegas wedding, wedding photo shoots? For real. I like to pretend that none of this is scripted but with your absurd date plans I can't take it seriously! You better pick up your game next season. I mean it.
Dear Bachelorette Ashley,
I really thought you fell in love with Ames under the magnolioa tree, but it's ok. I understand. You had to keep J.P. even thought his family visit was far worse than the others...

Dear Laundry,
Would you just hurry up and get done already? I hate that you are always on my list!

Dear AZ,
I need a break from your heat. I think I'll take one.

She Said/She Said

Emma:
"Mom, do I have to move out before I go to college and then go on a mission?"
(Me: "No, you have to stay with me as long as you can.")
-an exaggerated roll of the eyes-
"Mom, when I grow up and have a husband and we have a baby you can be the first one in the hospital to hold it, after me though. My husband will have to wait cause you will be the Grandma!"
-a snicker because me being the grandma is a silly thought-

Regan:
"Ew, I am not getting married. I want kids, but I don't want to get married ...so I just won't have kids."
(Me: "Why don't you want to get married?")
-a look of shock that I can't guess the answer-
"Because then I would have to leave you and I never want to leave you."
("You could get married and buy a house down the street and live really close to me")
-an impatient scoff-
"No, I won't leave you. I'm not eating my vegetables."
("Huh?")
-another impatient scoff-
"I don't want to grow up so I'm not eating them. Ever again."

And Brady wondered why it took so long to get them tucked into bed.