-The End-

30 days of blogging...
done today.

Doing my best to enjoy life's little moments...
Everyday.
It's the little things that shape us.
It's the little things that mold our families.
The little details make our homes unique.

I love a good story.
I love romance.
And I love "sweep-me-off-my-feet" moments.
Brady and I started out with that.
It was and still is an incredible story.
But what I love is what has happened because of our unique beginning.
Everything right down to the food under the bar stools after every meal & kids up crying all hour of the night.
Every mundane task, every stressful hour we've shared...
we are finding the best way for our family
and we are making it.
It hasn't always and it won't always feel so easy, this I know...
but it makes it easier when you know what the end goal is:
Together Forever.
I know that can happen.

It's a bonus that we still have the "sweep-me-off-my-feet" moments,
though they might not be as frequent as they once were...
This is the season of life we are in.
It's quite lovely.

Safely Gathered In

He is back! The airport scene played out just how I'd pictured...
spotting him as he walked toward us
Mom getting the first hug
tears
kids hugging his legs
meeting a Weston and Lyla for the first time
few more tears
Dad smiling proudly
people watching us make a big scene(hilarious)
hugs from all his siblings (in-laws too, but there's no difference:)
nieces and nephews looking up, giddy with excitement, ready to play!!
Patrick beaming and just looking GREAT

& maybe a few more tears (of joy)

It was one of those days where:
things seemed to move in slow motion at times
I wished for waterproof mascara
Emotion takes over and you just can't believe how happy you are
I wanted to enjoy the feelings because moments (good and bad) pass quickly, so I have to hang on while I can
My camera can't take enough pictures
I had to memorize every thing because I knew the pictures won't do it justice
I know our big kids are going to remember this forever
I am grateful for the good examples of family members
I was glad that my family loves each other and was able to be back together...finally!

Thanks for everything your mission did for our family, Patrick...it's reached far more than you know.
Love you,
C

He's Home

It was every bit as awesome as I thought it would be to see him walk through the terminal.
And into our family's arms.

Pictures tomorrow.
Enjoying the time with him tonight.

Killing Time

No better way to make the morning pass quickly than swim lessons.
And to make the afternoon go by we went to see Cars 2...pretty funny.
Lyla actually sat through most of it and even danced to some of the music!

Why would we want this day to go by fast???
(if you've never read my blog you may not know)
He gets HOME tomorrow!!!!
I have never been so excited to go to the airport.

Today I...

brought Regan home from church because she was utterly exhausted and had to nap.
taught Lyla the actions to "The Wheels on the Bus" & she giggled.
listened to Emma belt out (still reverently though) church songs in the car
talked to Brady about...every thing, including a big trip to Missouri next summer. He was chatty, which isn't always the case.
curled my hair the way I used to in high school...for no real reason. And it seemed weird so I put it up.
had a power nap, which is never enough and I woke up kinda groggy, blah.
read more of the New Testament...loving that & the quiet, peaceful moment that it brings to my day.
made SO-O many cookies at my parents' house.

And the kids made posters.
It was actually time to make posters to take to the airport!

Regan is already planning her outfit and is insisting that Lyla have a little ponytail.
Emma wants to go casual, but still "cuteness".
Once they choose their outfits ... we are good to go people.

Tuesday morning can't come soon enough.

Brady got home late afternoon yesterday and I slept much better last night.
I am glad he's excited to be part of so many camp-outs again, but it means the occasional sleepless night for me.
I wake up to every sound in the house!
I'll deal. He had a good time.

And Then There Was One...

We are here in AZ. (It is SO HOT)
Ready & waiting...

It was a great day.
Freddy's, cousins in swimsuits jumping on a wet trampoline in the backyard...things as they should be.

My brother and his cute family arrived yesterday.
Man, we have missed them.(just some of the cousins with Uncle T)

Now we wait for one more ...

(I already can't sleep at night, I'm so anxious)

Dance the {Day} Away

Just put the girls to bed.
They usually go to be around 7:30pm.
Early, right? Well, they wake up before 7am.
Have you seen my kids tired? I have. Not my favorite.
Our day went like we'd hoped...which doesn't always happen so I was grateful.

Books were read.
Toys (and baseboards and doors) were washed.
Rooms were dusted.
Cookies were made.
Toes were polished.
Full House was watched.
And there was dancing...throughout the day, just whenever we felt like it was necessary.
(even new JLo was played)
Emma does the robot, Regan poses, and Lyla claps her hands above her head (and occasionally catches the beat while head-bobbing).

I wanted to take pictures but I didn't want to stop these fun moments from being so real,
so I just let it go and had fun with my girls.
Moms need days like this with their kids every now and then.
Brady is always so fun, because Dads get to be that way...
but today I was so fun.
E & R told me so.
I'll make note that Regan told me it was "the best day ever"
& Emma told me in her sweetest voice that she is glad I am her mom.
Me too.
It is not always fun and dancing around here, that's for sure.
So when a day happens that is as "parentally perfect" as today was, I'll just be thankful.

Brady, we miss you...

Better Now

I'm not really sure what it was last night that had me feeling so...blah.

But I woke up this morning feeling much better, got the kids signed up for swim lessons with their cousins
(which, if they end up in the same class is total entertainment for us parents, not so much for the teachers though),
and headed over to my mom's house.
We needed a break from home and the girls were dying for her backyard.

I helped with some cleaning...I am always happy to clean.
Call me crazy, but I love it.
It's oddly therapeutic for me and I love the feeling of a freshly clean house...
Even if it's not mine.

It's girls night for us tomorrow night and we plan to:
read books (for Lyla)
wash toys (for me, but I'm trying to teach them it's for them too)
dust the girls' rooms (same as above)
make cookies (for Regan)
paint our toes pink and blue (for Emma)
watch old Full House re-runs (for E & R, but because of me)
and have a dance party.(for everyone)
The girls already made a list of songs...
Clumsy
Imma Be
Baby
Single Ladies
and maybe the new JLo if I remember to get it.
Should be a fun time, but I know I'll enjoy it more if my bathrooms are clean.
That's how my brain works.

So I'm off to prep the house for what is sure to be the most exciting week we will have all year...
only 5 more days!!!

Feeling Feisty

That's why it's probably best for me not to post tonight.

I'll keep my grace and dignity intact for today.
Thank you very much.

With the Ladies

Just got back from a delicious dinner with my girls from high school. (missed you Jess)
I still look around the table at these girls and can't believe how long it's been.
And every time we get together I love it.
Love the laughing &
the bond that goes back as far as grade school with some of them.
Love to hear about their families,
love the night out,
love feeling refreshed on the "motherhood" front when I get home,
love kissing the girls goodnight when I get home,
And I love the Mr. for taking care while I am away.
~
Thoughts on last night's episode of Bachelorette:
Ashley's black and pink dress looked like Kelly Kapowski.
All the boys wear vnecks...all the time.
Most intense(aka-absurd) moment: watching the rose burn when Ashley sent both guys home.
Once again Ashley was a basket-case and proved she's not 'ready for love'.
During the group date I just wanted to make sure no one punched JP in the face.
By FAR the BEST moment of the whole show: during the credits..."no signs of life outside the compound"& "this is the music I am going to die to".

Can't wait to see Bentley work his magic again next week...