{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.

-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!!!