And the Livin' Is Easy

Does anything beat a lazy summer afternoon?

Resting in the shade...

...while the children play...

...then calling them (minus napping Libby) inside for root beer floats as I start dinner.

Sorry, snow bunnies: winter's got nothing on this.

Three Weeks Off

Scott took his calculus final today. That means he gets over three weeks off of school! It also means that we get to indulge in (our version of) a break.

What we have to look forward to during Scott's time off:

1. Travis' birthday

2. Jury duty for Scott (joy)

3. Our anniversary

4. Crossing off every lingering item on our move-related to-do lists

5. "Staycation" family days

We still don't know what Scott's work schedule looks like for August, but we're excited to have more flexibility with our time when he is home... before life becomes substantially crazier this fall. 

Great work this semester! We're proud of you!

Midnight Snack

Jamin fell asleep on Nanay's couch last night. 

After a while, he stirred and said that he wanted to go to bed. 

Thirty minutes later, Jamin stumbled out of his room. Scotty and I asked why he was up. Blank stare. He softly nodded "yes" when I asked if Travis-- who was still awake in their room-- had woken him up. Then Jamin plopped on the couch with a glazed-over look.

He sat as still and quiet as a stone for ten minutes.

Then, out of nowhere, he announced, "I want breakfast!"

"What?" I asked, confused by the hour.

"I want breakfast please, "Jamin corrected. 

Teeth: Part II

These chompers broke through simultaneously a couple of weeks ago.

She uses them on everything. Particularly toes.

Thirty

My brother would have turned 3o today. If...

That's the thing about suicide: there are so many "ifs." And even more "whys."

Ultimately, "if" and "why" are useless... a waste of energy beyond teaching us how to face our future with more wisdom. Yet grief inevitably whispers those thoughts into our minds on occasion. Especially occasions like today.

When I turn my mind from "if" to reality, I hurt. But reality also lets in the deeper, sweet feelings of peace. I know Ryan is in a good place. I know that he's safe, free of his physical demons, and at a point where he can begin to move forward. There's no greater gift than the chance to start again. For an eternally merciful Savior and the blessings of the temple, I am grateful.*

Ryan, I miss you. I miss the mischievous glint in your eyes, your insight, your quick wit, and your tight hugs. I hope you know how very much you are loved. I can't wait to see you again when my journey here is complete. Happy birthday.

*The LDS doctrine on suicide is often misunderstood. For complete information on the subject, click here.

Playing with Cousins

Scott's cousin Christopher and his son, Owen, came to visit from D.C. this week. We hadn't seen them in a couple of years. When we all lived in Utah, we got together most Sundays for family dinner at Aunt Charlene's. This was a fun opportunity to catch up. Scott and Chris went golfing while a bunch of the little second-cousins (and their moms) came over to play. 

Weston, 2 months and Libby, 7 months. Despite the age difference, they're the same size:

Libby was fascinated by him. And Weston is such a mellow baby that he didn't seem to mind:

Almost-two-year-olds Macy and Travis were inseparable for a good chunk of time:

Big kids Madelyn, Brock, Jamin, and Owen played hard. They ran and ran and ran... so much, in fact, that it was tough to catch them on camera:

Meanwhile, we moms (Charlotte, Karen, Carisa, and myself) had a nice time chatting. Scott and Chris thoroughly enjoyed themselves golfing. Scott has a gnarly sunburn to prove it! 

Thanks for coming to visit! It was great to see you again. Just be sure to bring Beki next time. 

Teeth: Part I

Jamin went to the dentist for the first time today.

The moment we walked into Dr. Higer's waiting room, he gasped, "This is the coolest place ever!" (Fish tank, toys, television... I don't blame him.) That fascination continued the whole visit.

He loved the tools that Stephanie, the hygienist, showed him before she began. Rather than watching the overhead television, Jamin stayed involved the whole cleaning.

When Stephanie left to get Dr. Higer, Jamin announced with a surety, "I'm going to be a dentist when I grow up." (So that makes chef, firefighter, professional soccer player, and dentist. Okay.)

The rest of the appointment went great. No cavities. Only a little plaque.

Jamin left toting a new Cars toothbrush, Spongebob toothpaste, floss, a Lightening McQueen sticker, a dinosaur pencil, and a large plastic tooth. The latter he selected from a big drawer of normally-more-appealing toys because, "It'll help when I'm a dentist."

(Flossing, May 2010)

Storytime with Travis

Me: What's this?

Travis: Train! Chugga-chugga CHOO-CHOO!

***

Me: What's that?

Travis: Sheep! Chugga-chugga BAAAAAA!

***

Me: What's this?

Travis: Delicious!

Smart boy.

Diversion

Unpacking. Unpacking. Unpacking.

That pretty much sums up life right now. It's more complicated than a usual move-in since we have to decide whether each item should go to Pile A (return to cleaners), Pile B (make a claim), Pile C (throw away), Pile D (donate), or Pile E (keep). The lucky items that make it to Pile E then go through either the dishwasher or washing machine. After that, we put them away. My Type A antics make this step even more fun.

The process is a headache, but we're eager to get through it and move forward with life.

***

Today was a nice diversion. I reached a stopping point, Scott was busy at school, and the weather was scorching. So I packed up the kids and headed to Settler's Park. 

Lazy Fourth

Since the Fourth fell on a Sunday this year

-- not to mention that Scott came home from work at 6:00 a.m. and went back to work at 3:00 p.m.--

 we had a pretty lazy day. (Had we been on the ball, we would have realized all the fun local activities happened on Saturday. Oops.)

We ate breakfast, then Scott slept while the kids and I played. Then we spent some time as a family and got everyone ready for church. 

(Clearly thrilled about the themed outfits.)

Scott headed to work, and the rest of us went to church. It was really nice to be back in our ward.

After church, we had dinner with Nanay & Papa, watched the Capitol 4th show, lit some firecrackers, and went to bed. 

It was much lazier than our usual holiday of parades, festivals, barbecues, and late night fireworks. But lazy isn't always a bad thing... especially on a Sunday.

Independence

When I consider what this holiday commemorates, I am in awe.

The founders boldly declared their stance, knowing that by so doing, they also declared war. Despite Britain's clear advantage, America's passion for freedom arguably enabled us to win. The initial Declaration embodied and fueled the entire revolution. It's no wonder that we celebrate this document's creation as our nation's birth.

This segment from America, the Story of Us offers a glimpse of what the founders felt:

(Sorry it cuts off on the right. If this bugs you, click on the video 
to watch it full sized on YouTube.)

For all this country has become and all it may someday be, we are 
forever indebted to this group of amazing men. 

Happy Fourth of July!