Dear...

Dear Rizzley (our family van),

It's been a rough day. 1st, I drove you into the car next door (see post below)--so sorry about that.

Battle wounds. You were a champ--took on the monster fearlessly and kept us safe.

Then I discovered that the dreaded, (we think) carpet beetles from last summer have returned!

We thought we successfully baked them out...but apparently not their eggs.

As a result, you spent your afternoon soaking up some good Vitamin D sunbathing rather than good ole garage storing.

At least the boys are safe, right?

To finish it off, Cian--who adores exploring and pushing your buttons, got creative and had his first "Buddy, the elf" act while I was mowing the front yard.

Mommy stops lawnmower to check on him. So innocent...

BAM!

You have been SO good to us. At 10 years strong and pushing 190K miles (only 7k and 1.5 years from us), you have had a good run. Our wallet has really appreciated your need for only oil changes and gas. But please don't give up on us. We really do love you. In exchange,

ahem, we promise to treat you better and not sell you because of your carpet beetle invasion (like we--I-- suspect your previous owners did).

Love,
The Bs and Cs.
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Dear Bryce,

You are missing out on a ton of fun. I sure hope that Conference is making up for it and teaching you lots. Oh and the Florida paradise.No hint of jealousy. At all.

You remember our, "monkey see, monkey do" adorable, next door neighbor (his direct quote)? You know the, "you mow, I mow an hour later". "You plan a garden, I plant a garden a month later (after living here for 20 years and never planting a garden)". Maybe an alternative way of looking at it, we INSPIRE him! Haha. Well, his grass was looking kinda long and out of concern for him against the neighborhood code patrol--I saw them driving by on Sunday!--, I decided to jump start his mowing-of-the-grass juices, for him. It also so happened to be overcast and the conditions to be as good as they are going to get this hot, humid Indiana in June, week. Anyway, while doing so, I came across our suicidal frog from last Summer. Let's call him Spot.

Spot performed his trademark hop right in front of the lawnmower. If I had sneezed, he would've been gone. (side note:I think I may be allergic to lawn mowing). He has doubled to tripled in size. And picked up some polka dots. He sure made (after scared) Brycen's night. 

Oh and that same neighbor. He cut the front yard. His SON (remember, not much younger than you or I) cut the back yard. It was monumental. I had to take a picture.

It couldn't be too obvious, of course.

Cian, your head-to-toe true and through Daddy's boy, is crazy as ever. Still drags around his snow shovel...in June, I can only imagine what neighbors might think, 

does his own war paint, 

and is his very own stunt performer.

 Remember this shirt you gave Brycen?

It's continues to be as adorable the second time around. 

Bedtime is rough though. He sure misses you.

And well, Brycen does too but he can be reasoned with and understands that you are indeed coming back.

In other news, Brycen's love for somersaults landed him in his bowl of cold cereal tonight. Yup, that's right: our menu for the day "Cereal, raman, cereal". It was classic. Anyway, milk got all over the couch, carpet, me, and his hair. I know, I know, food belongs in the kitchen. I was desperate. They wanted to sit on my lap... and read books.... and eat and really, the couch beats our kitchen chair comfort any day.

How do you feel about leather couches and wood floor?

After the cereal incident, a bath was made mandatory for Lil B. He was thrilled. But after the bath, he claimed he could NOT find anymore underwear in his drawer. I knew there were some as I had just done laundry so to try to inspire him to try again and me not just do it for him, I ignored his claims. After several attempts to get my attention, Brycen exclaimed, "MOM! I am very...very....very NAKED!"

Aren't they great? I love you. Alot. Can you come home yet?

Loves,
Your Christi

P.S. Our grass could use some weed whacking/edging. I know I've mowed two weeks in a row but that's where I draw the line. That weed whacker is just plain scary.

No Good Day.

10 years on the road

0 tickets

0 accidents

Until today :(

We were late.

I hate being late. 

Husband gone.

No sleep.

One spot left in the parking lot.

Horribly parked. Monster.

Reason #43596 I will never own anything bigger than a Honda van.

Cars touching. (although, totally beats crashing) Makes top 5 list of the worst sounds in . the. world.

WWJD? (flashbacks to my childhood. What ever happened to that phenomenon?)

I left an apologetic note on the windshield with my number. 

I wouldn't have it any other way. Truly.

Waited for the dreaded call.

Her name is Lisa, she is kind, but direct quote, "You did quite a number on it, didn't ya?"

Thank you insurance. 

The safety and awesomeness of these boys got me through.

Saving of the M&Ms. Too bad they turned into a chocolate MESS! Hilarious and devastating.

Oh, how I envy their care free driving days. 

Isn't this the cutest/COOLEST truck ever? $2.
Best TWO dollars ever spent.  

EasyOver.

3:30 pm-Cian (Little C) wakes up from nap. 2 whole hours earlier than the usual Sunday, thanks to some technical difficulties at church.

4:30-Lil C screams through haircut.

Pre-cut

Post-cut

5:45-The Mr. leaves for the airport.

3 Handsomes. 3 shades of hair color. (1shade of pale) 3 haircuts.

Tearful goodbye for little B (especially).


5:50-Lil C scarfs down very, very overripe banana that was peeled for MUFFIN CONSUMPTION ONLY.

YUCK.

6:20-Delicious-to-be muffins placed in oven.
6:21-Lil B asks if mentioned muffins are done yet. "I'm S-T-A-R-V-I-N-G!" (dinner was served an hour earlier).

6:22-B watches timer intently, "How...about.... now?"

7 pm-Muffins FINALLY out and cooling (thank goodness).

7:15-Three or 4 Muffins consumed by B after brief distraction from the kids next door.

8pm-Start of bedtime.

8:45-Lil B tucked, hugged, kissed, and placed in bed. The Cs exit stage left.

8:47-(Happy) noises heard from B's bedroom.

8:49-Brycen sound asleep.
Easy. 

8:50-Bedtime Laps around house begin with Lil C.

8:51-Lil C demands muffin break after first lap.Consumed.



9pm-Lil C runs in circles (literally) while Big C does some potty business.

9:12-"Book!"



9:25-Lil C launches off Big C while she lays in bed. Laughter erupts. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat....Repeat.

9:45-Lil C eats whole bottle of mints from Big C's desk.

10 pm-Lil C asks for yet another book (29th of the day). The idea that this kid could probably sit through a reading of the encyclopedia before boredom, is thought.

10:12-It is finally dark enough outside for Lil C to not be distracted by muffintime, launchtime, or storytime.

10:18-Lil C and blankie nestled in Big C's arms.

Cian asleep.
Hard work. C's exhausted.

10:45-C can finally call and wish her Daddy,  a "HAPPY FATHER's DAY!".Thank you MDT.

11:15pm-C can finally post this:

Happy Father's Day, Bryceiffer! (a nick-I guess, long- name from our dating years)

I love him!
 (now the song from Les Mes is STUCK in my head.)

(Lil B's photo skills from our most recent Utah trip. Dry heat and my hair, oh, SO meant to be.)

Oh, and miss him....

Out my window.

I want a window above my kitchen sink forever. Dishes will always be dishes but not having to stare at a wall, completely transforms the deal.

I love being able to watch the kiddos play all day long.

I love watching the Mr. and the kids play while I clean up dinner. Not having someone at my feet is a nice change to my day and the boys having their dad home is a nice one as well. 

Even when my family can't be spotted out, I find myself proudly admiring the lawn I mowed, or mindlessly watching the bunny family emerge from the neighbor's tree, the rain fall, or the Cali cat often doing her bounce dance in preparation to hunt the squirrel two fences over. Her goals never cease to amaze me.

And then there are times that I change things up and forget the kitchen mess and hide-and-seek with them.

But this time...Cian decided that he wanted to be the one behind the camera. Boys and buttons. MUST PUSH!

The most amazing hot soup ever! :)

Bedtime.


sometimes=dog pile of kiddo tears. We are pooped as well as they. Anyone else have this problem?

Or how about this one? Only one Mommy lap to go around. Next week when Daddy is gone... should be a fun one!

It was my night, last night, to put the Cian Monster to bed. I sure love that kid. He doesn't like to be put asleep in his room but rather, walked around the dark house. 

It never takes long for him to settle in. As kids love routines. 

Nestled against my chest, I felt the warmth of his forehead along my cheek as his body grew more still and heavy. Pure moments of bliss with what others call, the miniature (male) version of me.

In other news:  I have started to refer to Bryce as Mr on the blog.  I have a loving, always good-meaning family member that reminds me more often then I would like, how confusing it is that we named our first son, Brycen. Never intending to be confusing, Mr it is. Even though in my book, Brycen (more commonly spelled BrySON) clearly says who it is we are referring to in this fam. :)

OCD

1. My garden currently looks like this.

If you are able, find all the lightly (green) colored plants. That, my friends, is green leaf lettuce (amongst a ton of weeds, I guess that's what I get for abandoning it for two weeks and heading to Utah).

 Brycen conveniently spilled the lettuce seeds. We have it sprouting up everywhere! Unlocked vehicles at church may just find themselves some lettuce.

 
MMm. SO good!

2. I have been convinced for awhile now that our Cali cat is weird. It's not uncommon for her to play dead.

3. The best swing ever. Pull up a friend. Spend hours. No pushing from Mom necessary.

4. Fresh strawberry picking. Poppy seed salad (with our very own spinach and lettuce!), strawberries sliced on German Pancakes, frozen for smoothies, and Freezer jam. So in love.I think I will put a few on my ice cream tonight.

5. We have this crazy opportunity to buy the house we are currently renting. I know, crazy! In preparation for the walk through with the landlord, I cleaned...the sliding door sliding area. Please don't tell me I'm the only crazy person that does this.

6. I mowed the front and back yard on Monday in 1245% humidity. I'm quite proud. The Mr. is so busy finishing up his doctorate craziness, I decided to give him his Father's Day present early. The kiddos surprisingly cooperated while watching me from the shade. Their payment came in Popsicle form. One for the front, one for the back.

 Thunderstorms that often proceed crazy heat and humidity blew in Wednesday night (boy, I love thunderstorms! Thunderstorms that is. Tornado threats. Not so much.) 

As a result, Thursday and today have been absolutely gorgeous! Breezy. Windows open. A/C off.  -25% humidity or so it feels in contrast. Absolutely beautiful.

7. Mother of the year. Yesterday, my awesome friend offered to take Brycen for a few hours so I could clean. Without the Brycen distraction, I won Cian's separation from my leg through the one and only. 

Have you noticed a trend? 

Sugar to make mowing possible. Sugar to make dinner possible...

 Named perfectly after his grandfather, he has a sweet tooth just as big. 

8. While waiting for daddy to come home, we chilled on our front porch in this awesome degree weather. I sure love his toes. 

9. And this.

Cian says, "Mydad!" And then steals mydad's cup and blows bubbles in it. Daddy LOVES it! (enter: sarcasm on the cup and bubbles part)

10. Bedtime. During scriptures last night, Cian (by accident) discovered the joys of a swirly chair. He was able to spin Daddy around effortlessly! Which lead to...Brycen wanting to hop on and then Cian. And Daddy being kicked off and scriptures reading coming to an end.

Pure joy.

11. The Cian monster (his nickname) sure found his love for books. He really doesn't care if you are trying to do your bathroom business, or the dishes, or get dressed for the day.....

 That grin.

 The only problem: Brycen loved ALL  the same books at that age.We have known them word for word for

 years now. It's not uncommon to read the same three books 16 times in a row.

12. While out delivering our never ending lettuce to some friends that didn't know what was coming, we pulled these treasures out.

 

 13. And rewarded ourselves to this.

I LOVE Summer. Even though it technically hasn't officially started, and Brycen declares every day "the hottest day of summer" 

...and has been since March. No wonder he think Summer is lasting forever. Forever is his new phrase for everything.And I love that forever is the time I get with them.