Just a Little Bit More

Parenthood is made up of a lot of "this won't last forever" moments.  Middle of the night feedings are replaced by picky eaters who see a fleck of something green and refuse to finish.  Diapers are replaced by big girls who actually wake up in the middle of the night to pee (FINALLY!) Hectic school mornings are replaced by kids who can totally dress themselves and brush their own hair (OK, so this last one doesn't always happen which is why we now keep brushes in the car. . .)

Lately bedtime is taking longer than usual at our house.  We tuck Sassy in, give her a kiss and hug, pull away, and then she says, "Just a little bit more," and she pulls us back in and we do another kiss and hug.  Most nights it's sweet and I want nothing more than to cuddle her a little longer.  But some nights, I'm counting down the minutes until bed time, there are way too many tears from everyone involved, I still have hours of laundry and housework to do before I can go to bed, and I'm ready to call it a day.  It's those nights when "just a little bit more" seems almost too much to ask.  But then I realize that in a matter of years, she may not want one kiss let alone two.  In just ten years she'll be graduating from high school and I'll be the one saying, "just a little bit more."    

And I've already blogged about Keke's cuddling but I now have an official title.  Cuddle Buddle.  Usually said in a high pitched baby voice: "I need my wittle cuddle buddle. . . . "  And while it's usually at bed time, being a Cuddle Buddle is not limited to night time.  Just whenever the Cuddle Buddle mood strikes.  And again, I have to remember that these days won't last. 

Last week, we were cuddling on my bed one afternoon--and again, with Keke, it's face to face, nose to nose, arms wrapped around each other, NO space to breathe.  (One night however, she put her head up on my elbow and when I asked what she was doing, she replied: "I have to put my head up here acuz your bweff weally stinks."  Oh child.. . ) Anyway, we lay like that for a little bit, and then she said, "I wish you were a little kid."

Me:  "Why?" (Expecting to hear that I would be more fun, we could play, go to preschool together, etc.) 

Keke:  "I not want you to die first."

And my heart stopped.  Where did this come from?!

Me:  "Oh honey, I hope I don't die for a really long time.  But only God knows that."

Keke: (sitting up, visibly worried) "Will we die at da same time?  Acuz I not want you to die wiff-out me or me to die wiff-out you."  

And the tears I was holding in spilled over.  Not only did I not know what to say, (seriously, why hasn't someone written a parenting manual?!)  I was also floored that a four year old worries about this.  And it also reminded me how short life is.  I know that we all die.  I know that there is a time and season for everyone.  And I know that heaven will be ten times more amazing than our best days here on Earth.  But I don't know that we're ever "ready."  There's always something left to do, people we don't want to leave, a life here that we can't imagine not having.  I pray that God grants me many more nights to tuck our babies in, many more years of being a Cuddle Buddle (and then years of laughing when we remember that Keke called me her Cuddle Buddle), and "just a little bit more" of this life that I'm so blessed to have.            

AR Friends

Ten years ago, I'd never been to Arkansas. I'd only been to our local "metropolis" once (and only because it was on the way to a vacation in Branson.) And I'd never even heard of where we now live or any of the towns surrounding us. Funny how life has changed. The Metropolis is where R works and we eat, shop, and play. We now have friends in most of these towns I'd never heard of. And two of those friends now call Arkansas home!

KM was one of my first friends in my current district. She worked at the intermediate school with me when I took my first library job. We were both young(er), both hardcore Royals fans (the definite minority around here) and both pregnant at the same time. She was my pumping buddy at work after our girls arrived--not at the same time, mind you--but we used the same room and read the same books, leaving them in the room for the next pump-fest. She left my district a few years ago and now lives in AR so we went down last weekend to spend the night with her family.

We had a great time. KM made some awesome chicken pitas and even my picky eater ate most of it! The girls ran around like crazy with their daughter, B, and their dogs. Then we hung out with some drinks, chocolate chip cheese ball, and late night TV.  We did breakfast the next morning (another recipe I had to have!) and hung out a while before going to see more friends.

Girls with B and her friend

Playing "Spy on the Neighbor." Apparently she's at least 85 so
I doubt it was too exciting. . .

KB was one of my first friends when we moved here. I'd gotten a teaching job at a nearby school and it was a big year for turnover there. Some were brand new to teaching, some like me were just new to that district, but we were all taking on a new journey together. And it was wonderful. We were all fast friends (along with two girls who had been there a few years) and even though most of us have moved on to different schools, different careers, or even different states (like KB) I'm blessed to still call these people friends. 

KB and her husband moved to AR when Sassy was born. Since then, they've had two kiddos (W is Keke's age) and our families have remained close.

They packed an awesome picnic lunch and we ate on the lawn of Crystal Bridges which we've been dying to see. What a beautiful museum!

There was a cool interactive kids' room where the girls designed sunglasses and played with all kinds of manipulatives.

I loved watching Sassy draw--she had to listen to instructions and then see if her drawing turned out like the painting at the end.

And she loved walking around and looking at the art. I'm so impressed with what her art teacher has taught her, and it was fun to listen to her and KB (an art teacher as well) chat about the different exhibits.

 

We spent the afternoon and did dinner, and all too soon, the day was over. It was wonderful to spend time with these friends I'm so blessed to know. It's funny to me that I met each in different towns, in different schools, at different times in my life and now they live about 20 minutes apart! I'm a big believer that God makes people a part of our journey for a reason and I'm so grateful that He placed these two in my path. I wish they lived closer, but now I have two big reasons to visit Arkansas!

Camping Fun

Every summer I get irritated that our weekends fill up. But then I look back and remember that amid all the crazy, we have a lot of fun. This summer we were able to camp six times! And yes, it rained almost every single time...go figure...

We spent the July 4th weekend at a campsite near Uncle S and Aunt B's new house. Grandma and Pop brought their camper down and met us. We had a great time! There was a pool, Grandma made snow cones, we watched the world's longest fireworks show, and of course, we hit the river.

We got to spend another weekend at my aunt and uncle's lake house. Air conditioning, beds, toilets, showers, kitchen....my kind of camping. ;) It's always fun to see my cousin's family and spend some time at the lake. 

At the end of July, we met up with my side of the family for the annual cousins' birthday bash. We stayed in the cutest cabins on a lake (again, my kind of camping!), every family was in charge of one meal, and we had a blast. Plus the kids had Christmas in July (complete with a Grandma-stuffed pinata!) so they were pretty happy.  I hope this is a tradition we can continue--so much fun!

We got to camp three times with some great friends who have daughters just a month apart from our girls. We have a favorite campsite where we've become regulars. :) Most of the time we just chill on a rock bar for the day but this past weekend we went floating.  Our girls always play so well together and we've had a lot of fun through the years.

It was like having six mini vacations throughout the summer. I love that our family and friends love the great outdoors like we do. I love the memories we're making for the girls. I love that we live in a place that has such beautiful scenery. And if I can't be on the beach, the river or lake is definitely a close second. 

Kissin Cousins

The girls talk a lot about moving out someday.  I don't remember doing this as a kid.  I hope I haven't talked too much about it.  Not like I'm counting down or anything. . . 14 years and a few weeks.  :)  Just kidding!  Of course, Keke is living with her 100 kids here "uh-cuz I could nebber weave you!" We'll see what her husband thinks of that!  Just the other day Sassy commented that she hopes she marries someone with lots of brothers and sisters.  Because--insert sad, pouty voice here--if she marries an only child, her kids will only have one auntie. . .   :(  And my heart broke just a little bit.

I have some guilt about my little family.  I'm sure part of it is my own upbringing.  My parents blessed my kids with a ton of aunties and uncles!  Some is my faith--I'm not a good Catholic if my brood is small... Some is peer pressure.  Every time I see a mom with 2+ kids announcing on Facebook that another is on its way, I feel a little bad.  And it's not that I want more kiddos.  I love our little family and life is SO fun and easy right now.  But I feel like I SHOULD want more kiddos.  Is there something wrong with me if two is enough?  Am I a bad mom if some days two feels like too many?!  How do these moms juggle it all?  Then there are comments like Sassy's.  She's right.  If she marries an only child, her kids will never know what she and Keke know.  And then what if Keke doesn't have kids?  Her kids will never know cousins. :(

And then I remember that R has one sister, and the girls have the best of both worlds.  They have quiet, all-fit-around-one-table Thanksgiving dinners on one side and crazy, good-luck-finding-a-seat on the other.  And it's awesome.  We're so blessed by the family in our lives.

A few pics of family fun from this spring.  (Summer pics to come soon!)

We were thrilled when Aunt Meg, Uncle Chewy and girls came for a weekend!  We took the girls to the circus while the daddies went fishing, and then we hit the school carnival that night.  And somehow I don't think I got a picture of Baby E!  Who isn't a baby anymore. . .she'll be a big sister in January!  Another J cousin!!!   

The very next weekend, Aunt Moni and her boyfriend came.  Yay--more visitors!  We went to the zoo and it was a gorgeous day.  Perfect weather!  "Uncle Turden" will be official next summer when they say "I do" in August.  We're so excited and happy for them!

And then a few weeks later, we got to see the B side of the family for Baby S's baptism.  R and I were honored to be his godparents and the girls got in lots of Baby S time.

It doesn't matter if there's one cousin or one dozen. There's always plenty of love and fun. And I know that whatever families the girls have someday or marry into, as always, it will be just right. Unless Keke truly decides to stay in my house with her 100 kids. Then we might have to talk!

Twelve Years

Somehow the boy I started dating in 1997 has become my husband of twelve years.

May 1997: Not sure what's worse, the hair or the couch

 Sassy: "I have no words." Ha!

1998. Sassy: "You're wearing old lady lipstick and Daddy looks
like he's in a bowling tournament."

2000: Engagement pic with cheesy, awkward hand placement

2001: Wedding

Honeymoon in Key West

2005: Family pics and Sassy in the oven! (Sassy:"Why are
your lips blue?" Apparently I've made some bad lipstick choices...)

2008: Friend's wedding in FL

2011: Returning to FL for our 10 year anniversary.  This shirt looks familiar. . .

I could go on and on about how much my love for this guy has grown over the years (like my fashion sense!) But instead, I wanted to share a fortune that I carry around in my wallet:

I couldn't have said it better myself.

2013: 12th anniversary

                   

Party Animals

So a week before Keke turned four, she started talking about all of her friends coming to her party. Oops. Party? Weren't quite planning on a party. Dang youngest. This is what happens when you see an older sister have parties...So I scrambled and invited a few close friends to the park for pizza and cake. And honestly, it was a lot more fun to catch up with moms I love than trying to entertain a bunch of parents I don't know. :)

My best cake yet. Mainly because there were no tears, ripped bags,
or thrown kitchen gear

Daddy made me a bug box!

New bike!

Sassy decided that she wanted an art party at a local pottery studio. So we sent out homemade invitations:

And we made rainbow cupcakes. Ours weren't as bright (liquid food coloring doesn't work as well) but I found THE frosting recipe using butter extract. Omg. Totally makes the cake!

The seat of honor

Painting the birthday plate

The owner didn't even know about our "theme"
and said she'd never done a plate like this. I love
that she used Sassy's hands.

I think the girls had a blast. I loved sitting and watching them create. And not having to clean up afterwards. :)

It's so much fun to celebrate with them. I think they had great days. I know I did. Ariel looked like Ariel and I found a new frosting recipe in which two of the three ingredients start with "butter." Now that's what I call a party.