Too far away

836 miles. That's how far away I am right now from my little boy (and my big one too) 

This is killing me. I thought it was bad enough already until I just got the phone call. I can't quite tell you all that was said by my little 4 year old. He was sobbing too uncontrollably to totally make out the words. Here is a sampling of what I did hear.

"Mommy. Will you come to Colorado on the airplane tomorrow? Please Mommy. I just want you. I miss you. I don't want Daddy to snuggle me, I want you to do it. Please Mommy. I love you. I want you. Come to Colorado."

Luke is a major Daddy's boy. 100%. Has been his entire life and is to this day. It is a very rare treat that he wants me when he is hurt or sad. I never get to do bedtime's with Luke. That special time has been reserved for Daddy for many years now. I don't really even bother asking him anymore if I can do it. The answer is always the same, with no apology.

"No. I want Daddy to do it." 

So you can imagine how this phone call broke my heart into about a million pieces. I actually debated paying the extra money (that we don't have) and trying to fly out tomorrow rather than Tuesday.

After about 4 or 5 minutes of the hardest phone call I've yet to get from my Child I had an idea. 

"Lukie. Can Mommy read you a book?"

Silence for a moment. Maybe I was going to change things around.

"Ummmm.... Daddy already did it."

"Well.... Mommy has a book right here. I can read it to you over the telephone. It would be like I were right next to you, would you like that?"

Luke stopped all crying and I started out.... " Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What do you See?"

It was magic. I finished the last page, told him I loved him and that I would talk to him tomorrow. He perked up, said "thank you, Mama" and, in an almost cheery voice, "Goodnight."

836 miles away. Its just too far tonight. Tomorrow will be better. He'll be less stressed out, have less chaos in his day. And he will un-doubtably want his Daddy to do bedtime again. But I realized tonight, amidst his protests and constant desire for his Dad, he needs his Mom too. And I'm glad 'cuz I'll always need my Lukie.

More than words

I cant even tell you how much we'll all miss this amazing woman when we leave for Denver.

A night for Olivia

I have the most amazing friends who insisted on throwing me a shower for Olivia. It was a wonderful night. Filled with lots of delicious and fancy treats, good friends, a beautiful atmosphere (Julie's house is my dream home) and lots of insanely great gifts for this little girl of ours.

Thanks so much girls for doing all of that work for us. You'll never know how much I appreciate your love and friendship. And how I will miss you... I don't even want to think about it right now.

one of my favorite dresses.

Seriously... how cute can her wardrobe get?

Jess, Shari, me and Tara. O' and baby Brock too!

Loved this darling basket full of goodies from Jessica. All pink,  brown and dots..... she knows me so well!

Tiff, Nessa Nessa (Vanessa) me and Jenny.

#1

#2

Number two: Ping Island/Lightning Strike.
The audio gets way out of sync about halfway through. You might not notice, or care, but it cuts out Luke saying something at the very end. To me, that bit at the end made the whole video. I've tried re-uploading it several times, and even used youtube, but when I post it to blogger, the black space gets cut out of the video, and the audio gets thrown off. Oh well. Enjoy.

#3

I was looking through some folders on my laptop, and found some old videos I made of Luke. These were a good creative outlet (besides writing) in grad school, so maybe once I start up my PhD program, I'll create some new ones.
In the meantime, I thought I'd post my top three favorites over the next few days, starting with #3.

2 weeks till the truck's here

A few things I am particularly excited about.......

this skate shop

This house

This pool

These wacky kids... and their brother and parents

These drinks and ice!!!!!!

Having my baby at this beautiful, new Hospital

and several other things! I cant believe that this will be our life in a couple of weeks.

I was going to do a post on the things we'd miss here but there were just too many things.

For my friend Jessica

A- Attached or Single: Attached. Also I literally have another person attached to me... thats weird.

B- Best Friend: My Dave.... and Jana Banana... and my Sisters...and.... I have lots of "best's"

C- Cake or Pie: I really don't like pie. But I love cake!!!! 

D-Day: they all blend together now that Dave's on Summer break. Pretty soon I will be living for Fridays.

E- Essential item: flip flop's. Even in a freezing Chicago Winter.

F- Favorite color: Pink

G- Gummi Bears or Worms: Bears... love cinnamon bears, sour and especially chocolate covered.

H- Hometown: I was born in San Antonio, TX. But HB is what I would call my "hometown"

I-Indulgences: Everything I eat these days are indulgences. If I crave it I eat it. Today was 3 orange cupcakes... thanks Tiff.

J-January or July: January. I love Winter

K- kids: 1 boy and 1 girl... 2 girls in September.

L-Life is incomplete without my: Family, religious beliefs and my Nikon.

M- Marriage date: December 28, 2002

N- Number of sibling: 2 bro's and 2 sisters. It was perfect.

O- Oranges or apples: Apples

P- Phobia's or fears: something happening to my kids, the dark (seriously) being home alone.

Q- Quote: Nothing can compensate for failure in the home

R- Reason to smile: My family (im smiling right now) our future home that's waiting for us

S- Season: Fall... no brainer.

T- Tag four: whoever is bored  and wants to give it a go

U- Unknown fact about me: I love tomato soup

V- Very favorite store: 8 track ride. My sisters skate shop. Clearly.

W- Worst habit: my poor eating

X- Xrays or Ultrasounds: Terrible question. Ultrasounds. I get another 3D in a week... cant wait.

Y- Your fav food: Beach burger and fries from Ruby's

Z- Zodiac sign: Leo

There you go Jess. I said I'd deliver.

July 4th part 1

We had just the best July 4th.

It started out with our Stake's 24th annual program, which was wonderful. The kids loved all of the music and didn't budge the entire time.

Then we took naps... all of us. Even Luke. This is how badly he wanted to see the firework show. I think its been 6 or 7 months since he's napped and we were overjoyed at his good choice.

We headed over to Nana and Papa's house for a little BBQ and swimming. Just as we were getting out to head over to the next event of the evening the Harvey's showed up. My kids weren't about to leave upon their arrival so... we went in for round 2. We are  really going to miss these fun boys. 

We finally got back to our house for some more BBQ and to spend a little time with the Byers clan. It was fun and delicious.... my favorite combination.

And then it was time for the much awaited extravaganza. Fireworks!!!! We ended up waiting around for about an hour before the finally got started. And Luke, who has been talking about this for weeks, stated, "I just want to go home Mommy." I felt so bad. He has stayed up past 7pm literally 4 times in his entire life. Luke is like a human clock. All things are done on a schedule. Once they got started the kids were both pretty amazed. 

When we finally poured our tired bodied into bed it was about 10:30pm!!!! Grandma thought  we were in an accident or something. This was by far the latest we have ever had the kids out. But it was a fun Holiday and I am grateful that Luke has been growing and doing so well. 6 months ago even we'd have never attempted such a thing.

As Luke said. "Mom, we did a lot of stuff yesterday. It was awesome!!!"

July 4th... part 2

In front of the awesome tank at the base

Luke loved the green ones best!

swimming makes us happy!

Ella doesn't even jump in from the end if I am waiting to catch her. But when Ben wanted her to jump with him she didn't think twice. And nobody was even catching her, she just kept going under.

Lukie loved to be thrown in the air

ready to start part 2 of the day... swimming and fireworks.