Family Weekend

This past weekend we took a little getaway with the kids for some highly anticipated family time. It was just what the children needed.

We spent some time just outside of Hartford at the Lutz Children's Museum. Maddie the gymnast enjoyed swinging at the playground outside the museum. 

So did Ryan and Isaac.

Davis rang the annoying train bell over and over and OVER.

After staying the night in Hartford, we headed north to a natural history museum and ecotarium in Massachusetts. Right after taking this picture on the train, Davis barked at Maddie, "Stop bothering me, please!" He didn't appreciate the hug she gave him during the Kodak moment. 

Checking out what different types of sand look like under the microscope and getting inside a giant bubble. 

Like most vacations with children, we came back more exhausted than when we left but it was worth it because the kids got to spend time with their dad. Some of my favorite lines from the trip were:

• Isaac, after getting bored of being at the children's museum and anxious to get to the hotel to swim, declared, "How can this be a vacation if all we do is look at animals all day?"
• We took the kids to the movie theater and while we were watching the previews and waiting for Brave to begin, Maddie announced, "This is so ANNOYING!" "What's annoying, Maddie?" "I just want Brave to start!"
• Davis took to saying "or somefing" after just about every statement he made over the weekend..."I want a dwink...or somefing" "Can we go to da park...or somefing?" "My name is Davy...or somefing."

The Farmer Takes the Life and the Cheese Stands Still

Making a List

Spending the day at the Stamford Nature Center with friends.

Is it really already mid July? Time always seems to march on but lately it is flying by. My better half has been busier than usual this past month and we are doing our best to keep busy right along with him since staying occupied seems to make his absence more bearable. It's during rotations like these that I have to give myself more positive self-talk than usual. i'm telling you, It's sink or swim time and I've got my flippers on and I'm doing my best doggie paddle.

I am so thankful that my children are young and will most likely never remember the absence of their dad in the years to come. It really is such a special time of their lives and I am trying my best to take in their sweetness while simultaneously mustering up the patience and energy to take care of all of their needs. I think I'm getting better at it.

I know I will look back on our CT years with fondness because we have met wonderful people and seen wonderful places. I just hope (really, REALLY hope) that I look back on these years someday and think, "That was a really busy, trying time, but it was really worth it. It was just what our family needed at that time." In all my positive self-talk I have made many mental lists of things that I love about post-graduate training, so tonight I'm putting it on virtual paper:

• We have a job. Any job is better than no job, no matter how many hours you have to work.
• Ryan is receiving training that he needs to become competent in his line of work.
• Ryan and I never get the chance to be sick of each other because our time together is minimal.
• We don't disagree about how to parent our kids because only one of us is available to parent right now. :)
• The strength of our Church family has become so much more significant and meaningful for me since moving away from our own family. 
• Somehow we have been fortunate enough to grow closer together rather than further apart. Living thousands of miles from family is very difficult but it has caused us to rely on one another in a way that we might not have otherwise. I am thankful for that challenge and opportunity.

Maddie loves manning the GPS. 

From the Mouth of My Babe

Isaac playing in the kiddie pool with friends.

Maddie: "Mom, did you REALLY eat squid?"
Me: "Yes, I've eaten it. It's called calamari and it's delicious."
Maddie: "Even more delicious than freshly baked cookies?"

From the Mouth of My Babe

Reading Fancy Nancy with Grandpa, June 2012.

A few phrases that often come out of Davis' mouth are:

• "Mommy, I need to tell you somefing."
• "No Way!"
• "I am so mad at you, mommy!" "Why, Davis?" "Ummm....I dunno!?!?!"
• "Use your words!" --he hears that all the time lately since using his teeth to get what he wants instead.
• "DAT'S NOT FAIR!"
• "Mom, you aw my best fwwweeennd!"