An Apple A Day

an apple a day may keep the Dr. away

but it doesn't keep you from tumbling face first off a slide at the park

and it doesn't take away red scrapes and bruised foreheads

an apple will not rewind time

an apple, will however, make a little guy feel a bit better, you know, after he has used his face to stop  a nose dive...

stealing spring

Every spring I look out my back window and see the yard next door come alive with color.

It has this tree that buds in tiny lavender goodness.

It has tulips to delight the eye in all colors.

The ground is COVERED in small purple flowers and rich green grass.

I stand at my kitchen sink and gaze at the beauty whilst I wash the dishes.

The other day I thought how sad it was that nobody owns that yard...that no one is enjoying it...besides me, from afar.

It just seemed wasteful.

So I decided to snap some pretty pictures of Gods remarkable and awe-inspiring creation...

then steal some of it.

I made myself a lovely spring bouquet of gorgeous red and white tulips.

I mean, someone should enjoy these flowers...it is not like they will be around forever...

So today, as I gaze upon my freshly cut lovelies... I am glad I stole a bit of spring.

happy 2nd brain surgery & recovery anniversary

OK, so I missed it. Now it is just by one day... and to be clear, I did remember yesterday... I was to lazy, ahem, to busy to put  up a post.

Yesterday was an imortant anniversary... incidentally it was ALSO  my parents 35th wedding anniversary.... which I totally forgot about. I am tellin' ya, I have lost my mind, and I am afeared it shant be returning anytime soon. (rabbit trail done)

Yesterday was the2 year anniversary of the Captain's tumor and brain surgery. Many of you heard about our family right around this time 2 years ago. And I have made many a bloggy friend since then. I am forever thankful for all of your prayers for our family. I cannot express to you enough how impactful each comment, each prayer, each card, each phone call, each hug has meant to the Captain and me....since Caden, through the brain surgery...the incarceration.... and just through life, which can be hard.

However, today as the Captain left for work... no cancer, no chemo, no evidence of the surprise health crisis of 2 years previous, I took a moment and said a prayer of thanks. Thanks for the Captain's life, for 2 years of precious boys, for the normalcy that has returned...for moments in this temporal life that make me anticipate eternal life.

So, please join me today in wishing the Captain happy 2nd brain & surgery recovery anniversary. Just kinda rolls off the tongue nice and easy, doesn't it?

Happy Life, Captain!

interested in reading about our April 2 years ago?

Caution...ridiculously long post. super cute pics though...

Last week my mother was on spring break... so my sister, who now resides in CA, flew out to spend the week with us and let us love on Charlie...my favorite niece (yes, she is my only niece... but no less a favorite) I do have pictures of me and my sister... but I do not look good in them, and since this is my blog... I, and I alone have the power to decide what makes the cut...

Charlie may be 7 weeks older, but Ryder has about a pound and a half on her...

We spent a day shopping at the mall, which I had not been to since I was17...or something, OK that is an exaggeration... maybe I was 18...or 28... not important, point is... LONG TIME GONE. Also, super excited because I purchased myself a new dress that I fully intend to rock on Easter, thankyouverymuch.

The very next day we traveled a mere 2 hours south and spent a day with my Nana and Paw... my Dad's parents. They allowed us to descend upon their home with 3 small children and enough bags, car seats and sippy cups for a trip to Europe. It was a great visit, I do not get to see them as much as I would like... and it was their first time meeting Mr. Ryder, so it was a significant moment. When my Nana held Ryder she said "When you hold him, you know your holding something" What can I say... he is what one might call... husky.

The very next day the Captain and I took off early later then I wanted to visit Jennie and Nick in Chicago. Also a significant meeting... the Chastain's were meeting Mr. Miles for the first time and the Murdocks were meeting Ryder... and Ryder and Miles were new acquaintances as well, that goes without being said. (Rigg stayed behind and spend some quality time with both sets of Grandparents) We laughed, chatted, ate super tasty Chicago pizza, played games, ate, squished and loved on babies, and walked to the aquarium. All in all the trip was a success...just too short, as all visits with good friends are. (you can check out more pics here.)

As you can see, Ryder thoroughly enjoyed his time at the aquarium.

We got back Saturday night just in time for baths and bedtime... then up bright and early for church on Sunday.

THEN

Sunday evening we had dinner with my Mom's parents. This was the first time they had all of their great-grand kids together (besides Caden, who is always missed... but one day, we will all be together, until then it is just a sweet reminder of the Hope we have in Christ.)

My parents also enjoyed having all their grandkids together... although, I am pretty sure, after all the chaos this past week,  they are now enjoying the silence...at least for a few days!

Monday dawned all too early for a mom who has been run ragged... and my sister and Charlie spent the day with us. I took some pics of the chubby little girl. (Charlie, not Sara... Sara, you are NOT chubby...)

We had to say goodbye to Sara and Charlie on Tuesday evening. Hopefully we might see them again in July...if it all works out. Until then, they will be greatly missed.

I have since spent my time trying desperately to catch up on laundry and house work (and we all know how much I love house work) needless to say, I am not caught up.. maybe I will be by 2015...ish. Maybe, If I actually do the work and quit stopping to snap pics of my 2 favorite boys... but really, what is more important... clean bowls or time with my children.

EXACTLY... that is until we get some sort of nasty illness from living in filth... when that happens, I might shift my priorities a bit.

clearly, after a bed is made is the perfect time for jumping...

Incidentally, while I was trying to get this post done... Rigg ate a piece of chalk.... sigh.

attempted...failed

Last week was busy. I was going to post a LONG post about our busy week.

However,

as I was going through pictures, trying to decide which ones to post, I got to the ones where I tried, in vain, to get a cousins picture.

I started to smile, then giggle, then laugh out loud.

So I switched gears in the post department.

I love how Rigg gets more and more upset...how Ryder does not change expression...

How each cousin in turn, looks at Rigg with an expression that says"Just smile!" or "What's wrong with that dude?"

So, without further ado, here is my attempt... and consequently, my failure.

And yet, so enjoyable...for a failure, that is.

plastic grass

Oh, Internet-bloggy friends... how I have missed you.

I am sorry for my long absence. The silence has a couple of reasons behind it... at first there was a whole lot of nothin' goin' on. Then we got so busy we couldn't even see straight!

Now things are starting to slow down and I have a chance to catch my breath... and drop you a line to let you know we are still alive and doin' fine! I have much to say... just not today.

Ryder is growing like a well rooted weed and Rigg is bursting with smiles and personality. The Captain has been in mush awaited and anticipated better spirits since he has dropped a few meds and I am just starting to really get a solid footing in life with 2 hooligans, ahem, precious gifts from God.

So just consider this post just as important as the plastic grass you use as a filler in Easter baskets... kinda nice, but ultimately useless.

reminders

These guys are great reminders of Gods goodness to me.

Their smiles melt my heart and make me joyful, even on the hardest days.

Who is?

Who is 2 months old already?

Who is tipping the scales at 15 lbs. 5 oz.?

Who is growing out of all footie sleepers because he is 25 inches long?

Who is so big he is off the charts?

Who is smiling and cooing?

Who?

You are, Ryder!... Silly Boy!

a day in the life of Rigg

7:00- 7:30

Wake up, jibber-jabber while waiting for mama or daddy to get him out of bed. Knock loudly at door if mama or daddy take too long. Also yell for the dog 1-7 times intermittently.

7:30ish

Breakfast: sippy of milk, mixed berry cereal bar and a banana

7:34

Yell "baby" 3-4 times while pointing at the baby

7:37

stop eating, leave 2-5 bites of everything, as if just taste testing all food...finish nothing

7:45-7:50

proclaim loudly "all done" while simultaneously shaking tray on booster seat.

8:00

watch curious george

throw 2-3 balls behind the TV

8:30

push diaper box or laundry basket around living and dinning rooms,

stand on box and dance

8:46

"play" with mr.potato head

make him ooze out of the vent

8:54

hand mama an empty water bottle and ask for water

drink 3 sips

pour remaining water out on kitchen floor

8:56

ask for more water

8:57

throw small fit when told no

9:12

all letter magnets must come off refrigerator door and make a new

dwelling on the floor

9:23

push tub of baby clothes up to refrigerator and push buttons

maybe spray water

9:29

poke baby in the eye while repeating "eye"over and over

give baby his pacifier; make sure to do so forcefully

9:38

hide Rufus in lockers

add an assortment of other toys

make sure to slam doors

9:51

open pantry, point at random and say "peas" over and over again

Do this until mama reads your mind and selects the snack you were not pointing to

10:00

SESAME STREET!

hallelujah!

10:00-11:00

climb up and down off the sofa, snack in hand, proclaiming "Elmo" 

and "Ernie" at random

ask for more milk at least twice

push diaper box directly in front of the TV and stare at screen

probably cause permanent eye damage

poke and prod the baby at random

11:00- 11:37

repeat a variation of 8:30-8:54

11:38

open pantry ask for more food

11:39

get distracted by mama

dance in the dinning room

11:50

tug on mama's pants while whining

12:00

run to booster chair

eat like you have been starved for days

OR

run to booster chair

eat nothing

12:30-1:00

pick any or multiple tasks listed above and repeat

1:00

NAP!

hallelujah!

1:00- 4:00

NAP

4:00-5:45

Rigg: see 12:30-1:00

Cari: survive

5:45-6:00

Daddy comes home

do happy dance when seeing daddy approach

follow daddy around until dinner

6:00

Dinner

6:30-7:30

play with daddy

take bath

give kisses

night, night

7:31

mama collapses

OR

does happy dance around living room

for your viewing pleasure

Remember to pause the music at the bottom of the page to hear the videos

This video starts out great with smiles and coos from Ryder then goes downhill fast...I have no patience for editing.

Rigg does wear pants... really. Just not in either of these videos.