How I Long For My Indiana Home . . .

WARNING:  This post contains picture over-load.  You have been warned.

Matty and I had been planning a visit back to Indiana this summer for several months.  Not only do we miss family, but there is no better time to escape the heat and dust of the desert than summer.  Unfortunately, a week before we were set to depart, we received word that my uncle had passed away in a tragic accident.  A few phone calls later, and we were on a plane home sooner than expected, and not for reasons we would have ever wanted.

However, my uncle's unexpected passing made us appreciate our time with family more than usual.  We took advantage of every single minute home, and I really enjoyed being able to share with Matty some of the things that make Indiana such a special place to me.  Below are just a few examples.  Enjoy. :)

One of the highlights of Mamaw and Papaw's house is always the pool.  There was lots and lots of swimming.  With Aunt Erin . . .

. . . and Mom!

There was also sweet, blessed rain! And (although it annoyed the people who live there), Matty and I absolutely loved it and ran outside every time it started to sprinkle.  Here he is watching the rain from the garage after a sudden downpour.

And, of course, rain brings puddles!

When it wasn't raining, the sandbox was  HUGE hit.  Matty asked every day to go play in the "doot."  Luckily, big cousin Gabe was such a sport and would play in there with him . . . even when Matty decided it would be more fun to tackle him.

Gabe got his revenge, though; he buried Matty in the sand.  Matty didn't mind too much. :)

But you know what's sand is NOT good for?  Eating.

Quality time with Mamaw and Papaw was a huge highlight of the trip home.  Papaw is always ready for a ride in the four-wheeler . . . 

. . . to build a fire with . . . 

. . . or to take a nap on the floor with.

And Mamaw's are good for racing down the hallway with . . .

. . . and helping fill the bird feeders with . . . 

 . . . and picking flowers with. :)

And, of course, we can't forget a little QT with Aunt Erin . . .

. . . and Uncle John.

All of these family members to hang out with left Mom with plenty of free time.  She was even able to take in a baseball game with Karen. :)

Some of my favorite moments were the times I got to show Matty some of my favorite places at home.  We went hiking at Portland Arch Nature Preserve . . . 

. . . and Black Rock Barrens.

We shared a sundae at Dari-licious and played at Turtle Park . . . 

. . . took a stroll along the banks of the Wabash . . .

. . . and watched the otters swim at Columbian Park zoo with Angie and Noah.

In addition to visiting a few of my favorite spots, I also gave Matty a crash course in what it means to be a Hoosier (because, even if he was born in Vegas, my son is a Hoosier at heart!)  That meant a little romp through the cornfield . . . 

. . . some "one-on-one" . . . 

. . . and a lesson in shucking sweet corn . . . 

. . . (which he thoroughly enjoyed the benefits of doing!)

We were also lucky enough to be there over the Fourth of July holiday so Matty got to experience some fireworks for the first time (no more red flag warnings for us!)

Matty also got to spend time with ALL his cousins from Jonathan's side of the family.  It was only one day, and he was a little overwhelmed with all the chaos, but it was the first time all the cousins had ever been together at once.  As you can see, Jonathan's side of the family is a LITTLE bit bigger than my side of the family. :)

Sad to say good-bye, but Las Vegas was calling us back (okay, to be honest, Daddy was calling us back) so we had to go.  Thanks for all the memories, Indiana.  Until next time!

Loving vs. Liking Motherhood

Wow.  Sometimes this motherhood thing is so hard.  Some days, like today, I wonder if I'm doing ANYTHING right because you sure wouldn't be able to tell by seeing my child.  The "Terrible Two's" began way earlier than I was prepared for and, sometimes, I look at my sweet, precious baby boy---and feel like I have no idea who this demanding little tyrant is standing before me.  Some days I put him to bed and just weep, exhausted and wondering how I will survive the toddler years.  I knew motherhood was going to be hard, but I didn't know it was going to be like this.

As you may have guessed, I'm having a bad day.  Like, a seriously bad day.  And, I'll be honest, I very rarely read the weekly MOPS emails sent out from the international organization.  But today, of all days, I decided to open it.  And I was moved to tears (not only was it a bad day, but also an emotional one, too) but this oh-so-pertinent message.

Loving versus Liking Motherhood

Robin Kramer, mom of three

It doesn’t matter how a child enters your family – whether he’s adopted or born into it, whether she’s a complete surprise or yearned for month after month with dare-I-even-hope?pregnancy tests. They’re yours, and you love them.

Without even saying it, you know that you’d die for them.

At some point, though, you’ll look at this child and be confronted with the unsettling realization that you don’t like them very much. At least, not at that particular moment. Not when they’re throwing a tantrum and kicking the air in angry protest. Not when they’re hitting a sibling, defying your instructions, refusing to eat dinner or rolling their eyes. During those moments, theemotions of love – so powerful and heartrending during infancy – wane.

Yet, it’s love that covers patches when there’s not much liking. During days when I find myself and the kids clunking around in a vaguely irritated state where nothing specifically is wrong but everything is off, that’s when I most need to love them. When they’re triggering fights and setting off land mines with volatile words and actions, that’s when they need my arms to wrap around them, buffering them until they can change their destructive course.

When tears, arguments, food, and toys merge into one unsightly and exhausting mess, it’s not unusual for me to pause, collect myself, and make a declaration: Girls, I love you.

At these moments, I rarely feel it. I’m speaking into the void, reminding myself as much as I’m reminding them of this truth. I love them. Whether I feel it or not, I love them.

We love our children enough that on many days we do die for them – unnoticed and miniscule deaths-to-self when we place their needs and interests before our own, when we hold our tongues, when we give them the last bite of the chocolate cake that we wanted to eat, when we drag our weary body out of our warm beds to comfort them when they’re frightened in the middle of the night.

Because this is what mothers do. We love our kids, even in our imperfection. Even in their imperfection. We always will.

Dear God, give me daily grace and strength to love my kids as You love them.

Robin Kramer is a mother of three, college instructor, and author of Then I Became a Mother, from which this post is excerpted with permission. She blogs regularly at Pink Dryer Lint to encourage moms to find humor and pleasure in the ordinary moments of motherhood and life.

Wow . . . did I need to hear this.  And I just wanted to share in case anyone reading this blog needed to hear it, too.  Chins up, Moms.  We can't do it alone, but we can do all things through Him who gives us strength.

A 5k (+30 pounds) THANK YOU to Our Troops

Happy Memorial Day (weekend), everyone!  Sometimes this weekend seems to be overtaken by vacations, BBQ's, and (if you're from Indiana like me) the 500.  While all of those things are fine and dandy, we cannot forget the REAL reason for our holiday:  the men and women who have given their lives from our freedom.  I wanted desperately to do something--anything--to honor these heroes, and I ran across a flier for a 5k being sponsored by a local VFW chapter, with all proceeds going to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project.  Although all of my running buddies were either going out of town for the long weekend or very, VERY pregnant and Jonathan was working (of course), I decided to do it anyway.  Only a cause as important as this could convince me that a race in the late-May Vegas heat while pushing a jogging stroller was a good idea. :)

I very rarely include Matty on my runs.  Not only does he get bored easily, but my sturdy boy and the stroller combine for at least 30 pounds of extra weight.  Factor in the Mohave Desert heat and the ups and downs of Spring Mountain foothills and . . . well . . . you get the picture.  But, this kid ROCKED his first 5k.  Armed with his blanket, some water, and a baggie of goldfish, he was the perfect running partner (although, I wouldn't have minded if he pulled his own weight instead of me having to push it). :)

Random side note:  a "celebrity" appearance was made by this guy.  Don't recognize him?  Me either.  Apparently, he's the husband on the TLC show "Sister Wives," and he was here MINUS his three wives.  With the crowd of desperate, fame-hungry women who surrounded him, I don't think it would be hard for him to find a fourth.  Pathetic.

Anyways, I absolutely LOVE doing events that involve our military men and women and/or veterans.  Not that civilians don't appreciate our country, but you haven't experienced patriotism until you've been surrounded by those who have made REAL sacrifices for it.  Unlike most events, during the singing of the National Anthem and the subsequent moment of silence for local hero Marine PFC John Lukac who gave the ultimate sacrifice, people here really meant it when they saluted the flag or placed their hands over their hearts.  And the moment of silence was SILENT.  Actually and completely silent.  It was very, very moving.

I made Matty a promise that he could play at the park if he behaved during my race.  He made a few whines during the run (didn't help that the run was at one of his favorite parks and we ran right past the playground a few times) but, on the whole, he was amazing.  I was more than happy to head over and let him get out some energy after the race.

Yes, Matty, I'm sure that you most certainly need to cool off after your long, 5k ride. ;)

That water was COLD, though, and it wasn't long before we moved on the real fun.  And boy, did he have serious energy to burn off.

                                      

"You sure it's okay for me to go down the slide this way?"

Why in the world does Vegas find it necessary to put statues of giant yucky things in its' parks?  I mean, I know they're fake but still.  Let's teach the kids that's its okay to go up to things like giant lizards and snakes.  Giant rattler?  Didn't faze Matty in the least.

Love the "prehistoric" part of this park.  In Matty's words:  "WOW."

Thank you again to those who have served, are currently serving, or who have given the ultimate sacrifice for me.  Words cannot begin to express my gratitude and, although it may seem as if the world doesn't care, there are those who do.  You are never forgotten and never taken for granted.  God bless.

April and May Musings

Whew!  Spring has been an absolute whirlwind for our family, and it seems as if everything and nothing has been happening simultaneously.  I've been pretty bad at keeping up on here, so I'll just share some favorite pictures to let you in on a few details.

What can I say about Matty?  We are the midst of the terrible-but-not-quite-two's.  He has learned to say "NO" and says it with more force than I ever could have imagined possible from a toddler.  For the most part, he's a joy . . . but, when he does have an off day, it is COMPLETELY off.  I don't know whether to laugh or cry.  Anyways, here are some pics of the good days. :)

He built a fort with Daddy in the living room; he didn't think Mommy could find the entrance and laughed hysterically when I did.

It's hockey play-off time, and that means my husband has been itching to get out on the ice.  However, I keep reminding him that we live in the desert . . . so, for his birthday, he went and got some street hockey gear instead.  He was so proud that Matthew was so interested in all of it (although I did put a stop to the manic hockey stick swinging in the house REAL fast).

He took him to the local rink and, although he had a blast skating around and practicing his passing skills, I think he was a little disappointed that Matthew was more interested in chasing the puck around than taking notes on Daddy's "technique."  I had to remind him (yet again) that Matty isn't even two yet. :)

April also brought our good friend Brewha home from the desert, and he and his wife Shawna brought their kiddos up to Vegas for some post-deployment R&R and a long-anticipated reunion (even though Shawna had just been up to see me in February).  While the guys shared war stories and drank a few beers, I showed Shawna and the girls some more kid-friendly areas of Vegas.  

 We are also now entering the "rainy season" in Vegas (which is a total joke).  However, we had one week where it rained 3 times.  THREE!  My desert baby's reaction to rain this time around was a little more subdued.  Confusion, trepidation, and one very large "uh-oh!"

With the unbearable summer months rolling in quickly, I finally convinced Jonathan to get Matty something to play on in the backyard.  Well, actually, it was my amazing bargain hunting skills that finally broke him down.  ($260 brand new, found at a yard sale for $100, and my Korea-learned haggling skills got her to sell it for $75). :)  So, it's still hot outside, but at least now Matty has a place to play in the shade and within a 30 second walk to air conditioning.

In other spring happenings, we found out that Jonathan has been selected for Major (whoo-hoo!).  "Retiring" from the A-10 has been a rough road, but it was so nice to finally see someone recognize all of his hard work.  As for me,  I've been on a spiritual journey for several years now and, the first weekend of May, I made the choice to be baptized at our church.  It was a long time coming, but I'm so glad that I wanted until this time and this place to do it.  And no, it's not lost on me that I had to come to Sin City to wash my sins away. :)

                                                       

And so is our life.  Busy with everything and nothing at the same time.  Dreading the heat, but looking forward to what summer holds!

A Day Out With Thomas!

Like almost all little boys his age, my son *LOVES* trains.  We went through a phase where we had to watch Thomas the Tank Engine every single day.  Thankfully, we've moved past that (although, he now insists on watching 'Cars' every day, and I'm almost begging to go back to the Thomas phase).  Anyways, the little blue engine and his friends still have a special place in his heart and remain the one set of toys he gets out and plays with every day.  So, when I saw that Thomas was making a stop in Las Vegas this year, I knew we just had to go.  

As with everything in a town of over 2 million people, the place was crowded and noisy but--for once--Matty and I didn't mind. :)

In addition to a life-size Thomas, there were games, rides, and an entire tent full of model trains the kids could play with.

Getting ready to ride the train!

The train ride itself actually wasn't anything special; it lasted about 15 minutes and only went about 2 miles from the station.  Matty had a hard time sitting still and didn't quite understand the excitement about "riding Thomas" since he couldn't see the engine from his seat.

But he did get a Jr. Engineer certificate signed by Sir Topham Hatt himself. :)

Posing with the cheeky little engine before heading home.  Needless to say, Matty is currently in the process of taking a VERY good nap. :)