Eerie

   Chris is off on TDY in Virginia this week. The kids and I were going for a walk to look at Christmas lights, when out of nowhere Jace says "Mom, Aria is my sister, and my brother is with Dad in 'ginia". When I asked him for clarification, he repeated the same. So I asked him his brother's name, and he said something quiet and undistinguishable that sounded a little bit like "dragon". "Oh! Your brother's name is dragon?" Chris always takes a toy from each of the kids to go on adventures with him while he's away. He sends back pictures and videos of them doing silly things regularly to keep the kids connected to his trip. This trip he brought a small ninja keychain, and a dragon bath toy.
"No, my brother is with the ninja and dragon, helping keep Daddy safe."
I had chills.
I don't know what I believe about people who pass away looking down on you, but it immediately made me think of my miscarriage, something I never discuss with the kids. Out of nowhere Aria says, "Mom, what happens to me and Jace if you die, and if Daddy dies?" Just light conversation while strolling through Christmas lights...

So here it is:

Aria and Jason,
You are SO loved. You were blessed to be born into a family of people who truly love you, and truly love children. If something happens to me and your dad, you will never lack in love. I have complete faith that you will be well cared for and will live an amazing life. Your father and I have absolutely no intention of leaving you, but life is unpredictable. If something happens to us, here is what you will do:
You will be happy. Honor us by finding joy in everything. Dress up, throw crazy parties. Laugh with your friends, and with strangers. Ignore all stereotypes, and find yourself in every category of people. Immerse yourself into the community: volunteer, explore, expand your horizons. Try new things. Go on roller coasters and hikes, swim with dophins, sky dive. Never lose your sense of adventure, soak in all of the things this amazing world has to offer. Love, like you've never lost. Don't tie up your heart in the hurt of loss. Every thing comes to an end, and living in fear only stunts the beauty of everything around you. My wish for you is to live: Truly. Completely. Freely.

Chris is making me post this...

I haven't been on in entirely too long, but here are some moments worth note:

Today Aria was talking with her hands, perfectly imitating Chris's gestures, while lecturing a friend about her "rememberies". It was pretty adorable.

Halloween was Monday, and the kids have been asking every single day for a month if they could go see the "Haunted House", which is really just a decorated house on base that themes their lights with music. The kids are completely entranced by it. They don't understand that during the daylight, those things are significantly less exciting.

Aria's birthday is on Friday, and we are having a conflict of interests about the party. Something about a bouncy house, pool, princess, sophia, pokemon party? SO...for now we are having a pool party. It is our last one here in Hawaii and that blows my mind a bit. When we moved here, she was a measly 18 months old. I'm going to go cry now...

Chris is the one who made me make this post, to get back in the habit. He's deemed it acceptable and says I can go back to having sangria now. PEACE!

Ears

Today Chris was playing with the kids and mentioned ears. Aria told him "You have big ears like a monkey!"

I have to laugh because he's always been self conscious of his ears, and I've told him for our entire relationship that I don't think they are disproportionate. Guess I'm wrong!

Aunt Starla's Visit

One of the amazing things about modern technology is being able to easily connect with people from all over the world with just a few mouse clicks. I've especially appreciated this when it comes to family! Aunt Starla and I "met" over Facebook years ago, before Aria was even conceived, and have kept in touch for many years. When one of her more local vacation plans fell through, she decided to come meet us for the first time instead! This was such a cool visit, since Chris hasn't seen her in 22 years either.
We really enjoyed the visit! We went on a pirate cruise, had a few BBQs, went on island adventures, and she and Chris spent Memorial Day exploring Pearl Harbor. One of the coolest things, though, was that she was here for Chris' promotion ceremony and was able to attend and pin him on. It was amazing timing for being just a chance opportunity for a visit.
One of the best things about being married is the wonderful extra family I've gained. I'm so thankful!

Splashlete

Minion number 1 has started swim lessons! I was a lifeguard for years, so I've been anticipating this day for a long time. Just like any other ex instructor turned parent, I've spent the last few years of the kid's lives dunking them or spraying them in the face with water for preparation! Aria is a very cautious experimenter, and water has just recently become something she's been willing to really explore. We've had a lot of ocean practice, so I'm sure the pool felt very tame!
The entire group of newbies was tested their first day to split up into three groups based on skill level. Once they announced every new test, Chris and I would look at each other and speculate on whether she would do it. Ari blew bubbles, floated like a starfish, and let them dunk her all the way under the water. When she was assigned to the top group I about lost it, beaming with silly parent pride. And then we took that kid straight out for ice cream with sprinkles, because sprinkles are for winners lol.

The Beer Seat

When we arrived in Idaho, we were picked up at the Airport by my parents. It took a while to install carseats and manipulate luggage, but we eventually made it into the car. Grandpa was driving, and I was sitting passenger while Grandma sat in the back with Aria and Jason. Aria pointed to my seat and asked why I was sitting there. I said I was because Grandpa was driving. Aria casually said "That is the seat where you sit if you have a beer, and then your friends have to drive you home."

I busted out laughing, mostly out of mortification, that one of the first things she said to her grandparents was about beer.

Kids.Hear.Everything.

SO Very Behind

My last post was from January! I am SUCH a slacker!

We just returned from a vacation to Idaho for Aunt Kat's highschool graduation. The vacation was fantastic! We went on a tandem bike adventure, where Aria sang a song at the top of her lungs for the entire 5 miles about how you should sing ABC's because they will make you happy. We went pedal kayaking a few times at the lake, where Grandpa lost his phone. I trained Grandpa in ebay skills, to replace said drowned phone. We surprised Grandma with a breakfast picnic in the park for Mother's Day, and had a lunch picnic with Grandma Netia and Grandpa Bob. We fed geese bread from our hands, and the kids chased their first squirrels (We don't have them in Hawaii). We explored every Ross in the city of Boise. We fed chickens dandelion leaves and ate green onions from Grandma's garden. We had family bubble-mask facials. We were blown up by bombs, even though we saved the Capitol building, and escaped a room (long story!). We blew 100 dandelions, and collected pinecones. We saw hail and danced in the rain. We went to a strawberry patch after a rainy day, and Grandma lost her shoe in the mud. We saw "Inside Out" performed as a ballet by Aunt Kat's dance group (She was Joy). We played in the pool and went on adventures with the dogs (Storm and Bookoo currently live with Grandma and Grandpa). We smelled all the roses in a community rose garden. Chased a deer, watched huge fish, and read books in the garden at the nature center. We had multiple game nights and movie nights. We cheered for Aunt Kat as she took her first step as a graduate. We played hard, laughed hard, cried hard, and I'm so grateful for the time we had.

Yesterday Jace said, "I want to go home!" and when Chris told him that we were home, he said "No, not this home! IdaHOME!" I can't help but agree, I would have stayed forever...