Evolution of a Mood

As I was sitting in the hallway this evening - standing post by the time out spot to regulate escape efforts of my oldest offspring - I thought I'd take a picture. My plan is to capture a variety of moments in Erik's absence so I can make little videos that share the minor detail and stories that make up our everyday lives while he is away. Sure, I have a billion photos of milestones and cute patootie moments, but I like the real stuff, too. Because, girlfriend, shit is real. Nawmean?

The littlest tush in the house is pretty in tune with moods; very perceptive for a two year old. As he passes by my grumpy self in the hallway this evening, he comes on up and says "Kay, mommy?" with his head perched to the side like an inquiring puppy. Before I can respond, he topples onto me for a squeeze while proclaiming, "Big! Huuuuug!" 

I can't seem to get the positive parenting thing right for both kids on the same day, but one of them will usually pull through with something amazing like that. Thanks, little buddies!

Quotes

[Scene: On a family hike through one of the local trails. I'm trying to engage Landon in the "What do you want to be when you grow up?" conversation and he's not really sure how to answer it. I describe the duties of a park ranger since he likes the woods and hiking so much.]

Me: So maybe you can be a park ranger when you grow up...?

L: Uhh, no. I think I just want to be the guy that just walks in the woods.

I don't think this a funny quote or anything; for some reason it just replayed in my mind for a while. It was such an uncomplicated response and I guess it appealed to a sense of simplicity that I sometimes covet. Wouldn't we all just like to be the one on a walk in the woods with nothing to do? (You'll have to wait for retirement, buddy.)

"A" for Effort

For as much as we prepared for this deployment, I don't know if it made our goodbyes any less emotional. Perhaps less stressful, but no less emotional.

The boys don't know any difference from 10 days to 10 weeks to 10 months so they just think Daddy is gone again for a little bit. I was still crying in the car after we dropped off Erik and Landon said, "It's okay. Stop crying. Is it time for pancakes?" Alas, the thought process of a pint sized human won out. And so I dried my tears and off we went to the breakfast joint to get some pancakes. By the time we were cleaning up our sticky syrup hands, it was time to head home and resume life as normal. 

I will say one of the positives from this experience has been the increased communication and effort that has gone into our marriage and parenting. Erik and I went on more dates than usual this summer to connect, knowing our time was limited. Even the other night when we were slightly annoyed with each other due to underlying exhaustion and inevitable stress, our fingers still found a way to twine together and we held hands as we fell asleep - a tacit apology for short tempers. Admittedly, I can't say that would have happened if it was any old week or any old month. 

Although Navy life can test the patience of a marriage perhaps more than average, it is my belief that it offers more opportunities to strengthen relationships. And here may I present, "A Summer of Selfies"...

Good Enough

Of all the parenting advice across all the lands, I think the one that I always come back to is, "You don't have to be the best mom, you just have to be good enough."

Things have been hectic around here as we prepare for Erik's departure and one of the greatest joys of the boys' week was eating IN the actual McDonald's establishment one evening while Dad was at work. Because as Landon put it so succinctly, "I don't want a nugget out of the window." Drive thru's are for the low folks, apparently. This kid prefers his nuggets served on a tray with a smile aaaaand I'm pretty sure the happy meal toy display in the lobby doesn't hurt, either. 

So! There you have it. I serve my kids McDonalds more than they should probably eat it. If you know me or read the blog, you know I'm rather unapologetic in my love for fast food so this should come as no surprise. But! They eat fruits and veggies at home and get a clean bill of health from the doctor. That makes me a good enough mom for now.

San Diego Vacation

For Erik's predeployment leave, we had only a few requirements: short flight, same time zone, places to be lazy and places to do stuff. We picked San Diego and it worked out awesome. Erik is there often because that's the where the carrier is based out of, but even then it's usually just for a couple days where his M.O. is usually related to consuming drinks prior to going on the boat and/or coming off the boat. I had never been so I was eager to check another city off my travel list.

We rented a house about 15 miles north in Solana Beach and it was big enough for the grandparents to come out and even Uncle Bobo, Aunt Lauren and little cousin Camden. The biggest score was a nice backyard for the kids to roam around in and the fact that the owners have four kids of their own so we pillaged a toy box full of blocks and cars right away. It lent itself to wonderful slow dinners on the back porch, drinking wine, laughing with family and watching the sunset from the hot tub while the kids crashed early.

We of course did the zoo, SeaWorld, the beach, saw old friends and Erik took his family on a tour of the Vinson and his state room. With the boys being so young we probably could have gotten away with ixnaying SeaWorld to trade for some more beach time and another visit to the New Children's Museum (what a great place!) and they would have been none the wiser. Also more people watching as Comic Con rolled into town during the last few days we were there. I can't wait to go back again with the boys someday - it truly was a great place to visit.

Here's a crap ton of photos with no rhyme or reason...

My boys don't have time to build a castle, they just rather build a big ol' wall.

Anders' favorite animal at the zoo: turtles.

Landon's favorite part of SeaWorld: the map.

Not so much a slip n' slide as it was a slip n' slurp.

I think the hairs in Landon's eyebrows are like Gremlins: they multiply in water. 

Lazy afternoon puzzlin' with Aunt Lauren.

Lazy evening slurping on pasta.

Backyard lounging.

Wistful Grandma smiles.

Cousin Camden's favorite part of California: the soccer ball in the backyard.

Uncle Bobo and Camden.

The boys find the box of cars and take inventory.

Erik and I got away for a dinner together and a stroll on the beach. Awww.

I was convinced this photo was going to turn out horribly, but we were pleasantly surprised!

I ain't gonna lie: my boys were naked about 75% of the time in the backyard. 

Anders' fingers symbolize our flailing grip on sanity as we wait in line for 45 minutes with three tired boys.

Camden taking a shnooze on his momma.

Backyard dinners!

Mom enjoying the rides more than the kids.

Anders taking a shnooze on his daddy. Shamu can wait for another time.

The New Children's Museum - highly recommended!

Showing Camden how we do Legos.

Checking out the seals in La Jolla.

It was a wonderful vacation and a perfect way to bottle up some dad hours before he heads out for the 10 monther in a couple weeks. Great success!

50's Style

I've had to partake in a lot of awkward squadron spouse photos in my life - and I suspect many more to come - but at least these gals wanted to do something different. We also got away without having to purchase another t-shirt or article of clothing with a squadron logo on it - bonus!

Heeeeey, sexy laaaaadies!

A little bit of Ricky Bobby "What to do with my hands?" action

"Don't fall off, don't fall off, don't fall off..."