Iowa recap

The fun continues.

Tomorrow we take off for Oklahoma. Not for long though - just long enough to finish packing up our house, buy a new house, do some laundry and repack some bags, and get on a plane to head out to Spokane, WA for the remainder of our time without David.

The whole pack-up-our-house-and-buy-a-new-house wasn't originally part of the plan. This has been an unexpected surprise, since we obviously needed a little extra stress in our lives this summer. (note sarcasm)

I'm a little (read: lot) overwhelmed with the Oklahoma portion of our summer travels, and not even sure where to begin blogging about it.

So I won't.

Instead, I'll finish our time in Iowa with a recap of what we've been up to.

Henry: has decided he is older than he really is and never stays on his back for more than 10 seconds before rolling to his stomach. He has been spending his time trying to figure out how to crawl, get an adult to bounce him up and down, and now gives those lovely (and disgusting) open-mouth slobbery kisses. He also gets fatter by the day (minute).

Adele: has learned some new songs and loves to belt out her current favorite Somewhere Over The Rainbow. She loves to play - in the kiddie pool, with the toys in the basement, Duck Duck Goose outside, at The Little Gym, or at a park. She hasn't sat still very long. When she does sit still, she is quite content to watch a movie with Grandma or cuddle with Grandpa and watch Mickey Mouse.

Me: I have been getting together with friends and family, playing with Adele, bouncing Henry, attempting to figure out our Oklahoma ordeal, and drinking a good amount of coffee.

Here are a few pictures to recap our time:

Cowgirl Adele strumming her guitar

Grandpa (Gregory William) and his grandsons, Henry William and Asher William

Grandma and her granddaughters, Adele and Kennedy

Adele painting with her soon-to-be-Uncle Robbie

Henry and Mama

Bathtime for the cousins Adele and Ash after blue popsicles

Big boy Henry in the bumbo seat

Henry kissing the cutie in the mirror

Adele and Grandpa making footprints after stomping in the water

Adele giggling with her best friend James

On to Oklahoma!

If my niece and nephew were monkeys...

So Costa Rica has 4 species of monkeys. Originally when I figured out what monkey species would best fit my kids, it was also obvious that my sister Emily's kids fit very well with the other two species of monkeys in Costa Rica.

It doesn't exactly seem right to blog about someone else's kids being monkeys without their permission...so I got the a-ok from my sister.

I present to you my thoughts on her kids:

Like I said, Adele is a little squirrel monkey because she is tiny, petite, and acrobatic. Kennedy, my niece who is almost 6 months old, also has acrobatic skills. The girl can play for a long time on the activity mat or bouncer. And not just play. She has her legs wrapped up around anything she can reach and is never in the same position Emily left her in. Plus, she has long limbs.

I think Kennedy is a spider monkey. A long-limbed acrobatic monkey.

A spider monkey in Costa Rica

Kennedy on the floor mat

On the other hand, my nephew Ash is a white-faced capuchin. Not totally sure if his personality matches up with this particular monkey, but this picture says it all:

A white-faced capuchin in Costa Rica

                    

Ash at The Little Gym

Anyone else want me to figure out what species of monkey your kid might be? :)

If my kids were monkeys...

When I was pregnant with Adele, we were still living in Costa Rica. We called our families to tell them the good news, and when we were talking to our nieces and nephews, we asked "guess what we'll be bringing home for Christmas this year!" Our nephew Gabriel, who was three at the time, guessed excitedly "a monkey??" 

Sometimes I think that's exactly what we did. 

I love monkeys. Always have. So it should be no surprise that I would not only compare my kids to monkeys, but also go through the process of figuring out just what kind of monkey I think they are.

Today we went to The Little Gym, where my sister Rachel works. Adele thrives at The Little Gym. She loves being around lots of other kids, follows instructions well, and absolutely loves to do gymnastics. She spends her time in class running around, going from the balance beam to the uneven bars to open areas where she can do continuous somersaults. 

I think Adele is a squirrel monkey. A super cute, acrobatic, playful, and petite monkey. 

   A squirrel monkey in Costa Rica

Adele at The Little Gym

On the other hand, I think Henry is a howler monkey. Not as active, not as acrobatic, and well....chubby. 

A howler monkey in Costa Rica

Henry hanging out

My kids are the cutest little monkeys around.

In the beginning

My youngest sister got engaged this week.

It was pretty exciting. Clever, too. Her fiance Robbie had planned everything in advance. The two of them went hiking on Tuesday morning, and at the right moment, he got down on one knee and asked the question. He gave her a ring he had made, out of an oak tree from his grandpa's backyard.

Later, after the hike was over, both sides of the family were there for a barbecue. As they were re-telling the story, the re-enacted the engagement part in front of the family. At that point, Robbie got down on one knee again and pulled out the "real" engagement ring - a beautiful sparkly diamond that made my sister Rachel cry all over again.

It was precious.

It's fun to see Rachel and Robbie as they are beginning to plan their wedding and start a new life together. Takes me back to the beginning for David and me...

One day in particular comes to mind when I think about those first couple years of marriage.

Naturally, you learn a lot about your spouse in your first couple days years of marriage. One of the differences David and I noticed was in the way that we clean. The day in particular that I'm thinking of was a Saturday, at our home in California. We planned on spending the day cleaning, so we got up early and got to work.

Sort of.

I set about picking up first, so the place would look tidier before actually getting to the dusting and vacuuming. David, on the other hand, opened up a "junk drawer" and sat down, organizing the one drawer. Within a short time, I had the place tidied up.

Except for the area where David was working, which had become messier as he organized the drawer.

We realized we have very different cleaning styles. Even the simple task of "cleaning" had different meanings for two different people. At the end of the day, our place was tidier, cleaner, and more organized. It was one of those days in the beginning that we did accomplish our goals, but took some time to figure out how to accomplish those goals together. Without driving each other nuts. I laugh about the day now, even though I'm pretty sure I wasn't laughing at the time.

Packing is another area in which we differ. I make lists. I feel as though I am practically finished packing - as long as I have my comprehensive list of what needs to go in which bag. David lays all his clothes out. He feels as though he is practically finished packing - as long as his clothes are out.

After almost 8 years of marriage, we've figured a lot of things out. I'm sure we still have a long ways to go.

But at least now, David doesn't get annoyed when I want to make a list of cleaning tasks that we need to get done before we start cleaning. And I don't get frustrated when David starts the cleaning day by organizing a pile of papers.

Which wasn't on the list to begin with.

Patriotism

Sure, I'm proud to be an American. Rather, I'm proud to be a United State-ian.

I am thankful for those who have given their lives so that we can be a free country. I'm proud that we have freedom of speech. I'm proud that we can vote for who we want. I'm proud that we live in a country that is so appealing that people are sneaking in just to make better lives for themselves - even if it's wrong, it's our country that people so desperately want to be a part of.

Sometimes I wish I was from another country.

My family is Dutch. My dad is 100% Dutch, and we grew up knowing the phrase "If you ain't Dutch, you ain't much". I have used that phrase many times in my life, proud of that heritage.

I've never been to the Netherlands.

I take pride in the culture of the Dutch, and yet I don't know a whole lot about it. I like tulips, and windmills, and wooden shoes, and Dutch letters, and the fact that my dad's family is super tall. I even know a Dutch phrase (though it's not appropriate for a public blog). I'd like to visit the Netherlands someday.

The fact is, people who live in the Netherlands are Dutch. People who live in Italy are Italians. Those who live in Germany are Germans, and those that live in Costa Rica are Ticos.

So who are we?

We are a blend of cultures. A mixture of many nationalities. Americans, we are called.

One time while we were visiting Nicaragua, there was a poetry festival going on. It was a really neat cultural event, with a concert in the town square one evening. A famous Nicaraguan singer started performing some beautiful songs all about patriotism. The songs spoke about the country's culture. It's land, the people, its food, etc. I stood proudly and swayed with the music, as tears welled up in my eyes. At that point, I wished I were Nicaraguan!

I really enjoyed Independence Day while we lived in Costa Rica (celebrated September 15). The country has different celebrations there, like the passing of the torch. People run from town to town, passing the torch off to new runners all around the country. In the valley we lived in, members of the community would get up early and ride on horseback to the top of the valley, while others would drive up with breakfast, in time for the torch to arrive. They'd sing patriotic songs, and then the torch would be on its way. And it wasn't summer break, so schools all around the country held programs with kids dressed in traditional clothing while singing and dancing to traditional songs.

I'm proud to be from the good ol' US of A. There are a lot of great principles our country stands for. But with our country being such a blend of cultures, I find myself sometimes wishing I was from a different country, where patriotism is slightly different. It's hard to describe our culture. Our food. Our land. Our music. Our clothing. We are diverse, which is a great thing. But there is a certain appeal with other countries who have a specific culture and celebrate accordingly.

I do know that I'm thankful to live in a country that has provided me with the opportunities to travel and experience many other cultures.

And my kids are cute.

The fourth day in July

I love holidays. The 4th of July is no exception.

Since we've been married, for the years we've been in the USA for Independence Day, we have been up at Loon Lake in Washington, on family vacation with the Hilles. Our day consisted of swimming in the lake (for those brave enough to get in the cold water - obviously not me, I'm a wuss), watching a boat parade from the dock, s'mores in the evening, and fireworks over the lake.

However, the 4th of July for me always brings back great memories of my childhood. It meant a carnival, a street dance, walking around Lion's Park seeing friends, concerts in the park, a big parade, sparklers, fireworks, and of course the water balloon fight.

That's right, a water balloon fight.

Some of my most favoritist 4th of July memories took place on the morning of the 4th. I played softball for many years growing up, and the season always culminated with all of the teams riding on their decorated trucks in the parade.

My dad was always my coach. So the morning of the 4th, he would go get us donuts, and the rest of the team would gather at our house to finish getting the truck ready and to fill up our water balloons.

When we were well-armed, we would join up with the rest of the teams at the beginning of the parade and hold our water balloon fight, soaking other teams' trucks and coaches before the parade even began.

Urbandale does the 4th of July really well. There are lots of activities for kids and adults and teens and families. And it's even more fun this year so far. Adele loved the carnival - "I'm riding a giraffe!" - on the carousel. "I'm driving a car!" on the little kid car ride. "That was SO much fun!" - after going down the big slide. And the parade this morning? We have enough candy to last until next year.

But for me, the water balloon fight was the best.

I'm attempting to plan seeds in my family members' minds that as the kids get older, we should implement our own water balloon fight on the 4th of July.

It might take a few years for everyone to be on board. :)

One of those days

I'm not cut out to be a single mom.

Two weeks have now passed since David left. Two down, seven to go until we see him again.

Most of our days have been good. I couldn't be prouder of my kids. They are adapting to change, staying positive (mostly), sleeping well, eating well, and enjoying life.

Yesterday was a rougher day.

The morning started off with Adele being extra clingy, needing my attention, more whiny than usual. She's never been super jealous of Henry, but since David left, I've seen that side of her come out a little bit more. I assume it is because she is getting less attention overall, as there is only one of me to divide my attention between the two kids without David to help give attention where needed.

Last week I stayed up a little later one evening. The next day I was a little more tired, and found myself having a little less patience with the kids. I realized that it wasn't fair to them. That they don't deserve a mom who is cranky, impatient, or snippy.

Some days are long for me in Oklahoma as well - my kids aren't perfect all the time. But just at the point I am not sure I can speak another loving word to my kids without a hint of biting attitude behind it, David is there to step in and take over. The same happens to him. We team up, and work well together.

Two weeks down, seven to go.

Yesterday morning I planned on doing all my laundry, cleaning up my room upstairs, picking up the downstairs, and getting myself and the kids all ready to go to a wedding.

When the kids nap at the same time, I often split my time between getting something accomplished and sitting and putting my feet up (and blogging). When Henry naps and Adele is up, I split my time between playing with her and getting something accomplished. When both are awake...those can be busy times!

After getting up, getting breakfast for Adele and me, nursing and changing Henry, and getting him down for a morning nap, it was obvious that Adele needed me. So we snuggled. We sat on the couch, turned on a show, and just took some time to snuggle.

She loved it.

The rest of the morning/day was a frenzy, but I think she and I both knew we needed time to just sit and snuggle for a bit. It didn't change the fact that since Adele didn't get her full nap yesterday, she continued to be a little more whiny than usual. And Henry was needy. And I was tired. But we enjoyed those few minutes, and made it through the day.

I struggled most of the day. I felt myself being less patient. Unfortunately for those around me, I worked as hard as I could to give my kids all the patience I had. I didn't have much left for anyone else.

Two weeks down, seven to go.

Today is a new day. It started off with Adele coming up to me spontaneously and giving me a kiss on the cheek saying, "I love you Mommy. And I miss Daddy." Me too, kid.

And I'm so thankful I'm not a single parent.