Crossley Musical

This was not scripted...And Tanner was being a stinker and wouldn't sing until I did. So um yeah, don't be jealous of my skills. 

Rainy Rainy Days

As a Farmer/Rancher's daughter I really try hard to be grateful for "moisture". But these last two+ weeks have gotten real old. Especially with toddlers. Thankfully Mariah and Chet both have rain boots so we still get outside a lot. They are pretty soaked by the time we are done, but the smiles and long naps make it all worth it.

I love when I can capture moments like these...they're rare but oh so sweet. 

And look! Another one! Chet ate it that day, but it didn't seem to slow him down.

And just because, here's some good Mariah quotes to remember: 

One day she told Tanner, "I need to snuggle with you for a while 'cuz you're so cute!". I would have to agree with her on that one. 

One day she was singing to the tune of When I am Baptized but she had come up with her very own lyrics: "I like to do some push-ups, I like to look at bees". 

After looking at the cover of Hop on Pop, "They shouldn't do that. They should give him a back rub or sit and talk with him". Can you tell we have had to talk about how you should treat daddy when he is laying on the floor? 

Mariah: Mom, lets get married.

Mom: I'm already married to dad though. 

Mariah: It's my turn now; we can wear dresses!

I'm pretty happy that she likes me enough to propose to me. 

When for once I shut the bathroom door while going to the bathroom (the nerve of some people): "Are you kidding me!? I need my violin back!" Priorities people, priorities. 

Mariah has a problem with markers, leave her alone for more than thirty seconds and the art work ends up on her. Luckily it was washable. 

After falling asleep at 5, waking up very hangry, and finally calming down enough to eat some food..."After this I want to take a long nap so I won't be angry." Me too, sister Sue. 

Our friends from Medical School have come to visit the last few weeks, which has been wonderful. Their little boys name is Maxwell, but he only goes by Max. When walking by a bookshelf he saw a book with Neal A. Maxwell on it and said, "Look! Maxwell!" We all said, "Good job! You're right!" A little while later Mariah stood in front of the bookshelf and said, "Where's Mariah's Whale?" Just a classic. 

Mariah got to go to her first princess Birthday party and loved it. Every time a new girl arrived she ran up to her and asked, "what princess are you?" She was so excited about everyone else's dresses. It was pretty sweet. 

And our Chet boy: 

Is still obsessed with shoes. That is what he spends the majority of his time doing, walking around in other people's shoes. High heels, boots, tennis shoes, sandals, flats, any and all shoes will do. 

These shoes make his legs look fantastic...

He loves to go outside any chance he can get. His favorite things in the great outdoors are rocks and puddles. He also loves to dig in the dirt and dump it in places where it isn't supposed to be. 

This boy wants to be just like his big sister. So if she puts on a princess dress, he wants a princess dress. I have been able to convince him that ties are cool because then he looks just like daddy. 

The other day Chet got a pretty good goose egg at the park. He fell from pretty high up so it could have been much worse. But I still felt bad for the little guy. 

Those lips...slay me.

Chet has started to become quite bossy (how do I get these children?). In public, if Mariah wanders too far away he calls for her, "Yaya, Yaya". He also jabbers at other random children in a very bossy tone. 

Our boy has discovered Basketball (baball) and is obsessed. When he sees fans cheering he lifts both hands in the air and says, "Yay!" with a big smile on his face. Now if he hears it on Tanner's phone he runs right over to watch. Tanner is very proud. 

These two are my light and my life. I just love watching them change each and every day. They really are the best. 

Fighting that Feeling

We are now on month 3 of Tanner doing a rotation in another place. That means we only see him for the most part on weekends....and we are surviving. Here are some things that have helped keep us sane:

Grandma and Auntie Em came and stayed one week and we had a grand ol' time with them around. 

Mariah said that she was "Princess Zucchano" and that Em was her Fairy Godmother. Because Emily is such a great Aunt she followed the prancing princess around the house for far longer than I would have done. 

Grandma also did a tea party with Mariah and Chet. Mariah was so excited about it all, especially the cupcakes she helped Grandma make. 

Chet was feeding Mariah and getting such a kick out of it. And yes, all my children ever want to do is lick the frosting off and ditch the cupcake. 

We shopped a lot that week and this is how Chet felt about the shop 'til you drop plan: 

Poor little fella, he must take after his mother. That is often how I feel when shopping with Grandma. 

But in truth I really enjoyed myself this time because it sure beat sitting at home trying to carry on an adult conversation with my toddlers. So thanks Grandma and Emmie for making that week fly by!

The zoo in Logan has a storytime every week where the kids get to hear a story, see an animal, and do a craft. It only costs fifty cents a child so we try to go as often as we can. So far they have seen a cockatoo, desert tortoise, snake, and sheep. 

 Mariah loved the snake. I'm glad she isn't afraid of things like that, but we have to keep an extra eye on her in nature. 

The feisty little lamb

We also do story time at the library and Mariah is now old enough to go to the big kids story time all by herself. On the first day I kept assuring her that mom would be "right there" waiting for her when she got out. But in reality that was only for my benefit. She had no hesitation leaving me, sniff, sniff. So now I get to chase Chet around during the mommy and me story time because he is a mover and a shaker. 

Every week I get together with some friends from Medical School for a play group too. That is so helpful. It is nice to talk with people who know better than most what I am going through. We can voice the worries, frustrations, and excitement that all comes with being a medical student spouse. I am so grateful for those girls! 

We also go on many walks and trips to the park. I have to wear out these kids somehow. 

They were so cute in here, and then they started to fall asleep so I had to put an end to the relaxation real quick. No one messes with naptime. 

And here's another double up at another park. This one wasn't successful. Mariah was patient enough while I was taking pictures but right when I finished she said, "ok, Chet needs to get out". 

And I don't know what I would do without my wonderful, dear and darling sister Brittany. 

 The puppy entertainment alone is wonderful

But Aunt "Boo" is just so great even without cute little Suzie Q. 

As I began to realize just how much Tanner was going to be gone the next 6+ months I decided to throw a pity-party for myself. Who was more deserving than me? And then thankfully I had some humbling moments that helped me realize, it could be worse, much much worse. 

I started reading the book The Dollmaker. This book takes place during WWII. It tells of communities where the only men present were elderly or the infirm. Women spent day after day after weeks waiting for letters from their husbands and worrying that they may receive that dreadful telegram telling them that they were gone. Many were separated for years. Tanner may be gone, but I don't have to wonder if he is safe. And I am able to talk to him and see his face if I want to. What a blessing! I don't have to worry that my children will forget their dad because they can talk to him face to face every night. How grateful I am to live in the time that I do. 

And most importantly, I have a husband who loves his family deeply and is only gone because he knows it is where he needs to be. Sometimes I am tempted to think that this is like a vacation for him. But then I hear in his voice the regret of not being here to help and love and learn with his family. And I realize how selfish I can be. I am the lucky one here; I get to see my children learn and grow each and every day. And this wonderful husband of mine is willing to let me do that while he works to provide for his family. So really, instead of thinking about how it could be worse, I need to remember that it couldn't be better. Our life is wonderful and full of so many blessings.