Constant Beginnings

We had the pleasure of celebrating with my Mom on her actual birthday! This was the first time in over 5 years that I've been able to be with her on her big day. My sister Laure was home too. It was so nice to try and make a big deal out of her day. I made a cake, we went to Grand Forks and enjoyed the day together. My Dad surprised her by taking the day off too! It was very nice and she was thrilled! My Mom with Claire and Mya. Blowing out the candles!

My girls and I after tears had already been falling (I cried off and on all morning. It was rough.) My Mom and Dad with Claire and Mya. Love them! Mya was less than enthused about another picture. Kind of funny. What made her happy? Yep. Molly. My sister, Lauren, with Claire, Mya and Molly.

Goodness. Mya loved on Molly every chance she could. The word love used loosely. Mya often held Molly in a death grip! She would talk so sweetly to her then grab her by the collar and lead her around the house. Molly is a princess and although she is fine with kids, she certainly isn't around them constantly. Needless to say, Mya's presence was something to contend with. Poor dog was loved. Mya is missing her!

The girls and my Dad at our farm riding the lawnmower to go  check on the cows. They loved riding the tractors and getting dirty! Our little doggie! She insisted I tie her up and wrap the cord on her like a leash. This kid is a nut! One of my favorite pics of Claire and so fitting that it is on the swing. She loves to swing, wanting to go to the park everyday so she could do just that. Ahhh. She has a spirit like no other. Love her. Our two lovelies! This slide is so tall, but they seem to have no fear--up, up, up they went. We enjoyed so many hot, sunny days while in ND that it was easy to take them for granted. Well, since returning to Korea nearly 5 days ago, we've had 0! It has rained every stinkin' day. Yucko! Needless to say, it was a welcomed treat looking back at our numerous pictures capturing those sunny days. I do love the hot, summer sun. Ahh!

Wowwee! Time truly does fly. Our days in ND are winding down and I am so, so sad to leave. Claire repeatedly asks how many days left and I swear, I tear up every day telling her one less. One would think 7 weeks of "family togetherness" is simply too many, but this trip has been AMAZING! Sure, I've had my moments of being irritated, of being that one that is irritating, and wanting to return to normalcy, but those have been pretty few and far between. I've loved every precious moment that we've been able to spend with our family. We are so, so blessed. Each of my sisters and brothers in law have opened their homes to us for what most consider to be much too long, but they did it willingly and insistently. Love them! They made sure we had a fabulous stay and treated us like royalty. Our wonderful nieces gave up their room, shared their toys, tolerated their cousins' disastrous tendencies and played so well with them. Thank you! Again, we are simply, blessed. My

In lieu of our previous planned trip to Minneapolis, I suggested we spend a long weekend in Bismarck. Quite simply, I was tired of driving and traveling. Thankfully,  my family all agreed and were able to come, well, minus Chris. It was a fun weekend. We shopped, enjoyed an outdoor musical, Jesus Christ Superstar, went to a movie (my Dad braved Smurfs with 5 kids by himself ;), and spent the day at the Lake. It was such fun family time. I do love and miss my family. They are simply the best.

One of my favorite memories of my Grandma Arlene is her baking. Everytime she'd come to our house, we bake caramel rolls or cookies together. It is a memory I hold near to my heart and perhaps a reason why I love baking, cooking with my girls so much. My girls are making the same lovely memory with their Grammy too. My Mom bakes something nearly everytime she visits my nieces and nephews. This time Claire, Mya and Ava jumped in on the action to help her whip up some yummy Monster Cookie Bars. Yummo! 

Living overseas has opened a doors of adventure, exposure, new experiences, but it truly is the little things that I miss the most. Things, such as this. The Ice Cream truck. Claire and Mya were so excited to hear the music approaching and when the truck turned the corner, Olivia dashed in the house to retrieve the money. Simple pleasures. I've also missed subdivisions, well groomed yards, beautiful flower gardens, sitting outside chatting late into the summer night, walks around the neighborhood, waving and chatting with neighbors, boating, going to the lake, and FAMILY--basically everything that is good old America. Boy, it is good to be home.

I am getting so behind and my Mom is here to remind me of that everyday! It is time I catch up at least a little bit. We celebrated Claire's birthday in Bismarck with my sister Lisa and her family. It was great fun. I spent the day taking care of my nieces and nephew and having loads of fun as Claire enjoyed a day entirely for her! Our day began at Space Aliens Restaurant for food and fun. Luke and Olivia earned enough tickets to give Claire and Mya each an inflatable Dora doll. They were so excited to give them their little present and the girls were pretty thrilled to have Dora. Poor Luke, the asthmatic, was called upon to blow up the dolls. We then headed over to the amusement park for some Super Slide fun. It is an extra large slide where you sit on rugs to slide down. It was great fun for all! The little girls enjoyed the swings and inflatables, while Luke and Olivia douced each other with a water balloon catapult. We went back to Lisa's for some relaxing, followed by Luke