First Timer

Collin went on his very first airplane ride to see Aunt Lindsay in Seattle with me. We had a wild time exploring new parts of the city and old favorites. Lindsay is the best, most generous hostess. She had great ideas for kid friendly activities and some solid Sister Trip traditions sprinkled throughout. It was fascinating to hear what Collin remembered from our time living in Seattle and alternatively, watching him experience things for the first time. 

We hit the arcade, plenty of playgrounds, two beaches, Lake Union, the movies (Pete's Dragon made us so sad.), the Woodland Park Zoo, Pike's Market, the Fremont Troll, and Georgetown. Collin even helped Lindsay and I recreate this beach babe moment from 30 years ago!

Every trip, I am so impressed with the ability to get all caught up with my dear sister and feel so spoiled by all her efforts to give me a break from my day to day. She extended the same welcome to her very energetic 9 year old nephew that has no filter. I wish I would have documented all the funny quotes and quips from riding the bus and walking around downtown. Traveling with a special needs child is not for the faint-hearted, that is for another post though.

16 years

You're the one for me, Babe! 

 August 18th marked another year in this adventure called marriage. This year I felt like I did a good job not taking things personally. Life is hard and families are stressful but thoughtless comments or frustrated sighs are not dominating my thoughts like they used to. I am very sensitive and I am not ashamed, in fact, I think of it like a superpower. (Glennon at Momastery, writes all about this.) I balanced this against living with five loud and outspoken males way better this year. Another not so lovey dovey idea to put on a marriage post is solitude. I need it. I enjoy it. This year I tapped into that and saw it deepen my relationships all around.

Matt shows up for me in the sweetest ways. My current favorite romantic gesture is when he goes in my place to parent meetings that drain me. I know, it's pretty steamy in here! ;) We have killer dates with wonderful food and he makes me laugh. (Hopefully that is how we will survive the election this fall.)

We went to a Bethel Worship Night last week and really grabbed onto the lyrics from the song "Pieces." The love of a good God, I want to love like that. 

Let's go to the beach

A post with too many photos, and in no particular order, about our fast and furious trip to the Oregon Coast this summer. We drove to Beaverton and stayed the night before continuing on to Newport for a couple fun days with family.

A quick stop at Multnomah Falls.

Swimming with some new friends at the hotel pool. They were playing Marco Polo but it turned into Marco "Pollo" and I almost died from how cute it was.

You can't really see how huge these hydrangea are, the biggest I've ever seen!

Matt was beaming, he loves the ocean. Definitely a beach bum.

Collin, who had never seen the ocean (if you don't count the Puget Sound or San Francisco Bay) was all in. He had to be dragged out for food because he was enjoying himself so much. We also had the best luck with Oregon Coast weather, this sunny day was more like a California beach. (without all the people!!)

Beach babes!

Sand crabs :)

I just HAD to recreate this moment.

10 years later...

My Great Aunt and Uncle were celebrating 80th birthdays!

Most of our group made it into a picture on the last morning together.

Seriously, Matt was in his happy place. Just giddy, the entire trip.

We celebrated Kaleb's 15th birthday with big breakfast and then he got to go surfing.

My Grandma and her twin brother.

It can be a special kind of joy to share your immediate family with your extended family. I come from good stock! ;)