GalOREgon

* I can't get my pictures to post the way I want. So they're a list of pictures*

Two trips to Oregon in four weeks?!

Visits with new and old friends on the beach and the city and the country!

We have been fortunate enough to go on two separate trips to one of my all-time favorite states in this great country of ours. And no, its not because it is called the Beaver State. Well, not entirely anyway.

Our friends Anna and Jon, along with their new daughter Lillian invited us to share a house in Manzanita with them for a weekend. We jumped at the chance. Rob got a couple days off work and we had our first family road trip. I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. I imagined a lot of screaming. Primarily from Reed, but also from his parents. Man, was I surprised when he slept for three of the four hours! Rob and I spent those three hours in the front seat and it was almost like it was just the two of us again. Almost. And then Reed screamed. But man, was the drive beautiful.

We enjoyed amazing food, fabulous company, and the incredible Oregon Coast.

And our trip didn't end there. We took Reed to Portland for the first time. Portland is hands down my favorite city and I hope to live there again someday. We met up with several good friends, many from my AFS days. It was so great to see everyone and meet new spouses and children, and visit with old friends, and drink beer in the park. The geese were a bit much to deal with. There were just so many of them.

And then, four weeks later, we traveled to Scappoose, Oregon to celebrate Hill's 28th birthday a week late. Hill moved to the lovely Oregon Countryside maybe four(?) months ago. That is probably wrong. It was a reunion of sorts, with Becca returning from Chile. I think that may become a theme of our lives. Becca will forever be returning from Chile, only to go back once more. Perhaps one of these times, we'll visit her there. I think Reed would really like South America. However, we were one short, with Julia traveling to Denver this exact weekend.

We celebrated Hill with a trip to the Scappoose Sauerkraut festival and Big Pot'o'Meat, which is exactly what it sounds like. My vegetarian husband was appalled. Yum. We followed that up with a delicious, albeit lopsided chocolate cake and valencia orange chocolate sauce. MMMM. It was fantastic to see Hill's parents and meet (again) her new man. She seems happy and relaxed and she can drive heavy machinery like no one's bidness.

Just helping with some chores

First I'll load the dishwasher.

And then I'll put the yogurt away.

And you reward me with this poison?

Grieving the loss of a friend

We lost an amazing friend today. Our wonderful black lab mix Sparky has passed away. Despite his age, his passing was extremely unexpected. He had a strong heart and strong lungs, but has been ailing over the past several months.

Sparky was about 14 years old, 98 in dog years. We don't know much about his puppyhood, but we have loved him since he was four years old. He has provided our family with so many happy times, visiting Danville will just not be the same without him there to greet us with his regal profile and his dopey grin.

Jeremy and I picked Sparky out at the Dublin animal shelter when we were 14 and 18respectively. Our parents sent us to maybe look for a small dog that doesn't shed. Two hours later, we called and said that we met a great dog and that I (using my newly established adult and legal signature) had adopted a dog. Several days later, after the customary shelter procedures, my father and Jeremy went to pick up the giant and hairy black lab that would become the most loved and spoiled member of our family.

Sparky came with the name Sparky and we didn't have the heart to change it on him. However, it took on several forms, including, Sparkplug, Sparticus, and Sparkles, among others. He was particularly close to my mom and would bark loudly whenever anyone attempted to hug her. He was a black lab who hated water and refused to fetch. He avoided the kiddy pool in our backyard, never drank from the toilet, and would stare blankly at you if you were silly enough to throw a ball or a stick. He seemed to be saying "Well if you wanted that stick, why did you throw it across the yard?"

He was a bit skittish and hated hair dryers, vacuums, and strangers, but once you earned his trust, he loved you forever. He loved giving kisses and getting a good long back scratch. He was the sweetest dog you could ever hope to meet.

We will miss you so much Sparky. I feel honored to have known you.

Reed couldn't tell the difference between his Uncle Sparky and his Uncle Jeremy.

Sparky was so gentle with Reed. Patiently watching him till he could sneak in a big kiss.

We love you Sparky. You'll be missed.

Making Friends- A Video Diary

So Hot

It has been warm here in Seattle the past few weeks. Very warm. Like, Danville California in August warm. In fact, it has been hotter here in Seattle than it has been in Danville. We hit a record high. For the first time in recorded history, I think they said the record books go back to the mid 1800's, we hit the 103 mark. It has been nearly intolerable. Danville, where it regularly hits the low 100's, is tolerable due to the miracle that is air conditioning. We don't have air conditioning in Seattle. We have giant south facing windows (see the myriad of blog posts about why I thought I loved this window) that just soak in the heat, and then multiply the power of the sun rays through the glass. We also have three fans that do little more than maybe give the illusion of air movement.

Anyway...there has been a lot of whining about the weather, but I have more important things to talk about. We have a five and half month old who not only crawls with purpose, but who is also PULLING HIMSELF TO A STAND. While some (my husband) are incredibly proud of this feat of strength. It makes me nervous. The advice my parents gave us seems very wise: When they stand up, knock them down. This video is one of his earliest attempts. He is becoming more and more adept at this nonsense.

Reed hasn't worn clothes in about a week, trying to keep cool. We also have him in disposables instead of his regular cloth because they are thinner and we assume cooler. Our days have consisted of sitting in front of fans, taking cool baths, and trying to find a parking spot in the shade so that we can go into some sort of shopping establishment with air conditioning. Oh wait, how did I manage to get back to whining about the weather?

Grounded with Gratitude

How can a person not be grateful for this beautiful face?

We have such a wonderful little boy. I am working on being appreciative and expressing gratitude for the ...what is the right word? If I were a religious person, I would call him a miracle, even a blessing. But I'm not. What would be the atheistic version of that word? Either way, Reed is fantastic.

Some days are so difficult. I get stuck in my own head with my own thoughts. That can be a pretty dangerous place. I get wrapped up in this stay at home mom thing, and I wonder how I am going to finish school. I miss talking to adults. I miss my vices. I miss the relationship I used to have with my husband.

But most days are wonderful. We wake up. We nap. We go to the beach or we walk at Green Lake. Check Reed taking a fantastic nap at Golden Gardens. This was also taken the day that I managed to burn one quarter of my face. It was awesome. I wish I had a picture of that.
The other day we went to a Thursday Mother's Day Movie at the Bellevue movie theatre. It was fancy. We saw Harry Potter. It was good, but I felt it deviated to greatly from the book. That same day we went to the aquarium, where Reed really enjoyed the fish. I think. Then we went to the Spanish Table and got some delicious machego and rice for Paella. Then we had a lovely evening with our Peps group. Days like that are fantastic reminders to stop and remain grateful. Today we had an amazing day at home, filled with naps and domestic chores. And it was an even better reminder to enjoy every day I have with this incredible child.

I am working on appreciating every moment.

Nothing to Procrastinate

The original intention on this blog was to have something to do instead of homework. Its summer break, so I have nothing to put off. I suppose I could blame it on the baby, but he goes to sleep at 7:30 and pretty much stays that way for eleven hours...I hope writing that didn't just jinx us! Anyway, I could easily blog once he goes to bed, but I just haven't.

So much has happened in the past month! Reed went on his first two plane rides. He was a superstar, people around us complimented him on both flights. I was so proud. He met so many new people, including his Great Great Aunt Ruth, and really bumped the numbers up in his fan club. He turned four months old and got his shots. Once again, he was far braver than his mama. The White family came up to visit us from Vegas and Reed has a new girlfriend in Anna.  He also got to meet his Great Aunt Patty and her Seattle native boyfriend Ken

What else, I managed to take and pass once class. That's great, cause my goal was to not fail. I was very happy with my B+. We'll see how it goes in the fall once I start back full time.  We still have to figure out childcare. Although it hasn't been confirmed, it seems that we will not be getting the childcare subsidies. I am pretty concerned about this. Maybe I should have a bake sale or a carwash to raise funds. Or maybe I should look into that email I got from Nigeria...

My triathlon plans have been somewhat derailed. Apparently it has been postponed till next year due to bridge construction or something along those lines.  I can't say I'm not a little tiny bit relieved. Phew. Anyway, I have entered a couple 5K races to keep the dream alive. I'll have to more actively look into finding another tri. I'm currently reading a book called "Slow Fat Triathlete: How to Achieve your Fitness Goals in the Body you Have Now" Very funny. I recommend it.

Our upcoming plans include trips to Los Angeles, Danville, and Portland. We have visitors heading up from those same places. We are looking forward to an exciting summer.

I will post some pictures and videos in my next blog. Hopefully that won't be a month from now!