Monday, August 31, 2009

old friends.

There really is nothing in this world like an old friend. Somehow they still like you, even after the overalls, dirty hair, nirvana-listening phase, after the dr. martens with jean skirts phase, through many ugly haircuts, drill team incidents, swim meets, every boyfriend saga, road trips listening to alanis morissette on endless repeat....they remember it all. They will sometimes even wear a pale peach, nearly strapless dress (which upon later reflection was not. that. cute.) and stand up next to you while you get married. And somehow, through some miracle of goodness, they STILL LIKE YOU. And they barely ever bring up aforementioned incidents. And when you get together, even if it's been two years or more, it's like not ONE DAY has passed. Not one. Because you laugh, and you talk, and you remember funny things, and you discover new things, and the only difference is that now there are a lot more babies. Really, really cute babies.

Case in point:
Amira. those eyes. those cheeks!
See what I mean? Really. Cute. Babies.








For anyone who read to the bottom - details. The dresses on both babies were made from the pattern in Weekend Sewing by Heather Ross. Super fun, super easy. The park with the amazing water feature is Jamison Square Park in the Pearl District, downtown Portland. It entertained all three of my kids for a good couple of hours. If you don't like kids, I'd stay away from there on a sunny day. But I suppose if you don't like kids, you've got a whole host of other problems, and you should probably just stay in your apartment with your 47 cats for a very long time.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

sweet.



I've had this post in my head for a few days now. Actually, it's been rattling around in my head for about a year, but about a day ago it came to fruition.

Let me back up. Last August, I stood on a hot, hot summer night, holding on tightly to my dear friend as we watched her house burn. The house, the yard, everything in it. Thankfully, the people were out. But everything else, all the memories, the photos, the antiques, the writings, the beloved baby blankets and stuffed cookie monsters, the school papers from her three boys - all gone. We stood on that street and I held on to my friend as every THING in her life disappeared. It was heartbreaking. It was overwhelming, and surreal, and frightening, and it made your heart want to just fall out of your chest and stop beating.

And I was lucky enough to have their family in my house a few days later, lucky enough to be able to just feed them, and house them, and love them, and give them a place to rest their dazed heads while they figured out what the hell to do next.

I was lucky enough to be there for the last year, watching them sort the details, and the insurance, and the receipts (OH DEAR LORD THE RECEIPTS!) and the replacing and watching them try to find a home. Because they needed a home. Not just a house. They needed a place that fit, that slipped on like that old, perfectly worn in pair of jeans. They needed it, and they deserved it.

Last night, I was lucky enough to see the fulfillment of that need. As the sun set over the fields of wheat, and the light turned everything golden, we sat down to dinner in their new backyard. We opened wine, fixed plates, fed babies, laughed, talked, ate off of beautiful new dishes, wiped our faces with pretty napkins. There was boy laughter everywhere, tree-climbing, ice-cream, and finally, the porch swing.

As we sat on the beautiful swing, on their wide, friendly, welcoming porch my heart was just full to bursting. My baby girl sat in her daddy's arms quiet and content, while he gently rocked the swing with his bare foot. My friend sat in her lovely (new to her) antique rocker. Her husband relaxed on the porch, passing out the last few bites of ice cream. I looked around and realized that there is so much sweetness - more than we can ever imagine until we taste it. One year ago we had the bitter taste of smoke in our mouths and our hair. But it was gone, replaced, and our children's laughter, the summer air, the golden fields coated our mouths like honey. We drank it in, and I looked at my friend, and I knew the goodness of life. And later, as we were getting ready to put our sleepy kids in the car, she looked at me and said "It's a good house. It feels like home." And that was all I had hoped they would find.







Thursday, August 27, 2009

chloe.

Chloe Louise. We just can't seem to get enough of her. There is way too much tickling, kissing, nose-crinkling, hand clapping, baby singing, counting to ten goodness - it just makes your heart full to bursting. It makes your ovaries hurt. But not too much. Not enough to say, procreate again. Nooooo, no no. Just enough to make you thank the sweet universe for sending this delicious bundle of girly goodness your way. Every. Single. Day.







her first oreo cookie, courtesy of her mimi.
she liked it.
alot.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

girls can too.


It's true. I proved it to my boys today. Mind you, I didn't say that girls can do it prettily, or gracefully, but this mama proved that girls can paddle out and get wet, and maybe even catch a wave or two. Sort of. With a lot of falling down in between. Not to mention the wetsuit. OH SWEET JESUS, THE WETSUIT. Here's an idea. If you're going to make a wetsuit for a woman, think about what area she might feel uncomfortable with. I'm guessing you'd probably pick THE TORSO. Like, the lovehandles. Or the belly roll from the three babies. (and the ice cream. shut up about that, anyway. it's from the babies, obviously.) Then, MAKE THAT SECTION A DIFFERENT COLOR. That way your eye will INSTANTLY be drawn to it. Lord almighty, what kind of idiot thought of that? Probably one who's never had babies. Or eaten ice cream. Or anything else, for that matter.

Anyhow. Another great day at the beach. This time, I had a FRIEND!!! Someone to talk to while all the boys were in the water!! (Chloe is fun, but she doesn't really hold up her end of the conversation, if you know what I mean.) Heather, you're a lifesaver. And super fun. And we want to keep you forever.

Followed by dinner at the pub, root beer floats for the boys, and general feelings of contentment, tiredness, and goodwill.









Monday, August 24, 2009

surfing...

We went and stayed a night in Pacific City last week, which really is one of our favorite places on earth. We usually go for the day, or camp in the cabins there, but since it was last minute and everything was full, we were forced to upgrade to the lovely Inn at Cape Kiwanda. Bummer. (or not!) We explored tidepools, climbed the dune (I use "we" figuratively on that one!), roasted marshmallows, and had yummy breakfast. Since I took approximately 400 photos (ahem) in two days, I've been a tiny bit slow in processing them. And oh yes, my husband was away for five. days. in a row. Here are the first few. The rest will probably end up on flickr. Enjoy.





saying goodbye...

My parents are pretty awesome. For more reasons than just this one, but this one is definitely near the top of the list. It seems like every summer we are dropping them off at the airport for one more fabulous travel adventure. And as much as we all miss them (and the free babysitting!) while they're gone for almost a month, I love that they are still having so much fun together. When my children are grown (sniffle) I hope the mister and I are still rocking the free world the way Mimi & Pa are!

This time around, it was 3 weeks in Peru - two weeks with Extreme Peru and the Durans, then another week to see Machu Pichu, the Smiths, and of course, Lake Titicaca. (snicker.) Granted, they'll be home in four days, so this post is approximately 3 weeks late. However, the pics are cute. So here you go.

she just loves her pa...

jackson reads the menu
chloe...lord help us.
chloe wouldn't keep her bow in...so Mimi was giving her a demo. Isn't she cute?

Sunday, August 23, 2009

i wanna send flowers.



Someday, in my alternate life universe, I want to be a florist when I grow up. Not like a carnations and baby's breath florist, but more like the one who created the carved radish boutonniere I wanted for my junior prom. A coooool florist. I got a chance to play, and practice this last week when Amy let me help her with a wedding she was doing flowers for. It was so fun. Added bonus, all the flowers (except for the mums) are FROM MY YARD!! Who knew?! So next summer, if you know anyone who wants flowers done for their wedding, tell them to call me. If they like hydrangeas, that is.

turning my kitchen into a workshop

bridal bouquet
bridesmaid bouquet
toss bouquet
table centerpiece
another table centerpiece
 

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