Two Brothers

Dear Mom (in-law),

Though I wasn't present for the raising of these two boys, I think I have an inkling of what the experience must have been like. At the moment I'm typing this, not a half hour ago was I struggling to put my own son down for bedtime. A boy who's usually known for being easygoing, especially at night. After three attempts at feeding, two bedtime stories, a diaper change, and one unfruitful snuggle session, Seve was the one who was able to calm him to sleep: by holding him tightly and spinning round and round in circles (er, gentle, slow circles . . . but spinning was definitely involved). Perhaps Simon is more like his father than I initially thought. He is fearless, after all - today he climbed the stairs for the first time. Up and down.

And all that singing? Must come from his uncle.

Though we're not sure where that duck-quack-witch-cackle laugh came from.

Missing you (and trying to find a way to get to Florida for Christmas this year),
Your daughter,
Jules

Hiding

I've been avoiding blogging and hiding away in the warm weather and outdoors. Now that it's rainy and cold again (boo) I'll pop in for a post, and catch up on my Reader. What we've been up to lately: the Aviation and Space Museum, 2 state parks, Simon hitting the 7 month mark, poking around Portland, pancake houses, The Shining, my birthday (27! 27? Oh my), and grieving Ben's departure. What have you been up to? I certainly hope you're having a fabulous Memorial Day.

The Only Place

There's a Best Coast show this coming Monday that I'm dying to see at the Aladdin Theatre, so hopefully that's in the cards.

Happy Friday!

Sans sun

Though I'd prefer not to Instagram dump in a blog post, the fact is that I lugged my camera all the way to the beach and didn't take a single picture. Also, though ocean spray and sand were definitely present, the sun was not. But a grey, Oregon beach is a surreal, dreamy beach, isn't it? Fish & chips at the Sail Inn Cafe was great too, where two old men ranted and raved about today's technology ("It's called Skype. And here's how it works, Bill: it's just like me talking to you right now. Face to face. Face to face, Bill!")

How happy am I that Instagram is FINALLY available for Android? I'll be a lot happier when I have a phone that's up-to-date and can actually use the app. Good thing it's my birthday in 9 days.

All photos via my darling (I said it) brother-in-law Ben. Are you on Instagram? Tell me now.

And we'll have fun fun fun

Waste not

There were so many things I was up to in Texas that I have yet blog about. Namely how the best burgers in the world come from the Coyote Bluff Cafe in Amarillo, TX (featured on Travel Channel wut?!) and how we went to the zoo and spent most of our time in the air conditioned reptile room because it was so hot outside (and because reptiles are AWESOME). And my sister Jaclyn (featured above with the turtle) came to visit as well; it was the first time my immediate family had all been together in . . . how many years? 4? 5? Either way, too many.

Every once in a while this blogging thing feels like too much of an obligation and I'm tempted to just skip it, but then I look back through my archives and feel grateful for the trouble I took to document the times with my family. The posts about shoes or equestrian-themed swimwear don't warm my heart, but watching Simon grow up certainly does. In the past I longed to have a well-read blog about art or fashion or something, but now I've got bigger fish to fry and this blog is simply a sweet little outlet to reminisce. As the summer goes on I'll likely shift away from my rigid posting schedule because, you know, some days you just don't want to get on the computer. Especially warm, sunny ones. But in the meantime . . . another day, another blog post, another memory.

Hamlet hamming it up

Uncle Ben is in town! So, you know, we've been busy. And we've definitely been enjoying some great weather. Because, guys, it's almost here! Summer! Summer summer summer! Green grass: welcome to my bare feet! Beach: get those waves ready! Mountains: prepare to be hiked! Sandals: keep track of the awkward tan lines you'll cast on my toes! Shorts: get thee on my bunnery! Attempt at Shakespeare humor: forget it ever happened! 

Paradise

If you want to view paradise, simply look around and view it.

My week in Texas is coming to a close and it has me reflecting on my past, present, and future. Mainly the future. Seve and I are currently suspended in that "Where now?" limbo of post-graduation and pre-job. We're interviewing and scouting out our next move, ready to get on with it but relishing the downtime before another sweeping trek across the country. Opportunity is knocking on our hallway of doors and new ones open just as quickly as others close. Ugh, I'm waxing a little too poetic tonight.

I'd rather not get into specifics, (not until we have our feet firmly planted where they're going to live for the next five or so years, anyway) but we've had some high highs and low lows I didn't see coming. And the surge of it all has left us in a . . . "calm before the storm" kind of peace?  Not sure how to explain it. Despite the uncertainty, I feel really, well, happy. I look around and I see my paradise already, even though we have yet to get where we're going. It's a funny little feeling, and makes me appreciate all the unexpectedness that happens.

A favorite professor of mine once said that nothing is ever 100% bad; it can only reach a maximum of 99%, because at least 1% is worth sharing later in a hilarious and heavily embellished story.

Work cut out

I have been working on this all the livelong day. Aside from taking my mother's author photos, I've also been working on her site, and I tell you what I'm mentally exhausted. It's not yet near completion, but I thought I'd offer you guys a sneak peek of the work in progress. If you're interested, check out her blog to read up on her journey to publication.