Valerie

My Grandpa used to be a professional photographer, and after cleaning through the garage this week he found his old set of Nikon lenses. He offered them to me, and lo & behold they work with my DSLR just fine. So, you know, been playing with that lately.

This coming week I'll be heading to Utah for the funeral of my Aunt Valerie, who passed away recently after a long and lentghy battle with cancer. I've been having a lot of internet-regret lately - that feeling when you aren't blogging/commenting enough . . . and the few times I have been on, it's been to play on Pinterest.

But the worst is my lack of emailing. More importantly, that I was told that though Valerie wasn't up for responding to emails much, she still loved receiving them and having them read to her. I promised myself I would write to her, but didn't get around to it. Now she's gone, and I have no one to blame but myself for my lack of commitment to simply sit down and write an email to my aunt.

So this one's for you, Valerie:

Remember when my father and I came to visit a few years ago? 2006 or 2007, I think? Your hair was thinning from all the treatment you were getting and you asked if I could cut it for you into a more flattering style. I did my best; I wanted so much for you to like it. You're a kind enough person that you never would have told me if you hated it. You used to make me bracelets and necklaces for every birthday & Christmas. I still wear them from time to time.

I remember that you weren't fond of driving, particularly unprotected lefts, and you hated those green wheat smoothies the doctors insisted you drink. But you did so anyway, with a smile on your face, joking that the cancer in your tongue made it so you didn't really taste it anyway.

Jaclyn and I used to say that you and Grandma should have used all that money on a never ending trip around the world, just the two of you on a private yacht. But you were more selfless than that, and cared for family more than pyramids or ruins or oceans or caves. I thank you for that. I love you, and loved every moment I had with you, even if they were few.

I hope you and Pam are making fun of us from heaven.

Love,
Jules

Pictures I meant to post 2 weeks ago

Simon loves a good walk in the park. Also, Ben's shirt says "Mark Train Freight Twain." Try saying that three times fast.

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

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! 

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.

Aloha

Simon is exactly 6 months old today. For his half-birthday, he got to meet his great grandparents for the first time, on the day they returned home from their mission to Hawaii. We're so glad to have them back! Though I'm sure Oregon "sunshine" doesn't compare to Hawaii sunshine.