Your smile brightens up everywhere you go and your zest for life keeps us young Bruce! Thank you for the joy God has put in your heart and may it always be a light for us to live freely and fully. I’m grateful for all these years with you and all the years to come!
“If we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity.” – John F. Kennedy
I am believing America is still a safe place to share differing opinions. The following post is an exploration of my changing opinions. Read on if you wish to ponder with me.
What I love most about photography is how many forms it can take. I have gone through sprints of photography in the past after learning a new technique or acquiring new gear, but my latest fascination is different. It is like traveling to another country instead of visiting a state across the border.
Kadie-girl, you are my pride and joy. You are so sweet and compassionate, smart yet humble, and trustworthy and responsible. You’ve matured so much this year and each day is a new gift as we help you become the woman God has designed you to be.
It’s our sixth time playing with the colorful leaves at Costco. I’m happy that our kids love this tradition of playing in the leaves and we’ve managed to catch them before they’re all cleaned up or the rains come.
Most nights I try really hard to be the first one into bed. I drag myself upstairs, hoping David will get off the computer and come to bed at the same time so we can get to sleep sooner. I start my routine of checking on the kids, getting them or myself water, etc. etc., and then get in bed. I usually forget something, get up and take care of it, then get back in bed. Meanwhile, David waltzes upstairs, does his routine and then gets into bed before me. No fair! I started long before him, and, usually, he still beats me! So then what does he do? He gets me thinking or talking about some subject that wakes up my brain (okay, maybe I do it to myself), and then I lay there for another half an hour or so trying to go to sleep while he’s conked out in 2 minutes!
The other night, my sweet, caring husband jumps under the covers and says, “I love beating you into bed.”
I rewarded him with a punch to the arm.
He continues, “Not to rub it in your face…”
Whack!
“Like a cream pie…”
Thump!
“With rice whip…”
Smack!
“And one of those cherries that you hate.”
Hey!
2 minutes later, David: zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
30 minutes later, me: Grrrr!!!!
I volunteered at Beaverton Foursquare’s day camp for the third year. Ther’s a joke at Vernier, “Be careful what you’re good at, you might get stuck with it.” Sure enough, I worked the photo booth again since it was such a big hit last year.
Kadie’s kindergarten classmate and her sister, Annie and Emily, participated at camp too. I wondered if they were goofing off too often, but they were sweet with each other. I’m happy that Kadie has been able to stay friends with Annie even though they go to different schools.
I’m always in awe of how much love is poured out by all the volunteers and our church. And I always find my faith deepened by being with fellow believers.
It was the first time in over ten years that my generation of cousins, from my mom’s side, were all together. The last time was for my oldest cousin’s wedding in Los Angeles. This time, we were all together to celebrate my grandma’s 90th birthday. Even though we don’t keep in touch regularly, my cousins are a great group of people and we enjoyed catching up, having fun, and kept each other company through all the obligatory meals at Chinese restaurants with our respective parents, who also came for my grandma’s birthday.
I’m so proud of my mom. She worked at U.S. Bank for 29 years faithfully so that Jack and I could have the life we have. I’m excited that my mom is now free to pursue her life passions, spend time with her friends and loved ones, and hopefully travel to wherever her heart leads her.
It started with a wish and a dream… “Wouldn’t it be nice to take the kids to Disneyland again? Bruce is 4 and likes waving good-bye to the MAX. He would just love seeing characters and parades!”
Of course, we couldn’t go without Tracy, and this time we needed Larrydad too! And what about our families? Wouldn’t that be fun?!
So this winter began the discussions and planning. I felt like I was already vacationing and enjoying the trip the more I researched about it! We developed what became an 18 day touring plan (Father’s Day weekend through the 4th of July) that included a couple nights in Shasta area, 2 nights in the Sequoia National Park, picking up a Southern California CityPASS and trying out AirBnB lodging in the San Diego area, hitting some theme parks, a couple nights stop at a beach campground, another AirBnB house in Anaheim for 5 nights, then wrapping up with visiting an aunt and uncle and cousins in Alameda for a few nights, and then one more camp stop in southern Oregon before our last leg home.