Grams.

How amazing these last several days have been.

I've been able to spend time with all my family.  Those people that I love the most.  Who have been together since the beginning of my life...to be there for the silent end of someone so important.

I don't know that I'll ever forget Friday, September 28th.  Greg, mom and I in a room with Grandma.  The woman who was slightly crazy, always loving and supportive to me, and as strong as they come.

She used to drive up to my college and take me out for a steak dinner - and tell me stories of when she and my Grandpa were younger. She'd leave me money in the side pocket of my purse.  And not say anything about it.

Just so I'd be okay.

And she loved my kids. She was there for Henry's birth. And came up to Seattle the day Stella was born.

She used to make sure she always had a jar of coins for Henry when we'd come to visit.

And she could make jelly like no one you've ever met.

And she liked canned beets and loved a baked ham and fried oysters.

She made me feel important.  And I loved the holy living shit out of her. 

I'm so glad to have been with her at the end of her life...when she's been such a big part of mine.

Goodbye, Grandma. 

I just love you. You are so very important to us all, and I will remember you and the little things you have done for me and my children for the rest of my life.

Run, Henry. Run.

1st cross-country meet for HJS this weekend.

Whew - it was crazy.  There were about 2K school kids from around the city - and they were ready to run.

Henry did great.  It was hot.  And there were hills. 

And he killed it. 

Love that little running fool.

You might want to turn the volume down.  My enthusiasm was louder than anticipated.  :)

Way to go, HJS!

Lip Gloss

All is well in the world when Stella gets a make-up bag and some gloss from the fabulous Felicia.

A Celebration.

We went to a celebration of life for a dear friend's brother-in-law yesterday.  He passed away in a motorcycle accident several weeks ago, and it still makes no sense.  Not a single spec of it. His beautiful wife, his five children, his amazing friends. It just doesn't make sense.

What certainly did make sense was the love floating amoung the 300+ people who came to honor him. I looked around for moments of clarity...and they were everywhere.  In friends loving each other, in family figuring out how to say goodbye. 

I found what makes sense to me and clicked the shutter.

Goodbye, Jason. You made us laugh, you gave the most awesome hugs and we are better people for knowing you.

Guitars and Texans.

We had some visitors this last holiday weekend.

From the Lone Star state. 

And all the Seattle-based Texans gathered around them.

Old friends.  Drinks.  New kids. Guitars.

They were all there.   And one good time was had. 

Grade 2: Day 1.

So. Here we go.

1st day of 2nd grade.  A new school.  A Catholic school. 

It's a shift from what he's used to.  What we're used to.  But it seems like the right decision, especially after this morning.

His school had an assembly first thing upon arrival.  The principal introduced all the news kids. And it was loving and lovely. And she talked about faith. Faith that each child should have in themselves, their friends, their families and in God.  A pretty fantastic message to start a year.

Lots to learn. Lots to discuss with that fella. 

And then there's the whole uniform scenario.  :)

Bottom line on days like this...I love this boy. With my heart and my head and everything I've got.

Here's to his first day. 

That Farm.

We must be about done with summer.

Because the kids and I took a trip out to Remlinger Farms this week.  And that journey is always the harbinger of fall. It means school is just around the corner.  And waking up early again. And homework.  And regularly scheduled baths. And packing lunches.  And extra cirricular activites.

You get the picture. 

It's become one of my favorite trips. 

Not because I'm tired of summer. Quite the opposite. It's like our last grasp at old-fashioned, concentrated summer fun. And it feels like my special time with these turkeys. 

Plus, it's like a 1/4 slice of Disneyland pie.  Without the plane ride.

And, spending this time with them...well, it only makes me want to squeeze the stinks (hard) and say, "Please - one more week.  Just one more."

So, I bring my iPhone and I document.  The comings and goings of a farm day.

Henry's running up against some challenges at Remlinger Farms.  But we're going to go every year anyway.  Until these kids are 32.  At least.

Because there just aren't better end-of-summer days. 

So bring it on, Fall. 

Sista.

The Pack.

As I mentioned, those boys are off on a grand cub scout camp adventure this week.

Word from the field brings news of bb gun sharp-shooting, pocket knife practice, meal-time skits and swim tests in deep lakes.

Yikers.

The boys got all packed up Thursday morning.

And the last time I saw them and their things, it looked like this.

Always do your best, young scout.  We miss ya.