Seattle Summer

Back to recapping the trip:  Sunday we went to church and I was struck by how few people in Geri's ward I knew.  I used to know a lot.  It was nice to be there together though, and to see a few familiar faces.  Also, I got to sit by Adam during sacrament meeting which is a rare treat.

After church, Brian and his girlfriend, Sam, and her daughter, Ari, came over and we had lunch together.  

(Brian and Sam were sick Friday and Scott had to work Sunday so we were never all together at the same time, but it was still lovely to see everyone.)

Here's another picture of Geri's:

Sam, Megan, Brian, Geri, Adam and me

Later, Mark said, "I forgot how funny Brian is."  It is true; the guy knows how to tell a good story.

We spent an idyllic afternoon in the backyard.  More games and visiting and good food.  It was very nice to be somewhere where it doesn't feel like the summer sun is trying to kill you.

That evening we went to the Jorgensens for dinner.  David and Leif and Freja and Braeden were all in Utah but the rest of us got together.  

I missed the absent kids.  I asked Emma if she was just going to disappear to Freja's room without Freja.

We ate a delicious dinner and had a delightful time catching up.  Adam had to go finish up some work so he left and Eric and the kids played a game and Janet and I sat on the couch and...talked.

About 11:00, I finally came to my senses and gathered up our kids.

Monday morning I had another playdate, this time with Stephanie.  I went over to her house and admired their home renovations and felt a little sad that their dog, Squire, has died.  He used to join us on all our walks and I liked the little guy.  

We went to Mill Creek for lunch and I loved catching up with her.  Stephanie is just this thoroughly good and calm person and I always feel lighter after being around her.

I also feel better.

When we got back to her house after lunch she had me lie on the floor so she could work on my back.  It's hard to put a price on a friend like that.

They had their own fun at Geri's in my absence.

Later in the afternoon, I rejoined the family and we headed to Seattle.  Our first stop was the Ballard Locks.  

Here are the girls:

Talia, Rae, Geri, Emma, Megan and me

And the boys:

It is always fun to go to the Ballard Locks and watch the boats and the ingenuity of the locks.  We decided which yacht we preferred and watched the seals.

I didn't see fish in the ladder but I know there were fish around because of all the seals.

We went to Pike Place Market which was strikingly empty.  Seattle is just opening up and it's still pretty sparse.

These stalls are usually full and the walkway is crowded:

Here they are at the gum wall (picture courtesy of Megan...I avoid the gum wall because it is the gum wall and that is gross).

This is a picture Geri took.  The mountains were very much out.  In Seattle, when the sky is clear enough to see them, people say the mountains are out.

Mount Rainier showing off

The main event was the Mariner's game.  Here's our group: Jenna (Jackson's girlfriend), Raelyn, Jackson, Mark, Emma, Adam, me, Talia and Megan.  Geri was taking the picture.

I have seen that expression of Adam's many many times on Braeden's face in pictures.  Family trait.

I snapped this pictures of the boys.  They had a lot of fun together.

The Mariners were playing the Houston Astros and yes, the cheaters got booed enthusiastically every time they were up to bat.  In the first inning, Houston scored 6 runs and Adam was discouraged.  He said, "We should have come Saturday when they won."

He is a loyal fan, following them from afar, and I felt bad that his one opportunity to watch them play was going to be an abysmal loss.

The Mariners fought their way to nearly tying the game and then hit a home run with the bases loaded.  It was suddenly a very good game to be at.  If the level of euphoria in that stadium could be bottled up, you could change the world.

The Mariners won and we were happy.  Especially Adam.

Twenty-six

Today is our 26th anniversary.   Twenty-six years feels like a long time, but I am grateful for eternity.  Forever feels about right.

Marriage is a good idea.  Marriage to Adam is an even better idea.  A while ago, my dad said that I was fortunate to have married someone so intelligent.

I said, "I knew what I was doing."

Like I deserved the credit.

I don't really think I did know what I was doing though.  I knew I was marrying someone who would be unfailingly kind to me; I knew I was marrying someone who was smart and good and witty.  I didn't know what a good dad he would be.  I didn't know what a pillar of strength he would be to me in trials.  I didn't know that he would always know exactly what food I felt like eating, even when I told him I didn't feel like eating anything.  I didn't know he would know how to set my alarm clock when that thing is a complete mystery to me.  I didn't know that he would be willing, even want to, read all the directions so I wouldn't have to.  I didn't know how much I would appreciate him when everything feels fraught and uncertain.

I'm always certain of him.

Revisiting

 

Saturday we went to the Stillaguamish River.  It is one of our places.  If there ever were a place that makes us drop our shoulders and exhale it is Cascade Park on the Stillaguamish River.  It defines relaxation.  I don't know how many hours I've logged sitting in a chair reading while my family swims but not enough.

I've gotten in the water a few times over the years but rarely because it's rarely warm enough to swim.  My family doesn't need it to be warm to swim.  They just need water.

Geri asked me to take pictures and I did...from my chair.  I don't think I'm the best choice for someone to take pictures.  I don't take good pictures or very many of them.

Here was my view:

The two gingers:  I loved the way Talia's hair was aflame in the sunshine

Geri, Adam and Emma

Megan came too but I didn't get a picture of her.  (Honestly, did I get a good picture of anyone?)  

I read and read my book but was pulled back to reality by a third grader in distress.  Those are my people. A little boy, down the beach a little, got lost from his family and I heard him wailing.  I walked down to him and reassured him that we would find them.  I found out he is going to be a third grader and I told him I'm a third grade teacher.  I walked him to the campsite where his family was loading up and maybe that absolves me a little from when we left Mark in Chelan?

Mark has created a new verb.  For example, when Adam almost drove away from a rest stop in Oregon, without Emma, Mark stopped him.  "Dad?  You know Emma's not in the car, right?"

No.  He did not.

When Emma got in the car, Mark said, "Dad almost Chelaned you."

After the river, we met up with Jackson and went to Mukilteo.  We had pizza at Brooklyn Brothers which is still as good as we remember and then we went to the waterfront to check out the new ferry terminal.

It was gorgeous!  The building is inspired by Coast Salish longhouses.  It featured lots of Native art and was just lovely.  It didn't hurt that there was a beautiful sunset going on.

Geri, Emma, Mark, Jackson, Megan and Adam

I only look awkward in pictures.  It's my talent.  It doesn't help that I'm sure Adam said something to me right before the picture to make me on the edge of laughter.

I loved this picture of Mark and Jackson, bathed in golden light.

It's a beautiful world.

Reconnecting

Thursday we drove to Seattle.  Having four drivers is not bad.  We stopped often (me) and drove fast (me...and Emma) and made pretty good time.  Emma and Mark kept us in music and Adam and I also listened to podcasts when our kids zoned out with their AirPods.  I remember taking that drive and packing diapers, snacks, sippy cups, blankets, toys, DVDs, and CDs along with my desperation.

This is better.  

It was wonderful to go over the mountains into a different world, Western Washington.  There were tears shed and not by me.  

In a rare turn of events.

We almost immediately started watching the Mariners game and it felt like summers past.  We were lounging on comfortable couches in Geri's lovely house.  It just feels reassuring and always has.

I eventually went to bed when I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer.  There are Mariners fans and then there are Mariners fans.  I'm way less avid than some.

Geri gives up her bedroom to us when we're there and as someone who unfortunately channels the princess and the pea, I'm very grateful.  I sleep well and it helps how cool Seattle summers are.

Friday morning we went to Snohomish and Emma and I went to a few stores.  We soaked in the charm.  I don't even have to buy anything, it gives me a jolt of happiness to see such pretty things.  Mark wanted to have lunch at The Blazing Onion which is a hamburger place.  There are so many good places like that in Utah, that it felt underwhelming by comparison.  Still good though.

They dropped me off at Janet's for a playdate and everyone else went to Martha Lake to swim.  It's a perfect arrangement.

I sat at Janet's counter and she prepped salsa and we talked and talked and talked.

I wonder if the two of us could ever run out of things to talk about?

Adam came and picked me up and we had dinner at Geri's.  Raelyn, Talia and Scott came.  It was fun to reconnect with them.  

I nabbed some pictures of Geri's off Facebook:

Mark wasn't about to stop eating to pose for a picture.  Here's Talia, Emma, Mark and Raelyn

Emma and Scott playing ladder golf

In addition to ladder golf, we played corn hole and Code Names.  And laughed a lot.  

It was wonderful to reconnect.  

Grateful Friday

at the Edmonds ferry terminal

We're home!

I'm happy to be here.  Even considering the laundry waiting, it's good to be home.

My plants missed me.  I went around deathbed repentance watering last night.  This may be Trayvion's last.  The majority of the plants were fine; the more finicky plants don't like being left in a hot house with no water.

I'm grateful it's cool and rainy here today.  It is a more gentle reentry from the Pacific Northwest.

I'm grateful for our trip!  We had fun.  We reconnected with family and friends, we went to a Mariners game (an amazing Mariners game!), we visited a few favorite haunts, we played ladder golf, corn hole and Code Names, we rode a ferry (we saw an orca!) and went to a National Park and several beaches, we took a few short hikes, we even went to my favorite store in Snohomish.

We packed a lot into a week and it was wonderful.

I will digital scrapbook/blog more about it in coming days. It is worth remembering.

Happenings

We are going to Seattle and we are happy about it.  In the past when we've gone, everyone has a long list of things they want to do, people they want to see, places they want to eat, water they want to swim in.  I think this time we just want to go.  We are happy to do whatever.  We just want to go.

So, Marianne, this is for you.  If I don't blog, I've neither died nor abandoned you.  I'll be back.

***

I moved Trayvion to my office where I can keep better watch on him.  I'm worried.  Especially since we're leaving.  I put him in the shower and flooded him with water to wash the soil of salt and minerals.  I hope it helps.

***

I talked to Braeden and he pointed out that all three of my children are growing up on the same weekend.  Mark and Braeden and Anna were already leaving the same weekend, now Emma is starting her new job that Monday too!  She got a job offer yesterday!  She will be working in financial aid at WGU.  I told her she's going to be the fairy godmother, granting wishes.  She said she's about to be the Oprah of higher education.  She's excited and I'm excited for her and yes, all three of our children have grown up.

I'm glad I have 32 and counting (gulp) third graders to soon fill my time and attention.  There will be shoes to tie and stories to listen to and stories to read aloud.

***

Last night Adam stopped for tacos on his way home from work.  Taco Tuesday.  It was just the two of us because Emma and Mark were with their friends.  

I like just the two of us just fine.

(And I'm also looking forward to a long car ride with the four of us.)

Precipice

Thinking about Mark going to college, thinking about Braeden and Anna moving to California...it all feels like a cliff I don't want to stand too close to.

Mark has been telling me daily in a taunting way, how many days until he leaves.

I wished he could be a little bit sad about it, pretend he'd miss me.

While we were away for the weekend, Mark said he started thinking about packing up his stuff and then it hit him.  He's going away to college.

Sunday night he hugged me about ten times.  He texted me Monday, "I sure love you."

I was sitting across the room from him.

I take it back, I don't want him to miss me.  I (maybe) can handle me missing him but I (definitely) can't handle him missing me.

I don't know what it will be like to have Emma as our only child at home.  The other day, I got a glimpse.  She told Adam about a video she watched of a British man doing Sudoku.  Adam was interested, so they watched the video, commenting on his strategy and murmuring appreciatively as he solved Sudoku.

I went to read a book, glad those two had each other.