Cutie O

 Today I was reviewing my posts and found this gem all ready to go, but not posted.  I can't believe it got lost in other posts.  This is a morning I don't want to forget, so I'm going to share even though we are heading into spring and Cutie O is walking.

Its not very often that I get one on one time with Cutie O.  This morning Cutie E had a doctors appointment, which left Cutie O and I some quality one on one time.

Our little "O" is adorable.  He has a smile that lights up his entire face.  I love how he giggles at silly sounds, funny faces or peek-a-boo. 

Last week at the park he was flying low in a baby swing.  He got so excited as he zoomed toward me that his little fists would shake, he was smiling and  giggling all at the same time.  I couldn't help but giggle with him.  

Lately he has been trying to keep up with his brother.  He is creeping everywhere, learned how to get up the step between the family room and kitchen, he balances his hand on anything that allows his feet to be planted on the floor.  He has a good looking "downward facing dog", but his planks put all of us to shame.

So, today was a wonderful treat.   We enjoyed a long walk to the post office.

The leaves are beginning to change, some are even falling.  Hearing the crunch of leaves as I step is a joyful sound.  Cutie O was graced by a brown leaf falling right onto his lap.  Once he noticed it, he grabbed it and held on tight.  He tried eating it, but the stem poked his cheek and Grammy pushed it away.

He kept twisting his wrist and hand to get a good look at the leaf.  As we were heading home from our walk he fell asleep gripping that same leaf.

Our morning together ended with some play time, lunch and his first taste of Cheerios.  I think I need more one on one time with each of the boys.

Celebrating Veteran's

Since I last posted on September 23,  I have been pondering what I want to do with my blog while reducing the time I spend on social media.  I will save that for another time, today I want to honor our nations Veteran's.

Yesterday was Veteran's Day.  Living in our nations capitol there is always something you can do or experience and Veteran's Day is no exception.

Dad & Paulette at Mount Vernon

The most notable activity in the area is to attend the Presidential speech at Arlington National Cemetery.  Yesterday was extra special, President Biden, Dr Biden, Vice President Harris and Second Gentleman were all in attendance.  The President and Vice President laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  

Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
 Arlington National Cemetery

On average 5,000 people attend this special Presidential speech.  One day I will attend, but this year I took my dad and Paulette to explore Arlington a few days before in order to avoid the big crowds.  We had a beautiful blue sky day that was like no other I have experienced.  

The National Park System acknowledges our Veteran's with special  free admission into all of its parks. Restaurants offer free meals or special treats and many other businesses offer discounts.  There are parades, concerts, flag displays, run/walks, and ceremonial events.  It isn't hard to find an activity that fits you to help honor our Veteran's.  

This year I spent the day with my family at Mount Vernon, George Washington's home.  I love Mount Vernon.  I love being in George Washington's home, walking part of his plantation and through his forest.  To honor Veteran's they had a special book for them to sign, entrance was free and they provided red carnations to any adult that would like to lay it at his tomb.

Our family had a wonderful day.  As Cutie E was sitting on my lap during one of the films I wondered how each of these events and the places we visit will shape his life.  He ran around the bowling green, walked through the house and held our hands as we walked through the gardens and slave quarters.  He was so good.  Cutie O enjoyed a lovely stroller ride through the grounds of our first president.

Not every kiddo has the opportunity to visit, experience, explore and listen to the words of the men and women who laid the foundation for our country.  They are so lucky to have these expereinces build who they will become.

Fort McHenry

I continue to wonder,

How will their parents, uncle and great grandparents military service shape them?

How will the words and information they hear about our nations history impact them?

How will running around the first presidents plantation shape their future?

How will these experiences early in their life influence their path?

I am excited to see who these beautiful boys become.

I am so honored to be part of a family that has been willing to serve, that love our country  and the history it holds close to its heart.  I hope all Veteran's felt loved and appreciated on their special day. 

Its Been A Year

 We Made It!

We have lived in Washington DC for one year and two days 😂

When we decided we were going to move in with the kids we had no idea where they were going to be relocated to.  The possibilities were endless.  And that was exciting.

I lived in California in the same house the first 11 years of my life.  My dad got a job in Portland that moved us at the end of my 5th grade year.  Oregon quickly became home.  When I met Sean I told him that if he wanted to marry me he'd have to agree to move to Portland.  He was happy to return to the Pacific Northwest.

Our Oregon home

Oregon is where we were married, raised our family, and built memories that we cherish.  Neither of us saw ourselves moving from home.  This is one of the reasons why we knew this move would be difficult.

As a school teacher I watched many students struggle, whether it be with a new skill or one that has always been difficult.  I loved the moments when they got it.  When they understood the concept or were able to overcome the difficult skill.  The joy on their faces washed away every difficult day.

Their growth came within the daily struggle.  

We all have trials.  Those trials push us beyond what we "think" we can do.  Its hard, sometimes even painful.  We learn with in the trial about ourselves, what we can accomplish and that the unthinkable can be a reality.

 The year COVID hit I was pushed beyond anything I knew and understood about teaching.  I would have never predicted that schools would be closed for two weeks let alone the remainder of the school year and into the next one.

My Classroom

At the beginning of that next school year I sat in a training in my living room completely overwhelmed.  By the time the training ended I had my camera off and was sobbing.  I tried the canned programs we were told to teach from, the new grade book we were to use and an electronic assignment creator.  None of them were for me.  A few weeks in I found my technical footing and figured out how to teach in this new format, but incorporating my style and lessons.

A year ago I was thrilled to be moving to Washington DC.  A place I am familiar with and love.  I couldn't wait to be here and experience more than a 7-day student led trip allowed.  I knew it would be hard to leave home, but I wasn't expecting heart ache, fear and immense JOY.

One afternoon Holly was driving me across across the bridge to Ford Island in Hawaii.  She showed her military badge at the gate and in that moment I realized that Holly and Dreyton were going to take me to places and have experiences I never dreamt of.  That scared me.  The life I knew in Oregon was all about to change.

The trip across the country gave us opportunities to see dear friends, spend time with our kids and family and see parts of the country we had never seen before.

What is most notable is that one year ago Sunday we stepped into our new home with a new version of our family.

Dreyton ran through the house so excited to show us every room.  This was his house.  He couldn't wait to make this a home with all of us.

 Every aspect of my life was now different, so I relied on his joy and excitement many times as my heart longed to be in my home in Oregon.

While spending the last year navigating the unfamiliar and unknown I have learned a few things.

I'm not my mom, but I can set up a kitchen, a home and invite the spirit to be with us every day like she did for me every time I moved.

It is ok to not know where I am or how I am going to get somewhere, but I can learn.  It doesn't have to be terrifying as long as I rely on the tools I have and the spirit to guide me.  Today I can confidently get myself to places I want to go.  I can even drive into the city.  That is a HUGE accomplishment.

My dear friends are still my friends no matter how many miles separate us.  Together we figured out how to stay in touch.  I love all of them dearly and the experiences we continue to share together.

Imagine walking through Target or Costco and bumping into friends, past students and families, neighbors, or people from your childhood.  It was a rare occasion that I walked through a store a didn't bump into someone I knew.  For a few months I walked into stores with my head down, I knew I wouldn't bump into people I know.  It felt lonely.  

I've learned its ok to walk through a door alone and not know anyone in the room.   I just whisper to myself, "Be Brave", "You Can Do This", "You Got This"!  This has pushed me well beyond my comfort zone.  I'm starting to meet people and have even walked through Target and recognized a new friend.

Sisters always got you

At the end of each day Sean and I share what the best part of our day is.  For many years that moment happened at school.  Transitioning into early retirement has not been easy.   It has been 19 years since I had been home with our children and 21 since I had been home full time.  This was going to take time and I needed to be patient with myself.

My BEST PART of the day has changed.  There are more moments with Sean.  Like eating lunch together more than just the summer months.  Date nights that don't involve grocery shopping or more opportunities to travel with him.

                                                            

There are also two adorable little boys that fill my days with so many BEST PARTS.  Before I could thoroughly enjoy those moments I had to find a balance between being Grammy and the Grammy that takes care of you each day with no's and rules.

 Finding balance between these two roles has not been smooth.  I've made many mistakes.  Today I realize that I must honor both of those roles and love where I'm at in that moment.

The hardest part of this move and transition is letting go of what was and embracing what is.  I listened to a talk once where a woman experienced the tragic loss of her daughter.  After life settled into a new routine she found herself yearning to get back the life she had.  That life no longer existed because her daughter wasn't in it.  She said that part of her life was yellow, bright, cheerful, sunny.  

Now her life was blue.  It was different.  There had been a lot of change that impacted every part of her life.  At times it was filled with sorrow, but at other times there was joy.  She still longed for elements of her yellow life.  What she learned is that she could take elements of her yellow life and combine them with her new blue life to make green.  

Letting go of my yellow life in Oregon has been a challenge.  Embracing my new blue life in Washington DC has been equally challenging.  I have felt like both lifestyles were playing tug-of-war with my heartstrings.  All that means is that I love both.  I don't have to let go of Oregon and solely embrace DC, I too can create a life of green.

My green life is filled with precious moments.  I GET to spend each day with my adorable grandsons.  I get to witness major milestones and be here for daily hugs, kisses, giggles and snuggles.  Today I can happily say I wouldn't want to be anywhere else than here with my sweetheart, our daughter and husband and our two cutie grandsons.

It has been a year of tremendous change, but I've learned a lot about myself, slowing down and enjoying the moment.  

The Gang's All Here

When the kids were growing up I always slept better when everyone was home.  Safe and sound, and all tucked in.

When the fridge, freezer and pantry were full after a Costco run I couldn't stop smiling.  There was plenty of food and everyone could eat when they got hungry.  I never wanted the kids to go hungry.

Their safety and full tummies were priorities for me.

Three weeks ago I went to bed smiling.  Everyone, all 10 of us were under one roof, tucked in for the night.  The best part was we were in our new home in DC all together.

After a little paintball fun

In January at the end of a busy Disneyland vacation Sean and I didn't think we would ALL be together till 2028, our next family trip.  Much to our surprise we were together in DC to celebrate family and the 4th of July.

Disneyland: Blue Bayou

Our family celebrations began with Marissa and Jake reuniting after another separation.  Riss was gracious and shared time with Jake with the family.  We started his visit with a trip to the Udvar-Hazy Air & Space Museum.  I love this place.  The history of flight is top notch.  Getting to see actual planes from history like the Enola Gay or the Blackbird or Tom Cat are impressive, but the Discovery Space Shuttle steals the show.

Despite the heat and humidity we did make a quick stop at Great Falls National Park.  Sean and I couldn't believe the difference of the falls from spring till early summer.  We haven't had much rain since March  which is why the falls weren't as dramatic, but still beautiful.  This time we had Holly, Dreyton, the boys and Marissa & Jake with us.

Great Falls National Park

Jake has a deep love of and for our country.  While his sweet wife was at work he wanted to visit a few places, the Capitol Building, Supreme Court, National Archives and Fort McHenry.  Each of these experiences with him was an opportunity to share our love of history.

Capitol Rotunda

Cutie E & Freedom

Fort McHenry

Just as Harrison and Ragen were to arrive in DC six of us had tickets to enjoyed a DC United soccer game.   Tickets to the game was Marissa's birthday present. 

Each of the kids played soccer for a period of time.  Sean and I even played in your younger years, but the girls were the ones that played through high school.  They continue to love the game, whether its kicking the ball around or watching a favorite team play. 

 

Sean and I arrived at the soccer game a little late so we could pick up Harrison and Ragen.  Since Ragen hadn't been to DC before I needed to plan a trip for her that took advantage of every moment.  After grabbing a bite to eat we visited the Pentagon and Air Force Memorials.  

9/11 Pentagon Memorial

In four days we walked over 35,000 steps, rode electric scooters over 10 miles and visited every major site (25 total) in Washington DC and Annapolis.  We won't discuss the fact that I "Supermaned" off my scooter and ended up with 12 stitches in my knee.  Like a good mom, I jumped back on that scooter and rode 2 miles to our car.

Washinton Monument

White House

One of the highlights of having Harrison and Ragen here was watching Ragen experience DC for the very first time.  She was amazed by the sheer vastness of the city and architecture of our Capitol, White House and memorials.

There is so much you can do in Washington DC, but we also wanted family time.  This meant good food, games, movies and little sleep.  Some of my favorite moments together were watching the aunts and uncles with the boys.  

Capitol Tour with the boys

Jake jumped right in, as if he was a regular visitor.  He would get Cutie E out of his carseat, hold Cutie O while playing games with Dreyton, played on the floor with each of the boys and enjoyed the giggles from his silly faces and funny noises.

Auntie Riss 

Harrison and Ragen were all about the boys.  It didn't matter if they were fussy or full of smiles they were willing to hold or feed them.  By the end of their trip each of them were getting hugs and kisses from Cutie E and lots of snuggles from Cutie O.

Uncle Harrison is warm & cozy, a great place for a nap

Ring Around the Rosie with Aunie Ragen

We had big plans for the 4th of July.  Fireworks on the Mall in DC.  Since the boys are still little trekking into the city on a very hot and humid day seemed a bit too much.  We opted for a quiet day at home with games, patriotic movies and lots of food.   The fireworks were spectacular over the Naval Academy.

Maryland WWII Memorial in Annapolis

I loved being together, our red, white and blue outfits and everyone cooking in the kitchen.  Cutie E even managed to squeeze in to help as well.

Before everyone arrived Holly suggested we have a family water balloon fight like when they were kids.  GREAT IDEA!  We found these these awesome throwable paintballs called Goblies.  Best part about these paintballs is that they are biodegradable, so no clean up and the paint washes out of all clothing.  

We had so much fun smashing paint on shirts and watching them splatter as you nailed someone.  I would get these paintballs again.  Next time I'll get more, buy us all white shirts so the paint shows up for pictures and I'll make sure to be injury free so I can chase down children.

At the end we dodged pop its and lit up our cul-de-sac with sparklers.  A few of our new neighbors kiddo's came out to help us use all the sparklers.

Capturing family time is important.  I take way to many pictures, but I want to make sure to capture our time together.  Most of these pictures appear in frames around the house and in scrapbooks.  

While we were in Disneyland we were hoping that one of our character pictures would turn out good enough to replace the official family picture in our family room.  The lighting wasn't great and we were missing Cutie O in person.  On our last day together I arranged for family pictures.  There are so many great places for family photos, we settled on Annapolis along the river.  

January 2024

I can't wait to see how the pictures turn out, the boys were adorable.  They smiled at times and Cutie E even grabbed his brother for a few hugs. 

Before Jake left I caught a few moments of the kids gathered together.  

Gathering in DC at Holly and Dreyton's home was not planned in advance, it just happened.  It gave us time together to share our favorite summer activities, play, explore and eat. 

Annapolis 2024

I love going to bed knowing we are all gathered in one place.  Those 5 days together were just about perfect.  I'm already looking forward to our next vacation together.😍