Remembering

Yesterday Shane and I spent the afternoon cleaning the garage, organizing and even unpacking a few boxes that have been sitting patiently for years I think. I had so much fun because I unpacked some boxes that were full of memorabilia from high school and college- both my stuff and Shane's. I looked at pictures I forgot I had, read (ok RE-read) packets of letters from some girls that were hopeful that Shane was the one for them, and found letters and pictures from when Shane and I were dating in college.
Seeing all these things filled me with feelings from college. I had almost forgotten what it felt like to wonder if Shane and I would get together, if we would fall in love and if he would propose. Of course all of those things happened but it was crazy to think about the time in our lives when each decision set us on the path to our future. We remembered couples from college that broke up and how easily they could have gotten married to someone different and changed their whole life.
Never was this so poignant to me as when I read some of the letters that a couple of girls wrote to Shane. As a girl, I was able to read them differently than he did, with more clarity. A couple of these people were so hopeful that a romantic relationship would develop between them and Shane that it is almost painful to read. One of them refers constantly to the fact that Shane was single and maybe they could pray for eachother to each find someone special? And my jealousy came out a few times when the notes started out "Hey Handsome" or ended with "Love you." There were lots of I love you's written to him that were not reciprocated I have to say! My husband was turning some heads and I am so glad that he wasn't interested in them!
Also Shane reminded me how protective his mom was of him when girls were pursuing him. Once he was standing next to her when she answered a phone call for him. She told the girl that Shane wasn't available even though he was standing right next to her! I love it.
When I entered Western Baptist College as a freshman, Shane was a senior and how he made it that long there without a serious girlfriend I have no idea. We started hanging out right away as he was showing me around campus, introducing me to people and working at my volleyball games. I for my part let him find me rather than making myself available like I had watched other girls do. We started driving back to our hometown together to watch our brothers play basketball (on the same high school team) and as we started to fall for eachother we wondered how it would work since our families were already close friends. He would drop me off at my dorm and I would go in and think that everything and everyone was so beautiful because my whole world was so full of hope.
When my hopes turned into love, I walked around feeling lucky. ALL THE TIME! And as it turns out when you tell two sets of parents that are already friends that they're going to be in-laws, they love it.
It's been 13 years since Shane and I fell for eachother and I have to say he still makes me feel fluttery and lucky and very, very happy.

Auntie? Is that you?

Amelia received this onesie as a gift and it made me laugh because my kids have been trained to accept anyone we introduce to them as an extended relative because we have so many.

You could never refer to someone simply as aunt in our house because more information is always needed. Even referring to Aunt Linda will inevitably elicit the question, "which one?"

There are different categories of aunts to my children. First, the actual aunts: Aunt Crystal, Aunt Jaimie, Aunt Shelbea, Aunt Hannah, Aunt Lindsey and Aunt Heather. Then there are mine and Shane's aunts, also known to our kids as Aunt Margaret, Aunt Esther, Aunt Mary, Aunt Merle, Aunt Karen, Aunt Lesa, Aunt Linda, Aunt Dale Marie, Aunt Pam, Aunt Karen, Aunt Tracy, Aunt Donna, Aunt Cheryl, Aunt Penny, and Aunt Linda. And those doubles aren't typos!

To add further confusion, we have close cousins that we refer to as Aunties: Aunt Becca and Aunt Stefanie, and close friends earn the title: Auntie Mimi, Auntie Rosie, Auntie Donia and Auntie Erin.

What is amazing is that my children know all but a few of these women by name and love them very much!

Happy Birthday Luke

Today is my brother Luke's 30th birthday. At least in my time zone. In Israel, where he is, it's already tomorrow. I'll go ahead and say my nice things about him anyway :)

When we were little kids, Luke was my first friend and buddy. I especially remember building lots of couch cushion forts together and when we were a little bigger and living on Kings Row, building a real fort in/around a tree in our backyard with whatever wood scraps Dad brought home for us.

In high school I loved watching Luke play basketball and baseball. Basketball was the important one and he always did well, but he was just as natural of a baseball player and it was fun to watch him play and have fun since there was less pressure than basketball season. Shane and I got to know eachother during my freshman year of college by driving up and down I-5 to watch Luke and Shane's brother Jonathan play basketball.

Then Luke got a full ride scholarship to play basketball for the University of Oregon and he became a hometown hero, an instant legend, a person everyone wanted to see, to talk to and to love. Even though I think fame defined a lot of Luke's life in those days, I still think that without it people would have always admired him and wanted to be around him because he is so darn funny. Even our dad, who is hilarious, will pick up on some of the funny things that Luke says. He used to tell me not to tell Luke that he stole his jokes.

After one of the best college basketball careers that the U of O has ever seen, Luke got drafted to play basketball in the NBA. He has played for the Cavaliers, the Celtics, the Raptors, the Heat, the Clippers, and the Blazers. It's cool that he has had these experiences and I love listening to the stories about the things he has seen and the people he's met, but pro basketball doesn't define him. Who he is now is so much better. He is married to a really great girl and you can tell they have a genuine love and he is a great daddy to Cole. He takes good care of his family and works hard. He doesn't complain despite pain from his many injuries.

Luke is one of my favorite people to be around. He's a fun Uncle to my kids and I respect the way he cares for his family, the way he provides a place for our Grandma to live and the way he works through difficult circumstances pursuing his dreams.

Happy birthday Luke! I'm glad you're my brother.

Faces of Amelia

People I Miss

One of the problems with people growing and getting married is that they move away. (Right mom?) I am all for growing up, and getting married, but I do wish some days that people didn't have to move quite so far away. My brothers and sisters in law are all so far away right now that I can't even count the time zones that separate us and with a new baby, I can't make any plans to visit right now.
My brother Joey got married in August to a lovely girl named Heather who I enjoy so much for her smile, her creativity and the way she makes my brother come to life like I've never seen before. Shortly after their beautiful wedding, they moved to Spain for a teaching job. I have no eloquent way to say it other than I just miss them. Joey gives the best hugs and I can't wait to see him and give him another one. He also lets me tease him and poke him in the ribs even though he's a big strong guy that could put a stop to it easily. I miss them both so much.

To add insult to injury, my other brother Luke, his wife Lindsey and their sweet boy Cole also moved overseas to Jerusalem in September. The insult and injury are mine, I suppose my brothers are doing the right thing by working and providing for their families.

Linds is the sister I never had and the best thing that has ever happened to Luke. She's so much fun to be around, sensitive to others' feelings and just beautiful! I miss her so much.

Luke has been a daddy for a little over a year now and is raising up a sweet little man, Cole. Watching videos of Luke with Cole this past year have made me laugh so hard and smile so big. Luke knows how to give Cole great horsey rides and like our own dad, never seems to run out of ways to have fun no matter where he is. Cole is lucky to have Luke for a daddy. I can't wait to see them both again! Cole has started walking since the last time I've seen him, gotten 4 new teeth and who knows what other tricks he has learned.

I love them all so much and when ever they can come home, I will be there to welcome them!

Pumpkin Patch

I got to accompany Joshy's preschool to Lakeview pumpkin patch recently. So fun and so cute!
Joshy and his best bud Carson ran around together and we got to ride the real miniature train and the paddle boat across the farm's little lake.
I love 4 year old boys because they haven't figured out the way bigger boys act yet. They run around with tons of enthusiasm about everything and they cry and give eachother big hugs when it's time to go home.

Halloween

Yesterday was Halloween and girlfriend turned 2 months old! She is weighing in at 10 pounds and measuring 24 inches long. She has grown 2 inches but only gained 9 ounces since birth so right now she's at 95th percentile for height and 25th percentile for weight. She also had to get THREE shots.

I had a Halloween party with my friends from church and it was awesome! I like my friends a lot but I LOVE Flo from Progressive Insurance, that pirate girl, Super Jo Jo, Gypsy Megan, Audrey Hepburn all the way from Breakfast at Tiffany's, weird sailor mustache man/Emily, flapper Rosie, and Luau Annie. These girls know how to have fun...

Someone had to keep order at this party. So I came, representing the long arm of the law.

Amelia was my trusty sidekick.

Elsa was a mermaid this year. She wanted a midriff baring outfit but I made her wear the full dress and then she had to add a coat on top since this is Oregon and it was cold!

The kids got to visit Daddy at work so he could show off his little mermaid, Peter Pan and ladybug.

Church had a superhero theme on Sunday so we pulled out last year's costumes. Joshy's Mr Incredible suit rode up his rear just a little but he had to wear it! He looked pretty awesome as some sort of super wedgie hero. At church.

Amelia really hated her costume, but it was warm and cozy so we made it work. Some weirdo asked us, "isn't it the male ladybugs that have spots on them?" And we looked at him funny and went on with our night. Ha ha, actually it was our worship pastor James who said that. He doubles as a not so anonymous weirdo in my story.

Halloween was tons of fun. The kids got just enough candy and had just enough fun before we all froze our butts off and headed for home! It's always a fun night with the kiddos.

Also, Halloween is a day I always remember my Grandpa Dean, who died on October 31st in 2003, when Elsa was just a baby. He would have loved all the little ones so much. He would have held and admired the girls and played with the boys and dreamed of their athletic careers. I know Josh and my brother Luke's son Cole would have made him so proud.