No School!

Friday was grading day at school. The end of the first quarter! I can't believe how quickly this went. The boys have done such a good job with their school work, attitude, effort, and responsibilities. I decided to let this day off be a friend day and an extra special treat... Movie Theater, we saw Peanuts the Movie. We so rarely go to the movies, I couldn't even remember the last movie I went to. The boys deserved a special treat though and I felt pretty good about being able to take them and bring friends.

 We had a day at home riding bikes, having snacks, playing nerf guns, chasing pancho, watching some super Moto Cross on YouTube. 

Then we went to the beach, of course! They ran and yelled and screamed! I thought for a moment... What would life be like if adults did this when they arrived at the beach, it gave me a good laugh thinking about the people leisurely walking on the beach, to be running from driftwood to water's edge yelling and acting like they were 10 years old. I bet people would age more slowly, the joy and energy of children is amazing. 

Lately

Spencer had the opportunity to take an airplane ride with a friend Sam Spade, a pilot and airplane owner. They flew over the house on Saturday morning last week. 

Spencer loved his ninja costume! He wore it for days, immediately becoming a ninja whenever he slipped into his costume. 

Ruben in the majestic Siusalw National forest. I joined his class to a field trip to Caper Perpetua.

Half Pipe and Other Thoughts on Sports

Our boys didn't want to play team sports this fall. Part of me was relieved and part of me was disappointed. I believe in team sports, there is so much to learn. Though I do understand the need for autonomy, sports of interest that don't include a team.... Like fishing, scooter riding, mountain biking, nerf gun playing, skate boarding... These activities that my boys show their interest in. We are lucky enough to have access to this indoor half pipe, we may even be the envy of others too. What I want for my kids is to be active and to know through physical activity they can reduce stress, feel healthier, live longer, and have a good time. Parent goals. 

Bald Knob Fire Lookout

I love to accomplish things I have always wanted to do. Camping in a USFS fire lookout tower, had been on my list for a long time. It was just as wonderful as I thought it would be, in fact it was better than I thought it would be. The view, comfort, solitude, quiet, slow time, and of course my company. 

I realize more than ever, nurturing my marriage is one of the most important things I can do. Since our marriage impacts the lives of our children, extended family, and our friends. As well as the quality of our lives as individuals. Taking the time to take good care will help us when things get rough, and in this life things definetly get rough. 

The weekend was well spent time together. I am very grateful to have a husband that would be willing to do this. We are lucky this was only 3 hours away from our house!! Very accessible. 

I'm already thinking if the next adventure the two of us may get to take together. Something low cost ($78 for the whole weekend! Here) someplace beautiful and relaxing too. Hard to find after a weekend spent above the clouds, among tree tops and mountain tops.  

Feeling like Fall

Apple spinning for crisps and sauce is definetly a sign of fall. Smoking fish is too. Over the weekend I felt pretty busy even though I didn't leave the house for three days. Processing apples, baking, brining and smoking salmon, cleaning and organizing. We had some rain on Saturday for a few hours which inspired the baking (not a typical activity for me). I'm starting to get the itch to stitch... My sewing machine is calling me. I've got a list of projects and fabric accumulated. Now just waiting for the sun to hide above rain clouds and fog. The sun is such a distraction, makes me want to be outside! I got to a little of both. Balance is achieved again. 

Electronic Journal and the Black Spaces Here

I enjoy posting pictures and writing about our family experiences in this space. I look back and see a lot of the same themes in my photos. A lot of gratitude, nature, exploring, family time. I also noticed all the empty space in my blog... All the black space. Which brings me to my reoccurring thoughts, life isn't perfect.  No matter how often I see lives through the lens of a blog, Instagram post, an etsy shop, a website, or just how things may appear on the surface. There is always another layer, the black space, the not posted pictures, thoughts, and experiences. Not all moments are as joyful as a walk in the dunes. For every one of those moments there is an equally wretched moment. That is real life too, where loved ones say hurtful things that sting, where children argue and disobey, where dishes are piled high and the fridge has no food, where bills are due and fees accumulate, and the feeling of "what's the point?" lingers too long. Yes this is here too in this beautiful life we live. I'd rather not write about it or even talk about it, but  I am acknowledging it because it helps see more joy and feel more normal. The empty black space balances beauty of the typical pictures and words that I have shared for nearly six years. I embrace this balance. 

Fishing Siltcoos

We have the very lucky opportunity to borrow my Dads boat for a few weeks. We've been taking it out on Siltcoos Lake. Getting ready for the river to open. Tonight the we fished. Spencer caught a baby bass that he released. I was the captain which was super fun. We haven't made it for a tour around the lake but with these beautiful nights we've having I'm sure we'll get around the lake soon.