Oregon Vacation for the Kids

July 13, 2012

The kids went with their dad and Laurie on a trip to Bend, Oregon this summer.  Bill and Laurie are looking to retire in Oregon in a handful of years, so they thought they'd give the kids a preview of where he was going.  They went hiking, inner tubing, horseback riding, and swimming.   All three of their step-sisters were able to join them as well--a feat that may prove even more difficult as the kids continue to grow up and move into their own adult lives.   I'm sure they all had a great time, but goodness, I missed them!  I was so happy to have them back home again when vacation was over.

Happy Mother's Day

 May 13, 2012

For Mother's Day, I picked the kids up from their dad's and they took me out to a restaurant of my choice.  I chose a Chinese Restaurant nearby, and we sat down to a delicious meal.  Even though the bill was probably a bit more than either anticipated, they wouldn't accept any help from me to pay for it.  They also gave me flowers and some of my favorite lotions from Bath and Body Works.  Danielle had also asked Doug to take her shopping the previous day to pick out some flowers we could grow together in our garden.  She and I have been having a lot of fun working together on our little project.

I missed not having Bree with me this year--the first ever Mother's Day that I haven't spent with her.  However, it so happened that Lisa was down near her in San Diego, so she stopped off with the girls to meet up with Bree for lunch.  In addition, Bree's step-mom Laurie was also down in San Diego visiting all of the girls, so she had gotten to see her, too.  If she couldn't spend Mother's Day with me, then at least she got to spend the day with her two 'extra' moms.    It's the next best thing.

Road Trip!

November 25, 2009

I love family vacations--I think my kids are pretty fabulous people to hang out with. But every once in awhile, (and believe me, it's been way too long!) what I really want is a get-away for just Doug and me. This past weekend, the kids were with their dad, so we decided to jump in the car and head to the Bay Area to visit some of our favorite people in the world.
Often when we visit David and Carrie and Freya, we go out to eat, we run around town a bit, take walks--pretty low key and incredibly relaxing. This time, though, we didn't even leave their place the whole weekend; we just reveled in the company, the conversation, and the comfort of people we are truly at home with no matter what we're doing together. We were thrilled that Clarke, a long-time friend to us all, was able to come spend Saturday night with us. I adore Clarke--he's got such a beautiful soul--and even though we don't get to see him nearly often enough, whenever we see him it's like no time at all has passed.

Sunday night Carrie made us all dinner (after she worked all day, no less!) and we got to hang out with more of our extended, extra family--Laurie, Mitchelle, and Gryphon. There was much giggling and playing and chatting and laughing. The kids had a great time, too--ha ha! Gryphon has such a beautifully infectious smile, and Freya's eyes just magically light up when she's happy. I just loved playing with them and watching them play with each other.
I always look forward to spending time with David and Carrie. The four of us just have such an easy, familiar rapport, as if we've known each other for many lives. And my goodness, I've loved seeing how amazing they are as parents, too. Carrie absolutely comes alive in the presence of her daughter--it's magical and palpable. She is the kind of mom I try to be (but am not always successful in the attempt). And David's eyes and smile are filled with love whenever he sees Freya; he's such a big playful teddy bear with her.


Yes, it was a long awaited road trip, and well worth the wait. I feel so blessed that we have such great friends.