Thursday, August 29, 2013

"There's no place like home"

Turns out there was some validity in this mother's worries for her child being gone for 3 months in the last frontier land of Alaska.

As the stories unfold, I marvel at the protection of my son through the prayers to our Heavenly Father. He says, "there simply is no other explanation as to why I didn't, in the very least, get hurt."  

I skipped to the area in the airport where I would first lay eyes on him.  Dale kept his distance as I am not sure he wanted to be associated with me...I may have been carrying a certain bright yellow sign indicating the return of a certain SWEET BOY!

He did start smiling...I saw it...as he came down the escalator.  He really did head straight into my arms.  I am not sure he wanted to claim me as I was jumping up and down, (with the sign mind you!...) declaring how much I missed him and just how happy I was to see him.
Hmmm...i think that was obvious!

"wow mom" was all he really said!

To baggage we went.  I don't recall him even getting his bags.  I just kept gazing at his new look.  He told me he was scruffy.
It won't last.  He wants it gone.
We walked through the airport, out in to the heat.  He had a long sleeved shirt on.  He came from 62 degrees.  "It's pretty hot here" as we stepped through the automatic doors.

What a blissful ride home, first stopping at Chipotle for him.  I have been intently hanging on his every word ever since!  The pictures take our breath away.

He is different.  More mature.  More insightful at what it means to "Carpe diem."
He made great friends, great connections, did great networking.    

Gotta run.  I just heard the sweetest words...."Hey mom...."
    

Monday, August 26, 2013

Susan Branch

I have found bliss.

I have been "traveling" to England on these hot days in August.

There is this whimsical website that if you love watercolor and writing and art and Martha's Vineyard and England...well, you must go to this website.

Just go!
www.susanbranch.com

I am reading this new book by Susan Branch.  It is to the right on her website.
It is called....

A FINE ROMANCE.  Falling in Love with the English Countryside.

I give myself an hour each day just to "walk" with the author through her trip to England.  It is her diary of her time there.  Lovely.  Just lovely.

Cheers



Saturday, August 24, 2013

Just a few more days

May 30 seems ages ago.

I have seen more photos and programs of grizzly bear and moose than I ever have before...
OR, is it just that I am much more conscious of those animals right now?

I think thats it!

We have had few conversations with our son throughout these months.  Alaska seems a million miles away.  No cellphone coverage, no internet, no nothing!  Just a few calls from the sat phone.

I heard his voice the other night.  We were booking a flight back to the lower 48.
He said, "be prepared.  I am scruffy and in need of a "real" hot shower."
I can't wait to watch him come through the airport and straight into my arms!  Hmmmm...that better happen!
I will smell him (just like I did when he was a baby!) and hug him and try not to squeeze him too much.  Sigh.

The countdown has begun.




Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Alyssa

My son always had his answer.

Whenever anyone would ask him if he had a girlfriend, he would simply say, "Yep, she just doesn't know it yet!"

The beautiful Alyssa Hagen.

We fondly treasure the memory of this dear child of Doug and Cindy.

We remember.

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Wedding Anniversary

This is the year of weddings.  We have many to help celebrate.  Some we can make, others we toast from afar.
Today is our 25th.  Silver Anniversary.  Back in the day, I would go to these celebrations and wonder how they lasted that long, and the people seemed old to me.  25 years is a long time.  A long time to endure the snoring, and squeezing the toothpaste in the middle, and putting the toilet paper under instead of over..... AAaah marriage.  It has been a great thing for us!

Dale and I have discussed a lot about our day over these past weeks.

It was a hot day.  We were in love...didn't care what the weather was!  (still in love by the way!)
There were many to help us celebrate.
My dress was $190.  Most expensive thing about the day!  I wonder if i can still fit in it?
We had our reception in the church parlor.  Parlor....it has a certain ring to it doesn't it?
My mother in law and her group of friends catered the food.  They made it all.  Can you even imagine that?
The cake was made by her too.  We "helped."  
We sure look goofy in some of the pictures.  It was still the 80s!
Poofy hair, mustache, silk flowers.  The cost of the whole day was seriously less than $1000.

We have had significant loss in those 25 years...all grandparents, all parents.  BUT...we have gained MUCH.  We have 2 awesome kids that weren't there to begin with, and now, we have them!

Kayla gave us a list today.
"25 reasons why I love you both and why I'm proud you are my parents. "
Won't list all 25, but here is a sample:

"you support mine and Mark's dreams and accept our faults."
"Mr Bean is someone that will make us all laugh no matter what the circumstance."  Gotta love Mr. Bean!
"advice from the both of you is always the best kind."  Boy..we have her snowed!!

We are blessed with health, and these 2 kids, and great friends and family.  We are eagerly anticipating what the next 25 will bring.