Sister Visit

 Sisters share a part of your life that no other person can understand.  They were your first friends, part of your make believe world, they share your childhood memories and had the wonderful privilege of watching you go through your teenage years and still love you.

Leslie and Kristen are my sisters.  Kristen, better known as "Shorty" was the better part of all of us.  She was deeply rooted in routines, order and unconditional love.  Her disabilities didn't define her, she defined them.  We were fortunate to have her physically part of our family for 21 years. 

Leslie and I spent much of our childhood as best friends and closest enemies.  More because I was a bratty older sister and wanted total independence.  If I had listened to my parents I would have realized that she was a ton of fun.  She brings the party no matter where you are or the mood.  Her ability to love people where they are, make them laugh and find the fun in any situation is more than an ability its a talent.

About 10 years ago my sister and her family moved to Nashville, a long way from home.  We have seen each other at weddings, missionary farewells, movie premieres and on Facetime, but its not the same as being in person.  When I shared that we were moving to Washington DC my sister immediately checked the drive time from her house 10 1/2 hours. Both of us were excited to be closer together.

Our first visit finally happened at the beginning of June.  I couldn't wait for her to be in our home, to show her and the family around DC, and introduce them to our newest grandson.

Planning day trips, outings or vacations is my thing.  I love it!  It is kind of like writing lesson plans.  My sister is more of a spontaneous type.  We really are opposites. She was a good sport and gave me a few things to plan, but ultimately she wanted to see my favorite places, play games and help me create family memories in our new home.  She is so wise.

This visit included old family favorites and new adventures.  We started with our traditional waffle bar breakfast.  Lots of waffles plus berries, syrup, peanut butter, Nutella, whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles.  Once we were fueled we took them to our favorite park.

I must say that my nephew is a teeter-totter beast, he knocked everyone off and not graciously.

Cutie E loved having so many people to play with on the slides, push him in the swings and play chase with.

That evening a few friends were sweet enough to wait on throwing Holly a baby shower till her aunt and cousins could be here.  It is hard when you move to an area and don't know anyone just before having a baby, but I was so impressed by the ladies that came to help Holly celebrate Little Dudes arrival.  Each of them wanted to get to know Holly and made sure to spend individual time with her.  These are amazing women.

Tanner and Renee have not been to Washington DC and wanted to see all the monuments and memorials. So, this auntie/history teacher/DC tour guide planned a jam packed day.  Our city tour began at the White House museum and shop .  This gave them a great overview of the White House before walking down Pennsylvania Avenue.  

Our next stop was the Washington Monument, where I had them do the touristy thing by placing their feet on the monument and take a picture.

At the World War II Memorial they were impressed by the vastness and water features.  It is a beautiful memorial with so much symbolism.

The weather prior to their visit was hot and humid.  Our walking tour was pleasant as the temperatures dropped, the humidity plummeted and we had a breeze.  Walking from WWII to Vietnam was glorious.  

At the Vietnam Memorial we lost Tanner.  He loves history and learning the personal stories, he took his time at each memorial and monument.

There he is, blue t-shirt

The Lincoln Memorial is a bit under refurbishment, but is still spectacular.  The kids couldn't believe how big he is.

We took a rest for some lunch in the shade before visiting my dad's favorite memorial, Korean Memorial.  I love the new addition.

While in DC you have to stop at the Smithsonian Museums.  I quickly took the family into the American History Museum to see the "Star Spangled Banner and then to the Natural History Museum  to see the Hope Diamond and the Mummies.  

By this time is was nearing 4 p.m and Riss was off work.  She met us a few blocks from the Capitol Building.  Once we got to the Capitol Reflecting Pool I felt like we lost Renee.  She was worn out and her feet were screaming at her.  We took pictures and headed straight to the National Archives.

I'm so glad at the last minute I decided to drive to the Jefferson Memorial.  This turned out to be their favorite.  You can beat the setting, views and the five famous quotes of Jefferson.

One of the best parts of this day was spending it with my sister.  She joined me on my very first student led DC trip, that was in 1995.  Twenty-nine years later we were doing it together and having so much fun.

 I successfully wore them out.  Our totals for the day were 19,196 steps, almost 10 miles and 15 stops.

Saturday was much slower.  Sean and I thoroughly enjoy Annapolis.  The shopping, food, and water remind us a little of home.  The historic sites make this town extra special.  We had another beautiful day and were able to take some great pictures.

Their visit ended with a little soccer in the front yard, a few card games and going to church together.

I loved, loved, loved our visit.  It has been so long since we were together, I've missed having my sister and her family just a couple of blocks away.  She feels like home.  That's what sisters can do for you, remind you of home and bring that feeling right back.

There's No Place Like Home

At the end of  "The Wizard of Oz" Dorthy is instructed to repeat to herself, "There's no place like home, There's no place like home".  As she repeats this over and over, clicks her ruby red heals three times a soft smile spreads across her face.  I've always wondered what she was thinking in that moment.  Was it the comforts of home, familiarity, her family or a memory.

For each of us HOME means different things.  It might be where you grew up or where your family is.  Instead of a place it might be a feeling or smell.  For me it is all of those things tied with a bow of memories.  Its the deep roots I have established that link me to my family, friends and the place I call home.

Mount Hood from the airplane

Last week I was HOME.  I visited all of my favorite places, enjoyed my favorite foods, visited some of my favorite people (there wasn't enough time to see everyone) and explored places I had not been in years.  It was a week filled with smiles, tight hugs, love, full tummies and so much joy.

A little tired, but enough energy for ice cream

Everyone knows that if you visit Portland and are a foodie then you need to hit the food carts, VooDoo Donuts and Salt 'n Straw.  We grabbed our ice cream treat as we drove to our hotel, but not before enjoying the city of Portland in lights.  I've always said that once I saw the city I knew I was home.  I had that feeling as we came into town.  I am starting to feel that in Maryland as we see the Jefferson Memorial or the DC temple.

Portland from the car

When we planned our trip there was no question where we would be spending our first full day, Cannon Beach.  Going to the beach in Oregon can be cloudy, cold and drippy or crystal clear blue sky and warm.  We lucked out, it was beautiful.  Haystack Rock stood out in all of its glory.  Walking the beach, squishing our toes in the cool sand felt like we had never left, we just missed a few trips out to our favorite coastal town.  

Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach

We did take some time to relax and listen to the waves crash.  While sitting quietly I realized that the beach is the only place that I truly relax.  It is as if the waves wash away my "To Do" lists and everything else occupying my thoughts.  So I took advantage of the time we had together, in our favorite place, listening to the crashing waves, breathing in the cool salty air to soak in all I could.

One of the reasons I wanted to travel home in June was to spend time with my team at school and see my past students, but I was nervous to see everyone.  I just wasn't sure how it would go.  Would people pass by with a hi or hello or would they really be excited to see me.  I know its dumb, but I was really nervous.  I had no reason to be nervous, I was overwhelmed by the love I received.  

More than just my team!

For two days I wondered the halls of the middle and elementary schools.  I spent time visiting with dear teacher friends, connecting with past students, taking down bulletin boards, end of year locker checks and watching an adorable play about the gestation of rainbow trout.  It was glorious.

Started as teachers, became co-workers, now the best of friends.

Between my days at school we headed to Timberline Lodge.  It had been years since I had visited this historic site, and Sean had never been.  I still can believe that we lived in Oregon almost 30 years and never made it.  Better late than never.  Just after we arrived the clouds lifted to uncover the tip of the mounting.  Again, we had a beautiful blue bird day complete with a yummy lunch at the lodge and a few relaxing moments in Adirondack chairs at the base of the mountain.  We had a lovely day.

Mount Hood

Historic Timberline Lodge

Our trip included a few other favorite spots. 

Shopping  was a must at two of my favorite places,  Woodburn Outlets because I haven't found a mall or outlet that is this amazing and WinCo. I have a lot of grocery store options near me, but none that have the selection or bulk food department like WinCo.

A more important stop than the grocery store was the Portland Temple.  Due to maintenance we could only drive around part of the temple.  We could still feel the reverence of the Lord's house even outside.  This temple has a special place in my heart.  It feels like home. 

 Tillamook Cheese Factory has been a family favorite especially after sporting events for ice cream.  So we joined many standing in line for squeaky cheese and scoops of our favorite ice cream.

Our last adventure was to Cape Meres with a dear friend.  The rainy weather cleared for a beautiful view of the ocean, forest and lighthouse.

Before flying back to Maryland we attended church in our old ward.  I want to call it my home ward, but it isn't.  It is the ward where I served with all my heart and received service that lifted and carried me.  It is the ward where friends became family.  

Our trip was more than I had hoped for.  Oregon is where my roots were planted 42 years ago.  Through those years my roots dug deep and spread beyond the shores of the Pacific.  Now I get to help Holly and Dreyton establish their family roots as Sean and I learn how to place roots in different places.  This visit helped me to realize that it is ok to have roots in different places.

There Is No Place Like Home, but I couldn't wait to get back to our sweet grandsons.

Kisses for Grammy

Missing the Boys

Last year at this time I was ending my teaching career, packing up my classroom, and packing up our house in preparation to move to Maryland to be with our family, most importantly our grandson.

I've lived in Maryland for 10 months and each day I miss home, but I get to spend each day with Cutie E and Little Dude

I miss these two cuties whole bunches.

Our daughter has been kind enough to send me pictures or videos each day.  I've gotten on facetime with them, but its just not the same as getting those hugs.  You know, the hugs where both os his little arms wrap tightly around you neck and grasp your hair and then he squeezes.

Giving Grammy kisses on the phone

I miss those hugs and kisses.

Dog Days of Summer

Literally we are in the dog days of summer.

Now that Cutie E is walking with confidence on uneven ground the doggies have no escape from an eager toddler to to play with his puppies.

The boys are surrounded by three dogs, so lets meet them.

Our pup, Abby is a bit of an old lady at 8 years old and refuses to be within arms reach of our little guys.  Cutie E tries so hard to play with her, but she won't have it.  Our little grump is not pictured.

Zoey is a love.  She loves to cuddle, go for walks and be spoiled.  She does not enjoy little fingers grabbing at her.  Hopefully her tolerance of sticky fingers will improve over time.

Mention a walk and Zoey is the first one to the door.  With summer weather here we are spending more time outside and on occasion the doggies get to join us.  On this evening Cutie E discovered that He could hold the leash and take Zoey for a walk.  In reality Zoey was dragging E around the yard.  Listening to him giggle as he chased Zoey was adorable.

This is Kaia.  She is quite special.  I don't think there are too many dogs that will allow a toddler to pull themselves to standing by grabbing tightly to their fur.  Zoey does.  As a matter of fact she lets E flop on top of her, pull at her tail, poke her face, roll over her and rough house like she's a sibling.  She tolerates all of it, she even shares her bed with him.  These two are buds.  Check our their morning hugs.

These doggies are so well loved.

Kennedy Center Opera House

What Matters Most?

There are few things that truly Matter Most to me.  First is my testimony of Jesus Christ.  This is followed by my relationships with Sean, the kids and their spouses, my adorable grandbabies, family and my dear friends.

Some how Sean figures out how to give me moments that enable me to strengthen those relationships.  Last Christmas my gift from Sean were tickets to see an opera at the Kennedy Center.

A few weeks ago the evening finally arrived and I was sitting in the Kennedy Center Opera House anticipating Turandot by Puccini.  This wasn't just any opera in an ordinary opera house.  At least not for me.

The stage from our seats

Many years ago on one of my student DC trips we were walking though the Grand Foyer of the Kennedy Center, the one with the 16 chandeliers (a gift from Sweden), and my mom noticed that the main doors were open to the Opera House.  The red velvet ropes were up, but that did not stop her.  That woman lifted the rope and walked right through as if she belonged there.  Stunned and a little worried she would get us thrown out I followed her while repeatedly telling her we needed to get back to my students.

Looking up directly at 1 chandelier

She may have been a bit naughty, but as we peered into the Opera House and looked up at the ceiling we were mesmerized by its beauty.  At that time I didn't know what I was looking at, but it was stunning.  In the center of the ceiling was the Lobmeyer Crystal Chandelier, a gift from Austria.  It has 12,000 crystals, more than 130 crystal bursts and almost 2,000 light bulbs.  The Friday night of the opera I could look up and see this maginificent chandelier from my seat, this time I knew what I was looking at.  

On this special night I had a ticket.  I didn't have to| sneak passed the ropes. My mom would have loved to attend an opera or musical in this theatre.

The stunning Lobmeyer Crystal chandelier 

One of our favorite movies is "Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation".  We love action movies and this one does not disappoint, but that is not our favorite part.  Our favorite scene takes place at the Vienna State Opera where Turandot is being performed.  The music in the background captivated us.

Standing Ovation

Turandot was Puccini's last opera, although at his death it was not finished.  The opera is set in mythical China, a culture I love.  The music and two impossible love stores make this opera one I could see over an over.  

Sean and I thoroughly enjoyed the music.  At times each of us leaned over the wall in front of us to watch the orchestra play.  There is nothing like watching violinists perform.  You could feel the passion, love, power and heart ache through the music, we did appreciate the subtitles.

Grand Foyer

Spending time with Sean is one of my favorite things to do.  It really doesn't matter where we are or what we are doing, but that Friday night will be an evening I will not forget.  Being able to hear the music we enjoy from a famous opera in the Kennedy Center Opera House made the experience special.  Remembering the time my mom and I walked beyond the rope to see the Opera Hall made this extra special.

Being here with the grands is allowing us to do and experience things we never thought possible.

Hall of States

Hall of Nations

View from the Upper Terrace

Kennedy Bust

A wonderful evening together