Finding Your People

A dear friend once said, "Forest Grove is a very special place, with very special people.  I think we knew each other in the preexistence and said, "Lets meet up in Forest Grove 1st Ward".   

We only lived in Forest Grove for 10 years.  In that time we met amazing people.  They are the type of people that start out as strangers, become friends, then quickly become those you stay up late with and even have family slumber parties with.  

2014 ~ Holly & Friends

They are that type that love you on your best days, continue to love you on your worst but are willing to carry you through those days.  There is always a hug waiting, with at least 3 good byes before you walk out the door.

Over the years I have come to believe in my friends statement whole heartedly.  Forest Grove and our ward was a very special place with a very special group of people we call friends.  Just over two weeks ago we lost one of those special people.

2015 ~ Disneyland with friends

This sudden loss has been difficult.  This kind man was one of those people that serves quietly in any capacity.  He didn't seek recognition, he only wanted to fill in when others couldn't.  A bright smile filled his face as he served, worked, hunted, fished, spent time with family and friends.  He shared his joy for living life to the fullest with anyone willing to participate in his crazy adventures.  

He was the guy that made you feel alright when life was tough.  You always had a friend when he was around.

Our friend loved his family fiercely.  There isn't anything he wouldn't do to ensure their safety, happiness and spiritual progression.  He loved them so much that their friends became part of his family.  We were so blessed to be part of his adopted family, especially our children.

This friend meant so much to us that we traveled home to say good bye.

In the process of preparing for our trip I heard from friends who were suffering at home and those who had moved away.  I was touched to hear other express how much they missed friends from Forest Grove.    This group of special people are now spread across Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Arizona, Iowa, and Washington DC.

Cannon Beach

We aren't strangers any more.  We are bound together no matter where we live.

I believe that people come into your life just when you need them or they need you.  Sometimes they leave and become part of the fabric of your life.  Other times you may be lucky enough to have found your people that you get to take with you no matter where life takes you.

Sean and I are the lucky ones.  We have found our people.  Our hope is that our circle of people grows as we continue to meet and enjoy new people in our new home.

A few of our friends

Auntie

"I just want to be an aunt before I graduate."

Marissa did not shy away from letting Holly and Dreyton know that the only gift she wanted for high school graduation was to be an auntie.  That gift did not appear in June of 2019, she had to wait until the day before her birthday in 2023.

It was worth the wait.

Riss is an amazing auntie.

For the last 3 months Marissa and Jake have endured another separation as she continues to fulfill her internship for her SMART scholarship.  Their separation meant we got to spend those 3 months with her.  

Of course I wanted to spend every moment I could with her, but there were other family members that wanted Rissa time, including a little boy who quickly discovered she was so much fun to play with.

Once Cutie E became more interactive on the phone Riss would call just to talk to Cutie E.  She called it baby time.  From the beginning of their chats together she would make the same sound over and over.  As time passed Cutie E began to recognize that when he heard the sound, it meant Auntie was on the phone, then he began to mimic the sound to her.

When she arrived three months ago she stood at the door and made that very sound.  His little face lit up with a huge smile and then he made the sound right back.  Cutie E knew exactly who was here.

Riss spent a lot of time with each of the boys.  The boys love her.  If Cutie E hears the garage door open or sees her pull into the driveway he will grab his bag of soft squishy blocks and hold it up.  He wanted to play. 

While playing blocks she taught him how to say "Boom" as he tossed them on the floor.  They loved building towers and knocking them down.  She also taught him how to use the block that looks like an arch in a bridge as a telephone.  Now he walks around with it to his ear saying, "Hello".  These two had so much fun with these blocks.

Cutie O is right at home in her arms.  Its a comfy safe place to fall asleep.  She has gotten lots of sleepy sleep snuggles, kisses and now hugs.  While she beams with each one, so do they.

Cooking time was extra fun with Auntie Riss.  She has taught Cutie E  how to pour ingredients into the mixing bowl, stir and mix.  If she stayed any longer she might have him making us cookies.

I have thoroughly enjoyed watching her include the boys in what she was doing.  One evening she was lifting weights, guess who wanted to join in, Cutie E.  He isn't quite old enough yet, but he sure enjoyed hanging out in the garage with her.

Those two could splash most of the water out of the pool on hot days, play a great game of chase or hide and seek.

Only Aunties can make the ordinary extraordinary, like taking out the garbage.  This auntie knows how to love on these boys and make them feel special every time they are with her. 

Its only been a few days since she left and we already miss her.  Cutie E knocked on her bedroom door yesterday to sadly discover she was gone.  He misses his buddy.

Its now time for us to share her with her hubby, but she will be back at Christmas and this time she will bring Uncle Jake.  How many days do we have to wait?

We love you Auntie and can't wait for you to come back to play.

Cutie E & Cutie O

Dancing in the Rain

 What a glorious feeling to be dancing in the rain with you mommy and auntie.

The afternoon thunderstorms or evening down pours still amaze me.  It isn't a mist like in the vegetable section of the grocery store, rather its giant rain drops falling that can soak a person in a matter of minutes.  This is nothing like what our kids grew up with.

When it rains in Oregon you have to bundle up because its cool out.  Not here, you can actually go out in the rain and jump in puddles.  The puddles are big and the rain is warm.

Here you need and umbrella because by the time you walk to your car from anywhere you will be soaked.  You can tell a real Oregonian, they never carry an umbrella.  It rains to often and the rain is more like a vegetable mist, so you'll be only a little damp getting to your car.

The boys are so lucky to grow up in an area where they can run, sing, dance and jump through the rain.

Auntie and Mommy took advantage of an evening thunderstorm to take Cutie E out in the rain.  He wasn't quiet ready to get down and run through the drops, but he was happy to twirl with whomever was holding him. 

Georgia Peaches

WOW!

I had no idea what we were missing till two weeks ago when we bought 50 pounds of Georgia Peaches.

We have been enjoying every yummy recipe I can find to use our them.

The boys and I started by making peach cobbler.  I have 2 recipes, one that I use when camping.  It is so simple.  Pour in a can or two of peaches into a cast iron skillet, dump in a yellow cake mix and bake over the fire.

My other favorite cobbler recipe is great no matter what your fruit is.  The crust makes this cobbler the best. Crush up "Nilla Wafers" and mix with butter and sugar.  Place the crumble topping over your fresh peach slices and bake.  It is best when served warm from the oven with homemade vanilla ice cream.

We also made some peach puree for Cutie O.  He is now enjoying puree's and about to taste fruit for the first time.  Grammy has the peaches ready.

Sean suggested I dry some peaches in the food dehydrator.  It took a long time to dry the peach slices, but they were so tasty.  I added them to my granola this morning for breakfast.  

Holly thought it would be fun to try making peach jam.  Agree!  While the pealing and chopping took a bit of time I was eager to taste homemade peach jam.  Unfortunately it did not set.  I have 4 pint jars of chunky peach syrup.  This might be better on pancakes.

After 3 days in the kitchen with peaches, pits, peals and slices I was worn out.  But it was so worth it!