photography
Hendrick’s Park, 2014
For years, I have been trying to plan a trip to the rhododendron gardens just right. I always seem to miss it. A couple weeks ago, I was sitting in my living room, looking at our beautiful red rhody, my neighbor’s purple one, and another neighbor’s yellow one. It hit me. This was the perfect weekend to go. So we went. And it was perfect.
I love that we are able to expose our kids to nature so easily. We are so blessed to live in a place with nature so nearby. Even though Hendrick’s Park is a very landscaped, planned garden, it feels wild and natural. It rises above the city, and surrounds you with flowers, and branches.
It is lovely. And I’m really proud that we finally went right on time.
Friday Gratitudes 19
Friday the 9th: Imagination. I am constantly amazed by Alma’s imagination. This is such a fun age.
Saturday the 10th: Play. I love how Alma can play while we work. Also, we saw an amazing play at Oregon Contemporary Theatre starring my beautiful and talented friend Hillary Ferguson. Go see it!
Sunday the 11th: Mothers.
Monday the 12th: Babies.
Tuesday the 13th: Work.
Wednesday the 14th: Daniel. We got to have lunch with my incredible brother, who is now on vacation in Europe before moving to Virginia.
Thursday the 15th: Forgiveness. I had to be very forgiving as it was possibly my worst day as a parent. Lots of different bodily fluids all over. Also grateful at my daughters’ capacity to forgive my frustration.
So glad it’s Friday again!
Friday Gratitudes 18
Friday the 2nd: Education. My last day at my long term job.
Saturday the 3rd: Finley. Our sweet little buddy had to have his appendix removed. We were all so grateful that it went well!
Sunday the 4th: Friends.
Monday the 5th: Alicia. Alma was sick, so we went see ‘Doctor’ Alicia. She’s actually a physician’s assistant, and we love her.
Tuesday the 6th: Science! We got to go to a benefit dinner for The Science Factory. Experiments are still awesome.
Wednesday the 7th: Studies. H and I participated in a pilot study at the university. I love that we are surrounded by smart people who are trying to make a better world.
Thursday the 8th: Justice. While subbing, I got to witness some of my favorite girls exercising their rights by staging a protest.
Friday Gratitudes 17
Maybe now that I am not working full time, I will be able to post my Friday Gratitudes on Fridays!
Friday the 25th: Tequila. 🙂
Saturday the 26th: Parents. We are so lucky to be surrounded by such great, caring, giving, funny, smart, and talented parents – both our own, and all of our friends who are parents. We have an amazing community.
Sunday the 27th: Home.
Monday the 28th: Kids. My mom brought my kids to school at the end of the day. I loved introducing my kids to ‘my kids.’
Tuesday the 29th: Mom. She had been so generous to watch my girls while I worked.
Wednesday the 30th: Cedar. Can’t believe this boy is 5.
Thursday the 1st: Play. I took my 6th graders on a walk, then let them play capture the flag. I was surprised and excited to see the playful spirit they still possessed.
Easter Photos
It’s so much fun having a daughter who is old enough to understand Easter this year. She is starting to get the whole Jesus thing, but she totally got the Easter Bunny.
We had a great day at church, and egg hunting, and eating with friends and family.
I was fun to start a new tradition of making the girls’ Easter dresses. These got to serve double duty as dresses for Harriet’s Baptism.
Friday Gratitudes 15
Friday the 11th: Jesse.
Saturday the 12th: Muscles.
Sunday the 13th: Leia. My wonderful friend. She is smart and fun. AND she generously shares her milk with Harriet. What a blessing.
Monday the 14th: Jesse. When I forgot my keys at home, Jesse brought them all the way across town to me.
Tuesday the 15th: Steve. Not only was it Steve’s birthday, but he also brought me another forgotten key. Trying not to make it a habit…
Wednesday the 16th: Augustines. Harriet’s fun August friends brought their friends over for dinner.
Thursday the 17th: Church. Read my post about Maundy Thursday.
Friday gratitudes 14
Friday the 4th: Fridays. I was really feeling gratitude for having fridays. It could be because I had worked a full week, and was just very happy to be home for a whole weekend with my family.
Saturday the 5th: Henrys.
Sunday the 6th: Jerry’s. We started working on our fun shelving project!
Monday the 7th: BBQ. Yay spring!
Tuesday the 8th: Gram’s House. I know. Two words. But one idea.
Wednesday the 9th: Sunshine.
Thursday the 10th: Magic. I had a wonderfully magic day with my students – full of social justice, self advocacy, hijinks, and hilarity. Then I got to go meet the magic that is baby Ashland. My sweet and talented friend Evynne and her husband, Peter have a new baby. I was lucky enough to take them dinner, and hold Ashland while they ate. I was blown away by the positivity that all three of the Hollens were exuding. And I was blown away with the realization of how fast this flys by. My baby was Ashland’s size mere months ago. My oh my.
Friday Gratitudes 13
Friday the 28th: Wilson. It is always so strange to have a final doctor appointment with a specialist who did a very important thing. How do you say goodbye and thank you? Dr. Lori Wilson was a blessing to Alma and our whole family.
Saturday the 29th: Celebrations. A baby shower for my beautiful friend, Evynne Hollens. A birthday party for my other beautiful friend, Hannah Vasey-Viers.
Sunday the 30th: Lazy.
Monday the 31st: Grams.
Tuesday the 1st: Epinephrine.
Wednesday the 2nd: Badımcan. Our sweet bunny.
Thursday the 3rd: Love.