Charles Dickens knows all

I went to church with my in-laws today and there was a great discussion in Relief Society. The teacher brought up Dickens' "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." I can't help but think that is what we are going through right now. It is great to be free of the responsibilities of a house, yard, school. It is nice to roam around and visit our family and friends. It's good not to feel tied down to anything. But...it is terrible being separated from your spouse. It's disconcerting not to have your things around you. It's hard being responsible for three little people ALL the time. It is good, and it is bad.

Air force blue

I was thinking of my guy while at the nail shop. Air force blue...maybe OPI should hire me.

Woodland Park Zoo

Yesterday I took the kids to the zoo here in Seattle. It was the first time I've been to the zoo and not sweat to death--yeah Seattle! I was testing out our new telephoto lens on some of the animals. I felt like my dad--always taking pictures of animals and flowers, not a person in sight. The main accomplishment of the day was leaving without having lost any kids.

Father's Day

We spent Father's Day with my sister's family. After church (where I scored a bag of cookies they were giving to the dads--sympathy will get you everywhere!), we went to Lake Tapps for a picnic. Being Seattle, it rained. Of course. But we took shelter under a pavilion with some other picnickers. At one point I looked over to find that Jackson had stolen an entire plate of Cool Ranch Doritos from the other people. Smooth move Jack.

It was a good day but with an underlying feeling of loss. I miss my husband and I miss my dad. They are great fathers and today I honor them.

Friends

There are a lot of things I'm going to miss about GF. Primarily our friends. The more times we move, the more I realize that I am really blessed when it comes to friends. So here's what I love about those I met in Montana:

Stephanie: She was my first friend here, and the most consistent. I love that our sons were such good friends--he was really Jack's first real buddy. Stephanie tells it how it is--I love that.
Wendy: Met her at the spouses club on base and knew instantly that I had just made a great friend. Wendy can do it all--a true superwoman. She is so talented, smart, and beautiful. I like Wendy because through all the tough things she has been through lately, she laughs it off and keeps positive. Man I'm going to miss her.
Brooke: Truly the nicest person I have ever known. Literally the nicest. Brooke is the type of friend who would do anything for you and then make you think that somehow you had done her the favor. When I think of charity, I think of Brooke.
Becky: Becky was my big surprise friend. I got to know her through VTing, and the more time I spent with her, the more I realized how great, fun, wise, and kind she is. I adore her. I want to be like her. I can't say enough nice things about her. I think her daughter is the luckiest girl in the world to have her for a mom.
Stacy: Met her on the first day of kindergarten. Our girls were in the same class and she lived just up the block. Stacy was my savior this past year. Every day she walked Syd to school so I didn't have to take the boys out. She loaned me eggs, watched the house when we were gone, and invited the kids over to play. I don't think she'll ever know how much those things really meant to me and my sanity. Stacy goes the extra mile for her kids, and it seems she does the same for her friends.
Elesa: I love Elesa's story. She has been and done it all--but doesn't rub it in your face. I always felt a special kinship with her, having shared a similar tragedy. She is patient and loving and I'm so excited for her big adventure this fall. After all she's been through, having a baby will be a breeze.
Ashley: Fun, fun, and funny! Ashley is just plain great. She makes every gathering more fantastic.
Margaret: I love her. She cracks me up. She renewed my faith in RS. After knowing her, I realized that being a good member of the church doesn't require you to fit into a certain mold. I admire her faith, wit, and candor. Why can't she come with us?

Christian makes fun of me, but I will miss my gym friends too. Abbie the spin teacher, Fireball Bill, the girls in the CAC, and my friends from squash and raquetball. Now that I'm all misty, I'll call this post finished.

Moving Day

It is really something to watch a crew pack up your life and take it away in a moving van. After a couple days of answering the same question 100 times (Does this go to storage or to Japan?), we are moved out of our beautiful Montana home. We have loved this house so much. It had charm, history, and amazing details. I am going to miss it--alot.

Last week in GF, MT

In the middle of moving madness, we had some fun during our last week in GF. Grandma and Grandpa were here to help--and help they did. About six times a day I wondered what I would do without them.


Syd got her hair cut--bangs!


Farewell dinner with friends Becky, Elesa, Ashley, Brooke, Janelle, and Jessica.

Lots of time in the motorhome with Grandma and Grandpa.

Watermelon at the Pfile's.

Opening weekend

This weekend we went to the cabin to open it up for the summer. My in-laws met us there, along with my dear friend and her daughter. We had a great time showing her around camp and visiting Yellowstone. Every time we go to Island Park, I remember why we return year after year. There is something really special about that area. I think my mom would call it "God's country."
*Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

*Yellowstone Lake

*the varied beauty of Yellowstone

*Bison and babies

*Glitter and her mama at Big Springs
3 things I like about Glittersmama:

1: SO easy to be with. takes hanging out to a new level of chill.

2: likes TV as much as I do...and quotes it as often.

3: understands what it's like to miss your husband.