At the River

On Saturday we went to the Stake Pioneer Activity at Cascade Park. Grandma and Grandpa W. were there, along with the uncles (Nathan at a young single adult activity), including David, excluding Andrew . . . I mean the current Elder West.

We spent most of the time down at the river. The children were enthusiastic about throwing rocks in the river. BIG ROCKS. This would have been more peaceful if it wasn't for all the vulnerable swimmers and waders filling the water. Kaith got in the water the most, doing the Alligator Walk close to shore. Trevor disappeared upstream or farther out in the river depending on this inclinations. Fortunately Grandma had brought cookies, which drew the wandering children back at the end.

The Darth Side

Kaith was acting out Star Wars, playing Darth Vader.

He came up to me with a scowl, and fiercely said,

"I turned to the dark side because I don't like it when people call me Annie."

Staged to Sell

We've been browsing houses online with interest these past few days. While looking through a newly posted cottage in Marysville, Miriam saw the girl's room and said, "That's a pretty bed." There was a long pause, then she exclaimed excitedly, "Hey! That's my bed!"

By the way, thanks to all the family and friends who have been helping and/or lending furniture to make our house on this end look close to its best.

Mac, Felix, and Ashley

This is a post about major additions to our family this year.

Mac was added in late May. With a 24" monitor that has all the hardware built-in, Mac is the perfect study buddy for all my art classes. It's a lot easier to skim the thumbnails when they're big enough to see. While his Victorian cousin is quite a show stopper, I think I prefer his quality and ease of use. Perhaps I'm growing up.

Felix was added recently as a replacement for our last vacuum, which last died about a year ago. This last vacuum had been the second-cheapest model we found, and we did not make that mistake a second time. One of the best things about Felix is that his belt can't ever break--he doesn't have one! Instead, Felix comes with a clutch. The beater bar is easy to remove for cleaning, it has multiple filters to minimize air dust, and easily detaches from its base to become a lightweight canister vacuum. The best part about Felix is his design (perhaps I'm not growing up). We opted for the cream design with a plaid body and chocolate brown accents. That, combined with his shapely body makes him what may be the most stylish vacuum on the planet.

Ashley is a new construction possibility (okay, nothing's possible until after the pre-approval). She has a spacious great room design, with vaulted ceilings over the living-dining-kitchen. There is an optional fourth bedroom, which would bring square footage over 1700 square feet. The currently available model is nearly perfect, but I'm not sure I could live with black appliances and dark gray countertops, even if they are Corian.

Cory's Graduation

After more than a decade of higher education, Cory has graduated with a B.S. in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. Having taken this long, he had to go through two graduation ceremonies to feel officially matriculated. It was an exciting day. That one day left behind our degree-less past behind and opened so many doors and so much employment security we never had before. The smaller, department graduation was the most intimate and entertaining. Not only was each graduate named, but a short write-up was read. Cory is going to be a Nuclear Power School Instructor. One of his classmates is going to attend graduate school at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Another, who believes that repetition is the best way to learning, is now going to start over from the beginning, by re-attending preschool this summer. I think these were ways of making light of their inability to find employment.

Incidentally, Cory's new job is neither aeronautical nor astronautical. It's just plain nautical. I'd like to thank the Navy right now for a paid three month summer vacation.

Employed and Moving

For the few people who missed my mom's blog: Cory is now employed, with the Navy! He called me this afternoon from D.C., his voice dripping with jubilation . . . and the desire to nap. His hotel is on the same block as the Ford Theater, close to the Smithsonian and White House, but it was late enough when he finished up that I'm not sure he'll get to go sight-seeing.

Income is now accumulating, even though "Boot Camp" doesn't start until mid-September, but before you start thinking we don't have to move cross-country until October, let's keep in mind the school age children. It appears that elementary schools in that area start in August (too hot to play?). My biggest let-down is that the public elementary school with a drama program had an application deadline for the end of March. Oh, well. Maybe the next year.

So, house for sale. Hmm . . . I've been de-cluttering for months, could we be staged and ready by next Monday? We're having a little work party Saturday (okay, I haven't officially cleared this with Cory, but my adrenaline is ready).

How Do I Love Thee

Since I missed most of Church today, I've been getting a spiritual recharge from Mormon Messages on youtube. Elder Holland's message about love is the one that sank the deepest, partly because I'm missing Cory who is still on the other side of the continent, and partly from the discovery of how many different ways family have showed love and support for me, in the days I thought I would be most alone

like when Alex slept over, so we didn't have bring the kids to the shuttle in the middle of the night, then played with the children all Saturday morning, so I could catch up on housework

like the several family members who quickly salvaged a ridiculous situation when I locked my keys in my van . . . some by transporting us, some by unlocking the vehicle--I still can't believe they did it

like when people have talked with us and supported us and fed us and entertained us.



If Cory wasn't gone (until Tuesday), I wouldn't have known how much outpouring of love our families were capable of, nor how much I would miss him. I miss our evening talks about current events and the day's experiences. I miss his assistance in getting the children ready for church and for bed. I miss his interest in what I'm thinking and feeling. I miss his understanding so much before I explain, and how he will keep listening until he does understand, when necessary. I miss how he smooths out and solves tough situations and keeps a spare key in his wallet. I miss who he is, the texture of his spirit when we're working together or being together. I miss him.