Music Men.

This is not goodbye.

My dearest friend Wendi has moved away. I have spent every single week with her for over six years. Since our babies were chubby, little Cheerio-eaters that couldn't crawl yet, through the foggy first year of Motherhood, we've moved houses, had more babies, enjoyed family nights together, vacations together, shared Bible studies, deepest thoughts, and monthly scrapbooking. I can confide in Wendi with my most private worries, she cries with me, prays for me, laughs with me, and relates to me. I don't know where I'll be now that she's half a country away, and not a three minute drive. I don't know who I'll be without getting a love-fix from her amazing kids, and without our families enjoying the weekends together. I know and love her kids like they are my family, and while her newborn son is only two weeks old, I held him every hour I could before he moved to place where I won't hear his first words, see his first steps, and I won't know his little idiosyncracies.
We will visit, we will write. Atleast there's Skype. But I can't help but feel that it just won't be the same. I am so happy for her family and their new adventure. But for now, I am oh so sad to see her go. Love you, Wen.

My little pretty.

Carsen is growing up right before my eyes. Our big 6 year old, nearly a first grader, library card holder, and sweet as can be.

"I can't believe I'm doing this!"

Stated by Carsen while filling out her first Library Card application.

Dog days of summer.

For Seattle, it's been off-the-charts hot outside. While we wait for the sun for about eight months a year, we still get to the point where venues with air conditioning start to sound pretty appealing. We've had a good mix of scheduled outings, like soccer, swimming, and our new love: Hapkido. But we also have a good assortment of impromtu outings to nice, cool places, like Ikea playroom, Seattle Children's Museum, and REI for a smoothie and climbing in the treehouse.

And ofcourse there are many opportunities for downtime, like playgrounds, the beach, and a few more movie nights than during the school year. This has to be my favorite summer yet, since having two kids.

Also, the middle picture is our family enjoying the newly opened lightrail. We rode it from Columbia City on it's opening weekend, and it was a big hit for all of us.

Thanks for the date, little dude.

While big sister was at camp, T and I snuck in some special time. Well, let's be honest. Mommy snuck in a lot of internet time, a lot of scrapbooking time, and True got way too much TV time. But one day I made the effort and we enjoyed a date spot that never gets old. REI in Seattle lends a beautiful structure, a fabulous climbing tree for kids, and tasty smoothies at World Wrapps, all which makes for a super happy kid. And Mommy.

Happy birthday, Sweetie.

We love you.