We have lived in our new home for about 18 months now. I’ll never forget the day we found this place: it was a crisp, clear January afternoon. Clark had found the listing online that morning, and we decided to do a drive by. Imagine our surprise when we discovered there was an open house, and we could tour the home that very day! We … Continue reading Blown Away
It’s rare to find an Anchorage resident who hasn’t climbed Flattop, a 3,500 foot peak in the Chugach Mountains. Today we decided it was high time the kids ascended it too. It had been years since Clark or I had scaled the peak. So many years, in fact, that we couldn’t even remember how to get to the trail head. As we pulled up the … Continue reading Flattop Flashback
The call finally came today!! When I saw the caller ID, I knew it was from the school. I was worried that it was the nurse, since Maggie has been coughing this week. Nope. It was the school secretary (the one who scares me). “We have a spot for Sam in the optional program,” she said. I was blindsided, as if I’d just been given … Continue reading One Size Fits Who?
“Climbing through a hemlock and spruce forest, the trail emerges above treeline on tundra and flowered meadows accented by stands of weathered, gnarled hemlocks. The area was at one time heavily glaciated; now brilliant blue lakes fill every depression, reflecting the snow covered summits of surrounding mountains.” ~ from 55 Ways to the Wilderness in Southcentral Alaska, describing Lost Lake Trail The annual Lost Lake … Continue reading To Finish is to Win
Back-to-school season has arrived, which explains both my decreased posts and increased moodiness. Target’s back-to-school ads in July make me plain irritable, but by August I am ecstatic to purchase supplies for my own children. What gives? The same goes for clothing: buying new pants in a bigger size on an annual basis is exciting for the kids, but not so much for me. And … Continue reading Back To School
Growing up, I would often hear women refer to themselves as “football widows.” It never resonated with me, since college football was more of a lifestyle than a hobby in my family. My mother and grandmothers and aunts were very much alive and present on game days, cursing and screaming throughout every play. In fact, when I look back, the whole world seemed a few … Continue reading Classic Marriage
I’m not sure what is up with me. Usually I covet the time I carve out to write in this blog, but since we’ve been back I’ve felt a bit uninspired. A transitional period, perhaps? Nothing profound? Post-vacation funk? Back-to-school blues? Or maybe we have just been going strong, reuniting and reconnecting with our Alaskan family. In hindsight, we’ve only been home for a little … Continue reading Inspired vs. Tired
Well, we’re home. Five weeks is a long time to be away, and I’d almost forgotten how much I enjoy driving my own car and drooling on my own pillow. I do love my house, my beer pints, my shower, and… what else? Oh, that husband of mine! Boy was I glad to see him! The airport reunion between Clark and the kids was sweet, but they ditched their poor dad before we even made it to our driveway. The neighbors were out playing catch, so Clark slowed down for them to say hello. Sam stuck his head out the window and yelled, “WE’RE BACK!” The kids swarmed the car and before we knew it they were off. The last thing I heard was, “Woah, you’re all tan!” before they headed off for an 11PM play date. What can you do? Summer in Alaska… we were home!
A lot of my friends wonder how I handle going back to Nebraska to live with my parents for a month every summer. And to be fair, I think my parents’ friends wonder the same thing (in reverse). It seems that we all love our families, but maybe not all quite that much.
I really, truly suck at goodbyes. My stomach starts churning anxiously a few days before any dreaded farewell, and I frequently find myself sneaking off to the bathroom to blot tears from my eyes.
Yesterday we had to say goodbye to the girls. It has been two great weeks, and their parents missed them desperately. We all knew they needed to go home, but that didn’t make it any easier.
Damn I love those girls!
I hate how spread out our families are, but must admit that when we do get together it is quality. We cram at least a year’s worth of memories into the week (or two!) that we carve out each year.
We made the absolute most of our Cousin Week bonus days. We explored small town swimming pools, celebrated the 4th of July together, played games galore, and visited the Omaha Children’s Museum.
Last week we kept crazy busy, rushing and running from one big event to the next. First was the water park and lemonade stand. Next came zoo day. The Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha is unbelievable. In addition to all of the outdoor exhibits, it has an aquarium, jungle, desert dome, aviary, butterfly pavilion, kingdom of the night, IMAX theatre, and Skyfari, where you ride … Continue reading Less is More
Profoundly Ordinary 