For me, Mexico was a brief intermission to a bigger show: after 18 long months, I once again had a ticket to Nebraska. Clark and the kids wouldn’t join until the following week, after the state soccer tournament. I was headed home. Alone. So much had changed, yet everything felt the same. If that makes sense? First up: a new family member to meet. My … Continue reading Home Again
Usually we opt to let the magic of Christmas unfold in our own living room, and we’ve dedicated a decade of Decembers to creating our very own holiday traditions. On Christmas day it’s usually just the four of us, hanging out in Christmas pajamas while approximately 2,815 miles away our families are gathered around tables, playing cards, sharing turkeys and hams and prime ribs, exchanging … Continue reading Husker Holidaze
Alaska’s salmon swim to the open sea for their adult lives, but they always return home in their final phase of life. Nebraska’s brome grass is the opposite: it sets deep roots, but there’s no telling how far its seeds will spread, setting new roots in faraway places. Moving 3,000 miles from home seemed like a good idea when we were in our 20’s, when … Continue reading Going Home
We celebrated 12 years of Sam this summer. Here’s the annual time capsule summary of this child we love beyond words: He’s pensive. He soaks in so much of what he hears and observes, and quietly reflects on it for days and weeks. What wit! What laughter! His sense of humor is wise beyond his years, yet he still loves potty humor YouTube videos. Either way, … Continue reading Celebrating Sam
Today I am grateful for the scientific advancement of airline travel. I really am. Living in Alaska, it would be impossible to visit family (or tropical places 🙂 )without it. But when it goes wrong, it is so, so hard. And this holiday season it went so, so wrong. I dropped off Clark and the kids for their red eye flight on the Friday before Thanksgiving. … Continue reading Retrospective Gratitude
Today I’m grateful for a Husker win that didn’t spike my heart rate too much. The next time they take the field, we will be there to cheer them on in person!! I have fond memories of attending games at Memorial Stadium back in the college days, and can’t wait to share the experience with the kids. Clark’s cousin sold us four tickets at face value, … Continue reading Another Husker Win!
Finally! Saturdays have been rough this year. Our team keeps almost* winning this season. * = losing in the last minute of the game. Tonight, one finally went our way. I couldn’t breathe until the very end, but we walked away with a W against an undefeated team. How is that possible in this nightmare 2015 season? Okay, maybe there was a little help … Continue reading Huskers Win!
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
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.
