Happy Winter Solstice

"I heard a bird sing
in the dark of December
A magical thing
And sweet to remember

We are nearer to Spring
Than we were in September
I heard a bird sing in the dark of December"

--Oliver Herford

Simple Life

Most thankful today for how simple my life is...

Time Flies

2 months since our last post. We are settled in Port Townsend and so far we LOVE it! I am training to be an operating room nurse at a sweet little hospital call Jefferson Healthcare. The CEO of the hospital wears flannel shirts and jeans and talks socializing healthcare.

Port Townsend is an amazing place full of people just like us! Ahhh back to the bubble. I feel like I fit in here. It is the first place that I have felt that way since we left AK.

Clarity loves it too. The beaches are superb but the jumpy castle is really the reason she wants to stay.

We are just a ferry ride from Seattle so come visit anytime.

You all knew it was coming

Sorry it's been awhile since a new post has appeared, I'd like to blame it on how extremely busy we all are but in reality laziness is just as much to blame. That and a new Facebook account have made me put the blog on the backburner (I have to get more friends then Michelle damnit).

I'm sure that our recent news will not surprise anyone who knows us. We are moving yet again (I didn't say to put our HR address in pen did I). We're packing up the junk show and taking it on the road to Port Townsend, WA for at least the next year. Hood River was a great stop but we desperately want to get back to the coast and to people we connect with. Keeping up a long standing tradition in our little family neither one of us has ever stepped foot in the town but we get good vibes from all those who have traveled there. There's a great blog from a little family no so unlike our own and that started the discussion (thebluesuitcase.blogspot.com/2009/08/postcard-from-port-townsend-all-there.html). Here's a photo of the bumper sticker discussed on that blog which I think fits us both literally and figuratively. We hope you all visit sometime soon, we're just a ferry ride from Seattle.

Camping fun

Camping is really fun with Clarity!

Shortie

Clarity got a new, extra short haircut. Steve thought he should use the 1/2" clippers but it really should have been the 1 1/2". Either way it has been great for the summer and her eyes are magnificent with the new do.

Mama VS Clarity

Dearest Clarity Blue,

You have made it perfectly clear that you really want a dog. Why must you love these 4 legged creatures as much as you do? I know you think I am a terrible mother for not letting you have a dog but I have my reasons. You see my little peanut, I want to see the world with you and the doggies cannot come along with us. OK the real reason is that I do not want dog hair everywhere. You can have a fish. Would that be good?

Tomatoes From Heaven

It is incredible to live in a place where we can grow so much food. We have been feasting on our many varieties of heirloom tomatoes. Hot peppers, beets, squash, onions, garlic, grapes, lettuce, cucumbers, plums and potatoes have all been delicious out of our garden. I should mention that all of my attention to these veggies comes in cooking and eating them. Steve has turned into a master gardner!

Family Reunion

Clarity's Great Grandparents (Steve's Grandparents) were in town from Florida.

2 years old

Dear Clarity Blue,
2 years old! This is a picture of you sleeping on your daddy's chest. Everyday, Daddy walks you and sings The Banks of the Ohio. You fall asleep in his arms and then he puts you down in your bed and you sleep on your own for about 1 hour. After that first bit of sleep you wake up and fuss a little and Daddy comes in and picks you up and you fall asleep on his chest in the rocking chair for another 2 hours! Daddy is usually eager with anticipation for you to wake that first time so he can snuggle with you.

I love having conversations with you. Your words crack me up and they make me melt. Everyday you say " love Mama, I love Daddy, I love Gramma, I love Papa, I love Nana, love Mike, I love Marlei, I love Amy, I love".... You also love spicy but sounds like "I love Ficy." It's true, you love spicy food. You dip chips in salsa that makes my mouth burn and you come back for more.

Well, Clarity I love you! I cherish each and every detail, the quiet confidence you have, your love of things outside that I completely miss without you there to show me and I love how sure you are of your place in the world. I am so proud to be your Mama not because of what you are capable of doing but how completely you occupy your own spirit. Happy Birthday my love!