And We Sang

We used to do it every week, but now we gather once a month - to sing, to pray, to talk. Last night, I wondered if the neighbors heard our voices raised. Outdoor singing sounds almost otherworldly, I think.

Voices floating in the air, love given, acceptance extended, the riches that cannot be held in the hand flowing freely - so humble, this place called home.

Home and Happy

There really is no place like home.
My childhood home fueled my heart. Casting my eyes upon the Skagit Valley farmlands, the Guemus Island beaches, and the Cascade mountains gave me a sense of recognition and ownership. I brought home sticks of driftwood from the Guemus beach and I picked up some sticks off the ground up in the mountains, too. I'm going to make crosses out of them and hang them on our wall. I also brought home a handful of rocks from the beach and tomorrow I am going to put them in a special bowl. This time, I was more astonished than ever before that I grew up in such a beautiful place and I loved every moment of my visit. I especially love my family. My parents are my friends. My brothers are kind men. My sisters-in-law are accepting and helpful. My sisters are kindred spirits and my nieces and nephews are super humans. They all live in Washington and I can go and find them waiting, welcoming me and loving me, like only family does. But, now I am reunited with my beloved partner (I missed him SO much) and our kids and the grand babies and I still have a lot of summer left. Yahooo! I am going to parcel out my beautiful photos so I don't bore you, but I do look forward to showing you some regional glimpses of beautiful Washington.
I'm reminded again and again of the grace of our Creator, the personal invitation of the Savior, and the breath of the Holy Spirit as I bask in thankfulness for the people in my life. I find great encouragement as I read your blogs and your comments because I connect to them, feel affirmed by the common life themes, and reassured that there are true souls within easy reach, souls that last forever. May you sense the presence of our holy God in many moments of your day and may you experience mind-boggling assurance that you are deeply loved, deeply known. xoPP

Home Road

The scenery here is Washington takes my breath away. The landscapes allude to hard work and they evidence productivity. From the perfect square fields to the well painted homes, it sort of makes me feel like a slacker. Bill could be a farmer with his passion for growing things and ability to shore up out of control edges and flowerbeds, but I'm too dreamy and distracted - not a farmer, just a lover of the picture-perfect beauty. There is such pride of place. My brother David's home is in classic condition. It's old and charming with a cozy wood-paneled dining room and beams on the high ceilings. There are gnomes perched high on the posts and troll dolls and plastic ponies on the mantel. As you can imagine, it appeals to my sense of whimsy. I'll take a picture of the driveway. It looks like it GOES with Robert Frost's The Road Not Taken. The church in Edison sits in the middle of vast farmland, edged by blueish foothills. The roads are straight and purposeful. The picture above is the road I rode my bike on when I was desperate to see my friends or I needed freedom and the wind in my face. It's the road that can lead to town, to my country school, to my friends' houses. Now it isn't my road but I'm awed and comforted that it is here where I am not. I can't put my mind around all the years that have gone by. Was it really 33 years ago when I graduated from high school and left for college? I had no idea that I would not come back to live here or that our children wouldn't hold it in their minds as I do. It was my place for seventeen years. Those years seem bigger. The years since seem full, but swift. When I was a child and my life stretched from birthday to birthday, days seemed long and full of waiting. I'm so thankful that this place waits for me. We've had two days of festivities and seeing my nieces and nephews has greatly encouraged my heart. They are fun. They are interesting and they are not boisterous and proud, but humble and meek. It's a small taste of something I'm hungry for, the common interests, beliefs, mannerisms, and philosophies. Once again, I'm reminded of the essential concept of connection and the time it takes to come to "ah ha" moments. My "ah ha" moment here feels like love.

A Swim for Pom Pom

Granny's invited to join the fun! It's Saturday morning swim! Up and at 'em early, I drive up to Brad and April's . . .

Brad and April live in an adorable little storybook village!

Beautiful! Here is Brad and April's pretty house!

The faithful guard dog, Pugsley!

The flowery welcome!

Brad and April's garden

Not many dads crochet for their kids, I know! Brad is a creative dad and husband and whipped up the above softies for CB and Finn!

These are the love notes Brad wrote for April. He put them all over their house to remind her of how precious she is to him.

Isn't this wall mural enchanting? Our friend Beth painted the lovely fairyland scene!

This is where Finn sleeps for naps, but his busy sister makes THIS crib too noisy at bedtime, so he sleeps in another crib in his parents' room! Note the Pug pillow!

CB's cozy bed! She is like her daddy (doesn't really LIKE sleeping!) and can't wait to hop out of her downy nest!

We arrive at the pool.

Look at sleepy Finn!

Swimming pools are FUN! I love the pool where CB and Finn swim! I feel energized by the water and so do April, CB and Finn! The kids are going to be swimmers like their mommy!

Finally, dressed and DONE. Finn usually naps in the morning, so swim lessons (as fun as they are!) interfere with his schedule! Note the tired eyes! It's time to go to Granny and Grandpa's for lunch!

And the fairy ate her lunch!

After taking a delicious nap in the upstairs crib, Finn joined us and crawled around like a champ! Go Finn! We had such a fun morning and afternoon! Next on the schedule for Finn and CB was a trip up to see their other grandpa and grandma. CB looked forward to feeding the horse. Grandma has volunteered to horse sit for a neighbor! Fun!

NEWSFLASH!
Yahoo! Yahoo! Beautiful Rosebud and Scott found out yesterday that they are having a . . . GIRL! So, at the end of November or the beginning of December, we'll have a precious little girlie to hold and cuddle! I can't WAIT! Finn will be one in August and by the time the new granddaughter comes, Miz Bug will be ten months! We are so blessed! Thank you, Jesus!

And today, HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to Bill! He's a VERY committed father, an engaged grandpa and he prays for us with passion. He partners with me and helps me grow. He loves me like crazy and I am overwhelmed with thankfulness.

Today, Birdie and Miz Bug (and their parents!) will join Bill, Jeff and I for a Father's Day dinner! Rose and Scott will come, too! So, I'm off to prepare for all the fun! I'm thinking of my own sweet father today! He will probably enjoy a delicious fish dinner to celebrate! Next week at this time, I'll be with him! I can't wait to plant a kiss on his balding head! He is lovable!

Happy day to all of you!