Trying It Out, The Next Generation, The Boy, Dining Out

1. With just one more day to go, Chelsea wanted to sleep outside to check the temperature ratings on her gear. Each time I woke during the night, I saw the shadow of her tent reflected on my wall from a neighbor's backyard light. I will have that vision of her tent shadow in my mind for the next five months. (By the way, she said it was cold. That's with a bag rated for 9°F on a 25°F night. Apparently this damp, cold air of Raleigh feels different than the dry, cold air of Denver.)
2. We all went to the ice skating rink. Chelsea and Claire have fond memories of skating every Friday when they were kids in New York and Claire wants Mari to have that experience. Mari loved it! She  skated for an hour and a half and even attempted little turn-arounds and wiggles "like a ballerina".
3. I love the way Jack stares at me when I hold him. I can tell he's trying to figure something out when he looks deep into my eyes.
4. Claire, Chelsea and I enjoyed a dinner out. It's so rare for the three of us to be together like this, which made it especially memorable. (Thank you, Daniel for babysitting!)

Springing South, Big City Shopping, Eating and Reading

1. The birds are singing in the morning, the grass is turning green and the magnolias have their first blossoms. I wasn't expecting spring time in NC. and it's a nice surprise.
2. Daughter #2 volunteered to be my fashion coach at the mall. Our goal was simple; find one pair of pants that fit right and we did. Our personalities are similar enough that we attack the task of shopping in the same manner so, it was fun. The malls are so nice in Raleigh.
3. Daughter #1 had dinner waiting for us. She served an abundant Chef's salad with warm garlic bread sticks and fresh apple pie for dessert.
4. Mari read to us this evening! She sounds the words out, puts them together, then smiles when she comprehends the sentence.

A Journey

1. My journey begins by driving my grandchildren, ages one and three, to their home four hours away. My anxiety over this responsibility dissipates the farther along we drive. One-year-old J. blissfully sleeps away like an angel in my rear view mirror. Three year old M. entertains me with song and witty conversation. Sometimes she speaks in riddles:

M.: "At Aunt Colleen's house I let aaaaaaalllll the water out."
Me: "You let out all the water? From where?"
M.: "From my bladder. I went pee before we left."

Other questions posed to me, "Where do the stars go?", "Why are the trees green (nor not) on top?", "Where does the moon go?", "Why is it dark at night?", "Why are there clouds?"
How quickly I had forgotten the joys of parenting.
1a. What would a road trip be without an emergency potty break with two toddlers. We stopped at the nearest gas station along a stretch of country road in the middle of nowhere. It looked a bit sketchy if not for the kindly gentleman clerking the store. He spotted us entering and asked, "Restroom?" I nodded yes with a big, "Thank you!" It was clean!
2. Last night I dreamed I was hugging Daughter #2. I haven't seen her in a year and in my dream I felt overwhelming joy through my tears. Today my dream came true.
3. The children have been away from their mother for a week. That's a long time for little ones. Three-year-old M. laughs uncontrollably when we pull into her driveway and she realizes where we are. One-year-old J. stares at his mother, not comprehending. Then he quickly reaches his arms out to her. Their mother, my oldest daughter, is brimming happy tears herself. So, there in the driveway, reunited mothers and children hug and cry and laugh. All overjoyed to see one another.
4. Daughter #2 will begin her big journey this weekend. She is hiking the Appalachian Trail. It's two thousand, one hundred, eighty-four miles long, stretching from Maine to Georgia.
4a. I tried on her pack and got inside her sleeping bag. They engineer some amazing gear these days.

A Simple Vision, Simply Cleaning, Purest Excercise, Best Bakery

1. It's refreshing to hear a pastor say that he has not gathered everyone together to ask for more programs. (Amen!) Rather, his vision is to focus what is truly important, worship, intimacy and community. He used the term, "pare down". I am all about paring down.
2. I dust mopped the wood floors today and got lost in the motions of the task. I much prefer using an old-fashioned dust mop and a broom and dustpan over anything new-fangled. Simplicity. That seems to be the theme today.
3. Steve, Henri and I took advantage of the spring-like weather and walked. The snow that sits in the gullies is receding fast.
4. I baked some sweet Italian sausage with peppers and onions for dinner. At the last minute, I made Fettuccine Alfredo to round it out. It was a great meal. I know people, like my mom, who can no longer cook much due to physical limitations. I remind myself that I shouldn't take even the smallest things for granted, like cooking a meal.
4a. On a family note, I just found the program, "Cake Boss" on Netflix. Oh my goodness! If that's not my family and the way we talk- too funny! I loved it when Carlo called somebody a Chooch.  I am so homesick for my childhood today.

High End/Low End, Can I Wear this?, All of Us Going Home

1. We were too early for the airport so we ducked into Marshall's to spend some time. Marshall's is like a big yard sale to me. Expensive for a yard sale, but still cheaper than retail.
2. A black and yellow scarf stood out on the rack from all the rest. I touched it and fell in love with its silky drape. I look horrible in yellow but Tess' exclamation on how it made my skin look tan (ha,ha!) and that I should get it prompted me to look for a mirror. I love shopping with this girl!
3. We sat in the Sam's Club parking lot overlooking the airport. His plane was late, it was dark and we were getting tired. Finally, we saw the jet's lights swoop down from our left and land.Our spirits picked up, he buzzed my cell phone to say he landed, and we jumped into action.

Building the Boxes, Inside, Planning Ahead

1. B. came over to talk bees. It's similar to preparing for the birth of a baby, times 80,000.
1a. We snacked on apple turnovers, which I've been craving for three weeks and finally made.
2. Retreating from a day seemingly filled with stumbling blocks. Home in friendly territory, behind locked doors and walls, where no one can come in unless they know the password.
3. Sitting on Tess' bed and talking over school stuff. We're both weary, but coming up with a plan and figuring it out together makes it more tolerable.

Up, Down and Around, Interesting, From Papa J.

1. The snow covered mountains are a stand-out feature wherever I drive today. Sometimes close up, other times far away, I cover a lot of miles in and around these frosted beauties.
2. I'm finishing up my gazillionth book on hiking the Appalachian Trail and another one is waiting on the table. A common theme has emerged among all them all, one of kindness and the need humans have for human contact and interaction. Sprinkled in between this theme are a lot of crazy stories.
3. We pick up a pizza on the way home. This is a rare treat for us, so kind of a big deal.