3.28.12

Smack in the middle of Spring Break. I've dedicated myself to making sure the kids have fun things to do, can connect with their friends--old and new, and have a relaxing week with little pressure. They really need that.

Today I am rolling around the minivan, picking up all of Mayan's closest friends to take them to an amusement park and roller rink. I'll admit I'm a little nervous to be in charge of a carload of 9-11 year-olds, plus George. I haven't even met all of her friends, but I know how important it is for her to form these bonds outside of school and for me to get to know these kids that she spends time with. Send me strength!

Sadly, after one gorgeous day of blue sky and warm temps, we are back to overcast, winds and periodic rain. Damn!

My brother contacted us yesterday, and they are coming through town on their way to the coast tomorrow. I am really looking forward to hosting them for one night. The last time we did that was for Dad's retirement party in September, and we had so much fun staying up late chatting and drinking wine. Blake will also take Meshem along to band practice that evening, for some musician time. I love that they have that connection.

Xoxo
L

3.19.12

I am typing this from my sisters couch in Santa Monica. About to embark on a day of sunny, sisterly fun. Trying not to miss the family...I know, they drive me crazy and its only a few days but I guess its hard not to be there to keep the ship steady.

My race was yesterday, and while the run was lovely--I felt strong and the five miles went by fast--the time surrounding it was stressful! I didn't have much time between the race and my flight and we got stuck downtown. I got dropped off at the airport at 10:55 and the flight was scheduled to take off at 11:20. Only because an airline security dude took pity on me while I sobbed in line. They had closed the door, but they opened it for me and i made my dramatic, puffy-face-from-crying, smacking the people in first class with my carry-on entrance. so relieved.

I guess I can't update about the family more than that since Blake is in charge! They've given me my space to enjoy my trip and spare me the mishigas. Did I mention I miss them? Home Tuesday night.

BIG LOVE by Papa

Sometimes the intensity of life can manifest at the most unexpected of times. At precisely 4:52 this morning I woke up in tears: it was a moment of pure emotion. I was so filled with love and gratitude for all of the struggle, the grief, the joy of my life. Every blessed moment of parental pride and anger alike--the first baby steps (literally and figuratively), the first words, bike ride, and every shitty diaper flung across the room. Encompassed within, a strange ecstatic joy. 

Choosing this path three times now, with the best wife, friend, and woman a man could ever wish for, we navigate the peaks and valleys of our tiny blip on earth. Now that's a blessing! For a man who has long since made peace with the trappings of religion, I sure do enjoy a lot of spiritual experiences. (If Toby were here, we'd have a good talk about it, as we always do. I am fortunate to have such wonderful in-laws.)

"Keep guest post short," Leah said, so I will. On Nomad's wall it says: "Who should mind the children? That should be apparent." After a perfectly balanced family day this past Sunday, when we were both on the verge of losing it with the kids, I was again reminded what a gift being a parent is, though it often does not feel that way. This is by no means a new realization, just part of the deepening process, insight, exasperation, and everything in between. You need to have children to really feel me here....

Leah and I finished the Big Love series last night. I highly recommend it. The full spectrum of the family and human condition therein. A therapeutic and entertaining way to shift perspective. There will always be someone whose life is far more twisted and dysfunctional than yours: solace. Be grateful for the time with the ones you love, and you'll find that your treasure is here and now; the love of my wife and kids is truly heaven on earth.

3.11.12

Sunday: We have been going regularly to the Oregon Buddhist Temple since June 2011 for service and Dharma School, but since the holidays and Blake recently being on-call (consistently having appointments from 11-1) on Sundays, we just don't have a day together to relax. We would probably stop going altogether but Mayan has also joined the temple's Girl Scout group (which is good for her) so we try to go every other week so she can still go to scout meetings.

Usually, Blake will leave after the service (which is 10-11) while the kids go to Dharma School and I hang out with the Sangha (the temple members.) Going as a group is stressful for us, though. They are really tolerant of children ("little Buddhas"!) but its hard to focus when George is crawling under the benches and yammering during the long chants or the silent reflection.

This is why, this morning, it was easy to convince Blake to take Mayan only while I stayed behind and snuggled in bed with Geo and Izzy (we watched a cute Disney animated film called Teacher's Pet.) Good thing Mayan did go because the students were practicing for a play in honor of Buddha's birthday on April 8th...she gets to be a Muppet! Should be pretty cute. (I'll definitely post about that!)

My big accomplishments for the day were starting this blog, and going on a long run in preparation for my race next weekend. The Shamrock Run was my first ever race last year; doing it this year makes it an official tradition! Last year I did a 5K (3.1 miles) and this time I'm doing the 8K (4.9 miles.) If 10K was an option I'd have signed up for that because I have once before (Run Like Hell in October.) I'm not complaining, though, since I have not been running as much as usual and 6.2 miles would have been a stretch.

I actually like running when the weather is crappy; it keeps me cool. While it has been sunny and mid-60's most of the week, things got back to "normal" for the weekend (ie rainy and cool.) I even got hailed on around mile 3. I listened to a podcast of This American Life while I ran, which kept me thoroughly entertained.

While I did this, Blake took our moody brood to the park nearby.



Since we made some extra cash today and ate really healthily this week, we decided to get burgers and fries from a great place nearby called Foster Burger. It was our first time and even though we got there before 6pm we still had to wait for a table. Lots of families in a loud, fun environment--colorful concert posters covering the walls, gravy fries, and they serve gluten-free buns. We have been more relaxed about the kids eating foods they are sensitive too after our elimination diet in January, so Mayan was really stoked to eat fries (with black squid ink aioli...which she thought was so cool b/c it was black!) Hopefully, she doesn't have any annoying side-effects.

Blake and I both got the Kiwi Burger (lamb, fried egg, pickled beets) with a gluten-free bun...it was really good but we don't eat very many grains at all (maybe a few times a week) and not anything bread-y in over two months. We were both so bloated, we compared our "pregnant" tummies all evening. Maybe bun-less next time...

Coming up this week:

Blake has his interview for the Phlebotomy program on the 14th!! Think good thoughts!
I leave for L.A. to spend a few days with my sister next Sunday! Woot!


XO
L

Let's be in touch.

We can't fight it: technology is The New Way and it is essential for keeping in touch. Some of our extended family lives far away, but with family life its difficult to stay caught up with those of us that reside in the same city! We get stuck in our own bubbles, our mini-tragedies and victories. Many important and mundane details rule our family from dawn to dusk, and before you know it so much time has passed, a sad thing has happened: we are out of touch.

But with a computers in our homes, on our laps, and in our pockets, there is no reason why we can't put the effort into sharing the tastiest bits of our lives with you, dear ones, on a more steady basis (and in a more personal way than social networking.) Actually, it is easy once you accept the wonders of technology. Picking up the phone is hard (it is never quiet around here), writing letters seems archaic (I can rarely find a pen around here anyway), and traveling is next to impossible (we lack the time and the funds.) But please remember: We love you. We miss you. We think of you often.

So this family-only blog is an effort to stay in touch with you, dear ones, even if it is simply a touch of the keyboard.