What did you do last weekend, Andrea? Just took a little trip to New York. No big deal… It was a perfect storm moment: frequent flier miles, Telfer's schedule, a short run for a new production of Death of a Salesman and a lovely sister-in-law. I flew on Friday morning and then came back by the end of naptime on Sunday afternoon. A very quick trip but Eleanor and I managed to cram a lot of eating (and walking) into 1.3 days. 

On Friday: The new American wing at the MET, drinks with Molly & Eleanor at the boat house in Central Park,  dosas at Hampton Chutney, more food and wine in SoHo.

Then on Saturday: Brooklyn Flea, lobster rolls, Death of a Salesman (absolutely the most powerful thing I have ever seen on stage), nuts!, walking from 47th to 114th streets, Fatty Crab for a mid-afternoon drink and pork belly/watermelon, Book Culture, Absolute Bagels for a dozen to bring home to Telfer & the girls, Westside Market for black & white cookies, Riverside Park, a glimpse of St. John the Divine, our old apartment building. Then back down to Brooklyn to drop off bags and then across the Brooklyn Bridge and dinner someplace wonderful back in Brooklyn.

On Sunday: a quick walk and then to the airport. I did manage to look up just in time to see the NASA plane with the space shuttle attached to the top. Flying without children is a blessed event. I read a whole novel on the way back with little naps interspersed. Heavenly. Telfer and the girls had a great time while I was gone. And now, I have these reserves of patience and kindess from just getting away for a little while.

Being back in the city was a strange and wonderful experience. In some ways it feels like I never left and that a baby Cate and Telfer and Henry were just back in our apartment. This is on the sentimental side, but I never really said a proper good-bye to New York. I left our apartment by ambulance and then Telfer moved us out without me. Then the hospital and three months later we finally left the city with our tiny little Jane. Basically, it was nice to be with Eleanor, walking around like a normal person.

Last week I finally finished putting together memory boxes for the girls. I got this idea from The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. I bought $10 file boxes from Fred Meyer and labeled hanging files (YES on any project that utilizes my label maker) with categories from pregnancy to birth to one to two to three, etc. The idea is to have a place to collect the things that are hard to keep organized with your kids: all of their birthday cards, the yearly family christmas card, and special art work. Literally the hardest part of the project was locating all of my stashes of “special” things that I have saved but in no real order. Now the little hats they wore in the hospital nursery and Cate’s latest greatest painting have a (labeled) home.

I saw this on Pinterest and finally had Telfer hang it for me. It’s an Ikea curtain rod with little clips that work perfectly for hanging your child’s artwork. Cate is in a major painting stage so it has been fun to have a place where we can actually display her works of art.

I was so glad I was there for my aunt’s memorial service. My sisters and I supported our mom and my cousins and uncle and honored her life. Sunflowers were very special to my Aunt Brenda and what is the first thing I saw when I walked into Trader Joe’s yesterday? A huge display of sunflowers. Instant tears and a bunch immediately found its way to my cart.

My sweet Aunt Brenda died last Saturday after a long bout with cancer. She's mom's little sister. Battle imagery doesn't really do much for me in general but it's hard to talk about cancer without using those types of words. Brenda was one of the sweet ones. She never gave up hope and she never stopped praising God. I am sad though. My mom lost a sister. My uncle lost a wife and my cousins, the youngest of whom is only 12, lost a mother. 

Her memorial service is tomorrow in Boise. Getting there has been a bit of a heroic effort – of course Telfer's at a conference and Grammy is out of town – but Papa and Sherry are taking the girls for the day so I can go back and forth to Boise. Prayer for a smooth day for my little family is appreciated. 

It's been so beautiful in Olympia. Telfer finished putting together a playset for the girls in our yard. Cate has been wistfully gazing at the playset at Costco for months now and she would say so sweetly and genuinely to Telfer, "Daddy, I am SO sorry our yard isn't big enough for a playset like they have at Costco." Well, Daddy figured out where we could put a playset.
Telfer finished putting it together in time for a much-anticipated cousin visit. We had such a good time with the McMullan family. Elizabeth came down for a mussels dinner on Saturday night. We also took the bus to the farmer's market. Has anyone else tried the Lady Alice apple? Sherry told me about them and I am now completely obsessed. Mostly though, we have been reveling in the outdoor weather. I am finally on board with some yard work this year. Last year I was seriously no help but this year with Jane walking and the girls actually being able to play, I am currently battling the dandelions. They grow to freakish proportions in Western Washington. We are also putting in a gate and fence in our front yard so the girls and Henry are nice and safe playing in the driveway. It should be done soon? I am kind of wondering why it's taking so long but apparently you can't rush these things.

He is Risen! I know you just answered me, right?

Lovely Easter weekend. Aunt Eleanor, Aunt Claire & Uncle Nate. Nana, Grammy, Papa & Kelsey. The sweetest egg hunt ever put on by Grammy & Aunties. Lovely, celebratory service at church. Brunch at our house. And then a trip to Priest Point Park to play on the toys & in the water with the Duerre family. Beautiful weather. A Risen Lord.