Catching Up

Again, it's been ages between posts, and of course we've been crazy busy. I finally have a chance to sit down and tell the blog world "We're still here!" and I don't even know where to begin. After a jam-packed week and a half, we headed down to the bay area to be with family. Typically a drive to the bay area (without children) takes 3.5 to 4 hours. Friday, ours took 12. This was self-induced, we had to replace our brakes in Redding, then detoured to Sacramento to pick up some river rafts Wes found on Craig's List for cheap, then headed to Oakland. After arriving at my parents at 11:30 pm, Kylee woke up and had a HUGE smile on her face. She knew that the premier of Disney Channel's "Camp Rock" had happened while we were on the road- and was eager to start watching it. Wes and I were blown away, Kylee never likes to miss out on sleep, and she was wide awake, ready to rock out with the Jonas Brothers at midnight. So, since she had been an awesome traveler, we turned on the movie (that she had previously convinced Uncle Paulie to go over and pre-record for her!) and we settled in on the couch, thinking she'd be back to sleep in no time. Nope! The girl has officially changed from a 4-year-old to a tween overnight- I sat with her until 2 am as she danced around and sang the songs with her new favorite boy band.

While we were fending off 100 degree heat in OAKLAND that night... we called home and found out that a crazy spontanious lighting storm had struck and started literally hundreds of wildfires in Trinity and Shasta Counties. We were bummed to hear the news, but knew our home was safe, and continued on with our weekend as planned.

We had a birthday celebration for my brother at the A's game, which was great fun for the whole family. Wes worked in a business meeting with a couple he is drawing house plans for. My parents and I took the kids to Lake Merritt for some excercise and time in the park, followed by a trip to the favorite coffee shop. We went to Stanford to see our little buddy, Drew, on Sunday- who is such an amazing little trooper after being in the hospital for more than a month.

Drew's visit, and a visit with my godparents are two major reasons I am glad we take the time and effort to travel- even though it always has difficult and stressful moments. On Saturday, we had a very special visit with my Godparents. They mean the world to me, are some of my parents closest, lifelong friends, and have always been a guiding force in my life. My Godfather has suffered with MS for many years, and it recently took a turn for the worse. I'll never forget Saturday, it was a hot, yet very peaceful day in their home. I could hear our kids playing under a huge shady tree in their yard, enjoying the company of my parents and godmother. Wes and I stood with this very dear father-figure, and said a very difficult goodbye. We didn't know when we'd be down again, and didn't know how much time he had, so we said what we could between tears. I knew he knew we were there, because he responded to our voices and talk about the kids and my parents. It was something I'll never forget. Sunday night, on our drive home, we watched the smoke roll in on the whole trip up the valley. We couldn't even see the sunset with all the smoke from all the wildfires in Northern California. I thought alot about my Godfather, and nature being so powerful, and how little control we have of things in our world. We arrived home after midnight to a smokey house, and I got the call first thing this morning that my Godfather had passed away during the night. All day long, I've been in a sleep deprived, smoke-filled, daze. I miss my godfather, and have been crying for my godmother, but I am glad that- although nature decides when these things take place- I was able to be there in time to have our final moment together.

I'll post some cute pictures from the past two weeks when I get a chance- for now I'm off to bed.