A Year Ago Today.....

My dad died.  

It's been one year without him.  I didn't know how I would make it through this year, but I did. We all did.  We made it through together.  Thank you to all who helped and prayed.  

I've been through a range of emotions, everything from:

* disbelief regarding how quickly he became so sick

* relief that he is not sick and suffering anymore, and now has a healthy, perfect body in heaven

* feeling like I've come to grips about the whole situation

* feeling like I haven't come to grips with the situation

* feeling frustrated that I didn't learn more from him while he was here, ie; the BBQ assembly incident

* feeling sad that I didn't rub his feet more often

* back to disbelief that he is gone

I am grateful for my family and have noticed that we haven't all been "down" at the same time.  That has been great.  When one of us is down, there has always been someone else who can help.  

Thanks again to everyone who helped...

chris

Sebastian is in town!!!

Sebastian is Nick's long-time friend and he is visiting from Colorado.  Nick and Sebastian met when they were 3 years old in Montessori school up in Woodinville.  They are both avid sports nuts and can talk stats until they are blue in the face.  The boys see each other about once a year.  This time last year, Nick flew out to Colorado to visit them.  The boys fly all by themselves, and we meet them at the gate.   

Nick is really getting tall.  He used to be about the same height as Sebastian, but now he's about half a head taller.  Nick's seen several old friends in the last month and he is taller than them too. Seems like Nick is going to be a tall boy - like his daddy.

August is "Get in Shape" Month

Ward and I bought an elliptical trainer over the weekend.  I am so excited and have wanted one for a really long time.  I am excited to start working out again.  I have come to a point in my life where all I do is sit in front of the computer.  Ward is excited about using it too.  We're thinking it could help his back problems and get more restful sleep at night.  

We're putting it up in the game room for now.  And, we are selling the foosball table.  If you know of anyone who would like it, please let me know!

Obsessed with Bob

I go through music quirks from time to time.  You know, obsessive jags on a particular artist or kind of music.  It rolls from one to the other, usually only lasting a few months.  

But lately....

I am completely obsessed with Bob Dylan.  I mean, I cannot get enough.  There is something so moving about his folksy music style and odd voice.  I love how his lyrics just hit you when you least expect it.  

Right now, I am listening to "How does it feel...(like a Rolling Stone).  

I remember listening to Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash on the Nashville Skyline album with my dad.  We listened to that album over and over again.  

Bowling Fun

Tonight Ward took Devin, Nick and me bowling at the new(er) ACME bowl by Southcenter.  As expected, Ward dominated the lanes with a game-winning high of 144, the boys both hovered around 100, and I pulled up the rear with a whopping 75.  I am so lousy at bowling, it isn't even funny.  Well, those boys thought it was funny to beat me.  

We highly recommend ACME bowl for an evening of family fun.  After 9:00 they do the glo-light bowling with all sorts of crazy lighting effects.  There is also pool, video games, and a pretty reasonable restaurant.  Everything is state-of-the-Brunswick-art.  

These pics were taken with my iPhone camera, kindof blurry.  It doesn't capture the action shots that well.