Oregon

It’s been 3 weeks since I’ve been back from Oregon and I’m finally getting to blog about it! We had a really good time while we were there. The first whole day Aaron ran the half marathon in Eugene. He was pleased with how he did, he ran it faster than his last one, but not as fast as he wanted to- but the course was more difficult. And in typical Oregon fashion, it rained on him the entire time he ran!

The second day Erin, Aaron and I went to the coast. Jesse stayed home with Ella- she’s not fond of her car seat right now… We stopped at this really cool place- we didn’t get to go all the way to the small falls, because Aaron was still to broken from his marathon but we did get to check out a little of the area. Of course, that day it rained all day too. We decided to go to the world famous sea lion caves that are outside of Florence OR because they are inside and it’s something we could do w/ out getting totally soaked! But on the way up the coast, we encountered very strong winds. When we got to the caves, we were actually scared to get out of the car! When we got out of the car the winds were so strong that I couldn’t close the car door! I had to wait for the gust of wind to calm down before I could get it closed! And then of course- by the time we got inside, they were closed because the wind was so severe!

The rest of the trip was relaxing. Aaron and I went to the bow shop in Springfield OR. His mentor- Cameron Haines frequents the store, so we thought we’d stop by and check it out. Aaron went home before me, and almost immediately the sun came out! It was almost sad that he only got rain while he was there. The rest of my trip I helped Erin do things around her house. Having Ella prevented her from unpacking as fast as she’d wanted, so we got some of that done.

The trip was great. We all had a good time. (Except Ella when we were in the car! Lol) Next year Erin and I are going to do the half marathon in Eugene, so now I have a goal!

Giraffes

I’ve started the quilt that I’m doing for my nursery. I want to do African Safari, but haven’t totally made my decision. I still will do this quilt, I’m just not sure what border I’m going to do on it. So it may stay unfinished until I get pregnant and we know what we’re having! But that is another issue then, because I’m not sure if I want to know the sex with the next pregnancy either!

Sorrow VS. Happy

I really have to comment on happiness vs. unhappiness today. I am very happy today. I have much to be happy about. I have a wonderful house with two very happy dogs that bring me much joy, I have a husband that knows me and gives me what I need whether or not I want it! I have projects that I can't wait to get started and projects I can't wait to finish!

But I also have people in my life that don't have things that bring them joy. In fact, the things that are dominating their lives right now are DOWN RIGHT TERRIBLE. Every time I think of what is going on in their lives I think "wow. that sucks." My best friend's brother will probably die tonight. And I have known their family for 25 years. He is one of the best people I have ever known and he's being taken from us. Cancer. Not easily treatable. He is 32. He married 3 months ago. In my opinion he's had so may experiences taken from him. I know he's enjoyed many happy moments and experienced them more than others and the losses he's experienced are much more than you or I could ever claim to experience. But he has maintained the most positive attitude I have ever seen. And his new wife... It's like she's happy to have just had him for the short time she has! Which knowing Jess, I know she is! But WOW! They are both people to admire. Through all adversity and strife- the worst kind- you would never know that they are having a hard time. Not that they aren't, just that they are both able to take the good things from their experiences and CELEBRATE EVERYTHING. If today sucks, that will just make tomorrow better! So- What the hay- may as well smile through what makes you cry!

We are going to miss you Brenan!