The Ties That Bind~

Its unbelievable, this whole week. So much pain and grief, its amazing one can get through tragedy so great and continue with a life so completely altered. How do we continue? What is it, that's in us, that allows one to keep going? Wake up each morning and face a new day when we are broken and in pain? The strength comes from somewhere. Its in all of us, I suppose. I'm sure that we all have the ability to be stronger than we really think we are. In times of crisis, the strength that we gather from somewhere inside of us takes hold and carries us through the overwhelming sorrow. And the times where we cannot be strong, we lean our family, friends and community.
Tragedy is all around us, everyday. War, violence, death...it's a wonder we can awake each morning and start a new day at all. Though there are times when all we can do is ask "why", the answer never satisfies our need to know. But the suffering is universal and when one is in pain, we all are in pain. On our tiny utopia of an island, the water that surrounds us also binds us. We can bear the weight of our suffering neighbor and see them through the darkness. We can pray for them, cry for them and uplift them in their despair.
Sometimes the quiet flow and ease of Lopez is shaken with news we just cannot seem to recognize or process. In these times, there are strength in numbers. If we can come together and heal together, love will always see us through the darkness and into the light.
Let us send all our love and light to the King, Buffum and Kramer families & to the other families that are suffering. And, to all my family and friends...I love you all so much and are grateful each day that we share this beautiful life together!

Just what I needed!

Hi Everyone! It has been forever since I've updated this....SORRY! I've more than busy and getting busier! I found some quiet time....how did I do that?.....so here goes.....
Life is moving right along. Work, kids, Jon in Alaska......and, a new kitten Max! He's super-cute and a good kitty! Ava loves him and she's taking great care of him! Before we got him, I made her sit down w/ me and read all about kittens. How to take care of them, how to feed them and play w/ them...somewhere along the way, we read that a kitten should use the litter box 7-10 times a day, so Ava decided the best way to keep track of this was to make a check sheet. Every time Max uses the litter box, a check goes on the sheet...pretty cute! We are having a fun time w/ this new addition to our family.
The 4th of July came and went. Every year I'm so amazed at the people that decide to venture to the islands for the holiday. And, how is it that this island doesn't sink from all the people??? More and more people every year! For the local's its complete and utter chaos....the population triples in one day....INSANE! But, with all the madness, the tourists bring their dollars to spend in the local businesses which we love!! I choose not to work at the bakery during the 4th.....I love my job and I really don't want to end up in the Sheriff's Log....that would suck! The best thing about the 4th this year was a visit from Rebecca and Elysia.......My Besties! It was so great seeing them! We try to get together at least once a year(Becky lives in Lynwood and Elysia in California) and this get-together was long overdue! I just love them so much! Half of our time together is spent giggling...we laugh at everything and anything...we become complete idiots, silly and crazy! People look at use and shake their heads...they're totally in the dark in regards to our humor......the story of our lives! I cannot begin to tell you how awesome it was to just laugh. To be in the company of true friendship. It remined me what friendship is and how it should be.....total ease. Nothing forced. Nothing labored. Nothing strained. I feel blessed that I have that with Becky and Elysia. It's comforting to know that there is NEVER drama. NEVER!! And ultimatly, isn't that what a friendship is?? After they left, I was able to reflect on all of my friendships. I'm not sure how it came to be that my friends became such a vital part of my life. Maybe it was moving to Lopez without a typical nucelar family. Trying to be a part of a family(my aunt and uncle) that had already been established. I think my friends became my family, filling a void that I had. Somewhere along the way the good ones stayed and the bad were left behind. I feel greatful that I had the forethought to understand the importance of riding oneself of negativity and baggage that did nothing but hold me down. And the work continues into my adulthood. I guess it never stops. I'm realizing that as I get older, I just dont have the paitence for bullshit. As I sit here, typing this Blog, I can count on both hands the friendships that have stood the test of time...it may seem sparse to some, but to me, it speaks volumes. And, its them that I cherish, hold up & respect and I feel immense gratitude that they are a part of my life. Ok, enough of that..........
So, life goes on....Lexi is at B-Ball Camp and then off to her Dad's in Kentucky. I'm really excited for her. She loves basketball so much and she's with her besties too. And her trip to her Dad's is always a fun one. She's still, at 15, a Daddy's girl!
Ava and I are holding down the fort.....Still another month and a half until JP is home....We miss him so much! We might head up at the end of August and ride the boat back down from Alaska, but still not sure if that's going to happen. The bakery is busy as ever. I've decided that I'm eating to much bakery food....that must come to an end......Its a never ending battle.....Kira vs. the yummy bakery treats..the treats always win!! I'm still running. I did the 4th of July 5K...That felt really good. I did it in 38minutes, which for me, is really good! I just love to run! I find if I go to long without a run, I get very cranky and I just feel yucky!
I guess, that's it....you'r updated!........Your turn Robert!!

Prom~

Lets try this again....I posted these a couple weeks ago and Blogger decided to "unpost" them. Hopefully a second time will be the charm!
So Lexi had her first Prom....sigh.....She looked beautiful and so grown-up. Its hard to believe its been 15 years since I gave birth to her. I'm tearing up just typing this....I'm really proud of her. She's independent and strong-minded....but also very typical of a teenage girl. Finding her way in a world that is full of obstacles and abundant in possibilities. Did I mention she's just gotten her learner's permit?? Oh the joy's of mothering teenagers.....and so it goes!

Bunko Fun!

Time for some Bunko Fun! We gathered at Rebekka's house for some Bunko on Bunko action!! It was a blast!! Next one is at the Caffe...I'll let everyone know the date...it will probably be mid-June....

The Man Who Can't Be Moved by The Script.....Listen to it!!! My new favorite band!

It isn't that bad!

It's been a hectic 2 weeks.....Where to start??.....I finally started back to work!! Nothing pleases me more than to be back at the bakery among family! I'm so in love with that place! There is something very purposeful about working....contributing, I guess. And really, being at Holly's isn't really working....There are days, of course, but what I receive in return is much more than a paycheck.
Jon also left for Alaska. Its always a sad time for the family. The first month we're usually pretty solid. The girls and I are so busy, there's really no time to think about missing him. But then mid-June comes around and we hit a wall. Lexi not so much..she has her friends and she spends so much time with Dale that although she misses Jon, its not as hard for her as it is for Ava and I. The phone calls help so much..so do the letters. We are keeping our fingers crossed that we can make the trip up north this year. I keep waiting for the time when this gets easier....it just gets harder. I think we'll have to tweak the program a little. Hire someone to run the boat for a month?? Maybe take the family to Alaska for a month?? It should be interesting...
Lexi received her learner's permit today....YIKES!! I just cant believe it's "that" time....Where have the years gone?? She's very "green" when it comes to driving, but she's getting better every time she gets behind the wheel! I'm anxiously awaiting the day when she can take herself and Ava to school in the mornings! I'm beginning to realize that I'm slowly getting my freedom back...sleeping in...early morning runs....reading a book uninterrupted for more than an hour....could it really be possible??...
The healing is going really well. The scar itself is big but also beautiful...it is what it is....I think other people have a bigger problem with it than I do...There also really surprised I'm not bothered by it.....Really?? I also have have stretch-marks....but I gave birth to 2 big babies...and gasp, I still where a 2 piece! It's interesting what people find to be beautiful and what they find to be flawed..can't their be beauty in what is perceived as flawed?? All my scars tell a story. Some are happy, some are scary, some are completely foolish, but they are all a part of me...and I kinda like them.

Update....

Hi Everyone!
I just wanted to give you all a quick update on the recovery. Its going great! The first week and a half was torture! But things are looking up. I've gone out for a couple of runs....I swear, that is the best medicine of all! I'm so thankful that tomorrow I will be starting work! This experience has reaffirmed the notion that I am NOT a stay-at-home kind of person. I'm so excited to be back at the bakery! I'm going to ask Holly if she would mind if I started a Blog about the bakery and the daily ebb and flow of bakery life...so I'll let you all know! So, recovery is good. I'm trying to take my time but it's hard. On sunny days like this all I want to do is dawn my running shoes and run for hours......Soon.....Soon.
On Sunday the family, minus Alexa, headed over to John and Valerie's for Anecia's birthday. It was a beautiful day. It's always so great getting the family together for BBQ. Ava is in total love with her little cousin Maxin. Matt and Anecia will have a babysitter for life! He is such a cutie! Life is always good with a baby around. John and Valerie are enjoying their roles as Grandparents...they are very proud of their little grandson. Watching John with babies is a site! He is so good and patient with them. When we had Ava it was such a joy to watch John and Ava interact. They love each other and to this day John and Valerie are Ava's favorite people hands down...Mom and Dad are somewhere in the middle! It was nice to spend the day together. Jon leaves on Thursday for Alaska....we are sad around here. I thought the longer we were married the easier it would be...not true! Hopefully this year we can make the trip up to Southeast for a visit. It's so beautiful up there. So pristine and untouched. The first time I went up to Alaska I was 16. I went up to work on the Mystic Sea with Becky. The Whittier days are some of the fondest I have. We had so much fun being totally silly..taking the Mystic Sea Mobile for joy rides by the railroad tracks..Oh my gosh..Becky and I have so much fun together...I wish Elysia was there for that!
Here are some photos from Anecias b-day....Fun times were had by all! And, can I just say, Where ever JP goes....there is ALWAYS something to repair........if you need your rototiller fixed, apparently he can repair that too!~