Our Young Man Turns 11

Dude turned 11 this week. In 2020, we got him and his sister an ice cream cake. Luca only ever got the one before she decided she liked other dessert options better. Dude loves the tradition and wants something different every year. This year he wanted a sea monster. He has also gotten a dragon, a knight, and a robot. Since his birthday fell on Memorial Day, we had family birthday day on Monday and friend birthday the next day after school. I picked him, two of his school friends, and Luca up from school and headed to Langers in Sherwood. Langers is an indoor fun center with lasertag, bowling, arcade games, a high ropes course, and rock climbing. When we went over spring break, Luca was tall enough for the high ropes course but Dude wasn't by just an inch. He really wanted to make sure he got to do it this time around. Sadly, one of his friends is afraid of heights and didn't want to do it. I was going to have the friend do other things while he did the ropes course, but Dude decided to be a good friend and forgo so their threesome could stay together. The friend, instead, really wanted to bowl, the very last thing in the fun center Dude wanted to do. For his friend though, he said yes. Knowing how intense Dude can get when the ball doesn't do what he wants it to do, I counseled him to have some cool thoughts in mind should the game not go his way. He waved me off and then proceeded to lose, but all with a pretty good attitude. He wasn't perfect, but  he said yes in order to be a good friend, and then he worked hard to be a good sport. I was so proud of this boy and how much he has matured.

I love this boy of mine. I love that even with his desire for increased independence, he still wants to do what's right and works really hard to make good choices. I love that in the past year he has gotten into a steady habit of scripture study and works to get something out of his time each night. And while I am still scared of the thought of him in Middle School in a few months, I love that I have full faith that he is going to get through the next few years and be better because of them. Good luck dear boy. Every day you make me so proud that I get to be your mama dear.

We get a Visitor

Both of our neighbors behind us have opted to leave their backyards wooded. We are so grateful for the lush privacy their choices have afforded us. We are also consistently entertained by the birds, rabbits, cats, and other animals that often saunter and flit through our yard. But in 5 years of living in this house, a raccoon is a first. Matthew assumed this little guy was a regular and I had been in the habit of feeding him. I hadn't and he wasn't, but his presence on our back patio for a good 5-10 minutes was a great source of entertainment for us this evening. Sorry little one, the rotten produce we randomly throw into the woods is all the offering we feel like making at this time.

We Have a Mid-Week, School-Night Adventure

Matthew is out of town today headed down to his little brother, Michael's wedding in CA. Long-story short, he decided to make a road-trip out of it with just his parents and siblings. So, instead of being in a car today, I asked around, and drove my kids and a couple of friends to Aumsville Pond for some childhood joy. This place, will always be such a special part of my babies' childhood. The mud, the swimming, the gorgeous and serene scenery  - there is nothing they don't love about this. Such a lovely afternoon. We had dinner of whatever snacks we could grab in the house before we left, and stayed in the glorious outdoors until it was time to go home and go to bed. I felt like mother of the year for orchestrating an impromptu swimming adventure. Thanks Oregon for having amazing weather this spring for just such an afternoon/evening. 

Dude claimed he could just wash off in the pond before we left and be good, but there's something about seeing him so encased in stinky mud that made me want him to scour himself when he got home.

But if that face doesn't shout joy, I don't know what does. Seriously though, so gross.

Marler Parents Come to Live

Matthew and I have been married for almost 17 years, and, for at least the last 11, we have wished his parents would leave Hawaii and move somewhere closer - it didn't really matter where, so long as it was somewhere in the lower 48. Matthew's dad smiled and said, "someday", for years, and then it felt like he said "in another 5 years" for at least 6. Matthew told me to stop harassing him, while Mother Marler told me to keep it up.

On Christmas, we got the scariest gift we've ever been given. Matthew's dad suffered a massive heart attack and was hospitalized for several days. Thankfully, Matthew's little brother, Michael was visiting and offered so much help and support at such a stressful and critical time for his parents. 

A few weeks later, his dad rethought his 5-year plan to retiring sometime this year, maybe this August or December, or maybe next year. They considered buying property somewhere in Oregon and building a house that would be ready when he finally did it, but when they came out for a weekend visit in March, they bought a house in South Salem. The plan went back to retiring in August or December, but within a few weeks of arriving home, the plan got moved up to the beginning of June and then moved up again to the beginning of May.

It was a miracle we never saw coming. And now they are here, being the daughter and son-in-law, parents, and grandparents Mother Marler has wanted them to be for some time. 

They arrived on her birthday and we celebrated Mother's Day all together. It was a perfect way to welcome them to Oregon.

Aunt KK comes for a Visit

 

Matthew's younger sister, Kirstin came to Oregon for a month's vacation from her life in Abu Dhabi, UAE. For part of the time, she stayed with us, for part of the time, she was with Matthew's brother in Hubbard, and part of the time, she stayed with Matthew's parents in their brand-spanking new house in South Salem. More on that later.

The first part was with us, and we were so excited to have her. Because she lives so far away, we don't get to see her as often as we would like, but we were going to take as much of her as we could. The kids, who always love visitors, especially loved their Aunt KK. She laughs at all their fart jokes, plays all the X-Box games with them, and gets excited about Luca's dollhouse. She was fun and easy to have and we were grateful that she was willing to come stay.

While she was with us, we felt like we should go and see her. She's lived in the UAE for over 10 years now, it seems like it's time we got over for a visit. So, we bought tickets for next Spring Break and everyone is excited for our first international family adventure. Well maybe not the kids, but that's only because 9 months away may as well be 10 years for them.

Sadly, the above is the only picture we have, courtesy of Luca. She still looks lovely.