Next Stop...

We have been back from Ely for two weeks and it has been a whirlwind of fun, change, excitement, and faith.

Fun because we've spent a lot time with good friends, Kai went to two different summer camps, we did TONS of swimming, Ruby is finally saying a word or two and Kai has rode his new bike (with two wheels and no training wheels) every day and loves it.

Change because, as some of your know, Joe no longer is working at Memorial Blood Center. We get him home full-time and we are LOVING having him here with us. After spending so many hours at work over the past few years, it's like we are throwing him a huge "Welcome Back" party each day. I have that silly, butterfly-in-my-stomach feeling all of the time when I realize he will be home for dinner (he can help me make it even!), he will not be in Duluth staying in a hotel, he can help drive Kai to his activities, he can go on a run with Ruby in the stroller, we can talk about every little thing if we want and we can do something as simple as running up to Target together. It's been a wonderful change.

Exciting because as a family we get to create something new now. Joe will get a new job (fingers crossed), we will feel refreshed as a family after spending some down time together, and maybe a house project or two will be done too. Oh, and so many summer things to do still on our list. Talk about exciting!

Faith because even though we are surrounded by so much good, we need a whole lot of faith right now to know that things will be better with this change and that things will work out. We will have food on the table, a house to live in, and we will remain calm through it all (well, ok, let's be frank, probably not all of it, but I'd be happy with 50/50. We have certainly had our moments of freaking out...). My favorite quote is coming in handy now, "Never doubt the universe is unfolding as it should be..." Right on, brother.

So, to celebrate we leave Monday for Ely for a week. Here are some things we can't wait for:

1. Silliness

2. Camping

3. Hanging Out (nude if we want!)

4. Hiking and Climbing

5. Blueberries

Peace

If somebody was to ask me where my favorite place is, where I felt the most content, most peaceful, most honest about who I am and who I want to be; I would answer quickly, "Our cabin in Ely."

I joke with Joe that I'm pretty sure this is why he married me. Not only did he get me, but he got our cabin too.

For over 20 years, I've been coming to the cabin. Many of you have come along with me. We have shared sunsets, laughter, hikes, long swims, saunas, boat rides, trip planning, heartbreaks, new loves, the "TV" window, children, naps, mosquitoes, bonfires, and pesto.

For many years, it would take just 4 hours from Minneapolis to the lake. I would arrive at midnight on a Friday night and be back at work at 9 am on Monday morning. Or one summer, I spent the whole summer in Ely. Now, it often takes 5 or more hours (8 1/2 hours with Kai who was colicky is the record) and we go for much longer periods of time. With much more stuff.

We head back tomorrow after being up here for almost 2 weeks. It's taking all I have to get into the car.

(The "TV" window)

Up here at the lake, the world just slows down enough for me to to remember. I remember and feel deeply all the good stuff in life. No schedules. Just decisions like should we go swimming now or later? Hike to Ball Lake Trail or maybe head into town to get scones at the bakery?

Kai, almost 4 1/2 now, cried yesterday that he didn't want to go home either. He understands too. It's magic and it gets into your blood. Ruby hears a loon call and says "B-I-R-D" and rushes to watch them on our bay. I'm pretty sure she thinks they are calling to her.

It's a dream for me to spend time with my kids & Joe now here too. My Dad and Kit made a loft for Kai and wrote a birchbark note to him about it. They said they made it just for him as his own special place up at the lake. I saw him yesterday looking out into the woods from the small window at the peak of the cabin from his loft. In a split second, I saw him as a man telling his son about his grandpa making him this loft and how he spent years during the summer daydreaming from the spot, fishing with his Pops, and learning a deep respect and the ways of the woods.

Then, there is my mom who hiked with us to the Bass Lake waterfall a couple of days ago. It's not a long hike (1 mile there and back) but for Kai it was a grand adventure. I have hiked on that path with my mom probably over 50 times and to see Kai walking with her now and watching her pointing out wildflowers, the first blueberries of the season, and red pines and his excitement while swimming with her in the falls...or laughing with her as Ruby June jumps off the dock over and over again into her arms and thinking she must be tired, but Ruby insisting she does it one more time. Well, I'm sure you can imagine, it's like watching all of my dreams come true.

(First blueberry of season)

Kai said to me today, "Mama, tell me when you were a girl at the cabin. What did you like to do?" All I had to say was, "Just what you like to do here. Just the same."

I can't wait for many more years of "Just the same!"

Joe

Kai has been planning for days the perfect father's day celebration for Joe. On his own, he decided we would have breakfast out (a huge treat) at the new Turtle Bread Bakery which opened just down the street, then we would head to Ft. Snelling State Park and buy a new annual state park sticker and hike to the river.

Kai jumped out of bed this morning and had Joe close his eyes all the way to the bakery and then into the bakery. I really thought he might burst from excitement. And, it just kept getting better. Ft. Snelling State Park was a favorite place for Joe and I to hike (or ski and snowshoe) before we had kids and now we agree it's the perfect family park. It's only 10 minutes from our house, but we feel hours away.

It was the perfect place to celebrate Joe and the fact that he is just about the most kind, devoted, fun, silly, and caring dad that our two kids could ever wish for. I know I couldn't be half the mom I am without him by my side. While hiking today, I leaned over to smooch Joe and when I did, I peeked down at Kai and saw him beaming while grabbing for Joe's hand and then Ruby June snagged Joe's hat off his head with a giggle. It was just a second, but it left me with such a huge amount of gratitude for the trees, our two kiddos, the water, our love and most of all, for Joe.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day!

Here is a video I made for my dad- we couldn't ask for a better Pops!

We love you. Happy Father's Day~

Underwear

Kai and I didn't take off our swim suits today and in my mind, this equals just about the best summer day there could be!

We spent the day in the pool, playing on the slip and slide, running through the sprinkler with our good friends Walter and Owen, going on a walk, drinking mojitos at Jane's house next door (well, the adults did and the kids drank homemade limeade), eating spaghetti outdoors, and doing a little painting.

I hope we get to have days like this over and over again all summer....

(and if you wonder why I have so many more photos of RJ posted than Kai, well, check out the smile (or lack of smile) that Kai gives me every time I say, "cheese!")

Summer Lovin'

Here are some snapshots from our summer so far (and a couple from the spring) - It is going to be a fun summer here. I felt like last summer Ruby June was mainly sleeping or in the sling..and now, we have bigger stretches of time to explore, swim, play, and hang out with friends. Come and play with us!

My favorite photo of Ruby ever! Ruby loves the dirt best of all.

Ruby June and her best buddy Eloise - sharing a kiss

Leesa keeps Ruby June looking way more fashionable than anyone else in this family!

Our lilacs were amazing this year- we filled our house with them.

RJ & Kai's favorite lunch place

Warm Fuzzies

So, there are a few things this week giving me warm fuzzies:

1. We're back from an incredible week in Ely with Joe, Kai, Ruby J, my Dad, and Kit. It was one of those weeks that you dream of deep in the winter and then it comes true. We did plenty of swimming, paddling (my Dad taught Kai how to paddle in his own canoe), hiking, eating, and just plain playing.

2. We had a puppet show on Monday right here on our block. We closed down the street and I hoped for 50 people, but 250 + came! Seriously. It was a lot of fun and a lot of root beers. At one point, I looked over the crowd and thought I might burst from happiness that I have so many lovely people in my life.

3. My mom is in Spain right now and we have been without child care (for the two days a week I work) and my friends have stepped right in to care for Kai and RJ. You know, I have some of the kindest, most generous, and loving friends....on Tuesday mornings, we have a play date with families from Sunny Hollow and I arrived to the park after working and saw so many loving moms playing and caring for my children. It's just how I always wished my life with children to look like- for my children to be loved and also then to love other important adults in their lives. Like I have mentioned to many of my dear friends- my friends and family help me to be the mom I want to be. Smoches!

Thanks to Darcie Norby for these lovely photos (and the lovely care)!

It's summer!

Reality

Whenever I look at these photos, I laugh out loud. The last one especially helps me keep it real...

P.S. I'm behind in posting photos...yes, these are from Easter. Whoops.

Ruby June

Seriously, Ruby June just dazzles...she is full of energy, excitement, and light. She is running, smiling, and following her big brother wherever he goes.

She is also exploring: yesterday, Kai yelled, "Dirt Emergency," and I came out to find her digging in my plants with dirt everywhere (including her mouth- yuck).

She eats everything we eat and I no longer have to prepare anything special for her. In fact, she uses a spoon and fork now and don't even try to help her! She doesn't want anything cut up and she certainly doesn't want any help.

She loves to nurse and is up still in the middle of the night for a little "breast milk sandwich" snack. She also loves to cuddle and read books and hang out in the sling while I run around town. We were grocery shopping this week and I couldn't stop smiling watching her push around the big cart while adding things to the cart (the underneath part). She was intent to do her part and content to be next to my side.

My mom ("Nonny") continues to be one of her favorite people. Today, while Nonny watched her, they walked up and down the block while Ruby June picked dandelions.

Happy 14 months , Ruby June! You are our little magic.