Thank You, Alaska.

Thank you, Alaska.
For your rough and wild beauty.

For sunny days and soft, quiet nights. 

Noon, June 12th

Midnight, June 12th

And the twin gypsy spirits of freedom and adventure. 

Thank you, Alaska. 
For an intelligent and big-hearted sister.

And for molding my baby brother into an incredible man. 

 

 One who treasures and protects his family,
and makes no apologies for living life on his own terms.

 

 Thank you, Alaska.

For the sweetest, silliest baby niece  - a tiny pixie with a bold and sunny spirit.
This little one has captured my heart completely with her cheerful, charming ways. 

 

Thank you, Alaska.  
For the peace that came from the sea and the sky.
For the space to find the center of my soul,
and the courage to breathe light into a dusty, neglected corner of my heart.

 

 

Thank you, Alaska.
For letting me walk your mountains, 
Soak in your waters and
Marvel at the wonders you put before me.

You've caught a part of my soul- the part that craves adventure and altitude-
and it's speaking earnestly enough for me to know this now.


I'll be back.

Re-entry

Yesterday, Riley and I returned from a week in the Bay Area with my sister and her family.   We had no major plans for our time there, and it was so nice to just hang out with them.  To just be there.  To make dinner and read bedtime stories.  There were trips to Toys R Us (what's the fun in being an aunt if you can't spoil them?) and afternoons at the park and the zoo, but mostly, we just hung out.  And that kind of downtime, that kind of time with people I quite simply adore - it was just what I needed.  

Nephew bonding

March somehow flew by without much (or anything, really) written in this space.  It was a busy month, with a lot of work and family and personal commitments.  Still, one weekend stands out as March's highlight - I wanted to make sure it was recorded here.

I spent a long weekend in California with my sister and her family, helping them prepare for the arrival of their new baby girl.  Because I didn't bring Riley along, I was able to really connect with my twinner nephews, spending time with them in a way that I could not have if she had been there. (I love my girl and all, but she has a way of running the show. )

Tate on the left, Liam on the right

We played cars, we sang songs (about trains), we watched movies (about cars), we played trains, we read books (about construction sites), we played trucks.  Notice the vehicular theme?  These boys - they are ALL BOY!

 I'm so glad I was able to spend this time with them.  It was a once in a lifetime shot - their baby sister would be arriving shortly after and it's rare for me to travel to visit them without Riley. So this time was important - the only time we'd have this dynamic that I so enjoyed.  Having Tate stroke my arm while I was reading to them, or Liam put his little hands on my cheek and snuggle in...the memories still melt me.  I love these little boys.

Liam and his favorite car

Sweet little Tate

 Being an Aunt is one of the very best things in my life, something for which I am so grateful.  I cherish the opportunity to love the children of my brothers and sisters in the way only an Aunt can.  Each niece and nephew holds a special place in my heart.  It was so much fun being able to spend time with these little guys. 

Coming Home

Yes, Disneyland was fun, fun, fun! (photos from that coming soon)

Still, the small amount of time we spent on the beach,

the waves,
the sand,
the water,
the discoveries,
the games,
the shells,
the pure sense of openness and freedom I always find by the sea...

This was my favorite hour of an amazing weekend.

 

52 photos project * Nourish *

One of my intentions for this year was to improve my photography skills, both technically and creatively. As such, I'm always on the lookout for reasons to take photos and for prompts that help me think of unique ways to express myself photographically.

So, you can imagine my delight when I heard about my girl Bella's new collaborative photo project 52 photos. Basically, she posts a prompt every Sunday and on Wednesday, I (and everyone else playing along) will post our photographic interpretation of that word. I'm so excited to participate!

The word for this week is 'Nourish', which could not be more perfect for me. I just returned from vacation in Hawaii and there is nothing that is more nourishing to me than to spend time by the sea. The water soothes and calms me like nothing else can. I am drawn to the power of the waves and the rhythm of the tides. I am intrigued by the mysterious beauty that shows itself, bit by bit, as treasure wash up on shore. I am awed by it's vastness and comforted by it's continuity. The ocean nourishes me.

Sunrise on Kailua Bay, Oahu, HI

Checking Out

Because I need a break. badly.
Because I haven't taken a vacation that's all about me...well....ever.
Because I completely trust that my child will be safe and loved by my sister.
Because I get to spend a few days with the twinners first.
Because I can't wait to sink into the peace that I can only find by the ocean.
Because salty skin and sunscreen is my recipe for heaven.
Because I get to spend time with this amazing woman.
Because it's about time.

I'm heading out for a couple of weeks of fun, family, sun, sand and surf.
See you on the flip.