Gonna do it!







Gonna... CRAWL!!!

Sand and Surf

Today was Andy's last day of leave, so we took some time and went to a State Park to explore. It was a very beachy state park (and it was another beach with waves!). We liked it a lot. Carolyn was more aware of the waves than the last time she was on the beach. She made all sorts of happy sounds. I put her little toes in the sand and let the water wash up over them. She was NOT so sure about that.

I still just love the waves. Something about them is just comforting. Things can feel just awful and listening to the waves will make me feel like life contains beauty even though it hurts sometimes.

Life is just funny. It's so big, and hard, and wonderful, and horrible. I'm limping through this grieving stuff. When I say that, you might think that means I'm sitting around crying all the time. In some ways, I wish that's what I was doing. I seem only able to cope. I know the feelings will come, and as my friend, Amber said, I may deal by doing my "Val type of quietly imploding" dealing.

I am thankful for this time. I am thankful for the beautiful house we're staying in. I'm thankful for Carolyn and Andy and this gift of extra time we have together. I would rather be with Mom still, but if we can't be, I'm glad we have this short time as the three of us. I am thankful for beaches, and holding hands, and ice cream.

I am sad, but I am thankful.

Does that all relate to the theme of 'Sand and Surf?' Oh well. If it all doesn't, at least the pictures do.

Carolyn and Daddy on a big pieace of driftwood. We found another beach with waves!

All bundled up in the stroller. Gotta love that smile! 

Carolyn meeting a couple of pups 

Illinois to Washington--In no Particular Order

A spot of shade at the sculpture garden.

Wake up, Dad! 

Carolyn at Mt. Rushmore 

Our furry friends in Montana 

Carolyn makes the best of her carseat 

Lots of new sights for Carolyn... 

I always wanted to look up the nose of a president.  

Watch out, Dad! 

A goldfish bowl in South Dakota 

Hodge Podge

It's been a while since I've added photos here. I thought I'd do so tonight. They're pretty random. The bottom two are from Grandpa R's 90th birthday party which Carolyn and I travelled to Kansas for at the beginning of July. Some of the others are shots taken while Andy has been home on Emergency leave. A couple are from time that C and I spent with my Mom.

I hope you enjoy them all.

We're in Souix City, Iowa tonight... C hates her car seat with a passion at this point and we have a long way to go. I hope she settles in.

Mom...

One of our last photos taken with Mom... I love the look on her face. I miss her.

Mom's walker had a few good uses... One of them being a chew toy. 

Dad reading a story 

getting so big 

Grandpa Frank taking a stroll with his favorite little baby girl (since me).