Pullman Visit

Ok, I'm mustering up the energy to share our last few days of vacation.

Since the girls were adjusted to the west coast time zone, we wanted to take advantage and stop by Pullman to visit our friends, whom we miss dearly.

We left the beautiful Bay Area

and arrived at the rolling hills of the Palouse.

We were all exhausted by this point, so I want to say thank you to all those we saw who tolerated our glazed-over eyes and less than stellar wit.

I got to see a former voice student of mine, who placed as second runner up that week in Washington's Distinguished Young Women's competition.

Go Lindsay!

We spent as much time as we could with Owen, Maia's best friend (oh and Sage and Chelsea as well.)

We ate pancakes

and went on some walks.

These two.

 

3 years ago.

The girls had a lot of fun in Owen and Sage's backyard.

Playing in the house,

filling up the pool,

 digging in the sand,

and learning how to touch pets without getting hysterical.

Owen.

I mean, come on.

How cute is this kid?!

 And we spent some time inside too.

Coloring on the chalkboard,

and painting nails!!!!

Seriously, Chelsea has like the best house ever.

And I always feel awkward taking pictures of our grown up friends.

Do I ask if it's ok to take their picture and put it on the blog?

Do I need to bring waiver forms?

It's just too awkward for me.

Which is why there aren't any pictures of all the other people we got to see.

And it's a shame, because they are some good looking people!

But the ducks don't care if they're on a blog or not.

All 50 of them!

Or dogs.

Proof that Maia actually pet a dog!

We saw so many dear friends.

And didn't get nearly enough time with all of them.

Our hearts were so full when we left.

Here we are, a year after our move to Kansas. And Aleks and I both agree that Kansas is so much better for us in the long term.

But man oh man, how we miss the friendships we formed during our time in Pullman.

For all the people we got to visit during our trips to CA and WA, there were just as many that we didn't get to see.

I'm grateful that our lives are enriched with so many good people.

And for those of you we missed this time, get ready, you're on our list for the next one!

Goodbye Pullman

I promise this is the last post about saying goodbye to Pullman. After this it will be all excitement and new beginnings and fun!

This past week has been hard. We've said goodbye to a lot of wonderful people. We've been running around doing errands 24/7. Packing every possible second. Eating off of plastic dishes. I thought I was holding up ok.

Yesterday I went for a run and ended up sobbing halfway around the track.

I guess I'm more affected than I'm letting on.

I'm also losing my mind.

Aleks and I went to the bank the other day. We were under the impression that we had to close our accounts and then re-open them, blah, blah, blah. It turns out that the whole process is remarkably simpler than that. And the best part is, Pullman, WA is finally up to speed and the mobile banking app works! When the teller told us this glorious news, Aleks says that I turned to him and said with conviciton: "this is a game changer."

A) I don't even remember those words crossing my lips.

B) Does that sound like something I would say?!

C) I must be losing my mind.

Since that incident, Aleks has taken every opportunity to let me know what is a game changer and what isn't.

Aleks and I have spent the majority of our married life in Pullman. We started our family here. I'll miss the rolling hills in spring, the feeling of excitement as all the students begin arriving in August, the Red Barn pumpkin patch, the farmer's market, the 4th of July festivities. So many things. And most of all, the people.

It's been a good chapter of our lives.

Lady Friends

Yesterday was my last day in Pullman and I got to spend it with these two gorgeous women.

I met Chelsea and Megan in our birthing class at the hospital. I've mentioned before how these ladies were the best thing we got from the class.

Becoming mothers together created such a special bond. Our children's "playdates" just weeks after they were born were often more helpful than a doctor's visit. Watching our children grow and develop their own friendships has been such a gift. 

The three of us parent differently. However, it's been a beautiful thing. I've not once felt judged for doing it my own way. In the opinionated, mine-field that can surround parenting, I treasure the rarity of our friendship.

I don't just value them for their camaraderie in our roles as mothers. Unknowingly, Megan and Chelsea constantly remind me to take care of myself and to embrace who I am, separate from my children.

Their kids are so gorgeous and funny and wonderful and just mirrors of their amazing mothers.

Thank goodness for Skype playdates!

By the way, Chelsea doesn't like the new layout. She said it's like I'm cheating on my old blog. 

Chelsea- it's the same blog, I promise! It just got a facelift. :)

Love you girls.

A taste of the goodbyes to come

Tonight I was reminded of the bitter part of my bittersweet feelings about moving.

Keri, Andy, and Alden have been dear friends of ours since we've been in Pullman these last 3 years.

(Old picture from Dec. 2009)

They are all going to Thailand for 4 months on Monday because Keri was awarded a Fullbright Scholarship! (We're so excited for her. And her tenure binder!)

This means that I had to say goodbye tonight.

It's funny how having kids can really connect you to a place.

Being pregnant at the same time as a friend has the same effect. I don't know if we would have been as close to Keri and Andy if we hadn't had our kids around the same time, but I'm sure glad we did.

It was so great to have a friend like Keri with whom I could be a first-time mom. The summer after Maia and Alden were born will always be filled with golden memories of sitting together, nursing our babies, and talking about sleep, poop, spit up, or other baby related topics.

Among other things, Andy can always be counted on for his dry sense of humor and delicious meals. He passed on an amazing bagel recipe, which is the only way to get a decent bagel in the Palouse.

We are going to miss their friendship so very much.

But Aleks and I aren't the only ones who will be leaving dear friends behind.

Maia loves her Alden.

Especially in the last couple of months, Maia and Alden have really been playing together. Several times we've caught them hugging in Maia's room.

(Now that I think about it, maybe it's the perfect time for us to be leaving...)

Saying goodbye tonight really caught me off-guard. I'm no stranger to moving and all that it involves. However, this place and the people here seem to have gotten under my skin a bit more than usual.

Maybe that's why lately all I've wanted to do is lay on the couch and eat cookies.

But, I try to remind myself that it doesn't have to be goodbye forever. Life is funny and who knows when we'll be together again.

Until then, safe travels to our dear friends as they head to Thailand! We'll be thinking of you.