Portland Trip: Recap

The word that keeps coming to mind when I think about our three weeks in Portland is IDYLLIC. Waking up to a grand adventure of our choosing every day. Best friend cousins to share hugs and trains. Powell's Books. Grandma's giant multi-leveled backyard full of summer flowers, fresh fruit and dotted with toys for grandkids. Geocaching in the neighborhood of our youth, equipped with i-phones and goldfish crackers. Fresh Burgerville milkshakes. Seventy-five degree days followed by cool summer nights on the back deck wrapped in blankets reading Beverly Cleary over the lullabies of crickets. Magical playgrounds discovered in the trees above the city. Riding MAX. Soft-serve ice cream cones enjoyed with great-grandparents.....four generations bonded by a love of chocolate and vanilla. Digging holes in the cool, soft Oregon coast sand and watching our feet turn blue in the surf. Soft H2O. Looking for bad guys with my brother the cop on an early morning ride-along in outer SE....

There is something equally strange and wonderful about watching your own kids walk in your childhood haunts.

I think we all learned things from our time away. I learned....or at least was reminded that... Ed is the best thing in my life and I never want to be without him for long. I also believe now that Ed is the best thing in the lives of our boys (yes, I admit, he handles discipline much better than I do). I also recommitted myself to getting us back to Portland in the next five years or so. I have enjoyed our East Coast adventures, but I love Portland. I am Portland.

Asher learned that having cousins is pretty awesome. And sometimes Grandmas do special things that moms just don't think of....like planning an awesome hiking adventure or pulling out a new Thomas train the very day that he is going to have to watch another cousin get inundated with birthday gifts. Asher also learned that Oregon rain is more gentle than Virginia rain, even if it lasts longer....and the ocean water at Grandma's house is MUCH colder than the ocean water at Abuelo's house.

Noe learned that there are a lot of people in his life that love him and expect hugs and kisses when they see him. He learned that when he gets on an airplane, he is free of school and long therapy sessions...at least until he comes home on another airplane. He can eat cookies for breakfast if he requests them independently and he can ride his bike in the street with mom at Grandma's house....there just aren't as many cars as back home. Final lesson (hopefully): Good things await when forced to wear a life jacket, so it's not worth the fight.

Photos coming soon....