Suddenly Six!: September 2022

Anddddddd.....we're back!

Upon arriving back from our epic adventure in the RV, we hit the stagnate waters of the latter half of August.

We did try our hand at gold panning in the Tualatin River....

Those final days of summer felt like we were swimming through mud; in my mind (and the kids) we were done.

We've done summer.

Soccer practices start,

other districts start to return to class,

and we wait.

Our school doesn't return until after Labor Day, so we always have a bit more time to fill.

However, one thing we look forward to over Labor Day weekend is Family Camp at Washington Family Ranch. This is a tradition in our family that was started five years ago when we were invited by some friends.

Not thinking we were going to know that many people, we actually ended up recognizing and reconnecting with many people; many of the families are from our school, West Hills, and the Portland area church community. There were even a few teachers jumping off the diving rocks, which blew the kids' mind.

The ranch is a Young Life camp, a former Rajneesh cult community, and the strangest little oasis of beauty and joy in the middle of no where in central Oregon.

It's about a 3.5 hour drive, but the last 15 miles of the drive are down a dirt/rock road into a mysterious abyss.

The rocks coming off the hills are actually faces that stare at us with fierce eyes.

The kids were thrilled to be able to return and reconnect with families in a fun, carefree way after a two years hiatus.

Some of our very dear friends have been made through this weekend together, and we were eager to continue the tradition.

And it didn't disappoint.

People hugged and embraced, and the water slides were still just as fantastic as I remembered them three years ago. The kids love it because they essentially get a weekend of "distant parenting" as they get free rein of the camp and their friends. The only thing I ask is that they put on sunblock and eat some sort of plant that grows from the earth at least once during the weekend.

James walked around the entire weekend with his swim top and swim trunks backwards and inside out. Every time I saw him the thought went through my head that I should tell him; but having to strip off a soggy suit and turn it around just seemed like too much work, so off he went.

One time we found Levi in the pool fully clothed. He said that he couldn't find his suit and his friends were going down the water slide, so he just decided to jump in.

Perhaps one of my favorite memories of "camp parenting" is watching James walk back to the cabin at midnight sipping on a blue raspberry slushie as he turned in for the night.

I was sipping on some wine in my water bottle, so no judgment here.

This weekend really couldn't have come at a more perfect time. I was worn out from the summer. I really just needed them to be off and happy for a few hours. John and I sat in rocking chairs together over looking the mountains, and it felt wonderful. We needed the break to be quiet and still, something we haven't had for months.

Part of the weekend is centered around various couples sharing with the group about their lives and how God has directed or provided for them. John and I were asked to be a part of that sharing, so we had moments to collect our thoughts and figure out exactly what we should share.

We left on Sunday, which is good because we needed that buffer day before we launched into school. It was a good thing too because James apparently threw up several times in the night and was out for the count the following day.

Personally, I think it was the slushie (and who knows what else) at midnight.

He probably didn't eat enough things from the ground.

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We are on day TWO of school, and I am blissful. The first morning after drop off I attended a "moms celebration party" and then got my hair done, which was long over do.

I've done a huge Goodwill run, and I am just basking in my clean, quiet, peaceful home.

Earlier today I did my training run. John and I have completed two half marathons this summer. We have one more in the books in October, and so, I begin my 6 week training cycle one more time.

Today was ten, 90 second hill runs. I can't explain it, but this time around on the training cycle I just feel more mentally tough, like I can do it and it's not completely overwhelming to me.

John and I also did the Hood to Coast run at the end of August and that was quite the experience.

29 hours of running is painful, and horrible...but something about it seemed to toughen any frail spots within me.

Walking to the starting line

On your marks, get set....

I started the race out and ran 5.8 miles down Mt. Hood; then I ran 5.6 miles in downtown Portland at midnight. I "slept" in a sleeping bag in the middle of a field with grasshoppers. After I did my final leg, I said "never again." I have never been so sore.

We didn't know any of our team in the van. We were invited to participate by a friend, but they were in our second van.

It's amazing how quickly you get to know people when you share a sweaty van with them for 29 hours.

But I did it, and looking back, the whole experience starts to glow brighter than it did during my final leg. There is something about doing "hard things" that makes us into more durable people. I feel it.

Will I do it again?

That is to be determined, but I'm glad John talked me into it. It was definitely the experience that any Pacific Northwest runner should partake in at least once.

But, back to the start of school and all the things that brings with it.

Routine.

Healthier eating.

Normal sleeping and waking schedules.

Evelyn is in 5th grade and her main goal is to have the prettiest locker.

She was very excited to have a locker this year.