Oregon Coast Lincoln City '25

After a lot of thoughts and planning we decided that we would all meet at the Oregon Coast this year. We came to the conclusion based on past years and trying to find each other in Yellow Stone and realizing that the kids just want the cool house to be together and having something so close to the beach for them to go down when they need something to do even more of a plus. So, that's what we did. 

Everyone had a great time together. There were a lot more tears than usual, however. because after this trip, Meg's family would be moving to Alabama for a new job position for Alan. Everyone was crying. I was crying a lot too, even though Meg and I will still keep in touch the same way we have, but it just feels farther away. I don't like that. But, I love my family so much. They are so supportive of me and my family and I know nothing will change that. 

Jonah's 9th Birthday

We celebrated a couple times this summer Jonah's birthday. Once at the Oregon Coast, with the family, and then a combined birthday with some friends. Jonah is an amazing kid. He has the ability to make friends with everyone. He has this huge smile, a loud voice, a great laugh, and great hugs. He is incredibly self driven and very smart. He was the top runner at school last year running 52 miles for running club. He  is quick witted and confident. He is also very tender and sensitive. I had said one morning that I had had a bad dream it was a night that Jonah had come into our bed, and he said "mom, sorry I didn't protect you from that." 

When we were all at the Oregon Coast together, and we we were trying to take pictures Jonah would walk past and just say random things just to say them. Justin laughed and said, "He is such an agent of chaos." I kind of loved that. He is. How can an agent of chaos also be such a delightful character. He is one of a kind. There was an another funny moment at the Oregon Coast where we had taken the kids to a park by the water. We had spike ball, and other things, but suddenly all the kids were being dragged into this little boy's very vivid imagination. He was wearing a humungous helmet with goggles on them and talking about outbreaks and infections, and that he was the only one who could save everyone. We laughed watching it, because all the kids were kind of there just playing along and wondering how this had happened. They were all gathered up around the kid who was shouting at them about the game, and then we Jonah- the only one walking away, and he walks passed us, and says, "whose this kid?" It was hilarious. Jonah is not afraid to do his own thing. He is so special and I am so excited to see what he does.