One fine Sunday

It's a glorious spring out here on the west coast. In fact, it's never been quite so divinely colorful as the spring of 2010. The incessant rainy season--much appreciated but wearing us down--is producing vibrant colors everywhere the eye can see, and on this particular Sunday, we finally saw the thermometer stretch towards 80. It made us all downright giddy.

With my mother up for a visit, we were all quite content to be outside. Mom dug in the compost and planted new flowers and Jasmine was thrilled to finally get to paint (she's been told she had to wait for warm weather since hand-painting is an outdoor activity, for now).

This hand-painting technique she learned from Tay-tay during their house-painting playdate a few weeks ago.


We soaked it up as long as we could. There's more rain in the forecast tonight and for the rest of the week. The boots and umbrellas are laying in wait at the front door.

Saturdays

Saturday mornings the local Farmer's market is in full bloom. We've been making it a habit of visiting the market lately, as the California rains have produced some mighty fine picking. But first, we must check in with the Emu. Her name is Morgan and she's there every week.
Jasmine still isn't so sure about Morgan. She certainly has big feet and a long beak.
Jasmine decided that she wasn't quite ready to start her day hanging out with an Emu.
She's more of a dog person actually, and this big rottweiler is more trustworthy.
Just some of our bounty for today. Broccoli at a dollar a pound? Harvested this morning? 3 pounds of asparagus won't go to waste and these organic strawberries? Heaven on earth.

Happy Anniversary

8 years ago, on a fortuitously warm day in the middle of April, we were married in front of a small circle of our family and friends. It's been a wild and crazy ride since then but there's no other ride I'd like to be on than this one right here. I picked this photo for a couple of reasons: 1. Our small wedding album is not digitized.

2. This is one of the last photos of us before we became parents (we're in Hong Kong, summer 08).

3. I look 10 years younger here than now (OK, maybe a little exaggeration, but parenting does take it's toll).

Most of you know by now that I'm a therapist and I spend the better part of my days helping people muddle through the challenges of their complicated lives. I'm no different than my clients, challenged in the same ways, wanting the same things. It's an honor and a privilege, however, to be trusted enough to be let into the worlds' of others. I know, intimately, what people struggle with. I am shown their marriages, their crumbling families, their resentments and disappointments, their failures and shortcomings. But more important and inspiring, I am shown their strengths and resilience, determination and grit. Sometimes I am the one that must point these things out, and it's always the most rewarding part of my work. Look at what we are all capable of! What we can endure, work through, achieve, and ultimately, find ways to thrive. My work is all about celebrating the human spirit, and what I have found, over and over, is that we do not want our spirits to be killed.

Marriage brings out the best and the worst in us. I confess, it has not always been a clear path lying in front of me. But without marriage, this marriage, I would not be who I am today. I would not learn about myself in ways that I'd rather ignore. I would continue to live behind my blind spots, despite my desire not to. Because only in relationship with others are we forced to see parts of ourselves that remain hidden from us otherwise.

Shane and I will do everything in our power to be celebrating April 21 for years to come. And if there is one sure thing that we have both learned, the next 8 years will take work, just like the last 8, just like it is for every other couple committed enough to have a marriage that really and truly lasts.

She's ready to ride

We visited our local bike shop today, a favorite hang-out for ex-bike racers like us. Did I mention that we have a budding bike rider on our hands? Oh yes we do. Bare in mind that Jasmine has been pulled from the back of a bike since the early days, has been riding her own little push-along for just as long and watches Mama leave many a morning with her bike on top of the car. We are a family of cyclists.

So when she got on her first real bike, with training wheels, and was able to adeptly maneuver her way around and around the shop with ease, I knew we were in big trouble.


She rode for the good part of 20 minutes. She did not run into any customers. She did not cause a domino-type collision of bikes. And she did not want to get off.
Rather than impulsively whipping out the plastic--since a new bike for any of us is not exactly in the budget--we wisely chose a stop at the frozen yogurt store, where she was quite content to dream about the day when she will find her new bike ready and waiting for her in the garage.

Friendship

I've been surrounded by kids a lot in my life, what with my 2 beautiful nieces and my work as a therapist. But being a mom is another thing entirely, particularly now that J is ready to have playdates. Meaning, I am learning how to host playdates. There is nothing quite like having a couple of adorable 2 year olds to entertain for a few hours.
The girls decided a brisk walk with their babies was definitely in order. Jasmine needs no prodding to take a walk outdoors. The girls pushed their strollers up our steep driveway, despite the spits of rain that were beginning to fall.
Jasmine is a month older than Emmy but a full head taller. She is all legs these days. Her agility is noteworthy. She is naturally athletic, with long, lean muscles and keen coordination. I am using extraordinary discipline to not go out and purchase her a big girl bike, since I think we should wait until she is at least 3 years old (we'll see how I do when the warm weather finally arrives--I can't wait to get her on her very own bike...).