Thank Goodness for Photos

One of the many tasks I have put off is organizing our photos. While working on it, I love seeing how the kids have changed in the last year. It has been heartbreaking, adorable, frustrating and surreal. One especially fun aspect has been seeing them in the same clothes through the year.

In Hawaii,the clothes the kids wore to the beach were also their summer clothes here in Florida. Molly's shorts were down to her knees and Spencer's bathing suit was almost to his ankles. By the end of last summer, Molly's shorts were too short and Spencer wore the next size swimsuit. They get so big, so fast!

While looking at the pre-move photos gives me the warm fuzzies, the thought of looking at the post-move photos depresses me.

(days later)

I took the plunge and I am pleasantly surprised by the photos taken after our move. Admittedly, almost all of our photos are taken during good times, but at least now I can see we had some good times. You know, sometimes you just need proof.

Spencer

Spencer, Spencer, Spencer...

What can I say about Spencer? He is handling the transition, at times very well and other times not so much. Tonight, at bedtime, he just decided he was done with me. He crawled off the bed and ran to Derek. Next thing I know, he's screaming for "Mama" in his room. Derek spent an hour in Spencer's room with him screaming. Spencer then ran to me and, after laying with me for a bit, started screaming "Daddy!"

Saying Goodbye

Leaving Juneau was surreal. Living here (oops, I mean there) 10 and a half years, wondering if I would ever be able to leave. Knowing it was all about Derek’s work, would he ever want to leave this job? I think he might have been happy to work there a bit longer if I didn’t want to leave, but this opportunity fell in his lap. Admittedly, he had to work hard to actually get the position, but thanks to Elmer and Drew looking out for Derek, he might never have applied for this position.

The day left we had a great morning of saying goodbye to Juneau. We accidentally checked out a book from the library called “Goodbye House.” Molly took it very literally, if not seriously. We had to say goodbye to the rooms, ceilings, walls, backyard, and everything else. On our way to the house (we went via Mendenhall Loop) we said goodbye to our memories on that road and on the way back we went via Riverside and said goodbye to everything there as well. It’s funny, sitting here now I think of all the memories I forgot. (Molly’s first movie theatre experience, glacier walks, the pictures I always wanted to take, but didn’t)

By the time we got back to the hotel to check out, Molly was done with this game (and both kids were tired) and it was a struggle to get to the airport. It was a mixed blessing to get on the airplane. We all were exhausted and cranky and I was a bit sad. I think I was the only one awake to look out the window and say a final goodbye to the snow-covered town.