motherboy

Instead of doing a flash back I thought I'd do a flash forward today. I give you my son and I, four and six years into the future:

And we totally win cutest couple, too :)

so much for sympathy weight

Since mid February when this picture was taken Bret has lost over 25 pounds. For reals. Meanwhile, I have gained that much (ok, maybe more....) since then in pregnancy weight. It's as if our bodies inversely grew and shrunk simultaneously. Granted, we live in different countries right now so I can't blame him too much for not gaining any sympathy weight, but come on! I'm proud of him for setting a goal and achieving it and everything, but it's sure not helping my self esteem.

All Dogs Go To Heaven

Claire, aka the smartest dog in the world, passed away this week (after 17 years!). What a good friend she has been. While in bed last night, I couldn't help but think about the deep connection that humans share with animals, especially dogs. I believe in God and certainly in his creative wisdom, to me this connection obviously serves a purpose. I'm no prophet, but it seems absolutely ludicrous that our natural affinity to animals belongs merely to this life. The bond is so deep rooted I wouldn't be surprised if it carried over into the next life. All dogs go to heaven...lets just hope we're all good enough in this life to co-exist with them there. We'll miss you Claire.

-Bret

video chat

How we spend a lot of our time. And yes, the stache is back and better than ever. Mercy me.

Rachel pulled a sneak attack and took this picture of B while he was chatting with me. They're now in the Rigby's house but since the crate of everyone's stuff hasn't yet arrived, this is his life right now. Poor guy.

sweet land of liberty (lake)

Hooray for the fourth, my favorite holiday! This past weekend I went up to beautiful Liberty Lake, WA, where I was invited to celebrate it with Bret's family. I've always heard from B how fun their place was for the 4th of July and I've been looking forward to going for years now, but I always assumed he'd be there with me when I did... bummer. Still, I was happy to be there.

The Millers have a cabin about an hour north of Spokane on another lake called Deer Lake. That community puts on their firework show on the 3rd so the entire crew (including Bret's parents, all but one sibling, bros-in-law, nephew, aunts, cousins, grandpas and three dogs) went up for the night to enjoy it.

Deer Lake by day...

... and by night (I used my phone to take these so they're not awesome)

(B's pa and sister Carynn)

(the men folk at work)

On the 4th, Liberty Lake puts on a fireworks show from the center of the lake in which the Millers have an amazing view from their house, so they invite anyone and everyone to their yard for the show.

Liberty Lake by day....

(Large and in charge.

Perhaps subconciously recreating one of the paintings from this post)

....by night

Although Bret wasn't there, it was still so fun to have some quality Miller time. It's crazy to think that the next time I'm up there I'll bring a kid with me! Someone for our cute little nephew, Ty, to play with.

I even got to visit a dear, old friend while I was there. Scooter has been living with Bret's sister, Melinda, and her husband since we moved from Seattle. They've been very nice to watch her for us while we're in Brazil.

Thanks, Millers, for a wonderful fourth!