Paul and Reuben sojourned to Arizona on Wednesday and Thursday. Paul met with college friends and pastors and talked turkey. Reuben was thrilled to go on a trip with Dad, just like Peter got to go on a trip to Turkey with Dad last fall. In Reuben's five-year-old mind, Arizona is just as far as Turkey. They had a fabulous time. And so did I. Parenting just two kids was ridiculously refreshing. It didn't make sense at how easy it was and how little discipline needed administering. Thank you to my sweet man for suggesting Reuben join him.
Peter, Charlie, and I did not do anything photo worthy this day. Mailed some postcards, shopped for groceries, and swam I think. Oo, and read a ton in our history book. Because we like it.
Day 24 - Friday, July 27
Another full day in Orange County meeting with friends and pastors.
Flying kites in downtown Long Beach as if that was a normal thing to do.
My mom gave us these kites at the beginning of our trip and we've toted them about with us
just waiting to happen upon an open space and some wind.
We found it on this small patch of grass surrounded by tall buildings.
Reuben loved it.
I loved watching him run and run.
My true selfish thoughts were,
"Oh yeah, he's going to sleep well tonight.
Run, Reuben, Run."
Later, we met with a college friend here.
Know this place?
It's our college campus.
Where Paul and I first met fifteen years ago next month.
Did you know I met his parents before I met him?
At a dinner for freshmen parents.
As a part of the orientation/welcome team, I went to this dinner and unknowingly sat next to his parents.
I met Paul another day in the cafeteria and when he said he was from Missouri I remembered that I had dinner with a couple from Missouri and they ended up being his parents, of course.
I showed Peter where the table was set up from that dinner.
He didn't care.
Paul went into the school library, found this Francis of Assisi book, and took its picture.
It changed his life back in 1997.
But I still managed to fall in love with him.
Day 25 - Saturday, July 28
We drove an hour and a half to take Paul to the airport, then drove an hour and a half back home. The opposite of thrilling. We were sad to see him go. But, you know, one can't just stay in California forever. Except maybe.
That evening my brother's family came over to swim and eat and be. I don't have photos because they would look just like previous pictures of us eating, swimming, and being together.
But I did find these pictures on my camera. And I'm guessing Peter would be thrilled to share them with you.
This is a Lego Hero Factory Somethingorother
And another one.
And my semi-professional opinion is that this is a combo of the two.
Mm, hmm
Thank you for watching.
No comments:
Post a Comment