Family Pictures

 Our sweet friend Meg is just starting to study photography.  She asked if she could take pictures of us on campus.  It was perfect because we never get pictures with all of us together, and also because the kids got to wear their new Easter outfits.
We aren't the easiest models.
Luckily she got some good shots of Rosy before she face planted and scraped up her face.

Ike spends much of his time looking through books.  He flips the pages and mutters to himself like a crazy old librarian.  The performance is quite convincing and part of me wonders if he is actually searching for the answer to life's mysteries.

I know I have said it before, but it has never been more true.  There are too many kids in this tub. Rocky made bath bombs for Activity Days and everyone wanted to try it out.

Sometimes the best moments aren't the prettiest.

 I looked everywhere for Ike, and in this apartment there just aren't a lot of places to hide.  I finally found him.

 Cleaning the church is easy when you have all these kids.  At least for now while they still think it's fun.

 Easter. Again.  We did all the stuff and it was fun.

 Ike got caught in the Tinkertoy tub.  I left him there for longer than I should probably admit.

 I am not exactly sure why I took this picture but it makes me laugh.  I remember being a teenager and hanging out with Shanan who lived next door.  She had 4 kids and I was shocked at how many clothes she was folding.  And now it is me!

 At Buena Vista during spirit week they have a "dress your age day".  I think it is bizarre.  I guess it started in high schools and the freshmen were supposed to dress like babies, and the seniors like old people.  But at the elementary school they can pick any age to dress up.  I am already the kind of mom that doesn't get involved so they put their outfits together themselves.  Daisy was a teenager and Rocky an adult.  I tried to get her to smile but she said she wanted to look like a real adult.  I think they nailed it, except Daisy is the one that should have the brooding look.

 We have used Grandpa Ike's stool chair in our bathroom for years and little Ike LOVES to sit on it.

 Spring is at least sort of here.  There have been some incredible days mixed in with the rain.  The blossoms are incredible all over the city.

 And with the sun out again I can feel myself coming back alive.  Everything is easier, and kinder.  The kids are happy.  Our apartment doesn't seem so small and the world is gorgeous.
I ran all the way up to the top of the butte by myself on Saturday.
I am a social being, an extrovert, and I generally don't like doing things alone.  But lately I have been finding a peace and joy in being by myself.

 Bonus Picture:  Rockin' in the community room.

 Also, I saw this sign in the Masonic Cemetery.  It made me sad, and it made me laugh.  And it also made me feel guilty even though I didn't steal any plants.

What's next, punching kittens?

Dr. Brandon Rigby

 It was nine years in the making at the University of Oregon but Brandon successfully defended his dissertation and earned his doctorate degree.

 I was prepared for him to do a great job at the defense, but even so, I was extremely impressed.  He was brilliant.
It was surreal for me because there I was sitting in a room with my best friend, the man I share my life with but it was like I was watching a stranger.  He has SO MANY THINGS IN HIS BRAIN.  He has told me about his work and I knew he was going to try and keep things simple so I thought I would be able to at least follow the discussion.  For the first couple of minutes I didn't understand anything, and he was speaking English.  I am no genius but I'm not a dummy either, this stuff is just very complex.  He has literally spent years studying these poets and he truly is an expert.
Each member of his committee had questions to ask and they needed to kind of grill him.  I would get nervous about how he would answer and then he just smiled and gave clear and precise answers.
It was fascinating, and nerve wracking, and thrilling to watch.
I feel grateful for his advisors that worked with him and am so glad that Mike and Kathy were there to take credit for raising him.

I am just so proud of him.
He worked night and day alone in that tiny little office, sometimes fighting off an ant invasion and eating cold leftovers.  He put his whole heart into studying Spanish, poetry, and self-translation while still making time to be a fantastic husband and an incredible dad.  He doesn't like this kind of thing where all the attention is on him, but this is my blog, so I get to say what I want.  And I say, congratulations Dr. Rigby.  You have done us all proud.

Eugene Explorers

When Mike, Kathy and Indee came into town we went a bunch of places that I haven't been in a long time.  Even though we live here I rarely find myself wandering on campus or walking around town.  I don't know if it is because our days in this place might be numbered or if I am just feeling nostalgic but I am bubbling over with love for Eugene.

Campus Chicks

We had picked out a different restaurant but it was closed.  We ended up at Sizzle Pie which was hilarious and super fun.  I love that place and then we walked across the road to Voodoo Donuts and it just seemed like the perfect thing to do.

 We hit up the Natural History Museum and walked all over campus.  Things are just a whole lot more fun when grandparents and Indee are there.

 And now this is how we all feel because they left.

March Madness

 When the Ducks played in the Final Four I thought we needed some caramel popcorn to celebrate.  We watched the game and cooked and I was glad that we had because when it ended in such a close loss the sugar was a comfort.

Who wants to cook when you can read?

 Bonus Pictures.  Because Ike won't be little for long.

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