Easter 2011

Holidays often emphasize our dual-coast hearts. Special days that are filled with traditions and memories can make our faraway family feel— well, extra faraway.  More than ever before, this Easter felt like home.  The four of us together was just enough— actually, more than enough, it felt like a feast.

We took our annual picture in front of the flower cross at church.  It was our sixth time snapping that photo. The first time Ben was just nestling into his mommy’s womb with a proud pastor papa holding Leah tight.  Four photos ago, Clara was about to make her surprise early appearance just days after that Easter snapshot featuring a giggling, bald Ben and big, big belly (Leah’s— not Mark’s) was taken.  It was the third time Clara was in our arms and we still felt that moment of exhilaration and wonder realizing that this little girl belongs to us (that's what you get when you convince yourself you are having boy #2 for almost nine months).

Clara adored her pale pink Easter outfit, as soon as that tulle hit her body she said, “I’m a princess today!”  She also set a new Clara record by keeping the bow in her hair all morning. Ben’s ensemble however, reminded us of our dual-coast lifestyle.  First, he is growing his hair long as he explained; “I’d like to try out being a hippie for a little while.”  Then, he wanted to wear his converse sneakers and a tie.  We buttoned-up his “daddy shirt,” put on some freshly pressed khakis, the ever-important argyle socks and the boy was looking California cool.  That is until Leah dropped him off in the kids’ choir room for pre-service practice.  When Ben arrived in the sanctuary ten minutes later someone had taken it upon himself or herself (okay, it’s safe to say herself) to tuck-in Ben’s shirt.  Oops.  By the time church was over, the shirttails were out and Ben looked like himself again.  You can take the boy out of California, but you can’t take the California out of the boy.

The services at church were filled with gorgeous music, meaningful liturgy and thoughtful preaching.  Mark’s sermon spoke of our quest to find “home” and how we spend so much time and energy searching for that place of comfort, security, love and hope.  The power of the resurrection comes in the promise of an eternal home—the healing of bodies, souls, relationships, families…and looking around at our church family in the sanctuary, we knew many of the stories, sharing in the quests that are taking place in search of that peace, comfort and assurance. As we sang, we felt close to our faraway friends and family who join in this holy quest too.

We followed Sunday naptime (or for Leah, frosting cake time) with a hike at Baker’s Mountain, a favorite spot close to home.  Welcoming the beauty of another North Carolina spring, walking along a trail we know well, looking at the long limbs of our growing children, happy and content (even when the “Mommy, my legs are tired,” litany began) and we felt that peaceful feeling of being right where we need to be. 

Following on the success of last year’s experiment, we set the dinner table with our wedding china and enjoyed a “civilized” meal (that is, if we ignore Clara merrily heaving her full wedge of cake with both hands into her mouth).  It was a moment where we realized a “home” we had long ago imagined when we stood in Macy’s with a wedding scanner choosing just the right china and crystal had arrived.  We were a family sharing a special meal on a special day, a day celebrating what Ben so sweetly said, “I love Jesus.  I love that he died on the cross and that means we all get to be together in heaven, forever.”   It was a day celebrating all of our homes— family and friends on both coasts, all the church families we have been blessed to serve, our little brick haven here, the beauty of God’s creation whether it be the Blue Ridge Mountains or Summerland Beach and the eternal home that awaits us, where we can all be home together, forever.

Easter Sunday also happened to be Grandma Watson's birthday.  The kids sang and blew out twelve candles, even though Ben pointed out, "Grandma Watson is a lot older than twelve!"  Happy Birthday Grandma Watson! 

Spring Bunny Day

We continued on the Watson tradition of Spring Bunny Day this weekend.  We made yummy bird nests, dyed eggs, steered clear of the costumed bunny at the bunny breakfast, came home to discover baskets of treats waiting for us and most of all, enjoyed the incredible beauty of spring in North Carolina. It was a great transition back to family time after traveling. The sugar crashes were worth the moments of watching the indulgent joy of chocolate licked from fingers and Peeps consumed with artificial colored delight.  

Happy Spring Bunny Day!

Have Love, Will Travel

Leah, Ben and Clara returned this week from an eight-day trip to Pullman, Washington.  Pullman is home to Phil, Kaitlin and almost one-year-old Mara Watson— who happens to be the cutest and cuddliest baby in the world (yes, that is a dare to even try to find one cuter...and cuddlier).  

It was Leah's first solo cross-country journey with both kids, who were excellent travelers. Both travel days involved an early morning wake-up call, an hour drive to the airport, a three-hour flight followed by another four-hour flight and then another long drive from the airport (not to mention the three hour time change).  It's a proud mommy moment when multiple travelers seek you out post flight to comment on the good behavior of your children (The secret: tiered entertainment and projects, matched with plenty of snacks and one really great surprise).  Favorite in-flight comment courtesy of Ben: “I am so glad God made (Clorox) wipes!”

Spring had not quite made its arrival in Pullman.  The cold, windy weather (it snowed our final day there!) made for creative indoor playtime and many hot chocolate breaks. Luckily, we were pretty content just being together.  Uncle Phil handed over his iPhone to Ben, ushering in a quick Angry Birds addiction. Clara and Mara would often pause mid-play to tackle each other with hugs and kisses. Ben and Clara would scramble for front row viewing of diaper changes, bath times were a group activity (for the kids, anyway) and we all were entertained watching Mara eat gleefully by the fistful.  Phil managed to beat out Kaitlin and Leah on Just Dance 2—that boy was made for Bollywood!

It was a trip of bittersweet joy— it felt so good to have the kids in one place, yet we were always missing Grace.  Kaitlin and Leah embraced the luxury of having a week of time together.  There was time for conversation, for chatting, for laughing…time to tune out whiny toddlers, to do dishes and laundry, to watch Mara in wonder and shed a few tears.  Months ago, Clara declared herself Mara’s “big brother” (can you tell who she most adores in the world?) and she spent the week loving, teaching and delighting in her cousin. 

It was an honor to be there to watch Mara take her first solo steps. It was healing to hold that beautiful baby girl in our arms.  It was a challenge, yet simultaneously wonderful, to spend days (and nights!) on end with Ben and Clara. We made a promise that we would not be gone that long from Mark again. It was a blessing to feel that a part of us was missing, incomplete without our man.  

As we stepped off the plane in Washington, Ben looked out at the mountains and proclaimed, "It’s a whole new world.”  And though the world is different than what we want—this trip reminded us again that it is filled with much beauty, love, joy and the comfort, security and faithfulness of family.

Leah's in-flight activity: knitting an orange cuddle blanket for Yoda.

Party Photos

A big thank you to Joe Young for these fabulous party shots.  

Such a great perk to have talented friends!

Yippe-Ki-Aye!

Who: Clara, decked out in her beloved Woody outfit (thanks to Lynda for the adorable vest). Ben, sporting his self-styled, Jason Mraz channeling cowboy attire. Mom and Dad, dressed as either fun, cool parents or big dorks, depending on your point of view. An assortment of our North Carolina nearest and dearest ready to get their yee-haw on and have a good time.

What: Months ago, Clara requested a Woody birthday party for her big leap to three fingers on that hand. She was extremely clear from the start — she wanted a Woody party, not Jessie, just Woody. We set out to make her “cowboy-girl” (Clara’s name for herself) wish come true.

When: On Saturday, the day after our April Fool’s girl had her birthday. Clara was semi-recovered from her cold and managed to have a grand time. A possible exhaustion/over-stimulated meltdown was averted with a little bag of Cheetos (a big treat around here, so much so, that when Clara was asked what was the best part of her party day, she answered, “Having my own bag of Cheetos.”).

Where: Lucky for us, our little downtown has the perfect location, the Historic Newton Depot. The old train depot has been beautifully refurbished with hardwood floors, high ceilings, large windows, a ticket counter and a serendipitous train that sped right by during the party.

Why: That little girl with those big baby blues, with an excitement for the party planning as much as the party itself, who squealed with delight at each decoration created or plastic snake in a bucket— well, she makes it easy to pull a couple of late nights bringing it all together.

How: Play some down home country music, a round of Snake in My Boots, Pin the Tail on Bullseye and Cats' Tails, grab a lollipop from the corral, chomp on some wagon wheel pie (i.e. pizza), slurp ice cold lemonade and gather round a sweet cowboy-girl with a platter of cupcakes and wish her the happiest of birthdays. 

Randy Newman and the Toy Story soundtrack says it better — “You’ve got a friend in me,” and best —“We belong together.”   Forever.