Simple Pleasures

One of our long-standing dreams (actually, more of a fantasy) was that at some point in our lives we would get to live in Santa Barbara as a family.  Being here with Ben and Clara has led to discovering the city in a new and magical way.  The opportunities for fun, active, delicious and inexpensive adventures abound. We are taking full advantage of this time here as a family.  We have been forced to live our life day by day in this season and we are being blessed with many days of memories that we will carry with us wherever the next season may take us.  How strange that out of such pain there can be such a multitude of joy?  It isn’t that the pain, scars or fears have been erased, but rather we have been given a chance for healing, renewal and a humbling, extravagant gift called grace.  

Pizza picnic at the Mission

Fairy cakes from Whodidly Bakery

Night out to celebrate Adena's birthday (Leah's college roomie)

We all love the Farmer's Market (even our family pirate)

Picnic lunch at the Harbor, 

then returning home to spot the Harbor from the deck

An afternoon at the SB Museum of Art 

(Clara chose this statue for her photo op)

Jedi action

Lovely Days

There is something about our reality of having no idea how long we are going to be in Santa Barbara that makes us embrace and enjoy each day.  We are collecting a pirates’ booty (Clara’s influence) of golden moments and memories—gathering a shimmering string of lovely, lovely days.

The Beatles cover band concert at Chase Palm Park was a hit with the whole Watson Crew.  Ben wanted to memorize the date (August 18, 2011) so he would never forget it and Clara mid-dance moves in her mama's arms, flung her arms in the air and squealed, "Best day ever!" then planted a huge, spontaneous kiss on that happy mama.  Ben was bummed that Yellow Submarine wasn't on the set list, but as we listened to it back at home he observed that it was a tough song to pull off live.

Below: Ben's self-styled "cool" look and using "The Force" on the waves at Summerland Beach.

Below: Clara in beach babe mode.

We had the honor of spending the day with the Blair brood and celebrating Chad's birthday, complete with Heidi's totally funny a'la Cake Wrecks (find it online for some serious belly laughs) birthday cake. They led us on our first real deal family hike and were super patient with our amateur mountaineering status. Clara ("I'm a tomboy-girl") held her own with four boys, Ben was in Star Wars heaven and Mark and Leah delighted in an entire day with great friends.  

Yep, our treasure chest is pretty full.

Daddy Do Over

Umm...how shall we put this? Father's Day this year sucked (honestly tried, but can't come up with a better word). It happened to be the day of the congregational meeting at church— easily a day that will forever be on our short list of really bad days.  We promised Mark that when we arrived on this promised coast we would have a Daddy Do Over Day and pamper him the way he most definitely deserves. 


Mark's heart is pretty simple- he just loves us, all the time, with all he has to give. His desires are pretty simple too- a chance to sleep-in, drink Peet's coffee in bed with the LA Times, church as a family, tri-tip burrito from SB Chicken Ranch, a double-double from In N' Out and lots of cuddles. We ended up having to delay the double-double until later in the week (Leah had a photo shoot for work on Sunday afternoon) but it just made the love fest last a little longer. Mark we love you. We would be lost without you. You make every day better and there is no place where we feel safer than in your arms.  Here's to many more good days looking ahead and to watching the bad days fade in that rearview mirror- deal?

Viva La Fiesta!

Each year, the start of August ushers in Old Spanish Days—better known simply as "Fiesta!” For five days all of Santa Barbara bursts with vibrant colors, dancing, food and music.  It was Fitzgerald style splendor to spend evenings sitting on the deck spying white sails coming home to harbor, mariachi music floating up the hillside and the sky boasting fuchsia and lavender hues, joining in the celebration of this special city.

What fun to attend the annual Children's Fiesta Parade with our own little ninos in tow (accompanied by the fab Eacker Crew). Clara decided to be cranky for the start of the parade, but by the end was cheering along with the rest of us, covered in “cascarones” sprinkles (decorated egg shells filled with bright confetti that you crack over heads) and a smile replacing her “stinky face.” Ben was enchanted by the music, kids, dancing and buzz of activity.  His denim blue eyes grew so wide with wonder that in a matter of minutes there were several folks standing near us that “adopted” him- showering him with cascarones and attention, captivated by his delight.

We loved joining in the celebration of Santa Barbara— it’s incredible history, people, culture and spirit.  And to have the opportunity to call such a place home…that feels like a swirl of magical sprinkles falling all around us. 

A New Rhythm

The last two weeks have been spent settling in and finding our routine— our life is a mix of work and play, part real life and part vacation.  It’s an unexpected place, one a few months back we could have never imagined, but thankfully we are finding our way as a family. 

Leah began work this week, semi-gracefully making the transition to life as a working mom and wife. She is now the assistant to the incredible Valerie Rice (www.eat-drink-garden.com) and also has a sales and marketing client for an estate property.  Mark has been meeting with Santa Barbara based contacts and mentors, beginning the work of finding his next step. He also has become a daddy day care rock star, taking the kids on (dirty) adventures all over town. David and Judy are in Santa Fe for five weeks so we have the chance to settle in and find our routine at the house without getting in their way as we figure out our rhythm. We are in a constant state of bewilderment that we have this beautiful house to call home and also that it feels so normal to be here.  It’s a big change-up for all of us, but so far it’s going well and most importantly, the kids are happy. 

Last night we had our first pizza picnic at Butterfly Beach. It was magic to sit together, looking out at the waves, Rusty’s pizza (yes!) in hand…after dinner we walked along the gorgeous stretch of sand, peace and joy filling our hearts.  Walking back to the van, Ben held my hand and sighed contentedly, “I just love California.” Mark and Leah have dubbed Saturday nights Date Night on the Deck. After the kids go down for the night, we take a glass of wine (or two), a snack plate (Trader Joe’s is a couple miles away!), a few bites of chocolate (of course) and enjoy the incredible view of the city we love— together.  Leah has had the chance to connect with her Westmont girls and all the kids are becoming fast friends. It is a special season that we are embracing and cherishing.

It also is a season of healing. We have found Sundays to be difficult days for us, sort of a lost at sea feeling. Right now, we like attending an Episcopal church where the kids will be starting preschool next month. It gives us a chance to be semi-anonymous as we work to sort out complicated emotions and discern where our hearts are leading us in life and ministry. We are discovering ways to make Sundays less melancholy, but it is definitely a work in progress. Our challenge with this season is to balance the fear of the unknown and supporting our family, with the unique opportunities for joy that exist for us here and now in Santa Barbara.  Some moments we are dancing in the waves and some moments are spent in wordless prayer waiting for answers.  The support, love and friendship that surrounds our family leaves us humble, grateful and feeling safe.  As Ben and Clara like to say, “Cuddles and kisses!  Cuddles and kisses!” to all of you who keep believing in us.