June

The month of June has just flown by! So much has happened. We've had two close friends with their children in and out of the hospital, so that has been stressful (more so for them, obviously). It is a parent's worst nightmare, something bad happening to their child. Thankfully, both kids seem to be doing well at the moment so our fingers are crossed that they'll continue to thrive. So many of our friends and family have extended their well wishes and prayers to the kids, for which everyone is so thankful.

On the fun side of things, Chris and I attended a black tie casino night themed event for his job. It was entertaining to be so fancy (not the norm for me, by far). We also attended our goddaughter, Taylor's, promotion ceremony from elementary school. Marshall started swim lessons. We started in a parent-tot class but he has since moved into lessons on his own. Chris and I went to see the musical, Mama Mia, as a thoughtful b-day gift from my sister. This past weekend we went down south to see my grandparents and my cousin, Caleb. He was visiting from Tennessee with his wife, Katie, and their adorable baby, Silas (almost 5 months old).

Katie and Marshall reading Silas Marshall's favorite new book on the solar system

(thanks Aunt Nita!)

Silas and Marshall

Katie, Grandpa, Grandma, Silas, Caleb

Marshall and me at the first swim lesson of the season

Chris and me at a fancy work event

Curious Questions

Marshall is in the "why?" stage. Most times his questions are great and I'm pleased he is so inquisitive. Other times, our conversations are repetitive and exhausting. I find myself occasionally saying wearily, "That's just how it is, Marshall. I don't know what else to tell you."

Some of his questions seem to have obvious answers: "Mom, why did you pick up my balloon when I dropped it?" Other questions are rather detailed: "Mom, why do people live on planet Earth but there are only volcanoes on Mars?"

In the days immediately following Amica's passing, Marshall didn't seem too perturbed. Lately though, he has been talking a lot about death. He asks if bugs are dead. He tells me his stuffed animals have died. Today's exchange was one of our more interesting, and I'm not too sure I handled it properly, especially since we have held off on talks of a religious nature with him:

Marshall: Mom, are you going to die?
Emily (caught off guard): Um, not for a very long time.
M: You ARE going to die?
E: Well, not for a very long time.
M: Am I going to die?
E: Not for a very, very long time.
M: Does everybody die?
E: Yes, eventually, everybody dies.
M: Where do they go when they die? Do they go far away? Out of town, like to Tahoe, forever?
E: Something like that, yes.

I then tried to explain the "circle of life" in simple terms. Things are born, they live a nice long life, then they die and are gone forever. We'll see what conversations come next! I suspect he'll probably ask some elderly person if they are going to die. Super.

Memorial Weekend

We enjoyed a friend-filled Memorial weekend. We hosted a BBQ potluck on Saturday. Unfortunately, it was cold and rainy but we stuffed ourselves on great food and everyone seemed to have a good time. We spend Sunday at the Marin headlands with Mary Ann and John. I can't believe we have lived in the Bay Area all these years and never been! We lucked out with the weather. Despite some wind, it was sunny and the scenery was breathtaking. The bad weather returned on Monday and we took a chilly walk around Alameda. On Monday night, my book club met for dinner and a movie, which was a fun treat.

Despite the calendar telling us it is June, the weather feels like winter. We have another big storm coming in. Brrr. Today is Marshall's last day of school. We are both sad. Hopefully we can keep sufficiently entertained over the summer!

Marshall with Grammy and Poppy

Our goddaughter, Taylor, turned 11 over the weekend