On packing and friends...

What a strange mixture of joy, suspense, anxiety, and sorrow do fill these last few weeks of our California life! So much to process, so much to do and say, so little packed, and not enough time for any of it. I am moving ahead at a steady pace, made possible by the regular demands of a young baby, and yet I am watching my life here come to a close in disbelief of the reality of it all. I finished my job this week, and what a sweet departure it was. Some kids expressed sadness, one shared he was deeply sad, others showed in their eyes but not their words, and a few could probably care less. I, on the other hand, will miss the kids but am so glad to be simplifying my life. I came home from work and looked into Karis' beaming face and thought, "Yay, I can spend more time getting to know you!" I am glad to have worked, but I need the simplicity of being solely a stay at home mom for a while. The babe and I are leaving on a jet plane in 11 days exactly. I have four boxes packed. My house is empty save two wingback chairs, our dressers and beds. All other remnants of our life...gone. It has been oddly freeing to let go, and it certainly did help that we sold a lot of the furniture for quite a bit more than what we paid for it (thanks to awesome Craig's list finds over the years). The act of letting go reminds me of a book I read as a child. The main characters would make dough and then cast it off on boats, letting the dough travel around while the yeast would rise. The dough would return doubled in size, ready to be baked. It is a sacrifice to let go knowing that what God once provided will again be provided in due time. He does promise that His mercies are new every morning.

Packing has been a strange new element to fit into my day. I dread anything having to do with organization (i.e. cleaning drawers, putting away laundry, keeping my office clean). So, packing? My arch nemesis! Can't stand it. So what's a girl to do? Put on a little Ray Charles on Pandora, make myself a cappuccino, put Karis in her chair near all the activity, and have a party. Before I know it, even a non-packer like myself can find myself making some decent progress.

In other Karis' news...she has discovered her hands. What's more, she has discovered what can be discovered with those same hands. Lately, those hands have been caressing the faces of mom and dad. I watched her the other day gently run her fingers all over Daddy's bristly beard, the rough edges of his face. She sat there touching and, by the look on her face, marvelling that his face which has for months been simply an image in the distance, has texture and substance. It is truly amazing to watch another's discovery and first time exploration happening right in front of you.

Our college friend Ryan has stopped by to visit for the weekend, rounding out our weekend of back-to-back social activities. We have been to three get togethers in the last 24 hours and we are on our way to the 4th. Believe it or not, this is exactly how I wanted to spend our last couple of weeks here, with friends. We took Ryan on the usual tour of the coast (by usual, I mean we take all visitors there. The views, rather, are anything but usual!) The sun was setting as we hit Ragged Point at the base of the mountains overlooking the Pacific. He snapped the beautiful sunset shots in this post.

Off I must go to start some more packing...I mean, partying. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

***Update: After posting, I realized I forgot to share the story of a recent minor miracle. We were coming out of a building yesterday when we noticed a bird was banging against the window trying to get out. Upon further inspection Matt realizes it is a humming bird and it is banging its tiny beak over and over into the glass. In true Ace Ventura/Dr. Doolittle fashion, he stretches out his hand, captures the bird and brings it outside. As a crowd gathered around to look (complete with two German tourists filming the whole thing), the bird sat in his hand for about a minute. We think it had completely worn itself out trying to get out of the building. Matt felt the bird re-energize and a few seconds later it flew off. Introducing my husband, the bird whisperer.