Ehlana, Ethan, Naomi, and Aiden:
Happy 43rd Birthday, Mom!
The big news today is that we can be surprised! We expected that Mom’s special day would be very quiet for us just a day after Grandpa Lloyd’s funeral, and while that was true for the kids in the family; Aunt Leanne surprised Mom with a birthday Tai Chi and breakfast visit; a trip to the city birthday gift; and a kid-free night while there with Dad. Add in a spa afternoon with some of Mom’s favorite women and a dinner out with their husbands; and we’re sure that Mom’s birthday has been a pretty good one.
Breakfast with our family was awesome, and we were okay with the sleepover plans for us at Naomi’s house, but we’ve also been dealing with a seriously-heavy rain day; so we’ve been indoors most of the time and got wet the couple of times we were outside to get from home to the lab and from the lab to Naomi’s place. Having life return to normal feels strange for us when we know that Michael and his family need to do that while continuing to grieve, but that’s just one of those realities of life that happens regardless of how we feel about it. Working in the lab or archives did, in a way, help us; since that at least felt more-productive and valuable than our day would have been if the weather had been awesome and we’d spent the day biking and playing with our friends.
Naomi’s parents went with pizzeria pizza with salad and wings sides tonight, so we were there on-time for that meal. We followed that up with games and a movie that Zack and Eli didn’t try to mess up for us at all, and while we’re sure they haven’t suddenly changed their ways; Grandpa Lloyd’s funeral had everything to do with why they took the night off from their usual pranks and gags. Liz has to work in the morning, so our family play time wrapped up after that, but co-ed cuddling for the junior couples and another movie in the family room was an option for four of us while Zack and Eli opted for video gaming in Eli’s room for the rest of the night.
They may outlast us, but then we’ll be okay with a co-ed sofa sleepover instead of an all-night movie marathon.
The rain is forecast to continue tomorrow, so more lab and archives time could be in our near-future, but we’re still not feeling good about simply returning to fun and games with our friends anyway, so maybe Mother Nature feels the same way; and is still sad too. We do believe that cuddling with our favorite cuddle buddies is good and helpful, though, and don’t have anything to add to this update; so, until next time...
...this is Ehlana Proctor and gang; live from the hidden home of the Magi of the Light – and May the Magi Force be with you!
