Last Thursday our family planned on spending the day with Sonja and her family while they're in Oregon, then illness made those plans fall through. I was super disappointed, but it was beyond anyone's control and both families just had to roll with it. However, we were able to make the next best option work today with the little Ws and I going to see her. This was the only non-Monday, non-Friday Tim's subbed this whole school year, but he was already committed to a classroom and couldn't come with us. Bummer, but I'm glad the rest of us still got to go.
We saw Sonja and her daughter a year and a half ago, but we'd never met her husband or their new son. It was great to meet Brad, snuggle Garrett, and see how much Ella has grown. I was greedy with Garrett most of the time, but still let other Ws hold him (a little) and allowed Sonja to do crucial things like feed him and put him down for a nap. I'm generous like that. Naomi would have held him the whole time if I'd have let her.
But I kept taking him back.
We took a picture of the kids pretty early on so we'd have proof that all our kids have met before we started risking afternoon meltdowns from kids in dire need of naps. I love this picture. It's not going to win any photography awards, but it's fun to see my kids with Sonja's.
Ella only agreed to pose for the picture once Silas agreed to get her from the table where she was working on a puzzle, then she stayed on his lap for a bit after the picture was done. Firstborn bonding or something.
Meanwhile, Devon was making Garrett coo and smile.
Then, right before we headed home, I got picture proof that Sonja and I saw each other.
It's been almost ten years since she moved out of Oregon and I'm hoping she'll be back at some point. Meanwhile, I'm thankful for these little visits.
Not only did we spend time with her, which was the primary purpose of the trip, but I also got to see Robin, a friend who lives in the same area (and who I also saw last time I made the trek to see Sonja). Our visit was short and I didn't think to snap a picture, but it was wonderful to give her a hug and chat with her and Michaela for a little while.
Then, after a day filled with several hours of driving, we came home in time for a dinner that Tim had prepared. Because he had sub hours today, which end before dinner, I had Devon call him when we hit the road and let him know which thing on the menu we planned on eating. He had frozen creamy white bean chicken chili warming on the stove and skillet of fresh cornbread in the oven when we walked in the door. He and I ate together while the kids got some post-road trip wiggles out, jumping and laughing together on the trampoline. Now the kids are eating and talking Tim's ear off while I start winding down for the night.
I'd say it was a pretty fantastic day!
