T-Ball Game and City Living

This weekend we went to go see Lenny play in his T-Ball game. We've been meaning to go all season, but between the multiple trips to southern CA, rainy weather, and other random stuff, this is the first game we got to see.

It was super fun to see a bunch of slightly uncoordinated 5 and 6 year olds playing baseball.

As we transition from being a married couple to a family, it's so fun to see all of the different sides of the community open up. Living in a big city can be isolating and our age group in the bay area can be quite transient, so today was a wonderful reminder that there are people who stick around and raise their kids here.

Sometimes it's hard living in a place where people only stay for a season. It is a constant challenge to resist the urge to not invest in someone because you know they might be moving in the next year or so. But living life with that kind of trepidation won't serve us (or anyone!) well in the long run. I'm choosing to be thankful for the people that I can connect with that are in my life right now instead of focusing on who will be leaving and when. Because although I know that people will come and go, I don't know who will decide to stay.

Martin peeking in on the game

 It might not be the suburbs that we grew up in where neighbors know each other by name and intend to live there indefinitely, but we can intentionally seek out community for ourselves and for Cora through getting to know our neighbors, through church, and eventually school and other activities. I love this city by the bay and I'm excited to grow more connected to the community as a result of Cora. I'm just learning that it has to be an act of intentionality, not of convenience, and that's fine by me.

Lenny dancing with "Princess Droolie"

It's worth it.

Beach Day!

This past weekend was an absolutely beautiful day in the Bay Area! We were already headed into the city for a Xander's First birthday party, so we decided to pack a few extra things and take a day trip to the beach. It turned out to be a really fun and memorable day. Sharing firsts with Cora is the absolute greatest.

Everyone else shared our brilliant idea of going to Baker Beach, a fun beach that has an awesome view of the Golden Gate Bridge, so we eventually ended up at Ocean Beach. Ocean Beach is massive, it reminds me of Zuma in southern CA, and on warm days in the city, it (and every other beach) is packed to the brim with city-folk.

People watching.

We were lucky enough to come across a spot rather quickly, but only after driving around the city for 2 hours in search of baby-friendly, chemical-free sunscreen. No joke. Honestly, I would have settled for just some baby-friendly sunscreen after about an hour, but everyone was out of that also. Ah, the joys of city living.

We eventually headed down to the (ridiculously cold) water so that Cora could get her first taste of the ocean. The water was super cold, but Cora didn't even flinch. Meanwhile, I was whining and pretty sure my feet were going to fall off. It seems that our child has taken after her hearty father in more ways than just looks. 

Once the sand was on her hands, it was only a matter of time before it got on her face and in her mouth. So, Cora literally had her first taste of the ocean. She was a fan. 

Delish!

We geared up for some Bay Bridge traffic, grabbed some Starbucks, and headed home to the our city by the bay totally satisfied with our day. Life is so amazing when there's a little person around. It's been so fun trying to see these things through her eyes. 

Cora's First Dodger Game

We were back down in southern California again this past weekend for my Grandpa Wilber's memorial. One bright moment of this weekend? Cora got to meet her Uncle Scott and Aunt Coco for the first time!

With grandpa's burial on Friday and memorial on Saturday, our family wanted to go to a Dodger game and eat a Dodger Dog in his honor. I honestly believe he wouldn't have had it any other way.

It was really rainy and cold all day Friday, but we were determined to go and to sneak a sign in honoring grandpa. We drove down to the game in two cars, and Stu, Cora, and I had to stop off at Michelle's to get some Dodger gear for the game. Cora has a Dodger shirt. Her parents? Well, that's a different story.

Funny story: When we were almost to the stadium my dad called to let me know that the tickets he bought were actually for Saturday, not Friday...oops! My mom also totally got caught with the sign, but Coco was successful.

My dad quickly scalped some killer seats, and we sat freezing our butts off, eating Dodger Dogs, telling stories of grandpa, and watching the Dodgers win. It was a wonderful way to remember. We were laughing, telling stories, and remembering. Most importantly, we were together.

Bundled up, Scott in Grandpa's jersey, Contraband sign

Dodgers Win!, 7th Inning stretch, What Up?, Awesome seats, Cora and Grandpa

Cora's First Easter

Easter is easily one of my favorite holidays. I love the liturgical lead up to it, the self-reflection of lent, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and then Easter. Holy Week services help to prepare my heart as I attempt to grasp the depth of God's love for us, the tremendous sacrifice that Jesus paid on the cross, the betrayal, the crucifixion, the darkness, the burial, and the everlasting redemption. Amen.

Figuring out church and holidays is different with an infant. Last year, I looked forward to the Holy Week services as a way to prepare my heart for Easter. This year, it was a challenge to make it to church and a disciplined effort to pay attention while sitting in the foyer with Cora. It certainly would have been less complicated to stay home for Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday, but these are things that I want Cora to grow up knowing and experiencing, so we made it a priority. Perhaps next year we'll make it to the Tenebrae service. I was sad to have missed that service this year; I find it difficult to truly appreciate the joy of Easter without the darkness of Good Friday.

Easter morning was rushed, and we made it to church about 20 minutes late. Oops! Oh well. It was wonderful to revel in Jesus' amazing sacrifice for us and to celebrate grace and redemption. First Pres (our church) does the Hallelujah chorus every year and it's so beautiful! Cora did well and looked so cute in her Easter dress.

Pardon the blurry picture.

After church we headed to brunch and an Easter egg hunt at the Gustavsons. It's so fun to have a family around to celebrate holidays with since our families aren't local. The Gustavsons have truly become our Bay Area family here, and we love spending time with them and watching their boys grow. Lenny was sure to share his treats with baby Cora.

Easter Egg hunt!

After brunch we came home and got some obligatory Easter pictures. 

We went a little crazy. 

Cora was clearly very interested in her eating her basket! We wrapped up the day with a wonderful dinner with the Lincolns. The day was a beautiful way to celebrate God's amazing love for us.