Dancing around the world~One pole at a time~~~Return of the prodigal trip reporter...

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

 

[MaryAz]

Big and thoughts. Have a good visit.

 

[GreatBiscuit]

So...it's 12:30 a.m. and I am in a hotel in Portland Oregon......

Was this a planned trip you ask? nope... I'm a fly by the seat of my pants kind of girl.

As D.Jay and I were working on a huge hole that had to be dug so the new basement windows could be put in, I had a sudden flash hit me with the idea...and no, it wasn't a hot flash.

There are several reasons for where we went , all of them including family. Tomorrow...well, actually today I am taking my kids to my Mother's grave. I've only been there once about 16 years ago.

Over the last year I've felt like it's something I need to do for myself. I won't go into all of the reasons because I don't even understand why. As some of you know my mom passed away when I was 18 months old. I have no memories of her and yet I miss her. Every few years it hits me and I spend a few months feeling a little lost.

I'm also visitng some cousins that I haven't seen in years and my aunt, who was one of my mom's best friends. I just need to talk to someone who knew and remembers her.

It will be good...there will be a lot of blubbering but I know this is what I need. My great grandparents are burried next to her along with an uncle. I was lucky enough to grow up across the street from my great grandparents and they lived untill my early 20's. When my mom died they bought the plots next to her . that's love, because they are my dad's grandparents. Both my dad's and her family adored her and when they talk about her it's like she was already an angel.

O.K. now that I've got that out of my system maybe I can sleep tonght.

Sunday we are spending the day at the beach....my second favorite vacation spot...there's nothing like the northwest coast.



oh, and the hair brained vacation plan.....well, it involves 3 weeks, 13 states and a mother in law...who no matter how hard she hints...will not be going. Throw in a mini van and 6 bodies and you've got the perfect recipe for the next vacation movie.

Hi Cherie! Thanks for sharing this with us. Hope you had a great visit! I can't wait to hear more about the hair brained vacation plan!

 

[Underdog369]

It is so awesome that you all laughed together and had such a good time!!! Sorry about the close encounter with the bush but glad everything else was wonderful

Oh yes- and after seeing pics of the Tonga toast and the steak and eggs...I am so going with the Steak and eggs it looks AWESOME-I know your DH is on here somewhere, Did it taste as good as it looked??

YUUUMMMM!!! STEAK!

What a delightful day you all had! I mean who wouldn't want to start the day off with pink puke??

You've convinced once and for all.... definitely the macadamia pancakes!! Even a little banana-y sounds gross! Too banana-y and there'd be pink puke for sure!

Did they rate your bush dive?? I'll bet you scored a perfect 10.

Only an 8 1/2. She failed to mention the poor bushes were younglings.

Hmmm, I love bananas but that steak and eggs looks GOOD.

I walk into bushes all the time! Once in college I was reading a newspaper as I was walking and walked right into a post. Luckily I didn't hurt myself but of course when I looked up there was a cute guy standing there laughing at me.

Sounds like something Cherie would do too. At DW she has ran in to the big green divider poles, bushes, flower trees, and more. It's fun to watch.

Looks like you guys had so much fun!

2 steaks in one day... D Jay is my kind of man...

Can't wait for more..

Me Either!!! YUUUMMMMM!!!!! STEAK!!!!!!!

 

[Underdog369]

Thank you everyone for all the well wishes. It has been an interesting month. Things are almost back to normal. As soon as Cherie recovers from this little vacay, I'm sure she will be back soon to update.

 

[winkers]

OH, Cherie, what can I say?? Nothing, of course, that will ease the pain and longing you are feeling; I hope this trip you are taking will be a journey of grieving (in a good way) and release so to speak. I'm so glad you listened to that little voice that was telling you you needed to do this!!! I'm sure it will in some small way bring comfort and healing you need!!!

Be strong, but take the time you need; cry, yell, ask why, He's ready to be there!!

Thank you, Liesa! I'm ok with it 99% of the time and I know one day I will learn the reason why for all things but like I've said before, patience isn't one of my strong points.

Cherie, big hugs for your emotional visit this weekend!

Do the Northwest Coast beaches look just like they do in Twilight?

I cannot wait to hear more about this trip that includes 13 states!!!

thank you Jackie, and yesx they do look like they do in Twilight! I'm hoping to include your home state in the 13!

Your vacation idea sounds awesome to me!

I have some questions for you about williamsburg!

Cherie what a perfect way to spend Easter !!! Your Mom must have been one special lady if her In Laws chose to be buried next to her !!

thanks rosie, and it was a wonderful day.
by the way, I think I've invented a monster with you and photo bucket!

Cherie, I hope you are having a healing time - maybe getting some answers and bonding with your family.

it was an amazing time, just what I needed!

Big and thoughts. Have a good visit.

Mary, it's amazing how much everyone's thoughts mean to me!

Hi Cherie! Thanks for sharing this with us. Hope you had a great visit! I can't wait to hear more about the hair brained vacation plan!

It is very healing to have the wonderful community of dis friends to share things with!

 

[vamassey1]

I can't say I know how you feel but in a small way I do. My Dad died when I was in the 6th grade so at least I have memories. But as I grow older I want to know him as a person and not just a Dad. We spent Good Friday with his family and I always enjoy hearing stories from his brother, sisters and cousin about what he was like. I found out that he was his mother's favorite this weekend and could do no wrong in her eyes. It was nice to hear something so good about him. A small way to connect.

 

[winkers]

I had an amazing Easter weekend! It was just what I needed...actually, I think we all needed a break from the construction zone we have been living in.

We packed up the car and headed south to Portland friday afternoon. Saturday morning we headed to Albany where my mom's grave is and some of my family. We spent a great day with my Aunt and cousins who I haven't seen in years. My aunt was married to my dad's brother but they divorced about 13 years ago due to his addictions, mostly alcohol. But she was always my favorite aunt on my dad's side of the family. Sadly, when she divorced my uncle the family blamed all of it on her, including his drinking.

Back when my parents and my uncle and aunt were all newlyweds, they my mom and aunt were best friends. My dad and uncle were both stationed at Ft.Lewis and they did everything together.

The first thing my aunt said to me this weekend was "you look just like your mom and even your voice is the same". I don't know why, but that means alot to me. We spent several hours looking at pictures and talking about my mom and how much everyone loved her.

At the end of the day we went to the cemetery where my mom, great grandparents and uncle are burried. We spent some time crying and talking about the 4 of them . I can't put into words how I felt or how it feels to mourn for someone you have no memories of but this is one of the times that my faith is what gets me through knowing that their bodies are there but not their spirits.
It had been raining most of the day, but it broke while we were at the cemetery and as we left this is what we saw..

After we said our goodbyes we headed for my 2nd favorite vacation spot, the Oregon coast. I can never put into words how gorgeous it is or why I love it so much so, I'll try to show it through pictures.
It was raining most of the week end so I wasn't able to take as many as usual but I did get some great ones of the kids for a craft project I'm working on...



At dinner the first night Ethan gave us a lesson on angles with his crab leg...

here's a right angle..

That kid cracks me up!

Hunter got his finger stuck digging for meat

we visited the oregon coast aquarium

then we visited aquarium city which is a little shopping center. since it was sunday and Easter it was closed but we still had fun taking pictures!

continued in the next post..

 

[winkers]

up a lighthouse

view from the lighthouse

doing what we do best...embarassing our kids

it's so hard to get 4 kids to co-operate with picture taking!

 

[winkers]

as the tide came in we were joined by some friends..

a sweet end to easter ....

 

[Disneymoon09]

you have a great looking family, and those photos are beautiful. The ones of the children are most def. frame worthy, if not photo contest worthy! Great job!

I hope that your trip brought you closer to the answers you were seeking, and perhaps a little bit of closure

 

[TrayRene]

Hi Cherie,

Thanks for sharing your weekend and some of your history with us. I went to visit my Mom's grave as well over the weekend, however she just passed away a few weeks ago. It was one reason why I finally came out of Dis lurkdom after a few years. Everyone is so friendly here and seems like one big family. The pictures of the beach are so beautiful and it must have been a wonderful end to your visit. The ocean is so therapeutic and peaceful. And your family seems wonderful and very close.

 

[MaryAz]

Looks like a fun yet also meaningful trip. Pics were awesome. My inlaws have a place in Bandon OR, we will be going up there this summer.

 

[englishrose47]

Could it be MONSTER #2 !!!

Cherie the pix are awesome !! The kids are growing up so fast!! They are definately as fun loving as their parents !!! Is any of them an enabler too!!!

 

[oregonmommyof2]

Glad the trip was good!! I was really hoping the weather would hold out for ya!!! I thought about you all weekend wondering how far down you came...

Love the pictures of the kids.... They are looking so grown up!!!

 

[glennbo123]

I hope your trip is refreshing your soul Cherie.

The pictures look great! I must say, Hunter has the most expressive face! Love the "embarrassing our kids" picture.

 

[mrsksomeday]

Cherie , this had to be such an emotional trip. Thank you for sharing with us. I am so glad you got to talk to your aunt about your Mom.

The pictures from the coast are beautiful. The memories you are making with your children are priceless and wonderful. I loved all the pictures with the kids and the one with you and your hubby embarrassing the kids is hilarious.

This one is my favorite:

It choked me up , the love you have for her just shows so much in this picture. Makes me miss my Mom. Thanks again for sharing.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Welcome back, Cherie!

What beautiful and funny pictures of your family! I can't get over how much your kids have grown! They are looking so grown-up!

South Carolina is a beautiful state to visit! I can't believe you are planning a trip a coast-to-coast kind of trip!

 

[winkers]

I can't say I know how you feel but in a small way I do. My Dad died when I was in the 6th grade so at least I have memories. But as I grow older I want to know him as a person and not just a Dad. We spent Good Friday with his family and I always enjoy hearing stories from his brother, sisters and cousin about what he was like. I found out that he was his mother's favorite this weekend and could do no wrong in her eyes. It was nice to hear something so good about him. A small way to connect.

I understand how you feel. I love to hear about my mom, my dad never talked about her so it wasn't untill I was 16 or so that I started to search for answers on my own.
I'm glad you were able to spend time with his family! Those connections are so important.

you have a great looking family, and those photos are beautiful. The ones of the children are most def. frame worthy, if not photo contest worthy! Great job!

I hope that your trip brought you closer to the answers you were seeking, and perhaps a little bit of closure

thank you! It was a great trip.

Looks like a fun yet also meaningful trip. Pics were awesome. My inlaws have a place in Bandon OR, we will be going up there this summer.

where is Bandon? I would love to live anywhere in western oregon...eastern, not so much.

Cherie the pix are awesome !! The kids are growing up so fast!! They are definately as fun loving as their parents !!! Is any of them an enabler too!!!

of course they are all enablers! they get that from their father.

Glad the trip was good!! I was really hoping the weather would hold out for ya!!! I thought about you all weekend wondering how far down you came...

Love the pictures of the kids.... They are looking so grown up!!!

I thought about you too! I couldn't remember where you lived, just somewhere around portland. We went to the Albany area then over to Newport up the coast to Tillamook and then back to portland.

I hope your trip is refreshing your soul Cherie.

The pictures look great! I must say, Hunter has the most expressive face! Love the "embarrassing our kids" picture.

we live to embarrass our kids at least that's what they think!

It choked me up , the love you have for her just shows so much in this picture. Makes me miss my Mom. Thanks again for sharing.

thank you, it's one of my favorites too. I don't have any pictures of me with my mom so I've always made sure there are alot of d.jay and I with the kids.

South Carolina is a beautiful state to visit! I can't believe you are planning a trip a coast-to-coast kind of trip!

I think I must be insane!

 

[jordanyosh]

OOOOO aquarium.....

I love all the kid pix! so artsy....


But THIS is my favorite:

Glad your back......