Outside Looking In

Years ago we lived in a medium size house.  Three boys, mom and dad.  Our pattern was to come in the back door from the garage, kick off our shoes in the small hallway by the laundry room or come in the back door.  Whatever door, there was a shoe bone pile.  As the older boys grew, so did their shoe size.  In a small house, 5 pairs of shoes is quite a heap when a couple of them wear size 13 and 14.  One day I was standing on the back patio.  Upon a glance inside, I scanned through the windows and I can still remember the feeling.  I had men in my house.  It was such a realization that my kids were growing up.

This weekend has been filled with the larger than life family I belong to.  As I watched my middle boy run away from us this morning, effortlessly, like a low flying stealth, this momma's heart swelled.  My oldest son was so sweet.  He stayed behind, to run a little, walk a little and talk a lot. 

Yesterday we spent the day together.  Part of our day was at a car dealership.  Certainly not a favorite place for me.  Always stressful.  Trevor is back in the States and needs a vehicle.  So he did a test drive with a limpy, car salesman.  When they took out of the parking lot, I wondered if our young man who has been driving on the left side of the road for the past two years would stay in his American lane.  We all chuckled at the thought of the car salesman clinging to the dash, yelling "get over!"  After a short while, they returned in one piece.  You always know what is coming when you dicker to purchase a vehicle at a dealership.  True to form, the boss came out to "get down to brass tacks".  "I'm gonna treat you like an employee"  he said.   We all wondered exactly what that was supposed to mean.  No pickup.  Still looking.

Tan and Michelle did a good job showing their little brother the town they now call home.  Lunch at the Bend Brewing Company.  An in-town construction detour in the nice "old" part of town with houses I wish I could take home.  A photo shoot at Tumalo Falls.  Costco.  Safeway for Starbucks. Growler Guys.  Chicken Ceasar Salad.  Giants game on the big screen at home.  Culminating the evening with James Bond.  Sweet day.  Sweet sleep.  Miss our sweet boy.

This morning Tanner and my "fine figure of a man" are playing cribbage.  Keep in mind that we are a competitive bunch.  Tanner starts with a "kick fanny" hand.  Got the turn.  He says to his dad "Welcome to the advance game".  Ha Ha.  The competition is on.