July Twenty- Seventeen

In celebration of our 21st anniversary this month, 

many of the quotes below are on the theme 

of marriage and parenting with all its messy glory.  

Colchuck Lake near the Enchantments 

When it’s over, I want to say: all my life I was a bride married to amazement. 

–Mary Oliver

Anna's trip with her Spanish class to Costa Rica for 12 days 

Traveling—it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller. 

-Ibn Battuta  

Taylor's solo trip to see Uncle Jim and Aunt Erika 

Families are the compass that guides us.—Brad Henry

4th of July - Seattle, WA 

To be fully seen by somebody, then, and be loved anyhow–this is a human offering that can border on miraculous.

– Elizabeth Gilbert

 Camp Spalding with University Presbyterian Church 

Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family: Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one. —Jane Howard

summertime in Washington 

'Happily ever after' is not a thing. You have to start over every day. -Glennon Melton

Deception Pass camping trip with Huffs and Cravys 

Marriage is meant to transform us- transform us into something finer, better, richer, deeper, richer, fuller. -Art of Family

How often do you let the sense of being rushed prevent you from enjoying the moments you have … with your friends, with your children, with your beloved? In today’s fast-paced culture, the belief that there is not enough time is a habitual perspective that can actually be a self-fulfilling prophecy.

When we decide to live our life instead of letting our life live us, we learn to slow down enough to fully engage and enjoy each moment. We learn to bring our focus into what is happening right now. This requires us to pull our thoughts out of the past or future (what happened? What’s next?) … and bring our awareness to the NOW – (What is happening? Who is with me? What do I see, hear, smell, feel?)....

Christmas in July and other July memories 

This practice allows us to cherish each moment with our friends, family, children and lover – and gives us the experience of expanding joy and slowing time. Miraculously in the NOW our sense of time expands, and paradoxically we find by paying attention we don’t need nearly as much clock time to meet our – and our loved one’s need for connection. This is the way we can literally make the time we need for intimacy – or whatever else is of high priority to us.

Learn to expand time by awaking to the NOW of what you love in this moment. Let yourself FEEL your connection to your lover in each hug, each kiss, as you listen and notice. This is where the sweetest of life happens … and where your deepest restorative breath can be found.

Here’s an idea … this week notice how the mindset of “being busy” prevents you from being present. Practice shifting your attention to the present moment and enjoy the quality of timelessness – and intimacy – that emerges when you become truly “present” with the ones you love.

-Tina Sellers 

 5th Annual kayak to Kirkland to get ice cream 

Live in the sunshine. Swim in the sea. Drink in the wild air. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

annual blueberry picking at the base of Mt. Si 

You are so much sunshine in every square inch. -Walt Whitman 

July 27, 2017- celebrating 21 years of marriage! 

Marriage is not about the wind blowing your hair as you glide across the sea. It is more like holding hands while the storm rages around you. It’s like getting drenched in life and waiting patiently for the sun to dry you. It is about choosing, again and again, to reach out — to reach out, and to keep reaching out. It is about promising to be all parts of you, even the ugly, crazy parts. It is about keeping eye contact with each other no matter what.

It is hard, and messy, and beautiful, and real.

And so, so worth it.

-Melinda Fuoss

small group camping trip to Mt. Rainier 

A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.

– Mignon McLaughlin

Life with a spouse is not unlike life with our children, a package that arrives, that we have to figure out, a little bit each day, who they are and what they want to become, holding on, all the time, to both. Our job is to help them be each, and don't forget to demand the same from them.  -The Art of Family

 Washington Park & Deception Pass- Anacortes, WA 

Abba, as the morning mist rises from the mountain tops, so may your spirit rise from within us. Your beauty and your majesty surround us- we give you thanks.  Look upon us in your love. Teach us your ways, guides us. May we set ourselves in rhythm with your heartbeat, sitting in silent peace enjoying the radiance of your presence. May our lives be an enchanting song of praise emanating our gratitude heavenward. We need you- you are our redeemer, our sustainer, our savior, our friend, our comforter, our guide, our creator, our muse, our God.  Open our eyes to see, our ears to hear and our hearts to obey. 

Your touch is sweeter than the finest chocolate,  your presence more soothing than the warm summer breeze as the sun pierces the billowing clouds.  May your love pierce our souls.  Set us on fire with the breath of your spirit. Teach us to live with unfathomable joy. May we live with blazing intensity and comforting compassion. Abba, incline your ear to us that we may tell of your wonders. 

-Mark Scandrette