Yesterday, Sam and I learned that our dear friend, Kevin, passed away after a three-year battle with cancer. The news was a shock and slow to sink in, although when we saw him last month at our beach house in Oceanside, we knew it would probably be the last.
We first met Kevin at a job fair in New York. Somehow Sam convinced Kevin to hire Sam as a physics teacher at ISP, therefore making our two years living in Prague a life-changing reality. Our lives were blessed with incredible friendships, memories, and travel experiences during that time. Kevin was the best principal Sam had ever worked for, and one that Sam shared much in common with. He was an incredible leader and knew how to bring out the best in those around him, be they students, parents, or colleagues. He was also a true friend, with whom we shared our homes, meals and travels to beautiful places. Kevin loved basketball and loved to sing. It was probably his sparkling smile and mischievous eyes that made all who knew him instantly love him.
When someone you cherish dies too soon, it makes no sense. Kevin was only 57. My aunt Norma died quickly at age 60 from an aggressive form of breast cancer three years ago. These were incredible people that were a privilege to have known. It makes you wonder why things happen the way they do. Why do good, honest people get sick, while mean criminals live long ugly lives? The world is not a better place with them gone, although I am a better person for having known them.
Yet somehow, through all the confusion and sadness, you realize that life is such a beautiful thing. There are so many ways we are blessed, even though we rarely take the time to count these blessings. Like the dishes and laundry that never seem to end....those are a blessing because it means I have a family to care for. Or watching someone in your family struggle through a personal crisis....it is a blessing because it means they can lean on you for support, and you on them when times are tough. Or the people who will pass on during your lifetime....they are a blessing because it means you loved and were loved by them.
So today, I'm thinking a lot about Kevin, or "Special K" as a friend nicknamed him. I'm thinking about all our mutual friends who are grieving and reminiscing and missing him. I'm also thinking about how I want to spend the remainder of my life. No one knows how long we really have, who will be there along the way, or how things will ultimately end. Every day we make the choice (or don't make any choice) about how we will spend that day, week, month, or year...who will be there, who won't, where we will be, and what we will do. So I am going to try and see the beauty in life - the beauty that comes with joy, love, passion, change, fear and pain. It's all beautiful, and it's all part of life. 
How we will remember Kevin.......this was a catamaran cruise we took with him, his son Tarek, and his wife Lori, while we traveled with them in Barbados in 2004.
Hmm, where does she get this from ...???
It's been a while since I have blogged solely about our daughter. In the beginning, she was my main topic, so it's kind of nice that I have branched out. But lately, so much is changing in our lives as well as with Morgan's personality and what comes out of her mouth, that I feel the need to share all that she is becoming!
The move to Portland a few weeks ago seemed to suit Morgan. She settled in pretty well and seemed to like the new digs. Occasionally she would say things like "See Sondra in a couple days" (our old Eugene neighbor), or "Go to duck pond" (which was where we would go on bike rides). Those moments break my heart, as there is no possible way or point of trying to explain how her life has changed.
Yet as we march on toward Morgan's 2nd birthday in less than two months, I feel like I am in uncharted territory. The baby stage is long behind us and we are in full-on toddler land. I see other kids around 12 months old and I realize how much Morgan has changed. Her looks haven't changed too much in the last 6-9 months, but she is a completely different person. "Morgan do it" is a frequent command that we hear - she is growing up into such a big girl! But I am loving the personality that I see emerging everyday, and it makes me laugh, roll my eyes, sigh in exasperation, and feel sappy.....all at the same time. These are interesting times and I wonder if I am handling all these new behaviors the "right" way and creating the right amount of structure, boundaries, and consequences. My teacher brain can now be put to use more than when Morgan was tiny, but I still never taught kids this manic and unpredictable. Give me twenty-five 10 year olds any day!
One of Morgan's new things that she fixates on is climbing...on EVERYTHING! She loves to climb and stand up on chairs (and knows she's not supposed to), despite our attempts at "No, sit on your bottom please" a million times. And the kid is so clever that she will negotiate with a smile, like "sit on bottom? stand on chair? on knees?" "Hi mommy," she says to me the other day while I'm washing dishes. I turn and see her sitting in the middle of the dining room table... with a smile! Fortunately she is pretty cautious and steady, but if look away for a second she is up to something. I guess that's her point - she doesn't want us to look away at all!
On the other hand, she is beyond cute sometimes. She sings Barney's "I Love You" song word for word in a cute falsetto voice. She kisses the stuffed animals good-bye and tells them she loves them when we leave grandma's house. She asks us for "big hug" where Sam and I sandwich her and squeeze her tight. And she has gotten into the (probably bad) habit of cuddling and watching TV with us in bed in the mornings lately. She is so amazed by the world around her too - the butterfly in the yard, the garbage man picking up our trash, the streetcar and MAX trains that whir by, and definitely other kids! "Lil' boy!" she exclaims as she chases after one in the park. And now that we are back in Portland, seeing her spend more and more time with her grandparents is pretty priceless. There are times when I (and Sam too) wonder if I will keep my sanity in the coming year while I stay at home with her. I'm used to being busy and productive. I guess I will just let Morgan help me do that!
Morgan likes to stand on and in everything!
Mo has finally decided she likes ice cream! Good thing there is an ice cream shop right by Papa Ron's house!
Morgan does this puzzle all by herself. She can also count to 11 and sing most of the ABCs! 
Morgan plays "Row Row Row Your Boat" with the laundry basket, serving spoons, baseball (?), and Mom's swim goggles. Sweet!
Morgan's infamous left arm hustle.
A rare smile caught by the camera in our new back yard. The flowers are gorgeous, and our tiny deck is great for bubble blowing, playing with the hose, and eating popsicles. 
Morgan rides her "horse," Grandma ("Damma") Dinda, who always comes up with fun games to play.
Our first city bike ride along the Willamette last weekend. We loved it, but Mo doesn't seem that impressed.
And here are some funny videos of Morgan's latest antics: a new form of tennis she invented and yet another phone conversation, this time to her former nannies, Elizabeth and Justine ("Teen"). She definitely misses them! (Listen for the "how you doing?" and "what's up?")
How we will remember Kevin.......this was a catamaran cruise we took with him, his son Tarek, and his wife Lori, while we traveled with them in Barbados in 2004. 
