Mostly Owen: Underneath the Snow

Sarah’s Thoughts: Luke and I had heard rumors that the city hadn’t plowed all the way to the end of the road so yesterday, we took a drive to see for ourselves. Living in Juneau, a drive to the end of the road is about as good as “road tripping” gets. I packed snacks, extra clothes, entertainment and we all piled into the Dodge Durango. Even though Luke and I talk every day, most of the time, we discuss what’s for dinner, the consistency of Owen’s poop, the next day’s work schedule, you know the drill. However, when we get away from the routine, out for a drive perhaps, our conversation dips below the surface. We remember our hopes and plans, our apprehensions and dreams- the things we use to talk about before we got so busy and preoccupied. Its refreshing and reviving to connect on a deeper level and remember who we are underneath the jobs, grocery shopping, and bedtimes... After our drive, I felt like we’d just gotten back from vacation and my love and I had reworked our brilliant plan to once again take the world by storm! Oh, and the road isn’t plowed past mile 34, if you’re wondering.

High- Spring is in the air. For real, yo.

Low- Back to work tomorrow after 2 weeks of glorious vacation...

Luke Update: In Juneau, we are finally seeing signs of spring. The evidence is as follows: Pussy willows (Dredge Lake on our Saturday walk), skunk cabbage (in the muskeg by the Mc Donalds intersection), melting snow, (um... look around!), and the biggey, the song of the Varied Thrush. I can’t check the final sign off my list, but Luke swears on the life of his first born that today he did indeed hear the call- twice in fact. I stood in the alleged spot for about 5 minutes, listening with all my might but alas didn’t hear it. Another sign of spring is the first turn of the key on the old boat engine. Luke hooked up the garden hose and fired-up his boat up this weekend. Purred like a kitten after only 1/2 a turn. If your name is Luke Woodruff, that's enough to get your blood pumping! We were going to take her for a spin but the weather didn’t cooperate this weekend. Next weekend, however, we have cabin reservations so keep your fingers crossed for good weather!

Owen Update: Owen continues to amaze us with his knowledge and ability to control himself. The exciting news this week is that Owen started sleeping in his big boy bed. Thursday was his first night. We were nervous, wondering if it would be a sleepless night for all of us? We laid him down, left the room and didn’t see him again until he wondered into our room at 6:58 am, with a casual, “Hey guys. What’s going on?” look on his face. Such a big boy! Owen has also had several other break throughs this week- solid poops three days in a row, first trip to Mc Donalds (although we didn’t order food, Owen just climbed around on the play structure), and some discipline success! Before we had kids, Luke and I agreed to spank and several times, I’ve attempted to deliver a timely swat. Each time I try, however, Owen either laughs it off or swats back at me. Whenever Owen has a break down in the evenings, Luke will escort him to his bedroom and tell him stay there until he’s finished crying. This week, as I struggled to put my flailing child in his car seat, I said, “Owen, do you need to go sit in your room?” Immediately, he stopped thrashing, stuck out his bottom lip for a second and then said, “no. no. no.” Thank you God!