home again, home again, jiggidy jig.

Last Wednesday, I kissed my darling goodbye and missed him before I even shut the front door. To be away from him makes me heartsick. Yet, alas, Morg and I set out for an adventure.

An adventure we took.

Day One: The Drive

We piled into my parents’ vehicular bright and early. Family vacation excitement was abundant. And I had nerves wondering how my little dear would do driving for the next ten hours across the majestic state of Oregon.

Harvested fields turned into lush green forests and I found myself peering out the window, hands on glass. Oregon is magical. So magical I kept my eyes peeled for Edward. If anywhere to be found, he would be there. I may have even seen him.

Driving, I listened to pirated songs we downloaded before we were even parents. And boy, did it take me way back.

Tunes from folks like:

Sublime, Old school Metallica (sidenote: no roadtrip could ever be complete without Metallica), U2, Better Than Ezra (8th grade year…omg), Johnny Cash, Nirvana, John Denver, Foo Fighters, Death Cab. The list goes on.

Music inspires, moves me. Especially when the scenery is equally breathtaking.
And while we drove, while I listened, I fell in love with this line:

Feel her body rise as you kiss her mouth, among the fields of gold. - Sting.

Beautiful, is it not?

Hours and hours later, we arrived. Destination: beachside. And oh how the ocean air did free our souls.

After unloading our overcrowded vehicles, we tucked ourselves into side by side cottages and slept peacefully until the morning.

Day Two: Depoe Bay and Newport.

Peered over rocks and watched the waves come and go. Bought saltwater taffy and a miniature sand dollar for Mister Keller. Took a boat out to sea. Met a mama seal and her two pups that lived in the harbor. The mama clapped her fins for the boat captain to feed her, but he said she is a picky little mama and demands only salmon and tuna. He had none. But she continued to put on a show. Left the harbor wanting to take her and her pups home with me. Even put my hand in the water beckoning her to come, and she did. Right up to the deck. Then I waved goodbye. Such charming darlings, those seals were.

Dinner at the original Mo’s, which is more like a hole in the wall, and not nearly as nice as the Mo’s in Lincoln City. Good food. Better chowder. Best part: seeing a man that looked like Chris Carrabba. Ah. Also, seeing hundreds of sea lions piled on rocks fifteen feet from where I stood. Incredible.

Day Three: Tillamook - the place my heart fell in love.

The most charming country town dotted with quaint country homes, old barns and darling jersey cows (my favorite). The cheese factory drew us there, but I was content to just drive the roads. Delicious ice cream. Delicious cheese. Delicious gift shop where I purchased a carved wooden leaf to add to my fall décor collection and a bath toy (a mama and three baby fishies) to add to Morgan’s collection.

Day Four: Beachside Relaxation.

The weather was perfect, windless. Morg and I strolled by ourselves for a while, feeding the seagulls and burying out tootsies in the warm sand. I just love that boy. I just love him. Then, we were joined by our family (mom, dad, dude, jackie, jace and max---grandma watched from the cottage). We looked for rocks and shells, chased waves - the normal, novel beachside activity. It felt lovely. Perfect, even.

And then a perfect sunset to end the clear, blue day - to end the trip, even.

We watched the reddened tip glisten on the horizon, then disappear. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen such a thing before. I have watched the sun sink below mountain tops, but never the vast ocean. It is a sight for all to see. I am an Idaho girl, but there is beauty all around. All around.

All through the night, the moonlight spilled its full self upon the water and lit up the hours of the night. I watched the water move itself inward, then out, all the while, missing my darling. I wanted someone else’s breath to be taken up with this beauty I was beholding.

The earth’s pure romance. I, alone, fell in love.

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While we were beachside:

It snowed here at home. Yes, that’s what I said. Snow. Shoot dang.

Morgan turned eleven months! Tears were shed.

We discovered we have the perfect traveler on our hands. Thank heavens.

Oh, my goodness! October has come! Pumpkins will adorn my front step very soon. My own homegrown ones, even! Ahhhh! Can’t wait.

This weekend, Elder Holland, along with others, testified of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, and the gospel. If you missed it like I did, click here.

Stephanie and Christian will be on Oprah tomorrow. Oprah! Join me and tune in to watch. Love those guys.

Before traveling back this morning, I visited The Wild Ivy Gift Shop in my hometown and picked up the most adorable vintage birdie magnets and the most adorable vintage armless rocking chair. Can’t wait to show you. {{{PS: stay tuned for a feature on what The Wild Ivy Gift Shop is, what it means to me, and how you can travel your little buns over there and find your own darling goods for your own charming homestead}}}.

Discovered that once you get past Jcash's twang (not my style), the perfect love song is Walk The Line. Click here for the lyrics. So sweet.

Speaking of sweet, looking forward to snuggling with my husband tonight. Oh, it’s been so long.

So glad to be home. Home sweet home.

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On a sincere note:
our fervent thoughts and prayers go out to Scott Keller and his family as they are mourning the loss of their three year-old darling who passed away this weekend in a pool accident. We find strength and comfort in the gospel of Jesus Christ and have faith that our prayers will reach you in your time of need.