Long time no feel good. It's been 2.5 weeks since my body starting going haywire, starting with severe back pain that landed me in the ER (and I was basically overdosed while there, which created an entirely new set of problems). I've had another two visits to the same place since then (don't want to bore you with details) and am now (I hope) recovering from a sinus infection. Both beans have been sick as well and I just realized I haven't posted in a while. Sorry, folks!

Hope these photos make up for it, at least in part.











This last picture is of Joel (before his "just-like-Daddy" hair buzz) holding his newest placemat creation. It's got representations of some of our favorite places: Florida, Marlow, and Seattle. (I haven't had a chance to get Matthew's on camera yet.)

Stephen has volunteered to help the relief efforts of CRASH Japan and he will be doing some Stateside translation work for them. If you would like to contribute, in whatever way you can, please visit their website for more info.

Today's been full of mixed emotions for us: Matthew, our special bean, turned 5, and Japan, our home away from home, has been devastated by a tragedy on such a huge scale that I can't bear to think about it.

It's been a very busy day for all of us and only now, at 10:00 p.m., have I been able to sit down with my netbook, watch news clips, and cry.

We're streaming live Japanese news at the moment on Stephen's computer and the reporter on site in Iwate is experiencing more aftershocks as he speaks. They're expecting them for at least another month.

Everyone we know (as far as we know) is okay but we are praying for the country as they come to terms with these horrific two days.

I wish I could wrap my arms around a whole nation.

...Matthew was already born! Even though it's March 10 Pacific Standard Time, it's already March 11 in Japan, where Matthew actually popped out.

So...happy birthday, Matthew!

Five years ago, Matthew looked like this and this (Stephen and I haven't changed much, I hope!). He was such a wonderful baby and is now a wonderful big boy.

M-Bean loves all vehicles, any kind of music, singing and making up new lyrics and tunes, learning to read (he tries to figure words out wherever we go), playing with Joel and with his friends, puzzles, family reading time, being a big brother, running, playing in sand, park play structures, building Legos, and his favorite new pastime is reconfiguring his train tracks on a regular basis (he always comes up with innovative track designs).

Matthew McMunday McBean, you're a special bean!

...a real blog post (because I don't have the time or the energy), here's what we've been watching the last few days (thanks to Matthew's godfather, Andy Blokey):

• Yoshida Brothers shamisen ROCK OUT!
• Discovery launch as seen from an airplane

And thanks to Summer, I've been laughing along with this baby and that baby at the incredible sound of ripping paper. (It's good for whatever ails ya.)

"It's not supposed to rain in Seattle!"

Back home in Seattle, tired but full of happy Florida memories.

When I can string two sentences together I will post some holiday piccies and remembrances!