My First Garden!

I know, I know.....I'm way late in starting this part of life, but I am finally trying it. To be honest, I thought it would be way too complicated and that I would loose interest half way through, but it turns out this gardening thing works!!!! My expectations were very low! Jason built me one raise garden and we went about hoping for ANYTHING. But things are growing and it is hard to describe my sense of fulfillment!




It is a small thing, that I don't think will save us tons of money in groceries, but it was always about the principle if the thing. I wanted to know if I could actually grow something and consume it. If all continues well, I will be having a fresh salad from the back yard soon!!!

His first Century

Today was the Healing Wheels Charity Bike. 105 miles, 11,000 vertical feet, 8 hours, 7 bottles of gatorade, 6 goos, 3 bananas, a few pb and j's and over 9,000 calories burned. Jason is a numbers guys even when torturing himself through the Rockies. We rushed from the swim meet so we could catch him in action and we made it just in time for his last big climb.




Jason just takes on difficult things with little fear or trepidation. He sets a goal and very methodically goes about accomplishing it. I was so impressed watching him pump up that steep grade after so many hours. I was terrified to watch him fly down the other side, seeing my speedometer at 50mph trying to keep up. Fearless, sometimes to the point of insanity, but always keeping me pushing myself to a more adventurous life! Though I worry, I know that this part of his personality is what attracted me to him in the first place. Congrats honey!

Camping and Lilacs

We are in full swing with summer. Jason's schedule is booked with youth activities, so he is always looking for an opportunity to go camping. Grandma and Grandpa said he could borrow the trailer.....the one form 1952 or so. I just had to laugh looking at this things parked outside our house. We even received a warning from the home owners association telling us that it was violation and that we need to work to keep our neighborhood looking nice. ( I thought this was hilarious, Jro was a bit miffed and sent a semi-rude email back) Unseemly or not, it kept them warm and dry for spring camping.




Autumn felt a bit left out, but I just wasn't ready to deal with a newly potty-trained 2 year old in a camper. And besides, I think dad's need some solo time.....right.


In other news, the lilacs are bursting and making me so happy. I take a big breathe as I pass on my jogs. I love this planet. I love that Heavenly Father made Lilacs for me to enjoy! I love summer break and I love a night home with just my two year old. I love Autumn's belly and her love of dresses, necklaces and shades.

It was indeed time for a change of pace. A time to slow down and enjoy these kids while they still want nothing more than time with us.

My sign of Summer

For me, I feel like summer has officially begun, when my life becomes caps, goggles and coolers. Bike rides to practice, wet friends come over after practice and sunrise swims. Today was the first meet and I must say...... I love it all!!!!

Jason getting Razzed!

So, Jason was asked to have his picture taken to represent the ER in some new posters and flyers for the hospital. He says that it was just because his shift ended at the right time, but I say it's because he's so handsome. The day the new posters were posted, Jason arrived to work and saw himself everywhere he look. Each nurse and tech had his picture on their name tag. Each clock, clipboard, computer and parking sign was hit. The staff even made masks and had them on when he arrived for his 11pm night shift.
He acted a bit embarrassed, but I think he kind of liked it deep down inside.

Madeline's Lobe!

Okay, weirdest thing! A few months ago Madeline's ear piercing got infected, which it has done a few times. Just as before, we took out the earrings and cleaned for a fews days while it healed. She decided she didn't want to put her earring back in for awhile, so I just kind of forgot about it.

About a week later, I noticed that her earlobe had split in half. The infection had continued to eat through her ear!!! I asked Jason if he could stitch it, but he said it was too healed over. I had never realized how central an earlobe is to your overall look. She got sick of people mentioning it, so, we made an appointment with Dr. Swail, a plastic surgeon in Boulder.


She was so brave and calm. She even fell asleep while they worked on her. I for one stayed in the room with my eyes glued to my book so I wouldn't see anything creepy. Now, just two week later, it looks perfect!!! (As a side note, I have a bit of an obsession with ear lobes. I love to squeeze my kids lobes all of the time. I do it so often, they hardly notice me walking by and giving a little pinch with my knuckles. I know, TMI)

We did.......

start potty training



celebrate Easter




finish up clogging



have another soccer season




do some yard projects






start training (Jro for a mountanous/100 mile bike race, and me for my first sprint triathalon. This photo commemorates my first ride, learning to shift and being clipped in. Yes, it was harder than spin class and yes, I fell)




and celebrate Jro's birthday and mother's day simultaneously.




It's busy, it's hectic, it's just par for the course in this ER scheduled, 4 kids activities, mom-in -the-basement, church going, budget balancing, cooking/cleaning, trying to stay healthy and keep ourselves sane kind of life.