Way to go on your historic win, Greece!!! What a great game to watch this morning. I can't help rooting for my native Country:)
(we will be rooting for the US in the morning against Slovenia)
Thursday, June 17, 2010
GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAL!!!
Way to go on your historic win, Greece!!! What a great game to watch this morning. I can't help rooting for my native Country:)
(we will be rooting for the US in the morning against Slovenia)
Sunday, May 09, 2010
Spring Soccer
We have been enjoying soccer again. Ryan and I have decided that soccer season is one of our favorite times of year. We love getting to watch the kids and at the same time we get to hang out with our neighbors and friends. All the kids have had a great time playing. Simon has been playing a lot of defense but has had the opportunity to score some goals and have some good assists. Olivia is playing offense better this season but still thinks it's her job to keep the ball away from the goal. If the defenders aren't doing what they are suppose to do, Olivia cruises back to defense and saves the day. Andrew has been sharing goalie responsibilities with another boy on the team, but also has played forward and defense. I get so nervous when he is in the goalie box but he seems to like it there. Our last game is this next weekend so we will have to find something else to occupy our time until Fall season starts.
April 24, 2010
This was a great day! We were luck to have a Cystic Fibrosis Great Strides walk here in St. George this year (hopefully it was successful enough to keep it here in the years to come). I was asked by the chair of the walk to help out with getting donations for the raffle and to come help set up on the day of the walk. What an experience. It took me way out of my comfort zone to go to local businesses and ask for handouts. Not only that we hit up everyone we knew to help raise money for "Team Simon". We were overwhelmed by the response we received from friends, family, and neighbors. I have always felt there was something extra special about Simon, but through this experience I have realized that others feel it, too. He is such a sweet, strong, mature, happy, and good humored boy. His experiences with his health out number his years of life and he takes it all in stride. Our team ended up raising over $3600.00 for Cystic Fibrosis research and had over 50 people join us at the walk. We had a great time walking with you and chatting with you and celebrating this great fund raising effort! Thank you for those of you who donated, joined the walk, and did some of your own fund raising. You are amazing! We hope you will consider joining us again next year.
More Great Neighbors
Simon's good friend Mac took it upon himself (With the help of his mom, of course) to raise some money for the Great Strides walk. He made a poster (the brought tears to my eyes) and took his electric piano out and played for cash. Ryan caught him playing at the soccer field, but I know he played other locations as well. I am so proud of Simon's great friends who love him so much!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
How great are our neighbors?
Our cute neighbors had a lemonade, candy, snow cone, cotton candy stand today to help raise money for the GREAT STRIDES walk. I think business was steady for 3 straight hours! I am so very grateful for all those who have stepped up to help in the fight to cure CF. Kyla managed to pull off the sale despite the fact that her oldest son broke his wrist today. We could not have asked for better neighbors and friends!
The kids had a great time playing and eating sugar. I hope they sleep tonight!
The kids had a great time playing and eating sugar. I hope they sleep tonight!
Sunday, April 04, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
After the storm
Pretty day in St George after a solid week of rain
If you press the full screen button in the lower right, you can watch it in HD.
If you press the full screen button in the lower right, you can watch it in HD.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
White Christmas?
Ok, probably not, but the kids are enjoying the unusual snow storm in St. George today. You can't tell from the picture but it is snowing out there.
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
It's Christmas!?!
I am so not ready for Christmas. I finally got cards sent out, but only because Ryan was getting a little concerned that I hadn't done it yet and so took charge himself. I didn't put up Christmas lights this year. First time in 13 years of marriage. I guess I'll use the excuse that I'm conserving energy this year. Haven't done any shopping yet either, except for one book for each kid (I'm sure their Christmas morning would not be satisfying at all with one book under the tree). I have been sitting out in my sewing room all day sewing and catching up on projects. I got way behind on the Modify Tradition quilt-a-long. I'm only 4 blocks behind now (I think). So for my sister, pictures...
Churn Dash
Amish Diamond
Ohio Star
Olivia also informed me that her teacher's wife was expecting a baby and it was due any day. So I ran out and bought a towel and washcloth and whipped up a hooded towel for her to give her teacher. When she got home from school she informed me that the baby had to have a tutu not a towel. And of course I gave in. I don't think the picture does it justice.
I also finished up this cute blanket. I bought the fabric almost a year ago, just because I loved it. I'm not sure anyone else will, so I'm not sure where it will find a home, but for now it makes me happy to look at it.
I have one other project that I've been working on. I may share that another time.
In the mist of all my projects, Simon's 7th birthday came and went. His actual day of birth is not one that I like to revisit often. Maybe we should start celebrating January 1st, the day he came home the first time. He was thrilled with the skateboard he got. He won't have to sneak and ride Drew's anymore when he's not home. He even wears the pads he got from PaPou and PaPat. He loved the Sock Monkey he received from Grandma and Grandpa Everett. It was all decked out in a Sheriff uniform. He lovingly refers to it as Papa monkey. It look just like Grandpa Jim. And of course the money is always a hit! I can't believe he is 7 already. He is a joy to have in our family. He is such a peace maker and has the unique gift of making us all come together.
Flying Duchman
Churn Dash
Amish Diamond
Ohio Star
Olivia also informed me that her teacher's wife was expecting a baby and it was due any day. So I ran out and bought a towel and washcloth and whipped up a hooded towel for her to give her teacher. When she got home from school she informed me that the baby had to have a tutu not a towel. And of course I gave in. I don't think the picture does it justice.
I also finished up this cute blanket. I bought the fabric almost a year ago, just because I loved it. I'm not sure anyone else will, so I'm not sure where it will find a home, but for now it makes me happy to look at it.
I have one other project that I've been working on. I may share that another time.
In the mist of all my projects, Simon's 7th birthday came and went. His actual day of birth is not one that I like to revisit often. Maybe we should start celebrating January 1st, the day he came home the first time. He was thrilled with the skateboard he got. He won't have to sneak and ride Drew's anymore when he's not home. He even wears the pads he got from PaPou and PaPat. He loved the Sock Monkey he received from Grandma and Grandpa Everett. It was all decked out in a Sheriff uniform. He lovingly refers to it as Papa monkey. It look just like Grandpa Jim. And of course the money is always a hit! I can't believe he is 7 already. He is a joy to have in our family. He is such a peace maker and has the unique gift of making us all come together.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
I'm late, again!
For some reason life seems to be getting away from me lately. Maybe it's that Ryan has been out of town for the last 5 days, maybe it's because my mom has been here since Sunday, it could it be that Thanksgiving is just one week away, or maybe that Christmas has finally started looming over my head (I didn't start getting stressed about it until I started shopping this week). I'm sure your life is just like mine right now.
I did finally get all the blankets washed and folded and delivered to the Jubilee House (This is the equivalent of the Ronald McDonald House but local to St. George). My neighbors and I finished 49 blankets and 364 note cards, my mom brought me another 6 blankets, and my mom's sweet friend, Marie, also made one for me. We ended up delivering them on Monday, which happened to be my brother Andrew's birthday. It was a good thing to do on his birthday. He was always so willing to give of himself to others. He didn't even want Christmas presents-he wanted my mom to adopt a family in need and give Christmas to them for his Christmas gift. My mom would get mad at him because he was always giving his clothes away.
I'm grateful for the all the woman in my neighborhood, my mom, and Marie who were willing to sacrifice their time to help me with all these blankets and cards. The kids and baby's who receive them are going to stay so warm and cozy!
I did finally get all the blankets washed and folded and delivered to the Jubilee House (This is the equivalent of the Ronald McDonald House but local to St. George). My neighbors and I finished 49 blankets and 364 note cards, my mom brought me another 6 blankets, and my mom's sweet friend, Marie, also made one for me. We ended up delivering them on Monday, which happened to be my brother Andrew's birthday. It was a good thing to do on his birthday. He was always so willing to give of himself to others. He didn't even want Christmas presents-he wanted my mom to adopt a family in need and give Christmas to them for his Christmas gift. My mom would get mad at him because he was always giving his clothes away.
I'm grateful for the all the woman in my neighborhood, my mom, and Marie who were willing to sacrifice their time to help me with all these blankets and cards. The kids and baby's who receive them are going to stay so warm and cozy!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Modify Tradition
I have started a new quilt thanks to Modify Tradition. They are going to do two blocks a week and at the end of the quilt-a-long I will have enough blocks for a sample quilt. I'm excited to learn some new squares. If you have ever thought about trying quilting, this would be a good time to get started. I will post each of my squares as they get done (mostly so my sister, Ang, can see them. I talked her into doing this with me). Here are pictures of the first four blocks. For some reason I couldn't get the first one to totate, but you get the idea.
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Happy Birthday.
Yesterday was Matthew's birthday. He would have been 28 this year. As I was cleaning out my laundry room last week a came across an article Matthew's friend wrote about him after he passed away. The article was published in a climbing magazine. I think it really says who Matthew was and I hope David doesn't mind me sharing it here. I have decided that I hate feeling sad on my brother's birthdays. I don't want to feel the feelings I felt when they died anymore. I want to feel the feelings I had when we were all together being silly kids and loving each other. This article helps remind me of what kind of a person Matthew was becoming. It's long so read it if you want but just typing it made me smile thinking of him up in the Gunk's doing what he loved.
Last Dance by David Schmidt
"Just keep me real loose," Matt says, scoping the final pitch of the Gunks classic route. "I can't see around the prow, but those roofs look airy." I watch as my friend silently conducts his pre-game ritual: harness, check; knot, check; rack, check.
"Alright, you got me?" Matt asks, as puffy white clouds roll across a pure indigo sky. The mirror finish of Matt's sunglasses reflects the perfection of the morning. The rock's deep earthen yellow adds even more brilliance to the moment.
My brother, Mike, and I hesitate. "You're sure you're up to this, old buddy?" I mutter, vocalizing the thought that's been weighing heavily on our minds all morning.
Time stalls as Matt somberly looks at us, sussing out my question. Am I comfortable with him leading the hardest pitch of the route? Am I worried that his sickness has gone too far-that his strength has been weakened by the months of chemotherapy and radiation? Or is it his surgery, looming less than 48 hours away, that is the cause of my concern? I lean back on the anchor and fidget with a carabiner, wishing I hadn't opened my big mouth.
A look of confidence spreads across Matt's face. Time resumes its fervent dance. "You're on man," my brother replies, giving Matt a knowing smile. The tension evaporates and it feels like old times, before the diagnosis: Ewings sarcoma, a rare cancer that forced my friend to abandon his freshman year of college. Our worries are forgotten as Matt inches across the thin leadge, 200 feet of air lapping down at the tender foliage of spring.
Time slips forward with no pressing destination. The wind bends the tree branches below and drifts through the airy alcove that is our belay. Matt is simply climbing, focusing on the rhythm of his vertical waltz. His feet glide further away from the safety of our belay, traversing toward the horrendously exposed prow. He stops climbing and glances over at me before placing two bomber cams. Suddenly, I realize what my friend's about to do.
Matt defines himself, consciously pitting his physical strength against his disease. He carefully studies the long, arching roofs and then inverts-his body tension holding him close to the rock, his feet gracefully cutting out from under him-and seeks the next hold. He moves with confidence and boldly runs out the next 50 feet without placing a single piece of protection. His movement is graceful, and the synergy between his mind and body is flawless.
"Slack!" The rope command ricochets off the bullet rock and revitalizes me form my thoughts. I watch as the purple rope jumps from my silver belay device, slithers against the yellow rock, and traverses over the airy abyss. Matt disappears above a series of roofs, leaving a massive tail of unprotected rope looping out into space. I faintly hear his distant shout echoing through the gathering wind: a victory whoop, and the timeless shout, "Off belay!"
Last Dance by David Schmidt
"Just keep me real loose," Matt says, scoping the final pitch of the Gunks classic route. "I can't see around the prow, but those roofs look airy." I watch as my friend silently conducts his pre-game ritual: harness, check; knot, check; rack, check.
"Alright, you got me?" Matt asks, as puffy white clouds roll across a pure indigo sky. The mirror finish of Matt's sunglasses reflects the perfection of the morning. The rock's deep earthen yellow adds even more brilliance to the moment.
My brother, Mike, and I hesitate. "You're sure you're up to this, old buddy?" I mutter, vocalizing the thought that's been weighing heavily on our minds all morning.
Time stalls as Matt somberly looks at us, sussing out my question. Am I comfortable with him leading the hardest pitch of the route? Am I worried that his sickness has gone too far-that his strength has been weakened by the months of chemotherapy and radiation? Or is it his surgery, looming less than 48 hours away, that is the cause of my concern? I lean back on the anchor and fidget with a carabiner, wishing I hadn't opened my big mouth.
A look of confidence spreads across Matt's face. Time resumes its fervent dance. "You're on man," my brother replies, giving Matt a knowing smile. The tension evaporates and it feels like old times, before the diagnosis: Ewings sarcoma, a rare cancer that forced my friend to abandon his freshman year of college. Our worries are forgotten as Matt inches across the thin leadge, 200 feet of air lapping down at the tender foliage of spring.
Time slips forward with no pressing destination. The wind bends the tree branches below and drifts through the airy alcove that is our belay. Matt is simply climbing, focusing on the rhythm of his vertical waltz. His feet glide further away from the safety of our belay, traversing toward the horrendously exposed prow. He stops climbing and glances over at me before placing two bomber cams. Suddenly, I realize what my friend's about to do.
Matt defines himself, consciously pitting his physical strength against his disease. He carefully studies the long, arching roofs and then inverts-his body tension holding him close to the rock, his feet gracefully cutting out from under him-and seeks the next hold. He moves with confidence and boldly runs out the next 50 feet without placing a single piece of protection. His movement is graceful, and the synergy between his mind and body is flawless.
"Slack!" The rope command ricochets off the bullet rock and revitalizes me form my thoughts. I watch as the purple rope jumps from my silver belay device, slithers against the yellow rock, and traverses over the airy abyss. Matt disappears above a series of roofs, leaving a massive tail of unprotected rope looping out into space. I faintly hear his distant shout echoing through the gathering wind: a victory whoop, and the timeless shout, "Off belay!"
Updates
Our internet went out about 3 weeks ago and was down for days. Now I have a lot of catching up to do!
Simon and I made our quarterly trip to Las Vegas for his CF appointment. He's BMI fell from 50% to 30% so now he has to go get snacks from school office every day. He hates it! Hopefully all the high calorie snacks I took in will make a difference next time. I always feel like the nurse is getting mad at me because Simon isn't big enough. I just don't think you can change genetics that much by what you eat. We always go to the mall after his appointment for lunch and playing on the little playground they have there. On this day Simon really wanted a picture of him and his mom.
Next came Andrew's 11th birthday. I can't believe how big he is getting. He only has inches before he passes me up in height and he already wears a bigger shoe than me. He was lucky enough to have his birthday fall on one of the Fall Break days. We had a good time going to lunch and then to Fiesta Fun for arcade games, go carts, and mini golf. He didn't want a party but did invite his friend Josh to go with us. He was also extra luck on his birthday and was able to get the H1N1 vaccination along with Simon and Olivia.
St George had a car show a couple of weekends ago and Ryan and Andrew were able to go for a guys day. Ryan forgot the camera so Andrew made him come home and get it. He had to have a picture of the Lamborghini. It is pretty sweet.
We had a weird soccer day on October 24th. Simon's team won again by a blow out, Andrew's team lost their first game by 2, and Olivia's team lost their first game by 2. Olivia's team should have won but the girls decided that they wanted to play volleyball instead of soccer and had several intentional hand ball. Two of which were in the goal box. Which gave the other team two free goals. They were all back to themselves by Halloween and all the kids won their games. Olivia and Simon's teams won by a huge amount and Andrew's team won by two. Andrew and Olivia both played goalie and did a great job.
We had a great Halloween. Ryan stayed at home and the kids and I went trick-or-treating. It was such a nice night. Not cold at all. The kids ended up staying out for three hours. It was quite the haul. Ryan weighed their candy when they got home and all together they had 15 pounds worth of candy. I'm sure that is all going to go straight onto my hips! I always end up eating the candy they don't want. I have no self control. Andrew was a skater, Olivia a 50's girl, and Simon a penguin. They all looked really cute.
Simon and I made our quarterly trip to Las Vegas for his CF appointment. He's BMI fell from 50% to 30% so now he has to go get snacks from school office every day. He hates it! Hopefully all the high calorie snacks I took in will make a difference next time. I always feel like the nurse is getting mad at me because Simon isn't big enough. I just don't think you can change genetics that much by what you eat. We always go to the mall after his appointment for lunch and playing on the little playground they have there. On this day Simon really wanted a picture of him and his mom.
Next came Andrew's 11th birthday. I can't believe how big he is getting. He only has inches before he passes me up in height and he already wears a bigger shoe than me. He was lucky enough to have his birthday fall on one of the Fall Break days. We had a good time going to lunch and then to Fiesta Fun for arcade games, go carts, and mini golf. He didn't want a party but did invite his friend Josh to go with us. He was also extra luck on his birthday and was able to get the H1N1 vaccination along with Simon and Olivia.
St George had a car show a couple of weekends ago and Ryan and Andrew were able to go for a guys day. Ryan forgot the camera so Andrew made him come home and get it. He had to have a picture of the Lamborghini. It is pretty sweet.
We had a weird soccer day on October 24th. Simon's team won again by a blow out, Andrew's team lost their first game by 2, and Olivia's team lost their first game by 2. Olivia's team should have won but the girls decided that they wanted to play volleyball instead of soccer and had several intentional hand ball. Two of which were in the goal box. Which gave the other team two free goals. They were all back to themselves by Halloween and all the kids won their games. Olivia and Simon's teams won by a huge amount and Andrew's team won by two. Andrew and Olivia both played goalie and did a great job.
We had a great Halloween. Ryan stayed at home and the kids and I went trick-or-treating. It was such a nice night. Not cold at all. The kids ended up staying out for three hours. It was quite the haul. Ryan weighed their candy when they got home and all together they had 15 pounds worth of candy. I'm sure that is all going to go straight onto my hips! I always end up eating the candy they don't want. I have no self control. Andrew was a skater, Olivia a 50's girl, and Simon a penguin. They all looked really cute.
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