Families Can Be Together Forever

I offered this up last Septemer
as the  Proclamation on the Family
was being highlighted
over at
Chocolate on my Cranium.

It'll make me feel good to post it again:
Families Are Forever

Crossing Finish Lines

The runners line up at the Start Line--
knees bent
toes tipped
shoulders hunched
eyes narrowed toward the future.

The gun pops
and OFF they run!

That was the scene Wedneday night
at the Air Academy High School track
where Joseph was participating in his
first-ever Cross Country Meet
with eight or more other middle schools.

From the stands,
we clapped and cheered--
not just for our own children,
but for all of them,
together.

The course was a mile and a half
twice around
to make three miles.

The 7th and 8th graders ran together--
first the girls race
then
the boys race.

There is such an excitement when we're told
the first runner
is approaching the Finish Line!
We jump to our feet
and clap loud and strong--
whoopin' it up, hollerin'
cheering
"YOU CAN DO IT!!"
The runner's face is lit up--
his arms flail behind him as he crosses
the yellow ribbon
and truly the crowd goes wild!
He's ahead of the next runner
by a football field's length,
but again,
when the next cluster of boys come around the
stands into the field
the crowd cheers them in too!
This, this is good stuff and we're just thrilled
to be a part of it
to see it all in front of our eyes.

What we didn't see,
what is hidden from view
is the actions of one of those
first finish-line crossers...

the hero.

Wave after of wave young men cross the yellow line,
until it's determined by the crowd
that everyone is accounted for--
all have arrived,
then we watch the clock
stop
reset.
And the 6th grade boys and girls are beckoned
to line up for their race.
It takes minutes for them to get on the field
to get in position.

We're waiting in the stands--
what's taking so long?

All of a sudden,
we see at the end of the field,
two runners
enter the stadium.

One is a slower young man,
his pace is slow but steady,
his face is red and sweaty,
determination is all over that
hardworking body...
and running next to him,
obviously coaching him along
"You're almost there!"
"You can do this!"
was a young man who was
one of the first finishers.

Upon finishing the race,
he went back for the last boy.
A boy on his team.

Seeing this true act of brotherhood
brought us to our feet,
tears welled in our eyes
and we couldn't have been more humbled.
The other teams gathered at the finish line,
cheering with their whole hearts
bringing both boys to the yellow line
and then, gathered around them
where hugs and high fives were all around.

That is beyond teamwork,
right there.

Will either boy ever forget the other?
Can you imagine if you were the parent of the last boy--
wondering if everyone had forgotten him
when you knew you hadn't seen him cross the finish line?
And can you imagine being the parent
of the young man who'd gone back
to coach the last one?

***

Shortly after that moment,
my phone rang in my pocket--
I didn't even hear it
for all the noise in the crowd,
but Daisie did,
and I quickly answered
because I was expecting a call
from Mr. Idaho as I knew Dani had been induced
and was just waiting to hear how it was going--
only it wasn't Mr. Idaho,
it was Kent, my Mr. Wonderful.

He called to tell me
Brad was trying to get ahold of me
and to call him immediately--
Dani had decided to accept an epidural
and both felt defeated.
He thought Dani would feel better,
if she got to talk to me.

I quickly got off the stadium seats
and ran to a corner far away from the crowd
so I could hear.
I dialed Brad's phone,
Dani answered--
"Hey, Mom."
"Hey, Sis--how are you? How're things going?" I answered, anxiously.
"I'm getting ready to push."
"Oh! Okay, Tell Brad to call me when the baby's here,
I LOVE YOU!"

I hung up and thought,
"Thank goodness she got an epidural."

When I had seen her last week,
she was easily the biggest pregnant momma
I've ever seen--
I knew that child was going to be bigger than her last
and even told Mr. W that when I got home,
and I also said I hoped she would take advantage of whatever meds
were available if she needed them.
I didn't tell Dani or Brad that tho',
for fear of planting a seed of doubt in their minds--
I didn't want them to have fear as they approached the birth
or make them doubt their strength.
But, considering the size of her tummy,
I wondered how she could do it otherwise.
Hearing that they both felt defeated
made my heart ache for them
and wonder if I'd made the right decision
to come home before the baby was born.
And the prayer in my heart grew more intense
as I hoped that Dani had the support she needed.

I went back to the stadium,
watched Joseph start and finish his first meet
and headed home through the long lines of cars
to get off the Air Force Academy base.

We came up to a STOP sign
and I looked at the clock
5:01pm.
"Dani could be delivering 
right now." I thought.

I was right.
She delivered at 6:01pm Texas time.

Is that not cool?

I spoke to her about an hour after the delivery,
she was happy
but tired
so we chatted only long enough
to hear that she and the baby were fine.

Yesterday,
she called and shared her birth story with me
(she's going to write it all down on her blog and I'll share that link when she does.)
The best part for me tho'
was hearing about the wonderful nursing staff
that she had at her side.
Experienced, compassionate women.
She said she'd gotten to 9cm and the ctx waves
came
one after another
after another
with little to no break in between
and she was breathing so hard
she couldn't think straight or hear anyone
and her hands and feet were freezing cold.
She stayed at 9cm for an hour
and just couldn't take it anymore.
She said her attending nurse, Kristin,
was extraordinary
as well as another nurse that was there--
and together, both women cared for my girl
assuring her she'd done a wonderful, brave job
in labor
and had made the best choice possible
for her baby,
whom she delivered just 45 minutes later
after the epidural took effect
relaxing her body.
Dani said she couldn't have done it
without them
and her sweet husband, Brad
at her side.
I believe her.

My sweet girl had her own heroes
at her side.
Being her mother,
I am so so grateful for those that stayed by her,
cheering her on,
holding her hand,
and celebrating with her
at the Finish Line.

Where Oohs and Aahs Are Appropriate

Introducing:

Isaac Daniel Price

Born 08/24/2011

6:01pm

11 lbs. 1 oz.

22" long

~

I keep thinking life can't get any sweeter,

but boy! 

It sure can!

Being a Granma rocks my world!

Breaking News

Dani delivered today!
Boy, howdy!
11.1 lbs. baby boy.
No Name yet.

More details to come!
Woohoo!
Eleven pounds!
Anyone know what a cannonball weighs??

Mother's Insomnia

2:53am
Danielle will be going into the hospital this morning
to have her labor induced with child number two.
She'll check in,
go to her assigned Labor and Delivery Room
meet her Attending Nurse
and wait for Dr. Bruce to come in
and break the amniotic sac
to see if that gets things going.

Mr. Idaho will be there to hold her hand
and tell her all the good things
she'll need to hear.
And begin a day that'll seal
August 24th, 2011
a very special day in their life.

And I'll be here,
going thru the motions of my daily things
wishing I was there,
in the room,
watching over her,
riding the waves of labor with her
every one.
Holding my breath until I hear
"all is well".
Thus, bringing us to the end of her
"Where'd That IUD Go?" experience.
***
Joseph has his very first track meet
today...
after running in 90-degree weather yesterday afternoon
he got into the car and said
"I think I wanna quit."
I nodded,
"Yes. It's very hot today. Let's get you cooled off."
His face was red and swollen,
pulsing from the heat.
I didn't tell him
it's going to be hotter today,
during his first meet.
But I'll be there at the finish line,
cheering and beaming when he crosses it.
That's what Moms do, right?
Gotta remember to bring icy cold gatorade
with me for his gonna-be-very-hot-runner's-body.

Scout's Court of Honor is Thursday.
Gotta be ready for that.

***

Visiting Teaching Brunch this morning
in 7 hours...
fruit, sweetbreads, egg casserole, juice.
I'm ready to get to know these sisters
I don't really know at all.
My VT companion is not who I thought she was at all.
I mean,
I knew her name
but not her heart.
I like her heart alot.
That's the best thing about Visiting Teaching, isn't it?
The whole process brings us closer
from "I know her name"
to "I know her heart."

***

Need to check on Mama C.
She's been home from the hospital over a week now.
I'll call her n' see if I can stop by later this week.
I hope she's let all those
"I AM AWESOME" feelings
sink deep inside her whole self
and not forgotten them
amidst the 2am bleary-eyed feedings.

***

Dean.
I need to call his host-home provider
and see how the new day program is working out.
I miss him.
Maybe we can see him this weekend.
His 26th birthday is Friday
and seeing him would be heavenly.
I'll call later this morning.

***

I wonder how Nana's throat is feeling.
Did she call to make an appointment for this morning
to see a doctor in Provo?
Said she had no honey or lemon in her new apartment.
No EmerGenC either.
Darn.
It'll be good to see her next weekend...
bringing a car load of friends from Provo home
for Labor Day to hike Pike's Peak
and eat Momza's cooking.
I'll make a huge pot of Green Chile Roast
for Burritos,
Southern-style Buttermilk Biscuits and Sausage Gravy
for breakfast...her one friend is from Charlotte, NC
and he'll like that.
We'll BarBQ on Labor Day.
Hmmmm maybe make a pie or a chocolate trifle for dessert.
Gotta set up the house to accomodate a bunch of college kids--
extra towels,
bedding
paper plates.
Can't wait to see her again.

***
Daisie's ready to get her driver's permit.
Need to get over my fear,
summon some courage
and let her get behind the wheel of the Suburban.
I am so not good at this "new driver" stuff.
But.
It's time.

She tried out for the Fall Drama Production yesterday...
"On the Way to the Forum", I think.
She's so brave.
Brand new to the school this year
and she's already putting her self out there.
Amazing.
I hope she gets a part.
Any part.
She's really blossomed since Nana left the post
as "Oldest" at home.
We may make it thru her teenage years afterall.

***

Arianna, my little Caboose--
she's so great with Baby Garrett...
stollers him around the block,
had him on her hip tonight
while she unloaded the dishwasher!
He cried for 10 minutes after I dropped her off
for school yesterday.
Just couldn't believe she got out of the car
and was gone!

He loves the dogs.
They're so patient with him...
let him lay all over them,
pull their tails and ears...
offers his toes up to their mouths
to be tickled by their tongues.
Crazy little kid.

And the reason I am up at 3:25am.
His stirrings in the night got me up
at 1:30am
and tho he went back to sleep
a few minutes later,
here I sit.
Alone in the dark,
with
Mother's Insomnia.

Daylight is gonne be here sooner
than I'd like.
Long day ahead.

Shoot! Just remembered--
David Scott's birthday is Monday.
What am I gonna send him?

.sigh.

End of Summer

*End of Summer by http://dianahertz.com/gallery1.htm 

The yahoos started school last week
which means Summer 2011
is officially over.

Things I loved about Summer 2011:
* Moving into our own home.  Every single day I wake up and feel grateful.  That's such an awesome feeling.
* Sleeping In.
* Getting Riley aka The Best Dog in the World.  Even if he does dig to get out of the yard. And eat our sprinkler heads.  He still rocks.
* Flip flops.
* Less laundry.
* Cool salads for dinner.
*Summer rainstorms.  Even tho we had a doozy of one last night that had lightening zipping sideways thru the foothills last night.  I've just been in Houston where they're in the middle of a drought that they are 20" below their normal rain index.
*Reading The Help.  Can't wait to see the movie this week!
*Spending time with Dani's family in Texas.


Things I'm loving right now:
* Cooler nights
* Fall decorations in Hobby Lobby
*Smelly candles in Kohls
*Sweaters in fall colors at the mall
*The anticipation of Dani's birth and meeting our newest little baby boy!
*Planning the baby blessing celebration for Labor Day weekend
*The structure of early mornings, helping the yahoos get ready for the day
*A Quiet, Clean Kitchen from 8am-4pm
*Time for me-- working, reading, writing, dreaming.

Seasons are a gift, I've decided.  To plan, prepare, and enjoy.
To mark our progress and make improvements.

What are you loving right now, 
in the season you're in?

Patience in the Process

The night sky is filled with streaks of lightening across my part of the Rockies
tonight.
Rain is falling in buckets--
covering my 6 foot picture window like a sheet of water.
I am home from Texas,
where they are suffering from a historical drought.

Danielle didn't have her baby while I was there.
Try as we did,
the timing was just off
and that's just the way it goes sometimes,
ya know?
We plan and prepare,
but things just don't work out.
So we said our good-byes at the Houston Hobby Airport
today,
our hearts as heavy as the one hundred percent humidity
that hung in the air...
smiling our best smiles
until we couldn't see each other
sucking back the tears
for quieter places.

Her due date came and went,
some nights her contraction waves
were so strong and timely
we both thought
"ahhh this is it!"
but those waves turned into ripples
n' then they were gone.

She has another doctor's appointment on Monday.
They'll talk about inducing labor...
and I felt that if I extended my stay with another departure date,
it might pressure Danielle into making a decision
she didn't want to make.
So I removed my self from that situation
giving her room to make the decision in her own
time frame.
Because this is her birth experience
and it should be on her timeline and noone else's.
And just to put it out there--
I didn't want to leave my girly girl without a doula
in labor,
so this was an emotional decision all the way around.

As I was packing this morning,
I called Mr W and asked for his counsel--
should I stay
or
should I go?
He said he'd support me in whatever choice I made.
Dontcha hate that? lol
I wanted him to tell me what to do so I wouldn't have to think about it.
Feel it.

But I truly believe every woman has the birth she needs...
and it must've been written in the stars somewhere
that I wouldn't be at this birth
long before I knew it.
So I trust in faith,
that whatever happens,
however it goes,
will be a blessing for everyone
all the way around.

Before I left for the airport,
Dani, Mr. Idaho, baby G and I offer a prayer...
I asked if I could say it...
my heart was heavy and I needed to unburden my heart
and give my cares to my Heavenly Father.
We folded our arms and bowed our heads
and the words came so easily
pleading for protection and safety and ease of labor and delivery.
I asked for all that I could
and as I sit here,
I tell my self that that has to be
enough.

Bets are on around here
that she'll go into labor tonight
or tomorrow night.
But the truth is,
we have no idea when this baby boy is gonna
make his debut.

On a bright note,
I got to bring Baby G home with me,
and we're loving on him like nobody's business!
Dani has called several times to make sure
he's doing okay--
which he totally is!

And he'll stay with us until
Dani and Mr. Idaho return to
Colorado
once their baby boy has arrived
and it's safe to travel.


I can be patient in the process.

I can be patient in the process.

I can be patient in the process.

I can.

I will.

Where I am, What's New

So I've been breathin' air soup in Baytown, Texas
(a small town just outside of Houston)
since last Saturday.
I'm here to help Danielle out in case she has
a baby this week.
Watching a pregnant belly is akin to watchin' a pot boil--
does no good at all.

We've walked her local Walmart,
the mall--with 3/4's of it empty, as most of the stores have closed their doors,
but still,
we covered some ground in there,
and last night we walked thru Target.
This walkin' n' walkin' gets expensive.

She is taking her red raspberry leaf tea,
and evening primrose oil,
she ate eggplant parmesan the first night I came--
and her little baby isn't budging.

We've told him he needs to
"vacate the premises" ASAP...
but he says
"talk to the baby hand"
pretty sure.

The best part of the trip has been of course,
seeing my girl and lovin' on her
and the Ninja baby--
who is so smart,
he's dangerous.

Another fun thing is we started reading
"The Help" the first day I got here,
together.
We just take turns reading outloud--
laughing so hard
it hurts,
and cryin' too.
This book is so well-written,
it's no wonder it's been made into a movie.
No, I haven't seen it yet--
not until we read the end.

Even Mr. Idaho enjoys being read to--
we catch him up by reading a few pages
before calling it a night.

Dani wants me to read it outloud to her
while she's in labor.
So we're gonna give that a try
if we get the chance.

Like I said,
she may not have this baby
while I'm here--
I'm going back home Saturday
altho I am bringing the Ninja Baby
home with me.

It may not be what the Caboose asked for,
when I left--
with tears in her eyes,
I asked her what I could bring home for her from Texas--
she replied:
"How about a ukele?
Or a Texas Barbie or a Texas Porcelin doll?
N' if you can't find a ukele, then a banjo."

I am not kidding.

I was thinkin' along the lines of a t-shirt.

Even with all the shopping and walking I've done,
haven't seen a single ukele for my girl.

The kids have called me every day,
as school began while I was here.

Joseph asked if hecould take the rest of the year off,
because he was "exhausted" after his 2nd day of middle school.

The Caboose has Joseph's teacher from last year
and is thrilled with that.

Daisie started a new high school,
and is loving her choice.

So it's nice to know everyone is doing okay without me.

I've been reading blogs when I have the chance--
everyone's doing so well this week,
I love reading about
weddings,
and return trips from Africa,
new school days,
new babies ( hi Lori and Camille, and Nie!)
and everything in between.

Alos been following the news--
like the new record high of the number of cats
in a single home,
the new record high for the largest shark ever caught,
and
while I'm pretty sure civilization ceased in the
Land that Time Forgot
down here in Baytown,
I think my yahoos owe me a big fat
"THANK YOU, MOMZA"
for not raising them here.

(You're welcome.)

I would sure love to have a new grandson safely here on earth
before I leave though...
so hold a good thought for Dani, okay?

Waves of Childbirth: The Afterglow of a VBAC

The longer I live,
the more I realize
there really aren't such things called
"coincidence"--
not when it comes to relationships.

I've been "on call" the past couple of weeks--
keeping my cell phone on my person
constantly
waiting for the one call that would beg my
immediate attention--
that sweet golden-locked Mama C. was in labor.

Her due date came and went,
still no baby.
And while I knew that was stressful to her,
as we all know--
nine months is a long marathon
and when nature  moves the goal line,
we mommas don't take it lightly--
for whatever reason,
I just felt like she was going to have the baby
on Wednesday of the next week.

I had lunch with Mama C. and her Arizona-tanned mother, L.
Wednesday--two days before she was due--
I didn't want to be presumptious and tell Mama C that
I got the feeling her due date would come and go
without a birth,
'cuz that would just be mean,
so I kept that feeling to myself.
Hoping I was wrong.
Ready to go,
still,
at any moment.

A planned induction was scheduled.
This new plan was not a total celebration though--
it meant the Birth Plan would be altered:
no laboring in the comforts of home,
no moving freely at the hospital even.
The new plan had strings attached
to protect both baby and Mama C.,
but--
and you know this:
Good Mothers Adapt.
Yes, they do.

So Wednesday morning,
I left the house headed towards the hospital
and there was a blanket of clouds over Colorado Springs--
it was 58o degrees and overcast.
There was a stillness that set the tone for the day--
it would be a mild, calm day.
The radio was tuned to my favorite classical station
as I focused on what I was about to do:
witness the miracle and strength of
birth.

Entering the room,
there sat Mama C.--
eyes closed, head back on the upright bed,
breathing rhythmically--
Papa D. smiled casually as I came around--
"she started having them as soon as they broke her water." he explains.

I nodded and put my doula bag quietly
on the floor next to the sofa.
I stood still and waited.

The contraction wave gone,
Mama C.'s eyes opened and she smiled.
She spoke softly and quickly to catch me up,
before another wave came to shore
in the next two minutes.
Her eyes closed,
head back on the pillows,
mouth purposefully blowing those waves away...

Granma L. arrived shortly after I did,
and her excitement bubbled over into the room--
she admitted her love of the monitors:
watching the waves rollout across the screen
helped her in her own labor,
and as Mama C.'s labor progressed over the day,
Granma L. would offer
"it's going down..."
or
"you had a nice break with that one"
or
"that was a good one!"
or
"that one was very productive!"

Sucha great cheerleader.

Papa D. was composed.
He was there to do whatever was asked,
no questions, no delay,
and very much needed.

Because this was a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean),
once it was established that Mama C. was in "active labor",
our attending nurse informed that Mama C.
would be bound to the monitors
until delivery.
So, while she was allowed,
Mama C. and Papa D.
walked the halls of the L&D floor.

Before we knew it tho,
her body kicked into gear and
we had to work around the monitor cords
to try a variety of positions to ease the waves
and keep Mama C. comfortable.

On the ball,
at the edge of the bed...
she kept blowing away those waves...
shoulders relaxed? check.
jaw relaxed? check.
deep cleansing breaths--
one for Mama
one for Baby
check. check.

When the waves became more intense,

I got out my favorite scented lotion--
Bath and Body Work's Eucalyptus and Spearmint
and asked if I could rub her feet
thru the waves--
and that's where I stayed thru much of her active labor,
as she welcomed the distract and comforting massage.

Every two minutes we rode the waves together--
Mama, Papa, Granma and me...
some waves barely came to the shoreline,
while others washed over us completely--
leaving us little time to catch our breath
yet knowing
each wave brought us closer to the goal line.

In the midst of transition,
Mama C. wondered outloud if she could do this--
if she could continue to meet the intensity of the waves,
one after another--
and I whispered into her ear,
for now I was at her side,
breathing each breath with her,
hee-hee-hoo
hee-hee-hoo
hee-hee-hoo--
"I want you to say,:
'I can do this.' 
Say it with me.
Say it outloud.
'I can do this.'"

"I can do this." she repeated.
"I can do this."
again.
and again...
"I can do this."

There's power in words.
We all know this.
Hearing our own voices encourages us
and distracts us...
Make sure the words you say to yourself are
empowering and you will feel the difference
immediately.

In one hour, Mama C went from 6-8 cms...
we're in the home stretch,
the goal line is within arm's reach...
just a few more waves and her dilation would be complete-
she got to 9cms when it was discovered
that she had a little cervical lip that needed to move aside
before she could be complete...
that meant not pushing,
even though her body was demanding it,
for fear of bruising and swelling her own cervix,
which in turn,
would delay the delivery.

Let me tell you,
as a woman who has had that same exact experience--
to not be able to push when your body is
yelling at you to
"PUSH!"
is beyond hard.
It's frustrating and painful.
But not impossible.
So Mama C and I locked eyes
and she held onto me,
and I onto her,
and we breathed thru each wave with more determination
than ever before...
and finally,
FINALLY,
the new on-call doctor came in
asked for a quick assessment,
and I asked her if she could check to see if that lip was gone--
and if not,
could she give it just a little help during the next wave?
She obliged us,
and I was praying that Mama C.'s body cooperated--
which it did!
Ten cms with no lip!!
YEAH!

The pushing part of delivery began...
it took Mama C just a couple of waves before she got that down
perfectly...
she pushed with her whole heart,
past all of the pain,
with her husband and
a circle of women around her--
Granma L., the doctor, the nurses, and me--
praising her efforts,
cheering her strength,
excited by her progress,
reassuring her that each push made a difference,
even when she asked,
"Is this baby ever coming out?!!"
"Come On!", she demanded of her body and her baby.

"One more good one." the doctor encouraged.

And that was that.
One more good one
and Baby Boy was out!

"You got out!" Mama C. rejoiced,
as her son was laid on her tummy.

The final wave brought joy and laughter,
love and hugs and tears
to each of us in the room,
as a gift for riding the tides so strongly.
And then the waves receded,
while the ripples are still coming.

Mama C. had the birth she had planned and prepared for--
a completely natural VBAC...
even tho' she had limits she could not control,
her inner strength abided with her,
and her prayers were answered.

To be true in sharing,
she did have some measurable amount of tearing,
and needed to have that repaired
with some intensity--
and she is still recovering from that--
but if you were to lay your own eyes on her,
you would see an incredibly strong woman
whose smile is genuine in self-satisfaction
and gratitude for a healthy, beautiful,
dark-haired baby boy who looks like his father.

As Granma L. and I were waiting in the recovery room,
she shared her observation that left a profound impression on my heart.
She said,
that meeting me through this little blog,
close to two years ago,
had basically set in motion
an answer to their family's prayers
that they hadn't even begun to ask--
(and I'm assuming that she meant for her daughter 
to have a natural birth after her 
unplanned, emergency c-section)--
but that Heavenly Father knew those prayers
and He was already answering them
by introducing Granma L. and me.

That's a very interesting thought,
isn't it?
Thinking about it,
makes me feel like I'm part of a bigger plan--
and I'm useful to Him and His children.
That's just what I always hoped for...

Childbirth does indeed bring us into the
realm of the Noble and Great.
Women are so much stronger than we admit...
the waves of childbirth show us that...

As Mama C. was enveloped in the
afterglow of childbirth,
she said,
loud enough for anyone who was in the room to hear:
" I love you, Dawn."
I love you, too, Mama C.

Then she declared for the world to hear:
"I AM AWESOME!"

Here comes another ripple...

My Patchwork Life

Still unpacking.
Still wondering where I'm going to put all this stuff...
Loading up the Sub again today
to relieve the burden tho,
so the progress is hastened along.
I crave organization.
Clutter stresses me out.
So that's my goal this week--
put away what I can,
toss the rest.

My goal is to park my Sub in to garage this weekend.
Cross your fingers and pinky toes for me, k?
****
Okay, so I found the cord to my camera!
Finally!
Which is essential as I fill in the patchwork pieces of my life:


Summer began with a Move:

The yard was dead when we moved in,
but it's greened-up pretty good since we've been in--
it's rained almost every day,
and we've been watering and raking it too.

And then the Fourth of July,
wherein I attempted to make little cupcake tarts--
the Recipe is so simple, 
my yahoos made the second tin--
*Store-bought dough
*canned pie filling
*little bit of sugar to dust top of dough with.

They didn't turn out as pretty as they were going in,
but served with some vanilla cream it made no difference.
Oh and since my star-shaped cookie cutter was too big,
I used a small maple leaf and then we held our hands over our hearts
in honor of Canada.
We're not Canadian, 
but who doesn't love Canadians?
Am I right or am I right?!

Then, Daisie went to trek in Wyoming...

 She has written an account of her trip...which I will post soon.

****

~Riley~

What you see here is the best dog in the world.

I put an ad on Craigslist back in June--
we were looking to adopt a purebred golden retriever--
we'd have enjoyed a puppy or younger dog,
but also said we'd consider a healthy older dog.
I got an email from a gal
last Wednesday who said they had a 4 yr old AKC Golden male.
For $100.00.
So we took a ride over on Thursday--
it was love at first sight--
the kids pulled their "moving money" together
and gladly paid up!

Trained, quiet, obedient, loving.
He did run away the first day,
but just went 6 houses down--
we'd left the house to go to the IKEA grand opening
and left him in the back yard with Kota.
We were gone just 6 minutes when our neighbors
found him wandering the street.
I think he was concerned about his previous owners.
He's been a gem ever since.
N' Kota (our black lab female aka "Oprah") thinks he alright too.
********

Eleven Mile Canyon

Saturday we took the kids and the dogs and went for a picnic and float the Platte River.

It's a beautiful canyon,

the emerald green rushing water

and the rock formations 

are fascinating...

We had a great time

and

are already planning our return trip.

The kids and the dogs slept all the way home

- it doesn't get any better.

A happy dog is a tired one.

Tired Yahoos = Happy Yahoos.

true story.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I've been off work last week and this one,

which has been great.--

worked with a sweet friend on her house--

hanging curtains,

accessorizing, etc.

And

getting ready for another couple of births--

one Momma is due this week

and the other is my daughter Dani who is due on the 19th.

I'm flying to Houston the 13th-20th for her!

WHich means I will miss the yahoo's first day of School--

first time ever 

since 1988!

But Mr W will handle it just fine.

Other things?

I had a Papparazzi jewelry party and that was loads of fun!

I'm hosting an Uppercase Living Party in September

because I love their vinyl lettering 

mucho much.

I'm ready for school to start...

it is the most wonderful time of the year!

So that's it...

Man, I'm blessed.