Science Fair

This has been a crazy busy week for us! Yesterday Emily spent all day down at the college for the regional science fair. She was selected from her middle school, and ended up winning second place in the botany category!! Yeah Emily! There were schools from all over the western side of Colorado, including Vail, Hotchkiss, and Montrose.

She worked really hard on her project and the only thing I had to do was buy a few of the supplies. Her project was on seed depth planting vs. sprouting date and by the end of her project all her seeds looked great. Hmmm... I wonder where she gets an interest in science? Good Job Emily!

Third Grade Music Program

I know, "is she seriously going to blog about that?". And the answer... yes I am. Last night was Erik's third grade music program, and I have to admit that I really like going to these things. After all when was the last time you heard of the 11th grade music program? So, the time for these mandatory programs is pretty finite. I will admit, however, that I get a little red from time to time because my son really likes to dance, and I don't mean the step to the right, step to the left kind of dancing. He really gets into it, and after last night, he has a new nick name... Booty Boy. Yup, he really likes to shake that booty. I can't give him to hard of a time because I am totally responsible for that. But the music was fun, everything from The Pink Panther to I'm A Believer, so shake that booty and live it up Erik!!

Who didn't love the parachute when they were in grade school?

The Pink Panther Dance

Do you think his mother takes a lot of pictures of him?We love you Erik!

Double Blog

Well, I haven't blogged for a few weeks, but February 15th is a memorable day for me. It's a double wammy, so to speak, but here goes:

This is my Mother's Ring. Scott bought this for me last year for our anniversary. I know, it has four stones. No, the extra two aren't for Scott and I. You see, I should be having a 15 year old this month. Today was the due date for my first baby, a baby I lost right at 3 months. That is the purple stone. At the other end, is the stone for our baby that would have turned 6 in April, she died when I was about six months along, we named her Grace.

So many people assume that Scott and I have chosen to have only two children. They don't know that we always wanted more, but it just didn't work out. I know, living in the LDS society that we do, people think we are selfish for not having more children. The truth is after losing Grace, the idea of going through that again just about killed me. I think the two children I have are truly a gift, and it is better for them if I'm just a little crazy, instead of possibly losing another child and ending up in the nut house.

But, I still wear my Mother's Ring, and I think of those children every day of my life. I believe that, if I am worthy, someday Scott and I will have the opportunity to love and raise these children. I know a lot of people think I should "move on" or "not dwell on it". I don't dwell on it, I have a great life and great children. But, I will not forget.

Surgiversary

Now for the second of my blogs: Today is the one year mark of my surgery.

OK, one year ago today I went in for a little nip and tuck. To date I have lost a total of 117 pounds, I went from a size 22 to a size 6. I feel great! I was fat for over 10 years, and I had forgotten what it felt like to not lug an extra couple of bags of feed around with me every day. I have been amazed in the different reactions people now give me, most have been positive which I appreciate. Some have not been so positive, which I ignore! My son has measured my journey by seeing first if he could put his arms around me, then by how much his arms over lapped when they went around me. It has been wonderful to be able to do things with my family that I didn't feel up to doing before.

I have had very few problems with my surgery, but I never would have been brave enough to do this if I hadn't watched my sister go through it first. Thanks Nancy! Oh sure, I have a transfer addiction (hyper volunteerism), but at least now I have the energy to do it. Scott has always loved me, and he has been awesome through this whole thing. He has tripped over himself occasionally, because he claims I was "never fat to begin with", yeah... OK. But through the whole thing, including a new wardrobe, he has been supportive and understanding.

So there it is, my very long blog. Don't worry February 15th only comes around once a year!

National Western Stock Show

Few things in this life live up to our childhood memories. This weekend Scott and I decided to take our kids and attend the National Western Stock Show in Denver. Growing up my family regularly attended this event, sometimes it was for my Dad to buy stock, sometimes it was to make contacts with other breeders, and sometimes it was just for fun. Going to the stock show as I was growing up holds nothing but great memories for me, so I was a little anxious about attending this year. After all, everything changes right?

Well, not the stock show. It was as if time had absolutely frozen. As we walked into the complex and looked around time seemed to fly backwards. It looked the same, felt the same, and smelled the same. We walked around and the vendors were all there, selling the same things, jewelry, leather goods, cool toys, stock trailers, portable fencing, and cotton candy. The nostalgia was so strong I had to resist the urge to look over my shoulder to see if my Dad was right behind me.

It was a great experience, and (despite a massive nose bleed and bad asthma attack) my children are already planning for next year. They loved the rodeo, the stock yards and the vendors. After all, how many places in this world can you see an Elvis impersonator with trained sheep dogs, herding sheep, with monkeys on their backs?

How does a boy become a man?

This was the questions asked of me, by my nine year old as I was leaving for work. Thinking "what a great teaching moment" and thinking of a wise answer I said, "A boy becomes a man when he starts taking responsibility for his actions." Erik looked at me and said, "I guess I'll have to ask Dad."

So much for my wisdom!

Perfect Sunday!

Well, I am not very sentimental, even though I scrapbook alot. But I have to admit that as I was lying in front of the fireplace on Sunday afternoon I was overwhelmed with a sense of joy and contentment. Emily and I were watching the old Parent Trap movie, Scott and Erik were building Sponge Bob legos. I realized how precious these afternoons are with my little family. All to soon my children will be to busy spend a quiet afternoon with Mom and Dad. So, I wanted to record my feelings about a great Sunday afternoon, spent with the people I love most.

We Make the Slowest Pinewood Derby Cars!

Well, yesterday was the Pinewood Derby. We have been working on this for weeks, Scott with the track, software, and don't forget, the cars. I worked on all the logistics: time, place, awards, and food. Overall I think everyone had a pretty good time, except for the fact that in all my planning, I forgot coffee. The cub master announced that there was juice, donuts and coffee in the back of the room, and I looked at him like a deer caught in the headlights. I don't even know how to make coffee!! Fortunately, someone scrounged some up and made it!

There were 22 scouts, and 13 in the Me Too category (for siblings and over-active Dad's). Erik had a green car (again), Emily's is red and Scott's was left natural wood. So Erik came in 4Th out of 4 in his Bear Den, Emily was 13Th and Scott came in 12Th in the Me Too race. Well, at least no one can accuse us of cheating! Now, I know there are a lot of secrets to great Pinewood Derby cars, and maybe next year we won't be so busy working on the Derby so that we can actually work on the Derby cars. Erik and Emily were good sports about losing, and Erik is focusing on getting 4Th place. He just doesn't expound on how many were in his category.