Reaching the Beach

We started bright and early at 6:30 AM (I was a little late though - sleep is just too precious sometimes) meeting at a gas station about a mile away from the starting line. We knew early on that it was going to be a b-e-a-utiful day, and it was. Fortunately, we got most of the hill climbing out of the way about 12 miles in, which is good because I'm not sure I could have climbed any hills by the end of the ride. The event organizers set up rest stops about every 12-15 miles stocked with everything a rider could want - water, gels, bananas, cookies, peanut butter?, and uh, pickles. 

Some pedaling and sweating ensued and eventually (after about six hours of riding time) I could smell the ocean air. It was an awesome sight coming around a bend and seeing Haystack Rock out in the distance. 

Once I crossed the finish line I searched out the family. We celebrated by going to McDonald's and ordering everything on the menu (almost). 

I completed my first century ride (100 miler), and I had a blast. I rode with a great group of guys and would do it again in a heartbeat ... or maybe in a couple months. 

Calling All Babies!

Meet Julia and Brett, our friends who are two of the most loving, kind, caring, funny, and just generally awesome people that you will ever meet.

juliaandbrett.blogspot.com

After many years of trying to have a baby, Brett and Julia decided to adopt and are still waiting for that special little one to come along.  Julia and Brett will be wonderful parents and give a child a stable, happy, and overwhelmingly love-filled home.  Please pass their information along to anyone you know that is thinking about placing a baby for adoption.  Thanks!

juliaandbrett.blogspot.comw.parentprofiles.com/profiles/db24166.html

http://www.providentliving.org/ses/birthmother/viewsingleprofile/0,12272,2133-1-10088,00.html

https://beta.itsaboutlove.org/ial/profiles/21629485/ourMessage.jsf

Need I say more?

Lydia the One-Armed Wonder

Here's Lydia's telling of what happened.  She was obviously more interested in her fries than her elbow by this time.

Now for the long version.....

Last night I went to the gym for the first time in a few weeks while Tyler was on a bike ride.  I dropped the kids off at the child care center and went to water aerobics.  It was almost over when one of the girls watching the kids came to get me saying that Lydia was crying and asking for me.  When I walked in after changing the girl said that Lydia said she fell down and was hurting.   (Later Lydia said, "I just fell off the chair" when I asked her what happened.  I think she must have fallen and put her arm out to catch herself.)  I took one look at her right elbow and knew she'd either dislocated it or broken it. There was  a definite bulge right above her elbow and the swelling got worse in the five minutes it took for me to drive home.  She also wasn't moving it at all and just kept saying, "Momma, my arm is hurting."  

After a little family prayer, Lydia and I went to the ER to get it checked out.  I got a little preferential treatment since I work there--they got us back really quickly and the X-ray tech came to get us before the nurse had even made it into the room.  Lydia was a real trooper--she hardly cried at all when we had to manipulate her arm for the X-ray.  We read books and sang a song while we waited for results.  The doc said that he didn't see an obvious fracture, but there was definite fluid around the joint which is a secondary sign of injury.  They splinted it and put a sling on her last night and sent us home.  I just got a call from the radiologist, who said that it was a supracondylar fracture with some angulation, so we have to go see an orthopedic surgeon on Monday to follow up.  I don't think it's bad enough to need surgery, but they may cast her arm. Judging by how much she likes her splint and sling already (she's tried to take it off three times this morning) a cast should be interesting.  Lesson learned--Mom exercising is hazardous to her kids' health!

A Happy Week for All

The last ten days have been pretty exciting for Luke.  He cut his first two teeth and started crawling, I'm just a little late getting the video posted!

You may have to enlarge it to actually see his little teefers!

This video is about a week old--he's cruising around now much better!  And I didn't want to leave big sister out, so here is a picture of her and her teefers too!

We have tons more pictures here for your viewing pleasure!

Luke's New Favorite Pastime

I thought I wouldn't have to worry about my garbage can being tipped over since we don't have a dog, but I underestimated Luke and his ability to lunge his way to it when I put him in his exersaucer.  As you can see, he couldn't be happier about his new-found ability!

Two Peas in a Pod

Here are a few pictures of the kiddos doing things together for a change.  Tonight when Tyler got home from work he was watching the Trailblazers game with his feet up.  Lydia crawled under to eat her three M&Ms (bribe in exchange for her eating her chewable Amoxicillin pill) and Luke had to follow to check out what she was doing.  They stayed under there for at least five minutes, which may not sound like a lot of time but considering that Lydia usually tells Luke to get away when he is within two feet of her, it was a miracle.  The second picture is pretty self-explanatory :)

On another note, Lydia about broke my heart tonight.  She wanted me to play with her after dinner, but I needed to feed Luke.  I tried to explain this to her logically, that Mommy had fed Lydia dinner and now it was time for her to feed Luke, and I thought she understood because she walked away and started playing by herself.  As I was cleaning up after feeding Luke his cereal and sweet potatoes, she walked up to me, climbed up on my lap and said, "Mommy, I want you to take care of ME now." It had been a busy day, with visiting teaching, play group, and running errands so I thought she had had a fun day doing so many things with me.  Her comment made me realize that what she really wants is to have some time each day when I focus just on her and what she needs.  Thanks for the reminder, my Sweet Baby D!  

(Looking at this picture it is clear that I should spend more time alone with her if only to gain some of her fabulous accessorizing expertise!)

Gotta Love Dr. Laura!

So, last night Tyler came back from taking the missionaries home (we fed them dinner) and said something to Lydia about having a treat for mommy.  Naturally, I was curious and excited to find out what it was.  After the kiddos went to bed, I got my treat, which was unexpected and amaaaaazing.  Tyler just sat and brushed my hair for at least 20 minutes!  You ladies out there know how fabulous it is to have someone brush your hair!  

It turns out he had been listening to Dr. Laura on the way home from work and she was giving some guy advice, part of which was to brush his wife's hair.  Then she stopped and made some comment about how all women love to have their hair brushed, and Tyler took it to heart.  He checked when he got home and found that I didn't own a regular brush, only a round brush, so he had to stop at the store buy one on the way back from taking the Elders home.  What a sweet and thoughful husband I have.  What made it more thoughtful on his part is that he is getting sick, so he didn't really feel that great but he still took the time to make me feel loved and appreciated.  I love him so much!  Thanks babe!!!

Office Advice

Just a little tid-bit from Lydia tonight ... I asked her what I thought was a simple question. She mulled it over for a moment then looked at me and said, "I'm gonna go away now." And then she ran off. I thought to myself, "Wow! What a great response." Now I'm wondering if this is something I could use at work. It reminds me of a Brian Regan segment about politicians not taking any questions. So, next time you're asked a difficult question, or one that you just don't feel like answering, you can follow Lydia's lead and just say you're gonna go away now and then run off. I'll try it tomorrow. 

A Week of Firsts

This week has been a week of firsts, starting with Luke deciding to sit up unsupported for more than 2 seconds at a time.

Today I attempted to put Lydia's hair into pig tails for the first time.  She still has somewhat of a mullet but I think it looks pretty cute.

And yesterday we brought home our first loveseat.  What a week, and it's only Wednesday!