Family Bike Ride

Josh, Boaz and I (Craig is on a work trip to Texas) rode our bikes to get milk shakes.

We went between 2 - 3 miles. This is the first major bike ride of Boaz's life.

We had to ride on one busy road for just a bit.

I found myself as the barrier between Boaz and the world.

I tried to keep him out of the gravel, out of the goat head patches and out of the middle of the road.

He listened to all of my instructions. (Perhaps this is why they learn to ride bikes as young children and not as teenagers.)

He saw cars coming toward us four blocks away.

He applied left and right correctly.

We arrived to Rupe's intact. We ordered our milk shakes. We kept an eye on our bikes outside. If we do this again, I will need to get bike locks. I was a bit nervous.

We found a green belt along the rail road tracks less than a block from the restaurant. We relaxed and enjoyed our treat. Josh wanted to climb the trees. He got into one, but Boaz was just too short to reach the saddle.

We drove home another way.

Boaz had to practice stopping and starting. He had to practice riding right on the edge of the road. I talked about looking where you wanted to go and not where you didn't want to go. He missed the big pot hole.

By the end of the ride his hands were sore. He was holding on to the handle bars tightly. I told him about softening his grip. His bum was sore. I don't know any trick for that one. Mine was starting to get sore too. :)

We made it. I told him if he was a Bear (Cub Scouts) he would be able to pass off most of his bike patch (not really a patch but I forgot what it is called.)

A good Saturday.

Gaining confidence

Boaz is loving riding his bike.

He rode it to the end of the road and back about 5 times. (about 1/2 mile)

He is starting to get ideas. He asked if he was good enough to ride the bike to Rupes for milkshakes.

I said yes. Only one semi-busy road to drive on.

He is talking about family bike rides.

He is talking about riding bikes with his friends.

Now he knows that riding bikes is fun. Yea!

First day on the new bike.

I didn't get very far.

I am a bit embarrassed by how weak the lungs are.

But, I got on it and went up my road.

I had Journey on the ipod. I didn't keep up with the beat, but it kept me going for a bit.

I am looking forward to going farther.

It's a start. :)

When my world falls apart . . .

When my world falls apart, I'm glad it's not forever.

I'm glad it is easier to put back together than it seems. Sometimes when I am in the middle of crisis mode, I can't see five minutes ahead.

I'm not too sure how I started visiting crisis mode, I wish I'd give up my passport there and be satisfied with normal ups and downs.

Today, I am leveled out.

Life looks good again.

Our Backyard

 It looks like winter out there.

What happened to spring?

 Yesterday we bought me a new bike. It's pretty with a good soft seat. Josh teases me about how soft it is.

I am so excited to get on it.

Today, the day after we got our new bike, it turned into winter again.

Now I am wondering when I am going to get on my pretty new bike.

Cinco

Cinco is an indoor cat. By personal choice -- his.

His sister, Mayo, loves to go outside. She climbs the fence in the back yard and plays with the dozen horses in the pasture.

Last night, I let them both out, and forgot to call them in.

This morning, they were no where to be found -- of course.

After work, I called and called. I finally prayed for their safe return. They are part of our family, and the boys would be devastated.

I got up, and I saw Mayo immediately. She came prancing through the horses and up and over the fence and trotted happily to the back door.

I called and called for her brother. He was a no-show.

Hours later, Boaz saw  him on the horse side of the fence.

I went out to try and coax him in. He didn't want to climb the fence. Dumb cat.

I went for a ladder, and he showed up at the back door.

After almost 24 hours outside, the first thing he went for was the litter box.

What a prissy boy. He doesn't like to go potty outside.

But they are both home and the boys (and me) are happy.

I wonder . . .

I wonder why we are so hard on ourselves.

I wonder why we are so ready to discount our efforts.

I wonder why it is so hard to see the good that we accomplish.

Hungry cats

As part of my sick weekend, I ran out of cat food Sunday night. Monday morning between buses, I rushed to Walmart for cat food.

The cats were distraught.

There was no food in their bowls.

They had only eaten hours ago, but they were sure the world had gone crazy.

I came home, called them to their bowls and they responded enthusiastically.

Even Mayo felt the need to feast.

When they were finished, there was still food left over.

They were not starving.

But they were sure they were earlier.

Superlative beats comparative.

Boaz and I have a game.

I say "I love you."

He says, "I love you more."

I say, "I love you most."

He says, "I love you more."

I say, "Superlative beats comparative."

He says, "What does that mean."

I smile and giggle.

Sometimes it is a good thing that mom knows everything. :)

Happy birthday flowers

 These are so beautiful.

My sweet in-laws sent me flowers.

The poor delivery guy had a hard time trying to find me today.

He finally left them with my sweet neighbors.

Another year.

I had such plans.

Dinner out.

Maybe a new bike.

Time with the family.

Instead I got sick. :(

And now Craig is sick. :(

Not quite what I was thinking it would be.

I have been bugging Craig for about a month. Reminding him it was my birthday. Nagging him about what he was going to do.

Is this poetic justice?

He wanted to know if we were still going out last night. I said no, in between deep, hacking coughs.

He asked me what I wanted for my breakfast today. He made me lovely eggs.

He asked me what about dinner today. I said we have that posole (Mexican soup) in the fridge. Let's just eat that up.

He kept saying he was sorry I was sick on my birthday. And now he is sick too. That wasn't very nice of me.

I did get to talk to most of my family. I got serenaded by lovely people. It all turned out all right.

We'll just go out to dinner another time. Maybe, if we get around to it -- that is.

Boaz is toothless again.

I have been working full days trying to get through some testing. Ugh!

I raced home to try and beat the bus that Boaz rides.

I was just few minutes late.

I pulled into the garage, worried that Boaz would be a little scared. We had talked about this, and I told him I might not be right home when he was, but I was on my way.

Before I could get out of the car, Boaz opened the door and smiled huge showing that his slightly loose tooth had come out at school.

He was the proud recipient of a tooth box hanging around his neck.

I am amazed at how little time it takes him to work his tooth right out of his head. :)

It is all gone.

 The wind blows here 24 - 7. My hair has been forever whipped around my head.

I had gotten to the point where I just couldn't take it any more.

So today -- partially as a birthday present to myself -- I got it all cut off.

I think this is the shortest it has ever been.

But I still have some fullness on top where the curl can show if it wants to.

A little sassiness to go with the practical.

Saturday Is a Special Day

Craig started singing this song to Boaz this morning.

"It's the day we get ready for . . . "

He paused and waited for Boaz to fill in the word.

Boaz popped his head around the corner and sang "the sabbath"

I was a little sad that that song is not sung in Primary anymore. But pleased that Boaz knew what should complete the line.

Today I have scrubbed the stove top, finished the laundry, vacuumed the floor, dusted the piano and shelves.

Craig helped load up good friends and help send them on their way to a new chapter in their lives.

Josh is at scouts getting most of his first aid merit badge.

Craig said he would iron his shirts, and I came down to play on the computer a bit.

It is still my plan to get some blocks sewn. :)

Saturdays are special days indeed.