Finally, Some Help... (with long arms)

It took a month and a pair of long arms, but my kitchen painting project is finally over! Thank you Carl. He balanced on a my counter on a box of cake mixes to make the completion of my project come true.

2nd Place and Best Score of the Season

In the final meet before the state tournament, Cali earned her best score of the season 34.45. With her wrists all taped up (see above) and her best game face on (see below), she exceeded her previous goals.

On her first vault she took a fall off the front of the spring board. Her coaches screamed, she was startled, everyone was surprised that she didn't sprain or break her ankle. She calmly walked back to the starting point, and nailed her second vault.

I was especially proud because "calm" and "collected" aren't really Cali's go-to emotions. However, she was able to collect her emotions and vault her best score of the season. If she never becomes a professional gymnast, I'm OK with that. But there is definitely something to be said about the emotional and mental fortitude she has acquired this season.

 

 

 

 

See You Soon

Our friends, the Hansen's, moved back to Utah. We are going to miss them a lot, but are so happy for their new opportunities, and the fact that they will be living very close to our Utah family.

Return of the Kitty Wiskers

We just can't seem to prevent Caleb from turning into a cat. Every time a stray marker is left out, he instantly grows kitty wiskers.

This cat really enjoys eating whipped cream too!

More Entryway Progress...

 Not the best lighting or picture taking angles, but progress for me is measured in years...

 

 

 

 

There Was This One Day...

I've said it before, and I'll say it again... The worst thing about being a mother is that there is never anyone to take care of you when you're sick. I don't get sick that often, but I am not very gracious when I do. There was this one day...

Christian was gone working in Utah. I got deathly ill in the night. I stumbled around and woke Cali up in time to catch her ride to choir. She made the breakfasts and the lunches (I think the lunches consisted of kiwi and Girl Scout Cookies). She made it to her ride. Carter made it on the bus aroud 8:15 a.m. The next time I opened my eyes the clock said 10:30 a.m. At which time I remembered that I had a third child. In a sick panic I called out for Caleb. He strutted into my room with no shirt and a half eaten bag of carrots. He climbed in bed with me and ate carrots {there is a piece of one on his cheek} and played electronics for hours.

That's pretty much all I remember, but somehow we all lived, and I woke up the next morning feeling much better.

Ice Show

Cali and I attended the Ice Show for the Rock Springs Figure Skating club. Several of Cali's friends were preforming, and it was fun to watch all the cute little figure skaters. There was even a professional ice skater who put on an amazing half time (intermission) show.

Cali begged me to sign her up for figure skating, but I have to draw the line somewhere, posing like a figure skate will have to do for now!

First Run of 2013

It was freezing and it wasn't my best time ever, but my first run {yes, until this day I hadn't run since Christmas break} was very fun. My friends Jessy and Lauren and I ran the Frost Bite 5K in Green River in the middle of February. Yes, it was cold. But, it could have been a lot worse!

When Did I Become Uncool?

I cannot honestly believe that this has happened. I am "that" mother, and I love it!

Just in Case

 

Just in case this sweet, smart, squirelly boy grows up, I will have proof of his floppy hair and jack-o-lantern style teeth. When he's too cool to giggle, and to big to smooch, I will have these fleeting moments to look back on.

Kitty Spiderman

Those are "kitty wiskers" via Sharpie...

 

 

A Stomach Bug

A weird stomach bug hit us pretty hard. Caleb, afraid of the consequences, carried around this bowl of saltine crackers and ate nothing else for several days. He also sat around on the couch and watched endless episodes of Curious George.

This Project Was Brought to You By a Sick Little Boy Who Held Still for Two Straight Days...

It took four years, and every single ounce of patience, but I painted my dining area and kitchen. Here's some pictures to prove it!

 

 

 

 

Basketball Season

 

Cali's been having a lot of fun playing on two different basketball teams. The "Storm" season {pictured above} is over now, but the "Tiger Tribe" {pictured below} and tournament season is just getting underway.

It has been very rewarding and fun to see her skills improve and her confidence grow. I especially like that she is getting more aggressive and really hustling for the ball and looking for good shots.

She has also been able to get to know a lot of girls her age from different schools. Her coach even held a get-to-know your team mates party on a Saturday.

We are looking forward to some fun tournaments coming up between now and the end of April!

 

Entryway

Jacob's Memorial Silver Category

Although it wasn't her best score of the season, she finished with her highest rank. As you can see, she was pretty excited about it!

Work and Play

 

There are a few days each semester where the Sweetwater School District students are off school, but the college is not. On one such day Cali and Carter came with Caleb to school! They were a little hesitant at first, they didn't want to be "babysat"... But, they soon found out that the older kid activities were a lot of fun.

I can't eat lunch with Caleb on my lunch break, because he'd never go back to class, but I was able to meet Cali and Carter for a delicious lunch at the T Rex cafe. They could have totally passed for college students!

In other news, after being married for nearly 14 years, we finally upgraded our office furniture from college student to grown-up. It's a shock being in a room without papers all over the floor and random things scattered about, but I could get used to it!

 

How Safe are Garbage Bags as Toys?

 

I'm not sure if garbage bags are ever "safe" as children's toys...but atleast he is big enough and strong enough to rip himself a big air hole. Disclaimer: No children were harmed whilst engaging in this activity.

 

More Crossfit Maddness

Things are getting serious at the Red Desert Crossfit. And by serious, I mean, I passed all my on ramp classes and have moved into the "real" WODs.

I love the variation in the workouts, the muscle movements, and I am painfully aware of where my strength can use some improvements. 

My friend Teresa snapped this picture for me one morning.. I think she said, "hey, that looks pretty tough, you want me to take a picture of you?"

 

I Did Something!

 

We've only been in ou house for four years, so why would anyone assume that any decorating would ever get done? Your guess is as good as mine. But, while celebrating my human rights by not having to go to work on MLKjr. day, I decided to do something.

 

And this is what I did... Yes, there is still a whole other wall that needs to be done. My goal is to have it complete within the next four years!