My Rear Hurts

I have a very sore bum. This may seem like a sad story, but in reality it's a celebration! You may be thinking, "Huh?" Sit back, and let me finish. No more inturrupting.

My rear is very bruised this morning. This is because last night I took a pretty long bike ride. I rode all the way to the DQ (not the closest or second closest, but the third closest) and had myself an ice cream. I enjoyed this bike ride with my son in the child seat on the back. We got the bike seat from my moms house earlier this summer and he loves bike rides. We were not riding because he loves to ride.

We were also joined by Emma. Emma frequently joins us on our bike rides. This was the first time we were joined by another person. Brent also accompanied us on our bike trek. He joined us because it was a very special occasion. This was the first time that we took a family bike ride. It was the first time we rode to the third closest DQ. It was the first time (since we've been married) that Brent celebrated with a banana split. This was a very special occasion.

Seven years ago, yesterday, my mom donated a kidney to my dad. That was special, but that's not what we were celebrating. Four years ago, yesterday, my sister started her new job. Also, special, but not worthy of a banana split.

Nope...four years ago, yesterday, Brent adopted Emma! I can remember it so clearly. We kept her home from school. I remember walking from the laywers office to the court house, it was a beautiful day. I remember feeling so nervous/excited. I remember Emma reaching out to hold my hand. I remember the cold, hard feel of the wooden benches in the court room. I remember the judge saying that usually his job involves families being torn apart, and it's so refreshing to bring families together every once-in-a-while. I remember thinking that my whole life would change right now. And it did!

Now here we are four years later. Brent has learned some lessons in patience. Emma has learned some lessons in trying that patience. And we are all still working together as a family to communicate, to love, to forgive, to accept and to cherish...banana split, sore bum and all!

Farmer's Market

I love the farmer's market. It's not a market, it's an experience. We spent three -ish hours there this morning as a family. We people-watched, sampled delightful snacks and did some wonderful bargain hunting. We found the super-fabulous shoes that Keenan loves, but he's in the biggest size that Target sells. Well, a lady in the Bitterroot makes and sells them up to adult sizes, so Keenan is set for life! We found art for our sanctuary (the master bedroom). We bought local fruit, veggies, sauces and cheese. And based on the bulbs that we bought, my flower garden will be spectacular next summer. I can't wait to show it off!

Emma and I have been going to the market since she was a baby. We used to get a little treat from one of the bakery's there, and then wander around. A lady used to sell little girls dresses there that were very hippie. Emma loved them, and wore them summer and winter and everything in between. She called them her "farmet markers dresses". Not a lot has changed. Now it's the silk skirts and fancy bags that catch her attention. Also, she loved watching a man throw pots and a woman weave thread. Keenan enjoyed all of the people, and the dogs! So much to do and see at the market.

Time off!!!

I had two weeks off, and it was entirely lovely. I cleaned, relaxed and we went visiting. We travelled to visit the family in the east for the first time since Keenan was born. (That is hard to believe.) Keenan proved, yet again, that he does not like to travel by car. We stayed with Brent's parents for several days. It was so much fun. We relaxed!!! Keenan discovered a love of the riding the tractor outside. He demended rides frequently. Emma also got to drive it all by herself! In between tractor rides, we managed some other adventures as well. We got to visit my grandma. We also went to a creation dinosaur museum and toured all of the junk food that Brent grew up on. He loves the Coke Frostys, so we them almost every day of our visit. Yum! Then we moved back west for a great stop in Bozeman for my dear brother's wedding. It was so much fun, and an absolutely beautiful location. We are so happy to have a new sister/aunt (and of course brother Tigger). It was great to see all of the family!

I celebrated my first day back to work by requesting two more weeks off. So, now we are cleaning some more, and doing a lot more relaxing!

Just "Fort"ing Around

Emma posting here...

I made a prototype of this fort last night. My blue hamper is where I put my feet. Farther up is my pillow, next to that is a little nook that I can see the TV through. Next to that is where my stuffed animal sits, and across from him is some tissues, a water bottle and a book. I should be able to live here nicely for quite some time. I have an emergency blanket and last but definately not least, the remotes!

Morrell Falls

Emma and I celebrated the summer off with a hike to Morrell Falls. It was so much fun. It took us almost all day. We sang songs and ate huckleberries and found beautiful wild flowers on the hike into the falls. Then we are our picnic lunches and explored the falls. They were beautiful! It was a great day!

Keenan loves Butters

For Emma's tenth birthday my mom got her a cat. She and Brent went to the animal shelter and picked out Butters or Mr. Butters or Mr. Buttersworth as we also call him. Butters has been a great addition to the family. He's good natured, a little feisty and very cuddly. He is also extremely patient with Keenan so far.

No Excuse

I have no excuses. I just haven't blogged in a long time. What have I been doing with my time, you may ask? Well, as you can see from the picture, clearly we've been very busy! The photo doesn't do it justice, however, we have made Emma a new hat, sword and shield. Not a wasted day in my opinion.

Seriously, we've just been living life. The house takes quite a bit of time. We have a wonderful garden, with some beans, squash and lettuce, tons of tomatoes and no carrots. (We tried, who knew you could NOT grow carrots?) We have a new to us swing set compliments of the Frostattos.

I ran my summer programs. They were crazy but fabulous. We did one week of just hiking. So now I know all the hot spots to hike around here. I would love to play guide if anyone wants to visit.

Emma kept busy with acting camp, invention camp and camping camp. In addition, she got a whole week with her Aunt Kelli and a few days with Aunt Kim. She passed a big milestone. She had a birthday and is now in the double digits! And, as you can see, she is perfecting her balloon creation skills.

Keenan is always very busy. He can now climb to the top of the couch and swing one leg over faster than I can run across the room. He knows not to even stop to look at anyone if he is trying to climb from the hearth to behind the TV or he won't get there before he is removed. He knows exactly which is the sharpest knife in the drawer and where it is located and to just grab quickly in the hopes of making Mom yell again. He is also getting very creative with his communication skills. His goal seems to be to as much non-verbal or unconventional communication as possible. For example, whining and pointing at the fridge clearly means "milk". Or just whining in general means, "let's go outside and play!" And of course my favorite, hitting the cat repeatedly means, "you'd better give me something else to do quick or one of us is going to get hurt!" He also has several signs down. He can sign more, please, dog, cat, ball, hot, hat, baby, bye bye, all done...I think there are more, but I can't remember them. He can also do a sign for thank you...he salutes. Pretty cute!

When Brent's not at work, he's busy at home. He has done an amazing job with the garden and the yard...who knew I had such a green thumb around? Last night he spent with the power tools putting the baby locks on the drawers in the kitchen. We already did that on the lowest cabinets, but now we needed to move up a level. It's so nice to have such a handy man.

I think that sums up the summer so far. Hope you are all enjoying your summers!

The Green Grass Grew all Around and Around

There was a house, oh the cutest little house, that you ever did see. And the green grass grew all around and around and the green grass grew all around.

And in that house, there was a living room, oh the cutest little living room that you ever did see. A living room in the house and the green grass grew all around and around and the green grass grew all around.

And in that living room, there was a front hall closet, oh the cutest little front hall closet, that you ever did see. A front hall closet in the living room, and a living room in the house and the green grass grew all around and around, and the green grass grew all around.

And in that front hall closet there was a...Toilet!!!

What is this?

We have a lovely little half bath in our new home. It is everything you need in a half bath...and more. Our half bath comes complete with space to hang 11-15 hand towels. This leaves me wondering, what could possibly happen in here to require the use of 11-15 hand towels?

Embracing our lost Grocery Carts

Before I continue on with stories of the new house, I must share this with you. My dear sister Kelli recently posted a blog about her lonely wandering grocery carts. Shortly after I read all about it, I started noticing something strange and different here. I'm not sure if these carts recently moved from Michigan, or if they're just passing through town. I guess we'll have to get the University of Michigan van over here to help them home.

There is much blogging to be done.

So much has happened since Keenan turned one. I almost don't know where to start. Oh, wait, yes I do. At the end of March we bought a house. We have now joined the ranks of those up to their eye balls in debt. Wahoo! Since then our lives have been fairly consumed with the business of packing, painting, remodeling, moving, and unpacking. The move has been great for all of us. Brent has found new talents in the area of construction that he never know had. He is also excited to get going on the garden (if only it would stop snowing!) It is a little close to a busy street and we were worried that the traffic noise would be too much. No need to worry. The morning after our first night there, Emma came to me and said, "Mom, I love my new room! It has such peaceful sounds all night long, like cars going past and dogs barking!" Don't you just love it? The first few days were rough on Keenan, but he now loves the space to run around, the boxes to get into, the yard to play in, and the new and improved access to pots and pans in the kitchen! I just love it all!! In the next few posts, I will tell you about some of the fabulous things about our new house.

It's the big ONE!

Keenan is the big ONE! It is so fun thinking back on this last year, and remembering all the happiness that he has brought to this family. Brent was holding a sleeping Keenan, looked up and said, "life was miserable before him." Part of me thinks, "what am I, chopped liver?" But I understand what he means. We never know what joy we are missing out on until we have little children in our lives. Keenan is now walking, running, crawling, climbing, falling, tripping, bumping and climbing some more.

My mom came over for his birthday. He had a chocolate train cake. It took him a while to try a bite, but once he did, he loved it! By the time he was done, there was white frosting and speckles of chocolate cake all over his chin and up to his ears. He looked a bit like a hobo...we may have our halloween costume picked out. It was a pretty successful birthday.

Quiet Mornings

I love early mornings when everyone is still asleep. I turn the light on dim, and read, sip tea, sit an enjoy the quiet. Or, in this case, blog about quiet mornings. Emma is tangled in her 3 million blankets, Keenan is sleeping snugly next to the quilt from his Grantie Jamie, and Brent is snoring away. It's a time to count my many blessings; my favorites are snoozing upstairs.

Say What?

This morning Emma came downstairs sporting her bathrobe and sunglasses. She walked past Keenan and said, "I bid you good day sir. I said I bid you good day sir. Why do you insist on attending me when I don't intend to date you? As you are the size of a peanut and I am the size of a ripe tomato. I bid you good day sir."

Dinner with the Younger Generation

Sunday evening we had my cousins Libby, Tammy and Dominic over for dinner. It was a lovely evening. When they arrived, they joined Emma for a game of Clue, and then we had dinner (which was slightly late because we ran out of propane -- oops!) There was much laughter and merriment. While I thouroughly enjoyed myself, I felt like I was at a banquet for people with ADHD. Between the three of them we did not go more than two-and-a-half minutes without someone answering their phone or sending a text. When you include Keenan and his inability to sit through a whole dinner, it was somewhat similar to a three ring circus. I guess this is dinner with the younger generation! Love it!

Children are so Amazing!

I am struck again and again by how wonderful it is, and how blessed I am to have these children in my life. Each day is a new adventure.

Emma and I are reading "The Tale of Despareaux" (thank you to the Chases who gave the book to Emma for Christmas!) Each night we curl up together on her bed and enjoy an incredible journey with this little mouse. It is so fun to take that time with her each day. She just loves wild stories.

Keenan is a bit more active each day. Last Sunday he took his first steps. He was just standing in the middle of the room, and he moved one foot forward, then the other, then again and again. He took four steps in a row, then just stood there for awhile. Each day he is taking a few steps. It is hard to remember that just ten months ago he was brand new and totally dependant on me. Now he is trying for total independance.

I love these kiddos!

Happy Belated New Year

We had such a fabulous New Year's Celebration. Missoula has First Night, which is tons of activities all over town all afternoon and evening. We rode the carousel, watched performances, went dancing, ate good food, played games and were home by nine. That's my idea of a good time! The best part of our adventure was the performance by Celtic Dragon. They played the bagpipes, drums and Irish dance. It was absolutely amazing, and the kids were enthralled...what fun! It was a great way to welcome in the new year.