{quarter time}

So I have alot to catch up on. Alot to tell about when I can sit down and write about all what we've done in the last few months... like going to Pagosa for our anniversary, being a bridesmaid in my cousin's wedding in Oklahoma, and vacationing in Branson. But since it is late, and we're going to Silver Dollar City tomorrow, I will tell about a recent incident when my daughter's life passed before my eyes, my career in nursing was validated, and I learned never to take my children for granted...

We were sitting in the rehearsal dinner, watching a video of my cousin and her fiance, when Jonathan leaned up to me and whispered loudly, "Honey, Kate just swallowed a quarter!" We jumped up and ran out of the darkened room to the foyer, where Jonathan did a finger sweep and found nothing. He then let go of her in near panic as Kate turned purple and crumpled. My training came into play without a second thought- I did the Heimlich maneuver almost 3 minutes before the quarter came shooting out across the room. After a couple rescue breaths, Kate grabbed her throat and screamed. We took her outside to calm down. I was shaking. Not a minute later, Jonthan's sister Shara called. The first words out of her mouth were, "Are you guys okay? I was playing the piano when I felt like God wanted me to stop and pray for you."

{Kate's latest idea}

Kate told me last night, "When I'm older, I'm gonna get a new face." I asked her, "But why? Yours is so pretty!" She pondered that, and answered, "Well, I'll keep my same mouth and eyes, but I need a new nose." "I like yours- it's perfect," I assured her. "No, I don't like this one" as she touched her nose. "This one keeps getting buggers in it."

{spring fever}

Well, we've got it. Spring fever that is. Every day, we stare longingly at the mountains, wishing to be there. When it warms up, we get the itch even more. So this weekend, we corraled some friends, I took my midterm exam early (only 3 more weeks left), and we all headed out for South Fork-our home away from home. It ended up being a nice weekend of relaxation, camping in our RV, and soaking in the Pagosa Hot Springs. We got some sun too! The kids baked a little more than anticipated, although I did do the mom thing and coat them with sunscreen... We were just in the water longer than anticipated. But it was wonderful.

{swimming lessons}

Have you ever had a "light-bulb moment"? I need some company. It seems I have these alot. All moms probably say to themselves at one point or another, "Why didn't I think of that earlier?" Where is the manual for child-raising that includes such reminders as "let your child feed himself at 18 months; your child should be potty-trained by age 3; it is no longer appropriate for a child to suck his thumb after age 4; it is highly recommended to take your child to the zoo 3 times a year; enroll your child in swimming/karate/gymnastics/soccer lessons by age___." After all, how can a mom keep up with all these things?

So I had a similar light-bulb moment about 3 weeks ago. My kids have been begging for me to buy them floaties for the pool this summer (they lost theirs at the end of last summer). We haven't gone swimming recently, but they are already thinking and somewhat fearful about it. Then it dawned on me, "Swimming lessons. Why haven't I enrolled them sooner?" I mean, I have a friend with a 3 year-old who just jumps right in and swims underwater with no assistance or timidity. Why can't my kids do that? Because I have not enrolled them in swimming lessons. So I did. They are now taking weekly lessons at the Safe Splash Swim school, in the same class for now. Their first lesson was quite a success. Donned with new goggles and a pink swim cap for Katelyn, they excitedly lined up to enter the pool. I got to watch the energy through the huge window in the parent's lounge. When we went to the hot springs this weekend, they were noticeably more comfortable in the water, even after just 1 lesson.

Their cousin Andrew is signed up to join in the fun and take lessons with them. I can't help but laugh out loud every time I look at this picture of Kate. Let me know if you did too!

{kids say the darndest things...}

Background to the situation:

1. I am on week 10 of P90X, feeling good, feeling fit...

2. Just bought Kate a new car booster seat, as she is now over 30 pounds...

3. The back seat of our Honda Civic is pretty small...

So this morning, we're riding to work and I'm reaching to the back seat to hold Katelyn's hand. She says, "Momma, sit with me." I tell her, "I can't honey. I'm already up here, and daddy is driving." Then I add, "Although now, I probably would fit since your car seat is not as wide." Chad pipes up, "No you couldn't. Your bottom is too fat!" Not to be undone, I retort: "Oh, yeah? I'll show you!" all the while Jonathan is laughing hysterically. You just don't say that to your 115-pound mom. At least I never did.

So I climb to the back, sit myself down, and declare "See, I do fit." Chad looks at me slyly and says, "I'm so smart. I just wanted you back here." At that, we all have a good laugh. Gotta watch out for this kid- he's a trickster!

{seeds and weeds}

It's about that time again...time to order seeds, pull out the little pots, fill them with soil, and plant the seeds. What a great science lesson for kids! Last weekend, Chad spied a little "greenhouse" dome with 6 small pots, 6 pellets, and some cactus seeds. He begged me to buy it and help him plant the seeds. About an hour after completing the process, he crawled up to the counter and cried, "nothing is up yet!" I explained that it will take a while for them to sprout. Every morning, he has made note that the seeds are not working. What a surprise he will have when he finally sees a cactus "pop up." He got really excited 2 weeks ago when he found a dead fly in his venus fly trap- LOL.

This weekend, we are ordering seeds from my favorite company:  http://www.seedsofchange.com/ 

--the company my cousin John Steiner works for in their research and preservation of heirloom seeds. He recommends the yacon, so I'm going to try it this year.

Chad's request is for the Chadwick Cherry tomato. He was delighted when he found his name in the catalog. He also asked for his favorite vegetable: asparagus, but was deflated when I told him it takes a few years for that to be ready. Katelyn's only request is peas. Last year, she ate the whole crop. Whenever we couldn't locate her in the house, we would find her in the pea patch harvesting the green M&M's. My absolute favorite is the yellow pear cherry tomato. Each year, I let the last crop of green beans dry out, and save them for seed the next year. This will be my 4th summer to do this. Another highlight of our garden is the magic pumpkins. Last year, we grew four 100-pound pumpkins. But the magic was in the skin...Jonathan and I used a pocket knife to etch "Chad" and "Kate" in the skin of the pumpkins. The skin scabbed over to form white letters. Chad informed me, "God knows my name, b/c he wrote it on my pumpkin!"

Needless to say, we have a good garden times.

{family pics}

I must admit, I am REALLY BAD about getting family pictures taken. It's one of those things that gets forgotten in the rush to get the kids to school, get to work, have fun with the family, try to get into school, remodel the house, etc... It may also have something to do with hating studios and posed pictures. I like candid shots better. So I have avoided family pictures like the plague. Then one day, I was coming down the stairs in our house and laid eyes on our last family picture hanging there. Chad was 3 months old. Wow! Could it really have been that long ago? Chad is 5 now. 

About that time, a friend of mine got family pictures taken. Jonathan and I liked them so much, we promptly made an appointment. But where to go in Denver outdoors in January? Downtown of course...to Union Station.