207 weeks

Tyler rockin' out

Picking

I took Tyler berry picking.

It was a gamble, that I knew going in. I'd either get a very helpful kid who loved it, or a kid who was ready to go home before the first raspberry hit the bucket.

Luck must have been on my side, because Tyler had a fantastic time!

We picked berries for about 2 hours. Tyler helped for almost the entire time we were there. I have to admit, there was a black lab farm dog who attached right on to Tyler, and visa versa. The two did not leave each other's side. It was cute. They both played so well together - and I think the dog liked that Tyler would give him berries. Tyler even shared his water with the dog (ever seen a dog drink for a sippy Nalgene cup?). Gosh I wish I had my camera, it was one of the cutest-funniest things I'd ever seen.

Anyway, the berries are great. All frozen away for the winter.

I wonder if my husband would be up for getting a dog? Ha ha - if you know my husband, that had to make you laugh!

The Ultimate Fight

Cancer.

No one likes to hear that word. Chances are you know someone that has had cancer, or that currently has it. There's even a chance it's someone in your family, or a close friend. I have heard over the past few years of way too many people I care about, who have the C word.

Cancer is unforgiving. It takes everything out of a person. If they choose treatment, the treatment often times can be worse than the cancer itself. If you choose not to have treatment, you will start to hear words like "end stage 4." Never what you want to hear.

Cancer does not tire, it does not give up, it does not need rest and takes it's energy from it's host.

I've decided that I hate cancer. I know, it's a strong word, and not one to be used lightly, but I'm tired of cancer.

I'm tired of what it does to strong people who fight it, who loose the struggle, and ultimately give in to it's relentless domination to win.

I'm tired of what it does to the loved ones who help care for those trying to fight the terrible disease.

I'm tired of watching people I know and love suffer because of it.

I'm tired of the heartache it brings to families that are torn apart because of it.

I'm tired of the sorrow and tears it continues to bring to my life and the life of my family.

Until a cure is found, may we embrace the life we have and enjoy our loved ones. May the number of cancer survivors increase daily, and may the ones who loose the battle, know they have fought the ultimate fight.

206 weeks

Relaxing after a swim in his pool....

Tunes

I added a playlist to my blog. Feel free to listen to a few of my favorite songs...you just might see how not young and un-hip I am! Ha ha! Enjoy!

Riding

On July 11th, we were invited to go quad riding with Jeff and Megan at Sand Lake. We had a fabulous time & the kids had a blast, thank you for the great day! Thanks to Megan for taking some pictures of us & sending them our way!

Chloe and her BFF Morgan

E on wheels

Tyler and Eric (I think it's only a matter of time before I loose my husband and son on the weekends)

Chloe and Morgan taking a break during a ride

Eric and Jenny going for a ride (by ourselves!!!! Thanks for watching the kids Megs!)

wii

I'm addicted to the Wii, I will admit that.

Then came along Wii fit. Now I am more addicted than before, but I am sore in places that I didn't know muscles existed. The hoola-hooping rocks! I cannot believe I'm 35 years old and constantly playing video games. I guess to my defense, it is exercise (please tell me it is)!!!!!!

Tyler played in the dirt a lot today - I don't know what it is about little boys, but they seems to have a lot of fun getting dirty. No gloves necessary to work in the garden, but my fingers. Just when I thought Tyler couldn't surprise me anymore, he started picking carrots out of our garden this morning and eating them, dirt and all. It made me laugh - for about 10 seconds...then I talked him into washing the carrots off first. He washed them off in a mud bath he had made in the garden. Boys will be boys.

The funny part (at least to me) came when I took the carrots inside and gave them to him with lunch. They were cleaned up, the green stems trimmed off. He said he didn't like these carrots because they were clean. Go figure?

Thanks Krista for letting me know Laurel took those pictures at our wedding - mystery solved!

I watched one of my favorite shows on TV tonight - Anthony Bourdain "No Reservations." He was on a tour in Saudi Arabia tonight. It's always fun to learn about different countries, customs and culture, but after watching that show, I have to say that I don't really have any desire to visit. Probably one of the few places in the world I do not want to go - and for fairly obvious reasons, which I won't go into detail tonight. The world is a much different place than it use to be before 9.11....

Ok - off to catch up on some emails!