Colorado’s Floods: A Lesson in Gratitude

September 18, 2013 by

Like many Coloradoans who were not directly impacted by the floods, I felt at a loss about what I could do to help. I have been filling in for several weeks as Bode’s Primary (Sunday School) teacher and our lesson was on prayer on Sunday.

We talked about all the many things we can thank Heavenly Father for and also what to ask for. A big item of discussion was people impacted by the flood and I tried to drive it home that prayer without action  is pretty darn fruitless so I’ve been looking for ways to teach my kids to serve. Later that day, we drove about a mile from my house to survey some of the damage. We are on the very tip of the worst of it and our house was mercifully spared. Friends a mere mile away received evacuation orders.

On Sunday, we went to survey some of the damage and yesterday, I went for a ride along my favorite trails. Rebuilding will take months.

I can’t even imagine the devastation if that was your home underwater.

We caught wind that an area fire station had become a makeshift command center for the National Guard who were battling the floods and they were in need of food donations. So, the kids and I gathered together oodles of snacks, made dozens of cookies and a couple of huge cards. As we were going to deliver them, I received a note from Bode’s school that the local food bank also needed items for flood relief but we decided to stick with the original plan with the command center and send some different items back to the school.

I’m so glad we did.

When we pulled into the parking lot, I felt like we were in a war zone with heavily armored army vehicles and I suppose we were.

I have the utmost respect for the military but have never really been around them. I’m not sure what I was expecting when we walked into the fire station’s command center…maybe a cheerful PTA volunteer mom greeting us…but that wasn’t it. About 25 exhausted men and women from the army were resting for likely the first time in days. Their eyes lit up when they saw the kids walk in, armed with oodles and oodles of cookies.

Bode and Hadley gave them the big cards they made and, get this, these amazing men and women stood and clapped…for us.  I mean, my cookies are good but standing-ovation-worthy? 🙂

In all seriousness, the whole thing was deeply moving and brought tears to my eyes as we turned around and clapped, thanking them for all that they were doing.

It took a few hours out of our lives but I hope it is one experience these kiddos of mine will never forget. I know I won’t and I’m so grateful for the many people who are on the front lines every day.

 

 

Filed Under: Colorado, LDS

Lessons learned at 5 a.m. and 5:10 a.m. and 5:20 a.m….

September 17, 2013 by

We learned a couple of things when our fire alarm falsely went off starting at 5 a.m. this morning:

1) Bode can sleep through anything.

2) Fat Kitty (who’s still MIA) is a “save yourself” kinda cat.

Filed Under: Bode, Humor Tagged With:

Four (Funny) Reasons Why You Should Ski This Winter!

September 16, 2013 by

We had a summer of non-stop travel and capped it off with a glorious trip to AAA Five-Diamond The Broadmoor over Labor Day. At a recent party, our neighbor queried, “So, when is the next big trip?”

Silence. Chirping crickets.  Could it be–the very bane to our existence (travel) and we had no future plans?

But then I remembered: Ski season is in a few short months! As we prep for back-to-ski season, I’ve compiled four fun(ny) reasons why you should hit the slopes.

Our family’s first time at the “top of the world” together

1) The Best Family Bonding Happens on a Ski Vacation

There is nothing my family loves better than cruising down the slopes in a Wonkaesque world of white–we’re like the Cleavers on skis, only cooler (literally and figuratively). Last year was the first time we were able to ski together  as a family with then-6-year-old Bode and 8-year-old Hadley and it was epic!

But here’s the thing: you don’t have to even hit the slopes to have a memorable time together. Many people dismiss a winter vacation in the mountains because they don’t ski or snowboard. All you need to do is love the outdoors and cozying up indoors.

Most resorts offer so much more than skiing. Last year alone, we hit hot springs and hot tubs, ziplined, tubed, raced down an alpine coaster, played in a snow fort, skated on a lake, snowshoed, took a sleigh ride to dinner, indulged in gourmet foods, played games by the fire, roasted s’mores and got pampered at the spa.

OK, maybe I didn’t do the last item but you’d better believe it’s top priority this year.

 2. You Win Parent of the Year Award (if they survive)

Daughter’s first difficult terrain

I’m all about teaching kids to do hard things and learning to ski can be hard at first. But after years of ski school, a few meltdowns and even a faked injury (yes, Bode I’m talking about you), both of my kids are good skiers and on track to becoming great.

A couple of years ago, my daughter and I were taking our last run of the day when I took a wrong turn. Instead of staying on a nice, easy cruiser, I led us to the point of no return with an intersection that had three options: a double blue advanced intermediate and two double-black black diamond (expert terrain) trails.

Haddie was a solid intermediate skier but as I looked down at the double blue’s steep, bumpy terrain a feeling of dread came over me. I didn’t let her in on my trepidation and explained our predicament.

“OK, let’s do it!” she fearlessly said.

“Really?”

I don’t know why I was surprised since we didn’t have any other options, other than being carried down on ski patrol’s stretcher. And so she gunned it down that mountain, never complaining and even squealing with glee.

That was the beginning of the end and soon she’ll be dragging me down the mountain. Hopefully stretcher not included.

The kids three years ago when I found my packing sanity

3. My Best Organizing Tip and the Day I Lost My Sanity

Winter sports get a bad wrap because there is a lot of equipment to remember: goggles, long johns, gloves, scarves, helmets, socks, ski pants, jackets…the list goes on. I’ve become a master of organization and now put all of their accessories in an over-sized Ziploc bag, which cuts down on the chaos when it’s time to get up and go.

Except for the first day of ski season last year when my son’s glove was nowhere to be found. I was positive I had set it out in his bag the night before so its whereabouts was a real head-scratcher. Had Fat Kitty eaten it? Was I officially out of my mind? Bode had lost his back-up pair of gloves and touque (Canadian word for ski hat for any uninformed Americans) the week before so it was a do-or-die situation.

Or rather, a find-it-or-freeze-your-hands-off scenario.

After about 20 minutes of looking, my wise husband investigated Bode closer.

“Bode, what is that?”
“What is what?”
“That lump underneath your ski pants!”

Bode looked down and sure enough, there was a subtle lump near his calf. Sheepishly, he removed his ski pants to discover the MIA glove. The velcro on the straps had deviously attached to the inside of his ski pants.

Even the best plans are not fool-proof. Obviously. Signed, -The Fool.

4. Skiing/snowboarding=the best kind of stupid

Last year, we took my husband’s brother Chris skiing at a local resort for his birthday.

As we huddled together for warmth on the chairlift, we gazed down upon the wind-whipped chutes, marveling at the forests that were forever slanted from the gusts. Snow swirled around us and as we climbed higher, our world was temporarily blotted out completely white.

I turned to the birthday boy. “Chris, can you even believe we’re doing this?”

He paused, laughed and then uttered what will become my motto on all such bitterly cold days on the slopes: “Yes, but it’s the best kind of stupid.”

Hear, hear.

Bring on the 2013/14 season.

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I am participating in the Back to Ski campaign, which was started by family travel blogger Mara Gorman in 2012 as a way to get families off the couch and on the slopes.  During Back to Ski Week 2013 from September 16th to September 20th you can enter to win some fabulous skiing prizes at the Back to Ski website.

 

Filed Under: Family, Family travel, outdoors, skiing

Severe Flooding in Colorado

September 13, 2013 by

First, there was Calgary.

Now, Colorado.

Four straight days of rain have resulted in historic rainfall across the 150-mile expanse of our Front Range with flood waters wreaking havoc and thousands evacuated. Washed-out roads, bursting dams, ditches-turned-raging-rivers, washed out roads and bridges and mudslides are everywhere. We live on a hill so are currently safe but our small city is being hit; our rivers are flooded and a nearby reservoir was breached, resulting in notifications from our Water Treatment Center to conserve water. On the news this morning, they reported Boulder alone has received 5.3 billion gallons of rain so far, equal to about 10 feet of snow.

First the wildfires, then record-breaking heat for most of September and now this. Forecasters are calling this the flood of the century of “Biblical” proportions.

I don’t see Noah breaking out the arc anytime soon but one thing is for sure: Colorado needs a lesson in moderation.

Stay safe, everyone!

Filed Under: Colorado Tagged With:

True love in the form of a hot dog

September 12, 2013 by

Hadley and I aren’t big fans of hot dogs so I never have them at the house unless we’re planning to roast them over a nice campfire.

However, I recently saw some healthy-ish all-natural chicken-pineapple hot dogs made by Aidells Sausage Company (which we love) so I figured I’d take a chance.

They were a hit!

Hadley gobbled hers down in record time and I asked what she thought.

“I love it, Mom. And it’s not one of those things I’m saying so I don’t hurt your feelings. I really love it.”

“You never do that.”

“True.”

Filed Under: Hadley, Humor

On Being Unaccepted

September 9, 2013 by

In the LDS Church, everyone is assigned home (men) and visiting (women) teachers to come by once a month to check in with their assigned people in the ward. Yesterday, our home teachers Kent and Jordan came by to visit and impart some words of wisdom.

Of course, we can never make things easy on anyone.

Kent shared a nice story by Elder Kopischke from LDS General Conference (read the full talk “Being Accepted of the Lord” here):

When I was a boy, I remember my father sometimes taking me with him to work on projects. We had a little garden a few kilometers from where we lived, and there was always so much to do to prepare the garden each season. We worked on the gazebo or built or repaired fences. In my memory this work always occurred in the freezing cold, heavy snow, or pouring rain. But I loved it. My father would teach me how to do things with patience and acceptance.

One day he invited me to tighten a screw and warned, “Remember, if you put it in too tight, it will break.” Proudly, I wanted to show him what I could do. I tightened with all my might, and, of course, I broke the screw. He made a funny comment, and we started over. Even when I “messed up,” I always felt his love and confidence in me. He passed away more than 10 years ago, but I can still hear his voice, sense his love, enjoy his encouragement, and feel his acceptance.

Kent turned to the kids.

“I’m sure you guys help your dad with stuff, right?”

Long pause. “Not really.”

I jumped in. “They help Jamie with the garden but mostly, they help me and I’m always working with them on cooking and housework.”

Kent: “Oh.”

Me: “But kids, what is the moral of this nice story Kent shared?”

Silence.

Jamie jumped in: “THAT THEY NEED TO HELP ME OUT MORE!!!”

Better luck next month, Kent.

Filed Under: Humor, Jamie, LDS

Life’s Uphill Climb

September 5, 2013 by

I’m under a pile of deadlines and stresses here with car insurance nightmares (really? Our car was hit two weeks ago and we’re not any closer to a resolution and you’re unwilling to cover a rental vehicle?), homework, book reports, soccer practices, volleyball (I’m coaching), surgery for Jamie next week and life.

On a positive note, we had a glorious weekend away at The Broadmoor and their new Ranch at Emerald Valley. Many details on that when I carve out the time but in the interim, I found a few quotes this week I absolutely love love love!

There are two kinds of climbers:

Those who climb because their heart sings when they’re in the mountains, and all the rest.

-Alex Lowe

And then, this.

How to Climb a Mountain

Make no mistake. This will be an exercise in staying vertical.
Yes, there will be a view, later, a wide swath of open sky,
but in the meantime: tree and stone. If you’re lucky, a hawk will
coast overhead, scanning the forest floor. If you’re lucky,
a set of wildflowers will keep you cheerful. Mostly, though,
a steady sweat, your heart fluttering indelicately, a solid ache
perforating your calves. This is called work, what you will come to know,
eventually and simply, as movement, as all the evidence you need to make
your way. Forget where you were. That story is no longer true.
Level your gaze to the trail you’re on, and even the dark won’t stop you.

-Maya Stein

Last weekend: I slipped away from The Broadmoor for a few hours and hiked this.

View of The Broadmoor from my perch atop Upper Columbine Trail, Colorado Springs, Labor Day 2013

It was an empowering climb where I felt stronger, more powerful with each step and literally never wanted it to end when I reached the summit. But now I’m back on firm ground, exhausted, and lacking the clarity I always seem to achieve when I’m soaring several thousand feet in the air. But alas:

You cannot stay on the summit forever; you have to come down again. So why bother in the first place? Just this: What is above knows what is below, but what is below does not know what is above. One climbs, one sees. One descends, one sees no longer, but one has seen. There is an art of conducting oneself in the lower regions by the memory of what one saw higher up. When one can no longer see, one can at least still know.

-Rene Daumal, Mount Analogue

Here’s for the knowing.

Filed Under: Colorado, hiking

The day I almost lost a kid at a birthday party

September 3, 2013 by

I’m talking children’s birthday parties in the Denver Post this week!

As a kid, my birthday parties consisted of friends, games and a cake. I’m not sure what happened between my childhood and motherhood, but when my friend hired a party planner to throw an over-the-top fete for her 3-year-old, I was exposed to a whole new world.

I personally don’t think you need a lot of fuss when it comes to birthday parties — that it is possible to have fun and keep things affordable.

We have traditionally hosted at-home birthdays to keep the cost down but when my daughter was five, she begged to hold her party at

Click to keep reading Price Isn’t the Scariest Thing About Kid Parties (and the day I almost lost one of the kids)

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So, you want to plan a special event for your child’s next birthday but don’t want to break the bank. Kara Allen from the popular party idea site KarasPartyIdeas.com and author of the book “Kara’s Party Ideas” has these seven tips for throwing a spectacular bash.

Filed Under: Hadley, Humor Tagged With: ,

St. Mary’s Glacier: A Disastrously Fun Day

September 2, 2013 by

Every year, our family has climbed St. Mary’s Glacier, one of the top tourist destinations in Clear Creek County. Well, with the exception of last year when I got really sick on the day we were supposed to climb it. And then there was the time Jamie drove over Hadley’s foot at the trailhead so that didn’t exactly work out, either.

So, it’s a family tradition barring whatever disaster comes our way.

This year, we were delighted when our friends, the Carrolls, decided to join us. With six kids, they are a mobile party wherever they go so we knew we’d have a blast! The drive from Idaho Springs to the trailhead is full of hairpin turns and, after a steep, rocky 3/4-mile hike to the base of the glacier, we were at about 10,500 feet.

Jamie and I hiked ahead with the quicker kids and reached the lake at the base of the glacier in record time.

We threw rocks and scaled logs while we waited for the rest of the group but they didn’t come. After a half-hour, I started to hike back down but they were nowhere to be seen so I called them. Their daughter Maeve was struggling with car and altitude sickness so they were turning around and would wait for us in the car. The rest of us hiked to the base of the glacier where we played and played and played.

The quickies

We were delighted to see Maeve toward us a half-hour later, fully recovered after leaving a piece of her misery on the trail (I’ll leave that one to your imagination). In fact, it was a near-perfect afternoon and we practically skipped down to the car.

One of our other traditions is to stop for some epic mountain pies at nearby Beau Jo’s pizza in Idaho Springs. As we were waiting for our lunch, we received a text from Eva:

“Hey, our car won’t start. Are you still at Beau Jo’s?”

Just as we were getting ready to go back up the mountain to retrieve them, I got another text assuring me their car had started and they were on their way.

It was one of my family’s smoothest trips to St. Mary’s Glacier but our friends weren’t so lucky.  Turns out, disaster is contagious.

Just a forewarning for anyone who wants to come play with us anytime soon.

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Getting There: Take I-70 West from Denver, past Idaho Springs’ three exits. Take the next exit marked “Fall River Road.” Just past the bottom of the ramp, take a right (north) on Fall River Road. Follow this road up approximately 9 miles to one of two parking areas for the clearly marked trailhead to St. Mary’s Glacier. Parking is $5.

Filed Under: Colorado, Family travel, hiking, outdoors

Back-to-school: oh, how “special” it is

August 29, 2013 by

I talked a little bit about our frenzied first day and why I went back to bed but (horrors) I didn’t show my requisite first-day pictures. Hadley started on a Monday and Bode on Wednesday, which meant each of them could have the breakfast of their choice on our “You Are Special Today” plate.

Trust me, that plate doesn’t work at all when you have to share it on the same day. Kinda defeats the purpose.

Then, of course, their new outfits.

Is is just me or does Hadley look waaaaaaay too grown-up?

I’m feeling only OK about this school year. Hadley is in fourth grade and has looped with her same teacher (a Waldorf tradition). There’s good and bad in that. Good that we got a lot of kinks worked out last year and the teacher knows her strengths and weaknesses. Bad that I wish she had someone who knew how up to play to her weaknesses better. But best is this teacher loves experiential, multi-day field trips and that is what Hadley lives for.

As for Bode, welp, let’s just say he is rumored to have the worst teacher at his public school. I’m trying to keep an open mind about it because he’s a great student, a pleaser and highly adaptable in the classroom. Second grade is a mess with only one great teacher (whom Hadley had), the one Bode got and the third teacher isn’t great but she now has a grades 1 and 2 split class, which I’m glad we didn’t get.

His teacher’s first letter home didn’t exactly endear me to her, either. No, “welcome back!” or “I’m excited to get to know your kids!” It was:

“Attached is the S.T.A.R.S. rules matrix which outlines expected behavior in the classroom. We have gone over these together in class. PLEASE REVIEW THESE RULES WITH YOUR CHILD to ensure that you both know the expected behavior in the classroom at school.”

Doesn’t she sound like a lot of fun? Strict, I can deal with. It’s her rumored meanness, lack of competence and dislike of teaching that worry me. I hope to be pleasantly surprised. Anyone can change, right?

We had our most fun summer yet–these kids of mine are such adventurous souls and the older they get, the more I enjoy them. It helps that they got along marvelously and fought very minimally. When I kicked ’em to the curb dropped them off at school, I felt a wave of sadness wash over me because I loved spending so much time together.

But then I had six glorious hours to myself where I worked, biked Bear Creek State Park, made peach pies and had a lunch meeting….

Hidden pond at Bear Creek State Park

….and I got over it.

Filed Under: Bode, Hadley, Humor Tagged With:
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