The Day in August

This is the day in August that can either make or break me.  This is the day that Mark died and this year marks the fifth year.  Looking back - I guess the five year anniversary was not on my mind, but if I had thought about I would have probably painted a very different picture of myself at this point.  I suppose I would have expected me to be a wreck, dreading the day, wishing for things that could never be.  Boy would I have proven myself wrong.  Today was an ok, normal, just your average work load kind of day.

Today started out with me reading my posts about Mark on the blog and shedding a few tears.  That was followed by answering the questions of a 7-year old about Mark and his death.  I expect that at least one child will ask every year.  Then the day started and I really didn't dwell on Mark again until this evening's rosary.

The hardest part of today was watching my 10-year old grief, tears and all, for his uncle.  He was so young, so innocent when it happened that now he must come to terms with it in his own time.  I cried for him.  Oh to be in those shoes and take away his pain.  I would do it in a heartbeat.  I know that wouldn't help him become the man he will be.  This is part of our family no different than a birth.  He must accept it, grief for Mark, and grow up missing him as the rest of us have.  I can't take those steps from him, but I wish I could.

I thank God for His many blessings on our family since last year.  I ask for His continued graces to be given to all of us who grief for Mark, either today or any other day.

Garden Fun

Cormac's "biggest" berry from our yard. 

 Stephen picked the first big carrot.  Since then Cormac has picked a bigger one since.

Our sunflowers are getting TALL!

The garden looks great.  We are getting lots of tomatoes and cucumbers at the moment.  The rest of the garden is keeping us busy with weeding and such.

As the Belly Grows....Part 5

This picture was taken about 29 Weeks.

The babies are looking good.  Heart rates have been in their normal range. I am weighing in at a healthy 163 and measuring 35 cm.  I am almost through Week 31 at this point.  Getting closer....

This was my only complaint prior to today.  My feet have never looked and felt worse.  Some nights I can hardly walk.  I think that is a small price to pay for these twins.  Very early in the AM I started with some intense itching on the soles of my feet and hands.  It continued most of the day.  I did go in for a blood test and it says my liver enzymes are fine.  We will have to wait 7-10 days for the other test result.  If this continues I will probably end up losing a lot of sleep.  Both are such minor issues in themselves, but with other symptoms they can be serious enough to cause harm to the babies.  I am sure the doctors will watch me carefully.

A Lifetime of Love in Nine Minutes

Memories saved and put together just for my dad and his family today.  I will remember all of you in my thoughts and prayers today.

I miss Grandma, too.

Slippery Fun

We tried Blase's birthday present out a couple of Sundays ago.

 At first everyone just did a belly crawl across the slide.

 Well, almost everyone.

Then I explained the proper way to slip and slide.  No personal examples were executed.

 Some weren't listening obviously.

 She's cute enough she can get away with anything.

 After awhile we turned up the water and just ran through the "sprinkler."

 On your mark, get set......

 GO!!

 UMMMM....GO!!!!  Gooooo!!!!!!  Go???

I wonder what she thinks she's gonna do with that? 

This is what happens when you sit by the water and your very mean mommy turns the water towards your face.  There is a mad scramble for safety.

Home From Yellowstone

Tired and happy kids glad to be on their way home.

Our final animal count for the trip - completely NOT accurate:

prairie dogs - lots

whitetail deer - 14

muley deer - 18

pronghorn - 170

moose - 1

yellow-bellied marmot - 1

cottontail rabbit - 2

chipmunk - 6

pelican - 11

red squirrel - 1

coyote - 1

snowshoe hare - 1

Townsend ground squirrel - 5

mountain goat - 1

grizzly bear - 2

black bear - 3

elk - 67

buffalo - 309

road kill - 17

and one bird who caught a ride home with us.

My Bar

BACKGROUND STORY

As we were driving to Yellowstone, we crossed a creek called "Crazy Woman Creek". (thanks Pinterest for the picture) 

 You can see it on the map above coming off the Powder River.  Well, you just can't cross a creek like that with me in the vehicle and NOT make a comment.  Every one of my family members would have, period.

So Darren says "It's the creek they named after Karen."  Yah, saw that one coming a mile away (ha ha).  Not too far after Crazy Woman Creek you will see (on the map) there is Clear Creek.  Once you make it past the crazy woman you are in the clear, correct??  EDITED POST - I forgot to mention that while I was telling my sister this story she started getting all excited.  She told me that when her and her husband went to Yellowstone he basically said the same thing about the creek being named after me.  Even the in-laws just married into the family obviously know me.  

I did a little digging around and found this picture on someone's blog (thanks to the person who is supplying the picture for me).

So on the way home we stopped and took a picture of me by my bar.  I like it.  It fits me.

I'm not sure if the twins add to the "crazy" part of if I should find a bar that says "Lucky Woman Saloon".