Grand Adventure

Bill and I went tubing down the Boise River yesterday. In a moment of mild idiocy I fell out of my tube. This sounds simple enough just get back on the tube and go your merry way. Well I couldn't get back on the tube. Truthfully I nearly drown trying to keep hold of my tube and paddle. They were both new and I was not going to loose them. My body took quite a beating on the rocks while I fought against the current to save my darn tube and paddle. I was able to swim to a sandy shore using only my feet because my hands were occupied with the tube and the paddle. It was a scary ordeal I got caught under the tube it had a nylon cover so when it flipped over it sort of suctioned to the surface of the water with me underneath. The water was shallow so I attempted to stand a couple times, but the quickly moving current swept me off my feet and that was when I banged my knees up the most. After I got to the sandy shore I just stood there completely exhausted. I saved the tube, paddle, and my favorite pair of sunglasses. Lost the sunscreen, damn it. Luckily my husband came along and was able to coax me back on the tube so we could finish our float. I was about 10 minutes ahead of him, I paddle faster. I'm glad I got back on the proverbial horse and finished the race. I like floating the river, and my little adventure taught me to respect it's power. My knees hurt like the big H, but they will mend. I'd like to say think you to my husband, Bill, for teaching me to drink deeply from the cup of life. Also for holding my tube while I jump on.

AZ Part 2 (Vegas and Hoover Dam)

So on the way home we went to Vegas. The boys had never been, and thanks to Priceline we got five star accomodations! It was so much fun to live like the other half for a day!

AZ Trip Part One

For some reason these uploaded chronologically backwards. This is our hike in Moab, fun times with cousins, Grandma, uncles, aunts...all of our AZ family. A few days after we arrived the storm of the century hit. We got snowed in for a day, and grandma's pipes broke in the -17 degree weather. The boys got to go sledding though, and Bill got to spend some time freezing his pants off in the pump house with Jim. I was a good time had by all, and we already miss our AZ family terribly!

Baptism...a Few Thoughts.

As some of you may know, but most of you are just finding out, Heath Hartley was baptized last night. Bill did the dunking, and Heath was successfully submerged and reborn spotless and pure. The program was short and sweet (which I appreciated), Heath got to go first (which I also appreciated), and cute little Heath was grinning all night from ear to ear. I forgot my camera, so there are no pictures documenting this right of passage for me to share. It's almost better that way though, I thnk there are some things that are better left as mental pictures. Spiritual expereinces are best left as mental pictures. It helps us remember how we felt, rather than getting distracted by the mild red eye and goofy expressions frozen foever in silver specs. I guess they probably don't use silver anymore, but you get the idea.

It ment a lot to Bill to be able to have that experieince to share with Heath, and I was proud of him and of Heath. Good choices open the doors to more good choices, and I know that Heath will continue growing into the fine young man I know he is destined to be.

Happy Halloween!!!

Hayden the "Homie" and Heath the "Disco Man." I use quotations because that is what the boys came up with. They are very cute, and we love them to pieces.

Hayden And Gen Paint.

Hayden and I painted together last weekend. It was fun, Hayden is a budding little artist, though I think his heart belongs to music.

My Attempt At Abstract

This is my first abstract painting...it's not a Jackson Pollock(sp?), but not awful. The photo is awful though. I will get a better one in natural light when the sun decides to shine again.