Unerneath this cape

Underneath this cape (made by Grandma Orina)…
Is a NAKED boy!
A boy who has always liked to be naked,
Whose mama loves to let him run around bare bottomed

Underneath this cape…
Is a boy who loves SOCKS!
Especially MOM and DAD’S socks
Who boasts out his chest whenever he gets the chance to dress up

Underneath this cape…
Is a boy who always rides in a CARSEAT!
Who barely fit in his infant seat
AND now after 15 months has barely grown big enough for this seat

Underneath this cape…
Is a boy who knows his FAMILY!
A boy who LOVES his family, even if he doesn’t get to see them often
Who looks up at their faces with an open heart and a smile

Underneath this cape…
Is a CLUMSY boy!
Who always has bruise on his head
Who loves to run and climb and scream and talk

Underneath this cape…
Is a boy who loves to EAT!
Who has learned to beg, but also say thank you
A boy who will eat tofu, green beans, ice cream and strawberries

Underneath this cape…
Is a boy who listens to MUSIC!
Whose Bampa and Grandpa love to play the guitar for him
A boy whose MAMA sings him Janis Joplin and Bob Marley tunes

Underneath this cape…
Is a boy who loves to be OUTSIDE!
Who digs in the dirt, plays in the water, chases the dogs
A boy who already knows a bat and baseball go together



Underneath this cape…
Is a boy who loves his MAMA and DAD!
Who has mastered those words, with punctuation, inflection, with emotion
Who with a smile melts their hearts

Underneath this cape…
Is a boy who can become WHAT EVER he wants!
Who can dream, create, learn, who can make people laugh
A boy who will ALWAYS make his mama proud

Our First Glimpse of Warmth

Monday May 19th… What a wonderfully warm day. My heart was literally full of SUNSHINE! I pulled out the pool, put on Canyon’s trunks and gathered the water safe toys. We had fun! Gary made it home from work early enough to enjoy Canyon’s ABSOLUTE happiness. We all smiled and laughed. It was great. I CAN NOT wait for more days like this.

The Taos Box in New Mexico

SOME PICTURES FROM OUR WEEKEND IN NM...

In no particular order:

Matt and Canyon just chillin' like villins outside the Pilar Yacht Club.

Dad, Gary, Mark, David, and Jesse: Paddles up!

The last rapid of the day. It's usually the one everyone falls out on. We ran it perfectly.

Our last night around the fire. Canyon had enough!

Day one: they have no idea what they are getting into.

Gary and Billy put on a good front, but Lyndee and I knew how nervous and excited they were to take their raft down the mighty Rio Grande for the first time. Gary guided the boat with confidence and ease. They had a great time. I was so releived to see their smiling faces at the end of the day.

I love to sit around a warm campfire.

Proud to be in his own chair. Well it's not his chair, but it's his size.

My best bud. Last year on Mother's Day weekend we were enjoying a comfortable resort in Sedona. This year we were about to set sail down the Rio Grande. What a blast. And how greatful I am that everyone survived.

Cinco de Mayo Puppies

We weren’t expecting puppies so early! I had made arrangements for Lola to go to my mom’s while we were in New Mexico rafting. I was stressing about how it would be for her to have her puppies in a strange place, but I had made peace with it. I knew she would be well taken care of at my moms.

But much to our surprise she had them about a week earlier than we expected. I was at work and called to check in and Gary informed me that Lola was having her puppies! I was so excited and nervous for her. I wanted to be there to make sure she had everything she needed and to make sure all the puppies would be ok. The first puppies were borne before either of us got home, but thankfully Billy was working on the raft and guided Lola to her whelping box.

When I got home from work I rushed outside to check on her. I found a puppy lying outside the whelping box. I carried it to Lola. She warmed him up and added him to the litter. I began counting the puppies. One… two…three…seven… eight… nine!!! Nine puppies! Wait there was ten. A little lemon and white pup had gotten wrapped up in the sheet. She was not doing well and I thought we were going to loose her. We warmed her up and brought her, Lola and the rest of the puppies inside.

Lola has been a great mama. Nursing ten puppies would be a challenge for any dog, but she has mastered the task. A week and a half later all ten puppies are growing; both bellies and ears. They are soooooo sweet. Anyone want a BASSET HOUND?

Happy Birthday SKYE

Skye is my BIG sister, my hero, my closest friend, and my role model. Today is her Birthday and I hope she is treated like the amazing woman she that she is. Happy Birthday! I love you TONS!!

"Do you have front end problems?"

That’s the question a man asked me as he recklessly drove up next to me at the movie rental store.

“What?!” I said.

“Is that your jeep?” he said.

I sighed with relief, realizing I was driving Gary’s jeep and this man wasn’t trying to Hi-jack me he was just curious if the jeep had front end problems. I have been driving Gary’s jeep since we let my dad take my car to ALBUQUERQUE while his Toyota truck is being repaired. Driving the jeep hasn’t been as bad as I thought. It is hard to get in and out of especially with Canyon, it doesn’t have a speedometer, and it guzzles gas. But it makes me feel rebellious and care free. It’s been FUN! Although I have enjoyed living life on the edge these past few weeks, I will be glad to get my car back.

First Came LOVE...

… Then came puppies. Here are our two, much-loved, bassets: Nitro & Lola. Lola is going to have puppies any day. I am excited, but nervous (for her and me). The bad news is we are going on a rafting trip in New Mexico next weekend and she will be with out us and her home. Poor planning on our part. But… she is going to stay at my mom’s (the most willing and able midwife I know). I am sure she will be fine, but I am so worried to leave her. I will keep you all posted on the puppies when they arrive.