Dear Daddy!

Dear Daddy,
I miss you a whole lot but I know you are making us proud in India, at least that is what Mommy tells me. She says that you are living out some adventures that you will tell us about when you get back. She says that the kind of stories you are going to tell us, you cannot find in storybooks, I'm really excited about it. I've been playing with Uncle Ez and Drew and they remind me of you. I'm going to dress up for you and make a sign so that you won't miss us at the airport when we pick you up. Here are some videos of some things I've been doing while you are gone.

Here is me playing the piano at Aunt Tammy's


And here is me on the farm with Happy the dog! She is so cool!

And here is me with about a million kitties, I think they like me a lot!


And I spent a lot of time looking out the window on the farm, I didn't want to be inside ever!

Your one and only Asher, I love you! :)

Asher at the Fire Station

This is mostly for Daddy, but I know the granparents enjoy it too. I took Asher to the open house at the Fire Station the other day. He kept saying "whoa, whoa, whoa." I think it was a little overwhelming, all the big vehicles. He loved the old antique fire truck more than the big ones (and we took a ride in it), and he was almost more impressed by the man in the motorized wheel chair. They had demonstrations with the big fire hose, and of rescuing someone at the scen of the accident, it was really professional. He wouldn't crack a smile for me though, he was taking it all in and he made his mom wear his fire man hat. Enjoy the pics and videos. There is no sound, and he gets knocked at the end by a girl running by, but don't worry he survived.

Here are some clips for Dad too, of Asher running really fast at Dinosaur land and showing off his jumping skills, enjoy!

Thanks Daddy!

Josh made the cutest videos for Asher to watch of him while he's gone. So we watched the first one today. This one had him and Asher in it, reading a couple of his favorite books, teaching him about his face (eyes, nose, mouth), and showing him his new car, and then I gave the car to Ash in person. So after naptime, Ash sat down in his green chair with a little snack and watched it. The video doesn't have sound, it's on my small digitial camera, but it's so cute, Asher gives his dad a high-five when Josh asks for it and towards the end raises his arms up when hid Daddy prompts it!

we are proud!

Well, we all love pictures. And I happen to have some of Josh's adventure! This is for everyone, but mostly for family. He's doing so well. I spoke to him over the phone (I was very sleepy) this morning around 6am my time. I am so proud of him. Here is an excerpt from an e-mail that he sent the other day...

"It was neat. I have generally been teaching at least 3 and a half hours so the class is pretty long. I have been starting each day with a quiz, then asking them to share what they have learned the day before, then I cover the material and try to end with some type of challenge for them. I have been learning a lot through all of this."

I don't want to give away too much information because I still don't know a ton about the country and what their status fully is on teaching or ministry. After all, there were 41 native Campus Crusade people that were thrown in prison before Josh went to the country. But they tell me that Americans are perfectly safe there.

another excerpt... "I went for a jog after class it felt good. I got a lot of weird looks. I think people thought I was running from something because one guy stopped me and asked “why are you walking so soon?” I think he meant to say why are you running so quickly but it is all the same. I told him it was for exercise. I don’t think people do a lot of jogging around here."

And for more you can visit Josh's Blog.

The Luckiest Girl!

Girls, I don't want to make you feel bad (and feel free to argue with me), but I believe I married the most amazing man on the face of the earth, and it's high time the world knew it! My man is working hard over in India right now and he still has time to lavish me with endearing e-mails, ultra sweet notes strategically placed around the house, an ipod shuffle waiting for me in the fire place and these beautiful flowers on my doorstep. The card reads: I tried to find some flowers that were as beautiful as you, but I couldn't. Love you so much! You are such an incredible wife. I miss you and can't wait to see you. Have a great week. Josh. Awww!

Asher and I picked up a stool to put by his window because he is always trying to look out at the cars and other noises he hears. It's so cute.

Josh sent this picture over of a cricket game. His last e-mail was pretty funny because he says that as he was typing it, cows kept coming by his window and mooing, Asher would have loved it. He will be sending out a mass e-mail to family and friends, very soon!

India

My hubby left tonight to go to India for a whole month. What an adventure huh? For me or for him? he he. He is going over to teach over there. If you wouldn't mind keeping him in your prayers; pray for his health, safe traveling and that he would have the capacity to teach others. Ash and I will survive I suppose. I don't know why I need to worry, when I have friend's whose husbands have had to serve in Iraq and other places. But I was just thinking, that my life doesn't seem to make much sense without him. And Asher is pretty attached to his daddy.
He will spend a couple weeks near Ranchi, it's not seen on the map but is located in the middle east part of the country. His next two weeks will be in New Delhi the capital. I'll be giving more information as I do the research and get reports. If you pray for Josh, i will be grateful, and add some prayers for Ash and I as we hold the fort down here. I already had my first scare tonight, heard some rustling outside my living room window, it's probably that darn cat next door. I think tomorrow we will take a trip to the store to get some mace and don't make fun of me if I sleep with a hammer, :). Just kidding, everything will be fine! :)

A King for a week

We like to draw out birthdays, so here are some pics of Josh's Birthday breakfast (the day after his birthday), Gluten-Free Egg McMuffins and sausage and fruit and fresh OJ.

We then took a couple days off and went up to the mountains. A couple hours in we hit the Hot Sulphur Springs, 22 natural spring pools ranging in different temperatures. We drove up to Grand Lake and Granby, it the most beautiful sights, picture a crystal lake surrounded my mountians. On our way to Estes, we drove through the continental divide, we felt like we were on top of the world, that's were we stopped for lunch.. We fed the chipmunks, did some hiking and were back home before anyone could notice we were gone. It was a fun trip. And both my boys were happy fellas!

Whatta Man, Whatta Man, Whatta Man...

...what a mighty fine man!

I have to brag about my honey cuz I'm so proud! A couple months ago he competed in a Triathlon for the first time ever. My boy didn't have all the fancy gear, $35 running shoes, street tires instead of racing tires on this old cherokee, rust bucket bike and not a lot of training ahead of time.

But with Asher and I cheering him on every step of the way, he pulled through with flying colors. He competed with his Dad and his good friend Kris. It was funny because Kris and Josh were in the same heat and the pool that they swam their laps in was suprisingly more shallow than they expected, so despite the other swimmers walking half of their laps and Kris's fingers grazing the bottom every time he stroked, they were the only two in their heat to actually swim the whole thing (However walking may have given them a better time).

Josh finished pretty well, somewhere between 14th and 20th, I have to say, pretty good for his first time, without the right equipment and little training. His dad, however, beat him, Go Pat! In fact, Pat got first in his age division, I've seen the medal to prove it.









Okay but it doesn't stop there. My hubby is so amazing that he decided to run the Bolder Boulder Race, a 10K (6.2 miles) on a whim when Cory came to town and said "Hey, let's go run that race tomorrow". Josh hasn't done anything since the Triathlon a couple months ago. But they ran the whole way and finished out around 54 or 55 minutes, which means 8 and 9-minute miles. Pretty good. His knees were no good for the next two days, but maybe next year, he'll do a little training for it!

So proud of you Josh!

Five years already!

We celebrated our anniversary last weekend, five years. Josh had the whole weekend planned out and I have to say he did an excellent job. The day started by dropping Asher off at a friend's house and not picking up till the following day, he did a great job. Josh took me to the driving range and then to play a round of golf, I had never really golfed before, just putt putt and xbox games. He said that I impressed him by how straight I hit the ball instead of sending it into the trees, I did however manage to loose two balls in the water, :). We then headed down to Pearl street to grab some lunch at a total hippie, organic, vegetarian joint, I love those weird places. Next door we had an appointment to paint some pottery at Color Me Mine. After we had our beautiful creations finished, he whisked me away into the Boulder Canyon to get our room at The Alps, it's a little mountainy bed and breakfast type place. Dinner blew me away when we arrived at the Flagstaff House restaurant which has been featured on The Food Network for their amazing Colorado Lamb. The restaurant sits nustled on a cliff on the side of the mountain next to the flatirons.

We were scheduled for a five course tasting menu, which is smaller portions of the most gourmet food they make, and it actually turned out to be seven courses not five, we almost couldn't finish. This place was so amazing and so romantic, they treated us like royalty and it's the best tasting food I think I've ever had: Potato Crusted Alaskan Halibut over arugula, roasted peppers, nicoise olives, and ovendried tomatoes. Next: Rabbit Loin Pancetta wrapped and seared goat cheese agnolotti with roasted garlic sauce. Third: Colorado Lamb Loin and Braised Lamb Shank with italian white polenta, ratatouille vegetables, goat cheese and lamb jus. Oh, we're not done yet: Chef's selection of Artisan Cheeses with raisin walnut toast and candied pecans, not to mention the the flower display on the plate was all edible as well. The last one: (although there were two other dishes not listed on our menu) Pineapple Caramel Crunch in a martini glass.

Okay so after that, I thought our anniversary was over, but in the morning we went a jeweler to pick out a wedding band to go with my ring, and also to get my ring resized because it hasn't fit since having Asher and I've been wearing walmart rings. Josh revealed that he's been saving for a while so he could buy me a band to go with my already stunning ring. I am so excited about that.

Thanks, honey for an amazing anniversary, you totally outdid yourself and next year, I think it's my turn to plan it for you!!!
Thanks for marrying me and for loving me wholeheartedly and unconditionally for the last five years, many more babe!

What's your tabloid?

Okay so I'm back and there is so much to blog about I don't know where to begin, so I thought I would just be funny, you know, break the silence!

I found this picture and I thought it looked kind of like one of those pics you see on the Tabloid Magazine covers saying "Jen and Brad split" or "Pitt and Jolie in nasty custody battle" or "TomKat hiding their baby"

so here is our Tabloid cover: (our fake headline)

Josh and Julie see witch doctor in the mountains to figure out how to get their baby to walk

complete story on page 6.

A Valentine's Day Adventure

So after being wisked away in my black satin dress, my night and shining armor, looking debonair in his black suit and tie, surprised me with an exotic restaurant visit, where we ate all my favorite foods, sushi, lobster, shrimp, cheesecake and more. After a night of romantic dancing, a reading of sonnets and the most passionate kisses, my man was walking me to our luxury accomadations for the night, when out of the dark shadows came three men asking him to give me over. "Over my dead body" he cried with passion. And with that, they began to brawl, three to one. I shreked as I watched my love get hit from the right, and from the left, when suddenly the fight took a new turn. My Joshy began to pull out moves I have never seen before, not even on tv. And within a matter of minutes, the three evil men were lying on the pavement crying out for their mothers. My hero was hurt. And we had to get him checked out. The night ended with a red cast on this hand symbolizing his courageous moments and I, in love as ever, took my hero home to tend to his wounds.

Okay, so you probably have figured out already that this is a farce. I wish it were that romantic and believe me, so does he. But simply put, my man broke a bone in his hand playing basketball the night of Valentine's Day. And the cast is only red because the doctor messed up and didn't look at the color before opening the package of fiber glass. I think it looks cute, but don't tell him that, he just wants to hear manly!!! I love you Josh, this is just adventure #81 to go down in the books :).

He still brings me flowers :)

Josh brought me my favorite flowers the other day. I really needed that because I wasn't feeling that great and it was a total day brightener. Plus, he still remembers that the blue lily are my favorite (they actually are purple, but the name is blue). Sometimes in marriage, you can forget about doing stuff like this. We always spoil it with practicalities. For instance, my first instinct was to ask how much they cost and wonder where in our budget the money came from, but you know what? I didn't ask. I smelled them instead and forgot all about the price. I always think in my head too, that flowers are so silly because they just die. But you know what else? I sat those flowers on my table and every time I walked into the living room/dining room, part of me felt refreshed by their beauty. Guys--us women may say that we don't want stuff like this, but we are only trying to be practical, we really do want our men to treat us as "fine china" (as Nat puts it). I didn't need the flowers, I didn't even really want flowers. But seeing them, made me feel more beautiful and made me think that my husband must think I'm beautiful. And thoughts like that are hard to come by. So yeah, I would say it's worth it. You may end up with less in your wallet, and dead flowers in your trash can in about a week. But what was created in her and between him and her is priceless!!