Life

Live. And Live Well. BREATHE. Breathe in and Breathe deeply. Be PRESENT. Do not be past. Do not be future. Be now. On a crystal clear, breezy 70 degree day, roll down the windows and FEEL the wind against your skin. Feel the warmth of the sun.

If you run, then allow those first few breaths on a cool Autumn day to FREEZE your lungs and do not just be alarmed, be ALIVE. Get knee-deep in a novel and LOSE track of time.

If you bike, pedal HARD...and if you crash then crash well. Feel the SATISFACTION of a job well done -- a paper well written, a project thoroughly completed, a play well-performed. If you must wipe the snot from your 3-year old's nose, don't be disgusted if the Kleenex didn't catch it all...because soon he'll be wiping his own.

If you've recently experienced loss, then GRIEVE. And grieve well. At the table with friends and family, LAUGH. If you're eating and laughing at the same time, then might was well laugh until you puke. And if you eat, then SMELL. The aromas are not impediments to your day. Steak on the grill, coffee beams freshly ground, cookies in the oven.

And TASTE. Taste every ounce of flavor. Taste every ounce of friendship. Taste every ounce of Life. Because-it-is-most-definately-a-Gift.

by Melody Porter from Relevant Magazine, January/February 2006 issue 18.

Wordless Wednesday (well, kind of not)

This video is from a post of someone's blog I like to read, it really got me thinking! She has decided to go private, I don't know if I'm ready for that...what are your thoughts? I need to think before I post!

So Grateful!

I’m thankful!

Thankful for summer vacation, although it’s not much different than my normal days. But the fact that we can get away to go see family because we have a million excuses, weddings, graduations, reunions, etc.

I’m grateful that there are no rules in this blogging world. I can take time off whenever I want and just unplug from the internet and tv altogether and when I come back, no one is holding a grudge that I’ve been gone, just eagerly awaiting to hear what has been going on.

I am grateful for a home. Look at this nice place, while there are people on the otherside of the world living in shacks or even less than that. I don’t deserve what I’ve got, so may I continue to be grateful. (In case you're wondering, I covered over the address for internet sake)

I am grateful for Vitamin Cottage, Whole Foods and Wild Oats. We are completely spoiled living in Boulder County where people are more conscious of allergies, intolerances and health.

I am grateful for gardeners. After visiting my mom’s place and watching Asher eat blackberries and raspberries and strawberries right of the vine, I was so grateful that there are people out there that still grow things. In fact I’m so inspired that I brought home two tomato plants, two bell pepper plants, two banana pepper plants, parsley, mint, rosemary, basil, oregano, garlic and some other herbs back from my mom’s place. I can’t wait to eat my own home-grown food and not have to buy it at the store! (here are some pics from my mom's green house, her new business is called Sue's Country Garden, I'll will be displaying more from her later)

Grandparents. Very very grateful for them. They are the most wonderful things. They love your child, take of them for you (maybe even better than you do at times) and your kids are so happy to be with them. Asher has really been enjoying spending time with his grandparents. Ps. He also adores his time with his uncles Ezra and Drew.

Soooo grateful for a husband that is gorgeous, gentle, respectful, provider, my best friend, selfless, caring, loving, passionate, spontaneous, funny, flexible, hard-working, spiritual, happy, content!!! We went to my ten year high school reunion this last weekend and I wouldn’t have gotten through it without him. I’m sure I looked so much cooler because I was with him. Everyone thought he was adorable and nice and to my surprise, they weren’t incredibly turned off that he was a pastor and I’m a stay at home mom!!! **pics coming soon**

Let me leave you with some pics of my big boy. 15 months old, walking and so independent!

Holy Cow!

Hey there my fellow blog readers, I am so sorry it has been so long, you see, I've been out of town. In fact, I am still out of town, when we get back we will have been gone for two and half weeks. But I am so inspired to blog. I can't wait to tell you everything that is going on. Here is what you can look forward to when I get back to business:

1. Asher is starting to walk!!!! I'm so excited about this, he's on a role.
2. I have some stuff to share with you about a revelation I had about sunsets and heaven, and evolution and much more!!
3. We are moving, this saturday, I can't wait!
4. I can't wait to tell you all about my new side job: tutoring Korean kids, isn't that cool?
5. and a ton of amazing photos!

So don't write me off just yet, I've got a lot more in store, I am sorry I have been gone so long. And friends in Boulder, I miss you bad!!! I can't wait to see your beautiful faces again!

Love,
Julie :)

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!

Wordless Wednesday

Pics from the trail that Asher and I walk on (well, Asher rides in the jogging stroller), Enjoy!

Now is your chance...to be a Diva!

So this may not be good blogging manners to talk about something like this, but since mostly women read my blog I think it will be okay. For some time now I have been considering trying out an alternative feminine product. My friend Natalie has been telling me about some of the options that have gotten rave revues from her friend Sara. The most I've heard about is the Diva Cup. I don't want to go into too much detail about how they work, for the sake of those who feel uncomfortable discussing this. But I'v found some great information about the toxins in tampons and feminine pads, and the health risks they pose to women and our cycles. I also found some blogs from women who have tried these new products and will never go back. Taming Estella says it will shorten your period and lighten your flow. Another blogger says she actually looks forward to her period now. Some of my friends have said the the reason we bleed so much on the regular feminine products is because of the chemicles and after trying the diva cup, they can see now that wasn't right. Some women use the alternatives bc of the environment, others bc of health. And Michelle from my blogroll (Busy Busy Momma) is now offering a chance for us to try them for 50% off. Visit her post about it here.

Thankful Thursday!

I am thankful for the women (and men) that read this blog and don't know who I am but still care about me. Thank you, thank you, thank you! It is so crazy, this bloggers world, I feel so close to some of you and we live across the nation (even world) from each other. I would like to give you an update. I took some of your advice and here is how the situation stands. Asher is not only sleeping through the night but is officially weened. We have been breastfeeding free for about four days now. What we did is, Josh would get up with him in the morning, because that was his two major feedings, which we dwindled down to one for a couple days. Asher got fed right away and Josh did his best to take Asher off my hands if he seemed like he was wanting something from me. His attitude is better now too. I think the weening helped him not to be so clingy, but also we had to instill some discipline measures with the boy, because he was throwing tantrums for no good reason.

With the whole drinking thing. We decided to experiment with an idea that Josh had. We would have Asher drink from a cup and everytime he did, we would hollar and celebrate and get really excited, we did this everytime he drank from the cup. Now the kid is getting exciting about drinking, sometimes he motions for the cup. It's so funny, because sometimes he doesn't even get a chance to let the water reach his mouth before he pulls away with a smile on his face, clapping his hands, waiting for us to celebrate.

About the schedule, yes Asher is on somewhat of a schedule already with his naps and such, but I am working on more.

And about the house. We filled out an application for a beautiful townhome not too far from here. We are waiting to hear back, but they seemed excited about us. Thanks for praying. It's still not final yet, but it looks good and I can't wait to have more room, yipeee!! Maybe some of you bloggers will come visit me when you come to CO to ski!!!

I need some advice...

So sorry friends, that I haven't blogged in a while. I've been kind of stressed out. Today is thankful thursdays, so first, I will tell ya, I am so thankful for SHOWERS!!!! And I am thankful that Asher is sleeping through the night. We decided to close both our bedroom doors and when he cries and wakes up for a feeding, we let him cry. So ever since last monday (a week and half), he is sleeping and I can now sleep, atleast until around 5am or 6am, I will feed him so he'll sleep in longer. One problem though, I have found that now I really can't sleep. I wake up around 2 or 3am and then my brain keeps thinking for the rest of the night.

Okay now, I need some advice.
1. For those of you who have weened your breastfeeding babies, I really want to ween off Asher, he's thirteen months now, going on fourteen and it seems like he is gonna throw some major fits when I stop, he already is upset about the cut-backs we've made already. Advice please!

***Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention, Asher doesn't drink. He doesn't like to drink (well, of course breastmilk). I've tried every kind of sippy cup, and regular cup, he never took the bottle well. I usually get a few sallows in and then he refuses anymore (so this makes it hard with the weening).

2. A schedule. I raised my baby to be flexible, which suits our crazy lifestyle. But now I need some sanity and I think he does too. I don't even know what I need advice about here. Some scheduling advice. What's more important to schedule and what are some things that just aren't as important? Asher has been cranky lately, (he's teething something fierce) but I think more of a schedule and routine would help him and help me, because I still can't get anything done around her.

3. Just a prayer request. Would anyone be willing to pray for me about something??? We are trying to find a place to move to (to rent). We really need three bedrooms and a little more room, so Josh can have an office and we won't be on top of each other. But in these parts, three bedrooms are hard to come by and if you find them, the price is usually out of our range. I have my heart on a townhome right now that I would love to move into. But I'm afraid to get my hopes up because the last two houses we almost rented didn't work out. Some kind of fluke, like my e-mails went into their junk mail so they thought we weren't interested, or the landlord's daughter rented it to someone else while he was out of town. Ugh! I know I need to just rely on the Lord, but when do I get excited about a place and it's actually the right place? Please pray!

thanks so much for letting me vent, I really needed it!
sincerely,
stressed out housewife!!!
Julie