Beautiful Portland

I went to visit Phil in Portland. What a beautiful place. I wouldn't mind living there (for the 2 months in the summer that the weather is sunny). Phil has been in Portland for 7 weeks and it has only rained 3 days. It has actually been hot and sunny. But I know that the rainy season is coming and hopefully depression doesn't fall in. I was only there for two days, but we enjoyed our time together. He was able to take me to one of the sites that they are working on and I was able to observe some of the work that he has been dealing with. Even though I knew I would see him again the next weekend, it was REALLY hard to leave him. Thanks babe for taking the time to show me around. Thanks for taking me to Cheesecake Factory. And Thanks for letting me come and hang out. Hopefully we'll get a chance to come back up and see you, with the girls.

We wanted to make it out to Mount Hood, but we ran out of time. But I did get an awesome view as I flew out. (the pictures do not give it justice)

Happy Anniversary!

Phil, I just wand to let you know how much I love you. Wow! 9 years! I am so lucky to have you in my life. We miss you. Kind of depressing to celebrate your anniversary by yourself, but I am excited to see you this weekend. Here's to you, sexy! Love ya tonz!

Sundance

Phil & I TRY to get to Sundance each year as a reminder of our wedding day. I can't believe its been nine years. We've had our ups and downs (hopefully we're on the same page by saying more ups than downs). I am very blessed in my life with a beautiful family. Even though times are tough with Phil working away from home, I can say that we survive. Definitely because of the fact that we have a ton of family help (thanks Mom for coming and helping me cook casseroles this weekend - it was fun - and thanks for EVERYTHING else that you do for us) and we have great friends and neighbors who keep us going. Stephanie, it was because of you that I even made it out of bed this morning to get the girls ready to go to conference. Your text last night made me think that I did need to be there and that it was the right thing to do. Thanks! Floyd & Holly, I make it through the week because of the extra things you help out with (i.e. fix my "overheated" lawnmower and mow the remaining grass, tin foil dinners, and of course Strawberry Shortcake - which I am coming to get in a few minutes). I don't think I can thank everyone enough for the help they provide to me.

Back to where I started, Sundance. The girls and I took a drive up to Sundance today so that we could walk around and I could show them where it all began. I was sort of down and thought this might bring my spirits up. Sundays seem to be my downer days. Anyway, the girls were very excited. It was beautiful, as always. The leaves had not started to change yet, but pretty all the same. We had Maggie with us and we walked around until the girls were ready to go. They kept finding new paths and trails and wanted to explore everything. I will need to take them again - with Dad next time. I love you Phil and miss you. Here's to you and 9 fabulous years!

Down She Goes

I have never been terribly uncoordinated, but on the same note, I guess I am not too coordinated either. Last night I fell down the stairs. I was heading down the stairs with the laundry basket in hand. I had just come home from work and was still in work attire - i.e. heels. My heel caught the top step and down I fell. I wish I could say that I took the fall gracefully, but the walls, steps, laundry basket and finally the wood floor at the bottom would tell the story different. Both ankles hurt, my elbow and knee were skinned, and my butt hurt. Maggie heard the crash and came to see what happened. Of course, as I am laying on the floor, in shock, Maggie's motherly instinct kicked in and she felt like she needed to protect me. As I went back up the stairs to remove my shoes and catch my breath on my bed, Maggie followed and stayed right by my side. Sometimes (just sometimes) I think she is a great dog. (Other days, not so great, i.e. when she jumps the fence because she is scared of a little storm - ok it was a big storm with lots of wind, lightening, thunder and rain - but either way, she jumped the fence.) Immediately after, I could already see the bruises forming around my ankles where the straps to my heels were. I think that I sprained my left foot/ankle. I kept my leg up and iced last night, but the extensive damage was evident this morning. I tried to get out of bed and every muscle in my legs and back ached. My ankle was swollen, not as swollen as Phil's when he was stung by the hornet(s), but swollen enough so that I couldn't wear proper shoes to work today. Here is a picture of my handy work on wrapping up the injury. I know, Phil, you would have done a better job. Wish you had been here to doctor me up. Or at least kiss it better. Amazing how kisses heal everything. Sierra, Savannah and even Sydney would say that kisses are the best medicine. Needless to say, I will not be running around the house with my heels on anytime soon.

Birthday Bowling Bash

OK, so the weekend didn't quite turn out how we wanted. Our family swimming party was "rained out" and Phil left town a day earlier than planned. But we did get to go bowling with Sierra and her friends, and they had a blast. As the non-competitive person I am, I will just tell you the bowling was all for the fun of the kids. I won't tell you that I WON! And I definitely won't tell you that Hallee beat Phil. That would embarrass him too much. Sierra loved her Princess Ice Cream Cake. And she definitely loved being the center of attention for the weekend. We were glad that Phil was able to come home for the weekend and party with us. We miss you dad!