Book Recommendation

I realize the last few times I have posted, it was almost immediatly after Ricki had posted. Sorry Ric, I'm not trying to trump you. So if you haven't read the next post (regarding casts) please read before continuing on this one, thanks.

I just read this book and it was an excellent read. If you like real stories or are interested in the history of Tibet, Buddhism, or exploring wilderness this would be a good read. The book is called The Heart of the World by Ian Baker. Basically it is about a westerner who takes up living in the east and becomes interested in Buddhism and seeks to discover the secret lands in search of enlightenment. In our current environment it is always good to read about those who can remain positive regardless of the circumstances, here is one of my favorite excerpts from the book:

"Kawa Tulku stopped to bathe. The lama’s body was covered from head to toe in tiny red insect bites, but he smiled radiantly as he basked in the sun while his attendants applied a mysterious salve to his back and arms.
We continued on. Gradually the meadow transformed into an unnavigable swamp, and the trail entered a dense, sunless forest where we saw footprints of bear and takin. At intermittent sedge-filled bogs we often sank up to our knees in mud. Kawa Tulku plugged along in his customarial jovial mood. As conditions worsened, Gil expressed wonder at Kawa Tulku’s unshakable composure. Several days before, Gil had written in his journal:
Today was particularly bad for me as the rain would not let up and the leeches were relentless. At one point I counted twenty-two of then sucking on me at the same time……Sloshing along the muddy trail in the pouring rain I came upon a large, slimy log that had fallen chest high across our brush-choked path. In my agitated state I viewed the log as a menacing obstacle that was clearly separate, in my way and against me. With no way under or around I jumped, stomach first, and slid over the top. Regaining my balance on the other side, I was infuriated at the mud and decaying mush that seemed to have covered the entire front of my body. Rubbing off the crud I cursed the log and the goddamned rain. It was my brother Todd who suggested that we wait and see how the Lama would handle this formidable impediment. Surely this test would break him.
Hiding off the trail we peeked through the underbrush just in time to see him trudge up to the log. Ever smiling he took a couple steps back and tried his jump with a running start. With not enough momentum – coupled with a portly belly – he slid back down on the same side of the log and landed on his back in a large puddle. Shaking his rain-drenched head he burst into spasms of uproarious laughter. Staggering to his feet he repeated the same maneuver – with the same results – no less than three times. With each collapse back into the puddle his laughter grew stronger and louder. On his fourth attempt he made it over the top and slid headlong into the muddle puddle on the other side. Again, the laughter was knee-slapping. Continuing to chuckle, he wiped himself off as best he could – lovingly patted the log as though it were a dear friend – and proceeded up the trail –smiling. Todd and I just stared at each other.

So for all of you waiting for the economic situation to improve, the next job, or the turning of the season before you can relax and enjoy yourself, consider this excerpt from book 10 of Wordsworth poem The Prelude
"Not in Utopia, subterranean fields,
Or some secreted island, Heaven knows where!
But in the very world, which is the world
Of all of us, the place where, in the end,
We find our happiness, or not at all!"

So smile, find joy in day to day life, and enjoy the struggles for what they are.

NO more casts...we hope!

After 4 and 6 long weeks both of the boys have their casts off. We are very excited! Baths and showers can finally be fun again and not a hassle. Brig is excited to start writing with his right hand again and "drawing good pictures." As you can see we took Kre's off the cheap way since we are having to pay a fortune already for Brig's. If I was to do it again I might reconsider taking him in to take it off, but I'm hoping I don't have to do it again. (knock on wood)

Burnt Pillowcases and Exploding Blenders

There are moments in life that define you, there are moments in life that pass silently in meditation and then there are moments in life that just deserve a deep down, shake your body till it hurts, belly laugh.
Life for us has been similar to many of yours. Surprises, some pleasant and some not so pleasant has made life unpredictable and at time difficult. We have nursed two boys with broken bones through pain and healing, consoled each other when the bills came in, (since when can an anisthesiologist charge $500 for putting a kid under for 24 minutes?) and in general, dealt with what came. Of course, Murphy takes hold of life and throws it at Ricki, especially when I am out of town working (flat tire - previous post)
Ricki has been very sick, as she always is when she is pregnant, but despite the illness, pain and suffering she is going through she has been making serious efforts to maintain service around the home.
The other day while getting the boys ready for bed I found a pillowcase which looked like it had been burned with a torch. I considered for a moment that the boys like me had pyro tendancies. Ricki gave me a guilt look and admitted that early (dark AM) the morning before Kre wouldn't go back to bed so Ricki thought if she warmed up his pillowcase he would go back to sleep, but since the dryer wasn't quick enough she tried to microwave it...... Note to self, don't microwave pillowcase. Thanks Ric for letting me sleep that morning, and for the good laugh later.
A day or two later I was working late and Ric, despite the fact that she was hurting and very tired came home from kickboxing class and started making pancakes. It was unfortunate moment when the spoon hit the blade in the blender and we ended up with wheat pancake batter all over the kitchen. Ricki looked like she would cry for a second but joined me instead for a good laugh.
Despite pain, despite sickness, despite frustration Ricki still finds ways to get through it and make us all laugh. She always looks for ways to help out and keeps us all going.

Murphy's Law

Yes, I am jumping on the band wagon of murphy's law! Bard left town today and of course both the boys are sick and I am on the edge of the fence with a cold. I am crossing my finger and my legs (just for the added help) that it doesn't turn into anything. But no that is not all. We have had our wonderful jeep for 3 years now and have never had a flat. So of course it had to happen the day that Bard leaves town. It's not that I have a problem changing tires or getting dirty even when I am almost 6 months pregnant. It's just the principle of the thing. But anyway the tire is changed and although it probably would have been a lot easier for Bard to have broken the lug nuts and lifted the tire back on, I am very thankful that I am capable of doing such things by my self. It does give one a sense of accomplishment!

It's a.......

So we found out what we are having today. After checking a few times ( not because the tech. couldn't tell but because I just wanted to make sure) It's a girl! It was a very clear picture. She defiantly wasn't shy and really let us know! The tech said she was being so good and so easy to get her shots of everything. Hopefully that's an omen! We are very excited and very nervous! In Bards words "We are just getting the hang of boys and now we have to start all over." He's excited though. Hey, I say I can be done now because I got a girl. No reason to have any more!

Caught a Glimpse of the Sun

Why is it that January is the most difficult month of the year? Statistically speaking it is the hardest, darkest, coldest month and has the highest suicide and depression rates. (Note to Ken, when you open up shop, advertise heavily through the holidays then open Jan 1).
I admit that I gave into the whole psychology of it for a time. It was difficult to get out of bed and the allure of sub freezing temperatures and darkness strangely don't inspire me to get up and run early. I didn't want to read, write, work or play.
Perhaps it was the multiple broken bones (and all the fun that is associated with them), perhaps it was the short days and cold temperatures but this January felt hard.
BUT, I have caught a glimpse of light. Ironically it happened while running in 22 degree, before sunrise and in a heavy fog. Change comes and goes. The roller coaster has to to make the slow bumpy ride to the top peak in order to enjoy the rest of the ride. I feel as if I have crested that peak and am now speeding down the tracks, arms raised and screaming.
Nothing has changed. It is still January. I still have two kids in casts. I still have to pay taxes and work. But today I am enjoying it none the less. It is a glimpse of sunshine. I'm going to enjoy the ride and hopefully improve my attitude.

Misery Loves Company

Do you feel like he looks? Misery loves company, come commiserate with us.

Ah life. It has been a consistent hope and dream that our boys would not follow in my path of injury and accidents. Anyone who knows my accident history can testify that I have had more than my share of bumps, bruises, casts, surgeries and hospital visits. It would seem that although we have gotten by with only minimal injuries Brig and Kre are making a concerted effort to make up for it. As I am sure you have already seen (previous post) Kre fractured two bones in his foot and is now in a cast.

On Sunday we returned from our holiday trip to Utah slightly stressed about this week. Ricki has to memorize a whole new kickboxing release, I am leaving on Wed for my monthly trip to Seattle, Kre is in a cast, as well as Brig starting school again and I've been working till nearly 5:am every night.

Yesterday during our late afternoon stupor Brig took a hard fall off of the top bunk. It was evident by the sound of his scream it was no ordinary fall. I quickly immobilized his arm (very evidently broken) while Ricki made doctor calls. Our doctor took one look at it and confirmed what we already knew. It was broken. We had several nurses hanging around, and I was a bit concerned they were holding us while they called Social Services. Kre had just woken up from a nap and his hair was a mess (not to mention he had a cast). I had been working with only 3 hours of sleep and looked less than presentable.

They quickly sent us to a Ped-Ortho specialist who recommended we waited till early this AM to set and cast (he broke the head of the radius right off: see x-ray). Brig spent a miserable night in a temporary splint, none of us slept much, I finished work at 2:AM. Ricki was up at 5:AM with Brig, and at 5:30AM we headed back to the doctors.

Now I am behind in my work, Ricki is stressed about her release, two injured boys and my eminent trip. But we are all healthy and mending. Life moves on and we have so much to be thankful.

Like the characters in HellBoy I am going to give them code names "Red" and "Blue" for their casts.

Ode to Winter

Ok, so I am not feeling all that poetic right now. We have been experiencing the great joys that winter brings to the Rocky Mountain Region. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

It has been cold, I've been running in snow and on ice and we have had the Durango in 4-Wheel drive most of the time we have been in Utah (The Angus Neighborhood does not get plowed). but it has been worth it to do all the snow sports.

And of course the pièce de résistance's, Dad thinking it would be cool to fly wingman and video Brig speed down the mountain. I am glad neither I nor the camera were damaged.

Like Father Like Son

It is only fitting that at least one of our boys take after my injury genetics. Krevan, who is always pushing the envelop in order to keep up with his brother managed to really hurt himself this time. Evidentially he broke two of the bones in his foot about 3-4 weeks ago (Dr. estimate) right about when we got the bunkbeds. The Dr. (Ricki's brother in law) guesses he managed to re-damage the breaks. So in order to let the foot heal fully we had to cast it. Kre did great and loved his blue cast. Since it was an unofficial visit Scott let me help set the cast.

Christmas Snowman

I'll post some more pictures later. I am running out to spend more time with the family. Thought you would get a kick out of this. I wanted to post all the "Takes" it took to get this. It took a while for Brig and me to get it together.