Change of Season

I think that the change from summer to fall is my most favorite time!  I love that brisk but fresh air that arrives that just makes me feel better and kinda healthier :-) !  When I drive around I enjoy seeing the colors change on the leaves..oh how I love that!!  I guess I don't know how to put it into words how this season makes me feel.  A couple of words I guess I can describe it is peaceful and loved.

I am so grateful for this turning of fall right now, it came at a perfect time in my life.  It always seems to.  Big T was born around this time, October 10th, and he was the most amazing blessing I have ever had.  And now it comes again for me as support to Coach's departure.  Driving home from Missoula I saw the evidence of the change everywhere and even though I was sad, the sight brought me peace!

Coach walked to his plane at 6:40 am on Monday morning.  That was the first time the reality of the situation really hit.  Every time I picture that image of him all dressed up carrying his M4 I get teary eyed.  I love that Man so much and I know that I didn't tell him enough and probably didn't show him enough.  He is the most hardworking guy I know and really sticks by his morals and principles.  I should have know he was going to be a soldier because in his heart he already was.  He fights for freedom and safety and for what's right.  He can do what needs to be done even though it will be hard emotionally and physically.  He is truly always loyal.  He is the Infantry.

So here Coach and I go starting the new season out on different paths, experiencing different challenges, and yet heading to the same end result.  I will miss his company greatly, but I know that this season will end soon and with the end and change of every season usually brings something great and rewarding.  A new growth will have been developed!

Mystic Lake

Coach and I finally made it up to Mystic Lake..yeah!!!!  It is our 2nd attempt on bikes.  It is a 10 mile ride up hill, I think it was pretty intense.
The first attempt we took the cut-off trail which is for far more advanced mountain bikers, and I am not.  I rode off the mountain instead of turning with the trail, cut up my arm pretty bad and I went into  slight shock.  We ended up turning back after that (we realized now that we were pretty much almost there.)

This time I was definitely more out of shape, but I pushed myself and after the first 2 miles my lungs stopped hurting and my legs started :-)  Coach had it so much tougher than I did. He pulled Big T behind him and we added some lunch into the trailer as well, adding to the weight of around 35 or so pounds. Plus, the trailer ended up getting a flat tire about half way up which made Coach's job that much more difficult.  I actually stayed ahead of Coach which would have never happened if he was not pulling anything, but none the less I stilled enjoyed the feeling that I was doing awesome!!

On the ride up Lucius stayed with me and Spartacus stuck behind with Coach and Big T.  Every once in awhile Spartacus would catch up with me check on me and then return to Coach. It was sweet of him.  On the way home, both dogs ended up staying with Coach, neither one of them had the energy to stick with me.

                               My Bike :-)

I did ride behind Coach and Big T a couple of times and couldn't believe how well Big T took some of those big bumps.  On the down hill Coach really got to cruising and there were places you couldn't avoid the huge rocks in the trail.  Coach told me a couple of times he looked back and Big T was taking a snooze, what a tough little guy :-).  He does sure put up with a lot when it comes to his parents adventures.

                           Dad went through some big puddles

     This time he decided to put the weather flap down!!

The lake was great.  We didn't have enough time to stay and fish like we wanted, but we played with the little frogs instead.  There were thousands of them everywhere!! I'm sure I killed a couple by stepping on them, but it was inevitable.  Big T would hold them in his hand and kinda squeeze them, but they all got away alive.

              
                Made it back...yeah!!!

Today is a nice relaxing day, a much needed re-cooperation day.

Big T on the Move

Big T is really getting the walking thing down, a little clumsy still but that just might have to do with his breeding!  It's funny cuz when he walks he moves his right hand like he is leading a choir maybe it has to do with his balance? I'm sure enjoying him learn and discover this new talent of his.

He sure misses his daddy, he seems to gravitate to males lately, especially his Uncle Nathan, but now he is gone too, poor kiddo :-).  It just breaks my heart.  The good news is that Coach will be home in 3 days and will be home with just us for 2 whole weeks!!! It's sad that two weeks is so exciting for me, but I'll take it!

I've done okay with him being gone, I have had a meltdown or two, but I think that overall that is pretty good.  I hope that I won't keep in this patterns of meltdowns or it will be a long 400 days.  I might have to take some people up on their offers to help out every once in awhile.  Truth is that is hard to do.  I feel like if I do then I look weak or incompetent, and I want to be strong.  I feel like I need to be for my little guy! 

Oh Happy Day...

I've been wanting to blog and tell of the things that are going on, but I haven't been able to figure out how to put it down with out being a jumbled mess, but if so hopefully it will still be understood.

Coach has been off doing his thing, which as he tells me is really nothing, just hanging out, and I believe him...it is the army way :-).  
I've been at home, of course, and although I miss my husband tons, I've been doing better than I thought I would.  Still not eating, but when I get hungry enough I will finally figure out a meal for myself that is nutritious as well as yummy!!!  Going for the quick and yummy right now.

I think the number one thing that keeps everything sane is Big T!  The last couple of days I can't help but feel How incredibly lucky I am.  I have the most amazing friend and companion I could ask for! 
my favorite parts of the day are when I hear Big T awake in his room from his naps and I when I walk in there his eyes light up and the biggest grin covers his face!! It makes my heart melt instantly and that contagious smile of his is immediately painted on my face.  We then just play and giggle while he is still in his crib and I doing some crazy wacko thing that you would only see a parent doing and not think to  call a mental hospital.  It really makes me realize that everything is fine, that my life is gooood!

I can't believe how fast Big T is growing, he has his bottom teeth and it loks like the top ones will be making their appearance soon.  He is starting to take steps with out holding on to anything!! Eveytime he does I can't hold in my excitement and will clap, even if I am in the middle of a conversation.  He is also talking with his mouth open instead of doing the ventriloquist act he has been doing for a while now, he is so stinkin' talented and cute!  We are also back to the spitting out food phase, which now that he is older he has more force and the distant is so much greater!

I truly am in an amazing phase of my life.  I love being a mom, and it is hard work and not always with cherries on top, but I will put my tally to all those before me and those around me who say it is totally worth it. It is totally worth it!!!!!!  I'm by far not the greatest mom out there, my kid has fallen off high places, has eaten everything (grass, dirt, wood, bird poop, bugs, leaves, toilet paper, paper, dog food,
wet wipes..ect), he sometimes gets called and coaxed like a puppy, and I have hit his head on the door jam a couple of times.  Astonishingly he is still alive and hasn't really been sick..yet.   I used to be worried about being the right kind of mom, but I'm my kind of mom, a one of a kind. Of course there is tons of room for improving.

Big T and Coach have made my cup full, I can't wait until the cup upgrades, cuz I know it will eventually.  (p. s. I also know that I helped fill my cup.)

I wanted to share my happy thoughts that I've had the past couple of days and my happy experiences, I hope they are enjoyed and bring happiness to someone!

(oh and Big T does have other clothes, he just seems to be in this outfit when the camera is rollin')

Big T's 10 month B-day

Since Coach will not be here for Big T's birthday we decided to do a birthday party early and sort-of a farwell party for Coach.  My Marme hosted it at her house in Idaho.  We invited Coach's parents and his Grandparents (on his mother's side).  I never thought that in a million years that we would get my family and his family together in one place, let alone for a couple of days.  It was incredible and a really great weekend. 

His Grandma is known for her cooking and had that under control,  My Papa also did some cooking, so in other words we had tons of great food, and did I mention tons!!!! 
Coach's parents had never really been to a ranch out in the middle of no where, and really enjoyed themselves. They loved hearing the history and just had a good ol time.  Coach was able to get his mom on a motorbike again and his dad went for a ride with my dad. Coach's dad used to be a big dirt biker in the day and was sponsored by Suzuki!  His back is pretty screwed up from it all, so wasn't able to ride for long.

 A fun picture of the guys under the hood!!

  The next load of pictures is of Big T's party.  At first he wasn't sure about the cake.  He kept looking around like he was going to get in trouble, but would get bigger and bigger handfuls as he went on.  Then after my face got shoved into the cake he really took off!!

He absolutely loved feeding his daddy cake...I'm pretty sure his dad was more covered than he was!!

He loves his daddy so much!!!