The Internet

Technology and specifically the Internet I feel get a bad name, as with anything certain instances can be used either in the wrong way or too much.  But as for me and this household we fully embrace the fact that we can FaceTime family members in Indiana, that I just watched baby Liam crawl in Istanbul, and that you can watch Lil' Bit swing for the first time.  The invention of vehicles both road worthy and airborne expanded the reaches of civilization.  No longer are you born in one city and raise your family there only to be buried next to the last three generations.  Families are spread out now and I adore the fact that technology has made it so family that lives so far away will still recognize my daughters when they walk in the door.  I hear quite often what a waste of time the Internet is which makes me wonder what these people are using it for, currently I am logged into work through the Internet, updating all of you with my ramblings, watching Joe's shop on the security cameras preparing for yet another beat down in the stock market.  I regularly research what ails the girls and have saved countless trips to the doctor.  And I get to read blogs that make it so my best friend doesn't seem that far away.  None of the above are a waste of time in my world.

Perspective

Just real quick...

I used to get my perspective from my Kid's Group at the Safe House but now I have to find it anywhere I can get it.  Like today at Wal-Mart for example.

Did I mention that for the first time in my life we owed on taxes?  Well it turns out that Joe is doing such a great job that it bumped me into a new tax bracket - the one where they don't buy you drinks before taking advantage of you.  So not only did the business and it's owners owe but so did Crystal as an individual.  *Sigh*  I was in a pretty pissy mood about it for exactly one day and then shrugged it off knowing that this will pass and someday we can look back and probably be appreciative of it.  Well that was last week and then today when I walked into Wal-Mart I was greeted by a young man in Army clothing being helped into a wheel chair because he is missing a leg.  He still had a huge smile on his face and was making jokes about the fact that his (had to 6'8") frame would not really fit in the Wal-Mart motorized carts.  Perspective dose number one, both my legs work just fine...they are present and ready for anything the world can throw at them.  Then while waiting for my deli meats to sliced a family of 5 walks by the children and the parents are all visibly dirty and disheveled eating samples from the bakery as though it was lunch. Perspective dose number two, while I hate to make assumptions the one thing about this family that I could tell is that they could have at least used a shower this morning...whereas I refused to any type of shampoo that was not paraben free.

Updates for the DiFabio, Wells, Lahrman house.

Joe -

Let me just tell you real quick without too many details in order to ensure patient confidentiality why Joe will continue to be successful in his business.  First, it was brought to our attention that someone could have possibly gotten sick due to something in Joe's shop so without hesitation he had the shop and his products tested the next day (everything has come back with glowing reviews) but needless to say rather than waiting to hear that you have to, Joe takes the steps because he wants to.  Secondly, he had an older lady come in the other day visibly nervous and shaken up (picture me when I am in my 80's and never have used any form of marijuana) she couldn't even be in the shop and chose to stand outside with Joe and talk while crying about why she needs this but is so scared to try it.  Rather than make the situation worse Joe elected to go in two hours early tomorrow and meet with her and her husband to walk through everything she will need to know to hopefully feel better.

Me -

It is getting super nice here and making me foolishly want to plant my gardens, but I know better since Colorado weather is just tricking me.  Although I do have fun everyday doing yard work and playing with the girls outside.  I continue to lose my shorts in the stock market but have a blast doing so, I figure everyone is losing money right now so at least I am in good company.  My cousin was on Jeopardy and won three nights in a row, we had "Jeopardy Parties" every night and cheered him on.  It was extra fun to have Tadd around who always makes me laugh so hard.  He is even funnier now that he runs the car dealership...his stories are freaking hilarious.

Helen -

I hate giving away too much of her next conversation that she will have with each person reading this but she has been looking for an apartment so some time now and I believe is choosing to move into campus housing instead.  It keeps her close to us but gives her space and freedom from two little kids.  She also just met with the basketball coach at UCCS and thinks there could be a coaching position opening up.  We're stoked about being able to be around basketball in this house.  And she is joining our volleyball team starting next week. Yahoo!

Austin -

Oh this little apple of mine didn't fall far, her and I have our battles on a daily basis but just absolutely adore each other.  She helps with everything from dishes to laundry and everything in between.  She is a great big sister and feeds Tyler her breakfast every morning, even though that means I have get out a belt sander to get the oatmeal off her walker.  Yesterday a very naive Mom heard Tyler in their room making little noises but nothing from Austin, so I actually thought that Austin was taking a nap and that Tyler had lost her pacifier.  When I walked in and saw that Austin had an entire tube of A&D ointment on her, sister and the bedding/furniture in the room I was pretty shocked.  Two baths later and three loads of laundry the room stills smells of a hospital.  Silly Mom thinking that the kids were peacefully sleeping.

Tyler -

She pulls herself up on everything and hasn't tried a step in walking yet but I am sure it is right around the corner.  She is getting better at sign language probably because Austin will force her little hands into saying Thank you and More Please.  She eats anything and EVERYTHING that you put in front of her and usually the last one sitting at the table for meals.  She only gets corrected every now and then (probably because we are too busy chasing after Austin) but when you do scold her she immediately starts crying and you just feel awful while she sobs and shakes.  Definitely more of a softie than ol' Austin ever was, who still looks as if she is going to hit you if you correct her.  She hasn't yet but I am sure the day is coming, to which the punishment will be fitting.

Austin helping to steam clean the couch, which is always covered in yogurt thanks to her.

Did I mention that Austin and Tyler had just had baths yesterday right before the A&D incident?  Of course that would be the perfect time to cover each other in petroleum jelly.

Someone's going to be walking soon

Whether I want her to walk or not, Austin will force her to. Already with Lil' Bit crawling I am always losing at least one of them throughout the day. I can't even imagine when they are both capable of walking, I will just have to give them cab fare and hope for the best.

And again it's good to be the oldest.

Dance Puppet

There is a game in our house that is well played by the children. It's called dance puppet and I have to tell you that I am by far the favorite puppet in this game. You know how it works, as soon as you sit down or get knee deep in anything that you are supposed to get done one of the puppet masters starts demanding a dance. "I need water", "Can I get toast", "My blankie". These are just a few of their commands. The best part about it though, is every now and then other puppets volunteer to help out with the dance as somewhat of an understudy...at which point the puppet masters loose their cotton picking minds, throw fruit and demand the original lead.

Wow what a weekend.

We had such a busy weekend, it always seems like we should have a weekend to recover from the weekend. But we definitely did not waste anytime that's for sure.

J and Nate came down from Breckenridge and stayed with us the whole weekend. So J, Helen and I turned into Martha Stewart this weekend and made some of the cutest food I have ever seen.

Here's the fresh bread bunny dip bowl.


The deviled chics.


By the end of the beautiful day it was getting chilly so we wrapped Lil' Bit up and she was just too darn cute sitting on Helen's lap.

In order for Austin to hunt for eggs she had to wear bunny ears, I ended up wearing them most of the day when she was done.

Of course Tyler had to wear some ears too.

We went and watch Disney on Ice, I am pretty sure that I loved it much more than everyone else but I'll take it.

That is pretty much what Austin's face looked like for the whole Disney production, she was very worried that the skaters would come get her. I guess that was a side effect that I did not think about with the front row seats.

And this was Tyler's face the whole time, pretty much in awe.

My sister had her baby on Friday, welcome to the world Karson Lynn.

Random Updates

Here's Austin planting the seeds that will become our garden this year. They have already sprouted and her and Tyler are ecstatic to see them.

Lil' Bit enjoying her goldfish while we planted the seeds. She absolutely must be included in everything.

Helen managed to get some tickets to the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship last night. Couple of things about this evening that I just have to mention. First off Baylor who ended up winning went undefeated all season which means they proved to have a 40-0 record, better than any other team including the men in the league. Second Brittney Griner is the center for Baylor and is single-handedly revolutionizing the game of women's basketball. She stands 6'8" and can dunk on command. Past her enormous size is her influence on the sport I love, when her name was announced as a Baylor starter the crowd roared. So not only did complete strangers stand behind a women's basketball athlete but there was a crowd to be had. The stands were full last night and we have that young woman to thank for it. Last but not least it is the 40th anniversary of Title IX (No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.) After last night's ceremony it became abundantly clear as to why I was chosen to have girls rather than boys. 40 years ago there was a stamp that college officials used on applications that said "Women Need Not Apply". Only 2% of all students in college were women and universities like Virginia denied 100% of the women applicants. To be standing in an arena surrounded by women, cheering for women who are being coached by women was truly inspirational. I think all too often society as a whole forgets where we came from and how much we have overcome to have 55% of college students be women or on a different scale, a black president. I shutter when I hear people mention that they would like to this country "return to its roots and the original founding fathers", for some of us times weren't that great. I cherish my right to vote and the fact that Verizon is required to pay me what my male counterparts make.

And to finish up my updates...Joe and I couldn't help ourselves when we spent the week up in Breckenridge with the Buche's. We rented the smallest set of skis available and decided to let Austin give skiing a try. I have to admit that this incident proved beyond a shadow of a doubt as to why kids need Dad's and Mom's. I sat at the bottom of the hill nervous and shaking while Joe carted her up to the top and pushed her down. She did fabulous and surely wouldn't have if I was standing next to her making her anxious.