Dear Mom...

... thought you would most appreciate your little girl exercising her 2nd Amendment rights.

Now, more than ever, I want a gun. I desire the ability to defend my family. Plus, Josh says I am a pretty good shot.


Yes, I still look hot working the ear and eye protection


Yes, that's a ball of fire that Josh actually caught on film the moment the bullet expolded from the barrel of the gun! Insane!

Dear Future...

... we are really enjoying our road trip to Seattle. But will you do me a favor, could you please slow down? Stop coming at me and just let me live in the now! This trip has provided so many great memories which I will keep forever. But it is also giving me glimpses into the future... a future I am just not ready for. As we drove into Couer d'Alene tonight, the sun was setting in front of us, casting a warm pink glow on the lake and trees. In the failing light I glanced back at Cole and saw two little feet propped up on the seat.



In that moment I saw a flash of Cole as a teenager, all legs and giant feet (like his daddy). My heart turned over in my chest and my head reeled. I don't want these moments to end. So, please, take a vacation future.

Virtual postcards...

Dear TomTom-

Thank you so much for your wonderful suggestion about the park today. We were definitely weary travelers and it felt great to get out and stretch our legs someplace other than a truck stop. The kids appreciated having a picnic at the park in Bozeman and I appreciated your ability to get us there without arguement or attitude. You are priceless to me.

P.S. Your British accent is sooooo sexy!

What the world really needs is more love...

... less paper work. (Pearl Bailey)

It's true. One week of kindergarten and Cole has brought home at least 5 pieces of paper a day. I am coming to the realization that I get as much homework as Cole does! Forms and more forms to fill out.

How long to you save their papers? We have total meltdowns if Cole finds one of his papers in the trash. Since Cole started preschool I have been taking pictures of his best works of art. My intent is to have a book made of his art collection. But what do I do with the handwriting practice sheets and math problems? Am I an ice queen if I just want to purge them immediately? I can't stand the clutter.

What do you think of saving his work in a binder so that at the end of the year he can see how far he has come? Then I can throw it away and start a fresh one for first grade!

And the winner is...

...The Epilogues

(Nate is the one in the hat)

My brother's band won Denver's Westword Magazine's best modern rock band. It's a pretty big deal!! They weren't favored to win. In fact, the band had a show scheduled in New Mexico but decided at the last minute to support their favorite local bands at the award show. So it came as a pretty big shock when they were announced as the winners of their category. This comes just days after a killer show at The Big Gig at Fiddler's Green.



I am pretty proud of my baby brother! It has been cool to watch their music evolve and to see them receive the validation and recognition they deserve. They work hard, they not only compose great music and lyrics but they do their own promotion, publicity and even make their own merch.

They truly put the "rad" in Colorado. (They copyrighted that slogan so don't even think about stealing it!) Congratulations boys! Can't wait to see where your music takes you!



http://www.myspace.com/epiloguemusic

Can you hear me...

...now?



Josh's hearing aids under the new socialized health care plan. Hey, you get what you pay for...rather, you get what I pay for!

One down...

...two to go! (Thanks for the saying Jacqui it exactly expresses my feelings!)

Cole started kindergarten. No, I did not cry. Yes, I have severe anxiety about the whole thing. I worry about what his teacher is teaching him (like global warming and "going green", horrifying!). I worry that kids aren't kids anymore. They're six years old and drink soy lattes and talk about what's on their playlist and who kissed who on "Gossip Girl." I want him to stay sweet and innocent as long as possible, maybe I should've homeschooled!

Cole, however, is loving it. "I can't believe I GET to go to school everyday," he says, when I pick him up. He is learning the Pledge of Allegiance and so far God is still in there. He has a friend in a cast, though Cole can't remember his name. And most importantly, he loves his teacher. Added bonus, school comes early for my sleep-in king, so he is utterly exhausted by 7:00 pm. He has begged us to go to bed each night and since Finn has to do what Cole does, we've had peace and quiet each night by 8:00 pm.

So, as long as he is happy, I am happy. Although I am an anxiety-ridden, nail-biting nutcase right now, I know Cole is ready for school and thrives with the structure. I will spend some more time in plow pose to work out this anxiety and I will focus on getting Finn ready for preschool! Only two to go!