Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Super Angie...first day of school




It was a mutual thing...we were all excited for the boys to go back to school. No more homeschooling. Right now, public school is the right choice for us. And so they started a week late, but its alright.

Dallin is now in 4th grade. I worry most about him. He tends to tell other kids if they are doing things correctly or not, and this can get him in trouble. I hope he can make some friends.

Brennan is now in 1st grade and I'm so thrilled with his teacher--Mr. Gregory. He is a total snowboarder and I think the personalities will compliment each other.

It was a great morning. Everyone in the halls was very nice. The office staff was amazing and it was great seeing my new friend from church, Stacey. And then Tanith and I went and had a great day. I'm excited to have more one on one time with her.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Super Angie...boulder in Boulder







Movement Rock climbing gym in Boulder is a lot like Momentum, although not AS COOL, but still cool. The highlight for me...childcare! So I took Tanith and Brennan and checked them in and then went to boulder, thinking that Dallin would just hang and play his DS, but instead he wanted to boulder. I had a great time bouldering with my son. He is so good at bouldering and has learned a lot from Dawn, Nate and Zac. I would love for him to do more outside since thats what he really loves.

We went back another day and he just flew up the problems from the first day--working some V1s and trying some V2s. Awesome!

Super Angie...hike, hike. hike hike hike









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Yesterday, for our final day in Denver, we woke up bright and early, packed up and headed off to our favorite spot--the Flatirons in Boulder. I love this area. And as I've been blessed to visit it more and more, I'm finding more and more out about myself and the parts of me that have been hiding for the past 7 yrs of living Utah. Growing up in Seattle, and living there as an adult and a mother, I loved being outside. In Seattle, you really appreciate the days when its sunny and you can be outside. In Utah, its sunny every day, and that zapped me. I found myself withdrawing and wanting to stay inside. In Redmond, I would take my baby Dallin for walks along the river. We would go to parks and play in the backyard. We would eat outside almost daily in the summer. The beach. The mountains. The ocean. I loved being outside! But in Utah...not so much.

Being in Colorado and realizing how my health has changed, has opened up that part of me that was hiding. Now I wake each day wondering what outdoor adventure I can have.

Going to the Flatirons with a friend once, I realized how blind I had been for so many years. I opened my eyes and started noticing things. Wow. How much have I been missing? Utah Blindness.

Now, before I talk about our great hike yesterday, let me make it clear that I don't HATE Utah, but it was very toxic to me. I love my dear friends there, and my special blogging friends there. But I'm so thankful to be out of that state. I'm returning to the old Angie...just with new hobbies and goals.

This past week, we have gone to this park almost daily, and each time the kids have whines or shuffeled their feet as I prodded them along. And each time they have gone a little bit further on the trail. This time, while playing on the rocks by the ranger station, I over heard this cute little family speaking German...of course I had to ease-drop! They had a 7 yr old and a 2-3 yr old and were talking about their plans to hike all the way to the first Flatiron. WHAT! That far, with kids? Are you high? Oh wait...if they can do it, then Super Angie and her super kids most certainly can!

And so we set off hiking. Dallin and Brennan had light sabers. Tanith would hold my hand, talk to all the dogs on the trails and look at rocks. We made really good time (for us anyway) and got further and further up the trail. I was enjoying hiking with my kids. I was enjoying being a mom. And it felt great to push my asthma by hiking a bit faster. I didn't have my asthma spray with me, and that was neat too.

Everyone on the trail is so nice. Everyone says HI and comments on the kids--especially Tanith. It was beautiful weather and the sun felt great.

We finally made it to the first Flatiron! It was quite the celebration. The kids were really REALLY happy--maybe from the hike, but probably because they had earned some new legos! lol But bribes aside, they proved themselves to be little hikers who now know they are capable of going the distance.

It was a great hike, and a great day for Super Angie. I'm learning so much about myself and realizing I can do more then I think I can. Some of my FB friends have started calling me Super Angie, or SA, just on an everyday casual basis. Can I live up to the title?

--Super Angie

Friday, August 27, 2010

Super Angie... stop the stress!


A friend recently told me that I cause myself un-needed stress, but freaking out over things that don't really matter, or making something not-stressful, be stressful.

I've been thinking about this. Very true.

So today, while stressing about Denver, and ice rinks, and moving and life, I suddenly found myself completely stressed and very grumpy. This little thought came to me and I realized--none of this matters and I need to focus on the things that I can control, and that do matter right now.

Phew! I did, and suddenly, life was blissful again.

Yea! I win!

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Super Angie...the Carr lot







I took a drive down to Colorado Springs and had a lovely visit to the Carr Lot. :) Jenny and I grew up together and she moved away after 3rd grade. We found each other a few years ago through blogging and now we live in the same state, so PARTAY! I adore her kids and she adores mine, and our husbands have even gotten into the love fest. I love having a friend like Jenny and feel truly blessed by having her in my life.
--Super Angie

Super Angie...take a deep breath




Yesterday we woke up nice and early and headed to Boulder to hike around the Flatirons area. I have grown to love this area, and now the kids love it too.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Super Angie..pinch me. OUCH!


I'm really starting to be freaked out by this no allergy and asthma thing. I've been dealing with allergies and asthma since I was 10. I'm 34 now..you do the math. Thats a FREAKING LONG TIME to be drugged up, in and out of hospitals and on really powerful and quite frankly dangerous drugs. For the past 7 yrs I have shut the world outside, and lived inside, as a hermit, because I got so sick when I went outside in Utah in the spring, summer, and fall. I'm sure all the neighbors thought I was the worst parent--never being outside with my kids. I was so sick and tired of calling my allergist. So sick of the heavy duty meds. So sick of paying $300 for different meds that only last 30 days!

I feel so strange not taking my asthma spray with on light duty hikes. Today I skated and didn't use my spray once. NOT ONCE! AND I WAS SKATING! SKATING!!!!!!!! I keep hearing how allergies are really bad right now, but I'm not experiencing any of it. I'm scared that I'm gonna wake up and find it was all a dream.

I'm having a hard time understanding this miracle and blessing...

--Super Angie

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Super Angie...the conquering hero? or something


Day one of living in Denver was a success. No asthma or allergy issues.

After letting me sleep in (what a saint), we headed off to Boulder canyon, to hike, climb and play. And we had a great time. The kids loved hanging out on the rocks and exploring. And everyone took a few turns climbing. It was rather rushed, but still a great family outing.

We said goodbye to Rick and wished him a safe journey home, and then the kids and I watched a movie, went to a park (where they ran and played in the fountain--fully dressed!), dinner and then a nice sunset walk with a friend and his dog, surrounded by tons of weeds that in Utah would have killed me.

So far, so good! YIPPEEE! It feels so great to be healthy.
--Super Angie

Monday, August 23, 2010

Super Angie...the blessing that is FB













Facebook is truly a blessing in my life.

Each day I am reminded of this.

Through FB I have met some wonderful, genuine friends and re-connected with some long lost ones. Friendships and bonds have been strengthened. I have new emotional support groups, new daily jokes to laugh at, new problem solvers, new best friends, and spiritual buddies. I have new inspiration, new partners to help me through life.

I love how if I'm feeling down, I can instantly find one of my friends who cares and will listen. Someone who will meet me for lunch, or give me a quick call. Someone who will text or email no matter the time of day. When I mentioned I was moving to Colorado, I instantly received upwards of 20 posts on my wall from friends saying the kindest things.

I'm simply so blessed by my friends on FB and so inspired. xoxo

Friday, August 20, 2010

Super Angie...crepes!







I love crepes.
I have always loved crepes.

I mean LOVE crepes.

In Tokyo, we ate at every crepe stand we found--and we found a bunch of them.

So, tonight, at South Center Mall (near Seattle), when I walked past a stand, I just couldn't say NO. AND I had to document the whole process.

What did I get? Ice Banana Chocolate Cream. Ice cream, with sliced banana, chocolate sauce and whipcream. AHHHH. Can you hear that? Its angels...they are singing! Heavenly. Simply heavenly.

Super Angie...the friendly skies

I'm blogging from mid flight!!!

Super Angie...danger danger


‎"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. Security does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than exposure." --- Helen Keller

On Belay

On Belay
Brennan Top Roping

Climb On!

Climb On!
Dallin top roping