Super Angie...its easy being green

I think St. Paddy's day is now my 2nd favorite holiday. I'm not Irish (but you can kiss me anyway), but I just LOVE this Green day.

We started the day with green milk. I was gonna do more green foods, but it didn't happen. The kids loved the green milk though.

One of my neighbors behind me invited all the neighbors on our block to have a St. Paddy's Day party. Talk about fun! (and already I'm thinking about next years!!!) All the kids hunted for goodies left by the Leprechaun. Green drinks, green rice crispie treats and green donuts were provided. Everyone just had a glorious time in the warm weather. And all the moms were able to mingle and have a good time.

I love my neighbors!

--Super Angie

Super Angie...lost and found

For the past week, I have been panicking about a lost folder. This folder had very important papers in it...things that could be replaced, but would take a long time and a lot of government hassles to do so.

I "always" keep this folder in a certain spot and it wasn't there. My mind had no recollection of ever moving it. Was it stolen? Did the kids take it? Where did I move it to?

For many hours each day I would cry about this and I seriously had a lot of panic attacks. I felt like my world was falling in on me.... Yes i know its only paperwork, but where the SMURF did it go? It was the straw that broke this camel's back.

Many a prayer was said by both Rick and me.
Many days went by.
Many tears were shed.
Many panic attacks happened.

And then last night, the spirit led me to take Rick into the basement to talk about food storage plans and where we wanted to put shelves. While walking around, my eyes were led to a box. I opened it. Nothing but old school work of Dallin's. Then I noticed the box under it. So, I opened that box and right away, I saw the lost folder.

Our Heavenly Father knows us. He knows and understands our needs. He listens and He answers.

--Super Angie

Super Angie..an off day

I'm feeling really down in the dumps today.

Super Angie...Dinner N Pets

Last night we took the kids to dinner and to PetSmart. We are all allergic, so we can't have most pets (only fish) but the kids still enjoy going to the pet store...although we can't stay too long--its too stinky!

But while we are there, we have a lot of fun, talking to the cats, watching the hamsters run, listening to the birds and watching the turtles and snakes. They had a Siamese cat there that I fell in love with...looked just like my childhood cat, Friskie.

I sure do love my family!
--Super Angie

Super Angie...Mt. Rainier training hike 3

Yesterday we went a little over 2 miles and about 1200 feet up rock canyon on our Rainier training hike. It was warm and beautiful. We went passed all 5 bridges to the fork, and headed up the Squaw Peak trail a little ways.

My Scarpa boots are still working out great, although I do have a few hots spots. But those are quickly solved by putting duct tape on my feet...you can do anything with Duct Tape.

A hard hike in the snow, but a beautiful hike too.

--Super Angie

Super Angie...Me?

I can't beleive some things that are happening. This is NOT at all intended be a post of pride, but rather a post of amazement. It will probably be a boring post for most people, so, feel free to skip it! LOL

Last night on our Friday night date to the gym, I worked another 5.12 HOLY CRAP! 5.12 is what all those other climbers are doing. The ones who are really good. The ones who have been climbing for years. I've only been climbing for 2 years. I am not 19 percent body fat. How can I be working 5.12 and onsiting 5.11s?

I am just amazed at how far I have come with climbing. I thank so many people--Rick, Laurie, Dawn, Matt, Megan, Sarah, Julie, Jake, Kristen, Teri, Banner, Nancy, Nate, Devin, Chad, Dan, Michelle and Spandex Dave. I really appreciate the WERC program for teaching me from the start about good technique. I'm thankful for private lessons from Dawn and Laurie. I'm very grateful for all the feedback and advice Rick has given me. All those training days doing laps and footwork drills have paid off. He is the best coach and really understands climbing...even though his poor body isn't allowing him to do as much as he wants.

Its interesting seeing the respect that certain climbers are paying towards me for climbing harder. And its fun to hear their thoughts and advice. Its also nice to hear that there are other awesome climbers who are scared of leading or who don't feel confident outside on real rock.

Last night was very interesting. A girl I know through WERC came up to me seeking advice on how to fix her climbing and take it the next level. She actually wanted my teaching advice and that made me feel good. We talked for a good 30 minutes and I even saw her practice some of it and she commented about the difference it was making already. Made me feel good.

I just can't beleive this is all happening to me.
Wish Sarah and Laurie were still at Momentum. :(

--Super Angie

Super Angie...passes

I have two free passes that are good only in March if anyone wants to go climbing at Momentum with us.

I also have a few 2 for 1 passes I can give out.

Let me know if anyone is interested and when you, your spouse or your kids want to go. :) Also, the climbing Team Dallin is on, offers First Practice Free, is anyone is interested in trying rock climbing for kids. (Tuesdays & Thursdays 4:30-6:30)

--Super Angie

Super Angie....plans

I wanted to write down some of my upcoming plans and goals:

Next Tuesday: St. Patrick's day. I'm not Irish, but I do have very fond memories of celebrating this as a family when I was growing up. Green milk, and of course lots of green clothes. :)
**make green cupcakes, with green frosting and green shamrock CUPCAKE CANDY.
**dye the milk green
**make green pancakes in the morning
**wear green
**dress the kids in green
**participate in neighbor St. Patrick's day leprechaun hunt.

Next Wednesday: Mid Month Special WERC. This month, we are pleased to have Dawn come and do a special Mid Month WERC (Woman Experience Rock Climbing) focusing on Yoga. 7pm at Momentum

Next Thursday: As soon as school gets out, we are heading to KEYSTONE! My girl's weekend completely fell apart, so we are going as a family and will have a blast. Hot tub! Sauna. Pool. Sledding. Hanging out. I can't wait.

Next Saturday: Hire a sitter while in Keystone. Rick and I will climb a 14,000 foot peak. Quandry. I'm really looking forward to hiking this peak. It will be my second full 14ner if I summit. Rick has done Quandry a bunch of times though.

I'm excited and looking forward to these plans.

--Super Angie

Super Angie...A break through

Tonight I did it!

I climbed a 5.12!!!!!

Rick was late getting to the gym, and Lisa took Mazey home early, so Dan didn't have anyone to climb with, so we decided to belay each other.

I started the evening off doing my crimpy blue 5.11. I did take one rest on the rope but thats okay. It was funny to warm up on 5.11. Then Dan did a great 5.11d (i think). I tried it and another 5.11 and it just wasn't happening.

Then I encouraged Dan to try the 5.12 I had started working. He hates crimpy routes, but decided to try it anyway. He on-sited it! WAY TO GO!!! It was so awesome. His very first 5.12!!!

Then I decided to give it a go. I took a few falls and had to rest a bunch, but I was able to peice it all together and finish the route. HOLY SNOT! I did a 5.12!!!!

Now my goal...do the whole route without weighting the rope or taking any falls. I can't wait! :)

--Super Angie
PS...HI AMY! It was fun seeing your cute smiley face driving next to me tonight! Thanks for the honk and wave! :)

Super Angie...say CHEESE

Today we did some pictures. Brennan did awesome! He was so proud to wear his harness and rock shoes and hold my rope. He just couldn't stop smiling. And I had a blast doing a shot with just the two of us...our special picture! I love my big bear.

Rick works right around the corner from where we had our pics done, so he showed up and provided a lot of help trying to get our usually smiley Tanith to actually smile. We got one real smile out of her, and one totally forced and fake one. Too funny!

--Super Angie

Super Angie...lessons

Every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, our whole family heads up to Momentum because Dallin has climbing team practice. While he climbs, Rick and I climb. (Tan and Brennan go to Mountain Room--the daycare there.)

Last night was such an awesome climbing night for both Rick and I. I onsited a 5.11. This means I walked right up to it, having never seen anyone climb on it, there fore not knowing anything about the route, and I climbed all the way to the top, without falling or resting on the rope. AWESOME! Then Rick did a marvelous job onsiting a 5.9. He did so amazing on it and pulled some great technique. GREAT JOB BABY! Then I onsited a new 5.10 and then I worked a new 5.11+ (this means its so hard its almost a 5.12). I took some falls and had to rest a few times, but eventually I made it to the top.

Its nice to see improvement happening in both of our climbing. I can't beleive I've been climbing for only 2 years and already I'm onsiteing 5.11s.

On a separate note, but still related to the subject, I have learned a few lessons recently. I have learned that some people simply want to be an acquaintance type of friend; they email once in a while, smile at church, but thats about it. Other people want to be a buddy type of friend; they email or call frequently, they want to do activities together.
Most of my life I have been famous--What I mean by Famous is that people know who I am for one reason or another (in H.S. it was because I was the mascot and in Theater), but I have never been popular. Popular to me is when everyone likes you...not just knows you, but wants to do stuff with you and wants to be around you all the time. Sure people are friendly with me and kind and smiley, but I have always been jealous of those people who have a close buddy type of friend. Recently some people have lead me to believe they want me to be their buddy, but when I see their interactions with others and compare that to how they interact with me, I realize, they just want to be my acquaintance.

I'm moving on and trying not to be hurt by the fakeness.

--Super Angie

Super Angie...Rainier training hike 2

This morning, after dropping off Dallin at school, Rick and I did another training hike for Mt.Rainier. We did the same hike as Saturday, but did our 1000 feet 15 minutes faster. YEA! Its great to see progress. Oh yeah, and it had snowed during the night, so we had to "break trail" so to speak.

Temp was 20 degrees.

We saw 10 deer (they were using our trail and naturally got scared when they heard us coming up the trail). We also followed the footprints of a bobcat.

Thanks honey! It was a great hike. I look forward to more training hikes.

--Super Angie

Super Angie...fighting over daddy

Rick is such a wonderful daddy. Tonight he got on the floor with the kids & played blocks. Tanith called out, "PLAY WITH ME DADDY!!" and he did.

The kids were all smiles as they built towers and houses and forts out of blocks with their dad.

Now they are all sitting with him watching him play a computer game. "I'm sitting on daddy's chair!" Tan just told me.

I love having Rick as a husband and I love having him as the dad in our house. He's the best daddy ever!

--Super Angie

Super Angie...raspberries and limes

During the summer, my mom was at Bell Square in Bellevue, Washington and Talbots Kids was going out business. Everything was 50% off. She decided to come back the next day and buy some stuff for my kids. The following day everything was 75% off! She spoiled us with some very good quality items, including this lime green shirt for Tan. For some reason though, every time I have tried to get Tanith to wear it, she has refused--probably because she wanted to wear her horse shirt instead. Anyway, today I got it on her and she just looks so cute in it with these raspberry heart patch pants on. And notice, her Rainbow Brite doll...she LOVES this doll and won't put her down!

--Super Angie

Super Angie...Scarpa boots save the day

Yesterday, Rick and I went for a training hike for our summer summit atempt on Mt. Rainier. I wore my Scarpa Phantom Lites. They ROCKED and I'm thrilled that I have them.

We decided to just stick close the home, so we went up the Grove Crest trail in Pleasant Grove, UT. We hiked 1000 feet in 1 hour, which is faster then guides usually take clients, so we were pleased with that. At that point though, I started feeling a hot spot on my left heal, so we turned around to head back. I can't wait to go again though and head further up the trail.

The weather was crazy while we were hiking...snow, sun, wind, clouds. It was cold enough that we need to wear our extra puffy when we stopped at our 1 hour 15 minute stop.

On the way down, we got off trail and explored what looks like it would be a fun place to bring the kids and camp. Then, while bush wacking our way down (not on the real trail, but instead, straight down the mountain side) we found a herd of 40 deer! They were stunning to watch.

Thanks Honey! It was a great hike and I can't wait to go again! :)

--Super Angie

Super Angie....5.12!

What an awesome night we had last night climbing with great friends. The gym was packed, which was a bit annoying and I had a "fight" with another climber (not one of my prouder moments in life), but besides that, the evening ROCKED!

We all pushed our climbing abilities...even our novice friends and first timers had a blast and climbed really good. I think everyone is hooked and we'll probably do these Friday night climbing dates more often. Way fun.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Getting up about 10 feet (??) of a 5.12. It was crimpy but awesome. I could hardly believe I could get that far up it. I want to start working it. The holds just make sense to me. LOVED IT! 5.12!!!!!!!
  
• Climbing for 4 plus hours. Rick and I got there early.
• Laughing and joking all night with Shannon and Julie, while Matt, Jake and Rick chatted and were social--GASP! Rick social? Yup!!
• Watching Julie climb so hard. She is such a strong climber and I love being pushed by her.
• Climbing with Shannon. I love this girl and she is just so enthusiastic about climbing.
  
• Lead climbing! Julie and I had decided (during the field trip earlier in the day) that we would do at least on lead climb last night. Lucky for us, there is a 5.8 lead climb which doable. I was still scared though, but Julie gives a great belay.
• Having Matt and Jake defend me against the not-so-nice climber jerk.
  
• Seeing so many friends!
• Belaying Elizabeth and chatting with Jerom. I'm so glad they got a date night away from their kids...they needed it and I just adore them! :)
• Taking Mark home--its always fun to chat and get to know neighbors better.
• Trying some hard 5.11s and failing.
  
• Coming up with the term "Super Stupid Slopper" and trying to say it 5 times. lol
• Being with Rick and having so much fun with him. I love you sweetie!!! Glad you didn't go to Mexico. And glad you love me in spite of my feistyness
  

Thanks everyone for coming. Can't wait to climb again. The Quarry, right, Julie?

*HUGS*
--Super Angie

Super Angie...tonight's the night

Tonight is my Super Fun Climbing Party. I sent out darling Strawberry Shortcake invites a few weeks ago (GASP! I actually mailed them instead of just emailed invites). I took a chance and invited some "friends" that I'm not really on chummy terms with...it will be interesting to see if they come and if we can become "chummy" again.

I sadly found out yesterday that one invite to Tiffany and Ty didn't actually make it to the mail box and they already have plans. Darn!! I would have loved to have climbed with them. But I have had a good number of neighbors, ward members and friends RSVP, so I'm excited. I do think its rather lame that most people don't RSVP and just blow off the whole thing. I'm not concerned about how many people are coming, but it is nice and I think proper that when one receives an invitation in the mail, hand written mind you, that they should at least call or email to say Thanks, even if they have zero interest in coming. There have been many times I have gone to parties that I personally think are lame or silly, but I knew they were important to the hostest, so I went to show my love and friendship for her. At least be nice enough to tell the hostest that you are not able to come but appreciate the invite. Its like leaving comments on a blog. I try my hardest to comment on each post because obviously, that blogger thought it was important to blog about it and took the time to write and by leaving a comment, you are showing respect for the blogger. JMHO

Okay, enough soapbox...

Also today, Dallin's school is going to the gym on a field trip. I helped arrange this field trip, so if anyone reading this is interested in their child's class going on a fun rock climbing field trip, let me know and I can give you all the details. The kids are way excited to do some bouldering, learn about a new sport and get a Utah Climbing history lesson.

Oh, and one more thing...Rick was supposed to be climbing in Mexico this week, which is why I planned the party--have a party to keep me from missing my sweetie. But with all the horrible things going on in Mexico, and after having several concerned family members tell Rick he shouldn't go, he canceled his trip and is staying home. Thanks honey! I love you so much better when you are alive then dead! lol ;)

I'll post pictures tomorrow of the climbing party. I'm excited! There are lots of great people coming and I'm excited about getting to know people better.

--Super Angie

Super Angie....5K anyone?

Dallin's school is hosting the first annual American Legacy Academy 5k Run/Walk and Kids Fun Run. I will be doing this, even though I don't run, and never have done anything like this before. Anyone want to join me? I'm excited for my kids to have this opportunity as well.

--Super Angie

Super Angie...My friend Lesleigh

I had a wonderful lunch today with my dear friend Lesleigh. It was nice to share stories, laughs and even some tears. We are both a bit crazy, but we love each other inspite of that.

Love ya Les!

--Super Angie

Super Angie...Summer Plans

YEA! I'm so excited!!! This summer, Rick and I are going to go to New Zealand together. We will take the boys and drop them off in Singapore to visit their dad (my ex lives in Singapore now).
We'll spend a little over a week in New Zealand and have a blast! The boys are soooo excited to go to Singapore. It will be so good for them to spend time with Mark and it will be nice that we can all fly together to Singapore, instead of them having to go alone.

Kiwi here we come!

--Super Angie