I Did It

When Chris and I discussed what to do for our 20th wedding anniversary I knew I wanted two things: to go somewhere warm and to BE ACTIVE. I wanted to celebrate having lost 80 lbs. I wanted to do and try things I'd never done before. And although I love a good lazy day at the beach I wanted the focus of this trip to be more about a celebration of the gift God has given me, a healthy body. 

We had heard of the Kalalau trail from a friend of ours. She has hiked it several times and said that if we were ever in Hawaii we should do it. Since Hawaii is on my list of 50 Things I Want To Do In My Life....we thought it sounded like a good idea. It did meet my two requirements after all. 

Then the trip didn't happen in 2013. It was becoming more and more apparent that I needed to have foot surgery on my left foot in order to do this hike. I was in constant pain and I knew that I would not be able to hike that far in my current condition. So in April of this year I underwent reconstructive surgery for my tarsal coalition. The recovery was long. And even 2 weeks before our scheduled hike I was doubting my ability to do it. 

But we left on September 12th to fly to Kauai. And on the 14th we began what would become the most grueling, difficult and proudest physical accomplishment in my life. 

I can say I hiked the Kalalau Trail. 

I survived. 

There were no medals at the end nor people chanting my name. But in my head I knew that 3 years ago, doing this hike would have been out of the question. I've accomplished so much more than completing a difficult trail. I've completed a journey of taking care of the body Heavenly Father has given me. 80 lbs lighter, a corrected foot and a cardiovascular system that is in good working condition.  

Heidi-First Day of High School

Sam, I love you and always will. March 7th, 2005 - August 27th, 2014

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You were the first pet I really "wanted."  Sure, there have been cats that have come and gone but you, you were special.  I chose you.  I chose you over a gorgeous Sun Conure and tantalizing blue quaker parrot.  You were special though, I could tell.  So I chose you.  That was March of 2005, nine years ago.  Your emerald green color with a peek of blue on your tail feathers were amazing.  You loved me.  You loved each and every one of us in this family.  Even Heidi you pretended to not like just so you could have pecking order over her. But when she was sick you crooned and cried with her.  Speaking of crooners, that was your favorite music.  The swingers and standards of the 40s.  You would sing along and bob up and down.

I hand-fed you.  You were just hatched and so I would go into the store every day to feed you until you were old enough for me to take home and feed.  We bonded then and from then on I was your momma bird.  But to be completely honest, you loved Emma most.  She would come home every day from school and just spend 20 minutes preening your pin feathers.  You would puff up so big.  You loved that.

When we first got you we didn't know if you were a boy or a girl so we named you Sam.  When you were about 3 years-old we had a DNA test done that told us you were a boy.  Finally!!! Another boy in the May family.  So you were officially Sam and not Samantha!

You weren't just loved by your immediate family though.  You loved your grandma Marilyn and Grandma Ladda and Nanna Donna.  The grandpas not so much except for Papa Ben.  He had a way with you and I'm sure right now you are sitting on his shoulder looking down at us.

I loved it most when you would sit on my shoulder and preen me.  Carefully choosing pieces of my hair to clean off.  Who knows what you were cleaning off, I probably don't want to know.  But it was your way of caring for me.  You even bit off a couple of my moles.  It hurt like heck but I know you were just trying to get that speck of dirt off of me.

We don't know how you died.  I'm so sorry if it was something we did unknowingly.  Watching you die is one of the hardest things I've had to watch. I was sitting in the vet's office with you in a small carrier on my lap.  I heard you rustle around. I looked, and your head was down.  I knew.  I still called for someone to rush you back.  They did but you were already gone.

I'm so sorry, Sam.  You should have had so many more years on this earth.  So many more years as our birdie.  So many more years to torment Heidi.  So many more years to love on all of us.  But instead you left this earth at a young age.  I know you're flying.  And you're happy.

And that's enough for now.

Summer smoothie

My awesome friend, Amanda, hooked me up with my new Blendtec blender. So it's been smoothie time around here. 

Today I made this blend of strawberries, blueberries, vanilla protien powder, banana and ice. I love the color the blueberries give to it. 

Cheer, y'all!!!!

Taking Life By The Horns

A couple weeks ago I ran into one of the sister missionaries that used to serve in our ward. She informed me that she only had two months left. That means that she's been out for 16 mos. 

Crazy. 

I thought to myself, "what have I done with my life the past 16 mos?"

Not much. Sadly. 

Time flies, doesn't it?

I've had some goals. But haven't accomplished any. *sigh*

But I made a new one on Sunday. It's to do family scripture study and prayer each night. 

So far so good. 

We need this. My girls need this. They are craving more gospel study and it's up to us as their parents to provide that. 

Timbers!!!!!

It's been awhile

I can't believe how long it's been. Recording my history is important so I'm going to be better about doing it. I see, someday, my grandchildren and great grandchildren reading this. I wish I had something of this type from my ancestors. It would be a treasure. So that's how I need to see blogging. Creating treasures. 

I'm currently recovering from foot surgery. I have a tarsal coalition and I had surgery to eleviate the pain. I'm in a hard cast. That is green. It's been really hard. I've fallen twice on my crutches. I can't cook or make myself something to eat. I'm disabled. And it's been way tougher than I thought. But the end result will be so amazing. I can't wait to be able to go on long walks or hikes. To run without pain. 

Last night we found out that Heidi made JV cheer for next year. I'm so proud of her. She has worked so hard. And loves it so much. I did cheer in high school. It's the first time one of our girls has "followed in my footsteps" so to speak. I was never an athlete like Emma. Nor a dancer and writer like Makenzie. But I did cheer. And I loved it and have great memories. Heidi is way better NOW than I was as a senior.