Swath

We got a new used mower this summer. Scott needed to give it a test run before he told these people whether or not we wanted to keep it. He was sitting at the patio table and declared, "I need to cut a swath of grass with the new mower to see how it runs." I had this smirk on my face, "A swath?" "Yes, a swath." I pride myself in words and their usage, that was not the right word for sure. So I asked him to define it for me. "Cutting one strip of grass. One run down the yard." He used his hands to demonstrate. Hmmm... not convinced on that one Mr. South Fork. So I went inside to get my handy dictionary circa... I have no idea because it says copyright some Roman numeral and I have never prided myself in that knowledge. It's old enough to have Kris Syler written inside in shiny silver pen. That's old.

Back to the word swath. I found the word and started laughing. My eyes were tearing because I was laughing so hard. Swath means "the space covered in one cut of a scythe; the strip or band of grass, wheat, etc. cut in a single trip across a lawn or field by a mower." His arms were in the air cheering. He was right! I told him so.

We used to love the show Mad About You with Helen Hunt and Paul Riser. She thought she was such a smarty pants, sound familiar? He said something that didn't sound right to her, so she says, "You say it your way and I'll say it right." We've both used that line a time or two.

Today, I announced I needed to paint a swath of paint on Reagan's wall to see if it was the right color. Hmmm... look whose word I used. It's good to be wrong sometimes... I said sometimes.

Grandparent's Day

Every September we celebrate Grandparent's Day. This year the Fort Collins Senior Center put on a big afternoon of fun. We sent the kids with some money and they "took" Nana and Grandpa to have some fun. We got to see pictures of Tennison and Reagan in those giant velcro outfits throwing themselves up on a velcro wall. Reagan would be quick to tell you that long hair gets caught in the velcro, not so fun. They played Bingo, ate sno-cones, rode on a carriage ride, and made some great memories.

Later that evening my parents came back to our house for dinner on the patio. I made a new recipe, Capellini al forno. Wow!! It was tasty cheesey, pasta, goodness. It's a Giada recipe... and here is the picture:
Photo: Capellini al Forno Recipe

The picture from her site, not my creation.

 

Once we were fat and happy, we decided to ask the Granparentals some get-to-know-you kinds of questions. It was fun for the kids to take turns asking them different questions. We learned Grandpa Skip always wore Levi's with the red tag, otherwise you weren't cool. We heard the names of all of Nana's best girlfriends growing up. They also learned why those chose to name me Kristina (and not Karen).

 

Then we had dessert. Food, I just love food and the memories it makes. One dessert I love is canolis. However, to make a homemade canoli would be a lot of work. I found a great recipe in my Food Network magazine, Bob's Cone-oli's... They use sugar cones instead of pastry shells. GENIUS!

 

 Are they pretty or what? I was so impressed with myself I had to take pictures.

Those are mini-chocolate chips and pistachios on top.

They were a hit for sure.

Except for Tennison who just couldn't figure out why I'd serve him an ice cream cone without ice cream. He didn't really get into it at all.

I'm not sure what this was all about... but aren't grandparents grand?

I know not everyone has grandparents that live close by. I didn't as a kid, but somehow my parents made it possible to know them well. With grandparents close we try to make the most of our time and hope the kids know them even better than we knew our own grandparents. The get-to-know-you questions were online at iMom, so maybe the next time you go visit your parents, take the questions with you and make time to get to know them even better.

 

 

Breck, our kind of town

Turns out I didn't have many stories for Scott on our ride up the mountain. We got a late start due to Tennison feeling crummy. We were tired, but thankful we both got to go. On our way up the mountain we stopped at Qdoba for dinner. A very kind teenage girl informed me I had paraded through the restaurant with t.p. on my rear, nice.

I'm not a retreat person... at all. I never have been, doubt I ever will be. Scott is a retreat person... completely. What I do like about this retreat: I like my husbands company, the mountains are beautiful in September, the Breckenridge scenery is amazing, and I didn't have to cook 6 meals in a row. Can I get a hallelujah?

They're probably from Texas.

Yep, definitely Texas.

Wow!

Without the kids and them holding their breath through the tunnel,

the Eisenhower wasn't as exciting.

Those dang beetle bugs are killin' our trees...

But not all of them.

Tennison would have loved this!

In all of the years we've gone to Breck, we've never spent time at their marina. In all honesty, it seems like such an unlikely place to go sailing. But really, it is such a beautiful setting... these people are on to something.

We really do live in the best place!

We survived another retreat. We went home exhausted and stuffed, but we had fun together and with the staff. We also got to see another side of our favorite mountain town. We'll be back for sure!

What does this mean?

Scott and I are heading to Breckenridge for a pastoral team retreat. We decided to drive in our own car instead of a church van with other staff. When Scott informed me of this decision he emailed me this:  Nothing like car time with you with NO interruptions so you can finish a story you want me to hearJ

As I read it I started laughing. I guess I wasn't sure what that meant. Did he mean: You have so many stories I'm just going to sit, drive, listen and nod my head? Or did he mean: Good thing I'll be sitting upright so I can't fall asleep listening to your stories? Or did he mean: We will be alone for 2 hours so I can listen without little people talking over you? I'm thinking it is a good combo of the three. I do appreciate his willingness to listen, even if he doesn't have a choice while he's locked in for 2 hours!!

Finalization

Last Wednesday we took the kids out of school, headed into Old Town and joined the Mayeda's for a very important day. September 7th was the finalization, the day the judged announced that Ryan & Kim are legally Makyla's parents, and our littlest friend is officially Makyla Joy Mayeda.

Waiting in the lobby to head into court.

The judge.

Miss Bouncy was enjoying the attention.

They were all checking to make sure the birth certificate was correct.

What, did one of my adoring fans need something?

Makyla's signature look, a nice big flower headband.

 

So proud to hold the gavel.

Her fans sitting in the jurors seats.

 

Who would have thought we'd be a part of something like this?

One happy Mayeda!

When Makyla came into our lives at 2 days old, we felt like God gave us this gift to take care of, love on, and pray for, for the time He gave her to us. The best gift we got in return is a friendship with Ryan & Kim to last a lifetime. When we were sad thinking we had to "let her go", we didn't need to be. 



You are a true JOY to all of us Makyla Joy.

9/11 Ten years Later

What does 9/11 mean to you? Can you remember where you were when it happened? I was working out and the TV I was watching had on the Today Show. I clearly remember Katie Couric's somber face as she reported the news. I remember calling Scott from the gym telling him to turn on the television. It didn't seem real, it seemed like I was watching a movie.

We were scheduled to go on a dream trip to the East Coast in October. Out of fear I didn't want to leave my then 3 year old and 16 month old daughters. We made the trip. We flew into Boston and were welcomed by men in military uniforms holding some kind of machine gun. We came home safely.

In time our paths crossed with some amazing friends, Craig and Renee Woodall. Craig's brother Brent died in the towers. Renee sent us a link to a very special tribute to Brent. You can check it out at www.csnbayarea.com , look around for the name Woodall. He left behind his immediate family as well as his pregnant wife. Grief. Craig is "the face" of 9/11 in our community and has taken that on with grace. He is in New York this weekend with his oldest daughter, along with his mom and sister to attend the memorial. Please pray alongside Scott and I, and his wife Renee. Prayer for safety and for peace in their hearts. Prayer that fear doesn't take over.

It will be an emotional time tomorrow visiting the memorial. Please keep them and the others there in your thoughts.

Reagan Loves Her Daddy

Reagan created a video for Scott's birthday and I thought I'd share it with you all. It made Scott cry! Click on Happy Birthday!!! and then click on the link. Enjoy seeing Scott as a little dude.

Happy Birthday!!!