the first day
I love the first day of school. It is a day bursting with hope and optimism. If I am perfectly honest then I would admit that many days can have a negative tone to them in public education. This is...
View ArticleClik here to view.
the entry to toddlerisms
This is my life. We are three weeks into the school year. I am 900 mph every minute I'm at work. In the back of my mind I constantly worry and long to be with my baby. The neat thing is that I am...
View ArticleClik here to view.
the baby's first camping trip
Motorcycle went camping for the first time over Labor Day weekend. On a scale of 1-10, this trip was a 10. There is something magical and family building about getting out of civilization and lost in...
View ArticleClik here to view.
the kiwis came
We have had the most wonderful and magical week with our Kiwi family. TWELVE members of Jason's family came to American and stayed with us. There was Nana and Papa and Winsome and Syd and Nicole and...
View ArticleClik here to view.
the eighteenth month
Somewhere along the way little Motorcycle turned into a real toddler. This toddler thing is tough. Pregnancy-easyLabor and delivery with no pain medicine-easyNewborn-easyNon-mobile baby-easyCute...
View Articlethe boston decision
Remember how I qualified for Boston? Remember how it was a goal and dream I had referenced for more than several years?The Boston registration process began weeks ago, and I forfeit my opportunity to...
View ArticleClik here to view.
the drop off
We have reached a milestone. Jason and I eagerly and bittersweetly dropped Callum off at nursery today. He is technically not 18 months until Wednesday, but he has been quite ready to try nursery by...
View ArticleClik here to view.
the cow
We did it right this year. Carved pumpkins with the cousins. only bought one bag of candy. dressed Callum in a hand-me-down cow costume. ducked out of trunk or treat. visited only three houses...
View ArticleClik here to view.
the Saturday run
also found on my running blog, I run far. Saturdays are special days. It's the day we get ready for Sundays. Saturdays have started with a long run for a long time in my world. I don't even know how...
View ArticleClik here to view.
the little painted desert
No words needed here. Just plain amazing Arizona. Seriously, why do I live in the best state? Lucky son of a gun.
View ArticleClik here to view.
the thanksgiving at our house
This year we hosted the Bratt family Thanksgiving festivities. We volunteered knowing that our house could comfortably accommodate quite a few relatives. We spent a ton of time getting our house in...
View ArticleClik here to view.
the first semester
Nursing school. That is what is pictured here. I did my fair share of intense study sessions in my BYU days, but I must say Jason takes the cake in terms of extended rigorous study sessions. Each...
View ArticleClik here to view.
the cardinals game
Happy Birthday (in September) and Merry Christmas to my one and only!I gave him the gift that would make him happiest of all-tickets to a Cardinals game. Just like last year, my sister babysat for us,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
the santa
We waited way too long to have Santa meet Callum. Nevertheless, the facial expressions will be something to giggle about a long time from now. He never shed a tear, but he was extremely weirded out...
View ArticleClik here to view.
the anticipation
6 days. This is worse than waiting for Christmas morning as a seven year old! We can hardly wait another second to get on the plane, and be New Zealand bound. It is our first real vacation since we...
View ArticleClik here to view.
the 10,000 miles of travel
It's no easy feat to get to Auckland, New Zealand. It's no easy feat to take a toddler to Auckland, New Zealand. I've taken this long road of travel many times now. I'd say 10+ times at this point....
View ArticleClik here to view.
the kiwi christmas
Yesterday my social media status stated that we enjoyed a perfectly Kiwi Christmas Eve. I feel absolutely fulfilled and blessed after embracing all things Kiwi here in New Zealand. Here's the play by...
View ArticleClik here to view.
the boxing day fun
Today was all things New Zealand outdoors. I started the day with my usual run along the paddocks. By mid morning we were packed up and ready to give the new jet ski a go at Tomarata Lake. Nearly...
View ArticleClik here to view.
the curvy seaside rode to papa's
We spent a day in New Zealand paradise...Bland Bay. Don't be fooled by the name. There is nothing plain about this place. Just to get to Bland Bay is a feat. This is evidence enough that the place...
View ArticleClik here to view.
the kaimoana
Out of duty of being a good wife, I joined Jason on his sea fishing trip. We launched the boat off of Port Albert--just a few minutes from the house. I was recovering from a terrible 24 hour bug that...
View Article