IRONMAN: Part 1~Drive/Cabin Adventures

Finally, I have the opportunity to document the accomplishment of one of Rich’s life goals. He has completed a 100 mile run, several 50 milers and marathons and he now officially holds the title of IRONMAN! Wow! We are all so proud of this accomplishment and I’m so proud of his ability to juggle work, family and training without ever neglecting his family. He sacrificed many hours of sleep to train early in the morning and sometimes late at night but he did it.

There is way too much to tell to make it just one post so there will be 3. We headed out on Friday morning all squeezed into the van. Rich’s sister, Julie, flew out just to support her big bro. She is awesome. I needed to be able to get to Eva to do her feeds and suctioning so I landed the tiny spot between the girls seats. Cozy.

At the cabin:

We rented out a little cabin on the lake with a gorgeous view!

There were so many humming birds! I’ve never seen so many in my life!

This awesome shot was taken by Julie.

Our gorgeous view!

 

Our cabin is the one with the green roof.

Rich’s uncle, John drove out to support him. It was my first time meeting him and I absolutely LOVE him! He was so easy going and great with the kids. He had a special bond with Aidan and fell in love with Eva.

Just hanging out.

 

Our adventures out on the lake.

 

 

 

 

This picture was taken minutes before we got stuck out on the lake in a paddle boat that wasn’t paddling. Like how we got mom in the shot in the very back? haha!

We headed out and quickly realized that no matter how hard we paddled it wasn’t moving! There was a fairly strong current that was pushing us down stream and we were all laughing hysterically trying to get back to the little dock. The guys were standing on the deck of the cabin just enjoying watching us struggle and got these shots of us. We did eventually paddle our butts to dry ground and getting out of the paddle boat was a whole other ordeal. Let’s just say, we all had wet bottoms and did a LOT of laughing!

 

I’m so glad we got to spend that time with Rich’s parents, sister and uncle! We all had such a great time and wished we could stay a couple more days.

It’s been a month

*sigh* I hate when I get this backed up. Life has happened. As per my usual, when my body finally has a minute to relax after being in survival mode, it likes to go into depression. Awesome. It’s not like a “crying all day because I don’t have anything to live for” depression but it’s more of a “I’m so tired and have ZERO motivation to do anything productive” depression. Does that make sense? I’m not sad by any means but if I let it go I will definitely get to that point. I got on some meds as soon as I realized what was going on. I’m starting to feel closer to normal now hence, the blog post.

So much happens in a month! I’m so sad that I’ve been in such a funk that I haven’t been documenting it. In a really lame nutshell that doesn’t do the last month any justice, here it is…

Rich had a day off  and knowing how much I have been dying to go back to Welfare Square, that is what we chose to do! I love him so much for that!

I love this place so much!

 

Stopped to take a picture on a bench that I had my picture taken on while I was on my mission…fail.

Some pics down the path.

 

Rich ran another marathon and did really well. He also ran the neighborhood 5k and got second place which was a gift card that paid for our dinner last night

Aidan got croup and could barely breathe. Rich had to take him to the ER.

 

For some reason our kids that have had trachs have a really hard time breathing when they get sick. It’s really scary! Every single one of the kids ended up getting croup. Boo.

Rich and I went on one of my favorite dates. We went to Temple Square.

Ate at the Lion House

Then, took a tour of the Beehive House.

It was such a fun, relaxing date.

Eva’s hair has gotten super long!

She has become such a momma’s girl! This is what she does when she is feeling emotional and I leave her with daddy.

 

I love this girl SO MUCH!

The kids have become expert siblings of a trach baby. I can ask them for any medical supply or equipment and they know exactly what I’m talking about and how to use it. Gauze, nose, trach tie, catheter, suction, feeding bag, you name it and they can get it! Even Arabella knows what to do when Eva’s feeding pump beeps…

Our across the street neighbors were making and selling snow cones for 15 cents. That was a deal the kids just couldn’t pass up!

 

Love that fake smile!

A couple weeks ago I decided that life was getting a little too easy and I needed a challenge because, you know, I have none right now A friend needed help with his girls while he went to scout camp. I took on his two girls, Evalyn and Gracie. They were so cute and fun to have stay with us for a few days. We even took some pics so that they could surprise their dad with them.

This is beautiful Eva(pronounced Ava)

And silly Gracie

I love these sweet girls!

 

They were so cute and funny! They posed themselves while I just clicked away.

We got our craft on while they were here! We made bracelet after bracelet  and then Evalyn wanted to sew something so we made a messenger bag.

By the end of the week I was EXHAUSTED! The kids all had fun and I had yet another confirmation that 4 kids is enough for me!

I’m realizing now that there is no way to fit all of our happenings in one blog post! There is just too much! This about covers the first two weeks I missed. The next two will follow shortly. I feel so blessed to be busy with my kids. I’m beyond grateful to be able to do “normal” things with Eva now that she is doing so well. Even though the darn depression threw me a curve ball, I’m at least grateful that I was expecting it and that I’m starting to feel right again. It has been a good month.