You know you like your buddy when....

you'll wear the pink goggles.

FHE

What we did Monday night...

We were a family, we were home, and it was in the evening. A very enjoyable time together.

Justin's Hero Cam Pics

Justin took the Hero Camera on his ski trip and was excited about putting these on the blog.

This the cliff he scouted in the summer. He jumped off this a few weeks ago when there was powder.

This is the other half of Justin's crash, pre life flight.


Justin's friends taking a picture of Justin taking a picture.

A buddy.

Here we go again

My insides are still shaking. I was actually really calm after I hung up the phone. The school's PE teacher called from the top of Magic to let me know Justin had been in an accident on the ski trip.

Justin was living for this ski trip. I bought his treats for it days ago. He checked the weather 20 times a day hoping for powder on this day. I don't think there is another kid who loves to ski so much. Really. I don't. This kid lamenates ski resort maps and clips them to his coat. He reads ski resort regulations. He checks out the bottom of cliff jumps IN THE SUMMER to see if there are any rocks or other hazards that might hinder him from making the jump safely. Justin was living for this trip.

They told me he had been taken by ambulance. The ski patrol thought he had a broken femur. The paramedics came and thought it could be a broken hip. I got done freaking about Justin and asked about the other kid. He had been life flighted. Oh boy.

I had just finished riding my bike downstairs and hadn't taken a shower. Do I leave right now? How long would it take the ambulance to get to the hospital. If we were looking at a serious break I could be at the hospital for a few days. I took a shower. I beat the ambulance by 15 min. Darren was north of Fairfield kite skiing. I knew he wouldn't be checking his phone. He is NEVER in town when one of the kids or I are at the hospital. I called his cell and left a message. Then knowing one missed call from me wouldn't signal an emergency I continued to press redial while I dried my hair. If he saw 6 missed calls from me he would call me as soon as he saw it.

I called Melanie and got another friend's (an orthopedic surgeon) cell number. He has been our "go to" guy often. He didn't answer so Mel got his wife, then I got a text that he was on his way. Seconds later he walked into the ER. We were still in the hall, no rooms available. I am so thankful for his help and support. He checked him, then made sure they took the proper x-rays, in the right positions. Best part, he talked me through everything, and we got quick attention - everyone thought it was his kid! It's all about who you know I tell you.

No breaks. Deep bruise. Crutches for a few days. Concussion likely. Lucky. Blessed. Hairline fractures can show up a week later. Watch for this. Watch for that. Thank you. Thank you.

Justin is as white as the snow he tumbled upon. But excited about all the phone calls, even homemade cookies from his buddy the basketball star. Then the vomiting. Sweet Brady runs for the bowl, and makes it in time, races up the stairs for a much needed second bowl. Makes it in time again. 11 year old, torn up out of concern brother carries FULL bowls upstairs and empties and rinses them. I couldn't have done that without throwing up myself until I was a mother. Could you?

The other kid, twice Justin's size, has facial fractures. Luckily they are the kind that will heal on their own, and quickly. Lucky. Witnesses say Justin turned to avoid a snowboarder that turned into his path, was coming to a stop when this boy, who had been skiing with Justin, plowed into him. Bodies tumbled, bodies lay still. People freaked. Justin was confused, thinking it was last Friday when he was skipping school to ski, then felt the Snickers bar in his pocket and remembered I had bought it for this trip, then remembered where he was. People say he was acting pretty goofy, confused. Pain.

Accidents happen. I know, believe me, I know. I'm not sure I can withstand the love I have for my children. Sing it with me now, love hurts. In so many different ways. Brady brought to my attention how lucky 2010 has been so far. Because look at Justin, he could be so much worse. Glass half full. Thank you Brady. Later, before bed he broke down saying he's afraid that one day he's going to be picked up from school and find out that one of us has died. The fragility of life is felt here. It's all going to be fine, but I'm still shaking.

Ski Day

What's not to love? I saw that her mask was crooked when she put it on in the car, but I thought it was so cute I didn't tell her. Darren saw the picture and wondered if she had had a hard crash! She is an independent little skier.

Boys and a friend. Watch out below all cliffs at this resort, flying boys overhead. J man did a 25 footer. Glad I didn't know ahead of time!

I don't ski right now. I'm too cheap, and too afraid to break my ribs again. So, like last year, I take my snowshoes and hike to the top of the mtn. opposite the ski resort. As I got higher the clouds came in. This is a picture of where I was going.





This is where I came from. You can usually see the ski resort across the way, and the road way down below. I did get a little nervous and kept freaking myself out thinking I heard things. I am always hearing from Darren and his biking friends how there are mtn. lions up here. I knew I'd be mad at myself if I didn't finish the climb, and I wouldn't be able to look Darren in the eye. I'm so prideful.

Me at the top. So grateful to be able to use my body again and suffer the pain of a rapidly beating heart and burning quads! (The snow was thigh deep in places). There was a time not long ago when I wondered if I would ever be able to stuff like this again. This is what gets me up in the morning.

Christmas 2009

Oh the excitement on Christmas morning!

Paige awoke to find this cute Netherland Dwarf rabbit. His name is Winkle.

Grandma and Grandpa spent Christmas with us. We love it when they visit. The kids couldn't believe Grandpa was actually coming with Grandma. He doesn't make it up here very often because of work, but I assured them he wouldn't miss Christmas.
Justin got a larger than life map of Idaho.

I got the best surprise from Darren... he printed my blog into a book! The only reason I started a blog was because I could print it into a book thus solving the scrapbooking dilemma. I hate scrapbooking, but I want to document our life in pictures. I have been meaning to make it into a book for a year! I now have new motivation to blog. So, now I need to commit to journaling more about our happenings. So, sorry to any reader, it may get more tedious to read!

Like Father Like Son

Darren took the boys Snow Kiting outside of Fairfield. They have practiced with the trainers a lot. They go to a nearby subdivision and practice on longboards. Helmets required!

When they walked in the door afterwards, Brady said, "Mom. Mom," making sure I was listening. "You have to promise me something. You have to promise me you will make dad take me next time he goes kiting."

I think they liked it.

J man, kite launched.

As soon as I'm brave enough, (confident the ribs will hold) I am going too!