The rock stars

Check out the Rock Star and the back up dancer jamming to High School Musical's Stick to the Status Quo via Wii Karaoke! Hillarious! Watch out Milli Vanilli, here is some serious competition :)

A great day

After the hurricane winds died down, we went for a hike up at Chautauqua. What started with serious whining, ended in some serious fun and exploring.

Robert and I realized that he proposed on this very trail, on this very day eight years ago. Hard to believe. We reminisced and really enjoyed the day as a family. (Wow! I do think he still is quite attractive as he ages!)

So, as 2008 comes to a close and '09 starts up, we look at how much we are thankful for during a year of so many ups and downs, emotionally, physically and financially.

Some of our 2009 hopes and desires (ok, a resolution list- I just didn't want to use the word!)

- training, training, training. I want my climbing ability back! This means shedding a good 12 pounds and training for the Red Rocks trip in March with Helen. I can't wait.

- moving! Somehow, at some point we have to move. The driving is killing us. I do believe, honestly, that our vision will happen, though I'm not quite sure how. Wishful thinking perhaps, but we have to start somewhere. Is there a way to make it all happen with little or no work or effort involved? We'll see...

- Road trips! Sand Dunes is one and a road trip to Cali (two weeks I hope!) in July. Now that we have the parks pass we have to put it to good use!

- overcoming Kellan's challenges. Too long to discuss and too emotional to dive into, I just want it to work out for him this coming year.

- Less stress, more play and more fun, both with the family and individually. '08 was a year of so much stress and strain. '09 needs to be a year of relief and fortune!

It doesn't get any better...

than this.

Seeing my kids hold Stacey's daughter (my niece!) was amazing! I didn't think I would feel as much as I do for my sister and her baby. We are all very enamored by Kendall.

Now I just need my own time with her, without my own kids hogging her (and my sister!) all of the time. I really love my sister!

I think, no, I know that I have really changed A LOT this past year. I look at these photos and really do feel true joy. Honestly, I don't think I could have said this a year ago. I am truly so fortunate to have had another chance. Life is really good! I may not climb well anymore (can't climb well when you hardly climb) but I've gained more...much much more than I had in myself a year ago.

What a difference a year makes. I'm learning to appreciate the gray in my hair now! I earned it!

He did it! She did it too!

Kellan did it! He finished his timeline! He had to write a paragraph for each year of his life with a photo to go with it. My kid did it. A huge feat for one who has a hard time finding meaning in his work, let alone homework. I even shed a tear when he chose to write about Grandpa Steve when he was 3. He remembered so much for just being 3...incredible! He really is a great kid.

Oh yes, and she did it too!
Stacey had a beautiful little girl on November 22. Kendall Saryn was 7.2, 19 in. and quite beautiful for a newborn. I'm so proud of Stacey and Trent and just can't wait to love up my little niece! I need to snuggle that little gloworm!

Photos to come when it isn't so late at night!

Next post is hopefully going to be me sharing a huge climbing come back! I'm so sick of this rehab stuff. I want back out, back out on real rock- no more plastic!!!

A perfect girls night

I hosted the most wonderful night last night. Rob and the kids went to his parents and I had ten of my most favorite women at my house for good food, good drinks and great company! It was so fun to sit on our clean deck and chat away. It felt wonderful. I'm hoping to make this a regular thing. It was so amazing to sit and have good, uninterrupted conversation on a beautiful night without a care in the world. Life is good!

Guess that's just the way it is...

We were at the REI playarea today. A girl looked at Kellan and said, How old are you?"
Kellan answered, "I'm 7."
The girl looked at her friend, looked back at Kellan and said, "No really, how old are you, because I'm 7."
Kellan said, "Well I'm 7 too." Raya of course chimed in, "I'm 5. He's 7 and I'm 5."
The girl sized up Kellan and commented, "If you're 7, then you're pretty tiny."
Kellan replied, "Well, I guess that's just the way it is."

I'm so proud of him! I didn't say anything to him, he didn't tell me about so it is left at the play area. He dealt with that so well! He was able to shrug off her comment and honestly didn't care or give two thought about it. He is one super cool kid.

Short in stature, huge in coolness!

The Sisterhood

I was out on Saturday night with an amazing group of women. I love deep conversations, a comfortable atmosphere and leaving feeling so inspired just to have been around these people. I realize how much I miss hanging with my girlfriends! Not just any girlfriends, the ones who you can completely be yourself with, share anything, be open, candid and vulnerable without a worry in the world. The ones who support you, ones you feel confident and energized around.
At dinner on Saturday night I was asked who I like as far as other women at the kids' school. I thought that this question was kind of weird, one that would create an incredible gossip session. I decided to turn it around though, and my friend meant it to mean, "who do I have and feel true connections with at the school." It made me think about people in a broader scope. I answered with only three names, the ones I connect with as "sisters" not just "mom talk" friends and acquaintances (this kind of talk bores me to pieces and feels so surface to be honest.) But then I started thinking about all the other women I really like and enjoy in my life. Just by doing this exercise made me feel so much more connected and realized that surrounding myself with friends I have incredible and endearing relationships with is something I want to do more of.
Soooo, mushy Lisa is now planning a "celebrate the incredible women in my life party." A party for my "sisters." Not just a girls night, but a night to celebrate my friendships with women who are so important to me. I can't wait!
Just wish that I can bring in my dear friends who live far away to celebrate too!

OMG!

So the kids were talking about Halloween costumes in the car today.

Kellan: I want to be a Clone Trooper. Mom, now I guess you will just have to buy me a gun, because it is part of the costume you know.

Raya: I want to be Princess Lea when she gets caught by Jabba the Hut.
(holy shit I'm thinking, what the hell is my daughter thinking!)

Kellan: Oh no way Raya, you cannot wear that costume, no no no!! It is definitely NOT appropriate!
(Yea!!! Who knew that Kellan of all people would come to the rescue in a situation like this, what an amazing surprise!)

Raya: Why not?

Kellan: She wears a little piece of fabric with no sides! You would be in SO much trouble wearing something like THAT to school!

Raya: Well Sarah wants to dress up in whatever I wear...

Guns and slave outfits?!?!?!?! Oh my...

My Solo trip to So Cal

I was so fortunate! I used my free ticket (presented to me at the Tattered Cover when I brought my class there!) to go to San Diego and L.A. for a quick four day trip during the DNC (Auraria Campus had the week off b/c it is so close to the Pepsi Center, thank you Obama!) What a blast. I spent so much time with Tracy, Danny and little Alexis!

I also went to LA to visit Louie and Kim. We boogie boarded. It was so good to see them!

I fit so much in! Lots of beach time and a solo sea kayak excursion in La Jolla where some sea lions, leopard sharks and fish joined me. So cool!

I can't wait to go back. June perhaps!?

The camera pooped out while we were on a really fun trip...

No camera- no fun to blog! But I will try! The camera is officially no more- until we get a new one, only words will have to suffice.

Ok, so we went camping with get this- 39 other people to Lake Granby (up by the west entrance to Rocky Mtn National Park for those of you unfamiliar with the area.) It is an annual deal that just keeps growing so yes, this time we had a record of 39 people. 20 kids all under 9 years old and 19 "big grown up kids." By nightfall both nights, all of the kids had headlamps, running around the gigantic campsite having the time of their lives. It really was impressive that so many people in one place could all get along and have such a great time!

We all rented a boat, the kids tubed, we swam, we all kayaked a bunch (kids as well!) played on the shore, ate smores, went on mini climbing/scrambling adventures and threw rocks from as high as we could into the water (in which I was coached by a 9 year old who doesn't play baseball, but did indeed help improve my arm. Prior to the small throwing competition, he informed a comrade of his while I overheard that, "all parents are evil." Well I immediately made my subtle grand entrance and then he rephrased and said, "some parents, she's pretty cool." This kid was pretty darn cool himself. He literally made me the best smore I ever had by melting the chocolate ON a smore stick while roasting the marshmallow on a stick with his other hand.)

I really wish I had photos, dinner and breakfast looked like a camp mess hall. It was really cool!

With so many families, the parking area looked like a van fest and mixed in the hodgepodge of "mommy mobiles" was our little Subie (there was actually another Subaru Outback there, but the family with the other one gave someone else some of their gear to take back for them, so that doesn't quite count.) I was so proud! Our little Subie held the Kayak on top of the car, and in the back, behind the kids' seats were two coolers, a bin of various water and kayak gear, tent, sleeping bags, thermarests, bin of food, toys, clothing, including winter gear for all four of us, fishing gear, pillows and towels. Truly amazing! I will admit, the vans were appealing when everyone else could kind of throw their stuff in while we created the perfect puzzle set up, but we did it, because I just really am not ready for a "mommy mobile" of my own, unless they come out with a new Volkwagon Eurovan weekender, because they are really cool and don't have the "I drive kids around all day car" feel. They have the "we are on the go and need a super cool vessel to get us there" feel. No pun intended for those of you with the mom mobile, I just can't do it- yet. But they are way more functional I'll admit!

Anyway it was a great time and looking forward to next year! Maybe I'll have photos for that one.

My next camping trip planned is going to be a climbing one! Only two weeks until I am cleared to climb again and I can hardly wait!

Another summer lesson

So my theme this summer has obviously been, "what can I learn from all of this?" Well, I've learned another one that is so incredibly obvious to many, but to me, coming from a long family list of intense overreactors, this is one lesson that I definitely needed to collide with! This is a lesson my daughter has actually taught me as she has inherited the Wehner "worry-free attitude." She is so lucky!
Raya is so good at letting things roll off. She is good at letting others take ownership of their behavior and worries. She is empathetic, as she likes to help others with solving their problems (and she is so good at it!,) but she does not take on their pain and grief. At her very young age of 5, she has figured out that people are responsible for their actions, choices and sometimes pain.
I however am extremely bad at this. In fact I don't know how to do this. I wear my feelings on my sleeve and am very effected by others' choices and behavior. This seems to make me vulnerable and so very crazy!
So yesterday I decided to really put Raya's lesson to practice. When Kellan yells or throws a fit, Raya whines or the two of them are fighting, I try not to react, instead I let it be their's. Yes, their choice to act like complete idiots is their choice. I absolutely do not want to take ownership of these behaviors. They are indeed not mine!
So what do I do instead? I breathe (while trying not to hyperventilate, b/c these behaviors still crawl deep under my skin,) walk away (sometimes scream into my pillow when I walk away,) then speak calmly if I feel that I do need to speak or do not speak at all and ignore (especially the whining or blaming me for something ridiculous piece.) And remind myself over and over by repeating the mantra, "This does not affect me personally, this moment shall pass. This behavior is not mine. I am compassionate without reacting..." over and over and over again.
It has stuck for two days, and I'll admit, these two days have been the most pleasant I've had in a long time.
I do not function well without "feeding my outdoor needs" as my dr. says, so a summer without climbing or biking outdoors is such a test for me. I don't want to fail, so I have to change my behaviors as well.
Sometimes it is a relieving feeling to not feel like I have to save everyone all of the time. Let their behaviors be theirs!

One can have fun for free in Denver

The kids and I went to free day at the Botanical Gardens and then to the fountains at City Park after that. We had a blast!

Check out more of our July 08 happenings in the photos link, there are some photos of Trent and Stacey too!

I really can't wait to get back

Baby Martini- Hueco Tanks with Flan, the coolest girl on earth, spotting.

A moment- that came full circle in about 24 hours

Oh my, where do I start...

Kellan went to a friends for a sleepover last night and the friend's sister came to our house for a sleepover (Raya is friends with the sister, kids are all the same age.) At 9:30pm we get a call:
"Hi mommy...(silence)"
"Hey buddy! Good night, I love you!"
"um, ok..." and then the tears started flowing.
Kathy (friends mom), "hey, what do you what to do?"
"He'll regret it later if I pick him up."
"I'll go for another 15 minutes and call."
"sounds good."

15 minutes later...
"Hey Lisa, come and get him."
"What's up?"
"Well, he did fall asleep, but now he's downstairs with me again and wants to go home."
"I'll come over and see..."

3 minutes later (bet you didn't know Kathy is our "behind the fence neighbor" as we all so endearingly call each other..)
"Mommy, I want to sleep at home."
"Are you sure, if we leave, you can't change your mind and come back."
"Oh I know and I am sure."
"ok then..."

3 minutes later...
"I just wanted to sleep at home"
"That's fine. Love you, good night."

roughly 8 hours later- 6am yes, 6am, the little _______ (fill in the blank)...
In my face I wake up to, "I'm ready to go back..."
Here we go I think to myself. Oh no, the shit is about to hit the fan at 6am, I am not ready to deal with the wrath that my seven year old is to set upon us for the next hour and a half- you read the time right- hour and a half! As I said, you fill in the blank.

"Well Kellan, you chose to come home. It is 6am, please do not wake the girls, you can lay down with us until we get up."
and here we go...
"NOOOOOO! I am going back to Andrew's NOWWWWWWWW! I am ready to go back, you can't make me stay here, you are stupid!"
and here goes Robert still calm at this point...
"Umm dude, it is 6am, lay down with me and we'll talk about it."
"I WANT TO GO BACK!!!! You are an idiot!" Kellan has not taken responsibility for his choice yet obviously, and is surely not planning to anytime soon-it is just too hard a lesson to learn, but it is 6am and I am NOT HAPPY EITHER! He is irrational and there is no getting through his thick skull (well really thick hair) at this point, he really is lucky b/c again, I am thoroughly pissed!

And this goes on and on and on, he is sent to his room screaming, and then back in our room screaming- we have to shut windows and just hope that the girls are still sleeping- they went to bed at ten and need their beauty rest, b/c Raya at 4pm without her sleep is not a beauty!

Kellan FINALLY settles about an hour later and comes into our room calmly (his new tactic at this point) telling us to let him go back b/c it isn't fair that he is with girls. Of course we say something to the effect of no, in our nice calm words as well, and the
@#$% hits the fan again for another 15 minutes, until he realizes he has indeed woke the girls, mom and dad are mad and he has lost TV privileges for at least a day ( you wouldn't believe the effect this has on him, and they are only allowed to watch about 30min a day roughly.)

Well, he is fine at breakfast, plays with the girls, gasp! and Andrew actually comes to play for a bit before Rayne goes home and all is happy again in the household. Though the thought of being with him for the whole day is not exactly a first choice of mine...

He redeems himself by helping grandma and his cousin get ready for a garage sale and he really did work his little butt off joyfully. Still no TV though he really did lobby and try for it. He did earn a couple of tokens out of it though.

round two...
Well, it is 4pm and our little Raya is not the token earning beauty she was at 3:59pm, she is now a raging emotional beast who is in desperate need of who knows what (well, we know it's sleep, though she is now at the point where we can never be right or her head spins and fire comes out of her ears. Thank you again Kellan for your morning wake up call/yell...)

She does sleep on the ride home and so we do have a pleasant drive, though she wakes up to a mildly beastly self, not quite a beauty yet. After dinner she is sent to her room as she has chosen to throw a major tantrum about a snack and refuses to make one of the two other wonderful choices given to her. She did in fact choose door number 3, the door to her room (she informed me via loud yelling that she can indeed make the choice to leave her room if she, "WANNNTTTTSSSSS TTTOOOOO!!!!! And included, "you are the worst mom, when is daddy coming home, he is better than YYYYYOOOOOUUUUUU!!!! Oh how I just love being a parent at times like this. There is about an infinite number of things I'd rather be doing at this moment including eating cheese- well ok, a close second I guess to eating cheese- b/c you all know how I hate cheese- it is really gross and disgusting...as is her behavior)
Kellan looks at me with an empathetic eye and goes to get a granola bar for Raya to ease her pain, and his and mine at this point, and looks at me again.
"Wow, she is really mad. When will she stop?"
"That was nice of you Kellan, but she can't have the bar yet. I really hope she stops soon. Remember this morning? You acted like this too."
"Oh, I did? (pause) Oooh, I guess I really did..." Bingo the light bulb FINALLY went on.
"She hasn't said stupid or idiot or I'm throwing you out the window though."
"yeah, but she said you are the worst mom and she hates you, but mine was bad and I did wake them up this morning..."

So he had to repeat her wonderful words back to me for effect, but the bottom line is that almost a day later, he got it! And tomorrow- he gets to watch a little tv again!

They both gave me (the hated mommy only moments ago) a hug and all is peaceful and in harmony again. I even got a sorry mom.

I do need to get my hair colored soon b/c some serious gray came out of today. Now I am tired and need my beauty rest for what is to come of tomorrow...
Which will be a really great day!!!

Old Friends

So my three best friends from high school reunited one day last weekend as Carrie and her family were visiting L.A. I'm so sad I missed it, b/c of the darn knee! Andee and Carrie said it has been 16 years. I need to post the photos of Andee and I and Syd and I from last year, b/c Andee and her forgetful memory seems to forget that we are friends (or she could just be pretending) and still talk and keep in touch regularly!

Andee and Carrie posted a photo of the cruise we went on after we graduated. I won't post the photo, however I will do some reminiscing of fond memories instead!

The cruise- Andee and I decided to go snorkling as one of the added perks of the cruise and oh my, if I could post the photo of us! Andee and I still use that photo for jokes, it is priceless!

Also on the cruise, everyone was 18 years old, except for me- remember this ladies?!

They all went into Senor Frogs and I stood outside, that was fun, fun, fun!

Julie, remember when I first got my car and we went to the movies, but decided to drive around for a bit before? Remember driving on Plummer and running the yellow light with the dip in the intersection? They could have used us as the stunt doubles on Ferris Bueller's Day Off for sure!

Speaking of Ferris Bueller's Day Off, how many times did we watch that at your house Carrie? Once, twice, maybe our age- 33/34 (remember I'm not 34 yet! Hahaha!)? My sister is pregnant and likes the name Sloan for a girl, go figure?

Movies, Chili's, carpools (all fitting in the Toyota Supra,) the mall, lunches (brownies for lunch at Lawrence,) Eliel and the Cabbage Patch at the library, Taco Bell- hold the onions and cheese, Carrie and I picking through the burritos b/c there could not be even one sliver! Chili's, Chili's, Chili's- what is wrong with the San Fernando Valley and Chili's- my gosh! Oh yeah and of course Randy (I think I am pretty safe posting this 16 years later on my blog...)

Oh, remember being at my house on our day off and walking to Carl's Jr? Carrie you made me laugh so hard on that walk that I... and that is where this sentence ends!

And Andee- walking home from school and waiting to see what Jay was up to daily! Remember what we found in your mom's room, I bet that has been blocked from your memory on purpose! Oh, and how about the time you came over and talked to my mom while I was in my room and I didn't even know you were at my house!

I will part with these last words- Rob Base: It Takes Two to Make a Thing Go Right... and Joy and Pain...

I wish we could all hang out more! I am so glad we still keep in touch! Andee staying up late and watching cheesy shows, laughing and talking, going to work out and playing with Brady and Syd on my last visit is something I wish we could do weekly!

Carrie, I still have a scar on the back of my shoulder from Connor cutting me with the clippers, remember that? It was so fun to visit you in Utah on my road trips!

There's a message here...

What's in the message? My dear friend Kristin always says, "there is a lesson to be learned, what is the message here?" when things get tough or just so challenging that we sometimes want to run, but can't because if we don't face the hard stuff, the message won't be found and the lesson wasted.

So I hurt my knee once, and learned a lot then in the midst of depression, about cherishing my family, enjoying the moment and not worrying about missing something with friends because I had something to enjoy here at home. Well, I guess I forgot the lesson and had to be reminded again...

Here I am rehabbing the same injury and surgery a year and a half later, learning the same lesson and internalizing the same message through a little wiser and mature mind, I am almost in my mid 30's now, I have to mature at some point. I guess I needed a kick in the ass, or a tear of the ACL (literally) to see it more clearly.

And what do I see? I see friends who may come and go and come and go again, in a sport where people are constantly disappearing and reappearing, and a husband and family who are here to stay. I need to make sure I am connected with them before I go off on an adventure. I need to make sure Robert and I are ok and check in because unfortunately I can be real selfish and forget about how wonderful and grateful I am that he is my husband and that his feelings really matter.

On the other hand, I need to make sure that I am balanced within myself, because thinking about my family all the time and less about my needs isn't the answer either. So what is the message? Life is too short to throw all of myself into one sport and think that all of my needs will be fulfilled by this one practice. The sport fulfills me, but not all of me. This is what I need to remember.

So what do I do? I rehab my knee and come back strong! I remember that as my climbing friends come and go, I also come and go too and that it's ok. I climb my hardest and best when I am able to get out and if I can't get out, I don't sulk, I train instead, because when I do and can get out, I can crush because I will have trained and trained hard. We want to build a gym in the garage and not just any gym, but a gym that trains the whole body in a fun, motivating and spirited way, together as a family with friends included!

When I forget the message, b/c I am sure there will be many times that I will, I need to remember that friends come and go as I am doing now, but my incredible family is here in the now. I will get to climb, I will get that fulfillment and look forward to the days that I can...
I really can't wait to boulder hard and strong again!! With a balanced mind and attitude, I can be stronger!

2nd Time's a Charm...

So I had my 2nd knee surgery in less than a year and a half. The same knee, new ACL. I am now six days out of surgery and am trying hard to stay sane. No climbing, running, snowboarding (for yet another season.) I'm in really good shape considering what I have been through though my patience could use some work. There is a lesson in this as my friend Kristin would say, I am still searching for it...
I will be back though and as my Dr. says- stronger than ever! I sure hope so... 2 knee surgeries are 2 knee surgeries too many!

A good brother!

Kellan decided to give Raya a ride in the Burley, because according to him, "Raya is just too slow.

And here is Robert with a beard! Three weeks of growth, it's being shaved this week:

Some water fun with friends!

Verdict is in, they loved it!

So the family loved the switch in the house! Robert had only positive things to say.

This is the new and improved, clean playroom (used to be our bedroom, no before photos unfortunately, lets just say it was ubber cluttered and felt like a storage closet with a bed.

Here is a photo of it in use:

...So if you read the previous post, or have read it already, you're thinking that two and a half days sounds like a long time for this project. You are probably thinking, "wow, I could have finished in just one day. What's wrong with that girl." Well unless you have been to my house, then you know the insanity I indulged in this weekend. If you don't know what I am talking about, I'll explain- I live with a Wehner and all Wehner's, with the exception of David Wehner (of course you are acknowledged by name here Dave) are packrats. The Wehners have a very hard time parting with stuff- as everything has a purpose and is somehow useful or has sentimental value. If you know a Wehner, or in fact are a Wehner, you know what I'm talking about. These Wehner's though, even as packrats, are the best and real people you will ever meet, EVER! So living with a Wehner, even with the packrat nest is totally worth it! Ok, minus all of my complaining of course...

My Father's Day "No mom's allowed" camping extravaganza weekend, without the camping part (No Mom's Allowed,remember)

While Rob and the kids went camping near the San Luis Valley with all the other dads and kiddos, I opted out of climbing all weekend (Gasp!) to work on a house project (major Gasp!) Yes, I, Lisa worked on the house and it was not the twin I don't actually have but it really was me! Now that the shock is subsiding I will share what I did in just two and a half days by myself!

Friday, Day 1:
I cleaned out Raya's room and took down the climbing walls. This sounds like no big deal, but let me tell you it was a serious workout. The walls are incredibly heavy. This took the majority of the day as there were many hidden and very stubborn screws, combine this with lost tools and the hope of the wall not crashing down on me really made this day a success. I then started painting the ceiling. Ugh! Painting over a sky takes more than one coat.

Saturday, Day 2:
I arose at 6:45am (another Gasp!) to continue the daunting ceiling. Of course I ran out of paint and had to go to Home Depot for the 3rd time in 2 days. I then had to buy new paint and do the whole ceiling over as the previous color was discontinued. After a minor tantrum when I got home I turned the music up and got to work. I would have finished in an hour and a half, but no, the extension pole snapped while I painted and I had to make another trip to the ol' HD. Finally! I finished painting (planned on this being done Friday.) I then moved Rob and my bedroom up to Raya's. Yes, I moved everything myself, with the exception of the climbing walls, my neighbor helped me move those out. I cleaned up six years of dust under our bed and made a new room! At this point it was 4 o'clock. I decided Raya needed a new dresser, so off I went. Two hours later I came home with a new comforter for my bed, a dresser and nightstand for Raya, beach towels, baskets for shoes, two little rugs and "chair" pillows for the kids. Yikes, definitely not in the budget!
By midnight, I had cleaned out and reorganized EVERY closet, set up the den (Rob and my old makeshift room that lasted six years) as a kid hang out and created my room as a wonderful haven instead of a storage closet. For the first time in six years I slept in an uncluttered room!

Sunday, Day 3:
I arose at 7 this morning and got to work! I brought Raya's dresser up and set up her side of the room (for those of you who don't know our set up, the kids have always slept in the same room. They have chose this, even though they have, well now had, their own rooms. We asked if they wanted to sleep in their own rooms last week and both adamantly declined.) I cleaned up and set up Kellan's room as Raya and Kellan's room officially (until we move.) I then loaded 8 trash bags and a futon mattress in the car for Goodwill. It filled my car and felt great!
I finished the set up of everything at 11:30am. An amazing feat for someone who NEVER does house projects except for the occasional gardening. I even managed to fit in a bike ride with Cait!
Now I await the reaction of my family. Robert is particular (to put it mildly) about the house and his stuff. I did not get rid of any of Rob's stuff by the way.
They should be back in a couple of hours. Dumduhdumdum...

train derailment

As I was taking raya to camp this morning I saw this on the way:

A train derailed literally a 1/2 mile from our house!

It was caused by tree debris from a recent thunderstorm or someone put it there...

a successful road trip!

Oh was this a fun trip and during our anniversary to boot! We started at the Dunes with Kristen, Simon, Zach and Sarah and had a blast! We visited the alligator farm and the sand dunes hot springs pool (no photos of the pool unfortunately.) We camped for 3 nights, then said our teary goodbyes (Raya did not want to go!) to Zach and Sarah and drove to Mesa Verde on the only rainy day and had beautiful weather from then on. We planned this well! We did all of Chapin Mesa in one day, the kids were incredible! We did two tours, hiked to Spruce Tree House visited the museum and did the Mesa Loop. It was a fun day! The next day we went to some more dwelling on the burned side of Mesa Verde and ran into some Free Horizon (kids school) friends and hung out with them at camp. Raya then cried b/c she didn't want to leave Mesa Verde, after another 3 days of camping. We then drove through Silverton, Ouray (this is the most beautiful area in Colorado by far! and into Glenwood Springs for a hotel room (a splurge!) and swim at the huge hot springs pool. We spent 5 hours on the diving board, slides and lots of swim ming (no photos of swimming, sorry Margaret and Russ!) We ran into a classmate of Raya's from Free Horizon there as well! Raya then cried b/c she didn't want to leave Glenwood. We had a lot of fun and are already planning the family road trip for next summer, we will see where it takes us...maybe the Sequoias and up the the Ca. coast, so Californians, we'll definitely keep you posted! Or maybe South Dakota or the Grand Canyon, or more of Colorado, we'll see!

Check out the photos! http://picasaweb.google.com/lssilverstein

Drive by for what reason?

So I decide to go on a bike ride after dinner on a beautiful, warm evening. I am enjoying my ride on trails nearby the house and on the road to coast down the big hills. As I am on a hill I feel something hit my ass, and hard, so I turn to see a car flying by within inches of my face with a hand that brushes my body as they drive off. After yelling at these young foolish F*$%@#, I see a police car turning left right as the Explorer with the two punks pass. I chase the police officer down to tell him what happened. He writes down the car information and procedes to tell me that he is going to another call and will "look into it if he can." He also told me that he was, "glad I wasn't hurt."

What does that mean? These young fools not only ruined my bike ride, they left me feeling violated and unsafe. I rode back to my house as fast as I could looking over my shoulder the entire time. this is not how I should be feeling on a beautiful after dinner evening ride. I should be enjoying the serenity and quiet that I get as I am able to escape for some time of own. Shame on that cop. If it was a woman cop that I chased down would the reaction have been different? Yes the cop was concerned and relieved that he wasn't going to a call about a woman who was pushed off her bike and laying in the street with who knows what kind of massive injuries, but what about the fact that these young kids think it is okay to do that to a woman on a bike? Would they have done that to a man, or a even a child riding their bike?

So much has raced through my mind about this incident. I am left to just let it go now and hope these kids don't really hurt someone later. I am also left to think that a cop who could have easily witnessed the incident drove on without batting an eye and taking way too long to notice the woman chasing after him on a bike will hopefully not let it go the next time he receives information like this as his next call may be much worse.

I am left to feel fortunate (how crazy to think that anything about this is fortunate, but fortunate nonetheless) that I wasn't hurt or victimized in a way that really could have been much worse. I will let this go and move on, though it is sad that these kids, and they were kids, scrawny teens with hats turned to the side, seat backs almost fully reclined and all could drive off without any expression whatsoever. These kids didn't laugh, yell or anything. They stayed straight faced as they raced off. This is what bothers me most.

pretty darn cute!

What a sweetie! She's waiting desperately for the tooth fairy to visit now. Raya's hoping that by smiling and showing the tooth fairy her pearly whites that it will speed up the process...

It's April 26th and it is snowing today!?!??

Tooth Fairy paid a visit!

So the Tooth Fairy made her debut at the Wehner house. Kellan lost his first tooth at school. Check it out:

He finally did it!

What do you notice (or not notice) in this picture:

Ok, my car. What is next to my car? NOTHING!!!! That's right, nothing!! Robert got rid of the bus, the bus is now off the driveway- nine months later, but it is gone!

Watercourse Foods- Yum!

Rob and I went on a date last night to Watercourse Foods. It was so incredibly good! It is so refreshing to eat vegetarian done well.

While we were there I ran into an old friend from my master's program. He told me about working at the same school we student taught at together as well as a hand full of other people from our cohort who still work there, and all have kids now (one with twins.) As we talked he looked older, definitely a thirty something now, not a twenty something like when we hung out. I am really starting to feel older! Maybe I should just embrace it, instead of fight it...

I've been thinking about my PhD lately. Seeing Chris again made me realize how much I love school and how going back is something that is definitely going to be a part of my future and sooner rather than later!

Watercourse is cool, maybe the next time I go I'll have another revelation.

a blogger?

So I decided to jump on the blogger wagon and try this whole thing out.
Why Free to be...? Because these three words show that life is limitless and define me at any point in life. You are all free to be...anything!!

Kellan & Raya

Kellan is free to be... a skier... a climber...

a kayaker...

a rock star...

a good brother...

way cool and very loved!

Raya is free to be...

an angler...

a gymnast...a stylist...

a runner...a good friend...

part of the short, but oh so strong women!!!