Little Red...Briefly

A few years ago, I did a bike tour called Little Red. It's an all women ride up in Lewiston, Utah. It was transformative. I loved it. I felt like I could do anything when I finished my 50 miles.

Jennifer, Shannon, and I - before the torture began



For various reasons I haven't gone over the past couple of years. I signed up again and did my best to get some riding in beforehand, but I knew I wasn't well-prepared. So the day of, I pushed my miles down to 36.

 

I wanted to die.

 

Let's talk about how I felt as old ladies and people substantially larger than me zoomed by as I huffed and puffed and tried not to throw up. There were numerous times I wanted to pull off the road, sit my ass down on the ground, and wait for one of the support vehicles to pick me up and drive me back. Part of the problem is that you got one pit stop 13 miles in, and then nothing for the remaining 22 miles. No shade, no bathrooms, no energy goo to force down. Sheer will kept me on that bike. That and Shannon, who was so amazing I can't even begin.

 

Part of me is ashamed at how difficult it was. But part of me is proud that I finished. That even though I didn't have the same smiling victory face as last time, it was a face that finished.  

On Being Brothers



This year has been challenging for Cole and Jack and their relationship. They are getting into familiar (or so I've been told) sibling quarreling and fighting. Someone is always touching or bugging or breathing on somebody else. Cole has perfected his long-suffering sigh, and Jack has perfected his yelling. Despite that, they have moments where the brotherly love shines through. Brief moments, but moments nonetheless. 

Showing off their six packs.

Cole reading out loud to Jack.

Sleepovers

Chillaxin'

Being an only child, I'm somewhat at a loss as to when to intervene and when to let them work it out. We just keep talking about how brothers may drive each other crazy, but they will also be there for each other. I'm hoping that will sink in over the next 20 years or so.

Kindergarten Graduation

How?!  How is it this time so soon? My sunshine is graduating from Kindergarten. While the year started a little rough, he's come such a long way. We were happy to see him come so far!

 

Jack's first day of school (left) and his last (right).

 

The Kindergarten program - Jack's waving, as usual

Our graduate!

Pa & Nana

Mom & Dad

Jack with his teacher, Ms. Kinneberg

Cute Girls

In a trampoline park full of little boys, Jack predictably latches on to the cute teenage girl.

"Her name's Olivia, mom. We're a team."

Hiking Goals

Every year we have very lofty hiking goals, none of which really come to pass. This year, we decided just to find short little things around Salt Lake. This time, we actually did it! Woohoo for setting low goals and reaching them!

Mother's Day

Another Mother's Day in the books. It was truly lovely to spend time with the best mom in the world and the two cute boys who made me a mom.

 

I'm pretty lucky.

 

 

Personal Butler

One thing that continually blows me away is how incredibly helpful Cole is. Just like any kid, he can give me dirty looks about doing his chores, but when it comes to projects or helping others, Cole is incredible. He sticks with a job until it is done. He asks for more to do. I've had multiple days where he's followed me around saying he's my personal butler.

 

For Mother's Day this year, we did a yard clean-up at Grandma and Grandpa Thomsen's house. Cole worked the ENTIRE time, continuing to help when the other kids had faded away. I was so proud of the way he put his energy into all the tasks he was asked to. All I can say is that I'm lucky to be the mom of this amazing kid!