3x12

i wanted to take this picture for this month specifically because it was almost exactly one year ago that we did the same thing. see picture on the right sidebar to compare. i admit it's not beth's best, but hey, she's one. she doesn't know what the heck we're asking her to look at and be cheery for. can't blame the kid. mostly i just love the blossoms on the tree. i wish they lasted longer than just a couple weeks.

holy mama, april blew by. (no pun intended a la my post below.) and this is what i have to say about it: boo to the weather (march's was way better), and hooray for all the good blessings in my life. there are indeed many.

mostly i am grateful for family. my little one, of course, that shares the same roof as i do, as well as the family who doesn't. on easter we spent the afternoon at my parent's house, eating food galore with them and some other dear family members. i have the best parents and grandparents on the planet and i feel so fortunate to be close enough to them that we can get together for those kinds of things and hang out. it seems the older i get, the more grateful i become, and now that i am in my ever-wise 30's, i am really feeling a deep appreciation for them and all they've given me. thanks mom and dad. you guys rule.

and my little family continues to rock my heart. beth, aka: rascal, is still just that, but man, she is fun. the best lately is when you stick your tongue in and out while blubbering (really no other way to describe it) she does it with you and it is comedy. she LOVES to make this funny sound and it is sooo cute. she also loves to say hi to everyone, including - and mostly - dogs. "i-da" translation: "hi dog". it's awesome. she does it to every dog, not just our dog, and she does it over and over again while "petting" them/hitting them in the face. hank hit a home run in one of our softball games, looked pretty hot doing it, and never fails to impress me with his mad playing skills. i signed up for a half (-marathon, that is). it's in june in estes park, so i am training for that and so far feel pretty good about it. i'm actually really excited for it, and happy that i'll be knocking off another goal from my list.

i got a good bike ride in with my riding friend; however our dates have been put on hold for a while when after our ride she totaled her bike by pulling into the garage with it still on the roof of her car. still bummed out for you friend! i continue to look on craig's list for a high-grade bike that costs $100 or less... haven't so much found one yet, but i'm not giving up. the search is not over and neither are our riding days. let's be optimistic here. at least we got a good ride in this month, right?

i skyped with my sister who lives so far away from me and i always love that. wish i saw you more often sis. thank goodness for skype. we need to do it earlier in the day so the cousins can see each other and you can see beth. have you even seen her yet ever? can't remember...

got garden boxes in place this month, saw a horrifying pedestrian accident which i will not go into detail about despite it being forever imprinted in my mind, got a black eye from a fall snowboarding, had an awesome last day of snowboarding with hank, he went to opening day of the rockies, i trained my sales coordinator and settled into my new office, and listened to a lot of Band of Horses. it has been a good and full month.

i also spent a lot of time this month thinking about balance. how to find that magic place, how it's different for everyone, why i so often feel out of balance, and how to find it again. but i think i will save those thoughts for another day - they are many.

but overall, i am happy. i am blessed. i am grateful. and i am holding my breath. (does anyone else ever do that when it seems like everything is going really well?) in the meantime, i am eating it up. i am excited for may. and warmer, wind-free weather!!