tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321905582024-03-07T00:06:52.082-07:00let's reborn"Let's reborn. I love Vivre!" A billboard for the mall called Vivre in Takamatsu Japan where I used to live.Alenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07608366717088014308noreply@blogger.comBlogger273125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32190558.post-11967916092482229262009-10-30T00:49:00.001-06:002009-10-30T01:01:42.847-06:00In Memory of Let's RebornIn its final moments, a memorial of Let's Reborn:<br /><br />I've given this blog a passionate 3+ years and just as it lived, would like to have it go out strong. Otherwise I fear it may completely dwindle down to entries so seldom they are only entered out of guilt of neglect. While I haven't necessarily minded its slow evolution into more and more of a mom-blog, I've decided that the large amount of previous personal entries may outweigh my efforts to change the blog's nature and for now I would rather put it to rest. <br /><br />Let's Reborn began on August 4, 2006 reluctantly. I've never been very successful at keeping a journal, but I wanted to have my say too when when I saw the opportunities and benefits of social feedback and sounding boards in the lives of others.<br /><br />So my goal was for it to be a place for sharing my outlook on life, thoughts, philosophies, and yes, adventures, though I did want to avoid the trap of <span style="font-style:italic;">only</span> reporting events in my life. I wanted it to be a place where I could be myself. But even that had to be constantly compromised, both for audience consideration and for the feelings of others. I don't think I succeeded at being considerate enough though and am sure that I hurt others. My intentions were not malicious but were to ignite more social awareness and to encourage people to think about what they want in life and what they're doing about it. <br />Also, it seems that I am constantly in need of serious psychological help. <br /><br />I was raised a Mormon and I consider myself a Mormon though a "less active" one. I believe that many of my readers are LDS as well. Unfortunately the Mormon culture has been very prominent in shaping what is appropriate and / or inappropriate to discuss in public and private arenas. Specifically I've struggled with the fact that while we preach the necessity of opposition in all things, the social consequences of discussing negative experiences and the emotions that accompany them makes it unthinkable. My own drive for shared honesty about life and relationships combined with my social naivete have become too much for this blog. I have no desire to only discuss and share negative thoughts and feelings, but I have no desire to pretend that they don't exist and can't be addressed. <br /><br />I recognize that it was a mistake to use my blog to share personal information that sometimes put others in a bad light. I wish I could inspire more honest conversations without hurting others. I sometimes wish I didn't crave connection and intimacy so much. <br /><br />I'm including a quote from a book I thought was pretty lousy, but has made me think about what kind of person I am: "Maybe this inflammation of the spirit is a gift that can only be received by those whose prayers ask for a daily hunger than for bread."--Theo Grutter, <span style="font-style:italic;">Dancing with Mosquitoes</span><br /><br />Lastly, I'd like to refer anyone seeking family updates to the blogs that survive mine: <br />My <a href="http://rootsoutdooradventures.blogspot.com/">family outdoor adventures blog</a> and my <a href="http://tylerroot.blogspot.com/">husband's blog</a>. <br /><br />Perhaps the end of Let's Reborn may give birth to a more family-update type of blog for the benefit and ease of sharing photos and stories with my loved ones who are far away. We shall see.Alenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07608366717088014308noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32190558.post-74810960789646309092009-10-25T14:43:00.003-06:002009-10-25T21:10:57.212-06:00Moab part 2My trip to Moab for the race of course included a trip to Arches National Park. It was Bailey's second time there. My friend <a href="http://aimeeandryan.blogspot.com/">Aimee</a> and her baby rode down with me to watch Bailey while I raced and hang out for the weekend. Tyler met us in Moab Sunday afternoon after the race to hang out for a bit before heading to Grand Junction for some work on Monday morning. <br /><br />First stop was the easy Sand Dune arch. Bailey absolutely loved the sand. It was probably her first real time playing in fine fine sand like that. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/root_family/4028341262/" title="Arches NP Oct09 by root_family, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2699/4028341262_da8904c9ea.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="Arches NP Oct09" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/root_family/4027586005/" title="Arches NP Oct09 by root_family, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2483/4027586005_de4cc9b70d.jpg" width="281" height="500" alt="Arches NP Oct09" /></a><br /><br />Did a quick climb into Skyline arch.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/root_family/4033848386/" title="Arches NP Oct09 by root_family, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2511/4033848386_0ff48eea3b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Arches NP Oct09" /></a><br /><br />The next morning we visited Double Arch and the short Park Ave hike.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/root_family/4028342838/" title="Arches NP Oct09 by root_family, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2545/4028342838_c10a7d57c3.jpg" width="281" height="500" alt="Arches NP Oct09" /></a><br /><br />It was the perfect time to be in Moab. I loved just taking Bailey for a little walk down main street and also she really enjoyed the pool at our hotel with the big lamps on outside at night and still pretty warm out.Alenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07608366717088014308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32190558.post-36116759819271947542009-10-25T14:40:00.001-06:002009-10-25T20:52:15.723-06:00The Other HalfRemember back in March when I ran the <a href="http://letsreborn.blogspot.com/2009/03/canyonlands-5-mile-run.html">5 mile run</a> at Moab's half marathon? I admitted that I liked the payoff even though I've never considered myself a runner and I doubted that I'd do something much longer despite common cries that races are addictive. Well I'm about to eat my words right now. <br /><br />Again, I signed up with my sister April, honestly because she got me excited for it--she would be a great coach or personal trainer. She gets you pumped about doing stuff you hate to do just because she has so much enthusiasm of her own and then even when you tell her you're not sure you can do it, she keeps believing in you like no one has ever believed in you before. <br /><br />I signed up sometime in May I think, but didn't start my training til I had to according to a 12-week schedule, that put me starting in late July. I wanted to do the race, but I just hated the practicing. <br /><br />That was until I was finally able to do 5 miles comfortably. Then I only hated the longer practice runs, each time psyching myself up for them and praying I wouldn't have to walk at all. But I really liked my 5.6 mile loop run once a week. <br /><br />Before race day my longest run was 10 miles and I'd clocked just over 10 minute miles. My goal for the half marathon, the 13.1 miles, was 2:09. My final time was 1:58:48, which works out to be a 9:04 mile pace. I finished 4 minutes behind April and she was there to watch me come in. When I looked up and saw the time and there was only a 1 in the front, I was so excited I sprinted to the end. <br /> <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/root_family/4033112997/" title="April-Alene-Finsh by root_family, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3425/4033112997_aa4cf1da92.jpg" width="400" height="500" alt="April-Alene-Finsh" /></a><br /><br />Thanks April for believing in me and I've been on a high for a week now based on my finish time. I'm not sure I'd ever go for anything longer or that I want to start from ground zero again, so I'm going to keep up with the running, at least once a week. I almost wish I could do another half marathon in a week while I'm in the zone and practiced. But I'm going to stick with my offer from my last race post: For now, hit me up if you want to go hiking or waterskiing, I enjoy those activities much more and am better at them too.Alenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07608366717088014308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32190558.post-80485259591116362432009-10-12T20:00:00.002-06:002009-10-12T20:44:53.704-06:00ReunionDear son, <br /><br />Your visit was the most wonderful gift I could have ever imagined. About <a href="http://letsreborn.blogspot.com/2009/04/yours-and-mine.html">six months ago</a> when I wrote about getting in touch with the adopted family of my son it still didn't seem real that I would actually get to meet you. Again, I have to thank your wonderfully warm-hearted mother for being so loving and open and for bringing you with her for a visit all of the way from Alaska. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/root_family/3999401889/" title="IMG_4092 by root_family, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3498/3999401889_e3214cc7d5.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="IMG_4092" /></a><br /><br />My heart pounded just seeing you and yet strangely, I didn't know what to say. I didn't even want to say anything at all, I just wanted to hear you really, to hear what your voice sounded like, and I was afraid that I would miss something if I moved when you spoke. Because of this, afterward I was a little worried that I didn't express my love enough. How could you really know how much I love you and how proud I am of what a fun and sweet and ambitious boy you have become? And what if I said too much and it was overwhelming or awkward to have such expressions coming from someone you have only ever heard about? <br /><br />I didn't want to make you embarrassed, but I also wondered if you knew how much I would have poured and poured and poured out my love to you, but it would still have not made a good or very happy life for you had I not placed you for adoption at the time of your birth. Most importantly, I wondered if you ever knew how much your birth has defined the shape of my own life and my journey into adulthood? <br /><br />My son, you have been a bigger influence on me than anyone in my life without ever even knowing it. I've always thought of you with such pride, and now that I've had the chance to meet you, I am convinced that you'll be able to do so much with your life and live it to the fullest! <br /><br />I am so happy to know your mother and I can't say enough how grateful I am to her and her husband for giving you such a wonderful life full of family and friends and wonderful memories and experiences! I will be eternally grateful for her opening her heart to me as well. I never expected that I would have the chance to meet you, though it was something I had always hoped for. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/root_family/3999401699/" title="IMG_4094 by root_family, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2500/3999401699_6bb5c46dd9.jpg" width="500" height="401" alt="IMG_4094" /></a><br /><br />I loved watching Bailey giving you kisses! I am sure you are a wonderful brother! <br /><br />I love being a mom and with your visit, I again feel a renewed sense of purpose. Thank you! I can't wait to get to know you better over the years.Alenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07608366717088014308noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32190558.post-33889798309707599892009-09-22T22:38:00.003-06:002009-09-22T22:47:20.818-06:0030-year AdventureCheck out my outdoor blog for April and I's 30-year celebration hiking/camping trip at Zion National Park<br /><br /><a href="http://rootsoutdooradventures.blogspot.com/2009/09/into-great-wide-open-zion-west-rim.html"><br />Day 1</a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://rootsoutdooradventures.blogspot.com/2009/09/zion-west-rim-trail-day-2.html">Day 2</a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://rootsoutdooradventures.blogspot.com/2009/09/zion-national-park-day-3.html">Day 3</a>Alenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07608366717088014308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32190558.post-60457385331216191162009-09-22T21:13:00.005-06:002009-09-22T21:23:29.001-06:00In Bailey's roomI finished Bailey's room a few weeks ago. Yes, it had been "finished" once before, meaning we had painted the room downstairs intended for Bailey to move into once she started sleeping through the night. Tyler had given me permission to do pink and so I picked pink and purple for the walls. Unfortunately, I didn't like it, and again, Tyler was willing to bear with me. But I knew the time was coming soon to move her out of the attached room to ours and into the one designated hers downstairs.<br /><br />I wanted not a gender neutral room, but one that wasn't overwhelmingly feminine. I picked out some stencils online and ordered them and used leftover paint from some of the original colors as well as from Caiden's blue room. And this time I absolutely love the room. It feels perfect! I realize it's still not all matchy-matchy as far as furniture and design, but I love the colors now and the feel of it.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/root_family/3919433901/" title="004 by root_family, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3498/3919433901_6037086d29.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="004" /></a><br /><br />She started sleeping through the night almost the exact week of her 1-year-birthday. She occasionally does an early morning wake-up around 5:30 or 6:30, but has now been a pretty consistent sleeper until about 7:30 am 5-6 nights per week. I can't help but wonder if its because the room downstairs is a bit darker and more removed from the action upstairs after bedtime. But I honestly think it was just perfect timing, she finally just hit that period where she can sleep through the whole night. I don't regret keeping her up in the attached room for just past her entire first year and I don't think I could have done anything to ease the sleeping problems that were so persistent for so long.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/root_family/3920217614/" title="001 by root_family, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2646/3920217614_2a0f0c9879.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="001" /></a><br /><br />She's such a beautiful dreamer!Alenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07608366717088014308noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32190558.post-47857674574881958062009-09-08T15:20:00.002-06:002009-09-08T15:25:08.657-06:00All Her Favorite Fruit<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/root_family/3899811417/" title="IMG_3892 by root_family, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2581/3899811417_f73791d540.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="IMG_3892" /></a><br /><br />And does she ever whisper in his ear all her favorite fruit<br />And all the most exotic places they are cultivated<br />And I'd like to take her there, rather than this train<br />And if I weren't a civil servant, I'd have a place in the colonies<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br /> from Camper Van Beethoven's "All Her Favorite Fruit"</span><br /><br /><br />Okay, I know it's a love song, a sexy one, but I have to say that it's perfect for Bailey. All she wants to eat is fruit for the last 2 weeks, won't touch a cracker, cookie, vegetable, cheese, or anything else hardly. So I show her on our world map where the fruits come from and all the places I wish I could go with her someday. And we have fun even when I'm frustrated that that's all she eats.Alenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07608366717088014308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32190558.post-75576813117225231092009-08-26T16:00:00.006-06:002009-08-26T17:05:25.828-06:0030 "Times-of-my-life" ---Long post!I just turned 30 and for my own sake wanted to recount my best 30 times of life so far. It's long. I wrote these kind of randomly, but it appears that either my memory isn't that good or that the last few years were just pretty awesome because most of them fall into the last few years. Also, it's pretty likely that I'll think of even better memories once these are actually published and regret not mentioning them, so forgive me if I forgot about the time we were on an incredible road trip together or saw the craziest thing ever. <br /><br />1 & 2. The day I gave birth to Cade and the day I gave birth to Bailey, both totally different circumstances but I can't imagine any experience more rewarding and beautiful than having a baby.<br /><br />3. When Tyler and I were dating in 2004 I think I fell in love with him the day he took me to the cemetery. We just skipped out of Sunday school and walked around there a bit and I don't know if I fell in love that day or just realized that day that I really liked him.<br /><br />4. The day Tyler and I got married in 2005. We had our reception the night before and I loved the way it turned out with the Japanese lanterns and the lilacs and landscaping Tyler had done in his parents backyard. <br /><br />5. Lake Powell day--I've only actually been there this one time but it was a perfect day, or mostly. I was at my archaeology dig in Escalante in 2001 and my sister, her boyfriend, and my oldest brother came to visit me. We drove down the Burr Trail to the lake and stopped at the first sign of water. Spent the whole rest of the day jumping off a rock into the water, over and over and over. Then when we were sunburnt, starving, and exhausted, we went looking for a campsite, but it was June and they were all full. Ended up throwing up our tents in one of the Deer Creek day use sites and attempting to eat the burritos April and Bill made, but they'd gotten soggy in the cooler. Still, a great time.<br /><br />6. Petra, Jordan--We visited these Nabatean ruins when I was doing my semester in Israel in 2000. It was just plain awesome. Much more there than just the first building seen in Indiana Jones. <br /><br />7. The day I really got up and waterskiied around a lake for the first time. It was at a Speer family reunion in Oregon in 1990. All summer I'd been working on waterskiing but not been able to stay up for very long at all. Then suddenly I could do it. <br /><br />8. Climbing Ichizuchisan 2002--This was when I lived in Japan I scheduled a day to climb the tallest mountain on my island, (the 2nd tallest in Japan. Not huge or anything, but I loved doing it. Apparently its something a lot of Buddhist pilgrims do. The day I went was really rainy and I had anticipated a beautiful view from the top, instead the peak was enshrouded in fog, but I loved how much more mystical that made it seem. Coolest part was the last 1/3rd of the way required hanging onto some huge chains against the side of the mountain.<br /> <br />9 & 10. The day my sister had each of her boys. April has always been my best friend and maybe because she became a mom before me I've always felt very protective of them both and love them to pieces. That and they are my nephews too of course!<br /><br />11. The day I got my bachelor degree from BYU in 2002. I totally bawled through the ceremony. I'm into rituals. They may not be necessary, but I love creating rituals around events and so graduation was a big deal to me. Traditions and ceremonies make things more meaningful to me I guess. Graduation just felt like a big accomplishment at the time.<br /><br />12. The Modest Mouse concert I went to with Tyler in 2005. I love live music and have been to a lot of shows, but this one beat them all I think. We saw them again in 2007 and will see them again next week, but I have a feeling the 2005 one will remain the best.<br /><br />13. Hiking Horseshoe canyon with Tyler in 2008. We normally make our first camping / hiking trip at the end of March, but this time we ventured out in late February, just Tyler and I. It was wonderful for us to break away and be alone for a weekend and for me to share a great hike with him. <br /><br />14. Escalante trip 2007--I loved the hikes we did on that trip but have to isolate this to the day we actually arrived in Escalante. It had been 6 years since I'd been there for my dig and when we arrived I just felt as if I belonged there. We stopped and ran along the slick-rock for a bit to stretch our legs before checking into the campsite and setting up. Some of Tyler's family met us later on that night and the next night and we did some really cool slot canyon hikes, but I think the best part was just arriving there.<br /><br />15. trip to the San Rafael Swell with Tyler in 2006. He'd been there once before with me, when we were dating, but hadn't liked it that well and it made me sad because I'm so in love with the Utah desert. Then when we went again the next April he had a great time and from then on has loved it as well. <br /><br />16. When I got my MBA my parents gifted me with a weekend trip to Portland with Tyler. He had just been reading "Undaunted Courage" about the explorers Lewis & Clark. We took one of the days in the Portland area to drive along the coast up to Fort Clatsop. It was early January and though we didn't expect it to be warm, snow is not common in Portland. It was a breathtaking view the whole drive and cool to see the juxtaposition of snow on the beach with pine trees just behind the sand. <br /><br />17. Liberty Jail day--When I got my BA in 2002 my mom took me on a congratulatory trip where we visited a number of LDS church history sites. I loved them all, but was most affected by our visit to the old Liberty Jail where the prophet Joseph Smith was held for a number of months along with some of his followers. Regardless of religious beliefs, it's a profound experience to learn of one man's persecution and horrible mistreatment by the law and yet hear of his continued faith and fortitude during that time. It was both heartbreaking and inspiring. <br /><br />18. In high school I saw a play done by the University of Montana of the book "Grapes of Wrath." I read that book and didn't care for it much, not like I loved Steinbeck's "East of Eden." However, the play really touched me. In this case, the play was better than the book I thought and seeing the dire circumstances made it more real to me. The orchestra pit had been filled with water for a river that at one point someone was thrown into. And at the end of the play when the family is being poured on and they hide in a railway car as everything is being flooded around them, the theater had water dripping from the rafters. For some reason, this just really struck me about what an important story the story of the Depression is.<br /><br />19. War and Peace--I remember the 2nd day on site for my dig in Escalante it snowed. It was early May and Escalante is high in elevation. The day before we had all gotten sunburns setting up camp and suddenly it was snowing. We went back to our tents and in the next 3 days I think I read the first 500 or so pages of War and Peace. I finished the book just about 8 weeks later when field school was over. It's one of my all-time favorite books.<br /><br />20. When I saw Arlo Guthrie in concert at the Gallivan center in Salt Lake in 2004. It was a free outdoor concert and totally packed, but his performance was awesome. When he was singing "This land is your land" I felt so connected to the whole world.<br /><br />21. My Kolob arch hike--I wish there was more opportunity for me to go on long hikes at my own pace, but there's just not. So this was a great great time for me. The hike totals 14 miles and I did it in about 5.5 hours and enjoyed every minute of it. It was early November 2007 and perfect hiking weather, I only saw 2 other people on the trail that day, the fall colors were out, the red sandstone was magnificent, and the creek was especially cool where it had carved out the rock.<br /><br />22. the drive-in movies in Fairview Utah, 2008. This was at Tyler's family's reunion in Fairview when I was over 8 months pregnant with Bailey. We went to the drive in and watched a pretty stupid movie, but I had a great time just because it felt so incredibly good outside that night.<br /><br />23. SLC Bee's baseball game in 2003. It was the 24th of July and my friend had scored some tickets to the game that night. I'm not into baseball, but it just perfectly cooler that day in mid-summer, and right at the end of the game when the fireworks were going off in the field it started raining. Very cool.<br /><br />24. Las Vegas bowl game for BYU in 2006--this was the 2nd out of 3 trips to Vegas for the bowl game in December, but this one was the funnest I think. Tyler and I made a little longer trip out of it, it was the first road trip we took alone and thankfully it was great because I was beginning to think we weren't good road-trippers together and for me, that was a big deal. I remember having a great time when we went out to eat after the game with his younger brothers and sister at a little Mexican place on the strip that was hidden and practically empty, I think it was already closed or closing or something when we got there super late at night. They were super friendly and gave us free drinks because they forgot something? <br /><br />25. Sundance festival 2006--okay this is a 10 day festival and I worked 80 hours of it on top of most of my 40-hour a week job and 3 or 4 school nights in the mix but it was by far my favorite year. I was the outside assistant manager which basically meant being in charge of crowds, waitlist lines, and the volunteers who helped out outside. I was absolutely freezing cold. I wore handwarmers on top of my toes, hot pants under my jeans, and as many more layers as you can imagine. But it was also the year I saw the most great movies and some actors and musicians I really dig.<br /><br />26. First Call to Prayer experience in Jerusalem--I flew to Jerusalem for my semester abroad on my 21st birthday. The next morning in my little dorm room at about 5 am I heard the loudest wake up call ever in my life. Probably I imagined it so loud due to the exhaustion of having not slept before leaving combined with jet lag, but it sounded as if someone had a megaphone and was shouting the Muslim Call to Prayer right on the balcony of my room. I will never forget that. <br /><br />27. 2 week stay in Galilee--I really prefer Jerusalem to Galilee just as I prefer the Old Testament to the New which is what each of those areas represent to me because of the way my classes worked in each location. However, the couple of weeks we stayed in Galilee during my semester abroad blur together kind of like a sweet dream. I remember sitting on the beach every day it seems for a while to read my book and swimming in the water everyday despite all the schoolwork we also had to do. <br /><br />28. Florida trip with my family in the 80's. We took a week-long vacation to Florida, visiting Cape Canaveral, Disneyworld, Sea World, Epcot center, Daytona beach, etc. To be honest, I remember the trip pretty well, but because I'm an emotional person the only thing that stands out to me was how cool it was when at Sea World there was a little storm burst, just as there was on most days we were there, but this one had a brief but torrential downpour. I remember running to find cover and we ended up running to the "rainforest" portion of Sea World and just for a few minutes it felt like I was in the middle of the jungle and it was totally awesome.<br /><br />29. Osaka trip in 2003--Just before I left Japan I took a second weekend trip to Osaka. I just love exploring places on my own and maybe it's because I can follow whatever impulse I have, to spend my whole day just walking walking walking or to stop wherever and whenever I want. Anyway I loved walking around Osaka and just taking it all in, all the lights and signs and shops and shrines, and figuring out which trains to ride, though sometimes aggravating, was part of the adventure of it. <br /><br />30. Exploring Washington DC in 2003. My second trip to DC, I did this one staying at my cousin <a href="http://waitejustaminute.blogspot.com/">Amanda's</a> place where she and her husband graciously hosted me. We went out to Mt. Vernon together and also got poured on briefly while there. We hit up an outdoor concert on Pennsylvania Ave and they showed me how beautiful old Alexandria was. I did some exploring on my own as well around the Smithsonians and the new spy museum and the subway system. <br /><br />Again, as you can see, a lot of these memories are from trips and as trip hungry as I am, it's true that I've had a ton of great ones already. I have a ton of other great trip memories and others as well of simple things like walks and bike rides, but these 30 are the best I could do as far as what really sticks out to me when I look at the entire 30 years.Alenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07608366717088014308noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32190558.post-39893461000657359542009-08-24T19:28:00.005-06:002009-08-24T19:55:03.605-06:00Highway signs for momsI laughed out loud reading these highway signs for moms on the back page of my Babytalk magazine. Maybe because I just made a trip to Boise with my twin sister and our kids crammed in the back. We got kicked out of the McDonald's outdoor playland area in Burley, Idaho because our kids weren't wearing socks. We were the only people out there and somehow the management saw fit to kick us out. There was no sign saying they needed socks though there were plenty of signs saying they needed their shoes off. And while I do understand germs can spread through bare feet, I'm positive those playlands aren't kept very clean to begin with and that's the risk you run when allowing your children some playtime along the road.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/root_family/3851234932/" title="Boise aug09 by root_family, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2524/3851234932_59fb787a68.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="Boise aug09" /></a><br /><br />So, here are the Mom highway signs from the magazine:<br /><br />Diner where folks won't give you the hairy eyeball for nursing--Exit 9<br /><br />Forget Route 118: It's so bumpy your baby may barf up his entire last meal<br /><br />Scenic overlook of three thrilling bulldozers in action--Exit 24<br /><br />Rest stop with picnic area that's not insanely close to traffic: 300 yards on right<br /><br />Only playland in tri-state area where they occasionally clean the ball pit--Exit 29<br /><br />Pop in another Dan Zanes CD (no decent radio station for 50 miles)<br /><br />Restaurant where waiters don't hand your baby a balloon just before you climb back into your overstuffed car--Exit 38B<br /><br />Weight limit: Way, way heavier than you<br /><br />Eyes crossing, next 60 miles (make your spouse drive--you need a nap)<br /><br />Exit 4--Restroom with crud-free changing tableAlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07608366717088014308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32190558.post-77396430112981201042009-08-12T07:25:00.000-06:002009-08-12T08:32:53.077-06:00Bailey's First YearClick through to see the "scrapbook" I created of Bailey's first year, I made it to read like a children's story to document all of her major milestones. <br /><br /><object width="420" height="312" ><param name="movie" value="http://www.scrapblog.com/viewer/viewer_v2_embed.swf?scrapblogId=2089043&showShareButton=true&showShareInitially=true&showOnlyShare=false&partnerId=1" /></param><embed src="http://www.scrapblog.com/viewer/viewer_v2_embed.swf?scrapblogId=2089043&showShareButton=true&showShareInitially=true&showOnlyShare=false&partnerId=1" width="420" height="312"></embed></object>Alenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07608366717088014308noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32190558.post-82348630963148495892009-08-03T17:35:00.004-06:002009-08-03T19:14:23.125-06:00Part Time with Schedule > Part Time On CallI am very pleased that it seems my schedule at work should be becoming a bit more regular now. For the past few months I've been working a little extra, covering while some were on vacation, maternity leave, paternity leave, sick, funerals, etc. While the extra work has been good for my bank account, and I was happy to help out considering the fact that I was allowed a 5-month leave of absence when I had Bailey, it turned out to be more difficult in actuality. <br /><br />What happened couldn't really have been anticipated:<br /> <br />1. Tyler had to go out of town a few times during those couple of months for his new job.<br /> <br />2. I changed daycare providers 3 times during that time period, making a total of 4 day-care homes Bailey has been in since January. (All of whom I've liked, but for personal reasons, job changes, etc. they had to quit doing their in-home daycare services.) <br /><br />3. Work was exceptionally busy (as it is in the summer, but this year topped others to date). Sometimes the database had crashed, sometimes we were just plain overloaded or had an unexpected shortage of staff, all things which couldn't have been helped. On those occasions I made last-minute arrangements to come in earlier than planned. <br /><br />Altogether with work demands and Tyler's being gone this probably accounted for re-arranging my daycare schedule at last 8 times in the last 10 weeks. Since I was working an afternoon - evening shift and Bailey needed picked up by 5 at those homes, this required an effort almost one time per week to engage the services of friends, neighbors, relatives, etc., all of to whom I owe a HUGE THANK YOU!<br /><br />That being said, I do really enjoy my job and am grateful that I'm able to work where a 10-15 hour work week is permitted and that I'm able to be with my baby as often as I am.Alenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07608366717088014308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32190558.post-22678184784204149532009-08-03T08:02:00.002-06:002009-08-03T08:47:10.540-06:00Moab ForeshadowingA few nights ago I had a dream about my upcoming half marathon in Moab--I'm running it in mid-October. <br /><br />In the dream, I was forced to run the race in flip-flops because though I had brought my running shoes, for some reason we had to cross a stream to get to the starting point and I was unable to carry my shoes because this time they didn't have a "sweat bag" pick up to put items in that you carried with you at the waiting area. Somehow no one else had had this problem in my dream though and I remember being frustrated that their shoes weren't wet or that they were smart enough to have figured that part out.<br /><br />So just two days following my dream, when heading to the rec center for my workout, my shoes were nowhere to be found. I've looked everywhere, but it's most likely that I left them at the rec center on Thursday when I went to workout and afterwards took Bailey and Caiden swimming there. I went home in my flip-flops.<br /><br />I asked the rec center staff if my shoes had been turned in but they haven't. I guess I'll get a new pair of running shoes out of this, but I sure hope I don't have to run a race in flip-flops.<br /><br />If any readers are interested, I'm kind of looking for someone to go with me for the car ride to Moab and to watch Bailey for the couples hours I'll be running. I promise a shared hotel room and some hiking in the area afterwards.Alenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07608366717088014308noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32190558.post-18565344942884334172009-07-19T12:29:00.001-06:002009-09-22T22:47:20.818-06:00Uintas ConfessionRead about my recent trip to the <a href="http://rootsoutdooradventures.blogspot.com/2009/07/uintas-confession.html">Uintas</a> over on my family outdoors blog.Alenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07608366717088014308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32190558.post-2153671563628208042009-07-13T22:48:00.004-06:002009-07-14T02:29:20.026-06:00Gilgal Made OverI paid another visit to one of my favorite places in Salt Lake City. I blogged about it before, <a href="http://letsreborn.blogspot.com/2006/11/gilgal-revealed.html">here</a>, but it's really worth re-visiting (literally and figuratively). My friend <a href="http://carboncopy.hobix.com/">Katie</a> was in town and we met for dinner then headed over to check it out. It was Bailey's first time there too, though I know we'll be going many times. <br /><br />I was a little bit sad that Gilgal Gardens seems to have gotten a makeover recently. I dislike that kind of thing because makeovers have a way of bringing more people around when you want to keep a place all to yourself (like why did they ever decide to pave the road into Maple Canyon??). But I can't exactly say that I didn't enjoy all the fresh flowers around either, or that they didn't add to the beauty and overall exotic-ness of the place. Bailey loved the flowers too so I couldn't be upset about them, though I fondly recall hopping over the torn fence the first time I visited it in a more dilapidated condition. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2544/3714507682_5caf9e8d3a.jpg?v=0"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2544/3714507682_5caf9e8d3a.jpg?v=0" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />In the photo below I'm pointing out an inscription I particularly like, one that I had at one time kept memorized because I loved it so, and have of course forgotten even after the reminder the other night.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3443/3714534860_2432189888.jpg?v=0"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3443/3714534860_2432189888.jpg?v=0" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Bailey tried reading some rocks too : )<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2614/3714532482_981e266bb3.jpg?v=0"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2614/3714532482_981e266bb3.jpg?v=0" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />See Katie's complete set of Gilgal Garden photos <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katieelaine/sets/72157621352075076/">here</a>, including the infamous Joseph Smith sphinx and the creator's sculpture of himself.Alenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07608366717088014308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32190558.post-39882390185948970612009-07-13T22:08:00.006-06:002009-07-13T23:40:20.209-06:00Already becoming so BaileyIt's amazing to me how Bailey has already developed so much personality and individuality. She just hit 11 months and part of me already has anxiety about the 1 year mark and what that means (I'm thinking of titling that blog "365 sleepless nights"). But I do love getting to know her and who she is and more about who she will be as she becomes more of her own person! <br /><br />Right now Bailey's favorite thing to do is still to unload a drawer, cabinet, bag, purse, etc. as seen in this photo:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/root_family/3714174924/" title="IMG_3558 by root_family, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3497/3714174924_1ebdaf0fc1.jpg" width="281" height="500" alt="IMG_3558" /></a> <br /><br />Her favorite place to be is anywhere outside. <br /><br />She says "Uh-oh" and "ball" really well and clearly understands what each of them means. She points up in the air every time she hears an airplane even when we are indoors. She "barks" back at the dogs when she hears one outside.<br /><br />She still just has the bottom two teeth, but is anxious to eat anything and everything in sight, especially if it is going in someone's mouth. I can see the beginnings of one of her top teeth now and I think it won't be too long before it breaks through.<br /><br />She still hasn't slept through the night. (Well one time she did, when we were camping, but I do not count what was an extreme outlier in her patterns, and anyway I couldn't sleep out of paranoia about the fact that she was actually still sleeping. That and also because her all-time worst night of sleeping was also on a camping trip. The two nights pretty much just cancel each other out.) <br /><br />She takes two naps a day on days where I care for her at home though she's a bit more stubborn about doing it on day-care days, those days she might take a short snooze in the car when Daddy picks her up. I would like her to sleep through the night of course, but I've stopped hoping for it and stopped thinking it was entirely realistic though common at this age. I am dealing with it quite well I think except that I've become a bit neurotic about the way the sheets should be on the bed. : )<br /><br />Bailey is starting to give cuddles more and more too despite the fact that she's such a wiggle worm at play. She occasionally will draw back from me and then lean in and lay her head down on my shoulder. It's so sweet. My friend <a href="http://carboncopy.hobix.com/">Katie</a> took these photos of Bailey giving me a hug outside a restaurant the other day and also one that really captured Bailey's bright blue eyes and white hair and tan arms. Thank you Katie I love these! <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3528/3713584083_c62a405915.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3528/3713584083_c62a405915.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2496/3713579733_c75fd8945a.jpg?v=0"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2496/3713579733_c75fd8945a.jpg?v=0" border="0" alt="" /></a>Alenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07608366717088014308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32190558.post-7999189953472799032009-06-30T22:04:00.002-06:002009-07-12T19:36:34.024-06:00Walking, Talking Baby DollCheck out Bailey's walking and talking skills over on Tyler's blog <a href="http://tylerroot.blogspot.com/2009/06/video-of-bailey-walking.html">here</a>. He put together a few videos we've taken of her walking and her attempts to talk on the phone, though I'm not sure where she got the idea to hold the phone all the way behind her head. She is already a better walker and will be running before we know it I'm sure.<br /><br />She is getting more and more grown up every day. I took this the other day of her playing with her high chair, she played there for a long time just chatting away about something. Her hair is getting longer and thicker too, but it is so incredibly light that it hardly shows up in pictures at all.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/root_family/3669258824/" title="IMG_3491 by root_family, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2448/3669258824_0508cdf52b.jpg" width="281" height="500" alt="IMG_3491" /></a>Alenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07608366717088014308noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32190558.post-68602520887095424222009-06-28T21:59:00.001-06:002009-07-01T11:03:20.553-06:00Baby Bird<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/root_family/3669263964/" title="baby bird in garage by root_family, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2573/3669263964_0742145bfc.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="baby bird in garage" /></a><br />Bailey and I were at home getting ready for the day when I opened the door to the garage to check on something and right there on the mat was a baby bird. Most likely the bird was injured though I couldn't see how or where. But he only took small little steps and didn't get spooked at our curiosity. Bailey was very interested in it and every time we came near to the garage again would kick her legs and lean forward out of my arms to see inside (she loves animals). This was while I was trying to take pictures of it. I stepped down and opened the door to the back yard in case it might be able to walk outside and a few minutes later when we came back it was gone. I hope it survived. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/root_family/3668455069/" title="baby bird in garage by root_family, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3137/3668455069_898c741f85.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="baby bird in garage" /></a>Alenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07608366717088014308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32190558.post-37987971787432551682009-06-21T22:02:00.009-06:002009-06-22T07:28:29.641-06:00Conor Oberst and the mystic emotional basketcase.I went to see Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band with the HB on Saturday. I was really looking forward to it having seen him in 2006 when he was touring as "Bright Eyes". It was an incredible show then, and I knew it would be incredible again. I was long overdue for a good concert too and the summer outdoor shows can be especially moving. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/root_family/3645434783/" title="06.20.09 Conor Oberst Concert by root_family, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3657/3645434783_8127ddc2f5.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="06.20.09 Conor Oberst Concert" /></a><br /><br />I've liked his music from the very start, for how expressive and raw and un-manufactured it is. And I'm particularly liking this new turn towards a more folk-rock sound that retains his original intensity. I don't believe intensity should be sacrificed for anything, probably it should, but I've never found reason for it. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/root_family/3645434909/" title="06.20.09 Conor Oberst Concert by root_family, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2478/3645434909_fa6e8fd277.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="06.20.09 Conor Oberst Concert" /></a><br /><br />I am still reeling from the emotions of the past several weeks. And the show really got me thinking. I've discovered what my problem is, you may laugh, but bear with me. I feel like I have all the passion of an artist, but none of the talent. Perhaps if I were a musician, a painter, a writer, or an actress people would value my ability to articulate what I'm feeling, but because I have no such talent my expressiveness is deemed inappropriate.<br /><br />That may sound a bit defensive, but in truth I never meant to hurt anyone. I have made very careful deliberations about what needed to be censored on this blog while still allowing it to represent who I am and the way I experience life. I didn't want to hurt anyone. I DO wish that personal pain was something people were more willing to discuss. I begin to feel a bit robot-ish when I'm not able to express myself, and I have a totally irrational fear that I will stop feeling alive when I allow myself to stop feeling things. I found it really refreshing to discuss true emotions when I participated in group therapy for a short while when I was at BYU. I just wish there was more honesty about the way marriage is and the way religion is and just more honesty about the way people are and the way they feel things. <br /><br />Thank God there are rock concerts for letting some of that stuff out. Now if only I were a rock star.Alenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07608366717088014308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32190558.post-23833014337721683552009-06-19T23:42:00.004-06:002009-06-21T07:54:05.729-06:00Happy Father's DayI loved being able to see Tyler become a father all over again this last year. I loved how sweetly he sped to the hospital to see Bailey and I between coaching two football practices a day that first week of practice. I love to see him now as he plays peek-a-boo with her and he helps her "practice" her gymnastics by flipping her in the air. She adores her father so much and just loves to sit outside and watch him work in the yard. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/root_family/2761331203/" title="IMG_1660 by root_family, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3163/2761331203_d91a449202.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1660" /></a><br /><br />This year Tyler will coach Caiden's little league football team again. Caiden adores his father too, though he might not like my use of that word. He always has to keep tabs on where Tyler is at and often asks him before bed to play a short game of sword-fighting of Call of Duty. This year Tyler taught him how to rappel and now it's the first thing he wants to do when we arrive in camp. Tyler is an excellent teacher. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/root_family/2997614513/" title="Caiden and Dad/Coach by root_family, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3159/2997614513_0bd7558da2.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Caiden and Dad/Coach" /></a><br /><br />Here is a picture of me and my dad when I was little. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/root_family/2402240090/" title="Alene&Dad Violin by root_family, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3097/2402240090_d479086635.jpg" width="488" height="500" alt="Alene&Dad Violin" /></a><br />I don't remember that picture specifically, but I do remember loving it when he played his violin. <br /><br />When I was little he sometimes had to go on overnight business trips and would take turns taking each of us. I remember one time on such a trip I had just learned to count to 100 and I did it aloud for him in the car. I remember finishing and then asking him if he wanted to hear me do it again and I remember him saying yes. I can't imagine how annoying that must have been, but it seems an important memory for such a small little event.<br /><br />One of the greatest things my dad taught me when I was little was to help me learn to waterski. I hated it the first time when I was 9. I couldn't control the skis and they always ended up behind me with my legs behind me and I couldn't get them to come around in front and then stay parallel pointing up in the water. Eventually the next two summers my dad would get in the water behind me (he did this for my sister and I) and he would hold the bottom of the skis steady under the water and wait there while I took off and went as far and long as I could. At first that wasn't far at all, but eventually it got longer and longer and the end of the summer I turned 11 I finally was able to waterski for a long time and began to learn to get up on my own. A few years later he led us kids in being able to drop a ski and eventually get up slalom waterskiing. I love waterskiing still and thank my dad for teaching me!Alenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07608366717088014308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32190558.post-600434158086062842009-06-08T15:37:00.002-06:002009-07-12T19:36:45.521-06:00Evidence of IndependenceSee my post below about how if you have ears that stick out it means you are fiercely independent.<br /><br />I am on the right, with the ears that stick out to there.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/root_family/2316834088/" title="Alene&April Feb '80 by root_family, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3096/2316834088_216f5b16c5.jpg" width="350" height="500" alt="Alene&April Feb '80" /></a><br /><br /><br />Check out Bailey's ears, perhaps this is why she still doesn't sleep through the night--she has a mind of her own!<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/root_family/3601026855/" title="Bailey under the sink by root_family, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3598/3601026855_3d54bae90b.jpg" width="281" height="500" alt="Bailey under the sink" /></a>Alenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07608366717088014308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32190558.post-6297542503336819602009-06-08T11:20:00.003-06:002009-06-08T11:48:44.163-06:00Wisdom of my faceI caught just a few minutes of the radio on my way in to work this morning and they were discussing Chinese Face reading with an expert who recently wrote the book "Wisdom of Your Face." Lucky for me, I caught a portion about a facial feature I have, or at least was very prominent when I was a baby and that Bailey and I share. That is our ears stick out. From the blog: <br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />So what in Barack Obama’s face might have contributed to his success? Here is what Chinese Face Reading has to say:<br /><br />1 - His ears stick out. This reveals a highly independent nature, not always doing what he’s told.</span><br /><br />Highly independent? Sounds pretty accurate to me. Interesting stuff.Alenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07608366717088014308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32190558.post-37709920453202234902009-06-05T10:27:00.007-06:002009-06-05T23:23:25.607-06:00Wishing I was a BrotherGrowing up my sister and I were often envious of our brothers' 50-mile hikes each summer. Since boyscouting was sanctioned by our church, we would eventually approach our Bishop and request that the young women be able to have their own 50-miler. Of course the hopeful words from him never actually came to fruition.<br /><br />For just a moment here let me be the victim. Let me just say how unfair it all is and how my heart is breaking over it before you tell me how miniscule it is and how oversensitive I'm being. Let me say how I am not sure I'll get over it or when I'll stop crying every time I think about it before you tell me I shouldn't express negative feelings in a public place.<br /><br />When you're growing up people tell you "life isn't fair" but no one ever says "life is a bitch," just like when you're getting marred people tell you "marriage is hard" but no one ever says "sometimes marriage is a world of pain."<br /><br />In this case, I would say life is certainly a bitch. I pride myself on knowing what I want and working hard to get it. I'm attracted to people that are decisive and ambitious and I think that's because that's how I see myself or maybe it's just how I try to be. So when I've said over and over that I want to do something, but been denied the opportunity, it breaks my heart that the same person who would deny me would gladly give that opportunity to people who have never asked for it or even perhaps realized they wanted it before such an opportunity was presented to them. Am I less worthy? Am I less deserving?<br /><br />Some may say "let him have time to himself" to which I would say "I do. I've encouraged numerous activities that wouldn't have even taken place if I hadn't suggested them as well as willingly sent him to others when I would have rather had him with me." I've stood by as he got invited to do something by others that I asked him to do and watched him go with them.<br /><br />I'm not heart-broken that he's going on a technical canyonnering camping trip with his brothers and not with me, I'm heart-broken that when I ask to do something hard-core, when I'm bursting to try something new, to explore the unknown together, I get turned down and then suddenly, the trip is planned as a brothers-only occasion.<br /><br />I love being a woman, but I sure wish I was somebody's brother.Alenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07608366717088014308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32190558.post-13854320324119818232009-06-05T09:49:00.003-06:002009-06-05T10:19:34.098-06:00And You Will Tell Them YesThis is from an old Nike ad that I love, it inspires me in so many ways:<br /><br /><br />"All your life you are told the things you cannot do. All your life they will say you're not good enough or strong enough or talented enough; they will say you're the wrong height or the wrong weight or the wrong type to play this or be this or achieve this. THEY WILL TELL YOU NO, a thousand times no, until all the no's become meaningless. All your life they will tell you no, quite firmly and very quickly.<br />AND YOU WILL TELL THEM YES."<br /><br /><br />It's amazing how overtime we forget that that's what we're hearing all around us all the time. How you can live your life thinking you won't let it get to you and then suddenly realize you've been letting it happen for a really long time. And something cheesy, though powerful, cheesy because it's a marketing gimick, moves you to snap out of it again.Alenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07608366717088014308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32190558.post-32432155036051297432009-05-28T16:17:00.002-06:002009-05-28T16:20:10.188-06:00Caiden's SummerI'm not sure, but I think he might be having some fun this summer. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/root_family/3574540768/" title="IMG_3308 by root_family, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3332/3574540768_978d3fc153_b.jpg" width="576" height="1024" alt="IMG_3308" /></a><br />I'm going to do my best to help out, but I'm not sure what the picture is, is he cuddling with his girlfriend on the couch? :) He would die if I asked him that.Alenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07608366717088014308noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32190558.post-65672348984486246542009-05-23T22:05:00.014-06:002009-09-22T22:47:20.819-06:00Eaters of the Rocks, Drinkers of the RainOur first camping trip with Bailey didn't go as well as we'd hoped it would so this one seemed to have the same anticipation build up as that. I don't think we've ever gone 6 weeks between trips in the spring time. And as excited as I was, I was struggling with anxiety about everything, going somewhere new on a holiday weekend, getting any sleep, and being able to get some decent exercise and exploration in. So oddly, Tyler and I decided to change our plans in the hopes that at least a familiar place would relieve some of the pressure for things to go well on this trip. Though I would have loved to try a new place, I knew I would need to be flexible about hikes falling through and thought that might be a shame if it was something I'd never done before. Lucky for us, Tyler had some friends going to the San Rafael Swell this weekend that we'd been meaning to go camping with for a while We coordinated to meet them Thursday morning for a hike and take it from there. <br /><br />After a long car ride, Bailey was eager to wiggle her little cinnabuns around so I put her down in the sand to play. I figured she was going to get dirty anyway, let it happen and clean her up afterward rather than fight it all day. Not surprisingly she began immediately popping rocks into her mouth. I condone this only because I watch her very closely and because she is so damn set to do it anyway. <br /><br />We hiked Crack Canyon which for some reason I didn't remember being so awesome? Perhaps when I was there before we didn't hike as far back or my memory of it was drowned out by the memory of a camp chair falling in the fire with the car keys in the pocket and a dust storm in the middle of the night and getting lost when I came out of the canyon and also getting my car stuck on a huge shrub the night we arrived. Yes, that all happened on the same trip, August 2004.<br /><br />So anyway, Crack was awesome and so were Tyler's friends. <br /><br />And most incredibly--Bailey slept through the entire night that night! That was her first time in her life to do that, including any night at home. We borrowed Tyler's brother's tent (much larger and taller than ours) to try setting up Bailey's portable crib in it and it worked. I couldn't believe she slept so well. She even took a great nap in the pack-n-play the next day too, and she looked really snug in there. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/root_family/3557723721/" title="05.22.09 San Rafael Swell Campsite by root_family, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3323/3557723721_bca57d147c.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="05.22.09 San Rafael Swell Campsite" /></a><br /><br />Friday all of us hiked out to Wild Horse Window, or as we later learned is actually named Skylight Arch. I love the canyons, but this reminded me of how much I just hiking right on the rock. I mean, we usually pick a campsite that has rock to climb on right around us anyway, but this was just really nice and here and there would be a different colored wild flower for me to show Bailey and let her learn about it (mostly with her mouth) as we hiked to the next one.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/root_family/3558533780/" title="05.22.09 Skylight Arch by root_family, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3359/3558533780_6ce57bbef6.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="05.22.09 Skylight Arch" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/root_family/3557723875/" title="05.22.09 Skylight Arch by root_family, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3643/3557723875_6ea75cd0bb.jpg" width="500" height="401" alt="05.22.09 Skylight Arch" /></a><br /><br />Tyler and I and the kids took a quick drive to Hanksville to get some ice and because none of us had ever been there. There was a cool old church and it was good to know how close it was and what was there.<br /><br />Then Bailey did not do that well that night (last night) and the rain never once let up either. A friend of mine met us at the campsite late and unfortunately had to set up in the rain and basically wait it out til morning. But this morning it was still raining and there didn't seem to be any sign of it letting up. We had all been up a lot in the night and up early with Bailey so like the schmuck friend that I am, I bailed and we decided to drive back home today. <br /><br />We did first pay a visit to Goblin Valley despite the potential mud baths we could get there with it being so wet and rainy. It was cool to see all the streams formed in the park with the little bit of moisture. <br /><br />Once we knew we were headed home later, I wanted to get Bailey as much outside time as possible before getting in the car. I also really hoped that I could play in the rain long enough and get my clothes wet enough to warrant Tyler stripping me down and wrapping me in a blanket for the ride home, but alas, he wouldn't have any of that in front of the children. So we headed back home in our dirty clothes and I will be folding them just as soon as I'm done here. <br /><br />A few other favorite pictures from the trip:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/root_family/3557717169/" title="05.22.09 San Rafael Swell campsite by root_family, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2449/3557717169_9fcd75349c.jpg" width="281" height="500" alt="05.22.09 San Rafael Swell campsite" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/root_family/3557788589/" title="05.23.09 Goblin Valley by root_family, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3599/3557788589_fdacb36271.jpg" width="281" height="500" alt="05.23.09 Goblin Valley" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/root_family/3557789461/" title="05.23.09 Goblin Valley by root_family, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3565/3557789461_e3e8bac42d.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="05.23.09 Goblin Valley" /></a><br /><br />Watch <a href="http://tylerroot.blogspot.com/">Tyler's blog</a> as well as our <a href="http://rootsoutdooradventures.blogspot.com/">family outdoor adventure blog</a> for more detailed accounts of these hikes. Also, tons of pictures on our Flickr site in the San Rafael section.Alenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07608366717088014308noreply@blogger.com1