"Run Forrest Run"

The blog title sums up our August in a nutshell.

We have been having fun and working like dogs all at once. (Eric's was surrounded by longhorns at a recent ranch survey! They thought he had food.)

We kicked off Gavin's school year, have had two vacations and hosted family on two weekends since our last post. I think old Tom Hanks had it right "Life is like a box of chocolates." One trip to Texas another to Cali. Next post will be all about Cali and the fun we had with the Jolly's, the Stephens' and other friends.

Pictures from our Warren family reunion tell quite a story! We had a wonderful time despite the heat. One day it was 112 degrees and the humidity was 28%. Thank gosh for Bec and Daves' pool as we were running out of sweat by 10 a.m. each day!

Between the pool and the beer we had alot of laughs. Whirlyball (pictured) was so much fun I nearly peed in my shorts! Getting the trailer in and out of Bec's driveway was quite a nightmare but accomplishable with the help of a small, sweaty army of Aunties and Uncles. Here are a few reunion tidbits;

1) Becky received her birthday gift bag, stuffed with one pair of underwear from each family member, rather than the traditional tissue paper; Carla's creativity at work. When we asked how she knew which were clean and dirty~their was deafening silence!

2) Gavin, Becky and Ryan found a Toy Chest mechanical arm machine in a local restaurant, and in an attempt to keep Gavin out of my hair, gleaned 3 of those impossible to reach stuffed animals per Gavin's request. He snatched them from Bec's hands and screamed gleefully through the entire restaurant "mom look at all the animal babies."

I think the seniors nearly killed over from fright. Thank the Lord we do not live there!

3) Watching Gavin stalk Becky in the late afteroon knowing he would get to lick the beaters from dessert-in-progress.

4) Getting flung and then nearly peeing my own pants during our Whirlyball game~I laughed so hard!

5) JFK Museum and The Bodies Exhibit~highly recommend both as we all conquered a number of museums while in Dallas one day.
In other news; Gavin is loving school (uniform pic above). His first report card indicated he has trouble keeping his hands to himself but has both fantastic concentration and handwriting skills.

The whole family completed a 5k run to raise money for low cost mammograms and we were pictured in the paper~Ruidoso Free Press.

I am consulting for Candice's new start-up MakInnovations and enjoying it immensely. I have been waiting to assist and look forward to the challenges that lie ahead as we build and prepare for the MakH20 product launch.

In addition, I have been ask to reside on the school's fundraising board where I think I will be kept busy! My hope is to help with fundraising and communications associated pending Board approval.

Eric is busier than ever with the biz, Rotary Directorship position, Santa's Helpers and the continuous estate Executor role. He is pretty exhausted most of the time but seems to enjoy all of it and still have plenty of energy for the 4 year old who screams when he gets home each night!

Discovering New Mexico

Eric is a native and I have been here (non-consecutively) for nearly fifteen years, but Gavin is causing us to discover New Mexico in new ways. Each journey amounts to some priceless family time, plenty of fresh air and total exhaustion! Okay, I forgot to mention the beer, steaks and smore's!

Our friends recommended a trip to the Gila Wilderness and The Catwalk within the Gila, telling us it was "God's Country." So, trusting their advice we loaded the pop-up and headed out for four days of adventure. Nope, they were not exaggerating.

The history of this area is alive and well. The first Wilderness area ever dedicated, amounting to nearly 800,000 acres, it is truly pristine. We saw large herds of elk, heard reintroduced wolves and saw very few people. (YEAH.)

Inside the Gila lives a lifetime experience of climbing the catwalk, as the miners did, in the late 1800's. The catwalk was originally wood, but was rebuilt by an early core of engineers group using steel. The miners seeking gold and silver, used the catwalk to get to the mine while the families used the water that rushed out of the process for household purposes. You can still see pieces of the mine, iron reinforcements and plenty of water! They were pretty good at using electricity to get what they wanted down the canyon. Needless to say, the five hour drive to a secluded and empty campground made for a killer family trip. If you like history click and read. http://www.americantrails.org/nationalrecreationtrails/trailNRT/Catwalk-NM.html

Another discovery or should we say rediscovery awaited us at White Sands National Monument where Grandma Chris and Cuz' Richard joined us. We had not been there in years' although Eric spent a great many days sledding down the powdery sand as a boy. The Monument is the only one of its kind in the U.S., appearing as snow, the gypsum sand is soft, cool and clean amounting to the huge development of dunes made perfect for sleds.

Animals have adapted creating white coyotes, white horny toads and gecko's that blend into their space. We have vowed to make the one hour drive a few more times this year to include the hot air balloon launch in the fall. http://www.nps.gov/whsa/index.htm

Other Tidbits:

#1
Gavin graduated from his Mother's Day Out program and went out with a bang; ice cream party and presents for his buddies. He is now ready for the program we wanted to enroll him in last year; Sierra Blanca Christian Academy, five 1/2 days per week. A private, Christian school ages 3 to 7Th grade. We love the class ratio 1 teacher to 6 students, the fact that they aren't required to adhere to the Every Child Left Behind Bush legacy and that it Christian based. In addition, we believe the national public school system is an evolving educational crisis. No school is protected from the economic downturn but we feel this investment is worth any risk we foresee and parental involvement is very high. http://www.sbchristianacademy.org/dnn/default.aspx

#2
On other fronts, we got all decked out to join my best bud, and Kennel Owner, Heidi, her husband and employees, at this years' annual Furr Ball. Her Kennel, Thundering Paws Pet Resort, always has a large table and provides a significant live auction item. All proceeds (which are in the thousands) go to operating costs of our local Humane Society and Shelter. The open patio amounted to an indoor/outdoor venue where we were able to dance under the stars and leave the kiddos with our babysitter! We were really rusty but sustained no injuries! Took me all week to figure out what to where, shave my legs, put some real make-up on and learn to walk in high heels again!

#3
Eric was asked by a local radio station, KEDU, to give a business interview discussing D.T Collins Associates services and the surveying indusry in general. He sounded awesome and not a bit nervous. Tim would have been proud and we were grateful for the FREE advertising! (Thanks Mr. Estes for asking!) We need all the help we can get with this economy~still treading water! http://www.kedu.us/kbi.htm

#4
We are off again with the 5th wheel this time as we join my family for 10 days of laughter and Warren chaos in Plano. We always laugh so hard, party and play we are worn out when it is over, but geez it is so worth it! Of course, I am the only one with a young child so after going to bed at 1 or 2 a.m. and getting up at 7 with Gavin, I become Queen of the Nap by day 2!

Whacked!

June has been WILD and productive all at once.

Our Completed Punch List:

Finished our game room

Resurfaced our entire driveway

Built new deck outside Erics' workshop

Groomed the entire property; trees, flowers, weeds etc.-ourselves

Launched our first seasonal camping trip

Hosted Uncle Gary for a week

Finished Gavins' swim lessons

Hosted a big ole party!

Had a big ole hangover!

Do you remember that ugly ass room over our garage? Well, we finished all 1,100 sq. feet of the game room and other than one liquor cabinet and a few touch ups-it looks spectacular! We added a bar, bar sink, full bathroom, carpet, TV, big ole fan, mirrored closet doors and code-specified handrails on the stairs. We were tired of contractor traffic and elected to do the finish work with our own hands; caulking, painting, baseboards, trim etc. Our new ping pong table will find its home here in the winter but for now is on the patio providing us with some family entertainment.

We broke in the room BIGTIME with 14 thrashing kids and all of our close friends over Memorial Day. The kids ran from the game room, to the golf green to the playset for hours. We didn't really know where Gavin was all night-now that is a good party. We served plenty of Aunt Becky's cape cods and enjoyed all the potluck goodies that friends brought over. Maybe thats why we didn't really care where the hell the kids were or what they were doing! We have a great house for summer parties-bar none. Add that to the killer weather-80 degree days, 50 degree nights and we understand why all the Texans come here during this season.

Gavin is strangely excited about toilets lately-the new one upstairs means he does not have to pinch a turd to run downstairs and the portable one Grandpa Tim bought, but never used, was a novelty while camping. We have camped for years without a pottie, but man was it nice after a few cocktails-no climbing in the woods with a kid, a headlamp and a shovel! Our first camping trip is always close to town so we can assess the camper following a long winter outside. Eagle Creek was peaceful and we had a huge area all to ourselves-except the wonderful surprise visitors early Saturday morning. The wild mustang herd came through and despite Gavin's presence across the creek, the bedded down for a rest. So cool to see completely wild horses. Friends stop by while we camped to have a beer, feed us and go hiking with me. We really rested up and slept like rocks.

Only In Texas

can/would you do the following;

1) Skunk hunt with your Papa (see Gavin below with a flashlight.)

2) Watch a man find Christ while getting baptized in a livestock watering tank, in the back of a Ford, in a public park.

3) Be joined on your morning run by 4 dogs and a goat that comes up to your waist.

4) Look at the under-belly of an emu while you drive through a 2000 acre Wildlife Refuge~while feeding them.

5) Buy a merlot ice slushy and take it shopping with you.

6) Sweat while doing nothing.

Needless to say, we had a great time with Mema and Papa, Becky and Dave. We loved both of their new homes for different reasons; My Mom and Dads' is quiet and full of remodeling opportunities for two do it your-selfers and my Sisters' is right in Plano on a 1/2 acre lot with an enormous patio and pool. We spent time at both and had fun all around. We missed Eric but he golfed, and did chores, and golfed some more. He also got to sleep in...a rarity around here.

The best part is that all of them are very happy to be relocated and within driving distance of one another.

Mema and Papa dropped everything to play with Gavin for four solid days and they even put a swing up to give him some place to play while we made meals etc. Not only did we hit the Wildlife Refuge but they took us to Granbury lake where Gavin made fast friends and had a blast two days in a row...Just playing in the water. We wore Papa out as did the heat and the completion of his new shed/ramp for the new lawnmower below. The boys did not need to cut any grass but Papa was happy to just drive Gavin around.

At Beck's we had no camera and she was glad for that...historically averse to having her picture taken. We swam after every meal, she took me to buy some new running shoes and also to a historical farm where Gavin played in the old schoolhouse while Bec's did her VP thing via Blackberry. We could have stayed much longer and just hung out around the pool with drinks and a very excited kid. We were grateful to her and Dave for spending time with us, despite their work schedules. (Congrats to Dave on his new job!)

Taxi Anyone?

Gavin is not a tipper, he can jack up a car seat in no time and loves to ask a bazillion questions while we cruise. But, I think I will keep him, buy an RV and ditch the house (we are rarely inhabiting.) Since becoming his Taxi Driver, I can tell you, we are always jamming from one place to another; school, gymnastics, play dates, swimming lessons and those are just the SCHEDULED list of stops.

Add in Eric's events and my own and you begin to wonder "who were the idiots that chose to live in the boonies anyway?" Obviously, we are the culprits of our own demise. We didn't get it. If you don't have kids, you won't get it. But, living in the country with a young , active one, means living in the car. Guess that's why hindsight is 20/20 because foresight isn't worth a @#$!

We recently hit the kite festival and had a blast. The kids played, with little supervision, for more than 3 hours. The parents lounged in the sun and laughed following a seemingly never-ending winter. Gavin is in love with his friend Grace and newly acquired friend Jonas. Each of their Moms' have truly become great friends of mine and with whom I spend as much time as possible. Eric knows their Dads' from high school and it often feels like old home week when they start swapping tales of the 'good ole days.

The girls and I are running, hiking, goofing off and enjoying having the families together very regularly. Thanks to Heidi, I am running farther than I had ever planned on (she is a cross country aficionado) and thanks to Megan, Gavin has his first "girlfriend." He calls her a "firecracker" because he gets fired up whenever they are together. No, he has no idea what a girlfriend is, but he really loves Grace.

Speaking of Taxi Drivers', Eric needs one so he can sleep in the passenger seat. Not only is he managing to keep the business running (while dozens of others are already closed) he is completing a nine-month leadership course for which he had to be nominated~Leadership Lincoln. He will graduate next month and truly it will be quite a notch in his career. He is one of the youngest members to be nominated and ultimately to graduate. Gavin and I are prouder than barnyard roosters and grateful he is taking care of us during these tumultuous times. We know God has a plan for us but it's been interesting living through the trailer to this movie! Each month we are faced with difficult choices about our future, choices that families all over the country also face. We see great opportunity and have faith that no matter what, we will be in good hands.

After looking for an actual job for a spell, I decided a real job just isn't in the cards. Positions are being whacked like wheat in a field and budget shortfalls are not helping. So, rather than sit around and wait, I took over all the cleaning services at the office and am enjoying the extra money and flexibility. Eric pays me a SUPER salary and I work when Gavin is asleep. In addition, I have been volunteering on the Parks and Rec Board and at Gavin's school in a variety of roles; field trip leader/sucker, Earth Day garden coordinator, baker etc. Gavin's teacher has told us he has the maturity of a five-year-old, is very generous, obedient and empathetic. Most importantly he has developed a love of learning and a compassion for others. Rather than thinking of just himself we are working on teaching him to think of others' first. I have met many adults who never did figure this out~and never will. Wish us luck.

On other fronts, our game room is 99% done. Once it is "photo ready" next week, I will post some pics. Our drop dead date for doing all the touch up work and reassembling our entire garage is Memorial Weekend. Just in time for a BBQ, Eric's birthday and Graduation! Gavin and I are headed to Texas for a week and we hope the Tinkerbell fairy will come help Eric finish it all, in between rounds of golf!

Last but not least, a note to those of you following my Relay For Life journey~I have raised more than $700.00 with a goal of $1000 by June. Thanks to all who have supported this endeavor.

ABQ Trip & New Video!

Hello All,

Eric was kind enough to capture a few unforgettable Gavin moments on video and create another snapshot of our little life for your viewing. So many of you are far away and we hope this brief glimpse will make you feel up to date and in touch. Especially, Auntie Carla and Uncle Doug, whom Gavin misses a great deal, almost as much as Mema and Papa!

All of the clips are from events occurring between Dec '09 and March '10. Once you compare the pictures against the video, you will see our Little Man has really began to grow-up and show a big interest in physical activities and sports. Shocking, I know. He is also a total goof-ball, a trait derived entirely from his Dad!

Our trip to ABQ was really fun and jammed pack with activities. We hit the zoo, the planetarium, had a potluck with old college friends, met Auntie Leah at the park and had a short visit with Uncle Gary and Grandma Geri, before we had to run and beat another snowstorm home. (ugh.)

Gary is doing awesome~at the gym 3x per week with a trainer is really paying off in balance, continued weight loss and a chance to meet new people. His neuro rehab is showing continued improvements in reading and memory so we can't trick him like we use too! Damn. Geri is doing well and contemplating a return to work...I am sure they miss her help.

It was great to get out of our own house where continued construction of the game-room can be quite loud!
The pictures are truly amazing and taken entirely by Eric. He really should start shooting photos as a serious hobby...they maintain incredible resolution when enlarged!

P.S. Please click the video once and allow it (awhile) to buffer down. If you are on a dial-up you will have a better chance of picking up chopsticks with your buttcheeks than viewing the video, until you can get to a broadband (bigger pipe) connection point. Find a retailer and use their wireless network!