................................The Thrill on Berryhill ..........................: February 2009

Friday, February 27, 2009

Life is Fragile

I love this picture of Joe's Mom and Kate. I took it back in the summer of 2006 at our first Berryhill Family Reunion up in Sula, Montana. It just typifies her. I see her brightest smiles when she has a baby in her arms or she's playing with her grandkids. Life=Service for Fran. I've often heard her say in so many words, "If I can't serve, I don't want to be here!" What a great example she is to me. I love her.

Well, I was stopped dead in my tracks a few weeks ago when I came home from work one Saturday. I looked at Joe and knew something was wrong. Those dreaded words came out of his mouth-- "My mom has colon cancer." We both just let the tears fall right there in the middle of the hallway before I even set my purse down...

This winter has had it's challenges. We have definitely felt them. Why do both of our moms have to face cancer at the same time? I don't know. The realization that life is fragile hit me again for the 5th time in the last 2 months. Life is constantly changing

and I'm finally realizing that it applies to me as well.

Fran went in for her surgery this last Tuesday. When we walked in to see her, the very first thing she said after hugs was, "Have you eaten? We have some food over there in the corner and Kate might like..." Yes, that is Fran.

She's going to be alright. I'm so so so grateful everything went smoothly. Once again, I'm thankful for answered prayers.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Free to Do What I Want

It's amazing what happens when they discover what movement can do for them!

The Big Blue Chair

Kate is 3 1/2 years old. She is old enough to experience the pure joy of getting her teeth cleaned! So, when I scheduled Joe's appointment for him, I figured I should make one for Kate as well. I was hesitant to schedule it with me though, because she detests me touching her lips when I brush her teeth at home. I set her up with her Uncle Matt. Figured I'd let him have all of the fun :) As last Friday grew close, Kate insisted that I clean her teeth. So, we gave it a shot.

You're gonna do what?!!!

Seeing me in a mask made her crack a smile and she never looked back...

We had a blast and she even got to see Uncle Matt anyway!

Proud of you, Katie Pie. You and Dad were my best patients that day!

Bath Time

Baths are the best

But they're even better when you have someone to laugh with!

Amazing Abz

I wish my abs were as strong as our little guy's!

The Energizer Bunny

I peeked out into the garage to check on Kate "eckersizing" and found this:

The story about how this all came to be is below :)

Excessive Energy? I've got the Answer!!!

I love to eat. I really look forward to it. So I had to find a way oh so many years ago to solve the problem of eating my treats and not weighing as much as a whale. I started running and instantly became a fan. After Kate was born, I went out and got a jogger and used it almost religiously. Then when Jake was born, I thought-- "Hey! Time for the double jogger!" And so the purchase was made. Have you ever tried to run with one of those things? I swear, they weigh well over 1,000 pounds with a loquacious three year old and an almost-walker. Needless to say, it doesn't get used every day.

Well, back in October, I approached Joe with a plan. It was getting cold outside and I didn't want to subject the kids to the weather :) We needed a treadmill, so I could get up when Joe left for work at 6AM and run and be showered before the kids awoke. It sounded like the perfect plan.

Well, the treadmill was purchased...and even though things don't always go according to plan with my 6AM dream, I've found a FANTASTIC use for the machine!

Actually, Kate discovered it. One night around 7:30, she came to me and said that she needed to "eckersize" out in the garage. When I told her it was too cold out there, she completely broke down and through her sobs cried,"but it's good for me!"

Well, I figured it couldn't hurt for a few minutes. I turned the treadmill on the lowest setting and she hopped on, asked for some music and shimmied to it for a quarter of a mile! What a way to get the energy out of your kids so they are ready for bed when you're ready to put them down! It was pure genius. Now I just need to get out there more than she does!

Saturday "Blues"

This last Saturday we were all home together! It only occasionally happens because I work the first 2 Saturdays of every month. What should we do?! We didn't want to waste the day away, so we planned to get up and head down to Pleasanton Ridge--a regional park--and go hiking. We've been wanting to explore our area a little more. Well, we woke up to enormously dreary raindrops. Grateful for the rain we've been having, but we were hoping for just a little break.

Well, what do you do when you can't get out into the fresh air? How about eat?! That's a standard around here :) Blueberry Pancakes? Sounds good to me! Jake tried them for the first time and LOVED them. Take a look:

I think he had one too many!!!

Monday, February 23, 2009

Attempting the Dance Routine

This clip cracked me up. I was trying to get Kate doing her routine at dance class so her family members that can't be there could watch her. There were a few in the class that day who weren't particularly aware that the teacher was standing right in front of them, showing them their moves. Twirling and running back and forth were MUCH more important. Enjoy :)

Little Ballerina

We had parent observation day in Kate's dance class last week. That means that instead of 8 mothers peering into the studio, laughing and waving to their daughters from the windows, we actually got to be inside the studio while they "danced." Jake was all over having such a slick floor to army crawl, and Kate, as usual, was very serious as she practiced her moves. It was a free dress day--hence the princess dresses.

The girls waiting for their dancing stickers at the end of class