Moving On

My husband got me a dozen roses for absolutely no reason except to show how much he appreciates me. At least, I'm pretty sure that's what they're for. He doesn't usually come right out and say it. I usually start to complain about how no one could live without me around here: how I'm the only one who picks up and cooks and changes diapers and stays up late and gets up in the middle of the night and washes everyone's hair, brushes everyone's teeth, wipes everyone's butt. Then Vance gets on me and says, "Whine, whine, whine." And I do. I know it. Even when I'm appreciated I still like to whine. I think I only get in these moods when everything is falling apart.

After our week long vacation and then a training that took the whole following weekend I got extremely behind. Everyone is asking for underwear and socks again. I'm behind on laundry, behind on house-cleaning, behind on school - everything gets pushed aside. When all is disorganized like it is now it's all I can do just to maintain. Poor little Tristan has dry skin and if I don't put lotion on him everyday his skin cracks. Rachie has beautiful long hair, but if I don't brush it constantly it's a matted mess. I have to remind my three older boys to take showers, brush their teeth and hair and change their clothes or they'll go a whole week without doing these things.

I can't believe it! I'm whining on my blog :). I actually love my life. I love my family. I like sharing my life with whomever decides to read what I write and I'm glad you take the time to do it.

Recently, a VERY important member of my family decided to cut off our relationship because I don't call enough or send birthday cards, etc. I said that I started this blog so that whenever he thought about us he could just log on and find out all the goings on in the Terry household. This is why I started it. He said, "Screw your blog!" Everything I mentioned above is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to all the things I have to do in a single day. I know I'm not the only human being on the planet that has a full schedule (schedule is a misnomer). And that's not really a good excuse - busy-ness. The truth is I've never been good at phone calling and sending cards. I hate talking on the phone and I will not send a card or birthday gift unless I really feel I can write something good in the card or get a good gift. I won't give a gift just for the sake of giving one. The people in my life who love me and like to be around me accept this - I don't think I'll ever change.

I love my brothers. They call me often and never give me a hard time for not calling them. That's what love is or at least part of what love is - acceptance and forgiveness 70 X 7. I'm sad over this broken relationship.

I love the people in my life who, even though we don't talk for over a year, can just pick up a conversation and friendship right where it left off. Life really is short. Just ask anyone over 80. I'm listening to a study on Ecclesiastes and have a lot of thoughts on the subject of life. Once I get them all put together I'd like to write them down here.

So, I'm moving on.

Ski Week

This past week we went on our annual ski trip to Beaver Creek. We started visiting this area 10 years ago and purchased a timeshare or should I say vacation ownership (it sounds nicer). Anyway, we're one of the few families that actually use theirs every year.

Over the years we've had some mishaps. We've ended up in Vail Valley Hospital at least 3 times and there have been a few winters where everyone was so sick we couldn't even leave our room. I've also had seven children in the last 10 years so I'm usually pregnant or nursing and don't get to ski much if even at all.

This year, however, was probably the best year since we've owned in that area. I'm still nursing, but no one was injured or sick and almost every night everyone slept well. We skied every single day. It snowed over a foot while we were there so we got to experience everything good skiing has to offer. One of the days was so bright and sunny you couldn't help but smile the whole day. Another day was so thick with powder the boys had to learn how to ski all over again, but they loved it.

Glen and Ryan have become so good they're actually taking black diamond runs now. They love to spend most of the time in jump parks or skiing through the trees. Thank God for helmets. When Vance and I first married we thought our kids would be surfers - as it turns out it looks like they will be extreme skiers and snowboarders - I have no doubt.

We now own two timeshares in Vail/Beaver Creek and every year we invite people to come with us and almost every year we end up going alone. It really is amazing this happens. We stay in a Five-Star Resort (which is a little over our heads but we paid for it 10 years ago), we ski in arguably the best place in America and the amenities are unbelievable (a full kitchen gives us the luxury of NOT eating out). This year we spent less than $300 the entire week. Of course the place is paid for and this year we bought the Colorado Pass back in November which gives you unlimited skiing in almost every ski resort in Colorado.

We go every year on Valentine's Week, the week before President's Day weekend. We can choose any week we'd like, but this has been our tradition. We'd love to have friends come with us. We have room for 16 adults (of course, we take 9 of those spots just for our family). Check it out and let us know what you think.

http://www.starwoodvo.com/ look under "Resort Collection" and scroll down to Colorado. We own at Lakeside Terrace and Sheraton Mountain Vista. Also, check out the Westin Ka'anapali in Maui - we're planning a trip there (yep, all 9 of us) this December.

This week I had a special picture time with Tristan. Eleven years ago I started this tradition with Glen, my firstborn. I always go to the same photographer. Her name is Lenda Jay Messina. Otherwise know as LJM Photography. I wish I could publish all the pictures here, but I don't think it would matter. You can hardly tell the difference between my seven children.

When each child is about 4 or 5 months old we go and take these beautiful pictures. I will cherish them forever. Have you ever thought about what you would try to get out of your house if it ever caught fire? These pictures and my computer tower would be it.

In 2001, about three weeks before Michal was born, Lenda took a belly picture of me pregnant with Michal with Vance standing behind me. When Lenda found out that Michal had died she gave me a fully framed 20 x 30 of the photo for free. Usually an 8 x 10 costs around $200. This photo hangs to the left, right above my desk.

I love have these cherished possessions, but I'm so glad we will have better memories when we get to heaven and won't need them :).

I was going through my pictures and found some real cute ones I wanted to share. This one I took on New Year's Day. All of our favorite holiday dishes displayed.

Here's Glen and Ryan goose hunting with Dad and Grandpa just before sunrise.

Remember that great story about the donkey that gave birth on our front lawn? We went to see her (Daisy) and her little foal (Rosie) a couple of weeks ago. You can't see Rosie very well (I have a better view on a video I can post later), but she has a huge amount of hair which comes over her forehead that makes her look a little like a sheep dog.

It's Groundhog Day and according to Punxutawny Phil we are going to have six more weeks of winter. We watched the movie "Groundhog Day" with the kiddos. Such a fun movie. I actually saw it in the movie theatre when I was dating Vance and our friend Tim was with us. I remember we all felt so good after the movie was over - almost giddy. Watching the movie every February 2 has become a family tradition.

Yesterday was the Super Bowl. Many of you know how I despise football and I was so angry when one of the commentators said that football has now become America's pastime. Hooey! However, I did find myself getting into yesterday's game. In fact, I was actually praying for the Cardinals to win. I wanted this century old team who had never made it to the Super Bowl before to take the "tough guy" Steelers. I also wanted to hear Kurt Warner give Glory to God again.

I know God knew the Steelers were going to win just like He knew Obama was going to win. These things aren't important in the midst of eternity. Man, my thoughts are so messed up. This is why I shouldn't watch football ;).

I've been neglecting my blog because Facebook is just so darn interesting. It's definitely a distraction. Did anyone see Wall-e? I can just see us all 100 years from now as bi fat blobs with computer screens attached to our floating lounge chairs.