Support for the Road Widow

If your husband travels for work, you may get a lot of sympathetic looks and pats on the shoulder from your friends when you (once again) have to explain that your husband is out of town and that he's going to miss the upcoming shindig.  (If not, your friends are jerks. HA!)  If you, too, are living this crazy, road widow lifestyle it’s imperative to have a good support system of people who are feeling what we feel, people who “get” it. I've had some really encouraging messages sent to me via 140 characters on Twitter that were just as good as a conversation with a close friends because the stranger on Twitter can empathize instead of sympathize; they know what it's like to have a traveling husband.  I would love for us all to be better resources for one another.  Find other road widows on Twitter, email us, or comment on our blogs. I feel like I should finish with something cheesy like: ”Together we are stronger!”. Well, it’s true. We are.

Here are a few!  Please feel free to add yourself in a blog comment and I'll get you on the list!  @LMRphotos, @roadwidows, @realbandwives, @niseag03, @digitalchrisb, @joannalewis26

I also posted something similar on Road Widows today.

Bachelorettes

This weekend I hosted a bachelorette party for my best friend, Sara!  Most of us aren't bachelorettes and three of us have babies so it wasn't TOO crazy.  The invitations proclaimed that the weekend would be a mix of the bride's "athletic side, wild side, and classy side".  Therefore, we went to a Mariner's Game, Party Bus/ Dancing, and then Wine Tasting!  The Mariner's game was a blast!  It was a really good game and the M's beat the Kansas City Royals 4 - 2.  Then, we went to our rental house which I found on AirBnb.  It was a two bedroom with a kitchen and bathroom and (SCORE!) the hosts just so happened to own a party bus company so we rented a party bus, too.  I gave Sara a nightgown that says "in love" and a leopard print garter belt.  We got dolled up (animal-print-theme) and went to Ballard to eat at Matador, sip delicious things at People's Pub and Bastille and, finally, dance the night away at Bal Mar.  On Sunday, we headed out to Skillet in Capital Hill for brunch and I want to go back.  They served Fonte Coffee which was AMAZING.  I want to try and find some here in town.  Then, off to Chateau Ste. Michelle and Columbia Winery in Woodinville for tours and tasting.

 

Apparently, they dont give out free rally fries anymore but the sign & tutus (& wild dance moves) did get us on the big screen!

I made us sashes with our titles (The Bride, Maid of Honor, and Bridesmaid) Carina, Julie, Sara, Amanda, Julie, and me!

Sara's Drink Tickets.  She had to do a dare to get a drink.

Chateau Ste. Michelle is gorgeous.  I want to live there.

These are not the best photos.  There are some HUGE specks of dust on my lense and they're mostly out of focus but I'm just happy that I have plenty of photos to remember this fun weekend. All in all, a fun (and exhausting) bachelorette! We are going to have a blast at the wedding! Two weeks and counting....

Shrimp Lessons & Mom Swimsuits

We started swim lessons at the YMCA and it's been so fun!  BB is sometimes scared and sometimes squealing in delight but, most of the time, gripping onto me for dear life.  Dan came and took some photos and distracted us the whole time.  But, who cares?  My husband is back!!!

I do what I want.

I have a very cute one-piece swim suit that is so short on my freakishly long body that I can hardly move in it.  I mean, I can move in it just fine but I shouldnt.... ifyaknowwhatImean.  I wore it on to the first class and there were many close calls.  So, I've decided my new mama-baby-swim-class-suit should be this black running tank top and black full-coverage bikini bottoms.  CLASSIC.  I think all the other moms in shrimp class are wearing tankinis, too.  I had to re-tie another mom's top at the first class (she, too, was wearing a different suit at the second class).  I finally realize that moms dont wear "mom swimsuits" because they're lame or ashamed of their bodies.  It's because their kids will tear off anything that's not full coverage and ruched.  I promise that's why.  

A Conversation with Dan the Man

Me:  Dan, you were gone for a month!  Does it feel weird to be back?  Did you miss it?

Dan:  I love my job and I didn't miss home.  But I missed you so much.  My home is you and [BB].

Hearts:  melted.

Our sleepy family hanging out in the backyard, minutes after Dan's return home.

Obsessed with frozen yogurt.

Mason Jars in the Hizzy

You know what I like?  Organizing things, and old things, and cute things.  Thus:  Mason Jars!  I love buying old mason jars (and new ones!) for keeping stuff in.  Here is a photo collage of some old and new mason jars that are literally all over my house and all the things I've put in them.  My favorites were the blue ones that my sister found at an antique for $5/each.  A little pricey but totally worth it.  Do not forget my mason jar lights - which are the most awesome things I think I've ever created.  I hope we can again someday live in a lofty space that would require one of these lights.

Jars for untensils and popcorn!  Antique cup holds garlic (always), salt and pepper shakers are Southern Home, "R" is  Home Goods.  Tabasco and cookies not thrifted.

Mason jars for baby things and pretty things and practical things...

How do YOU use your mason jars?

  

Mitochondrial Disease #hopeforkendall

This is our niece, Kendall, who suffers from Mitochondrial Disease.  Kendall's story is long and crazy.  We refer to her mother, Dan's older sister, as Dr. Terra after all the research she's done on Mitochondrial because she's smarter than most doctors most doctors know nothing about it.

Kendall went into surgery today.  Today's she's having a "bladder diversion created through her abdomen" which sounds insane, doesn't it?  I cant keep track of how many surgeries she's had or how many times she's been in the hospital.  I've cried in despair over the bad news and rejoiced with the good.  All we can do is hope.  And, there is hope.  She went from being a teeny, tiny baby full of tubes and unable to eat, to a walking-talking 4 year old who can keep up with her three big sisters.

Terra and Ben with Kendall, Karissa, Kealey and Kendall is on Ben's lap.  Photo by:  2 Sis Photos.

Our nephew, Elijah, who is not Kendall's brother because he's from Dan's other sister, Noelle, also has mitochondrial disease.  Elijah has a lot of the same "quirks" that Dan had as a child and still suffers from, therefore, Dan may or may not have some form of Mitochondrial disease.  I wanted to find out why there are varying degrees of Mitochondrial disease.  Why Kendall has feeding tubes and therapy and is constantly in and out of hospitals and emergency rooms and why Elijah and Daniel seem somewhat healthy.  Here's what I found [via United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation].  I've bolded the important parts.

Mitochondrial diseases result from failures of the mitochondria, specialized compartments present in every cell of the body except red blood cells. Mitochondria are responsible for creating more than 90% of the energy needed by the body to sustain life and support growth. When they fail, less and less energy is generated within the cell. Cell injury and even cell death follow. If this process is repeated throughout the body, whole systems begin to fail, and the life of the person in whom this is happening is severely compromised. The disease primarily affects children. Diseases of the mitochondria appear to cause the most damage to cells of the brain, heart, liver, skeletal muscles, kidney and the endocrine and respiratory systems. Depending on which cells are affected, symptoms may include loss of motor control, muscle weakness and pain, gastro-intestinal disorders and swallowing difficulties, poor growth, cardiac disease, liver disease, diabetes, respiratory complications, seizures, visual/hearing problems, lactic acidosis, developmental delays and susceptibility to infection.

It's a complicated disease and it's taking many lives.  It is critical that we tell the UMDF story & Kendalls' story to a much broader audience, to raise awareness and to hopefully make this disease more recognizable among the medical community and policy makers.  I'd like to encourage you to find out more about Mitochondrial Disease; that you would go to the UMDF site and join their network to learn more about this disease.  You can decide what type of information you'd like to receive - from "localized event information" and volunteer opportunities to just simply receiving the quarterly newsletter to keep abreast on this disease and what the future may look like for its 1 in every 200 affected individuals.  

There is hope.

The Countdown

One..... More.... Day.....

Dan has been gone for a MONTH!  We spent 9 days with him in Chicago but he has not slept in our bed since June 20th.  I realize this is insane and a little bit out of the ordinary.  But, this is our life.  And we love it.

Is it Fall?

I went grocery shopping on Friday.  I ran in through the automatic doors as fast as I could because it was POURING and I dont have an umbrella.  I peeled back my hood, wiped my glasses and saw the strangest thing before me:  a display of pumpkin pies for sale.  Pumpkin pie?  Is it fall?  No, it's definitely July.  Could someone please tell the weather to shape up?  Is it possible to get seasonal affective disorder in the July?  Because.  Seriously.  

I'm probably feeling so bad because I miss Dan.  This is the longest we've been apart since we got BB and it's starting to drain me.  On one hand, I feel much more capable as a mother but, on the other, I could really use some help.  

Dan gets home from tour in two days and I'm hoping he's not completely exhausted.  He has to finish painting the house and I have a bachelorette party weekend to host!  

In case you're wondering, I did purchase a pumpkin pie - they were only $2.79! - but I'm still not happy that it feels like fall.

There's a But...

Awesome:  BB definitely says the word "dad" 

But:  I am sure he has no idea what it means 

Great:  I am actually growing things in our garden!  Spinach, Carrots, Onions, Broccoli, Zucchini, Cucumbers, Brussel Sprouts and Rainbow Chard.

But:  I killed a cucumber plant because I decided to move it (WHAT?! Who does that?!).  We might only be harvesting one carrot this year and some kind of bugs are nibbling on the brussel sprouts.  In a nutshell:  I have no idea what I'm doing.

Rad:  I got up early to video Skype with Dan and it was so fun!
But:  I woke up early because I had a terrible nightmare that Dan and I were on vacation and we left a [newborn] BB in the van and the van was stolen and we were frantically trying to get him back.  It was the worst nightmare ever.
Booyah:  Summer is here!
But:  I have been sick since the 2nd day of vacation...so, about 2 weeks.  I desperately want to run and play and frolic outside but I've pretty much been watching Netflix or laying on a blanket in the yard.
Incredible:  BB is officially a snuggler.  He will take time in between his crawling around and playing to sit on my lap or give me hugs and kisses.  It's the best feeling in the world to see and feel my love for him being reciprocated.  
But:  He's finally cutting some more teeth and he's so sad and uncomfortable.  We can't wait for it to end.
Bomb:  My life-long BFF is getting married and her bridal showers this past weekend were AMAZING!  I am currently planning the most epic bachelorette weekend ever.
But:  It's a bit nerve-wracking writing and re-writing my maid of honor speech.

Meet the bridesmaids: Carina, Me, Sara, Jeanette, Amanda.  Not pictured:  Julie and Julie!
If this picture is any indication, I think we're going to have a BLAST at the bachelorette party, dont you? Photo by:  my sister, Karli

Photo by: My sister, Karli

My vegetables that aren't a huge disappointment

My Snuggler

Blogger 411

Hi, there!  Lindsy, here.  Dan and I love this little blog as a way of recording our memories and photography and keeping up with our family and friends all over the world.  But as we delve a little deeper into bloggy-land, we have gotten to know some great people and would love to get to know more bloggers.  Therefore, I am joining From Mrs. to Mama for her Bloggers 411 link-up!


1. How long have you been blogging? And what got you started on blogging? Has your blog changed?
I started the blog in 2008, shortly after I got my photography website which was (and still is) a little too basic so I wanted a place to host some more information.  I started blogging regularly, and more about personal things, in January 2011 because I met Ruthy and Libby and they both blogged regularly and it came at a time in my life when I really needed an outlet for creative and positive energy.  The blog has change too many times to count.  We added Dan to the blogger roster on January 1st of this year and we added a BABY in February.  
2. Did you go to college? If so where, and what did you study?
We both went to Taylor University in Edmonton, Alberta (Canada, for those of you who have never heard of it).  It's a SMALL school of about 400 students where you can major in:  English, Psychology, Sociology, or Theology.  That's it.  I majored in English, Dan majored in Theology.  It was awful in that it was cold and we were broke but it was awesome because we fell in love there and made some amazing friends and amazing memories.  
3. Where have you traveled?
This is going to sound like I'm bragging but I'm just answering the question, ok?  I went on a mission trip to Belize when I was 16.  Went with my family to Florida and a cruise through the Quays and Mexico before I moved to Canada when I was barely 18.  Dan took me to Cancun, Mexico on our honeymoon.  Then, we lived in Grenoble, France for a year and got to travel to:  Barcelona, Amsterdam, London, Paris (many times but we still love it, it truly is magic), Prague, all over Switzerland and Italy, and Frankfurt.  We have been all over the U.S. and I think our favorite place is Boston.  I also went to NYNY with my BFF a couples years ago and I loved it!  Now that Dan is in a touring band, he should answer this question. He's been EVERYWHERE.
4. If you won the lottery, what would be the first thing you would buy?
That is tough!  I guess if I won the lottery today, I would buy plane tickets so we could go see Dan and tell him the news in person.  If Dan was in town and I won the lottery, I would head out to Nordstrom and buy some shoes.
5. What are your 3 biggest pet peeves?
Mouth noises (I cant stand to hear chewing or swallowing), Loud people in public (is it really necessary to be so loud?), bad grammar (learn how to spell and punctuate, please?).
6. What is your favorite movie?
It's hard to pick just one but I think that Lars and the Real Girl is my favorite.  It's funny, witty, charming, endearing, plus.. Ryan Gosling.
7. What is your drink of choice; wine, beer, or liquor. Or Water, Soda, Tea?
I pretty much only drink water and black coffee but I love a good pinot noir and occasionally an IPA.
8. What is something you enjoy to do when you have me time?
I like to read or do my nails when I get me time.
9. If you could have a $10,000 shopping spree to one store, which store would it be?
Urban Outfitters so that I could buy a little of everything - clothes, shoes, music, home decor.
10. Share with us an embarrassing moment of your past? Or present.
I have a lot of embarassing moments but the MOST embarassing was when I waited in line for two hours to ride a water slide and I peed in front of a lot of people when it was only 5 minutes until my turn.  I think I was 9 or 10 years old. 
11. What day would you love to relive again?
I would like to relive the day that I knew I loved Daniel again.  It was a Saturday while we were in college.  College Saturdays are the best because no one has anything to do.  We had a great day with friends and spent the evening on a long walk together and sat down in a field and I wanted so badly to tell him that I loved him but we had only known each other a year and we had only been dating a few weeks.  Those new, precious feelings are priceless.  
12. If your life was turned into a movie... what actor would play you?
People say I look like Helen Hunt and Leelee Sobieski (Wuuut?  I know, right?!)  but I love Rachel McAdams, even though we dont look alike, so I choose her.  Final answer.
13. What are the jobs you had in high school/college/the early years?
My first job was at Quizno's.  Then a steak restaurant as a busser turned expediter.  Then Jamba Juice.  
14. Show us a picture from high school or college.

This is my senior prom.  I'm in the gold/olive dress and I look uncomfortable because I am standing in between my ex boyfriend and current boyfriend.  Great idea inviting both of them to the photoshoot, right?  The tall guy and the girl in the aqua dress are my BFFs Rob and Sara who are getting married next month!  Awwwwwwwwwww.

Here's a happier picture from the same day!

15. If you could travel anywhere in the world, all expenses paid, where would you go?
I would love to spend a week with Dan on a private, tropical island where the huts are built over the water and someone brings you fresh food everyday and you can swim in waterfalls.  Somewhere like Bali, Bora Bora, or even Croatia!
16. Show us the most current picture of you or you, or your family, or anything of meaning to you. 

Photo by Jade Ehlers.

17. Where do you see your life 5 years from now?
I have no idea and I'm totally fine with that!