I am clearly the biggest failure as a blogger.  Sorry, to the only person in the world who might read this (and who, even then, probably won't read this).  I guess I just haven't found my voice in the blogosphere yet.  I am not as crafty as most of the crafters, or as thrifty as most of the thrifters, or as fit as most of the exercise and food obsessed.  I have a boring life filled with work, and I am altogether uninteresting. However, this summer has been eventful, and it's only 1/2 way over.  So without further ado, here is my update.

It started out as being a sweltering hot summer, and it got hot early.  We're talking 80's in April kind of hot.  So the first week of summer, Travis and the kids and I decided it would be a good idea to to floating down a river.  After getting 1/2 way to Fort Collins and realizing we were being chased by some very gloomy rain clouds, we decided to head in the exact opposite direction- Lyons.  There were still a few clouds, but we figured we'd be getting wet anyway.  After what felt like hours of hyperventilating from blowing up our rat tubes, we walked up the river.  No sooner had our toes touched water, it began to rain.  Now, for those of you who don't know, May is a little bit early in the year to be going down a river in an inter tube... especially in the mountains.  Let's just say, "Ice, ice, baby. Dun diddle dun diddle dun dun."  But it was too late now.  We had already come this far.  After five minutes, our butts and feet were so cold we could no longer feel them.  Then Dylan fell out of his inter tube, and proceeded to chase after it for a good 1/2 mile.  We decided we would get out earlier than planned, and knew that the park wasn't far.  As we got closer we could see a bunch of teenagers.  This seemed fine, so we found a rock right off to the side of the park where we thought we could climb up.  As we got to the rock, Brieanna didn't realize that the water got about 10 feet deep at the rock.  So she proceeded to just jump off to try to walk up.  Travis nearly drown trying to save Brieanna from drowning.

Once we had successfully clambered up on the rock, we walked up it, expecting a meandering pathway to the bottom.  Wrong.  Not only were we stuck on what was basically a 20 foot cliff, we were right above a congregation of people dressed in white getting baptized with all of their friends and family there to watch.  Had it been just Travis and I, scaling the 20 feet of rock wall wouldn't have been too difficult.  It made it infinitely more difficult having a small 11-year-old girl, and a larger 12-year-old boy who was deathly afraid of heights.

We managed to get Brie 10 feet down on a ledge without disturbing the entire congregation.  The attention was immediately drawn to us, however, the second Dylan had to get down to that same ledge.  We're talking full on crying panic.  He clung to the wall for a good ten minutes, freaking out, and managing to distract everyone from the baptisms.  Two nice gentlemen offered to help us from the ground.  We managed to get Dylan to the ledge.

Then it was my turn.  I wasn't afraid, however, I have essential tremors.  Tremors that were made drastically worse by an embarrassing situation.  This made it much more difficult to cling to the rocks until I made it to the ledge, and Travis had already jumped the remaining 10 feet.  It took me a couple minutes (and a man gesturing for me to just jump into his arms), but I made it to the ledge.  We had to have the kids sit on the ledge and reach down to Travis and another gentleman's hands, where they helped them jump down (another 5 min panic attack on Dylan's behalf).  I reached for their hands, thinking I was using them to help me jump.  I was alarmed when my leap was interrupted by them both grabbing one of my leaping legs, making it look like an awkward ballet dance.

Once the fiasco was over, we practically ran out of the park.  Halfway to the car, we all burst out laughing.  Then the kids were given another reason to laugh: an older gentleman on his bicycle was blatantly checking out my backside.  We got back to the car and noticed a GIANT lawn chair that we took a few pictures on, and we made our way home from the most awkward and terrible (yet hilarious) floating trip EVER!

Now some pictures (since you're bored of reading, and only 1/2 way there).  Sorry they aren't more organized.

 Our camping trip (about a week before the fires)

 The GIANT chair (There's one more of these if you keep scrolling)

 I made a baby!

 Susanna (Alex's youngest daughter)

 Nebraska trip (breakfast)

 Lakeside

 Our favorite campsite.

 Dylan playing with his food during our Nebraska trip.

 Dinner-- Keith

 Nebraska

 Grandma Choitz

 A tree hit my car...

 No, really.  A tree hit my car!

 Travis at Lakeside

 Mom treated us to Wicked in May (as our Christmas gift). AMAZING!!!

 Me on our trip to Nebraska

 Dylan in the living room of one of the cabins.

 Wicked

 Alex's oldest

 Lakeside

 Told you so!

 I took a basic cake decorating class.  This is the only one I got to make.  I had work during two of the classes.  :(

 Grandpa Choitz

And that was just our FIRST summer adventure... (and some pictures)

We went to Nebraska for a family reunion with the Chiotz family.  It was a short drive to Scottsbluff.  We hiked up the bluff, we toured the museum, and we went swimming.  We also met two very cute little girls (Travis's cousin, Alix, brought his two kids), ate dinner with Keith, went out for another dinner with Keith, Grandma & Grandpa Choitz, Alex, and his kids, and had a really awesome cabin at the YMCA camp.

Because the trip was so short, we decided to head up to Estes for the rest of our Sunday adventure.  On our way there, there was a car accident that stopped traffic.  Brieanna got sick to her butt (as opposed to her stomach), so we had to race up the canyon once we passed it.  Luckily we made it to a port-o-potty where she was able to relieve herself, and then I was able to relieve myself (because after such a long trip, I had to pee).  We got in some good walking-around, and then we headed back home.  It made for a nice ending to our trip.

The next day (a monday) I had a doctor's appointment.  My neurologist, Dr. Pavot, checked up on me to make sure it was still essential tremors (which he's pretty sure it is), and then prescribed a new medication.  I took it that night.  The next day I was so dizzy that I couldn't stand up.  The stupid part of my brain convinced me to drive to work.  I got there, stumbled through the doors, and barely made it to the bench in front of service desk without falling down.  Then I had to have Jake, our night crew foreman, walk me to the bathroom to throw up, and then walk me back out to my car.  After an hour of trying to feel better, I stumbled back in to work to tell Char that I couldn't work.  It took me 20 min. to convince myself that I could make it the extra mile to my parent's house, where I proceeded to crash.  I spent most of the day trying to keep my eyes closed.  I got tired of being at my parent's house, and finally made it home around 2 (I probably shouldn't have driven then either).  The dizziness finally started to wear off at around 7:00 that night.  Needless to say, I didn't take those meds again.  I'm thinking I might just learn to do without the medication.  The side effects are far worse than the problem itself.

This past week (on Weds) we went to Lakeside amusement park.  We had a lot of fun riding all of the rides.  Okay, well I rode all of the rides at least.  Travis and Dylan aren't big spin ride people.  It was a lot of fun.

So... that's so far I think.  Hopefully you didn't get too sick of reading!  I know how long-winded I can be.

We have lots of fun plans for the rest of the summer!  Next week is our vacation to Texas (yay beach)!!!  The week after that, my Mom, sisters and I are going on a girl's retreat to New York! Ahhhh!  So that's 3 new states I'll have been to this year, and the furthest East I've ever gone.  I'm so excited to give you more updates on our fun-filled summer.  Hopefully I'll be better at keeping you posted!

Txt u L8tr

Tonight I was talking to my boyfriend and I brought up something I feel strongly about: texting etiquette. He disagreed with me, which lead to a small argument and, inevitably, to this post. So I have decided to post my rules; a list of times when it is inappropriate to answer text messages.
1. When you are out to eat with someone anywhere that isn't considered fast food. Your attention should be on who you are with. They are taking time out of their day to be with you; show them the same respect.
2. During a movie. It is rude to anyone sitting behind you.
3. During a school class, a lecture, or a meeting of any kind.
4. During any kind of date. If there is an emergency, you will get multiple phone calls in a row. You can excuse yourself, return the important call, and explain to your date what was more important than them.
5. During work. You are being paid to work. If there is a family emergency, someone would be able to reach you on a work phone.
6. During any kind of argument. Ignoring someone on purpose is always disrespectful, especially when they are standing right in front of you.
7. During any kind of intimate encounter.
8. During dinner. It should be a rule that you don't bring your phone to the dinner table. You should spend time with your family.
9. Weddings, funerals, baby showers, or any kind of formal gathering.
10. While driving.
11. Before and during any kind of interview.
If there is an emergency, you are not texting 911. Nothing anyone texts you will be that important. Texting someone back takes more time than ignoring it. You are sending a message to whoever you are with that they are less important than whoever you are texting, and that you are uninterested in them. It shows a great deal of disrespect. Texting was made so that you could choose when to have a conversation with someone. So be with the people you are with, turn your phone on vibrate, and only answer your texts on your time. Don't waste my time by using it to text someone else. Thx. :)

Bigger isn't beautiful. Neither is smaller.

I know, I know.  I'm horrible at updating this thing.  The sad thing is, I'm not even putting up any fun personal stories this time.  This time I'm ranting and raving about things I have come across more and more all over the internet: posts about fat women being beautiful, being "real women," or being "women too."  Although I agree, no matter what size you are, you are beautiful and a "real woman," it doesn't make a skinny woman any less beautiful or real, and you should not be preaching to your children that being heavy is a thing to be sought after.  I understand that there are medical conditions that prevent weight loss, and that there are different body types.  Yes, all women are beautiful in some way or another.  But with this huge health kick that so many people are on, I'm shocked at how many women are preaching that big is more beautiful than small.  Shouldn't the message be that HEALTHY is more beautiful than anything, BIG or SMALL?  I don't care if my children weigh 100 lbs or 300 lbs.  What I DO care about is that they live their lives happy, healthy, and as long as possible.  If you chose to live your life in an unhealthy way, and you are overweight, don't you dare preach against those of us who either chose to be healthy, or who are skinny.  That teaches children that it's okay to be unhealthy, and it's not. You should be striving to teach your children the importance of eating a healthy diet and exercising for their HEALTH, not for what they will end up looking like.  Tell your children every day how beautiful they are.  Stop going on diets to "lose weight."  Go on a diet that has healthier foods and more exercise to "be healthy and live longer."  Kids hear you say that your new year's resolutions are to "lose weight," and that's what's wrong with their mindset.  So stop putting any size to the word beautiful, and change your focus.  Thank you.  My rant is over.  

Career test

Took this career test online, and it was pretty accurate. So here you go! ENFJ's are outstanding group leaders. They try hard to help others be the best that they can be. 5% of the total population. The ENFJ's optimistic outlook toward social relationships is a burden to them at times. When external conflicts affect a group, the ENFJ is likely to assume responsibility. Their ability to empathize then turns into a liability. ENFJ's, when over-identifying with the pain of others, will loose sight of their own concerns and interests. Their idealism can also be the cause of some distress when their assumptions are unable to weather the winds of reality. Fantasized relationships rarely translate into reality and even the best charismatic leader encounters unexpected resistance. Like all NFs, ENFJ's will disassociate themselves from stressful situations in an effort to protect their sense of well-being and togetherness. The ENFJ, however, will repress the unpleasant side of life only to have to face it later in an intensified form when it explodes from its hiding place. It can manifest itself as fits of anger, sudden outbursts, or emotional explosions. Often the ENFJ's body will reflect pent-up stress by manifesting various physical symptoms that will erupt unexpectedly. Careers This lists represent careers and jobs people of your type tend to enjoy doing. The job requirements are similar to the personality tendencies of your personality type. It is important to remember that this is not a list of all the jobs possible. And it is very important to remember that people can, and frequently do, fill jobs that are dissimilar to their personality... this happens all the time...and sometimes works out quite well. entertainer recruiter artist newscaster writer/journalist recreation director librarian facilitator politician psychologist housing director career counselor sales trainer travel agent program designer corporate/team trainer child welfare worker social worker (elderly...services) interpreter/translator occupational therapist executive: small business alcohol/drug counselor sales manager