First of all, let me just say excited we are that Mike and Brooke will be living so much closer! We've missed out on the fun with you guys for so long I can't wait to be there with you!!!!

Now on a more serious note, I know a few people have been wondering about things down here in Okinawa so I thought I would type up a quick report. Fortunately, we are doing well and have been physically unaffected by the quake. We did not feel it and although most of our friends were evacuated from their homes due to the tsunami warning, we live on higher ground so they all came here and spent the night. I curse our big hill every time I am coming home from a run or bike ride but it was a blessing that night! The tsunami did not hit and they were able to go home on Saturday.

The command released an official statement today saying we are not yet in any danger due to radiation and they will continue to monitor it very closely but do not expect it to be a problem as we are still a safe distance away.
In fact, we are such a "safe" distance they have extended the invitation to those families living on military bases up in mainland Japan who would like to relocate, to come here. Families on mainland Japan are being allowed to relocate but that option is not extended to us. In fact, just the opposite. They say they are not allowing any families to PCS (move) out or in.... so it will be interesting as all the families with orders to move try to figure out if they really can. That does include us, hopefully they will want us out of here soon to make room for the mainland families moving down but we'll see. Perhaps we can offer to voluntarily separate early....

In the meantime, we are very thankful to be safe and continue to pray for the many, many people who are experiencing such heartache and loss at this time. How is Fukashi? Lots of people from here have gone up to help and we wish them the best! We'll try to take care of their families as best we can while they are gone. Men who were scheduled to come home are now staying out longer and I feel the strain that puts on their wives and kids. One woman is about to have a baby and her husband was supposed to be home in time and now will not as his ship has turned and headed up north. So yes, we didn't feel the quake but we certainly feel its aftermath.

P.S. Dave and Adina, did we thank you yet for scheduling our trip to mainland Japan to be in February? Sure it was cold, but at least we were safe! So, thank you!

So, I received word this week that we will not be going to Kansas. It looks like the family will be moving up to Fort Lewis in June, and that I will follow for my assignment there in March 2012. I am graduating at the end of September from here at NPS and then I have to attend a 4 month course in Augusta, GA from November to early March. I should be there until 2016 and there is some chance I will be there until retirement in 2018 if I decide to get out at 20. I will be visiting quite a bit this summer, the whole month of October, and Christmas break. We are looking at Lacey, WA for the family.

It will nice to have everybody back together and relatively close, outside a houseboat!

By the way, anybody up for doing the Napa Valley Ragnar this year? Sep 16-17. EDIT: Never mind, much more important races are going on that weekend.

Sounds like a good way to spend a Saturday in September if you ask me.

this may be more than you wanted but these were the ones that stuck out to me as I was going through my music as my favorites for running.

• I've had E-Pro by Beck on my list for quite some time. I like this song primarily for the beat, which starts from the very beginning. I can't say that I really pay attention to the lyrics on this one.
• Gotta say my favorite of my MUSE selections would have to be Starlight and Shrinking Universe. Starlight just makes me so happy from the very beginning due to memories of the concerts where it's been performed. I can't help but run faster when a certain part of Shrinking Universe comes on - you will be able to tell which part I mean if you listen to it.
• This has been on my playlist for a while but was quite appropriate for today's race - I'm Shipping Up to Boston by Dropkick Murphys. I always just picture that I have to keep up with the burly Irish guys that think they're so tough.
• Really anything by Sleigh Bells will work but I particularly like Riot Rhythm. It totally pumps me up to keep going.
• This song has been referenced on the blog before but Ali In the Jungle by The Hours is a favorite. How could you not love a song that has the lyrics "It's not how you start, it's how you finish." and "Everybody gets knocked down. How quick are you gonna get up?" Perfect for running.
• Gotta pull in a more pop song here - this one is quite appropriate up here and it worked today, Singing in the Rain/Umbrella by the Glee Cast. Probably my favorite mashup on the show.
• I usually put Time (We All Fall Down) by Elizabeth & The Catapult towards the end of my run. I think it is the ticking clock that makes me realize that I need to keep going.
• Howlin' For You by The Black Keys has such an awesome beat. That's enough.
• As corny as it sounds, I love Firework by Katy Perry. It is inspiring.
• I think I've posted this one before but The Climb by Miley Cyrus is the perfect end of a race song. It has made me tear up in a race before. Well done, Miley.
• Good Life by OneRepublic is great for helping me to just look around and enjoy the run instead of thinking about the time or whatever is hurting. It also reminds me of my European adventures and that is always good. :)
• A constant for me is Do You Realize?? by The Flaming Lips. He just sounds so convincing.
• Lost! by Coldplay should be my running anthem. "Just because I'm losing doesn't mean I'm lost. Doesn't mean I'll stop. Doesn't mean I won't cross." One of my mellower picks.
• A recent favorite is Just the Way You Are by Bruno Mars. It came on just as I was crossing the finish line in the Shamrock Run today and it was perfect timing. Makes me feel better when I look at the time. :) 
• Queen has to be on my list. My two favorites and recommendations for everyone are Don't Stop Me Now and I Want To Break Free. If you've ever seen Shaun of the Dead, you won't be able to help smiling while Don't Stop Me Now is playing. I Want To Break Free is like a battle with my body telling me to stop.
• While I do love me some Eminem and he is definitely a presence on my list, Kanye West has a significant footprint as well. My two favorites are Stronger ("that that don't kill me can only make me stronger") and Power.
• The Story by Brandi Carlile has a great build-up and makes me feel like I've been through a lot and this run is part of my story.
• This is for you, Mike, but it truly is one of my favorites for a run - Welcome Home by Coheed & Cambria. I still can't understand what he is singing most of the time but I love the beat and the melody and everything in this song.

that's it for me. I also concur with Sweet Disposition, Dog Days Are Over and 1901 - excellent choices, Tom.

Warming up by the heater vent.

-- Post From My iPhone

I will take a few moments between writing code to put some songs and ideas out there.

- Down Rodeo by Rage Against the Machine, YMMV, but I enjoy the beat of this song during a run. I guess there may be an edited version:-)

-15 Step by Radiohead, it is really too bad Twilight used this great song. It kind of ruined it for me. Still, a fantastic beat for a brisk pace.

-Imaginary Enemy and Get Out by Circa Survive. I love these guys, great front-man, great live show.

-The Running Free by Coheed and Cambria, my favorite band, hard to pick one, but this is a good run song, so is 2113 which is probably my pick for best song of all time, but most of you will find it weird. Just be patient with it...it grows on you.

-Separate Ways by Journey. Still a great cruising song.

-Time Stand Still, Spirit of Radio and Limelight by Rush. Epic music from an epic band.

-World in Motion by New Order. Just makes you want to enjoy life.

-Dark Angel by Electronic. A great song for any workout. Include the whole album, you won't be disappointed.

-Where the Streets Have No Name by U2, enough said.

-10,000 days (Wings for Marie) and (Wings Pt2) by Tool. A long song, a deep song. I love to run to it. It is Maynard's tribute to his mother who had passed on. Touching for me anyway.

"High is the Way but all eyes are upon
the Ground.
You were the Light and the Way,
they'll only read about.
I only pray Heaven knows
when to lift you out.
10,000 days in the fire,
is long enough.
You're going home."

- Easily by Red Hot Chili Peppers, One of their least popular albums but a great song for a playlist.

- Lastly, I second Lose Yourself by Eminem.

For those interested in more Coheed and Cambria:


Mike

We love you sister!

-- Post From My iPhone

Well, music is a huge part of my training. I am not sure what I would do if I did not have my shuffle by my side. There is the occasional run that I do without it but I would much rather have the music. There was a half last year that I did and I realized at the starting line that I had left my shuffle on and it had been drained, not a good feeling. Also, my headphones started not working during our first marathon. Luckily they started to function later but it was scary for a few miles. So, here are just a few of the songs I like to motivate me with a little reason why. This is in no particular order.

-Something good can work by Two Door Cinema Club, Just a really nice beat to run to, this is a recent addition to my training mix.

- I also like Do you want it all by Two Door Cinema Club, There is something about a song that keeps saying, do you want it do you want it do you want it all.

- I have always liked Rainy Monday by Shiny Toy Guns, On the perfect monday it will rain and I will get to listen to this as I run. I wonder if I will ever get that chance in Washington?

-1901 by Phoenix, Just listen to it, you cannot possibly go slow when you are listening to this song. Just stay with the beat. This is good for anything but I picture myself on the bike when I listen to it.

- Little Secrets by Passion Pit, Higher and higher and higher, Just run up a hill while listening to this and it is motivation enough to not let yourself quit.

- Just Say Yes by Snow Patrol, Nice beat at the beginning, just his voice and the hard beat at 40 seconds gets myself going, Just say Yes, Theres nothing holding you back, keep running.

- Dog days are over by Florence + The Machine, This was given to me, thank you Adina, prior to my last marathon and was a great strength when I was struggling to keep pace in the beginning, Run fast for your.........everything.

- Lose Yourself by Eminem, Not going to appeal to everyone, I have an edited version, I get a pep talk from Marshall Bruce Mathers III and then he drops a nice beat to run to. I like to run to a lot of his stuff.

I am adding Sweet Disposition by Temper Trap, It is a quick song that can get you going. It is especially nice on a bike.

I could go on forever but I must stop there. I don't know how to link my playlist. I made it but I cannot figure out how to link it, I am not technology savvy. Sorry.

Music

Tracey helped me figure it out.

Tom

Hey Brent-
Tom is at work and called me this morning asking me to find an awesome picture of you to say a proper Happy Birthday and I am just now able to do it, sorry it wasn't posted sooner! We've been thinking of you and hope you had a fantastic day!!! Go eat at Red Robin or somewhere awesome for us! Maybe next year we'll be lucky enough to go with you!

T n T and family

Dave

I can't see a cartoon like this and not think of our family:

Well we are way behind and have enjoyed so many updates from everyone I figure it’s time we share!

In January we went to this bull fight. It's not the type you might think, it's where the bulls fight each other. They moved very slowly and were somewhat controlled by their handlers. Very odd... there was more dancing between matches than actual action. Made for an interesting night anyway!



Hayden: He was supposed to have a big and special day this past month. His baptism, into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was scheduled for Feb. 12th but had to be postponed due to the weather. Here in Okinawa most people are baptized in the ocean and Hayden decided he wanted to do that also. However, on the 12th the wind was so bad that the season conditions were at their highest warning level (Red) and no one was allowed out in the water. Tom drove out to the beach just to make sure and saw the waves crashing right into the cove we had planned to use. So we have to wait. He has a good friend who turned 8 just a few weeks after he did so they want to get baptized on the same day. Unfortunately, his friends dad went out of town right after the 12th and won’t be back for a while so the baptism has been rescheduled for March 19th or 20th. We’re really hoping for decent weather!

Third grade is working out very for well for him and other than “cursing cursive” all the time he enjoys it. He fits in well with the kids and is really happy at school and enjoys the freedom and flexibility of being “older.” We’ve had a few instances of getting ready for school and him suddenly remembering an assignment he didn’t do and freaking out about how it will affect his grade. In second grade I had a list of his homework for the week. Now he is on his own and it’s a learning curve to be sure. He was chosen for the third grade spelling bee and had fun with that. He didn't want to practice the technique of saying the word and then spelling it and saying it again and in the end that's what got him. After making it a few rounds he spelled the word right but had forgotten to say it first so they cut him out. It was funny to watch him trying to reach the microphone set for the generally taller third graders!
He’s been grouchier at home and when I ask him about it he says it’s the stress at school and the fact that I want him to do more chores at home. However, when we really sat down and talked about how he is feeling it seems manageable, he’s just not used to having to work at anything and it’s an adjustment to have to actually try to do cursive and multiplication. Fortunately, he complains to me and drives me crazy but then he gets it done and is still at the top of the class where he likes to be. Basketball ended and now he’s started soccer, I look forward to a lot of fun time running around outside! That always makes everyone feel better!

Danica: When she turned 5 she advanced in gymnastics to a class where they are grouped by skill. She did so well on her first day that she was invited to join the Firecrackers. A group of serious girls who meet twice a week and work on more advanced skills. I was excited for Danica and we went and watched the Firecrackers practice one day and Danica liked it so forked over the money and signed up. We knew Dani would be the youngest and at the bottom of the class but the coach felt she had the potential and teachability to do it. Unfortunately, it turned out to be very overwhelming for Danica. She was intimidated by the number of girls, the fact that they were all bigger and older and could do thing better than her. She was afraid to do the things she knew how to do for fear they would laugh (even though they were all very nice) and a few times she got brave and tried something new but it didn’t always go well and she would end up in tears. She started to hate gymnastics and I hated taking her and fighting with her to go out on the floor and try things. The other mothers must have thought I was so mean making my daughter cry all the time not knowing that I only have to frown at her to make her cry. She got to the point where she wouldn’t even go stretch with the girls because she couldn’t do the splits as well as some of them...ugh...what was I doing wrong? It was a tough parenting time for me as I had to come to terms with the reality that she has her agency and I can’t force her to do it even if I know she is capable. If she doesn’t want to “try” then there is nothing I can do. So we transferred back into a preschool level class, a small one for advanced preschoolers. She was timid the first day and we ended up needing to say a prayer right there in the gym to give her the courage to go out and join her class of three other little girls but once out there she warmed up quickly and loved being the biggest, oldest and best in the class... I hate to regress and waste the time and money but at least she’s happy.

She also started soccer...that’s going to be interesting as well...first it was a fight over what to wear. She didn't think her pants were cute enough. Then she was so nervous she wouldn’t get out of the car at the first practice. I’ve learned that I need to explain in great detail everything that is going to happen... “the coach will call the team together, he’ll tell you to kick the ball, then...” and that seems to help a lot. Tom took her shopping for some cute pink Addidas pants she loves and in the end she did fine at yesterday's practice. I don’t know why she is so afraid of the world. Maybe it goes back to the c-section 2 weeks early....she was so shocked when she was suddenly pulled out of my stomach by her feet that she didn’t breath at first. I hope some day to help her have the confidence she deserves! She is so smart and capable, I don’t know why she is so afraid. A few weeks ago she was asked to share the scripture in primary. I was so proud of her because when we practiced she could actually read the verse all by herself and was very excited. Luckily, on Sunday, after nearly chickening out she was finally willing to read it in Primary, so quiet that no one could hear her but at least she did it!!

Alyssa: Her new nickname is “toothless.” Her other front tooth was removed in preparation for getting her fake teeth. The tooth was loose and bothering Alyssa so although she didn’t love the experience of having it removed she behaved really well and was happy afterward. She looks a little funny but adorable at the same time. She says the funniest stuff all the time, she has a great sense of humor and loves to make jokes. She reminds me a lot of Hayden without all his intense anger he had as a 3 year old. It’s nice. The other day we took the kids to the daycare for the free parent’s day out and Danica was in tears and just sobbing because she was afraid to go. Alyssa put her arm around her and said “Danica, don’t worry, I’ll be with you.” That about sums her up.
She’s obsessed with ballet and wears leotards and tutus all day every day. She loves her ballet class and is working hard to learn the dance for her recital. It’s so cute to see her try so hard to follow the teachers directions. Such a contrast to how she was in gymnastics where she didn’t want to try anything!! She’s found her love.
Tom: The big news is that he is finally scuba dive certified!!!! It’s been his dream for years and it’s so great he’s finally done it! I was lucky enough to tag along and got my certification as well so that some day we can go on trips and cruises together and enjoy diving! It was a great experience and so surreal to be down there swimming with the coral and all the fish. We did private lessons so it was just Tom and I with the instructor, a great lady who was a patient of his. The first day I didn't have enough weight on me and kept floating up so Tom had to hold my hand as we swam around, it was great! Tom just kept saying how much he couldn’t believe it and had that look of excitement constantly in his eyes!! Now he’s pursuing getting deep water certified, he’s definitely hooked!
He’s spending all the rest of his free time running, biking and looking at houses online while reading “Mortgages for Dummies.” We get so excited and so nervous about buying a house and wanting to find the right one!

Tracey: We made the decision to pull the girls out of preschool so I could spend more time with them. They liked it there but I felt like I had all these ideas of games to play and activities to do but never had the time to do it. Even with only three days a week I was always running out the door to drop them off or pick them up and then feed them lunch and take a nap, and then the day is over. It’s been fun having them home and we are enjoying the together time. Our preschool time isn’t perfect, we have arguments about who goes first, who gets to do what, etc. but we’re working out the kinks and enjoying it. I am sure I’ll miss my “me” time but that’s okay, I’ll find other ways to get it! We plan to use the extra free time for more island exploring as well! There are parks and beaches with our names on them! Friday we're going to the zoo!

Time here is winding down and we have a lot we want to do here and a lot we are looking forward to. It’s going to be a fun three months!!!

As I was running this morning, I thought of how important music is to me while running and training. It motivates, it distracts, it provokes thought, it inspires. Seeing that most of us are training for one event or another, I thought it would be nice to know what song(s) you like to listen to while training. What do you like about it? How does it motivate you? What does it remind you of? My plan is to acquire as many of those songs as possible and put them on my playlist. As I am logging more and more miles in preparation for this marathon, it will give me something besides the miles to think about. And since each of you inspire me, I'm hoping it will motivate me a little on race day.
I'll start.

• I enjoy listening to Glass of Water by Coldplay - there's a culminating part of the song that always keeps me going.
  
• I've recently started listening to My Body by Young the Giant - there's a line in it that says, "My body tells me no, but I won't quit 'cuz I want more".
• I also like Marchin' On by One Republic - good beat, talks about putting one foot in front of the other.
• For my own reasons, I like Not Out by Greg Laswell. Reminds me that I can do difficult things.
• And I like This Woman's Work by Kate Bush - this song came on once after a really long and challenging run, and I was overcome by what I had managed to do.
• Fools by Temper Trap - just like the way the tempo changes throughout the song.

I have to stop - I could go on and on. My playlist is too long. I'm anxious to see what you guys have to share.

MUSIC

Adina

I know several Stinchfields can relate when I tell you all that my van was broken into last night. They shattered the driver's side window and then stole our garmin, my church bag, a new bag from my mom, and my purse. They missed some cash that was in the change box. I am sad about it all, but especially my spiritual journal that was in my church bag. Can't wait to find out how much of our deductible we'll be paying. I spent the three hours we were supposed to be at church canceling check and credit cards and cleaning up glass. I don't know anything about the word "bummers," but it seems to work here.

I can not believe we are already to March and March 6th at that! I am so grateful that the girls had a midwinter break and that I was able to just sort of chill and recover a bit more from my surgery because ever since then I feel like I have been sprinting- in a marathon. So youngest to oldest-

Sawyer- Lives for Pre-school. He loves it so much. Every day he wakes up and asks if today is pre-school. He now gets himself dressed every morning because he can't wait till I have time to help. I am so glad we decided to do this, it has been so fun. Sadie told me that maybe she should homeschool so she can do our projects with us. She also asked if I had taught them homophones yet. Nope, that's for next week. Sawyer is as loving and sweet as ever. You should see his "sad face," those big brown eves would melt anyone's heart. Two cute stories- yesterday I was trying to fold laundry and Sawyer came over and curled up in my lap. I held him for a few minutes and then I told him I really needed to fold laundry. He took hold of both my arms and pulled them forward, around him on each side, and placed them in the laundry basket. Then twisted his head around and grinned at me. Next, Friday I was in the kitchen when I heard a tremendous banging from the living room. I heard Sawyer crying and I waited. The crying stopped and my boy walked around the corner rubbing his eyes furiously. I asked him if he was okay (I know I might sound heartless but you have no idea how often I have told Sawyer and Sadie to stop jumping on the furniture) and he looked up at me, still rubbing his eyes and says "Batman doesn't cry." I love having this little guy home with me every day.

Ellyn- Had a very hard week. She started being very grumpy last Friday. Saturday she seemed fine, but we drove up to Oakland and back for the Stake Temple day and she LOVES being in the van. Sunday she was so upset at church that Mike had to take her in the van for a little drive. Monday- bad, almost her entire tutoring session she was crying. At night her sleep was very sporadic. Monday night she woke up at 3:20 and stayed awake the rest of the night. Tuesday she didn't even want to do her OT and she normally loves it. I FINALLY figured it out. I was looking at her mouth and noticed her two front teeth were closer together, also she had been chewing on her sleeves. I thought it was just because she was ornery, which she will sometimes do, but then I realized she must be getting her 6 year molars. She won't let me in to check it out but I started giving her motrin and she was back to her happy self. She has been off the motrin for a couple of days now and she is our sweet girl again. I HATE not being able to help my girl and playing the guessing game. I know I have said that a MILLION times. With the exception of this communication break down, Ellie has been doing a lovely job using her "yes" sign and also saying Yes and No on a regular basis. You have no idea how much this new "yes" thing has made a difference in our lives. Hurray!

Sadie- Is doing really well. She has lots of friends at school and loves her new teacher. On Monday we got to go on a field trip together to the Habitat at Jane's school and learn about birds. She was able to hold one and release it back into the air. She loved it. Sadie is Sawyer's favorite playmate and I am thrilled that she genuinely loves to play with her little brother. She occasionally gets a little put out when they play video games but besides that they are great. They play great imagination games and since Sadie gets to be the boss and Sawyer follows her lead their scenarios turn out great. Sadie sprained her ankle doing "standing Teeter Totter Wars" at school on Thursday so she had to stay home from school Friday. She could have probably made it but I figured no teacher deserved the drama that would have ensued. My clue was when Sadie, with a brave and solemn face, said to me "Don't worry mom, my friends can be my human crutches today." I could just see it all. Yesterday we did "makeovers" and Sadie loved looking glamorous the entire afternoon.

Jane- Is busy. She has some huge projects for yearbook, lots of babysitting jobs, music performances coming up, social engagements, etc... a true teenager. Jane got her patriarchal blessing February 13th. It was an amazing experience for Janie and we, as parents, felt blessed to listen to what the Lord has in store for our daughter. It was a beautiful blessing and I am very excited for our girl. Jane has some exciting events coming up- her first Youth Conference in two weeks and going to see Wicked in April (I get to go too) with our Bishop and the Young Women. Jane tried out for a solo in choir and is on the list for call backs. She is so much braver than I am when it comes to performing, which is funny for such a quiet girl. This weekend she has had to record the polls for the 8th graders for the year book. She has been amused to find her name listed under "QUIRKELY QUIET," "INCOMPARABLE INSTRUMENTALIST," and "MOST ORIGINAL STYLE," as she has been recording the results.

Brooke- Since I am younger than Mike:-). I have our housing 99% secure for Leavenworth, which is a big relief. Now I need to contact Jane's and Ellyn's schools. Get Jane the right electives and get Ellyn's IEP over to the special ed so they are ready for next year. Our house that we are currently in is going back to the bank, our owner fired our rental agency, and so things are nice and up in the air there. I am relieved that we are leaving at the end of May. I could have already said that. My nose is healing nicely. It's been pretty painful, as have my teeth. I was not expecting that, but at my last appt. on Friday I asked my Dr. about it (thinking it was from breathing tubes or something) and he said it sometimes happens because he's working around those nerves. So my top front teeth have been aching for awhile but feeling better. I am so grateful that my mom was able to come for the week of my surgery and keep my house, laundry, meals and kids caught up because this past week has been crazy and I don't know how I would have played "catch up" on top of all that as well. I have started training for my marathon and that has been exciting and a little painful (i.e. my 14 mile run yesterday and also, the 32 degree weather and my poor nose). I am happy though and breathing better each day.

Mike- Busy. That is the definition of this man's life. Between his calling, training for the marathon, his school work, his Thesis, and trying to spend time with the family, his life is insane. He took it a little easy the week I was recovering and the girls were out of school but he is making up for it now. Friday, he did get to go to a big gaming conference up in San Francisco as part of his school work. He and his buddies had a really great time. Yesterday Mike did a twenty mile run and finished strong (I know, I was watching from the comfort of the van after I finished at 14). To clarify, Mike is running the Big Sur Marathon the first weekend in May and I am running the Newport Marathon the first weekend in June. After we returned home Mike iced, took a shower, a quick nap, ate, and then spent the next twelve hours in his office working on his thesis project. He has been downstairs since 7:30 this morning as well. It is exciting though, to hear that they are making very real progress on this project.

So our move is now less than 3 months away. For family home evening we made a list of all the things we wanted to do again or for the first time before we leave. Between things we are already committed to and bad weather, we are going to have very limited time to fit everything in before we leave. Hopefully I won't be as exhausted every Saturday as I was yesterday.

So this is a little novella. But it has been awhile. A nice way to spend a rainy Sunday morning.

Melia has this thing with poop. We don’t know where she got it from. We think while potty training her, at one point, we said “Holy Schmolys!” when we saw the huge bowel movement that came out of this little toddler. Anyway, I had to post this to the blog for memories sake so I am sorry if this is gross to any of you. This is motherhood, you start talking about poop A LOT!

Anyway, This is where the story begins…

Tonight Melia was making noises in the bathroom.

Aunt Marnie asks her why she is making noises.

Melia says, “I have to make noises (grunts). It is a holy schmolys poop!”

Marnie and I start laughing and Marnie proceeds to ask what a holy schmolys poop is.

Melia says, “It is a huge, big poopy!, but this one is kind of a medium holy schmolys poop. Then there are Tiny schminy ones…. (mumbles a little) But THIS ONE IS A MEDIUM HOLY SCHMOLYS!”

Laughter continues with Marnie and I and then I had to explain why my four year old daughter has weird names for the size of her poop.

Memory logged…

It is midnight and I am in my sleeping bag, hearing the wood crackling in the wood stove. Toasty warm inside. Outside, about 20 feet of snow up to the 3rd floor windows of the small scout-owned lodge that sleeps 8. It is located at about 6000' on the south side of Mt. Hoodin the trees between two ski runs at Timberline. We've got teachers and priests here. When we got here, all we could see was the ladder that went up to the tower on top where a door was located. Isaac jumped up and started climbing when a huge avalanche of snow that had gathered at the top of the tower fell about 10 feet and almost knocked him off the ladder. We got here in the dark. It wasnt difficult to find with the coordinates and taylor's garmin geocacher. Thanks Taylor, it saved us. More story to tell, but I'll save it for later.

Goodnight!
Dave