The Other Co-Pilot

As promised, Brian and Ava on the 2-seater lawn mower. I've yet to see this with my own eyes as we've only been here through the lovely winter months. I've heard she even falls asleep on there. I can only imagine it's completely soothing with the sunshine on your face and hum of the mower, with a slight breeze blowing. Although this is the Angle, so a slight breeze could mean anything from a few leaves gently rolling along or it could be a canoe cartwheeling down the road. Hard to say, this wind can be brutal.

Just another way to confine your child while they believe they're having an exciting adventure on wheels. Genius.

The Co-pilot

One little seat, so many meanings:

• Happy kid
• Makes you too cool to smile for your mom's camera opp.
• On-job training
• Easiest babysitting gig in the world for a Grandpa.
• Your parents can be out doing other things, like working.  Or drinking.
• Early foreman experience, bossing the driver around.
• High entertainment factor
• Less wear and tear on shoes, which are likely 2nd hand and already have preliminary wear and tear.
• Better supervision of the Grandpa.
• Satisfies necessary outdoor-time quota without getting dirty.  
• Guaranteed crying when it's over.

Stay tuned for similar riding lawnmower set-up.

Sunday Morning

 My training grounds.

 My running partner.

The big blue eyes in my face when I get back, wondering why I interrupted the morning routine.

On Sunday mornings, while my Washingtonians back home, and I suppose some people here are still tucked in their beds asleep, I get up early and go for the long run.  Running in the woods allows for a certain calm you can't get anywhere else.  No traffic, or people gawking as they drive by, or horns honking. No pavement pounding away at the joints.  Just a dirt road stretched out for far longer than I could ever go on foot.  I do have concerns over being attacked by some crazed bear or wolf, but I'm told not to worry about it because it just isn't likely. They just tell me "whatever you do, don't run".........sort of too late for that! Andrew, the dog, always comes with me.  He runs at least twice what I do, chasing birds and sniffing around  in the woods.  He poops about every 10 minutes, so I can gauge my mileage by it.  So helpful, right?  The long run takes at least an hour, so I have plenty of time to think about our future, my life, my momma.  For a few miles I listen to some Jesus music and pray for those things.  This quiet morning time is essentially my Angle church. I can never replace my church in Wenatchee, (Grace Covenant--go there, love it, feel it, feel better.)  but I have found this to be the next best thing.  Sunday runs out here are good for the body, but they're even better for the spirit.

**While we were away my handsome husband had a birthday.  I love this man for more reasons that I have time to write about here.  He is funny, kind, patient (although his brother disagrees with that!), hardworking, reasonable and a must-have in my life.  We have had 2 beautiful babies and 5 years of marriage together.  We've made huge life decisions, including this move to the Angle and we have always been happy with the outcome.  He makes me feel safe, secure and loved.  Happy birthday to my favorite person on the planet.  I love you.