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Before Josh left, we spent some time planning something special for each one of the kids to have/participate in while Josh was gone.
And for Courtney Lee, that meant acting camp for a production of Oliver Twist...
Congrats Courtney Lee.
And if you're reading this Josh Downs...You'd have been proud (because she was amazing.)
Trying to keep my body and my mind busy around here so I decided to tear all the carpet out of Annie's room. (Turns out there's 100 year old wood floors under there that just need a little love and attention.)
I always show great motivation in the early stages of a big project like this but my follow-through in the end stages is historically a bit lack-luster.
And Josh Downs knows this about me so he said he's not coming home until the floors are done.
So after wasting $100 on a floor sander and two days of my life trying to figure out how to properly attach the sandpaper to the roller so it doesn't explode into a bazillion pieces after a few passes along the floor, I have decided to call in help. (A professional is coming over in the morning to give me an estimate.)
And if you're reading this Josh Downs...the floors will be done by the end of the weekend so feel free to come home early.
Took my mom and the kiddos up to Applegate lake a couple weeks back...
Amazing how quick this summer has passed by.
And if you're reading this Josh Downs...let's promise to make next summer the best summer ever.
It wasn't pretty, but I did it.
A 1 mile swim, followed by a 24 mile bike ride, followed by a 6 mile run.
Planning to write a big, long post about it soon.
And if you're reading this Josh Downs...thanks for helping me to believe in myself the way that you believe in me.
And finally, our last day at the beach...
Annie's taking this new puppy thing pretty seriously.
That black ring around his tail is almost indistinguishable now (but I sure loved it while it lasted.)
Wish my knock knees looked as cute as hers.
A game of Battleship on the front porch.
I think Josh Downs had just sunk Coley's ship.
Hot chocolate for everyone (and a chai latte, light on the chai for me.)
Lunch time.
That girl rode her bike non-stop for seven days.
That girl played with her new pup non-stop for seven days.
And this guy played games non-stop with his Dad for seven days.
And some more time on the beach.
Coley headed down to the beach before us (without us knowing) and ended up getting a good talking to from his dad as a result.
And that's all she wrote.
No pictures from the drive home because the pup was carsick, Josh Downs and I were cranky with each other and my kids were driving me batty.
Might have been the longest 10 hours of my entire life.
And if you're reading this Josh Downs...I'm sorry for refusing to speak to you for all ten of those hours.
Josh Downs sent me this email yesterday:
"Today on the bus on the way to the range they cranked this song. Sure you probably had it dedicated to you a dozen times in high school, but this time it's from me."
He said that all the guys on the bus were singing it at the top of their lungs - and just the thought of a busload of military guys belting out this song while thinking of their loved ones back at home makes me happy and sad all at the same time.
Remembered these shots today (taken with my self-timer) and though I'm not sure why I didn't post them back in February when I took them, I'm kind of glad I didn't because they put a big smile on my face this morning.
And no, much to my dismay, no one ever dedicated that song to me in high school.
And if you're reading this Josh Downs...You're just the part of me I can't let go.
On the morning of Day Six, Josh Downs and I decided to do a military-style fitness test, complete with timed sit-ups, push-ups, waist-measurements and a 1.5 mile run.
Courtney Lee was the official time-keeper, Coley was the official photographer and Annie was in charge of keeping the dogs under control.
That's me right before the start of my run. (My muffin-top makes for a great arm rest.)
And a few post-race portraits.
Based on military scoring for our ages and gender, I scored a 93.8% and Josh Downs scored a 96.8%. (We have a contest going on to see which of us can improve our score the most by the time Josh gets back from Afghanistan.)
Courtney Lee decided we were both winner's (winners) though.
And then there was Beaveropoly.
And then there was the park.
And then there was a painting party. (Two hours of painting and eating ice cream at a local pottery shop.)
And then I ran (literally) all the way back to the house so as not to waste a second of those two kidless hours.
And if you're reading this Josh Downs...what I wouldn't give for two hours with you right now.
I'm hoping the pictures from Day Five will tell the story because I'm not feeling all the wordy today.
And if you're reading this Josh Downs...even with rabbit ears, you're a hunk.
Well, I never finished posting the photos from the week we spent at Pacific Beach so here's Day Four...
Spent the morning of Day Four just playing with the pups.
Sipping on hot chocolate.
And eating french toast with berries.
And then we walked to the park.
And I don't even know how it happened but apparently, when you get as old as I am, you just start falling off of curbs and injuring yourself while preforming mundane tasks like walking.
But if you're lucky, someone will pick flowers to make you feel better.
And then we played a little basketball.
And then we played with the pup some more.
And then we entertained ourselves by stacking piles of pebbles on our heads.
And then Annie took a few pictures of Shindand and I. (He's so much bigger and darker already.)
And then Shindand decided on a nap.
And then Josh Downs helped Coley with his pitching.
And then we went for a quick bike ride.
And then we played on the beach.
And ate ice cream.
And then we called it a day. (Will be back with Day Five tomorrow.)
And if you're reading this Josh Downs, you are the best man I know.
That's Annie brushing her teeth with her new Cinderella Spin brush at my sister's house. (One of the few shots I took while I was up in Seattle.)
She and I snuggled up on my sister's couch the other day to watch an episode of Super Nanny. When she saw how horrible the kids were acting she said, "Are you so glad I don't act like that? They must not have a good mommy like you who teaches them how to behave."
Then, just as I began to inflate with pride, she added, "Besides, if I acted like that, you'd probably kick my a_ _!"
That's when my pride deflated and Annie went into time-out.
And if you're reading this Josh Downs, we're home safe & sound now but this house feels so strange without you in it.
