Our camping trip

I took the boys camping last night. Chris is in Washington D.C. this week so it was just me and the boys. I had to make a trip to Grand Rapids for a doctor appointment with an SCI specialist at Mary Free Bed Hospital. After the appointment was finished we continued on to the Lake Michigan campsite at Muskegon State Park. It was a great campground right on the beach with great accessibility features. Although we couldn't really utilize them all because it rained/drizzled the whole time. After spending an hour in the tent where the boys and I drew pictures... read books... and realized that we'd rather be outside in the rain than stuck in the tent. 

I got a fire started in the rain. It was a proud moment. Not so good for little Aaron. He burned his hand on the roaster stick while I was handing the man my camera.

The boys loved having their own flashlight. Aaron especially liked the head lamp.

It was cold, windy, and overcast at 10 am this morning, yet the beach was still so fun.

Their faces were filthy the whole time. It was awesome!

This picture was taken next to my artwork that was purchased by Mary Free Bed Hospital.  It was fun to see it on the walls. It was even more exciting for the doctor to walk into the exam room and say "So you are the artist! I love your piece!" I was thrilled.  I'm still smiling about it. I have never had art out in public before - its very exciting.

My little patch of heaven

The humidity broke today and the weather is perfect! Chris left for Washington DC yesterday for a conference, so the boys and I spent this morning hanging out enjoying what our own yard has to offer. I love where we live. We have been in this house for 2 years and I still am in awe of the surroundings. Being on the river, towered over by a huge canopy of trees, having the art studio, and now a new swingset (thank you Chris)  

Chris built this swingset a couple weeks ago. The boys love it and use it all the time. Chris burried those 12 foot posts in almost 4 feet of concrete underground. Its pretty sweet.

The window box plants are growing out of control. I planted those flowers from seeds and they have grown wild. It was the first time I have ever had success growing a plant from a seed. 

The boys had a great time painting in the art studio. I love working right along side those boys in there.

Here are some more pictures of what the art studio looks like. The posters on the wall are a timeline of art history from the begining. It was a project I did in college and I actually use it. Amazing.

Summer Fun

This summer has been relaxed and pretty uneventful so far- which is exactly what the boys love. They have been having fun at neighbors, swinging on their new swingset, going to our very own "beach" at Lake Lansing, and wearing their bat masks when its not too hot.

Thunder in the Valley Games

I just got back from a great Michigan jewel. The Thunder in the Valley Games is put on by Michigan Sports Unlimited in Saginaw Michigan.  The games are kind of like a mini paralympics for Michigan. I competed against wheelers from several different states. I learned a lot from my competitors technique and training.  It was very cool but I am exhausted! I did the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, and 5000m.  

I will be thrilled to get off the track and back on the road. I have never liked going around in circles.

Aaron's Dry All Night!

We have potty training bliss at our house. Aaron started going on the potty yesterday and stayed dry all through the night. He is so sweet. This picture was taken just after he went first thing this morning. When he layed down the couch with his treat, he said to himself "What a great day."

Its been totally different than with Alex. (of course) Aaron will only empty his bladder completely if I am out the bathroom. When its been about 2 hours I ask him "Aaron, do you want a potty treat? You go the bathroom and I'll get the treat. When you are done say 'I did it!' and I'll bring in the potty treat." It seems to work. He is not to the point where he will tell me when he needs to go, but he will hold it until I ask him. I am so excited. 

Thank you CHALLENGED ATHLETES FOUNDATION

The Challenged Athletes Foundation is an amazing organization. I applied for a grant earlier this year and just received my very own custom racing chair. I am so lucky they chose me as a grant recipient.

The chair is beautiful. The color is my favorite. Hopefully nobody will refer to me as "dude" in any future races. (got a couple people saying "Go Dude!" on the Riverbank run) The fit is good but I will continue to adjust it as I figure it out.

As you can see in the table below CAF distributed almost 1.4 million dollars of grant money this year. 79% of applicants were approved!

You can support Challenged Athlete Foundation by visiting their website.

2009 Grant Distribution Statistics