The Great Flood of 2013

Shirts with that title coming to you soon.

Last month Colorado received a lot of rain in a short amount of time (I think I read somewhere it was like 15 inches of rain in 2 days?  But don't quote me on that).  Blaine called from work and asked me to check our basement just in case water was getting in.  I kind of rolled my eyes and slowly walked downstairs.  To my surprise water was covering the entire basement floor, it was up to my ankles and toys were just floating around.  Naturally, like I do, I started to freak out.  Luckily the kids were napping or at preschool so I was able to act as fast as I could.  I grabbed our computer first and then worked hard to get the couch off of the ground and then try and figure out where the water was coming from.

You always here of people's basements flooding...I just never thought it would happen to us.  The past few years Colorado has made the news for droughts and fires, not excessive rain!!! I really was in shock.

Blaine came home right away and we started to clear out the basement.  Blaine's dad (who really helped us SOOOO much, I don't know what we would have done without him!!), neighbors, friends and more family came to help us extract water, provide shop vacs, and extract more water when it flooded two days later.  Treats and dinners were provided and I can't believe how many people from our church stopped by to help without even asking.

Compared to those across the state we were extremely lucky and blessed.  Our lives were inconvenienced greatly and at the time it was a very big deal for our family, but we were lucky.  We did have a few things get ruined, and our computer was pretty damaged but with a lot of money we were able to save our hard drive.  If it rains I still have a hard time sleeping and often have nightmares that our entire house has flooded.  So it was stressful, but like I said it could have been a lot worse!

Here's a video of the second time our basement flooded.  It had only been raining for literally 5 minutes and the water accumulated that quickly on the ground.  This time was pretty scary because it was really windy, hailing and the tornado sirens were going off.

There are a lot more details of this ordeal but what I want to remember and document is that this trial was a blessing.  It was such a testament of my faith on how my personal prayers were directly answered in this situation.  Heavenly Father was definitely watching over us, protecting us and helping us to find ways to fix our house.

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Aside from the mess the flood created it also put a little halt on my blogging.  I mean I've been pretty inconsistent for awhile now but being without my computer for so many weeks meant a lot of catching up on work once we got it back. Anyway, all is well.  I'm sitting in a dry and restored basement now typing away like nothing happened.  I'll be catching up on all of Nixon's monthly posts, his birthday and everything since then.  I know...you can't wait! ;)

the hunt for a tree that will do

yep, the christmas posts are coming.  christmas in march, deal with it.

The day after (or two days after this year) Thanksgiving we headed up the mountains for our traditional hunt for our "perfect" Christmas tree. One little baby bear and a little cub in tow.  Usually Blaine and I scour the mountains looking for a full, pretty tree to put in our living room.  After having to feed and change Nixon in the car and meeting everyone in the forest later, Kash insisting he be with either Grandma or Tyler and not with our little family and having to carry Nixon around we decided to just find a tree that would do this year. ha

It was still a fun adventure and fun to have little Nix along for the ride this year, we just didn't bring home the best looking tree.  Kash had a lot of fun with his extended family (didn't want anything to do with Blaine or I this trip), enjoyed all of the left over Thanksgiving treats and even got to pet some Christmas horses.

Kash loved all the treats, shocker. (Almost 3 years old)

baby bear taking a break from the elements. (2.5 months old.)

This picture is my favorite!  We had a great idea of taking a picture of Grandma & Grandpa with all the grandkids for their Christmas card.  And here's how that went...

 Eventually these three were left...and as happy as can be!!

 This is the picture that they ended up using for their Christmas card.  MUCH CUTER!!!  Love all those little kids!!!

family skate night

One night while Blaine was busy I bundled up the boys and thought Kash would get a kick out of watching people ice skate at our outdoor mall's ice rink.  I don't know what on Earth made me think Kash would be content just watching people skate and not have any desire to try this for himself, I'll blame it on sleep deprivation.  Yeah my perfect outing blew up in my face when Kash was screaming at the ice rink begging to go skating.  Idiot mom.

A little hot chocolate and a promise that we would come back with dad finally got the tears to stop.  Phew.

So the next week we all went as a family to ice skate, and wasn't it a sight.  It took Kash and I about 5 minutes to even get on the ice, the worker man had to come help us.  But once we got on the ice we did okay.  The same nice worker man also said we could bring Nixon's stroller onto the ice.  This actually turned out to be awesome and allowed me to zoom around the rink giving people the false impression I was a semi decent skater.  And I was glad I didn't attempt to skate without Blaine there because it turned out to be quite the leg workout to push Kash around and keep him from falling. It was definitely a two man job to keep that kid upright. 

It was a fun night and I'm glad we live somewhere that has so many fun activities for us to constantly do.  Kash was a little disappointed that he wasn't a better skater, aren't we all, but he still had fun. 

ice skating 2012 from Erica Turnbow on Vimeo.

action shot

See, Nix was there! 

Miss Bonnie Lady

A few weeks ago, Kash studied the letter "H" and learned about horses.  Now this whole "lesson plan" thing is very often a flop.  If I don't incorporate the right activities or we don't get a book that interests him he won't remember anything I teach him.  But apparently everything lined up that week because when Blaine came home Monday from work and asked Kash what he learned about Kash was able to tell him what letter horse started with and that their feet were called hooves and their noses were called muzzles.  I couldn't believe, usually it takes him till Wednesday or Thursday to remember those kind of facts.

Since he was taking such an interest I figured we should capitalize on this learning experience and take him to see some real life horses!  The only problem was I didn't know of any.  Thank you Google.  I found a ranch about 30 minutes away that was willing to give us a free tour.

Once we got there this crazy lady named Star walked us around and right away pulled out a little pony for Kash to ride.  RIDE???  Awesome, I figured we would just see most of the horses from a far and if we were lucky maybe be able to pet one.  Kash was VERY excited at the thought of riding this little pony, Bonnie.  He could hardly stand the anticipation as Star saddled her up.  And Blaine and I could hardly stand Star!  She was a character, to say the least.  She sometimes spoke in a British accent and would walk around saying things like, "Ooohhh excuse me Miss Bonnie Lady.  Ohhh THANK YOU Miss Bonnie Lady (Bonnie hadn't done anything worth thanking)."  Just picture Mrs. Doubtfire on the farm, it was entertaining.  Our family, including Kash, can't stop immitating Star.  I'll be driving and Kash will say, "Ohhh thank you Miss Bonnie Lady" haha!

A million minutes later Kash finally got take the reins for a little stroll.  HE. LOVED. IT.  Star was actually asked us if he had ever been around horses or rode on one before because he was loving it so much and he said most kids his age are scared (his Uncle Jason would have been proud!).  She was also impressed that he knew what the different body parts were and how well behaved Kash was.  Yes, way to save your melt downs for another day and make us look like good parents Kash!

It was a really cool experience and everyone that was there told us we need to get him out on the farm more because he was loving all of the animals around.  Well for now he's going to stay a "city" boy but it will be fun to visit the ranch from time to time. 

Star and Miss Bonnie

First horse ride!!!

getting some more practice inside

stay at home mom: part I, I quit

In the beginning of January I woke up one day and felt like that was the day I was going to quit my job.  And while that statement seems a little rash, there were definitely many conversations between Blaine and I, budget reviews and months of prayers (maybe years?) to get to this point.  We had just never set a date so to speak. But that morning something gave me the strength to do what we've wanted to do for months.

I told Blaine that morning as I was getting ready for work that I really thought I should quit my job that day.  He said, "ok."  Well if I knew it was going to be that easy I would have done it a long time a go! ha  I was so nervous and wasn't really sure if he really was ok with it.  I called him as I was about to walk into work and asked him if he was sure that we should do this.  He told me that he didn't ever think there would be a perfect time but that we needed to just take a leap of faith and make it work...and that I needed to stop spending so much money at Target.  Yeah I needed to stop spending so much money at a lot of places if we were going to make this work!

So I walked into work and told my boss that I was putting in my notice.  I couldn't believe those words were coming out of my mouth.  For two years I have wanted to do this and it happened just like that.  

The next few weeks were hard, way harder than I ever imagined them to be.  I gave my work almost five weeks notice to try and help them as much as I could with the transition but it almost seemed like too much time.  I had been at MHCD for the last four years.  It was my first and only job since moving to Colorado and while it was hard to work there for many different reasons, that job and those people definitely defined a small part of my life here in Colorado.  It also became extremely stressful for both Blaine and I to think about living off of one income.  We, like any other family, became accustomed to spending the money I was earning.  There were many days that I felt like I should tell my boss, "Oh just kidding I'm actually staying!"  But then I would think of Kash.  I would think about how we tried for so long to have a baby and now instead of my days being spent with him I was stuck at work in a job that didn't really use any of my talents or skills fully.  I would think about how he was almost two and I felt like I was missing his every day life.  I would think about how I would come home too tired to cook, clean or play with Kash.  And that is what motivated me to continue to let my five weeks run out at work until I would be a stay at home mom.  

The last few days were the hardest. I had lunches with good friends, flowers, balloons and gifts were brought.   And tons of kind words.  I actually can't believe how many people sent emails or made it a point to come tell me in person that what I was doing was absolutely the best thing I could do right now in my life.  I was shocked.  I worked in a very liberal company and didn't think that anyone there would fully understand why I would give up my job in this economy "just" to stay at home with my child.  But a lot of women told me they did the same thing many years ago and they didn't regret it for one minute!  This was the boost I needed!

I said my goodbyes, cleaned my desk and turned in my keys.  I always pictured myself on my last day ecstatic and flashing the peace sign and running out of the doors with the biggest smile on my face.  But instead I had tears down my face and sadness in my heart as one of my favorite doctors walked me to my car.  I'm not at ALL good at goodbyes, but I seriously didn't think I was going to cry!  But I did and that was it.  I was jobless, such a weird feeling.  I've had a job consistently (minus my freshmen year of college) since I was 16.  I just remember thinking, I hope we made the right decision.

Then the next day I woke up to the sound of Kash talking in his crib instead of my alarm.  Blaine was already at work.  Kash and I had breakfast together (opposed to me eating cereal as I drove to work and him eating at grandma's house).  I showered and put on jeans instead of dress pants.  Kash and I went to play group.  It was still a little surreal that this is what my days would be filled with.  As scared as I was it was a dream come true! 

wildcat mountain 10 mile run

One of the things I love about Blaine (and also hate because I wish I was more like this) is that when he puts his mind to something he does it, no matter what.  And so it was with this running bug that he's caught.  Blaine told one of our friends, a pretty avid runner, that he wanted to run a marathon just to see if he could do it without training for it.  His friend thought he was crazy and talked him into running in a shorter race with some training.  

So that's what Blaine did, he signed up for the Wildcat Mountain 10 Mile Run.  He started training and running almost every night...6 miles here, 8 miles there.  I was so impressed. He would run almost every night after Kash was asleep no matter how tired he was, how cold it was or what kind of day he had he made sure that if he said he would run he would.  This is where Blaine and I differ greatly.  Never ever do I feel like I NEED to do something that isn't necessary, not saying this is a good thing but it's the way I am and that's why I admire Blaine's determination to do many things.

Anyway, the week of the race was perfect weather and we were sure that race day would be no exception.  Well we were wrong.  We woke up to rain and almost freezing temps.  Blaine rode up with our friends that we also participating in the run and Kash and I were going to meet him up there.  As we drove closer and closer to where the finish line was the rain turned into sleet which turned into snow.  They should have changed the name of the race to Polar Bear Run because it was freezing.  I felt so bad that he was running in freezing weather!

Finished!  Note the battle wound from the crappy running conditions. 

Blaine did an awesome job finishing 3rd for his age group and 4th overall.  This was his first race, in freezing conditions and he did awesome!!!  I'm so proud of him and I'm sure this won't be his last race!

These are our friends the Rowans.  Don't worry he finished 1st overall and she was the 1st woman to finish.  Yeah they are crazy good at running.  I just sat in the car and ate snacks with Kash while these fools were burning millions of calories haha. 

pumpkin fest 2011

Oh man I feel like I'm pretty behind on this little blog of mine, but I have next week off of work so hopefully I'll get caught up on all of our recent activities. 

The first weekend of October I dragged took my family to another fun year of Pumpkin Fest up in Golden, CO.  I think I did a pretty good job of talking it up because as we pulled up to Pumpkin Fest Kash started yelling, "Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!!!!"

Kash is wearing one of Blaine's shirt from when he was little.

I think overall Kash had a lot of fun.  He thought it was pretty cool to play in the dirt where the pumpkins were and of course he enjoyed the petting zoo.  I was a little disappointed that they didn't have the dog races this year, hopefully they will be back next year.

This is always my favorite activity to kick off my favorite time of year!  It's even more fun now that Kash sorta knows what's going on.  I'm grateful that Blaine knows how important this is to me and goes with us every year!  Love my little family!

Can you tell how much I love PF2011?

Yearly tradition

And look how much Kash has grown since last year.  I love looking back and seeing how he's changed and remembering how he was.  I'll be sad when the day comes that he won't indulge my love for all things holidays.  But for now I'm living it up! 

bear dance

Oh what's that?  You've been wondering what I've been doing lately and why I haven't been blogging?  That's because we've been too busy hanging out with some bears.  Okay I haven't but Blaine has and I've just been too obsessed with Pinterest to do anything else. 

ANYWAY...a few weeks ago while Blaine was in a golf tournament at Bear Dance Golf Course in Larkspur, CO an actual bear decided to join him on the 7th hole (okay I don't know what hole it was, I begged Blaine to write this post since it was his experience but he refused and I thought it was cool so you are stuck with my version).

Here's the proof.  Please enjoy the world's shortest video (look behind the little pond and you'll see Smokey):

I couldn't believe it when Blaine sent me pictures of a freakin bear so close to him.  I would have died being that close to a bear, lucky for me my husband isn't as dramatic and lived to tell the tale.

Pretty cool living in the wild wild west.

1st Annual Turnbow Vacation

That's right, "annual",  I plan to make sure that the Turnbow side of our family get together once a year outside of holidays and birthdays for a fun family adventure... whether that be camping or Disneyland I don't care (my plan is if I keep saying we are all going to Disneyland it will happen one day).

gone fishin'

ANYWAY...a few weekends ago all of Blaine's family got together and we went camping up in Eagle, CO.  And it was awesome!!  Whenever I'm camping it brings back memories of when I was little and spending time with my dad.  He loved/loves the outdoors and him and my mom would always take me fishing, hiking, camping, windsurfing, boating....whatever, we were always outside!  So I was excited to introduce Kash to the great outdoors on this trip as well as be surrounded with family!

I loved our mornings in the tent!

So excited Joy brought us the best bread in the world!

Blaine and I were both a little nervous to take our curious, nap taking, energetic 18 month old camping.  But Kash did awesome.  He ate more dirt than I've ever seen a child consume and ended up with a small burn on his finger but he survived and maybe even had the time of his life.  He was so excited to see Jocelyn get out of her car when we arrived, I couldn't get him out fast enough.  And he followed her every move for the first 24 hours!

So where are we going next year Turnbows???? California? haha :)

Many more camping pictures can be seen here. 

christmas tree!

This post is a little late considering the event took place Thanksgiving weekend but anyway...

Trying to decide who is going in which car.  Joy loved that I took this picture! haha

The Christmas tree tradition was alive and kickin this year since the whole Turnbow family was in town.  We headed up to the mountains like always but since our family continues to grow we had to take three cars.  What seemed sad at first turned out to be a great "truckin" adventure.  Each car had walkie talkies...I now love walkie talkies! haha  

Stuffing baby bear into the backpack 

This was also Kash's first year making the trek to the wilderness to find the "perfect" Christmas tree.  He did great!  He thought it was so fun to be slung on dad's back and he thought it was awesome that I dressed him up as a bear haha!  But his FAVORITE part was when Blaine would hit trees with branches.  He would just laugh so hard every time dad hit a tree, must be a boy thing?!

Blaine and I found a pretty good tree early on but felt that we needed to keep searching to make sure it was our best option.  Well if you can believe it when we realized it was our best option and went back to cut it down another family was chopping away!  In the whole forest someone picked our tree to take home?  Unbelievable!!!

 Tyler resting with a turkey sandwich. 

Anyway, we found an okay tree and I tried to gussy it up to the best of my abilities.  I would post a picture but it pretty much looks exactly like it has in the past. 

I really love this tradition!!!  I look forward to it all year!