DAY 29 the things that Matter

MOVIE Night.. Ben and his new friend Joaquin and Kay.. about to watch Mad Money.. Great movie for those who have not seen it..!

This is the story of my life.. Any other Mom's out there that feel this way.. FOR me to get anything done my child is getting into something that leaves a mess behind.. She thinks she is cleaning but boy things are torn apart.. When I take a shower she is pulling everything out of the cabinets and when I am out of the shower she is in the shower getting all wet and pulling all sorts of things into the shower that really should not be in the shower.. This really would have bothered me before I had a child.. when my life was organized and so much easier.. BUT now this little girl has come into my life and has turned it upside down.. and THOUGH I wish it was in a clean way.. She teaches me so much about what is TRULY important.. SO what is important to me.. My relationship with God and with my husband and child/ren. The things I find important are they eternal? Its 10:30 pm Montana time.. and my daughter has just woken up.. Will it be another long night? Maybe? BUT God will give me what I need to get through the night and the day.. SO may I stay focused to the task at hand.. Time to say goodnight and take care of my little Butter bean..

Day 28.. Stillness

Eleanor in the shower of course after I get out.. She loves playing in the left over water.. I should just take off her clothes before I shower so she doesn't get all wet.. I normally catch her in time before she hops in but today I was a little late.. My sister in law Brandi, has been SUCH a blessing today.. with my mind being fogged from lack of sleep she has helped with Ella and been on top of things where it would take me a second to realize what is going on.. I can't be more grateful for a big sister who cares!.. I don't know if its a good thing or bad thing but she made some Amish cookie dough brownies.. I cannot wait to eat one but on Monday I don't know how grateful I will be when I step on scale.. SELF CONTROL.. that's what I need..

"When I consider Your heavens, The works of Your fingers... What is man that You are mindful of him?" I headed out on a walk today and my let me tell you picture cannot put to words the beauty I see out here.. the vastness and beauty and to think MY GOD cares and loves me.. He knows my struggles and knows my needs.. My God supplies my needs.. and though its so easy to complain about having things not go the way we want He has given me strength.. Today, though I did not get much sleep last night He put it in Brandi's heart to help me out.. Today marks one week until my husband comes back to Montana.. I LONG for that day.. May you praise our God for His Mercies endure forever!!!

Day 27 Hannah is 11

My Niece, Hannah is 11 years old today..

The day was full of skiing, ice skating and of course NO SCHOOL.. which always makes birthdays so much more fun!.. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO HANNAH..

DAY 26.. The Snow is almost at Jesus' Feet

I wish I had a picture to show you how much it has snowed.. the base that Jesus is around 6' and as you see the base is almost completely buried... LOTS OF SNOW.. Lots of POWDER.. very warm today!..

TREE WELLS

I love skiing in the trees but this winter I tend to be more cautious! Their have been three deaths on the Mountain this year and all within a few weeks Two died because of tree wells.. Last year My sister in law, Amelia and I were off in the trees when we stopped and were joking when she sank down in a tree well.. She could not feel bottom and the snow was pulling her into this bottomless hole.. I grabbed hold of her and SOME HOW got her out..If I did not see her fall in I don't think I would have ever seen her again alive!.. How Thankful I am that we were together and how we have come up with such a system of making sure we stick together.. BUT this is real.. tree wells are deadly.. SO for all those skiers and snowboarders Stay clear of the tree wells.. Stay with a Buddy and maybe carry a whistle..

DAY 25.. (21 weeks along..)

I can't believe I am already 1/2 way through my pregnancy.. How time flies.. I woke up this morning to dark and fog.. A storm was on its way.. The snow started around 8ish this morning and its been snowing hard all day long.. No skiing, no exercise.. I did school with my brother in law this morning and then it turned into movie day.. I finally finished reading the Hobbit.. Such a good book!.. Brandi and the girls made it in around dinner time and now I am looking forward to starting my new book.. My plan for the picture of the day was of the Oligee girls but of course two of the girls were not around and the other two decided no to that so I ended up being the picture of the day me and Baby Shoe #2! I am styling my witch hair and of course not looking in the best condition but here is the picture of the day!.. Tomorrow is Thursday and Brandi and I will be off skiing.. I do hope it is not too foggy and that we will get in a few good runs.. I do need to work out tomorrow and of course FRIDAY is going to be FULL HOUSE.. we have a someone coming with 6 children..! So the house will be booming with 11 children and 4 adults!

DAY 24.. Veggies

Ella and her LOVE for Noodles..

Dinner... Today I headed out for some skiing.. The skies were clear and the air was cold.. At the top you could see the most beautiful view of the Canadian Rockies.. It was a very peaceful time.. I ended up going in and sitting in the Summit House to warm up and have my quiet time.. with the sun beating..

DAY 23 CLEAR day in Whitefish

Its been a nice clear day in Whitefish.. the high today 7 degrees!.. We sent most of the day inside getting things done.. and heading out to run some errands.. We stopped at a local Noodle Shop.. We all got Noodles and could not finish our food, But Ella ate all of her food, Kay's food and Ben's food!. SHE ATE MORE THAN I EVER SEEN HER EAT.. This morning I had major FOMO (fear of missing out) since Greenville got lots of snow without me... even though I am in a winter wonderland my home never gets snow.. I miss my Baby love and can't believe its been only a week..

Day 21 and 22...

And the weekend is coming to an end.. I went out this morning for a few runs.. VERY windy..! I listened to a message this morning by Paul Tripp.. "War of Words Getting to the Heart For God's Sake.." WOW.. what a wake up call.. The words that come out of our mouth shows who we are in the heart. What comes out of my mouth? When I choose to speak am I speaking words that are uplifting,encouraging,pure, true, right? God didn't give you His grace to use for your own kingdom.. He mentioned if we listened to a recording of what we spoke for a month? Would it be pointing to the Kingdom of God OR does it show we use our Words for our own kingdom. Are our words spoken for the kingdom of God? What flows from my heart? This life is not about me.. Its not about having life make me more comfortable or convenient.. Its about dying to self .. Loving my neighbor.. Do NOTHING through SELFISH AMBITION..

DAY 20 legs burning..

HEAVY wet snow today.. I did not think I would get out skiing.. SO I did p90x. but Ben wanted someone to Night ski with him so off we went.. With so much snow and wet heavy snow I might add.. MY LEGS are still burning from the snow being so cut up.. Tonight is last night with Rickey and Amelia.. Jess,Lexi and Haley.. So some golf is coming right up..

DAY 19 a SNOW walk

Kay had to drop off some of the guest off at the Outpost So I thought I would drive down with her and walk home.. Its all uphill and would be a perfect morning walk.. There is an 80% chance of snow.. and I wanted to go out with Ella so I would not miss out on a walk.. Of course Ella fell asleep.. and it did start snowing.. BUT the walk was peaceful beautiful.. Having Brandi with me would have been the only thing that would have made it perfect! The last picture is the home I have been staying in for the last 19 days..

AN ELK

Driving up Mountain rd. back to house 2 female Elk were crossing the road. Got one for a few minutes.

Daddy and Eleanor Sledding

This video was taken around Christmas.. Ella's first time playing in the snow..

Day 18

We have been playing golf almost every night this week.. We miss you Ross..

DAY 17.. GIANT Muffin

My Sister in law, Amelia got a giant muffin pan for Christmas SO I made some for her this morning.. Today, was the first full day without my Ross.. I tried hard to keep my mind occupied but not seeing him around made today a bit emotional.. I ended up going out skiing.. My plan before I left was to do as many runs on the front side as time would allow.. So off I went the FOG was so thick that riding the chair up I could not see the chair in front of me.. So first run down I got so dizzy I had to stop to figure out what I am doing.. It got so bad that after my 2nd run.. I thought I was going down one hill only to realize I so got off course.. AND I just wanted to sit and wait for someone everything was white the grounds and ski all blended in.. I could BARELY see my skies that is how thick the fog was.. Ella is down for the night.. We are probably going to play a few rounds of golf (the card game) and then I will off to read and bed for the night.. Tomorrow is Wednesday one day closer til I see my baby love..

Day 16.. a sad day

a sad day for Ella and I.. We dropped off Daddy at the airport.. I hate seeing my Baby go.. 18 days is a long time.. Need to keep busy!

DAY 15..

DAY 15 an adventurous MORNING...

A picture will follow later on today.. but for now I thought I would share my adventure for the day.. As some might not know I am 20 weeks pregnant.. So what I am about to tell you will make me sound foolish and stupid.. Ross, Rickey, Amelia and I headed out this morning to go ski.. The weather was cool but not as cold as it has been.. EVERYONE is heading home so the mountain is pretty much empty.. We headed to the top to hit some of our favorite runs.. (WHICH always includes trees, powder and some steep.) the first couple runs were fun and smooth.. Amelia and I normally stick together while the guys go off and do something.. we always meet somewhere in the woods but kind of do our thing.. The guys wore blades today so they were everywhere while Amelia and I were looking to ski in places where their were no tracks.. VELVET.. smooth.. gliding.. sailing.. some of the best snow is back in the trees.. Around 11 we decided we should head back.. give Ella some lunch and put her down and Rickey wanted to watch the game.. SO normally we like to take hellroaring basin.. which is one of the blacks off the basin and into hellfire.. normally we do glory hole but today we did Connies..! NOW after all that here is the story... The guys were off and so Amelia and I head down.. a VERY VERY steep hill.. when you are side ways you are still moving down.. for some reason I took a sharp turn and my skies flew off.. with that I start sliding down the mountain.. I grab a tree so I was lucky I didn't go too far.. dug my legs into the snow.. SO now I am in the snow up to my thighs and climbing up the mountain.. It would look like I am rock climbing. if you can imagine.. finally make it to Amelia and get both of skies. we got me up to a tree so I can get them on and off we go again.. AND again my skies pop off.. I got one the other one takes off down the mountain.. I can't see it anymore and I am sliding down the mountain as well.. hoping to grab a tree so I don't get seriously hurt.. and while I am sliding snow is falling on me so I am kind of getting buried while sliding.. I finally grab a branch.. but my ski is no where to be found.. Amelia ends up skiing up to me and we try to figure out what to do.. She heads down in search my my ski while I have 1 ski and 2 poles and head for thick tree so I can scoot from tree to tree.. AND then a miracle happens my ski is stuck in a tree standing up!!.. AMELIA found the ski.. I finally make it to her put my skies on.. and we notice my boots and skies need to go in for an adjustment.. my boots barely fit in my skies.. We head to more open space and down we go..! My body from the waist down is SO cold from being buried in the snow.. SO as Ross and I headed up the chair we decided no steep steep blacks for the rest of this year.. TO be on the safe side.. Its nap time for Ella here.. I am all showered and dressed about to do some Bible study and maybe have time to read.. THEN we are off to WHITEFISH.. TO all those wondering I am going to be way more careful. no more connies this year..!

DAY 14 HAPPY NEW YEAR

THE FAMILY.. and a new year has begun.. I am so thankful for family.. I miss my family terribly, but I do have a wonderful family that I have joined who makes fun of me and loves me just as if I have been with them forever... It has been a wonderful 2 weeks and Though Ross is getting ready to head back home my journey this year has just begun.. I am SO thankful for the past year.. God has poured blessing after blessing after blessing.. Happy NEW YEAR.

Day 13 NEW YEARS EVE

The Day started off cold.. Haley, my niece and I took off first thing this morning to go hit the slopes.. at -4 degrees we froze our fingers and toes and screamed and laughed as we rode up the chair because the freezing air gave us an instant headache.. BUT the groomed trails and the clear air and of course the time we spent together made it all worth it.. As the day came to an end my other niece, Hannah and I made some Amish cupcakes.. which is our New Years Eve dessert.. The Fireworks were amazing and I hate that the majority of the time I was trying to take a picture for 'the picture of the day' BUT the memory card was not in the camera AND of course the battery was dead.. So thanks to Amelia.. You get to see some fireworks.. The kids are down in the theater room watching some movie while all the big people are playing games.. Ella is asleep and I just want to read the Hobbit.. New Years Eve.. What will 2011 bring us ? Bless all who look at this silly blog with happiness..health and a new year to remember..

DAY 12..

Ella playing with her Uncle Ben and cousins.. Hannah and Lily

DAY 11 A VERY WINDY DAY

Ross and Rickey braved the high winds and low temperatures..

Rickey

Ross and his ice beard..

Ross helping the kids put on skies so they can say they skied in -13 below.. That is with the wind chill.. and the winds 30 mph..

Kay and Lily... showing how cold it is!.. They braved the storm.. Today I stayed inside.. too windy and too cold.. a 15 year old girl died today in a tree well.. not sure the details.. ( NEWS FLASH! JUST LEARNED THIS HAPPENED AT A DIFFERENT RESORT.. )

Day 10.. 8 inches of fresh snow!

My Brother in law Ben in his jammies..!

For some reason this family is obsessed with watching zits being popped on utube!..

It started last night and once again being continued making sure everyone has seen the zit exploding.. Thanks to Tom Friedlob for showing my husband this video now has been seen by almost everyone in this household.. Minus me.. I can't stomach it right now in my life.. SO BACK to day 10~ Woke up with fresh powder.. Ross, Rickey, Amelia and I headed out at 9:30 to hit the slopes.. 8 inches of fresh powder and holiday crowd made the normally groomed trails very difficult so we took off into the trees!.. Its a little bit of heaven back in their.. The word that kept coming to my mind was velvet.. the snow was amazing! My legs shook insanely BUT it was so worth making my own fresh tracks in the snow..

DAY 9.. AND the skiing has begun

Kay and I ventured out this morning.. Kay in her new boots and me just still getting used to the snow.. Our first true run was green run on the back It was such a winter wonderland.. I wish a picture could show you truly what I saw.. After some skiing I headed in while Ella napped and then Ella and I headed off for a snow hike.. the weather was perfect.. I bundled my darling up and off we went.. we saw 1 mule deer and 2 bucks.. SO close up!.. Such a wonderful moment.. Day 9 was a exciting day.. My sister in law Brandi, and her three little munchkins are heading this way tonight.. So tomorrow will be full of fun and adventure..

DAY 7 Christmas Day...

Happy Christmas from the Shoes.. We woke in a hurry.. Our plan was to pack up and head out by noon to surprise Ella's Me Me.. I made some homemade cinnamon scones which ended up tasting like a cinnamon roll/cinnamon cookie..! Ross didn't mind.. We drove 4 hours south to Burnt Fork Ranch.. Ross called his Ma right when we pulled on to Ranch property to ask her if she would like to Skype.. and to let her know what we have one today.. ( We both went out for a ski run to say we skied on Christmas) and to throw her off a bit.. We pulled up just as she was about to go in the house.. It was a perfect surprise!.. a wonderful Christmas day!.. ( We forgot the camera and computer so that is why I was not able to update..)

DAY 6 Christmas EVE in Whitefish, Montana

DAY 5

Today has been a lovely day.. Ella helped me make some Elk Stew.. Which Ella and I ate.. Ross had a hard time with stew. but he ate it anyway! =) This morning started with such beautiful skies and then a snow shower followed by amazing sunshine!.. Ross been working on Puzzle.. I read some book while the Ella napped.. And then Ella and I took off for a small hike up the road.. Great to get some fresh air and exercise...

CHICKEN PARMESAN with KALE

I am excited about this recipe...I have been baking a lot and have not been coming up with meals.. This turned out very yummy and healthy.. Clean Eating for the Shoes..

DAY 4..GUESS THIS MOVIE.

After a rough night.. and hard morning we headed into movie room Ella woke up at 11:30 pm and screamed like someone was killing her until 2 am. then up at 5am!.. I tried to get her back down but by 6 both Ross and I gave up. the only thing that sounded sane at the time was morning movie.. Went for a walk only 10 minutes into the walk she wanted to go to sleep.. SO we headed back so that she will nap!.. Though its hard to see the picture.. can you guess the movie we are watching?