Keep Moving Forward

I am not lost to the world, I am still here. We have just been, well, you know . . . that word that everyone loves to use so much that starts with a "B" and ends with an "usy". 

The first part of summer seemed to move pretty slowly, and fairly peacefully. But now everything has been thrust forward into fast-paced fun! Grabbing a moment to blog has been a little more challenging, but I don't want to get too far behind! 

In the next few weeks we have lots of fun things going on. You know, just the usual Summer stuff: Birthdays, Reunions, Scout Camp, Young Women's Camp, Junior High registration, jogging and jiggling my buns off, and various other fun end-of-the-summer activities. (Should I add more things to my list, so I sound busier and awesomer?) Forget it. I hate busy. (But that is a whole other topic entirely!) 

So, we have been continuing with our shirt making, since it is so crazy awesomely FUN! And I like fun. Maybe a little too much! (Maybe that is why I don't like busy -- it takes away from fun!) 

Picture by Sammi

My new favorite shirt. Sammi drew Mr. Darcy for me. I prefer Colin Firth, but I suppose the other fellow will have to do. Sammi prefers the imitation Darcy, so that is who she drew. Beggars can't be choosers, and I had to beg. Perhaps in the near future she will happily oblige, and grant my utmost desire for a true Darcy likeness. Indeed, I believe she shall. 

The back of the shirt 

The kids have been designing their own shirts. 

Sammi turned 12! Yea! 

Sammi's friend, Hanna, made this most thoughtful gift. Each letter represents Sammi's favorite things: Phantom of the Opera, Iron Man, Disneyland, Tangled. Harry Potter. How cute is that? Amazing! What a sweet, thoughtful, friend she is. Sammi is lucky to have her! 

And the coolest thing ever . . . 

A Chandelier for her locker! (Sammi LOVES Phantom of the Opera.) How sweet is THAT?! What a lucky girl, all I had were cut-out pictures of Johnny Depp and some Mormon Ads. :-) 

Some random art created by Daniel and my iPhone. :-) 

 Gotta love it! 

There, I feel a little better after writing something! 

I have a million things in my brain I want to jot down, but they will have to fester until I have time to unleash. 

For now, this will have to do! 

PARTY TIME!!! 

Shirts

This week we have been making shirts. I am not really sure why I have never tried Iron-on Shirt Transfers before? They are so stinking AWESOME! 

I got a bunch of plain shirts from Jo-Ann Fabrics that were on sale $3.00 a shirt. They even had cute girl shirts. (More fitted, and feminine.) They had the iron-on transfer paper there, too. When creating the shirts, the possibilities are really endless -- which keeps my mind spinning all night long. 

The Superman shirts are for our upcoming family reunion. 

Why Superman you ask? Do you really have to ask? Because Superman is AWESOME, that's why! And all the kids could agree on that. 

I love the way "VANORMER" looks. It gave me tingles the first time I saw them stand together. These are my team members. The van Ormer Team. (Charles and I have shirts, too.) You should make family shirts with your last name on them -- and you will see what I mean. It is pretty snazzy. 

 The numbers are their ages. 

 We made this shirt with a favorite quote: "Happiness Wishes Everybody Happy." Love it. 

 Sammi is a good model for Happiness. :-) 

If we can dream it, we can do it. 

I am in love with iron-on shirts. It is my kind of "being crafty." 

William wanted Spiderman . . . 

 Sammi made this design. (She loves music.) 

And my favorite so far is . . . 

Shirt + imagination + iron-on fabric + printer + iron = SUPER AWESOMENESS!!! 

Blowing Bubbles

There is singing, and then there is SINGING

I am not really sure why the rest of us even bother trying. 

This guy makes us ALL look bad! 

He is AMAZING!

 Love it! LOVE IT! 

He has more videos, check them out on youtube. 

A Morning Jog + Weight Lost

This morning I went for a really great jog in the crazy heat. I am guessing it was in the 90's, and my red, crispy forehead will verify the blasting rays of the sun. 

I started out feeling sluggish and lazy -- thanks to the heat and hint of smoke in the air -- but I was determined to just go slow and steady and keep moving. And that is what I did. 

One thing that has really helped my jogging is my new running pants. They are nice and slick, purchased from REI. They feel amazing, actually. I was surprised how nice they felt! Sometimes something new makes ALL the difference. 

For example, these were my old running pants. (Image below.) I had sewn them up at least 4 times, and then I just could not take the rubbing on my inner thighs anymore. (If you want someone to sew for you, do NOT ask me!) 

I was just trying to be resourceful, you know? "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without?" Right? Well, I went and did all those things nice and thoroughly. I wore those suckers out until new pants became a necessity! And MAN my new pants feel wondrous beyond description. 

Today I wanted a bit of a challenge, so I ran up the foothills road. When I was slowly staggering up the hill, I just put one foot in front of the other. I was so hot, and it made me feel heavy -- as if the sun was pressing down on my shoulders making me weak. But I did not stop. I made it to the top. And then I went back down again. 

After coming down the hill I ran a long loop, next to the river. It was so beautiful. I wanted to jump in the water so badly. 

The trails around here are so fantastic. The river is my running buddy. It listens to all my troubles and washes them away. 

 I ran on pavement and also on the dirt path, which was so nice. 

 Such a beautiful area. I just wanted to keep going and going, thanks to my slick pants. :-) 

The most beautiful thing I got to see on my run is Charles. I always like to stop to see if he is in his office. Sometimes he is, and sometimes he isn't. He was there today, so I stopped and refilled my water bottle, and chatted with him for a bit. What a blessing it is to have him so close. 

Did I mention how grateful I am to this man who makes my life at home possible? He is my hero. 

Oh, and did I mention the pain in my lower back and my hips is GONE? It is! Hooray! I will write more about that another day . . . 

But for now, how about some current BEFORE and AFTER pictures??? 

Yes, please! 

Before: 2 months ago.  After: Now, 30 pounds lighter! Woo! 

Is it not AMAZING what bodies can do? 

I cannot express how grateful I am for this body of mine. It has gone through the fire and back with me.  

I am not through with the battle yet -- I will never be through. No, not ever. 

And that is exactly why I want to take care of this precious gift of mine. 

My body and spirit, we are in this together . . . forever.  

I cannot run from my body, but I can run with it! 

ONWARD! 

Oh, and I have a new goal. I want to be able to run up to the top of Table Rock by the beginning of October. 

I can do it, right?! 

The cross at the top of Table Rock 

RIGHT! 

P.S. Don't forget to drink your 100 + ounzes of WATER!!! I am SERIOUS! 

1000 Words

How did I ever live before the iPhone camera?!

(Notice my awesome camera case. Yeah, that's Bilbo Baggins door.) 

I love having a camera with me at all times, it is like MAGIC! 

The following are random images captured with my phone. And I do mean RANDOM! 

I am too lazy and hot right now to try and make sense of this post. Just go with it, OK? 

Pausing for water during a family run and bike ride. It was HOT! 

The Bridge to Gonzaga in Spokane, Washington  

Going for a walk in Spokane 

Gonzaga Campus  

Walking to the carousel in Downtown Spokane 

Riverfront Park Spokane  

Carousel Ride  

Henry's fist ride -- he loved it!  

Riverfront  

Taking a break in Riverfront  

Japanese Garden Spokane 

The Mother's Lounge at Church
 (That place really needs a make-over, or at least a beautiful picture!) 

Helping Henry
Older kids are awesome with the baby

William doing his own thing at the park 

The fountains in front of Charles' office 

Visiting daddy at work (less than 3 minutes away from home!).  

Beautiful clouds 

Captain America and his Sidekick 

Climbing the tree at the park  

Hanging with Henry  

Subbing for Sammi and Daniel's primary class. Henry was my little "helper."  

A Sunday night drive up the foothills

Enjoying the evening together

Downtown Boise at Dusk 

A fiery sunset over the chapel

4th of July Fireworks  

William loved it.  

Like Father, Like Son.  

A fire burning in the Foothills. The next morning the sky was full of smoke -- NASTY!  

A friend of mine said her dream was to have Hugh Jackman mow her lawn.
 This was the best I could do for her. :-) 

Smoky Sunset  

Storm brewing  

Rainbow after the Storm  

Baby Henry  

My Treasure at the end of the Rainbow 

Rainbow into the blue sky 

Sammi about to smack Daniel 

An awesome bridge in Spokane

Trying to run faster than the sprinklers  

More smoke bombs  

Charles beautiful eyes . . . green on the outside, brown on the inside.
Love them!  

*LOVE* 

The kids piled up in a truck to watch fireworks with friends  

Fireworks above Boise  

Sidewalk chalk is loved around these parts. 

Thanks iPhone! 

iLove YOU!