We are on the boat!

We made it to the boat and are exploring... More to come










-- Post From My iPhone

An Emotional Thankful Heart

Today was incredible(y) _____________.  Just about every word you could use to fill in that blank would have been appropriate at some point though out my day today...

...Thankful... Today I am thankful for Bart and the life he has provided us for the last 10 years.  10 years ago today we became a family!  We have lived in 4 states (6 houses/apartments) ...had 3 pregnancies and 2 babies... too many jobs to keep count... ups and downs... and yet somehow we keep managing to wake up each day and try a little harder  :)

...Thankful... for true friends.  The kind that maybe even know you a little better than you might realize.  I am lucky enough to have some of those in my life and I hold their friendships close to my heart.  This week after I got home I found a large bag from my Ragnar girls sitting on my front porch.  PJ's to curl up in .. socks.. a beautiful angel that even came with words of inspiration on the box... envelopes full of inspiration... cards... my favorite chocolates (which they don't commonly sell in the US so someone really did some hunting) and some M's to join my kids initials on my running shoes!  They really know the things that make me tick.... thanks

...Thankful.... for my kids.  They really make each day worth living.  Today though I am thankful that they are so understanding of me.  Every time I turned around today for some reason I started crying... and they would come and give me a hug and remind each other that it is just that I miss Michael.  

...Anxious/Excited.... Anxious about getting my house ready to be gone for a week.... but so excited to be going!  1 more day and we are off to the beautiful Southern Caribbean for a whole week!

...Sad... everything I did today made me cry.... I was trying to load movies to my phone for our long flight and I needed my tech support.... I open the spice cabinet to see all the boxes of smarties I bought with Michael this summer.... I just couldn't seem to catch a break.

...happy.... I am so happy that so many people are excited to run the Salt Lake City Marathon events with me this spring!  I would love to have all of you join us!  Go check out www.RunningForMichael.com  This is hugely important to me.... and it could be life changing to so many.... My sister who never runs has committed to doing it with me... so if she can so can you... no excuses!  And we are going to have a party after so if the race isn't enough incentive to come join us maybe the thought of a rocking party is!

,,, Overwhelmed ...

It is 6:15 Monday morning here in Utah. I am sitting in bed trying to get my thoughts down in an effort to organize them in my mind, and the word that comes rushing to the front is overwhelmed. I am overwhelmed with greif... I have never been through something like this. I have done some really hard things- but nothing that even scratches the surface of this. Yet at the same time I am overwhelmed with a sense of joy. I can safely say they have both coexsited in me the last few days... joy while watching Hunter, Jorden, Jacob, Hailey & Bryce begin to understand our beliefes in eternal families, in their pure excitment at a new game to play with each other, just in watching them interact with each other. a joy in watching the preisthood holders of our family gather together Friday night in my parents home to give Caleb Michael Tippetts a name and a blessing - the hope and joy associated in this moment was overwhelming. I was overwhelmed with joy in the service and love I have witnessed in this house over the last 10 days! Everytime we turn around someone is bringing amazing meals into this house, and there are a ton of people to feed here so making a meal is a serious undertaking. But people were clamering at the chance to serve. There has been the friends who have not left our side, helping to ensure all the decisions had been made, that the kids were being watched over (thanks Lexi), being a should to cry on and a hug to hold us up. There were the men who showed up Saturday morning to help get christmas lights taken care of, the neighbor who showed up to help replace the water heater that could not have choosen a worse week to quit working. The list of moments that have brought joy to my heart is endless. I am overwhelmed with hesitation as I prepare this morning to go home. Moments like this bring me a lot of anxiety about living away. Texas is our home... i know that and I am happy with our decision to make it our home, my heart just aches to be leaving and not have the daily interaction with my family. I am overwhelmed with the thought that Thanksgiving is in 3 days and I am still not home. No fear though I have made a list, it is just the need for a 36 hour day in order to get all the things on the list done. I am overwhelmed with excitment for Saturday. We need some time to just be away from reality. Bart and I will be boarding a cruise ship from San Juan to spend 7 days celebrating the fact that we have made it through the last 10 years!

Well here is to being overwhelmed today...

In loving memory...

the words....

There are no words that describe how I feel now.... nothing that is big enough or deep enough to even touch the emotions and the gravity of this situation. So here are the words I spoke yesterday to honor my beloved "little" brother... they only scratch the surface.

Michael and I had at least one thing in common, running. He loved it, I love it, and while recently completing the Salt Lake City marathon Michael wanted in . . . kind of – he told me that he would be at the end to pick me up and carry me across the finish line. The thought of Michael heckling me if I didn’t finish carried me through the last few miles. I came up on mile marker 26, and still no Michael. Where was he I wondered. The finish line came into view, and I really needed to see him, see a familiar face, see a cheer section devoted just to me and sure enough, I found him in the crowd. I don’t know what it was, maybe the tears in my eyes that he saw, but the next thing I know he is clearing the barricade, holding up his pants that desperately needed a belt with one hand and holding an open can of Coke in the other to literally push me, to run through the finish with me. This spring I will be running the Salt Lake City marathon again, but this time I will be running for him, not to him. We all hits walls in the marathon of life, times when we think we cannot take another step, but the finish line beckons us on, where our angelic little brother will be waiting with open arms and hopeful some pants that fit, waiting to carry us home to our finish lines.

My favorite thing about Michael was his life-long effort to evade the sister network as he referred to it – it was always the one thing that could break him. He knew that if one of us found out what he was really doing, or where he was really going, he would in short order be receiving 3 phone calls or text messages looking for details. He didn’t stand a chance.

A couple of weeks ago I got a text message from him that read ‘ha ha, I got an iPhone, and you are my first text!’ I loved how even with a 1000 miles between us we still talked and played as if we lived down the hall from each other. Some of my most important memories with Michael took place just a few months ago. This summer we made the long trek to Canada to have a few last moments together at grandma’s house. I just needed my kids to spend some time in a place that meant so much to me. They didn’t really understand the nostalgia of what we were to do, all they wanted to know is if the uncles would be there. In those 4 days Michael, Matt, and Morgan gave my kids the best summer of their lives. Michael ran around and scared off the seagulls with them at Granville island, he took them on the big kid water slides at Cultus Lake, and carried my sweet baby girl on his shoulders around Como Lake. He amazed Hunter with his gadgets and in their eyes and mine, he is just amazing! Then there was the drive home from the lake – Michael at the wheel and Matt riding co-pilot with Morgan, Doireann, Hunter, and Jorden as opinionated passengers. That hour and half ride will live in infamy as they rocked out to loud music and in the worlds of a 6-year old ‘Uncle Michael is a crazy driver’ with her eyes beaming with happiness and giggles.

Michael Dahl Doane - October 28, 1990 to November 14, 2008

Dadsense by Anita Renfroe

Ok so many of you may remember the post about a mom's day... well enjoy the father's version... she nails it!

What do you want to do? (Updated)

I want to do the following list of things before I die...

1.  Started your own blog:  Clearly done... you are reading it  :)

2.  Slept under the stars: in the backyard as a kid

3.  Played in a band: 7-12 grade!

4.  Visited Hawaii

5.  Watched a meteor shower

6.  Attend at least one major sporting event:  The Super Bowl, The Olympics, The U.S. Open

7.  Been to Disney Land: actually ran through the park while it was closed

8.  Climbed a mountain

9.  Held a praying mantis

10.  Learn how to take a compliment

11.  Bungee jumped

12.  Visited Paris

13.  Watched a lightning storm at sea

14.  Taught yourself an art from scratch

15.  Send  a message in a bottle

16.  Ride a camel

17.  Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18.  Grown your own vegetables

19.  Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20.  Slept on an overnight train

21.  Had a pillow fight: while sharing a room with two little sisters

22.  Hitch Hiked

23.  Taken a sick day when your not ill

24.  Built a snow fort: 1989 with Leslie.. now I remember (thanks Mom)

25.  Held a lamb

26.  Gone skinny dipping

27.  Run a marathon: 2 so far... so many more to come

28.  Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29.  Seen a total eclipse

30.  Watched a sunrise or sunset: how about both in the same day

31.  Visit the Senate & the House of Representatives to see how Congress really works

32.  Been on a cruise:  16 day till I get to highlight this one!!!!

33.  Seen Niagara Falls in person

34.  Visited the birthplace of your ancestors: not counting this one until we have been to all of them

35.  Seen an Amish community: very cool place to see

36.  Taught yourself a new language

37.  Ride the Trans-Siberian Express across Asia

38.  Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39.  Gone rock climbing

40.  Seen Michelangelo's David

41.  Be someones mentor

42.  Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43.  Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44.  Visited Africa

45.  Walked on a beach by moonlight

46.  Get passionate about a cause and spend time helping it, instead of just thinking about it: can we say 3 day walk... more news on that coming soon

47.  Had your portrait painted

48.  Gone deep sea fishing

49.  Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50.  Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51.  Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52.  Kissed in the rain

53.  Played in the mud: a week of straight rain at girls camp

54.  Gone to a drive-in theater

55.  Been in a movie

56.  Visited the Great Wall of China

57.  Started a business: ... um yea that is why you only get to read stuff here rather than see me places  :)

58.  Taken a martial arts class

59.  Visited Russia

60.  Served at a soup kitchen

61.  Drive the Autobahn

62. Gone whale watching

63.  Got flowers for no reason:  I scored a really great husband

64.  Go up in a hot-air balloon

65.  Gone sky diving

66.  Visited a Nazi concentration camp

67.  Attend a really huge rock concert

68.  Flown in a helicopter

69.  Kiss the Blarney Stone

70.  Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71.  Look into your child's eyes, see yourself, and smile: every morning and night

72.  Pieced a quilt

73.  Stood in Times Square

74.  Toured the Everglades

75.  Set foot on each of the 7 Continents

76.  Seen the changing of the guards in London

77.  Broken a bone

78.  Been on a speeding motorcycle

79.  Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80.  Published a book

81.  Visited the Vatican

82.  Bought a brand new car

83.  Walked in Jerusalem

84.  Had your picture in the newspaper

85.  Read the entire Bible

86.  Visited the White House

87.  Go to a real blues bar

88.  Had chickenpox: I believe Megan and I got to do this one together

89.  Saved someones life

90.  Dance a tango in Argentina

91.  Met someone famous

92.  Joined a book club: I can join the club... I just can't get around to reading the books

93.  Lost a loved one

94.  Had a baby: times 2 thanks

95.  Seen the Alamo in person

96.  Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97.  Visit the Nile

98.  Owned a cell phone

99.  Been stung by a bee: 4 times during 1 soccer game

100.  Get a tattoo

101.  Learn how to salsa dance

102.  Buy a friend a present for no reason: Lindsay remind me I have something for you   :)  just because it was too you to pass up

103.  See Saturday Night Live in person

104.  See the northern lights

105.  Take a picture every day for a year

106.  Go to a midnight showing of a movie

107.  Have a meaningful conversation with a beggar

108.  Attend a fashion show during Fashion Week

109.  Give someone a second chance: if you want details ask... but I might start crying if I think too much about it...

110.  Spend 24 hours completely alone

111.  Run a race in all 50 states:done CA, UT, TX, FL, 

112.  Identify 100 things that make me happy

113.  Shake hands with someone who has truly changed a country

114.  Become an inspiration to other women

115.  Graduate from college

116.  Do something nice for someone who will never find out

117.  Take a horse and carriage ride through Central Park

118.  Learn to golf: Working on this one... even have shoes (big surprise I know) and clubs

119.  What is on your list... what else should I add to mine? (this is where you can leave me comments.... because you see I have posted for 13 days in a row and my statistics thing shows you are visiting but you aren't commenting?)

See you all tomorrow!

How did you start your day?

I did get up when my alarm went off... only 290 minutes after I signed off last night and made it through my 4 miles on the "thrill-mill" and cycled my way to a way more productive day.

Everyone else had a morning that started like this...

On my way up the stairs to wake the sleeping ones I noticed this little love note left on the piano bench by a certain little girl who can't keep her sticky fingers off the keys...

Next I found this.... 

Hunter robot dancing to wake Jorden up... nice alarm clock!  What morning would be complete without a 7:15 am dance party?!?!?!

From the looks of it we need to try something else tomorrow!

See you all tomorrow!

290 Minutes...

In honor of having to get up in 290 minutes... and I am still not in pj's yet.... posting something of interest will resume tomorrow.... what will you be doing in 290 minutes?  I will be encouraging my love hate relationship with the treadmill and torturing my self by going to a spin class that is not made for the weak of heart!

See you all tomorrow!

Day 10...

I am a little busy...

making the small people's favorite snack, to have waiting for them in the morning...

and I am a lot tiered.... so come back tomorrow for a more interesting post!

See you all tomorrow!

Things I learned today... (in no particular order)

... Hunter things I make the best brownies...

... my kids can memorize their primary program parts, even if they complained the whole time while learning them...

... three weeks from now I will be sitting on a beautiful cruise ship...

... if i am really disciplined till the end of the year I can cover 1000 miles by foot this calender year...

... I am really craving our Cajun deep fried turkey for Thanksgiving...

... we are still very much in the middle of our busy season for work...

See you all tomorrow!

Last day of the 2008 soccer season!

What better way to close out another crazy soccer season than and 8:00 am game and a 7:15 pm game. That doesn't sound so bad right.... don't forget the rest of the day... ran 9.5 miles at 4:30 am in the very very cold (remember I live in Texas) weather... run home collect everyone to get to the game by 7:30 requires leaving the house by 7... toss some food at the kids while returning the carpet samples... finish up orders go to post office, UPS store, Sherwin Williams.... fill up gas tank ($1.95 a gallon) do some laundry... feed small people again... wrap a birthday present... got to party with thing 2.... run home and wrap another gift.... get thing one to a birthday party... get new carpet samples from new store... keep painting bedroom... soccer game number 2... still waiting to pick up thing 1 from the party at 11!!!! Can today be done yet? A few quick parting shots... oh yea and I almost forgot... at the end of Jorden's game I some how became her coach for next season....

4 weeks to 100 things about me... installment #1

1.  My whole name is Erin Anne Bailey

2.  I have 3 sisters (Megan, Lauren, and Doireann)...

3.  and 3 three brothers (Michael, Matthew, Morgan)

4.  My birthday is New Years Day

5.  There is 19.5 years between me and my youngest sister

6.  I have 2 munchkins... (Hunter who is 8 and Jorden who is 6)

7.  I have been married for almost 10 Years (11/27/08)

8.  In those 10 years we have lived at 6 addresses in 4 states

9.  but we have spent the last almost 6 years here in Texas

10.  I love to see movies, and feel lucky to have a girlfriend who goes to the early show on Fridays with me while the kids are in school

11.  My favorite colors are red, pink, green and orange

12.  My favorite ice cream is Haggen Daz Belgium Chocolate

13.  I LOVE to run

14.  I am learning to love cycling and swimming too 

15.  I constantly have a to do list going in my head but can never remember all of it

16.  I don't mind doing the laundry, I just have a had time getting around to folding it

17.  I really don't like to cook

18.  I can't do anything half way, always over the top

19.  I still love Yoga, even though I tore my shoulder up pretty bad doing it

20.  I have a weakness for red shoes (boots, sandals, flip flops...)

21.  Who am I kidding I have a weakness for all shoes  :)

22.  I am very creatively driven, just don't have a lot of time lately to get any of it done

23.  I took piano lessons for 13 years

24.  but I still won't play for any one

25.  I love Love LOve LOVe LOVE the Christmas season (which will be arriving at our house in the next week or so)

Today I am thankful for  a husband who can tell when I need help getting caught up, even though I don't ask, and takes a half day to make it happen  :)

See you again tomorrow!

Sick Day...

We had a sick day today.  Well Jorden did anyway.  She hasn't had her voice for a few days now and last night her cough was pretty bad, so I let her play a little hookie and hang with me today.  It has been a little erie around the house without her little voice making noise all day for the last couple of days.  

Today I am thankful for this sweet, never quiet, ambitious, strong willed, fearless little girl & that I get to be her mom! 

Mom are you sitting down???

This past weekend I experienced a first....

We have now been twice and I have to say I am quite enjoying it.  I do believe it is beginning to give me a false sense of security but it does.  

Today I am thankful for living in a time and a place that enables me as a women to protect myself and my family!

See you all again tomorrow!

Election commentary from the peanut gallery!

Discussion we had in the car on the way home from school today...

Jorden: Hey Mom, I voted for John McCain today!

Mom:  Oh really, why did you choose him?

Jorden:  Because he was in jail for 500 years and he has broken elbows!

Mom:  He what? 

Jorden:  He has broken elbows and he was locked up for a long time so I thought I should vote for him... 

Hunter:  I voted for Obama!

Mom:  Why did you choose him?

Hunter: Cause he's going to give people more money, and I like that!

Mom: ok, I'm glad you each got to vote

Let's hope that who is going to lead our country for the next 4 years wasn't decided based on the facts my kids have collected on the playground!

Today I give thanks for a country that allows us to vote and to teach our children all the pieces that go into that responsibility!

See you all again tomorrow!

Funny Business! Thanks Morgan!

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

School Pictures 2008

We have also had school pictures in the last 30 days.  Picture packages have come a long way, now you can get them on a cd.  So enjoy...

We oh so love the crazy eyes.... but opted to not do retakes... mostly because this is what he looks like a lot of the time right now and they caught it!  :)

Can you see the mischief in her face.  Such a classic Jorden look!

As a side note we are getting a little bit of a late start to 30 days of thanks, but today I am thankful for mothers.  I am thankful that I get to be the mom to these sweet little folks even on the hard days.  But I am even more thankful for my mom who is leaving her life for a week so Bart and I can celebrate 10 years of being married.  Thanks for bailing us out kind of last minute Mom.  I know it isn't easy to pick up and leave for a week.

See you all tomorrow!

Where, oh where to start????

Due to requests for Halloween pics we will start at the end and work backwards...


By the end of the night Hunter was "so annoyed" (his words)by all the attention he was getting from EVERYONE! We didn't walk past one person who didn't have to say something.... deep down I think my little class clown loved it though...

Bart's Pumpkin.... always advertising for me :)

Hunter's pirate pumpkin

Jorden's self portrait pumpkin

My chalk board painted and colored pumpkin (no insides to clean out)

If you have a minute or two head over to http://www.runningfromthekids.blogspot.com/ for a look at the most amazing race I got to participate in last weekend. Not much can make me give up a trip to Ireland but the idea of being able to do it again next year with the amazing women that went with me sure did the trick!

See you all again tomorrow!

NaBloPoMo

So I signed up for this ... NaBloPoMo .... National Blog Posting Month..... So hang on folks, believe it or not you will be seeing a new post from me every single day this month!

Hard to believe, I know.  So check back tomorrow to start seeing updates of what we have done in the last month (and there has been quite a bit), what we are thankful for, some new family traditions, christmas preparations and a celebration at the end of the month.

See you all tomorrow, now I am going to bed!