Spring in the Flathead Valley

Spring has sprung in the beautiful Flathead Valley of Northwest Montana. It is still wet and chilly, but most of the snow has melted in the valley and buds and blossoms are beginning to appear.

Temperatures and humidity were on the rise in Cypress, which was our cue to load up and head to Sigh-Bar for the coming summer months. Lee had gathered enough old farm equipment (that he had been working to restore throughout the winter in the garage) to fill a U-Haul trailer, and we hit the road. We spent a day in Utah on the way to take the opportunity to spend a little time with Dad, and visited with Charlie, Bret, and Teral. After four days and over 2100 miles we finally arrived. Lee couldn't wait to fire up the tractor and try out some of the farm equipment.

It was back to winter running gear for me to take a jog each morning, and sitting around the fire pit to warm up after. Rather than smelling like sweat, I smell like campfire smoke! Tara had a Dance-0-Rama in Vancouver, B.C. and was able to spend a few days of R&R with us on her way back to Miami. Tara and I helped Lee initiate his Christmas present, "Mulee," on its break-in ride, and got stopped by the Montana Highway Patrol! The patrolman was very nice, and was just checking to make sure we knew what we were doing, which was a little hilarious since we were definitely learning by driving!

My Mother's Day gift from Lee was a trip back to Texas to celebrate with the kids. Tara came over to Houston for the weekend too, and we had a great time celebrating not only Mother's Day but my upcoming birthday as well. Tara and I made it to Leo's soccer game Saturday morning, then the girls and I went to see the movie "Gifted" in the afternoon. We all met at Alee's on Mother's Day and Tara took charge of making dinner and planning an activity with the kids.

It is my greatest joy to be the mother to four truly incredible children, and grandmother to five absolutely awesome grandchildren. My life has been blessed to be surrounded by some wonderful mothers, my own dear mother, my grandmothers, my mother-in-law, my own daughters and daughter-in-law, my sister and sisters-in-law, my nieces, my running partners and great friends.

I LOVE birthdays -- everybody's! Including my own!! Even though it means being a year older (and wiser?!) I love celebrating that special beginning that is unique to everyone. With all of the love, birthday wishes, gifts, calls, texts, emails, whatever, sent to me this year it was truly a day to enjoy. I'm still not eligible for medicare yet, so even though I can take advantage of several "senior citizen" perks, I'll keep pretending old age is still far away in my future!!