Happy Birthday kiddos!

Well, today was Jason and Lily's birthday and I won the lame mom of the year award. We didn't really do too much. We did go over to the coffee shop and have a Happy Bday cookie... and we took them out to dinner w/ mom and dad last night. It's not like they really get it at this point. We are having some friends over next Saturday to celebrate since Tom has to work this weekend.

Tom's back pain seems to be managed for now, but he still has a lot of stiffness and weakness. He made it through his meetings today, but spent some time laying down in between.

Daddy's home:


Cute kids like to have their pictures taken then look at them. Jason tries to run straight to the camera before I have a chance to shoot the photo then gets pissed when I won't show him b/c I'm still trying to get a picture.




First corn on the cob:



They ate it like old pros... though they did occasionally try to eat it w/ a fork.

Garage sale purchase. they were so pleased w/ themselves to have "Jason's own chair" and "Lily's own chair." When do they start speaking in the third person?


And after the nice sunny photos were taken... after a nice long run and a LONG (much needed nap - them not me... still waiting for my nap)... the rain returned and we found ourselves inside. The kids requested Shrek! So Shrek it was. I mean ... it can't be that bad to have them watch TV when it's the only time I can get them to cuddle w/ me for more than 10 seconds... that's quality Momma time!! And Momma loves to cuddle the babies! If it takes some Shrek... so be it. This time they watched most of it.


Ok... must go to bed. Tomorrow is the first race of the season.. I decided to just go do the race.. I had decided against it when Tom hurt his back, but he's working to morrow so I'm racing damn it! ha :) Okay... I'm thinking I might not "race" it... meaning I might leave the computer in the transition area and just go out there and have fun. We'll see if I can actually do that! :)

Each day brings a new twist..

I was awoken by Tom's painful moaning. He was in such excruciating pain he could barely stand up. Off to the ER we went. After three hours in the ER, a CT Scan ruling out kidney problems and two injections of pain medications barely relieving pain we decided that Tom should be admitted. We were told in the ER that Tom most likely had a herniated disk and the PA said she felt a hernia, but the CT scan didn't show one... ??

It took 6 hours after being admitted to the hospital to see the doc come back from looking at the CT scan and stating the same thing - regarding the herniated disk - as the ER staff. The doc then said they are going to do an MRI.... that was about 5.5 hours ago now... and still no MRI.

Hopefully Tom will get out of there w/o needing surgery. We'll see. The pain was BAD... the only thing that allowed him even a bit of relief was MORPHINE>>> eek. He's on a high dose of Vicodin now... :(




On a lighter note... our dirt (I mean Jason's dirt) showed up today. A dump truck (the highlight of Jman's day) dropped it off in our front yard today and the kids were just chomping at the bit to get out there.... they saw Papa use a shovel in it and the immediately ran out and got their shovels so they could help. They did put a few shovelfuls in Papa's wheelbarrow and they did a surprisingly good job!



Jason letting me know that this dirt is HIS dirt: "Jason's dirt!"


Okay buddy... if you say so. It will take Papa a while to get this dirt moved to the side yard.... guess I'll have to help. ha :) Looks like that might be the extent of my work outs tomorrow. Didn't get to ride today... Mom got here at 3:30am and I thought she deserved a break tonight... and frankly, I'm EXHAUSTED! We'll see how this effects my "(wo)man up" philosophy!

Project Rwanda...

Schwinn is partnered w/ Ritchey to create a bike for the Rwandan Coffee growers. Tom had a large part in developing this bike. It's pretty cool. You can see a picture and read about the project HERE. Tom Ritchey's son Jay is in Rwanda and you can read his blog by clicking on the link at the website.

The blog details the benefits that the bike is already providing for a local coffee farmer named Celestin. Wow! It's great to see the impact that one small thing (okay the entire effort is not that small) can make in the lives of these coffee farmers...

Karen, If I really want to go the distance I suppose I should find out where this coffee is sold and buy it huh? :)

Director of Schwinn Product Development!

I'm so proud of Tom... he got a promotion!! As the Director of Schwinn Product Development he will be responsible for the marketing and financial success of the entire Schwinn product line! GO TOM!

Wow, this Pacific place sure is turing out to be a great place to work! ;) He even likes it there and likes the people he works with.. what a concept!