Tuesday, January 29, 2008

National Western Stock Show-Colorado

Went on a field trip with Natalies second grade class to the Stock Show.
We had a fun time. Here are some images from our trip...

Ride em' cowgirl!!
Talked to the guys from John Deere. They think that Natalie might have potential to be a 'Deere Girl.' Even went so far as to tell me the college she should attend to be one. I think it was University of Northern Colorado...LOL!!!
Virtual Bull Riding
This chicken was only $10.00 "Can I bring it home, mom?"
Natalie and the 'Babe...'
Can you tell which one is a Yak, and which one is a yaking Nat?


Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Craig Cardiff-Songwriter/Musician

I really wanted to bring this to the top again. I have written in older posts about Craig Cardiff, an incredible musician from Canada. Please watch this...

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=8454806

http://cdn.libsyn.com/craigcardiff/15_Smallest_Wingless_feat._Natalia_Zukerman.mp3

http://www.chartattack.com/damn/2007/09/2612.cfm

Thursday, January 17, 2008

THE PIT

I found this story today, from another bereaved parent. This is so true, and not only does it apply to friends, but in my case, most of my family as well. I wish I had found this story three years ago.
Thanks for reading and letting me share.
Cheryl
The Pit
author unknown
The day my child died, I fell into the pit of grief. My friends watched me struggle through daily life; waiting for the person I once was to arise from the pit, not realizing "she" is gone forever. The pit is full of darkness, heartache and despair; it paralyzes your thoughts, movements and ability to ration. The pit leaves you forever changed, unable to surface the person you once were.
Some of my pre-grief friends gather around the top of the pit, waiting for the old me to appear before their eyes, not understanding what's taking me so long to emerge. After all, in their eyes, I've been in the pit for quite sometime. Yet in my eyes, it seems as if I fell in only yesterday.
Not all of my pre-grief friends are gathered around the top of the pit. Some are helping me with the climb out of the darkness. They climb side by side with me from time to time, but mostly they climb ahead of me, waiting patiently at each plateau. Even with these friends I sometimes wonder if they are also waiting for the pre-grief me to magically appear before their eyes.
Then there are the casual acquaintances, you know the ones who say, "Hi, how are you?" when they really don't care or really want to know. These are the people who sigh in relief, that it is my child who died and not theirs. You know ... the "better them, than me" attitude.
My post-grief friends are the ones who climb with me, side by side, inch by inch, out of the pit of grief. They have no way of comparing the pit climber to the pre-grief person I once was. You see, they started at the bottom of the pit with me. They are able to reassure me when I need reassurance, rest when I need resting, and encourage me to move forward when I don't have the strength. They have no expectations, no memories and no recollection of how I "should" be. They want me to get better, to smile more often and find joy in life, but they also accepted the person I've become. The "person" who is emerging from the pit.
Author Unknown

Monday, January 14, 2008

Las Vegas Cheer Images-Natalie

You can note the differences between Natalie and Anna during their cheer routines: Natalie always has a pucker mouth (kiss kiss) and Anna always has her mouth open...Which is typical for both of them...



To the left...
Flying
To the left-middle flyer

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Las Vegas Cheer images-Anna

Here are some images of Anna at The American Grand Competition in Las Vegas

Coming out of her kick double...

This is what we call the 'deranged rabbit look...'