It's Raining, It's Pouring...

Bird Day

Sunday was the day for getting lots of pictures of lovely birds:) Here are a few for your enjoyment:

American Robin

A wren of some kind, I believe (?) These guys were tiny, hanging out on the river's edge and had little spots of bright yellow hidden under the tips of their wings at the base of their tails and their shoulders. 

 A very large Red-tailed Hawk

 An assortment of Mallards and American Coots. The female coots were such little lovelies. Beautiful rich brown feathers and so dainty on the water.

Well...

It's decision making time for me. To join the mountain bike team this year or not. I raced last year with the plan of joining the team this year after I'd found out whether or not I like racing (yes, I did) and to show my interest to the "senior" team members so that I could be invited to join. Now it's time to sign my name on the dotted line. Or not.

It's quite a time and energy commitment and my problem is this: I have been on my bike exactly twice since the last XC race of last summer. At the end of June. I did not even make it to any of the short track races etc. I've been sick a lot of that time, or just feeling crummy and not able to work that hard. So, I'm concerned about being able to keep up my end of the bargain. Which includes spring training week (a week of riding long rides every single day. A sort of last minute whip you into final shape for racing), four cross-country races and eight hours of volunteer work either maintaining trails or working with the boys and girls club and being at all the short track races to help out etc.

Nate is not planning on joining this year for various reasons. Cost, school, being the babysitter while I race being among them. He has said he will do my eight hours of work for me if I'm not up to it and doesn't see anyone having a problem with that.

I REALLY want to race. Heck, I want to get on my bike at all. I'm just so torn about making a commitment to other people that I don't know if I can fulfill. Did I say that already?

I have until this Wednesday at the latest to decide... *Sigh*

Where the Ocean is Blue...

Need to be here, where the ocean is so bright blue that I forget everything else. Craziness, goodbye for a moment while I take a deep breath of ocean air. Ready to sink into the peace that passes understanding. Ready to sink into HIM in Whom all things live and move and have their being. "Holy Spirit come/Holy Spirit stay/I need to feel Your fire/I need to feel Your gaze..." So, here I go...

Brothers 2011

Ocean surveillance 

Left-over snow :)

Watching chicks hatch

Playing/watching a mtb race

Waiting for kid's race

Playing ball in the park

The joy of running

Feeding lorikeets

Brothers

Burning trash for Grandma

Fascinating shale

Fun in the ocean--Cancun

Joshua 2011

Waves and tennis shoes don't mix :)

Busy snow boy

I do Not want my picture taken

Heartily cheering on the mountain bike racers

Kid's race in Bend 

Kung-fu at last :) 

Could you be more excited about a broken kite? I think not :)

Brave boy, finally tall enough to ride all but the Zipper

Dance moves

Putting out the burn pile

Studying rocks-shale is fascinating stuff

Bumper boats in Cancun

I love you dear son!

Brannon 2011

Ham

:D

Loves his chickens

New "do"

Hide-and-seek after some trail building

Love those swimming lessons

Seahorse race

At the fair

Mmmmm

Worn out

Exploring

Birthday boy:)

I love you so much my boy!