Gunnison

Jason as you may recall, is a proud Alumni for Western State College in Gunnison, CO. This past weekend was their homecoming weekend, which also includes the annual "Alumni Rugby Tournament". For those that know me well, you would know that I was "Thrilled" to go. Yah..Hoo. Gunnison is not my idea of a vacation. Jason really wanted to go though, and I guess since we haven't been back for the entire 6+ years we've been married..we were due. Jason pulled out all his rugby gear (he played football for all 4 years and added rugby his senior year) including his really ugly, very old football cleats. I didn't even know he still had those God awful shoes. What came out next would come as no surprise to me knowing that I married a man that reminds me of the great "Al Bundy" from the sitcom Married with Children. You may have guessed it..his old football championship rings. Three of them to be exact, and yes he tried to wear all of them at one time. It looked like he was wearing brass knuckles. I had to put my foot down and tell him there was "NO WAY" he was wearing those all at the same time. I mean seriously AL Bundy, it was time to move on.

Jason had a really good time playing rugby. I was just praying he wouldn't get hurt. I mean come on, the dude is old now! How this game works is the Old boys (alumni) play the young boys (current students). You can imagine the blood shed I was picturing. Luckily there were no serious injuries to report, only some shattered egos. Those young boys got their tails whooped by a bunch of thirty somethings with beer bellies and bad joints. It was quite funny.

On our last day, Jason took the boys on a tour of his old stomping grounds. We headed to the stadium where he played many of his games. As soon as we stepped out into the stadium Jake decided to bust out a 1/4 mile on the track. He didn't stop to even take a break. I was blown away at the thought that a 5 year old ran that distance in what they call "The highest collegiate stadium in the world". When Jake was done running, Jason brought him to see his old weight room. Jason always talks about his old college record for weightlifting. Another one of those AL Bundy moments. And then I saw it.. Jason's name STILL on the wall for school records. He still holds the record for a Defensive player on Bench press and squat. He just smiled and said "Ten years and counting". I have to admit, I was a little excited and proud of him.

Jason changed his last name from Finnen to Fincham just after college.
Just thought I would add.. the weather was perfect!

We're goin' on a berry hunt!

In Penrose CO they have a great place called the "Happy Apple Farm"! You take a short tractor ride into their fields and you can pick your own apples right off the tree. I thought for sure the kids would have a great time with this, So we packed up and headed out! Once there, we were informed that because of the freeze the weekend before all the apples were done, however they still had plenty of blackberries that needed picking. So with baskets in hand, aboard the tractor we were, off into the blackberry bushes. Both kiddos really had a great time hunting for their own berries trying to see who could collect the most. After a few bug bites and two blackberry stained shirts we were ready to head back.
I noticed on our way out they have a really great pumpkin crop. I have a feeling we will be back for a few of those too.

Catch up!

Michael Phelps...Look out!

Jacob has had much improvement in his skills from earlier this summer! As you may recall the butt bump!

Now that "Summer" is over...

Today was the end of our summer break as Jacob started kindergarten. Hard to believe how fast these last five years have gone. Jacob was actually pretty excited and eager to go. He even thought that he would grow "massively" over night. When I told him that "I wanted to take pictures of him in the morning" he told me that "they would just be pictures of his belly because he would be so much taller" He then mentioned that he would have to take showers because he wouldn't fit in the tub anymore. Well, he popped out of bed this am the same height as he went to bed...a little disappointed, but still excited for the day.
There is little girl named Audrey that he knew from PPCS(she was in another class but they had chapel together)that is in his class this year. She just might be his new love interest. Jacob did really well walking into class and right away found his desk and sat right down. He looked like such a big boy today. I felt very excited for him and not really all that sad...well..that was only until I read the note his teacher Mrs. Brock wrote and handed to us with the instruction "not to be read until you are in the car". This is what it said..

"I gave you a little wink and smile as you entered my room today.
For I know how hard it is for you to leave and know your child must stay.
You've been with them five years now and been a loving guide, but now, alas the time has come to leave them by my side.
Just know that as you drive away and the tears down your cheeks may flow
I'll love them as I would my own, and help them learn and grow.
For as a parent, I too know how quickly the years do pass.
So please put your mind at ease, and cry those tears no more.
For I will love them and take them in when you leave them at my door."

Then I cried like a baby.

Jake had a great 1st day, and really likes his teacher. I hope the rest of year will continue to be just as smooth.

Changes

I decided to try a new page layout, I hope you like it. I have been messing with a few different layout and decided that this one fits me best.

A new change going down in the Fincham home is that I am going back to work almost full time. It is called a .75 position which means I will work 5 shifts per pay period. I curently only work 1-2 per pay period. This means that the kids will be going to day care for the first time EVER. Jake will be there for 2 half days and Jeff 2 full days. I admit this makes me a little nervous, but I think it will work out just fine. I will be looking forward to the extra money that I will be bringing in, along with the extra experience I will be gaining. I love being a nurse and feel that it is time for to explore that side of me a little more. Our hospital will be moving to its brand new $200 million dollar facility on Aug 16th. The hospital is absolutly beautiful! I am not looking forward the the cahous of "move day" or the weeks to follow. It will be very hectic.

Today we went shopping for school supplies and uniforms. Hard to beleive that Jake is starting kindergarden in 3 weeks. Where did the years go? I hope it will be an easy adjustment for him and myself. He will be in AM kindergarden that is Mon-Fri 8:15-11:30.

"Are you kidding me?"

Jacob's new phrase for the week...."Are you kidding me?"
Some examples

As we were walking/hurrying into swim lessons from the locker room..
Jacob: "Are you kidding me Jeffrey? You are the slowest little kid I know"

As he was putting on his new "speed racer" swimsuit on..
Jacob: "this speed racer suit is going to make me swim real fast..I mean come on..are you kidding me?"

Jacob apparently has a new "boys only club" that Jeff, daddy and him belong to. I'm not quite sure if Jason realizes that he is even part of a club, or that he may or may not be past due on his daily club dues. However I learned quickly I was not welcome into clubhouse(Jacob's room).

Jacob: "Are you kidding me? Didn't you see the sign...boy's only"

Lastly, as I was puting on eyeliner and mascara, with a concerned look...
Jacob: "are you kidding? That's too much eye polish."
I am not quite sure where Jacob came up with the saying or when to use it appropriately, but come on, are you kidding me? It's the funniest thing.

"geared up"

"Gearing up"

Jeffrey fighting the "fire" (weeds)

Firefighter

Our playgroup recently went to a local Fire Station for the 'ol tour. The kids really had a great time seeing the fire truck and the ladder truck (yes there is a difference). Fire trucks carry water, about 5000 gallons, and the ladder trucks are just that, with a bunch of tools. The kids were able to jump in the trucks and try on the head phones (the firemen talk to them trough the head phones), they also were each given a chance to spray a hose. Of course they did the talk about calling 911 and the whole "stop drop and roll" thing. They also got in full gear to show the kids how they look and sound in a fire. Jake was star struck the entire time, and Jeffrey enjoyed the time too. Jeffrey kept saying "youk mama" (look mama). Right before we left, the firemen had me dress up in their gear to show the kids. It was really a great time.
Here are some pics from the day!
Sorry the picture quality isn't there. These photos were emailed to me and sized way down.

Yes...... we are alive

I know it's been a while, and yes I know I said this last time.. but... I will get be better about posting. Jacob and Jeffrey's surgery went well. I am glad we did them the same day. Everything worked out as I hoped it would. I was able to be with both as they were put to sleep and both when they woke. The hospital did a great job working with me. I did get some pics of our fun filled day. Jacob had some great visitors including his BGFF Emily. She even brought him a get well gift.

I also took a video the day before surgery and then one today. You can tell a slight difference in his voice. The doc said it may take a few months for his nasal cavity to adjust to its new found space (Jacob's adenoids were huge I guess, even by adult standards). I am just glad it is done and over with. We had a LONG two weeks here at the Fincham house.

Camping Mueller State Park

Jason and I took the kids camping last weekend. We picked a beautiful state park here in Colorado. It also happened to be real close to where we live. Maybe a 45 min drive. Mueller has the rap of being second to Rocky Mountain National Park (Estes), so we knew it would be great. The campground itself was fab, for camping standards anyway. Bathrooms were close and the showers were not a far walk either. They even had a laundry room. That laundry room proved to be the best feature as the first night camping both boys got the stomach flu. Jake tries to blame the Somores, but I know better. So what we thought would be a great weekend of the wilderness and hiking, turned out to be a day of puking and watching movies in the camper(part of the day anyway). At least the movie choice was "The Great Outdoors". After a little time of rest, Jake decided that he wanted to go on a hike and "find some nature". By "nature" Jake meant that he wanted to see wildlife. I didn't figure that out until about the sixth or seventh "I don't see any nature! Where's the nature?"

Even without the wildlife our hike was very beautiful....until the massive storm with dangerously close lightning came rolling in. The last 1 1/2 miles of our 3 mile hike was uphill with NO breaks. I was too afraid of the lightning. We just watched "The Great Outdoors" remember? Jake was crying and yelling at his shoes to go faster and Jeffrey was in a full panic mode as well. Thunder seems so much louder when you are in the middle of nowhere and no place I knew of to seek shelter. Apparently I missed that day of girl scouts.

Thankfully we made it back safely just in time for the unbelievable downpour. Yeah for us.
Then I got the stomach flu....
Can't wait till next time.

Big Day

Well today is the day we've been waiting for, SURGERY DAY. It's now 4:18 am and I can no longer sleep. Maybe by coming in and doing this blog will release some anxiety at least enough to get another half hour of sleep. I am most nervous about my timing of the surgeries. I want to be there for both of them when they may need me the most. Pre-op and recovery. I want to help ease any fears they may have prior to their procedure and be there when they wake up. I am just worried that Jeffrey will be waking up when Jacob is getting ready to go. I know that people are thinking that "Jason can be with one of them, they'll be OK" But I feel that I need to be there. It's really more for me.
Then my other fear is Jacob and the pain he may be in. I hope he will be able to cope with it OK. No excessive bleeding, and that he does well with the anesthesia.
I look forward mostly to seeing a change in Jacob's voice. I really hope this helps his clarity.
He has talked about his surgery quite a bit last night. He helped pack his bag and even thought he should bring his shaving equipment, just in case. Doesn't really seem to be scared... YET. We'll see how long that lasts.
Jeffrey has not a clue and that's fine with me. He will be an in and out 20 min maybe. They said that they don't plan on putting him totally out and no IV. I like that idea.
Pray for us today. (I know I need them)
I just need to give this day and my fears to GOD. He will see me through.

Happy Birthday Jacob!

Happy Birthday Jacob!
Jacob turned 5 years old on May 17th. Hard to believe I have been a mom now for 5 years. It seems like just yesterday my little man was born. He's now already telling me that "I'm almost 6 now mom". It's funny that these little guys have little concept of time. But really, where did the years go?
It seems like we are almost always saying "I can't wait for....." filling in the blank with walking, talking, going to school, or what ever you want them to be growing into. At the same time, it's sad to think we will never get those times back. One day, I will never get to have Jake run and jump into my arms. And then he'll want "privacy" when it's bath time (if he will even still take baths, now it might be showers only)! Sometimes I wish he could stay little forever.
By the way, Jake now has a brand new booster seat. He picked it out himself, and he couldn't be more proud.
Here's his new montage! (Don't forget to pause the music player to your right)


Jacob's 5

Ramblings of the week

So since I haven't been the most ideal blogger, making a new post daily, or even every third day, I will recap the last week or two as best as I can.

1. Both Jacob and Jeffrey are scheduled for the surgeries on May 30th. Jacob is having both his tonsils and adenoids removed. As you may recall these would be Jacob's "organoids". The little guy will be getting tubes put in his ears. Jeffrey is now at 7 for ear infections since December. More than half of those resulted in a ruptured eardrum. I am excited to have them both done and hope all will turn out great. I have seen a youtube clip where a little girl was having her adenoids and tonsils removed for the same reason as Jake(language clarity and questionable obstructive sleep apnea). Her parents took video of her speaking before and after her procedure. The difference was amazing. I hope Jacob will have similar results. As for Jeff, I hope the doctor's office will survive me not paying rent there anymore. Say a prayer for both my boys. I'm a little nervous.

2. Jacob has really done well in swimming this week. He is jumping in with no problem. I thought after his booty bump 2 weeks ago we were going to have issues. Lucky for us, he has moved on. Now he's even getting the back stroke down.

3. Jeffrey has decided that he's not quite fond of counting to ten. We get through 8 pretty well, but then when I say "9" he gets a very sad look on his face and tells me "no, no nite nite". No... N-I-N-E , with even more distress "No, no nite nite".. Whatever.

4. Jacob has reminded me that when he turns five that "I will need a new car seat. One that is for big boys, this baby seat is too tight on my penis." Oh the joy of raising boys. I have learned quite a lot about the male anatomy for this young boy(including from his drawing of God). Lesson learned, Five year olds need bigger seats.

5. Lastly, today while the boys and I were walking into Costco. Both boys were holding their breath. Really, they just had their cheeks full of air and breathing through their noses. Jeffrey of course just copying what ever Jake does. I asked Jake what he was doing. The response: "I am trying not to breathe, remember last time it was cold? I GOT SICK! I don't want to get sick again, so I am holding my breath. I don't want to breathe in the sickies"
ummmmmmmmmm OK. I guess all that talk about wearing his coat did sink in.

With Love....
SEF

Swimming

Jacob is finishing up his 6 week swimming class this week. Although we have seen much improvement in his stroke, he could use a little more work in the actual "getting in" part. He is still scared jump in. I'm hoping that with a little more practice and trust in his instructor, this too will improve. If not, it will be a LONG summer.

I guess if I pulled a move like that, I would be scared too. I am just glad he tried again. As Uncle Scott would say, that was a "full pull".

Let's Go Fly a Kite

Today was so windy outside, it was a great day to fly a kite. Believe it or not this is the first time we've tried this. Jake had a great time, while Jeffrey was not a thrilled. Every time the kite would come crashing down or fly towards him, he would scream in terror. We didn't stay out long because the wind was a little cold. Overall a great first time.