The CLIMB

Manitou Incline in Colorado Springs  is the remains of a 1 mile cable car built straight up the mountain. It was constructed in 1907 to support a hydroelectric plant and water line.  It was burned down and plagued by rock slides and eventually fell into disrepair.  It has become a popular workout spot despite it being private land.  We saw people run up the 2000 ft incline but coming from sea level, it was all I could do to walk up the killer incline.

Prepping for basic training by getting used to the altitude

 

We were so happy to make it to the top!  It was 7 more miles up to base camp or 4 miles down Barr Trail to the car.  We opted for the later.

I tried my hand at running while taking pictures on the go.  (Saw it in a movie once).  Surprisingly I got good action shots with my point and click camera while jumping over tree roots and rocks and descending the trail.  It's a miracle I didn't bite it or sprain an ankle.  I just kept running and clicking away, even turning behind me to get shots of Heidi.  I was thrilled everything wasn't blurry.

Just like the family rafting trip down the Payette River, the boys were grinning after this and thought this was one of the best vacation days ever!  I wiped the sweat from my face, stomped the dirt off my shoes and had to concur wholeheartedly.

Going, going, GONE

At a certain point, young men get tired of hoofing it every where. They want their own wheels to get around and want to catch up with their peers.  (Trevor is the 3rd guy running)

 In Italy Trevor couldn't get a license, so when he got to Guam, he finally got his Driver's Permit.  He felt far behind everyone else who had their licenses for a year or two.

He put in his 50 hours and passed the written test.  At exactly required 6 month date, we stood in line at the DMV (for hours) for a driving test appointment.  The waiting list was another 8 months just to take the driving test!  We name dropped government employees, tried to leverage with Steve's position, and finally I just flat out begged.  The man took pity on Trevor who was leaving for Basic Training and gave him an appointment for a week later.

We spent more time perfecting parallel parking and driving in reverse.  No surprise he passed with flying colors.

With license in hand, he immediately hopped in his truck to meet up with friends

 He cranked the new Pioneer stereo he and his dad installed in his '95 Ford Ranger

And I got the classic look that I have seen over the years (from my boy learning to walk, to ride a bike, to going on a date) that says "Step away--I'm on my own now mom"

 The funny thing that in the past, I did move away and gave him space to grow and stand on his own 2 feet.

 But this time, he backed away and left me on my own 2 feet.  And I wondered if I could do this gracefully, let him drive away without tears on my face.  

Nope--the tears came but after checking my skinned up heart for signs of wounds, I realized after a deep breath that I was okay.  This was my test to see if I could find balance, like a child riding a bike for the first time, and while wobbly, I could move away on my own without my child holding me up.

The greatness of a man

Every now and again, I look at Steve and think I am truly a lucky woman. I get so caught up in kids and callings and forget to focus on how great Steve really is and how quietly he goes about setting his corner of the world right. So this Father's Day, he deserves LOADS of praise...

Steve is a loving father, and loves to hug, joke around with and play games with his kids. No one can beat him in Scrabble!

He encourages his kids to excel in everything they do whether it is sports or studies, and they rise to the occasion. They are all in Honor Society and letter in sports.

He helps them pursue their dreams and goals and gives them props when they succeed.

He stands behind them and lets them soar.

And he makes the world a safer and better place for his children and others. He has been working for 3 weeks straight, 13 hours days with no breaks or weekend off to try to find 2 little missing girls in Saipan. He got airline tickets for the kids and I to go to the States to see family while he stays behind and works.

The kids and I find him a truly GREAT man! Happy Father's Day!!