Uncategorized | Life Elevated Mom

Do what you love and love what you do

May 30, 2014 By Amber

I really enjoy the Humans of NY social media feed. If you’re not familiar with it, a New York-based man goes around taking pictures of people and interviewing them. He publishes a small, poignant snip of the conversation that gives a beautiful insight into the souls of strangers.

Here are a few of my favorites:

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There is always a way back….

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This woman reminds me of ME when I was 19. Hence the reason I traveled the world and didn’t marry until I was 30.

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This one is probably my favorite. Sometimes you get life’s biggest answers through the most unassuming people.

This woman struck a chord for me, particularly because my passions bring me so much joy and as a mom, it is downright thrilling to see my kids discovering theirs.

On another note, I was listening to the radio the other day when the DJ talked about Jim Carrey’s commencement speech at the Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, Iowa. I only half-heartedly listened because really, what profundities can really come from Jim Carrey? Turns out, plenty.

“My father could have been a great comedian, but he didn’t believe that was possible for him, and so he made a conservative choice,” Carrey said. “Instead he got a safe job as an accountant.”

All of that fell apart, the actor said, when his dad lost his job and the family fell on hard times.

“I learned many great lessons from my father, not the least of which, was that you can fail at what you don’t want, so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love.”

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Please act quickly to ban the sale of marijuana in our community

March 15, 2014 By Amber

I have been extremely outspoken in my disgust for the legalization in Colorado. It is a battle I will never stop fighting as I see the moral degradation of my beloved community. There are no gray areas here, no “taxes that will benefit” the community. Wrong is wrong.

Federal agents believe drug cartels have moved into Colorado and are using the recent legalization of marijuana within the state as a front to make money illegally. Drug cartels – both from Columbia and Mexico – have suffered major revenue losses following the legalization of recreational marijuana in Colorado on January 1. The Feds believe the gangs will now turn to the legal businesses in the state to find ways of making up for the shortfall in their profits.

This post is a call for my local residents to act quickly and please share this with your friends and neighbors ASAP. There is an upcoming vote in the city council on Monday to allow or ban retail sales of marijuana in our town. If passed, this would allow new bakeries and candy shops to sell products laced with marijuana in addition to other new freedoms to grow and sell this drug in our community.

Of concern: there are only 3 solid votes from the council to ban. The other votes are undeclared or up in the air. The primary reason to allow it would be for additional city revenue. Any money the city would take in would pale in comparison to the quality of life in this city. We need to fill the city council room Monday night so that the city council understands the significance of support for a ban. To date, the council has received 24 letters which is a wonderful start. We need to have 240 letters. Please take a few minutes and write yours before Monday.

Updated:

Thank you to everyone who wrote! The sale of marijuana has been banned in our city!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

When you can’t win in marriage

November 26, 2013 By Amber

Jamie and I had a bad night’s sleep and I really, really, really didn’t want to go to a party that night but knew we should.

“Jamie, I don’t want to go. But tell me I need to go.”

“Go.”

“Has anyone ever told you how bossy you are?”

Filed Under: Humor, Jamie, Uncategorized

The Hopeful Start of Volleyball’s Glory Days

October 16, 2013 By Amber

I am a firm believer every kid needs a sport as a way to stay active.

We’ve been through a laundry list of them with Hadley and though a few have stuck, most have gone to the wayside. She definitely excels in individual sports and I had almost given up team sports altogether until I recently got called as the volleyball coach of our young women at church.

I was thrilled to connect with my former passion. Once upon a time, I lived and breathed volleyball in high school. In 12th grade, I was our school MVP and even landed in the Calgary Herald’s Hall of Fame with my picture in the newspaper. I went on to TA some classes in college and played in adult leagues in Salt Lake City.

I figured I could relive my glory years, brush up on my skills and impart my great wisdom upon these girls. Until after our first practice where my long-dormant plantar fasciitis flared up so badly after that I could barely walk for two days.

Glory days, over.

But I was most excited about bringing Hadley to volleyball practice with me to see if she took to it. And taken to it she has. In fact, I was pretty shocked just how good she was from the get-go so enrolled her in our some community volleyball classes with a couple of her church friends. I figured they’d just have weekly practices and be done with it.

But noooooooo. I was dismayed when I found out they also had weekly tournaments–not just one game but several back-to-back, taking up most of our Saturday mornings.

Because we’re not busy enough with Bode’s soccer games and my volleyball.

I’m all for getting in as much playing time as you can during the season but if you know volleyball, you know that it takes a good while to build your skill set, hence the reason why most programs don’t start until around fifth grade. And games really shouldn’t be in the formula until you have a firm foundation.

She had her first games a couple of weeks ago. I had a good chuckle when she emerged from her room wearing her sparkly sequined leggings (nothing like making a statement on Day 1).

The games were predictably painful but fun. Someone would get up to serve. Either 1) They’d miss or 2) Get it over and the other team would not be able to bump it back.

Out of the seven games they played, there were only a couple of rallies. Hadley’s team only won once and Bode couldn’t keep his eyes off the game.

On his DS, that is. Can’t blame the kid. It was a long morning.

But I was proud of how well Hadley did. At this age, they let the girls serve a lot closer to the net. You’d think that would help most of them get it over but nooooo. Hadley was the most consistent server in the group and out of probably 20 serves, she only missed one.

I’d say that’s the start of a promising future in volleyball.

I’ll be the one limping behind her.

Filed Under: Hadley, Humor, Uncategorized Tagged With: volleyball

My evil plan for my burgeoning chef

August 13, 2013 By Amber

I love the LDS Church’s children’s program’s, which are focused on service, developing faith and goal-setting. Between the ages of 8 and 11, children are challenged to complete their Faith in God and when they are 12-17, the young women do Personal Process while the young men to scouting and Duty to God.

Many people marvel how good our youth are. It’s because we keep ‘em so busy they can’t get into trouble.

Hadley has been slowly working on her Faith in God goals. I say slowly because I don’t want to make goal-setting a negative stress and have been letting her choose what new challenges she’d like to take on at her own pace. Under “Developing Talents,” she decided she wanted to cook us a healthy, gourmet meal. She and Bode frequently help me in the kitchen but this was by far her most ambitious attempt: Grilled coconut-lime chicken skewers with peanut dipping sauce, garlic and truffle oil mushrooms, honey-ginger green beans and made-from-scratch brownies.

She spent several hours with me in the kitchen and, though we were both exhausted, she was delighted with the result and declared she loved cooking.

So do I. Especially when someone else (like an unsuspecting kid) takes over dinner duty from me in a few years. #MyEvilPlan

She set the table in our best china and called us all to dinner. With each bite, she waited with great anticipation for us to pour on the praises, which Jamie and I did. Bode, on the other hand, was reluctant.

“C’mon, Bode. Just try the peanut dipping sauce. It is delicious,” she begged.

And then my personal favorite as her frustration grew, “Do you know how long this took me to make, Bode?”

Couldn’t have said it better myself. In fact, I pretty much do every. Single. Week.

After we finished cleaning up, she looked at me with great appreciation and said, “Wow, Mom. You do a lot of work to prepare our meals every day.”

And it was so nice that she finally acknowledged it.

Filed Under: Hadley, Humor, LDS, Uncategorized

Oh Canada Part IV: Jumping Into the Abyss

August 8, 2013 By Amber

This was my kids’ first extended trip on the water so I wasn’t sure how they’d react to our week of boating Okanagan Lake in British Columbia. I suspected Hadley would love it because she’s a fish but Bode only recently started really swimming after we had to pay for private lessons last year.

Judging from some of his dock jumps, the dude is finally enjoying the water.

He wasn’t the only one to try new things. Because my brother Pat’s new boat is weighed down by fat sacs when we surf, it creates a huuuge rooster tail at the back of the boat. One of their favorite activities is jumping into it. Water Adverse Amber of yesteryear would’ve said NO FREAKING WAY but Water Loving Amber gave it a try. It’s a scary sensation when you first get sucked under, almost like you’re in a swirling toilet. But then it shoots you waaay back like a cannon and you pop out behind the wake. We went one right after the other so there was minimal distance for my brother to come retrieve us after.

This picture of Hadley launching into the rooster tail for the first time is my favorite picture I took on the entire trip.

Taking flight

Not only does it represent boldly trying new things but if you look closely you can see a line of heads bobbing up in the background, representing our supportive family who had gone before.

Speaking of trying new things, both kiddos enjoyed kneeboarding.

But no one was more accomplished than dear ol’ Dad. Not only is it tough getting up from your stomach but his kneeboard somehow got turned sideways during his run so he was fighting the current the entire time. The dude is strong!

I tried to convince Hadley to wakeboard but she had no interest. We called Jamie and he tried to up the ante: “Tell her I’ll buy something special for her when she gets home.” I relayed the message, to which she responded, “Unless it’s a pony, I’m not doing it.” And. She. Meant. It. Welcome to our world of having the most unbribable kid out there (and a glimpse at why potty training her was such a nightmare).

My niece Emily just graduated from high school and Ashton is a mama of two in her 20s. I never thought my kiddos would be the same age as hers but that’s how it worked out.

Mom with gorgeous deck views

Our daily schedule (if you want to call it that) was the same. Each morning, I’d get up early and go kayaking while Pat and Co. went for a morning wakeboard while all the kids slept. Around 10:30 a.m., we’d have Jane’s huge ‘n delicious breakfast and then everyone would load up on the boat for several hours. We’d head in mid-afternoon, grab some snacks, play on our beach and off the dock and then have a huge dinner. In the evening, we’d sometimes head back out or have a great time playing on the lawn of our cabin. Soccer got pretty heated as Ashton’s husband Fred and I battled out the glory days while pretending to teach our kids how to play.

But nothing was more fun than disco soccer by strobe light.

Hands down, my favorite day was when my brother took us all to the more cossetted west side of Okanagan Lake. Not only were the houses bigger but the water was warmer. Pat cut the engine and we played all afternoon–from diving contests (Ashton beat Pat, a huge upset; or rather, he was hugely upset) to splashing around to races around the boat.

Hangin’ on the boat

Soarin’

I came away thoroughly converted. Maybe I am a water person after all.

Here’s for Vernon, British Columbia 2014!

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Oh Canada Part I: My Home and Native Land

Oh Canada Part II: Home on the Range (errr, boat)

Oh Canada Part III: How Not to Die When Surfing Behind the Boat

Oh Canada Part IV: Jumping Into the Abyss

Filed Under: Bode, Canada, Family, Family travel, Hadley, outdoors, Uncategorized

Loveland Ski Area: Santa Sightings and a Boy Converted

December 27, 2012 By Amber

Jamie is a pretty low-maintenance guy so when he requests something, I really try and do it. And that request was to hit Loveland Ski Area on Christmas Eve day. Though I was crazy-busy trying to pull everything together for our party that evening, I loathe procrastination. I had shopped and wrapped presents weeks ago so had no problem doing my final food prep work the day prior. I rubbed it in just a little bit with this tweet:
And I’m so glad we did it. This is the second time we’ve skied Loveland on Christmas Eve and we have vowed to make it an annual tradition when we’re in Colorado. Not only is it a mere 40-minute drive from our house but the slopes are gloriously devoid of crowds.

This was our first ski day of the season so a half-day trip was perfect as we attempt to get our legs in shape. Bode was the big question mark. While Hadley has taken to skiing like a fish in water, Bode only decided he liked skiing on our final few days on the slopes last year. Our fingers were crossed he would maintain that same level of enthusiasm.

After getting their equipment in Loveland Valley (the beginner/intermediate area), we were about 20 minutes early for their lesson. I suggested they take a quick run off Chair 7. Both kids were game but then Hadley realized the tech had set her bindings too small for her skis. Uncle Chris took her back inside and I looked dubiously at Bode.

“Do you want to wait for Sissy?”

“No, I can handle it.”

Stunned by his bravado (was this the same tepid kid from last season?) I ignored my doubts and let him go for it. He confidently waved at us from the lift and then bravely made his way down the slope by himself.He was hooked and we knew we were home-free. Jamie, Chris and I left them with their fabulous, fun and helpful instructors April and Rachel (seriously request them if you are there).And had a blast! Jamie and I recently bought ourselves new ski equipment from Powder7, which offers killer deals on all-things skiing and riding. We were excited to try them out for the first time and relieved we made some great choices.

Brothers

My favorite gift: skiing with this dude

Of course, a trip to Loveland on Christmas Eve is not complete without a visit from the Man in Red.On Bode’s first ski day ever on Christmas Eve three years ago at Loveland, I snapped this picture and had to put them side-by-side.
My, how they’ve grown.

And here’s to many more years of spending our Christmas Eve at Loveland.

Filed Under: Bode, Colorado, Family travel, Hadley, holidays, Humor, skiing, travel, Uncategorized

On being a free-range vs. helicopter parent

October 8, 2012 By Amber

“Mom, when can I just be by myself?”

My 8-year-old daughter asked me this question last summer as we sat by a stream near our house. I knew what she meant. She’s independent like me and would love nothing better than to leave the house and explore her environs on her own terms. And I want that for her, too. My childhood was brimming with solo adventures that are the foundation of how I still live my life. I’d like nothing better than to set her loose.

But then I think of Jessica Ridgeway, the 10-year-old Colorado girl who went missing while walking to a park three blocks from home on her way to school.

As a mom, I’ve struggled with CLICK TO READ ON

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Touching Base

September 26, 2012 By Amber

Has it really been a week since I last posted?

I’m marveling how I thought I’d have waaaaay more time to myself once the kids were back in school. And I guess I would if I hadn’t taken on more freelance assignments, more travel and well, just more everything.

I spent a few days last week in glorious Coronado Island paddle boarding, biking, touring and lots and lots of gourmet eating. I’ll be posting about it all in the coming weeks but for now, I’m slammed with deadlines and stress with the pumpkin party and weigh-off looming this week.

I mean, I haven’t even had time to publicly tease The Pumpkin Man about his pumpkin obsession. How sad is that?!

So, stay tuned. I’ll have many updates in the pipes when life calms down a bit. In the interim, enjoy this picture of the magnificent Hotel del Coronado.

I know I did!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Happy 8th Birthday to the Hurricane!

May 25, 2012 By Amber

Dear Hadley,

You’re turning 8 today (gulp). This is one of those big milestones for Mormon folk because this means you can now be baptized. At 12 you graduate from Primary (the children’s organization) into Young Women’s, and at 16 you can start dating. Who am I kidding? Twenty-two sounds like a ripe ol’ age to hit the dating pool, particularly after Cam tried to plant a few wet ones on you on the bus.

Fortunately you were quicker and all he scored was a kiss on your elbow.

With Casanova Cam on the first day of second grade

People say, “watch out…it all goes so quickly” and I can’t say I agree. Bringing you home from the hospital seems like a lifetime ago and I feel like I’ve been your mom forever. It has been a privilege to watch you blossom from a chubby curmudgeon into a beautiful, talented, fun, adventurous soon-to-be tween.

Tween. Are we really going there?

Second grade has been kind to you. Many of your besties (including Alex and Kasey) are in your class and your teacher, Ms. Rollings, has been amazing. You’ve continued to excel in the arts, are caught up in reading, write whimsical tales like the “Story of Color” and also struggle in math.

Biking Lake Pend Oreille, ID

Blame your father’s genetic failings for that last one.

Many of your friends are really over-scheduled and though you’ll hopefully be starting swim team and piano in the fall, I’ve been careful not to overload you with activities. You are happiest when you have large blocks of time to lock yourself in your room and create–everything from drawings to Popsicle stick birdhouses to the most out-of-the-box, unique contraptions that cause me to sometimes doubt you are mine.

Let’s just say crafting isn’t Mommy’s strong-suit. But you already knew that.

You’ve never been a snuggly kid who verbalizes her affections but one of my most treasured memories this year was when we started writing secret messages to each other on the easel in your room. Every day, I’d eagerly look forward to your love notes and beautiful drawings and was remiss to erase them and replace them with my own stick figures.

Though it was nice to see myself so skinny.

Hiking Lookout Mountain

We love spending girl time in the outdoors and you are an excellent skier who tackled her first advanced run at Park City Mountain Resort. Last summer, you did an adventure race in Vail where you mountain biked, rock climbed, tubed, ziplined and did a ropes course through mud. You are also an intrepid hiker. While the boys are at Bode’s soccer games, we’ve been going to the Junior Naturalist program at Lookout Mountain and you love studying animal habitats.

When we attended the documentary, “To the Arctic” at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, I later commented I could see you doing something like that for your career–going into the Wild and photographing animals. You were game.

Sledding the gully, Calgary Canada

Minus the freezing-your-butt-off-in-sub-zero-temperatures part. (Or as you refer to it: “C.C,” which means “Canadian Cold.”)

Fat Kitty is still your favorite thing alive and your favorite toys are all your stuffed animals. You and Bode love throwing birthday parties for each and every one of them, which means it’s always a party at our house.

When we were in Park City for Spring Break, I took you into a popular tween store to buy some new socks. I held my breath as we wove through the displays of trendy tween clothes and accessories and exhaled when you raced to a display at the back of the store: full of stuffed animals.

I’m in no rush for you to grow up and I’m glad you aren’t either. Age 7 has been your best year yet and I can’t wait to follow you along the zany adventures of your future.

So long as they don’t involve boys and elbow-kissing.

Love,
Mommy