Alive Day 2012

So today is the 2 year anniversary since Chris was injured in Afghanistan (aka his 2nd Alive Day).  Looking back it seems odd that it has been 2 years, but I remember that day just like it was yesterday.  It was a Sunday morning and as far as I could tell, the highlight of my day would be watching the Broncos vs. Colts game with my friends Megan and Heather.  It was just after 10am when I got the call.  I know the exact spot where I was standing when I answered the phone.  And the sickening feeling that overcame me when the words "Is this Mrs. Champion?" came out.  Automatically I knew that what was to come was sure to be bad news.  After the next sentence "I have to give some news about your husband....he was on a dismounted patrol and stepped on an IED" I fell on to the floor and began crying.  The tears poured out and my heart broke in so many ways...I felt as though I was suffocated trying to find air to breath.  I remember all I wanted to do was write down the measely numbers and throw the phone down.  As I was writing the information down, best I could amist my trembling hands, my friend Megan walked in the room.  Seeing me, I think she knew something had happened to him.  I hung up the phone and she knelt down with me as I collapsed into her arms face full of tears buried into her.  A few short minutes later, I could hear my mom walk in the door.  At the sound of my sobbing she came barreling down the stairs to hear the news.  That moment will never leave me, and whenever I think of it I feel a little pain in my heart.

I also want to take a minute to thank the lovely ladies who were with me that day, Megan and Heather.  They were with me through all the uncertainty.  Through all my psychotic mood swings.  They comforted me and made me feel not so alone in the hours that followed that call.  I love those girls for that. And though my night ended with me throwing up (I will admit I drank a fair amount that afternoon/evening) and passed out before 9, they did exactly what any good friends could do in my opinion.  And we have photos from the photo booth at the Giggling Grizz to show it*

But I look back at the last two years and every little step during his rehab and recovery and am deifnitely happy and proud.  There were some moments that everything felt so bleak, and I felt so unsure of the future.  Days when it felt like life could never possibly be normal again.  But then there would be those moments, when a mile stone would occur (success in surgery, more movement in a foot, more bone growth, standing crutching and walking with a prosthetic for the first time) and glimmers of hope would pop through.  And it was those glimmers of hope that would keep me going.  Just a few months ago he got to RTD (return to duty) with his unit.  So not only has he recovered, he recovered very fast, and is able to perform his same job.  And even though we have had our own ups and downs, I am very proud of him and all that he has accomplished since his injury two years ago.  And I know he will continue to achieve in his career.

Baking Away

I have come to realize I really do enjoy baking.  Mostly because I can come up with random ingredients/flavors I am craving and combine them into one tastey treat!  I normally get cravings for cupcakes, but last week I wanted some type of bar.  I knew I wanted to bake something that was something like a chocolate chip cookie, but with more chocolate, and a kick of another flavor.  I had this craving for a few days when finally it hit me the "kick of flavor" I wanted was rasberry.  Thus, I set off to bake Chocolate Rasberry Crumb Bars.  I hopped online and began searching for recipes to fit the bill.  Though there were several, each varying a bit, I found one that seemed just right.  The recipe I used is from a website called Very Best Baking  The best part about it, the recipe is insanely simple and requires very minimal ingredients! In no time I was pulling my yummy bars out of the oven.  Though they do taste good warm, I think they tasted best after they were allowed to cool completely. I loved them and will deifitely be making them again!

When I bought the ingredients for the crumb bars, I also picked up the things I need to make my favorite cupcakes. A few months back (shortly after making the banana cupcakes ) I was sitting around thinking of cupcakes (lol).  I was drinking a glass of my favorite wine, Saracco Moscato d'asti and imagined how delicious a cupcake would be with this wine in it (it's a very delicious dessert wine).  Then I though about dark chocolate covered strawberries and how much I love them.  So I decided then and there I needed to create a cupcake incorporating all of these to make my ultimate cupcake!  Ever since, I have made them every couple of months and each time they are just as amazing as the first time I tasted it.  I have dubbed them my "Vanilla Moscato Cupcakes w/ Dark Chocolate Ganache Filling and Strawberry Buttercream Frosting".  You can tatse the moscato as you bite into the extremely moist cupcake.  Then you are surprised by the splash of dark chocolate ganache (which I always use Godiva for) in the center.  It's topped of with a light strawberry buttercream frosting, which has slight chunks of strawberries in it. Ahhhhh so good!  So last night I went ahead and made them again.  I don't think I could ever get tired of these things!

 

 

 

The only thing that could make all my baking even better would be a KitchenAid stand mixer.  Once I get a new place that will definitely be a must for my new kitchen ha!

 



 

New Etsy Goodies

I discovered Etsy last year and immediately fell in love.  Not only does it have adorable things, great/unique finds, but I love that it helps support individuals rather then large corporations.  Last year I posted photos of new pillow covers I got for my bed, a jewlery box, and wooden hearts/wooden mason jar I got for my wall.  I recently purchased beautiful paper flowers from a shop called My Woolly Mammoth to add to the wooden hearts/wooden mason jar wall decor.  I love it, they turned out beautiful.  I have a feeling when I get a house I will be ordering more to decorate with!

 

 

 

 

I also had ordered from a shop called Two Turtle Doves last year.  She specializes in hand stamped, mixed metal jewlery.  I love her work and had been wanting to get a necklace from her for awhile (I ordered a key chain charms last time).  After browsing through her necklaces I decided what I wanted was a mix of a few necklaces.  She worked with me, and not only customized my necklace exactly as I asked but did it no time flat (it shipped next day!)  I was so excited when it arrived and it's just as great as I expected it to be :)

 



 

 

President Obama DNC Speech 2012

This last week the DNC was going on. Though I did not watch all of it, I did catch Michelle Obama, Pres. Clinton, and Pres. Obama's speeches. I generally try to avoid the political topic of conversation, because I am well aware that not everyone has the same views. Everyone has their own opinions, own stances, and I respect everyone's right to do so. I most often have no desire to get into knock down drag out arguements over politics and what I may or may not think is right. I do however have no shame in who I support. I personally liked all the speeches I heard and they touched me and got me fired up and motivated. In particular, the last portion of President Obama's speech really effected me. All of it, but particularly the portions related to our troops and to wounded warriors. I have always admired what the Obama and Biden administration has done as far as showing their support to troops and I will never forget the time I got to meet the first and second lady and how much their support to the wounded warriors and their families meant to me. I will admit that by the end of the portion where he mentions wounded warriors and how seeing them go from hospitalized, to walking, and running brings him hope...I was in pure tears. I couldn't help but think back to the first time I saw Chris in the hospital and how bleak everything felt. How when his right leg was saved I felt a glimmer of hope. When he stood again for the first time I felt another glimmer of hope. Seeing him crutch for the first time, more hope. The first time I saw him walk again, I was filled with hope and belief that life would be ok. Then to see him complete a mini-triatholon. It truly is amazing to see that kind of thing with your own eyes. And as hard the road is, how many ups and downs there are..it truly does give you an entirely new perspective of life and completely redefines the word "Hope". Anyways, I wanted to share this portion of his speech because it meant something to me, and perhaps it may mean something to you. I know where my vote will be in November, and no matter what your personal beliefs may be I hope you take time to pay attention to this election and vote.

Labor Day Weekend

Long weekends are always nice.  It's amazing how much that one extra day can help to rejuvenate you and get you ready to tackle the world again.  I have always said every weekend should be a three day weekend...unfortunately I don't make all thge rules in life.  Anyways, my Friday before the weekend was pretty mellow at work.  We have had some mystery virus going around kids at work.  There are no symptoms, no cough, no runny nose, and then all of a sudden a fever hits.  Not sure what it is, and one of the parents who works at the hospital says they have been doing tests and culture studies to try and figure it out.  Needless to say, a few kids have been out due to the fever so our numbers on Friday were lower then ususal.  When I got home form work one of my uncles came to visit from Iowa.  He made his famous blue cheese burgers and we all sat outside and enjoyed the night while eating and chatting.  After dinner Chris and I went to the movies and saw Lawless.  I must say, it was a very good movie!  It's about the Bondurant Brothers, who were bootleggers.  Definitely recommend you see it.  Aside from the first 5 minutes of the movie ( I am a major animal lover, and once you see the movie you will understand), I loved it.

Not too much went on Saturday during the day, that evening we went to dinner at the Olive Garden and then to Dave & Busters with some friends.  As always we got a ton of tickets, yet don't really need or want anything in the ticket store.  But of course the preschool teacher in me came out once I saw all the balls.  We are doing a sports theme for the month of September and I was excited to get a bunch of balls for the kids using the tickets we won.

Sunday we headed downtown and grabbed lunch at a mexican restaurant called El Senor Sol...it's the restaurant where I tackled the 60 oz margarita on Cinco de Mayo (though I did not get a margarita this time, I stuck to water).  Afterwards we went to the aquarium (which is right acrossed the street).  My favorite animals to see ended up being the otters, the giant sting rays, the seahorses, and any fish with a leopard pattern.  On our way back to the house, we decided to stop and play a few rounds of mini golf, which we ended just in time before an afternoon rain storm hit.  Though I still didn't beat him, I think I am getting a little better (ha!)

I spent today with my mom.  We ended up going to some of the Parade of Homes that were in the Parker area.  I found one house that I absolutely loved...it looked as if I had decorated it!  Had a very nice floor plan, good flow, and great finishes.  The wood floors were a color I had never seen before and it was beautiful.  It was kind of a lighter carmel wood color but had shades of black, dark brown, and greys in it. Amazing!  Here are a few pics of the house..I wished there was one to show the kitchen!

 

 

 

Also, I know that fall is fast approaching and I knew I would be needing a new pair of black boots for this fall/winter.  I wore mine sooo much last year that I know they wouldn't have survived another season.  I bought a pair of Etienne Aigner's last year that I loved.  I have smaller calves and I hate how much space there is between my leg and most boots.  I tried on several pairs, but turns out I went with a pair of Etienne Aigner's again.  Not only do I think they are cute and comfortable, but they definitely are one of the few boots that aren't as wide in the calf area which is perfect for me!  I will be ready to wear them once the weather starts to cool off!

 



 

I hope everyone else had an enjoyable weekend.  I plan to spend the rest of my evening relaxing, and getting ready to head back to work tomorrow.