Snapshot of Misa

If there is one cliche that rings true today, it's this: "Capture the moments, because time goes so fast." Today Isabel Marie Naputi-Werntz, otherwise known as Misa, turned 8 years old. Yes, it went fast, and yes, I continually try to savor the moments.

Although I remember her birth-day vividly, I remember my pregnancy with her even more clearly. I've written about it from time to time, recalling what it took to stay in shape and in touch with myself. Misa's birth naturally changed my life, and every day, I find myself enamored by her personality and love of life.

She makes me laugh about the silliest things, and challenges me by asking questions I have to seek answers to. She is aware of people's feelings - especially mine. I know this because of our conversation as we were walking to the park the other day.

Me: Were you able to give out all your birthday invitations?
Misa: Yes, but Mama, you forgot to put what the party is *for* on all the invitations.
Me: Oooooh. Dang, so what did you do and how did you discover it?
Misa: Well, my teacher did, so during Choice Time, I wrote on all 20 invitations that it is for my birthday.
Me: It sounds like you solved it, I'm sorry I forgot the most important detail!!!
Misa: It's okay, and I told my teacher that you probably forgot because you did it just this morning. I didn't say, 'She was soooo busy that she completely forgot' because that would make you look like a careless mom."
Me: [Laughing] Thanks, Misa - you're such a great daughter!

I love to remember the snippets of conversations the two of us have from time to time. I try to record the true gems, like this one was in my mind, not only because I like remembering, but because Time really does go by fast.

In the picture below of Emma and Misa, I am reminded that Emma was 8 years old when Misa was born!

Making Lemonade

Injuries affect people differently. Thankfully, I haven't been injured in a long, long time and I'm always grateful for this. On the other hand, I feel for Brad who has been injured all summer, and has battled various injuries from time to time. If I ever get injured, I want to take it as gracefully as Brad has. I hope I'm as giving as he is, too, because this entire summer, he has followed me up and down the crags spotting, belaying, and moving pads for me. He's been there to keep the kids company, distract them as I work out moves on a project, and support me even though he hasn't been able to climb.

In too many wonderful ways to list, Brad is - hands down - the BEST climbing partner.

Unconditionally.

(And he is NOT a Leo . . .)

Here is a video of me when we went hiking around carrying our pads from boulder to boulder. We didn't find the boulder we were looking for, and we were on a tight time schedule. So instead of going back to the car completely empty-handed, I found this little boulder and made the best of our random hiking around. We called it, "Making Lemonade."

Boulder Pad Shenanigans

We hiked the west bluff of the talus field at Devils Lake in hopes of finding Massive Vertigo.  Instead, we walked around in the general area, never quite making it to Massive Vertigo.  At one point, I dropped my pad to go on a scouting mission and I didn't even have to go up to retrieve it.  Brad is so nice to have done this for me . . .