Life on Colorado Avenue: Life on Colorado Avenue: A New Chapter 2014

Life on Colorado Avenue: Life on Colorado Avenue: A New Chapter 2014: Life on Colorado Avenue: A New Chapter 2014 : It has been over a year since I posted. Life has changed. There have been marriages, births, d...

Life on Colorado Avenue: A New Chapter 2014

Life on Colorado Avenue: A New Chapter 2014: It has been over a year since I posted. Life has changed. There have been marriages, births, deaths, and challenges for all. However, life is still good.
We are anticipating spring! While some areas near us have had blizzards, we have had warmer weather and the return of birds. Flowers have been re-potted at my house, and we are eagerly getting ready for spring.
I love spring. It is the signal of new life, after a long cold winter.

Brayden is beginning to communicate more. I am so excited by this. It means that he is starting to better be able to communicate his wants and needs with the rest of the world. He has recently told us he wants to race cars. Dan asked him how he planned on racing. He looked at Dan and said, "Help!"

Brenden is starting to learn to drive. I am not sure I am ready for that, because it means he is getting older. It also means I am getting older. I do not want to admit to that some days!  Who knows, perhaps Brenden and Brayden will race cars together some day!

Life is Still Good

Though it has been a while since I last blogged, things are still good. We had loss of a family member, but we also realize that there are still good things in life, and can still report some celebrations.

Tonight, Brenden earned his black belt in Tae Kwon Do. We are very proud of him. It is a huge accomplishment for someone only 12 years old. 

Brenden taking his test

He has been studying with Dana and Mary Ellen Vaillancourt for the past 5 1/2 years. We are very grateful for their patience and dedication with Brenden, and the rest of the students in their classes. 

Life on Colorado Avenue: It's a Good LifeIt is still a good life. Brayden...

Life on Colorado Avenue: It's a Good Life It is still a good life. Brayden...: It's a Good Life It is still a good life. Brayden is healing very nicely from his surgery. He has passed the stage where we have to worry ...

It's a Good Life

It is still a good life. Brayden is healing very nicely from his surgery. He has passed the stage where we have to worry about infection. Life is almost back to "normal," or whatever that is at our house.


Soccer season is almost here again. When it was not too hot out, Brenden and Dan would practice with the team each Sunday evening.




Brenden at soccer 2012

Brayden just chillin' watching Brenden play soccer

Tennis season has also ended for Brenden. Summer is quickly coming to a close at our house. The School year will be upon us in just a few short weeks. I know that Brayden is ready to go back to see his friends. I think Brenden would like a few more days of summer vacation. However, he does have all of his school supplies ready to go......

Brayden was able to go back to his horse riding therapy last week. He loves riding Roany out at Hope Ranch. Liz and her crew are so wonderful to Brayden. If you ever know of someone who can benefit from riding therapy in the Huron, SD area, contact Hope Therapeutic Riding. They have done so very much to bring Brayden out of his shell. If Roany is busy when we get out there, Brayden gets mad. Brayden and Roany are best buddies.

 Brayden and Roany at Hope Therapeutic Riding



When Brayden rides, he wraps his feet around the horn of the saddle. We always joke that he is doing "Horse Yoga," instead of riding therapy. I should add that he also falls asleep when riding, as he gets so very relaxed. It is a good thing that he has someone helping him stay in the saddle.

Even though summer is starting to come to a close, there is still plenty of time to have more adventures. Stay tuned.........



It is a Good Life - Surgery and Waiting


Life is good. In fact, life is wonderful! Brayden had the screws and plates removed from his hip this week. He also had a bone marrow biopsy, as he has macrocytosis. Brayden did well at the hospital. He was discharged the same day. Brayden’s surgeon planned to keep him over night, but Brayden returned to normal so well that there was no reason to keep him. The preliminary biopsy results are good.  We are now waiting for the rest of the biopsy results to come back from the Mayo Clinic. Until then, enjoying life getting back to "normal."

Brayden is doing well! Brayden has returned to being my "Gumby." He already started to fold in half and nap face first in the carpet. He started that again, the day after surgery. This position is his favorite way to sleep. It does not matter if he is on the floor, or in his bed. I can start Brayden laying on his back in bed, but 10 minutes later, this is how you will find him.

I know that Brayden is feeling better. He told me to “go to work” today. I think he is telling me that he has had too much time at home with Mom, and needs his social life back. I did not think that 8 year olds had a big social life, but this kid does!

My son Gumby (a.k.a. Brayden)

Face plant in the carpet - A happy napper!

Plates and screws from Brayden's hip

It is a Good Life - Wildlife, Close to Home 

Sometimes plans change, and one can find adventures in nature close to home. Today started out like any lazy Sunday, which are quite rare at my house. The sky was grey and cloudy, it looked like there may be rain in the forecast. The the boys and I decided to stay home, and be lazy.


Brayden "jigging" for fish

After lunch, it still had not rained, so we went to the Outdoor Expo at the fairgrounds. The boys gave fishing a try.

Brayden got quite excited when a fish took the worm off of his fish hook. He said that he was "jigging" his line. He got upset, when Dan took the pole away to put on a new worm. He was ready to fish! Brayden was perfectly happy with "jigging" his pole and empty fish hook. Brayden tried fishing again with a new worm, but the fish were not cooperative today.

Brenden patiently waiting for the fish to bite his line

Brenden had at least five fish fascinated with his minnow and bobber. We could see them from shore. The fish would swim close to shore. They circled the bobber and minnow, to investigate what was in the water with them. The fish would look at the minnow and bobber, sit still, swim around the bobber and minnow, and then come back and do the routine all over again. It was a shame that the fish were not hungry and cooperative today. It would have been fun to watch Brenden and Brayden catch a fish, even if we would have to release it back into the pond.

Geese watching all of the children fish

We had fun watching geese, and looking at the fish in the pond.
There was still a lot for Brayden and Brenden to do. Displays of native fish in aquariums and ponds. Frogs, toads and turtle were also available for all to enjoy. There were many new campers to tour. Puppies were running around and there was Kayaking in a shallow man-made pond.

I told Brenden I would kayak in the pond, but he refused to go with me. I think he was afraid that I would embarrass him, by capsizing my kayak. I was not worried. I can swim, and I have paddled a kayak in the past. He is at the age when it is not always "cool" to do things with his mother. The boys have grown up too fast!

Turtles - A species native to the area



Frogs - species native to the area

Later, we went to see ducks, chickens, pheasant, partridge and rabbits at the local hardware store. The store wildlife and personnel were blessed with the presence of a cocker spaniel and a golden lab. Neither the dogs, nor the fowl and rabbits were impressed with one another. However, the dogs do think that it is the best thing in the world, when we take them to the store.

 Our town is not large enough to have a Petco or other store that allows animals to shop. When the dogs are allowed to come with us, they go crazy. I am not sure if they are excited to spend extra time with me, or to go for the free dog treat from the store. I am leaning toward the free dog treat!

Brayden after a long afternoon at the expo and shopping