yeah, we are the yak wrestlers

This is a family of yaks that our friend owns. One of the calves needed an ear tag, so guess who they asked to help: Todd the cowboy and his Dad. Here is the calf after being lassoed by Todd and about to be taken down and given an earring. The tackling of the calf seemed to be a fun challenge for all the men involved.
Elijah and Grandma (and mommy!) stayed at a safe distance where we couldn't see any blood. Elijah was the typical boy and begged to be let go of so he could get in on the excitement. (Just kidding, but it is fun putting words in his mouth.)

huckleberries and Banff

Just thought you might like a peek at our delectable breakfasts lately...fresh nectarines and huckleberries that we picked ourselves. Soooo good! Huckleberries are my new favorite food, I think! They are selling in town for close to $50/gallon. I think that the refreshment we gain from picking them off the mountains is reason enough not to buy them! Imagine yourself with huckleberry-stained fingers, gulping in beautiful fresh air while you ravenously gaze at God's majesty all around, tasting these wildly good purple berries as you go -- and I think you get the picture! These two pictures are some of Elijah's expressions when I come to get him in the morning. He is always so happy when he first gets up. It's my favorite time of day with him.

We were so blessed with a quick trip to Banff, Canada just over a week ago. We went to meet up with my brother and his friend who were on their way back from Alaska. We left after Todd finished work, pulled into the campsite about midnight and crashed! Elijah and I slept in the van, and it was our first experience with using Elijah's feeding pump away from electrical outlets. No problems!

'Beauty' does nothing to describe what we saw. I am awed by a God whose creativity knows no limits.
We found a trail that Elijah's chair did pretty well on, at least for a little way. Maybe we're going to have to look into sled dogs for Elijah when we go hiking...


Todd's parents have been here for a few days, so we'll keep you posted on our adventures with them. They are a huge blessing to us!

freedom

Floating on his back, with eyes big and the tiniest hint of a smile, he kicked his legs and moved his arms with determination. So happy and relaxed. The warm water freed him, no longer a prisoner wanting to wiggle yet held inside a body that doesn't cooperate.

Watching, the therapist whispered, "Oh Julie...it brings tears to my eyes to see him with such pleasure on his face. He is enjoying this so much. It's like he is truly in his body and able to use it."

Grateful hearts for little blessings today, Lord...for seeing my child enjoy his world and be able to move.

playing in the wind and water

Last weekend we all got to go sailing! Todd has been a crew member this summer on the pretty boat, the Firefly, and they race on Thursday nights. The owner of the boat let Elijah and I come along last Saturday. So peaceful - so beautiful. Nothing but the sounds of the wind in the sails and the water spraying as the boat skimmed through.
"Dad, this life-jacket feels a bit like a strait jacket to me..."

the handsome Harkins men
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Sometimes I feel like I am part of a social experiment labeled: 'How American Culture Responds to the Abnormal and the Handicapped'. Elijah and I went grocery shopping together a few days ago. It was "Fresh Friday", so the store was packed out. No handicapped parking and no shopping carts. (Elijah is in his little chair, so our system is to grab a cart and park it in an aisle, returning when my arms/basket get full so we can deposit the groceries in the cart.)

Since the store was full, I knew I could probably count on lots of strange looks. Thankfully, this was not a day of raw emotions...my 'game face' was on and I was ready. We started our shopping, finally getting a cart, and the mental volleyball began. Ok, there's a strange look coming our way. Right back atcha with a smile, buddy. And so it went, as we ventured through the produce and the dairy aisle.

I feel like God is building a confidence and strength in me through this sweet life with Elijah, and that is all for HIS glory and because of HIS grace. People (myself included) are so bound up in what is physical and what can be seen on the outside. When I feel like we are being pitied, I think, "They don't know what I have. They don't know what an absolute treasure this little boy is." I wish I could shout it from the roof tops that we are not to be pitied, because we are blessed!

Thank you, Father, for Your gifts that take my breath away. Like azure sky filling spaces between tree-lined peaks. Like a little boy with soft brown curls who brings so much joy. Like learning how to really love, to give, to see people with Your eyes.

good times

The month of July has been PACKED with good times! The next three shots are still from our trip to Montana.

Do you notice the number of cowboy hats there are in this picture? Definitely not your everyday headgear where I come from in Wisconsin.


Elijah and some of his beautiful (girl) and handsome (boy) cousins. All fabulous people.

We took this road heading home to Idaho from Montana. I love this picture! Two ways to tell if a road is NOT on the beaten path: 1) the cows have free range, and 2) there is grass growing between the wheel tracks.

Elijah says, "I just wanna get out of this cage, Mom!"

We were able to go on a bike ride in Idaho with Todd's aunt, uncle, and cousins! They not only lent us gear (including the little trailer) but put up with a multitude of stops checking on the little guy. Our bike ride was sooooo good for me. I was so happy to feel like a "normal person" again. To attempt a day like this would have been out of the question for most of the past two years. Elijah was a trooper, and I was so thankful for...everything.


The trail we took was called the Hiawatha, and it was approximately 14 (?) miles long. It had nine tunnels and is built over a railroad. Here is one of the trestles, and we are the pinheads waving.
My wonderful brother Jesse came for a visit! He is on a manly motorcycle adventure, driving from Wisconsin to Alaska. Here he is with his fellow motorcycle buddy, Seth, and Todd. These three guys did some off-roading in the mountains.
"Oh no, Dad's sleeping. How am I gonna get out of here? Help me, help me, Mom..."
Our latest thrill has been picking huckleberries in the mountains. (Elijah watches for bears while we pick, and Todd carries the bear deterrent.) This was the first berry-finding mission (we didn't even know what huckleberries LOOKED like), accompanied by our friends below...
Patience and I went to Bible school together a LONG time ago. We have a lot of fun and crazy memories together. This is my dear friend Patience and her husband, Brian.
Huckleberry cobbler and icecream!