I have started a 30 day facebook fast. I realized how much time I actually spent on facebook and how little vital information there really is on there and I decided to take a break. At first I was just going to go whole-hog and delete my account but a couple people talked me in to taking a month off before doing that just to make sure it was the right decision. And here is the deal: It's hard! I want to look at facebook but so far I have been able to resist the temptation. Funny how something like that can really get its hooks into you!
I try to not talk about myself too much in these posts. I know that mostly you want to hear about jOanne and the girls. But I have to tell you about my day yesterday. My birthday was on Thursday and it really wasn't a great day. I was pretty down about it. But my mom suggested that we do a birthday do-over on Saturday and that sounded good to me. So here's what happened:
My folks arrived at out house at 7a.m. with Krispy Kreme donuts. We had a nice cup of tea (coffee for my dad) and then he brought in this large box all wrapped up. They told me to open in at to my utter surprise it was a Ruger 10/22 takedown rifle chamber in .22 long rifle. It is the limited edition rifle--only 5000 made! I thought my dad might be getting me a .22 but this was OVER THE TOP. I was just blown away. This is something I will treasure the rest of my life. Crazy cool! Check it out here.
Then dad and I hit the road for Rocky Mountain National Park. It was a beautiful, cool morning and we zipped right up there. Got to the park at about 9:30 and grabbed the shuttle up to Glacier Gorge trail head. We decided to hike to Mills Lake (about 6.5 miles round trip. Initially we had talked about doing Lawn Lake but that's a 10+ mile hike and I am not quite in 10+ mile hike shape. SO we hike up to the lake and it is literally one of the prettiest hikes I have been on. Everything was so green and lush. The hike only had about 1000 foot elevation gain so it wasn't too bad.
When we got to the lake I was blown away. It is spectacular! the mountains are all around and the water is crystal clear. I was kicking myself for not bringing my swim suit because I would have jumped in in a heartbeat and swam out to some of the rocks in the middle of the lake. Dad took some pictures and I watched the trout swim all around. This is definitely a hike that Emma will have to go on someday and she is our resident fisherman. She would have had a blast.
So we headed back down after about 45 minutes at the lake and caught the shuttle to the car. We headed into Estes Park to our favorite shop called Outdoor World. It's been there for as long as I can remember. They make small patches for each of the lakes in the park and Emma was missing one from her Lake Haiyaha hike last week with my dad. So we picked that up, hit McDonalds for a Diet Coke and got back on the road.
We scooted along until we hit Lyons becasue there was a bike race passing through town. We probably sat at a dead stop for half an hour but we were having a great conversation so it didn't matter much. Eventually we got rolling again and got home around 4:00.
The house smelled amazing! I had asked for Beef Bourginon for my birthday dinner and it was cooking away in the oven. I took a quick shower and then Dad, Emma and I headed to my gun shop (Douglas County Firearms) for get a small scope for my new rifle. I love the staff there and they had done a great job of keep my dad's rifle purchase for me a secret (he bought it from DCF). So we got a little inexpensive scope and raced hoe for dinner...which was awesome.
After we ate and the kitchen was clean mom and dad headed out and we got Joanne showered and ready for bed. I was totally wiped out from my fun day and feel asleep no problem.Had a great night sleep as was up early for my cup of tea this morning. All in all it was about as good a 24 hours as I have had in a very, very long time.
I am going to the range to site in my rifle in a little bit then we will just hang out as a family for the day. Perfect!
Toben
I loved this post about your do-over birthday. Although I don't know any of you in-personally, I know you personally from the past year plus of reading the blog. We live not far from each other but the internet couldn't care less. Thank you for sharing your world. God is at work in your life; you are as precious as the rest (can you hear my "pastor's wife" leaking out); your journey in all of this is worth a book, or at least an occassional post. :)
Posted by: Laura Taylor | August 26, 2012 at 08:53 AM
Love it, It is so important for you as a caregiver to give care to yourself, it refreshes you and makes you fresh to care for Joanne, never apologize for talking about yourself, you are important, so glad you had a wonderful day! As a previous caregiver for several years as my dad suffered with alzheimers I realized the importance to refresh myself too.
Posted by: carla | August 26, 2012 at 09:51 AM
I applaud you for choosing to take a break. I am mostly a lurker. But just so you know, I for one will miss your posts should you decide to go. You have been a wonderful example to me of a godly man leading his family and loving his wife. I've learned so much from you yet I've never even met you! Enjoy your respite.
Posted by: Caroline | August 26, 2012 at 11:26 AM
Hey Toben
I was so blessed to hear your Happy Birthday story. Your Father loves you! (both of your Father's that is) Thanks for sharing. :)
Posted by: Shanna | August 26, 2012 at 12:20 PM
I just ended a 6 week facebook sabbatical! Here are my musings...
http://amandasmithrunner.blogspot.com/
Great post,
Amanda
Posted by: amanda | August 26, 2012 at 01:13 PM
Sounds like an awesome day! I am trying to find some good hikes up here for the kids to do :)
Give Joanne a hug for me - glad to see she is feeling better after the flu.
Posted by: Sarah | August 26, 2012 at 01:33 PM
Hauoli la hanau (belatedly) Toben! Sounds like a great time! Don't have any doubts about birthday do-overs; my actual birthday has seemed to be troublesome for years and so I started celebrating around my birthday, some were do-overs themselves, though now friends aren't really sure when my birthday is. BUT, I have a good time with my good friends anyway and that is what counts.
May God bless you in the coming year!
Posted by: Jennifer | August 26, 2012 at 03:47 PM
I love the idea of a birthday "do- over!" You know, people always assume our birthdays will be fabulous days and they just aren't. I have had a few "bummer" birthdays. I'm so glad you got to "do it over."
Posted by: Dionna | August 26, 2012 at 04:12 PM
Cool idea... birthday do over!! I have had a few of those birthday bloopers when you expect everythign to go perfect and be spoiled on our special day. Geez, makes the day worse when that happens and I hate that~so I totally get how you felt! thankful 'do over' was a success... you deserve it....for all you do for your family and wife. You are an amazing husband and father! God has a special plan for the Heim family and we know HE is smiling down on you all as you continue each day trusting and leaning on HIM to give you grace and strength to face each day. Hang in there....you are doing great and many are amazed at Joanne's progress and we know she has amazing cheeraleaders... even husbands make amazing cheerleaders. Just be glad you dont have to wear a fancy skirt and carry pom poms around to encourage Joanne along.:) Life is good when everyone is happy and God's plan is fulfilled. We will pray you through the year.:)
Blessings~ Heidi Carrico
Posted by: Heidi Carrico | August 27, 2012 at 07:55 PM
I like the idea of a birthday do over. Have to keep that in mind! Oh and the bus thing...it's social time! That's why she enjoys it and doesn't want to miss. If something goes wrong with a friendship/situation on the bus, you will know it immediately; she'll refuse to get on!
Happy Belated Birthday from Houston, TX.
Posted by: Nancy | August 28, 2012 at 01:39 PM
Happy happy belated birthday!
My husband would faint with joy if he got that for his birthday. ;-) Maybe I will surprise him...
Posted by: Kristen | August 29, 2012 at 12:13 AM
Toben,
FIrst of all, Happy Belated Birthday. What a wonderful, wonderful day your Birthday Re-Do sounded! I'm so glad you had a blessed day!
Second of all, I've been reading this blog since just before Joanne's stroke. My week is not complete unless I've checked in on your family and seeing how everyone's week has been, how Joanne is, etc. I cannot tell you how nice it was to read today's post about YOU! How you've had a great day! You are a huge part of Joannes journey and I'm sure I speak for many others who are blog followers that we like to hear how Toben is doing as well! So I personally would love to see more Toben updates - alongside how Joanne is and the girls!!!
You're all in my continued thoughts and prayers....
Posted by: Darcy | August 29, 2012 at 02:35 PM