down a car, up a bike

In 1975 my dad and three of us buddies left from Detroit, Michigan on a year long journey that would end in La Paz, Bolivia totaling more than 8,000 miles of road trekked.

I've grown up with his stories of this trip- in fact I can probably tell many of his own stories by memory! A few years ago he biked coast to coast 2 separate times as well as several bike trips throughout the country. So biking is essentially in my blood...

Ironically I didn't have a bike for much of my childhood- we lived in the country- but off a busy road and our road was very hilly- so I didn't have a bike. When David and I got married I got a little used bike I'd tool around in from time to time. When we were living in Detroit my dad and I bought a bike a bike from his dear friend after the tragic passing of his wife. That bike has been one of my favorite things! First we bought a bike seat to put on the bike so I could haul Bentley around,





and later we bought the Burley so I could bike with both boys. By the time Lily was born I could put her in the bike seat and haul the Burley with the boys. What a load!







There is something really freeing about biking around. You get a better sense of your community- if you take similar routes you begin to meet people. You learn the roads well and you get to enjoy the fresh air! Also biking is a good way to get some exercise- and we all can use more exercise!




When we decided to move to Tucson we started dreaming of how we could bike more and drive less. Luckily David's new job is under 2 miles from the house so he can bike daily. We sold our corolla before we left Detroit to simplify our trip! On our long road trip this summer we saw several cargo bikes with kids on the back... the one I really liked was the Yuba Mundo. When we arrived in Tucson we found a local dealer of Yuba's who had one all ready to go- so we bought it!

The bike seemed like such a great idea and the best way to get kids around! I was so excited to give it a try. We got it home and put one kid on the back- I road up and down the road without a problem. So we lifted up the other two I went to go for a ride and quickly realized it was going to be harder than I thought! The bike almost fell over, but luckily I caught it. So David hopped on to give a try and the same thing happened. He said, "We've seen people do this- I know we can do it!" Once he got the hang of it he gave me back the bike and encouraged me to give it another try. I knew we had just dropped a pretty penny to buy the thing that I wanted so bad- so in all my stubbornness I got back up- shaking and terrified- I road 6 houses away and quickly came back. "That's a wrap! Let's try tomorrow," I said.

The next day we went for a 3 mile ride. It did not go flawlessly. Most people were super encouraging and kind, but there were a few not happy people we were in the way or at one point I literally froze before I could cross the street and all these cars were angrily waiting for me to move. It was a people pleaser's worst nightmare! But we made it home.


Now I've ridden the yuba with the three kids over 100 miles and it's tipped over once- my fault- at a stop sign- the kids shifted and I wasn't ready- no one was hurt and they popped right back on in true Crawford style. Though the experience did jostle me for a day or two.

All this said I thought I'd share the reason I ride a bike with three kids in tow....

I ride my bike to save the planet. 

As a Christian and as a citizen of this world I think it is important to take care of the earth. We are doing that by owning 1 less car, biking more, using less energy by hanging our laundry instead of owning a dryer, using less water in the desert, and we plan to buy solar panels for our home. 

I ride my bike to save money. 

1. It doesn't need gas.

2. It saves on wear and tear. 

3. I don't have to go to the gym

4. parking is free

5. It doesn't cost the same to maintain a bike as it does a car.

I ride my bike to save my health.

1. Riding my bike as a way of life is a better way to stay healthy because it's already built into my daily routine, it doesn't require me to go out and find a time to work out- it's just integrated into my daily life. 

2. It keeps my heart healthy and happy. Heart disease is the number 1 killer in this country. I want to live as healthy as I can. 

3. You work all of your muscles if you're incorporating hills into your ride. You get toner and have more energy!

4. It's easy on joints. 

5. I am showing the kids that it's important to live an active lifestyle that saves them and saves their planet.

I ride my bike because it's fun.

No pressure, no worries if biking isn't your thing or you can't do it right now- but if you can- I'd encourage you to get on a bike and start moving! I'm sure you'll be glad you did. :)

on your seventh birthday, my dear son...

I spent months preparing to have the perfect all natural all peaceful all perfect day of your birth! But what I have spent years training myself to do- prepare and plan and perfect- all proved itself in perfect meaningless on that special day! I did experience the labor and birth that I had planned for- it's just everything that came after changed me. But son, the thing I've learned is that is true with the other two as well! In fact, I spent a year planning a big party when your dad and I decided to get married- and the wedding was all I planned for- but then life happens.... and it unfolds in ways you will never imagine. I can promise you that, son. Ok back to you...

So you were born in the early morning of August 14, 2008- 11 days early. We didn't call anyone to say we were going in to the hospital... After 2 hours of pushing you finally came out! The doctor said, "It's a boy!!" We all smiled! They wrapped you in up and placed you in my arms for a photo- then they said you were too blue- so they wheeled you away. Here's the only photo I have immediately after you were born: 

Two hours later they brought you back. They told me you probably had Down syndrome. "No, I don't have any questions- I just want my son," I said.

It was love at first sight. Oh man- I just scooped you up- and I never wanted to put you down. You rarely cried and always cuddled. 

I did have to put you down- for adequate "tummy time" of course. The therapists wanted you strong! So down you went... 

And then you started growing...

And you were always such a happy kid! Here daddy and I hiked Sleeping Bear Dunes all the way to Lake Michigan. I was pregnant with your brother- 

 

Then you got glasses- and they made your cute little face even cuter! 

And then your sweet brother was born... 

you loved him right from the start

 

then you had to learn to walk... that was a lot of hard work!

you made a friend in Africa! 

 

and you always love to be helpful

and then we brought your sister home! 

you have quite the personality! 

we had the most amazing summer! 

Having you as our son has pushed us to change our perspective on life and people and even God. I am constantly learning new lessons- and I am always working on my patience! You have this way of making people laugh and smile and fall in love with you. I have seen the sad and the broken turn to your joyful face and watched their mouth lines move to experience joy with you. Even at the young age of two you crawled into my lap when I was crying at the loss of a friend and you wiped away my tears... which only made me cry more.

You have also unrolled countless toilet paper rolls, broken some of my favorite things, spilled things daily for the last 7 years, thrown your glasses out of car windows never to be found again, colored on walls, and ran every other direction than the one I wanted you to go. But it's the reflections of these moments that make me ponder what really matters. What is the purpose of life and how do I teach it to you? Why did God give you to us? Are you knit perfectly or are you to be made new in heaven? In essence- we are all imperfect- but we are able to mock perfection a little easier. 

Bentley, your joy is contagious, your smile igniting, your heart pure, and your life a reward. You have taught me many many things.... and I look forward to the many many many more adventures, challenges, and joys that lie ahead...

interlochen, mi

Hot sand on toes, cold sand in sleeping bags,

I've come to know that memories

Were the best things you ever had

The summer shone beat down on bony backs

So far from home where the ocean stood

Down dust and pine cone tracks

We slept like dogs down by the fire side

Awoke to the fog all around us

The boom of summer time

Ben Howard: Old Pine

There was a man whose name was Carl. He married a woman named Janet. They had three daughters: Linda, Ginger, and Betsy. Linda lives in Denver, CO with her husband. Their son, Todd also lives in Denver with his wife, Jenny and their four children. Their daughter, Betsy, lives in Tennesse with her husband, Caleb, and three, soon to be four- daughters. 

Ginger and her husband Dave live in Ann Arbor, MI. (We had the wonderful opportunity to live close to them the last 8 years- and their love and role in our life was very special and will always be remembered.) They have three children: Nan is married to Jess and they have two boys and live on a farm in Chelsea. Luke is married to Katherine and they have a daughter and a babe on the way and currently live in California. Their youngest lives in Ann Arbor. 

The third daughter- Betsy lives with her husband in Nogales. They have 5 children. The eldest-the man of my dreams and our three rascals obviously live in Tucson now. :) Steven and his wife Tanya live in LA. Jane and her husband Vidal life in Tucson. Mark and his wife Layne also live in Tucson. And finally- Caroline- who is finishing up her degree in vocal performance at the Univ of Arizona. 

This couple - Carl and Janet- began a beautiful thing- a family that loves and cherishes one another- a family that supports one another and likes to be together. Carl went to be with his Lord and Savior five years ago this October. The summer before he passed away we had a reunion- so the family thought it was more than due time to get everyone together. And we did! Every person mentioned was at the reunion. 

There's a small lake in Interlochen, MI named Green Lake. Along much of one side is a state park- one without electric hook ups- preventing too many developments and keeps many boats away. Next to that is a well known school for music. Also across from there sits a small cottage that has been in the family for decades. David and his family love this place- and I'm thankful I've been able to fall in love with it as well. There's no wifi up there (though cell phone technology has made it feel less remote than at first!) No TV. Just water, sand, and memories to be made. 

The reunion was a lot of fun. I enjoyed all of David's cousins, aunts, uncles, and of course the immediate family. The kids had a blast with all their little cousins and playing in the water. 

Once again words just don't capture the same beauty as my lens- so I'll do less talk and more photos :)

little cousins

older cousins

Lily and Otis

Lake Michigan- This was the most fun I have ever had swimming in Lake Michigan! What a good bye!!!

David's cousin built a boat!

Overall it was a wonderful few days (many stayed longer) at Green Lake. What began as sweet young love then blossoming into three daughters and then to this... it's really special to be part of it now... I can only hope and pray that I will get to see our little family grow into something like this- even if it doesn't look like the extension of many people- I know that it will prove itself special. Simply enjoying our camping trip- with this stop- and watching our three children learn to love the earth and the animals and the sunsets and the sunrises and the delicious fruits and vegetables that we eat- it's all part of this journey- the twists and turns you never know that are up ahead- but just enjoying each moment as it comes... so we stopped and enjoyed some moments with family.

And then we headed north- to the remote upper peninsula of Michigan where the pace of life changes- the beauty even more magnificent.