Winter into Spring

Where has 20-12 gone? I can not believe that we are reaching the end of MARCH.  Life in the mountains however aren't really showing signs of Spring just yet... As I look out my window I am still surrounded by white. However with the echo of drip drip drip that white stuff is slowly giving away to the warmth of the sun and becoming less and less. Today unlike yesterday feels like Spring in Montana. The skis are filled with blue and it takes a few moments for your eyes to adjust when going outside... sometimes just a tad to bright.

It will be a different Spring followed by Summer for me, in the years before I would be packing my bags in a few short weeks to head back to North Dakota. 2012  I will be staying put... ok when have I ever truly stayed put... in the of the terms I will be spending my days in Montana year around. I am sure I will be doing everything BUT staying put... I am excited to explore what I already know as AMAZING surroundings without SNOW. Hiking, Rafting, Running, and Biking (I can barely stand the wait to use the brand new mountain bike hanging from the ceiling in my guest room... ya ya I said guest room... sometimes you have to be creative in your storage.) I have know Whitefish as winter paradise for five great seasons and I am looking forward to knowing mother nature at her best in Spring Summer and Fall. It will be so different seeing green and hearing the birds sing and mayb just maybe wildlife simply enjoying nature as much as I am. My nikon will be getting plenty of use as well as my legs (ok rest of my body as well). the count down is on 12 days left of Skiing and Boarding the FISH. So I will be enjoying some spring skiing and good times with some good friends and then will be hanging up the good ol K2's and reaching for what just may end up being a new love hanging from my ceiling... I can't wait to get to know her (has to be a her right she's white and purple - a name will be provided in a later date after we embrace.)

I hope all of you are enjoying Mother nature as she turns winter into spring...

93 years young

Its a special day -today... the most kind sweetest most caring and loving guy I know turns 93 today. HAPPY BIRHTDAY GRAMPS.... and just so you all know... he is THE HAPPIEST guy I know. In my 31 years of life I have never seen my grandfather as anything but happy and loving. He is the prime example on how to live this life. I am so thankful for the life lessons he has taught me not thru his words but thru simply living his life. He has taught me about be grateful and thankful for the simplest of things, making the very best out of life ALWAYS, choosing to be happy and smile at all times, showing kindess to everyone you come in contact with - he is truly one of THE GREATEST. I hope he is showered with love kindness and happiness today (and always) he deserves to be surrounded with love.

Happy 35th Paulie

Its that time of year where I great the honor of giving a Birthday Shout out to my BIG brother, Paul. Its his day today! This year its an extra special one, its the first birthday he will celebrate as a Daddy, Dad, Father....its a big first for him. With the arrival of Taylor this past May life has sure changed...for all of us...esp for my brother. But I have found it has been change ALL for the BETTER. My brother has always been someone I truly admire...I always look up to him and go off his example to take my lead in my own life. He is a remarkable guy hands down...one of the great ones...the keepers...the type you are glad - honored- blessed to call your son. brother. husband. dad. nephew. grandson. friend. co-worker. He has woren all sorts of hats thus far in life sports star, builder, fixer, cook, healer just to name a few but its his newest hat that he wears that he truly shines...father...daddy...dad...I have found great pride - joy - and happiness watching him first try on this hat - fitting into this hat but most of all now making that hat his own. Here is this guy with huge manly hands turning so gentle. A manly man who defines strength softening because a certain little girl has him wrapped around her finger. Fatherhood has been a role that my brother has taken on so naturally.... I am not surprised my brother is good at everything he does and well if he isn't he doesn't stop trying til he is great at it. I know my niece is a special little girl...I knew it the minute that I first met her....she's a Goldmann...and that makes her pretty darn special...but what makes her a truly blessed little girl is that my big brother is her daddy...and that knowing that...makes her extra special. extra blessed. For I know the things my brother is amazing at...and all those things won't compare at all to the kind of father my brother is and will continue to be...Taylor is he well everything and I know what happens when it comes to my brother's everything...he will succeed beyond what is expected...he will go above and beyond...that's just who he is...an over achiever and FINALLY fatherhood is something I can FINALLY say I hope he never stops becoming better at it...you can be the winner always at this Paulie...and I know you will be. Happy Birthday to the best BiG BrOtHeR a sister could ever ask for. I hope you know today just how special you are...just what a gift you are to not only to your daughter but to your entire family and to all those who know you. You are a stand up guy that I am pretty proud to call my brother....it also helps to have you around during those times that I shoot my mouth off or can't get away from that annoying guy at the bar -my personal bouncer that still doesn't get old - i know you always have my back. Love ya.

proud to be a CHELLIE

She is the one that taught me  life is about having fun. about enjoying yourself. about laughing every chance you get. about smiling even more - get the wrinkles it symbolizes a life well lived... she is the one that well lives life with joy. she doesn't sweat the small stuff... she loves to have a drink in her hand and is always in search of living this life to the very core of her soul. she is laid back and light hearted. she hugs just like Granny...she claps her hands and opens her arms and wraps you in her love...my favorite memory about my grandmother was passed down to her daughter....and the best part is she doesn't even know just how much she is like her....like her in the best best best ways....her eyes light up when i or one of my cousins or brothers enter the room. She beams of love for her family just like Granny. I love those moments in life when you realize the person you so dearly miss is in many ways still here thru the passing of the torch.... that's my Aunt Shelley. she walks thru this life making her own path yet her roots remain firmly planted - a woman who has a strong heart strong mind and beautiful soul. She taught me by the life she lives that there is no perfect way on a paved known road the adventure lies in the path yet to be carved out. Everyone can live the normal life safe inside their comfort zone but the ones who truly live this life are out there taking risks taking chances following their whisper even when everyone else is saying they are crazy or it will never work to keep going...she's in quest to explore this life and seek every once of laughter and joy from it ---she is a trail blazer she's a GOLDWOMAN...she has taught me how to be a strong confident GOLDWOMAN to shred the checklist perfect life and live a life even better... HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my aunt Shelley you have filled my life with adventure with laughter with cocktails with smiles with "just like Granny" hugs and above all love. Here's to the ride of life...and may that ride finds us causing trouble together soon...of course with a drink in one hand ok both hands and smiles on our face *my favorite part about my new job paid vacations so this planning will become a reality* Here's to you...i bare the name Chellie and esp aunt chellie with pride and joy to be told Michelle your just like your aunt Shelley well to me it just doesn't get better than that...thanks for always teachingby example what it means to be a GOLDWOMAN.... hope you are spoiling yourself not just today but always.

CANCER

Its a word that carries more meaning that you will never know until it is a word that becomes a part of your life. CANCER to me was just a word once something that happened to my favorite teacher my best friend's grandma my mom's friend...you try to relate. you try to imagine but in the end you fall short in grasping what such a word means. Its a word that was never spoken in my family about one of my family members. You hear of name after name after name of those you have cancer who are battling cnacer who have lost their lives to cancer. But it all changes when suddenly that name is your mom's. When that person who Cancer claims as their home in their body is the person who carried you for 9 months who gave you life who held you gave you comfort feed you kissed you hugged you wiped away your tears - that person who your entire life is built around. that person you knows every scar every wound every memory every failure every dream - that person who taught you what was right or wrong - that person who installed everything that makes you - well you today.

As you all know there is nothing like the love for your mother. No better person. She's the glue - the one you can count on - the one thats always there- the one that loves you no matter what. Well my mom is just like that and more. I knew from an early age that my mom was well different....in all the best ways possible...the great ones always are... they have this gift of just seeing the world thru different eyes - they have a way of just living that is rare. Ya you can call me bias but anyone who has spent 5 seconds with my mom knows this to be true...Paula Goldmann she's one of the great ones.

So when we were told almost two years ago that she had stage four breast cancer it was a blow to the core of the Goldmann family. The woman who held us all together who brings us all together was now to battle this monster we call cancer. I remember that moment being told in that moment and how it felt like the air was sucked right out - not being able to breath - tears rolling - fear setting in. Standing next to my brothers who until up to that time I had only seen cry once. But there was our mom putting her arms around us wrapping us in her love and saying with a smile on her face "i am going to be just fine." In true Paula fashion she picked up the pieces and carried on. Cancer changed our lives forever that day.... but it was my mom that truly changed our lives all for the better that day. Even thru this whole battle she has still kept us together. She is still the glue. She is the strongest woman I have ever met. She carries herself with grace strength faith and hope. Facing this cancer head on each and every time. Never giving up never saying why me. Never throwing herself a pity party. Never seeing this journey as a set back.... She is teaching my brothers and I the true meaning of such words as fighting. strength. hope. faith. LIVING...with each step that she takes. Its a honor to walk with her thru this journey it truly is.

The funny thing about CANCER is that once its in your life its a word that will never leave your life. Even when things are going great you find yourself  walking on glass wondering if the crack that formed that you have tried to glue and strength will hold - just how long will it last??? Cancer is a devil like that....but then I remember the lessons my mom has taught and lived by....you just have to enjoy the ride no matter where it takes you and when it ends. When I see cancer as my mom does life seems a bit easier to take on...knowing that she is a trooper and she will fight until the very last breath she takes makes me realize if she is willing to give every ounce of her being to fight to simply live then I can give every ounce of my being as well. We all are in the same boat....we get to live this life just once....and one day we will wake up to our last breath....and when that day comes what will your life say about you??? I know my mom is no where near of taking her last breath but i do know with each breath she takes she's making it count. And its a constant reminder to make mine count as well.....THANK YOU MOM...for always guiding for always setting the example not by the words you speak but by the life you live. I am beyond blessed to call you my mom. And THANK YOU for fighting each and everyday for US. WE LOVE YOU.

Paradise found on a Mountain Top...

The weather was just right - not too warm not too cold the sky was overcasted as we prepare for a snow system to make its way to hopefully fingers cross dump heaps of the fuffy white stuff. With family in town we got the gear on to hit the slopes for a fun day of skiing. I was pretty exciting to wear my new thermal under armor gear from my very kind parents and I am still breaking in a new ski jacket - i feel kind of like a rockstar I am not gonna lie and a tad bit spoiled. There's just something about this place - WHITEFISH it just seems a bit magical here. Life just seems so simple here so at ease. Things just come together and you seem to always see the big picture. I have come to realize that my soul can just breath here I can just be. The smiles seem to be bigger the laughs seem to be louder. For its in the stillness of the view around you and having crisp pure air fill your lungs that reminds you - you are truly in PARADISE. I knew from the moment I arrived here that I was home....And it brings me much joy knowing that my friends and family find this place just as magical and they see it as a winter paradise in much of the same way that I do. It is just a joy to share this place this place that my soul calls home with the people I love the mose in this world. Its the best gift I can think of to have people come here and recharge their souls to have time to see life thru simple eyes. Because life is truly just different here. Whitefish...my winter paradise that I have fallen madly and utterly in love with... its good to be home - who would have thought I would have found paradise on a mountain top.

Merry Christmas from the mountains of Whitefish Montana. I hope this holiday season brings you much love joy and happiness.May you find the blessings in the simple things in life and be grateful for those everyday things and people in your life. I know that my family will all be gathering today eating too much drinking too much and laughing well never too much...To me the true meaning of Christmas is just being with those you love and care about... Its about family love and giving - whether its giving of a gift or just of your time and love...over my 30 years I have been blessed to live a life that is surrounded by family and what a joy it is to have so much fun with the crazy people I call my family. They are loud - its mostly chaos but man am I grateful. Knowing that somewhere more than one or two I know are having their first christmas of the passing of someone they love and many are having their 5th 10th 25th christmas without their dad their wife their child...we sometimes get caught up with the excitement of the season that we often forget about the true meaning on christmas. Not that we take for granted that these people will always be in our life because well we can't walk around thinking in that matter but life can change in a heartbeat in the blink of an eye...So I am utterly grateful and beyond blessed to have had some many christmases so many everyday life moments with family and friends. My life has been filled with smiles laughter joy and love- those I love have colored my world and have impacted my life in ways that I will never be able to explain or describe. I have been changed all for the better I am simply more because of these people....how did I get lucky enough to be able to live such a life - to have such a life - to have such people that I will never know. And I am glad I will never have to live such a life without.... So this holiday season I hope you take time to stop and see such blessings in your life... MERRY CHRISTMAS