A Near Death Experience

The Sept Lieu is the little white blob right in the middle of the picture between the green "hill" and the pinkish mountain top!  I call it the "holy city" as it shines so bright when the sun hits it just right! 

Ok, so that may be a bit on the dramatic side, but truly it was!  Last week you were struggling with some teeth that are making their way out to freedom, and took only a 40 minute nap when a 3 hour nap was well needed for all three of us!  When this happens, I often get overly frustrated/stressed/whiny/out of sorts, and it only leads to a frustrated dad trying to make us all happy and an even more crabby you.  No fun for any of us.  When this happens, dad is extremely good about getting us out and taking our minds off all the whining and have some fun together.  On this particular day, it happened to be Sunday, and Sunday in France means nothing is open.  Nothing!  So what is one to do when there is no where for solace?  Up the mountain of course!  We hopped in the car with a few snacks, and drove up to Sept Lieux, a ski village on the other side of the valley in the Belledonne mountains.  It was obviously pretty deserted seeing that there is no snow yet, and it is still September, but we walked and explored and took in the beauty that surrounded us.  It is always fresh and crisp up the mountain, and there is a scent in the air that is just perfect.  Dad daydreamed about this winter and how much he is looking forward to snowboarding and skiing, and has high hopes of getting you up on skis too.  He YouTubes about little girls and boys your age skiing and it gets him all excited.  I'm not so sure how you will feel about it, but I told him he can at least try once!  You do have amazing balance and have always been good on your feet, so we shall see what comes of it.  I, on the other hand, will be waiting in the lodge with your brother drinking hot chocolate :)

Anyway, back to the reason for this post...

As we were walking up the mountain there were four or five big white cows grazing on what will become the bottom of one of the slopes.  We laid in the grass, and watched you roam around mooing loudly at the cows.  Dad taught you how to roll down the hill, and you two laughed so hard while I watched in awe that you are both mine!  My family.  My life.  It is the greatest.  After a while, we saw a few others walking in the fenced area with no reaction from the cows, and thought we would get a bit closer so you could see them.  You LOVE animals and get overly excited so we thought it would be fun!  Dad was holding you and talking to the cows while I stood back a ways and attempted to take some pictures.  You two got pretty close to a couple and they didn't seem to mind at all, so dad started walking towards another one that was grazing all by his lonesome.  You were mooing and reaching out in excitement when all of the sudden Dad locked eyes with the big, white, hungry cow.  Big mistake.  The cow got angry and starting huffing and began to CHARGE so fast towards you and dad only a couple feet away.  Dad felt the vibration in the earth below his feet, and nearly threw you to me in hopes to save at least your life.  The bull was bucking his head towards dad's back brushing against his shirt until finally retreating and going back by his buddies.  I have never been so scared, nor seen your father run so fast.  When we realized we weren't going to die, we couldn't stop laughing as our hearts raced so fast in our chests.  You kept shaking your hand at them saying no, and thankfully weren't too traumatized as you still point at the cows every time we pass them on the road with excitement in your eyes. 

The nice ones..

Heading toward the mean one...

It was quite the adrenaline rush, but such a fun memory and a great day out of the house enjoying the beauty that we get to call home for now. On the way back down the mountain dad grabbed my hand and said, "We are blessed.  Living the life of millionaires!"  We laughed because this is what Grandpa D always said to us growing up on Lake Geneva.  Both are true and beautiful in different ways.  Life is good my dear Zaylee, and we truly are blessed!