Joi's Thoughts

Losing Weight

2012-01-17T07:11:00.000-08:00

I have always struggled with my weight. I can remember being weighed at school when I was in 5th grade, and the results were not pretty. I have never been athletic. I have bad knees, and the fear of them constantly dislocating caused me to flee from sports or dancing. My sisters, all 4 of them, dance. Aside from having bad knees, I just am not that coordinated. I can't walk in a straight line if my life depended on it! My best friend and I are always bumping into each other when we walk together. It is fun and always makes me laugh. But losing weight has been a struggle since I was young. For me, if I don't eat right and exercise, the pounds just won't come off. It is hard and frustrating, especially when I desire to be thinner. However, I am an emotional eater, as well. I am working on that, realizing food doesn't take away the way I feel, but adds to my distress. So, a few years ago, Chris and I started doing weight watchers and lost 40 pounds! Since then, I have gained some back, but am bound and determined to lose it again. I want to get to a point where I am happy with my body and the weight loss. When I had lost 40 pounds, I still wanted to lose more. Looking back, I think I was at a healthy weight, and will get back to that one. A part of my problem is that I compare myself with others all of the time. That's not a good thing. I don't know why I do it, but when I do, I always feel inadequate. God loves me just the way I am. He doesn't want me to compare myself. He wants me to be the woman He created me to be and not long to be like anyone else except Himself. That is my goal: to strive to be like Jesus (and to lose weight in the process). :)

My Birthday

2012-01-02T11:50:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was my birthday. My dad used to tell me while I was growing up (and yesterday was no exception) that the world celebrated my birthday by throwing a parade. I hated watching that parade. It still isn't my favorite. And thankfully, we didn't have to watch it yesterday. Chris watched it this morning, but I wasn't obligated to. :) It was nice. So, the boys and Chris spoiled me rotten with gifts and lots of love. The boys fought very little, if at all, yesterday. It was truly a wonderful day. And I had to stop and thank Jesus for my family. My boys are wonderful kids. They make me laugh with their humor. They make me cry with their tender hearts. My hearts swells with pride when I hear them talk of Jesus and His great love for them and others. Then there is Chris. The love of my life. My heart's desire. He is so wonderful to me, even when it isn't my birthday. :) He challenges me to be the best I can be, to try new things, to grow in my walk with Christ. I know this is cliche, but Chris really does complete me! I love holding each other accountable to our goals. He is thoughtful and creative in doing that and never makes me feel like I can't accomplish something. I love this man! I thank God for the gift of my family. It was a wonderful way to start the New Year, celebrating with those I love the most in this world. I look forward to what this year will bring with my family!

Biking vs. Hiking

2011-10-17T11:06:00.000-07:00

Today was the first time since the summer that the boys and I have been able to go on a bike ride. Their tires kept getting flat and we just never saw to fixing them. Until my wonderful husband did yesterday so we can enjoy biking once again! And now, I have my own bike! I bought it at a yard sale for $15! It works great! Except, of course, for the seat. I really want a cushiony seat! :) On Saturday, we had the opportunity to go on a 2 hour hike because Gavin wanted to go geo-caching. I love being outside! It is wonderful to see Gods' creation and really appreciate it. Today, however, I realized just how much I enjoy biking as opposed to hiking. I have bad knees. I can step in a hole, and down I go due to a dislocated knee. Therefore, I spend most, if not all, of my time hiking looking down. I miss God's beauty. I don't get to look around like the men in my life do. I look down to avoid any falls. When I had knee surgery, the physical therapist said not to look down as I walk. Nope. Not gonna happen. I have had too many mishaps to NOT look down.
But when I am riding a bike, I don't have to look down! I get to ride on a bike and look around at the amazing mountains! I get to see the gray and white puffy clouds over the yellow and green tree tops! I get to see the creek as we ride parallel to it. I don't have to be careful of my knees while biking. It is so freeing, so enjoyable! And because of that, I have decided I like biking better than hiking. That way, I can see the amazing power of God! Oh, how I love to bike! Thank you, Chris, for providing a way for me to do just that! ;)

Fun-Loving Gavin

2011-10-14T15:09:00.000-07:00

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and for this picture, it is true! One of those words this picture describes of Gavin is fun! 7 years ago, I held this precious 9 pound baby boy in my arms, uncertain about our future. You see, Gavin wasn't in my plans. I was going to have three kids, but one of them was supposed to be adopted! God felt differently, and boy, am I glad! Gavin brings a lot of laughter and fun to our lives! He makes me laugh when I least expect it! He is funny with his senteces, with his actions, and with his personality in general! He loves to get a laugh. Yet, Gavin is also sensitive and loving. When I am sad, he is sad with me. When I am hurting physically, he wants to help take care of me. He loves to snuggle first thing in the morning and last thing in the evening. Gavin also wants to be like Garrison. Everything Garrison does, Gavin wants to do! Garrison learned how to read, and Gavin, at the age of three, wanted to learn, too! Without realizing it, he idolizes Garrison. Not Gage, but definitely Garrison! Gavin is very smart. He understands Math a lot faster than his brothers did, as well as with reading. I love watching his little mind work! And Gavin has a heart for Jesus and the lost. He loves telling others about Jesus. I adore this boy. So, 7 years ago, I was uncertain about having three of my own kids naturally. But God wasn't. He was pretty certain this was what I needed. And I couldn't agree more! Happy Birthday, my beloved Gavin! You are a priceless Gift!

Precious Gage

2011-09-24T05:15:00.000-07:00

8 years ago today I held a 9 pound 11 ounce baby boy (or some would say toddler) in my arms for the first time! Such a sweet baby! Today, that little guy is 8 years old and about 55 pounds heavier. I still hold him in my arms. However, he just takes up more room! I absolutely love my Gagers. He is one of the most loving children you will ever meet! He loves freely, forgives often, and laughs without a reason! He is unique. He beats to his own drum. While Gavin aspires to be like Garrison, and Garrison aspires to be like Chris, Gage aspires to be like himself. If he happens to be like his brothers and Dad, fine with him. But he won't hold himself to that. Gage loves music. A song will play on the radio and instantly, he knows what song it is! I am amazed! Gage is pretty easy going, too. He doesn't care if plans change and won't often complain if they do. And more importantly, this wonderful boy of mine has a heart for Jesus. He loves to pray and learn about Him! He loves going to church so he can learn more stories and try to understand Jesus a little better! I love this sweet, sweet child! Happy Birthday, dear boy! I love you with all of my heart!

This Guy

2011-09-19T18:06:00.000-07:00

Today is this sexy guy's birthday! And I am so glad that 39 years ago, Chris was born! I met Chris several years ago when I lived with a bunch of girls in a condo. He had band practice there. Little did I know when I met Chris, I met the man I was to marry! I absolutely love and adore this man! He has been my comfort when I need comforting. He has been my strength when I was weak. He has been my biggest fan when I needed encouragement! Chris has been my confidante, my lover, my best friend. He has challenged me to be more than I think I am! Chris has corrected me when I needed it, has built me up when I was downtrodden. When the bible talks of Jesus loving the church like she was his bride, I get it. That is how Chris loves me! And I am so very thankful! I love you, Husband! Happy Birthday!

Busy! Busy!

2011-09-09T15:12:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I have posted on this blog. Although, I have posted on my Books By Joi Copealnd blog! :) Sorry for the shamelss plug. :) Anyway, we have been rather busy since I last posted! Summer was eventful and, of course, busy! I posted a blog about California, but since then, we did school all through-out summer, babysat a little girl, stayed at my sister's while she and her husband went to Arizona to settle his dad's estate. We went to Lakeside Amusement Park (that was fun because I rode on a ride that made me dizzy!) We went swimming a lot. Well, I didn't go swimming. The boys did. And they had a lot of fun, too! To end our summer, we went to Durango like we have started doing every year. We celebrated Chris' step-mom's 70th birthday! Last year, we were uncertain she would make it to this birthday. The boys did "boy" things in Papa Bruce's garage, while I worked on book number 3. And now? Now we have started our Friday school, sports for Gage and Gavin, and Modern Day Knights for all three boys. Yes! Life is busy! But life is fun! We watched my nephew play freshman football yesterday, and I got to spend some much needed time with my sister beforehand! Today, I was able to have tea with a friend. She treated and had me sign her copy of my book! That was a blast, too! I love this season! I love the chill in the air (fall is coming!) We may be busy, but right now, I can stop and say, "Ahhh!!!"

Love of My Life

2011-07-29T10:17:00.000-07:00

My wonderful husband, Chris, and I have been married for 12 years come Sunday! What a joyous day that was! I have had the last few weeks to stop and reflect about what I was doing the few weeks prior to our wedding. It has been a great trip down memory lane! What I remember most about our special day was the emotion Chris displayed. I think because he had waited so long to get married, all the emotion just came forth in the form of tears for him! I remember friends of mine from Applebee's telling me that was when they lost it! To see Chris standing there crying brought them to tears, as well! I am so blessed to have a man who is not ashamed to show emotion!
Our 12 years have had some highs and lows, but I wouldn't trade any of it for the world! We are closer than ever before! And that is mostly due to Chris! He is a God-fearing, God-seeking man who strives to bring us closer together! He loves me and our boys unconditionally, and enjoys spending more time with us than anything! Chris is funny, too! My grandma once told me that if your man doesn't make you laugh, then he should not be your man! And Chris does make me laugh! On top of all of these things, he is the most handsome man to ever walk the earth! All in all, God has smiled down on me with this blessing of a man! Honey, thank you for loving me and putting up with all of my good and bad! I love you! Happy 12th anniversary!

California

2011-07-17T08:13:00.000-07:00

We are back from our trip to California! We left Colorado (and all the crazy weather while we were gone) on July 3. We came back on Saturday, July 16. The last time we were in CA was in 2009. I think we were there for 4 or 5 days total. The days were packed, literally down to the very minute we left, with people. In 2009, I had a schedule to keep. Even then, we didn't get to see all the people we wanted to. Unfortunately, the same can be said for this trip. Yes, we were there for a longer amount of time. Instead of having only 2 hours for each set of people, we did have about 4 hours. But sadly, it still wasn't enough. So, if I could pick just one word from the many words our English language gives us to describe the trip, it would be this: BUSY!!! Yes, we were certainly busy. We drove from place to place to make sure we saw people. We went to Disneyland (thanks to Chris' mom who gave us money for Christmas last year to go to Disneyland). We saw Chris play in his 20 year reunion concert in his band, Cry for Mercy. We celebrated my grandparents' 90th birthday party, as well. All in all, it was an exhausting trip. We didn't spend nearly enough time with people (I had complaints tossed my way about that), and the end result was disappointment. Disappointment for them and for us because the time we did give just wasn't enough. I came back from CA deciding never to do that kind of trip again! It was anything but relaxing! Even the time we did spend with people was always keeping an eye on the clock to make sure we were on time for our next gathering. And many times, we were not on time. Coming back to Colorado made us realize the best way to spend time with people would be to have them come visit us because we can devote more time to them. We do need a bigger house for that, so we will be working extra hard to reach that goal! :) It was a hard trip, both physically and emotionally. I am glad we went, though. It was nice seeing people and chatting with them. It was nice seeing the little ones we haven't seen in over a year. It was good to have some one-on-one time with a few dear women (you know who you are!). And it was good to see family. I still hold fast to that one word, though: Busy.

Biking with the Boys

2011-06-28T08:19:00.000-07:00

Whew! We just got back from a 4 mile bike ride! It was amazing! We are tired, but so enjoyed it! It was so beautiful to bike by the stream, to see birds flying over head, to pass by so many prairie dogs, and we even saw a cayote! As amazing as that was, it was even more so to spend some one-on-one chat time with each of the boys! Garrison hung back first to talk with me, followed by Gavin, and then Gage. Truly wonderful! I love hearing what they think about while riding or what is on their hearts. Truly a moment to treasure always! I wish I could post pictures, but it is very difficult to ride bikes and take pictures! :)
The boys and I love riding our bikes two to three times a week. There are many times when we have done it every day of the week. We will miss our biking adventures, but will get back to them in late July! If you haven't biked with your kids, might I suggest it? It is truly a blessing to be able to do this on a weekly basis!

CDC warns of Zombies

2011-05-20T15:45:00.001-07:00

Loved this and just had to share! Look below:

Normal natural disasters are floods, tornadoes, hurricanes and earthquakes and being prepared for disaster means being ready for any type of emergency -- including zombies. On Monday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention blogged about preparing for disaster and reminded readers that in the event of a zombie apocalypse, basic preparedness will help even if there are flesh-eaters roaming.
The CDC recommends that planning ahead for zombies is really no different than preparing for other types of disaster. The same basic principles apply.
Planning ahead for any type of disaster or emergency requires the same basic items: Food (nonperishable of course) and water (one gallon per day per person), medications (both over the counter and prescription medications), tools and supplies (basic stuff like utility knives, duct tape, radio, flashlights, batteries, etc.), sanitation and hygiene (soap, shampoo, bleach, feminine products, towels and lots of toilet paper), clothing and bedding (extra clothes for every family member, blankets), important documents (copies of birth certificates, social security cards, driver's licenses, insurance cards, etc.), first aid supplies.
As with any other emergency, in the event of zombies you should have an emergency plan that includes evacuation plans and a safe place to get away from the zombies.
According to the CDC blog, if a zombie apocalypse breaks out, the CDC will investigate the event just like they would any other disease outbreak. CDC investigation and assistance would include "consultation, lab testing and analysis, patient management and care, tracking of contacts, and infection control (including isolation and quarantine)." Just like any other disease outbreak, the CDC would try to determine where and how the outbreak started and would make every effort to determine how to best deal with an outbreak of zombies.
Learning the source of the infection would include discovering if a virus or toxin caused the outbreak and if there is any treatment or cure.
The CDC encourages citizens to be prepared for any emergency event--whether it is zombies or the more common hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and earthquakes. Emergency planning for zombies will also suffice in the event of such natural disasters but as always the CDC urges everyone to be ready for whatever might a hazard and disruption of our daily lives.
It is good to know the CDC is willing to take the time to address the concerns of the public rather than scoff at the idea of a zombie apocalypse. Even more so, anyone who is prepared to face zombies is ready to deal with whatever Mother Nature chooses to throw their way, so it's all good.

What Coffee Means to Me

2011-05-17T13:45:00.000-07:00

I love coffee. I loved working in the coffee shop in downtown Covina in the mid-90's. It was fun talking with people, listening to their life stories, and stuff! Of course, I love drinking coffee, as well. My favorite coffe is at Starbuck's. It is the decaf peppermint nonfat mocha (with no whip cream). I love it! About a year ago now, my sister and I went for bagels and coffee. Well, she had a diet coke, I had decaf coffee, just plain, no mocha. Add a little sugar and cream, and yummy! It was quite enjoyable! I had a blast with my sister and walked away with a happy feeling for coffee. Then Mother's Day came last year, and I wanted to recreate that same experience. Unfortunately, it didn't happen. Kiddos were complaining and made for a lousy breakfast. Then I took my nephew out a few weeks ago for some one-on-one time. To Starbuck's we went, and again, the coffee experience was wonderful! Then came Mother's Day this year, and lo and behold, the coffee experience was wonderful! So, what makes coffee so splendid for this girl? The company! I have decided that the company can make or break my coffee experience! And I am so glad! I love walking away feeling so great about the time I had with whomever the Good Lord allows me to spend time with! Coffee just comes alive for me at that point! Even at someone's house! We just had life group on Sunday night, and my friend made decaf coffee. And what do you know? I had a wonderful time standing around her kitchen, a good cup of joe in my hand, and laughed. So, to sum up this little blog post, it isn't the coffee as much as it is the company. Anyone want to join me for some coffee? :)

1st Impressions, Orthodontist

2011-03-30T14:31:00.000-07:00

Chris and I have a good dentist. We love that it is only 5 minutes from our house. The ladies in the office are great and very intent on customer service. So, it was a no brainer to make an appointment for Garrison at their orthodontist part of their business. I took Garrison to the appointment when my dad was here. The doctor came in, looked at Garrison, and proceeded to tell me just how much work Garrison is going to need in his mouth. He told me he may have to refer Garrison to an orthopedic surgeon, and of course, the price they quoted me ($3600 out of our pocket) was not included in the oral surgeon's estimate. Hm. Don't know if I like that at all!
Now there is a new trend taking place. I don't know if it is a need or just because society wants their kids to look better at an earlier age. I do know some kids need ortho work at an early age, but it can't be as many as orthodontists are suggesting. After talking with a few people, I decided to get a second opinion, and possibly even a third on Garrison. My sister found a great orthodontist in Westminster. That's about a 40 minute drive from my house. But, in their waiting room, they have massage chairs, a fridge with cold drinks for customers, and hot drinks, too. I supposed it couldn't hurt to go to this place since my sister loved it for her son who just got braces there! Today, with my plate completely full, I took Garrison up there. Side note: I had the other two boys with me, too. :) Anyway, my appointment was for 2:15. I walked in at 2:05, handed her the papers, and sat down in the massage chair. I thought, "Yes! I have 10 minutes to relax in this chair!" Nope! The doctor came out and called us in himself. He shook Garrison's hand, introduced himself to G and to me, and shook my hand. He then took us into another room (We left the boys in the waiting room. If I couldn't enjoy the chairs, drinks, and movies, at least they could!). The doctor looked G over, sat back, and told me the news: Wait a year. He said that G may need to have his palate expanded/broken, but he didn't want to start anything right now. He felt it would be better to let Garrison grow a bit before any work was needed. He didn't want G to be getting work done forever. Wow! What a change! I thought how great it was to go to an orthodontist who wasn't looking at a price tag but a person! I highly recommend going to 1st Impressions in Westminster! I walked out feeling great! He even said he would have his office call me in a year so I won't have to remember! I do, however, have one more appointment for him at Comfort Dental Braces about 15 minutes away from our house. I shall see what they say and if they agree with 1st Impressions. But so far, I'm sticking with 1st Impressions!

Pau Gasol, you Rock!!!

2011-03-28T10:10:00.000-07:00

Garrison loves Pau Gasol from the Los Angeles Lakers. I wasn't a huge fan at first, but lately, I have come to believe he is one of my favorite players. Not only does Pau play hard, but he decided the other day he would donate a thousand dollars per point he made to help in Japan. I thought that was truly amazing! Now, I know that basketball players make a lot of money, but he could have decided to do absolutely nothing in regards to helping Japan. As it turned out, he made 26 points that night, and therefore send $26,000 to help! I think that is amazing! Chris told me that other players around the league are doing the same thing. I have utmost respect for people who can do that! Way to go, Pau! You are an amazing example to kids all over the world! Keep it up!

Much Ado About Lots of Things

2011-03-16T13:04:00.000-07:00

It has been quite some time since I have posted. I know Chris has written on his blog that I have been going through some stuff and my dad came to help out in February. I thought I would take the time to let you know what's been going on.
Years ago, in CA, I was having major anxiety attacks. Two really big ones, even. One left me shaking and afraid as I was driving on the 210 freeway. I couldn't complete the drive and Chris had to hitch a ride with a friend to come get me. The other one left me in the emergency room, thinking I was having a heart attack. The month of July 2008, I had an anxiety attack every single day until the day we moved. They continued off and on until about December. That is when I decided to cut out caffeine. My attacks subsided, and when I felt one coming on, I could pin point why.
Until January of this year. The end of January, anyway. I had my first anxiety attack in two and a half years. It left me shaken. I began to doubt whether or not I was going to be okay. It shook my very core. Anxiety attacks may seem like a small ordeal in the grand scheme of things, but let me be the first to tell you, they suck. I question everything. I'm afraid to be alone, afraid to be left alone with the kids. I forget what true joy and laughter are in the midst of anxiety attacks. Chris could only help out so much since he has a job. My sister tried to help out as much as she could, but she has a family and a life, too. My friends were wonderful: calling me (out of state friends) and those nearby coming over. My family in CA helped out, as well, by calling, sending money for counseling, etc. Then came the desperate phone call to my dad, asking him to drop everything and come stay with me for a few weeks. And he did! With him, he brought the much needed laughter I had forgotten. It was a wonderful time having him here, and when he left, I knew I was on the up.
And then the boys got fevers and coughs and sore throats. I was up many a nights with the boys, which in turn, has affected my health. I went downhill fast, really fast. A trip to urgent care revealed bronchitis. They put me on antibiotics as well as some other stuff that makes me nervous, literally. That's a side effect. Great for someone experiencing anxiety, huh? But I haven't given in to anxiety attacks since being on the meds. I know why I am feeling this way. That's good. The boys are on the up, though. I think I am, too. Chris is sick, but is doing okay. We have been blessed tremendously by the church. People knew all five of us were sick and offered to bring us dinners. God is truly good!
On top of all of this, we have to figure out what to do about Garrison. He is in desperate need of major oral work done on his mouth. One ortho said it will cost us out of pocket $3660. I"m looking around. Well, I haven't yet, but I will once I have energy to do so. That should be by next week.
I'm still working on book number two. It's a struggle, but coming together. My first book is still in the process of being published. Love it! I am going to send the company some bookstores I wouldn't mind having book signings at so they can set it all up for me. Things are moving right along. Getting out of debt, being wise with finances, and such.
In the midst of all that is going on, I can say in all honesty, Jesus is good. He is here. He is with me no matter what, and I am so glad to be in His loving care!

My First Born Son

2011-02-02T08:35:00.000-08:00

Garrison is nine! I can hardly believe the time has flown by so quickly! I remember the day he was born like it was yesterday! People tell you that over time, the pain you felt won't be remembered. Not true. :) I still remember the pain, but it was worth it! Garrison is a great kid! He is funny. Most people don't get to see the funny side of my boy. He comes across as serious, but oh, there is a funny side to him just waiting to spring forth on occasion! He has a heart for Jesus, which I absolutely adore! He loves the Bible, and all it has to say. Garrison is polite as all get out! I love this kid! So, in honor of my first born baby, here are some pictures you might enjoy:

The day of Garrison's birth!

My precious baby! Where has the time gone?

It's pretty rare getting G in a picture when he is messy!

Love this little look!

Such a sweet boy!

Garrison as Groucho Marx for Halloween

The Pirate Queen by Patricia Hickman

2011-01-12T15:11:00.000-08:00

From the back cover: The envy of all her friends, wife and mother Saphora Warren is the model of southern gentility and accomplishment. She lives in a beautiful Lake Norman home, and has raised three capable adult children. Her husband is a successful plastic surgeon--and a philanderer. It is for that reason that, after hosting a garden party for Southern Living magazine, Saphora packs her bags to escape the trappings of the picturesque-but-vacant life.

Saphora’s departure is interrupted by her husband Bender’s early arrival home, and his words that change her life forever: I’m dying.
Against her desires, Saphora agrees to take care of Bender as he fights his illness. They relocate, at his insistance, to their coastal home in Oriental—the same house she had chosen for her private getaway. When her idyllic retreat is overrun by her grown children, grandchildren, townspeople, relatives, and a precocious neighbor child, Saphora’s escape to paradise is anything but the life she had imagined. As she gropes for evidence of God's presence amid the turmoil, can she discover that the richest treasures come in surprising packages?

My review: I am an avid reader! I love reading books! This one was a struggle for me, however! I had a difficult time really connecting with the characters until I was well into the book! If I hadn't gotten this book free from WaterBook, I probably would have stopped reading it! I didn't really connect with Saphora until the middle/end of the book. Two of the characters I really enjoyed were Tobias, the little boy who has HIV and Pastor John Mims. I loved Tobias' view of the world, his connection with adults as well as children. I loved how easy it was for him to love. I liked the Pastor because he was real. He didn't have all the answers and told Saphora so. He reached out to people, and showed Christianity isn't about rules, but about relationship.
Overall, this book was not my favorite one.

Emotional Day

2011-01-05T14:44:00.000-08:00

I have really wanted to put our video camera stuff on dvd or vhs so I can transfer them to dvd. It's been a long time desire. I don't have the know how, but Chris does. So, last night, he began working on stuff. I decided I needed to figure out what we have on vhs so we don't duplicate or miss something. Oh my! My kiddos were so sweet! I love the stuff we have on video! Dear precious children! This is what I need to do when my days are filled with refereeing or disciplining! I need to take a break, pop in a video or dvd, and see my boys when they were little and easily amused! Don't get me wrong: I love, love where they are now! They are wonderful kids! But there is just something sweet about them being babies. As I was watching these videos, many people were on their, sharing the journey of life with my family. Some live in CA, some in Oregon, some here in CO. But there were a few who have gone on to be with the good Lord. How my heart broke! I leaned forward, straining to hear their voices! I dared the camera to move over just a bit so I could catch glimpses of them and pieces of their conversations! I watched them laugh and hold my kids. Then I saw other people who are sick with cancer. We don't know when their last day on earth will be. But my heart ached for them to be healthy like they were just a few short years ago! I finally decided after much of the day torturing myself, I needed to take a break! I will accomplish this goal of getting the stuff together, but perhaps tomorrow, I will limit how much I do! I am grateful I get to see my loved ones in Heaven one day. I am also grateful I have memories on and off camera. I am grateful I get to see my adorable boys when they were younger! What a gift video cameras are!

Fickle Fans

2011-01-04T08:39:00.000-08:00

The Lakers haven't played so great lately. It's true. Chris and I watched Pau Gasol get beaten badly by his younger brother's team, the Memphis Grizzlies. It was a sad display of a basketball game. But as I was watching the game and hearing the fans at the Staples Center actually boo their "team", I thought how wrong that was! I remember last Christmas the Laker fans doing the same thing when the Lakers lost to the much hated Cavaliers (due to Lebron James being on the team). I was disturbed by the fans' actions. I am still disturbed! Yes, the Lakers sucked big time the other night. But did that really deserve a booing session? I think not! Fans can be so fickle! As a fan, I do not expect the Lakers to come out and win all 82 games. That would be ridiculous! I don't even expect them to come out and beat teams playing worse than they are because lets just face it, they are going to have their good days and bad days. Have you ever gone to work, messed up, and have millions of people boo you because of it? Have you had days when you just aren't feeling up to par because you are over worked and then have the people routing for you suddenly turn on you? That would be terrible! But that is what the Laker fans do! Yes, the players get millions of dollars, and I do think that is silly. But to have their bad days publicized and then to have people boo and discourage you is terrible! Laker fans, get a grip! They will win and lose! They may not even win the championship this year. But is this a cause to turn your backs on the team that has been amazing for the last few years? I think not! Give the team some respect and enjoy the season. Stop being fickle! Love or hate the Lakers, but don't jump on the bandwagon only when they are playing well! As for tonight, I see a win in the future! Go Lakers!

Oh Happy Day!

2011-01-03T10:35:00.000-08:00

I brought in the new year sleeping! It was wonderful! Every year, that's how I ring in the new year. My birthday is on January 1, and I just don't want to be up all night long and groggy for my day. So, my family and I had an amazing time together the night before, discussing our goals for the new year. Hearing the boys tell me what they want to work on and how they were going to do so was awesome! I loved it! The next day, Chris and the boys made sure it was a great day! Chris made me breakfast, lunch, and dinner! I'm still enjoying his chicken and home made noodles! So yummy! He bought me some wonderful gifts, as well as organizing family and friends to pitch in for a new laptop, which I love! Friday will be my first official day of using it! Can hardly wait! Then my sis and her family came down and hung out. We watched Knight and Day, which was super funny. Overall, it was a great day! And the New Year keeps getting better. Nothing major has happened, but it has been a great few days into the new year already! I love fresh starts, and every January 1, that's what we get! Issn't it wonderful? Anyway, Happy New Year! May you all experience the love of Jesus deeply and richly this coming year!

Who I Want to Be

2010-12-16T15:44:00.000-08:00

My dear friend in Texas had her mom come for a visit recently. They spent some time together, and her mom asked how she was doing, with weight and stuff. My friend had done weight watchers and felt really good about where she was at. Her mom smiled and told her that's what she was waiting to hear. Then, her mom took her out on a shopping spree (okay, maybe not spree, but bought her some amazing outfits). I wasn't told this story firsthand, but I thought it was phenominal, nonetheless. Her mom didn't take her to the Goodwill or Walmart or Target (nothing wrong with those places, though). But she took her to higher end shops. I loved that! I thought how awesome her mom put some time into her daughter that way. Especially when it comes to shopping. It is hard sometimes, as a mom, to go shopping and spend a lot of money on yourself for clothing. I loved that her mom did that because that is the kind of mother-in-law I want to be for my boys' wives. I want to shower them like that! Especially when they can't do it for themselves. But even if they can, I want to do it anyway! I want to give them my time, money, and energy that they will deserve. I know I have some time until my 8,7, and 6 year olds get married. It's just putting these things in the back of my mind now. It's making sure I shed some grace on them when others don't. It's being a listening ear when they are having a hard day with the kids. It's praying for them, encouraging them, and stealing my grandchildren away to give them time to themselves. This is the kind of mother/mother-in-law I want to be. I want to be the one calling them and asking them how they are doing. I don't want to be pushy or nosy, but really want to love on them and their kiddos. So, when I heard my friend's story, it really got to me. Because that is who I want to be. Thanks, Janice, for showering your daughter with love. May I do that now with my boys and in the future with them and their wives!

Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball

2010-12-07T18:24:00.000-08:00

Thanks to WaterBrook Multnomah for sending me this free book, Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball!
Synopsis: Mischevious matchmakers. Two special tickets. One unlikely couple. An evening for romance at the annual Christmas Ball! In a sleep, snow-covered city, Cora Crowder is busy preparing for the holiday season. As she searches for a perfect gift, a fortuitous trip to Warner, Werner, Wizbotterdad's leads to an unexpected encounter with a co-worker Simon Derrick. Andt he surprise discovery of a ticket for a truly one-of-a-kind Christmas Ball.

My review: This was a cute story! Donita K. Paul introduced the characters in a believable fashion. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! It was an easy read and simple. It wasn't too heady. I enjoyed the matchmaking process of the book shop keeper and the town. Since I enjoy matchmaking myself, this book was right up my alley. If you are looking for a light, cute Christmas story, I suggest this book!

My Best Friend Rocks!

2010-11-27T12:44:00.000-08:00

This is my best friend, Kimberly. She and I have known each other for over 15 years (closer to 18, I think). She is a very thoughtful person, and has been our entire friendship! Kim has been there for me through so much and has done so much for me. Why she puts up with me and all of my emotional issues is beyond me, but God has seen fit to bless me with this amazing person! Even though she and I no longer live in the same state (maybe one day I can convince her to move to CO), our friendship continues to blossom and grow! Well, my dear friend read my previous blog about ornaments and went in search of the ormanment for me. She told me she looked and looked and couldn't find a thing. Then it hit her! She had a kit at home. I still can't believe she made this, but Kim had a book/ornament kit she had bought at a scrapbook store. She took my manuscript that I had sent her over a year ago and copied some of the first chapter. The ornament is in the shape of an actual book and you can open it up. In it is my book! The cover of it says "Hope For Tomorrow" with my name at the bottom! I am amazed! I can hardly wait to go get a Christmas Tree just to put this ornament on it! Wow! I am teary-eyed! What a thoughtful gift! What a treasure I will always have and remember! Thank you, Dear Kimberly, for being such a thoughtful friend! I appreciate you more and more! And not for the things you do but for who you are! :)

Black Friday

2010-11-26T07:56:00.000-08:00

I remember my very first Black Friday shopping trip. It was November, 1994. I was visiting a friend in Ohio, and after breakfast, she suggested we go to Walmart and the Mall. I had never been to either place the day after Thanksgiving. My folks were never ones to get up at the crack of dawn to venture out looking for a good deal. Not knowing what I was getting myself into, I agreed. After our crazy time shopping, I vowed never to do that again! I don't like shopping anyway. I don't enjoy shopping for clothes, household items, or groceries. It just isn't my thing. So, in 2002 when my sister and her best friend invited me to go with them, I heartedly declined! However, since I was already up after nursing my son (and putting him back to bed), I thought I would give it a try. I parked the car and searched the massive line to find them. And with luck, I did! I didn't get a lot that day, but I enjoyed the experience. When Steff and her family went to Africa the following year, Joanne and I decided to keep up the tradition, and did so for the five years! It was enjoyable looking for bargains! Joanne and I would meet at Walmart or drive together. We also would hit specialty stores (for scrapbooking and such). It was a lot of fun! And then we moved to Colorado! My sister was still the adventurous shopper! And we dragged her not-so-morning person hubby with us! We went to several places, and much to his surprise, I think Russell enjoyed himself! The following year, Steff and I hit the stores on our own. She didn't find a lot, but I felt good about my purchases! I was looking forward to this year! Well, I sat down a few days ago and made my list, determined to get the best prices for stuff. And then, my sweet boys all came down with the flu late Wednesday night. I was bummed! Not just because they were sick, but Steff and I planned to have them stay the night at her house so she and I could hit the town Friday morning! Alas, it was not meant to be. But that wouldn't deter me from shopping! No siree bob! I slept downstairs with my sick kids (well, I didn't really sleep, but was awake every hour) and got up at 2:30 to hit Walmart. I arrived no later than three, bought a few things, and went to Target. I stood in a psycho crazy long line and found my items once inside. After dropping off some stuff at home, I went to Big Lots for one more purchase. Overall, I did well with shopping, But I have to say, it is no fun ALONE! I enjoy talking with my sister and laughing with her! I enjoy being silly because I am so freakin' tired! I didn't get to do any of that this year! Oh well. Maybe next year, because I already know I am going to be one of those crazy people, get up at the crack of dawn, and do some shopping!

Ornaments

2010-11-19T09:36:00.000-08:00

Every year, one of our traditions is to buy a Christmas ornament for our tree that represented something big that happened that year. Sometimes it is good, like buying a house, having kids, moving, Chris getting a new job, etc. Sometimes it is sad like the Ferris' moving to Africa, relatives dying (we put their pictures on our tree in frames), and stuff like that. This year, as I was thinking about what to do, I seriously couldn't think of anything major that happened that would be big enough to put on our tree. I asked Chris about it, and bless his heart, his response was immediate! My book getting published! Of course! I don't know why I didn't think of that before, but my dear hubby did, and I am so grateful! My heart was so full of love and gratitude for him saying that! And so, our quest began looking for a book ornament. We went to Walmart, and no such luck. I went to Target and Mardel's Christian book store. Nope. Not there either. Weird, though. I did see spider man ornaments, darth vader, dog ornaments, cell phone ornaments, beer ornaments, but no book ornaments. What's wrong with people? :) I'm not done searching, however. I know we will find one. I thought about hopping over to Hobby Lobby or Michaels, but I am all shopped out today! Chris said if we don't find one, he would make one for me. Either way, we are going to have a book ornament on our tree this year! I'm so glad I have an amazing husband who is supportive, encouraging, and loving when it comes to my writing! I am truly blessed!

To Give Thanks

2010-11-16T10:34:00.000-08:00

I have so much to be thankful for! I know Thanksgiving is a little more than a week away, but today, I am tired, so I thought I would take my mind off of myself and put it on God, where it ought to be anyway, and blog about what I am thankful for.
I love Thanksgiving! I love the month of November because it causes me to pause and give thanks throughout the entire month, not just on one day. The month of November also prepares my heart for the celebration of our Lord's birth! It reminds me how much I have to be thankful for as we head into the Christmas season.
I am thankful for Jesus, who willingly came into the world and gave His life for little old me! I am thankful for the gift of my husband, who puts up a lot with me! He is incredibly encouraging and thoughtful, too! I am thankful for my three wonderful boys! They teach me so much about life and myself! I have great kids! I am thankful for my family (by that, I mean Chris' family, too. They are mine now). :) I am thankful for the talks I get to have with each of my family members and the wisdom and joy they each bring to my life. I am so thankful for the love and encouragement of my friends! Where would I be without my heart to heart talks with Kimberly Broadwell or Sarah Wakefield or Steffanne Ferris? Where would I be without their support? I am so thankful we are almost out of debt! Perhaps one more year! That would be awesome! I just paid a huge amount today on debt, and it felt so gooood to have that amount drop down! Whoo-hoo! I am so thankful I was able to accomplish a dream: writing a book. Not only did I write it, but I have amazing friends and family who have given me wisdom, advice, support, and guidance! Theresa, thanks for the time you took to send me info on publishing and writing! So many more of you have sent me stuff and encouraged me! Where would I be without you? I am thankful for my house, my car, my opportunity to babysit, for Chris' job! Oh, how grateful and thankful I am for so many blessings! God is good! Thank You, God, for giving me so much to be thankful for! Thank You for family and friends! Bless them abundantly and beyond all they could ask, hope, and think!

Tea Time!

2010-11-09T13:03:00.000-08:00

It's cold. It's raining. There is a possibility of snow, which I love! But tonight is just not a night of pancakes and eggs for dinner (my original thought). Nope. It's tea party time! I talked to the boys this afternoon, and they are so excited! They can hardly wait! They each picked out a special cup from my wonderful collection. Garrison chose my South African cup, Gage chose my Egypt cup, Gavin chose my Kenyan cup, I chose one cup my sister, Kim, got me from Europe, and Garrison chose a pink cup for Chris from Prague! :) I am making tuna and egg salad sandwiches (not mixed together) and cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches. I am going to make sugar cookies, too, because they are so yummy with tea! I had the boys choose their own tea spoons my sister and friend bought for me, as well as from the collection Chris' step-mom gave me. The table is almost all set. I have the cups out and the boys each have a tea pot! I love that my boys love tea parties! I love how excited they were to learn where each cup came from and who it was given by! They are excited to"surprise" Chris with this special dinner! What a fun time it will be, enjoying a spot of tea with my family! The boys even said that they hoped their future wives collected tea cups! :) Ahh, the sweetness of my boys! And yay for tea and rain!

Autumn Leaves are Falling Down, Falling Down, Falling Down!

2010-11-08T15:14:00.000-08:00

Not too long ago, my precious boys saw all the leaves in the front yard. They decided to build a leaf pile so they could jump in it, kind of like what they are doing right at this moment. I just had to share these pictures! I love my boys! They are amazing! I did try telling them they needed more leaves, but their excitement over-ruled their common sense! They did have sore bottoms, but enjoyed the jumping anyway!

Gavin makes a flying leap with Garrison cheering him on!

Gage is doing the non-traditional jump as he plunges into the pile!

Garrison went feet first to protect his bottom from hitting the ground!

A Glimpse

2010-11-06T12:35:00.000-07:00

I was up bright and early this morning, literally before the sun even. I went grocery shopping, which I love to do on a Saturaday morning when no one else is awake. My family were all tucked snug in bed as I headed out the door for a trip to the store. I stopped at Starbuck's, picked up my Decaf Peppermint Mocha, and made the trek to Super Walmart. I did my shopping, and on the way home, caught a glimpse of the Beauty of God! The sun was rising and displaying a show only God Himself could have thought up! But it didn't end there. After I came home and did some things around the house, I made a trip to Sam's Club. What should only take me less than ten minutes took me 45 since there was construction and stuff. I took a detour and ended up looking straight at the mountains, some covered in snow, most of them not. It was beautiful! Then, I found myself on top of a hill, looking at the gorgeous trees, all yellow, orange, and red. I caught another glimpse of the beauty of God! I was awestruck at His beauty! Only God could come up with such wonder! Only God would allow me to see such a small portion of how beautiful He is! How incredibly awesome our God is! How incredibly beautiful! It quite literally took my breath away today! No, I didn't see the God HImself, and He didn't speak to me audibly today. But I did see a little bit of how beautiful God is, and I know it will stay with me forever!

"Head-Lock" Day

2010-11-02T12:48:00.000-07:00

Thirteen years ago I picked Chris up from the airport. He had just flown in from Indiana from visiting his mom, step-dad, and little sister. I was nervous and excited to see Chris. He and I had started "hanging out". I remember the day pretty clearly. I had left my sister's baby shower and headed to LAX. Chris lived in Thousand Oaks at the time. I was dressed in a dress (I found out later he loved that dress). I arrived a little early, so I grabbed a newspaper and tried to distract myself from the excitement that was building. I was finally going to see the guy I was interested in after 10 long days! We had barely spoken, too, since he was calling long distance. I had missed him while he was gone! Chris' plane arrived earlier than it was scheduled to. I was so happy about that! The next thing I know, I see Chris sauntering toward me, a grin on his face. Then he embraced me in his muscular arms and kissed my cheek! I thought I was going to die! We stopped off somewhere for dinner. Then I took him home. He was telling me all about his time with his folks, and how he had wanted them to know more about me and understand he was serious about me. We hadn't quite established what we were at this point, so my confusion was understandable. He kept saying stuff like "doing a couple's bible study together" or "being a couple." Finally, I could take it no longer! According to Chris, I jumped off his couch, put him in a head lock, and gritted through my teeth, "What are we?" My version is a little less dramatic! I remember sitting on his couch and asking him, "What are we exactly?" He was a little shocked at my boldness, but come on! :) The entire night he kept calling us a couple! So, he told me he wanted to be a little more romantic than the present situation required, but finally got around to asking me to be his girlfriend! Since then, we have had ups, downs, and everything in between! But I wouldn't change it for the world! I adore my husband, my lover, my best friend! I am ever grateful for my boldness that day! I am ever grateful Chris agreed to my "persuasion" of the head-lock! Happy Dating Anniversary, Love! Thanks for dating me way back then! I love you!

A Spot of Tea

2010-10-27T06:09:00.000-07:00

Several years ago, I decided not to drink anything but hot tea, iced tea, milk, and water. I didn't really care for tea at the time. But since then, I have developed a love for tea! My favorite tea has been Apple Cinnamon, by Celestial Seasonings. It is caffeine free, much to my delight. A friend of mine recently introduced me to Earl Grey, decaf, of course. Yummy! I have gotten green tea, decaf, and it is okay. Not one of my favorites, but good nonetheless. I have enjoyed drinking tea! I like it with milk, or just plain. I don't even need sugar! Well, the other day, I was at Super Walmart and I knew the temperatures around here were about to drop. So, I decided I wanted to get my apple cinnamon tea. Unfortunately, they did not have it in stock. I was forced to get some sample fruity teas by Celestial Seasonings. I was not disappointed! I love the berry teas! They are sweet and refreshing, yet warm and delightful at the same time! I don't do the whole microwave hot water either. I put water in my tea kettle and wait. Isn't that the best way to do it? Oh, how I love drinking tea! Even as I write this, I am on my second cup of tea! This year, I am planning on having my annual Christmas Tea. My last tea was in California. Since I didn't know anyone out here last year, I opted not to have my Christmas Tea. A few friends may be coming out in December. I hope they will be here for this fun event I so enjoy throwing! If they are unable to attend, and it just so happens to be me alone, that's okay. I will be sitting in a comfy chair, drinking a spot of tea!

Sea of Doubt

2010-10-25T13:15:00.000-07:00

I received an email from my publisher the other day with the edits for my manuscript. She asked me to look them over, make any changes I thought were necessary, and send it back to her. The first time I looked through the manuscript, I did it pretty quickly. Then, I went back and made some changes I felt needed to happen. That's when the doubt began. I doubted whether or not my book was good enough to sell. I doubted my story line. Is it believable? Will readers buy what I am selling? I seriously doubt I am going to be winning any awards with my book, but the onslaught of doubts kept coming my way. Should I have left some things out? Should I have made the characters a certain way? Is the ending really good or just okay? On and on my thoughts and doubts went. And they didn't stop with writing. Am I a good mom? How much therapy will my children need? Am I a good wife? Am I Chris' helpmate or a burden? Am I a good enough Christian? (The answer to that is an obvious no! God says no one is good! That's why I am in such desperate need of a Savior!)
After my thoughts assaulted me, I began thinking about Jesus. And a four letter word came to mind: Hope. When doubts assail my mind, Jesus gives me hope. The Bible is full of life giving, hope giving assurances! And that is where I turn to! Do I have all the answers to my doubts? No, not even close! But I do have hope that Jesus is who He says He is. Will my book become a best seller? Hm. Doubtful. But I am fulfilling a dream the Lord has placed on my heart. My purpose isn't to be the next best selling author. My purpose is to write what I feel Jesus puts on my heart. For His glory. Am I going to be the best mom? Nope! I will fail my children, as all parents do! But my purpose is to be the best mom I can be, with the help of Jesus! Am I the perfect wife? Not hardly! And Chris can testify to that! But I am called to be the best wife I can be, with Jesus leading the way. So, when doubts fill my mind to overflowing, I just need to turn to the Word of God. And it is there that I find: Hope.

Recipes

2010-10-19T13:58:00.000-07:00

I decided recently that I really wanted to focus on losing weight. I have lost quite a bit since we left California, but gained some of it back. I don't like this, and I desperately desire to lose the rest of the weight. I excersice pretty regularly, but really haven't changed my eating that much. I count points, but not religiously. I have started going back to that. But I needed some dinner ideas that would benefit my family, and that would benefit my point intake. I came across this website while looking up recipes for some sausage my sister bought for us a while back http://www.laaloosh.com/. I love this website! It is awesome! Just last week, I made 3 different recipes! Granted, they just about burned my tongue off, but with a little tweeking, I think they will be just fine! I made chicken cacciatorre on Sunday (the crockpot version) and it was soooo good! Tonight, I am trying Baked Ziti. MMMM! I can hardly wait! I stepped on the scale Sunday morning, thinking I lost a few inches or so. Nope! I lost 3 pounds! I love eating healthier and seeing results! Unfortunately, I have to adjust my exercise routine. My knee keeps swelling, no matter what medication the doctor puts me on. So, I am figuring that out this week. But yay! I love this website! I gave my sister some recipes from the website. I gave her some leftovers of gumbo (I think that's what it was) and her entire family loved it! You get to eat so much for so little points! Chris' uncle came over for dinner and I tried the jambalaya (without shrimp. I don't like shrimp). He wasn't really fond of the tomato base, but thought it was okay. My kids enjoyed it! Anyway, all this to say I am very happy with this website! Check it out! You'll find some yummy stuff!

Gavin's Walk Down Memory Lane

2010-10-15T05:31:00.000-07:00

Gavin is six years old! Oh my goodness! He is growing up way too fast! Sweet boy! Enjoy the trip down memory lane!

Gavin on the day he was born. He still makes funny faces!

I loved his toothless smile!

Gavin used to close his eyes on purpose! I love this picture!

What a cute kid!

Gavin is still a ham!

This is Gavin's signature smile!

Gavin loved riding Bruce's tractor in Durango! My how big he looks!

Book Update

2010-10-11T13:20:00.000-07:00

I signed with the publishing company a little over a month ago. And then, I had to hurry up and wait! They have been very busy lately. I found that out after I called to find out what my next step was. The woman I spoke with and have been speaking with was very kind. I was thankful! She told me sometime this week I would be hearing from them, and then we would get the ball rolling. I did hear back from them today, as a matter of fact! I have "deadlines"! I'm so excited! I have to do a few things between now and October 27! Deadlines! I feel like I am a real author! I have been having a slight problem, though. The more I have talked with people, the more worried I have gotten about a snippet in my book about Halloween. I know some Christians don't celebrate or even recognize Halloween. I am not one of those people, but I wondered if that would hinder my book from being picked up by Christian Book Stores. I wondered if I should change that portion of my manuscript to a Fall Festival, or something like that. After talking with my dear best friend today, she suggested I call some stores to find out what they thought. So, I did! I called two (I know it wasn't a few, but I was on hold and wasting cell phone minutes with another local store. I called back and got an interesting answer). The woman I spoke with was wonderful! She told me she didn't see it as a problem if I were to leave it in there, as long as I'm not promoting devil worship. She also said trick or treating is what the world does. As Christians, we can turn a blind eye, but why? It was great talking with her and she made me feel a little better about my manuscript. Then the other store I called said that yes, it would probably hinder the bookstore from selling my book! Honestly, I was a little shocked! What do you all think? Should I keep my Halloween part in my manuscript or change it? I need to send off my manuscript by the end of the week, so if you get a chance, let me know!

The Newsboys

2010-10-08T14:53:00.000-07:00

I like the Newsboys. I always have, well, since I began listening to them anyway. I remember "Entertaining Angels" as being one of the first songs I really liked from the band. The lead singer, Peter Furler, has a unique voice. I know he wasn't the original lead singer, but went from playing the drums to taking over the lead in like 1997. So, basically, most of my Christian life has been listening to him sing as lead in the band. One day, I was driving with my boys and I heard something weird on the Christian radio station. The dj said a song "Born Again" was by the Newsboys. Lo and behold, a second later, I heard Michael Tait singing. What? I thought. That can't be right. My ears are deceiving me. Come to find out, they weren't! Peter Furler stepped back from the Newsboys as lead vocal. My understanding is he is still involved with them, perhaps their manager and writing/producing music for them. So, in 2009, it was announced that Michael Tait would join the Newsboys as lead vocal. I like Michael Tait. I liked him in DC Talk, I liked his solo stuff, and I enjoyed meeting him at a DC Talk concert. That isn't my issue. It is just that the Newsboys have, or had rather, a unique sound. I can pick them out pretty easily, which says a lot since I am not musical at all. I do like the song, "Born Again." I think Tait does an excellent job. But as a Newsboy? And not having Furler sing lead is just weird. Sigh. I've never done well with change. This is just a weird change I suppose I have to get used to. I still like the Newsboys. It just isn't the same, however. Oh well. Glad Michael Tait found a good group to join!

A Walk in the Fall

2010-10-06T12:23:00.000-07:00

It's a whopping 64 degrees here in beautiful Colorado! Today, the boys and I stepped outside to take a walk in our beloved Nature Park across the street from our house. The clouds were gently blowing across the light blue sky. The wind whistled the softly through the trees. The air was slightly crisp. Ah, Fall has graced us with its presence! At least for today! So, the boys and I ventured out. We walked through the park, stopping every so often at little "beaches" as the boys call them. They collected rocks and sticks along the way. The breeze would pick up every now and again, and with it, would bring a bit of cold. It was pure pleasure to walk through the park on a chilly day! I was able to dress in jeans and a sweatshirt. By the time we got home, my nose was cold. I love this weather today! It is truly beautiful! I know tomorrow is supposed to be 79 degrees, but then after that, it is going to cool down a bit. As a matter of fact, some friends had invited us to a Pumpkin Festival in Littleton on Saturday. It's supposed to be 66 degrees and partly cloudy! Yay! I love the cool weather that is headed our way, and I loved the walk I took with my boys! Oh, really quick: the boys decided to walk in front of me to protect me from bugs and other creatures that may slither out of the bushes during our walk! What great boys!

Toothless

2010-10-04T11:29:00.000-07:00

Gage's front tooth has been loose for a while now. Every day, Chris would try to pull it out. No go. It just wouldn't budge. We went to the Ferris' on Saturday night. Chris tried pulling it out there, and still, no luck. Later on that evening, Gage came into the house. Apparently, he and his cousin were jumping on the trampoline. Gage had been chewing a piece of ice. Dylan accidently smacked Gage in the mouth with a fake sword, and Gage swallowed his tooth! He was very sad about it. He thought at first it had fallen out of his mouth, but Chris searched outside and couldn't find it. Come to find out, he definitely swallowed it! Yesterday, after Gage went to the bathroom, he told me he found his tooth. He didn't want to get it, so he didn't feel the need to keep it after that! Gage looks absolutely adorable without his front tooth! I love it! Here's a picture of him! What a cutie!

Hearts and Heaven

2010-09-29T16:18:00.000-07:00

I received a call from my dad today. A while back, he was pretty sick. He finally went to the doctor and told me that he was really congested, and that was that. However, the crazy old man called to confess his sin of lying. Yep! He lied! He told me he has congestive heart failure. Okay. Heart and failure should never be put in the same sentence! I texted a few people and asked them what that meant exactly (my father is not to be trusted!). It appears he may have had it since March, but I am unsure. He is taking medication and taking better care of himself. My heart is a little heavy. I know God knows when our last day on earth is. I don't, and I just pray it isn't anytime soon for my dad! Keep him in prayer if you think about it.
So, I was talking to the boys about my dad and how we need to pray for him. We have a calendar of all the people we pray for. My boys checked to see when we pray for my dad and step-mom, and it just so happens to be tomorrow. They said we are going to pray for him and my step-dad everyday. Which led us in a discussion on heaven. My middle son, Gage, asked if there was school in heaven. I said probably not. Then Gavin, my youngest, said, "That's why Heaven is so awesome!" Made me laugh! I love the things kids say!

My Fridays

2010-09-28T11:35:00.000-07:00

My pastor while growing up used to say, "Friday is here, but Sunday is coming!" I loved that phrase! I know what he was referring to. Jesus died on the cross. Satan thought he had won, but he didn't know Jesus would conquer death come Sunday! Friday is here (sadness for disciples) but Sunday is comin' (joy for the disciples). Well, my Fridays have become a joy! Monday comes ever too quickly, but I know Friday is comin'! My boys have Friday school on Fridays (duh) and I have the most of the day to myself. I have to volunteer an hour and fifteen minutes every Friday, and over the next four Fridays, I have to volunteer right in the middle of the day, but that's okay! I still get to have seven hours to do what I want to do! I can write, go yard saling, read a book, have coffee with a friend, whatever! I look forward to my Fridays! Don't get me wrong. I enjoy homeschooling my boys. I love that I can watch them learn and see how the progress! It's fun to watch something click, but oh, Fridays rock! I love them! I look forward to them! Plus, they are good for the boys. But that's not really what this blog posting is about, is it?:) It's about my love of alone time! Yay for Fridays! Before, they were just like every other day. But not any more! So, although my pastor would say Friday is here but Sunday is coming, for me, I like to say, "Monday is here, but Friday is coming!"

A Brief Walk Down Memory Lane

2010-09-24T09:48:00.000-07:00

Gage is officially seven! Yikes! Where did the time go? I can't believe it! Since Chris already wrote what we did yesterday and today, and posted what a great kid he is, I thought I would take you through the life of Gage! Enjoy!

Gage still looks like this when I rub his head or arm or back!

He was such a sweet baby!

Gage still loves popcorn!

Gage is still a goofy kid!

Gage loves to dress up, even while sleeping!

Gagers loves working out and getting bigger "bumps" as he calls them!

Has Fall Arrived?

2010-09-21T15:40:00.000-07:00

Every morning for the last few days it has been chilly. I mean, pair of jeans and sweatshirt chilly. Then, it warms up to about 85-90 degrees. Yuck! This is September in Colorado! It shouldn't be 90 degrees here this time of year! I was telling my mom that I moved from CA to experience the seasons. Colorado just hasn't gotten it just yet. It's ~~almost,~~ it IS Autumn. It's time for cooler temperatures. I'm not asking for anything much. I don't want snow or even 50 degree weather. Just mid-60's. So, this morning, I took my desires to the Creator of the weather. I'm not boasting I had anything to do with the change today in weather. Believe me, God has told me NO! several times. But the high was supposed to be 79. Never reached that today. It's 70 right now and a thunder storm is a-brewin'! Love it! So, has Fall arrived? Not sure. I certainly hope so! Lord, bring on the Fall!

Happy Birthday, Chris!

2010-09-19T14:59:00.000-07:00

Thirty-eight years ago today the world was blessed by the birth of a little boy named Christopher. He was a surprise to his parents, but not to the Lord. God had known Chris would be born on this very special day. He knew the path He wanted Chris to choose, and He knew which path Chris would choose. I am so very glad Chris heeded the Lord's voice! For if he had not, I wouldn't be married to this wonderful man! I am blessed beyond all I could ask, hope, or think to have this man as my husband! He is godly, funny (although not as funny as I am), handsome, loving, giving, compassionate, and a manly man! I told Chris today how grateful I am that if we were ever lost, I could trust him to help us survive almost any circumstance (unless he dies...then I am in major trouble!). Chris is a terrific dad and a wonderful husband! I love to hear him talk with the boys, to wrestle with the boys, to teach them things boys need to know. I love it when Gage is sad that Chris has to go to work. It makes my heart happy when they run to the door and yell, "Dad's home!" Garrison loves to ask Chris question after question about knives! And Chris always knows the answer! Gavin loves to be silly and playful with Chris...which is right up Chris' alley! What a joy it is to celebrate the life of this man! We will never be the same for having him in our lives! Happy Birthday, my love! I pray you had a great weekend! And I hope this didn't sound like a eulogy!

To Be Known

2010-09-17T15:31:00.000-07:00

At some point in life, most people want to be known. They want people to know their names, what makes them tick, etc. I am no exception. I want to be known. I want my friends and family to know me, the real me. I want them to know what I like and what I dislike. I want them to know what makes me laugh and cry. I want them to know that I don't want a lot of things. When asked what I want for presents, my response is normally, "nothing" because I am just not a "thing" kind of gal. I want my friends and family to know my heart. What makes it break? What makes it fly higher than an eagle? I want them to know how I have changed and how I have stayed the same.
I love that Chris knows me so well. He knows what makes me excited and what makes me repulsed. He knows my heart more than anyone, except Jesus, of course. He knows my hopes and dreams, my failures and sadness. He knows my sins and my victories.
I want to make sure I know Chris in the same way, which I think I do. I know he loves God very much. I know he is an extrovert and loves being with people. Chris gets his energy in a crowd, but being with people too much exhausts him over time. Chris can hear one millisecond of a song and already know what it is! He can play almost any musical instrument. He is pretty quick to learn new things and never wants to stop learning. Good thing, too, because I am constantly changing! :) Chris can accomplish anything he sets his mind to. I have never seen him fail at things he does. If he feels like he has failed, he picks himself up and wipes the dust off and keeps going. I love knowing things about my husband!
I also want to make sure I know my boys. For instance, if I were to put Garrison on stage, he would have an anxiety attack. He doesn't like being the center of attention. But give the kid a good book, and he is pretty happy. He and I shared some "alone" time together, doing whatever he wanted. He chose to read a book while I read mine and told me it was an amazing time of togetherness. He loves his art class out of all the classes he is taking. And making friends is a huge stretch for him. Give him some things to create anything his heart desires, and he will do a happy dance for you. Literally. If asked, he may do it.
Gage is far different from Garrison. He is my dreamer, my imagination kid. He could be sitting at the table and having a conversation with someone and not hear a word. He loves his stuffed animals like they were real. Gage can be best friends with someone and not even know their names. He loves to play wii or playstation, but not board games. He loves to sit and listen to his IPOD and will sing along with me in the car. Gage will snuggle with you without even asking and will talk your ear off if given the opportunity.
Gavin is my go getter. He can read better than most second graders. He has challenged himself to do whatever Garrison can, including reading the Redwall series! He is a genius at Wii, but would rather be outside playing. When it comes to sports, he is a natural. He loves to run and jump and can do a better cartwheel than most kids his age. He can make friends pretty fast, but he can get angry with them just as quickly. Gavin can change how he feels with the drop of a hat. He wears his emotions on his sleeve.
These are a few things I have noticed about my boys. But what I love about them all is their desire for Jesus. They may be as different as night and day and afternoon, but they desire to pray, read the bible, and learn about the Lord. They love going to church and seeking God. They love to talk about the wonder of Jesus, the Rapture, and what it will be like in Heaven.
I want to be known. I want to know my husband and kids. I want to know others as much as I want to be known. I hope that while I am on this earth, I will take the time to get to know those around me. And to get to know those who don't live so close but may change along the course of time.

A Breath of Fresh Air

2010-09-13T07:40:00.000-07:00

After the boys' soccer game on Saturday, we headed over to Cherry Creek State Park for a little birthday celebration for my nephew. We only camped for one night, but it was a lot of fun! Chris, Russell, Dylan, and Josiah set up our tent. We lounged around for a bit, and then the Warren's arrived. We drove to the Lake in the park, and watched the kids play in the water for a while as well as watch them bury Josiah! After that, we went back to the sight and grilled up hot dogs and hamburgers. We sat around and talked with the Ferris' and Warren's. It was a fun conversation, filled with laughter and at times, seriousness, as well. We roasted marshmellows and made smores. Yummy! We really enjoyed ourselves! The boys explored and had a great time, too! It was a lot of fun, and exactly what I needed. It felt good to sit around the fire and enjoy one another! The boys had fun, too! They saw 6 deer and a fawn while exploring. Chris, I hope, had fun! :) He did a lot of the work, but I think he enjoyed himself, too! Next time we go camping, though, it a little longer! :) Good times, good times!

Running Through Life

2010-09-10T15:05:00.000-07:00

My nephew, Dylan, years ago wrote a song, "Race of Life." It is a pretty neat song. I am pretty sure Chris put it on YouTube. But lately, I feel like I am racing through life. I'm not really running the race of life as much as I am running through it. I am in awe to realize how many days of September have already passed. And August? Not sure what happened there. I told a friend of mine I went to sleep one night in early August and all of a sudden, I woke to find it September 10! Yikes! August was a blur. We had two seperate families visit us in the month of August. Well, not just us, but my sister and her family, as well. We were in Durango Labor Day weekend. When we got back on Tuesday, we had to do grocery shopping. Then on Wednesday, we had a meeting at our house for a ministry Chris and I are taking over. The next day, we had soccer practice for the boys, followed by Friday school. Now, we are preparing for the boys' first soccer game on Saturday, quickly followed by camping. Like the moment we leave the game, we are going camping. Sunday, we wake up, leave the camp ground by 12 and come home, unpack, shower, and head to our first Life Group since early summer! Whew! Then on Monday, we babysit Morgan and get into our weekly routine! I am feeling a bit frazzled. It's crazy, I tell you! Today, Friday, I am glad for the time I had with my friend, Sarah. She and I went yard saling. It was a relaxing time with some good conversation. She shared with me a few of her victories and I shared my desires of getting out of debt. That was a nice, even paced time! For the time being, I am running through life (still with a hurt knee). I am looking forward to when life settles into a decent paced routine! Hopefully, that will be this next week! Perhaps the lazy days of summer are now gone. In its place is the frantic season of fall!

A Great Story

2010-09-08T15:33:00.000-07:00

I just had to share this story! I love Dwight Howard! :) I saw this on Yahoo's News Page and thought I would pass it on! Read on, read on!

Dwight Howard makes a lady's day, life
By Trey Kerby

Occasionally stories come around that push your sadness buttons just enough that your eyes get a bit misty, while at the same time the same story activates your smile sensors because it's about someone doing something good for another person. You know what I'm talking about.
So if you're down with crying a few happy tears, chew on this story by the Orlando Sentinel's Mike Bianchi.
Her bucket list included just one item.
Kay Kellogg (who is suffering from Stage 3 Multiple Myeloma, an aggressive cancer) didn't want to climb the Eiffel Tower. Or run a marathon. Or jump out of an airplane. She just wanted to have a nice conversation with her hero.
"Dwight Howard is just such a precious, wonderful kid," she says. "Whenever I watch him play, he just makes me feel good inside."
And for a woman who feels so bad inside most of the time, this is quite an accomplishment for Dwight. [...]
A few weeks ago, her daughter, Arian Clute, had an idea. She contacted the Magic and told them that her mother had but one wish before she died: She wanted to meet Dwight.
And, so, a few days ago, Dwight showed up at her door step. He was supposed to spend 30 minutes and ended up staying nearly two hours.
Sad enough, one would think. These sort of things are always tremendously sad-happy, and Dwight's contribution to the heart-warming visit canon is no different. And really, just the fact that Dwight spent two hours with an old lady dying from an incurable illness would be enough to make anyone damp in the eyes.
But then, Dwight ratchets things up a notch and really sets things off.
When she gingerly stood up to say goodbye, he bent way, way down, hugged her hard and told her something startling. He told this 4-foot-11 woman who is dying of cancer, "You are taller than me."
"That's the silliest thing I've ever heard," she said.
"No," Dwight insisted, "you are taller than me because your spirit lifts you up."
See? Told you it was a happy-sad (or sad-happy, either way works). Please, please read the whole story, because the entire thing is great. After that, maybe send an email to your mom or grandma. Very cool of Dwight, who seems like the perfect person to go to this sort of thing.
As for me? No, I'm not crying. It's just been raining on my face.

Resting in Durango

2010-09-06T19:22:00.000-07:00

We decided that every Labor Day, Chris, the boys, and I would travel to Durango, Colorado to visit his dad and step-mom. This was the first Labor Day weekend that we have done this. And boy, are we glad! What a great time we have had! The boys have done all of the fun boyish things: chopped down trees, shot b.b. guns, searched for wild turkey feathers, and crawled under the house to clean up bark and debris from left over firewood. They have played pool inside the house and have had some yummy meals. It has been a boy's dream! All three boys came in today, completely exhausted and completely dirty! They have loved every minute of being here! Bruce has been wiped out, as well! Last night after dinner, Chris, the boys, Chris' nephew Noah, and Bruce all played football. It didn't last a long time, but they had fun! The boys and Chris got to drive Bruce's tractor, too! Along with sculpting and making hiking sticks out of some twisty sticks, the boys have hiked all over the property! What a splendid time they have had!
As for me, my time has been less adventurous! Since I hurt my knee, I really haven't had the 3-5 consecutive days to stay off of my knee. This was my chance. I brought books to read, Chris' laptop to work on book number two, and some journals to write in. I have literally stayed off of my knee all weekend long! It hasn't been swollen once! I may be on the road to recovery! So, I didn't get to go out and do a lot of stuff, but it was pretty vital I get my knee working properly again. I seriously didn't do anything. Not even cook dinners or do the dishes. This was a sit on my booty and do nothing weekend. I feel badly for Chris since he did most of the stuff I would have done. But he was a good sport about it!
Overall, this has been a great weekend! I am sure Bruce and Pat are excited to have their house back and excited to rest and not do so much! Fun times!

The Boys' First Day

2010-09-03T09:58:00.000-07:00

I know Chris already posted about the boys' first day of school, so I won't repeat that. But I thought I ought to blog about it from my perspective. Today, for me, was a definitely bittersweet! The boys have never been to public school, for that, I am thankful! Last night, I was making their lunch, thinking I couldn't do this everyday! I couldn't send them off to school for 8 hours Monday through Friday. Although homeschooling is hard, I enjoy having the boys near. I enjoy hearing their awe as they learn something new. I love hearing when something they have struggled with finally clicks! So, in a way, I was sad to see them go. When we got in the car, Garrison expressed his nervousness to me, as did Gage. So, we stopped and prayed for them. We got to the school, and we dropped off Gage. Come to find out 45 minutes later, it was the wrong class they had assigned him. It ended up okay, thoguh, because he seemed fine. I dropped Gavin off at second. He quickly kissed me and ran off to play! Garrison did get worried, and that broke my heart! But he told himself to get it together, and he did. By the time he was at class, he was fine! I had to volunteer time this morning, so at 9:15, I walked out the door to.....freedom! For the next 6 hours, I have freedom! And that is where the sweet comes in! What a joy to get things done or write or just chill! Anyway, I do have a lot to accomplish today, but I look forward to hearing all about the boys' first day of school! As I sent them off today, I realized just how big they were getting to be. I know that it was hard for them, but good for them, as well. Just like it was tough for me, but good for me, too! Oh, the joys of watching my boys grow up!

And so it begins.....

2010-09-01T11:13:00.000-07:00

I did it! I signed the contract today and sent it off in the mail for the publisher to begin publishing my book! I can hardly believe this is really happening! The publisher isn't the first publisher I had heard from. This one is more traditional, not a print on demand publisher. I did like talking with the president of the first company, but after much consideration, I chose the second one. I'm excited, nervous, and well, cautious, I guess, as I proceed with this company. In about a year, the book should be ready! What Tomorrow Brings is my first book in a trilogy. I'm in the process of working on Here and Now. And I finally have an idea for my third one, Yesterday's Dreams or Dreams of Yesterday. I haven't decided which one I like the best yet. Any ideas? Anyway, today will begin the long process of publishing my book! Yay!

The Broadwells

2010-08-30T12:45:00.000-07:00

Almost two weeks ago, the Broadwells rolled into town! They are staying in Arvada with Steff and her family. Since they have more room and the Broadwells have one more kid, we all felt it would be better for them to hang out there instead of here at my little 2 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath home. I feel badly for the Broadwells. Not for staying at Steff's (they have a nice house). But for the lack of doing things. See, shortly before they arrived, I injured my knee...shopping. One of the things I hate to do the most! But I did. I hurt it so much that when I am on it, it swells. Which means, I have tried not to be on it. Unfortunately, that means no walking around the Lake Park with the Broadwells, no exploring the Nature Park or Red Rocks. That means no finding some fun festival that may be going on in or out of town. Basically, doing nothing of the things I love doing when we have visitors. The poor Broadwells have been stuck inside my house, just sitting around, doing nothing (unless Dave takes the kids swimming at our complex pool). I feel bad for Dave, too, because he has suffered tremendously from allergies ever since they arrived! I have enjoyed spending time with them, laughing, getting to know Jake, talking with Sierra, and catching up on life. One of the highlights for me was when Kim, Steff, and I went to Namaste, a yummy Indian food place with an all you can eat buffet. That was fun. Then, yesterday, the Broadwell family and my family went back there. Our kids have never had Indian food and neither have Dave and Sierra. It was yummy once again! Kim is going to try an Indian place in Rancho, so perhaps when we go to CA next summer, she and I can get a little Indian food in! Overall, it was nice to see the Broadwells. I just feel really bad they have been stuck inside and not outside, enjoying some of the things I love about this place! Hopefully next time, I won't go shopping and hurt myself!

Down For Three Days?

2010-08-24T14:10:00.000-07:00

A week ago Monday, my sister and I were shopping. I stepped on my right foot and felt a sharp, piercing pain on the right side of my knee. The rest of the day, I could barely put any pressure on it. By the end of the night, I was limping. I decided it couldn't be that bad, so the next day, I exercised and took the boys on an awesome bike ride. By the end of the bike ride, my knee was swollen. Hm. Not a good thing. I kept thinking it would go away. I even didn't exercise for three days, hoping a little rest would do it some good. Well, when I kept waking up on Sunday night because I would roll onto that knee and it was painful, I knew I needed to see the doctor. I went in today, and he informed me I pulled a muscle/tendon in my knee. I need to wear a knee brace, ice it, take Ib profin, and stay off of it for THREE DAYS! I have three kids, I'm running a household, I'm babysitting three days this week, and on Friday, we are going to meet the boys' teachers and have a 'get to know you' picnic with their school. And I have to be off of it for 3 days? Really? He even said no stairs. Hm. Well, there's a problem there: I have stairs! So now I have to go up the stairs using my left foot to step up only. Needless to say, this is going to be a very DIFFICULT task for me to accomplish! I highly doubt I can be off of my feet for 3 days! Right after the appointment, I had to go grocery shopping. Then I came home, made lunch, fed the little girl I'm watching, did the dishes, cleaned the house, did laundry, and ironed some shirts of Chris' that I was supposed to do yesterday. At least homeschooling the boys was done sitting down! :) I don't know how I am going to pull this one off. I just don't. Oh well. Three days off of my feet. Good luck with that! :)

A New Season Of Life

2010-08-23T08:08:00.000-07:00

Our life has become busy. Not a bad busy, just busy. I started babysitting a little 9 month old girl today. I will be watching her 3 days a week, 7-4. In October, I am going to watch a 3 year old girl and her new born brother on Monday/Wednesday nights from 4-7:30. Why? you might be wondering. I know I am a little busy without the babysitting. I am in the process of publishing my book and writing the next one, I homeschool my kids, they start their Friday classes in which I have to volunteer 25 hours throughout the school year. So, in the midst of busyness, why take on babysitting? Well, the answer is simple: I want to get out of debt. That's the hard core truth of it all. I want to be out of debt and soon. I enjoy the little girl I started babysitting today. She is a bundle of energy, super cute, and very well behaved. I like the little girl I will babysit in October, as well. She laughs a lot and gets along with my boys. But the truth of the matter is I want to be done with debt. Aside from Chris' school loans, if all goes according to how I plan it (which it never does), we could very well be done with debt by next December. Imagine that! :) Next December, we could be saving money for a down payment on a house. Prayerfully sooner, we will be able to afford a new, bigger car. I'm excited to start this new season in our life. It won't be easy, but it will be fun. It will make for long days, but it will be worth it!

Flowers For Mommy

2010-08-19T08:15:00.000-07:00

Before most of the chaos began yesterday (my boys fighting), we had to do a little grocery shopping at Wal-Mart. As we were passing the flowers, Gavin stopped and said, "Mommy, I want to buy you some flowers. Do you like these ones?" He was pointing to a beautiful arrangement of red roses. Although they were beautiful, they were pricy, as well. So I told him they were too expensive. We found some $3 roses around the corner, different colors. I told him I liked the orange ones. They were quite beautiful. He proudly picked them up and said, "But, Mom, I don't have any money." So essentially, I bought myself flowers. But the thought was all Gavin's! We came home and put them in a vase with some water. He was so proud of what he had done! He is such a sweet kid! I love that boy!

Just One of Those Days

2010-08-18T15:14:00.000-07:00

Wake up. Fighting. Breakfast. Fighting. Grocery Shopping. Fighting. Lunch. Fighting. Super clean boys' bedroom. Fighting. Finish cleaning. Fighting. Not me, but the boys. Nothing but fighting. It's just one of those days.

Gage Lost His First Tooth!

2010-08-17T15:24:00.000-07:00

It's amazing how fast our little munchkins are growing up! Gage has had a loose tooth for a long time. He has been wiggling it and playing with it every day. Chris tried pulling it out a few days ago, and it hurt him pretty badly (Gage, not Chris). So, yesterday, on the way to a homeschool meeting, Gage was working on it in the car. He even said Garrison and Gavin could try pulling it out, which they did, but to no avail. While I was making dinner, I told Gage if Chris pulled it out after dinner, we would go to any dessert place he wanted as a celebration. That encouraged Gage quite a bit! Right after dinner, Chris grabbed a napkin and pulled it out. Gage looked at Chris and said, "Is it out?" He didn't even feel it! Gage chose Dairy Queen and got a shake. When we got home, I gave him $5 for his first tooth (he'll get $1 for every other one). It was a pretty exciting time for him! He was thrilled to move on to this new stage in his life! Gavin kept saying he had a loose tooth, too, but he still has some time! :) How fast they grow up!

Percy Jackson comes to Life!

2010-08-13T11:09:00.000-07:00

My boys have very active imaginations. On Wednesday, we watched the movie, Percy Jackson, the Lightning Thief. The boys love that movie. This morning, after the boys woke up and ate breakfast, they decided to create their own weapons from the movie. Garrison made a trident, Gage made a lightning bolt, and Gavin wanted to make a trident, too, but needed Garrison's help. So, then they decided to play the movie. Gage (after we wrapped his lightning bolt with blue wrapping paper so it looked like the one in the movie) was Zeus. Garrison was Poseidon, and Gavin was Percy Jackson. It was pretty awesome to see them outside, playing out the movie, and really enjoying themselves! We then took it to the school so they had more room to run and jump and play! I love my brilliant boys!

Me? Relaxed?

2010-08-13T07:21:00.000-07:00

The boys and I went to a friend's house yesterday so our kids could hang out (and quite truthfully, so could we). I love this gal! She is easy to talk to, fun to be around, and has three kids so our kids pair off rather nicely. While we were hanging out, she said to me, "Joi, you are so relaxed! I keep hoping some of that will rub off on me!" She gave me a reference to what she was talking about. At my house, when the kids are upstairs, we hear a bang. It's just the kids playing and since the ceiling is so thin, I hear everything. I laughed and told her so. She then told me not only at my house, but at her house, as well. I'm not uptight, she says. That made me laugh. Not uptight? That is not the way I would describe myself. Or, at least, that is not the way I used to be. I was telling Chris what she had said, and he agreed. He said I have loosened up in the last few years. It's weird to think about that. I'm not as uptight as I used to be. I am more relaxed. I do have a "whatever" sort of attitude at times. I admit, there are many times I am still anal and uptight, but overall, I am more relaxed. I love it! I love not walking around life stressed or anxiety filled. I love being more carefree than I used to be. I have a ways to go still. I am not a completed work yet. But to think the "aura" I give to my new friends is that I am not as uptight as I once considered myself to be, or that others considered me to be. I like it!

The Hitas

2010-08-11T16:07:00.000-07:00

We had the pleasure of having the Hitas come visit us and the Ferris family in Colorado. Jaime, Angela, and Nicholas arrived on Saturday morning. I picked them up from the airport and took them to my house to spend the day with us. Nikko is adorable! I love that kid! He is the happiest kid I have seen in a long time! He is a bundle of energy, and it was so much fun to see him play and interact with my family! He absolutely loved Chris! He would see Chris and yell (literally) "Chreeeeesssss!!!" It was awesome! Even when Chris had to work and saw him in the evenings, he would run to Chris and start talking jibberish! It was fun! We went to the APEX center with Angela and Nicholas, Dylan, Josiah, and Steff. Jaime, Chris, and Russell met for a Biker Jim's hot dog lunch. Jaime had a good time eating with the guys and seeing downtown Denver. He really liked the feel of it. And Nicholas loved the water! It was a blast! Then last night, Steff, Angela, and I went to see Letters To Juliet. That was an okay movie. The most fun was when we were laughing and talking. We laughed a lot. Angela and Steff are a crack up! Overall, I had a really good time with the Hitas. Of course, I talked up Colorado (in hopes to get them to move here one day). Just like I will do that to the Broadwells when they come to visit us in a week. :) It's just what I do! :)

Singing Robots

2010-08-05T07:54:00.000-07:00

All three of my sons are brilliant. That is just the conclusion I have come to. They have very active imaginations, and I love it! Put some tape, sticks, and rocks in Garrison's hands and he creates weapons of mass destruction! That kid has a knack for building! Gavin is an avid learner. He wants to learn everything: school, building, sports. You name it, he wants to try it! He is eager to get out and explore! And the kid is a wiz when it comes to wii! Then there is Gage, who wants to be everything under the sun from a doctor, to a policeman, to a butler! Right now, his biggest desire is to be a scientist! I told him scientists have to go to college, and he wasn't too happy about that. But then he changed his mind and said he would do whatever it takes to be a scientist! Yesterday, he told me about his latest invention as a scientist: Singing Robots. Yep! That's right! Singing Robots! He wants to build robots that sing with him! A part of me wonders if it is because Garrison and Gavin won't sing with him. But hey! Whatever the reason, I was pretty amazed at his creativity! Another day, he told me he wanted to build a time machine to go back in time to tell Adam and Eve not to eat the apple! That sparked a whole other topic of conversation! But I am proud of my boys and their minds! I love listening to them and watching them! I might be a little biased, but I really think we have three little geniuses in our midst!

The Beginning of a Dream

2010-08-02T10:43:00.000-07:00

I love writing. I think I have written that several times since I began writing my book. I enjoy creating characters, teaching life lessons through stories, and getting lost in a different world. It's wonderful! This weekend, not only did I get to celebrate my 11th anniversary with my amazing husband, but I also received an email from a publisher, saying they want to proceed with publishing my book! My dream of becoming a published author is quickly becoming a reality! I am in awe that God is allowing me to fulfill this dream! I love that! I have had this dream of writing since I was quite young, and to see it actually come to fruition is remarkable! At this moment, I am cautiously excited! I am asking a lot of questions before signing anything. I am doing my homework and talking with people about what they think. Chris and I have talked a lot about this, and without his guidance and encouragement, I don't know where I would be! So, now, I hurry up and wait to see what happens!

Our Anniversary

2010-07-30T11:09:00.000-07:00

In 1990, I gave my life to the Lord and began praying for my future husband. I prayed for his daily walk with Christ, that he would continue to grow strong in the Lord, that God would be his everything. I prayed for his personality, that he would be loving and patient, that he would love Disney and would want to watch Disney movies with me. I prayed he would be musical and play the guitar. I prayed he would be "tall, dark (hair) and handsome". Lo and behold, seven years later, God would answer my prayer with Chris. We have been together since 1997, almost 13 years. We have been married for 11 years tomorrow! Little did I know when I was praying for those things, God had Chris in mind all along! I am truly grateful and blessed! Chris is all those things and more! His hair isn't black, but it is dark enough for me! :) God gave me a godly, patient, loving, forgiving man who I look up to. He challenges me, encourages me, pushes me to do new things. He doesn't sit still or stagnant, but constantly pursues growth, which in turn, has caused me to do those things as well! I love it! Chris is my strength in times of weakness, when I feel I just can't go on any longer. He picks me up and carries the burden. Chris is a wonderful father, a great husband, and the best friend I have ever had. The last 11 years have taught me so much about marriage and life! Most importantly, it has taught me how much better my life is with Chris in it! Happy Anniversary, my love! I love you more than words can say!

Another Weather Warning

2010-07-28T15:08:00.000-07:00

I was listening to the radio today, doing the dishes. The National Weather Service interrupted a song. There is a flash flood warning in Boulder County. The radio said the normal stuff: don't drive in high water, take cover if you can. But this one statement made me giggle yet again: Turn your car around and don't drown! I love that they feel it necessary to say that! Whew! I would not have thought of that in a flash flood! Don't drown! :) Love it!

Little Things In Life

2010-07-24T10:51:00.000-07:00

I must admit, it's the little things in life that really make me happy. It's the kids being silly, Chris doing something off the wall, or family that make me smile. But that's not all! I love finding bargains! I really do! It makes me happy to find something on sale and know I got a great deal! One of those things happened today. I was at a yard sale with my nephew and one of my sons. I saw a great lamp that would look really good in my house. It looked pretty new. It has a little chip on it, but you couldn't really see it. So, I bought it for $10! I was so happy! Then, the gal I paid the money to came over and gave me $2 in change! She said she was going to mark down the price today, even after I already gave her the $10! Loved that! So, really, I bought it for $8! Yay me! And yesterday, the boys and I were headed to my sisters house so my nephews could stay with us for the weekend. On the way, I saw a yard sale. We pulled over, and immediately, I saw african/safari material. The boys want to do their room in a jngle/wilderness theme. I asked how much, and for a lot of material, only $7! When Kim and I made quillows last year, I think I spent $60 or so. This is a lot more material! Now, I can make the boys curtains, pillow cases, and even more blankets (I even offered to do this for my nephews since their room is safari, too). I have a lot of material! :) Yay! Now, my only quest is for a sewing machine. I sold mine before we moved to Colorado. I didn't think I would need it. Now I do. However, I am cheap and don't want to spend a lot on one. :) I checked Craigslist already and didn't find a lot. Now I am on the lookout for one at a yard sale. I admit, I am not very good at sewing straight, but for the boys, I don't think it is going to matter all that much. I love finding bargains! :) It's the little things in life that make me smile. Oh, and one more thing: I found out a bill I thought was going to be sky high isn't nearly as much as I thought it was going to be! Whoo-hoo! This is starting out to be a great weekend!

God's DIfferent Plans

2010-07-21T13:30:00.000-07:00

About a year and a half ago, I was standing in my sister's kitchen in Colorado Springs, listening to the radio. The night before there was a massive wind storm, and I was listening to the report of it. Colorado Springs wasn't hit as hard as some places. I heard the gal say that Denver had winds up to 75 miles per hour. I don't like wind. Never have. Doubt I ever will. But as I was standing there, I said a silent prayer, "Thank You, God, I don't live in Denver!" Fast forward a few months, and Chris applies for a job at the University. I prayed God would provide a job for Chris, just not that one. A friend in Colorado Springs had hugged Chris one Sunday, telling him he knew Chris would get the Denver job. I went home and cried. I liked the Springs, and I certainly did not want to live in Denver. A few months later, Chris and I begin searching for a new home in Denver to rent. Sigh. To my great sadness at the time, Chris got the job in Denver. I was sad, to say the least. We actually thought Chris could commute from Colorado Springs, but after a few weeks of doing that and our gas bill sky high, we opted to move. Now as I sit in my dining room typing this, I am so glad God had different plans! We have been in the Denver Metro area for a year now. And what a beautiful place to be! I love having the nature park across the street. I love having my church five minutes from our house. I love having the Ferris' not too far from us! I love all there is to do in Denver that there isn't in Colorado Springs! I miss the deer and cows that we lived near, but I love the green here, and we are not too far from the mountains. I love this area! I love that we have friends who live near us (it took me a few months, but I finally made friends. I look forward to making more). I just really like the Denver area. God knew that even before I did. My plans certainly are not His plans, and for that, I am grateful!

Three Publishers

2010-07-16T14:26:00.000-07:00

So, there are now three publishers who have my book in their computer systems, or at least have a portion of my manuscript. I just got an email today asking for it. Yay! I don't know if any one of these publishers will find it good enough to actually publish, but I look forward to it anyway!
I wrote some of my new book this week. One chapter actually brought tears to my eyes! Not because it was so good, but because it was an emotional chapter! I love writing! It is so relaxing to me! A friend of mine told me she was going to start writing when her kids start school again. I say, Write on! Write on! Anyway, I will hopefully find out soon (in the next few months anyway) if any one of these three publishers want to publish my manuscript! :) Keep praying!

It's Only Just Begun

2010-07-15T10:45:00.000-07:00

The boys have ravenous appetites! It's truly amazing how much food these little bodies can put away! Just last week, Gage has three pieces of pizza, and not because it tasted great, but because he was still hungry! Not only that, but at dinner on Saturday night, Gage had two hot dogs, fruit salad, and whatever else we had! Yikes! Today, Gavin had two corn dogs, a salad, and a bagel for LUNCH! Garrison is eating his fair share, as well! He may not eat it all at once, but he eats mostly throughout the day! I think at every turn he is asking for a snack! And my boys haven't even hit puberty yet! We are in serious trouble! We might have to take out a loan just to pay for food for our growing tikes! Yikes!

A Place of Healing

2010-07-08T13:57:00.000-07:00

When Chris and I first moved to Colorado, our marriage wasn't great. It wasn't in trouble, no divorce on the horizon or abuse or anything, but it certainly wasn't wonderful. About two months into being here, we decided we needed a fresh start, a chance to start over, go back to a "honeymoon phase" if you will. And we did! Our marriage has become great! I love spending time with my husband! I enjoy growing, learning, doing new things and experiencing life together. There's just something about Colorado! During the family reunion, there were some people who needed healing.There were some who just needed to connect with each other, and there were some who just needed to move on from the past, let it go, and move forward. And that, come to find out, is what happened for many. Steff and I had a great talk with our step-dad, marriages were in the beginning stages of healing and reconnecting. Fresh starts were available! Ahh, Colorado! Okay, granted, it may not only be Colorado. Perhaps God had more to do with it, but sometimes, I see God more here than before. Weird, huh? I have talked about territorial demons before, and how I believe a lot reside over Southern CA. So, perhaps not that many have that much influence here. I liked, though, hearing from my family that they went home to CA feeling more connected and healed. There's just something about Colorado! God may have softened hearts before the reunion. Who knows? But I am thankful He used Colorado to work in lives! Move in mine, Lord, move in mine!

5 Guys, Neighbors,, and Smiles

2010-07-06T15:02:00.000-07:00

I have my nephews for the next few days. My sister is working long hours during the day, so that would leave her boys alone for the next two days by themselves. I offered to have them, and I'm glad I did. I love Dylan and Josiah! They are great kids! About an hour ago, they decided to go outside and play. I had the windows open, that way I could keep an eye on them all. I sat down at the computer to check email. All five boys were doing karate moves on the lawn in front of my house. A very talkative neighbor was walking toward 7 Eleven. I knew in a moment she was going to stop to talk to the boys. The boys stopped playing and sat down on the big rock on the yard. Theresa, our neighbor, walked over to them and began talking. I have no idea what she is saying. I can only see the expression on the boys' faces. Dylan and Josiah were smiling every so often. They are truly handsome boys! Garrison and Gage tried to pay attention to what she was saying, and Gavin got bored and walked away. I love how great the boys are! She is still talking to them as I write this! She is a nice lady, and I have enjoyed a few conversations with her myself. But to see the five guys out there, all smiles, just listening to her talk is a wonderful thing for me! I adore these boys!

Reunion Recap

2010-07-05T08:33:00.000-07:00

Whew! With the last of the family now gone (on Saturday), I finally had a moment and the energy to write a recap of our reunion. My sister, Errin, and her kids, Caitlyn and Reed, came in on June 15. They stayed with Steff and her family for about 8 days, and then headed over to our house to spend some time with us before the rest of the clan arrived. My aunt and uncle, cousin, and my other cousin's twins came in on Saturday morning while my mom and Vic came on Friday night. We all gathered at Steff's for dinner before we went to pick up my grandparents and the rest of the CA crew from the airport. Sunday was by far my favorite day! It was like Christmas! Russell, some kids, Chris, Errin, more kids, and I went to Bear Creek Park early to get the bbq started and everything set up before the rest of the family arrived at noon. I was excited to see the CA crew! I hadn't seen my sisters or their kids and hubbies for over a year! Everyone arrived, and what a joyous time we had! It was awesome! And a lot of fun! That night, after the park fun, the Longs came over along with Errin and her kids (who were still staying with us) for some dinner and Wii time! Fun again!
On Monday, most of the family went White Water Rafting. Garrison got to go, but the other two G's couldn't because you had to be 7. From what Chris says, it was a blast! Well, aside from hitting my mom with an oar in the back of the head! Thank God for helmets! That could have been disasterous! The rest of us went to Kendrick Lake Park where Matt and Vic fished with my boys and Tia, Nana, Faithe, Brooklynn, and Haylee and I all had lunch and played for a bit. It was a good day! That night was the Wii tournament. Russell and Destani took the prize of a payed for date. But nothing beat seeing my uncle play Wii tennis and swinging his Wii controller like Gavin! It was hillarious! Tuesday was the wonderful APEX center! Spa, swimming, walking the track, riding bikes, basketball.....good times! And that night was our family talent show! Wow! That was great! The Texas clan were funny! My cousin Travis wrote and preformed a poem that was AMAZING! Very powerful! The CA crew did a Hannah Montana song (the Long family), and the rest of them did Little Old Lady From Pasadena! How they got Vic and Papa to dance was beyond me, but worth the effort! Reed, Dyl, Josiah, and Caitlyn acted out scenes from Pirates. Caitlyn and Errin sang two songs with Chris accompanying them on one song with the bass (who rocked it, by the way!) and they were accompanied by Faithe's lovely dance moves! She's two, by the way! The Ferris' and my family did a version of Fire Ants! That was fun to do! And then Josiah and Caitlyn surprised me by doing a song they wrote for me called, "Joi's Song." What a wonderful night! Wednesday, we went to the Mint and then had dates with our Wii partners. Then we met at Steff's for Bingo. Thursday was low-key, too, which is good since we were all exhausted! Most everyone went to Dino Ridge and Red Rocks. Then we went to Lone Star in Arvada for an early dinner. Thursday night, we wrapped up the evening with a speech from my grandparents and my mom telling my grandparents that we were all gathering next summer in CA for their 90th birthday! My Papa wants to skydive! Crazy old man! Friday morning, Steff and I were up at the crack of dawn taking the CA crew to the airport. I tried convincing them I would gladly get lost if it meant having them stay in CO, but only Jay was okay with that. Then on Saturday, Steff and I took the Shanahans to the airport for our last good-bye.
It was a wonderful time together. In all honesty, we are still exhausted! I think the late nights and early mornings and all the planning has finally caught up with us! But I wouldn't change it for the world! I loved seeing everyone and spending time with my grandparents and aunt and uncle! It was a good reunion!

Coming to an End

2010-07-01T19:21:00.000-07:00

As I sit and write this, I just dropped off my grandparents at the hotel, and I will be picking them and my sister's family up tomorrow morning at 5:15 to take them to the airport. This family reunion has been full of ups and downs, joys and sorrows, fun and laughter. What do you expect when you get 30 relatives together? I had the wonderful opportunity to spend time with my oldest sister and her kids. My uncles and tia came in from Texas, and what a terrific couple they are! My grandparents are the best in the entire world! How I am going to miss them! I already cried, and I expect more tears to come tomorrow! My younger sisters and their families were terrific and I enjoyed spending time with them! I will write more later, but for now, I am a little sad to say goodbye!

Let The Beautiful Chaos Begin!

2010-06-23T09:06:00.000-07:00

Today, my oldest sister and her two kids are coming to stay with us for the next week and a half. I have a two bedroom, one and a half bathroom condo not more than 1200 square feet. They will be sleeping in the living room on an air mattress. We will be in each others way, stepping on each other, sleeping in tight quarters, possibly getting on each others nerves. But that's what families do, right? And I say, bring it on! Let the chaos begin! My family reunion officially begins on Sunday with a gathering at a local park with swimming, boating, archery, playing, and bbq-ing! Aside from my oldest sister, the rest of my family comes in on Friday and Saturday. It will be a fun time! It will be chaos, that's for sure, but for me, quite possibly beautiful chaos! We have a lot planned, but you see, I get to spend time with my family I haven't seen in over a year. I get to see my grandma play with my boys again, my grandfather and Garrison (who are very similar in actions) get to hang out. I get to spend time with my oldest sister, who I haven't seen in over three years! My two younger sisters have sweet, adorable girls I don't even know! This is going to be a hectic week and a half, but a joyful one, too! I look forward to seeing my aunt and uncle from Texas, as well as my cousin, and my other cousin's two kids. I haven't seen them in years! The last time I saw the Texas crew was when I was a lot heavier and personality wise, a lot different! What a great time this is going to be! What a special time! So, as I get ready to go pick up my sister and family, I say, "Let the Beautiful Chaos Begin!"

Miley Cyrus: A disappointment to this Mom

2010-06-22T14:46:00.000-07:00

I was reading my Yahoo! News page this morning, and on it was an article about Miley Cyrus. She was "defending her style of dress." She has chosen to dress skimpy and inappropriately. What bothers me is that she has millions of little girls looking to her for a role model. She was even quoted saying, "I work really hard to be fit and to know I can wear whatever makes me feel most comfortable, and I feel most comfortable dressing with a little less. And that's kind of how I've always been, it's just now I'm able to do that a little more freely." So because she works hard to be fit she can dress slutty? Why is that acceptable? How are little girls going to start dressing now? I can only pray the little girls' parents will talk about how trashy Miley looks, and how disappointing her dress style is. It's just so sad to me. I understand that Disney stars need to break away from Disney, but does that mean by going trashy? Why can't the Disney stars break away and still have the respect of their fans? I mean, lets face it: Miley is not a great actress, at least not on Hannah Montana. Is she going to make it that big in the movie scene? I don't know. I don't see that happening. I have been wrong before, however. The point to this blog today is just to say how disappointed I am that Miley has decided to go trashy. What a shame. She could have made such a great statement. Oh well. Another good girl gone bad.

Father's Day

2010-06-20T06:05:00.000-07:00

Ever since I became a Christian, Father's Day took on a whole new meaning. I would wake up every Father's Day and thank God for being my Daddy. And that He is! He loves and cares for me. He disciplines me like a father who loves his children would. He protects me, encourages me, watches over me, listens to me, wipes away my tears, and holds me. I love that God is my Father! I often cry to Him, "Daddy! I need You!" And He always is there. Ahhh! Father's Day is one of the best holidays ever!
Aside from God being my father, this is the day I get to celebrate Chris being a wonderful father to our boys. He is a living example of what Jesus is to me! I love that Chris wrestles with the kids, listens to them, loves them, disciplines them, encourages them, hugs them, and is always there when they need him! What a wonderful man God has blessed me with!
And to all the fathers out there in the world today, happy father's day! Whether the kids you impact are biological, adopted, or just kids in the neighborhood, you are indeed a blessing! Thank you for taking the time to shape and mold kids in your life! Thank you for taking the time to make a difference. Happy Father's Day!

Compliments

2010-06-19T09:20:00.000-07:00

Have you ever received a compliment that just stuck with you for quite some time? I have. I have received many, but the most recent came from my oldest sister, Errin. I haven't seen Errin in about 3 or 4 years. She lives in Oregon with her hubby and two kiddos. She hasn't seen me since I dropped 30 plus pounds. I saw her on Tuesday when my other sister picked her and her family up from DIA. I was at Steff's house, waiting for them. Errin came in and said, "You are stunning!" I wasn't wearing an evening gown or even dressed nice. It was 90 degrees, so I had on shorts and a shirt. But she called me stunning. I have never been called stunning before! That comment, almost in passing, has stayed with me all week.
Which got me thinking. How many times have I complimented someone? Are my compliments sincere or just said to fill empty space? Do my compliments really make a difference? I believe they do. I believe a little encouragment goes a long way. I just experienced that this week with Errin. I doubt she thought it would stick with me this long. I doubt she said it to build my ego. I think she said it just because she honestly felt that way. Do I say positive things to people about them because I honestly feel that way? Do I make sure I tell people how special they are, how beautfiul or handsome they are, how blessed I am to have them in my life? Not nearly enough. But I want to. I know how it feels to be encouraged. I know how great I feel when a complete stranger at church tells me she likes my shirt. I know how great I feel when my neighbor tells me he likes my curly hair. I want to uplift others like I have been uplifted lately.
How about you? When was the last time you told someone something uplifting, close friend or relative, complete stranger, husband/wife? When was the last time you went out of your comfort zone to make someone feel special? Just a little food for thought. Today, make it your aim to make someone's day, even if it appears to be a little thing. Go ahead and do it.

Lead Me, by Sanctus Real

2010-06-17T08:18:00.000-07:00

I was on the way home from dropping off the boys at VBS this morning when I heard this song on the radio. It's called Lead Me, by Sanctus Real. I had never heard this song before. So as I listened to the words, I realized how difficult a task it is for men to lead their families. Check out the words:

Sanctus Real - “Lead Me”

I look around and see my wonderful life
Almost perfect from the outside
In picture frames I see my beautiful wife
Always smiling
But on the inside, I can hear her saying...

“Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can't
Don't leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, what about us?
Show me you're willing to fight
That I'm still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone”

I see their faces, look in their innocent eyes
They're just children from the outside
I'm working hard, I tell myself they'll be fine
They're in independent
But on the inside, I can hear them saying...

“Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can't
Don't leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, but what about us?
Show me you're willing to fight
That I'm still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone”

So Father, give me the strength
To be everything I'm called to be
Oh, Father, show me the way
To lead them
Won't You lead me?
To lead them with strong hands
To stand up when they can't
Don't want to leave them hungry for love,
Chasing things that I could give up
I'll show them I'm willing to fight
And give them the best of my life
So we can call this our home
Lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone
Father, lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone

I am so thankful I have a husband who looks to God for strength to lead our family. I am so thankful for the men in my life who have chosen to follow Jesus so they, too, can lead their families, and rely on His strength, not their own. So to you men out there, thank you for leading your families. Thank you for trusting God enough to lead them. And Chris, thank you for leading with strong hands when I can't.

Be Still

2010-06-15T06:23:00.000-07:00

Life is busy. That's just the plain truth of the matter. We have a very busy month ahead of us. Actually, we are already in the midst of it! It is so busy, that an older couple from church who I have wanted to get to know called and asked if we could have dinner together. We said sure, and scheduled it for July 5! Yikes! Yesterday, as I was sitting and praying, I decided to be quiet for a bit. I just wanted to give God the opportunity to speak, since I am so good at speaking and not very good at listening. As I was sitting in Chris' dad chair, I just felt the Spirit say, "Be still." How in the world can I be still if I have so much going on? Then it hit me: Be still in my soul. Don't fret. Don't worry. Don't look too far in the future to get overwhelmed. Just be still. Be at peace. I love the Lord and the gentle way in which He speaks! I have decided I need to spend more time listening than speaking! "Be still and know that I am God," He says to me. Amen!

The Weather

2010-06-12T15:17:00.000-07:00

The weather here cracks me up. The week started out warm and pleasant. It was in the 80's. We spent time at the pool, and the boys really enjoyed that! Tuesday and Wednesday were the same way! After we moved Dale, we headed over to the pool and relaxed. Chris and I even got sunburned pretty good! Thursday was another beautiful and warm day. Then yesterday occurred. We had okay weather until the afternoon. Our tornado sirens went off (although no tornado was in sight). Last night, it thundered and lightninged. The high yesterday was 77. Today, it has rained nonstop. The high is a whopping 57 degrees! Tomorrow is expected to rain and have a high of 60. It will gradually get warmer with a high of 83 by Wednesday! It is truly amazing how fast temperatures can rise and fall! My sister, Kim, says it is the same way in CA! Is this Colorado's version of June gloom? I don't know! But it's fun! Keeps me on my toes! Love Colorado!

Being Content

2010-06-08T15:40:00.000-07:00

I want to buy a house. There's just no way around it. Even with helping my sister paint her house, I want to buy. I know it will be hectic and crazy. I know it will be a lot of work. But I want a house. I want to be able to choose colors for my walls, to have a backyard for the boys. I want to have a guest room and a creative room. I want a basement. I want a house. I know, however, this is not the time for us to buy a house. We still have debt to pay off. I want to be able to say the only debt we have is Chris' school loans. We have about a year and half left to pay off our debt (hopefully and prayerfully). Then, we can either save for a house or a new vehicle. As much as I want a house, I want to get out of debt more. My goals have changed over the years. Or maybe I have just grown up a bit in my thinking. We no longer use credit cards on a whim. I don't like paying them. We stay within our means. It's amazing what can happen when we use our money the way God intended. Anyway, I do want to buy a house. I don't want a huge house payment, though. I only want to spend between one and three hundred dollars more than what we pay now when we have a mortgage. And I know it's possible. It's even possible right now. But I know now is not the time to buy. Aside from that, Chris isn't wanting to buy right now, either. I'm glad we are on the same page, even though it's for different reasons. :) I look forward to house hunting one day in the future, prayerfully the near future! :) We shall see. For now, I will be content with where we live. God has given us beauty and a pool I don't have to spend money on for upkeep. I'll take it!

Kaylea

2010-06-06T15:00:00.000-07:00

Today after church, I texted a friend and asked if she and her family wanted to meet at Dickey's BBQ down the street from our house. Much to my delight, she said yes. Once she arrived with her family in tow, we all stood in line and waited to order. As we were waiting, Gage suddenly got very shy. Gavin came up to me and told me Gage loves Kaylea. Gage is a very loving boy, so that didn't surprise me in the least. I told Gage it was okay to love Kaylea, just like he loves her brother, Aidan. He said he loved Kaylea, but he liked Aidan. From the moment Kaylea and Gage sat down, they were inseperable! Those two talked the entire lunch, played together the entire lunch, and even walked to the bathroom together (they went in seperate ones, of course). This is the little girl Gage is bound and determined to marry. She loves bugs and Jesus, and that's all he needs, he says. :) Come to find out, she also loves animals and music. Right up Gage's alley! I don't know if they will get married, but so far, we get along with her parents pretty well. If the Good Lord allows this union, I'm okay with that. But I am still trying to work on the whole, "I kissed dating good-bye" thing. I want Gage to treat all girls with love and tenderness, like he treats Kaylea now. I want him to treasure each girl as a sister in the Lord. He is quite the gentleman already. I'm not too concerned. I guess we shall see if the Lord will allow us to stay in Colorado long enough to find out what will become of Gage's first crush. Very sweet, I do have to say! Kaylea is a cute little girl. I wouldn't mind being her mother-in-law! :)

I'm Just Sayin'

2010-06-04T08:32:00.000-07:00

My wonderful husband leaves me notes on the bathroom mirror everyday before he leaves for work. Today's was simple, but it brought tears to my eyes. So, I thought I would share it with you:
May God Bless You Today.

That's it. Plain and simple. So, from my heart to yours, May God Bless You Today.

I know I shouldn't laugh, but....

2010-06-02T14:47:00.000-07:00

I know I shouldn't have laughed, but I just had to! I was in the process of folding laundry today when a break in a song came on to inform me that Denver National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning. It is nowhere near where I live, but I tend to listen just to make sure my boys and I don't need to "seek shelter."
As I was listening, the warning said inch size hail and winds were reported. It also said "Life threatening lightning!" I just couldn't hold back the laughter that escaped from my lips! That was too funny for me! Don't get me wrong. I HATE severe weather! I don't like tornadoes, hurricanes, severe thunder and lightning storms, and hail. Don't like them. Never have, doubt I ever will. However, I had never heard of life threatening lightning before! It just made me giggle. Thought I would share what made me laugh today. :)

Yard Sales

2010-05-27T14:26:00.000-07:00

I love yard sales! Other people's stuff truly is my treasure! I love getting good bargains! Recently, we purchased a daddy chair for $40 at a yard sale. All 5 of us fight over that chair! It's funny, really! Well, my latest search for something at a yard sale has been a barbeque. We sold ours before we left for Colorado. I had promised Chris we would get another when we could, but the time just wasn't right. When we moved out on our own, we still didn't find one worthy of spending money on. I admit, I have become a little cheap, or as Chris would say, frugal. :) My sister and I have gone to yard sales and hadn't found any I wanted to spend money on. Chris has checked Craig's list, and yet, nothing appealed to me. I do our finances, and I couldn't see spending $100 plus for a bbq. Even at yard sales, I felt $50 was a little much for a used bbq. But today, my wonderful sister was at a yard sale and saw a bbq. She inquired the price, and the man told her to make him an offer. She didn't have a clue what to say, so he said, "How about ten bucks? It's worth that, right?" Now, it didn't come with a propane tank, but the guy's neighbor told Steff he would see her one for $5! She called me and I told her yes! A bbq for $15? Really? It even has a side burner! It does need a good cleaning, and I don't know if it works properly or not. But for $15, I'm willing to find out! I love, love yard sales! Whoo-hoo!

A New Love

2010-05-26T10:29:00.000-07:00

I have found a new love! It's amazing! I never would have thought I would love this so much, but I do! I love bike riding! I haven't ridden a bike for 16 years. I was nervous at first. I was worried my lack of balance would hinder me from riding a bike. But it's just like they say, "It's like riding a bike." And it is! That's what it is exactly! On Monday, the boys asked if we could go bike riding. I don't have bike yet, but I bought a helmet and borrowed Chris'. It was crazy windy, psycho windy, actually, and against my better judgment, we went. It was not fun for the kiddos. They were wobbly and Garrison fell a few times. Gavin was all over the place, and he was very tentative. Gage didn't like the wind at all. So that was a flop. But today! Oh, today is beautiful! The sun is shining, there are a few whispy clouds in the sky. The hills, trees, grass and mountains are green and gorgeous. Today was a great day for bike riding! We all hopped on the bikes and rode on the Bear Creek Trail, the trail at the Nature Park across the street from my house. We went on a 45 minute bike ride. It was wonderful! We rode past lakes and streams, past birds and prairie dogs! We were courteous of other bikers and runners. It was awesome! No one fell (me included) and no one had any issues! Bike riding is pure fun! I love it! Now if only I had a bike of my own! But what a great way to get exercise and spend time with my boys! Fun!

Book Update

2010-05-25T16:04:00.000-07:00

Now that What Tomorrow Brings is now finished, I decided to send some query letters to publishers. I have a book with a lot of publishers in it and checked out their websites. I looked at their guidelines to make sure I have everything they may need. I also made sure the genre of my book would fit with the publishing companies. I sent out almost a dozen query letters. One company wrote back pretty quickly and told me fiction is not selling well for them right now. Whew! At least it wasn't my manuscript information that made them say no! Glad to see that! Another company wrote me and said they sent my information to an agent they work with. Okay, not too bad of a response. I also heard back from that agent. He wants me to send him my entire manuscript via snail mail. I asked him a few questions, and come to find out, his fees are picked up by the publisher. However, the publisher may want me to purchase "several copies" of my book on my own. Hm. How many is several? I don't know the answer to that one yet. So, as of yet, I haven't sent him a hard copy of my manuscript. I'm praying through that one. And lastly, the day after I sent my query letter to another publisher, a gentleman wrote back and asked for my entire manuscript via email! Whoo-hoo! That's w hat I'm talking about! That was sometime last week. I sent it to him immediately. And now, I am waiting. I hope the publisher enjoys my manuscript and sees it in a series. I'm already working on number two: Now or Never. Every time I open my email, my heart is in my throat, anxiously awaiting (in a good way) the publisher's response or that of another publisher asking for my manuscript or just telling me it's not for them. I'm excited and nervous, and I look forward to seeing what happens. It's all in God's hands now. I love writing and the joy it brings! I have always loved writing, as far back as I can remember. Now we shall see if anything comes from one of the things I love to do! I'll keep y'all posted!

Gage's Music Ability

2010-05-18T06:47:00.000-07:00

I know Chris posted on his blog about Gage already, so I won't go into details about that. But I was so very impressed with him and how quickly he picked up the piano! He can actually play two songs out of his music book without even looking at the music! He is a lot like Chris in that aspect! Gage definitely has a talent for music. He loves it! He loves listening to it and he loves playing it! I asked him if he wanted to continue in playing the piano, and he said no, he would rather play the electric guitar! The kid cracks me up! I think instead of that, we will have him focus on the acoustic guitar (since he already has one). Chris and Gage often take out their guitars and play together. Gage still needs to learn cords, but he loves having music time! Right now, he is really into the recorder. He got one from a music store and has been playing it ever since! I love how musical Gage is! Chris says he wishes he would have mastered one instrument instead of playing a little bit of everything. After talking about it, when Gage finds the instrument he really wants to master, we are going to do all we can to help him! I liked that the piano class was only 8 weeks because it gave him a taste of what playing the piano was like and if he really enjoyed it, he could have continued throughout the summer. But he didn't want to keep going just yet. So, we'll find something else for him and see what his instrument of choice will be. I'm proud of my kiddo!

A Moment

2010-05-17T14:10:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning grumpy. I don't know why exactly. I didn't have any bad dreams or anything like that. I know it is not "my time of the month". I'm just grumpy. Have been most of the day. I've tried shaking it off, but that is easier said than done. We did school, and the boys were great. They were attentive and didn't complain. We went to the library and park, and I even ran into a friend at the store and took her son so she could shop kid free. It's been a great day, but I am still grumpy. Except for one moment: Gavin and I were reading. He is reading Lions Past Lunchtime, a Magic Tree House Book. We were sitting in Chris' new chair (a yard sale find for a steal!). I looked at Gavin from the corner of my eye and saw his sweet little round face focusing on his book, reading exceptionally well. My heart just melted. My grumpiness went away for a brief moment. I was able to see my baby read to me and for some reason, today, it made my heart melt. He is a great reader, and we read almost everyday together. Today, I was just able to experience a moment with my youngest son. And I loved every second of it.

VBS

2010-05-14T15:07:00.000-07:00

My kids have the opportunity to take tennis lessons through the city's rec centers. Unfortunately, that also happens to be at the same time as a VBS at one of the churches near by. I automatically figured they would want to take tennis because they have been really excited about that for a few months now. Yesterday, on the way to Gage's piano class, I asked them what they wanted to do: VBS or tennis lessons. The answer came swift and without hesitation: VBS! I was shocked. I thought for sure they would want to take tennis. So I asked them why they chose VBS. They all said, "Mom, at VBS, you get to worship God and sing to Him and learn more about Him. You can't do that at tennis, Mom!" Oh how sweet my boys are! I love them!

And a quick side note: I was happy to see LeBron James tell the Celtics good job after the knocked the Cavs out of the playoffs! Just had to say that since I had commented on James' poor sportsmanship in a previous blog.

A Little Bit of Everything

2010-05-12T15:13:00.000-07:00

I don't have a huge topic to write about today, just a little bit of everything. Last night, Gage was talking to me and Chris. One of his brothers said something, and Gage responded with, "I was just imaginating." I love the words that come out of the boys' mouths! They are so funny! Gavin used to say, "Tilet." for toilet. I don't know why he said it that way, he just did. Garrison used to say, "Hi Daddy! Did you miss me?" when Chris would come home from work. They boys say the greatest stuff!
I started working on my second book, Now or Never. It's the sequel to What Tomorrow Brings. I haven't gotten the first one published yet, but I am still working on it. I sat down at the computer yesterday and began typing Now or Never up. It's fun revisiting the characters and living through them again! A friend of mine was shocked that I wrote a book and am in the process of writing another one. Not because I can't write, but because of how much time it takes to write. It does take a lot of time. By the time Chris got home yesterday, my eyes hurt from staring at the computer for so long! And I only wrote 4 pages! Yikes! I look forward to spending a little time everyday writing, though. It's enjoyable! I think I may tell the boys I need one hour of uninterrupted time so I can write. We'll see how well that goes! I'm also in the process of doing research for a book about anxiety. That has been interesting. Research takes a long time, but I am learning a lot! Too bad I didn't know these things when I was going through anxiety! But now that I do know them, when I have the symptoms, I can apply that to what I have learned. I have been toying with the idea of either writing a book about anxiety or motherhood. Not sure yet which one will come to fruition.
I took the boys for a bike ride today. It's a whopping 45 degrees outside, but it stopped raining/snowing long enough for us to go to the Nature Park and ride for a spell. I wish Chris' bike didn't soak up so much rain on the seat or I would have ridden with them! I really want a bike! I think it would be fun going on bike rides as a family! Gavin is now a pro, although he needs help pushing off, but that's okay! He'll get it! So, anyway, I ended up walking around the path four times since I didn't have a bike to ride. One day I will get one. Just not today. :)
I guess the last thing I want to write about is my hubby. Oh how I love the man! He hasn't done anything earth-shattering or mind blowing. He is just who he is and I am grateful! Love that guy!
Ok. That's all I have to say today. I think, anyway!

It's My Pleasure

2010-05-11T13:11:00.000-07:00

We went to serve at the Soup Kitchen yesterday again. The kids absolutely love it, all five of them! Yesterday, Dylan was walking around asking people if they would like a refill of their lemonade. One gentleman said yes, please. Dylan responded with, "It's my pleasure." The gentleman looked at him and asked, "Do you really mean that?" To which Dylan replied, "Yes, Sir, I do!" And then Dylan walked away. The man looked at his buddy and said, "Do you really think he means that?" His buddy nodded emphatically. "I really think he does!" And Dylan did! All of the kids enjoyed serving, and it is one of the high lights of the week. Garrison was walking around with Steff and had a funny look on his face. At first, Steff thought it was because of the foul language. But that wasn't the case. He asked Steff if tattoos cost money. She said yes. He asked her, "If they cost money, why do a lot of these homeless people have them instead of buying food for themselves?" It was a good question. Why indeed? That's the way his little mind works! Gage cleaned off the tables, which is fitting for him since he wants to be a butler! Josiah and Gavin dished out the food and really enjoyed doing that! Steff was asked by two different people if she would pray for them. She was even attacked (not physically) for homeschooling her boys. She ended up talking to the man, and explaining why she homeschools. Some of the folks sitting around her applauded her when she was done! What did I do? I passed out bread for those who wanted to take it home. It wasn't much, but I did it with an older gentleman. I love old people, so I was blessed just by talking with him! Allin all, it was a great day! And sincerely, it IS our pleasure to serve!

Mother's Day and Steve Nash

2010-05-10T06:34:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day actually started on Saturday for me. Chris' uncle had stayed with us most of the week so Chris didn't have time to take the boys shopping or do anything special for Mother's Day. On Saturday, Dale left, and Chris informed me I had a few hours to myself. Wow! I hadn't had that in a very long time! Chris took the boys away for two hours! I read and relaxed. Then Chris kicked me out of the house for another two hours. I went to the library and then went to the Lake Park and walked a mile. What a wonderful time! On Sunday, I wanted bagels for breakfast, so we all got ready and went to Einstein Bagels where I had a chocolate chip bagel and decaf coffee! Yummy! Then we went to church and listened to a wonderful message. After church, we headed over to Red Robin so I could get a small salad and a chocolate malt! Then we came home and I opened gifts. Chris got me a mom box where I can put all of my mom stuff in from the boys. I also received perfume, a devotional book, home made cards, and a plaque from the boys. Then we went on an hour and a half walk! Loved it! What a beautiful day to do that on! We came home and I really wanted alone time with each of my boys. So, for the next hour, Chris and I traded off kids for a bit. I had wii time with my wii boy, reading time with my reader, and snuggle/talk time with my talker! What a fabulous time! Chris made me dinner: hot dogs and fruit salad per my request! Then we watched the Spurs and Suns play. I am a Laker fan, but my second favorite team in the NBA is San Antonio. I love that team and the class they show while playing. During the game, Tim Duncan went up to make a basket and knocked Steve Nash, from the Suns, in the eye with his elbow. A time out was called. Steve Nash was bleeding pretty hard. He left the game and came back after a few minutes from getting 6 stitches without medication! His eye was swollen shut pretty much! Yet, he went back into the game and made baskets! I was amazed! What a great player Steve Nash is! The Suns ended up sweeping the Spurs 4-0. As much as I enjoy the Spurs, the Suns totally deserved to win that game! At the end of the game, Duncan went over to Nash just to make sure he was alright! Love the Spurs! All in all, it was a great day! Chris and my boys made the day so very special with all of the sentimental things they said and did (Chris got me a tear-jerker card). It was the best Mother's Day I have ever had! Thanks, family!

They're Not Perfect

2010-05-03T07:43:00.000-07:00

We went to a baseball game a few weeks ago with some friends from church. Gavin had acted up a little bit, and my friend leaned over and said, "It's good to see that." Not knowing what she meant, I asked her, "See what?" "See Gavin having issues." I laughed inwardly. Of course Gavin has issues! So does Garrison and Gage! Then I started thinking about that comment. Do my boys really come across as perfect? Do I expect them to be perfect? I know that when we gather with friends, I expect them to be good and behave themselves. And normally, they do. But do I expect them to be perfect? I have to admit, sometimes I do. I expect them to obey most of the time, if not all of the time. I expect them to be kind and loving to each other and other people. I expect them, in essence, to not sin. Odd, isn't it? Me, being their parent, and a sinful parent at that, expect my child not to sin. Hm. Are my kids needing to do the right thing? Of course. Just as I need to do the right thing. But when I fail, how does God respond to me? And how do I respond to my children when they fail? I am not proclaiming to be God. But He is my parent, and I do need to answer to Him when I fail to do what He says. Does He lash out and become angry at me? No. He is gentle, compassionate, and merciful. Does He discipline me? Yes, but with love and patience. Ohhhh, I have a lot to learn! But I am learning. And the first step is realizing My Kids Are NOT Perfect and never will be! I must say, however, I do have great kids! I have the sweetest little cuddler in all of the world! I have the biggest clown in all of the world! I have the most precious boy who constantly compliments me in all of the world! My boys are wonderful children, and I am blessed. But most certainly, they are not perfect, and I am glad. How can an imperfect parent raise a perfect child? Not gonna happen. And I am okay with that. :)

I'm Spoiled!

2010-04-30T10:11:00.000-07:00

I'm spoiled, I admit it! I am married to a very romantic and thoughtful man! He spoils me on a regular basis! Every monring, after he leaves for work, I head into our upstairs bathroom to see what he has written for me on the mirror! Yesterday, he brought tears to my eyes with such a simple statement. Today, he made me smile and thank God for how wonderful he is. Not only does he leave me little messages, he also brings me home flowers at least once a month. Wednesday, he brought home a bouquet of flowers, daisies and gerber daisies (my favorite flower). He is kind and thoughtful, and shows me how much he loves and cherishes me. It's the little every day things that matter the most. He leaves me those little notes, which I love and look forward to everyday. When I take the boys to Gage's piano class, Chris will come home from work, start dinner, pick up the living room, and put away the dishes in the dishwasher (because that has become a tedious chore for me). A few times a week, before he leaves for work, he even puts away the dishes in the dishwasher! I am spoiled! I know we have our moments of tension, what couple doesn't? But I love my husband! He is wonderful, and I praise the Lord for him daily!

Math

2010-04-29T06:30:00.000-07:00

I have been working hard on Math with the boys. Garrison is finally getting the math concepts and is able to apply them. Math has been tough for him. Gage is still struggling with his numbers. I have been told that is because he is musical and artsy. But, I am still pushing forward with him, not letting his skip math just because of those things. Then there is Gavin. My brilliant child in almost every subject! Yesterday, I gave him a white board with addition problems on it, like I have been doing the past week and a half or so. I didn't want to move forward in his math book until he could add 1-10 with no problem. He took the board and began working on his 7's. He did great! I was so impressed that he could add 7 and 7 or 7 and 9! I wrote down his 8's. I decided with writing down math problems, I didn't want to write them in order so he would have to really think about the answers and not just know 7 plus 1 is 8 then 7 plus 2 is nine. See where I am going with this? So I mixed them up. Gage asked me for help on one of his English problems, so I leaned over to help him. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Gavin working on his math, and I stopped in my tracks. The kids wasn't doing the problems in the order I was writing them down! He was doing them in the numerical order: 8 plus 1, 8 plus 2, then 8 plus 3 and so on! No wonder! I couldn't figure out why he kept getting these problems correct when he couldn't get the same problems with flashcards! I know Gavin wasn't being sneaky. He was just doing the problems the easiest way he knew how! But oh! How it made me laugh! Considering he isn't even in kindergarten (according to Colorado), I am pretty impressed with his thinking skills! Brilliant! I love that kid!

A Great Way to Start the Week

2010-04-27T08:01:00.000-07:00

My sister had the boys sleep over her house on Sunday night so Chris and I could go to a Newcomers Meeting at our pastor's house. So Monday morning, I had a few hours to myself. I met a friend for coffee (she treated, although I told her it was not necessary). I got to spend an hour or so just chatting and laughing with her. It was nice. Then I headed over to my sister's house. All seven of us piled into her suburban and headed to downtown Denver to meet Chris and Russell for some gourmet hot dogs. But the best part of the day came after we had lunch with the guys (although that was enjoyable. I love seeing my hubby during the day!). We left our men at their jobs and went to a Soup Kitchen in a Lutheran church to help serve. Garrison, Gage, Gavin, Dylan, and Josiah served with us. What a marvelous time! None of the boys complained, even though it was hot, and there were a lot of people needing food. Gage loved serving! It was the highlight of his day! He said he thought it would be more like a restaurant, but still, he can't wait to go back next week! Gavin helped serve food and clear plates. Garrison, Dylan, and Josiah refilled people's drinks and cleared their plates, too. What a wonderful opportunity for the boys to see how fortunate and blessed we are! I am so proud of all of the boys! Not one of them said they didn't want to go back next week. For quite some time, I have been wanting to serve with my boys outside of the church. This is a great way to do just that! Jesus tells us that whatever we do to the least of these, we do to Him. I let the boys know that "the least of these" is anyone who has less than we do. They seemed to get it! Yay! What a great day! We were all pretty tired when we left, but thankful for this opportunity to get out of our own little world to help others! I recommend serving to everyone!

Yay, Gavin!!!

2010-04-23T06:37:00.000-07:00

I started teaching Gavin how to ride his bike on Tuesday. He wasn't all that excited about it and tried very hard to get out of it. However, we went around the park two times. I was able to let go for only a second or two at most. Wednesday came, and with it, Gavin not really wanting to ride bikes. Too bad!! :) This time, I was able to let go and watch him ride several feet before falling! Around the park four times we went! Yesterday, Gavin rode half way around the park without falling! It was so awesome to see him ride his bike and loving it at the same time! He told me, "Thank you, Mama, for teaching me how to ride my bike! I love it!" And that he does! He wants to show everyone how great he is doing riding his bike! As we were getting started, an older woman stopped by us and said, "My! What a big bike for such a little guy!" The thought hadn't occured to me before then! Gavin was learning on a big boy's bike! Not a little bike, but a big one! Just like his brothers did! I don't know who learned quicker out of the three boys. But that doesn't really matter. I am just so glad Gavin can ride his bike! If it stops raining today, I will take pictures and post them. If not, we may have to wait until tomorrow. But, YAY GAVIN!!!! I am so proud of him!

The Debt by Angela Hunt

2010-04-20T15:39:00.000-07:00

I don't tyically read books in the first person. For some reason, I just don't like them. So when I pick up a book from the library and realize it is in the first person, I normally return it without even reading it. Until I picked up The Debt. I needed something to read while I was riding my exercise bike. I picked it up and realized it was in the first person. With a groan, I grudgingly started reading. It wasn't a real attention grabber at the beginning, but eventually, I was hooked! I loved this book! The book centers around a woman and her husband who is the senior pastor of a very large church. Through odd circumstances, she ends up meeting the son she gave up for adoption prior to meeting her future husband. I am not going to go into detail, but I loved this book for the simple reason of her son. He was a god-fearing man who served the Lord not by the conventional ways of doing "churchy" things. Instead, he got out on the streets and ministered to the people there. I'm not talking about street evangalism. He actually bought homeless people food and brought them blankets. He got his hands dirty, much like Jesus Himself when He walked the earth. One of the most amazing quotes he said to his mother was "Why are we surprised when sinners sin?" Why indeed? Anyway, I just had to give my endorsement of this book! Truly amazing! Pick it up next time you are at the library or bookstore. It's worth the read. It was convicting and thought provoking, as well. Loved it!

Riding Bikes

2010-04-20T10:05:00.000-07:00

Last night, after our walk at the school, Chris pumped the boys' bikes up with the air compressor so I could take them bike riding today. I taught Garrison and Gage how to ride a bike in California. Garrison caught on pretty quick but was super cautious! Gage saw Garrison riding a bike, and at the age of 4, decided he must learn how to do that! We never had bikes with training wheels, really. So, I taught Gage about a month after I taught Garrison on the same bike Garrison was riding, a big boy, no training wheels bike. Gage caught on fast as well, but without the caution! He told me he liked to feel the wind in his hair (beneath his helmet of course)! He was wild riding bikes, and I was a little nervous, but overall, both boys are doing great! They didn't ride their bikes much in Colorado Springs, and not a lot once we moved to Denver. But that will change. Now, I am in the midst of teaching Gavin. He is my sporty guy. He loves to move and run and be active. But this is a challenge for him. He is scared to fall. I told him he fell when he learned how to walk, but that didn't stop him from walking. He fell when he learned how to run, but that didn't stop him from running. So, this morning, the boys grabbed their helmets and their bikes and we headed over to the nature park. It was a wonderful place to teach Gavin! I found a cement path that went in circles with no hills. Garrison and Gage just kept riding while Gavin and I took our time. Gavin was scared a lot, but I let go at least 5 times and he didn't fall! Granted, I only let go for two shakes of a lamb's tail, but still! That is success! Prayerfully every day this week, I can take the boys out to ride their bikes and teach Gavin. My goal is to have him comfortably riding his bike by our family reunion in June! Not only is he learning but I am getting GREAT exercise! Whew! I am tired! :) It's worth it, though! I can't wait for Gavin to feel ok with riding on his own! That is going to be an awesome day!

A Special Visit

2010-04-19T07:18:00.000-07:00

Chris' mom came to visit on Wednesday. Her plane arrived after Chris got off of work, so he picked her up from the airport while I answered questions like, "How long, Mama?" "Mom, when is Grandma coming?" "Mom, is it almost time?" The boys were anxiously awaiting the arrival of Grandma Jan! Time couldn't go fast enough for them! Jan arrived and she and Chris ate dinner, and then we sang "Happy Birthday" and gave her her birthday gift. Her birthday was in March, but we had a special present for her. We also decorated our house for her, too! The boys had fun blowing up all the balloons! Thursday, Chris had to work, so we took Jan to Dino Ridge and then over to the Nature Park for an hour and a half walk! I was plum tuckered out by the time we got back! That evening, Gage had his piano lesson, so we all went, and then met Chris at home for dinner. Friday, Chris took the day off. Jan and I had some alone time and went to rent a movie or two at the redbox, the library, and then to Savers, a thrift store down the street from my house. It was fun shopping with my mother-in-law! She is thrifty, and I like that! :) Then, we had lunch at home and headed to the boys' homeschool sports class where they learned the basics of soccer...sort of. :) After that, we went to the Denver Museum of Dolls and Miniatures. It was in a house in downtown Denver. I think they could have done a lot more with the house and utilized some of the buildings in back. Jan wished there were more dolls there. Honestly, there were about 6. It was weird. But the style of the house was pretty neat. Then we took Jan to Cracker Barrel. That is one of her favorite places to eat. I am glad we have one not too far away. We promised the boys that if they helped us save money on our electric/gas bill they could stay up until 11 pm when Jan came. And we did save money! So, Friday night, they stayed up until 11. Gage made it until 10:40, but Gavin and Garrison were in it for the long haul! They lasted the entire time! We watched movies and played wii. The next day, we dealt with a little crabbiness from the boys (we won't let them stay up that late again). Diane came to see Jan and off we went to Savers so Chris could look around. Then we went to Red Rocks for a bit. We said our good-byes to Diane and then went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner. Jan had been wanting to treat us to dinner. Then we went to White Fence Farm where we looked at animals, played on a tire swing, and Jan bought the boys candy. Sunday was topped off with church, lunch, and then a walk through downtown Morrison and drank shakes, malts, and had ice cream sundaes. Then we headed off to the airport to say good-bye to Jan.
Overall, it was a great time! I had fun listening to her teach the boys things I know nothing about! It was wonderful to see Gage spend so much time with Jan. He was joined at her hip, that's for sure! I have to say I was a little spoiled, too. :) She brought me a beautiful antique tea set that comes in its own case! I liked it so much that night I had a dream there was a fire, and the only thing I grabbed possession wise was the tea set! :) Mom, thanks for coming to spend time with us! We enjoyed your company! We love you very much!

Iced Tea and Snakes

2010-04-13T15:02:00.000-07:00

We had our life group at our house on Sunday night. It was a lot of fun, and I really enjoy those people! Chris and I are so blessed to be in a great group. Well, since it was at our house, I offered to provide snacks and drinks. I bought sodas, of course, but then decided instead of coffee, since it was a relatively warm day, I was going to make decaf Iced tea. It has been a year and a half since I had made or drank any iced tea at all! Since I gave up caffeine, I haven't had any. But Sunday was perfect! I made decaf, and oh! How I have missed iced tea! I love that drink! It is one of my favorites! Yummy! I still have some left over, and I plan to finish it off tomorrow! Ahhh! How I have missed my long-lost friend! :)
On another note, the boys and I went for about an hours walk yesterday at the Nature Park. What fun we had! We found a little beach the boys have declared is the "Copeland Beach." I don't know how we got there or if I can find it again, but it was pretty all the same! On the way home, I was walking ahead of the boys, and noticed something slithering in front of me across our path! It was a foot ahead of me, and it was very long! I squealed and jumped to the side (the opposite way the snake was going of course). That made Garrison jump because he had no idea why I was being so weird! Ugh! Gives me the willies! I don't know what kind of snake it was exactly, but I am pretty sure it wasn't dangerous, just icky. I know this is weird since we have three corn snakes in my living room. Gage was so jazzed he saw a snake that he couldn't stop talking about it for quite some time! It made me laugh! They still make fun of me because of my response! Ahhh! This is what life is like with boys!