Saturday, March 20, 2010

Spring is Coming!

Oh my goodness do I have Spring Fever! We have enjoyed some 60 degree temps and I am itching to bring out the sandals and sundresses. I am told however, that this is Colorado's way of teasing me as we are probably due for a few more snows before we actually settle into Spring which may be around June. In fact we had a substantial snow storm yesterday and the ground is still covered but it doesn't squelch my fever for the beautiful summer I know is just around the corner. I just have to get a move on getting in shape for a summer wardrobe. I am afraid that my sedentary winter lifestyle coupled with way too many desserts has left me with little to wear for summer. I have alot of work so a diet of protein shakes and daily trips to the gym just might be in order. Nevertheless, my girls don't need a shape up before summer shopping so in celebration that "summer is coming" (as Emily says) she and I picked up a few cute outfits at Target today and I finally let her pick out some flip flops. Check out these precious feet....I just adore them! Happy Spring!


Treats for Summer!

I am posting quite alot while the blog is still private but given the fact that on most days I am certain I have completely lost my mind therefore, I have to post while the thoughts are fresh otherwise they are here today, gone tommorow. So, I found this great little find on Danielle's blog and just had to share. I am on my way on this snowy Saturday to Williams Sonoma to get me one of these little gadgets. My kiddos and my man LOVE and I mean LOVE popsicles. I literally cannot keep them in my freezer in the summer and when it takes at least 24 hours for juice to freeze in those little plastic containers I think that this is an absolute gem of a find. Thanks Danielle!!!!!

Can't wait to give these a try! We definately will not be waiting for warm weather for these...anyway I am so done with hot cocoa and soup. Bring on the popsicles and smoothies







Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Spring Skiing

Finally, just as ski season was drawing to a close we headed to the high country for some skiing. Mike and I love to ski and I can't believe that it has taken this long for us to get up to the slopes. School schedules and weather conditions have proved to be tricky in finding that perfect time. But all things came together a few weeks ago and we made a quick trip for some fabulous spring skiing. It was the first time Cody and Grace have skied since we moved and as expected, Grace was a natural. Mike took her up the lift just a couple of times before she looked like she was born on skies. Cody on the other hand didn't quite take to it as well and decided to spend his time in the restaurant at the bottom of the slope. We had decided to wait another year before we put Emily on the slopes so Mike and I had to take turns skiing with Grace while the other entertained the non-skiing kiddos. We are learning how to plan these trips and now that we know Cody doesn't like to ski we will definitely organize future trips a little better next time. It was great fun for a couple of days!

Well, I think I am caught up with my posts, at least for now. Thanks for spending some time with us. Here are a few shots of our time on the slopes....



Love this view and my girl.

Look at her go!

Mike getting her ready....notice the miss-matched coat.
Normally, my Grace is the one who has it all together. She can get us ready for a trip better than I can. However, this time I think her excitement got the best of her and in our rush out the door she forgot her ski jacket. Thankfully it was warm therefore Emily didn't need a coat so Grace could squeeze into her sisters.
Also, my husband decided against a helmet much to my disagreement....needless to say I received quite a few disapproving looks from ski instructors, patrols and other parents and a couple of chastising comments so next time there will be a helmet on this child's head.




On the lift

The non-skier...being silly outside the restaurant.
Cody trying to entertain himself during the wait. It was a LONG day!


Fortunately, the weather was beautiful and we were able to sit outside by the fire pit.

3 Years with my China Girl


On February 26 we celebrated 3 years with our Emily. It is sometimes hard to believe that it has been 3 years since we received our little China girl. Most of the time feel as though she has been with us forever but other times I am reminded that 3 years really is a short period of time. I never want to forget the emotions that I felt on that day when I first held her in my arms and lavished my love upon this frightened little girl. She has changed in dramatic ways since that day and I am awed once again by God's magnificance in that He could fashion such an exquisite creation and wrap up so much beauty within one little girl. It has been 3 incredible years and I look forward to all that God has planned for my little "sweet pea".






Sunday, March 14, 2010

Happy Birthday to the someone who taught me how to live LIFE!


Today my precious boy would have been 10 years old. It was a day that I will never forget although I didn't actually hold him on that day. He entered this world on March 14th without knowing the love of the one who would be his mommy. It wasn't until after Connor's death did I come to know the details of the day he was born because I didn't have the opportunity to hold him for the first time until 2 days after he was born. What a treasure these details are to me now as I remember the day he came into this world. It was a day of great sadness for both his birthmom and birthdad and for that reason I will forever be grateful for their choice to give him a life with our family. It was a life that brought indescribable joy and meaning and opened my eyes to what it means to truly live LIFE. Each day I spent with Connor are ones that I savored during his life as well as after his death and thankfully the memories of his touch, how his little body felt in my arms, his wet slobbery kisses and all those precious little Connor mannerism are stamped in my heart and mind and flood me on this special day in which we honor him.


I give thanks today to my God for bestowing upon me this gift of Connor. I didn't deserve such a beautiful son but my God chose to grant me this unbelievable honor of being his mommy for 3 1/2 years. They truly were the best years of my life. I miss him beyond words and cannot wait for that day when I will hold him once again. Happy Birthday to my "big big boy". My arms reach for Heaven today to love on you once again.


Tuesday, March 9, 2010

South meets West

The month of February also brought a visit from my mom and grandparents. My dad couldn't make it as he was waiting for the Space Shuttle to land in CA. We enjoyed having them for a few days and loved showing them around our city. It was their first visit since we moved and I think they enjoyed their time with us. The last half of their stay was spent snowed-in as we had a snowstorm that moved through giving them a taste of a Colorado winter. I think that you can see from our pictures that they didn't mind it a bit. Mom, Nana, and Grandaddy, thanks for coming we can wait for the next trip!
My nana and Grace during one of our site seeing excursions


A visit to Focus on the Family and Adventures in Odyssey was a treat.
Lunch at Whits End
My mom, Nammy and Cody


A little goofing off
Lunch was yummy!
Nana, Grandaddy and Emily
Putting on a show

Their audience
Grandaddy gets in on the silliness


We had a little help shoveling the driveway
For a FL girl, she shoveled some pretty mean snow
I think I know these two
Nana got in on the shoveling too...I have to say I think I might keep her around.

After shoveling, some sledding was in order

Grace gives nammy "a little" push
WHEEEE...look at her fly!
Cody shows 'em how its done
Nammy tries again
Now it was Emily's turn
Looks like she's up to something
Nammy and her kids
Nana has to give it a try....shes 80 years old and can still sled with the best of them.
Now here is the pro
Can we see a half pipe in this girls future?
Our little fox made a visit for everyone to see.
We braved the snow and cold for a little photo shoot in the snow