Hope Springs Eternal

I have always loved spring, and since my daughter was born in the spring, I love it even more. Recently I have gained an entirely new perspective on this season. Well, new to me.

It has been one of those "up and down times" as my grandma would say. Up because of the new adventure and down for the same reason. I hate having to get settled in again. And meeting new people is proving to be tougher than any other time before.

After realizing that I have been very ungrateful for all I have been given, I took a walk in the park with my 4 year old. We walked and walked. The beauty of this place is inspiring. I have lived in some very beautiful places, and have seen some incredible things. But walking in this park, with my child and seeing the light in her eyes and hearing the joy in her voice; carried along the back drop of new life beginning to spring up, was the most amazing sight I have ever beheld.

There is some thing metaphoric about new life springing forth after the long dark winter. 37 seasons of life have given me the opportunity to witness this real time phenomenon as life changes from season to season. Things get darker and darker, until the chill finally subsides and the warmth of a new beginning comes into light.

Sharing these moments with my child has given me a whole new feeling of comfort. This is the plan, for everyone, everywhere. Even the earth is in sync with it. Who do I think I am to try and change it? I should not be upset when it's time for things to change. Because as things change, this is the opportunity for new growth and nothing is more beautiful than that.

Kids Portraits

I love these pictures. It took me way too long to get them done, but now that they are...they are priceless. I am thinking very seriously about getting a new camera. I need to take more pictures. Some people are very good at this, I am not one of them. I need reminders to take the time and just snap some of those moments before they're missed. I will work on getting better at this, promise. For now, enjoy the ones that Sears took for me.

Here's What We've Been Up To

Well, it's been 3 weeks, almost 4, and we love our new place! We have been busy getting everything unpacked and settling into our new routines. I am really tired of doing this, but for some reason I must.

Anyway, I thought I would post some recent pictures of what we have been up to. We have taken advantage of being in city and nearer to things to do. We hit the Denver Aquarium, have had some long car rides, been shopping too many times to count and eating out at some of our favorite places. We are not doing anything extraordinary, but to us, it seems like we have hit the jackpot!

Mostly, my kids are growing up, and it makes me somewhat sad. I wish they would stay little, and yet I love seeing life through their eyes. I love experiencing their joys and seeing the expressions on their faces when see something for the first time. I hope you see in these pictures what I did...the smiles might just give it away!

First Quarter Report

Okay, last post was over 3 months ago and of course a lot has happened since then. For all three of you who actually follow my blog, you probably already know the scoop.

Days are flying by. But as I reflected on my last post; which was more of a mission statement than a resolution for the new year, I realized that I am fulfilling it. So I guess my not making a resolution because I can't stick to it, worked!

Slowing down and taking time to appreciate the simple things in life is what I am doing right now. The kids have begun their new schools and are really enjoying all of the choices that are coming their way. Scott starts his new job next Monday, and then it will be just a 4 year old and I. I am looking forward to this time with her. The last time I was approaching having no children at home during the day, I was having another baby. This time, I own the alone time. I am looking forward to all the things I can do, or not do with an entire day to myself.

Here's hoping spring brings many more blessings and wonderment to our lives!

Last Day of 2009

It's the last day of 2009. Do I have any spectacular plans? Nope.
The spectacular has wained and I am getting ready to head out the
door for another day of work. Nothing super special about that.

Christmas is over,as my 4 year old likes to point out daily.
"When are we going to take the tree down?" Probably on New Years
Day, when I have a few minutes that don't involve anything else.

Life gets very hectic and it seems that the fun can be zapped right
out of even the simple things we are trying to do.

I really don't believe in resolutions, since I never follow through.
But if I had to say what one might be for this new year, it would be
to just slow down. Take the hectic out of the daily routine, make time
for family and friends, and be kinder to myself.

That seems more like a mission statement rather than a resolution.
Perhaps this has something to do with why I can't accomplish one!

Here's to the New Year, with all it's splendor and not so spectacular
moments! Those are the ones I am going to try and cherish the most
this year!

Happy New Year everyone.

Fall

It's really funny how a snow storm on the day before fall can make one appreciative of the changing seasons. There really is no such thing as fall around here because there are hardly any tress. And the few we have are less than spectacular. That said, I still find myself thinking how marvelous the wonders of nature really are. And how I still don't believe in "global warming." There has always been climate change, and probably always will be. Remember the continents used to all be together? And one time, everything was frozen? HAHAHA

Anyway thought it was time to update this blog. I'll try and be better. For now here are some pictures. Enjoy fall, where ever you are. Because soon the seasons will change again, then again, and again. Embrace the change, it is wonderful!

Cheridyn's Day With Mom

Today Scott took the older kids camping. He wanted to take all the kids, but Cheridyn wanted to stay with Mom. So we went to the salon and after being there all of five minutes, she asked me again for highlights. When I asked her what color she wanted them, she said, "You know I love pink and purple." So I got out the magenta temporary color and put it on for her. No worries, it washes out in 20 washes. She was thrilled! And I have to say it does look pretty cool, although you can't really get the true effect from the picutres we took today. What you do see is one happy little almost 4 year old who got the royal treatment from her mama today.
How is it to be so pampered and spoiled? I think this is the road to high maintenance...

Alex's Birthday

Monday May 18th was Alex's 10th birthday. I can hardly believe it has been that long since he was born! It has gone by WAY too fast. He was sorely disappointed that his Dad would be out of town on his birthday, so I thought I would surprise him some how. But the question was with what?

He has had on his birthday wish list since he could speak, a motor cycle, or a four- wheeler. He was sure that this would be the year. Disappointment number two. One more and I am out right?

He wanted a party. He didn't get one of those either. What he did get was a bit surprising even for me. I took him and his friend to Casper for the night. We stayed in a hotel with a pool. I let them have pizza and root beer and go swimming until they were tired. Then the next morning we went to the mall and loitered for awhile. They thought it was cool because we were the only people there at that time of day. Then we went to the skate park. That was the highlight, getting to skip school on a Monday and go skating.

What Alex got for his birthday was one cool Mom and some great memories of the time we spent together.

The date stamp on my camera is wrong. It was the 18th not the 16th. I will have to fix that!

I Miss Scott

I am going on three weeks without Scott. He is in Portland, OR doing a job and I miss him terribly. I am glad he has work, but his absence makes me realize just how much I rely on him for support. Whether it is for his brut strength that gets jobs done around the house, or his quick witt that makes me laugh until I cry; he is my other half. Thank goodness for phones that keep our lines of communication open. At least I can hear his voice and tell him I love him.

This situation gives me a much greater appreciation for the men and women who serve in our armed forces and are gone from the comforts of home to provide not only for their families, but for ours as well. Those kinds of sacrifices, the small ones like not being there for bedtime stories or the funny things a child says, missing the small moments of ones life that cannot be redone at a later date, make the sacrifice that much more significant.

I am personally greatful for people like that, who give unselfishly to provide not only livelyhoods, but also freedom for us. My husband is one such man. I am very blessed.

End of Year School Pictures

Well, we are just days away from the end of third and fourth grade. Cheridyn has three more days of preschool for the year. I can't believe how fast this year has flown by!



They picked their own poses. Nothing like a bit of independence for a 9 and 10 year old!

Christmas Adventure

We spent Christmas at home, doing all things holiday including the ward sacrament program. Our family was heavily involved. Scott narrated the entire program. Alex and I had small parts to read and a song to sing at the end. Camryn played a solo of Silent Night, and Alex played the bells on the song Hosanna. It was very inspirational and somehwat nerve racking as we were front and center the entire time. But we managed, and it was beautiful. I was very grateful that we were able to be part of something so wonderful.

The kids and I made lots of treats and we delivered them as a family to all of our ward members on Christmas eve. It was a lot of fun to see where everyone lives finally! And as Scott would have it we took the long way to every one! He tells me that how memories are made. Ok, I'll give him that.

There is nothing like Christmas with a three year old! It was so exciting to see and hear the joy in our children's voices as they saw for the first time what Santa has left.

We had decided to go to Utah after Christmas, when the pressure was off. But our plans did not work out as we has anticipated. Scott had to finish a job,so he would not be joining us and the kids and I were held up due to the weather for a few days. But we finally got there and had a few good days of fun before I got sick and the fun was over.

We began with a trip to temple square and the gateway shopping center. The weather was so nice that night, we were lucky. The water features were the biggest hit with the kids, as well as the Christis in the visitors center. The lights were spectacular and we will remember that night for long time to come. The kids loved having their grandma and great-grandma there with them. It made the long trip totally worth it! I'll never forget Grandma Kris leading the kids through the water fountain like little ducks...they followed her every step and did not get wet! And thankfully I let the moment happen with out being a mom and spoiling the fun. But seriously, who in their right mind plays in the water when it's 20 degrees out? I have seldom seen a smile like that my mother's face and it was well worth it.

Home for the Holidays

We have been having fun this holiday season! Beginning with Halloween, kids LOVE to dress up! This year, Alex was a ninja, AGAIN. No surprise there. Camryn did surprise us with her choice of the dead bride..far cry from years past. We made silly pumpkins the lazy parents way. No scooping or removal of seeds involved! And the kids thought their pumpkins were better than the carved ones. They celebrate Wyoming Day here (who'd a thought!) and Alex's class all did research on people that had an impact on Wyoming history. They dressed up in costumes like the people they researched and read about what they did and how they shaped Wyoming history. Our son chose Custer...it was kind of hard for us to come up with a costume being city slickers and all...we had to borrow the hat! Thanksgiving was great. We had a dinner at home with just the 5 of us. The girls helped with the turkey. Camryn loves to make the stuffing, and she always names the bird. Her very favorite part is rubbing butter on the poor thing. She never gets enough of giving the turkey a massage. We put the tree up late, we have been very busy. But that is no excuse to our children. I have made up by letting them decorate the gingerbread house Grandma Peg sent. So far so good...and all my shopping is done!!! Bring on the Santa!