falling behind

I am not sure if anyone even checks this blog anymore because I have been so bad about updating it. I keep thinking that I'll get back into it and post more regularly, and then life happens. Coranelle is napping less and less and I just haven't made the time for it. So, to those of you who still occasionally pop over, thank you! And, I'm sorry for not being more regular.

We've already changed the clocks back an hour and fall seems to be a blur. A happy blur, but a blur nonetheless. Ryan has been working a lot of hours so that has left me with a lot of time with the kiddos on my own. We keep hoping that Ball will find someone who can help Ryan out with his workload, but so far, nothing seems too promising. He's just so good at what he does, everyone wants him to work their program! ;) But, truth be told, we are both very thankful that he has a good employer and a good job. We are not blind to the fact that not everyone is so blessed.

 We took a train on the Georgetown Train loop because Sheldon has recently become obsessed with trains. It was a really fun, family day out.

 I did a sprint triathlon with my mom and another friend in September and it was a really fun challenge and experience.

 We discovered a new, wonderful place near Longmont called Sunflower farms. We went 5 weeks in a row to feed animals, ride ziplines and rope swings, play in tree houses, go for pony rides and enjoy the outdoors.

 A trip to the butterfly pavilion to hold Rosie, the tarantula.

 One of our many afternoons playing at local parks.

 Pumpkin time!

 Playing at the infamous park in Georgetown, Co.

 We raked and are still raking loads of leaves. The kids think it's a blast.... I'm over it!

 One of many zoo trips.

 Sunflower farms!

 Anderson farms!

 Sheldon's 2nd favorite thing: his dump truck.

 My pocket sized pirate!

 My spunky little Tinkerbell.

 A visit to the Children' s museum. These two are so cute together- such good buddies!

 Trick-or-treating with her friends.

My little girl- ALWAYS on the go. I can never seem to wear her out! 
This fall has been full of fun activities, leaves, pumpkins, costumes and beautiful Colorado weather.  There have been a lot of really horrendous things in Colorado in the past few months. We are trying hard to focus on the good friends and neighbors and the good memories we are building with our family. I hope fall is treating all of you well. Cheers until next time!

Summer Days

It's hard for me to believe that it is already the end of August. School is starting, it's 56 degrees out in the morning, there are finally books back on the shelves at the library and summer is almost over. I thought that I would take a few minutes to update the blog with some fun highlights of the summer, as I have only written a few times in the last few months.

This summer was a few months of soul searching for me. There were some hard things going on with a few family issues, relationships and other situations I won't bore you with. But, through it all, I have a really deep appreciation for my husband and kids. I think I have taken our little family for granted in the past, and I hope to not do this in the future. I have one of the most amazing, dedicated, loyal, Godly, kind, gracious husbands imaginable and he made a really great summer for this family. I also realized how thankful I am to be able to spend the summer with my kids. I have had a great time taking them to parks, pools, splash areas, the zoo, and play dates.  Ryan and I agreed that the kids are at a great age now for doing family outings. Sheldon can walk now and I am not breastfeeding every few hours. Here are some of our recent highlights:

Coranelle starts preschool next Monday. She has met her new teacher and most of the kids in her class. Her teacher is awesome and she and Coranelle hit it off right away. Her teacher has a daughter with a spirited personality much like C's. This was a relief to me as I know that her teacher will understand Coranelle and some of her triggers, some of her strengths and some areas that will require more patience. I think the year will be great for us all.

This is a picture of Coranelle at her "meet and greet". I think Sheldon wants to go to her class too!

Another highlight of the summer has been to watch the relationship unfold between Coranelle and Sheldon. They ADORE each other and it is one of my favorite things to watch as a parent. They fight, of course, but Sheldon copies everything C does. Coranelle is really protective of Sheldon and makes sure other kids are treating him well. She'll say, "That's my buddy's toy. Can he play with it and then you can take a turn." They make each other laugh and giggle all the time. I hope they continue to be really great friends.

Above, Coranelle is sharing the cup of free ice cream that she earned from the library reading program.

We recently took the training wheels off of Coranelle's bike. We probably should have taken them off sooner, because she is doing amazingly well. She can ride for blocks on her own. We are working on starting and stopping now, and I think she'll master it pretty soon. Preschool, a two wheel bicycle, swimming on her own- next stop... college! Yikes!

I have also gotten braver taking the kids places on my own. We have made trips to pools, the Bay, the library, and the zoo. I have had a really good time with the kids and think that they are at an age where these field trips are fun for everyone!

 Coranelle being our tour guide at the zoo

 Watching the bears

 The elephant show

The Bay!

Sheldon will start a gymnastics class this fall while his sister is in preschool. I am excited to have some fun things planned with him. I am also training for a triathlon in September. My mom and another friend are doing it with me and I am excited about it. I have enjoyed the time that I get to be on my road bike and do some swimming. It's a good goal to work towards.

I have had a great summer and I am so thankful for the time I've had to spend with family and friends. I am very blessed and am excited for all the adventures the fall will bring.

Seeing the Gifts

"Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experiecne life and the world" -Sarah Ban Breathnach


I have recently started reading a phenomenal book called One Thousand Gifts, by Ann Voskam. It is a book I would highly recommend to anyone willing to change their perception. A basic overview would be that the author realizes that the root to every sin is ingratitude, and therefore the best way to combat ingratitude is with eucharisteo- the giving of thanks. So, that is what I am working at doing; giving thanks- giving thanks through all things, wherever... whenever. Even in the midst of weariness, self doubt, anxiety, feelings of failure, bitterness, heartbreak, pain, etc.  On days when I'm doing laundry... again..., listening to a 15 month old cry for hours, break up fights, hear the whines and tantrums, mopping...again..., even in the ordinary, I am trying to be thankful. On days where it would be so easy to only see the broken and the bad- the marital problems, the miscarriage, the death of a friend's father- far too young, the cancer, the people who lost their homes to fires... and that list could go on and on. Instead, thankful whether empty or full. I am working toward seeing that God makes plans for good. He is God. He is Everything."Because eucharisteo is how Jesus, at the Last Supper, showed us to transfigure all things- take the pain that is given, give thanks for it, and transform it into a joy that fulfills all emptiness."- Ann Voskamp

As I am working on being grateful, I have started to write down things that I am thankful for. This is what the author of the book did and I thought it was brilliant, so I am copying. As we write things down, we can practice being grateful and recognizing God's hand in all that surrounds us. Ann Voskamp says, "Do not disdain the small. the whole of life-even the hard- is made up of minute parts, and if I miss the infinitesimals, I miss the whole.". That is what I am trying to do... see the details and give thanks. Obviously, I fail a great portion of the time. But, I am practicing. And it is making a difference. Each afternoon when the kids go down for naps and each night, I try to reflect on a few things that I am thankful for and how I have seen God in the ordinary, the hard, the insignificant. In giving thanks, I've discovered more joy, more grace.

Here are a few of the things on my list from the last few days:
20. forts in the living room
26. Sheldon's tiny pink toes
28. Zumba
30. fleece blankets scattered
36. The smell of C's head after a bath- curls and baby shampoo 
40. fruit snacks
45.Tara's 4 minute phone messages 
60. inter-tube slides
90. lemon yogurt
91. gardening in bare feet- smelling fresh basil
95. dark storm clouds when it's been much too hot
109. straws in ice water
115. Hearing Ryan's voice as he read to the kids
132. the hammock
152. painting with the kids

The less we hurry and the more we intentionally reflect on all of the blessings in our days, the more we will find joy in the midst of it all.

 A rare, but precious coffee date with my girl

 thankful for the mess...

check out the tiny, purple footprint on the concrete!

 114. petting zoo with the kids

 119. Watching the firecrackers with C

 Watching the kids at the skate park was such a gift!

I encourage you to start a written or mental list. If 1,000 is too daunting, leave me a comment and share a few of the gifts you've experienced lately.