Our Weekend

This is the way our weekend started off... some cuddle time and cartoons... then we set to work... or should I say... Cole set to work!

Not that you can tell so much from this photo below but the yard of our rental here in Colorado is... or should I say was pretty shabby! We moved in during the winter months and new it wasn't great... and then things began to green up! Yikes... it was ugly! Cole and I couldn't hardly stand it and the number of dandelions popping up were unreal!!! So we of course set to work. After several treatments to try and kill the weeds I think we've finally got most of them... at least in the front yard. (They are supposed to come and landscape the back at some point... so we've been focusing on the front!) After treating for all the weeds... multiple times we wanted to see but realized you have to wait several weeks before doing so. Otherwise the chemicals in the soil will kill the new seed. Now that all the dandelions are about dead... there's not much left in the front yard... but what little grass we have... is very green. So this weekend's project... Plant new seed! There will be more pictures to come in the following weeks as the yard hopefully thickens up!

So in the meantime it was driving Cole nuts to have a yard that might be considered an eye sore on the block. The rock beds had no edging so all the rock was scattering and falling into the lawn that we do have and just needed some attention. The flower I planted have helped... but weren't enough. So a few tons of rock later and lots of hard labor on Cole's part our front yard is looking better and bit more finished off! He loaded, unloaded, and placed edging moss rock all around the rock beds out front and then created a planter for me around the pine tree where grass won't hardly grow! Looks so nice! He even worked straight through the hail storm to get it done! I love that man!

(I'm still figuring out this blog and photo download process.... so the newer photos of the rock work Cole did in the yard are further down below!)



In the meantime I decided it was time to take the side guard rail off of Sierra's bed. She's been sleeping better and not hugged up against it in quite a while. So... time to move her on up one more step! She was thrilled about the change as you can see below! We also put a cool antique quilt on her bed gifted to her by my god mother. Now we can truly "tuck" her in at night which she thinks is pretty cool! (and I'm sure soon I'll have to post about all the quilts we have in our home! When we moved in Cole asked me, "Do you think we're those wierd old people already... look at how many quilts we have in our house!?")

Caught her mid air flopping on her big girl bed!!!

She looked super cute in her sundress this weeken but at the time of the picture was refusing to smile and instead through one of her famous two year old tantrums!

Here are some pictures of our front yard now with all the awesome rock work Cole did this weekend!

And then to top the whole weekend off... Sunday we had a fabulous Santa Maria style BBQ with friends and neighbors! (Of course I didn't take any pictures) There was tri-tip, beans, sourdough bread, salad, beer, chocolate dessert and great company! It was a wonderful weekend!

The Most Amazing Feeling!

So I have some pictures to upload and post from the past week or so and was going to do that today... but then I was just blown away this morning! Cole forgot his beret and Sierra and I needed to run it to his office before heading to the gym. It was a bit of an inconvinance but needed to be done. So we were making decent time and then when we were headed off post we saw one, two, three cops of bikes with lights running headed our way. At first I thought "oh NO" there's been a horrible accident or something. Then a few more came... and as they continued towards us... and the main gate for post I realized that they were guiding the caravan of buses home full of soldiers returning from Afghanistan. A flood of emotions overwhelmed me and are returning once again. Some may disagree with me but for those of you that have experienced it I'm sure you can relate. The emotions range right up there with holding your new born child for the first time... and as I can imagine, holding your new adoptive child for the first time. The tears of joy streamed down my face as I tried to concentrate on driving safely! I honked my horn as the buses passed and my face smiled so wide that my jaw hurt!

Then I was taken back to reality a bit as Sierra sat in the back seat insisting we pray for all the people in trouble! (A few months back we passed an ambulance in route to a hospital and I taught her to stop and pray a prayer for those that were needing help or in trouble. Ever since if she even hears a sirene we stop to pray together.) I tried to find the words to explain to her that these people were not in trouble and that it was a joyous thing the police men were trying to help with. As I was still overwhelmed with an incredible since of joy, relief, excitment, etc I also realized in the pit of my being two things: 1) that soon we will be trying to explain to Sierra why her daddy is going away, and 2) it was only last Wednesday that I saw them hosting the last memorial for this brigades recently fallen soldiers.

As Sierra and I prayed for the reunions of the troops on those buses and the months ahead for them, I couldn't help but pray for the families of those troops who will not return. The sacrifices that are given are greater than what I can fathom. Only a week and half ago in church sat two men of the wounded warriors battalion here on post. One with injuries not as obvious to the naked eye, and another with no legs left to bare and no vision left to see those around him. As we sat thorugh mass Sierra was intrigued by these men, especially the one in a wheel chair and was very eager to shake his hand and wish him "peace". I had listen to him speak with his fellow solider throughout mass and heard him tell him thank you for bringing him.... that mass was his "recharge" each week. WOW... what a wonderful outlook he had on life. It wasn't until Sierra wished him "peace" did I realize that he no longer had his legs, but his vision either. What an encouragment that has been to me the last weeks.

Some have given all, some have given much... for the duration of their lives, and some are still giving. For those that wear the uniform... and for those that stand beside them to serve on the home front my prayers go out. May God bless and keep our soliders, their families, their relationships, and our country. I am so proud to stand beside my husband, a solider, a father, a leader, a man of courage and a man who fears our God.

Some inside Family Fun!

So... as to be expected in Colorado, it's mid May and we were once again expecting freezing temperatures. I pulled all the potted flowers into the garage for safer keeping and covered the in ground flowers with a sheet. Then we sat down for a hot meal last night and some cozy time inside. Cole Decided to build a fire... which in turn lead to Sierra asking for marshmellos (as she'd learned from Grandma LuLu's visit!) We didn't have any Hershey's bars on hand so we improvised with chocolate chips... which are always on hand! (We buy them at Costco and then split them into smaller baggies... we make cookies weekly... plus they are good on ice cream, in pudding... or Cole and I just like them a handfull at a time! Shhhhh don't tell!)

The result... yummy s'mores and some great family time! Sierra and I added a dab of peanut butter on our crackers... which allowed Bongo the "treat" of licking the spoon! What a great family affair! Hope you enjoy the pictures!!!

Overwhelmed....

In my post last week I talked about trying to find my way here in Colorado and what I had hoped for... and what was happening. Yesterday God threw a big curve ball! I had pretty much figured he'd closed the door on my getting a job for the next school year and that I would be keeping plenty busy with bible study (as VP), Sierra's time at preschool, taking on FRG leader in the fall, and helping a few afternoons a week with another family. I'm so excited that yesterday I learned that I will be able to work part time at Ruth Washburn next year. Still not sure of days/time! But non the less thrilled. EXCEPT... that when I came home and started thinking about all the commitments that would be and the demand for time on me as well as time left for my family and house I don't know that I can manage it all. So... now I am left wondering where God wants me to be. Praying for conviction of what He'd have me do and where I should be.

I have some big decisions to make in the next week that will greatly affect the next year. I'll keep you all posted but in the mean time would appreciate your prayers for clarity! Hope you are all having a great week!

Happy Mother's Day!

So in all seriousness this year I told Cole that for Mother's Day I didn't want some fancy gift and not to go spending a bunch of money because I was going to go spend my chunk on flowers! Our yard here is in need of a make over... the backyard especially! We have a spent a lot of time cleaning them up and trying to do massive weed control for the dandelions. It will be a while before the lawn is something we enjoy. So for now I have colorful flowers to brighten my day.

They rule of them here in Colorado Springs is not to plant anything until Mother's Day because of the freezing temperatures. Friday afternoon I tried to get a jump on things and go get my flowers to plant yesterday only to find that the trucks had been told not to come b/c Friday night was supposed to be cold! So we made a second trip yesterday to bring all the bealutiful flowers home! After a trip to Home Depot with a couple of trips across the store to find the bathroom in time we made our selections and then came home and set to work. While Cole worked on some more weed control and I potted flowers Sierra and Bongo enjoyed being outside running a muck in the yard.

Sierra was awefully proud of the flowers she helped pick out and water! She is especially excited about the strawberry plant and hoping it will produce some fruits just for her this summer. I have to give a special thanks to Cole for working so hard and taking the stump out of the little nook so I had a smaller planter area to use! Loving looking out the windows and seeing the bright colors! Hope that I can keep my green thumb a good while this summer!!!

Now it's time to get ready for mass and then a family picnic at Garden of the Gods. Hope that all of you moms have a fabulous day and have something and someone to enjoy the beauty of today with!

Sierra getting ready to paint some pots to add to our garden...

Some flowers in an old pot of Jeanette's... that Cole shot up with his b-b gun at some point... they were now passed on to us!

The strawberries..... well the plants anyways!

Flowers in her beautiful pots

Spring... A time for change and hope

So this post will be a little bit of a lot of different things... so bare with me!

First... Here's a new shot to show just how TALL Sierra is getting! Last time she was measured... a couple months ago she was already over 36"/3 feet! She has had so many people comment on her age and size lately that she has now learned to put her arms over her head and respond with "I'm tall!" (most people think she's 3 going on 4 instead of ... almost 2 1/2)


I also have to take a moment to comment on the outfit she has on. As she's progressing in understanding and independence she also is wanting to choose her own clothes... and put them on at times. In the above photo you may not be able to tell but she got herself all dressed... pants on backwards, all pink... but with her fishing shirt on! The shirt that her Papa picked out for her reads, "Some girls like to play with dolls, Real girls go fishing!" Although she loves to play with dolls... she also has a great "tom-boy" side to her! Thank goodness because Lord only knows what I'd do with a real girly girl, ha ha!

Along with growing bigger has come potty training, which means no more need for a "diaper bag!" Yippee! But we still need something to take an extra change of clothes, water cup, and snack around in. Sierra became very interested in the little backpack another girl had at playgroup so after lots of looking around I found this cute one on sale, with free shipping from Pottery Barn. When it came in she was thrilled... loved it... but yet I still ended up being the one to carry it around. This past week we went for a little hike and time at the park with friends. Sierra's friend had a back pack on that she wore willing the whole time and it made Sierra want to wear hers... but the straps kept falling off the shoulders. So... on the way home we went by Hobby Lobby and that afternoon we sewed on a buckle strap to help hold her bag on! Now... she doesn't want to take it off! Here she was out back helping daddy BBQ... and being a "big girl" with her own pack on! Thank goodness for my minimal sewing skills!


This is just a cute snap shot... she looks so big with her hair down! She was all ready to help me make some cookies!!!

As Spring is rolling around here in Colorado I am reminded of the rebirth of nature and the beauty in it. We are all enjoying seeing the grasses green up, the leaves bud on the trees, the bulbs open up, and especially enjoying the beautiful blossoms on the many fruit trees in the area. We don't know what kind of tree it is but the tree right outside the kitchen window is bringing me joy each day. It's has wonderful pink blooms, a magnificant fragrance, and is a great attraction for the bumble bees! Sierra and I have had some great observations and explorations watching them safely from within the window!

This last weekend we took a quick trip up to Breckenridge for a marriage retreat/mini vacation. We were hoping for a nice relaxing weekend with some good couples time as Sierra was going to be in childcare most of Saturday and we were going to have Saturday afternoon to go exploring the town, just the two of us! Well... I wound up sick with a stomach bug the first night and just as I was feeling better Saturday Cole wasn't feeling so great. So aside from some shopping with a girlfriend (thank Melissa) it was more of just a nice weekend spent inside a nice resort hotel room. But... in all it was nice to break away from cooking, cleaning, dishes, etc. and get to see the beautiful country side!

And on a bit of another tangent... We have been feeling a bit lost since our move here. It has been a struggle to become a part of a unit that is part of something so much bigger in the Army. 4 ID is soooo much bigger than 3 d ACR was and thus has a very different style and feel. That coupled with living off post has made us feel a bit like fish out of water. We are loving being back in better sports time zone, near mountains and closer to family. We are gradually making some great new friends... even in the neighborhood, Cole's enjoying the feeling of really "leaving" work when he heads off post, and we are super excited for Sierra to get to start preschool at Ruth Washburn in the fall.

I have really been praying that God would reveal his plan for us in our time here. Although it's not entirely clear He is beginning to open and shut some doors and provide some direction. I was hoping that by now I would either have a job at Ruth Washburn or to be pregnant... and neither have happened yet. But God has brought me to a new place in his relationship with him. I have actually joined a Catholic Bible Study... and am really learning and growing a lot. It is a wonderful experience because I am now a more active participant in what we are and are not teaching Sierra. I am gaining a better understanding of the history and meaning in the CAtholic church and developing an appreciation that is helping me to better worship God in my weekly life and attendance of mass. As a shock to me I was elected to be the VP with our MCCW group which is providing some purpose and direction outside of the house and home. Soon Cole will take command which will also require more time and attention. There is also a wonderful family (thanks to Keri's recommendation) that will need some part time care for their daughter that will provide some joy and variety to life! So in all I guess what I'm tring to say is taht in time God is answering my prayers, and opening the doors to new opportunities I didn't know exsisted! Still praying that in His timing He will bless us with another child... but only He knows what and when we can handle it!

That's an update in a nutshell... sorry it was so long... and a bit chaotic!