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!