Groundhog's Day

So Punxsutawney Phil predicted that winter is nearing its end today.  And based on our day trip to Winter Park, we would have to confirm this to be true.  It was a beautiful sunny day.  In fact, it was one of those days where we actually overdressed.  By lunchtime we were able to sit outside on the patio and take off most of our heavy gear to enjoy some of the suns rays!

Our traditional family photo..."ski tips up"

(The kids can never seems to get both skis in the photo tho!)

 Lots of fresh powder this time!

 She still claims she doesn't care for skiing, but we are just grateful that she has a smile on her face.  She fakes it well!

 A great day to each lunch outside.  Even though you could see your breath because the temps were just above 30, the suns rays were very warm.

  

Here kitty, kitty...

Apparently the chairlift operators must have had a little extra time on their hands this week!

 Sometimes lying down in the snow is just easier.

 What a gorgeous view from the top

Caleb decided to practice a few moves this time around.  Before long he'll need to ski by himself, since the rest of us prefer to leave the tricks to the short ones.  They have less of a distance to fall!

 

While I wasn't overly motivated to go this weekend, it ended up being a beautiful day.  Not so grateful for the long lift lines, but overjoyed to spend some great time with this family of mine!

Let's Get this Party Started!

It has finally happened this weekend!  The beginning of Pam's Place being built has started.

 On Friday, the dumpster arrived as did the the stakes for where the new garage would be placed.  And of course, we had to try it out for size!  It'll do!!

Then this morning the doorbell started ringing around 9 am.

First, it was the worker from garage door company.  He needed to disconnect the springs and pull the plug.

Then, it was Ben.  He did the majority of the work on the first renovation.  Great worker, and we are so glad he is back to do this project, as well. 

Shortly after that, it was Bestway disposal with the bathroom facilities for the workers---AKA the porta-potty!

By the middle of the afternoon, Jeff, our project manager arrived to give us an update on the progress and where we are headed by the end of the week.  I always the love the beginning of projects, because such huge changes can be seen almost daily.  It's when the wiring and plumbing take place that things seem to slow down.  All I can say right now, is woohoo! I am so glad this party has started!!

Pictures of what happened during day 1:

And, naturally, now that my car doesn't have a warm and happy home, the snows are coming!!

Gratitude

Today I have much gratitude in my heart.  It has been quite a journey for this little family of ours.  We have put our faith in God to bring us through this trying time of moving our family to the county and praying that it was the right thing to bring my mom out here to live with us.  It has been a growing experience for sure!

I am filled with much gratitude that this week I can finally say that God has allowed His Grace to fall upon us without question!  We have acquired the funding to begin my mom's apartment and construction will begin next week.  Our prayers have been answered. Hip Hip Hooray!!  I never realized how long this process would take.  But God is so good and had grown each of us in our own ways.

I am filled with much gratitude to our family and friends that have had to listen to us go on and on about making this happen.

I am filled with much gratitude that what started out as a simple question--"do you think you would ever want to move?" turned into a reality that even I didn't realize I would appreciate so much.

You see, I really loved my three story home in the burbs.  I loved my close-knit neighborhood that had many parties throughout the years.  I loved being just a few minutes from work. I loved that my kids could play in the cul-de-sac and I didn't have to worry about traffic--at least not too much that is!

However, while I have been mourning this part of my life during the past few months, I am now realizing that I am loving my new life in ways I didn't think possible.  I love that I don't have to close my curtains if I don't want to.  I love that I have to stop on my way to work to allow a family of deer to cross my street.  I love that I can walk outside at night and see so many stars that I had no idea they even existed before.  I love that my kids can go outside and climb trees.  I love that my puppies can bark to their hearts content and noone will complain!  I love that I only have two bathrooms to clean and not four.  (I hate cleaning toilets!)

The gratitude that fills my heart is so great I feel like shouting it from the rooftops!

Happy Birthday

You are too funny!  One of the reasons I love you so much is that you have such a wacky sense of humor.  It never ceases to amaze me when you make a comment out of the blue that has me laughing like crazy!  

Happy Birthday Friend.

Love, Me

Eighteen

It was 18 years ago this afternoon that I was blessed to be able to marry this man.

And so I offer you this my love...

Today as I sit and remember the years we've shared, I know this for sure. Our love for each other today is far greater than it was the day we married.  I truly had no idea what to expect. We each have our quirks.  We've had many ups and downs along the way, but through it all, we have managed to stay madly and deeply in love with each other. Joyful experiences beyond measure have been shared. Frustrations have occurred.  We've moved...again and again and again.  We've become parents.  We've lost loved ones...we've gained new ones. We've had many dates. We've completed a few "half-hour" projects! We've put on a few pounds. We've even raised a few pets.  And all the while, our love grew.  Deeper. Stronger.  Eighteen years ago today, I married my best friend and I am so grateful that God brought you into my life.  

I look forward to what the next 18 years has to offer. It may not always be easy, but I know that we will always find ourselves "at home" with each others love and the grace of God to hold us together.

Happy Anniversary my love.

Mama-Daughter Days

I just love when I can spend some quality one on one time with my kids.  This time it was Ema's turn.  Our friends invited Caleb to go skiing with them on Friday, so we ventured out to find a new TV stand for our family room.  You see, a few weeks back, I decided our big entertainment center was a bit much in this house.  It was just big and clunky looking.  So, long story short, I posted it on Craigslist and some nice couple decided it was just right for them.  On Thursday night, the husband drove out and picked it up.  And that left us with a TV on the floor.  Fortunately, my daughter loves a great shopping trip, so she was game to spend our time together this way!  Thanks Emaleigh.

We started with Gordman's because they usually have some unique pieces, but no luck.  We did have some fun trying on some hats tho!

 Maybe not the best look for you!

Then we ventured up to the other side of town and still couldn't find what I was envisioning.  We decided to eat some lunch where Ema shared some great teenage-girl conversation over fries and a drink.

We came to the conclusion that we were just going to have to head to Denver to our new favorite furniture store...

and, yes, we found just the right piece.  Just needs to be assembled of course, since that's the premise of this great priced store!

On our way back home we stopped in Castle Rock to peruse one of our other favorite shops...

The Barn

400 Third Street

Castle Rock, CO

We came across this little cutie made from an old book.

And while time alone together is wonderful, it is equally enjoyable to reunite with our whole family to end our day together!