Vacation!

Jonathan has had this week off planned for quite some time and we were planning on going to Florida to visit Kinsey (sister) and go to Disney, but after much consideration we decided that we did not want to spend 24 hours in the car to be in 100 degree weather.  We were pretty bummed to be spending our vacation at home but  we could not think of anywhere else.  Jonathan had really been wanting to go to Denver Colorado because we have had many people tell us that this is the city we belong in.

So on Saturday night I secretly packed all the suitcases and got most of the car packed, came upstairs and said that they had five minutes to get ready and in the car because I was blocking the alley with my car!  So at 8:30pm on Saturday we took off for Denver.  Best decision EVER!

This city is AMAZING!  We have been having so much fun.  There has been sun everyday, the mountains are such a great testament to our great Creator and it has been great to have some great family bonding.

Last night we got to go and have dinner with my mom's best friend from growing up that I have not spent time with since she died (20 years ago).  It was such a great time!  I imagine if my mom were still alive that she would be just like Tinker.  The kids loved her and so did I!

We are off to Colorado Springs today for some more mountain fun!

After a long night of driving we were excited to get out of the car at a  classy gas station!

We were born for the mountains! 

Love this cute face!

Our best friend Kyle also lives here so he joined us for dinner.

Family photo, Amelia hidden by the Ergo :)

Taking advantage of a great park in Georgetown .

Tinker, my mom's best friend growing up.

Mother's Day

My mom and I (3yrs old) about 5 months before she passed.

Ever since I can remember I have dreaded Mother's Day.  At school we would always make these wonderful crafts; hand prints, cards and lots of other really lovely things that I am sure mothers appreciate; the problem is I did not have a mom to bring mine home to.  I would still have to make a craft but while the other kids were so excited to take it home to show their mom, I was just plain sad.

I still cannot believe she has been gone for 20 years; it boggles my mind every-time I think about it.  I always thought that as I got older and had a family of my own that it would get easier but it has actually gotten harder.  Instead of crafts that have no where to go, I have no mother to go to when I have a parenting question.  I did not have my mom to hold my hand while giving birth to my most precious children. In fact, I cannot even remember enough about her to pass along to my own children.

From what I have been told, she was an amazing woman; raising five daughters, directing the choir at Church, playing the piano and sewing us dresses that all matched.  I sometimes get mad because she died before she could teach me any of her wonderfulness; I am however truly grateful that God gave me my father and my four sisters because without them I would be a total mess!

This Mother's Day will be just like the rest, a card with nowhere to send but I will rejoice in the fact that I am a mother to some wonderful children and that God has entrusted me enough to allow me to be on earth to raise them up in His image.
  
AND because I have been SO behind... here are days 13-20 of the 365 Challenge:

Amelia and Jonathan chilling on the couch

Amelia enjoying the beautiful sunny day.

Amelia and I went to get coffee ALONE!

Moving Day!  My wonderful friends and all the kids.

The table was not yet set up in our new place so we all ate around the kid one!

Anderson fell asleep with his hand in his bum :)

Alyvia at Oz Park with Dorthy.

I took it upon myself to by clippers and cut Anderson's hair- boy did he have A LOT!

Day 12

We really never go out for ice cream because a. it is pretty pricey and b. I am not a fan of all the additives they put in, but tonight was Baskin Robin's $.31 scoop night and you cannot beat that!

The kids were very excited all day and were even more excited when we got there and there were balloons everywhere.  The music was SO loud that it felt like we were up in the club :)  We got our scoops, danced a little and the kids got free balloons, all in all a good night had by all!

Jonathan got Gold Rush and Alyvia got Mint Chocolate Chip... YUM!

Anderson had Mint Chocolate Chip too (and yes I do know he is in need of a hair cut!).

Day 11

With all of this packing it means that most of the toys are being put away for the week and the children are learning to be a bit more creative.  They have found that a good old box is a good source of fun; we may even decorate them today, which I am sure Jonathan will greatly appreciate as he is moving all the boxes :)

Now if only I could keep them in the boxes until we move.... I would get a whole lot done!

Baby in a box :)

Day 7 8 9 10

Okay, so I have been a slacker because of being in Michigan and Easter so here are a bunch of days in one post.  This week we begin to really pack as we prepare to move this Saturday; prayers appreciated as I am not one who likes to live amongst chaos and clutter!  I will be glad once we are all moved and settled in!  Enjoy the pictures of our last few days.

How could you resist Tomato soup?!

 My beautiful Coffee Cozy from my dear friend Michelle... thank you!

Dying Easter Eggs

EASTER!

Amelia in another beautiful handmade creation from Michelle.

DAY 6

Busy day yesterday so I did not have time to update last night.  Taite (sister) and I were up late trying to sort stuff for the yard sale today.  Time to de-clutter and re-organize!!

This is what her garage looked like last night while we were trying to sort through everything... yikes!

Day 5

I have always wanted a dog for my children but have never been able to have one and up until recently Anderson and Alyvia have been really afraid of them but NOT Amelia.  I may just have to look into getting one after this trip to Michigan, as all the kids love Oscar.

 Oscar snuggling up to Amelia.

Oscar giving Amelia kisses all over her face and then her head and then he tried to lick me.... no luck there :)