His grace is sufficient for me, for power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Remember when....

....when I went to Colorado and had not made time to blog anything in a month? 

The kids and I (& Grammy) headed out to Colorado at the beginning of September! Our first stop was lunch with Shelly and Porter! It was so great seeing them and catching up with them! 
 Shelly and Porter rode their motorcycles and little man was super excited to go play on them! 
 Shelly helping Greg onto her motorcycle! 
 He thinks he is so cool! 
 Maria wanted a turn, but wasn't so much a fan! 
 He's a high maintenance rider and needed gloves and glasses!
 Great Uncle Porter turning on the bike! 
 Shelly and me! 
Shelly and Jonathan! 

We had a blast seeing them, and we are so glad we were able to catch up with them during our short visit out to Colorado! 

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

The One Where He Didn't Look Back...

I seriously can hardly believe that Greg is old enough to be going to Preschool! 
As I packed his lunch last night, I made sure to get him some of his favorite things to eat. I couldn't help but think of how tiny he used to be, and how fast this time has come. I teared up hoping he would meet new friends and that he would never, ever feel alone or left out. Then I giggled, and said a prayer hoping that he would sit for lunch and not wander around his classroom. I continued to get his school bag together, and laid everything out for our morning! 

This little dude was excited for preschool when he woke up! 
 Such a stud! 
 He was a little confused as to why I was having him pose with this piece of paper. 
 Awkward smile..."When I grow up, I want to be a Rock n' Roll Star."
 Silliness! 
 In the carpool line. We talked about being nice to our friends, listening to the teacher, following directions, sharing, telling Miss Rachel when we had to go potty...you know...the usual important things. I was trying to impart as much wisdom as I could in the last 5 minutes before he left me for 3 1/2 hours. As we got closer, I felt jitters in my stomach, hoping and praying he would have a wonderful day. 
 When one of the aids came to take him from the car, I was so excited for him. I was excited that he would be beginning his education. I was excited that he would make new friends. I was excited that he was such a big kid. A tiny part of me sank though. I teared up inside knowing that I was not experiencing this with him, holding his hands through it, reminding him to listen and to be nice to his new friends...but such is life. 
 As he walked away, I knew he was ready....
 ...he didn't even turn around for one last Mommy glance. That was it. Big boy. 
And as I pulled away...I cried...
But then I found comfort in the fact that he knew I would come back. He didn't have to look back...just forward because I had given him all he needed to look forward. He knows he is a smart boy, handsome boy, and is loved beyond words. I had done my job as Mommy. Definitely not perfect, but I had given him all he needed to know he would be okay without me. 

And this little nut...
....she is going to be just fine! :-) Mommy and Maria ran errands and played. She really did not know how to play without Greg. She walked in the playroom and just stared for a long while. She went over to the couch, and just sat there. It was quiet, and Greg was not directing her in his imaginative scene. She will learn to play and imagine on her own...some day...

First day report: he had a great day! He told me how he played and ate lunch from his lunchbox. He did have a pee accident. :-( I was a little surprised since he has not had one in so long!  Oh well...he will learn to tell Miss Rachel and not Mommy! 

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Summer Recap: Beach!

I am huge slacker and neither of my kids had been to the beach. My two good friends, Greg and Lizzy, got married in Gulf Port, MS. On our way out, we HAD to stop by for some quick beach fun! Greg LOVED it. Maria...not so much! 
 Chasing the birds! 
 Daddy and Greg
 Maria not so much liking the sand. 
 So happy! 
 Here comes the water! The anticipation on his face is awesome! 
 OCEAN! 
 Such a stud! 
 Maria safe in Daddy's arms! 
 Mommy and Maria! 
 Attempting a picture of Maria in the sand! 
 Maria not so much liking the water! 
 Greg was a HUGE fan of the ocean! 
 We stopped off in Auburn for dinner and some SnoBiz! 
The shaved ice was a big hit! 

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Summer Recap: To the Cabin!

Ronda and Ed have an AWESOME cabin out in Colorado, not too far from Fairplay! We took the day and took the kids up there and had a BLAST! This was Greg and Maria's first ATV ride! They had so much fun! 
 Ready to go with Grammy and Papa! 
 Daddy and Maria
 On the ride...
 Fun times! 
 Eyes and ears ready to go with Dillon
 Getting ready to shoot his first gun
 Lessons on gun safety with Papa! 
His first shot. He looked right at me, and said..."see that, Mommy?"

We had so much fun, and I am looking forward to our next outdoor adventure! We stayed through dinner and spent the evening out on the porch in the mountains! It was beautiful. I cannot wait to spend the night up there and make more memories with my little ones! 

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Summer Recap: Heritage Square

Heritage Square is another favorite childhood place of mine. The cute little town has shops, restaurants, an amusement park, go-carts, and the infamous alpine slide!! We had a great day spending time at the park. Greg was sad he was 1 inch too short to ride the go-carts with Mommy! He did have a blast riding the other rides he was tall enough for. Neither of my children show fear when it comes to rides....LOVE IT! 
 Maria on her first big kid ride! 
 Greg and GAR
 Somehow GAR got stuck riding all the rides. 
 Grammy and Boo on the Ferris Wheel! 
So much JOY! 

I took both kids down the alpine slide. They both were so AWESOME on the way up to the top of the mountain on the ski lift!!  It was a little scary getting them on and off the lift...but they were great riders! I don't think I have ever held onto their clothing so tight in my life! They both loved going fast down the mountain with Mommy! 

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Summer Recap: Casa Bonita!

Casa Bonita is a place near and dear to my heart. This Mexican restaurant has all you need...food, puppet shows, arcade, shows, cotton candy, walk through cave....it's basically Jonathan and I's favorite place ever. It is always fun taking the kids here to watch them enjoy the excitement that was once mine so long ago! :-) 
 Greg and Grammy watching the cliff divers!  
This was about the last picture I got of Greg at the restaurant. He kept Papa Bob busy walking around and looking at everything. He went into the cave with me, Papa, Pap, and GAR about 12 times! 
 Papa Bob bought Maria and Greg light up swords....very exciting! 
 Manna from Heaven...sopapillas! They make the best ones EVER! 
Maria enjoyed hers! :-) 

There was a lot going on that night, but we had a blast! As always...I need to be better with my camera! 

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Summer Recap: Father's Day!

After our adventure in Glenwood, we headed back toward the Denver area for a Father's Day BBQ! It was a little weird spending Father's Day without my Dad and without my hubby, but it was still a blast! 
Grandma Judy and me! She may still be the reason I cry every time I leave CO. She told me one day I would grow out of it...20 years later...
My stud! 
GAR and Maria
Mark and me! 
Pap and me! He is one good lookin' grandfather! 
When all else fails....crate them! :-)
Grandma running through the sprinkler with Greg and Maria. She is a much cooler Great Grandma! 
Sprinkler Fun! 
Love! 
Tired Maria! 
Greg and Molly hanging out! 

Although I did not get to spend the day with my Dad and Greg, it was a blessing to spend the morning with my Papa, and the afternoon with my Pap!