Gramps comes to Colorado

Gramps came to visit the other week. We all loved it so much. Our week was full of new adventures and just enjoying being together. Lots of long dinners and great conversations over wine, early morning walks to our local coffee shop for coffee and scones, Coors factory tour, train museum, and an adventure to Boulder.... such a great week.

Owen was looking forward to dyeing eggs and hunting for them.

We did that quite a few times during Gramps stay.

Lots of fooling around... I walked into this one morning?

Peyton wiggled her way into my dad's heart.

They really enjoyed bottle time together.

We all hated to see him go... Miss you dad. Please come back soon.

Miss Thang and The Evil Dr. Porkchop

Our sweet Peyton has an alter-ego, we call her Miss Thang. She is sassy, determined, tough and means business. Usually "Miss Thang" comes complete with crazy hair, funny faces, and trouble.

Here is Miss Thang after her nap... HOT MESS.

Miss Thang at the Easter egg hunt, watch out.

Mark and I laughed so hard when we saw this picture, the kind of laugh that is silent with your mouth open for the beginning until you gasp for air and cry. It might be the funniest picture I have ever seen.

Owen's alter ego these days is The Evil Dr. Porkchop...

he has the glasses to prove it.

Bittersweet

Im reading a book, Bittersweet by Shauna Niequist, that my best friend Hilary gave me the morning I moved. I began reading it on the two hour plane ride to Colorado and cried the entire flight. This book has been my spiritual therapy in this season (the move) of so much change and so much loss for me... its calling me out, stretching me, and giving me permission to feel the things I need to feel. If you have ever been through any season of loss, if you are a mom, if you are a friend, if you have ever needed hope to get you through a season of brokenness this book is for you.

Some of the questions she asks that I have been thinking about a lot: What am I in danger of missing this season? What are the things that really do matter more than anything else? What will I regret, if I get the balance (of my life) wrong?

I love these questions. My answer:

1. Seeing God in my everyday... connecting with him, listening to him, watching for him, remembering he is with me and that this story is about him.

2. Giving my best to my husband and my children. Its too easy for me to think about myself or all of the other good things I can do with my day besides just giving my attention and affection and time to the now with my family.

This season of simpleness is helping my fall in love (again) with being a wife and a mom.

Sweet Peytee girl is seriously so much fun. Can you see those teeth?

Owen is all about measuring and drilling these days.

What are you in danger of missing this season?