Friday blurb

Well, it's Friday. Thank goodness, huh?! For some reason this week has been long. 

Yesterday afternoon, Jamie left for Estes Park for a retreat, and so I'm doing it solo w/ the boys. It's the first time for me to do that. There was one other time Jamie left for a trip, but I was in KS w/ Breeson so I had help. So far, we're all still alive and we haven't lost it...yet. 

This morning we headed downtown to The Children's Museum. It was a nice way for them to explore and get (some) of their energy out. We were there almost all morning. I decided to go today b/c Eagan was FREE since he's not yet 1 (but that changes next week - since he turns 1 on the 17th), plus I used a buy 1 get 1 free coupon Entrance for Breeson and I. It would have been nice to have Jamie there to help, but we saved $$ today - and that's good too.

---------------------------

Sometimes I catch Sadie trying on Eagan's shoes...silly dog.

Our garden is in. We doubled it in size this year. And when I say "we" have a garden, I mean Jamie. He's the one who puts in all of the labor. I just stand back and watch. :)   (thanks honey!!)
I do get to eat the fruit of the labor - literally. 

This year we have: purple hull peas, lettuce (various types), tomatoes, peppers (jalapeno & red bell), strawberries (from last year), zucchini, squash, red potato's, & carrots. I know I'm missing some stuff.

 Well, a week from tomorrow I'll be on a plane w/ the kiddo's headed to Wichita. We'll be celebrating the boys' birthday on that Sunday (the 20th) w/ cousins and a few friends, then we'll ride with my parents to Branson where we have a condo booked for the week. Jamie will fly directly there as he has to preach on that Sunday. I'm looking forward to going and relaxing...

Going Green

I like being "green" just as much as the next person. Well, maybe not as much. We do our part though and recycle (ahem, thanks to our neighbors for signing us up!!). I don't litter. We even do our own garden. We definitely don't go to lengths like the 'Zero-waste California couple", or visit them here via Sunset. But to go this far and wear one of these...a wearable planter. Really?!?! And if you own one and wear it, then yes I am knocking you a little. Sorry. You can find them via Etsy. Maybe I should get one and put Marijuana in it. ??
(Joke: NOT REALLY) However, it'd be fitting since I live in CO. I wonder if they sell any of those in all of the Medical Marijuana shops that you find all over here?? Who knew...

Vacation vs. Staycation

I'm not exactly sure why I haven't posted in the last several weeks?? We've been about normal in our busy-ness and in life. I'm excited to say that last night we booked our flights & condo for our week stay in Branson for May. "Branson?!, why Branson?!?" I'm sure that was your thought going through your head. There are typically 3 responses when I tell people that's where we're going.
1. Where is Branson?
2. Why Branson?
3. Oh, I love Branson

If you fall under any of those categories, let me tell you...
1. Branson is in the SW corner of Missouri, nestled in the Ozarks.
2. It consists of a theme park (similar to Dollywood - to those who live in the South), lots of shows (mainly for old people) and some great lakes in the area. Plus, my brother and sis-in-law live there so we'll get to see them, along w/ my parents and Jamie's mom who will be joining us.
3. I used to hate Branson and made fun of anyone who "vacationed" there. But now I enjoy taking Breeson back there and I know he'll have fun at Silver Dollar City.

We strongly considered doing a "staycation" here in Colorado. Since it is such a beautiful state. But let explain why we're going to Branson over staying in CO. In my personal opinion, I believe Colorado has a LOT to offer for the outdoorsy type. Which, for the most part, I would think we somewhat fall under that category. Except for the fact that we have an (almost) 1 & 3 year old. Colorado has so much to offer in backpacking, hiking, trail riding, camping, etc. But when you're doing those things with 2 toddlers, not so much...
So, we decided to use our frequent flyer miles and found a condo that gave us a great discount b/c Jamie is clergy in Missouri. Plus, like I said, I'm really looking forward to doing it w/ some family - since we don't get to see them that often. They're both looking forwarding to see their grandkids.

And for those in Kansas, I'll be flying into Wichita close to the end of May w/ the boys. I'd love to see and catch up with you...

Finally, we just need to find someone who would like a FREE place to stay while we're gone. Anyone want to vacation to Denver!?!? By "Free", I mean you would need to keep our garden/grass watered and keep our lovable, yellow lab. :)

in review...

Let me just preface this post by saying I've never been one to jump on the bandwagon on books & movies. I am actually proud to say that I'm in the low percentage of people that populate this earth that have not read, nor watched any Harry Potter or Twilight books/movies. Not that I think they are bad, I just never cared for it since their was a huge hype over them. And when it comes to books being turned into movies, I believe I've only watched a handful of those (The Lion, the Witch & The Wardrobe, The DaVinci Code, Water for Elephants, and a few Dr Seuss movies - if those count?). I'm sure there are more, I just can't remember them right now. Anywho, with all that to say...
A friend from church recently lent me this book...


You may and may not have heard of it before. (insert sarcasm). I wasn't even dying to read it - I just figured since everyone in our small group has read it (plus the rest of the series and watched the movie), I'd better be "in the know". It's still sitting on our table - untouched. But I do desire to see this movie this time, although we'll wait 'til it comes out on Redbox or something. So, for those of you who have read it (probly everyone) - don't spoil it for me.

Speaking of small group. We are currently going through this book, by David Platt.

It's been really interesting see how different people are viewing his method and how we are each challenged in different ways. For me, this book has been challenging, yet encouraging. It's so easy to live our Christian lives in simple form; easy to take the "easy road". No one really likes to be pushed out of their comfort zone, myself especially. Yet this book makes me want to really live out my faith in a new way. Besides all of that, the book is fun to read since the church he pastors is the one I attended while in college (SEBC) in Birmingham. It was interesting to be there during a time of BD (Before David), and then to see the church begin to shift to where it is today, all within a few short years. God truly is using him and his ministry at Brookhills, and across the world.

In the last few days...

we've been playing outside ALOT and enjoying friends and birthdays...


finally made curtains for this window...



and saw a cousin who was driving through Denver...

On the go...

This guy is on the move. He's been crawling now for about a week. Which means the gates are back up...

and a new door has been placed at the top of the stairs...
(since we had to paint it anyways, I decided to add chalkboard paint)
Which means E's now into EVERYTHING, and also means he's now getting into big brother's stuff. B does okay - some of the time. Unless it's a toy that he wants at that time, which is usually 95% of the time. :) So we're entering into new challenges in life. But we'll learn as we go.

Office Pretty

Be sure to check out my friend, Jill {and previous co worker at DFN} and her blog, Office Pretty. Jill is one of those talented people that, although younger than me, I look up to. She recently co-started a blog on fashion and it's a great place to get ideas and tips.