Sean

Since I did an update on the girls, I thought it only fair to share about the sweet boy too. He has grown up so fast, I feel like every time I blink so much has changed.

Today while the girls were at an event, we played together on the playground. He brings me such pure joy. I cannot even explain it.
I never thought I would have a boy. Having only had sisters, and then having two girls, I was happy and comfortable in my world of pink and lace. So little did I know what God had for me. This little guy has been such a special addition to our family. He loves balls and planes, trucks and blocks. He does everything at mach 3. His spunk is contagious. Thank you God for our little Sean Aaron!

What Felicity and Caitlyn Have Been Up To!

It has been sometime since I have blogged. So here is a glimpse into what we've been doing. This winter has been a long one. Our girls have kept busy in the horsemanship program they are in here in Denver. It is called Westernaires. It was a true blessing to find this great opportunity for them so close to home.

They get to ride twice a month. They are learning horsemanship and safety, as well as team work. The best for us at this time is, they do not have to own a horse to be in the program. They have so enjoyed the opportunities that it has brought.

I am very thankful for the blessing of them both living out their dreams of learning to ride and care for horses.

Here are some pics of them doing what they love!

Felicity trying to stay in the saddle.
Caitlyn riding no hands, as she is learning to practice her balance.
I want so much to give my kids what they need to live their dreams. Horses have been in their dreams since they were very small. I am so happy to see their dreams come true every other Saturday.

Our Christmas Adventure 2010

This year was our very first Christmas away from home. We greatly missed all of the friends and family who we love so much. As well as all of the traditions and fun times that we have grown to love.

However, we did make some good memories here, and got to start some new traditions with new friends. This is the first year that Sean could get in on the tree trimming.
We have started attending a new small group in Evergreen, CO. God has given us some really neat new friends. We are very thankful for that. He knows that we had to leave some of the very best in the world behind. We could never replace a single one of you. But God has sent us the closest thing to it.

Here you are seeing the kiddos playing games Minute to Win It style. We had tons of fun.


Here is most of the new group. It amazes me how you can move to a whole new area, and find a common thread in Christ with people who were complete strangers just a few months ago. The family of God is awesome. I am so blessed to be a part of it.
The girls made gram cracker ginger bread houses at their Home School Christmas party. They are making lots of new friends.




Ahh! It's Christmas Morning. Time for presents and fun!
The mess!!!!
This was my first time to make an entire Christmas dinner all by my self. Here is our very first Christmas Table. It turned out good. Overall we enjoyed being together, even while missing everyone so much. I hope that all of you had a great Christmas as well.

Now we are looking forward to a great new year in 2011! May God bless all of you as well in the upcoming new year.

Before and After

Here are the long awaited pics from all that we have accomplished in our house. I know that you were all just dying to see them.
Anyway, here they are. As you can see the new flooring is in and the walls have been de-wallpapered (Is that a word?) and painted.
Whew! We are so glad to have crossed all of the major hurdles.
There is still stuff to be done, but they are all much smaller jobs.

Here are the Living room and hall way being prepped for painting.
This is the bedroom with the wall paper coming down.
After this experience I have decided that I loathe wall paper.

This is a view from the back door looking in with the new flooring and paint.

Here is the master bed room after it's makeover.

The living room repainted complete with a new pellet stove.

This is a view through the kitchen of the new flooring. I must add here that the lovely green paint job was completed by my wonderful friends who I miss very very much. You girls rock!
Now is the dilemma of the orange counter tops. I mean really people Orange???

I want to say a special thank you to each and every person who has helped us with this enormous project. We seriously could not have done it without you!!

Thanksgiving 2010

This year we were not planning on coming back for Thanksgiving. However because we needed to finish up some work on the house, we made an impromptu visit home. It was wonderful to get to see everyone again.


A small gathering of Thanksgiving survivors on the side of the road!


Me and my two wonderful Aunties, Jan and Debbie!

Nani and her girls

My lovely sister Axie and myself.

This is my adorable niece Haliey

Me, my baby sister Axie and my step-mom Jacque

My Dad Jack and I at my Aunts house.

Back from the Dead

It has been five weeks since my last post. This was not because I has nothing to say. I switched my internet and could no longer access blogger. So now I have switched back and all is right in the world again.

A lot has happened in five weeks. I have been continuing to learn to put my trust in God. In a manner of ways you could say that things are just not working out for us right now. At least from our perspective. Several options we thought we had have fallen through.

However I know that the Word of God says that "All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose." This is my verse right now. I know God is working things together for my own good from His perspective not mine.

As I have been meditating this verse, I have been asking myself, do I show my love for God daily. How am I actively doing that? I know that I am called according to His purpose, but am I embracing it, fulfilling it?

I know I want to be. I believe God is showing me how to and giving me opportunities to grow in Him.

Right now life is a little uncertain and a little uncomfortable. But I know that God has it all in His hands, and things are going to work out according to His plan and purpose!

Work Work Work!

As most of you may already know, we have working on our fixer upper house that we bought almost four years ago ever since we got it. We knew when we got it that it would be a lot of work, but really we had no idea how much until we dug into it.

When we made our move to Denver this past spring it really posed a problem that it was so far from finished. As that made it impossible for us to get it on the market or even rent it out in its current state.

This past week we made a trip back home and worked our legs off trying to get it ready to rent out over the winter. We got a ton accomplished, however it is going to take one more trip to get it where we need to. I will post some pictures when we have a finished product.

I find that God very much uses the physical situations in our lives to teach us valuable spiritual lessons. This house has been an ongoing project for us and very trying at times.

When we first looked at the house it was far from what I wanted, but I saw the potential of what it could be. I know when God looks at me He does not see me for all my faults, but for who He created me to be. This is an ongoing lesson that I am learning.

When we first began construction I really thought that we would get it accomplished soon and everything would be how I wanted it on my timetable. Again, not even close!

As we dug into each project more and more problems appeared. I mean major, expensive, not easy to fix problems. In the same way I know that God is constantly working on me. I am consistently becoming the girl he has called me to be, this is no quick easy job either.

As much as would love to be instant super Christian, wife, mom, fill in the blank here. This is not reality. It takes time to create a masterpiece, a real work of art. And as we walk through life, things surface that we have to deal with. Some of them are ugly, and painful. Just like all of the surprise problems we found in our home, we each have "stuff" to work out in ourselves.

I am finding that working through this stuff is not very fun, but it totally necessary if I am to become who God created me to be, and to accomplish what He has for me to do.

I am on a journey to discover all that He is and all that I can be in Him. I know that it will not be quick or easy. I only know that it will be worth it!