I was looking through some pictures of Shelby and came across these. They were taken about two months ago. I had completely forgotten about them and I thought they were super cute. I remember how excited she was to stand in Daddy's boots, and at the same time a little unsure. She wouldn't let go of them! It made me think about how well I'd fill my Daddy's boots. Not my earthly father, but my Heavenly father. How well would I fill his boots? I'm sad to say that my Father's boots would dwarf my feet. His boots are so big! But, the greatest part is that His grace covers me. It doesn't matter that I could never fill his boots...or even start to put them on. The thing that matters is that I continue to try!

The Shack

I have never prided myself in the fact that I'm not much of a reader, and yet I have never done much to make reading more of a priority. I've read a few good books in my 31 years: The Count of Monte Cristo, The Secret Garden, a Calvin & Hobbs comic book. :) Then there was a beautiful trilogy by Richard Paul Evans: Timepiece, The Christmas Box, and The Letter - great, quick-read books. I've read a few Max Lucado books as well. All-in-all, I could probably count the number of REAL books (Calvin & Hobbs not included) on both hands...maybe even one and a half hands.

My dad and I were on the phone a few months ago and he mentioned The Shack. I had never heard of it, but several people at my parents' church were reading it. He told me that Justin and I should read it. But he warned me, "if you start it, you have to finish it." A couple of days later I was talking to my mom about it and she warned me that it may not be the right book for me. When she explained why, I decided I definitely did NOT want to read it. Eventually I changed my mind.

A few weeks ago I decided to give it a try. I read the first couple of chapters, closed it and put it away. I was so distraught by the whole thing. Ever since Shelby came into our lives I have not been able to handle so many things that used to never upset me, at least not how they upset me now. I had only read about two chapters and I was bawling. I was crying to Justin out of anger and personal pain. So, instead of me finishing the book, Justin decided to read it himself. I love my husband. He is so amazing and beautiful. He read the book and not only enjoyed it but cried his way through it too. When he was done he told me that I really should finish it.

So, I have finished it. And I can't believe that my heart is intact. I cried through the first half from the pain and heartache that any parent will feel if he/she reads this book. I cried through the second half from the experience the main character goes through to heal from his loss. This book, while somewhat controversial, is absolutely beautiful. For anyone experiencing doubt, a sense of loss, a sense of confusion. If you ask questions that you can't find an answer to, if you feel that you don't understand how God works, or why He works the way He does (or the way you think He does), this book may be a good stepping stone. It is of course fiction, but some of the suggested answers that the author offers are not only eye-opening but refreshing.

I'd love to hear anyone's comments if you have read the book. Has it changed the way you see God? Do you feel you better understand Him?

If you haven't read the book I recommend that you read it. But remember, if you start it - you have to finish it!

Baby Dedication Day

Today at church we had baby dedication day. I was so excited!! I put Shelby in a dress that my great-grandmother made for me (I wore it when I was Shelby's age!!). So, Shelby's great-great-grandmother made it. She looked so precious in it.

We made quite the show during church. First off, she was talking with another little boy from across the aisle. She did NOT want to sit still, so she was walking up and down the aisle. Thankfully it was during the songs, so nobody really heard her. When they called us up front we all sat on the front pews, well, except Shelby. For some reason she felt that the rules didn't apply to her today. So, Justin and I took turns getting her off the stage as she would climb the steps to stand next to our preacher. I think for our benefit the preacher told us not to shush our babies during church. He said, "When was the last time you had a family gathering and everyone was quiet?" When they called us all up onto the stage, Shelby would do all she could to get out of our arms and roam the stage, talking to everyone. When it was FINALLY over (thanks to a stressed out mom) I took Shelby to the nursery. On the way out of the auditorium everyone was smiling and laughing at us. I had people tell me how funny she was and that they didn't even bow their heads during the prayer because they were watching her! The main downside is that the preacher charged us with - well, something. Justin and I were so distracted! The preacher read something and all of the parents were to day, "We do". I have no idea what he read, but when the time came to say "we do" all I was thinking in my head was, "sure, we do - we doooo".

Hopefully some of the pics capture a small glimpse of the day!

Dropping Shelby off for Sunday School - prior to the madness!!


Squirming from Daddy. Look at the other sweet little girls, so nicely letting their parents hold them.

Squirming from Daddy, still.

And now squirming from Mommy - no one is immune.
A miraculous family picture!

Pig Tails!

We've just started putting Shelby's hair up in pig tails! She is such a big girl. She will sit on the floor while Mommy or Daddy does her hair. I think she knows we're fixing her up! She always wants to look her best!!!




Sitting with Daddy, sucking my thumb...life doesn't get better than this!

Feeding Herself

We've been working on getting Shelby to use her spoon to feed herself. So far she's done fairly well. Here are some pictures from her first attempt with yogurt...fun!!



Forget the spoon, this is much easier!



How does this thing work again?



Yummy!

Happy Anniversary!!

Today is my and Justin's FIVE YEAR anniversary! I can't believe it's already been five years. The time has flown by so quickly! We have done some wonderful things so far: moved to Colorado, bought a house, had a baby, climbed a few mountains (literally and figuratively), gone ice climbing (okay, so only Justin has done that one), and attempted tent camping on several occasions with minimal success. The main thing we haven't done that we both look forward to is traveling!

To my loving husband Justin, I cannot put into words how amazing you are - as both a husband and father. You are such a blessing to me and Shelby. Thank you for always being honest and true. Thank you for never conforming to others, but always being who you are. Thank you for your desire to serve the Lord. Thank you for loving and protecting me. Thank you for showering your love, excitement, and joy on Shelby. You are so smitten with her, and she knows and feels it. Your relationship is priceless. I am so thankful for all that you do for me. You truly take care of me!! These past five years have been so wonderful, and I know God has blessings for us in the future!!! I love you with all of my heart!!

Stubbornness Must Run in the Family

As I'm typing this, Shelby and I are having our first "battle". I think she must be a fruitarian or something. Anytime it's time to eat, all she wants is fruit!!! At this very moment she is sitting in her booster seat, waiting for her fruit. Instead, she has meat sticks with ketchup!! Normally, a much-desired snack. Instead of eating them with much delight, she is alternating from either sucking her thumb and looking at me with her sweet eyes, or crying the most pathetic cry. I hate having to lay down the law!!! I'm so weak when it comes to sticking to my guns, at least with my sweet baby girl! I just hate that 80% of her diet is fruit!!!!!! Am I doing the right thing? I know that babies have phases of liking certain things. Any adivce??

Showers of Fun

Baby showers are always so much fun, and especially when they act as a reunion of sorts. Earlier this month I was in Texas for a long weekend, and it just so happened to be the weekend of my best friend's shower!!! The greatest part was being there with "the gang"!!! I have never been able to be at my friends' baby showers, so this was very special for me.


Here's a picture of all of us (Holly, Lori, Christine, me):



Here's me and Christine:



And here is Christine!! She looks so adorable with her little belly!!! She's due in three weeks!!!!!!

Shelby loves her stuffed animals! This first video is every stuffed animal lover's dream come true! Unfortunately she continues to say Daddy ever-so-perfectly, and refuses to even attempt to say Mama (sniff, sniff). At first we used to have her do what she does in this video to laugh about it, but now it's a little sad for me. Obviously she won't call me Daddy forever, but I can't wait for the day when she looks at me and calls me Mama.

Bowheads Unite!

Since Shelby was born I have always loved donning her with a bow. Unfortunately, lately she has learned to pull them out, especially when she gets tired and sucks her thumb. But, when Shelby was first born, my mom sent us some bows that were perfect for her, and that actually stayed in her hair.

Here are a couple of pictures of Shelby with the original bows.

Here she is getting a kiss from "aunt" Christine!



We did try the bows that wrap around your head, but they looked silly on Shelby. I think she had too much hair. She even looks ticked off about it in the bottom picture! Don't worry, we didn't let her out of the house with these on!!! :)



Now we've moved on to a new era! My friend Whitney inspired me to make my own bows!!! I had so much fun too!!! I made ten bows last weekend...TEN! Here's a preview. I'm sure as I practice they'll get fancier...fun!! (The other little girl in the picture is Shelby's pal Alana. We were babysitting for some friends...just in case anyone wondered if we adopted without telling anyone!!)

Forever Friends

Okay, so the title is a little cheesy, but it's so true. I grew up with these girls, and their friendship is nothing I could ever put into words. We have been through some amazing things, from innocent tea parties, lemonade stands, roller skating, and Barbies to difficult challenges, including family struggles, eating disorders, divorce and miscarriages. And through it all we have been by each others' side. Whether it's advice, a shoulder to cry on, a laughing partner, or a sarcastic remark, we know just what the other needs. I have made friends as I've gone through life, from kindergarten to high school, to college, to a new city, and while all of my friendships are something I cherish, the friendship I have with these girls is unique...one-of-a-kind...and completely irreplaceable.

We were able to spend some time together this past weekend in Texas, and here are some pictures of us with our kiddos! It was total chaos, and such a blast. Be sure and check out the video on the bottom!!! Say marshmallow!!!!!!!!!!


Holly and Brooke (also mom to Will):


Lori and Cole:


Whitney and Aydia (also mom to Elijah):


Christine with Shelby (Christine is due with her first baby on Sept 14th! Can you even tell she's pregnant?!)

Me with Aydia:


Shelby, Aydia and Elijah:


Cole stealing a kiss from Brooke!!

And so proud of himself!! Too cute!!

The whole gang, from oldest to youngest: Will, Elijah, Cole, Shelby, Aydia, and Brooke!!

Shelby and Aydia:

More Family Reunion Pics

Here are some more pictures from this weekend's family reunion!!

Bath time with your cousin...priceless!

Shelby with Daddy and cousin Brendan at the water park! Fun!!

Shelby with Mama at the water park!

Who knew T-shirt dresses were still in style?!

Family Reunion - Fun Times!

We had a family reunion in Texas this past weekend. It was HOT! Coming from Colorado, Justin and I were a little in shock to step into 100 degree weather with 100% humidity. And it seemed that everywhere we went the air conditioning was on the fritz. The first night we were there, all 30+ of us were at my grandmother's house and the air conditioning was keeping the house at a balmy 81 degrees...torture! But, the company made it well worth it! We had all kinds of fun from cookouts and bowling to a water park all to ourselves! It was so great to get the family together! Enjoy the pictures!!

Shelby!!!!


Me with Brian (my brother) and our girls!


All of the great-grandkids with Nanny!!

Nanny feeding the newest edition to the family, sweet Alyssa!

Me and Brendan (my nephew) who is holding Alyssa!

Corinne (my niece) being silly!

5K "Fun" Run!

So a friend of mine from church convinced me to do a 5K with her. Not a big deal, right? Well, I don't mind getting out and going for a jog...about once a quarter! But, I decided to give it a try. When Justin and I pulled up to the parking area I should have told him to drive on. Little did I know that this girls-only race was put on by the Pikes Peak Road Runners club. WHAT?! About 90% of the fun-runners were RUNNERS! They were sprinting to warm up, doing high-knees, jogging on the course, etc. I was so intimidated! But, I lined up on the starting line with all of the others and made my way to the finish line. The first place winner finished in just over 18 minutes. How long did it take me? A whopping 32:51! My only goal was to jog the whole thing, which I did, so I was happy. Here are some pics!