Storm's Coming

Takin' it to the Top

We have never been as a family to the top of Pikes Peak (you can drive to the top) and we couldn't dare move away from Colorado Springs without going. So, today was the day. The summit of Pikes Peak is one of the few places in Colorado during the summer where Coloradoans actually feel like the minority. We of course saw a few Texas license plates, which left us with mixed feelings, but at least we can enjoy being locals for three more weeks. Perhaps the most memorable part of the trip was when we got to the bottom and Shelby barfed all over herself...in the car!

Past Guilty Pleasure

Okay, so I used to LOVE Will and Grace. Yes, I'm guilty. Here's a clip from one of my favorite episodes. Enjoy!!! It's worth all two and a half minutes!!!

Hot in Colorado?!

Yes, it gets hot in Colorado!!! The town just south of us reached over 100 degrees a couple of days ago! Shelby likes to seek comfort by playing in the water. Any water she sees, whether it's a river or water running in the street, she wants to touch. "I want to touch it," she'll say. It's too cute. Today, our next-door-neighbors had their water sprinklers on. Here's Shelby taking her opportunity!

Lion mane!!!

I am scared to cut her hair - those curls are natural and I'm afraid they won't grow back!!

Happy Fourth of July!!

We spent July 4th in Lake City, Colorado - one of my family's favorite places. My parents were there, so Shelby was able to spend some time with her MeMa and PaPa!

Here we are waiting for the parade to start:

Here's Shelby with MeMa and Papa:

And here's Shelby in our favorite coffee shop, the Mocha Moose:

Happy Fourth of July!!!!

Anyone Still There?

Okay, so it's been a while...quite a while...since I last posted. I'm actually wondering if anyone is still checking our blog for updates!! Maybe I've been saving all of my updates for one mega-post - something to really get some talk going!

Okay, so here's update number one: Justin got a new job. He will start in August with the new school year. It's at a public high school, an international baccaleareate school! He's super excited about it, as we all are. He'll be teaching English, but his goal is to get into administration. He finished his grad work and got his principal license this May. I''m so proud of him!!!

Update number two: Justin's job is in Round Rock, Texas! It's just north of Austin. So, we are moving to Round Rock in less than a month!!!!!! It's very exciting, other than the humidity and the stress of selling our house. Please keep us in your prayers.

Update number three: We are pregnant!!!!!!!!!! I'm 22 weeks already!!! Shelby is very happy about mommy having a baby. She keeps saying she wants a baby brother, so hopefully she won't be too disappointed because we are actually having another girl! Yay - drama queen central!!! I can't wait to meet her! I'm due Nov 11 but will have a c-section a week or so early - hopefully Nov 4 because that's my dad's birthday!

Update number four: My last day of work is August 1!! I get to retire when we move to Texas!!! I'm super excited about staying at home with my girls!! I'm trying to remind myself that it will take some adjusting and that it's not going to be all roses everyday. If you have any advice I'm all ears!!

So, we have a lot going on - new job, new home, new baby. Please pray that things go smoothly for us!! One life changing event is hard enough, much less three!!

Winter Returns to Pikes Peak

The Pikes Peak region was socked in for days over Memorial Weekend. When the storms finally cleared, Pikes Peak was blanketed in fresh snow and I couldn't resist going up there to take a gander at the conditions. This is what I found:

Sunset Thunderstorm

I captured this image about 30 minutes ago from our balcony. What an amazing and unusual sight it was.

I was tagged by my friend Julia...this is a new one for me!

Here are the rules for "eight things": Mention the person that tagged you. Complete the list of eight things. Tag eight of your wonderful blogger friends.

Eight things I look forward to:
1. Heaven!
2. Retirement
3. Seeing Justin at the end of the day
4. Shelby's sweet face every morning
5. Visits from family and friends
6. Christmas
7. Vacations!!!
8. Seeing Justin tonight

Eight things I did yesterday:
1. Talked with my parents on the phone
2. Watched Finding Nemo with Shelby
3. Pushed Shelby in her swing...her own personal heaven
4. Took a nap
5. Emailed my cousins - thanks Leslie for your patience! :)
6. Talked to Justin on the phone
7. Went grocery shopping (yuck)
8. Got in contact with an old friend!!

Eight things i wish i could do:
1. Stay home with Shelby
2. Travel to Europe
3. Speak another language
4. See my family more often
5. A back handspring!
6. Blink my eyes and have a clean house
7. Better profess my faith to others
8. Ice climb

Eight shows i watch:
1. Extreme Makeover Home Edition
2. The Amazing Race
3. Friends
4. Wheel of Fortune
5. Grey's Anatomy
6. Brothers & Sisters
7. That's about it...
8. we try not to watch too much tv

Now I tag Whitney, Camille, Beth, Holly, Leilanni, Tracey, Melissa, Ashley

Shelby at the Aquarium

We finally took Shelby to the Denver Aquarium yesterday. Besides the 1200 other families with children and strollers and the 5 foot wide paths through the aquarium to walk on, it was a blast! Most importantly, Shelby loved it!

Our Style Guru

Shelby has started enjoying picking out her clothes for the day. Here we are, about to go for a walk today. And, surprisingly, she's not crying because of her ensemble - she was very impatient with Mommy wanting to take her picture!

The pants were a gift from some of Justin's students! They got them from Goodwill! Shelby LOVES them:

Here she is with her coat on...still crying:


And here's the final product! And unfortunately, still crying! :)

Not a Pitty Party

I know we've all been through times when it seems that nothing is going our way. The past four months have been that time for me. At first it seemed that God was blessing us, over and over again. It all started back in October:

Justin and I had been trying to get pregnant for a few months, with no luck. Then an unplanned surgery occurred (for me), which put pregnancy plans on hold. I was so disappointed at first, but then realized that waiting to get pregnant would be better in terms of jobs and the possibility of me staying home (for good!!). So, I praised God for His hand in this and showing me that waiting would be better.

In November Shelby had to have tubes put in her ears. It was a simple procedure, but put a lot of stress and anxiety on both me and Justin. Everything went really well and she did great!!!

Things started going downhill after that: Shelby ended up with a double ear infection and was in the ER on Christmas Day, I had the flu, and now I have pinkeye. But to top it off, Justin and I were blessed with getting pregnant back in December...and then lost the pregnancy about three weeks ago. I was about seven weeks along. Based on the sonogram and my labwork it showed that there really wasn't a baby there in the first place. It only progressed for about two weeks and then everything stopped growing. We never saw the heartbeat, which is a blessing. Thankfully God has allowed me to not feel the loss of a baby, but the loss of the anticipation of having a baby. The saddest part is that I would've been due two days before my birthday...the best birthday present a girl could ask for.

So, surgery for me, surgery for Shelby, flu, double ear infection, misscarriage, and currently pinkeye. All in the past four months. It's been a tough time!! I know that God is here with us, and I know He has big plans for us (Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."). And I have to keep my eyes on His promise. He always answers His promises, by providing us joy, contentment and peace. And I praise Him for that!!

Shelbyisms

I always love reading all of my friends' stories of the funniest and sweetest things their little kiddos say. Shelby is only 21 months, so her thoughts aren't quite yet coming to surface just yet. But, we have had some sweet "conversations" lately:

Driving home from work/school:
Me: "Shelby, what does a dog say?"
Shelby: (no comment...just a sweet smile and a slow shake of her head)
Me: "What does a cat say?"
Shelby: "No play Mommy", as she sticks her thumb in her mouth!!!
Me: laughing hysterically, "do you want some music?"
Shelby: "Yes"

Driving to work/school (this one melted my heart):
Justin: "Shelby, did you dream last night?"
Shelby: "Yes."
Justin: "What did you dream about?"
Shelby: "Mommy."

I am so looking forward to all of the funny moments that lie ahead!!! Keep sharing your conversations with your kids...they make my day!!

Out and About

We took advantage of the beautiful weather today and went on a hike at a local park we used to frequent.

Tagged by Beth

1. Go to your 4th folder where you store your photos.
2. Select the 4th photo (no exceptions).
3. Post the picture with an explanation and link it back to your tagger.
4. Tag 4 people do do the same.

I tag Whitney, Camille, Ashley and Leilanni!!