My Little Goldilocks

First year of preschool.  Be still my mama heart.

Typical Conversation with my Daughter

This is a glimpse into our world of Squirt.  In all her vivaciousness and expressiveness.  

Snow Mountain Ranch

It's not often we get into the mountains, as sad and pathetic as that may sound.  It's easy to forget that we live 30 minutes from take your breath away beauty, so we planned a long weekend months ago to force ourselves to get up there and breathe it all in.  That we did.  We stayed in a charming 2 bedroom cabin at Snow Mountain Ranch, which is outside Winter Park.  The YMCA owns two ranches in Colorado and each one is a haven for families looking for affordable outdoor and indoor fun and recreation.  Anything you can imagine as far as activities can be found, mostly free of charge, when you stay on site.  We had a blast, Enzo included.  On our second day Dude did a full day, one on one, ski lesson and was a champ on the mountain.  He made awesome skiing strides.  Squirt?  Not so much.  Lots of whining until we caved and went to Starbucks.

 Enzo's version of dog heaven.  He has never been more full of joy.

 Ooops.  There's plenty of opportunity to fall through the snow and find yourself waist deep.  Mom had quite a few unappreciated laughs.

 Our first time roller skating.  I would give it a 3 on overall success.  It was much easier riding the tricycle and running around in our socks.   

 Dude and his fabulous ski instructor, Cassie, had an awesome day together.  They were a perfect fit.  

 Indoor pool?  Yes please.  

 "Do you wanna lick a snowman?"  

 Or hug a snowman?

  Sweetest dog on the planet.  Enzo Benzo.  

We're taking Nana and Papa back for a week this summer and we're counting down the days!

8 Years Ago

8 years ago today....I didn't even know about you.  I didn't feel you kicking and hiccuping inside.  I didn't sing or hum to you throughout my days.  You didn't cause me to crave pickles or ice cream or bacon.  I didn't have dance parties with you in my belly.  I didn't anticipate labor pains and cutting your umbilical chord.  I DID think about you and pray fervent prayers for you, knowing you were out there somewhere.  I DID close my eyes and long for the ability to sing or hum to you.  I did believe, with all my yearning heart, that I would feel you kick and hiccup in my arms.  I DID trust that God would bring us together and form a bond like nothing I could have dreamed up.

Today, I know you.  All of you.  I understand you more intricately than I can put into words.  I see your baby blues, I hear you sing to me the songs I sang to you as a bald, blue eyed monkey.  I know your hiccup and the flavor of ice cream you prefer.  I've studied you and grown with you and dedicated my life to allowing you the chance to be known for who you were created to be.  God matched us  - wove us - into a relationship we both desperately needed.  I needed you Dude.  For so many reasons that have been made known to me and other reasons I'm not even yet aware of.

Happy 8th birthday to my magical, creative, imaginative, sweet natured, hilarious, Jesus loving, literal, inventive, musical, social, kind, well-intentioned, brilliant, quirky, goofy, observant, curious, clumsy, ravenous, squeaky, cautious, distracted, vegetable eating, animal loving and animal fearing, one of a kind son.  I adore you Dude, when you smile your cockeyed toothy smile and when you drive me out of my sane mind.  I'm so very glad you're mine.

This shot, taken by Amy DeYoung, is my very favorite.  It's an amazing representation of my relationship with my Dude.  Helping him run through the weeds, holding him and pushing him along to avoid the scratchy grass.  My focus is on helping him learn how to run through the textures life puts in front of him.  This is framed in my office.  Thank you Amy.  

  

Missing Nana

Nana was in town for her Spring Break last week and I took a measly three pictures, only one of which her back end is in.  Shameful.  We had such a lovely time playing, relaxing, hiking, shopping, eating, cooking, talking, playing Settlers...we're missing us some Nana this week.  Move here soon Nana and Papa.  Very very soon.

 Who's the little gladiator?  

On a completely unrelated note, look at the ridiculous amount of cuteness below.  I was blessed to spend a couple days with my main man, Hayes, while his Grandma-ma was out of town.  Quite possibly the happiest baby on the planet.