precious time

As I lay in bed this morning, the first thing I hear is Gabriel's feet pounding down the hall.  He is running and full of excitment, ready for the day.  As I continue to lay there, I hear other sounds.  Sounds of the morning come in through the window.  Sounds of chirping birds and the wind that rustles the leaves and grass outside.  I set my feet down on the cold floor and begin to think of all the things I am thankful for.

I am thankful for Gabriel, my son full of life and energy in the morning.  For Owen, my sweet 4 year old, who is still asleep in the bed next to me.  His sweet face as he sleeps in perfect peace.  For Eli, my adorable 18 month old who stands up in his play pen and shouts "ow, ow" (which mean out).

I am most thankful for my time.  Time to spend with these three wonderful human beings that have been entrusted to me.  I wake to the sounds of my son's feet, not an alarm clock.   I don't have to hurry and get up so I can get ready for work.  I have been given this day to spend with my children.  To watch them grow and learn and to learn from them.  To spend time together and learn to love each other unconditionally.

I would not have choosen this life for myself. I was foced into it 4 years ago because it didn't make financial sense to put two children into daycare.  Not only was I forced to stay home but, I was terrified to be at home all day with little children.  I had my Master's degree for pete's sake.  Why would I choose to stay home with little children?   I never imagined that I would love and embace it as much as I do today.  I would have never imagined that I would become the person that I am today.

God knew.  He knew what I needed and when I needed it.  He knew the person that he wanted me to become and he knew I wouldn't do it on my own.  I am so thankful that he knows what is better for me then I do.  I am so thankful he has given me this time with three little boys, ages 6,4, and 1.  And, I can't wait until tomorrow when I get to do it again.

Gabe's post about our nature walk

We were walking around the lake once and then when we got past the park then we saw a turtle.  Putting his head up out of the water.  But, we didn't try to catch it or anything.

Well, we scared the turtle away but then we saw a duck. And, she was sitting on her eggs.  We didn't see the eggs.  We just knew that she was sitting on eggs.  Do you know how we knew that the mama duck was sitting on eggs?  Because she wasn't eating, sleeping, or doing anything else.  I am very smart.  I told everyone that the mama duck was sitting on her eggs.

And, then.  The daddy duck came over to put stuff in the nest.  He didn't bother the mama because he didn't want to bother the eggs.  I know a lot about nature.  That is because my dad knows a lot about science and he told me all about ducks.

 This is me watching the ducks.  You can see part of my dad but not the whole thing.  He is just thinking about when he needs to get back to the grill.  He was cooking and I am thinking about chasing the ducks.  I don't want to hurt the mama duck because she is sitting on her eggs.  If I get near the geese that have eggs or ducklings that means they will charge and attack us.

This is me.  Well, on the other picture you couldn't see my face and this is my whole face.  It's fun learning about stuff.

My 1st Grader

I am beyond proud of Gabriel.  He is an amazing little boy who has amazed me this year in school.  He has exceeded my expectations of him in every area and is now a 1st grader.  I just can't express how proud I am to be his mother.

Here he is hard at work with Mrs. Payne

Gabriel in his classroom

Part of his success is due to his teacher  Mrs. Payne.  It has been a such a blessing to have her as part of our lives this past year.  We will miss seeing her everyday!

Gabe and Mrs. Payne

Graduation day.   Kindegarden graduation that is.   Grandma, Owen, Eli, and I arrive at Gabe's school bright and early on Thursday morning to watch Gabriel's program and see him graduate.  The kids prepared a cute little program for the parents and Gabriel did a great job entertaining all the parents.

Getting ready to sing!

After the program we headed back to Mrs. Payne's room for the Graduation ceremony and to watch a slide presentation of the kids over the last year.  I hate to admit it but, I cried during the presentation.  Watching Gabe doing so well in school and make so many friends made me all emotional.  After I wiped away my tears and pretended like I wasn't crying Gabe accepted his Kindergarten certificate and turned into a 1st grader.

Gabe and Owen playing and enjoying cookies and lemonade

Me and the boys....celebrating!

A place called home

Picture taken on Soldier Creek

Sheridan, Wyoming.  The one place on this earth that I will always call home.   A wild and rugged place that is part of my heart and soul.   Nothing can compare to my view of the Big Horn Mountains from my back porch.  I just know that only God can create a place so beautiful and fill it with all the family and friends that I love. 

Last week, I returned home to move all our worldly possessions to Colorado.  It was bittersweet having to load up the moving truck and leave behind our home.  Sad but also exciting and full of hope.  I will be so glad to having my things and to move into a house that Bryan and I can call our home.  I love Thornton and the life we have made here.

Here are some pictures taken at Grandma and Pop's house.  Aren't my nieces beautiful?

Grandma and YaYa

Pretty Girl!

Adaline aka Little Tongue

Sweet Eli

Those two babies love to play ball!

Eli and Pop.  Don't they look alike?

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4 boys and a walk

On Tuesday's Owen has a play date with his friends Nate and Jake.  Last Tuesday we walked to the lake and had lots of fun!

Watching the baby geese

 

Baby Geese on the lake

Eli and his sucker

Brothers on the slide

Poor Bridger

Fishing at Mark's Pond

We spent Saturday fishing at Mark's pond in Fort Mogan.  My dad's friend (Mark) owns some land with a wonderful trout pond.  My boys were in heaven.  We stayed all afternoon and brought home some really big fish.

Eli's favorite thing to do is throw rocks in the water.

Bridger's favorite thing to do was chase the rocks

Playing with the fish in a big white bucket was another favorite activity

Reel, Owen, Reel!

Good fish!

We fished and fished and the only thing to chase us away was the setting sun.

A true gift

A gift.  Something my heart has desired for a long time.  Something I never would have never bought for myself.  I always said it was too expensive, we don't really need it, and we have one that works just fine.  This is a true gift that makes my heart beat a little faster because I'm so excited and blessed to receive something so nice.

On Mother's day, my husband handed me a brand new camera.  Not a little point and shoot camera.  A real camera that I will have to learn to use.  One that will help me capture all the precious moments of our life.  I have always dreamed of having a camera like this and now it is a reality and I'm so excited.  I also know I have a lot of learning to do and I'm excited for that as well.

Bryan also loved playing with my new camera.  He took these pictures that I want to share.  Pictures of some things that I love.   A black lab that has stolen my heart.  A beautiful lake that is right outside my window.  And, those beautiful Colorado Rockies that take my breath away.  Enjoy!