It's A Benderful Life

Sleeping Beauties

2012-02-03T14:45:00.001-08:00

We skipped naps today, so this is what happened when I convinced the kids to lay down with me in bed for a few minutes late in the afternoon just to "rest our eyes." They are still out cold and it's dinner time!

Messy Lessons

2012-02-01T11:03:00.001-08:00

Making waves with shaving cream in Sunday school.

"Jesus stood up and commanded the wind and the waves to stop." Mark 4:39

School Duel

2012-01-31T21:08:00.000-08:00

Nola will start Kindergarten this fall. We've known for years this day would come. Registration began this month and we are faced with some decisions. We are incredibly blessed to live in a city where there are SO many amazing schools, districts, choices and charter schools. They are all win - win scenarios, but I'm an information junkie with researching options and finding out for myself what the best fit is for our kids, our family, our values. SO, we've narrowed our choices down to two options.

Choice #1 - Howbert Elementary

The amazing neighborhood school around the corner from where we live, is called Howbert Elementary. It's a traditional neighborhood school with committed families that are raising their kids with the same values as we have. This school would definitely feel like growing up in a small town, where your friends are your neighbors and classmates. We love this concept.

We also love so many things about Pleasant Valley, our neighborhood. We call it Pleasantville :). Right next to Garden of the Gods and Rock Ledge Ranch, walking distance to the pool and the school, it's a little pocketed neighborhood full of so many young families. This is literally the view from the street we live on.

What we don't love are the older, smaller homes the neighborhood is comprised of. Our dilemma? As we outgrow our house, do we move to another older, smaller home in our neighborhood and completely remodel it? Or do we move out of the neighborhood? We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

Choice #2 - Woodman Roberts

We went to a parent night at Woodman Roberts and we got sold on the International Baccalaureate program. After introducing Spanish to the kids, we've been so globally minded with them. It's a big value of ours to have our kids learn with a world vision in mind. This video says it all.

This school is in the neighborhood we think we would like to move to someday. We can choice into this school from our district. It's only about 10 min. from our house, still on the west side, just up the road in the mountains by Blodgett Peak in a neighborhood called Peregrine. We are still unsure if this is the right move or fit for our family, but Woodman Roberts is our option #2.

Wacky Week

2012-01-31T15:22:00.000-08:00

It's Wacky Week at Preschool in honor of the 100th day of school on Thursday!

The kids don't go every day, so they missed out on some of the days, but we enjoyed Hat Day, Team Sport Day, and the 100th day of preschool was Pajama Day!!

Rockwell wore his OU shirt and Nola wanted to wear her Giants getup, bow included!

When I Grow Up...

2012-01-18T11:03:00.001-08:00

This is a verbatim quote from my 3 year old sweetie one night when we were reading bedtime stories.

Me: "Rockwell, what do you want to be when you grow up?"

Rockwell: "O, I just want to sit and get some work done, push some buttons, and fix some wires. Then I want to paint a fireplace all by myself. Just like daddy."

I walked out of his room and heard this song playing from our living room ... I love that our kids want to be different professions all the time. It's ever changing, and that's great!

Before & After

2012-01-08T14:43:00.001-08:00

BEFORE

AFTER

We still need to put the molding back up and if you close, you'll notice a little can of gold hammered spray paint by our new geometric shaped fireplace screen. We're debating black or gold?

For 6 years, I've wondered what our brick wall fireplace would look like white. Last Spring we changed our front room decor to a lighter brighter mix. Over the Christmas holiday, we finally took the leap and painted it! We found the simple instructions on this blog Young House Love

And went to town. These photos are just taken from my phone, so not the best photos. Next project is painting the outsides of our 55 year old bedroom doors with chalkboard paint! Then board and batten on our dining room wall. These are fun, inexpensive projects that make another winter in our house fun!

We'll see what the Spring holds with moving, etc. We've gotten pretty attached to the West Side, Pleasant Valley, our neighborhood culture and friends, and the school that Nola may attend in the Fall. More on schools later.

A Decade of Marriage

2012-01-05T09:35:00.000-08:00

10 months after meeting, we were walking down the aisle. Now, 10 years of marriage and it still feels like it's only been 10 months. We are excited to celebrate our 10 years with a trip in the Spring.

January 5, 2002 - The best day of our lives!

Thank you Lord for our amazing friendship and marriage. What a gift and a blessing! We know it's rare and we don't take it for granted. Thank you Jesus for this life, our family, our children, our health, YOUR love for us.

We got a little sentimental and wrote some fun messages to each other ...

From me :
Zack Bender, I look up to you because you are tall (dark and handsome), I admire you for your honesty and heart of prayer, I respect you for your amazing work ethic and many competencies, I honor you for the husband and father you are. Love at first sight has turned into 10 years of laughter and fun! I have been blessed!

From Zack:
‎10 years! It's no doubt the best it's ever been and she only makes me a better person, husband, and father. I love my wife, am incredibly blessed by her and know the next 10 will be a blast. Here here to Jenny!!

Small Sacrifice

2012-01-02T12:29:00.000-08:00

This year, we've decided we will give up our maid who cleans every other week and have her come just once a month. We want to give more in 2012, but felt like it would be more meaningful to our hearts if we gave up something we enjoy to do it! It's serious such a small thing, such a small sacrifice, or not even one at all. But we've got to start somewhere right?!

We are so excited to sponsor two Compassion children! Each with birthdays in the same month and year as our kids. We're selecting them tonight when the kids get up from naps. It's going to be a blast teaching our children about our world. Here is a great tool - Quest for Compassion

When our third angel baby turns 3 in heaven, we'll get a Compassion child in her memory too! We share a birthday, Feb 6. Compassion's Sponsor a Child program begins at age 3.

Please check out these links ... Compassion & World Vision

We have also supported World Vision in the past, but felt lead to sponsor a child through Compassion since they have an HQ right here in our city! We have strong connections and friendships with so many Compassion employees.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T13:23:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!!

We rang in the new year as a family hanging out at our friend's house!

Rockwell (age 3), Kinley (age 4), Nola (age 5), Walker (age 6)

2011 Crush

2011-12-31T13:11:00.000-08:00

My 2011 crush was... taxidermy!

My projected 2012 crushes are horizontal stripes and chalk board paint!

Horizontal stripes in our bedroom and chalkboard paint on the outside of our bedroom doors! Stay tuned...

And the Survey Says...

2011-12-28T12:13:00.000-08:00

Interesting article...

Working moms are healthier, happier, study finds

We've been so thankful for the provisions God has provided. Flexibility in my work, a priority of kids first, and a perk of having balance seems to be the right fit for our family.

We'll see what 2012 holds!

Christmas Day

2011-12-27T16:40:00.001-08:00

After a week of travel, we made it home for Christmas Eve. We were trying to beat Santa home and we did!

There is nothing better than seeing our children's faces on Christmas morning, with awe and excitement, they came running into our room, "Mommy, you won't believe it! Santa came and he brought so many presents!" After traveling and Disneyland, we were creative on the big unwrapped "Santa Gifts" and then the smaller wrapped gifts from us. It was a fun morning followed by lunch at the Benders.

Gus gave Rockwell a box full of presents he had prepared weeks ago. One of which was his tooth!

Kids wore their Mickey and Minnie Mouse shirts and ears!

Reflecting on the wonder of Christmas time... Actually, I'm not sure what I was thinking or when this was taken .

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

2011-12-25T10:51:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God. 2 Corinthians 9:10

There are too many favorites to choose. Here is the full album 2011 Family Photos

Disneyland Christmas

2011-12-22T17:25:00.001-08:00

When you wish upon a star...

We were so blessed to have the opportunity to go to Disneyland at Christmas time! It was the kids' first time!

What a magical place. The happiest kids on earth experienced The Happiest Place on Earth at Christmas, the happiest time of the year!

Here is the link to the full album...

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151078111870212.775297.624705211&type=1&l=fa8711ea6a

All I Want for Christmas is my Bottom Tooth!

2011-12-13T21:03:00.000-08:00

Our first born lost her first tooth!

Rockwell has a cool guitar tooth fairy pillow and he was so excited to share it with Sissy! So, we tucked her tooth inside the pillow and went off to bed....

Zack and I have been so tired lately with so much going on, that we FORGOT to fill the pillow with moola! I know, I feel like it's one of the worst mistakes I've made in 5 years of parenting. I told Zack it's like Santa didn't come.

Nola came into our room in the morning saying, "Mommy, Mommy, the tooth fairy didn't come!" I quickly made up a story... You see, since the tooth came out after bath, late at night, she didn't know about it. We were going to have to email the tooth fairy to let her know. So we did, we sent her a message at toothfairy@gmail.com

The next night, Nola got some coins in the pillow and decided to give them all to Rockwell. Aw, how sweet! I love that my children share everything with each other.

Christmas Countdown

2011-12-11T11:02:00.001-08:00

Every Morning, there's a race to see who can take a link off the Christmas Countdown paper chain!

Tooth Fairy Time!

2011-12-08T20:16:00.000-08:00

I think I'm more excited than my kids about this... It's like when your first baby gets her first tooth.

Except it's my first baby loosing her first tooth!

We ate carrots and almonds tonight to get the wiggle on. I thought for sure it would come out tonight. We didn't even know it was wiggly until Nola told the story. "Today at school, when I was doing my writing book, I felt my tooth move... then at circle time, I told Ms. Jenny and she said 'That's really exciting!'"

I told Nola if it can wait until Christmas Eve, then Santa and the Tooth Fairy will visit on the same night. Rockwell told her he'd share his guitar tooth fairy pillow with her since she doesn't have a special pillow.

This big kids stuff is just all too exciting for us!

What It's All About

2011-12-06T20:53:00.000-08:00

City Sidewalks, Busy Sidewalks...

2011-12-05T10:57:00.001-08:00

...Dressed in Holiday Style...

Chicago at Christmas embodies this song better than any other words could describe!

The Macy's window displays were mesmerizing!

We arrived in the big city on Friday afternoon.

The first night we caroled at the Bean in Millennium Park and went up to the 60 something floor of the Aon Center, where my brother works. It's the 3rd tallest building in the city. Ryan has an amazing window office with an incredible view and Nola crawled across his desk and sat in the window sill to see all the city lights! I suppose she's not at all afraid of heights.

After caroling and a visit to Ryan's work, we ate a quick dinner and headed over to the Christkindlemarket, super authentic, super German, super fun!

Everyone there had our last name!

We took lots of cabs and the L was our friend. Rockwell would have LOVED the train. When he turns 5 Zack can bring him for a boys trip to see a Cubs game. His turn will come....

The highlight of our trip was breakfast at the American Girl Cafe. Uncle Ryan was so generous to give this trip to us as a gift for Nola's 5th birthday! She will remember this forever.

Also on the docket was a trip to Lincoln Park Zoo Lights, Chicago Children's Museum to ice skate in socks, seeing Santa, and a dinner on the town.

Ryan and I ate at the Pump Room Saturday night, a Jean-Georges Vongerichten restaurant, while a sweet nanny, Yola came over to watch Nola. It was quite the scene. I compared it to a cross between NYC and Vegas. So over the top for Chicago - Pump Room Review My mouth is still watering from the food.

We had a fabulous trip and amazing memories. We are forever grateful! Thank you Uncle Ryan!

Here is the link to the full album of photos - Chicago with Nola

24 days

2011-11-30T20:10:00.001-08:00

Only 24 days until Christmas! O the wonder of the season.

ThankFULL

2011-11-25T15:53:00.000-08:00

With an emphasis on FULL! What a fun day with the "F's" ...

Food, Family, Faith, Football, and oh yes, Full bellies.

My signature sweet potato dish. A blend of bacon, savory, nutty, and sweet.

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/recipe/roasted-sweet-potatoes-with-cognac-chestnuts.h tml

We played our own Turkey Bowl in the backyard. Nola and I even made touchdowns! We owe it to good quarterbacks.

Nola's touchdown recap... She ran in the wrong direction, so Uncle Thomas picked her up and ran her to the right goal line! The cheering was off the charts! Go Nola!

Rockwell just enjoyed the static of the trampoline!

I Love You Lunch

2011-11-22T15:21:00.001-08:00

Counterpoint hosted an "I Love You Lunch" today in honor of Thanksgiving. I got to sit in Rockwell's classroom and eat with him and Zack sat with Nola in her class.

After we were done eating our Pumpkin Pie dessert, Nola's teacher Ms. Jenny gathered the kids for a Thanksgiving song.

Operation Christmas Child

2011-11-16T21:44:00.001-08:00

Operation Christmas Child - Accomplished! What a great organization

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/

The kids were thrilled to fill their boxes for, "kids that don't get Christmas gifts like they do."

They picked out all the gifts without once asking to have toys for themselves. Rockwell doesn't even have a watch, and one of his choices for his little boy was a Buzz Lightyear watch! So sweet!

Slow Night at the Benders

2011-11-11T19:22:00.001-08:00

Nola had a sleepover with Kinley, so we got to spoil Rockwell with some undivided attention. We told him it was game night! He got to pick the game. What did he pick?

"I want to play the one with chips!" We played poker and blackjack.

Momma got a blackjack on the first hand.

5 Years Ago

2011-11-09T20:57:00.000-08:00

How did this happen? How do we have a five year old?!

Nola is our "Sweet Little, Beautiful, Wonderful, Perfect, All American Girl." We both felt like she was going to be a boy, then we had her, Zack said he wanted another girl for sure! It reminds me of this country song...

Five years ago today, our prayers and waiting were answered, and God grew our little family of two people and turned it into three people. God made us parents. It's the highest calling we could imagine being entrusted with. Here's a quick look back...

First family of three photo

http://bender-baby.blogspot.com/2006/11/made-it.html

First week as Nola Bea ...

http://bender-baby.blogspot.com/2006/11/week-in-life-of-nola-bea.html

Nola these days, well, she's pure joy! She makes parenting so fun and rewarding. Nola Bea is a true girl's girl, however, two of her best friends at preschool are neighbor Logan and then another boy Dyson. She's a friend to all. She loves to giggle, dance, sing, and is so very artistic and studious. Nola has a God given whimsical spirit to the core, she is responsible in making the right choices, and she loves chapter books.

We're reading the Little House in the Prairie series to her at night. Rockwell wanted a chapter book too, so at age 3, we are half way into Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Only because it's the only thing I could find in our home that seemed gender and age appropriate. After we are done with Willy Wonka, we want to start him on Beverly Cleary's The Mouse and the Motorcycle. Rockwell has been requesting a Motorcycle birthday when he turns 4. Not sure what this will look like or if it's a fleeting fad.

Barbie Ballerina Birthday!

2011-11-05T15:00:00.000-07:00

By request... after an entire year of anticipation... we finally got to celebrate a Barbie Ballerina Birthday! Nola Bea has entered the 5's club!

Little did I know Emma had been asking her mom for a Barbie birthday too! So, we had a blast combining the party for the two best friends! Each birthday girl got to invite four friends, for a total of 10 four and five year olds.

Here is a link to most of the photos, the ones that made the cut.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150900388715212.752702.624705211&type=1&l=0041624c48

To our surprise, Rebecca went into labor early, the day before the birthday party and gave birth to their third child, Kellan Alexander. Emma and Reece have a little brother! She was still in the hospital for the birthday party, but Jon, super dad, Major in the Army Special Forces, took on the task with grace and charm ;)!

Another Snow Wednesday

2011-11-02T10:01:00.000-07:00

Each morning, the kids wake up, go down the hall to find each other, and begin playing. They play until breakfast, they play after breakfast, they play outside, they play and play and play!! I love overhearing Nola say, "Now Rockwell you pretend...." Today was another strange snow day, so we all stayed in our jammies well past 10 a.m.

This morning, I heard Nola banging away on the piano and singing about Jesus. I pulled out my phone and captured this video. She had the blinds closed and the piano light on, and a tutu as a halter top, singing about her Jesus!

A Knight and his Lady in Waiting

2011-10-31T12:52:00.001-07:00

Frosty Friend

2011-10-26T15:40:00.000-07:00

Yesterday 70 degrees, today snow! We played all morning in it. Frosty played too. I'm sure it will all melt away by tomorrow.

Here is the big story
Snow blankets Denver area — soon after 80-degree day

Tiny Dancer

2011-10-24T12:16:00.001-07:00

Observation week at dance proved so very entertaining. The Pumpkin Dance was a hit! Nola was front and center and was so precise. She is taking a ballet / tap combo class for 4-6 year olds.

We go to a Christian dance studio and each week the girls recite their verse for the month.

“Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.” Ps. 100:2

It's amazing how focused she can be... unless she begins to daydream (see video). It was precious. She was deep in thought about something!

Theme It!

2011-10-18T20:53:00.000-07:00

Ok, it's no surprise I am obsessed with themes, theme parties, themed kids rooms, and just about everything themed. Seasons are my favorite themes to run with because they are constantly changing and I don't have to drum up the next table scape idea. The season dictates the candle scent or candy in our dish.

The kids preschool has themed weeks and I just came across a fabulous website that I can use to supplement their 2 days a week of preschool. Check this site out. Make sure to click on Thematic Units.

Here are the four themes at school each week of October. Yay, I found activities for each theme...

Pumpkins and Scarecrows

http://www.icanteachmychild.com/leaves-pumpkins/

Fire Safety

http://www.icanteachmychild.com/thematic-units/fire/

Spiders and Creepy Crawlies (this week)

http://www.icanteachmychild.com/bugs-2/

Spooky Fun

http://www.icanteachmychild.com/monsters/

Sunday Best

2011-10-17T13:12:00.001-07:00

When I was growing up, my mom loved to take photos of our family after church in our yard. We were always a bit put out by the whole ordeal. So now I find myself taking these same photos of our kids. That's right, I am my mother's daughter.

I can totally understand wanting to capture your children all dressed up in their Sunday best once in a while, instead of the usual pics of the kids horsing around in play clothes. After all the effort it takes to get out the door in one piece on a Sunday morning, these photos are totally worth it.

Here are the outtakes...

"Too bright"

"I can't see you with the sun"

Psyched to Bike

2011-10-15T10:02:00.000-07:00

We've been going to the track at our neighborhood high school to strap on the helmets and let the kids loose on bikes. It's great containment and activity for the kids while Zack and I run. They ask to go every night now they love it so much. Nola will be the first to tell you that, "Momma is a runner girl and I am a biker girl!"

Someday, hopefully soon, or maybe just in my wildest dreams, I imagine going on a long run with my children biking next to me. For now, speed work at the track will more than do!

If it looks like a bear...

2011-10-10T12:38:00.000-07:00

...walks like a bear, drops like a bear, it's probably a BEAR!

After seven years of living in Colorado, I finally saw a bear! Two to be exact. Not from a distance either. I noticed bear droppings in our backyard all summer, but still had yet to see one. On two separate occasions, in the middle of the night, Zack and I were awaken by our garbage can falling over right outside our bedroom window in the backyard. The bear was scavenging through our trash can, turning it over, smelling sweets and other herbivore treats.

We have yet to get a good photo, since it's the middle of the night, but believe me, one is the biggest bear we have ever seen! It does not surprise me since bears need 20,000 calories a day this time of year. The big bear had two yellow tags on his ears, which means he was marked by the Division of Wildlife as a nuisance to the neighborhood and next time he gets caught, they ship him to Trinidad, CO. I am not really sure why they drive bears all the way to Trinidad, but most of them find their way all the way back to town.

Now I am curious and doing a little research on these creatures ready to hibernate.

First Snow = OU Magic = Chili Day

2011-10-08T17:38:00.000-07:00

Three things that made our day...

1. The first snow! Just enough to feel like football weather, not enough to accumulate on the ground or ruin the fall colors. The sun came out in the early afternoon revealing the Peak covered in all her glory.

2. OU / TX game! We look forward to this big game each year. Today we smoked TX and watched the game at a friend's house, they are also neighbors and fans. Carissa went to OU the same years as Zack.

3. Pumpkin Chipotle Chili! Our friend Amanda, also from Oklahoma, actually grew up in Zack's hometown, is a domestic diva and shared her chili cook-off award winning recipe with us. This was our first time trying it and it did not disappoint.

Here it is, an amazing blend of sweet, spicy, smoky, deliciousness. I double downed on the chipotle peppers and it was hot!

•2 pounds lean ground beef
•1 large onion, diced
•10 cloves garlic, minced
•1 15-oz can black beans
•1 15-oz can pinto beans
•1 46-ounce can tomato juice
•1 28-ounce can stewed tomatoes in juice
•1 cup canned pumpkin puree
•2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
•1 teaspoon ground cumin
•1 tablespoon chili powder
•1 tablespoon minced canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
•1/4 cup brown sugar
•1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
•Cornbread or warm tortillas (optional)

Good Day Sunshine

2011-10-03T13:32:00.000-07:00

Today we sang Good Day Sunshine at the park...

Because you can't beat 78 degrees and sunny in October! Sing it with us!

Happy October

2011-10-01T16:20:00.001-07:00

A delicious day for a drive to see colorful Colorado.

Colorado gold!

Nola and I finished Little Women and started the entire Little House of the Prairie series. I don't know who is more excited, Nola or me. As we entered Cripple Creek, Nola went nuts for the real covered wagon just like in the book!

Indian Summer

2011-09-28T20:25:00.001-07:00

Happy Fall! This is my favorite season of all, Autumn colors and the last treats of summer falling of the vine.

Ok, I take back my frustrations about growing tomatoes in Colorado. They are late bloomers, but worth the wait.

Dare I call this an "Indian Summer?" I don't want to jinx it. We have had such warm days. Fall is simply delightful in Colorado Springs, days are sunny, warm and dry, and fall colors dot the landscape and mountainside. The first snow fall in town is typically in mid to late October. Just in time to freeze in our Halloween costumes right?

"OU, OU, OU"

2011-09-17T20:32:00.000-07:00

There is no mistake why we are ranked #1! We are in Crested Butte, which means if we want to watch the OU game, we have to find a place in town to see it on a big screen.

After shopping at a darling little toy shop, the kids picked out one new tacky toy each and we headed for the brick oven pizza joint to watch the game.

Rockwell chanting "OU, OU, OU" to his new hot dog vendor truck and Nola playing with her new magnet princesses.

Aspens Already?

2011-09-16T20:22:00.001-07:00

Over the river and through the woods, to the aspen grove we go.

We are in Crested Butte for four nights, just chilaxin. The kids call this the "mountain house" and we have been coming here since before their time.

I ran in the opposite direction of the resort where the house is, past the stables, and up into the aspens. I wanted to see yellow leaves, so I ran until I hit gold.

Going up...

Found them!

Found some other colors too.

Snow, summer, rain, and fall, we love this place in every season.

(All photos taken with my phone, cause I'm not about to run with a big ol' camera)

Crested Butte or Bust

2011-09-15T15:30:00.000-07:00

The kids called it the Dr. Seuss mountain!

A rainy and chilly week, but still flowers in town.

Cheese balls.

There is nothing wrong with hiking in a bow.

The kids have taken up hiking. Have we "arrived?"

I can't remember if Nola is singing here or bossing little bro.

My precious children... it's a big world out there, yours to conquer. Climb every mountain!

Tomato Time

2011-09-08T11:53:00.000-07:00

Want to know a secret? Ready? Here it is.

The secret to growing amazing tomatoes in Colorado is ...

don't try!

I've tried two years in a row now and believe me, they are better than grocery store or farmers market tomatoes, but I can't seem to duplicate that home grown Texas and Oklahoma tomato.

This year I grew five varieties, mostly small pear tomatoes and grape. My big boy tomatoes were good, but half of them sported blossom end rot. Last year they split at the tops, so I can't win on the big ones. I think it has to do with calcium and even watering. When gardening gets too scientific, I sorta move on. It's like baking in high altitude for me, not good for my domestic self esteem ;).

Labor Day

2011-09-04T09:25:00.001-07:00

After a fun filled weekend with Uncle Ryan and a night in Downtown Denver with our little family of four, we headed back to town for the Balloon Festival. Our weekend ended with a cookout at Gammyland celebrating Clara and Jessica's birthdays.

We gave Clara feather accessories, o my!

Nola and her boys...

These photos reveal that when Rockwell's hair is unstyled, we've got some uneven bang action.

Nola sneakin a bite.

Beau is Rockwell's hero.

Hiding Henry

Up Up and Away!

2011-09-02T07:46:00.001-07:00

Every Labor Day weekend, the hot air balloons come to town. The kids enjoyed the balloon glow at night where they light up all the balloons.

Saturday Swimming

2011-08-27T07:51:00.001-07:00

We have been taking swim lessons on Saturday mornings. The Wilson Ranch Pool is such a beautiful setting.

Nola graduated today and got to put her hand on the wall. She had to wait until she washed her hand to write her name, but her name is on the wall of swimming lesson fame.

Basically Basil

2011-08-24T14:14:00.000-07:00

Up until now, basically all I have been able to harvest from our garden is basil and zucchini (and mint galore). It's been coming out of my ears...

My potted basil loves the sprinkling of rain in the afternoons. Notice the rain drops on the concrete.

We grow our zucchini big in Colorado. Really, it's just that if I don't get out there to pick it each day, they become giants!

My Saturday morning isn't complete until I read the Off Duty section of the Wall Street Journal. It's the only thing I read in that newspaper. This past Saturday, the front page was all about basil. I found what I am going to do will all my zucchini and basil. We are pesto'd out.

Chilled Zucchini-Basil Soup

An icy, bright green soup that's good as an afternoon pick-me-up or for brunch, supper or a picnic. Serves 4.

Bring 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth to a boil in a large saucepan. Drop in 1½ pounds zucchini, trimmed (but not peeled), seeded and cut into small chunks, 1 spring onion trimmed and sliced and 2 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped. Season with salt and pepper and return to a boil. Lower heat to a simmer, partially cover pan and cook 10-12 minutes more or until zucchini is easily pierced with a knife.

Working in small batches, purée soup in a blender until smooth. Refrigerate until chilled. Just before serving, purée 1 packed cup basil leaves with 1 cup chilled soup. Stir the purée into remaining soup. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then pour into soup bowls or glasses to serve. Garnish with a swirl of heavy cream, if desired.

Here is a sneak peak of a tomato post to come. They just aren't quite ripe yet.

Bike-Friendly Weekend

2011-08-22T12:48:00.001-07:00

Living in one of the fittest cities has it's perks. We live right by Garden of the Gods where the USA Pro Cycling Challenge time trials occurred today!

The pros raced through the Garden, through Old Colorado City, and into downtown.

We got to see all the pros that raced in Tour de France fly through our neighborhood. They practiced all weekend to get accustomed to the altitude. This event brought out thousands of spectators and loads of bikes.

The winner did it in just 8 min. 27 sec.

Concert in the Plaza

2011-08-19T15:15:00.001-07:00

The building Zack works in hosts Friday concert cookout lunches in the plaza all summer. We finally made the last one! We loved the hamburgers and brats and the blues band.

Photos taken from phone.

Weather Week

2011-08-12T09:15:00.001-07:00

We've had a few thunderstorms this summer. Praise God for rain and green Colorado summers.

Last week at preschool, the kids learned about the weather. They still go just Tuesdays and Thursdays but each week is themed and I always get a summary sheet from both kid's classes.

I even learned what a nimbostratus cloud is from Nola! She told me it looks like the dark rain cloud she painted.

Henry the 8th

2011-08-07T09:41:00.001-07:00

Our sweet nephew turned 8 and had a baptism & birthday all rolled into one big family party at our neighborhood pool. Most of these kids live in our neighborhood. It kind of takes me back in time and reminds me of the movie, The Sandlot.

We all got a little teary seeing Thomas baptize Henry as his dad, and his brother in Christ.

The weather held out, the thunderstorm passed, and the kids swam until they froze. It was not a typical August night.

One of my good friends and neighbors.

Matt and Suzy are visiting for a few weeks!

We feel really blessed by the friends and family in our lives right now.

Fun Friday

2011-08-05T14:04:00.000-07:00

We water played the day away!

Photos taken from my phone.

Duck Pond Day

2011-08-03T13:41:00.001-07:00

We had such a fun play date with Denielle and baby Audrey feeding the ducks! The kids loved Audrey like a little sister. We figured out all three kids are exactly 1 1/2 years apart. Little stepping stones.

A head above her brother. But not for long, Rockwell is getting long and lanky now too!

Coloring Queen

2011-07-24T08:39:00.000-07:00

We picked Nola up from Sunday School a few weeks ago and all the teachers kept saying, "Nola is really good at coloring."

It wasn't until I got home and sorted through the papers that I realized they were talking about this...

Wow Nola Bea! I loved her color choices and design for the basket.

Full Circle

2011-07-21T13:35:00.001-07:00

Here it is, our Route 66 drive to Oklahoma and back!

CO - NM - TX - OK - KS - CO. We came full circle.

The kids have been to many states and are great little travelers. We, however, have never been brave enough (until now) to take them on a road trip. The farthest we've ever driven was Crested Butte's 4 hour drive through 3 mountain passes.

Our drive to Oklahoma was actually not bad at all. We had 10 1/2 hours of pure driving fun from Colorado Springs to Shawnee, Oklahoma. The highlight was the huge white cross in Amarillo. It creeped me out and I think it's a weird claim to fame for a little town. It did create about three whole seconds of amusement for the kids. Nola thought it was the actual cross where Jesus died.

The trip home from Tulsa to Colorado Springs was only 10 hours where we were entertained by miles of signs luring us to see the World's Largest Prairie Dog. We passed on the temptation to stop.

Man, I can't believe we missed this!!

Really, how we survived was actually easy. We packed the snacks, movies, games on the iPod, audio books (love storynory.com), sang lots of movement songs, and counted cows in Kansas. It was really fun memory making.

We stayed in Shawnee the first two nights and visited Matt and Suzy and the girls. The kids were so excited to be with their cousins! I decided to trim Rockwell's hair. Poor guy was sitting outside in 110 degree heat with a plastic garbage bag over him. We got half of it cut.

The second two nights, Zack had his lake trip with the guys in Arkansas and I stayed with good friends in Tulsa, Jenn Kimbrel and baby Michael Wayne III. The kids are still talking about Baby Michael, almost daily. I took the kids to the Oklahoma Aquarium that was built right before we moved away. The kids loved the sharks!

The last three nights, Zack worked in Prior and we stayed at the Hard Rock Resort between Tulsa and Prior. We swam our hearts out.

Little Women

2011-07-12T19:44:00.000-07:00

I started a new chapter book with Nola tonight, Little Women. We read chapter one and she had a few questions. "Where is Father, what is war, is he fighting? Is he killing?" Well, actually he is a chaplain in the war, so that was easy to explain. Just like Uncle Thomas and Grandbob, their dad is a pastor.

This is the exact picture in the book sitting on our shelf, copyright 1947. It was given to my mom from her grandma. My mom colored all their lips red with a ball point pen. We are reading a newer version with a few more sketches for Nola to get into.

Nola already has a few favorite characters, Beth and Jo. Beth is shy and likes to play piano. Jo is the tomboy who doesn't want to grow up. We'll see as the story goes on who becomes her real favorite.

Back to Counterpoint

2011-07-11T13:03:00.000-07:00

For the month of June, after Spring Sing, the kids tried out Rock of Ages. I realized that there is NO better preschool in town than Counterpoint!

Nola and Rockwell are so adaptable and will have great memories from their month at Rock of Ages, however, they are so happy to be back at Counterpoint. Welcomed back and open arms, the kids started back after the 4th holiday. I was looking at the school website and found Rockwell's cuddly cubs class in the photos taken last fall.

U.S. Women's Open

2011-07-10T19:52:00.000-07:00

Three years ago, Rockwell was a few weeks old and we took him to his first sporting event...

Three years later, the women came to town. We LOVE living in Colorado Springs close to the beautiful 5 star resort, The Broadmoor!

No cell phone and cameras allowed inside, so we had to take a pic at the entrance.

Kenny Chesney at Red Rocks

2011-07-09T19:11:00.001-07:00

Summer thunder storms and pouring rain won't stop Red Rocks performers, or fans for that matter. These pics were taken before the storm cell moved across the gorgeous Colorado sky.

Tailgating fun.

Here comes the rain!

Double rainbow after the rain!

Americana

2011-07-06T12:30:00.001-07:00

Brisket, burgers, Blue Bell, best friends and family all wrapped up in one favorite holiday. America's birthday!

Hop Skip and a Jump

2011-07-06T12:29:00.000-07:00

A brand new trampoline = years and years of entertainment for the stinkers.

Uncle Ryan and Zack set it up the night before Rockwell's birthday so that it would be a surprise. It was hard keeping him out of the backyard the morning of his party.

Hop

Skip

Jump

Movie night on the trampoline!

Water it down or nap on it. The possibilities are endless.

Blog Backlog

2011-06-28T12:00:00.001-07:00

Once in a blue moon, I allow myself to get lazy.

After 5 years of consistent blogging, I decided to take a little break for the month of June.

I'll post some backlog of our fun summer so far!

On it's way... but maybe not today.

Baby Boy Turns 3!

2011-06-20T19:52:00.001-07:00

Please don't ask me how this happened. Believe me, I ask myself all the time, "how can my baby be 3!" We sure are enjoying every stage.

We had a perfect day, by request, Rockwell had a firetruck birthday. Birthdays are a big deal in our house. The kids talk about what kind of birthday they are going to have for a whole year! Give me a theme and I'll run with it. Oma, Pops, and Uncle Ryan even came to visit. Rockwell and my mom share the same birthday and the next day was Father's Day so we had much to celebrate this week.

The party began with a tour of our neighborhood fire station around the corner.

The firefighters got a call as we were leaving. It was so perfect we thought Zack went around the corner and called 911. Ha!

Waving bye to our local heroes. We love Station #5!

These days, most pics get on Facebook before I can get them on the blog. Here is a link to the full album

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150645169110212.691287.624705211&l=dec4c5ae8c

The big reveal - a new trampoline!

Kids table

Blow out three candles?

Rockwell's Red Hot favors

What is Rockwell like these days? Well, his little face says it all.

Bubba, Wells, RW, Rockie, Rock, Rockwell... there aren't enough names to describe how adorable he is!

He's a little lover. He looked at me last night and out of the blue said, "Momma you're so happy all the time... momma, you're so cute!" Now, I think he's a keeper ;).

He melts our hearts when he runs down the hall to wake us up in the morning shouting, "the sun woke up!" He's a best friend to sissy, best friend to all his friends and classmates. His teacher whispered to me Thursday that we have the best behaved children. Then she told me Rockwell is an angel and such a great friend to everyone. He's a sensitive spirit like his daddy. When he gets a timeout, he cries and says I hurt his feelings.

Talk about bright, he's a special little boy! He's speaking so much Spanish and knows all his letters and sounds. He's spelling up a storm!

We are so lucky to get to be Rockwell's parents. Proud doesn't describe it. Blessed is an understatement. We are grateful people.

Super Dad

2011-06-07T16:34:00.001-07:00

And the Super Dad Award goes to Zack Bennnnnnnnnder. He watched the kids for 2 nights, three long days and gave me a weekend away in San Diego!

We stayed on Coronado Island.

My best friends of about 18+ years flew down from Northern California for a girls weekend away. Rachel is expecting their first, a little girl, and Sarah just had her 3rd baby. We were ready for some fun in the sun. It was the most refreshing and relaxing time ever. We all agreed, since we had so much history together and have traveled extensively together in the past, we were all on the same channel. Since I've never had a sister, these are my sisters. They knew me when I had braces.

On my list of must eats in California... fresh muscles.

Meanwhile on the home front, Zack let the kids play with a deer. Our baby deer born this year got hit by a car on our busy street and the neighbors decided to feed it formula and try to nurse it to health. Yeah, you can insert your own opinion here.

When a doe smells a human on her baby, she abandons the baby. They were left with two options, wildlife services can euthanize the fawn or there is a wildlife rescue in Buena Vista that will take in deer like this. I think the deer went to Buena Vista to heal. We hope so!

Here is a video link. Rockwell said, "He licked my nose"
http://www.facebook.com/mobileprotection#!/video/video.php?v=178592808860552&comments&set=t.624705211&type=1

I Scream for Spring Sing!

2011-06-02T21:03:00.000-07:00

Tonight was Spring Sing at preschool. Yeah, I know, Spring comes a little late in Colorado!
We enjoyed ice cream downtown afterwards. Rockwell is recovering an ear infection. His sweet little mood swung back and forth between being totally out if it and hopped up on sugar in all it's sugar highness. Rockwell's class, the Cuddly Cubs. He is wearing a bumble bee headband, mostly covered by Kate's wings. Precious children!

Nola's class, the Laughing Lions. Her good friends Annabelle and Logan on her sides.

We love Counterpoint School. However, we want a smaller, Christian preschool for the kids next year, so we are VERY excited about Rock of Ages Presbyterian Church preschool, our new adventure!! The kids even sing the "Rock of Ages" song they made up about their new school. I hope it's a good fit. I'm not the biggest fan of change, so I was a sentimental sap at Spring Sing presenting the owner with flowers and a card I could hardly hold it together.

Rockwell saying bye and thank you to his teachers, Miss Natasha and Miss Kayla (aka Michelle Williams).

And here are the little performances! They did three songs each.

Concert Bucket List

2011-05-23T19:48:00.001-07:00

I'm glad the rapture didn't happen, I would not have been able to check U2 off my concert bucket list. On the other hand, going home with Bono is the best rapture I could imagine.

Colorado Sky

More on this close up below.

Zack and Jess, his sis who got the tickets almost 3 years ago. The concert was rescheduled due to Bono's back surgery.

Our U2 crew.

I want to go again and get general admission tickets to be on the ground floor. It was, however, amazing being up higher and seeing the scale of the concert, 85,000 people crowd, and the outrageous set.

Post concert brunch at Mona's in Denver. We stayed the night at a downtown hotel.

A friend was just a few rows from the stage and got some great shots. She has an inside connection with her work with a local philanthropist.

The screen was out of the world! I pulled down into a honeycomb and like the stage, everything was 360.

I love The Edge!

!Oye Marinaro!

2011-05-15T10:25:00.001-07:00

After just one hour session last Monday, the kids get caught on tape by our babysitter singing a spanish echo song at bedtime!

"!Oye Marinero! Navegamose en el mar."

"Hey there sailor! We sail in the sea."

Music Lingua

2011-05-09T12:11:00.000-07:00

Soccer ends Saturday, so for the summer we are going to do swim lessons and Music Lingua. We've waited for a long time for a class to start up. Check it out!

www.musiclingua.com

A Day for Me

2011-05-08T20:54:00.001-07:00

Even though I am not Zack's mom, he sure made me feel special for Mother's Day.

Waking up to two children running down the hall yelling, "Happy Mother's Day!" was also kinda special.

The Broadmoor was beautiful and so was the 80 degree weather!

Touch-A-Truck

2011-05-07T15:24:00.000-07:00

The Junior League of Colorado Springs had a fabulous inaugural Touch-A-Truck event today. We had some "SEE. TOUCH. CLIMB. SIT. HORN-HONKING" fun!

Lights Camera... Let's Act!

2011-05-04T14:10:00.000-07:00

Last week we cheered on Beau, the star of his school play. He was the lead, Merlin! The kids were really excited to get up on stage before and after the program.
We've been doing a little acting of our own. Let's act out our favorite stories!

Nola just HAD to wear her piggy wiggy snout to the play to pose on stage.
Here is Rockwell's favorite book of the week. We made a mask that he wasn't so thrilled about wearing.

A Decade of Birthdays

2011-05-02T14:51:00.000-07:00

The very first birthday we spent together was Zack's 23 birthday 10 years ago in California. Time flies when you're having fun!

Here is a fun pic from 2001 our dating days. We didn't date long.

Happy Easter

2011-04-27T11:49:00.000-07:00

We have new life in Christ!

Romans 6:8-11
Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

These silly kids sure know how to live life to the fullest!

If we look a little tired, it's because we were! Zack got to church at 7 am to run sound and I got there with the kids dressed and ready at 7:45 to sing in both services. The kids sat through the practice like statues, but certainly snapped out of the morning fog for the indoor egg hunt!

!No mas! Not sure if I am referring to photos or eggs. Likely both.

A little droll can't hurt.

Skip nap? Gladly!

Eggstra! Eggstra! Read all about it!

2011-04-25T16:26:00.001-07:00

After making two dozen deviled eggs for Easter, that's 48 halves, the kids now demand hard boiled eggs in their school lunch boxes. I gladly welcome the change. Rockwell was so thrilled about this new treat he said, "Lucky eats eggs in his lunch!"

Rockwell has a Lucky (Luciano), Fin, and Boston in his class. Nola has friends named Hazel, Pearl, and Zoya. Let's hear it for unique names and kids that eat edamame! Goodbye PB&J and classes filled with four Jennifers.

I'm thrilled about our shift to hard boiled eggs because I've always admired healthy little box lunches like these Planet Boxes http://www.planetbox.com/ or the ever so cleaver Yobo bagless boxes http://www.getyubo.com/pages/Features.html Seriously, the amount of ziplock bags I have used over the past 4 years is sickening. I feel good about our lunch shift.

Singing into the Night

2011-04-13T14:33:00.000-07:00

We are going through a little phase. Rockwell has been taking a while to wind down at bedtime. Last night, we caught him on camera. He didn't know we were in the room. Here is another version I just noticed when searching to find a children's choir sing the song to show Nola. You Tube is a funny thing.

Windy City

2011-04-09T19:39:00.000-07:00

Now I've NEVER felt wind like we had today. Not on the Coast, not in the Great Plains, and not even in the Windy City. From the sidelines, Rockwell was blown clear out of his chair into the soccer field. I have a feeling this spring and summer are going to be as bone dry as our winter has been.

Our girls, the Bears, won again! 2 for 2 now. But who's counting when we don't really keep score at this age. Running through the cheer tunnel. Princess takes her time and soaks it all in.

Beau came to cheer on his little cousin.

Did I mention the wind?

Determination.

PRIDE

2011-04-01T10:28:00.000-07:00

Nola started Pride Soccer Club this week. She can't stop saying, "I'm so excited for soccer, just five girls right?!" We had our first practice last night. She did great! She is super mature for the 4 year old team, but certainly not the most aggressive player. She's a dainty little runner, so conscientious and precise on her dribbles and goal practice. Brother looks on. "I'm big enough!" First game in windy warm weather. It's April in Colorado. Grass is not green quite yet and the trees do not have their leaves. The only green grass in town seems to be in our own yard. I think the grass gods were looking out for us this year. Our neighbors joked that all Zack has to do to make it green is breath on it. Quite the contrary. We watered early, aerated, fertilized, use weed killer and I think the first mow is set for tomorrow. I say "we" but I really mean Zack. He's my lawn guy.

Super Heros

2011-03-27T13:08:00.001-07:00

Our friend Sawyer turned 2 Saturday. We celebrated with a Boom Boom Pow!

Bonkers for birthdays!

Rockwell fell asleep on the way to the party.

Nola says, "I've got nothing in my locket"

Nola and Claire are about as similar as her mom Amanda and I are! Can we just say we're all sisters separated at birth?

To infinity and beyond!

Red Plate

2011-03-25T11:55:00.001-07:00

Once in a blue moon, one of our stinkers does something really special.

Special like...

Turns a year older

Turns a half year older

Starts a new activity

Learns a new memory verse

Gets caught being good

Last night, Rockwell ate his grilled chicken, asparagus, and parmesan pasta on the red plate. Why? He sported his first ever award from preschool. Now that's special today!

Unprompted expressions of an award recipient:

Super Proud

Silly Goose

Serious Blue Eyes

Speculatin'

Surprised

So ready to be done

For Real

2011-03-21T08:56:00.001-07:00

A while back, during one long blissful naptime when I decided the laundry could wait, I curled up on the couch with a box of kleenex (recovering from a sinus infection and also expecting some tears) I devoured this little book in just a few hours.

Simple, true, fast moving, this book got me thinking more about heaven than I ever have before.

It is now a New York Times #1 seller. It's worth reading and definitly worth sharing. I have a few copies to give to friends. What a great way to start a conversation about eternity. Becuase eternity is what life is all about right?

James 4:13-15 comes to mind...
Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”

http://www.heavenisforreal.net/#page_21

Past Patty's

2011-03-14T12:31:00.001-07:00

A little look back and past St. Patty's Days...

2006

2007

2008 (6 months preggers again!)

2009

2010

2011

So now the Kenny Chesney song comes to mind...

Don't blink
Just like that you're six years old and you take a nap and you
Wake up and you're twenty-five and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife
Don't blink
You just might miss your babies growing like mine did
Turning into moms and dads next thing you know your "better half"
Of fifty years is there in bed
And you're praying God takes you instead
Trust me friend a hundred years goes faster than you think
So don't blink

I Cave...

2011-03-09T14:20:00.000-08:00

Not every time, but really, who could resist this little face and the word "please?"

Last week Zack was out of town and I was off duty for Awana Wednesday, so Rockwell and I went to the mall. Who knew my boy would make such a great little shopping buddy? It's all about rewards at the end of journey.

For the love of trains... can I not just let him on the train? I caved. I pick my battles.

Flipper

2011-03-09T13:43:00.000-08:00

I call them flippers, flippers, faster than lighting...

My water babies love the water almost as much as I do. You can't beat 3 ft. of water fun.

The city of Castle Rock has a rec center with an indoor water park. How convenient on a 30 degree day in March. We had a ball splashing around with Amanda, Sawyer, and Claire on Friday.

The balmy 90 degree aquatic center felt like an all day facial. We didn't want to leave. Man, I miss even the slightest bit of moisture in the air. The 7,000 ft. dry mountain air sure sucks it out of our skin. I guess we'll be back, like every week.

So It Begins

2011-03-09T08:02:00.000-08:00

We got a piano on Saturday! This is what I get wake up to...

(a little video clip of Rockwell's completed rock star room.)

Not for one second will I ever complain about the banging. I love it. Nola and I are going to start mommy and me lessons. I'm excited to get back at it.

Valentine's Day Lunch

2011-02-14T13:16:00.000-08:00

What is better than a valentine's lunch at the park with Nola and Rockwell? ... Nothing in the world!

Two little monkeys swinging from the pole, one with a snot string, one with a bow!

Pikes peak from the neighborhood park

I heart my kids!

It's wiiiiiinnnnndy!

I just want the sprinkles

Whasup?

Walker and Kinley, our good friends and neighbors.

I think I can, I think I can...

The Perfect Cookie

2011-02-09T14:07:00.001-08:00

What makes a perfect sugar cookie?

1. It has to be from a Grandma, anyone with a grandchild will do.

2. The recipe must be at least 50 years old, passed down, and changed to perfection.

3. It is baked with LOVE!

16 Candles x2

2011-02-06T22:29:00.000-08:00

Today I turned 32. I can honestly say I love being Sweet 16 x2.

I feel blessed by my family, friends, and children. It's a good place to be. I am encouraged to see what is ahead for us in the years to come.

Here is a sample platter from our weekend and my birthday festivities...

A surprise dinner with the family.

Nola and Clara are great buds. Nola played with her iPod, o no, I hope it's not starting already!

After a Friday night parenting conference and a late showing of The King's Speech, Saturday morning we headed off with the snow flakes to Denver for the night in a hotel with the kids.

Fish taco lunch before check-in and naps. Nola read her shirt to me. She knows she's a cutie.

Warming up by the fire in the lobby while dad checks in.

A perfect birthday dinner feast at Bistro Vendome in downtown Denver. Zack proposed to me after eating dinner at a French restaurant in San Francisco. The food brought back good memories.

Compliments of the chef, a parsnip soup the kids drank up like milk. I'm pretty sure it was more heavy cream than parsnip.

We started with a charcuterie platter that included pate. I'm not a fan of pate, but little Rockwell scarfed it down. Good for him!

Nola packed her wings and wore them to dinner. Quite the hit with the waiters.

A few weeks ago I went with some girlfriends to paint the town!

They surprised me with an early birthday cake and presents. I don't deserve such great friends!

Pretty girls!

Candy Corn

2011-02-04T13:04:00.000-08:00

I could eat candy corn all year round, but don't worry, I refrain from overindulging because we all know too much of a good thing, especially candy corn can make a tummy churn.

I did notice in the Valentine candy isle, something that caught my eye. Red and pink candy corn, what could be better than that? Too bad it tastes like medicine.

It does make great material for a seasonal centerpiece.

Fort Bender

2011-02-02T10:59:00.001-08:00

When it's -16 outside, not to mention the windchill...

When the temp is lower than the low...

What is a mom of two preschoolers to do?

Circle time, Ground Hogs Day shadow searching, jumping jacks, and play-doh, only took us to 10 a.m. Which is just about the time we all go stir crazy if we haven't left the house to play outside or go to the park or a playdate.

Racking my brain for a new activity, I announced, "It's tent time!" The kids each have their own little tent, Rockwell's is an airplane tent and Nola's is a happy face tent.

Old tents and an over enthusiastic mom just didn't cut it. They needed something new.

So we decided to make Fort Bender. We moved some furniture, brought out the quilts, and went to town.

A fort makes books so much more exciting!

Pez is still in, at least at our house.

Movie Night

2011-01-29T19:43:00.000-08:00

It's Saturday night, movie night! My daughter insisted on watching anything except for the movie that arrived via mom's favorite, Netflix.

We have not seen the Snow White classic in a while, so I asked about her strong opinion. Nola told me the movie was scary because it had SIN! Yes sin! It took me a second, then I turned my back to giggle. Then we had a talk.

Wow, I think she's really catching onto the Sunday School and Awana lessons on Adam and Eve and the first sin in the garden. I made sure she knew that eating an apple is not sin. Surely she knows that, she eats about 2 whole apples a day. I reminded her that disobedience is sin.

Needless to say, we watched Jungle Book tonight. Now I can't get that Bear Necessities song out of my head.

OTBN

2011-01-28T13:05:00.001-08:00

It's finally here! OTBN (Open That Bottle Night) and a rack of lamb to celebrate Zack's hard work and success over the past year in a start up company.

Bring out the best with lamb - Sunset.com

The bottle we have been saving has more sentimental value than actual value. It is a 2006 cab we picked up in Napa in late October 2009 when Zack made the switch from being a stock broker at UBS to raise venture capital for a startup company.

http://www.larkmead.com/wines/06nvcs.php

So it may not be a DYBBD, but it sure means something to us. While we are on a roll with acronyms, I am going to wear a shirt that says ISAS (I Survived A Startup).

In actuality, it's been an amazing journey that has brought us so much closer to total dependence on God. We have been able to model to our children the importance of following a dream, working hard, taking risks, and going for it. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Did we have unknowns? Yes.

Ups and Downs? O yes.

Good months? Sure.

Bad months? Certainly.

And the best is yet to come on this wild ride, I can guarantee it. If we relate life to a carnival, or better yet, my personal favorite the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, I'd say we have been on the Giant Dipper.

I much prefer a roller coaster over the spinning rides that make me loose my lunch. In life, we decided together to take the Giant Dipper instead of spinning circles in a traditional career. I admire Zack for taking the leap.

For this leap, we celebrate!

Psalm 116 (The Message)
What can I give back to God
for the blessings he's poured out on me?
I'll lift high the cup of salvation—a toast to God!
I'll pray in the name of God;
I'll complete what I promised God I'd do,
and I'll do it together with his people.
... Hallelujah!

Hello Kitty

2011-01-26T11:39:00.000-08:00

Sunday morning Nola decided it was time to break some news to me. I was getting her out of the car into a blustery cold church parking lot when she exclaimed, "I know, I know... I know what I'm going to ask Santa for!"

I'm thinking, come on child, it's 11 months away, can we not wait until we are inside to talk about this? Instead I replied, "o really, what is that?" She went on to tell me she really REALLY wants to ask Santa for a kitty.

Without even batting an eye, my answer was, "that's a great idea, we can ask Santa for a doggy named kitty." She didn't buy it.

Ever since Sunday, I've been missing Jackson and Jade, our old Weimeraners, our first children. I went on a solo run yesterday thinking, I want my running buddies again. Maybe Nola is right, maybe this December will be the perfect time for a new furry child. Hopefully not a kitty. Here are some of my favorite photos from the past.

Jade bird hunting. She now lives on a ranch in Wyoming. Once again, sleeps with her new owner. Happy as can be!

Jackson's first day home. He now lives with a family in Denver that makes their own organic dog food. They were the 4th family we interviewed through Weimeraner rescue. They had two Weims pass away, so they really wanted Jackson. Who could resist that face?

Jade's sunny spot

Guarding Your Child's Heart

2011-01-17T17:30:00.000-08:00

My number one calling and role in this stage of life is to disciple my children. With that in mind, I am so excited to be apart of this conference coming up at Glen Eyrie!

The material was just published and Zack and I have been watching the DVD series. These four truths glare at me each day as I check my thoughts...

Humble Yourself
You can teach them that humility is the secret to being filled by God’s love and power.

Love God
They will learn how loving God is the most powerful foundation in your home.

Love Others
They will learn that the love for others only comes from God.

Rejoice in trials
Finally they will understand why each of their own trials and difficulties bring more of God’s love and power after the pain.

I love the mountains...

2011-01-14T13:48:00.000-08:00

I love the mountains.
I love the rolling hills.
I love the flowers.
I love the daffodils.
I love the fireside.
When all the lights are low.

Boom dee ah dah. Boom dee ah dah.

2010 Reads

2011-01-09T12:58:00.001-08:00

Here are a few of my favorite books from 2010. I already have three new books started and we are just a few days into 2011. My kids still nap, so what can I say? I read when they nap. Actually, to be honest, most of the time I just nap when they nap.

My friend Dimity wrote this. Why didn't I think of that? O yeah, I forgot, I'm not a free lance writer and Runner's World columnist. If you are a mom and you run, you will laugh your head off reading this book.

One thumb down due to the "eew gross" factor. One thumb up in character development. Rated R for creepy crazy content.

For every woman in every stage of life. I reluctantly picked it up thinking, I don't need this. Turns out I did.

Slow going at the start. Ok, I'll admit, I did not finish this one.

Another great book on trust and truth.

If I could recommend only one parenting book, this would be the one. The concepts and teachings are used in schools all over the country to grow responsible children who make wise choices. Another NavPress title I am proud to be affiliated with.

Balled my eyes out reading the ending to this book on a prop plane during the 12 minute leg from Denver to COS. I felt bad for the man next to me.

I never get tired of reading scripture from this fresh perspective. 2011 marks the 10th anniversary of The Message. It's a NavPress title we get to celebrate this year. Surprises ahead.

Here is a little hint - http://www.atu2.com/news/connections/peterson

9 Years Ago

2011-01-05T10:02:00.001-08:00

9 years ago we stood at the alter in the church we met in just 10 months prior and said "I do."

Today we have two precious miracles and we are so grateful!

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

Enter Winter

2010-12-31T11:11:00.000-08:00

A long awaited snow welcomes winter and the end to a year.

It's cold, really cold today, like 2 degrees cold, but we bundled up and fought the frozen snot for some powder fun.

Brave Nola on a mission to the swings

Boys are gross

Wrapped Up

2010-12-25T19:39:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas! This year, we have been so wrapped up in Christmas, Jesus' birth, and our Santa list. Tool bench, doll house, my little ponies, and princesses, tonka trucks, cars, fire trucks, pillow pets, galore! This was the best Christmas ever for the kids. I think I went a little overboard, but since I'm the "cheep one" I suppose it's ok to splurge once in a while.

We celebrated Christmas Eve at church and the kids sat through the service with us and sang the carols. We all slept until 8:30 this morning, poor babies were so tired from all the festivities.

If you can't tell, we are sitting in the mess of wrapping after the Christmas tornado hit.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

2010-12-24T08:48:00.001-08:00

Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them.
Psalm 111:2

The North Pole

2010-12-22T16:51:00.001-08:00

Nothing like the North Pole on a 25 degree day with frozen fog!

Outside Santa's Workshop

Nola insisted on bringing a present to Santa.

Burrrr....

Rockwell is in there somewhere

We have arrived. If Nola and Rockwell can do a ferris wheel in this weather, they can do a ski lift!

Don't worry, he's strapped in

All About Rockwell

2010-12-13T13:39:00.000-08:00

Nola had a sleepover with her best friend last night, so that left us with an only child. We didn't know what to do with ourselves. We decided to celebrate Rockwell!

He was hot stuff strutting through Chuck E Cheese's like a rock star on a mission. When we got home we all watched Disney's Cars together. I've never heard more vrrrrroommm sounds come out of one child in my life. It was special to lavish Rockwell with so much attention.

Today we had a quiet morning run with a lop sided double jogging stroller and a peacefull trip to the park. I felt like I was on vacation.