Bonding IN Nature

 How I love Colorado- it is breathtakingly beautiful! 

and you dont have to drive far to see beauty

 We really enjoy hiking St. Mary's Glacier- this is the 3rd time we have hiked it and it gets better every time because the kids get older and enjoy it more! It is about a half hour hike to to the top and the lake and you see lots of animals on the way!

 You also see lots of snow in early summer- it was around 6 inches deep in parts! And the weather was SO warm that day- we didnt even need jackets! Yet, we slipped and slided through the white stuff on the trail and of course, had a snowball fight with daddy! He's such a good sport! 

 The lake was SO pretty and HUGE! We actually saw several set of skiers 

going down that huge mountain behind Mark- part of the glacier! 

 It was SUch a fun morning/afternoon bonding as a family! 

Please pray for Mark- he leaves tomorrow morning! 

We are driving him to the airport to say our goodbyes- 

I expect them to be tearful..

CLOSER

No unreachable itch, if you hemorrhage I'll stitch
You are tears, I'm a cheek, 

I'm a pail on your boat with slow leaks 
Out to sea for weeks

You're my shirt, I am arm
I'm the tick, you're the bomb
You're the L and the V, 

I'm the O and the E, and we...
Am I speaking clearly?

Starting Summer of Right

lots and lots and lots of swimming

hanging with friends

summer picnics 

great food

slushies

drinking in warm evenings full of sunshine

How I adore summer! 

Staying up late each night playing in the back yard

Swimming till we are all pruned and shivering

Enjoying summer treats and great BBQ'd food on the grill

Sleeping in a tad bit

Enjoying having my teacher husband home for the summer (for the most part)

We are enjoying this last week of Mark being home to the fullest! We of course have lots of fun outings planned and the perfect start to this week was a wonderful church service Sunday night- several of the students going on the trip came to hear Mark preach as well as old friends and at the end of the service we had a special time of prayer for the group as a church body.. how moving and encouraging to have the support of the body of Christ! Sophia started crying as we were all huddled together praying.. I think the twins realize more than ever what is happening- that daddy will be gone for a long time and they will miss him, but how encouraging to pull her aside afterward and explain that Daddy has a wonderful opportunity to share Christ, the Gospel, and God's love with kids and people who need it! And that we can TRUST and REST in the fact that God is good and has a plan for Daddys life! Yes, its gonna be hard to be home without him and there will be tears, I am sure:) from me and the kids but God will provide the grace and strength we need here at home as well as in Africa! 

What a great God we serve and how awesome it is to be a part of His plan!!!

For you, Mom

Pictures for my mom since she doesnt Facebook:)

My new hair color and cut:)

Do you  like it, Mom? 

Miss you and love you so much! 

Remembering a Hero

Arianna ~ May 2011

Ella~May 2011

Sophia ~May 2011

Elijah ~May 2011

the mother and father ~May 2011

cousin love:)

a hero remembered

cousins

flowers

slight chance of rain

my girlies

my main men

A WONDERFUL day 

was had as we picnicked and remembered 

those who served our country 

so we could have the freedom 

that we have today in America.. 

we wont forget the men who died

Happy Memorial Day! 

Check out last years pictures to see how much the kids have grown- its unreal!  

No Words Needed

Its gonna be a bright, bright sunshiney day!

 What a good day I had today:) I got SO much accomplished- dont you LOVE that feeling?! It doesnt happen often enough but when it does- aahh! The sun was also shining this afternoon and boy, does that lift my spirits- I remember living in MA and it raining for like a week on end- no sun- just HUGE gray clouds. I really am thankful for Colorado because the sun is normally always shining! We have had a weird spring, though- lots of clouds and rain. 

I got some tomato plants and green pepper plants planted as well as some flowers.

 Its lookin like summer! 

On another note, my hair needs some major help and its coming on Friday! I am getting my Groupon and heading down to Aveda for some color and a cut! I think I need it desperately! I SO wish I could grow my hair nice and long with big wavy curls but alas, I must come to grips that my hair will never flow in long lovely locks.. short is for me forever. Its okay though, there are some SUPER cute short cuts and I will be getting one- pretty exciting! 

Have a lovely Wednesday, everyone!