Snapshots

of the last few days. We decided to do some fun things this last week before school starts. I can't believe it myself, but I forgot to take my camera one day, so I have no pictures of bowling.

We enjoyed a fun potluck for Cub Scouts, complete with kite flying:

We also went berry picking with our homeschool group.

The strawberries & raspberries are just delicious!

Firsts

Zane's first time down a slide:




And his first time in the baby swing:




Disclaimer: We did put a hat on him and he kept yanking it off. And he was only in the sun a short time. =)

MOPS

Saturday we went to a MOPS picnic to kick off the new year. That got me to thinking about my experience with the organization.



I didn't know about MOPS when I had my first child and I sure wish I had. In many ways, it was a very lonely time for me. I did join a MOPS group when my dd (age 8) was about a year old. I'm sorry to say it was not a good experience. A friend and I called and registered with a local group, and were excited to attend our first meeting. It was in January and we didn't know this particular group had been full. We just happened to call at a time when two ladies had moved on so there was room for us.



However, some of the members were resentful that we'd been able to join when they had friends who they had been wanting to bring in and they hadn't been made aware of the open 2 spots. This was told to us right away by ladies at our table. So right from the beginning, we felt very unwelcome.


The childcare area was overly full with not enough helpers. So my daughter did not do well there. After 3 tries, my friend and I decided MOPS was not for us.


Fast forward 4 years. My two closest friends at the time moved away within months of each other. I felt bereft and lonely again, and prayed for God to bring new friends into my life. Within a month, I saw a notice in the bulletin at church that a MOPS group was forming. I rushed to the sign-up table and filled out the form and checked the box that said I would be willing to help.

The coordinator -- a sweet, sweet Godly woman named Starr -- called me to see what I would feel comfortable helping with. I had no idea and she said just to show up and we'd figure it out. She came up to me at the first meeting with a huge hug. I felt welcome immediately.

I helped wherever they needed me that first year and was a hospitality leader the next 2 years. This year I'm stepping out of the steering team but will still attend regularly. I hope to help other moms feel welcome when they walk in, just like Starr did for me.

God also has much bigger plans for us than we do for ourselves, doesn't he? I asked for a friend or two and he blessed me so abundantly with many.

A day at the zoo

We are trying to fit some fun activities into our last 2 weeks before we begin school. Today, we spent the afternoon at the Denver Zoo. The weather was perfect -- sunny, but not too hot thanks to the massive thunderstorm last night.

We only made it through about half of the animals. The wonderful thing about a membership is that you can leave if it's too hot or too cold or too crowded or the kids are too whiney and you don't feel like you wasted your money.

We arrived around noon so several of the animals were napping:

After we stopped for lunch, there was more activity:

An elephant got a shower

A lion got some grub

A condor struck a pose

A naughty giraffe had to stand in the corner ;)

Aiden was most interested in viewing the tigers. He got to see one up close and personal through the glass:

Zane was fascinated watching the giraffes walking around:

And then these animals followed me home:

Take me out to the ballgame

We are a big baseball family. Both the older boys have played for several years, and Brenna did t-ball for awhile. We watch or listen on the radio to pretty much every Colorado Rockies game.

Yet somehow we haven't gone to a game this year. Usually we do at least 3-4. I suddenly realized there aren't too many home games left in the season, so I scrambled to find time for at least the boys and Scott to go.

They had a great deal going for games this homestand. So Scott and Conner headed out there tonight, Rockies shirts on and gloves in hand. They had terrific seats along the 1st base side, where a lot of foul balls go.

We turned the T.V. on and Chase (age 10) convinced Aiden (age 4) that if he sat and quietly watched, he'd probably see them. He eagerly perched on the edge of the couch. I cringed, knowing how unlikely it was and wondering how long he'd sit there before he felt duped.


Imagine my surprise when mere moments later, a ball was zinged down the 1st base foul area and the camera panned over the fans leaning down to try and grab it, and one of those fans was my husband. LOL And right behind him was Conner. We had Dish so we were able to rewind it and pause to see them better.

Unfortunately, I am not the technologically savvy one in the family so my attempt to record didn't work. But it was still fun. My 4yr old felt satisfied and my 10yr old felt smug. And me? I guess I'll try not to be so cynical next time.

Oh yeah -- and the Rockies won 9-2. =)

Sunday

We went to the early church service, then for a drive in the mountains. We wanted to just spent a nice family day away from all the usual busyness.


We ended up in Central City. I used to spend a lot of Sundays in that area with my parents. My dad loved to go 4-wheeling. We had a series of trucks and jeeps that we'd take. We'd usually meet up with other people and make a day of it. It was a ton of fun, even when we got stuck.


Central City and Blackhawk are completely changed now, with the introduction of gambling. The charm of the old town is obscured by the glitzy hotels and casinos. It's really a shame.

But one of my favorite spots is still there. Just outside of town is a very old cemetery. It's lovely, climbing along the hill, with wildflowers and Aspen trees scattered throughout. I used to love wandering through, looking at the dates on the headstones and imagining the people and what their lives were like.




Some of the headstones are quite elaborate. The saddest to me are the ones that indicate several children from one family.

I'm glad I got to share this with my children. Brenna especially seemed to feel what I did there.

Then we moved on about 6 miles out of town to the Gilpin County Fair. It was a nice, small fair and the air was much cooler than in Denver. The kids got to try out a mechanical bull and the bungee trampoline and it was all free. Then we shared some fair food and headed out just as a thunderstorm hit.

Back at home, Scott got in a nap and the boys mowed two lawns. I did a bit of grocery shopping and took a bubble bath.

A very nice day, indeed.

Happy Birthday, Stacey!

Today is the birthday of one of my oldest and dearest friends. Stacey and I met way back in 6th grade. We were partners in a computer class. We were kindred spirits from the start. We are both only children so we fast became each other's "sister".

She and her family moved to Florida 3 years ago, but we keep in touch daily by email and every few weeks by phone. And we've managed to still visit each other at least once a year.

Happy Birthday, dear friend! You know how much you mean to me. Love you!!

May '06

May '07

Saturday

This morning Scott took Conner to a nearby town's festival to get shots for his dog. They offer them for a very small fee.

Meanwhile, I took the other kids to a church garage sale. There we met our friends to swap kids. They took our daughter home to play with their daughter and we took their 2 boys. We drove back to get Scott and Conner and spent some time at the festival. The boys participated in a few of the activities but it got very hot so we headed home.

Josiah trying out the Fireman course, spraying a hose

Joshua bouncing down the slide

Conner and Aiden building a wooden racecar

At home, they spent the time alternating between the small pool, trampoline and GameCube. I

I have to say, for having a total of 6 boys around today, it was pretty quiet.

In the evening, we met for dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory to switch kids back. We haven't been here for a few years and forgot how much we enjoy it. It is set in an old cable car building and furnished with wonderful, old pieces of furniture. For a very reasonable price, you get a salad, entree, bread, drink and dessert. And it's yummy!

Norbert and Rachel

It was a fun, busy day.

Running Goal

My son Chase's Scout troop is participating in a program called Kids Running America . They run a total of 25 miles on their own or with the troop between now and October 13th. On that date, they will do their final mile at the Denver Marathon's Kid's Run.

This is a great opportunity for the whole family to exercise. So we're all going out with him to either run or walk 2-3 times a week. I'll chart our progress on the above ticker. Wish us luck! =)

Happy Half Birthday

My baby turned 6 months today! I can't believe how fast the time has gone. I say that with every baby, but it seems to go faster with each one.

He is definitely a lot of fun. One of his favorite things when we get him up in the morning or from a nap is to hide in my shoulder when Scott or the kids talk to him. It's his version of Peekaboo.

He also loves the "Itsy Bitsy Spider". Anytime I start singing it, he stops and stares at me. It helps a lot when he's fussy.

It's amazing how in a short 6 months, one little person can change a family dynamic. I can't imagine our lives without this little guy!

Happy 1/2 birthday, Zane!! We love you!!