For better or for worse, we’ve always wanted a yard! Of course, the idea of having a yard usually seemed pleasant. You know, a place for the kids to play. A place for family and friends to gather. A place to lay out in the sun…the list goes on and on. What you don’t always think about is the work and the creatures that live there and if not controlled…take over, and it happens quickly!

When trying to keep up with our yard I am reminded of the human condition, the believers heart, the curse and at the same time, the incredible blessings found in God’s word.  I’m reminded of the upkeep we all must have. It’s actually even kinda funny, because I am most aware of myself and aware of my standing with God when I am aware of what is going on in my yard. It all stems from discipline and discernment. I find when we are gone and my yard is neglected…well, so is my God and my time in His word. It’s so difficult sometimes to “keep up” with all your earthly relationships as well as your earthly disciplines and your time with God…or so it is the case with me. I am at my best spiritually when the things in my life (the things I’ve been given stewardship over) are reasonably in order. I am then also reminded that God is a God of order and I am a creature created in His image. I also believe that we are all created to exemplify different aspects of God’s character. So, where I may find spiritual application in taking care of my home and keeping a schedule…I am aware that others (who may exemplify another of God’s characteristics) may find their spiritual application and grown in other things. In music, in contentment or in their relationships with others. I think it also true that each of us as spiritual beings belonging to the Lord will find comfort and growth in each and every characteristic of God and we should work these out in our own lives if there is an area we lack…for we are not in this alone. However, I find I am best able to do this if first, I am organized in my home and in my heart.

Isn’t God good to show us things through many avenues? It truly amazes me.

So even among the snails, ants, mites, weeds, fungus and white blythe we have been able to once again get control :-)

Here are some pictures of us busy about our yard. Making it nice for ourselves, for our landlords and ultimately for the owner of it all…the house, the yard and our souls…Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory!

So…on a lighter note…here we are!

Again, we have quite a few to consider before we edit the bests. You get to help us determine which are favorites. Obviously, some are just cute and for fun.

Before I do too much editing I wanted to get an idea which ones everyone likes. So leave a comment :-)

I know I will say this thousands of times before we’re done having kids, but it really does fly by! I can’t keep up with everything my adorable kids are doing! I can barely keep up with the laundry!

That also means I don’t have time to say much, but here are some videos to catch up on.

Well, if you know me. You may know that I love my dad. I love him a lot and I miss him tons. You may also know that I haven’t and don’t get to see much of him. Growing up I was a total daddy’s girl. Which is why I am actually really happy to see Evelyn become her daddy’s girl. They are smitten with each other. I LOVE it, because I LOVE my daddy and there is just something special about a girl and her daddy and a daddy and his girl. Everyone says they don’t have a “favorite” child, and I mostly believe that to be true…however, I think there are differences in relationships. I have a whole post I am working on dedicated to the subject :-) Anyhow, Evelyn is just like I was as a kid. She loves her daddy and all her papas.

It was wonderful to see my dad and to have him meet my children. Evelyn will see his picture on the screen, and although she has only met him once, she calls out for him. She will tell you (in her words, which you can’t always understand) how she met this papa and what she did with him. She enjoyed coloring with him. It makes my heart smile!

So enjoy some pictures. Again, I can’t get too emotional in this post just yet. I don’t have time to clearly put into words how special this moment was. I’m sure you can imagine and relate to the moment someone dear to you met your children for the first time. It was short but Oh so sweet!

We also got to see Gramma Shelley and Uncle Garrett. Sweet times! Not to mention that I grew up here. I can’t tell you how many times I rode my bike along this road to get to the gas station to buy something sweet!

 

Well, we did it (as Evelyn would say – taken from Dora of course)! After 3 years, we finally made it back to Colorado, and we promise we’ll be back more often than 3 years in the future. Many of you know that I grew up in Colorado. In a very small town near Vail called, Eagle. I lived there most of my life until college. I remember when I left my grandma was so sad. She said, “you know what’s going to happen? You’re going to go to school in CA, fall in love with a California boy and stay there.” To which I replied, “Oh, I sure hope so!” For two reasons. One, I had always wanted to live in California. Mostly because it was total opposite of Eagle. Beaches instead of snow and a lot more people. Which would also mean civilization. You know, grocery stores, malls, STARBUCKS…and two, there were no decent guys in Colorado. At least not ones I could take seriously. In Eagle I’d known everyone since we were all in Kindergarten together. That worked for some…but not for me! Besides, in high school I hadn’t really been what you would call a decent girl who might find a decent boy who could take ME seriously. I didn’t start living my life for the Lord until after high school. Anyhow…

So we made it to Colorado. I learned a lot about my perception of things on this trip. I also saw how quickly little Eagle had grown. We didn’t actually spend much time in Eagle, but we did stop through there to see my dad. It was sort of a quick trip considering all the people we wanted to see and all the driving we would have to do in order to make it happen. I haven’t really even had time to reflect yet. I just know that I love my family and miss them very much. I didn’t realize how much things would change yet how they would always be the same. It was actually a really emotional trip…looking back…I didn’t let it sink in until now. I will actually need to write more about that at a later time because at the moment, I am an emotional basket case. Probably because I got to see a few of the people I treasure and have treasured in my heart for my entire life! So…on to pictures and emotional stories later.

There are a lot!

We went to Colorado to see one of my cousins graduate. As far as cousins go…we were and are still pretty close. Even though there has been distance. People leaving, people coming and people speaking their minds or not speaking their minds…everyone still remains fairly close in heart.

So here is Stacey’s graduation. Stacey’s family lives in an even smaller town than Eagle. It’s called, Meeker. Since I was a child we spent a lot of time there, and since college it’s been the place we visit most in Colorado. You’ll see that my aunt and uncle have a beautiful home on a lot of acres. Like 90 something acres. They have horses, pigs, steers, guns, dirt bikes, fishing poles, 4 wheelers, snow machines and anything else you can imagine to work with or play on.

We also spent as much time as we could with grandma and grandpa Fyler. We’ve missed them so much.

I will have to post more next week…ran out of time but enjoy these for now.

In Meeker they get to decorate their caps. Stacey’s rocked!

The Fitzgibbons home is a kid’s paradise! So many fun things to do and the perfect places to do them!!!! Check out this sun room/play room!

Aunt Cindy and Uncle Keith always have the best family meals!

The kids were so cute. That’s their land and their house! Amazing!

Graduation. The kids needed a little entertaining. Evelyn made the rounds. Starting with my dear cousin, Victoria!

On the left is my brother, Richard, Evelyn and me. On the right are two of Victoria’s girls, Psalm and Torah.

Evelyn of course made her way through the crowd, saying “hi” to everyone. She’s so friendly! I followed her and ended up saying hello to everyone as well.

Kids having fun!

The girls chattin’

MOST of the cousins. Just missing my other two brothers, Jeremiah and Garrett.

More fun in the sun room.

On the left is the best helper ever, Psalm! On the right are two wonderful sisters (and cousins)!

Aunts and cousins! Oh…and Elijah!

Where would any of us be without aunt Cindy and Uncle Keith?

Cousin Sean and his adorable family. Kelly and baby Joseph!

my sweet family. We finally got some pictures of us together! Sadly, Evelyn was sad so then we got one with those of us that were happy.

Hannah and Nic

More kids having fun! (Catching on to the theme?)

 

Elijah got burned. Totally forgot about the altitude factor. Poor boy. Evelyn has never even been burned.

Relaxing after a long day.

Wow, my kids are growing so fast. I can barely get their laundry done and put away before it’s time to get out the next size! It’s fun and it’s sad all at the same time. I’m hoping to slow down and enjoy more of it. I’m also realizing it’s time to train and teach them how to be lovers of Jesus as well as caring and productive people in general. That’s really what they are…people! Real people. Small people who have been entrusted to my teaching. That right there causes me to be thankful and to seek Jesus more. To rely on Jesus for strength and to seek His mercy each morning. For inevitably, I will fail. However, He NEVER will!

Anyhow, below is a video of my children interacting with each other. Watching Evelyn interact with others is such a reflection of so many things. First, it’s a reflection of who I am – in many ways – first, I am their mommy. That in and of itself is incredible! Second, they are watching me and imitating me. Third, They need to be taught how to interact. How to share, how to care…so many things! This video is cute, but it’s also a wonderful reminder of what my job ministry is. It is – these two adorable little people. Who, like me, struggle with sin! It’s a sobering thought. It’s also the reality that brings me to my knees in prayer, and the wonderful way I get to see God answer those prayers. It brings me to the place I ought to be. Seeking, praying and relying on our Creator!

Well, here we go again! Elijah is well on his way to crawling. Even though he hasn’t got it all figured out, he knows how to get around either way! It’s a funny feeling to walk into the room and not know where he has gone off to! My baby, the little guy I left in that spot, that used to stay in that spot…now has a will of his own…to move – everywhere he can!

This is his other mode of transportation. If it weren’t for the furniture…who knows where he might stop :-)

I have a lot of posts to put up about our trip to Colorado, but first I need to post some videos taken before we left. We’ve had a lot of changes around here and they are happening so fast! Evelyn is speaking in sentences, Elijah is becoming more mobile by the day…and…the changes come by the hour! Life is crazy, but good!

Here are some fun moments since we moved.

This was a little over 2 weeks ago. It was kinda funny. Once he was unable to crawl, he just decided to roll.

This was like 3 weeks ago.

This was about 3 weeks ago also.

This was about 3 weeks ago also.

This was before Easter. And pre-hair cut.

This was good Friday.

I’ve promised to let Elisha post a more lengthy accounting of our mini vacation to Colorado for Stacey’s high school graduation.  However, I couldn’t help but post a few favorite pictures.