Slumber Parties

Last night was the Missionettes sleepover at church. The girls that attend are 1st grade thru 7th grade (I think). It is quite an experience. Very little sleeping is involved at a 'sleepover' and this was no exception. Usually I can manage ok since I have discovered the air mattress which is a 'god-send' on a cement floor and I am a night owl. I will feel the lack of sleep the next day but I can stay up with the best of them the night of.

I team teach with another gal in the 3-5th grade class and this is historically the largest group. This year was pretty calm, unlike years past. They like to stay up and watch a movie and do hair, nails, read magazines and snack. I think they were all out by 1:30. Not too bad. My only problem with this is that today I can hardly keep my eyes open. I almost fell asleep on the way home. Coffee!!! Where is my coffee??? Actually, I don't think it would do much good in this case.

When I got home my awesome hubby was cleaning the questionable 'funk' smell out of the fridge for us and suggested that I take a nap. What a great guy. He even took the boys to town and got a few groceries as well. I am still tired but feeling much better than before. I love it when he's thoughtful.


I say all this to make the point and remind myself that what happens in my life is defininately affected positively or negatively determined by my attitude. I am still catching up from our 2 week trip and going to a sleep over was not my idea of a great 'Friday night' but ...attitude check. And then you do what you gotta do and make the best of it. One day at a time, one thing at a time.

Home at last

Well, we made it home and all in one piece. My camera is full of pictures, our bags filled with new surprizes and our heads filled with lots of new memories. For the most part it all went well and everyone had a good time. I won't say that we didn't have our moments but I have a really positive feeling about the trip as a whole and we are all glad that we went. Here are a few highlights.

The Rocky Mountains are so beautiful that I can hardly express it, mountains so high and scary that I had to cover my eyes but very exciting and wonderful. The only wildlife sightings were elk, foxes and mule deer. No bears, thankfully. Every bit of it was amazing to me. I was constantly riding with the window down and my camera and head out the window. I think I took about 300 pictures. crazy-I know

Ft. Collins was our next stop where we visited Chad and Cristine and their beautiful family. I am so enjoying other people's kids. I love holding the babies and playing with them without that 24/7 commitment. It makes me really excited for grandkids. Rock and Chad spent most of the time fixing their outdoor firepit. I am completely convinced that Rock has a 'need' to fix things. I think they were very grateful for the help.
We also went to see Jason and Adrienne and visit the family. It was so good to spend a little time with them a re-connect a bit. I am at a loss as to what to say about Noah (noahsteven@blogspot.com) except that they are continuously in our thoughts and prayers. We just keep believing for a miracle for that little guy.

Meeker was another beautiful and surprizing Colorado destination. We went to visit friends that come and hunt in SD with us every year. The kids and I had never met some of the wives or seen where they live. It was a really good experience. As always the mountains are so beautiful. We even saw snow when we went up to Trapper Lake. Amazing
(I haven't been able to get the pics loaded so I will have to do it later)

The Rockies

We are finally in Colorado. The Black Hills were great by the way. We did lots of the touristy things along the way but they were really fun and insightful. Definite note to self-it is good to go in the early 'off season', no crowds (which I hate), much more comfortable weather, and just an all around more easy going feeling which I always love. The kids were even impressed and awed by most of the things we did, another bonus. Rock and I were both impressed and surprized by all the things you can do there. Who knew? Although we did have a little episode with Izy the night after Reptile Gardens. She keep dreaming there were snakes in her bed. I am not sure how sleeping with mom solved her fear since I am not friends with snakes in the least bit but she finally went back to sleep and all was well.

So far I have seen the mountains from a distance and they are beautiful. Probably no one knows this about me (except maybe Rock) that it has always been a dream of mine to go into the 'real' mountains. I was never sure if it would ever happen but the prospect of camping (in my own space) with my family in the Rockies is quite exciting to me. Now you must understand that I do love the outdoors but I am not an outdoor kinda gal. I don't like getting hot and particularly dirty and I extremely hate bugs or any other scaly, crawling creature. I like to take a regular shower and have plenty of water to wash my hands, use the bathroom, brush my teeth, you know...Anyway, with that in mind I do love being outdoors. I loved the smell of the Hills and sitting outside listening to the wind and seeing the gorgeous stars. Quite amazing. And I am sure that the Rockies will not disappoint.

We leave today (tuesday) to head up to one of the parks in Rocky Mtn Park. The guys decided to have us go to a beautiful campground farther into the park but, that is the key word, but there is no water or electricity. We will be showering in the local YMCA, which I have heard is one of the nicest around but I am still a little nervous, also about wild animals. So in the usual manner that I try to handle stuff I am going to try to focus on the positive, and in that light I am very excited. So onward and upward we will go into the great Rockies and I will fulfill one of my life long wishes. Check that one off my "life long wishes" list, just kidding, I don't really have a list. Talk later.

My ode to coffee

How is it that each and every morning, oddly even when I am ill, that I feel your gentle tug as soon as I wake? I will even hear you sometimes during the day or in the evenings. You are never far from my thoughts. A smell, taste or sight of the ever-faithful coffee or coffee cup brings you to my mind and I must submit.

I have realized that part of your draw on my senses is the idea that you represent in my mind- a quiet moment alone with a steamy cup in my hands while the sun is slowly rising or setting. Nature abounds and I am at peace. That is the perfect coffee moment in my mind, a moment that my soul longs for and so in response, I drink coffee. Sick and twisted I know but there are worse vices. I even gave tea a try and it satisfied little. I have given you up and suffered no ill effects but I missed my “moments” so I return.

You also represent that bonding time with friends or loved ones. The aroma and atmosphere mingle together to enhance the relational moment. There is nothing quite like it.

This is not even mentioning your “wake me up” abilities. I have heard it said that this ingredient is the only legal drug choice of millions. I hate to tarnish your image in my mind with thoughts such as this but I will admit that you have come in handy on many occasions. On the down side you make me irritable and grouchy when I have had too much as well as keep me up with a racing mind that cannot rest. There in lies the dilemma, the balance to strike-enjoy you in moderation and don’t abuse your lovely, delicious qualities and abilities.

In response to all of this I find myself drawn to things ‘coffee’. Things like coffee cups and different methods and makers. I have accumulated a wide assortment of vessels and equipment. All appeal to a different side and taste but they all help me accomplish my goal and experience. To get a new maker in the mail or at the store brings about such anticipation. A fresh cup in my hand must be quickly broken in and tried. You fill them all so well. Some mornings it is quite a decision to pick only one.

Oh dear friend, you really are no friend because you are only a beverage that I create and then consume but somehow you feel like a friend. I think of you and sigh wondering if I should go and make some right now.

This is a photo of one of my favorite mugs, plus it's 'coloradorish', and this is my current maker.
Later

Getting Ready

We are trying to get ready to leave, actually we have been getting ready for a few days now. I want to blame my procrastination on my parents being here but I must confess-that would be a lie. I am a procrastinator. There I said it. I am also a perfectionist which is a bad combo since it contributes to the procrastination (for those of you who can't relate...you don't get stuff done because you don't know how to do it 'perfectly'). I am trying at this very moment to just calm myself, you know- out of that wicked mommy who is trying to pack the whole house, and just do one thing at a time. It's ok if I forget something, there is a wal-mart in every town for heavens sake. This is the first time that I am trying to make an effort to be 'happy' not perfect, during the packing up process. It is amazing to me how our minds work like that. We have a lot more control than we realize. I should probably get busy.
This next post is just something that came to mind one day and I went for it. In an effort to beat the procrastination issues I am going to post it. I don't think it's quite done but anyway....

Mom and Dad

My parents are here. It was very odd at first because I realized that my mom hasn't been here since Sage was born (4 years). She is amazed by our 'windmill exchange' cabinets in our kitchen. Rock has even been hanging around and watching tv and talking with dad. Mom is completely catching up my laundry (happy dance for that one) and enlightening me about all the goings on in G-burg. I actually told her that I do miss my family but I am glad I am not raising them in the midst of all that 'drama'. I am so thankful that I don't deal with all that on a regular basis. Way less stressful here.
They are on their way to Yellowstone and we leave on Thurs for the Black Hills and Estes Park. Going to see Jay and Ad in Denver as well. Any good advice for a trip out that way is always appreciated. I think we will be gone about 10 days. We are even pulling the airstream to camp. It should be fun.
With the extra people and Rock hanging around it gets kinda crowded in here and I came to realize that how your day goes is entirely up to you as far as your attitude. I have had my moments, like when the kids are running thru like a herd of elephants and wrestling, I want to crawl into bed and cover my head. And then there are those times, like last night when Mom and I just talked downstairs, folded clothes and caught up. It was good. It is also so nice to have someone help with the meals and cleanup. I always forget how spoiled I feel when Mom is here and then of course they leave. I think I cried everytime they left after each of the kids were born. I just don't realize how much I miss that feeling of having family around. The help and acceptance that is unquestionable and given so freely. Of course it's not perfect but I am honestly not use to my 'mom' being around. You know how you can let them see you however, they changed your diapers for goodness sake. It is kinda nice. The kids are really enjoying them being here as well. They have a continuous audience for whatever they are doing which is a break for me as well. Good to have family.