Quick Five Year Re-cap: "What was that all about?!"

I thought it would be good to get caught up. What's gone on these past five years?

Sometimes it feels like this

Since we last met:

We sold the Gypsy Cafe in Bailey, CO.

We sold our house in the mountains. My parents moved to Denver and we bought a house in Littleton, CO.

We re-homed Luke (our boarder collie) because of health issues, cried our eyes out and went and picked him up first thing the next morning.

We decided to travel on the road full-time and sold everything.

We traveled the United States (and a bit of Canada) for 6 months. It was an amazing experience and one we still crave from time to time.

We survived a major accident at the end of our 6 months on the road and moved to Oregon, the town Erik and I grew up in. We re-bought everything we sold.

We've built a successful business.

We've moved five times.

I worked on a few personal photography projects.

We went through therapy to overcome the trauma of the accident (we were a mess), which ended up helping me overcome a lot of hidden crap. Life changer! It's too much to mention here, but I see a future blog post going into more detail.

Erik and I have both gone through topical steroid withdrawal (I might go into my personal journey in a later post, but for those interested now, here is what it is: http://itsan.org/).

The kids have all become pre-teen/teenagers.

We've brushed our teeth approximately 4380 times.

We've spent a collective 7110 hrs eating.

We've vacationed, made life-long new friends, re-connected with old friends, grown closer as a couple and a family and have defined even more what's important to us in life. We've laughed a ton, cried a ton, failed, succeeded, experienced and dreamed.

Oregon has been a great experience, but a new chapter is in front of us...

Where are we heading next?

Last but Not Least: Date Day With Mommy and Her Littlest

Relationships take work. The parent-child relationship is no exception, but I think it's one that can easily be forgotten about. I think we can sometimes forget that just like our other relationships our children need that individual bonding time as well, especially as they get older and are more independent.

With the busyness of life it's easy for me to just go about our routine. I forget to take the time to really see the blessing my kids are on a more intimate level. They're happy, fed, bathed and loved so it's easy to think everything is great. I'm around them constantly and interacting with them daily, so it's easy to assume that all their needs are being met. Sure, I'm with them all the time and I giggle at their cuteness all day long. But there is something so different about giving them that undivided attention that brings a whole different dynamic to our relationship. They feel special and significant. They feel like they are needed and that I care about them when I purposefully make time to be with them. 

Just like we need date nights with our spouses, we also need them with our children. Sometimes you don't even realize how bad you need a date with your spouse until your on it. I've said to Erik on many dates, "I remember now why I love you so much." It's because I'm able to just focus on him, on us for that time. We walk away from our time together with a relationship that is strengthened and refreshed. So too we need that time with our children to build a healthy relationship with them. They are growing and changing so quickly, it's so important to get that quality time in because before you know it they will be grown. 

When date-days happen the kids know that our time together is completely about them, so they really let their personalities shine.  Without the intimidation and distraction of their siblings they are able to just be themselves in an entirely different way. As their mom, I know them better then anyone but I always see something in them that I hadn't seen before. I cherish these precious times with them and I know they do too!

It was Matt's turn. He was the last one to have his date day for the year. I'm so glad I had him go last because I think he was really able to enjoy and understand how important this time was with Mommy was. He talks almost daily about our date together. "Member mom, when we had our date?" So cute! We spent the day at the Children's museum, then went to the mall for a little dinner and some shopping. No agenda, just me and him having fun! 

Matthew,

It feels like just yesterday you were crawling around the house in your diaper trying to keep up with your brother and sisters. Now I look at you and you are an independent little man. I am sad when I think about you getting older because I want to hold on to these days of you being my sweet baby a little longer. I cherish the times that you ask me to still carry you. You tuck your little arms down between us so your all snuggled in... something you've always done. It's becoming less frequent and I know one day soon it will be the last time you ask, so until that time I will treasure every single snuggle. I secretly like when you have a nightmare because you crawl into our bed and I get to hold you and comfort you... holding on to those baby moments a little longer.  But as much as I want to keep you as my baby I also know that God has big plans for you. I can see this amazing little person you are becoming and my heart is overjoyed. 

I pray that you grow into a man completely dedicated to God, always looking to Him. I pray that you would be a man of integrity and a man that is always putting others before yourself. You have a heart that wants to please others, use that to serve those around you. You love to share, use that to bless others. By seeking your savior first your life will be full of happiness and your days filled with joy. 

I feel so blessed to be your mommy and I can't wait to see the good things God has in store for you!

Love,

Mama (please don't ever stop calling me that).

He told me he just wanted a little alone time because his belly hurt. I think he just wanted to try out the cool seat he found on the back of the door. Just hanging out in the bathroom stall at the super fun children's museum full of awesome exhibits. (hahahaha)

Lots and lots of bubbles... such a fun room.

Loves to cook!

And dance!

Getting his groove on!

At the mall that night they had the strangest little attraction. These gaudy ride-on toys. They cost a ridiculous amount of money to bring happiness to your kid for five minutes, but they were too funny not to let Matt try. And it was his day after-all and he wanted to rid them so bad it was as if we were in line for the Dumbo ride at Disneyland. He's so animated in everything he does and it was so funny watching him. Especially when he shared his turn with this old dude!

Buddy Turns Six with a Captain America Party

Jonathan,

You're killin me buddy, how in the world are you six years old? My heart is overwhelmed thinking of how fast time has gone. It feels like just yesterday I was staring at your cute little infant face asleep in my arms. But instead of focusing on how big you're getting, because I would easily turn into a blubbering mess, I'm going to focus on what a blessing you are to me and our family in this season of life. You are the sweetest boy I know. You have a heart of a servant and you always aim to please and love everyone around you. You have a smile that lights up the room and your "big eyes" captivate anyone who is listening to your current story. You are a very hard-worker. When I ask you to do something, your response is always, "I'm on it!" You love praise and in return love to give compliments. A day doesn't go by without you telling me how beautiful I am and how much you love me. You melt my heart daily. Your sense of humor keeps us all laughing and your comedic timing is ridiculous. You are passionate about movies and have told us that you want to grow up to be an actor, but not just any actor, a superhero actor of course. We can always count on you for the perfect movie line. Last night you were wiping down the kitchen table after dinner and I heard you in the kitchen saying, "Wax on, wax off." I'm so thankful for the joy you bring to our home everyday, keep making us laugh little man! 

I love that you are all-boy and at the same time you are a tender heart, you remind me a lot of your Daddy. The wife that God has for you is one lucky lady! For now I feel like the lucky lady that has the privilege of being your mama... I love that you call me mama. I see glimpses of what kind of man you are becoming and it makes my heart swell. God has given you so many wonderful gifts and talents and I know He has big plans for you. 

Jon my prayer for you is that you continue to let God direct your life, every-step-of-the-way. I pray that loving Him and loving others will be your life's mission and that you let Him use that huge heart of yours to do big things. I pray you would be a man of integrity and always put others before yourself. I pray you would continue to be a man of action and use that amazing work ethic to do great things. As your mom I want to pray that God would protect you and keep you from heartache, but I know that no matter what life holds for you that you are in His hands. 

All my love, 

Mama

Happy Birthday Sweet Mama : Soaking Wet Piggies and Their Trough

My mom is one of those ladies you can't help but love. Her heart couldn't be bigger, her love for life is infectious and her laugh is contagious. You really want to just eat her up because she's so cute. She has taught me so much about how to give of yourself even when you don't feel like it... when I think of her I think of the word servant. The good and faithful servant. She will be the first to tell you about all her shortcomings and for that you love her all the more because she's real. I don't even have to explain how freaking fun she is, the photos will explain that! 

It is such a treasure to be able to walk through life together, laughing, crying and being there for each other. I find out more each day ways that I'm turning into my mother and couldn't be more proud to say so. Happy Birthday sweet Mama, love you to pieces!

She's the cutest!

A day at the park, a little KFC and a huge apple pie... doesn't get much better that, or does it? I'll answer that, of course it does... read on!

Who needs plates? Doesn't everyone eat there apple pie and vanilla ice cream like pigs in a trough? Oh no. Well then I don't think you are enjoying life to it's fullest, you should re-evaluate!

I love this boy!

And the race is on! My kids have one fun Nana!! 

And we finish off the day with a little water fountain fun! Erik was here, not sure why he didn't make it into one photo.

These photos crack me up, we were all laughing so hard. Matty running around the park in his underwear making these middle schoolers play his game he made up. I don't know what it is with this kid but he has this ability to tell people what to do and they do it. Age and seniority means nothing to him. These kids totally played his game of throw the comb, fetch it for me, and then let me chase you around the park, hahaha!! 

Life is fun!