The Never-ending Winter

I know, I know.

It's still only February.

But, I know I'm not alone when it comes to longing for sunshine and warm breezes, trips to the park and library, and for our town's bakery to FINALLY REOPEN.

We've been blessed with several days of sunshine that, because of how high we are, melts the snow pretty quickly even though the temperature is still cold.

As long as the wind is blocked, you can sit outside in the sunshine in a t-shirt to soak up some warmth once it gets into the 40's. Perks of living at 9,000 feet.

But, just like the rest of the country, we can have gorgeous weather one minute and be in a white-out the next.

Last night we got about 6-8 inches (which really isn't all that remarkable for our location). We're supposed to get that much again between tonight and tomorrow.

So, this morning, we had to gather some more firewood and put some things into our weather port and do some shoveling... you know.

I decided to take out my camera.

She's been a little lonely lately.

It's been a while since I've gotten a good photo of Cooper Duke.

This is our new little Bailey Girl.

The Little Miss actually stood still for a second!

The Little Miss figured out how to make wood moving work for her!

The Little Mister is SUCH a GREAT helper.

And, hey! I was there, too. 

 Hope you have a great weekend!
-kt

Christmas Snippets...

Well, even though we're already into late January (!!!) I thought I might post some of the highlights of our Christmas break.

Most blogs are all about Valentine's day. With moving, and traveling, and neurology appointments, we've been a little busy. So, here's a recap of our trip home....

Here's what we thought was going to happen:
-Drop off a horse in Denver
-Take the trailer back to WI
-Celebrate the holiday with our families
-Head up to GB to do some support raising
-See my bestie's new baby boy
-Trailer a cabinet my hubby and FIL made together back to CO

Here's what really happened:
-Drop off a horse in Denver
-Have our transmission die just over the border into IA
-Leave the Suburban and trailer in IA while we rent a car to get to WI
-Celebrate the holidays with our family
-Hang out with my dad who was trying to recover from surgery
-Witness the peaceful passing of my hubby's grandfather
-Hang out with my hubby's family who came for the funeral
-Attend the funeral
-Postpone leaving because of the record breaking cold and vehicles that wouldn't start
-Rent a vehicle to get back to our repaired Suburban
-Return back to CO without the cabinet

I mean, really.

It didn't go at all how we had hoped.

But, we still had some good times.

We, of course, ate well...

A little post-birthday celebration

We ALWAYS love Papa's pancakes

And Nana's coffeecake

We got to play in the snow a bit...

We even tried making gingerbread houses (from scratch - no store bought kit for us! This is something I always wanted to do)...

We celebrated the life of sweet Grandpa Great...

And, I enjoyed some time with my sweet Grandpa...

And then came the presents...

and the frenzy that gift opening with kiddos is...

I love having the cousins together. 

One of the best parts was the Little Mister building something special for his daddy and me with Papa Eddy...

And, hey, we even wound up with a great new photo of the two of us! (Thanks, Wizbang Photography!)

Eventually, we made it back here...

...where our days are filled with snow, sun, mountains, kiddos making messes, me cleaning up those messes, trying to get a house settled, making neurology appointments and trying to enjoy the chaos that is life with littles. 

We cannot express enough gratitude to those of you who helped get our Suburban up and running again. I'm so grateful that the transmission went out while we were all together (as opposed to when the kids and I were by ourselves going to get groceries an hour and a half away with no cell reception). 

It was a rough situation, but God took care of us through it... He always has.

Thanks for being a part of this journey...

-kt

The Little Mister turns 4!!!

Well, I had intentions of doing LOTS of blogging this December. BUT, we were told we were moving and have been a little busy and distracted... 

But, I'm taking a break from all of that this morning. My cousin is having her baby boy today so I though it was appropriate to celebrate one of our family's other December birthdays.

Our Little Mister has turned 4.

I can't stand it. 

How is time flying by so very quickly?

The Little Mister at swimming lessons.

This boy is obsessed with all things having to do with trucks, trains, hunting, and his daddy. He loves playing with his sister (sometimes he loves her a little too rough) and helping me bake. He is sweet and funny and a little challenging. ;)

Here he is in the Birthday crown!

And, a little throwback to last year... (it's amazing the change that happens in one year!)

We had the kids' favorite dinner with just the 4 of us, some cake and ice cream, one present and a card from his Great-Grandpa Don!

Thank you, Amazon Lightning Deals with Free Shipping  ;)

The Little Mister loves Planes.

The Little Miss decided to dress up in my scarf and hat at the end of the night. 

Can't wait to see picts of my new first cousin once removed (right?)!!!

-kt

A little side note: John had read the card out loud to the Little Mister and it wasn't until a few days later that I picked it up and read it myself... and got a little emotional when I realized this is the first card anyone in our family has received that didn't have my grandmother's handwriting in it. She was so precious and had the most beautiful handwriting and I'm so so grateful that my grandpa hasn't missed a beat in letting us all know how loved and prayed for we are. They are truly a couple to have as role models. 

Thanksgiving musings...

Source

I'm thankful for a lot of things.

My husband.
My children.
My family members... every.single.one.

But, that's not what this post is going to be about.

This past Sunday, our family had the opportunity to visit my cousin's church in Colorado Springs. We headed that way to see them for a bit while my grandpa was visiting.

During the service, they showed a video made the day before of their church members putting together these insane boxes of food (canned goods, turkey, etc) to hand out to 800 families in their community that maybe otherwise wouldn't be able to have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with their families.

Let's face it; even though there are no presents involved, Thanksgiving is an expensive holiday.
You go through all month with your normal grocery bill and then have ONE DAY where you spend as much as you would spend for at least a week of food!

I really love Thanksgiving. It's full of fun and fellowship. We spend the day remembering the ways we are blessed with some of the people who happen to BE those blessings in our lives.

I love it.

But, shopping for it stresses me out.

You see, my family has been on the receiving end of this "giving thing" for a long time now.

We've always had just enough.

Occasionally we get a little extra (but it never fails... as soon as we get a little extra, something huge or unexpected comes up). God has always provided our needs and I'm so so grateful for that.

We have been SO blessed by people who are willing to give to us. Being in a ministry where we raise our own support can be stressful, but it gives you hands on experience trusting God for your every need.

That's why it was so amazing to see people giving up their Saturday to give something to so many families who may not otherwise been able to have a meal on Thursday that is simply assumed for so many others.

We weren't one of the families that received a box from that church (we don't live in the area), but we did receive a voucher from our town that allowed me to pick up a turkey and some other ingredients to make Thanksgiving memorable and festive for our family. I'm so grateful.

So, please, if you see one of those donation boxes and you can spare a few cans of condensed soup or a box of stuffing, throw in a couple things. You may be changing this Thanksgiving from one of need to one of overwhelming blessing. You might bring so much relief to a mother who wasn't sure how to make a special meal for her kids. You may just make it possible for a family of children to go to school not ashamed of their Thanksgiving stories, but so excited to share with their friends about what they got to eat.

And, you might be blessed in the process.

Paul tells the Corinthians:

"You will be enriched in every way for all your generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God."   2 Corinthians 9:11-12

In saying this, he's not promising wealth to those who give generously, but he is encouraging them to share because as they do, people will be helped and will praise God and pray for them. They may not be blessed in return in financial ways, but maybe in the unseen spiritual realm. And, I think that's pretty great, too.

We don't have a lot, but we know that everything we have has been given to us by God, so it's not ours anyway. We try to share when we can. And I encourage you to do the same.

So, from someone who is truly blessed by the generosity of others, I encourage you to think about what you can do to be a blessing to someone this holiday season.

It doesn't have to be huge... tiny gestures can go a long way.

Leave a comment it you come up with something or have a story to share so we can encourage each other!
And, Happy Thanksgiving!
-kt

Cheap, Quick and Easy DIY Thanksgiving Banner

My home needed a little something.

We live 2 1/2 hours from the nearest Target.

I'm pretty sure I'm about 4 hours from a Hobby Lobby... although I can't even tell you where one is located.

I couldn't just run out to find something new to add to my holiday decor. And, I have two little tornadoes that keep me plenty busy!

So, I can testify that this is super QUICK and EASY... it makes a great last minute project to add a little pop to your decor. 

Everything I used I previously had on hand.

Here you go:

Start by picking what you want it to say. I was torn between "give thanks" and "happy thanksgiving" - but since I've been striving to focus on what good is happening in our lives without wondering how all of our circumstances are going to work out, I settled on "give thanks." 

I'm choosing to praise the Lord in the midst of the unknown.

Anyway, then head to TemplateFrees.com and print out the letters you need.

I printed mine onto card stock and cut them out while sitting next to the tub as my kids bathed.

Multitasker. ;)

Then, I grabbed these paints that I had bought for another project.

I painted the letters while watching this during nap time (even though they weren't actually sleeping)...

Again, multitasking. ;)

Let 'em dry...

and hang em' up. (I used tiny clothespins and twine)

It's really that simple. (I put gold glitter on the yellow letters to give it a lil' something extra)  ;)

DO IT. 

Hope you enjoyed this! 

What's your favorite piece of holiday decor? (homemade or store bought)

-kt