National "what" day

yeah, i refuse to call it national coffee day b/c I have not found one "deal" in the town of fort collins. Probably 

the biggest complaint I have with this place. 

There is no krispy creme, cariboi coffee or dunkin Donuts around here!!!! And they seem to be the only places offering a deal. :( There is only starbucks and Panera and they don't seem to even realize it's National coffee day!

Yeah, so you guessed it - I LOVE COFFEE. Go ahead and judge all you out there who are against it and who think it's bad for you, and even you who think its sinful. It doesn't bother me that much. :)

I have been drinking it since I was 2 yrs old. Just part of the Culture in Ecuador. But since I've been "americanized" I drink it totally different now. I'll drink it anyway you please. Black, with cream, latte's, iced, hot - you name it, I'll drink it.  (but I prefer black if it's hot, and DD's if it's iced)

Again - judge if you want - but the other day I realized I drank a whole pot of coffee ALL BY MYSELF (except for a tiny mug that Richard got before he left for work). Now that I admit is a little bad. If it's there, I'll drink it. Now that it's cooler out, I feel myself wanting to drink it all the time. 

It's one of the first things I think of when i get up! I go to bed in anticipation for that warm cup of wonderfulness in the AM. 

I don't think it gives me a buzz or helps me feel like I have more energy, I just love drinking it. I love the experience of holding this warm mug filled with goodness, I love the coffee shop atmosphere, I love meeting friends over coffee. I love feeling chilly and drinking a wonderful cup of coffee with my husband. (I"m so glad he likes it too)

So Happy National Coffee day to everyone else who got a free one. I just drank a normal cup here at home. :) (still good though).

Why do I blog?

Recently I've started getting comments about my blog - and I'm constantly surprised at how many people read my blog that I would never even dream of - mostly b/c it's hard for me to imagine anyone besides the grandmother's would be interested in what I write. I've never considered myself a "writer" at all!!!!!! I'm not very creative AT ALL! So it got me thinking - 1.why do I blog? And  2. what do I want to accomplish with my blog?
I LOVE blogging! Let's just start with that. I have become enamored with other women's blogs that I've come across. Mostly all mothers but all in different walks of life. Different amount of kids, some working, some staying at home, some believers, some not, some I know and others I don't know personally. And I find it so very interesting to read about their lives. I love to see how the express themselves and their creativity. (ps. I always think I'm not good enough to be like them b/c I do not write like them). But in looking to other's blogs I became inspired.

You see - MY blog is where I can say anything without being interrupted! I can get my whole point across and tell the entire story without getting cut off due to some of life's interruptions. (b/c let's face it - what mother can have a conversation with someone else while kids are present and not have interruptions???) I can tell what part I want to tell. I can write about my kids and what they are doing. My family - who is all very far away from me- can keep up with my life - It's a way to communicate with them effectively. I can also share my heart and what I'm learning and how I'm growing as a woman and as a follower of Christ. I can share how I'm being changed through God's grace. I'm learning to love, I'm learning to show love, I'm learning to share God's love through my life.

I'm like my mother in the way that I love communication of any form - but mostly letters, emails, FB comments or even comments on my blog. I love interaction in this way - and maybe for me it's because this is mostly the biggest way I communicate with my family. (b/c my parents are overseas) That's not to say that I absolutely love talking in person or over the phone. I just like socializing in general - whatever form it may be. I need it!!

I never want to portray to the world that I am perfect or that I have everything figured out! But i do want other's to see the satisfaction child-bearing and being a mom can bring. God designed it to be that way! I myself am learning how to Live a "Gospel Centered" life in my mundane, monotonous, seemingly trivial happenings of the day. I'm learning that "there is now No CONDEMNATION" b/c God has saved me through giving his Son, and that affects EVERY aspect of my life. Even wiping snotty noses, or dealing with tantrums from a 2 yr old, or teaching a 1 yr old to walk, or making another pbj sandwich. I fail OFTEN in acting on what I say I believe as far as God being good all the time, and showing unselfish love to my sons or my husband, but I"M LEARNING.  I'm learning what it means to love my neighbors but keep a balanced life at home! I'm learning how to give everything I have (time, money, energy and resources) but also keep my family healthy and stable and thriving. It's a challenge that ALL mothers face.

I blog to share my heart. I blog to maybe in some way encourage someone else. I blog to satisfy that "communication" longing in my heart, and because I like it! I've fought the fear in my head of "what will people think?" "Do they think I'm dumb?" "do they think I'm always on the computer?" "do they think I don't get anything else done?" "will people criticize this?"  But you know - I write for my family! I write to hopefully be a light shining for God and bring glory to Him in this way, by sharing what I'm learning and experiencing. My hope is that I share the reality of motherhood, but also the joy of motherhood and the blessing it can be.

and lastly - since our newest endeavor - I want to share how God leads us, and provides for us, and guides us and takes care of us in our new move to Fort Collins, CO.

So there you go, take it or leave it. :)


Linking up with 

and Linking up with

This one's for the Grandmas

One difference I've noticed about Landon is that he loves to sit and try to figure things out! he plays with this toy for a long time, and gets so happy when he figures out how to put the rings on.  He already tries to put his shoes on. (Carson is no where near trying to dress himself or put his shoes on himself) Landon is just very thoughtful and patient. i loved watching him play with this toy. 

 

 

He also has officially has started walking. Although I'm always amazed at how slow the process is to go from crawling all the time to walking all the time. but last night we caught his first steps on video. it's so fun to see them in this stage. and to watch them grow and learn.

Although my days are far from a "bed of roses" with these two boys; they are full of "spunk" and keep me always hoppin'; and I am often battling frustration and lack of patience with my "ever-talking" 2 and half year old - There is just something in my heart that gives me fulfillment and satisfaction in being the mother to these 2 boys, in the responsibility of raising them and providing for their needs. There is such complete love and joy when I see them learn and grow.

A Day In Boulder

Today was the Fall Festival in Boulder Colorado. Boulder is known for it's eccentric and unique people. (they were passing around petitions to sign to legalize marijuana :) ) and those "types" of people were everywhere. (sorry for the huge stereo type)

Anyways - they have a farmer's market every Saturday. This was nothing like I had seen in PA. So fun to walk around. All the produce was local and organic and looked absolutely beautiful. They had  samples of tons of stuff. Great Local coffee bean stand with amazing coffee. great Hummus stand that was amazing (we actually caught them as they were closing and got 2 containers for a dollar cheaper than original price -$3 for a tub of all natural, vegan, and gluten free hummus), great food vendors. Everything was so fun to walk around and experience. 

We stopped for lunch on a shady grassy area - 

If you have spent more than 20 min
with this little boy -
you would know he LOVES sandwiches!!!!

 They also had a little station of Free Bubble Fun! Carson loved this!

 

 

Of Course Richard and I enjoyed great food! Great Pork/Corn Tamales, they were awesome. Then we had tacos from another vendor that were so good! There was plenty of things to choose from that we would've have loved to try. But we always usually settle with Mexican. Next time we'd love to try the potstickers and bbq.

Carson

Landon

 

Carson was enthralled with
the man juggling Flames

What a perfect way to spend our first weekend employed. We just kept saying the whole way home to each other - "What a nice way to spend a saturday". We love to spend time together doing things outside in the beautiful Colorado air! We love to watch our boys experience things and enjoy the sights and sounds.

 We love to see them smile!

And 

SMILE THEY DID!

Recreation

We moved from a 3 bedroom house with a basement, fenced in yard, and garage TO a 2 bedroom apartment in a complex on the 3rd floor. 

Can you say Downsize?????

Needless to say - I was worried about the activity/energy level of my 2 active little boys. I was spoiled letting Carson out the back door to run around in the yard when he had a lot of extra energy. One of the things that I just didn't know what I was going to do is how to keep my active boys- active and not resort to TV all day long to keep him calm. (b/c let's face it, that's usually the only time my 2 yr old sits still and that's not even a guarantee)

One of the things that I am LOVING about Fort Collins is the many, many parks available. Today we just walked about a mile to this wonderful small park and had our lunch and played in the sand and slides for about 2 hrs!!!!

Fort Collins is filled with tons of grassy areas with benches and picnic tables. Places to walk dogs, to let little boys run wild. The parks are very well maintained. There is one park here so BIG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It has EVERYTHING imaginable (even a splash park in the warm weather)! Carson LOVES it! We could go to a park every day and my boys would be happy. And we almost have! 

And it's almost always sunny her Colorado! I'm told the winters aren't even that bad. It can be cold and snowy one day but be nicer and sunny the next and tolerable to be outside. 

It's amazing how much a walk and a little sunshine can help a mother's heart!

(and also makes whiny, cranky boys - happy)

Caught him mid sentence - oh wait! When is this
kid not in mid sentence?!?!?!?!
he talks literally NON-STOP

 

Chocolatey Raspberry Crumb bars

I wish I had a cool wordless Wednesday photo to post today! I wish that I was a better photographer and that I could take cool creative pictures. but alas, I cannot! I just admire other people's pictures!

So instead today I'm linking up with 

I have been thinking all day about what to post too!
But frankly - nothing of interest has happened lately. We are in a routine. Richard works throughout the day, the boys and I stay home and besides going the park, eating, playing, and "teachable" moments there isn't much to talk about! Some days I'm exploding with things to blog about and other days I'm racking my brain trying to come up with something creative!

I've been doing a lot of baking lately - since the house isn't screaming humid or hot anymore, b/c FALL is here! I love this time of year. I think I cook/bake better in the fall! :) I told Richard that the other day! I just enjoy it more and put more effort into it b/c I'm not sweating my brains out all day! :)
So I will post a recipe of these wonderful Chocolatey Raspberry Crumb Bars

Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups (12-ounce package) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels,divided
• 1 can (14 ounces) NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Sweetened Condensed Milk
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
• 1/3 cup seedless raspberry jam

Directions

PREHEAT oven to 350° F. Grease 13 x 9-inch baking pan.

BEAT butter in large mixer bowl until creamy. Beat in flour, sugar and salt until crumbly. With floured fingers, press 1 3/4 cups crumb mixture onto bottom of prepared baking pan; reserve remaining mixture.

BAKE for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are golden brown.

MICROWAVE 1 cup morsels and sweetened condensed milk in medium, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on HIGH (100%) power for 1 minute;STIR. Morsels may retain some of their original shape. If necessary, microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, stirring just until morsels are melted. Spread over hot crust.

STIR nuts into reserved crumb mixture; sprinkle over chocolate filling. Drop teaspoonfuls of raspberry jam over crumb mixture. Sprinkle with remainingmorsels.

BAKE for 25 to 30 minutes or until center is set. Cool completely in pan on wire rack.

They are so good! AWESOME i might even say! 

I hope that you all go and try them!

I just had one during nap time with a cup of coffee and I could probably go and eat the entire pan!

God Provides

Packing went relatively smoothly, drive across the county also went pretty smoothly. Unpacking and getting organized went super fast!!!!!!!!!!!! Integration in church has been so encouraging and so much fun! The only thing left was to have an income. It's something we wanted to happen fast - but knew it could potentially be a long long time. But we were hopeful. And now.  . . . 

I am so happy to announce that Richard has started his first day at a new employment. We could not be happier about this. He will be working for the company above, and if you click on it - feel free to visit website, and if you life in Fort Collins - Give them some business. :)hahahaha

When we first got into the area Richard went hard core looking for jobs. he searched the internet ALL DAY  long. He sent his resume/recommendation letter to any job listed on the internet for Fort Collins that he even remotely felt qualified for or thought he would enjoy. After the first day or two of doing that, he started getting call backs and even got a few interviews lined up. We were so optimistic about him getting employed really fast. After not hearing back from the interviews or people telling him they would give him a call back and then never actually calling him back - we decided to go another route. (mostly b/c he needed to be making some money really soon)

You see - he is very qualified in restration/construction/water/fire damage "stuff". He has done that for 5 yrs now (our whole married life) and has a great resume for that line of work. We were hoping to maybe get out of that "line of work" b/c it tends to not provide benefits for families, in not a set schedule due to the emergency response factor, and can be hard on him physically. But we also realized - Richard would never be "happy" working in an office taking/making phone calls to people about their credit card or whatever. Or working as a furniture salesman. So those type of jobs weren't too much of an option. He also could start at a slightly higher rate due to the experience and work ethic he has, with a recommendation letter to prove it.

So the next stop was contacting any restoration company in Fort Collins area and just out of the blue sending them his resume/recommendation letter explaining he was looking for work. This my friends proved very encouraging. he started getting calls/emails immediately. He had about 3 or 4 interviews with different companies. Then last Friday out of the blue he received a call from Action. This man just had one job he was wondering if Richard was interested in helping him do, and not a full time position. But after talking - really watned to hire Richard. So to make this long story somewhat short - I will say, Friday night the man offered him a job - with decent pay, but with compensation for working after hours on emergencies and also a percentage of the restoration jobs that Richard does. Richard will be "in charge" of/and for right now, sole worker in this part of the company. Therefore - if company thrives and gets more jobs - Richard has the potential of being a "high up" person in the company. It will give him purpose and gratification in his job - knowing he's working for a purpose and not just doing what some random person tells him to do. I know that he will THRIVE at this job!!! He will help this man's company so much -  and from what I understand - this man and Richard will be perfect for each other.

So - we are thrilled. We are thankful. We are very excited about this new journey. Only time will tell how things actually play out - but we are excited about it. i get teary every time I think about God's mercies to us in how smoothly he has allowed this transition to be. Although it's not always been emotionally easy for me - we can totally see God's hand leading/guiding us. And I hope you can too!

Now today embarks our "life" here in Fort Collins. 

Today - I am home by myself in our apartment without Richard helping with the boys. 

Today - I packed Richard's lunch in our new kitchen for the first time. 

Today I will have supper ready for our family when he comes home from work! 

Today my friends - is a good day!

10 Random Friday Thoughts

1. Look at this road. This is our Road right outside our apartment complex.Look at how wide it is!!!! There is a car lane and a bike lane and a parking lane on BOTH sides of this yellow line. Now this road is no more "important" to the city that the road we moved from in PA but it is like 5 x's the size/width. I'm not being one ounce sarcastic here either!!!! That is one of the biggest difference here in Fort Collins. The Roads are SO WIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 2. Boys love to throw rocks in water -

3. This lake/reservoir is like literally 15-20 min from our house and so perfect to go to

 4. I absolutely find satisfaction in being the mother of this family!!!!!

 5. Landon is standing all by himself often, but has no intention of taking a step yet

 6. Like father- like son! They could've both thrown rocks into the water all day long!

 

 7. Carson loved looking for grasshoppers and hopping next to them as they hopped away from him! (did I mention this place is plagued with grasshoppers????)

Landon was really tired at the end of our little
adventure

8. The people are so nice here  (I think I've mentioned that before too)- at the bank when I walked in, there was a greeter who actually filled out a deposit slip for me! Almost a little too nice!!!!!!

9. We hope that Richard will start working next week for one of two companies that are interested in him! I'll be sure to update as we find out!
10. Did you notice my cool new birthday running shorts :) I wish I could wear them every day!

And a ps b/c I just wanted to add - we are really enjoying all this family time together. As stressed or "weird" it is to wait for a job to fall into place - we are spoiled to have Richard will us all day every day (except when he's at a job interview or a meeting of some kind for the church) and I say every day - we really need to just relax and enjoy this together as a family in Colorado - b/c in about 6 months we will be longing for this again!

7 Months - remember this series?

Remember this series? yeah, the one where I was waking up early and keeping track of how long I've been doing it, and keeping myself accountable? I bet you thought I gave up on it! Nope I remembered and it's actually been on my mind a lot. The last time I posted was 5 months and we were getting ready to move. 6 months came and went, and the 15th (which is the day that I always post) happened to be the day that we drove like 17 hrs in separate vehicles with all our belongings and 2 boys. :) So needless to say, I didn't post that month.

Since then it's been pretty rocky. I'll just be honest and say that I haven't been very good at getting up before the boys the last month or more. :( With Richard not working, there is no reason to run before he leaves, there is no reason to get up early, b/c I don't have that much on my plate so our mornings have been SLOW to say the least. (which is very nice and I'm not complaining). I am a creature of routine and schedules and so even though this little "vacation" has been welcomed in our household we are all ready to get back into the swing of things.
I have been trying to wake up earlier than the boys, and they seem to be purposefully waking each other up the second my bible falls open. :( After hitting the snooze button like 5 times, then getting up and just hoping that this is the morning my boys will sleep until 7:15AM - I've learned that it's probably not going to happen.

So this post is a "get-on-track" post. This week I've been trying to get up early, but today starts the day. I will not hit the snooze button a million times and just plan on boys getting up early. So I need to get up before them.  I hope by 8 months I will be able to report to you that -1. Richard has a job and we are in a routine and 2. I am having that much needed quiet time with my Savior and his Word.

I'm not doing this b/c I feel like it makes me "holier" or a better Christian. I'm doing it b/c I know I need it. If I don't set aside this time in the morning I will go all day with no communion with my God. No reading of  his word to me, and no time to pray and talk with him. That's just how I am, and I know that's how I am. You  might be different. I'm also trying to remember to keep my relationship with him going throughout the day and not just in the morning. But when i get up and refocus my head, drink a cup of coffee and get mentally prepared for the day - My family is much better off!

How have you been doing? let's hope we can make it through the first year together. :) if you haven't kept up with this, there's no better time to start the discipline than now - with me and my new life. :)

September Project marriage

I missed being a part of the August Project Marriage mostly b/c we were moving, and the challenge had to do with making your bedroom a haven, and doing something special in the area of decoration or cleaning. Well first of all, we were moving, second of all, we got rid of our bed due to -shhhhhhhhhh don't tell anyone- bed bugs, and thirdly i just plain old didnt' do anything different, new or exciting to our bedroom. :( And we are still sleeping on the floor, maybe that's more romantic, that's what we're trying to pretend.

Anyways - September's challenge is to post a picture of us Then and Now. That's fun! I love looking through old pictures, but there are so many to choose from - so I might put a few more than one of each time frame. :) It's funny to see that even in less than 5 short years we have changed so much.

Then

Spring break Senior
year of College

Summer '06 Engaged

1st year of marriage
Backpacking/camping

NOW

Weekend Getaway after
weaning Baby #2

Date Night 

Just a couple of weeks ago
now we're are Coloradoan Residents

We have changed in our physical appearance, but most of all in our love for each other. It's fun to look back at the old pictures and reminisce about how carefree and loving-life we were back then. But i wouldn't trade it at all for the maturity and joy that we have now. The comfortableness that we have with each other now is irreplaceable. After going through births, breastfeeding, sleepless nights, life changing decisions and trusting in God together as a couple our love for each other is strong and mature. We still love each other to pieces. I see his unfailing forgiveness to me and his unchanging love and that makes me feel secure. He is wise and leads me and our family. We are responsible adults now and we can't be as carefree as we were before - but I wouldn't change it for the world. Sure we have our hard days with each other and we don't always "like" each other. he frustrates me and I frustrate him sometimes. But we are committed and look forward to the rest of our lives together. i wonder how we'll look in 5 more years. :)

I'm growing

I've been debating what to write for a while regarding this issue. I want to be honest with people but at the same time I would hate for someone to take me the wrong way, think I'm depressed, or that I just think my life is so hard when in reality I am blessed. So I've been debating. I sincerely hope this comes across the right way  . . .

This week we had the opportunity to tell the story of how we got here in detail to a man in our church who came for supper one night. I again was reminded of just how awesome it is to see God working out details and leading/guiding us in our journey to The Crossing. From Richard not getting a job at the seminary, to work slowing down, to being able to graduate with a Masters, to our trip to CO and being able to attend the Conference in in Fort Collins in June, to randomly coming in contact with Gary Mcquinn (pastor at The Crossing), to truck breaking down, to bed bugs kicking us out of PA (yes, we had bed bugs in the last apartment and I neglected writing about it for fear of everything thinking we were gross, maybe I will have to write about it another time, and we don't think we brought them with us, at least not yet), and I'm sure there are  few more things that I forgot - it is SO CLEAR to us that God brought us here! Even in details like books Richard had read and how God was moving in our hearts and minds and challenging us, but also showing himself faithful with answering our questions and evidently guiding our paths. All of these things are such an encouragement to me, and I have to constantly remind myself of all these things and think on Truth.

We could not be more content in this church. (not to say we didn't love the church we moved from, but again, God has a purpose for everything). Since we've gotten here it's been amazing to see how perfect the timing is for the church itself of us coming. They are growing so fast, and need help and we are wanting to be helpers.  The Crossing is so refreshing - they are growing and desiring so much to preach the gospel to the people who need it, to show the love of Christ to everyone and they are doing it, the church is growing. The leadership has purpose and goals and they are lovingly guiding their flock. They are forming "community" with each other as a church body - but also reaching out to the unsaved. And it is amazing! They just started Life Groups (small groups) and we have been so encouraged by it, and look forward to finding our group of close believers to walk through this life together. They also, this Saturday, just launched their first ever Leadership training program called Porterbrook. A great "curriculum" that teaches theology so practically, and Richard and I both have the privilege of attending and growing and being challenged with that and we are excited, the Leadership of the church is excited and the Church body is excited! It's exciting times right now. (did I use the word "exciting" enough in that paragraph - do you get my drift? )

But it's not been without it's emotional difficulty and this is where I hope I'm not misunderstood. I had good friends in PA, friends that I will cherish forever! I was comfortable in PA and my boys were comfortable and they had friends. Richard had a job and we were making it every month financially. We had routine and a "normal" life. We were busy with things - but we were comfortable.
Now I wake up each morning with "nothing to do", in a sense. What is my purpose? Who will my friends be? My boys are adjusting well, but it's not been without their struggles. It breaks my heart to hear Carson ask for his friends and cousins. And he doesn't understand when I say they are too far away. ( I know he will be fine, but it still breaks my heart). They have had their days of crankiness that can be attributed to being uprooted. I hear/see my friends moving on with their lives while I feel like I'm at a standstill. That is hard for me to be "ok" with. I crave for that sweet friendship again. I want to understand these people and I want them to understand me - but I'm not there yet. As a woman I think this is all normal. I don't know where my place is right now. . .
It's easy to worry about how we are going to make it, to worry how we will pay rent next month, to wonder how long it will be before Richard is working.
We don't have a daily routine and I can sense that. I am a creature of habit - and we don't have a habit developed yet. Richard is awkwardly home all day. (I know there are many out there that would give anything in the world for that, so I'm not complaining about that at all!) but it causes tension when he wants/needs to be providing for us. We are at the hands of someone else who is supposed to call us back. This is hard for me to handle all the time.
I can be completely fine with it most of the time, and be trusting God a lot of the time - but I'm human and sometimes i worry. sometimes I get selfish and want people to reach out to me or get feeling sorry for myself and think no one likes me. Maybe yesterday was my breaking point and that's why I feel the need to write this out.

Tonight we were at a small group - and we heard the testimony of an elderly couple and their journey through life and how God has been faithful to them and how excited they are about "living life" with us and helping us and encouraging us to walk closer with God (us meaning the whole group). How refreshing for me! How wonderful to put my life into perspective. God is making history with me, and this time in my life is only a period. It won't be forever and we will have a story to tell others one day of God's faithfulness to us. you've heard me say this before and I will say it again "everything in my life is here to teach me patience" and this season in life is no exception. God is shaping me and I am thankful for that, I am growing and that's right where I'm supposed to be.

There is probably so much more I could keep writing about - but it is already too long and most of you have probably not even read this far in the post. So I will just end it - but leave you with these verse that I've tried to meditate on throughout the days when my mind wants to focus on my "hardships".

Psalm 27:13-14 "I am still confident of this; I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Psalm 28:7 "The LORD is my strength, and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song"