Lunchlady Land

It is amazing how quickly we (my roommates from college and 4 of my bestest friends) have produced so many children and even more amazing how fun it is for them to play together. These are some photos of some of our recent playdates from fountain parks to swimming to boxing rings. These playdates and unwinding times for both me and my kids have blessed me more than they'll know. I've been getting a kick out of mealtime though, as I feel like I need a hairnet now that we are mass-producing chicken nuggets and pint-sized plates overrun the sink. Wow.

Soak'n in the Vitamin D

These were just some great shots as Wash Park in Denver of the kids loving the sun and summer.

Livin' it Up!

We are definitely trying to live it up while we are here with the 4 Fabulous key words being: family, friends, fun, and free! I've loaded up with free vouchers, library cultural passes, free events, and some sweet, sweet company and we have had some great days at the Firefighter Museum, Museum of Nature and Science, Farmers Market, Golden Horse Carriage Ride, Golden Historial Park, Parks, Playing with everyone else's dogs, and Playdates galore. These are some fun pictures to prove it!

Cabin Fever

Had a great time at my parent's cabin this weekend, but am pooped without my husband. I love my family, but want to fix family problems and forget to just love people and listen. We had some amazing walks and the kids got to go fishing with their uncle Eric. Adelaine had a blast with their cousins, Karey and Linnea. I am so grateful for time with cousins that they won't see much once we move to Connecticut. Lukas became quite the bug catcher - caterpillars, grasshoppers (bare hands), bumblebee (container), etc, trying to impress an older cousin Zack. It was good, but I've been having some health complications to my fibromyalgia because I'm not balancing/managing it all apparently. Hope to conquer this and not just endure it!

Auntie Anna

So, I didn't realize how fun it would be to be called "Auntie Anna", but I'm having a blast. God has been super good to us these first few weeks.

Our trip to Connecticut was great. It was great to be with Adam's parents and it was great to be just with Adam. The kids had a complete ball with their aunt and uncle, Lisa and Scott. So grateful! We got so much more excited about our new adventure to Connecticut as we fell in love with Simsbury, CT (just NW of West Hartford) and I got to see Adam respected and supported by his new coworkers. Pretty amazing. We made an offer on a old house too (not kidding on old - it was built during the Civil War).

Nannying has been great. I've been listening to Love and Logic on my car rides to make sure I am on my A-game with my own kids and others' kids. The kids legitimately have also been AMAZING. We have discovered super fun parks and pools and found a routine.

I've gotten to visit my parents' cabin once and will again this weekend. I was surprised how much I really did love it there and how beautiful it was surrounding it. The kids were surprisingly chill and I ACTUALLY READ A BOOK! What the heck!

We've seen a number of friends already (pictures posted) and just LOVE it. This is why I wanted a Colorado summer - for family and friends (to reconnect before our move). I'm so grateful I'm already getting to do it!.

A huge praise: God is doing something in Lukas - either with growing his self-confidence or just his social skills, but he has initiated great social play with other kids, introduced himself to kids and made new friends (even in VBS - a place of hyper-stimulus that normally would have wigged him out). We praise God for this new side of him. I have cried in gratitude! Please thank God with us.

I miss my Adam, but we have kept good with phonecalls. He has had one great visit and will visit again soon. I am proud of the man I married and all his hard work!!!!

Hey you Oregon friends - I sure do miss your company though. I think of you often - which isn't hard to do, because I'm just kind of aware that I'm not with you.