Grateful Edition:December 2012

New beginnings. Birthday blessings. Birthday celebrating with Ben. Brother Ben. Resolving conflict. Helping carry another's burden. Cuddling with Little M. Date with Micah. Watching a movie in the theater. Laughing with my husband. A slow morning and breakfast conversations. Christmas shopping almost done. M's first report card. Health. Quiet evenings. Kim. A working heater. Micah. Celebrating the life of my lovely husband. Couple date with Colleen and Van. Hot chocolate and walks home. Homemade cake from Jon. Walks to release pain. Forgiveness. Hugs. Friendship from Vander. Breakfast out with family. Family - so thankful to have them close by. M's kindness to others. Watching my sweet boy be honored in front of the whole school. Motherly pride - despite my daily failings. Time to rest. Children coming home. A brothers joy. Colleen - my old same. A postworker who calmed my emotions. Finding HOPE. Uncle Tom. Couch time with my guys. Take-out dinner. Christmas morning celebrations with Micah and M. Ben. Elderberry syrup. Seeing Uncle Kenny. Table time with the Osborne men. Surprise from Brother Ben. Chatting with Amanda. Train ride with M. Time with Herrboldt family. Surprises. Health. Time with the Osborne family. Love from Brother Ben. Safe travels. A night of relaxing. Fingerprints done! Micah's embrace. PJ day. Celebrating Zach. Safe travels. Time to grieve. A supportive husband. A down day. Books to distract my mind and heart. Sharing meals with family. Walks with my guys. Peter and Kelli. Brother Jon.

Winter Adventures

It's been so nice to be back in Laramie and enjoying some free time. We've been trying to get out and play in the snow as much as we can. 

Small Moments

Pondering

Justice is a garment.

Love is a thread.

Merry Christmas!

Old Friends Reunite

I had the opportunity to meet up with my dear friend Cassandra this evening. 

Her friendship has been a true blessing over the past 15 years. She has definitely seen me in some of my worst moments. Despite this, and the fact that our conversations grow fewer and farther between each time, she is someone that I feel knows the depths of my heart and offers encouragement with truth. We met having the energy for a brief visit, but two empty cups of chai and five hours later we finally parted to make our way back to our families of boys. I was so thankful for this time with her.

A Holiday Train Ride

The little man hasn't been feeling well for a few days so this is as much excitement as he could muster. Regardless, we had a great time as a family. 

Kids Say the Darndest Things

Driving to Rapid City for Christmas we passed a bed and breakfast. I pointed it out to Micah and the little man stated, "Bed and breakfast? That sounds like the perfect combination!"

Shirt Buddies

Pondering

"You tell what you know  what you've earned, what you've learned the hard way. You watch it fall on what seem to be deaf ears, and you mutter something under your breath, something about pearls before swine. But then ten years later you realize that one fragment of your story has now been woven into someone else's, a very necessary thing, a bridge to a new way of understanding and living. I didn't need proof from a theologian or a tip from a church practitioner. I needed a piece of a story, something real and full of life and blood and breath and heartache, something way more than an idea, something that someone had lived through, a piece of wisdom earned the hard way. That's why telling our stories is so important.
Tell the stories of love and redemption and forgiveness every time you experience them. Tell the stories of reconciliation and surprise and new life everywhere you find them."
                                                                             ~Shauna Niequist

A Good Friend

Without intending to, I had the opportunity to attend an all school assembly where the little man was awarded for being a good friend. His teacher stood up and told the school that part of being a good friend is seeking forgiveness and offering it as well. This is why she chose M because he demonstrates this with his classmates. It was a proud momma moment - way to go buddy!

Happy Birthday Micah!

Jon made a delicious homemade red velvet cake for Micah's birthday. 

Unfortunately, Micah is on the fourth day of not feeling so well. He did crawl out of bed long enough for us to sing to him and cut the cake. 

The Nutcracker on Broadway

A Doctor in the Making

The little man has been doing some yoga with me and we were talking about our hips. 

M wanted to know exactly what your hips look like so we pulled out the anatomy app and had a little discovery time. 

More Birthday Celebrations

We drove down to Denver to celebrate our birthdays. We enjoyed a lovely evening watching a movie on an actual movie screen (not our tiny laptop). Once the movie was over we walked around downtown and then slowly enjoyed a four-course meal of fondue (the last fondue meal was celebrating our 4 year anniversary with our dear friends the Biebers). We had a great time! 

How to Look Shocked

Birthday Celebrations

A Writer in the Making

"I am at the California Zoo."
The drawing is of a cheetah.
It is going to be hard for me to not save every single piece of writing..I love them too much!

The Perfect Way to Enjoy a Weekend