writing is good!

I haven't logged into my own blog in well over a year. After hanging out with my sister yesterday, she inspired me to start again. A blog is so much more than just writing, it's a way to record and document the events, both big and small, and the revelations of our thoughts, big and small too, that provide our lives with so much. So here I start, once again...as a new person in so many ways.

First, I looked over my old posts from two years ago. My life has changed...a lot. A separation, a new place to live, deeper discussions with my kids, a third knee surgery, stronger connections with friends and lots and lots of searching within myself. I look happy in those old posts and I really tried to be, but now, I am living the way I have been wanting to for a very long time. I am happier on the inside. Ahhhh.

Faith in the way things are...this has really resonated with me on so many levels. Everything has happened the way it was supposed to, and I trust that in a year from now, I will again, be right where I'm supposed to be. Allowing myself to be vulnerable and open has made my life so much richer.

I always tell my students "quality over quantity" for their writing when they ask how long something has to be. I don't want to give them any limitation when it comes to their thoughts. Their true voice and feeling comes out when they can express themselves comfortably. I feel like this has carried over into my life. Now when I spend time with my kids, it's definitely more quality time. I like them more, I can tolerate Kellan's emotions better and now, I find myself wanting to hang out with them. I can do this better because I have more quality time for myself. I can nurture myself, I absolutely cherish this!

I wrote on one of the older posts that '08 was a year of stress and strain and '09 needed to be a year of relief and fortune. I knew what I was going to do before I even realized it.

May excitement

A Field Trip to Dinosaur Ridge

Big Cousin's electric guitar passed down

A birthday at Junglequest (minus dad and little sister due to a horrendous stomach virus, poor girl!)


New 'do's! Inspired by K-man and Ray themselves.

The Talent Show!

Sarah and Raya rocked it in the school talent show on Wednesday. The videographer was a little shaky every now and then- it's kind of hard to film and laugh at the same time! Notice how they discovered that they were indeed wearing tap shoes at the very end.

Priceless- ok, if you are a parent it's priceless.





These two are the best of friends- I just love it!

And here are the big bros:

Kristin, Simon, Zach and Sarah- we really love you. I feel so fortunate to have such amazing people in our lives.

skiing!

Raya got it! This is the very last run of the day. She is psyched! She can go down any green you throw her way and shouts out how good she is as she skis down the slope. Nothing a little confidence can't handle!

K-man, the skiing puffer fish on the last run as well. He skied his little heart out and cruises down so well. He wants to try polls and likes the trees. He rocks!

A peaceful morning

Robert and I had the pleasure of a night without kids! My mom and Bob took the kids for the night spur of the moment. We woke up early this morning to go for a run/walk around the lake at our house. It is always so beautiful to watch the sun rise on the Flatirons, Indian Peaks and Longs. Colorado is stunning and time spent with Robert is pretty great too.

The rock stars

Check out the Rock Star and the back up dancer jamming to High School Musical's Stick to the Status Quo via Wii Karaoke! Hillarious! Watch out Milli Vanilli, here is some serious competition :)

A great day

After the hurricane winds died down, we went for a hike up at Chautauqua. What started with serious whining, ended in some serious fun and exploring.

Robert and I realized that he proposed on this very trail, on this very day eight years ago. Hard to believe. We reminisced and really enjoyed the day as a family. (Wow! I do think he still is quite attractive as he ages!)

So, as 2008 comes to a close and '09 starts up, we look at how much we are thankful for during a year of so many ups and downs, emotionally, physically and financially.

Some of our 2009 hopes and desires (ok, a resolution list- I just didn't want to use the word!)

- training, training, training. I want my climbing ability back! This means shedding a good 12 pounds and training for the Red Rocks trip in March with Helen. I can't wait.

- moving! Somehow, at some point we have to move. The driving is killing us. I do believe, honestly, that our vision will happen, though I'm not quite sure how. Wishful thinking perhaps, but we have to start somewhere. Is there a way to make it all happen with little or no work or effort involved? We'll see...

- Road trips! Sand Dunes is one and a road trip to Cali (two weeks I hope!) in July. Now that we have the parks pass we have to put it to good use!

- overcoming Kellan's challenges. Too long to discuss and too emotional to dive into, I just want it to work out for him this coming year.

- Less stress, more play and more fun, both with the family and individually. '08 was a year of so much stress and strain. '09 needs to be a year of relief and fortune!