are you ready for some football?

N had his first football game of the season this week. He is the starting left defensive tackle, and plays on kick-off and receiving special teams. They won 30-6! N was so pumped! It's fun to watch him run off the field and slap his teammates on the helmets. He's really becoming quite the encourager and leader on the team. Go Titans!

jitters.

School started today. All the kids have reason for jitters. Many of you know the saga of last year, with mold in the classrooms, missing nearly a month of school, moving to new schools... This year the kids were to be spread out between three different schools. I was able to transfer the younger 3 to the same school near our home (N is at the North campus for Middle School). While this is a great change for me, not hassling with three different schools, one of which was about 10 miles away, it means a new school for every one of the the kids! N is beyond excited about being in middle school, and he's with all his friends, so it isn't as hard to change, but, tell me, who isn't nervous about starting middle school??! (I'm definitely nervous for him!) C is having the hardest time. He is leaving all of his friends, AND starting a new school in 6th grade, which is the oldest in the school here. He was so nervous this morning. I wanted so badly to some how make it all better. But I can't. We prayed with him. We encouraged him. But when it comes down to it, we have to let him walk through it. I am praying like crazy that he will make great friends quickly! I know he will, but, man, watching him walk into that room knowing how he was feeling, that was tough! M&M both have good friends in their classes, thank You, God! They definitely had some jitters, but having a friend there makes all the difference. Maddie's best friend from church is in her class and (for now!) sits in the desk next to her! Oh, happy girl!

7th Grade

6th Grade

4th Grade


3rd Grade

Best Buddies

makeover

We have been working on some home improvements around here. I started with the island by putting up bead board and painting it green, then I did an aging glaze and added molding. This past week my in-laws were in town and my father-in-law offered his services with our floor. I am thrilled! Take a look at the befores and afters, starting with the island before it was painted. (BTW, don't look too closely, some of the trim work isn't completely done, yet.)

August 10, 1991

This weekend we celebrated 17 years of marriage! How can that be?! Honestly, it feels like we should be around the 10 year mark. My in-laws graciously watched the kids for us (Thank You!!) while we headed to the hills. We went back to Frisco, CO, where we spent our honeymoon so many moons ago! So much fun to relive the early days! It was great to, once again, look each other in the eye and remember why we got married in the first place! After all these years, we still love spending time together, and this weekend was wonderful!

The not-so-newlyweds in our B-n-B room...

We went on a 6-mile hike on Saturday. So beautiful! We are so thankful to live in Colorado and be able to get away to the mountains so easily (we were also very thankful to be able to go on a long hike without whining kids wanting to turn around!).
(I included this picture just to make my mom nervous.....)

We ate at this restaurant 17 years ago during our honeymoon....Fabulous food and a great atmosphere. If you are ever in Frisco, we highly recommend the Blue Spruce!

We happened upon this concert at Dillon Reservoir. A great band was playing (HomeSlice), and we stayed and danced the night away, even when the rain came down!

Have I mentioned that I love this man??!!