what a man!

I just had to post about this young man... sadly I did not even get his name.

On our flight to Denver last week he was sitting a couple rows up & to the left of us. At one point he turned to ask how old Riley was. I told him... he said he was just curious... wondering if she might be the same age as his daughter. His daughter is two years old. He was heading back home from Iraq AND the "shake my head in awe" moment... he has never seen his daughter in person... he had been serving in Iraq. What an incredible meeting that will be. Precious!

As I sat there with my two girls... I felt such a feeling of "secure"! Wow! This young man made me so proud. Thank GOD for him and the others that sacrifice SO MUCH. I am truly thankful!

we're heeeeeere!

We made it! The plane rides were great... only a couple of three year old squeals!

You know you have been at a hotel a long time WHEN the staff
brings the wife & kids a welcome gift! Yep!
They gave each of the girls a stuffed animal & me some body cream & candy! How nice is THAT! The girls LOVED it! After some yummy room service the girls had a ball jumping from bed to bed! They were FULL of excitement!

This is the view from our master bedroom! Pictures can not grasp just how beautiful it is! Remember... I had not seen the house in person!
Todd made a great choice! I am happy to say... I really love the house.
I'll share more pics soon!

We are currently in the move-in stage of "utter mess & chaos"!
SO much to do! SO much to unpack... put away... donate... CLEAN!

All I know... I do feel truly blessed! We're safe... together...
and I am happy to see what I can accomplish tomorrow!

Now... who is going to come help me unpack!?!? Oh how I wish! :)

mountains... here we come

The ladybug... the witch... the yorkie... and the mom are off to fly above the clouds! We're finally on our way to our new home! We will arrive in Colorado after dark... which is a bit of a disappointment... I really wanted the girls to see the mountains from the airplane. Shoot! It will just have to remain a surprise for their morning eyes.

They are super excited! Daddy will be getting loads of hugs & kisses!

I just wanted to say... THANKS SOOOOO MUCH for all your sweet comments! You brought a BIG smile to my face! Really! I am looking forward to talking with all of yall really soon! I have found a bunch of really fun blogs to add to my daily obsession! woo hoo!

I hope to have some pics tomorrow evening after our closing! It will be a busy... hairy day.... but... oh soooooo FUN!

fresh & fabulous

Go ahead... you can tell me how FUN my new blog is!

Shawn over at eclectic Whimsy designs put it together! Talk about creative! Talk about cute! She has the prettiest eyes ever! You must check out one of her blogs here... she not only creates truly great blogs but these really fabulous bags! I am a big fan of her entertaining & truly hip blog!

I am thrilled Shawn... thank you sooooooo much!

we're still in Texas

Update...

Well... the girls and I are still kicking back in Texas... Kerrville to be exact. Our closing in Colorado was pushed back a bit. Just means I get to store up some warmth in my bones before hitting the mountains.

The four of us gals (Gretel in tote) will be loading a plane on Wednesday... it should be interesting! I can just see it now... backpacks (full of bribery), doggie carrier, two car seats, two very excited youngsters, one very over-loaded mama. We'll be "that" group nobody wants to sit next to. Actually I just bet they will be GREAT... I'm counting on it... you get what you believe right! :)

I must admit... I feel a bit out of touch. Sort of like a fish out of water. That feeling of home. We have been on such a ride the last four months. It has been interesting I can say that. I have learned that we really do have people we can count on... people who really love us! Thank God for these great gifts in life... friends & family! Thank you for being there!

Thanksgiving will be different this year... for many reasons. I do know that I am truly thankful that we will be in our new home... finally all together again!

no whining

I am signing off for a few days... the computer is being ripped from my fingers! It must be packed! I think I might just throw myself on the ground and have a temper tantrum! Really! Ha!

I leave you with a pic of some of our yard "junk" waiting patiently to be boxed.

it has begun

I guess it's really happening! We're really moving!

It was the packer's first day... they got a ton done... really awesome! Their stamina... wow... my body is TIRED... and I was just taking things off the walls! Does that mean I'm out of shape? Yuck!

There are boxes & bare walls everywhere! I have found myself many times going to a drawer to grab something and....... oh....... nothing there. Such habits!

Campbell came home from school and was shocked to see her room already all packed. The really good thing about our things being packed... Riley can not change clothes a million times today! That girl... she is something else!

Since our coffee pot is now packed away... I guess I'll HAVE to go get a latte in the morning to help me face the day! Shucks!

I am feeling excited... sad... apprehensive and truly blessed all at the same time!

purr...

Awe... Campbell drew a picture of mommy & daddy. All I have to say... atleast I am the cute kitten!

way back... wednesday

Little bit is three today!

When you came into the world you were as sweet as can be... a simple, really easy going baby. Great sleeper but a hungry little beaver. You have become a real firecracker... a fun, bright, determined & bold delight! Still sweet as can be just with a twist! A twist of lime. Actually... lime was your first real taste of food (does that count as food)... your Aunt Sophi gave you that first joy... you LOVED it!

You are a true blessing & a real gift from God! How I got this gift... amazes me! Happy Birthday little bee!

bedtime at our house

Toasty toes & horsey go goes...

My view last night. While the kids attended the Daddy Buckaroo Rodeo I curled up with my current read. Didn't get many pages read... but that's okay... I had little cowgirls to watch!

I am feeling so FULL! Full of the LOVE of my friends & family. Full of hope & promise! Full of excitement for tomorrow!

We will be making the big ol' move to Colorado really soon! The kids are already having their last few days of school here in Texas. Yikes! I CAN NOT believe he actually talked me into leaving Texas again! What was I thinking. I just keep reminding myself that there will be no geckos there (I hate geckos - those disgusting, slimy, good for nothing creatures). No really... I know this will be a fun place for the kids. They'll get to learn to ski and we'll have lots of fun outings & picnics (oh how they love picnics)! It will be a whole new adventure! A whole new place to discover! The good thing is... it is so pretty we should have lots of visitors! Yippee!

Okay so... I am off... off to tackle a couple of my "to do" things on my list of 2,987,234 things I need to get done! Really! All I know... I'll be doing them with a big ol' smile! Zippity do da! It's a wonderful day in the neighborhood!

things to do

Life is not as complicated as some may say...
here are a few simple things to do to guide you along the way.

Embrace the world with your own genuine style...
and think with your heart instead of your head for awhile.

Strive to grow and challenge yourself each day...
and count the blessings that come your way.

Don't listen to people who say no...
follow your dreams with passion wherever they go.

Some days will bring problems and turn your smile upside down...
be flexible when finding solutions;

the best answers are often creatively found.

Believe in something worthwhile and with vision see it through...
and give people credit where credit is due.

Make time to laugh with family and friends
and celebrate each other and the support every person lends.

Life is a journey that twists and turns...
a winding road of experiences offering much to learn.

Use your heart as a compass and set out on your way...

there's no better time to start than today.

Sandra Magsamen

stepping out

Stepping out in polka dots... and in faith today! We made an offer on a house this morning!!! Todd really loves it! That's is big for him since he is usually the non-expressive... non-verbal one between the two of us. He told me he knew it was perfect for us. I trust he chose the right home. Yikes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Did I just say that? I have not seen the home in person... I really stepped out on a limb here! Big limb!

God has been so faithful. He provided us with a buyer for our house!!!!!!! Yes! Our home is so special to us... we will miss it dearly. But when God opens a door and leads you to it... you go! I'm looking forward to seeing what's inside this door!

I hope to have more fun news to share soon!

say cheese

Capturing a moment of you capturing a moment. Your smile... you could light up a city.

We wish you many smiles today.

back when... wednesday

Back when... yellow vinyl chairs & play days at the beach were IN.

Actually, I think my mom was pretty hip. Looking at the kitchen decor now I think it is pretty fun. Call me crazy but I like the table! See... I was good... doing my homework! Wish I would have retained a bit more.

That's me in the middle (with the buck teeth), my best friend Beth on the left and my sister on the right standing in front of Uncle Wil's jeep at the beach. Of course... eating! Food and the beach go together like peas go with the pod. You've got to be loaded up with lots of snacks. I love this picture... not a care in the world... just jumping waves & finding sea shells!

courtney p

I sure do love my new collage from Courtney P. I now have her hanging in a special spot... to always bring a smile to my face.

I love the "Hand of Hope" too. I just get a BIG kick out of her stuff! She creates such fun... light-hearted pieces... you've got to check her out here! So fun!

moody monday

My focus for today... remain hopeful & positive!

already...

It is so hard for me to grasp that my baby girl is six today! I remember this moment so well. The feeling of awe. We could not get over how she was just in my belly & now we were able to see her... hold her... touch her.... smell her. Our lives were forever changed. What a true miracle. Miracle!

All I know... I was given a very special gift when God chose me to be her mother. She is the spark in my step and the twinkle in my eye!

buckle it

What do you think of the new buckles? Thinking of adding a "buckle it" category to the shop! I have a "thing" for buckles... so I thought why not do some more of what you love. I think they're fun! What do you think? These are just a few of the ideas.

crazy for cowhide

I can not believe I have not shared a picture of my new gift yet! It is an early birthday present from my parents to me! Yippee! Go ahead... you can say it... you know you love it! Well... all I know is I absolutley adore it! LOVE it!

It couldn't be any more perfect for me & my taste! It will be fun finding just the right spot for it in our new home too. No... we do not have a new home yet! I will keep you posted of course. With all the crazy ups & downs of this "moving" roller coaster... atleast I know we are headed in the right direction... right where we are supposed to be... when we are supposed to be! It's all coming together!

starbucks

A grande non-fat pumpkin spice latte WITH whip... to go! What's better? A grande non-fat pumpkin spice latte WITH whip bought with a gift card! Thanks dear! I hadn't used it since May. What!

After dropping the girls off for a day of Kindergarten & Mommy's Day Out... I ran around town with latte in hand and a big ol' smile on my face. You know one of those mornings where you are singing loud (don't care if someone sees you) like you are one with the music... tapping your foot to the beat & truly enjoying the moment at hand! Well... that was me this morning!

Music always does such good for my spirit. It awakens me... motivates me... pushes me! Does it do the same for you? Nothing like a good song no matter what your mood. Being able to listen to music... having this sense... what a gift!