God uses craigslist too

This is so fun... it's amazing to see the little ways God chooses to bless us.
Here's a quick summary of the latest answer to our prayers--

Hmmm... we really need a new computer desk when we move.
Look on IKEA's website for a good deal
Admire a white desk with hutch
Landry wakes up from nap, stop searching
After kids are asleep that night, resume search
Miracle #1:
Find ad for white computer desk with hutch FREE on Denver craiglist
Notice same ad also has other valuable items for FREE
Read it a second time to make sure I'm not dreaming
Frantically reply to sale hoping I'm not to late
No response
3 days later, can't get it out of my head
On a whim, email sale again to ask if it's all been taken?

Miracle #2:
Sale responds: you can pick it all up today!

Miracle #3:
Drive to seller's house to not only find a desk & hutch but a matching wooden swivel chair to match, and a nice TV with built in VCR, and a wooden cabinet in good condition, and a nice coffee table, and a working LiteBrite for the kids to boot! All FREE!

Miracle #4:
It all fits in the back of the cruiser and car top carrier!

daily moments

not much new to report here... just trying to keep up with laundry and dishes really! so here are some random snapshots of our little treasures.

Bella found some fancy black shoes to try on baby Vi

Vi thought the shoes were just something new to eat.

Hanging out with daddy searching some craigslist on the web

smiley girls

they love to take turns holding baby Vi

Cowgirls, riding the trail...

So 5 of my best girlfriends got together for a girl's weekend getaway
and we had a blast!

Here's a summary in just a few photos...

here we are eating dinner in Denver

(you could almost say our entire weekend

revolved around enjoying good food)

we took a little whitewater rafting trip in Brown's Canyon

spent one night in a mountain cabin

the picturesque creek ran all through the property and was a bit chilly :)

in the background is the lodge next to our cabin loft

Nate wins the SuperDad award for taking care of all three kids for about 72 straight hours, so I could get away.

the rest of the prayer

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;

courage to change the things I can;

and wisdom to know the difference.


This is the part I never knew was there...

Living one day at a time;

Enjoying one moment at a time;

Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;

Taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is,

not as I would have it;

Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will;

That I may be reasonably happy in this life

and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next.

Amen.--Reinhold Niebuhr


This simple prayer has so many profound truths and principles- it's amazing. Two of my favorite lines are 'one day at a time' and 'accepting hardships as a pathway to peace' God's view of life is so drastically different and world-altering isn't it?

fun time had by all...

The kids had a blast on the huge jumping slide at the 4th of July celebration in Ft.Collins.

Bella goes airborne!

Kate slid down a few times with daddy's help, but really enjoyed sitting at the bottom of the slide cheering the 'big kids' on!

Sweet little Violet enjoyed the cooler weather after the breezy rainstorm blew over us.

(typical for a Colorado afternoon)

do you see the rainbow Violet?

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Howdy-doody time!

We have been slightly pre-occupied with my parents visit this week and have sadly neglected our blog... here's a few pictures to catch you up with the latest! I have added a new album to the sidebar with almost 200 photos.

Here we are on a typical day eating lunch in the kitchen. The kids love sitting at the island while mom plays short-order-cook for lunch. Bella has a sweet habit of saying, "Thank you mom for this yummy food." The evening Nanna and Poppa arrived it was tough to end storytime before bed. The kids were so content taking turns in each lap listening to their favorite stories.

The next day we finally celebrated Bella's 4th birthday party at a beautiful park in Colorado Springs. It was a very fun time with some new & old friends and family too. Bella helped mommy make her "Hello Kitty" birthday cupcakes. Check out the new birthday album for lots of photos from the party!

Oh, what a fun day in Ft.Collins for the 4th of July!

sisters with matching bows...