A Friday Drive

One of the great things about my new job is that the auction closes at 12:00 on Fridays and the managers go home by 1:00. This leaves ample opportunity to spend time with my two loves (especially since Amberlin sleeps in until around 11:00 or 12:00 most days). It makes it feel like I get an extra day to my weekend!

This Friday I came home and did a little unpacking - but then we decided to take advantage of the extra weekend time with a little drive through the mountains. Even the drive toward the Rockies is a beautiful one right now....

Amberlin LOVED the tunnels!

She looks a little scared in this picture, but she was going "Oooo...!"

Some of the rock formations were really cool

And at the beginning of the mountain drive there was a LOT of beautiful greenery. The higher we went, though, the more rock there was.

The drive got a little steep and scary at times. We kept joking that Mom would be freaking out if she was with us!

Cheesy, I know... I couldn't resist.

This was just after Andy said "as long as it just stays cloudy and it doesn't turn to rain, I'll be happy..." It didn't raid for long, though. Just sporadically and it was only a light sprinkle. Enough to wet the roads, but not enough to need an umbrella. It did snow for a few minutes when we got to the top, though!

Another case of scary road...

There were some interesting critters at the top... this is a marmot. We also saw some mountain goats (they were actually beautiful - long white hair), but I got video and forgot to take a photo.

Some kind of mouse... he blends in, so you kind of have to look for him. :)

After a while it really started looking like another planet with all of the rocks...

The summit

We stopped at a lodge to eat on the way back down because we were STARVING! We had some buffalo chili. This definitely would have taken first at the chili cook-off!

"Bird!"

The view outside the lodge

We had a great time and can't wait for more Friday afternoon adventures!

In case you were worried anything would change...

Amberin still loves sticks in Colorado as much as she did in California. She will always have a little bit of Savvy with her, me thinks. ;)

A Little Glimpse of Heaven

It's tough being far away from so many people that you love. Little things that I see make me think about each of them... something that I know they would really like. Whether it's a sunset, a walk to the park, a certain meal or a really great outfit - sometimes I just think "gosh... they would love this." I got this photograph from my aunt's blog and fell in love with it - it's so many of the people that I love and miss! I put it up on my desktop at work and now every morning when I log on to my computer they are here with me - supporting me, encouraging me and telling me that they are proud of me. It has been such a blessing to me this week.

This morning when I turned on my computer I was looking at it and a thought occurred to me - I wonder if this is what it will be like when we get to Heaven? All of our loved ones that have supported us, prayed for us and encouraged us waiting at the gate to welcome us in. Will they be there to congratulate us on our arrival and to rejoice with us as we enter into Eternity? As I thought about this, I could just see more faces appear in this photo... Grandpa Rip, GG, Grandma Helen & Grandpa Lloyd, Aunt Helen... I am overcome with emotion at the thought. All of those who have gone before us are still there! We will some day get to see them again. Although I have always known this in theory, this morning it just became more real to me for some reason.

This morning I rejoice in the fact that we are surrounded by so many people who encourage and love us. I rejoice in the fact that, even though some distance might separate us, we have strong bonds of family, friendship and love. I rejoice in the fact that the people we love will be in our lives forever - no matter what separates us for a time. And I rejoice in the fact that someday we will ALL be reunited when we enter God's kingdom. What a glorious day that will be when we can walk together into His presence!

Afternoon at the Park

Amberlin and I headed over to the park today for a little bit of play time after church. It was a little warmer than I expected it to be, so we played a lot in the shade of the trees and underneath the jungle gym! :)

This is a beautiful little park that is right down the street from Gramy & Papa's house.

Amberlin has learned from Savannah how to find treasures at the park - mainly sticks & pine cones!

This is Amberlin saying "hi" to Daddy - We can't wait to be together as a family again!

Disneyland

I'm going out of order here because I haven't even posted the pictures from Blythe & Pete's visit yet, but I'm in Colorado without my laptop and I only have a few pictures on my camera - the rest are at home with my other computer. So I'll post about the Disneyland trip we took with Dad, Mom, Mike & Staci!

We started off the day with lunch at Duke's with the Henninger's. It was great to see them and nice to be able to spend some time with Alex before she heads off to college in New Jersey. Unfortunately I didn't snap too many pictures of everyone, but I did get one of Dad & Amberlin.

Then we headed over to California Adventure. Amberlin had a great time walking around the park and getting to explore!

The girls...

Amberlin had an absolute blast playing games with Aunt Staci. I don't know how, but she has the gift of making Amberlin laugh like crazy. It's great to listen to! :)

It was a fun day with lots of memories made!

Fun at the beach

We spent some time at Hermosa Beach while Blythe and Pete were visiting us in April. This was the first time we have taken Amberlin to the water since she was much smaller, so the experience was new for her. She LOVED it!

Amberlin loved playing in the huge sandbox! :) But she did NOT love the swing...



She also loved putting her feet in the water...

Pastor Johnny's Ordination

We celebrated the ordination of our good friend and Associate pastor, John Diaz, with friends and family in early April. We gathered with friends and family to congratulate and support him and his wife, Loleta.

Amberlin hanging out with Danielle and Malaya

Pastor Johnny & Amberlin

Amberlin with Aunt LeeAnn & Uncle Steve

High 5's for Pastor Bennett!!

Staci, Jenna and I