Thanksgiving

Where do I begin?!  :)

How can a Midwestern girl move West to Colorado, and within four

 months feel she's at home? 

Perhaps, from intentionally making the unfamiliar home, "Home" for the family, and then falling in love with it in the process? What a mystery!

I am thankful for God's blessings in the midst of uncertainty and change, including the changes I grudgingly accept, then realize later what special gifts they are.

I have much to be thankful for in my new home, including a new Doctor and healthy living, and numerous school choices for the kids (that's good, right? just mind boggling). I'm thankful for jumping into the Ladies' Community Bible Study, my daughter and I making quick friends. God knew we needed this since it would take four months for our family to find a church.  Church hunts take time, of course ... I'm thankful for the development of patience, though it's very uncomfortable.

 

Making a major move with school-age children forces you to learn an area at a clipped pace, and to meet people, too. Not that you remember their names ....

Simple daily survival keeps you alert at the wheel; chauffeuring kids from place to place via TomTom.

 Unfamiliarity slowly morphs into familiar.

Before long, you're driving- relaxed- around an area of Colorado Springs without TomTom's help!!

Really?!  In four months, I can drive without TomTom!?  I'm not naturally good with directions, but find Colorado Springs fairly easy to navigate (once I look address up on GoogleMaps). :) :)

 

Tonight, Richard was telling friends what he loved about Colorado.

After the mountains and scenery, he loves how much his wife is enjoying Colorado.

His fear had been that I'd end up bitterly demanding why he moved us out here.

[Awww...!!! ]

 Well ... I might have thought bitter things when TomTom conked out, forcing me to navigate my way on an unfamiliar road ... but once I knew where I was, I liked Colorado again.   :)

 

I plan to make a Thanksgiving list with the family this weekend, and I'm sure we'll be nicely surprised what's mentioned. Yes, those overlooked blessings that should be noticed more than once a year ....

Happy Thanksgiving!!!



Our First Snow in Colorado!

Yesterday mid-morning, it was 60 degrees and breezy ... but the weather forecaster warned us of a drastic temperature drop, shivering in the mid-teens by late afternoon.

Waving farewell to fall, the arctic air rolled-in over us.

 

 This morning, we exclaimed over the fresh blanket of snow, wondering, "Is this ALL?!"

 We simply needed patience- more snow would come. This was not a Midwest storm where you get all the snow at once.  Colorado snow spreads throughout a couple of days  (or at least our observation this first snow; we'll know more later in the year!).

 Beautiful fluffy flakes fell all day long ... until we had about 3 inches(?).

It's difficult telling exactly how much, since it's a dry snow and blows away easily.

 

The boys' schools were NOT cancelled, by the way. Colorado school districts cancel, based on outdoor temperature, not necessarily the amount of snow fall (unless it's a foot?).   Such a change from the state of Illinois, where everything shut down with 2-3 inches of snow!

The high today was 20 degrees ... it was 15 degrees when picking the boys up from school. I honestly didn't feel that cold. Soft snowflakes continued to fall, and I noted the lack of wind. Maybe that's why I didn't seem too cold? My cousin says cold isn't as cold, with a lack of humidity.  :)

 

See our steep driveway? By afternoon, it was quite slippery, even with being cleared off earlier.

What a strange sensation for our van to slide backwards (us in it), not able to enter the garage!

I finally succeeded, coming toward the driveway at an angle, with a gust of energy in my gas petal.

Antonin had fun clearing the driveway late afternoon, constantly slipping the whole time. I thought for sure he'd fall and hurt himself, but youthful boys are amazing (and oh, so flexible!).  :)

 



Usually, my scarecrows are in storage before much cold and snow. They're still smiling, but say they wish to be brought in sooner. Please? Bring us in before Thanksgiving this time?

According to our neighbors (& other CO natives), Colorado Springs normally has snow by Halloween.

How thankful I am for the beautiful fall we enjoyed before the snow came!  :)

Not that I don't like snow- it's absolutely beautiful!!! 

Have you ever seen falling snowflakes sparkle in the sun?  Visit Colorado while it's snowing, and you'll see the sun peek through the snowflakes now and then.   :)

{Alas! My camera would not capture the sparkles while attempting a picture!}

 

~The Springs welcomes winter~

~Time to dress-up in fuzzy PJ's, and enjoy a hot cup of tea~



~Peace in the midst~

Time goes by ... and now we're inching closer to the fourth month living in our Colorado home.

We're incredibly blessed!!

What beautiful sunny weather, even when chilly outside!!!

 It hasn't snowed here yet (just spitting snow), and neighbors say it's unusual for this time of year.

We're all looking forward to our first winter here- so curious to see what it's like!   :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Last Friday evening, Ashlyn had fun dressing up as a Medieval Queen for a church's Reformation Celebration (October 31st is when Martin Luther attached the 95 Theses to the door of the Roman Catholic Church).

 They performed a skit on the Protestant reformers. :)

 The best part, of course, was playing the games and winning tickets to "purchase" candy!!

 I was disappointed inside that our boys didn't want to dress up this year. Aww .... why not?! At least they helped with the booths, right? My little boys, whom I use to have so much fun dressing up, and dressing alike .... have disappeared into a mist called Teen years.    :) 

Our little girl will turn double digits next month, and I'm simply amazed, and puzzled ... surely it hasn't been ten years since our daughter was born!!? Someone, please make time stop!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next morning (Saturday), I joined other Community Bible Study Ladies at St. Francis Retreat Center in Colorado Springs. What a beautiful location for a Leader's retreat!!

 

 The breathtaking scenery made me think how amazing God was!!

 What a peaceful, calm blessing!

I remembered (once again), that what matters most in life is to keep my focus on Christ. All these other things {life} will be "added unto you".  I could sense Christ whispering, "Trust me. I know what I have for you and the family." {Matthew 6:33}

{continued church search, re-evaluating future High School options, school decision-making for daughter, my first application/resume attempt in 18 years for a part-time library job; the waiting involved for all the above....}

 

Four months ago, while making the move to Colorado with my family, I hesitated helping in CBS' Children's Ministries, more or less "grudgingly" agreeing to help (at least on the inside).

Only God knew how blessed I'd be co-teaching 15 three year olds (includes 3 sets of twins), along with developing relationships with new sisters in Christ!!!   I'm thankful for the blessing of "jumping into" the Colorado Springs CBS leadership group, straight from Illinois' leadership group. 

I know that in time, God will show us clearly where we will attend church (and be involved). Until then, I'm grateful God supplies our needs- considering our personalities.  :)   I don't consider myself a social, outgoing person, but very relational.

 Above, was the sunrise from my bedroom window.

What a very special time- and good food, too!!  :)

 

Take some time today to write down your blessings.

Set aside frustration, anxiety, waiting .... and write down ways God has blessed you.

He knows about us intimately, even though we don't know or understand Him as well.

Perhaps this explains why He knows just how to whisper Peace to each of us- in our own way.



A friend from the past!

One thing I love about Facebook, is that one can keep up-to-date with friends they haven't seen in over 19 years ....

I met my friend, Heather, approx. 18 or 19 years ago!

We both attended Taylor University (Upland, IN) in the mid-90's, and last saw each other at a school function. We couldn't remember what function it was, but agreed it was somewhere on campus.

I left Taylor with my Associates Degree, not to mention numerous other credits under my belt (changed major; attended 3 yrs).

Heather graduated one year later, and then married her college sweetheart.

We kept in touch through our yearly Christmas letters (she enjoys writing, too).

Later, Facebook came into the picture, making it even easier to stay in touch.

We both now live in Colorado Springs, and recently met at a Starbucks to "catch up" after all these years.  :)

 

 We ended up chatting for 3 hours about our families, our lives in general, and how college is wasted on the young and inexperienced. We both think people should wait and go to college in their 30's. :)  Haha! :)  The only problem with that idea is .... how would one pay for college without a decent job and/or parents help?!

Hmm .... student loans, obviously. 

 *groan*

:)



October :)

We've now lived in Colorado Springs for three months!

Really?? Where has the time gone?

God has been so good to us.

 Richard & I enjoy our dates at Starbucks, thankful the boys are old enough to babysit their little sister. Honestly- it's nice when you can leave the kids for a bit.  :)

 Last weekend we braved another hike in the mountains ...

Remember when I said there were only Yellow leaves in Colorado?

I wasn't looking far enough for the beauty, focused more on my prejudices.

Colorado is indeed a very colorful state.  And, yes, people here celebrate fall, too.  :)

 Based on photos I've seen on Facebook from my Midwest family and friends ... it appears that Colorado Springs' leaves (& foliage) turned color and fell off trees sooner than the Midwest.

The Midwest has more variety of colors ... but we're enjoying Colorado's colors while we can- especially since natives say it's been a more colorful year than usual.

 Oh my, Sara, don't begin imagining what Colorado's "normally" like. Simply soak in and enjoy the color God gave for THIS fall!   :)

 We missed the solar eclipse yesterday, but look forward to another eclipse in three more years.

We will have a great view from our deck!   :)

Life continues ... and what I'm discovering, is that God speaks peace within life's "ordinary".

The "ordinary" of wondering whether our oldest child's school is the best one for him, considering the kids he tells us about (Really? Can't he find just one "good" friend?).

The "ordinary" of visiting a new doctor, fasting for blood tests, wondering what the outcome will be ... besides being told that I'd benefit from a modified Paleo & Mediterranean diet (it's a matter of positive attitudes changing eating habits).

 

~Wow-  three months in a new state, and in our new home.

We're blessed, and life continues ....  ~

 



Variety of life

Three weeks ago, our family was set & ready to find pretty fall leaves on a drive in the mountains ...

....  when Richard's back went out!

I helped Richard to bed, wondering where I'd take the kids (so Richard could rest).

 The kids were waiting patiently in the van, anticipating the mountain drive, so I needed to take them somewhere!   Actually, as soon as I  walked to the van to tell the kids we weren't going on a long drive afterall, all three ran into the house to hug their daddy in bed, and tell him they were sorry he wasn't well.   :)

 

Ashlyn had wanted to fly her kite for a very long time, so I took the kids to a park in the neighborhood.

OOps! Looks like her kite took a nose dive when I snapped the picture.  :)

 

It was the perfect day for kite flying!

The boys thought they were too old to fly kites, however, and sat at a picnic area with their ipod's (oh dear, why did I let them bring along those silly things?!).

While Ashlyn flew her kite, I noticed a little girl enter the park and quietly watch us.

When kite flying came to an end, Ashlyn & the little girl began playing together on the park's playground equipment. 

"Is a parent or grandparent here with you?", I asked, thinking it odd she had been alone for awhile, with no adult in sight (besides me).

"My mom is in the Army, in Korea," the little girl replied, "My daddy lives in New Jersey."

No wonder I had sensed a sadness in her little face. Piecing the puzzle together from our conversation, her parents were divorced, and she was being cared for by a male guardian while her mom was overseas.

 I felt terrible leaving the little girl alone at the park (her house was close by though). I kept asking myself later if we should have stayed at the park longer.
What a sad, heart-breaking world we live in. And ... how we all need one another! What if we'd all practice laying aside judgmental prejudices, in order to effectively love others. I'm preaching the gospel to myself ....
I'm hopeful we'll see the sweet little girl another Saturday morning at the park.

 ~~~~~~~~
By the next day, Richard felt well enough to walk slowly and drive a vehicle. After church, we enjoyed a beautiful drive in the mountains.

 

~Wow~ Breathtaking scenery ... along with a beautiful little girl!  :)

Take a look at the sky a few days later!!

What a colorful state to live in-- just in a different way than the Midwest.   :)

 (no, not all the leaves are yellow, as stated in a previous post. Even the scrub brush and weeds turn color, adding variety & beauty).  :)

We can see Pikes Peak from our deck, and enjoy the changing scenery from one day to the next.



Oh- and guess what?!  Colorado Springs now has a Trader Joe's, and we're tickled pink!

This is the closest we've ever lived to a Trader Joe's- Woohoo!



The Highlight of the next weekend ....was that our first visitors came to see us!!!   :)  :)

Daniel is one of Antonin's friends from Illinois. He and his family were on their way to New Mexico, and thought they'd stop by for a *surprise* visit for Daniel!!

What an awesome surprise when Daniel rang our doorbell, and Antonin answered the door!   :)

We all had a wonderful time together.

We drove up Pikes Peak and took LOTS of photos; too many to share here, of course!

It was the first time for any of us to explore Pikes Peak.

Before we knew it, we were at the top of the world.

The photo above, was on top of Pikes Peak, looking down ...

...take a look at a mountain road below, on our way down. Wow- the road was pretty scary in places with no guard rails! And ... can you believe that Daniel's dad rode his bike down Pikes Peak?

Kim (my co-teacher in Community Bible Study) informed me after the fact, that she always suggests guests take the Cog Railway up the mountain, since there are car crashes here every year (brakes going out).

Well- I'm grateful we all made it up and down safely, and that I didn't know about all the crashes.  lol!  :)

Yay, for our first visitors in Colorado Springs!!! 

We're glad God worked the details out for their visit, and they could share their vacation with us. We are thankful for sweet friends and memories made. :)   :)   :) 

Oh- yes, Richard's back was feeling much better by then, and enjoyed his time with company, too. His back is normal now, seeing how he's resumed his trail hiking. 

We're thankful for God's goodness- in the good and in the bad.   :)

schools

Colorado Springs has numerous school options.

For one thing, Coloradoans can "choice" their children into a different school district than where they live.

Charter school options are available within most school districts; "Charter" simply means a smaller sized, more intimate public school. Each Charter school has a particular focus. One concentrates on Classical Education; another focuses on all students learning foreign languages, etc., etc.   :)

At the beginning of the school year, both public and charter school advertisements fill newspapers and magazines, persuading why their school or school district should be chosen.
Oh- and I didn't even mention the homeschool options. One can choose to homeschool the traditional way, or participate in a Cottage school program where children "go to school" once a week (taught at home the other 4 days).  Numerous part-time schooling options are available for homeschoolers.
District 20- our school district-  has a Home School Academy with various one day a week programs up to grade 8 [The Arts; Technology; outdoor Science/Social Studies]. Space is limited for each program, and there's often waiting lists.
There are several Private schools, but they cost much more than what we paid for private schooling in Illinois, and didn't even consider them.
To participate in a Charter school, one should move to Colorado before their children reach Middle School.
A couple Charter School Administrators informed us it was "too late" for our 9th grader to join their schools.  Fortunately, a friend told us about a "High School only" Charter school, that focuses on gaining college credits in high school (dual enrollment). We've been pleasantly pleased with Colorado Springs Early Colleges so far. Even though it's 15 - 20 minutes away from our home, and Caleb utilizes their free transportation system (school bus), we feel that the experience has been worthwhile.
Caleb's beginning his 7th week of College Prep classes, and seems to have adjusted well; we just hope he can find some good, decent friends. Since Caleb doesn't have extra-curricular interests, we plan to help him find volunteer and/or job opportunities. Something more to put on my "to do" list.  :)

As for Antonin ... it wasn't too late to put him on Charter school's wait lists for 7th grade (months before our move), but by the time one of them had room for him, he was already three weeks into adjusting at Timberview Middle School, the school in our district.
We didn't want to confuse or further disrupt his life... so let him "be".
Right at first, Timberview's size had overwhelmed him (300 students just in his grade), but he has grown use to maneuvering successfully through the crowds.  :)
Yes, it's a large school, and difficult getting to know others (impossible getting to know other parents, I might add. They keep to themselves), but we have been very pleased with how the school is run.
Everything is on task and professional. No complaints.
Timberview is well known for its great band program, and Antonin's thrilled to play trumpet in one of the 7th grade bands. He's desired to learn trumpet for quite awhile, we just didn't want to pay for lessons. Now, he can learn for free... and the great thing about public school, is that band is incorporated into the day, so he gets out of school at normal time.   :)
Well .... except that he also wanted to participate in cross country, which meant that I picked him up at 4:30PM most days. Cross country season will be over this Wednesday, and then I'll see Antonin at 2:45PM every day. 
I miss my boys during the day and always look forward to seeing them!


 Because of our big move cross country, I thought it'd be a good idea to home school Ashlyn at least one more year. I've been a home school mom for ten years, so it'll take some time for me to give it up, you know.  :)
 Ashlyn's involved with District 20's Home School Academy "TRACKS", one day a week, and absolutely loves it! I only hear good things about time spent with special friends in Black Forest. :)
I think it'd be great to send her to a Charter School in the future, but we'll see what happens with the waiting list at Classical Academy. Should Ashlyn make it into their Cottage school program for next fall, I'd obviously be homeschooling her another year ... and then her chances of attending the actual Classical Academy in Middle School would be greater.  The Classical Academy is harder to get into past 2nd grade. We'll see what God works out for her!  :)
So many options ....   :)

By the way, the homeschool option is well-known and talked about in Colorado Springs- even a Public Library hosted a home school fair this summer! Yes, it was a large turn out.
It's amazing to see homeschooling listed as another schooling option among the advertisements in the papers.
There's an odd feeling that comes with knowing your public school system is supporting your homeschooling (I only pay for our curriculum; everything we do within the Home School Academy is free, including yearly achievement testing).
I'm still getting used to this feeling, but must say that more states should do this! :)
That said, the way Homeschool Academy is set up, parents don't have sufficient time to get to know each other. The children in the program get to know each other- just not the parents. :)
Most home school families still  need to join a homeschool support group for fellowship.  We didn't join a home school group with having our children in three different schools .... there's peace with living a simplified life.

Lord Willing, we will receive our fellowship and support through the church we end up attending faithfully!!
Yes ....  I'll need to share about our church hunt next ...    :)

 



Time

Fall is here ... and yes, there are beautiful leaves in Colorado Springs.  :)  Yay for some vibrant ones!

Ashlyn had requested to do a leaf project- placing leaves in between two pieces of wax paper, covering with a dry cloth, and then ironing. The next thing I knew, she brought in a bucket full of leaves ... many more than needed!   :)   I didn't think I had time for a leaf project. In fact, I told her I didn't have the time.

Richard was out of town, I was trying to finish things in the kitchen so I could look over my Community Bible Lesson for Bible Study the next day, etc., etc.

The second after "I don't have time for this..." came out of my mouth,  the disappointed look in my daughter's eyes almost immediately dissolved my "I don't want to" attitude.

I quickly finished working in the kitchen, than set up the iron, wax paper, and dry cloth. Ashlyn had gone through all the hard work of collecting pretty leaves in the neighborhood, and I knew if the leaves weren't ironed inside wax paper by that evening, they'd dry up.

"We're going to do the leaf project after all mom? I thought you didn't have time!"

"I changed my mind," I said, still grumpy on the inside, but controlling myself on the outside. :) 

 

 

 I enjoyed my time helping Ashlyn with the leaves; weariness from the day slowly disappeared. Through the process, Ashlyn even learned a little about ironing.

After the kids were in bed, and I finished all the things I thought needed to be done earlier ... I found I had learned a valuable lesson.

First, relationships are the most important things in the world, and should come before anything on my "to do" list.  Relationships require slowing-down and taking notice.

Second, God has a wonderful way of "redeeming the time" when I put Him first.

When I glanced up from my work later, after the leaf project, the time was actually earlier that I expected.

Everything that needed finished that day, was finished before my bedtime.

I don't know how God stops the hands of time, but I'm convinced He does now and then!! lol!   :)

 

I pray that I'll remember this valuable lesson, and apply it to all relationships in my life.

Loving and serving requires a sacrifice of time- some sacrifices more difficult than others.

Excuses and attitudes melt away with my first move ....   

Welcome fall

We visited an apple orchard in Colorado this weekend, driving an hour south to get there.
The orchard was "Happy Apple Farm", in Penrose, CO.
When I saw how few good apples were on the trees, I briefly cringed inside, then purposed to make the most of it. I had longed for fun fall activities for our family, and this place would have to do.

The children worked diligently, looking for good apples without worms.
We think this Happy Apple farm doesn't use pesticides.

We counted our [good] apples, and I guesstimated that the 12 apples were enough for making apple butter.
"This is good enough," I said, impatient with the apple picking.
Let's find some pumpkins!!!

Much better!!   :)

We found two pie pumpkins (for baking), and 3 Jack-O-Lantern pumpkins for our porch!

Richard & I felt dirty, dusty and sorely disappointed ... but the kids had had a good time.
We enjoyed the scenery on the way home.   :)

What excitement putting up our fall decorations!
The 3 Jack-o-lantern pumpkins looked just right on our porch with the scarecrows from storage. The children plan to carve them sometime soon. :)

 It's a challenge decorating for fall in a bigger house than where we lived previously.
I was able to squeak by with just purchasing a wreath for our fireplace, and an arrangement for our dining room table (not shown).
I'm hopeful nothing looks too sparse ... I'm decorating on a budget! :)

As for the 12 apples from Happy Apple Farm ... they're presently cooking in the crockpot tonight and smell delicious. Yay for happy apple butter!  lol!
I add  1/2 teaspoon more spices (maybe more) than what the recipe calls for, but that's because we like our apple butter more spicy. 
We can't wait to eat this tomorrow once it's all cooked down.
We can get more apples at the store soon, to make more batches and freeze them!
http://skinnyms.com/slow-cooker-apple-butter/

We haven't totally given up on Colorado's orchards. Perhaps there are better ones in the Denver area. We may check it out next fall.
With fall being my favorite season, I'll definitely miss bon fire's and hay rides this year.
So far, I'm the only one in the entire neighborhood with scarecrows and pumpkins on my front porch. It makes me wonder if I'm too early? Or maybe scarecrows are considered a Midwestern thing and scorned by Western people?  It is fall, right? 
I wonder how Coloradans celebrate fall (besides Halloween)??
I'm keeping my eyes and ears open .... and hope to write about it.   :)
I believe there's a fall festival next weekend ... and it's not an hour away ....