Colorado, Part 1 (finally)

Here is the first set of pictures from our Colorado trip. You will notice that the majority of these pictures are of Lucy. Well, it's really the only outdoor activity she was able to participate in so we took lots of pictures. I wouldn't want her to think we took her out there and just left her at the cabin, now would I?

In the middle of town, there is is great sledding hill. The city of Winter Park recently did some major renovating to the area and its great. We were so surprised at how much it had changed in 9 months. The girls loved it, but it was freezing. I think it was roughly 15 degrees when we were sledding. The sun was going down, too, so that made it even worse. You wouldn't know it by their expressions, but they were icicles.

Getting ready for take off!

Lucy just lauched herself from the top of the hill and was loving every minute of her "free fall."

Sweet Sisters

Ella cracked us up on her toboggan. We think she is missing her calling living in TN. She could propel herself from the top of the hill and lay back as if she were riding a luge. It was hilarious.

Ella with our cousin, Alexandria. She was a great sport and had more fun than she let on. She's almost 16 so she had to maintain a little "cool."

Sick Day

This morning my mom and I were going to make a super secret, spur-of-the-moment, much-needed trip to Starbucks. We both had much better things to be doing, but darn-it! I just miss an occasional grande, non-fat, extra-hot, sugar-free, caramel latte. Is that so wrong?!?!

Well, I guess it is. We got all the way to Brighton High School and my cell phone rings. It's Ella's teacher calling to tell me that Ella has a fever and needs to be picked up. I don't know what was more disappointing. The fact that Ella was sick or the thought of not drinking that nice, comforting latte. Obviously, the answer is not getting the latte my precious angel being sick. I mean really, what kind of mother do you think I am?

So, I reluctantly willingly turned around and went to pick up my baby. She was about 4 shades of greens when I got her, but didn't seem to feel too bad. After we got home I took a look at the back of her throat and there they were. Those tale-tale white spots on the back of her throat. I knew instantly (we've had a few cases of strep around this house) what it was. I didn't need to have a Dr. tell me, but I did need at Dr. to write me a prescription. Erik too her to the Dr. and off course her strep test came back positive.

How is she doing you might ask? Well, take a look. Doesn't she look like a child who is miserable?

I missed a Starbucks for this? Oh, well. I really am just happy she feels good. There is nothing more miserable than having a sick baby. Tomorrow may be a different story. For now we are just enjoying this rare "sickness."

Cain Austin Clinkscales

Not to belittle the post that I just made, but I think this is worth it. Sort of goes hand-in-hand, actually. Our Sunday School class was made aware of a little boy named Cain who will be born in about a week. His mother (i don't even know her first name) wrote me the sweetest email thanking me for posting the link for Baby Harper. She was going to be praying for her.

I was floored. I wanted to say "Really?!?" "You are about to give birth to a baby with 6 congenital heart defects and yet you are praying for someone else's child?" But that's not what I said. That's because I know that's what prayer does. It allows you to fall on your face before Jesus Christ and get back up with a renewed spirit. Prayer gives you the courage to face your own challenges while still having the capacity to carry another's burden. Prayer surpasses all of our fears and anxieties. Prayer allows us to know peace.

So instead, I said to Cain's mother "we will conttinue to pray for baby Cain as he prepares to enter this world and we will pray for you and your family as you prepare for the days, weeks and months ahead of you."

And, just like that, I have a new sister in Christ. One I will continue to pray for until her son's little body is healed.

http://clinkscalesfamily.blogspot.com/

Fight FOCA

During the recent political season, I made my views on abortion very clear and I am totally unapologetic about those views. My beliefs are in no way a condemnation towards those that believe otherwise, just to be clear.

The overwhelming cry from those that elected President Obama was "change." This man was the right one for the current times. I hope they are right.

This, however, is not the change I had prayed for. As a matter of fact it is the type of change I feared. You are all smart people and can form opinions on your own. If you are interested, you can read

http://www.focafacts.com/FOCAfacts/

Again, I do not want to get into a political debate with anyone (including those of you whom I don't know but are apparently nice enough to read my blog). That is not the intention of my personal blog. I love my friends---all of them---no matter what political persuasion they might be. This is just a very important issue that I believe strongly in. ALL life is sacred. ALL life.

Maryville at Christmas, part 2

Here is the second installment of pictures from our Maryville trip. I know I mentioned what a fun time we had, but did I mention the weather was just PERFECT? I guess God knew that 7 adults and 5 kids could not stay couped up in the house for 4 days without killing each other. Well, as usual, he came through for us.


Lucy enjoys the dinosaur climbing toy


These are the ducks (well some of the ducks) that we fed in the park in Maryville.

Lucy feeding the ducks.

Grandpa shows Ella how to get the duck to eat right out of her hand.

Lucy just loves her new bike

Off into the sunset

Much to your disappointment, dear blog reader, I am officially done with Christmas pictures. now on to our ski trip........

Prayers Please

Since I began blogging last summer, I have learned that the blogging community is one "small" big family. One of the things that I have particularly found amazing is how we can all become united in prayer. Every now and then I come across a prayer request for a child or family member from a friend's blog once or twice removed. Perfect strangers, really. But something about their humble, urgent request for prayer draws you in. Their story is so compelling that you are drawn to that family like they are your own. You realize that as they ask the blogging community for prayer, they are clinging like mad to the assurance that you will actually pray for that person whom you have not and may never meet.

If you want to take the time to become a "member" of one such family, I would encourage you to check out Kelly's blog. Who is Kelly you might ask? I don't have a clue. I just know that she has a baby named Harper who desperately needs prayer.

http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/

Logic?

I love how the Tipton County School System will call off school just-in-case it might somehow possibly snow during the day. HOWEVER....when we ACTUALLY get snow the kids have to go to school. Our preschool takes their lead from the schools, so of course Ella bundled up in her ski coat and Daddy took her to school today.

YOU PEOPLE DON'T MAKE ANY SENSE!!!!!!!

Christmas in Maryville, part 1

We had a great visit with Erik's family in Maryville after Christmas. The highlight of the trip was riding our bikes in the wonderfully, refreshing warm weather. We also got the chance to feed the ducks at the Greenbelt.

Ella the Elf

Ella and Grandpa


Ella and our neice Abigail

Erik's Brother-in-Law, Michael and our nephew, Alec

Crazy Hands and a Cute 2 Year Old

Last night at dinner Ella started whining about her hands hurting. I just assumed it was another ploy to NOT eat. There is a new drama every night with her. I just wish I disliked food as much as she does! Anyway, after a while the crying had gotten worse and she actually appeared to be uncomfortable. Her hands were blotchy, red and swollen. We still don't know what caused it but she was quite uncomfortable.

Ella's painful expression

Don't they look awful?

So, during this drama my favorite 2 (almost 3) year old needed to do something to get some attention herself. In typical Lucy fashion that meant a little comedy---Lucy style!

Pardon the Interruption

We interrupt this broadcast for a very important announcement......



My girls dressed as cute cheerleaders, had crazy hand rashes, participated in tacky day at school, had our first bball game AND......I got a hair cut!



No, I am not done posting Christmas pictures but some things deserved to be mentioned.

I feel quite sassy with my new haircut!

Go Tigers!

Tacky Day at school

Christmas and Nanny and Pops

aka--my mom and dad's house.

As this picture shows, the girls never tired of opening presents.

This was Christmas morning--about 3 hours after Santa had visited. The girls were still on Christmas cocaine, so it took all we had to keep them from tearing into all the presents at one time. They received some wonderful gifts and had a great time visiting with Aunt Ro, Uncle T, Uncle John Paul, my grandparents and my mom's sister and her husband.