i have to say...

Our weekend, even though it was busy, was a good one.  We got lots of stuff done, but took some time out to play also.  A day of hiking and geocaching was perfect since the weather dipped down to 80 degrees; only the day before it was 95!  Funny how 15 degrees can make such a big difference.

As usual, my husband was more than willing to accomodate my need for good blog photos.  Here he is doing his best Nacho Libre pose---sans the white polyester pants:

When we got to the creek the kids wondered what the temperature of the water was, so my hubs tested it out for them:

Aubry, of course had to be just like daddy:

What was your weekend like?

a day at the farm

Once a week my hubby and I have been dragging our kids to the farm to pick weeds.   Now, before you go awarding us the "super-fun parents" award or something like that, let me say that this has a purpose:  free food!  We were lucky enough to get a "worker-bee share" at our CSA that allows us to put in 3 hours of labor per week while receiving one free share of food.  This I like!

My kids do fine for about 1-1/2 of those 3 hours and then the complaining/when can we go/ it's hot and I am melting in this sun, starts.  But that is A-OK because we  believe that it is good to teach the value of hard work all while helping out the community.  (That was another opportunity for the "super-fun parents" award!).

The boys think it is great that we get to drive this very cool vehicle:

Aubry, of course, has developed some "working on the farm" fashion:

There is something relaxing about digging through the dirt and pulling weeds, except when I accidentally picked up a squishy toad.  Really gross.

It is ridiculous that I take my camera, but at least I don't wear make-up.  You could find me in the fields if you looked for the gal wearing the giant-brimmed straw hat and the long-sleeved shirt.  In other words, look for the gal who is old enough to be concerned about preserving her appearance!

The colors of the plants are perfect:

Aubry suggested that I show you her choice of shoe for the farm:

One cool thing about having lots of kids is that when you go to the farm they notice that you accomplish more work than most of the other people who help out and they offer you a free share.  Awesome! 

These days I take all the free food I can get!

Have a great Monday!

good things

This weekend was warm and sunny. Perfect for:

**Capris and tank tops
**An early morning walk along the river
**Starting the flip-flop tan line on my feet
**A trip to the zoo
**Sewing--lots of free time on Saturday morning while my kids were at a friend's house!
**Washing the cars
**Making a compost pile (crossing my fingers that it works!)
**Planting nasturtiums

Mr. Sun, keep on shining!

Snow on Pike's Peak:

The cat rolling in the dirt:

Lovely flowers:

An "oops" shot, but I still like it:

Have a lovely Monday!

***PS---You will find a post at Me and My Girl today!

it can get rocky out there

In case you have ever wondered, the Rocky Mountains acquired their name because they are so very, well, rocky.  Technically, they could have been called the Big Rocky Mountains since they are big as well. 

Rock climbing is very popular here m Colorado, and in the winter, ice climbing is another nutty sport that outdoorsy types like to engage in. Personally I like to keep my feet firmly planted on solid, flat ground where it is safe.

My husband, however, is not of the same mind as I am, so he decided to climb the above pictured rock/mountain while we were geocaching this weekend.  Since he is the super manly type,  he didn't anticipate that a loose rock could fall to the ground when all of his weight was on it.  Of course, he could have consulted me and been forewarned, but that didn't seem to enter his mind. 

Once he was about 15 feet above the dry, hard ground, the rock that I alluded to above broke free and left him falling until he hit the ground with a thud.  From the midst of the dust swirling around him came a labored "I'm fine!", but I wasn't so sure that I believed him since he was covered with cactus needles and he was limping.

As this point, he felt that the best solution was to continue on our hike so that he could "walk it off".

***Ladies, I just want to know where men get these ideas from!?!?!

We walked on, he limped, and we all tried to act like nothing happened.

Here is am hugging him right after I gave him a good "talking to":

We skipped rocks:

Aubry posed with her official geocaching kitty purse:

What would a hike be without a bit of sister-ly love?

Green:

A lovely sky:

In the scheme of things, all of this is just small stuff:

Yes, my hubs is fine.  And I am pretty sure he will think twice before attempting rock climbing again! Have a happy Monday!

why it's worth it

Saturday morning was beautiful for hiking, breezy warm and early enough not to feel the snow coming. 

The first part of our trek was on this hill where Craig pointed out that he had just driven up this same road yesterday in his Jeep.  I bit my tongue and decided that he was man enough to make his own decisions.  But when Josiah started talking about the time he drove on this road with Craig last summer, I unfortunately didn't keep my mouth shut for that one.

This is the point in the hike where the downward spiral of events took place.

What could have been a great time turned into a disaster, complete with tears and hasty words.  To be honest, the thought of my kids being on this road in a vehicle just seemed ridiculous, and I wasn't about to sit by and act like everything was OK.   

Both of us being stubborn, we continued our trek in silence, walking much faster than normal from all the adrenaline pumping through our veins.  It was one of those time where I wondered why I choose him.  What was I thinking?  Why do I waste my time?

All things of consequence in this life will have us asking these questions at one time or another.  Is the work really going to reap anything of value?  Should I just throw in the towel and do something else, something easier?

Amazingly, it is worth it. 

Marriage is a journey.  A trek across time that you commit to take with another person.  There are never any guarantees, and often the vows taken in the blush of love become hollow when the tough times come. 

And the tough times do come.

Craig and I have had our share of ups and downs.  We have had times when I have sincerely wondered if we would make it through to the end.  Would our differences in personality and opinion push us so far away from each other that we would lose our grip and drift apart? 

God's grace is the only thing that has gotten us this far and my hope is that we continue holding tight enough to Him so that He is able to get us to the end of the road where the view is best.  It is after all of the trudging and struggling and feeling incapable of moving higher, that you reach the point in the trail that reminds you why you do all of this.  The place that whispers softly that there is a reason for all of the hard work you put into your marriage each and every day.

Clinging to Him, clinging to each other.

Our hike continued on its course until finally, we got home and talked.  Funny how a little communication changes things.  We decided that the kids could go on any easy or moderate trails and that I would trust Craig in his choices when it came to taking the kids 4-wheeling.  It was after talking that I realized how thankful I am to have a guy like Craig, one who listens and makes a sincere effort to do things as one, the way the Bible says to.  There are things that drive me crazy about my guy, but somehow those things have an endearing quality that keep me by his side.

The road of marriage is not easy, but I am thankful that Craig is the one hiking by my side.

...a threefold cord is not quickly broken.  Ecclesiastes 4:12

we are geocachers

We needed a new family hobby.  As kids grow bigger, it is easy for mom and dad to miss the clues that reveal the need for something new, something more adventurous and fun.

Thankfully, we have discovered geocaching.   A friend recommended this site where we searched our area (there are over 1,700 geocaches within our zip code!) and picked an easy destination.

Because we had no idea how to use a GPS, we ended up going in the wrong direction and walking about one mile more than necessary, but we got it figured out and headed back.

In the tunnel my kids said, "Hey, Mom, you can't take our picture in here!"

I guess they forgot about the flash:

Once we had our bearings, we were able to spy the treasure under a rock:

Aubry got to pick from the stash--a fabulous piece of sidewalk chalk!:

We neglected to bring an item to leave, so we ended up leaving a pen.  Next time we will plan ahead and bring something fun:

Signing our names in the book:

We already have another geocaching adventure set for next weekend, weather permitting.   A packed lunch,  a better gift to leave in the box, and friends will accompany us this time as we set out on our treasure hunt.

I wonder what we will find!