Hiking Ute Valley Park

This past week our friend John Roberts has been in town visiting his family. The best part of that for us is that Jack and Bridget live a few blocks from our house so we get to see them often. Between sharing meals, swimming, and hiking we have had a fun week.

This past Sunday after a nice lunch at Jack and Bridget's house we decided to to to Ute Valley Park for a short hike. The kids definitely out numbered the adults on this hike. One of the boys who went brought his home made fishing pole made of a stick, string, and a paper clip. He was determined to find a fish in a pond, but sadly there were no biters. All in all it was a wonderful afternoon to be with great friends!

Malia and Chris

Amalia with her volley ball and Uncle John

The hiking crew

Hanging with the Lucas Family

Since moving to Colorado Springs we have had the pleasure of seeing many of our friends who have come to visit us. This past weekend our close friends and former neighbors Matt, Dayna, and Myka Lucas came to visit us. It's been a little over a year since we last saw them, and Malia was only three weeks old at that time, and Myka was about 14 months.

This past Saturday we went to downtown Colorado Springs so the kids could play in Uncle Wilber's Fountain. At first both Malia and Myka decided that it was better to play with the water in the drain rather than brave the sprinklers. So they had fun splashing around in the little pool of water!

Eventually they both tired of the drain and moved to the fountain. The picture above is Matt, Myka, and Malia playing in the water. I was so excited to see Malia playing in the fountain because I have tried quite a few times this summer to play at the splash parks with her, but each time the splashing water scared her.

After getting closer to the water she finally decided she loved it! Above she is playing with her daddy in the fountain!

After playing in the water was over we went to eat at Poor Richards Cafe. When we were neighbors with the Lucas' we shared many meals together, so it was nice to be able to do it again but this time with both our daughters. We ate a yummy pizza... or as Myka calls it "peetzy."

It was such a fun day to spend together and I was reminded of how thankful I am that God has blessed our family with such great friends!

Why I love Colorado

I love Colorado for a number of reasons. I love the mountains, the fresh air, blue sky, and the many many outdoor activities that I can enjoy! It's been refreshing for both Chris and myself to begin hiking again this summer. We both love to hike, but when we lived in California we didn't get on the trails as much as we would have liked to. So now that we are in Colorado, and finished with school we have been able to once again find new trails to explore.

This past weekend we went hiking with our friend Bridget and her youngest daughter Amalia. We hiked Pulpit Rock, which is an easy hike that overlooks Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Mountain Range. It was definitely an easy hike for both Malia and Amalia because they got to ride along in their backpacks! Thanks

Chris for carrying her most of the way!

Malia loves to go on hikes because she loves to sit on mom or dad's shoulders and enjoy the scenery. If she rides with me she loves to tap me on the back of my head!

The pictures on the left from top to bottom: 1) View looking toward the south of Colorado Springs 2) Chris & Bridget with the girls in the backpacks 3) Pulpit Rock as we walked up to it from the backside 4) Chris and Malia climbing around on the rocks and 5) Malia with her water bottle after the hike!

This summer we have enjoyed getting to know Colorado Springs by foot. We have hiked a number of different places all with breathtaking views of the surrounding area. It has been fun to enjoy hiking with friends and getting out in God's beautiful creation.

In one month I begin working as a chaplain. I have had the privilege to stay home with Malia since her birth and enjoy being a stay home mom. I love the time I get to spend with my daughter and I hope that during this next month we will be able to hike more, bike more, and simply enjoy the time we get to spend together. Malia is growing so fast and changing every day, and she has the best grin when she accomplishes something new! I am looking forward to starting my work as a chaplain, but I will miss staying home with Malia. I cherish the moments we get to spend together, but I look forward to the many more wonderful moments God will give us.

Simplicity of Summer

I am thankful everyday to be alive and able to enjoy my family, friends, and the goodness of nature that God has designed for me to enjoy! This summer has been a wonderful time of healing, rest, and pleasure.

It's been about nine months since our car accident and we have truly come a long way since then. In the past nine months we have healed from our broken bones, mended from our emotional trauma (although still mending), and given a new look on life. I am thankful for how far God has brought us and I can see that we have a wonderful future ahead of us. We have nothing to fear other than fear itself, and because of that I consider myself to be free. Although there are still moments where the fear creeps in, but I know God has protected us and has a purpose and a plan for our lives.

The past nine months have become more restful as time passes. In April we moved into our first home, closer to the mountains. Everyday I wake up to rabbits in my front yard, the occasional deer resting under our trees. It's so peaceful. I find myself more rested and feeling alive again. I often take Malia on walks in the neighborhood, and recently have begun hiking and biking again. I feel like my life has been restored and I am doing the things I love to do again.

The simple pleasures in life are becoming more noticeably abundant. This past weekend Chris, Malia, and I took a bike ride on the Santa Fe Trail. It was our first ride together as a family, and it was so enjoyable to be active together! Another activity I find pleasurable is taking pictures. I recently got a new camera which keeps me active in taking pictures. Although I'm still figuring out all it's functions, I love being able to capture life as I see it.

This picture is Malia (R) with her friends, Sophia (L), and Amalia (C). We went to the girls house when they had a lemonade and cookie stand, and Malia enjoyed playing and being fed popsicles on a rather hot day. We all had a wonderful time and I definitely enjoyed playing with the new camera!

This summer has been a blessings to us. God is good. We have loved getting more settled into our new home, exploring our surroundings, and enjoying the simplicity of summer.

Colorado

Beautiful blue skies and gigantic mountains! I love Colorado! The past few weeks have been wonderful as we have settled into our new apartment. But with all moves there are always some challenges (finding your way around, finding a new church, making new friends), but thankfully Chris, Malia, and I are in it together. We love our new apartment and are getting use to the residents that live above us... yes they walk loudly but we get a good laugh from it. We discovered that they actually have two young boys which is probably where most the noise comes from. Best of all with this recent move is the peace and quietness that we find living in our new place (even with the loud walkers... it's much quieter than living next to a freeway). Every time I walk outside I am reminded of God's beauty. Nature has always helped me to feel closer to God, and I am excited to draw close to Him as I explore this new place. In the two weeks that we have been here I already find myself so much more at peace than I was before. Praise God for His beautiful creation that I so thankfully get to enjoy!