tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90924254135370411552024-03-19T06:24:26.252-06:00Glimpses of BeautyLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203490826092397238noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092425413537041155.post-27909287788708937632014-10-15T12:58:00.002-06:002014-10-15T12:58:31.696-06:00Learning about GratitudeThis morning I enjoyed listening to a friend speak on gratitude. Often gratitude is something that I can let slip by in my regular day, I get too busy and focused on the things that don't matter rather than focusing on the things that do. I fill my day with nonsense and things that keep me busy, but I don't often fill my day with things that make me whole, things that bring me peace, and things that recenter me. It's easy to live a day without giving gratitude.<br />
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Years ago I titled my blog Glimpses of Beauty. I wanted to focus on seeing glimpses of God's beauty in my daily life. I realized that I see a lot of dark places and have been invited to be with others in some dark places, but even in that darkness, God's light shines and we can see beauty. The band Gunger wrote a song titled <i>Beautiful Things. </i>One lyric states, "You make beautiful things, you make beautiful things out of the dust. You make beautiful things, you make beautiful things out of us." God has the ability to make beautiful things out of things that have difficulty seeing as beautiful. I'm grateful that God has chosen to redeem even the most dusty and dirty parts of our souls, and that even in the chaos of life, He shows us beauty.<br />
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Seeing beauty for me is like seeing gratitude. It's easy to turn our head or close our eyes when our lives feel like chaos, and it's difficult to practice seeing beauty and speaking gratitude.<br />
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Every now and then I feel like I get to hit the reset button, and start things over. So today, I'm resetting. I'm going to start small by looking for one thing to be grateful for each day. I will write down that gratitude and why I'm grateful for it. As a tangible reminder I'm attempting to wear my "gratitude bracelets." When I think of something I'm grateful for, I will move the bracelet to the other wrist, with the goal of moving all seven bracelets to the other wrist. I'm not sure how this will work, but it's a start. Every new journey begins with a first step, so this is mine.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203490826092397238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092425413537041155.post-29715059947039461012014-09-10T06:53:00.000-06:002014-10-03T17:25:36.267-06:00Blessed to build relationshipsThis morning I was sad because I felt sick and had to stay back at the hotel. I missed seeing g the gardens and the boat tour of the city, but by staying back I was able to rest and now feel a little better. In some ways it was a blessing to stay back.<br />
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This afternoon, after I woke up and was feeling better I got to go out with one of our translator's to get some food. The two of us walked to a crepe or and sat in a little park eating and talking. She asked me how I got involved with coming to Russia and I was able to share my story about how God brought me here. It was such a relaxing g afternoon as we talked and got to know one another a little better. She shared with me how she got involved translating, and her desire to go back to school to work with children with disabilities. We talked about orphanages and the children who are often in need of adoption are those with special needs. Tanja use to work as a disciples in one of the orphanages until it closed. I enjoyed my time with Tanja and feel like God took a yucky day and made it into something more beautiful.<br />
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I am blessed to be here. God has me in Russia for some reason and I know He is revealing that to me each day. May He continue to open my eyes to see glimpses of His beauty around me, and build relationships with all His children.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203490826092397238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092425413537041155.post-26098748474790932382014-09-08T12:01:00.000-06:002014-09-08T12:01:08.282-06:00Russia I have arrivedI'm amazed that I have finally arrived in Russia.St. Petersburg is beautiful and amazing. I'm always amazed at the fact that God's world is so large and so diverse yet also so common. The Rusian people I have met so far are so different yet the same as me in many ways. A birthday I met Lisa, she is about my age and doesn't speak English. Although our last gauge is different we still speak. On the subway she looked at me and motioned at how big my eyes were as I was taking in all the sights. We laughed and she smiled. I pray that while while I am here I will make more of those relational connections.<br />
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This morning when I left for the airport my husband said in regards to a dream I had, "you have the skill, you just need someone to guide you through Russia." I pray that God will continue to open my eyes wide so I can take in the sights,and the culture, and I trust He will guide me through this experience using g my skills to reach out to others.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203490826092397238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092425413537041155.post-54718346380697913082014-09-04T20:28:00.002-06:002014-09-04T20:28:48.070-06:00Sweetness of LifeTonight I sit in my room and listen to my daughter play. Her imagination is growing by leaps and bounds and I wonder what it would be like to be in her head for five minutes. I wish I could go back to the days where my imagination would take me on adventures to far off places. Where I could escape my everyday life and go to an imaginary world.<br />
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I sit in my room feeling anxious and wishing I could shake that feeling. I'm anxious for my travels to Russia, anxious about being away from my family for two weeks, anxious wondering how my kids will handle my being away, anxious about if I've packed the right clothes for the weather, anxious about the amount I will carry on the airplane, anxious because my house is a wreck and I'm leaving, and my list goes on. I wish I could throw it all away, write it down and get it out of my mind, and escape my anxieties.<br />
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None of those things I'm anxious about are things that I can control... except maybe my house. I want to relax, and feel the world lifted off my shoulders. I want to listen to my daughter play, and escape into her mind with her. I want to sit and drift away, imagine, and create a place of peace, and solitude. A place where I can dump my worries and let go.<br />
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I was blessed tonight to listen to my daughter play. She gave me a moment tonight were I could just let go. A moment with no worries. She brought me back to the sweetness of life, and the sweetness of childhood.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203490826092397238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092425413537041155.post-38924838973574377362014-09-04T20:11:00.000-06:002014-09-04T20:11:58.223-06:00HaikuSpinning around<br />
I seem to fall up not down<br />
Is the world upside down?<br />
<br />Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203490826092397238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092425413537041155.post-21940857158447889922014-08-31T23:17:00.003-06:002014-08-31T23:17:48.619-06:00Why does God want me in Russia now? Why does God want me in Russia now?<br />
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Over ten years ago I woke up from a dream. In my dream I saw myself at an orphanage in Russia and working with children. The pictures in my dream were so vivid, the building, and tires on the property stuck out to me when I awoke. I remember waking from this dream and thinking, "Okay God, Russia?" I knew this dream was something from God, but I didn't know what it meant so I went on with my life.<br />
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I moved away from Hawaii and went to seminary in California. This dream never really came up again until after I graduated and we moved to Colorado. We started attending a church and one of our first Sunday's visiting there was a group of people who had just gotten back from Russia. They were sharing pictures of the orphanage they were at and stories of their travels. I sat in my chair covered with goose bumps. I had this feeling God was working somehow.<br />
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Almost five years have gone by since that Sunday, and I have not been to Russia. I wanted to go many times with the teams that were traveling, but each time, it was clear that it was not my time to travel.<br />
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This morning I shared this story with a friend of mine at church, and she asked me the question, "why does God want you to go to Russia now?" This question has been circling in my head all day. Why now? What does God want me to do, see, experience? It was very clear when I was praying about this trip that now is the time to go. After the initial meeting for information about the nature of this trip, every night for a week God spoke to me through very vivid dreams. I know He wants me to be in Russia at this time, but I don't know why. Why now of all the times?<br />
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I'm excited to travel, and I leave in one week from today. I don't know what to expect, but I do expect God to show up in some amazing ways. I pray that He is opening a door for me. A door to someplace He is leading me, and my family. An experience that will change me forever.<br />
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I want to see Russia through God's eyes.<br />
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So God, what do you want me to see? Why do you want me in Russia now?<br />
<br />Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203490826092397238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092425413537041155.post-28345957809972799262014-08-30T21:21:00.001-06:002014-08-30T21:21:10.411-06:00The Hardest Thing About WritingThe hardest thing about writing is feeling like the words don't simply flow from my mind to ink and paper (or computer as it is these days). Some days I feel creative and other days not so much, but I like to believe that I'm filled with words that need to come out, words that are creative and important, words that move people in a way that music does for others.<br />
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I have always loved to write. I remember the first creative writing course I took in high school. My teacher encouraged me, inspired me, challenged the way I wrote. She pushed me to go beyond what I thought I could do to create in a way I didn't realize was possible. She managed to tap into that creative part of my sould. The deepest part that sometimes has a hard time expressing itself.<br />
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Over the years writing has become more challenging, and it feels less creative. I have often wondered if my life is not as inspiriting as it once was, or if the way I tapped into that creativity changed when light came into the dark places of my life. I know that in some of my darker moments in life, I have found my writing to be the most creative, but it is also the most dark, and sad. As God brought light into those dark places of my life I felt like my writing became too forced and frilly, it was no longer the raw, unfiltered stuff.<br />
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Over time I have come to say that I just don't have time to write like I use to, but the reality is that I'm afraid to write. Afraid that I'm no longer the creative person I once was. Afraid that my words are dry and that I have nothing to say. Afraid that my writing won't be as good as it once was. I have found many excuses to keep me from writing, to keep me from creating, and growing in my abilities.<br />
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No more excuses. The hardest thing about writing is myself. I need to get out of my own way, step aside, write, and allow my thoughts to flow without editing what comes out. I have been inspired to write again and encouraged as I have found writing challenges that inspire me and give me a diving board to spring from. Now I'm on the platform, stepping forward, and jumping in. Head first, eyes closed, fingers free to type.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203490826092397238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092425413537041155.post-74901886968230909672014-08-28T22:11:00.000-06:002014-08-28T22:11:50.539-06:00If I Truly Played the Guitar...If I truly played the guitar, I would feel on top of the world. I would sing as if no one was watching me, and allow my soul to dance free.<br />
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Although I might look awkward with a guitar half the size of my body, I would feel confident. I would be that person that I admire. The one who holds her guitar with confidence, and plays as if no one is watching. The girl who creates from the inner depths of her soul. The girl who explores through a world of music. The girl whose music taps into the souls of her listeners. The girl who plays because she feels moved in a way that can only be expressed through her music.<br />
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If I truly played the guitar, I would be so excited.<br />
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Until that day comes, I'll continue to tinker my tunes, and sing to myself. Because even though I'm not that girl who truly plays the guitar, I feel the passion of the music that excites my soul and makes me want to create a world of music. A world were I can be lost in the adventure of the tunes.<br />
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<br />Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203490826092397238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092425413537041155.post-82304558209604751562014-08-27T21:43:00.002-06:002014-08-27T21:43:47.728-06:00I Had Been Here Before<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://dailypost.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/tracks.jpg?w=636&h=848" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://dailypost.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/tracks.jpg?w=636&h=848" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: <a href="http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_writing_challenge/build-your-own/#jp-carousel-88950" target="_blank">"Tracks"</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I had been here before, a long time ago. Wandering down a
path that felt aimless. My bones ached. The pain reminded me of the rusty
railways that had slowly overtime grown old, and no longer used. I continued
walking down the path, searching for something familiar, something that could
anchor me to this place, something that could tell me why I was walking down
this path to begin with? Finally, I recognize the bend in the tracks. I raced
to the turn thinking I knew what was around the corner, only to find that when
I arrived I was still wandering down the tracks. What I thought was familiar
was something new, something unknown. So here I am, facing the unknown before
me, taking a deep breath, and continuing down the tracks. Maybe I’ll find a
penny along the way.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Prompt - <a href="http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_writing_challenge/build-your-own/" target="_blank">"Build Your Own" at The Daily Post </a></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203490826092397238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092425413537041155.post-32614226683125714962012-12-06T21:34:00.000-07:002012-12-06T21:35:59.403-07:00Because He Loves Me<i>"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." ~ Galatians 2:20</i><br />
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Years ago I had a dream where I was laying against a large wooden post on the ground. My arms were being streached and tied to the wooden post that laid horizontal at the top of the other wooden beam, and I realized that I was laying on the cross. In my dream I looked over toward my left hand as a man was placing a metal stake into the palm of my hand and as he swung the hammer down on the stake I was immediately standing next to the the cross watching as Jesus' hand was nailed to the cross. I stood there with tears in my eyes, feeling the pain that Jesus suffered, and realized that he took my place on that cross.<br />
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The images of that dream remain vivid in my mind, and have serve as a constant reminder of the sacrifice that Jesus made on my behalf. He gave himself for me so that I might live because he loves me.<br />
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There are days when I question what living fully means, and what does it look like on a daily basis. It's easy to get caught up in the mundane things in life, or to get stuck in a pattern. But when that happens how does one fully live?<br />
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As I look at my life, I find that living fully is being in the present moment, yet listening for the ways God is calling me. I find that lately it's in the few quiet moments I sneek in between the kids naps, and moments of standing alone in my driveway looking up at the night sky and finding solace in God's creation. I may be small compared to the night sky, but God's love for me is so great.<br />
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I was once told that faith is believing in what I cannot see. I may never see all there is to see in this life, or fully understand the things in this life, but it's by faith that I can live life to it's fullest and explore the gift Jesus gave me as he took my place on that cross.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203490826092397238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092425413537041155.post-3910687526815537072012-12-05T21:14:00.000-07:002012-12-05T21:15:13.177-07:00Set Apart<i>"But when God, who set me apart from my mother's womb and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being."</i> ~ <i>Galatians 1:15-16</i><br />
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I often go about my days forgetting how God has chosen me, and has set me apart from the time I was in my mother's womb. I wonder how many other people, like me, get caught up in the hussle of life and don't take the time to fully absorb the fact that God loves us so much that he chose us first.<br />
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What does it mean to be chosen? As a child, my memories of being "chosen" were not positive. For many reasons unknown to me, I was often chosen last in a line up. I despised waiting to be called because I always knew I would be chosen last or close to last, and I often felt embarrassed as if there was something wrong with me. Yet I was always hopeful that maybe someone would call my name, and maybe someone would choose me first.<br />
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In middle school I went bowling with my youth group, and after scoring the lowest score my youth leader said, "Lisa, the first shall be last and the last shall be first." Those words remained with me to this day as he told me about the parable of the workers in the vineyard - <i>Matthew 10:16.</i> I always held on to that knowledge with the anticipation that one day I would be chosen first, and that to Jesus there is no first and last, but equals.<br />
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As I read this verse in Galatians, I was reminded that I have been chosen first because God chose me, even before I could chose him. He chose me in my mother's womb, and set me apart to do great things. Although there are times when I doubt myself and lack the confidence I need, I know God desires great things for my life, and he has equiped me to preach among the nations - however that looks. It's taken me many years to realize that I am a leader. For years I was comfortable simply following because I had allowed my surroundings to define me as a follower and as one chosen last. Yet God continues to choose me first. He picks me up, dusts me off, and makes me sparkle like a treasure, because in his eyes I am a treasure. He created me to preach his word, and to be a voice for those who have yet to find their voices. I am a leader, and each day I continue to discover my own voice and abilities as I let God define who I am, chosen and loved, and precious in His sight.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203490826092397238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092425413537041155.post-34348529949475674082012-11-13T13:22:00.000-07:002012-11-13T13:23:31.893-07:00New Life and New Beginnings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
On September 6, 2012 Micah Wesley Quirk Nelson was born at 7:10pm</div>
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He is a new joy in our lives and we are so grateful he has arrived and is part of our family. My pregnancy with him was challenging, and I was on bed rest at 33 weeks for preterm labor. Thankfully he held on until almost 39 weeks. We went to the hospital aruond 10 am because I was having contractions but still not regular enough for active labor. So we went in so I could be checked. My cervix was 6 cm dialated and 70% effaced. The nurses decided to have me walk around for an hour and then checked me again. I was now almost 7 cm, 75% effaced and still not in active labor. They had me walk another hour and I was then a full 7 cm and still not in active labor. Because I wanted to labor naturally, they thought about sending us home until I went into active labor. Chris and I had discussed with our doula the options we had for inducing labor because I was exhausted. After weeks of laboring at home, my body was tired and I was ready to deliver. So we discussed with our doctor the posibility of starting pitocen to keep my contractions coming regular, and at 4pm the pitocen started. I was grateful to kickstart labor since it was clear my body was ready. After a couple hours I was ready to begin pushing. During a few of the contractions Dr. O'Connell told me not to push, as Micah was coming out, he was twisted in the umbilical cord. He was so twisted that they thought that was the cause of my body not staying in active labor. I remember at one point the doctor said, "we have one shoulder." During labor I kept thinking "why is there only one?" But thankfully after Micah was untwisted and a couple more contractions, he had arrived!<br />
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In some ways labor felt easier because I was in active labor for only three hours, although I didn't have any food in my body to fuel me for the labor process, so I was so glad to eat after delivery! Micah was born at 7:10pm, he was 8lbs. 6 oz. and 20.25 inches long. He was a big boy! Thankfully I was able to labor naturally with him with a little kickstart of pitocen to help us along.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74yuP3IIyveVHKcmix9eLYhICXwdXKn4lb5K7s3_v26L4zyYxV0q-gSJ_7HgKX1mQJbJMroTSd6XgW2sr6uqxt5AkzReVBXEzc-rz9j-eBaNXDZVKfo9afGo3F5Qz5EbZBFBmJ-_TRKk/s1600/Nelsons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74yuP3IIyveVHKcmix9eLYhICXwdXKn4lb5K7s3_v26L4zyYxV0q-gSJ_7HgKX1mQJbJMroTSd6XgW2sr6uqxt5AkzReVBXEzc-rz9j-eBaNXDZVKfo9afGo3F5Qz5EbZBFBmJ-_TRKk/s320/Nelsons.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Malia is enjoying being a big sister! She is absolutely amazing too! She has taken very good care of Micah and loves to teach him all the things she is learning and tries to comfort him when he is upset. She is proud to be a big sister and takes her role very serious. One morning she came running into Chris' and my bedroom and yelled, "mommy daddy, baby Micah smiled at me!" She was so excited that he recognized her and gave her a big smile.<br />
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Our friend Tomek took some pictures of us at Garden of the Gods when Micah was about 5 weeks old. Tomek took some amazing pictures and we are so thankful! Most people know I love pictures, and I love them even more when they are pictures of my family. I feel so blessed to have a wonderful husband and two sweet children that I get to have a fun time with. I couldn't ask for a better family. </div>
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I love this picture above because Malia is kissing her daddy and the kissing camels are in the background! But she was also rubbing Micah's head to ease his crying. She has such a sweet spirit and is so loving!</div>
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Malia is almost 3 1/2 years old! She is constantly talking as she learns so many new words each day. She always surprises us. It's amazing to think she use to be as small as Micah... actually smaller since he was so big at birth! Now she's a little girl and growing up so much. She loves lollipops... in case you couldn't tell by the picture! She loves to play outside in the dirt, run, and explore, and she loves to dress up as a princess too. She's our little girly girl who plays in the mud! Although she doesn't like to be called a little girl, and always tells us, "I a big girl now, I not a little girl." </div>
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So we are entering a new stage of life again. It seems like things are always changing when you have kids. Each stage of life goes by quickly, and thankfully when we are in the middle of it it seems to last forever. Micah is now 8 weeks old, and at his 2 month doctor visit we discovered he is the average height of a 5 month old! He's growing quickly, and he's healthy and strong. He's already pushing up with his arms when he is on his tummy! The doctor was amazed and said they like to see that when they are 4 months old! So Micah is doing great!</div>
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When Micah is awake he is very alert. He loves to watch us and began tracking with his eyes early on. He also often turns his head to follow our voices. He's become good friends with our cat Zola, since she likes to sleep in his crib every chance she gets. There have been many times where I have been nursing Micah and Zola will jump up and brush her tail against his head. They've become pretty good friends. Micah likes our dog Roxy too, although she's not as interested in Micah as Zola has been. I'm sure once Micah is older Roxy will have another little one chasing her around the house. </div>
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I am thankful for new life and new beginnings. I don't know what the Lord has in store for us as we move forward in life, but I trust that all these new beginnings will bring new adventures as we journey through life together. </div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203490826092397238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092425413537041155.post-77289946830844299202012-07-05T17:36:00.000-06:002012-07-05T17:36:57.551-06:00Summer in Full Swing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's already July and some days I wonder how it is that time seems to go by so fast. It felt like summer began in April because of the heat... of course I'm pregnant so everything feels hot! Yes, we are expecting our second baby... It's a BOY! Malia constantly talks about her baby brother and often gives my belly hugs and kisses. She's thrilled to be a big sister! Now we just have to wait for his arrival which will be sometime mid September. </div>
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29 Weeks Pregnant</div>
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Malia likes to stand by me for pictures!</div>
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So this summer is a hot one. Not to mention that the temperatures have been extremely hot too!</div>
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Summer began when we went to Connecticut to celebrate Malia's 3rd birthday with her great-grandma Ruth (who turned older on the same day). </div>
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Malia and Great-Grandma Ruth </div>
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We spent a week in Connecticut visiting Chris' grandparents and other family relatives while trying to escape some of the summer heat. Sadly even when it rained there it got humid because it was so hot! But we enjoyed exploring the Hartford Children's Museum, the Carosel Museum, walking to the lake by the house, and playing with neighbor kids. Malia also got to play with her cousins Camryn and Cody, which she loved! Overall we had a wonderful trip and enjoyed the time we got to spend with family, but we were happy to get home and rest in our own beds. </div>
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However, arriving home was not as restful as we had planned. Throughout May I had been on a heart medication to control what's called supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Basically my heart would race between 160-190 beats per minute. This is something I've had my entire life, but it was first mis-diagnosed as epilepsy. So we discovered at the beginning of May after my first trip to the Emergency Department that I have had this heart arrhythmia my entire life. So after being seen for the second time in the ER in May, I had a follow up with my cardiologist after we got back from Connecticut, and after a long discussion with him and my OB doctor, they decided the safest course of action for both the baby and me was to stop the medication (which my body was not responding to) and go ahead with surgery. This decision was taking into account the many other times I had gone into SVT, and my heart would not stop racing as well as other health factors. </div>
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So June started off with having a catheter ablation procedure on my heart. Obviously being pregnant, I was scared, but thankfully since the procedure I have been feeling better than I did before! Hopefully I won't have to deal with any more svt's! During the procedure I knew the baby was safe because I could feel him moving the entire time! He's an active little guy! </div>
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Three weeks after surgery, Colorado Springs experienced a major wildfire that started in Waldo Canyon. Sadly this fire grew rapidly and on Tuesday June 26, we had to be evacuated from our home. The weather changed and with it came a 65 mile an our gust of wind that sent the fire up over the canyon and into a neighborhood close to ours. The sky turned a blood red orange and ash began falling on our property. Below is a picture I took from Malia's bedroom Window (sorry about the flash).</div>
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We safely evacuated our home and stayed at our friends home for the remainder of the week. It was difficult to be away, but I can't imagine how difficult it was for the families who had to leave their homes for much longer, and some who have no homes to return to. As we drove out of our Rockrimmon neighborhood and looked back toward the mountains we could see the fires on the hillside. The view brought me to tears. There are no words to describe the deep sadness I felt as I saw our beautiful mountains on fire. The very same mountains I often look at and give thanks to God for the amazing beauty I get to look at everyday. </div>
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It's been a little over a week since we evacuated our home, and thankfully the fire become more contained by our firefighters every day. We are thankful to be home, and to have a home still standing since so many families lost their homes. We are fortunate and blessed. </div>
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Since returning home, it's been a busy week of getting many things ready for my upcoming ordination. Yes, next Saturday July 14 at 2pm is my ordination in the Presbyterian Church (USA). I'm amazed this day is almost here. It's been a long journey, and I'm excited to see that a new adventure will begin following this ordination. Who knows where God will lead me in ministry and lead us as a family. </div>
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Summer has been in full swing since it first began, and we still have a couple of months to go! Hopefully after my ordination we will have a few weeks of quiet as we prepare for the arrival of our son. Life never has a dull moment. </div>
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<br /></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203490826092397238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092425413537041155.post-89143442046129060592012-02-25T18:35:00.003-07:002012-02-25T18:35:52.245-07:00New Beginnings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
With every new year comes new beginnings. But the beginning of this year felt a little shaky when I realized I had no job because I had resigned from my former chaplain position at the end of December. Over the years I have come to know that I am the type of person who does not always handle change with ease. I am a worrier, and I stress when I can't see what the change brings. I often tell myself that I need to let my worrying go because there is no need to stress over things I can't control. I'm slowly learning. </div>
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So I began January jobless, except for being full time mom to Malia, which is a joy and I love being mom. But I also know that I love my ministry, and I love working as a chaplain and having time out of the home to talk with other adults and thrive in an environment that I feel God has equipped me for. It was about mid January that I interviewed at Memorial Hospital, although I did have two pre-interviews before this formal one. I left the interview excited about the new possibilites and the idea of starting in a fresh work environment. Shortly after the interview I was offered a chaplain position at the hosptial and I was thrilled to accept it. I'm working part time (really per diem with two regular scheduled days) which has been a perfect fit. </div>
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In Feburary when I began work, Malia also started pre-school at a new school that is affiliated with the hospital. So while I go to work, she goes to school. The picture below is Malia and I in her classroom her first day at the new school. </div>
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Malia and I at her new school</div>
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She has adjusted really well in the new environment. One very exciting thing is that she has said "good-bye" to the pull ups and is 99% toilet trained! Of course there are the occasional accidents. She has made a lot of new friends in her class, loves creating when given an art project, and really enjoys playing in the music and movement room. She feels right at home in her new school, and each day that we drive up to it she says, "my school house." Seeing her adjust to the new changes has definitely helped me to adjust as well. </div>
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One of the big adjustments for me at the new hospital, is that this is the hospital where Chris and I were taken to after our car accident in 2009. I even work with one of the chaplains who came to visit us in our hospital room. I wasn't sure how I would handle going back to this hospital, since I haven't really been there since our accident or in the neighborhood of the hospital (which was close to the sight of our accident), but I feel at home there. The first time I walked through the Emergency Department, I realized that the only thing I recognized was the ceiling of the ambulance bay entry. Fortunately I don't recognize the rooms, even though the memories of the accident and that day are still fresh in my mind. The one place in the hospital that I did get chocked up walking by was our hospital room on the sixth floor of the orthopedic unit. Seeing the room brought back so many memoires of the accident and how it changed our lives. It was an emotional walk by when I saw our room, but it was also good to be seeing it from a new perspective. Seeing it from the other side, knowing that my family survived the accident and we are once again living our lives. </div>
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So this year has brought surprising new beginnings. After our car accident in 2009, I didn't know if I could do hospital chaplaincy, but I continued down that path of ministry and now just a few years later I'm working in that very hospital. I love my new job, and I love that as a family we have adjusted to the new changes. This year has been off to a good start. I'm grateful for the new beginning, and I'm excited to see what more God will do in our lives in this year to come. </div>
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<br />Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203490826092397238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092425413537041155.post-43734516654082991802012-02-23T17:21:00.001-07:002012-02-23T17:39:28.589-07:002011 Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So I realize that is's already 2012 and it's been a long time since I've updated this blog. So I've decided to try and get back into the habbit of writing here again. </div>
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2011 was quite the year for us. I completed my Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) residency at Penrose St. Francis Health System. I biked my first 45 mile Ride for the Cure, and I did my first sprint triathlon. I think after all that CPE I needed a good physical outlet! It was a fun adventure. </div>
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Chris began construction on a wood fire brick oven in our back yard. He started brewing beer and so far has made five batches, six if you include the root beer (but that was in 2012). The biggest accomplishment was finally finishing the last class for his Master of Theology. He taught two different film series at church and also did a half day presentation for the CPE students in the Denver metro area (this includes Colorado Springs in case anyone is wondering). </div>
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Malia's year was filled with many firsts. She had her first camping trip with her best friend Amalia Roberts. Of course the rest of the Robert's family came too which was fun! She had her first 10 hour car trip to New Mexico to visit her grandparents, and her first trip to the Oregon coast. She was also baptized Covenant Presbyterian Church in August. </div>
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2011 was filled with many adventures, some which included trips out of town. In November we had two trips. One unexpected trip to Oregon to see my grandma when she was in the hospital and one at the end of November to spend Thanksgiving in New Mexico with my parents. </div>
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Oregon was fun because part of our trip was spent going to the Oregon coast. This was Chris, and Malia's first time to the Oregon coast so it was especially fun for me since I spent many childhood days along the Oregon coast. Our friend Julie spent the weekend with us in Seaside, and we also traveled to Cannon Beach, and Tillamook. It was a fun weekend of beach and yummy cheese!</div>
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Cannon Beach, Oregon</div>
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Malia commanding the waves</div>
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Haystack Rock (This was in the movie Goonies)</div>
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Malia on a walk</div>
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Tillamook Cheese Factory</div>
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After Oregon we returned home for two days before we drove 10 hours to my parents home in New Mexico for Thanksgiving. It was a long drive but Malia did amazing! We were exhausted from all the traveling, but it was a beautiful weekend filled with fun. We spent Thanksgiving with my parents friends in their community (about 40 people total), and then had a second Thanksgiving dinner the next day with just family. We played at the playground, went to the dog park, and Malia took her tricycle to ride in my parents neighborhood. </div>
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Chris and I at the playground</div>
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Malia hanging on the monkey bars</div>
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Malia stopping for a moment on the bridge</div>
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Now that 2011 has come to a close, we enter a new year with many new and exciting adventures ahead of us. </div>
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<br />Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203490826092397238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092425413537041155.post-17296958200936998192011-08-21T21:23:00.003-06:002011-08-21T21:36:33.205-06:00The Home StretchI can't believe it's almost been one year since I began my CPE Residency journey. I've made it to the home stretch, one week to go. Hopefully then I will have and make time to blog again. It's been quite the journey. I'm exhausted, excited, sad, and thrilled to be finishing up. I promised God one year of residency, now I'm wondering what HE has for me next. Soon I'll know, or at least continue on this journey that's ahead of me. Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203490826092397238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092425413537041155.post-48959171597951927872011-07-06T19:47:00.004-06:002011-07-06T20:12:08.668-06:00Summer Fun<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHfMDi5I5cV1vBW9x95mbYzyr_H1Bbsnq3Jg09VWktciDPmNmvKrQvId2MNgSwISiyb5Rc5qnYThyrht2ljNhftiCbKtOM68UTjvoqB8mLKmfpS3bqktLG6SBG9LZnQgVryPa0nSloPM/s1600/_MG_5756.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHfMDi5I5cV1vBW9x95mbYzyr_H1Bbsnq3Jg09VWktciDPmNmvKrQvId2MNgSwISiyb5Rc5qnYThyrht2ljNhftiCbKtOM68UTjvoqB8mLKmfpS3bqktLG6SBG9LZnQgVryPa0nSloPM/s320/_MG_5756.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626423301821864658" /></a>Chris and I recently returned from the Dominican Republic where we celebrated our 6th anniversary (1 week early) and also celebrated our friend's Jason and Stephani's wedding on June 10, 2011. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7ZP6kNhZ9KJ97Hwsgath03j41jnuWxypVljCB_UkEzWQcL02IG-Fs1VKGwUv9Y_Ec_jHY1bKMqMdaHpwW8aiZ2ijCoiy6bzzK4LDaZgK2c5D7HWNKEjoDk2o2g_nftzjZLb_Q27MVTs/s1600/_MG_5840.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7ZP6kNhZ9KJ97Hwsgath03j41jnuWxypVljCB_UkEzWQcL02IG-Fs1VKGwUv9Y_Ec_jHY1bKMqMdaHpwW8aiZ2ijCoiy6bzzK4LDaZgK2c5D7HWNKEjoDk2o2g_nftzjZLb_Q27MVTs/s320/_MG_5840.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626422744709665890" /></a>It was a beautiful beach wedding in Puerto Plata, DR. It was a fun week of gathering with old college friends, telling stories, laughing, lounging, and simply having a good time. While we were there we went to the 27 Falls National Park, and hiked up to the top of the falls and then jumped and slided down to the bottom. It was so much fun!! Definitely one of the ways I love to vacation. <div><br /></div><div>While we were there we also got to meet up with our friend Jessica Ensing, who is now teaching English at a Christian School in Jarabaoca, DR. The picture below was taken at Jimenoa Falls 2. We had a great time meeting up with Jess and learning about the many awesome things God is doing in her life. I feel like it's rare that I get the chance to see how God has been at work in the lives of my former youth group students as they have gone off to college, graduated, and taken new adventures in their lives. I am blessed to continue to have Jessica in my life and see how God is using her to touch the lives of others.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggEnQJpcho4xPq89TAZzPq7vBoWZW3poEsAfvfHO3Yr7lOfJYuJJlPtJcxP66jqRZgyJXfyjVUnbllOo2kZeRn6FOklKZUHWCdL_1muGGbUSG5XZCq78pMypAaiXaSrp0MW7WcoVFLbJc/s1600/_MG_6034.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggEnQJpcho4xPq89TAZzPq7vBoWZW3poEsAfvfHO3Yr7lOfJYuJJlPtJcxP66jqRZgyJXfyjVUnbllOo2kZeRn6FOklKZUHWCdL_1muGGbUSG5XZCq78pMypAaiXaSrp0MW7WcoVFLbJc/s320/_MG_6034.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626421700890914626" /></a>It was definitely an adventure for Chris and I to get to Jarabaoca to see Jess. It was a 2.5 hour bus and taxi ride from Puerto Plata, and our Spanish was a bit rusty! But thankfully we made it and felt like we really got a chance to see the country side of the Dominican Republic... something we didn't really get to see while staying in Puerto Plata. </div><div><br /></div><div>All in all we had a fun adventure together. It was the first time we had left Malia with her Grandma Nelson, and Great grandma Yuriko, but even she had a fun mini vacation at home without mom and dad. It was great to get away, but we sure missed Malia! </div><div><br /></div><div>So now we are home. No major trips planned for the remainder of the summer. I have two months left of my CPE residency so I continue to pray that God will keep me going strong so I can finish well. It's been a crazy but rewarding year in many ways. Obviously I have not blogged much about it... hmmm... between motherhood, and full time work, it has been a tough year. God has given me a lot of insight as to the direction of ministy He is calling me, and I've learned a lot about myself in the process. But I'll save those thoughts for another day! </div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203490826092397238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092425413537041155.post-45733354468977662762011-01-13T17:22:00.002-07:002011-01-13T17:32:50.820-07:00Malia's Room<div>We finally finished decorating Malia's bedroom. At lest for the most part... we still have to paint over the white spots that we covered some holes with... and then we'll be done! But in the meantime Malia loves the look of her room and so do we! We had so much fun decorating it and we were so thankful that Uncle Andrew could help us finish painting! </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJdymw9pLf77bMZOli0d8sowUzSFqewobA0mOnFkC7QAWX5NdqYajVbNtqn7QuNKUYMYTB2JuBX5w6QdRk4N5-L9q0BIoKPY33PzEGjQt_fjBgNbrtSN8o-snoaYyoSha_su07dzkPzE/s1600/IMG_3424.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJdymw9pLf77bMZOli0d8sowUzSFqewobA0mOnFkC7QAWX5NdqYajVbNtqn7QuNKUYMYTB2JuBX5w6QdRk4N5-L9q0BIoKPY33PzEGjQt_fjBgNbrtSN8o-snoaYyoSha_su07dzkPzE/s320/IMG_3424.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561832260621716738" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTEjChoWHAVKS974bArItisIbYr1n6S4CjL-O-1Ss5bR-HGBjbGtHqrdjIJwbgR5i34Mb7XJVGniIL24qijShUT-ocp3bSe5E1Iq9PkQTXbCwXBoLrY5M9QaSl3a5RmexlVJDBs8-q2o/s1600/IMG_3426.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTEjChoWHAVKS974bArItisIbYr1n6S4CjL-O-1Ss5bR-HGBjbGtHqrdjIJwbgR5i34Mb7XJVGniIL24qijShUT-ocp3bSe5E1Iq9PkQTXbCwXBoLrY5M9QaSl3a5RmexlVJDBs8-q2o/s320/IMG_3426.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561832249111272210" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi73SqyHacb2CaHuwwAvFr_WULDymSoo-Rm9U7C-GOC9k8mR__McprjPyT5KOEoFpBDp0211oTIVkFZca3tw-M2vBdVdY6eLOTUZe_JqXIsBkEDBh4YaTpMrc5Nl9H7PvrAqathKmBRJ0o/s1600/IMG_3425.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi73SqyHacb2CaHuwwAvFr_WULDymSoo-Rm9U7C-GOC9k8mR__McprjPyT5KOEoFpBDp0211oTIVkFZca3tw-M2vBdVdY6eLOTUZe_JqXIsBkEDBh4YaTpMrc5Nl9H7PvrAqathKmBRJ0o/s320/IMG_3425.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561832239783353634" /></a>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203490826092397238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092425413537041155.post-73856685063196446102010-09-09T21:17:00.005-06:002010-09-09T21:39:14.925-06:00CPE Residency<div style="text-align: left;">I am officially a Chaplain Resident at the Penrose - St. Francis Health System. That means I'm a chaplain at Penrose Hospital (pictured below) and at St. Francis Medical Center. So far my first week of work has been filled with orientation and lots of technical things that come with training in a new facility. Next week I will be on rotations and able to visit with patients again, which I am very excited about!</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAB3wNiXc5G6OyG5DpAt3Lu-QIkp4YeWwG-CATDOGSbnbbVBWLZQMYrCC6u8O4CLyz2JZ8axxguH5xjodtIs7xTe49D2ZBXh2cQ-sPNsauBYoShRl7kvQ_bRtaRr8TPcLBIoMf6tt0EYE/s1600/47333_473276220751_544335751_6702994_2288611_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAB3wNiXc5G6OyG5DpAt3Lu-QIkp4YeWwG-CATDOGSbnbbVBWLZQMYrCC6u8O4CLyz2JZ8axxguH5xjodtIs7xTe49D2ZBXh2cQ-sPNsauBYoShRl7kvQ_bRtaRr8TPcLBIoMf6tt0EYE/s320/47333_473276220751_544335751_6702994_2288611_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515118809941076274" /></a><br /><div>Beginning this new job has been both exciting and somewhat sad. Exciting because it's a ministry that I love, but sad because I no longer spend my days playing with Malia. Thankfully we are all adjusting to this new time. Malia has done amazing at our friend Bridget's house (she spends four days a week there) and she had a great first day at the Hope Academy Montessori School (one day a week). When I picked her up from Hope Academy the teacher told me she did great and was so happy throughout the day. Before we left she was already making new friends and sharing the book she had in front of her with another little kid. The picture below is Malia sitting at the table in her little chair. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPmEfVjlgr4VVkWZyfAnEdnVoQ0y31ka_V03M-P0JxiLIh09Gmo_xrJ_jrBcZxm7TiVvF3MXIQ4ZpNzsCbudgKlF4xJkfdmkAIfx4MNtP3XL2djq7Id_nelCGS4Qs1_pv9nj1Ks7HyFCA/s320/DSCN0499.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515121251951127714" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">I definitely had a much harder time leaving her at the school than she had with us leaving. When we left she was already climbing on the stair structure and exploring the new things around her. Although she's doing great, I think it will still take her a little time to fully adjust. In September my rotation time is from 1:00pm - 9:30pm at St. Francis Medical Center, so I'm thankful that I will be able to spend the mornings with Malia, but sad that I won't be home for her bedtime. Chris has already said they will come eat at the hospital cafeteria with me for dinner some evenings! So I'm already looking forward to those evenings. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>I really feel blessed to be starting this year of residency. I know there will be tough moments both in the ministry and in adjustments to my home life, but I feel confident that this is where God desires me to be. I am thankful for all He has done to get me this far, and pray He will continue to strengthen me, lead me, and even carry me in my weaknesses. I know God will show me amazing things during this year of residency. </div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203490826092397238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092425413537041155.post-56128206104023950572010-08-26T08:27:00.003-06:002010-08-26T08:32:58.183-06:00Malia's Ouwie<div>On Tuesday Malia took her first bad fall. She was at our friends house playing with her girls when she tripped on the sidewalk and fell on her face. She bloodied up her nose a bit, but thankfully she was fine. When Chris and I arrived to pick her up, her nose was all red and scraped up. I told her maybe she could help Rudolph this year since her nose was so red, but that it would probably be healed up by then. Below is a picture of her first ouwie on her nose. </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvbcUDgb_gW0rjCAvc2K2X1W3WRhU8CTsCac4mTDUtnW_f8LuH6-qEHK1F4ednjwV4vTLwPm5EIYUw2yQiW0io6hH7A3T-6dD3F7gTZIAtLKhqqp7Tf3ALScSCVqeY74Va6deTzpKeZJ4/s1600/IMG_1933.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvbcUDgb_gW0rjCAvc2K2X1W3WRhU8CTsCac4mTDUtnW_f8LuH6-qEHK1F4ednjwV4vTLwPm5EIYUw2yQiW0io6hH7A3T-6dD3F7gTZIAtLKhqqp7Tf3ALScSCVqeY74Va6deTzpKeZJ4/s320/IMG_1933.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509725658994667346" /></a>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203490826092397238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092425413537041155.post-3001804394345064732010-08-26T08:14:00.004-06:002010-08-26T08:27:08.991-06:00Luisa's Visit<div style="text-align: left;">This past week my old college roommate and good friend Luisa came to visit us. It's been 5 years since we saw her last, two of those years she worked with the Peace Corps and lived in Turkmenistan. It was so fun to see her, get caught up, and talk for hours. I loved that she finally got to meet Malia, and Malia was super excited to meet her as well. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vQQxlLwZ_kGMD_3uphP5W9gArLmbJSiZlTBIVlMa3NKPFPu-xX6ICF6bg3mJHlMhzobvDja2k4YHqn2GhB8L3ViA8qxND82U21dao-GpIU1uHNAyKaVXHP63p7mjy73UTVWOfFcqoc8/s320/IMG_1715.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509723577253928802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">One of the days we went to Garden of the Gods, and another day we hiked Ute Valley Park. All in all it was a relaxing time getting outdoors, talking about old times and future plans! Hopefully next time Chris, Malia, and I will get a chance to visit Luisa and her husband Steve in Washington D.C. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDPTi-PWKOM8yAc3qhJCpNAwbIxRbLorCAZaCo7pfN3hYTDr0Sx11PW0X76iS4ewDCCeglLYSQMt3qj21EvGlVJ5bt46OY0LDTE6Y-KmPpHXgy-9YXAJ1BimL1UvdQfDUKdj2gA4teiU/s320/IMG_1743.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509723584674767634" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203490826092397238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092425413537041155.post-75565802516006145032010-08-16T21:28:00.004-06:002010-08-16T21:35:17.646-06:00Goodbye BreckenridgeOur last morning of vacation was spent packing up, eating breakfast, and taking one last walk out by our little creek. Malia played hard every day on vacation from the time she got up in the morning until she fell asleep at night. Here is a short video of the sleepy Malia just before her morning nap time as she climbs off the stool she had just climbed up onto. <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzmNoLAZZ7LM2fuUAqQVsxuPojLPTUhIKZIaMtq1T_sapW3pOD0P_xItRSYqv3esLrf-j_XsSNiUtD5lDXqTA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203490826092397238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092425413537041155.post-39132461398421164142010-08-16T20:41:00.006-06:002010-08-16T21:36:04.299-06:00Breckenridge Day 3<div><br /></div><div>Day three in Breckenridge was our day of playing by the water. The condo we stayed in backed up to Sawmill Creek. So we decided to hike the path alongside the creek. It was a beautiful shaded path along the creek with lots of beaver dams to look at... although again we didn't see any beavers. Along the way we stopped to play. Malia loved playing in the water! </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4r5ImhrB0RGkUYBt4tX6mTh4hxAAxrXR78-OO-l6XzDOKNJAG3JEosjaFdP-NktH8ldHqRQsP7C1yyw8cEKuoUyrLjZk-yzoa05xPPR7z4ITC23wVk_GGjUQWOsUFgdcZ2UTZxoTYzLk/s1600/IMG_1502.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4r5ImhrB0RGkUYBt4tX6mTh4hxAAxrXR78-OO-l6XzDOKNJAG3JEosjaFdP-NktH8ldHqRQsP7C1yyw8cEKuoUyrLjZk-yzoa05xPPR7z4ITC23wVk_GGjUQWOsUFgdcZ2UTZxoTYzLk/s320/IMG_1502.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506210294481146130" /></a>This is Malia standing beside the creek, although I realize that you can't see the creek in this picture. <div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZAc5YWf9rOL6-TXcVYsHcOxfNoLxcA-_eSpM5AUpGinxxVIf94GKQHso8mpTFXeZBosrDbVHO1W8GTCwPoYC7634H5qAoFQeRDMLHB9TjBteDZH5PALQVkuoMtdNrfKTg6RcEbYeoAs/s1600/IMG_1516.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZAc5YWf9rOL6-TXcVYsHcOxfNoLxcA-_eSpM5AUpGinxxVIf94GKQHso8mpTFXeZBosrDbVHO1W8GTCwPoYC7634H5qAoFQeRDMLHB9TjBteDZH5PALQVkuoMtdNrfKTg6RcEbYeoAs/s320/IMG_1516.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506209618612591106" /></a>Of course Malia had to work on her jump shots too! </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTBlsYpaD0YH1KANNmIJ4zEhXkBjIksRUW_CsB2GxwhX3ws-hc7xZ6cIHcfHMWU-c54P2vZMCXcX4kHXZGrNZyAz04Ui0JXWe9fW4eWp730mUkqz15g7FTQkUXR1G2q14q1TDPFhK0Agc/s1600/IMG_1544.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTBlsYpaD0YH1KANNmIJ4zEhXkBjIksRUW_CsB2GxwhX3ws-hc7xZ6cIHcfHMWU-c54P2vZMCXcX4kHXZGrNZyAz04Ui0JXWe9fW4eWp730mUkqz15g7FTQkUXR1G2q14q1TDPFhK0Agc/s320/IMG_1544.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506209610434544962" /></a>Here is Malia and Chris playing in the creek. Malia giggled so loud. She loved hanging above the water and splashed her hands in it every time she got close to the water. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuoVjalXIZXaeg15WYjpjvQgr4tcdRI0fhBUaSJY9eTG6m4gG0twZLcQo0cYrEiBIZjN5N7OU_UB6Ip4E64IQeZ0lKGDKsdVWi_TBf2eG6zO5FRx2bovw05Lq7BpYgBnBj7t1mwbd3ic8/s1600/IMG_1552.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuoVjalXIZXaeg15WYjpjvQgr4tcdRI0fhBUaSJY9eTG6m4gG0twZLcQo0cYrEiBIZjN5N7OU_UB6Ip4E64IQeZ0lKGDKsdVWi_TBf2eG6zO5FRx2bovw05Lq7BpYgBnBj7t1mwbd3ic8/s320/IMG_1552.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506208015110988546" /></a>Finally Chris decided to dunk her head in! She loved it! Her head was nice and wet on the top. She didn't want to stop playing. As we continued to hike up the trail we eventually came to a reservoir. The views of the mountain were breathtaking. We decided to take a little break again to play in the water. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAtnyIAdgVILf4xpNMlr6y1nSyXNZlaW9NBZS4aF2kK1MWSsPrpBEEIyQnynPJ1b8kP7jgCJzCZqj7t2zf8wocIk-JaESRp5XLnWgPBxUqs9uXid8LE3FQFXz_yg9MPSeKML9PM-UlvqY/s1600/IMG_1574.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAtnyIAdgVILf4xpNMlr6y1nSyXNZlaW9NBZS4aF2kK1MWSsPrpBEEIyQnynPJ1b8kP7jgCJzCZqj7t2zf8wocIk-JaESRp5XLnWgPBxUqs9uXid8LE3FQFXz_yg9MPSeKML9PM-UlvqY/s320/IMG_1574.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506208003556186498" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS5lrpQ4lxxRvDZp5e_e90vQhb8P2dICH7ikr5PHFQwfXJI0Sn2OEIJjO6XzGtFuSo1sVfKlEFJDwoSvvS4NhWms5sFD4GRPpemzZOx5ZXtG65q7RZKqk_K-IkhuHj6TDJrB6DeNO-e58/s1600/IMG_1583.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS5lrpQ4lxxRvDZp5e_e90vQhb8P2dICH7ikr5PHFQwfXJI0Sn2OEIJjO6XzGtFuSo1sVfKlEFJDwoSvvS4NhWms5sFD4GRPpemzZOx5ZXtG65q7RZKqk_K-IkhuHj6TDJrB6DeNO-e58/s320/IMG_1583.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506207993126588498" /></a>This time we decided to take Malia's clothes off her just in case she wanted to get really wet. But she enjoyed playing in the gravel alongside the water and getting her hands and feet wet. At first we didn't know if she would want to play, but it wasn't until we decided it was time to leave that she decided to protest that decision. Thankfully once we started hiking again she decided to quit crying. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0q51WDVa-Oc3y1Icb6zFbZ66IbLrUB76xceTCCoM5axLF865-Sq4V19BZ9_ENlZCRAU-7P4vWFGiCi-0Sz5plqNZO5qIfU_V4uiied6DKYsgP9QUNa3Kxd_X5c6043WXH_yl3pyEdIv4/s1600/IMG_1593.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0q51WDVa-Oc3y1Icb6zFbZ66IbLrUB76xceTCCoM5axLF865-Sq4V19BZ9_ENlZCRAU-7P4vWFGiCi-0Sz5plqNZO5qIfU_V4uiied6DKYsgP9QUNa3Kxd_X5c6043WXH_yl3pyEdIv4/s320/IMG_1593.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506205685226496178" /></a>One fun thing about Malia's backpack is the little "rear view mirror." It's fun to be able to look in the mirror to see her, and she loves to look into the mirror as well. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cUWPfcf1jHmFApxCP_cmLw722nY-Ij3btwpKZw-LxgHhqWhgBsvV2GS90BFO53jKpSTZuT3FA7ja1Im2OqEPP94lavP1zVtmpTYSgK61k9kuKzgtnjK0Og1rK1wY-7Dk6SwHRqOCGM0/s1600/IMG_1604.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cUWPfcf1jHmFApxCP_cmLw722nY-Ij3btwpKZw-LxgHhqWhgBsvV2GS90BFO53jKpSTZuT3FA7ja1Im2OqEPP94lavP1zVtmpTYSgK61k9kuKzgtnjK0Og1rK1wY-7Dk6SwHRqOCGM0/s320/IMG_1604.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506205674460590114" /></a>After we finished our hike we rested a little and then went back into town for dinner and playtime by the river. Chris took Malia down to get her feet wet, but by this time of day I think it was too cold for her to play. Right as her feet hit the water, she climbed up the rocks to get out. So that was the end of our evening in town. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-c78kq5gaQPp2qvdlUvqEEQuWXtJYYMCo8LsabZFIDWb0jiSrXpYAADvgvh5tn5Bo_B38Y1XLInUVZta0heaxHVob9_bBmhYpSlzjtWO2HACbMTNqCMMtEsSqVpvTE_CzU-1PQ-kYuA/s1600/IMG_1637.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-c78kq5gaQPp2qvdlUvqEEQuWXtJYYMCo8LsabZFIDWb0jiSrXpYAADvgvh5tn5Bo_B38Y1XLInUVZta0heaxHVob9_bBmhYpSlzjtWO2HACbMTNqCMMtEsSqVpvTE_CzU-1PQ-kYuA/s320/IMG_1637.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506205662233178162" /></a><br /></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203490826092397238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092425413537041155.post-10175534367915122112010-08-16T13:33:00.010-06:002010-08-16T21:36:39.987-06:00Breckenridge Day 2<div style="text-align: center;">Our second day in Breckenridge was nothing like the first... good bye rain clouds, hello blue skies! We started the day with a beautiful gondola ride up the mountain. Malia was a little nervous on the gondola and seemed to hang on to Chris and I pretty tight. She did enjoy looking out at the trees below, but was quite content to simply sit on our laps!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCXlG8r_Uj4qNep0hEE5jf3yUrZ4ascGfGcwxjqQtJj1wxCO8Y6Ili-JIO-AqCyA9q08JUNfgu2p2WP-QBxwyEVwzpgwBtlw37slHGXl_q6OHkkVW3y9TGbnSiiiOo7DQbo0E9Zf9N4VI/s320/IMG_1353.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506103576259804770" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5dRfM0nNijaNW5MMay1d33s24_x71if56O3GSyJhHIdauFnLV3dD8wxOS7XMSO6clKWTBT6nQ5WReQKEV2ALjCwKLM3KwcHoXtMzhS8dqvVVD8J3osPDVfn0kHjjTtMzBoMyrqMSnJs/s320/IMG_1356.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506104182306268786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><blockquote></blockquote></u></span><div style="text-align: left;">After we got to the top of the mountain we started our descent into town. We hiked a trail that went through the Cucumber Gulch Preserve. We stopped for lunch over looking a small lake with a beaver dam, although we didn't see any beavers, it was a beautiful place to eat. It took us about two hours to hike down because we made frequent stops along the way to take pictures and look around. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><br /></u></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZQCd8DNspXagQ5jnGMEt8IB1bCZfyTrpKR1I2u5pZc9G6tqbXKTzQ2PxGCrDFQvv9svkC0Fpd66DE_KiVFxsZUmmmk4n95AVJ4tGLkfgWfrTMdPoYTtvHpb5JqPdLWdoj1j3vlydkgc/s1600/IMG_1402.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZQCd8DNspXagQ5jnGMEt8IB1bCZfyTrpKR1I2u5pZc9G6tqbXKTzQ2PxGCrDFQvv9svkC0Fpd66DE_KiVFxsZUmmmk4n95AVJ4tGLkfgWfrTMdPoYTtvHpb5JqPdLWdoj1j3vlydkgc/s320/IMG_1402.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506106315038715298" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5dRfM0nNijaNW5MMay1d33s24_x71if56O3GSyJhHIdauFnLV3dD8wxOS7XMSO6clKWTBT6nQ5WReQKEV2ALjCwKLM3KwcHoXtMzhS8dqvVVD8J3osPDVfn0kHjjTtMzBoMyrqMSnJs/s1600/IMG_1356.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCXlG8r_Uj4qNep0hEE5jf3yUrZ4ascGfGcwxjqQtJj1wxCO8Y6Ili-JIO-AqCyA9q08JUNfgu2p2WP-QBxwyEVwzpgwBtlw37slHGXl_q6OHkkVW3y9TGbnSiiiOo7DQbo0E9Zf9N4VI/s1600/IMG_1353.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJRR2Arzz7kRV3N_GSPnuUj32dmfJdX50dfLyTxF8fShFeg_Pl5CHPJU8DvxSCEv6ByS7EkpAfgBYufmm5hcUJ9VsNXmc9hSWW6PFBrhg5vmdzeEe0W_aYvgmYYfC5wMJzIq2kEYg9tlw/s1600/IMG_1391.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJRR2Arzz7kRV3N_GSPnuUj32dmfJdX50dfLyTxF8fShFeg_Pl5CHPJU8DvxSCEv6ByS7EkpAfgBYufmm5hcUJ9VsNXmc9hSWW6PFBrhg5vmdzeEe0W_aYvgmYYfC5wMJzIq2kEYg9tlw/s320/IMG_1391.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506103108134763506" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiil4h82JohfbOATzr3yn9-UCI4MKoX32zLERMEoJZEDplISLBLlCZMJhA0IfvABSrJJepYbGV4FV_hUEvsY0qQvBEH68Np4_5ACOaz-Ur1DfdPgD4O4sR1GMOOw-4vYTzCqhyphenhyphenlwfwd59Y/s320/IMG_1380.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506214876249802914" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzjE-HAvXKzdczszWSHFs7HigF-lO2x4IDgORDH66A-60FWV2riNkold009JnAIR4CywgmEtAJU5zcUafHCcHMTLzLwAP0r_keThvBQsjQ7FDSHIEWWgRRuMN4wy9zrGptPlg47lGQKEU/s320/IMG_1445.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506106329432761234" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Malia loves to go on hikes in her backpack, but she really loves taking breaks too! She enjoys playing in the dirt every chance she gets and loves picking flowers and running around! She was a great little hiker and took a nice nap when we got back to our condo! </span></div></div></div></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203490826092397238noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9092425413537041155.post-3606230008827017222010-08-16T12:12:00.007-06:002010-08-16T21:37:06.347-06:00Breckenridge Day 1<div style="text-align: center;">This year we decided to vacation in Breckenridge, Colorado. It was so nice to get away to spend time with Chris and Malia. Thankfully the weather decided to cooperate with us too! The first day it rained so we decided to relax and walk around the town along the river and window shop. The pictures below are a few from our first day. </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXYZN1m3zhvRqZrBxzD7BxYEn95DpZ3q_Dr75Hyg6ZMz-KMSDmxZU26NFRQLokfydZDuHa8iZ1TDHhomiiaU6tHX4IGJPtEYzVqfanaYJWVz18mxFzMzOd93-Y8IfusQex5bvSrEypAo/s1600/IMG_1312.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXYZN1m3zhvRqZrBxzD7BxYEn95DpZ3q_Dr75Hyg6ZMz-KMSDmxZU26NFRQLokfydZDuHa8iZ1TDHhomiiaU6tHX4IGJPtEYzVqfanaYJWVz18mxFzMzOd93-Y8IfusQex5bvSrEypAo/s320/IMG_1312.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506074764821498018" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Malia and mom on one of the bridges over the river, Malia was quite fascinated!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9gG7KmHZFmIKcwSso0-Dek8V43S_K8am1TU1YqusOp8T7fJEdrjRQHltBlS2is5QWrThvB5DuWwGPt8maqzYs02tKn4iUbImCLKyKMb4NmQn3WOhr3VciZLgIRmhJzA54RUPbHI3g9c/s1600/IMG_1279.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9gG7KmHZFmIKcwSso0-Dek8V43S_K8am1TU1YqusOp8T7fJEdrjRQHltBlS2is5QWrThvB5DuWwGPt8maqzYs02tKn4iUbImCLKyKMb4NmQn3WOhr3VciZLgIRmhJzA54RUPbHI3g9c/s320/IMG_1279.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506074758302468514" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Malia loved sitting on rocks and playing with the flowers. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3pAjNY5Q0fYN-QI5fyujPXo5laSXBzJUDPYDntZRwULFjy-slNd00MB4-nApc8LSKyebewKrKtPHfACWxs7-SYIbNjrqBOKeIxhvUcRQGkCHYysL7p0qOxAw8gBsONKv61qk-AS7MwTE/s1600/IMG_1284.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3pAjNY5Q0fYN-QI5fyujPXo5laSXBzJUDPYDntZRwULFjy-slNd00MB4-nApc8LSKyebewKrKtPHfACWxs7-SYIbNjrqBOKeIxhvUcRQGkCHYysL7p0qOxAw8gBsONKv61qk-AS7MwTE/s320/IMG_1284.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506074749406951906" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We met a man and his wife who loved Malia, and of course she was all smily with them. We asked if they would take our picture, and it just so happened that the man was a professional photographer who shoots Canons so he was very familiar with our camera! We were happy to get a family picture that turned out great! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOctp1m11kDgezqADnfu8un0gcQ5sqROMjdGzmD9dpLQvCxN2xeeTzNwJWM6nkf7vBKOHo4iLosCtUSXf1JkusLkzdmnyKd-HLsFu6umT9vff4zk9S9tYE199_Rwk2mNmzLxiFH3kdTM/s1600/IMG_1271.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOctp1m11kDgezqADnfu8un0gcQ5sqROMjdGzmD9dpLQvCxN2xeeTzNwJWM6nkf7vBKOHo4iLosCtUSXf1JkusLkzdmnyKd-HLsFu6umT9vff4zk9S9tYE199_Rwk2mNmzLxiFH3kdTM/s320/IMG_1271.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506074733728057650" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Malia with her daddy!</div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05203490826092397238noreply@blogger.com0