Camping Yogi-Style (aka Adventures in Estes Park)

I think that someday, when we “retire,” it would be fun to run a Yogi Bear camping franchise in the summers. What more happiness could there be than in seeing young families have fun? We’d lead the campers in Friday night bingo; Ryan would dress up in his Yogi costume while we have the daily flag-raising ceremony and lead the campers in the Pledge of Allegiance. I mean, seriously. I think it would be a really relaxing and rewarding “job.” ;-)

We’ve been wanting to do a family camping trip for awhile. We camped out in the backyard once a couple of years ago, and Ryan and I have vivid memories of an Oklahoma camping trip in our early marriage that was pure misery. But Ryley is old enough now to really enjoy it, and camping in Colorado is really hard to beat. So we got the time off from work, dug our survival gear out of the garage, and set off for a wonderful weekend together at Jellystone Park of Estes.

We joined all the campers for a rousing six games of bingo on Friday night. It was really fun!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We discovered a little pond while gathering sticks for kindling…

You can see Ryley in our camp site below….What a view we had!

I love how you can see that her marshmallow has caught fire!

This was her first experience with s’mores….I was sure we’d done them before, but if so, she doesn’t remember!

Ryley saw her first falling star, which was really special! Then we slept oh, so soundly!

We explored the camp a little bit on Saturday morning and felt like we had ended up with the best site. Definitely the most secluded. Beautiful view!

After breakfast, we (purely by chance) attended the flag-raising ceremony where all the kids got to meet Yogi Bear. We even said the Pledge of Allegiance, and Yogi checked his mailbox. It was just too darn cute; I actually got tears in my eyes. It had that old-fashioned, family-values “feel” that you don’t find everywhere anymore.

We then headed into downtown Estes Park, which is always just a lovely place.

Since we had our honeymoon in Estes Park, we had to drive by our little cabin.  Ryley took a picture of us, but it’s not flattering at all, so we will just stick with this photo. :-)

Then Ryan had the idea to go on the gondola ride to the top of Prospect Mountain! LOVE the way this guy’s beard flows in the wind.

The view was absolutely gorgeous.

We fed peanuts to the chipmunks. I’d never seen so many chipmunks in my life! They run around these boulders like they’re a playground.

When we’d had our fill of breathtaking views and chipmunks, we headed back down the side of the mountain.

It was a wonderful little get-away, filled with new, relatively inexpensive experiences for Ryley to enjoy. She’s totally sold on camping now and is anxious to do it again. We’re just sold on Estes Park in general. And we’re definitely sold on family time.

Courage

What a strange, stressful few weeks it has been on many levels! God is speaking to me about the frailty of life...about the importance of being courageous and stepping out to do what I am called to do. I am learning to prioritize my family over my job. I am mourning for two separate families we know who have lost husbands/fathers much too soon. And we are wondering and praying about how God will use us to do what He created us to do in the limited years that we have to make an impact on this earth.

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I was a freshman in college when I first admired Shannon...a quiet, beautiful blonde who lived one door down and across the hall. She was sweet and smart and completely in love with her fiance Ryan. Long after midnight, I would often see Shannon sitting in the hallway on the phone with Ryan, talking and laughing quietly, studying, etc. She practically lived in the hall outside her door. She was engaged then, and I think she and Ryan got married that following summer and commuted for a year before graduating. They were a cute couple, and they carried that sweet newlywed aura wherever I saw them on campus.

That was the last I heard of Shannon. I've thought of her many times in the last 12 or 13 years, and I have often wondered where she and Ryan ended up, whether they had a family, etc.

Then yesterday, one of my college friends posted a link on Facebook, and I clicked on it. I found myself face-to-face with their pictures...12 years older, but still as beautiful of a couple as ever. And I found myself reading an incredible story of how, this past weekend, Shannon's husband Ryan (now an orthodontist) went through a simultaneous surgery with his liver-diseased brother Chad, in order to donate 60% of his liver and save his brother's life. But a couple of days after the successful transplant, Ryan (the donor) was struggling with his recovery. He went into cardiac arrest and ended up passing away yesterday afternoon. Meanwhile, his brother Chad's prospects look hopeful.

I just can't even imagine.... What a tremendous, heartbreaking story of how one brother laid down his life for the other... And I have been praying continually for Shannon and their three small boys. Can you imagine what this family is going through?

I just think back to the days when I knew them...when they were young and full of hope for a long life together. How could this have been the plan for them all along?

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Another good family friend of ours named Patty lost her husband on Friday to an aneurism in his aorta. He had horrible back pain in the middle of the night and died extremely suddenly. I haven't known what to say to Patty; my heart breaks for her, and I didn't know how to reach out at all. The funeral is scheduled at an awkward time for me to try to attend (with work, picking up Ryley, etc.), so I haven't been sure how it was going to work out. Then she called me this morning to talk about some business matters, and I just knew then that I had to go to the funeral. For her.

My aunt will graciously pick up Ryley from daycare since Ryan can't get out of work that evening, and it will all work out.

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Life is short. Shorter than we know. In the midst of all of this, I have been dealing with some issues at my job that have stirred my heart toward expanding my (non-existent?) niche in the freelance editing/writing genre. That is my dream...to edit and write all day long. To make money at it too! Ha! But I am 32 years old, and it's time to start making progress toward what I really want to do...what I feel I am called to do. What holds me back? Fear of a non-fixed income? Fear of rejection? Both? But if God is in the dream, then surely He will orchestrate it, right? I have to be willing to take more risks.

Also, with Ryley entering second grade, God put on Ryan's and my heart that I needed to be off of work every day at 3:00 so that she wouldn't have to go to daycare anymore. I proposed this to my boss, and it was approved....then denied two weeks later. I had to fight for it and tweak my schedule somewhat to make it work for them, too, but in the end, God gave me favor, and I didn't have to fight as hard as I expected. He worked it out. For now.

What it comes down to is that whether it be Ryley, my writing/editing projects, my overall health and exercise, or the keeping of our home, my life needs me for 10 more hours per week. I need me for 10 more hours a week, or I will severely regret it down the road. My family comes first. My God-given dreams come first. This is something that has been weighing heavily on my mind and heart for the last week, and God is finally bringing it all together. I know it's not over. I need to continually work hard to expand my freelance business and get to a place where it is enough income. That takes courage that I am still working on. :-) He is Jehovah Jireh, and He provides and makes a way. In the meantime, though it's not currently the most pleasant situation, I am grateful for my job and for the experience in PR, accounting, and human resources that I am gaining every minute of the day.

We have dreams of owning our own bookstore.... Ryan would like to teach college English, as well as write. I would like to write and edit books. We would like a few more children. We have to know that He is using the variety of situations and experiences in our life to prepare us for the next step...whatever that may be.

"Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” -- Deuteronomy 31:6

Life is too short to waste. Shannon's husband Ryan and Patty's husband Rob didn't know that that day would be their last. One week ago they were each living their lives like the rest of us. And now they're in heaven much sooner than anyone could have imagined.

We must be courageous.

Seven is God's Perfect Number (featuring "Ryley Inventions That Will Save the World")

When it's been this long since I've blogged, everything starts to build up, and I don't know where to even begin. There is so much within me that I want to share, and yet I find that I only allow myself to release small tidbits at one time...otherwise, my readership would be overwhelmed by all my wild, random thoughts and would ultimately dwindle from five readers to one -- me! Ha ha.

Blogging just takes so much time. Does anybody know how to load pictures faster? It takes me literally hours to post.

It's been a really interesting few days for me at my job, and there is so much I want to "journal," but maybe this isn't the place right now anyway. We will have to wait and see how it all plays out.

So, instead, I will focus on the event of the year: our sweet girl's seventh birthday, which came waaaaay sooner than we were prepared for! In case you haven't noticed before now, we are a little crazy about Ryley. She amazes us every day with her compassionate heart and creative inventions, and our love for her just grows and grows. We are thankful to God for her life.

My parents were able to come up for Ryley's birthday weekend extravaganza, and it was so much fun to have them here!!! On her birthday, she woke up to this:





We drove up Mount Evans and had a picnic lunch at Echo Lake, which Ryley just loved.















We then returned to Denver just barely in time for her birthday dinner at Red Robin, followed by her birthday party with her friends at the local swimming pool.












The next day we had one last birthday surprise in store. We went to the Denver Aquarium which has a temporary exhibit of mermaids!







Ryley was thrilled. It is so much fun to surprise her like that. :-)




Then we went home and played with her birthday Legos all afternoon and evening. It was glorious.. :-)

What a perfect celebration of our daughter's life!!! We are so blessed.

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And now, in honor of her birthday, I give you the following Ryley Inventions:

"The Genius Desk": This would be a desk that straps to the person with suspender-like shoulder-straps. The desk would wrap around the front of the person's body for 180 degrees. This way the person can do his or her work while walking around. They can have their desk with them wherever they go. The desk will also have its own electrical outlet so that the person could plug in his or her computer.

"The Baby Genius Desk": A version of the previously-mentioned Genius Desk, especially adapted for moms. With the Baby Genius Desk, the mom can keep her baby with her at all times and literally wear everything she needs to take care of the baby. On one side of the desk would be a crib so the baby can nap. One side would feature a changing station. There would be a highchair seat and a play area where the baby can crawl around and play.

(We simply can't wait to see the diagrams of these inventions!)

"The Homeless Person Neighborhood": When she grows up, Ryley plans to own a neighborhood of houses where homeless people can live. They would never have to move out of the house; the house would be free. Once a month, she would have a maid come through the neighborhood and teach the residents how to care for a home...like doing dishes, laundry, housecleaning, etc., and just make sure "everything's going ok." To pay for all these houses, she will get a second job, like "working at the grocery store."

When she explains these ideas, she is so full of hope. She has a tone in her voice that seems like the solution is so obvious, she's in disbelief that nobody has ever thought of them before.... Ryan says she is destined to become an engineer. :-)

God Cares About Our Posse

I was once told that you have different friends for the different seasons of your life, as well as for the different aspects of your personality. I think that's so true. I connect with each of my friends on a different level, specific to what we have in common...work, motherhood, spirituality, personality, interests, etc. And last weekend, I got to spend some precious time with my dear friend Gretchen, with whom I have a lot in common.



Gretchen and I were college roommates at ORU for both our freshman and sophomore years, and she was also a bridesmaid in our wedding. We had only seen each other two other times since graduation, so it was so nice to reconnect and talk and take walks around our neighborhood at 1:30 in the morning! But then again, Gretchen and I are not strangers to pulling all-nighters together. :-)

The more we talked and laughed and cried and reminisced, the more we realized that those years we lived together in a 15' by 10' space were incredibly "shaping" for us as people. Both of us have to press "snooze" on our alarms for about an hour before getting up (it all started then!). We can both sleep through just about anything (though I still prefer to have "white noise" since the big, clunky circa-1960s dormitory AC unit helped drown out the noise of the hallway). She remembered how I used to find a song I liked on a CD and play it on a loop through the night (I'm sorry, Gretchen!). We remembered that first miserable Thanksgiving away from home -- a weekend we now look on with fond, crazy memories! We used to dry our hair within inches of the other's sleeping face (the mirror was located between our beds). We posted our A+ assignments on a "good work board" we created outside our door. We were tired and silly and emotional and deep, and we still are. Gretchen was there the night Ryan and I had "the talk" and became more than friends. She was the first person I told when he kissed me. She was there when I came back to the dorms with a diamond on my finger. Gretchen and I go way back. :-) I am so grateful for her friendship all these years later.

The cool thing is that just as I prayed for my "future husband" throughout my childhood, I also began in high school to pray for my future college roommate. I used to pray that God would pair me with somebody of a similar background and with similar beliefs, with whom I could connect and have a peaceful living situation. I truly believe that in the same way God saved Ryan for me and took care of him and gave me everything I wanted in a husband, God also brought Gretchen into my life for that priceless period of personal growth, with the bonus of a lifelong friendship!

God is good like that. He answers prayer.

The Apple Doesn't Fall Far from the Tree

So a few months back, I spent an entire weekend in tears because I suddenly realized that Ryley is just like me. I had recognized certain behavior in her that I haven't ever seen anywhere except within myself, and it scared the crap out of me. Not that there's anything wrong with me....I just think that as a parent you always hope that your children won't perpetuate your mistakes and have to overcome the same obstacles that you did. You want them to learn their lessons early and easily. You want them to be free.

I don't know why I'm telling you this except for the fact that this past weekend I realized that my daughter never had a chance at a life where grammar rules don't matter. With parents (and even grandparents) who are anal about proper language usage, Ryley was always doomed to be a grammar nerd.

Ryley and her best friend were cooking out of her kids' cookbook on Sunday afternoon.

"I don't know where the strawberries is," said her friend.

"Are," said Ryley.







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It was a nice holiday weekend. I have long thought that every weekend should be three days long...one day to just sit and stare into space, one day to have fun, and one day to get stuff done. And that's exactly how our weekend played out.

With my three "jobs," I feel like I am constantly on-the-go throughout the week, so I always feel guilty if I am just sitting doing nothing. Am I alone in that? Very rarely do I actually take time to read, watch TV or movies, or just have Joy-time. There is always something needing to be done. Anyway, Ryan worked all weekend, so Ryley and I had girl-time and cleaned the house.

On Sunday, the 4th, Ryley wore her gorgeous Independence Day dress, another beautiful creation from Aunt Coleen. Even baby Sarah was given the chance to match her "mommy's" outfit! So cute!!





I took Ryley and her friend down to the Cherry Creek Arts Festival, which was really a lot of fun since they had all kinds of craft activities for kids. I love this picture of the girls walking together and talking on our way to the festival.





Then, in the evening, we picked up the friend's grandma and went to find a spot to watch the city's fireworks in the middle of the pouring rain. It was a 4th of July unlike any I've ever had. I don't really know this lady that well, but both of us were on our own with our girls that night, so we decided to spend it together! It was actually really fun.

The girls cuddled under blankets in the van and watched the fireworks with the door open. They were mesmerized!



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This parenting thing isn't easy sometimes. Ryley has had such a temper recently, especially when she doesn't get her way. I've personally never had a problem with my temper, so it must come from Ryan. Ha ha! Anyhow, it has been a real struggle in the past couple of weeks, and the meltdowns almost always happen in a public place where we end up being embarrassed. We've been dealing with it, but it's been a constant battle -- pretty much ever since Ryley asked Jesus to live in her heart. Her decision to follow Christ made the devil mad, and he's trying his hardest to get her back! Well, he can't have her. Greater is He who is in Ryley than he that is in the world, right?

So the most encouraging thing happened. At Ryley's new daycare, one of the teachers asked me this week where we go to church.

I told her where we go, and she said, "Oh, ok, I've asked Ryley several times, and she's told me, but I just can't think of where that is..."

So I gave her the crossroads, and she said, "Oh, I know where it's at. Hmmm. How long have you been there?"

I was starting to wonder where the conversation was going. What in the world had Ryley done or said???

"About six years," I answered.

"Well, you know, I've noticed this about Ryley since the first day she came here. There's something about her...some of the things that she has said...I can tell that she's been, um...'taught well.' She really knows the Word."

"Really?" I asked. "That is encouraging to hear because sometimes I wonder what's coming out of her..."

"No," the teacher answered. "She knows the Word. She's getting it. And I know that as a parent you need to hear that."

That was just what we needed...a little bit of encouragement that God's Word does not return void -- that it's sinking into her little spirit more than we think it is!!! Praise the Lord for a good church and a great foundation!

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And here is our pic of the week. Ryley came down the stairs dressed like a cowgirl and saying, "Somebody poisioned the water hole!"



We weren't sure if her interest and fascination in the Old West is due to her recent exposure to the Oregon Trail game, or to Woody on the movie Toy Story 3, or to Little House on the Prairie. Maybe a combination of all of the above?? :-) Like I said, she's not far from the tree.

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Tomorrow my old college roommate Gretchen arrives for the weekend. She is attending the wedding of one of her friends, but we will get to see her off and on through Sunday. I am just so excited to see her!

So the house is (mostly) clean, and work comes early, so we're off to bed. Good night!

Scattered Snapshots

This is Ryley in her much-too-large 3-D glasses, waiting for Toy Story 3 to begin.




This is a woman selling candy out of the back of her white van, in my office parking lot today. Yep.




This is a super-hip dad pushing a double-stroller while riding a skateboard.




This is the Lego bunny that Ryley made.




This is the handiwork of my aunt Coleen, who knew that Ryley would just love for Baby Sarah to have matching clothes. There are many more ensembles where this came from! Ryley feels like Coleen is her very own American Girl seamstress. :-)




These are the pictures I've taken this week.

On another random note, Ryley LOVES the name "Dolores." It's her new favorite name, pushing "Sally" into second place.

"Do...lor...es," she says slowly, letting the syllables roll lovingly off her tongue. "I wish that were my name."


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