WE ARE SO PROUD!!!!!

We know our daughter, Lindsay's, talent.  We've seen it all along...I even felt it in my womb.  There are those times when others take notice, which confirms what we have seen all along - and it is those moments our buttons burst! 


We received some exciting news this weekend.  So exciting that our shirts are button less.  News that makes all the lessons, time driving to and from, our financial investment all worth while....

Lindsay as been accepted into

Colorado's All State Band. 

She is one out of one hundred and nine students who have been selected, representing one out of forty-eight schools.  She is also the first all-state musician in Mead High's school history.

Yep...we are very proud! 


Way, to go Lindsay.  This is just the beginning of much more to come!

One door closed, and Another Opened

A new year has begun.  Changes have been made.  God closed one door and opened another.  Even though it was hard to leave the school we grew accustomed to, we welcomed a life God has called us too.  It is amazing...when God calls us to change, how much peace He provides.  With that peace, has come a reassurance that my girls are walking right where God wants them to be, and with that calling comes an anointing on the pathway they are on. 

I have posted several times about loneliness and still not feeling home here in Colorado.  I have accepted this state as home, but I still couldn't find my "niche" - somewhere I could fit in and call mine.  We have lived here for 4 years now, and for the first time since our move I have embraced our home completely and feel like I am "home".  What did it take?

Not having to travel 25 miles up the interstate to the girl's school, which took at least 2 hours away from life here at home each day.  With the commute, and the demands of the previous school we never were part of our community.  When God closed the door for us to attend another year at the previous school, it hurt - but there was peace.  Now we have neighborhood kids coming in and out of our home constantly (which has added to our grocery bill).  The girls are meeting new friends in their own neighborhood that makes getting them to and from each other's home much more manageable.  They are sharing Jesus with their new friends.  Duane is able to be part of their lives, whether it is going to their activities at school or just simply driving them to and from school.  I have met other children who just need a person to talk to and I have had the opportunity to listen.  I have much more time to get things done at home (well, this year home schooling Courtney).  I get to meet other moms in our neighborhood.  And the best part of it all is we get to me more involved in our church, because the previous school isn't pulling  our time away and our family is not being pulled apart anymore. 

We are finally home, because God simply closed the door for us to go to the private school and opened the door for them to attend the public schools that is 2 and 5 miles from our home.  Life is good all because God closed a door and opened another.

First week of school - Lindsay is at a brand new school.  She will be the first graduating class from her new school.  She is loving it, and all the music classes she is able to take.

We never thought we would send her on the bus for the 2 miles drive.  But in order for her to find some friends we sent her on the bus.  She catches it right across the street from us, and just as planned:  making friends.

Katie loves school.  She is very social, and just as we knew...she has made many friends.  She is starting volleyball this year, to keep her busy.  She is already finding out who likes who and coming along those who need a listening ear.  She is finding that she is able to be Jesus, and the bonus:  her volleyball coach goes to our church.  Who would have thought?!?

Courtney is being home schooled for 7th grade.  She is our home body, and we allowed her to make her decision.  We are struggling in how to get the housework done while doing schooling, but other than finding how to juggle it all we are both enjoying learning.

God is good and all the time!!!

Tis the Season

Our blog has been pretty quiet. Anyone with children understands. School is now in session. With school comes all the demands of homework, sports, extra curricular activities...and the list goes on.

All three of our girls have joined the cross-country team. We aren't much for sports. But cross-country holds Duane and my interest. What we enjoy is 1. the coaches 2. the flexibility of practice 3. the training of what could turn into a lifetime sport and 4. the atmosphere the team provides. We approve. Katie is seeking cross-country to keep her in training for basketball and soccer. Lindsay is seeking cross-country for her PE credit, and so she can continue her music classes without any interruptions of PE requirements. Courtney is seeking cross-country because her parents said "your sisters are doing it, so you are doing it." (Oh, the joys of having siblings!)

I attend each meet. I am proud of all three of them. Each meet they have all improved. There have been disappointments when they see their time at the finish line, because they were hoping to finish faster, but each time they have improved. I watch. Katie has always embraced sports, and even though running isn't her favorite thing to do, her competitive nature keeps her on the course. I admire watching her determination. Lindsay, our first born, our perfectionist. Do I need to say more? She embraces her music with open heart and at ease...she expects her running to do the same, but it isn't something that necessarily comes naturally. At her last meet, the hardest meet they have, I saw the pain on her face. I saw she just wanted to call it quit. I wanted to endure that pain for her. I actually asked her "do you want me to run with you?", to my relief she said "no". And then Courtney. I have kept that mothering protective eye closely on her. I told her coaches over the summer "I know she isn't the fastest on the team, a matter-of-fact she is the slowest. This activity isn't about coming in the fastest, but for her to prove to herself she CAN do it." Each meet she has improved her time and each meet she has NOT been the last runner. She has impressed herself, and has seen that once consumed by the lie that she couldn't that she actually can and LOVES cross-country.

I see God's lessons in each of their lives. God gifts us with our talents, sometimes we take those talents for granted and expect life to continue at "ease". But to our dismay we run into our obstacles, but God is right there by our side. He wants to run with us, even carry us through those times we are in so much pain and ready to call it quits. HE is the prize at the finish line...HE is our victory. And there are so many lies to buy into, lies we are even unaware of are lies, but buy into just the same. It is those things God is trying to break each one of us from. What lies do you believe? I know I carry some of those "I cant's"...but like my grandfather once said "I can't isn't a word"...and it isn't a word of God's either. God can overcome these things with us. Today I will sit and ponder and make my list of those things I need God to overcome in my life, for I have declared my life as HIS, and only His!

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

2 Timothy 4:7

The Time Has Come...

There is a phrase "All Good Things Must Come To An End". I think about this as our summer has officially ended, and the girls have returned to school. Our life that we have discovered, our life outside of school activities and car rides; we have come to embrace. My time alone as I walk and worship each morning, and the quietness of the living room as the girls sleep and I read my Bible and journal has to work itself into my schedule instead of it greeting me each day. My mind being focused on God as I wake, and throughout the days are now interrupted with "what is on the agenda today" and checking off my "to-do's".

But then I felt a nudge. One that was saying... "I Am THE Good Thing, and I will NEVER come to an end". And now I ponder, and am washed with such gladness. Our God, who is the Author of Salvation, Creator of the universe, Friend and Father never leaves us or forsakes us! Remains with us forever! He Himself is the Beginning and the End. As long as we choose life with Him there is no end.

So as I approach another first day of school, and the sadness of the three good things God has given us to maintain go off and experience life as they will choose for themselves, I will approach it with gladness, for as long as we choose salvation through Christ, there is never an end. The time I have daily enjoyed this summer was only a beginning of the days to come...some will be full of distractions, and others quiet. And I will continue to choose to give thanks. (But I still will wipe a tear or two of joy as I send them off today and as they take their next steps.)

Lindsay - Sophomore (10th grade)

Katie - 7th grade


Courtney - 6th grade - 1st year of middle school!



Family Fall Pictures...

Now that our computer is back (after it crashed), we are back...

The month of May in a nutshell....

ACSI choir competition...

When in 5th grade at RCS, that automatically puts you in the ACSI competition. I have now seen this event for the past two years. I thought these kids performance was outstanding! And so did the judges for they received a superior!

Art Museum Field Trip -

Courtney had a field trip to the art museum led by her art teacher. It's never a place that I get excited about going to - especially with two bus loads full of fifth graders, but every time I go I find something new which makes me thankful for going. Courtney wrote a paper on this piece of art (on the left). Unfortunately, you can't get the full effect of this picture because I zoomed in...but the picture is the full length and almost width of the entire wall. You couldn't help but notice this painting.

CHASA Band competition...

Lindsay performed with the band at the CHASA band competition. The band isn't only evaluated on performance but also for first time site reading through a music piece they never saw before (the last performance shown). This was the band director's first year, and you could taste the nervousness in the air. The band received all outstanding marks. Can I say that I wasn't one bit surprised???

Fifth Grade Choir Concert...

And as always when May approaches we are greeted with a Spring Concert, which Courtney was part of. This year the focus was on the story of Daniel. We enjoyed it all, and was astounded to see fire in the sanctuary as Meshach, Shadrach & Abednego were in the blazing furnace.

Junior High & High School Choir & Band concert ...

And being that we have a junior higher & high-schooler, we had a separate Spring Concert for them. We sat proud as always as we listened to the talents of all the kids...but of course took that much more pride when we saw our kids go up on stage, hear them play (and as usual find they are hidden behind stands or players). Lindsay not only played in her symphonic band, but enjoyed playing in the jazz band as well this year. Katie has done quite well with her flute this year, I love hearing her play as she practices at home as well with the other instruments. We are having a problem uploading this particular footage of video, so you won't have the privilege of hearing their performance.

Fifth Grade Service Project...

Each year the 5th grade lead the elementary in a service project. They start by having a penny war, normally bringing in about 4,000 dollars...this year they brought in $6,000. The 5th graders decided to split the amount by helping build a kindergarten room in Israel, helping the medical costs of a kindergartner in our school, who has cancer and then this... the video is long (I shortened it the best I could), but you have got to watch it, I couldn't help but weep and I couldn't help but be surprised to see how God can use a bunch of 5th graders. Their voices were heard very loudly that day...and they continue to be heard today. You must watch!!!!

Lindsay's Piano Recital...

And just before finals week, Lindsay fit a piano recital in. She was so focused on all her tests coming up, and weighed a heaviness in her heart from the loss of her friend that this wasn't the best performance she has done. But no matter what...we are still proud!

Talent Show...

It is a custom that the elementary school has a talent show during the last week of school - to show off the talent of their kids. To my surprise, Courtney performed....oh, how I laughed! This was so her...and then the following song was with all the 5th graders singing the song they performed at the Go Life rally.

Fifth Grade Hike Together...before 6th grade -


It is the 5th graders tradition to finish their year off with a hike. A time to celebrate finishing elementary school and a time of togetherness and encouragement. Duane and I both chose to attend this event. Now our baby is off to middle school!

Soccer Get-Together -

The soccer coach put together a little get-together to recognize the talents her players grew in this season. We had a parent against the players game! Katie was a bit surprised that her dad AND her mom could even kick the ball! We had a great time playing with our daughter and enjoying a part of her world.

Undergraduate Award ceremony -

The very same night as the soccer game, we quickly showered and changed in the school's facilities to attend the undergraduate award ceremony we were invited to. It was announced as a surprise to us all that Lindsay received an outstanding recognition in her music achievement. I am pleased to see all the lessons, time, and costs of all her lessons are starting to pay off!

And the celebration isn't complete without an evening out with her friends.

Last Day of School...

Courtney - We are called to be thankful in all circumstances, and yet there are some circumstances that God makes things so easy to be thankful for. We have had the joy to share our lives with Mrs. Miller for two years now (being that Katie had her too). And for her we are thankful and was blessed. We will miss having her in our lives as the role of 'teacher', but remain proud to call her "friend".

The fifth grade celebrate field day (which is the last day of school) with a kick ball game between the three classes...and the kids get to sit in the dunk tank for the younger kids to try and get them wet.

Katie - she finished 6th grade off so great - all A's a-matter-of-fact. I think back when she began school and I had so much hehesitancy, wondering if she could just survive through the drama, challenges, but mostly the need to stay on top of things and organized. Katie has proved to us how much she is capable of doing, especially with God on her side.

Lindsay - has a close friendship with a foreign exchange student from Korea. These girls in their quietness have become kindred spirits. Lindsay had been working on a quilt for her friend to remind her of their friendship as well as the life here in Colorado. Her friends was surprised, and then Lindsay was pleased to learn that her friend would be back for another year at RCS.

Lindsay has now finished 9th grade, and now is an official sophomore. She finished her year off strong in spite of her emotional challenge of loosing her best-friend. Her biggest lesson this year was learning what giving her best means...not loosing herself in all her academics, but doing the best she can with all that God brings into her life, and not taking any of it for granted. Lindsay chose to finish her 1/2 day of school with her friends.

We had a great school year, and have many reasons to give God thanks. We are thankful for the quietness of summer and this time of rest. The girls already look forward to be back next year, and all the next year brings.

School is Fun!

I don't ever remember school ever being fun. We read everything out of our text books, not fully grasping what is written in them, memorizing facts and taking tests to see what our brain can hold, only for the fact to forget it a week later. I don't have any great memories in school. Perhaps it is just me...but that's my experience.

Now I have the privilege to do school all over again...not once but three times and counting! The end of the school year is quickly approaching and our girls are bombarded with projects. Each of them needing a bit of help. And this is the reason our blog has been quiet. Take a peak of everything we have learned...

Katie's Math, History & English Project...history of and how to calculate the dimensions of a building into a manageable size to reconstruct. Katie decided to learn about Big Ben and make it out of GINGERBREAD!

And then enjoyable for her whole class to eat!

Katie's science fair... Katie and her teammates decided to take three different black markers (permanent marker, dry erase and crayola pen) into four different liquids (Paint thinner, alcohol, vinegar and Sprite) to see which stain would remove/affect the stain better. Their project made the top 6, so they went to Denver to be in the ACSI competition. There they each received a 2nd place ribbon for their project.

Courtney's Science Fair...If science involves cooking, then Courtney will learn it! And that is the avenue she took. She learned the difference between high and low altitude baking due to the thinner air in the elevation. Thanks to some dear friends, they made toll house chocolate chip cookies and shipped them. Courtney made the same recipe and found them to be not as thick as CA cookies. She adjusted the recipe (dry ingredients and added an egg) and found them to be even thinner then the original CO cookies. She adjusted the recipe again (just the dry ingredients) and was able to get the same thickness as the CA cookies. And being that the science fair was on her birthday, all the 5th graders, staff and so much more were able to enjoy in her celebration with chocolate cookies!

Katie - soccer! And being that basketball season is at an end. Now there is soccer.

Coming soon...Concerts and Recitals! (just a little busy these days!)