Names

Siahna has a new word..."No."  We're excited that she's added a new word to her vocabulary, however, now she says "No" to everything.  :)

But, in other exciting news for Siahna she also knows our names and can say all but "Case" - although she does try to say his name and has some word for Case it just doesn't sound like Case.  If you point to mommy and say "Who's this?"  She'll usually say, "Dadda" but every once in awhile she'll get "Momma." 

Today I was changing her diaper and I pointed at myself and said, "Who's this?"  She said, "Momma."  Then I pointed at her and said "Who's this?"  She said, "Sisi."  Brought tears to my eyes.

Accepted

I found out last week that I was accepted into one of the largest crafts fairs around.  Over 300 vendors come each October and this year I'll be one of those 300!  I'm a little overwhelmed (since my inventory is nothing) but super excited to participate.  I'll be selling my door hangers, rulers and wooden blocks (and whatever else I can come up with between now and then). 

So, if you live in the Denver area mark your calendars.  I guarantee you'll enjoy this craft fair.  It's one of my most favorite days of the year.

October 5, 2013

9am-4pm

Ketring Park (Littleton) - rain or shine

This is my latest creation - I made it for my mom for "Nichols" but also did it in Nebraska colors so it does double duty.  However, finding a little Husker something or other in Colorado to glue onto the corner was more difficult than I thought.

These say "Summer" on the backside.  And I also have Winter/Autumn ones as well.

One Week

One week from today and we will be in another country!  It seemed so far away and now it's almost here.  We also found out a couple days ago that our team was at 100%+ for fundraising so that is a blessing.  Actually, a huge blessing.  We did not raise our full $5000, but others going on the trip raised more than they needed and shared with the rest of us who were short.

So now the packing begins and the goal of getting the kids to bed early all next week - we have to be at the airport at 5:30am!  Yikes.  That means leaving our house around 4:45am.  It's going to be a long day.  We fly from here to Miami, have a 5 hour layover, fly to the Dominican and then take a 2 hour bus ride to the town we'll be staying at.  It's going to be a very long day!

Please pray:
*Especially for Siahna - for sleep, for good traveling, for good eating and that she won't be overwhelmed by all the chaos that we will see each day.
*Case - that his eyes will be opened to how other children live in other countries and that he will begin to develop a giving heart.
*Jeff & Myself - that we will get rest so that we can be present with our kids and the community that we'll be with.  And also that our hearts will be changed.
*Overall safety while traveling, from mosquitoes and food that our bodies may not be used to.  And that we packed enough sunscreen for us pale skins!

We are super excited to experience this as a family.

Horseback Riding

We took the kids horseback riding again this year.  We went to Estes Park and of course had a great day, beautiful views, and the kids loved every minute.  We even drove through Rocky Mt. National Park and took a hike and saw lots of elk.

Siahna Is 3!

Monday was Siahna's 3rd birthday.  We went to the Museum of Nature & Science.  Had a picnic lunch.  Went to free play at My Gym and then took her out to Red Robin.  They sang to her and brought a dessert and she dug in.

 Then we came home and had cake, blew out candles, and opened presents!

I'm not going to lie - these last three years have been hard.  But, she is a treasure and I wouldn't trade her for anything.