The One Thing

Last weekend in Colorado, my friend gave me an important question to ponder: What is the one thing you want your kids to take from their upbringing? I have thought about it for several days. What is the one truth that I want them to know and keep hidden in their hearts for their lives? What is the one impression I want to leave them with as they grow up and go out in this world on their own? If I know what that one thing is, it can almost become like my mission statement as a parent as I teach, converse with, listen to, create with, encourage, discipline, and support my girls.

Here it is: Self confidence. Not pride, not confidence in their appearance or their abilities, but confidence that comes from knowing that God created them and He makes no mistakes. To know that they are valued and special because God says so. I want them to be confident enough to reach for their dreams, to know they can do whatever they set their mind to. Confident enough to stand for what they believe in. I want them to be comfortable in their own skin, comfortable with who they are, the women they will become. I want to make sure that my actions and words as a mother work to instill this truth in their hearts.

Refreshed

I have returned refreshed. It's amazing what a few days with no agenda and no one to take care of but yourself will do for you! And it's amazing how your spirit is lifted by the welcoming smiles and hugs of children who missed you while you are gone. (Oh, I mean me, that's me I'm talking about.)

Colorado was a perfect retreat. We hiked, we talked, we laughed, we prayed, we shopped, we ate well, we drank Airborne, we took pictures, we poked, we drove (in circles sometimes), we slept (and then we didn't sleep), we shared, we encouraged, we listened, and we grew.

After spending a day and a half in Boulder, we headed back to the Denver area and visited Red Rock Park. Aimee was excited to not have to leave the mountains just yet. We hiked around the park for about an hour, loving the beautiful views.

Then we went back into downtown Denver and poked around the downtown library and admired some of the interesting art sculptures. This one of a horse on a chair was particularly intriguing. What does it say? How much money was spent on this piece? Hmmmmm..... When I showed the picture to Princess, she said, "that's beautiful". :)

We finished out the trip spending a couple of hours at a great little coffee shop/cafe that we found in downtown Denver called the Market. It felt just like old times in Nashville, just a little chillier. I told Aimee that she inspires me to be a better person. And she really does. She challenges me to think differently. She points me to the Lord. She causes me to consider who or what I am portraying in the things that I do and say. She challenges me to be purposeful. It has been awhile since we have had time together that wasn't distracted by the chaos of family and interrupted by time contraints. It was really nice to just be, and to just be with her.

A Really Great Day

Yesterday, I flew to Denver, CO to meet up with my friend Aimee and spend a long weekend together. Aimee had never seen the Rocky Mountains before and she was WAY excited to see them today.

We spent yesterday afternoon in downtown Denver and found some really great places. We found a little coffee shop and cafe that was right up our ally. It reminded me of Fido, our favorite coffee shop in Nashville. After dinner and dessert, we got in the car and drove in the dark to Boulder. We had a feeling there were mountains around us, but we couldn't see them.

This morning we woke up and looked out the window, and right there out our window was a great big snow-covered mountain. Aimee almost knocked me over trying to get out on the porch to see it! We spent our morning walking along Boulder Creek Path and shopping in some great little stores on Pearl Street. Then we refueled and warmed up with some delicious cheese fondue for lunch. Boulder is such a great little town. I love it!! If only it weren't so darn liberal.

We spent the rest of our day driving up to Rocky Mountain National Park and hiking in the 33 degree weather. It was definitely worth the drive and the frozen finger tips. It was gorgeous!! I kept looking out for some wild Colorado buffs, and although I didn't see any of those, we did happen upon a herd of elk grazing in a grassy area right next to the road! It was awesome. They were huge and so close to us!

On the drive back to Boulder, we passed through the Roosevelt National Forest, which looked like a winter wonderland. All the evergreen trees were laiden with snow. It was so beautiful and peaceful. I am so thankful for Drummer Boy to let me have this weekend to spend with Aimee and experience God's beauty and creativity!

Princess's New Favorite Holiday

Halloween was such a blast this year!! Our neighborhood (AKA the best neighborhood ever) had a pre-trick-or-treating block party and the costumes were fantastic! Princess wanted to be a witch this year and her costume turned out pretty cute. I was able to talk Pumpkin into being Snow White, which was convenient since her friends gave her a Snow White dress for her birthday. I wasn't planning on dressing up, but a quick trip to my friend Katy's costume trunk changed that idea. Drummer Boy decided to go dressed up as the guy with the hot witch wife. Ha ha ha!!!

We left the party to go trick-or-treating. Princess and her friends literally sprinted from house to house. The mom's were running down the street to keep up with them. When things finally slowed down, Princess said to me, "Mom, this is my favorite holiday." We all had so much fun, I completely understand why.

Amelia Bedelia

Last week, the elementary school had a "dress like a book character" day. When I got the notice about the assignment, I was a little frustrated because I had just finished putting together her Halloween costume and now I had another costume to put together. Thankfully, she picked a character that wasn't too much work: Amelia Bedelia. I think we did a pretty good job, and she was super cute! All the kids at the bus stop looked great dressed up!