the journey: February 2010

My Little Punky Brewster

Flash back to the 80's when Punky Brewster was my favorite TV show. . .Here is a picture of Olivia last Sunday at church. I like her style so much I just had to share. Her sense of style definitely matches her personality. . .

Too bad I failed to get a photo of her in her completeness with the pink toboggan she also added later in the day.

Pearl Street in the Snow

Week 8 of "Sabbath" equals guess what. . .More SNOW! Imagine that! This has been one big snowy experience so far. We're embracing it, though. It's not slowing us down. But O, how I long for a sunny, warm day to take a hike and look at the new leaves and budding flowers, all the while tracking NO MUD into my van. Yes, the day will come soon. I'm praying for it. But until then, we will continue to enjoy the white stuff just like we did Sunday afternoon on Pearl Street in Boulder.

Some days, no matter how intentional you want to be, the "plan" just doesn't work out. This Monday was one of those days. We had to make a choice and say, "no Sabbath" because of some prior commitments that we needed to stick with. I must say, I am surprised at how bummed I was. Eight weeks into it, this has become our way of life. We did try our best, though, to get some quality time in on Sunday afternoon. As you'll see below, we added a few more giggles and a bit more silliness to the adventure as we loaded up the van after church to head for Boulder (only 1 exit down the highway from our house).

Bottom line, it was just fun. There was no breeze and the snow was falling heavy and perfect. It was cold, but what's new? I think I have stated that in every Sabbath blog entry so far, so why break the pattern? Most of all, it was just relaxing and simple and easy and peaceful. . .even with 5 loud and crazy little girls. We had good conversation at lunch about what we like best about how God made our friends and even hit the candy shop before the day was done.

I think Claire and her best friend, Kate, were practicing their yoga, "OM" in this pic?? If you click on this pic it will zoom in and you will see 2 yoga girls, 2 hippies, a Punky Brewster look alike and a pastor. . .now that's Boulder!

Lunch at Chipotle

Here's a video I found on YouTube of Powell's Sweet Shoppe. Beware! This is not a good video to watch if you are still trying to keep you New Year's Resolution!

Monday in the Springs

This week for Sabbath Kevin and I sat down after another busy morning at Cool River and started to plan the next 24 hours. Kevin asked me, "where do you connect with God the best?" And as we thought and enjoyed our conversation, together we came up with a list of 4 main places. . .

1. Around a cozy fire with a cup of coffee, my Bible and a journal with no other distractions (Amy)
2. In nature (Kevin)
3. Church/worship (both)
4. Watching our kids having fun and laughing (Amy)

After coming up with the list, we decided that these would be the pieces we would try to plan our next 24 hour Sabbath around. And here is how it played out. . .

Church/Worship
Kevin has a good friend named Ramin who is a church planter in Boulder. Origins Community is a church like none other that I have personally ever known. Some people will understand what I mean when I say it is a very BOULDER church. The music and atmosphere is refreshing and authentic. . .a bit uncomfortable for this suburban girl at times, but uncomfortable in a way the I have come to enjoy and appreciate. Ramin is deep and real and unique and challenging. And in the uncomfortableness that I sometimes feel simply because I am an outsider to the Boulder culture that Origins is immersed in, I seem to find God there every time in a fresh and interesting way. So, we went to church Sunday night, sat back and enjoyed.

Fireplace
After church we then went on a quest to find the best fireplace around. The criteria. . .warm, cozy and hot chocolate available. We ended up at the Renaissance Hotel in Broomfield just a mile or so from our house. We ordered up some hot chocolate and decaf from the bar and just hung out together, lounging on the couches and watching the Olympics.

Watching Kids Have Fun
Monday morning we slept until 9:30. That was awesome! Kevin made breakfast and we piled into the van and headed for Colorado Springs (1.5 hours). We made a stop at Focus on the Family to purchase the next radio broadcast cd of The Chronicles of Narnia, The Horse and His Boy. We have been listening to the entire series together as a family. The girls got to play a bit inside the play area there and take Kevin on a secret adventure via a wardrobe that served as a door into a room they have created there to look like Narnia.

In Nature
We had a little lunch at Qdoba and then decided to take a look around the Air Force Academy, hoping that we would discover a trail to hike. It was really cold once again, but we did find a short trail to explore. . .

And the trail ended here. . .

We played a little and then quickly retreated to warmth once again. . .

Finally, to end the day we stopped at the Park Meadows Mall in an attempt to miss Denver rush hour traffic, found some yummy food and another great fireplace.

I loved this day because it was filled with lots of little snippets of great "God conversation" all throughout. I spent much of the ride to the Springs talking to Kevin about my summer in Colorado as a college student which ultimately brought us to Colorado years later - recalling all that God did and the lessons I learned even when I had no idea I was learning. And the day was topped off by conversation with the girls about what they love most about how God created each person in our family. Their answers were cute and funny and heartwarming. They love each other. They fight and fuss and complain. We all make each other crazy at times. But we love each other. And everyone knows it and feels it. It's good.

Speaking Love with Bacon

I made pink heart pancakes and bacon for breakfast today. . .Happy Valentine's Day everyone!!!

Snowy in Golden

The snow didn't stop us on Monday's Sabbath. It did slow us down a bit, but like good Coloradans we braved the weather without fear.

This week the Colon's spent the first part of the day in our pajama's watching the beautiful snow. It had been almost a month since we had seen the white stuff fall, so it was nice just to enjoy the stillness on the morning together as a family.

Chef Kevin once again shared his culinary breakfast skills by making homemade french toast for everyone.

Then it was Dutch Blitz time. . .

And when the snow slowed we got dressed, dug out(there really wasn't much snow) and took off to Golden to practice everyone's newly acquired Wii bowling skills at Golden Bowl.

We are much better at Wii bowling than the real thing, but it was still a lot of fun. I loved watching our girls laugh at themselves as they threw gutter ball after gutter ball. By the end of the game, everyone scored at least something and worked up a good appetite for a late lunch before basketball practice.

Sitting around a table we talked about the day and about family and God. I love how easily our girls can share their hearts. We then had another good 1st grade basketball practice and family prayer time on the steps going up the the girls' rooms ended the day. I love how much I love being with my family. They make me very proud.

A Day in Breckenridge

I love to write, but today I think I'll give the credit to someone else.
So. . .PLEASE read Kevin's blog HERE and then check back here for more photos from our Family Sabbath Week 5 in Breckenridge. . .

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IT WAS COLD!!!!! Only an hour and a half away but 20+ degrees colder. . .First we went to see the snow sculptures that were in downtown Breckenridge. Everyone chose their favorite. Very impressive!