A Zoo and Museum Day in Denver

This week for Sabbath we decided to take advantage of some of the fun that Denver has to offer. Even though it's only 20 minutes away, it's not very often that we go in that direction. I am definitely a suburban girl. But, Monday we decided to really take it slow, have some yummy breakfast together, read the Bible, and then enjoy the cool early Spring weather with the animals and with each other in the city.

The best thing about having a zoo pass is that you can go any time you want and stay for as long or as little as you want without feeling guilty. It was chilly, but the animals were enjoying it. We took in about 1/3 of the sights and then retreated to the van. By far my favorite animal this time was the sea lion who had been wounded and was just being re-introduced to the other sea lions. He was saved on Laguna Beach in CA and was without back flippers. Watching him reminded me so much of how unbelievable God's creation is. He had been beaten up and yet he was still a fighter, swimming hard and fast as if nothing made him the least bit different from all of his other sea lion friends. Strange to say that I was inspired by a sea lion, but I think that's what it was. . .inspiration. I think he had heart and crazy energy and an excitement about a new lease on life. I wanna be more like that. . .living life to the fullest no matter what gets thrown my way.



After hanging out with the animals it was time for lunch. . .a true Amy prepared lunch of peanut butter and jelly, chips, strawberries and chocolate. Nothing but the best for my family!! :) Lucky for me, everything tastes better on a picnic. And picnic is exactly what we did. . .in the back of the van! We lowered the back seat and climbed in. It was most definitely the best meal I have had in a really long time!


I have said it over and over again as I have blogged Sabbath, but I don't think I will ever cease to be amazed at how fantastic family time and conversation can be if you really focus. It must be ridiculous how much we miss on the other 6 days of the week due to computers, iPhones, tv's and so many other distractions.

We ended the day at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Emma is always begging us to take her there. I reminded her that all of her asking finally payed off. It's a cool place. I'm not quite as appreciative of the sciences as my kids seem to be, but watching them makes it fun no matter what. Here are a few pictures from our time there.


Kevin and Emma, the scientists










Claire the walnut???? She's an antioxidant, of course.












Olivia was just all smiles

And me, well. . .I try to hide behind the camera as much as possible. :)

Another fun day!

And one more thing worth noting. . .as we continue to move into this journey with our family I am really starting to notice how the girls are getting much better attitudes and outlooks on what the day is all about. We are having less fussiness, and to be honest, they are the ones keeping Kevin and I in check now. "Remember, no electronics, Dad! Put your phone away, please!" I think we may have created monsters!

Talk about Getting in the Mood for Sabbath! (3/1/10)


Last Sunday we woke to a really sweet surprise. Months ago Olivia made the decision to follow Jesus. For all that she knew and understood in her little heart she had asked Jesus to come into her heart and be with her forever. She had made her first tiny steps of faith. But we hadn't pushed the baptism thing. She didn't seem ready yet. She seemed nervous and still not too sure about the whole thing, so we were happy to just let her go at her own pace and figure a little more out on her own. But Saturday evening, to our surprise, she bounded down the stairs (after hearing that Baptism was planned for the Confluence gathering at Cool River the next day) and announced, "Guess what I'm doing tomorrow?! It starts with 'B'!". . .and so she did! To our surprise and God's delight she went for it - Boldly AND Coldly. . . No, the hot tub was only mildly warm to say the least, but she didn't care.

Olivia's Baptism 2/28/10 from amy colon on Vimeo.



Now wouldn't that get your heart in the mood to rejoice and spend some good quality time with family and the Father? So. . .soon after church ended and the evening began, we once again unplugged, relaxed and celebrated.

Sunday evening we drove into Boulder and attended a worship night with Highway Community Church. Then all day Monday we just took it slow, enjoyed the sunshine around our neighborhood, ate good food, listened more to The Chronicles of Narnia, The Horse and His Boy, while cuddled up on Mom and Dad's bed and just enjoyed each other. It keeps on amazing how slowness prompts Peace and Peace prompts moments and conversation that might otherwise pass unnoticed and unsavored.