Three Weeks in our New Home...

...and we've already had two visits from family, from opposite ends of the country. Aunt Ruth and Rachel drove a long way to spend a couple of days with us. Despite a quick bout of the stomach flu, we managed to have a good time. We went to the zoo, where we got to feed giraffes and I went with Ruth and Rachel to their first rodeo. Lots of fun! We can't wait to see you guys again.

Nana's Visit

Nana surprised us with a visit shortly after we moved into our new home in Colorado. What a saving grace she was! I had moved many times, but never of this magnitude, and was feeling so overwhelmed with the process of unpacking and making our house into a home. We're still a long way from being unpacked, but at least there is some resemblance to a home. It was so nice to have my mom here to share the workload, and Jake and Nana had a fun time playing together.

Thank you so much for coming, Mom. We love you!!

Jake had more fun with an empty box out in the backyard!

At Garden of the Gods--beautiful!

I did it!

Oh, the things you find when unpacking :)

Playing with Nana

A slide!

*I know most of these pictures are of Jake, but we really loved having Nana here. Thanks again!

Happy Birthday "2" You!

It's the birthday boy!! Jake is such a little boy (no more baby, that's for sure) and loved the excitement of his birthday. He wore birthday hats from last years party for days leading up to the big day and still gets the biggest grin when you sing "Happy Birthday."

The child is in love with Elmo, so that was the theme of our party this year.

Don't ask how much dye (not the cheap stuff) it took to make red, orange, and black frosting!

All the little boys wanted to help with the presents :)

Jake loves the Happy Birthday song

Blowing out the candles

Hooray for friends!

Hooray for family!

Hooray for cake and homemade ice cream!

We love you Jacob Cole! Happy Happy Birthday!

Moving date: Thursday afternoon. Hip, hip, hooray.

Num, Num, Num

Jake's take on eating a brownie. :)

The Waiting Game

The last time I checked in I had nothing good to report. Not much has changed in the fact that we are still here and to this date do not have a closing date. Much has happened in the previous 14 days, but it still boils down to waiting for "any day."
Many a frustrated tear I have shed, but I am also trying to look at the positive. The situation is such that I have no control over anything to do with the sale of the home; the only thing I can do is try to focus on the good and wait it out. I am learning that you really don't need much to survive. Modern day conveniences are a wonderful thing, but they are that...convenient. I am thankful that the air mattress we've been sleeping on for three weeks is of wonderful quality...I haven't woken up on the floor in the middle of the night once! I am thankful for a kind neighbor who has lent me a pot and pan so that I can still cook dinner. The warm weather here has encouraged all the plants and flowers to bloom early, endowing us with not only eye candy but many a sweet juicy raspberry too (yummy!!!) And we've had extra time to spend with family and friends. I still want to get out of here as soon as possible and move on with our lives, but there is joy in the journey, even if I have to force myself to find it.

Enjoying the beach on a (non-crowded) Sunday afternoon

Rachel and Jake had a blast riding on the hand truck.

Asleep in the car...we had to use his ducky as a pillow to keep his little head from slumping over.

Brian in the moving truck...amazing how much stuff we actually have (even after de-junking!)

Jake likes to sit in the tires of the moving truck. I like the comparison of how big this monster truck really is!

At the water park with friends. He loves getting wet!

In the special rocking chair that Great Papa restored just for Jake.

Watching the sharks and turtles at the Aquarium.

Having fun with Uncle Gordon at the Aquarium.

Hmm...I wonder what would happen if