Carpe Diem

I do try to see the best in life and enjoy each day...but sometimes events happen that make us remember how important it is to do so...

Last week I was talking on the phone to a friend while Colby was eating his dinner. It sounded like rain was coming, so I glanced out the back sliding door. I immediately froze and got off the phone, stunned. A man was lying motionless on the trail behind our house...another man was kneeling over him, while a third was running up to help as well.

I called 911, as did at least a couple other neighbors. It took forever for help to arrive, and the men were attempting CPR in the mean time. When the swarm of fire trucks, ambulances and police finally surrounded our house, it became apparent from their actions that the outcome was not good.

As most of you know, my brother died of a sudden heart attack almost 10 years ago now. Seeing all of this and knowing he went through almost the exact same thing really hit me hard. It was almost like reliving it again...and again I was completely helpless. I don't know anything about this man, but I imagine he has family and friends that are missing him a ton. If you're reading this, please take a minute right now to pray for comfort and peace for them.

On a happier note, my niece Jamie (Scott's daughter-who is almost 13 now!) is flying out to stay with us for 3 weeks in July. She generally comes out once/year, but this is the first time she'll be staying for that long...and flying by herself! We can't wait!

Hug your family, tell your friends how much they mean to you...and seize the day!

The Great Outdoors

Yesterday we did our first hike of the year and thankfully Colby still loves it (although he is a tiny bit heavier than last year). We went to a trail close to our house that has some great views.

Hopefully Colby will enjoy camping as much as hiking...we're planning to try that soon!

Afterwards, we met our friends Kammi and Ross at a park to take some family portraits (pics to come soon!). Here's Colby at the playground when we were finished...

New Toy = More Posts!

Since our relic of a camera (bought 6 years ago) is too slow to catch anything but the back of Colby's head these days, we decided to support the economy and use some our stimulus money to purchase a new one. So, expect a lot more posts coming up! (Is that cheering or groaning I hear??) ;)

Here's the results of my playing around with it yesterday...

Colby and Ava...

Colby's friend Ava (and my friend Molly) came to stay with us for a few days this week. Besides some sharing issues on both sides, the kids had a great time playing together. Hopefully we can make this an annual event during Jason's (Ava's daddy) busy season.

And yes, it is impossible to get a 1.5 year old and a 2 year old to look at the camera at the same time!

A new career possibility??

Colby went bowling for the first time last weekend and he loved it! Poppy (who has 2 perfect 300 games under his belt) will be proud...he bowled a 113 all by himself in his first game ever!

Okay, the bumpers were up and he used this ramp thing they have for kids now (who knew?)...still 113 is pretty good! Sadly he almost doubled my score...

We adopted a little boy!

Okay, to be technically correct, we sponsored a little boy! (Although we do hope to adopt a baby someday...)

Wilson is 5 years old and lives in a mountainous community of Columbia with his mom and 2 siblings. We chose him because he was born on August 28th, the same date as Colby!

The President/Founder of Compassion International spoke at our church recently. His personal story is just amazing and with God's help he was able to overcome hardship and devoted his life to becoming an advocate for children. There are many sketchy programs out there, but Compassion is not one of them. It has been listed among the top trustworthy not-for-profit companies for many, many years.

Sponsoring a child is just $32/month (or $384/year). With this money the child is able to attend school, get needed health care, assistance from a local church, and grow up knowing they are cared about by you. You can write letters to your child and will receive letters from them as well. You can even visit them if you want! We hope that as Colby gets older, he will be the one writing letters and learning about life in Columbia...and how different it is from our little 'burb.

I'm posting this, not to brag about how charitable we are (I'm sure many have us beat in that department), but in hopes at least one of you will pray about this and decide that you too would like to make a difference in a child's life. Take a look at the website, but be pre-warned...once you see their little faces you won't be able say no...

http://www.compassion.com/

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter! After a beautiful week in the 60s, we woke up to a blanket of snow this morning. Although it all melted by late afternoon...the morning egg hunts had to be moved indoors.

Thankfully my mommy group had an egg hunt earlier in the week...both because we were able to do it outdoors at the park and because it gave Colby a chance to practice before he had to compete with his cousins!

Look what the Easter Bunny brought me!

Aunt Karin's house is sooo fun! Look at all my eggs!
Aww, what a cute family!
The cousins...

Jesus I thank you that you died

Your spilled blood was for me

Death could not hold you in the grave

And you rose victoriously.

-M.S.Lowndes