Rocky Mountain State Games Opening Ceremony!!!

Syd's hockey team got to participate in the opening ceremonies for the state games tonight and it was so cool!!!  She had a great time in the Parade of Athletes but she said she was a little nervous walking out on the floor because it seemed way bigger from down there than in the stands!

Syd and some of her teammates waiting to go in.
None of the pics of the Parade of Athletes came out :-(

 A group of soldiers that have just returned from Afghanistan

recently and color guard.

 

Miles, the Denver Broncos mascot made an appearance also. 

Hope he gets a bath before the season starts, he was a little grey!

The Yellow Design BMX Stunt Team put on and amazing show!  

 American Idol Taylor Hicks sang a few songs.

Olympic ice skater, Rachel Flatt lit the State Games Torch.

  And this little guy had a great time and
stayed awake for the whole thing!                 

A little get together...

Do you remember these 3 little guys?

John Asher, Alex and Ty on the Red Couch in March 2010.  How tiny and scared they all looked!

Now, a mere 16 months, 4 surgeries, adjusting, hard times, fantastic times and a ton of love later, here they are today!

Can these boys be any cuter??? 

 

Here's the big kids in China, Syd, Grace, Maddie and Eli.

     And today, what beautiful young ladies they are. 

We had so much fun getting together with most of our travel group.  Remembering the tiny and crazy details about our trip.  It's amazing seeing our boys together again and to see them all healthy and all starting the terrible two's at the same time! 

Take the time,,,,

Last night we watched Diane Sawyers interview with Jaycee Dugard and it really hit me how precious our kids are and how I don't always appreciate them.

This summer has been a little rough and the kids honestly have been driving me nuts!!  I'll admit that I have had moments that I wished I could hit the pause button on being a mommy and just be alone for a while.

If I hear "Hey Mom" again, my head may explode or implode or just roll off my body.  For some reason, my daughter says "Hey Mom" before e-v-e-r-y s-i-n-g-l-e thing she says.  I'm the only adult around all day, why does she need to keep saying it???

The fighting makes me want to just run away sometimes, I feel like a referee.

The various items of the household that are always flying through the air drive me nuts.

I have to repeat myself constantly to both kids and sometimes the grown up boy in the house :-)

I could go on and on and on, but then I feel guilty because my kids (and husband) are the best things in my life and I would absolutely cease to exist if something were to happen to any of them.  How can I think bad thoughts about them?

I'm going to work on being more patient, more loving, a better parent.  I'm going to work on just being here, mentally and physically for them.  How could I not want to spend time with these kids?

 At the end of the interview last night, Jaycee Dugard's mom told a story.  One Monday morning over 18 years ago, she was running late for work, again.  She decided not to go kiss her girls before she left because she didn't want to be late.  She didn't see her oldest daughter for 18 years. 



I can't imagine what that was like. 

I love my kids more than life so I will strive to be a better parent, a better person because you never know what the day may bring.

I will take the time to kiss and hold and love my kids as much as I can.

I will take the time...

Happy 4th From Ouray!

Blue Mesa Lake

He never stops digging!

Syd and Emma cruising the campground.

Playing in the "Baby Bathtub"

That runoff is COLD!

Hiking back down.

One of the many, many waterfalls.

Ghost town Animas Forks.  The kids love 4 wheeling!

Hi Tim!

Much giggling to be had during a rain storm!

Apparently not too thrilled with the fireworks :-)