Thankful for all of the Military service people who have and are serving our country. Remembering a few who are dear to our family;

My Grandad, Frank Bergamo Sr.
Kip’s Dad, Howard Russell

Honoring: Howard “Rick” Russell – recently retired
Kevin Turner – currently serving overseas

With three pooches it is a juggling act getting them all in for shots and grooming, especially when you try to spread them out so that the ‘sticker price’ doesn’t shock your finances too much.

This time however, our groomer got over-booked.   Bennett and Zippy got in on time but,  poor Piper’s appointment is still two weeks out.  So, I decided to groom him myself like I used to do when we were “Sane Single Pet Owners”.

I trimmed Piper’s hair and then bathed and brushed him. He really seemed to enjoy the pampering and you know, I didn’t do too bad. Would not call it ‘professional’ but he isn’t matted and dirty any longer….that’s gotta count for something, right?

Pampered Pooch

Framed & Dry Walled

“The Wall”

After many ideas, designs and obstacles we decided to just build a partial wall along our steps. Had we been starting from scratch and not from a “Richmond American Homes” base, we would have done things a little more custom and fancy.

I am pleased however with our new look. I am amazed at Kip’s talent and eye for precision. I am ever so grateful that he doesn’t just do what he needs to, to get the job done but that he takes pride in his work.

We have definetly been hit with the reading bug at our house.  This bug has bitten all of  us pretty hard.  We  may even  have to add a new line to our family budget if this bug sticks around. Luckily, we have been able to hit great book sales or even find FREE books.

I am hoping that the Summer will not send our little bug away and that it will still be a normal thing around here to see our little peeps with their heads in a good book.

UPDATE: We are officially over 1/3 of the way to our family reading goal of 100 consecutive days of reading. We are 36 Days and 5 books strong. We have made it through a few big hurdles; sleep overs, camp outs and late nights out.

Hayden completed this series in 10 days and is also reading The Box Car Children  &  The Hardy Boys series.

Gillian is reading several different books but really enjoys The Magic Tree House series.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series

After nearly fourteen years in our home, 4 dogs and 2 kids later our humble homestead is in need of some serious tender-loving-care.

The terribly cheap carpet we swore we were not going to keep for long is dingy, dirty and worn out. I am so excited to get rid of this grayish mess for some rich wood tones. In order to get ride of wasted space and making the installation of the wood flooring easier we are taking out the wrap around section of our lower stairs and adding a half wall there. This is where our projects begin.  In addition to new flooring,  we plan to do a few updates in our kitchen (aside from all of the lighting fixtures that we have done) by bringing in new appliances and countertops to start. We also plan to  finally add some living space by finishing our basement.  I cannot tell you how excited I am for these projects- I pray that we can stay on budget and on schedule.

I am so grateful to God for His provision and inspiration.  Thank you God for my husbands job, his dedication eliminating 95% of our debt and his endless hard work to make this possible.

Being a mother is a very important role that the Lord chooses to give to many women. A Christian mother is told to love her children (Titus 2:4-5), in part so that she does not bring reproach on the Lord and on the Savior whose name she bears.

Children are a gift from the Lord (Psalm 127:3-5).

As we were sitting outside enjoying the lovely dinner that my precious husband prepared for my entire family he posed this question to my mom and I: “What do you enjoy most about being a mom?” Although I have many reasons it really made me look deeper into why it is that being a mom is so special to me. If you are like me you can list so many special ones but the most special to me is that they are a gift, a treasure given to me, a lowly sinner from God above.

He chose Kip and I to be the guardians and caregivers to these two precious children of HIS. To enrich and bless the days we have on this earth with their love, laughter and trials.

Parenthood strengthens our need and desire for God, we know we cannot do this or anything else on our own. Thus we lean heavily on God as we try to model a life of godliness in all areas and at all times.   It is such a beautiful thing in the midst of this fallen world.

I am thankful for the gift that HE has given to me, the gift of motherhood. I am thankful for the joy of watching these two little people who are growing into the caring, compassionate and fruit filled people that they are. Thank you God entrusting these precious people to me.

*****    *****

It would be ungrateful of me to forget that God has blessed my sister and I with being able to have our mom here this Mother’s Day and to be able to celebrate the wonderful mom who cared, loved and nurtured us for all of these years.   Thank you God, you are so gracious and merciful and I am so thrilled we got to spoil and love Mommy yesterday.

God be with each of you who makes my life so rich and full of joy.  Happy Mother’s Day to each of you wonderful mom’s I call friend.

This week, I was blessed with being able to go with Hayden’s class on their field trip to the Littleton Historical Museum.

What a neat place to go to with your children. If you have never been, I would highly recommend it.

Although the day was a typical Colorado Spring day; cloudy and drizzly, we had a fabulous time.

A few highlights of our visit were; watching a real blacksmith working on a project. The Blacksmith shop was really neat, with lots of period tools & gadgets. Hayden was also called up to demonstrate how the old Billow fan worked to keep the fire going.

The kids and I were also blessed with witnessing the miracle of new life while we were there.  It was truly an amazing and beautiful sight,  to see a 2 hour old baby lamb.  Isn’t she cute?