Happy Birthday Emma!

"The days are long, but the years fly by."

So the saying goes...and I find it to be so true. It seems like yesterday that we welcomed our baby girl into the world. After nine long months of morning sickness, God blessed us with Emma. Little did we know how much laughter, joy and excitement she would bring to our lives.

Emma has grown into such a smart, talented, caring, tender and silly little girl. She loves to laugh and make others laugh with her. She finds satisfaction in a job well done. She loves Jesus and often prays for those who don't know Him or who are less fortunate. She is caring and tender-hearted, offering words of comfort or encouragement. She is smart! Just this year Emma received an award for being tops in reading and math in her 2nd grade class. She also won the class spelling bee and finished number four in the district spelling bee. And yet she is humble. After placing 2nd in the 5K pledge contest, Emma ran to congratulate her friend who won first place.

Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you, Emma. We are proud of your accomplishments but even more so with the precious little girl you are. We are so thankful that you have Jesus in your heart, and that you long for others to know Him as well. You're a wonderful big sister, friend and daughter. We pray God blesses you today and in the years to come as you grow in your faith and knowledge of Him.

Happy Birthday sweet girl!!!

This is Emma listening to her Daddy sing Happy Birthday to her on the phone. (He goes to work really early on Tuesdays, so he didn't get to see her before he left for the day.)

Emma let Nate open one of her presents - such a sweet big sister!

The birthday girl with her special breakfast - cinnamon rolls!

Side note: Emma has chicken pox on her birthday! She developed them over the weekend while we were camping. At first we thought they were bug bites, but we realized it was chicken pox when they kept spreading. She has been such a trooper though! We're praying she is well enough to enjoy her birthday party next weekend.

Nate-isms

At the Dinosaur Museum: "I want to cut them up, put them on the grill and eat them!"

While playing with Emma: "That's not respectable, Emma!"

While playing with his toy cell-phone: "Hi Uncle Tomy. You're going fishing? And taking your boat?" To Mommy: "He caught three fish and put them on the grill. They are kinda spicey."

To Emma after she called him a big boy: "I am not a big boy yet! I am not a big boy until I sleep in a big boy bed!"

While driving past Tim's office: "I need an adjustment! My back hurts."

In a whisper to Emma just after I told him no more chips: "I need my chips Emma."

Overheard singing in the car: "Chaka Khan, baby!"

Yelling for me to come downstairs: "Sweetie, come here! I need you sweetie!"

The most beautiful card I've ever received...

From my precious Emma.

She made this Mothers Day card for me at school. I am so touched by her tender words and love for me. It starts off with, "You are the flower of my life."

Thank you for making Mothers Day so special. I love you, Emma!

Touch a Truck

So one of the things we did over Mothers Day weekend is take the kids to "Touch a Truck." This was one the coolest events I have ever been to. And I'm pretty sure my kids concur.

There was every kind of truck, tractor and bus imaginable...and the kids got to climb and sit all over them. Relish the excitement....

I Need You!

One of my favorite things to hear Nate say is, "I need you." He often says it when we are driving in the car and he wants out of his car seat. Or when we are walking through a store and he wants to be carried. He will hold out his hands to me and sweetly say, "Mommy, I need you."

I thought about it a lot this morning as I sat in church listening to Pastor Matt teach on Psalm 23. When he shared Psalm 131:2, Nate's words - "I need you" - ran through my mind. "I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me."

A weaned child no longer depends on his mother for life giving food, but he often crawls into her lap just to be with her. He often says, "I need you" and wraps his arms around her neck to just feel her embrace. Oh how my Heavenly Father must yearn for me to say those words to Him...I need you. Indeed, He longs for me to slow down, lift my hands to Him, and voice my need for more of Him.

Today I made a decision to respond to God. I made a decision to rest in Him and to be replenished by Him. I will no longer allow my schedule to dictate my days or my worth. I will not lose my heart in busyness. I will feast on God alone. In so doing, He promises to restore me.

Father, I need you! I need you.

My First 5K as Race Director

Seven months ago I jumped in both feet to coordinating and directing a 5K fundraiser for Emma's school. Lots of people told me it couldn't be done...that we wouldn't make any money...and it would cost thousands of dollars to put on.

From the beginning I called the 5K "God's event" and felt confident we would see success. I forged ahead despite all the nay-sayers and formed a wonderful committee with some godly, hard-working moms. We went to work!

The end result was a 5K fun run that took place this morning in Monument Valley Park. It only cost us $2,000 to host, and we raised $15,700! Yes, you read that right! Through corporate sponsors, registrations and a pledge contest among the elementary students (they raised $6,500 on their own), we raised $15,700!!!! And we had 250 participants!!!

Highlights of the event were live music by Christian recording artist (and CSCS alum) Danny Oertli; the Chick-fil-A cow handing out coupons and helping us start the fun run; lots of freebies from our corporate sponsors, including goodie bags with great coupons; the 2011 Colorado Marathon winner (and my dear friend) Connilee Walter as our lead rabbit; free massages from Rockrimmon Chiropractic, a beautiful course along the river and through the trees with a view of Pikes Peak, and gorgeous weather!

God blessed us ways in we never imagined, and yet I dreamed big and prayed big and believed God would show up big. And when God does big, He does BIG!

This is my 5K committee. I am blessed to call them my friends and to have their wonderful ideas and hard work on my team.

Chalking the starting line.

Danny Oertli added so much fun and excitement to the morning.

My parents and sister's family came up from Pueblo. My Dad had double knee replacements four months ago, and he walked the entire 5K! I was so proud of him and his accomplishment. This was also the first 5K for my mom and my sister's entire family! They were awesome!

The Chick-fil-A cow added lots of fun for the kids. Take note of my shirt and visor, which both say "Race Director." Tim surpised me with them last night. I loved it!

Tim and his business partner, Jack, were our premier sponsors. Rockrimmon Chiropractic is awesome!!!

Nate and Tim cheering on the runners and walkers.

My sister Cynthia and niece Samantha.

Mom and Dad with my mother-in-law pushing Nate.

I love this picture of my Dad!

My sweet friend, Connilee, as our lead rabbit. She won the Colorado Marathon 2 weeks ago!

My brother-in-law Jeff with Emma and my niece.

My sister-in-law Judi!

My niece Jesse.

Danny Oertli having a great time playing some great music!

Emma sprinting to the finish.

And her time is...37:18! Well done Emma on your first 5K!

Some of the finest walkers on the course!

My niece Jesse finished in 30:02.

Jesse helping her Mama across the finish line.

Me and Kalie and Emma after their great finish. (Kalie finished just ahead of Emma.)

Me and my dear friend Stephanie. She was one of my biggest cheerleaders!

Free massages from Rockrimmon Chiropractic.

Part of the 5K volunteers. CSCS produces the finest volunteers I've ever had the pleasure of working with!

Emma and her cousin Sam.

Nayda works for Tim. She brought her husband and three of her five kids out to run. They did great!

I want to give God all the praise and glory for the success of the 5K fun run. He has been so gracious to us, and I look forward to what He will do next year. But for now....I need a LOOOOOONG nap!

Precious Moments

Who put who down for a nap?!