#1 Reason We Love Colorado (Thank you God!!)

As most of you know, back in Iowa Hannah was hospitalized for Pneumonia, RSV or other respiratory issues at least 3-4 times every winter; from October-March. Because God is so good and continues to bless us daily, we have been in Colorado since November 2008 and Hannah has not been in the hospital one time. THANK YOU JESUS!!! You get all the glory and praise!

(PG-13) Colin's Random Thoughts!

OK, first of all, you can't make up the stuff kids say.

So there we were, in the men's restroom at Target. Colin (our 5 yr old) gets done and turns around. I notice his pants are a little wet. He's telling me he can't wear them because they are wet. I told him they weren't that bad and besides, we had no other underwear or pants for him to wear.

Then I asked him "What happened??"

He replied, (with arm gestures) "Well....my penis was just flyin around!"

A Daughter's Heart or "A Daughter Steals Her Daddy's Heart!"

So here's how the fairty tale night went. I know several of you were betting big dollars on the long pink one. (Call 1-800-BETS-OFF) I liked it too. However, it was very poofy on the bottom and I think Hannah would have been swimming in it. The one Hannah chose, we also loved. It was an ivory Cinderella Brand dress. It had little ivory pearls on the sweater and the bottom half of the dress. The Bonus was the matching sweater since it got down in the 20's last night. Crazy because it's been getting in the mid 60's during the day. We had a BLAST!!


First, my beautiful daughter blew me away in this dress. What a Princess!! Any man would have been honored to accompany her to the ball, but I was the lucky one. I couldn't be more proud of my sweetheart. We got to the newly renovated Crowne Plaza hotel. We got in line and got formal pictures taken. Then we went into the triple ballroom (that was packed and decorated so beautifully) and found our table. The dinner was for dads and daughters age 8-80. Our table was all 8 year olds. It was fun. There were also daughters there older than me, as you know...that's old.


Next was dinner. I had London Broil with a mushroom gravy, green beans and roasted potatoes. Dessert was Cheesecake. The Colorado Springs Symphony had a quartet playing while we ate. Just like the one on the movie "Titanic." The guest speaker was Tom Davis (not the old Iowa Hawkeye basketball coach). Tom is CEO & President of Children's Hope Chest Ministry that travels the world. His talk was "The Pearl of Great Price." There was also a father/ daughter singing duet.


Finally, it was time for the dancing. They started by packing the dance floor and teaching us all the Rhumba, the Waltz and a few others. Then the live band "Heartbeat" from Denver, CO played their songs and they gave us a chance to showoff our fancy footwork we had just learned. Hannah and I danced for an hour. You can see below that the instant I put her in her carseat and snuggled her up with three blankets, she was OUT!!


It was a night neither one of us will ever forget!! In fact they sent us home with a calendar to plan a daddy daughter date once a month. So it looks like we'll have at least 12 more dates before next year's "A Daughter's Heart."

Say Yes to the Dress

Well, Hannah has been a wee bit under the weather. So, I went out and bought her these dresses to choose from for A Daughter's Heart which is tomorrow night!!! We are so excited for our big night out, pretty dresses and tuxes, pictures, flowers, dinner, dancing with a live band. Well, I can't spill the beans just yet so you'll just have to guess which dress Hannah chose. More to come soon.

Lemars, Iowa; A Visit to Sandi's Sister's

It was a busy, fun-filled week in Lemars, Iowa. Sandi's sister, Lynn and her husband, Adam got to go on a short business awards getaway to Tampa, FL. We got stay in Lemars and watch 5 kids. WOOHOO!! Colin and I had lunch with Jaxon at school. The next day I had lunch with Sidney. (Hannah was asleep) We watched Narnia (and some acted it out...see photos) We watched Sidney and Jaxon play basketball at the YMCA. We had a combined birthday party for Sidney, Drew & Colin and the kids got to go swimming at Grandma and Grandpa's hotel. Oh yes, we cannot forget the excellent coffee and outstanding caramel rolls from Bellissimo Coffee Works!!! They were AWESOME!!! If you're ever in Lemars, Iowa (ICE CREAM CAPITOL OF THE WORLD....home of Blue Bunny Ice Cream) you have to stop for a skinny vanilla latte and a caramel roll!!!

Enlarge picture to see the necklace Sidney made Hannah

Sidney making microwave pancakes!!

Drew & Drake (Sandi's brother's boys)

Lewy & Louise (just like Flat Stanley; Jaxon's project that we are doing in CO)

Resting up for the long drive home!

Trust and Obey

I had to share God's love and grace with you. Here's the story.

It's been a busy weekend. I'm working 4-12 hour days, Valentines Day, church, working on my Masters, Colin's Birthday and somewhere in there I squeeze in some sleep. The alarm goes off at 3am.

Last night I got home to throw down a sandwich, change clothes and get to church. As I got home from work, my fuel light went on, I was in the red.

This morning I said to Sandi, "Do you think I can make it about 15 miles into work on the fuel light?" I didn't have time to stop for gas or I'd be late for work. Neither one of us thought I could make it.

I got in the van this morning and God took care of me once again. My fuel gauge was now just above a 1/4 tank!! Last night it was less than 1/8.

I had plenty of gas to make it to work. As I pulled into work (15 miles later), my fuel light came on. I have a gas station right across the street from work. :)

Trust and obey, God will show up and AMAZE you!

Happy 5th Birthday Colin!!! (Happy Valentine's Day too)

I am so proud to be your Dad!! You are an awesome kid and your mom and I love you more than you'll ever know!! I love that you pray for us at every meal. I love how you take care of your sister and give her lots of kisses. I love how God made you! You really are an incredible gift and I am so proud of you! Have a great birthday, Son!! All my love, Dad