The River The Spragpole and the Shoe Fairy

So we took a trip up river and it was awesome! I can't wait until Lee and Karen get the trailer aka my vacation home up there. We had a great time playing with snakes and looking at the pretty flowers. We had a fantastic dinner at the Spragpole and took a peek around the musuem. The best part the shoe fairy sent me a great pair of boots! Ok not really Tammy had them in the back of her van non the less who gets shoes in Murray Idaho!

Happy 4th

My kids will never be the same after this trip! Uncle Christ was a super hero with all his fireworks!

Uncle Chris and His Logging Truck

Oh yes a trip to north Idaho would not be complete without a ride in Uncle Chris's logging truck! Owen was stoked to drive and blow the horn! And then it was the girls turn!

Visiting Matt

Matt passed away nine years ago and it feels like yesterday. I adored Matt and it is so painful that Lilly and Owen will never know this gentle giant. We were blessed to take the kids to see Matt's headstone. He is so missed, and not like the time when I missed him with my Neon!

No Thank You!!!

Teddy found a Starbucks in Kuwait, Okinawa and in the middle of bum nowhere Georgia. However we could not find one in the state of Montana to save our lives and then after a little prayer it appeared off exit 127!

NO THANK YOU!!

Sad News and Blessings

We have been on vacation having a fantastic time, but when we arrived home we learned our friends Joseph and Kristy lost their home in the Waldo Canyon fire. I have not talked with them but I am sure they are heartbroken. We will continue to pray for them to have strength during this time of rebuilding. I know that Kristy has a fantastic attitude and I am sure she is saying she wanted to re-model anyway. Praise the Lord our friends Dustin, Kaci, Charles and Emma  are safe and back in their homes. A lot of re-building is ahead for so many folks in the Colorado Springs area. We have a fantastic community that will surely bring lots of support to these families. Thanks to all my family and friends that have been praying for our friends.

A little sad

I miss Teddy. He is one of my best friends and I wish he were here right now. This fire has been consuming and he would totally understand how I feel about seeing so much of our beautiful mountains destroyed. Rampart Range has all ways been so much fun for Teddy,Gary and I we love taking the big jeep up the trail.
I am a little perturbed by bloggers and strange people from around the country criticizing Colorado for not doing controlled burns. The reason is the wind. You don't burn large areas when we have gusts of wind daily at sixty miles per hour. Living here this is well know, fact is we have to bury all our power lines for the same reason. Burning things just does not work here! Oh well this fire is the same as all fires it has a beginning and it will have an end.
We continue to pray for the firefighters and those who have lost their homes. Praise God for his guiding hand in keeping the city safe tonight.

Not fog folks!

This is a picture I took from my office window. I am right next to the Sky Sox Stadium. The smoke is just suffocating.

32,000 Have Been Evacuated

The Flying W Ranch and several homes have been burned to the ground.
Today we had suffocating smoke and ash at our home.
This is picture is so heartbreaking. Garden Of The Gods is one of our favorite places to go Sundays after church. I am at a loss for words.

This Is Smoke Not Storm Clouds

My heart is racing, for the first time during this historical fire I have just broken down. The flying w ranch is very close to not existing. My heart is just breaking for my beautiful mountains, and friends that are in danger. Please keep praying.

We can see flames from our deck.

These are pictures from our house.

Blessings During a Fire

I have never doubted God and I know he is at work. Right now over 3600 acres are on fire in a heavily populated area of El Paso County. During this fire over 11500 people have been evacuated from their homes. And not one structure has been burned. Can we say this is an act of God, I think we can. Our city once again has proven that the Lord shines brighter than the Colorado Sun. Charities including the, Red Cross, Care and Share, Good Will, Salvation Army, The Humane Society, Penrose Equestrian Center, Hundreds of churches, Wal-Mart, Starbucks and small local business have been overwhelmed by charitable donations. I think its safe to say that the Lord is shining and working. Its a miracle that homes, business and human life has been spared. Our beautiful front range mountains and favorite parks and trails may never be the same, but with faith in our God we shall be able to once again to enjoy our out door Colorado.
Praying and lifting in prayer our friends that have been evacuated and are still not able to return home. I am asking all my family and friends to join me in prayer for the Guthrie Family, The Tomlinson Family and The Smartland Family. I also want to pray for our firefighters and all emergency personal. We need to remember our local media who have been on air for over 52 hours with no breaks. Our community is well updated and safe this evening. Special thanks to my favorite branch of the military the USAF for sending half the fleet of our C-130's that spray 3000 gallons of water in a single flight. Praise God for the Air Force!

We are hopeful that this fire will be contained soon and the Lords hand remain on our friends homes and businesses.
Here are some pictures I have taken from our deck tonight. This was the first night that we have been able to be outside with out smoke and ash flying overhead. The picture of Kissing Camels at Garden of the Gods I took from KOAA tv.
Blessings tonight during the storm.
Psalm 71:14
But as for me, I will always have hope;
I will praise you more and more

This is an update on the fire here in the Springs. By KOAA 5 news.

We have been glued to the news today. Can't go outside because the smoke is suffocating, not to mention the heat at 101 degrees. Praying!
Nine aircraft are now fighting the fire just west of Colorado Springs. This information comes from a briefing at four o'clock Sunday afternoon. This includes three heavy tankers, four single engine tankers and two helicopters.

There are also 450 firefighters on the ground and that number is growing.

A total of about 11,000 people are under evacuation orders from Manitou Springs, the City of Colorado Springs and El Paso County.

Garden of the Gods Park, Cheyenne Canyon Park and Palmer Park are all closed. The Pikes Peak Highway is also closed.

No Sleep

I have been awake tossing and turning in prayer all night. I am sadden to say the fire here has grown to over 2500 acres, with no sign of slowing. We are expected to reach a temp of 100 with zero chance of rain. During the night the evacuations continued to all of Manitou Springs. My heart is heavy this morning, knowing the west side of Colorado Springs will never be the same. My God we will rejoice in weakness, we know You have a plan. Please continue praying for the families in this area. This is a heavily populated area, with thousands of homes and businesses.

Prayer

We have had so many fires in Colorado, and this is just the start of fire season. Today a massive fire has broken out in the canyons off hwy 24 toward Ute Pass. This fire is not contained and is currently burning about 2000 acres. Gary and I have three families we are praying for that have all been evacuated. All of the families are together and safe, however I am sure the thought of returning to no home could possibly be one of the most scary thoughts. I am asking all of my family and friends to please pray for these families and pray for an amazing work of God. We are desperate for cooler weather and rain. Pray that the Lord would lift the worries off the hearts of these families, and pray for safety for all the rescue workers.
Lifting in prayer tonight the Guthrie Family, The Smartland Family and The Tomlinson Family.

Happy Fathers Day!

Hope all the dads in my life had a wonderful day. Lilly and Owen made Gary a walking stick for our hikes. It was really sweet. And we had bagels and coffee, we relaxed and put our feet in the pool and Gary BBQ at the end of the day. He is great dad and I am proud of him.

My dad is one of my favorite people ever. Teddy and I are so grateful for the life he gave us. We both know the sacrifices he made to keep us in Colorado, and all the extra jobs he took to give us a nice home and vacations. I don't think Teddy and I ever realized how hard mom and dad worked to provide for us until we had our own families. Funny how the tables have turned and it's now Teddy and I who are the proud kids of our parents! But please don't tell them we said that!

Any who it was a super relaxing weekend and we are so thankful and blessed!

Perkins Time!!

We adore our Perkins family and had such a great time catching up tonight! We could have talked for hours but the kids start going down hill around 11:00ish:)
I have missed my late night chats with Sarah and am so thankful for her heart and ears!! She let's me vent!!
The kids are growing up so fast! This was one of those great summer nights that could have gone on and on. I even got a new picture of Lance coming out of the Ladies room! Can't wait for our camping trip!!