This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

{This Moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Oh, the Rain...

Yesterday afternoon it started to rain heavily, well actually more like a torrential downpour. Here is what the sky looked like right before the storm hit...

Last night a total of four and a half inches of rain fell, and the last time this much rain had fallen  in a 24hr. period here in Colorado Springs was back in 2008, when 4.29 inches fell. Prior to that, the last time local rainfall had broke the four inch mark was in Aug of 1921. Granted that isn't a lot of rain compared to other places in the country, but it is particularly a lot for Colorado Springs. And it actually became cold enough for us to turn on the heat in the house. Even Leo wanted to snuggle up to keep warm, lol!

Television

As this summer has begun to come to an end, I had a realization of how little we did as a family outside of the home and how our lives seem to revolve around the television schedule as well as computer and video games. It made me disappointed in our parenting, I feel like we've been raising our boys to be couch potatoes -which isn't what I want for them. I want our boys to be active, adventurous, creative, productive, and kind-souled.

These pictures represent what our boys are like now and what they'll more than like be like when their adults...couch potatoes

I believe it's important we try to instill good habits in our children so they will be more willing to  live a healthy lifestyle as adults. Granted, I'm a little late where the tv, computer and video games are concerned, but as they say -better late than never. My other reasons for wanting to limit and/or possibly remove tv from our home...

1) It would improve our family relationships by allowing us to have more quality family time.

2) We would all be more active

3) We would have more free time to do the things we love

4) It has been proven that too much tv slows down brain activity.

5) There is a lot of content on tv that I don't approve of the boys watching...low to non existent          morals and values.

6) I also believe many of the shows, even those geared towards children and teens, put way

    too much emphasis on vanity and material possessions. -Yes, everyone wants to look their 

    best and want the latest and greatest products, but I want our boys to focus on a person's 

    inner beauty instead of one's outward appearance and to realize and know that you can live 

    a happy and wonderful life without having the "best" material possessions. It just seems like 

    some of those who are "trying to keep up with the Jones' " are not living as happy of a life as 

    they could be if they were to stop being materialistic. 

I don't mean to offend anyone and what is good for one family isn't always the best for another. With that said, I do believe this would be best for my family.

9/11...Ten Years Later

Photo of a piece of the World Trade Center towers here at Ft. Carson, CO.

It's hard to believe ten years ago today our reality was badly shaken. All of us, who were old enough, remember exactly where we were and what we were doing when we saw or heard the tragic news. My husband and I were both at home, he was watching the news and I was getting ready for work, and I happened to walk into the living room to see the second plane hit the south tower. Right then and there was when we all knew for certain that this was no accident. Our beloved country was under attack. Many families and friends lost loved ones, departments lost fellow co-workers including brave EMT's, Fire Fighters, and Police. And due to the reprocussions of those actions that day, we as a country also lost many brave Men and Women in the Military. 

On that very same day and the days to follow humanity rose above and beyond. We witnessed man helping fellow man...EMT's, Fire Fighters, Police, as well as Search and Rescue Dogs, came from other cities, counties, and states to lend a helping hand - it was humanity at it's best. As a country the tragedy united us as one and sparked patriotism in everyone. It also heightened interest in many to join the Military, as my husband said, he wanted to do his part.

Like many others, my heart still aches over the loss of our fellow Americans, none of them deserved to die the way they did nor was it fair for their families and friends to suffer the excruciating pain of their loss.

As this day comes around every year we will always remember the victims who innocently lost their lives. Their families, friends, co-workers, survivors, civilian and Military heroes will forever be in our hearts. We will be reminded of all they gave and how blessed we are to live in this beautiful country of ours the United States of America.  

{This Moment}

{This moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Inspired by Amanda Blake Soule at www.soulemama.com

 

 

Colorado Balloon Classic 2011

This was the first year the boys and I actually went to Memorial Park to watch the hot air balloons ascend...normally we would just watch them from our back yard, but we were really glad we went because it was delightful to see them up close for a change.

The pathfinder balloon is the first to ascend...we were still making the drive to Memorial Park.

This was my favorite balloon, I really like the old fashioned design.

Ian was cold and didn't want me to take his picture. Austin isn't pictured because he was too tired to go with us.

Even the trash company has a hot air balloon...

The backside...

The front..

We had a great time, and to see all of this only took an hour of our morning. Definately worth getting up early to attend.



Balloon Glo 2011

Lastnight, the boys and I went to Balloon Glo, an evening event of the Colorado Balloon Classic. This was our first time attending Balloon Glo, and it was a blast!

Since it was so chilly outside, We all agreed that hot cocoa and a nice hot pizza was in order.