Our Journey

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Today

"Sunny days seem to hurt the most, I wear the pain like a heavy coat....
The only thing that gives me hope, is I know, I'll see you again someday."

Today, August 28th, we remember Joey, on his birthday. Today we take a few moments to recall all the joy you brought to our lives while you were here, and all the good memories we made with you. We remember you today, like we do everyday, but today is a special day, it is your birthday. The day that you were brought into this world and the day you made Gary a big brother. He misses you every day, and especially today.

Our hope remains that we will see you in Heaven someday. We pray that you continue to shine down on us and put a good word in for us. :) Your smile and giving heart are how we remember you today, Joey. Thank you for being such a great part of so many of our lives. We will never forget you, and we will always love you.

Gods love to you dear brother. We wish you a very happy birthday in Heaven. We love you, forever.

Until we meet again. <3

xo

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Summers End

Lately, I feel as if life is on a fast track. We are so busy these days and it all feels like a whirlwind. I simply can not believe that our little man is 10 months old already and I am starting to plan his 1st birthday party (tear). Summer is nearly over and fall is quickly approaching. Life just moves too fast sometimes, which got me thinking that I had better start enjoying every single crazy minute of it.

August was a blast, we had Mimi (grandma) out for a long weekend. While Mimi visited, we got to enjoy Joey's first trip to the zoo. He and Mara had a great time. Mimi even bought them a drawing of their cute little faces while we were there. Mara loved the Polar Bear, and Joey seemed to really take to the giraffes (or fraffs as Mara calls them). It was sad when Mimi left, but we know we will see her again for Joey's birthday party, which makes those goodbye's a little bit easier.

For Gary's birthday last March, I had bought him a 2 day fly fishing training class from Living Social. So he decided to do it this month. The place he needed to go was over an hour drive, so we used our Marriott rewards points, and got a hotel for the weekend. When Gary was fishing, Joey and I got real familiar with the local mall :) We also went to a kids play place called "Monkey Bizness". He loved it and so did mommy.

Gary and I took Joey to his first museum in Denver. We saw an IMAX show on the Galapagos Islands, which was very neat. We also went to the planetarium, and Joey seemed to LOVE that even more. He was very intrigued by the dinosaur bones, especially the t-rex! He kept reaching for them and making loud noises.

In my quest to "get out more" while home with him during the day, my friend Stacy and I are trying out a "mommy and me" yoga class in Boulder, so far it's been a lot of fun. Good for the mommies and the kiddo's. We also met up with another mommy and checked out the Denver Children's Museum. The kids loved that as well. There was lots to see and do, not to mention they get to interact with lots of other children.

My dad's cousin Keith and his son, Kyle were traveling through Denver so we met up with them for breakfast this morning. It's always so much fun when we get to see family and friends. I am really starting to miss having family and friends around. They say "it takes a village" to raise a child, and our village is rather small here, so it can get very overwhelming at times. We miss all of our family and friends so much. So if you ever feel like a visit to Colorado, just say the word and you have a place to stay! I mean it.

Jenna is getting ready to pop out that new little baby girl this October! We are super excited for the arrival of another cousin. This new baby and our little Joey could possibly share a birthday. I think that would be so very cool.

Aside from all the fun stuff, Gary has been traveling a bit more than I would like, but hopefully that will slow down this fall. He is off to do some elk scouting this weekend for his big trip in September. He better bring home an elk this year :)

We miss everyone so much.
Hugs and love from CO....

Gary, Julie and Joey

p.s.... here are some pics from August, enjoy!

My silly man

peanut butter and jelly massacre

dinner plans??? ;)

At the Denver Zoo

Loving "Mimi Time"

"Fraffs"

Mimi and Dada

I hate the slide momma!

chillin in my cool ride at the Mall with mama

Swimming in the hotel pool with dada

Playing at Monkey Bizness

my happy baby

10 months old today 8/14/13

sound asleep after my bottle

just a regular day at the Lawson's house

Ready for my 1st IMAX movie

More time with Mimi

look at those eyes!!!

silly face

Lunch with dada at his office

practicing to be a fireman like my uncle Joe

enjoying play time at the Denver Children's Museum

loving the laser light room at the museum

Monday, July 29, 2013

Catch up!

There are a lot of things I am focusing on right now, and one of them is staying put in the present. Absorbing all of the greatness of the current moment, while leaving the past where it belongs and the future to worry about itself. Right now is all that we have, and I intend to make the most of it.

We have been super busy this month and have had many visitors, which we LOVE! Gary's parents came out for the fourth of July and stayed for 2 weeks. We had a great celebration on the 4th, while watching fireworks from our patio, it was the ideal location. No hassle finding a spot, no traffic, and easy access to the kitchen! We spent a few days at Lake Grandby, relaxing and making a lot of fun memories. Joey's first boat ride, turned out to be great, although he absolutely hated wearing his life jacket. lol. Poor baby. ;)

A few days after the Lawson's left, and headed back to MI, Jenna's in-laws came out for a visit. Peggy and Gil were so much fun! We went with them to the Evergreen Art and Brew festival. This was a great time. We got to sample many local brews while shopping! Best of both worlds. We enjoyed some time hiking in Nederland, and dinner in Boulder, at you guessed it...a brewery!

A few days after Peg and Gil left, Jenna's brother-in-law, Danny and his girlfriend, Sharon came out for a long weekend. We went to the Boulder Farmer's Market with them, and had an early dinner at another brewery in Boulder. Mara and Joey spent a lot of time together and really loved passing food, and crayons back and forth to each other. Mara likes to color with them, Joey just likes to eat them.

Gary spent 2 weeks this month traveling back to Northern Michigan for work. He will return on Friday, and I hope that is the last of the travel for a while. I miss him so much when he travels, and It's always more difficult when he's away.

That is July in a nutshell. August is right around the corner, and is already promising a lot of fun...

Hugs from Colorado.

Julie, Gary and Joey

Photo Catch up!

May 2013