Vacation Part 3

The last couple of days before we headed home, we stayed at Grandma and Grandpa Daggetts and it was a great time. We went up to Trailridge with Grandpa, played some ladder ball, celebrated Daniel's birthday early with cupcakes, and visited Swetsville Zoo (which is a bunk of things made out of scrap metal. It is really pretty cool and a must see when you visit Fort Collins.

On the way to the top

Look at that expression!

Mommy and Seth

The family minus our great photographer, Daddy

In the snow

At the top

The Family

Great Grandpa Daggett, Haley and Seth

Blue Eyes

Great Grandpa Daggett, Daniel and Seth

Great Grandpa Daggett and Katelynn

I think they are cold...

Snoopy and Katelynn

Wanna join the band? They did.

"Look mom! It's a baby dinosaur!"

VW Beetle

The python

Barbershop Duet

Ladder Ball

Daniel won!

Daniel's 8th Birthday! 2+1+5=8

Great Grandma Daggett and Katelynn

Great Grandma Daggett and Daniel

Great Grandma Daggett and Haley

Great Grandma Daggett and Seth

So big!!

Vacation Part 2

Day 2 we headed to Fort Collins, but not without a stop at the Raton Pass first.

We also stopped for lunch in south Denver and met with a friend who I've known for a while, but never met in person. It was so nice to get to meet Adele, but I forgot to get a picture with her. She is such a sweet spirit and has become an adopted grandmother of sorts to me. She faithfully prays for me and encouraged me on my struggle to get the family God promised me. I am so glad we did that and will have to make a point to get together with her each time we go see my grandparents.

We stayed at the KOA in Fort Collins for Thursday through Saturday nights and it was really nice. Our cabin had a queen bed in a separate room, a bunk bed and couch that the three older kids rotated between.  It also had a shower, a full refrigerator, and central air conditioning.  The KOA had a great playground, swimming pool, gocarts and other things for rent as well as activities throughout. I would definitely stay there again when we head that way in the summer.

We had the annual Daggett family Christmas/Bingo on Friday night June 14th.  On Saturday we stayed at the KOA all day and relaxed including some fishing by BJ and the kids. Sunday morning, we packed up, went to church with my grandparents and then moved our stuff over to their house for a few nights.

Looking out

Sweet Face

Raton Pass

On the top bunk in the cabin

K's funny face

D's funny face

H's funny face

The Playground

Monkey bars

Fishing with Dad

Vacation with the Family

This year our vacation was a trip to Fort Collins Colorado where my grandparents live.  The next few posts will be a summary of the trip including a lot of pictures.

The first morning we left at 4 in the morning and had a 10 hour day in the car ahead of us. Yes, we actually accomplished that. Anyone with a large family knows how hard it is to leave on time.  I am just thankful that we are normally early people, so with the addition of the kids, we are still on time. I packed the van the night before so all we had to do was get the kids and their pillows into the car (and a few last minute things for the trip).

The first destination was the NRA Whittington Center Camp. We rented a cabin for the night.

The View

The girls exploring (their favorite part)

Daniel exploring

Seth, the Hunk

The kids -  I couldn't pick a favorite.

Settling in...not sure where Katelynn is.

Daniel and Haley

There she is.

Always finding something and begging for their picture to be taken.

Mommy and Seth - He is quite the poser.

Santa Fe Trail statue

Front of the NRA Whittington Center

What does God's presence feel like?

Last night during our Bible time with the kids Haley asked me how it feels when God is near you. I tried to describe it as warmth or like a big hug but on the inside, or goose bumps, but really words don't even begin to describe it. She really wants to feel God, so I'm praying that he will let her feel he is near. I was kinda at a loss as to what to tell her to do except ask God to help her feel him.

Last night in The Battlefield of the Mind, I read that it really all begins with being aware of God's presence and love for us. If we don't quiet ourselves or let ourselves feel he is with us, we won't. I guess I have just learned to be aware of God's presence, so that all made sense to me. But how do you teach that to someone who has never experienced God? Based on some of the experiences and conversations Haley and I have had, I think she's felt God's presence before, but just didn't identify it as such.  It's so awesome as a mom to see your kids have a hunger for God!

Attention World: We Have a 4th Grader

Haley's award's ceremony was on Tuesday June 4th (Sorry I am a little late posting, but vacation and getting ready for that took precedence).

 Haley got the Bluebonnet Reader award and Math Fact Master award for memorizing her multiplication facts. I am so proud of her!

Her teacher, Mrs. Grimaldo, was just fabulous with her! I really hope Daniel gets her for the third grade.  When I was taking this picture, Mrs. G had her hand around Haley and she was just standing all stiff. Mrs. G told her "Put your arm around me and act like you like me, girlfriend." Haley has been repeating that when someone has wanted to take her picture ever since. So funny the things that stick in your kids' brains.

Mrs. G said that Haley has improved so much this year. We are praying that going into 4th grade, she will continue her streak of good behavior and focus. Next year will be the first year my kids will be going to a repeat school.  Between foster care and then our move last summer, they have switched schools multiple times. I think it'll be good to not have to be the new kid again.

Right now Haley is at Mathnasium. We have signed her up for 6 months of extra math help. She was so excited to go this morning, so that's a good sign, or at least I think it is. I am really praying that God will open her mind to learn and grasp some of the concepts she has been struggling with.  

I know that you can do it sweetheart, and I am looking forward to many more great years of school and life with you.

It is kind of sad to realize that I only have 9 more years of school with her (through high school) and then she will be off to college or whatever else God has for her. I missed so much with her since she was almost 8 when she became a part of our family. I don't want her to grow up but to stay little forever. I feel that way about all of my kids, just notice it more with her since she will be in the double digits in January.

They just grow up too fast...way too fast.

Vacation is my Enemy

It is nice to get away for a few days and to get a break from work, but I am sure I am not the only parent who feels like vacation brings out the worst in me. I haven't decided if its just being with the kids 24 hours a day that wears on my patience or if I just care too much about what others think about my kids behavior or my parenting or both. I often find myself yelling and frustrated at the kids and feeling ignored and disrespected. And I am certainly not without fault. I don't handle the constant bickering well and am not good at ignoring the immaturity of kids when it comes to tattling and whining. Like nails on a chalkboard.

As God would have it (seeing how I don't believe in coincidence) I am reading two separate books and both have provided a kick in the gut, spotlighting my weaknesses. In The Battlefield of the Mind, Joyce Meyer points out that the devil loves to keep us critical of others ( in this case my kids) so we never see or deal with our own sin. She also states that "the mind of Christ in us is positive; therefore any time we get negative we are not operating in the mind of Christ."  Guilty as charged. I have got to stop being so negative and critical and let God give me a new positive perspective. It all starts with simply thinking positive thoughts which all starts by thinking about what I am thinking about.  And using God's word to fill my mind with positive thoughts.

The other book is talking about how many women put pressure on themselves to be or at least appear perfect. I struggle with this. Not because I really think I can make things perfect, but I find some safety in at least feeling in control of my life. And God gently reminds me through the writing of Holley Gerth "Beautiful daughter of mine, you don't need to be perfect. You are already perfectly loved."

And I know that God isn't rebuking or chastising me, but showing me his never-ending grace. So I am learning to not be so hard on myself and accept God's grace, forgive myself, get back up and keep going.

There are a few days left of this trip, so I am going to make it count. By being loving and gracious to my kids and myself and enjoying the last few moments we have before we are thrown back into normal life.