5 years 4 days.

Tory & I just celebrated our 5 year Anniversary on October 19th. I LOVE YOU HONEY!! If you don't know our story, here it is in a nutshell:
On June 4th, 2003 I was going out with my girlfriends for a bachelorette party. 6 days prior I had ended a relationship that was going nowhere. So, as I was heading out with the girls that night I had resolved that I was going to be single and was SO OKAY with that. God had other plans! We went out to a favorite Country Bar that night called The Stampede. As we were walking around I ran into a volleyball buddy Chad, and standing next to him was Tory. I was IMMEDIATELY attracted to him, and we ended up talking for the rest of the night. (for anyone who knows Tory, talking all night is a BIG deal!) A week and a half later I went to watch him play softball (his other love) and we all went to Parker Days. A local festival that takes place every year. That night we found out that we both new "this" was it! We talked so calmly, with so much certainty it was surreal.
On July 4th (one month later) while in Steamboat (again for softball...) Tory whispered in my ear "I love you Jennifer" It was one of the sweetest moments I have ever experienced! Before we knew it we were planning a wedding in Las Vegas because Tory was already going to Promise Keepers (a men's Christian conference) with his Dad and 2 brothers. It would be the first time in a long time the whole family was going to be together, so we took advantage of the opportunity! I was hesitant at first to have a wedding in Vegas (I had never been) but we had the BEST TIME EVER!! We had approximately 40 friends and family...it was PERFECT! (Just 4 1/2 months after we met...CRAZY!)
I have discovered that when God is in control, it takes all the guess work out. I had met so many men before Tory and could never picture myself settling down with any of them...but when I met Tory, I just KNEW! In fact, I kept saying that " I know that I know that I know!" Having that kind of confidence is what has kept us going in the hard times! SO...back to this anniversary. Tory and I took Monday off and went to see the movie "Fireproof". It is a movie about marriage, and although the acting isn't the best, the message is VERY powerful! I recommend it for ALL married couples! Here is the link: http://www.fireproofmymarriage.com/
We both cried several times. Even though our marriage is fine, we both realized that we have not been working at making it better. Marriage doesn't get better on it's own, it takes work. So, we are both committed to making changes and investing. It is so easy to get lazy when you get comfortable. Anyhoo...I am getting off my soap box now! :)

So here we are...5 years later with a wonderful little man and a bunch more years ahead of us...I wouldn't have it any other way!!
Love you babe!

Family time.

Tory, Easton and I headed back to Nick's this past Sunday to buy pumpkins...Tory informed me that he had stellar pumpkin carving skills, and he was going to kick my butt with his design. I don't have pictures of the finished products yet, but when I do, I'll let you be the judge! :) Actually, once we started, we both realized it took a lot more patience than either of us really posess! Easton had a ton of fun helping us pick out the pumpkins, and he totally helped me get the slimy stuff out. When I was deep into working on my pumpkin, I heard Easton say..."ummmm...yummy!" I look over and he is eating the slimy pumpkin seeds...crazy little man! Here are some photo's from our outing!




















Apparently pumpkin carving can wear a Daddy & his sweet boy out!

Pumpkin time!

Last Thursday I got a phone call from our wonderful daycare provider Jan, and she informed me that she & her sister were going to be taking the kids to Nick's Garden center for the Pumpkin patch, and if I wanted to come, they would love to have me...I was so excited...of course I wanted to go! (Thank you God for such a flexible job!!) They surprised me by dressing the kiddo's up, and boy were they cute!!

My FAVORITE season...Fall!

Tory & I decided to take yesterday off to have a family day in the Mountains...what an amazing blessing! Living in CO I tend to take for granted just how close the mountains are, and how majestic and beautiful they can be! Thank you God for your handiwork! We went to Estes Park, walked around lake Lily, then finished the day in town for some ice cream. We saw Elk, deer and chipmunks (one was munching on cheetoh's.) The pictures pretty much speak for themselves.



















I pray that in the midst of these crazy busy times, you would take time out for yourself and enjoy the things around you!

Sweet moments...

Yesterday morning Easton woke up and told me he had to go potty...that is a MILESTONE for us. He is VERY capable of using the potty, but typically he has to be prodded, so when he volunteered, I made a big deal about it..."good job buddy! Mom is So proud! You are going to get a sticker for this!" When he was done, and dressed for the day, I pulled the stickers out and let him pick. He picked then looked at me and said "Mommy sticker". I said "I get a sticker?!?" He said "yeah" "Mommy pee pee in potty..." He was very serious so I said "okay bud, which one?" He picked me out a Spiderman sticker that I proudly wore for half the day! I LOVE stuff like this, it keeps me smiling ALL say! His vocabulary continues to grow and grow, and he cracks me up with new stuff daily!

This past Sunday we stayed in our PJ's ALL day. I was getting over some stomach bug, so we decided to lay low. I think we went outside (Yes, in our PJ's) for about a half an hour to get some fresh air, but other than that we were total home bodies. Just before bath time Easton had this huge burst of energy (can't blame him). So, he started climbing on the couch and jumping off. I caught a bit of the action below!


getting ready





holding Daddy's hand to get steady








JUMPING








Mid air shot








He hurt his finger when he landed









Looking to Daddy for some consolation









We are going to try to go to the Mountains tomorrow since we didn't make it this past weekend. I will take lots of pictures of the pretty leaves and mountains! I just LOVE FALL!!! I am also hoping to get our yearly family photo...I could use some prayers for that! ;)