Evelyn and Her Water Passion

I'm making some effort to show Evie the fun side of playing in the water. So we blew up a little pink wading pool for her yesterday and went out for some fun in the sun! I think she had fun at first, but she, of course, had to bring her blankey with her. And then it was soggy and heavier than usual and the water was getting cold I guess, and she was done.

Here are some pics I managed to take of her, most of them with her desperately evacuating the pink pool. Poor cutie! So pitiful! :)

Irene

I would like to introduce you to our current boarder, Irene. She is a lady from our church who needed a temporary place to stay. At 90, she is very loveable and sometimes pretty fiesty! I believe the closest comparison to having Irene live with us is eating a delicious roast beef and potato dinner, followed by a large bowl of ice cream--that's how my soul feels when I'm with her!

So I'm full of analagies, apparantly, and now I'm feeling a bit hungry. But I didn't think our blog would be complete without mentioning her.

Her favorite saying is "Getting old ain't for sissies!" You've got to admire people with spunk!

Evie is spending some time with Irene, too. I think they're bonding. Irene says, "How much can I pay you for that baby?" to which Evie shyly smiles. Despite the competition, I am loving having Irene here with us! ;)

Not Moving!

So we WERE moving to Utah, but found out earlier this month that Justin's job needs him here in Denver, after all. It's hard to explain without going into too much detail about Justin's crazy job... however, we are very relieved not to have to sell our cute home in this horrible housing market! It occurred to me that many of you out of state have not seen pictures of our place, yet. Here are a few:














So I'm sure moving involves mixed feelings for everyone. But I admit the way our lives have been changing, I have been completely dizzy with emotion and stress! We had been busily making plans to live in Utah with Justin's brother Adam and his family (Nisha, my galpal and future business partner(???), and Sophie, Evie's same-age cutie cousin). My heart is also aching to be nearer to all of my friends and family in Utah. After getting used to the idea, now I feel perfectly robbed!!

But we have the perfect home and a lovely life in Denver. Along with more very special friends and most of both mine and Justin's immediate family, whom I am very excited to be near. So we feel blessed and happy.

For those we will not live close to anytime soon--we love you and miss you terribly!

How to Sing Like the "Fat Lady"

Above is my goofy-faced visual demonstration of how to sing OPERA. I thought you who are unfamiliar with the art form might be interested to know.

Some very open-minded soul passed me through an audition for Opera Colorado's 25th season. This is a shot of me after singing in the chorus of "The Flying Dutchman" last April at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in Denver, CO. We photographed it, because I don't know when I'll be able to sing with them again--and also, because it was SOOOOO AWESOME!!!


...Here's Justin feigning interest, but being a very good sport by attending and not falling asleep once (so he says)!










I don't get why they have a ballerina statue at the opera house, either. :)

More 1-yr. Evie

Some cute 1-year-old shots of Evie

As most parents, I am convinced that my child is on the path to stardom and greatness. But how can I disbelieve when I see so many evidences?

I decided to share with you some of the evidences (see above). This is also a tribute to the greatness of my photographer friend Rebecca (see her website at http://www.rebeccamariephotography.net/). Thanks for putting up with our disgusting adoration!!!

(I might add that Evie peepee-d no less than three times on Rebecca's backdrops during the photo shoot! Just something else that she's good at... :) )

Memorial Day Thoughts

Upon examining the small amount of change in my wallet, I made a sadly meager contribution this week for an American veteran's group and got to thinking more about Memorial Day.

My elderly friend Irene Allred says that in her day they referred to Memorial Day as "Decoration Day," which she celebrated by decorating her home with yards of ribbon to remember those lost in war and the freedoms we enjoy. An interesting idea--that makes me feel very chagrined to just BBQ every year and not do more to remember those fallen.

My father was in the Air Force during Vietnam, but was not assigned to battle. Instead he was stationed in Thailand, where he was taught North Vietnamese, and translated messages he heard over the radio. Both of my grandfathers were drafted to serve in WWII, but were still in training camps until most of the fighting was over and the rebuilding had begun. I might not be here were it not for those who fought in those horrible times in our country's history--so that my family did not have to. So I am grateful, and if nothing else, I am thinking of those fallen today as I raise our flag.

God bless.