Where has the time gone?

Oh my goodness has time flown by.  I'm not really sure how it has happened but the last couple of years have come and gone quicker then I ever thought was possible.  As I sit here this morning I am so grateful for an opportunity to do something for ME.  Since I have been back at work for the past 3 years I have lost time for the things I truly enjoy doing.

2014 is a pretty bit year for our family... So here is a quick recap for this year so far...

Cory and I celebrated 15 years of marriage.  Crazy how much we still enjoy each other's company and being silly together.  We didn't do anything huge for our anniversary, it just snuck up on us.  We decided that for our 20th we will do something fun...maybe a cruise or Bora Bora...who knows.

In the Spring Cory graduated with his Bachelor's degree in Public Administration from Colorado Mesa University.  It was a long five year journey, but I am so proud of him.   Cory had to work full time and go to school part time.  There were things he had to miss because he had homework, but he got it done.  We felt it was extremely important for the kids to see him graduate and understand the hard work was worth it.  An education is important no matter when you decide to get it.

This is also a big year for both kids.  We no longer have a child in elementary school.  WOW I'm old. Gavin (11) has started 6th grade, which is middle school out here.  He is looking forward to playing the cello and also doing percussion this year.  Gavin spends lots of time watching youtube videos on drum lines and also watching cello duets.  It is pretty cute seeing him so excited.

Mikayla (13) is starting ninth grade.  We are going to continue doing the online schooling this year for her, but next year we are hoping that she will go back for tenth grade.  She does have the opportunity to be a part of marching band at the high school.  So far she is loving marching band.  I am so proud of all of the hard work she has poured into band.  I am hoping she has an amazingly positive experience.  She has been making friends and just being a kid.  I love seeing how she is growing into a lovely young woman.

Over the summer Mikayla had a chance to be a junior camp counselor.  She has also been volunteering at church on Sundays.  I love that she is finding her spot and who she is. 

Now for me...  I have been a busy busy woman.  The coffee shop has kept me very busy.  I have enjoyed it for the most part.  Owning a business is a lot harder and more work then I would have ever guessed.  Being the face of the coffee shop has made me step out of my comfort zone and really talk to people.  Since I am an introvert this has been a difficult thing.  It has been amazing to hear all of the positive feedback we receive from around the community.  People seem to really love our little shop.  I truly feel blessed for what God has given us.  The shop exceeds our expectations daily, monthly, and yearly.  I feel like I need to be pinched to see if it is real or just a dream.

September first marks our third anniversary.  I cannot believe that we have already been business owners for three years.

I am going to try and get back into blogging.  For me this is a good way to keep up with you all and it is a great journal for Mikayla and Gavin as they grow.

God has blessed us tremendously and I hope that I can continue to recognize that.  May you be blessed today.

VOLCANO!!!

In December Mikayla had a report on Mt Camaroon. Mikayla stood in front of her class and told everyone about the volcano that she studied. Lucky for us Grandma Vicki and Grandpa Matt were here to help out.

The whole class had a chance to erupt their volcano outside. Mikayla's worked!

Our Little Author...

Here is a story that Mikayla wrote in school just the other day...

The Time Sam Saved the World
By Mikayla Tomps
02/15/2010

One beautiful summer day, a Chihuahua named Sam, was walking down the street. Sam’s owner was taking him home from his daily walk. His owner was Miley Cyrus.

A phone call had come a few minutes after he’d gotten home, interrupting Sam’s thoughts. The call was a group of scientists calling about a secret mission for a Chihuahua, and they thought Sam would be perfect!

Then Sam thought, “Yes that might be my vacation away from home, and my chance to have some adventure in my life!

When Sam told Miley about it Miley didn’t refuse, but she thought it was a ridiculous idea. Sam begged and begged. Miley let him go anyway.

Sam was scared to leave, but on the other hand, he was happy to be getting out of the house for some adventure!

The next day, a new looking pickup truck came to pick up Sam.

When he got to the lab they gave him a shot, it was called, Operation Blasterbot!

The scientists told Sam about the mission. He thought the idea was cool, but that his owner might get mad. The scientists told him not to worry about anything.

Sam did worry though.

The scientists gave Sam a collar, and soon the collar blinked. Sam said, “Paw Power!”, and flew away at the speed of lightening.

Sam didn’t know where to go until he started to hear screaming, “Help! Help! Ahhhh!”

“I am on my way!” said Sam, and he flew toward the screams listening for clues so that he would stay on the path.

When he got there, there was a huge robot. It controlled small bomb bots all over the world. Sam found a way inside the robot and then found the control panel. He then infected his P.D.A. with the virus and stuck it inside the control panel. This shut the robots down.

He flew back to the scientists. They made him normal again, and took him home. Miley was happy to see him, and Sam was happy to see her.

Tiger Cub Awards...

Tonight was Gavin's first Tiger Cub Scouts award ceremony. This was a pretty cool event for all of the Cub Scouts. All of the Tigers that are in Gav's den received their "Immediate Recognition" which is this white paw print thing that holds beads on it. The beads represent things that each boy has accomplished.

Gavin also earned his Bobcat badge. He earned this by learning the Scout Promise and the Law and some other stuff which I have no idea about. Gav has worked really hard with Cory to get all of the things memorized to earn this badge. I am really proud at all his hard work.

When you get your Bobcat badge you are hung upside down and your parent (me) pins it on you. The badge is upside down until you do a good deed.

I also received a mother's bobcat pin. I guess you get the pins when your boys receive their badges and there is a ribbon that you as a Scout mom put them on and wear. Pretty cool.

Below are some of the photos from tonight...

Next time you see Gav you should ask him to tell you the Cub Scout Promise.

Wow Look Who's 6 1/2...

This year in Gavin's class he had a chance to celebrate his birthday. It was really nice celebrating in school since Gav's birthday falls during the summer. I made a cake for Gavin and for his teacher, who was also celebrating her half birthday... They penguins were both made up of 12 cupcakes that fit together. They were a lot of fun to make.

Here is Gav working on his sheet for the birthday book that the whole class makes. It is a really great way for the kids to get excited about writing. On the sheets from his classmates they have a chance to write about what they would buy Gav if they could buy him anything. They also draw a picture to go with it.

Both Gavin and Mrs Spaeth enjoyed their half birthday treats. It was a special day for Gav.

Blogging...

This blog goes out to all of you who follow what we are doing here in Fruita, CO. I am really sorry that I haven't been blogging at all. I know that I haven't blogged since the end of October, and now it's the end of November. This past month has been a pretty hard month for me. I have experienced my first "reconciliation" meeting, we found out Cory is getting a pay cut in Jan and I am realizing how close Christmas really is. My head has been spinning for weeks now. I am really just trying to make it day by day.

This is the first year I haven't even been excited to decorate for Christmas. My thought was, if we aren't going to be here why bother. Then I realized that I was being selfish. Even if I'm not in the mood I need to do it for the kids. So I took the time and put up my Christmas stuff. It is done, almost.

As I'm writing this it is Thanksgiving. The turkey and stuffing are in the oven and the house smells so yummy. I feel like this has to be my new start. I need to remember all the reasons I have to be thankful. So here they are some of them...

I am thankful for my family, their warm hearts and silly smiles.
I am thankful for our health.
I am thankful for our home and the great city that we live in.
I am thankful for all of my friends, especially the ones who know something is wrong before I do.
I am thankful that we have the money to pay our bill and put food on our table.

I know there are a lot more thing that I am thankful for but those are just some.

I just want to say thank you for always supporting our family during the good times and the bad. I know that as with everything else this is just a season. God will provide all that we need.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Other Photos Nana Took...

I know that I already blogged about Mikayla's birthday party, but I didn't have Pam's photos yet. She took some cute photos that I wanted to share.

Look at how far forward Gavin and Charlie have to sit to race these cars. It is crazy how big they are getting. Both boys raced really well. I don't think they crashed... I am very impressed.

Look how cute Cory is in his uniform... I thought that this was cute so I just had to add it. This is Cory "Soft" uniform. He uses this uniform when he teaches at the academy or other events.