Random Cell Phone Pictures For Your Enjoyment

Here is a picture of Abby that I have been using as my phones background. I can't put my finger on what I like most about it.

Here is a good one of Ella. This is the day we moved into the new house. Appearently we couldn't unpack fast enough so she just found a nice soft spot to fall asleep.

It's twice as fun when you say it like Jerry Seinfeld, SALSA! Everyone else was eating it so Abby couldn't be stopped.

Rare photographic proof that I do exist.

Katherine and the girls headed to Colorado Springs on Sunday to get a head start on Thanksgiving. Fudge and I drove up on Wednesday. Now if I could just get him to buckle up.











Whenever we visit Grandma's house we always make time to feed the ducks and geese. I don't know who was braver, the girls or the birds.

This is a lousy picture but Gunda had to see this... Fudge was snoozing on the couch and Cleo wouldn't stop bothering him.

A TEENSY bit of Nostalgia

As I was driving home last night the clouds hung low around the mountains, illuminated by city lights. It was mystical. And maybe it's because I'm saying goodbye to home (or probably I am a bit lonely) but two decades of memories began rushing back to me. Twenty-two years is a long time to call someplace home.

Those "mystical" winter clouds pulled me back to 16, and my first real boyfriend. No matter how cold, we would spend hours walking outside... talking about who knows what. I can still recall the coolness of the air on my breath. That's Colorado. A couple years later, with a close friend at my side, we sealed memories of that boyfriend in a bottle and tossed it in a lake. Give me a break. I was teenage girl.

The last few days have been filled with performances by Ella in my parent's backyard, but those aren't the first theatrical debuts on Westcliff Circle. Her mother could be anyone back there, and was.

Colorado gave me a lot of firsts. My first kiss, first car, first broken bone, first apartment, first job, first true love, first marriage (j/k Jared), first home, first (and second) daughter, and first move.

I've stolen moments in the past few days to say my own quiet goodbyes to those places of "first." Quiet, minus the 4-year-old in the back seat of my Jeep singing Hannah Montana, and the toddler trying to sing along. We've fed the ducks at the lake where that bottle lies hidden at the bottom. I have performed with Ella in the back yard. She always gets to be the princess. They aren't old enough to remember, but I showed my girls where mommy and daddy danced together when they got married. And last night we drove by our little home. Ella cried as she said goodbye. Mommy pretended not to.

So, as I say goodbye to Colorado, I am sad, but blessed to take all of those memories with me. And blessed to know I will make more in Texas. Anywhere my family is will be home.

Here's to the next 20 years. May they take their time, leave no wrinkles, sag no skin, and be blessed with the fortune of the years past.

Farewell KKTV

Writing. I love to do it, so you may hear from me more often on this blog now that my days at KKTV are over (for now.) Writing for work every day made it difficult to log on to my blog and write more.

I wasn't with KKTV long, just a little more than three years, but while there I made some of the greatest friends; lifelong friends. When asked what I'll miss most I can't think of one thing or one person. A long list runs through my mind: the adrenaline rush from breaking news, beating the competition, Lauri, Double Deckaroni (sp?) Fridays, sharing stories that have a real impact, writing news we may not want to hear but understand it's importance, McKenzie, Don Ward's wit, drooling over the cute Newspath reporter, content, showcasing, talent, Liz, knowing every day is a fresh start, always being informed, Leslie, the challenge of a deadline, a space-heater in the middle of August, Shannon, slicing and dicing a reporter's script, reading numbers to hopeful Powerball ticket buyers, an exclusive story... etc. I could keep going, but I won't bore you.

My TV career isn't over. I'm just on hiatus. My expertise is needed elsewhere. Okay, so maybe I'm no expert. In fact, I would rate my first week as a stay-at-home mom a 4 on a scale of 1-10. I'll spare you the details... but let you know: I'll get better. My girls are counting on me. They need me more than the TV News world does. It feels good to be needed, loved, adored... they deserve the same.

So bare with me, send your prayers, well wishes, and good thoughts as I venture into this new era of my life. (And ask my girls to do the same!)

Goodbye KKTV. I'm missing you already.

They threw a going-away party for me... even my folks and kids were invited! (Jared, too... but he was in TX.)

Me and the Skunk

The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo brought a unique guest to our 9:00 a.m. show today... a skunk. Tigerlilly was very friendly... not at all afraid of people, and fortunately "de-stinked."

(That's me with morning reporter Eric Lupher.)

Remind me to tell you the story some day about 3 skunks, my parent's back-yard, a frightened cat... and a mighty showdown.

Borger Bound

It's official... we are moving to Texas. "Where in Texas," you ask. Borger, TX.

I can hear the foreheads wrinkling as I type. "Where is Borger?" Click on the link below.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Borger&state=TX

Jared has accepted a job there. In fact... he has already moved there! Today was his first day. The girls and I will join him next month.

We are so excited to go for so many reasons. Number 1 being I get to be a stay-at-home mom. (We'll see how I adjust!)

We spent almost a week there during his interview process and fell in love with the community. Population 15,000 will be a big change from Colorado Springs, but the people in Borger are wonderful!

So wish us luck on this next adventure. It will be challenging, stressful, and daunting. But anywhere my family is I call home.

I attached a couple of photos we took on our road trip to Borger. (It is only 5 hours from Colorado Springs!) Jared had given Abbigail some chocolate. By the time Ella snitched it was too late! Abby was a mess. I love my girls!

Girls Love Shoes

I'm just like my Grandma Gunda. I love shoes. I can never have enough. My daughters are the same.

Ella first fell in love with shoes when she was about 18 months old. I bought her a pair of Crocs. They were a couple sizes too small, but she wore them anyway. And then when her toes started poking out the little holes... she didn't care. She wore them anyway.

Abbigail doesn't care what shoes she is wearing... as long as she is wearing shoes. I believe partly that has to do with the fact that shoes are worn outside, and she loves being outside. But I also believe she inherited this trait. Now... at only 18 months old... she can walk in heels.

Yes... these are plasitc dress-up shoes. Yes... they scratch up my wood floors. Yes... it reallllly smarts when she steps on your toes. Yes... she falls down a lot. Yes... they are way too big.

All that said... doesn't she look great in heels? And the best part... Ella actually shares her shoes and has a great time parading around with her baby sister, showing her how to pose and swing her hips. Ella learned those things from her dad. Her love of shoes... she got from me and Grandma Gunda.

My Heart Told Me

A few days ago as we were leaving for church Ella said to me, "Mommy, you look really pretty." How sweet, I thought, and then I asked her if her daddy told her to say that... to which she replied, "No. My heart told me to say it."

I love this little girl!