Our Sunday Adventure!

   This weekend I had it all planned out. We were going to do something fun as a family after church. After browsing around online I found a 'Kite Festival' in Arvada. It sounded like something that would be fun for the kids, and would get us out of the house and doing something different. Got directions and all of the info that we would need. Then we headed to church for the morning. After church we decided to go get some lunch before heading down there. Tim's friend from work had recently mentioned that she didn't like this place called The Hamburger Stand because it tasted like In-N-Out. I have never met someone that didn't like In-N-Out, but I was ecstatic that there was actually a place here that was similar to it. So we ventured down to find this place (and there are several of them around Denver). I looked it up, and we started heading down there. We got to the general area of where the restaurant was and drove back and forth looking for it, while looking at the map on Google Maps. Still couldn't find it. I decided that maybe I should just pull up the number and call. Well, when I clicked on it, it said in bold, red letters, CLOSED. But, no worries, there was another one just a few miles away (and on the way to the Kite Festival). So we headed down in that direction and found the new one no problem. We got there and ordered some cheeseburgers and corn dogs (for the kids). We proceeded to eat these cheeseburgers that supposedly tasted like In-N-Out burgers. WRONG! NOTHING like In-N-Out! Talk about a big disappointment. It did give us something to laugh about though. Driving down Colfax for some crappy cheeseburger, We both agreed that we preferred Mcdonald's burgers. And the fries, horrible! Even worse! I definitely would NOT recommend this place!
   Next it was time to go to the Kite Festival. It was about 10 more miles down the road, and no problem getting there. Well, we were supposed to park in a school parking lot to take the free shuttle to the park where the festival was being held. We drove down there, and the school's parking lot was EMPTY! I was a little confused. It was windy out, but no rain. No reason to cancel it. I did have where the park was located written down so we drove in the direction of the park as I used my phone to pull up the info to the festival. I pulled it up and could not believe what I saw. The Kite Festival was YESTERDAY! Out of all the times I looked it up online over the past couple of days, I was completely convinced that it was on Sunday! Needless to say, we both got a good laugh out of it. And we decided to just call the extra driving around "practice and preparation for the kids for when we take our Michigan trip next month."
   After all of this, we stopped by Colorado Mills Mall and just walked the circle of the mall once and browsed the windows and stopped in a few toy stores. Oh, and by every quarter ride (and there are A LOT in that mall). And now its nap time! :)

Marla Taviano

Just wanted to take a minute to share one of my favorite authors with everyone. I'm not a big reader, I actually don't really like reading at all. I've read only a few books all the way through. However, there is just something about Marla's books that I really enjoy. Not only her books, but reading her blogs. She always has something worth reading! Anyways, I wanted to introduce you to her books, which I happen to have. The books she has actually follow women through life (not sure if she planned it all like this, or if it just happened, but I really enjoy it). Her first book is for those just getting married, or getting married: From Blushing Bride to Wedded Wife. Next, there is the one for once you are married: Is That All He Thinks About? Then there is for when you are pregnant: Expecting. Finally, after having the baby, you get: Changing Your World One Diaper At A Time. I highly recommend all of these books. Actually, I recommend getting a nice little stock of each because they make GREAT wedding gifts, baby shower gifts, etc. Well, check out her books and while you're at it, check out her blog... there's always something worth reading on there (and on facebook too)!!! Enjoy!

Ethan's Run--Will you join me??

     For the past year I have had this strange desire to do some sort of a run (marathon, half-marathon, 10k, 5k, whatever!). It is something I've said I wanted to do, but for some reason, lacked the motivation needed to actually start the process of finding a race, then training and finally doing the race itself.. That is, until I found Ethan's Run.

WHAT IT IS...
     Ethan's Run is a 10k Run (just over 6 miles) benefiting The Congenital Heart Foundation at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center. The race is dedicated to Ethan Skidmore who fought a tremendous battle against HLHS, but passed away at 6 months of age. All proceeds will go to The Congenital Heart Foundation at St. Joseph's to help families who are battling tough defects. It will help provide Transportation costs so parents can be at the hospital as much as possible (gas cards & bus passes), help w/ bills, and provide a fund for those who lose a child & need help w/ those expenses (creamation or casket expenses).


WHEN/WHERE IT IS...
     Ethan's Run is on a paved course in Northeast Mesa on February 20, 2010. The check-in begins at 7:15am and the actual race begins at 8:30am.



WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO ME...
     Back in December my nephew, Colton Kenneth Miller, passed away to HLHS. This is the same heart condition that Etthan had, he sadly was only 29 days old (11/11/09-12/09/09).

     I would like to do this in honor of him and his family, and would like to get as many people together to support this and run with us. Since it is in Mesa, I would like to arrange for carpooling among us. Depending on how many people would like to join would determine how many cars we would actually need to take.

To learn more about my nephew and HLHS: http://coltonmiller.com/

To Learn more about the race, or to register online: http://www.active.com/running/mesa-az/ethans-run-hope-for-heart-defects-2010


To learn more about the Scott and Laura Eller Congenital Heart Center at St. Joseph's Hospital: http://www.ellerfamilycouncil.com/

If you have any other questions or would like to join this with us, please let me know! Thank you!!


 

ZUMBA--Its a passion

So I'm sure many of you have realized that I have a new passion, and yes, it is a passion. Not a hobby, not just a favorite activity, A PASSION! And if you couldn't tell by the title, that passion is ZUMBA! My first Zumba experience was when we were still living in Colorado. Katelynn was finally old enough to go into the daycare at the gym, and I was determined to lose this baby weight. I was having trouble staying motivated to actually stay and complete a workout or any given amount of time on the eliptical. I had heard bits and pieces of talk about a Zumba class, and I thought I would give it a try, after all, I was determined to lose the weight. My first Zumba class was quite and experience. I felt very, ummm, "white." I wasn't to sure of what I was doing, but I did know one thing, and that was that I was having FUN! I not only wanted to get better, but I wanted more, and more! I went to any Zumba class that was offered there at the gym, and some days included Zumba in the morning AND in the evening,. And since moving to Arizona, the dedication has continued. I was contemplating going through instructor training in December. I loved doing it, but wasn't sure if I was ready. About a month before the training, I really had felt that this was something I really wanted to do. Unfortunately I had realized this too late, the class was already sold out. I watched the website daily, more like multiple times a day, waiting for them to add the next instructor training. This time I wasn't taking any chances. Finally, they had the next class up and I signed up for it right away. So here we are today, waiting and waiting and waiting for the instructor training class in just a few weeks. After FEB 6th I will be a CERTIFIED ZUMBA INSTRUCTOR!--- If you live in the area and know of any gyms that are looking for instructors, please pass along my information! I can't wait to start!!!!

And finally, those of you who don't know what Zumba is--the best way to describe it is that it's a Latin-style dance/cardio, and the most important part is that it is SOOO MUCH FUN! and you burn a ton of calories. I encourage everyone to try it at least once! (warning: once you try it, you'll be addicted too!)

Well, gotta run! Husband is calling me into the other room for a movie! Goodnight! :)

Parkway Christian Church

This weekend we tried out Parkway Christian Church out here in Surprise. It was pretty good. I think it's a little bit larger of a church than I would have liked, but overall we really enjoyed it. Maybe we are getting closer to finding that home church! I absolutely loved going to Horizon Church, but Tim wasn't crazy about the messages there. I loved how friendly the people are there. It really reminded me of our Praise Church family that we had in Colorado. However, I guess you can't go to a church just for the friendly people (referring to Horizon Church). The worship and message at Parkway was really good. I just wish the people were as welcoming as Horizon. We did get there right as church started, so maybe if we were on time we could have met some people. But still, in a large church, its harder for people to recognize a new face, and to notice if you are missing for a month. Maybe we will check back next weekend, but be there on time. I think I'm willing to go back there next week and give it another try. There have been a lot that we have been to that we haven't even made it as far as giving it another try. Anyways, meant to post this Sunday, but ended up at the mall with my mom instead of finishing this.

Welcome!

Not sure how long this will actually last, but I'm hoping to update on here every now and then! Still setting everything up, but I'm looking at the clock realizing that the kids will be up in a few short hours (well, like 6, but that's less than I'd like). Be back soon....