The Williamson Clan

Phoenix with my mom

2010-03-17T15:50:00.003-06:00

Seems no matter what my intentions - the blogs just don't get done in a timely manner. Oh well!

My mom and I just returned from a QUICK trip to Phoenix to visit my brother and his wife and to attend the baby shower for their first baby - arriving any day! It was a really fun time - I enjoyed the warmer weather and relaxing by a pool - and seeing foliage that is different from what Colorado has to offer. The variety of cactus is SO neat! And although my brother, Dave, would love it if all of us moved down there - there is NO WAY I could handle the summer months there. I can barely handle the heat in Colorado Springs in summer! I also enjoyed seeing my sister-in-law, Andrea, who lives in Denver - but also flew down for the baby shower. I'm grateful to my mom for this special treat to visit with family and relax!

I posted plenty of pictures on Facebook... included a few here.

Green Bags - do they work?

2010-01-24T17:23:00.002-07:00

Have you seen these "Debbie Meyer Green Bags" advertised or even seen them in a store and wondered..... "Do those really work?" Well, I asked my mom to get them for me for Christmas and although I've really only tried them on a few items, I'm VERY impressed. My lettuce, which normally goes limp after a few days was still CRISP after 11 days! Just wanted to put in a friendly plug for a product that I am enjoying! They are sold at Target, Bed, Bath & Beyond, and I'm sure many other stores.

Visits with Grandma

2010-01-05T19:37:00.006-07:00

I am so very thankful for my grandma and the fact that she lives in town. I miss my grandpa who has been gone now over 2 years. I have many, many fond memories of visits with my grandparents all throughout my childhood. They lived in Indiana their entire lives... and moved out to Colorado when I was pregnant with Allen. What a treasure to have them so close - and for my boys to have not only their grandparents - but their great-grandparents in town. Soon after grandpa died, grandma ended up moving into a retirement home here in town. We visit her as often as we can. We still try and have "tea parties" (hot chocolate and animal crackers) whenever possible.

Today Judah and I went for a visit and did what we could to help grandma with her dishes, straightening of her room and just enjoyed visiting with her. She had saved some of her New Year's Eve party favors for Judah :) I am very blessed and very grateful.

Happy 2010

2010-01-01T16:05:00.003-07:00

We let both boys stay up late last night. We watched some shows on Hulu (internet site) through our PVR that Michael set up (a computer connected to our tv). Judah made it to 11:15pm when he crashed. Allen made it to midnight. We watched the fireworks that are set off from the top of Pikes Peak each NYE and it was a perfect night for it! Lovely big moon!

I so cannot believe that it is 2010. Mike was talking to the boys this morning about how when he was a kid and the movie "2010" came out it seemed like SO far in the future (we told Allen like what 2040 seems like to him - SO far away). I can't believe that Allen is 9 and Judah is soon to be 5. Judah will be going to Kindergarten in the fall and Allen will be in FOURTH grade.... but that's 8 months away... so I'll focus on TODAY.

I used to do New Years Resolutions, but have found that it's not good for me - as I usually fail quickly and get discouraged. But, I do have some things I plan on doing this year... continued healthier eating and increased exercise. I'd also like to blog more and be on Facebook games less. Most importantly, I'd really like to spend much more time in God's Word and prayer. I want to leave tomorrow in God's very capable hands and live for Him today! What resolutions, goals, dreams, or wishes do you have for 2010?

Almost a new year

2009-12-29T14:42:00.006-07:00

I can't believe how little I blog. I know I've said this before, but Facebook (both a blessing and a curse) is where I put lots of mini updates and pictures. It's sad.... but I just don't keep up with the blog.

It's hard to believe that 2010 is just a few days away! Allen just turned 9; Judah will soon turn 5. Crazy! The turtle above is artwork that Allen did this fall at school. Michael has also graduated and had a reception in December. He will walk in cap and gown in May. :)

I am thankful for God's many blessings and provisions for me this past year. He is so good. He has taught me lately (and continues to teach me) to trust in Him moment by moment. To truly leave tomorrow in His hands. SO hard to do most days, but so what He wants. It's been hard to see death, illness and hardships in the lives of so many around me, yet so awesome to see those that handle it with grace and trust in God. Such an example to me and reminder to honor God in all I do and say and to be humble, quick to listen, slow to speak and abounding in grace for others. Lord I pray that these are not merely words, but truly You in my life. That each moment I may live for You and bring glory to You.

September 2009

2009-09-24T13:05:00.006-06:00

Boys ready for school & our family at the annual Balloon Classic (weather prohibited the balloons from taking off the day we went)

Chris (Michael's brother), Mike & Larry (Mike's dad)

I can't believe I haven't blogged in a while. Guess I'm just not up for posting frequently! :)

Life is busy (as always)! Allen is in 3rd grade and Judah is in preschool (2 days a week, right down the street from us). Michael finished his bachelor's degree and will graduate with high honors after 2.5 years of hard work! I'm so very proud of him. I am working on healthy living, Bible Studies, card making and keeping up with all the details of life, family, paperwork, etc.

Allen is very excited about his upcoming trip to Phoenix, AZ with my parents to visit my brother/sis-in-law (Dave & Megan). It will be his first airplane ride! And first trip without his parents! :)

As always - click on ANY photo to enlarge it.

My boys and I

2009-08-01T14:02:00.003-06:00

It seems I'm always holding the camera and there are few shots with me in it - so I asked Allen and Michael to take a few shots with my sweet boys. :)
I can't believe that it's AUGUST and school will start for Allen in 19 days (3rd grade!!!!) and Judah will be in 2-day a week pre-K starting in September! Time flies.....

A Day to Honor our Kids 2009

2009-07-25T16:52:00.004-06:00

Several years ago, Michael had a GREAT idea that we needed to create our own holiday for the kids - Kid's Day - where we celebrate them! After all, we wouldn't celebrate moms or dads if it weren't for us having kids. So, each July/August we pick a date and honor our boys! Today was that day and we took them to the Renaissance Festival up in Larkspur, Colorado. I've uploaded photos from our day to a Picasa Web Album - so click HERE to view them.

Summer Months

2009-07-21T21:02:00.010-06:00

S
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We've had a laid back summer with lots of playdates and trying to stay cool, while also enjoying the frequent rain storms we've been having. The boys went to Vacation Bible School last week and really enjoyed the outdoor adventure theme and growing in their walk with Christ. (They also enjoyed their yellow VBS shirts which they wore for 5 days straight!)

We all enjoy having Michael home while he works on his web design business 703 Creative.

On an exciting note, we paid off one of our car loans and the other car loan only has 3 more payments. :) What a blessing

The boys have really enjoyed playing with Legos and Lincoln Logs - they supply hours of fun and creativity. Allen's been reading a lot this summer; two books that he needed to read for school and then now on his third book for fun. :) I can't believe in 4 weeks he'll be in 3rd grade! And in September, Judah will be going to preschool 2 days a week at a church just down the street from us.

Thank you God for the blessings of family, the shelter of our home, the love and provisions that you give us. You ARE an awesome God!

Top of the World....in Colorado

2009-06-29T18:26:00.007-06:00

For Father's Day we traveled up Pikes Peak with Michael's dad. It was a wonderful time :) Click on any photo to enlarge.

Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

2009-06-05T07:12:00.005-06:00

We used to buzz Allen's hair when he was 3-4 years old. Since then, he hasn't let us. He finally let us do it again - and I think he looks SO handsome! Not sure if he'll let us keep it up or not - but I'm enjoying seeing his beautiful green eyes. (The name Allen means handsome & peaceful. Thank you Lord that Allen lives up to his name!) Now all 3 males in the family have buzzed hair! So handsome!

Michael's New Business

2009-06-02T07:29:00.006-06:00

Michael has been working hard on his new company, 703 Creative.

His web site is still a work in progress.

Check out his site and pass it on to anyone you know who might need web design.

Click here to visit his site:
703Creative

Life around our house

2009-06-01T19:00:00.022-06:00

Allen is out of school for the summer & is officially a 3rd grader! He cried on his way home from his last day - he will miss his teacher and friends - just loved his class this year. His last few days at school were "around the world" & here's a photo of him as a Greek soldier.

We attended one of Judah's dear friend's birthday parties and the big hit was (not even the HUGE jumping blow up castle that was rented) but the nest of snakes found in the yard. Yes - even I held one!!!! (my first ever!)

Michael helped me hang up a shelf that I got with some birthday money. I've tried out several "arrangements" of stuff on it - still a work in progress.

The boys recently brought me a bouquet of lilacs from our yard. How sweet!

I buzzed Michael's hair recently - and we are trying to get Allen to let us buzz his for the summer. Just so much easier to care for!

Michael has started his own web design company (more on that in my next post)

Guess that's about all. Enjoy the photos - as always, click on any photo to enlarge.

Judah poses

2009-05-19T11:30:00.003-06:00

I love Judah's little hip sticking out pose that he does when I take his picture. ;)

The 3 males had a water balloon fight on Sunday - and then I joined in with the hose and sprayer. We had a good time.

Judah LOVES to help me in the kitchen and always grabs "his" apron first thing and then does everything he can to help! So cute

Mother's Day 2009

2009-05-12T09:40:00.002-06:00

We all went to church together (my folks joined us) and then to my parents for lunch. And then a relaxing afternoon. The boys made me the sweetest card and packed it in a box along with a toy and a lollipop :) so sweet!

Does God Hear Your Prayers?

2009-05-08T15:23:00.005-06:00

Judah said to me the other day "Mom, I don't think God can hear my prayers." and I said "Why do you think that?" and he said "Because I don't hear Him answer me." What a great lead into a really good conversation about how we "hear" God answer our prayers and how His answer can be yes, no or wait. In addition to talking with parents and others about questions like this, here's a link to a great video I think is a helpful tool for kids learning about prayer http://astore.amazon.com/thewilliamss-20/detail/B000NJMJXY. I love our boys so much - and I love the questions they ask!

Helpful Software - pass it on

2009-05-05T16:08:00.003-06:00

Many of you know Michael is trying to get a home-based business going of web design and software development. He's designed a time management tracking tool that can be very helpful. Check out his Time Tracker tool HERE. If you know someone who might use it, please pass it on to them. The tool is FREE and he is using Google Adsense to support his efforts. Check it out and pass it on! THANKS!

You can help us financial by buying Amazon products through our Amazon Store

2009-05-04T19:35:00.007-06:00

As many of you know, finances are tight for us right now. If you are considering purchasing any items such as movies, books, CDs, electronics, printer ink cartridges, computer/Wii/Xbox/etc games, cell phones, toys, office supplies, tools, outdoor equipment and most anything else - please visit our Amazon store (the link is at the top right of this blog or you can click HERE). If you end up purchasing anything from our store, it will help us out financially - and it DOES NOT COST YOU anything more than the listed Amazon price. If you are interested in something that Amazon carries, and you don't see it in our store, let us know and hopefully we can get it added immediately for you to purchase via our store.

Of course, no pressure. Finances are tight for many right now - so please don't go out of your way to buy something. Only if you were already planning on getting something, would it be appreciated for you to purchase through our store.

Thank you and God Bless

Forgotten Gift

2009-04-25T20:23:00.004-06:00

I'm one of those kinds of people who starts buying Christmas presents in July and stock piling them. I do the same for birthdays. There are pros and cons to this behavior. One con is that sometimes you forget what you have stashed away or where you stashed it. I could have sworn that when I prepared for Judah's birthday at the end of March I had all the gifts. I was wrong! The other day I found a gift still stashed away and gave it to him. He was thrilled! ;) (He has another one of this knight set - but the helmet broke - so basically bought this whole thing just for the helmet and now have 2 of everything else! Good thing we have 2 boys!)

April Weather in Colorado

2009-04-19T13:47:00.003-06:00

I love living in Colorado. We had quite a few close to 70 degree days in February and we've had a few blizzards and snow storms in March & April.

Only in Colorado can you go sledding one day in a foot of snow and then play outside with your shirt off in the mud! ;)

From The Little Mermaid to Christ - the mind of a 4 year old

2009-04-16T14:38:00.002-06:00

J and I were in a doctor's office today (and you all know how long those waits can be). He had brought along "The Little Mermaid" for me to read to him (and it's not a short version - but takes about 20 minutes to read through). I read it to him yesterday and then again today. ;) (and again tomorrow, I'm sure!)

When we got near the end, when King Triton signs his name over his daughter Ariels on the contract with the sea witch, Ursula, Judah said "Why would he do that?". I said "Well, Christ did that for us - he took our place on the cross. And your daddy would do that for you - he would die for you to save you." And I could see the confusion on his face, "But why???"

What a great (and unexpected) opportunity to teach my son about The Son and His sacrifice for us. Why would Christ die for us on the cross? Because we are His children, His creation and His bride. He loves us as a father loves his child and would die for them.

Thank you Lord for your sacrifice on the cross for me, for my son, and for all. Thank you for loving me/us so much that you died on the cross for MY sins. Thank you also for a doctor who was running late, for The Little Mermaid book and my precious son and our time together today. You ARE an Awesome God! Amen

Lots of Hard Work

2009-04-13T14:22:00.003-06:00

My darling husband has just 3 and 1/2 more classes to go at Colorado Christian University before he will have his bachelors degree in Organizational Management in Christian Leadership. By the end of August, 2009 he will be a graduate, with honors! WAY TO GO HONEY!!! You have worked so hard and I'm so very proud of you!

Easter 2009

2009-04-12T14:39:00.009-06:00

Happy Easter!

Thank you Jesus for dying for our sins.

We serve a LIVING Savior who did not stay dead - but HE IS RISEN!!!

We enjoyed Easter service at our church today - the Hallelujah chorus is always a highlight!

We went to the Falcon Club on the Academy with my parents for brunch.

We loved the beautiful snow that has been falling today. We got several inches of very wet snow at our house.

The Easter bunny left paw prints on our front porch! (thanks Jane!) ;)

Good Friday

2009-04-10T19:36:00.003-06:00

My thoughts today have been focused on Christ and the sacrifice He made for all on the cross many years ago.

I am humbled by the persecution, temptation and suffering that Jesus Christ endured in bodily form while on this earth. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says "God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the Righteousness of God." It hurts me to think of the pain Christ went through for me. He took on my sin so that God could look upon me and see righteousness, and not sin. WOW! This leaves me in awe of God.

And yet, I do not serve a dead God. Job 19:25 says "I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end, He will stand upon the earth."

I take great comfort in the following passage from 1 Peter 1 and I am pondering these things this Easter weekend as I remember Christ's crucifixion, death, resurrection and ascension into heaven.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!

In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade kept in heaven for you - who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

Amen!

Kitchen Faucet

2009-04-05T18:44:00.006-06:00

The kitchen faucet that's been in our home is just a normal, plain faucet. And it's been fine. We had put this little sprayer nozzle on it that we've taken from home to home with us that we got a long time ago. Lately, it's been falling off a lot and it's hard to snap back in. Last week, I even pinched my hand really bad when snapping it back in. Yesterday, Michael announced to me "We are going shopping." I was surprised, as I rarely hear these words out of my husband's mouth. He's not fond of shopping, especially on Saturdays when everyone else seems to be shopping. I said "What are we shopping for?" and he said "We are going to get you a new kitchen faucet." :) My sweet honey. This is one of the many ways he shows love for me. We went out and came home with a beautiful new faucet. Today, Allen, Michael and myself all worked as a team to get the new faucet on. The hard part, was getting the old faucet off! Part way through we realized we needed a specific faucet wrench (who would have known!) so another quick trip to the hardware store in the middle of installation - wrench in hand - did the trick - and voila! My new faucet. Thanks honey - I LOVE it! And Michael even said "Hopefully you'll never pinch your hand on this faucet." I love that it's got a high arch to it so we can now easily get pots and such under the spout! (It seems cute and funny to me that the older I get, things like new windows or a new faucet just make my day!) :)