Mourning and Living...

Please pardon my absence.  Things have been crazy busy and a little sobering.  We are deep into the throws of  Family Scout Camps and I just haven't had a moment to rest and ponder the mountain pictures in my camera.
Also, if you didn't know we live in Aurora, CO or Centennial, CO... our mail is never the same.  Our community is, at best, in deep mourning.  The conversations seem to be consumed by the events of the Theater Massacre.  Everyone is stunned.  My third child and I were out at Peaceful Valley Scout Ranch when we heard the news at morning flag ceremony.  Many of our pack, donned in yellow scout shirts citing our Aurora Location were approached, wondering just how close to home this hit us.  I have friends whose kids were there and no one in my circle of friends were even hurt.  The theater isn't the one we regularly go to, though we did when we lived on that side of town. In fact, we don't regularly go to the theater.  The cost of a family of 6 is huge. My kids are deeply concerned about the events and deeply worried about their safety in public arenas. Suffice it to say, it is a contemplative time.  One in which to continue to be grateful for all that we have.  So a lot of our spare time has been in deep conversation with the older kids.  Its on their minds a lot.  I enjoy the closeness it brings between us.  But most importantly, I share in the sentiments of the whole world... I feel for the families affected.  I pray for their recovery and healing whether it is the physical loss of a loved one, personal injury or the damage to their soul that comes from witnessing such atrocity.

Despite such disturbing interruptions... life is entitled to go on.  And despite the ache in our hearts that we carry, we honor those victims by living our life to the fullest as we tuck them in our thoughts and prayers... Its on odd state...  We mourn with them and live on with them in our hearts.

 So...the camping gear laid strewn everywhere yesterday as we repacked, refreshed and repaired all things from tents to the camp kitchen.  The hiking bags are refreshed and we are taking a deep breath this morning before the last camp.  And oh how glorious it will be!  So don't fret... we will be back with so much to share from beautiful Colorado... till then! 

Exploring the Night Sky: The Super Moon__

May 5th was the Supermoon. And it was fun to have the whole family pile outside and admire it. I love summer time.  It seems that since we camp a lot, especially in our own backyard, the night sky is more apart of our daily experience.  I feel grateful for the times we take to notice some of these celestial events.  What are some of your favorite night sky experiences.

Adventures at Home... Baby Chicks!

I am sorry that this blog has been quite neglected lately. Though I have plans for the near future for it, but here is a snippet of our latest adventure... We have grown by twelve. Twelve lovely little chicks.
The Girls had their first Photo Shoot and yes... I am sure they will have more.

I am not at all saying that this trio is evil, quite the contrary, they are as sweet as can be. Besides, one isn't a Harry Potter Death Eater any how, but these three sisters are named after three sisters in Harry Potter (The Deathly Hallows), Yes... We are Potterheads in this house. In no particular order, is Bellatrix, Dromeda, and Narcissa, All sisters in the series, though Dromeda is a member of the Order of The Phoenix. If you don't know what I am talking about... read the books, you'll enjoy them and if not... there might be something wrong with you. lol Just kidding.


This caramel colored gal is Lyra ((Balacqua)From the Golden Compass).

This one does not like to be alone. We call her Bathilda (Bagshot). Bathilda is such a lovely name for a chicken. (Yes... another Harry Potter name)
Another Set of Triplets: these three are near a head taller than the rest of their brood-mates. The middle one is Diana. Diana is the tallest one. The one on the Left is Anne and the one on the right is Lady Cordelia Fitzgerald. (names from Anne of Green Gables).

Doolittle (so named after a former cat of ours) is the most unique of this little flock. You can see her two little stripes on the picture above.

The Grey Sisters.... The Grey Lady and Ashes. Though I can't really tell them apart. I suppose the black spot on Ashes' nose shall be her distinguishing attribute. (The Gray Lady- The Ghost of Ravenclaw Tower- Another Harry Potter name- We do read other books, I promise.)


Here is Odie- so named because we had a black and white cat named so. Though we have pondered a more feminine version of it in Odette or Odelia. But I am thinking it will stick as Odie, thought I can see her being a cantankerous gal and we might just call her Aunt Odie, sort of reminiscent of some family names of mine. Grandma Billie, Aunt Tonk and the likes.

There you go... These are our Girls and we are adoring them so much. It will be hard to part with them when they join our friends flock, but I think this is Carla's way to get us to come over often. We love her for helping us experience this and we look forward to brown, white and maybe a green egg in about 9 months.
I will try and not be such a stranger here on this blog. Some great adventures are coming up!