SLEDDING :)

A visit to the Broadmoor Hotel for Christmas

Perspective and Santa

It's Christmas. Like the rest of the nation, I am grief stricken over the shooting of Kindergartners and 1st graders at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, CT. I have cried for each child and educator lost and prayed for each momma who is without their baby because of a senseless act of evil. Only today in church when I heard "But where sin increased, grace increased all the more" (Romans 5:20) did I get some sense of comfort. To come home and turn on the news and see people gathering in churches, talking about prayer, and to see a father's forgiveness after losing his precious daughter, makes me hopeful that GRACE WILL INCREASE MORE. It is not our place to know how, but I know that if collectively, we all listen to "those whispers" I talk about a lot which is the Holy Spirit/God calling us to action, grace and change can take place. I know today I allowed myself to just enjoy Cooper, stay mindful in the moments of the day and be grateful for every breath I took today. EVERY day is a gift for all of us, and I hope to have many more positive days like today in the face of evil that exists around us all of the time...it just boldly showed it's face on Friday in CT. 
So.....Cooper saw Santa. After church (that he and I attended together instead of me dropping him off at kids church) we went to Old Town Colorado to walk around and enjoy the day and get a few local gifts to bring to Florida for Christmas. We learned Santa was there so we jumped in line!

What I thought at first was a small line turned into a little over and hour to wait in 37 degree weather. Only one family in the house with Santa at a time and no personal photos allowed. Cooper was excited the whole hour, was great in the line and was beyond excited when he got to have time with Santa.







(please not he dressed himself and has on one green sock and one white sock...

we were in a rush this morning!)




This is my cell phone pic of the picture. A little blurry but you can how great it was! Santa knew Cooper right away from our visit to the North Pole and said " you lost a tooth since I last saw you!" Cooper gave him a huge hug and spend some nice alone time with him. Just us and the photographer and the sales lady to sell the pic...very intimate and personal...worth the wait and frozen toes!



So we went to a nearby coffee house for hot cocoa, muffins and checkers :)



We had a lovely day and a great Christmas celebratory day :) We are excited to leave for Florida in 6 days.

These are a few of my favorite things....

 Going to a church where art is inspired by and created during the service.

Cooper running up to take his picture in the mall with Geoffrey from Toys R Us.... 

 But not getting closer than this pic below to Santa 

(mommy it's because Santa is REAL!)

Being at school for the BIG moments like when his 2nd tooth fell out at snack time...

and just seeing the small moments like lunchtime.

The magic and the mystery of the Elf on the Shelf.

Watching language and words take shape in Cooper's writing.

Being proud of Cooper's natural leadership abilities in moment like the photo below when he leads my special needs kids to the bus when he "helps mommy work".

Good friends and good times :)

Finding daily inspiration in art and other daily treasures.

 Finding the snow exhilarating, refreshing and loving all things TRUE winter! 

Enjoying the magic of the season through a 5 year old's eyes.

First big snow of the season