Cru15

In July, we headed to Fort Collins, Colorado for our biannual ministry conference. We love this trip so much and look forward to it every two years. This was our first time attending as as family of four. The last time we were there, Abby was 18 months old and it was one of the best summers we've ever had. As we prepared for the trip, we were eagerly anticipating all the ways God would meet us and minister to our hearts during the conference. The atmosphere is always so challenging and refreshing. We spent our days rejoicing in the work that God is doing around the world, while resetting our focus on the purpose and mission of the ministry He called us to. We were refreshed and recharged by the Gospel and the time we spent in God's presence and among some of our dearest friends.

I looked over at Ella multiple times during this trip and realized what a big girl she is now! We traveled through the airports without a stroller for the first time in five and a half years. :)

After an early morning, Abby fell asleep during the last twenty minutes of our flight.

The girls were so excited by the same things that Joe and I found exhausting about the day of travel. Abby kept talking about how much fun it was that they started the morning in a car, went on two airplanes, took a train through the airport to the baggage terminal, then a bus to the rental car building and finally a rental car to our hotel! Quite the adventure.

We made it!

On our first night, we kicked off the conference with the street fair and carnival.  The girls had a great time on the rides and we had fun hugging lots of friends that we hadn't seen in a while. I just kept watching them on the rides and thinking this is what happiness is. This is their childhood. :)

We met up with our good friends, the Swansons, and reintroduced our girls to each other. Four years ago, when were in Colorado for the summer, we shared an apartment with our friends. At the time, their oldest daughter was nine months old and Abby was 18 months old. Now, they both have little sisters who are weeks apart. It was fun to see them spend time together all week and really connect as little buddies.

four year flashback

The altitude really got to Abby in the first few days while we were there. She was struggling with fatigue and by mid morning felt like she couldn't walk anywhere. The girls and I took a break in the grass while Joe went to get the car. I was pretty desperate to stop the whining and encouraged Abby to try to find something else to think about as she laid on my legs. 

That's when she spotted this little ladybug in the grass right by her face. It was a really cute moment that turned her mood around instantly...until she had to get up and walk to the car! :) 

While Ella waited, she pretended to be Julie Andrews and swung around the trees singing "the hills are alive with the sound of music...".

Abby needed lots of rest, so that night I stayed back at the hotel with her while Joe and Ella attended an event. Abby and I made a special night of it with a movie and popcorn date.

We started our day by taking the girls with us to the beginning of the morning meeting where they could experience the amazing atmosphere and a time of worship. As we drove to campus each morning, they would ask if we were going to the "service" to spend time praising Jesus.

Ella: "Let's go Abby! We are going to praise Jesus!"

It is such an honor to be in this place and worship Jesus. I get goosebumps every time as I think this has to be a glimpse of what heaven must be like. God's presence in the room was so evident.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7DB65outXw

After lunch each day, looked a lot like this. The girls and I rested and then enjoyed the hotel pool, while Joe went back to campus for meetings. 

 

It's a lot of fun walking into a Starbucks and running into a bunch of people I love in one place. We are normally spread all over the country and then for ten days we live together in the same zip code bumping into each other left and right. It's the best! In other news, Abby was pretty excited for her first Starbucks name cup. 

Another flashback to four years ago in Fort Collins. That was then with our friends, the Grays, and their daughter Katie.

And this year...

Since we couldn't be with Papa for his birthday, we sent him a message on his birthday complete with a beautiful mountain backdrop.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POvcYUleUCA

I love how nearly every store front and restaurant in Fort Collins looks like this. This place is just gorgeous.

We enjoyed lots of time at the splash park...

...and our hotel pool.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqjUiOHJFSg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bytLMd3FMgQ

29 week belly shot!

Our friends, the Newalls, offered to take the girls for the evening, so we could have a date night. The girls love Ms. Anne and Mr. David and couldn't wait for us to leave. Joe and I had a great night downtown walking around, laughing a lot and having dinner together.  As we walked around Old Town, Joe saw a gift for me that he just couldn't resist. How do you like my new magnet? Pregnancy hormones and mood swings are real, especially with only 11 weeks to go. Good thing I was in an upswing when he jokingly handed me this. :) I'm thankful that this guy loves me through them! We laughed and laughed through the whole date.

When we arrived to pick up the girls, no one was ready for them to leave, so they sent us back out. Joe and I went for a walk at the flower gardens up the street. 

There's nothing like spending time with friends who not only know you well, but who've helped you get to know yourself during some of the most important years of your life. Friends who have not only been invested in your marriage and family from the very beginning, but were invested in your lives as individuals...friends who were a part of helping us decide whether or not we should even date! Spending time with the Iamaio's is always like a breath of fresh air and watching our kids play together is the best! We got ice cream and caught up, while the kids ran around taking lots of pictures.

I used to babysit Hayden when he was a baby and Hannah was only about two months old at our wedding!

The girls love spending time with Mrs. Joanie and seeing all the pictures of her grand kids.

One of the interesting parts of our trips was that all four of us slept in the same king size bed. It's definitely not the norm for us, which actually made it extra sweet. There was something sentimental about being together in the bed for some of our last weeks as a family of four. The girls' positions when we woke every morning were hilarious. The whole bed could be empty and they were as close to each other as possible.

with the Swanson girls

After lots of meals in restaurants this week, it felt like a mom win when I listed off Abby's menu options and she chose a salad for lunch!

One of the girls' favorite activities during our stay was riding the elevators. They took turns each time deciding who would press which button. It only ended in an argument a handful of times. They had a pretty well managed button pushing system.

We found this at a little store in Fort Collins and it brought Joe and I right back to our childhood. We got the girls two for the plane right home and they immediately worked together to figure out how to make Papa.

On our last day of the conference, the girls and I took some pictures around campus. Everyone needs a pic with the CSU ram.

I'm pretty sure these two couldn't love each other any more than they do!

One night at dinner in our hotel, a fellow Cru staffer came over and started chatting with us about our girls and our littlest girl on the way. The next morning at breakfast, she found Joe and gave him these booties that she had made for us. It was the sweetest.

our sweet family

After ten days in Colorado, we headed home ready to process everything we learned and put our feet on the ground in a lot of ways, both personally and in ministry. Also, my biological clock was telling me it was time to start preparing for baby girl's arrival. The whole plane ride home I made "nesting" lists of all the things that have to get done before our girl arrives. She will be here in no time!