My Last Southerner

Here is Sarah Stokes. Isn't she precious? Her mama is my dear friend (and college roommate) Amy. As we were deciding to move to Colorado, Amy told me that she would be having her first baby in June. Her due date was June 3rd, and if all worked out OK, I would be able to see her new addition as we left Birmingham heading to Colorado on June 5th . Our route took us right through Nashville where Amy and her husband Christian live.

As our moving date inched closer and closer, Amy and I were both hopeful that this little one would "show up" in time for her Aunt Kelley to have the opportunity to meet her. Well...Sarah Stokes must have been so excited to meet me that she came into the world 3 weeks early....much to her parents' surprise ("surprise" may be a generous term to use here...we could go with "shock").

With that being said, I always knew that Amy would make the best mom. I mean...the best. I'm sure she's reading this rolling her eyes...but she was always so "motherly" to us girls in the dorm and has the sweetest demeanor. She's completely unselfish and has such a caring spirit. I am excited that her "mommy moment" is here, and it will be fun to watch her take on this new adventure in life.

Because Sarah Stokes arrived so early, I not only was able to see her once...but twice. I stopped in Nashville as we began our trek out west, so she is officially the last "southerner" I visited.

I know that being here in Colorado, I will miss many important moments in my family and friends' lives. It's part of it...but it doesn't make it easier. I'm very thankful for the few moments I was able to spend with Amy, Christian, and Sarah Stokes. I pray that your sweet family will grow strong and healthy...and that sleep is in your near future.

World Cup 2010

I can't believe I haven't posted something on this before now.  What was I thinking?

Anyway, I'm loving the world cup so far.  The games have been great, even if some of them are a bit early here in the Mountain timezone. Those 5:30am kick offs were rough, but worth it.

If you haven't been watching I'm sorry.  You've missed out the past couple of weeks.  If you don't like soccer, well you've been missing out your whole life and you should start now.

Here is a great video of reactions from around the world to the goal the US scored against Algeria...this is nothing compared to my reaction:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbn3rOPmR9w

The Merrills

Marc and I had our first visitors last week...the newlyweds! Lauren and Cody were so fun to have around for a couple of days. Here are some pictures of the Merrill's visit to the wild west!

They went to the top of Pike's Peak for an awesome view of Colorado! I believe it was about 30 degrees at the top the day they visited. Lauren braved the elements while Cody was in his element-he loved the cold air and the "Food Network" featured doughnuts you can purchase at the top! They bought us some to try....good stuff!

We visited Old Colorado City and found this little boutique. Here's Cody being a trooper and embracing his infamous nickname. We also ate at an authentic Italian pizzeria that was very good.

Here they are at The Broadmoor Hotel. We enjoyed lunch and the awesome scenery at this 5 Star Hotel and Resort! This is totally up Lauren's alley...she's all about the ambiance and The Broadmoor definitely delivers. I have to agree with Lauren on this one...quite impressive!

The last night we visited Seven Falls. We decided to go at night because the waterfalls are lit with all sorts of colors. It was cool to see...once you caught your breath from the hike to the top! The air is a little thin out here! We ended the evening at "The Golden Bee". It's a piano bar with song books on the table...the entire room sings as the "piano man" plays his vintage piano. We ate dessert and sang tunes such as..."Oklahoma", "Friends in Low Places", and "Lean On Me"-complete with hand motions. The atmosphere was so fun , and we had a great time.

Thanks for coming and visiting Merrills...your hospitality was better than ours!

Lauren, I am thankful for Cody. God has blessed you with a good man. It is neat to look back on the last decade of our friendship and see how He has been faithful to us. I am excited to see what the next decade will bring. Enjoy the rest of your summer, and we will see you both in December!

Our First Hike

"War Eagle!" Moment

Yes...I've wondered what life will be like come September 4th when Mom and Dad are sitting in those seats ("those seats" have a whole new meaning if you know where they are located) and I am not! Fall equals football in the south...which is where I no longer live. Will I be able to survive an Auburn football season without attending a single game? I guess that remains to be seen.

Anyway...since I enjoy traveling outside the state of Alabama, I have often prided myself on "War Eagle" moments. These are sightings of a shirt, hat, bag, bumper sticker, tattoo (OK..maybe not) in which I can say "War Eagle!" to that person. Sometimes the person lights up with excitement and says, "War Eagle" back...and sometimes they look at me as if I were a little off my rocker. Either way...it makes me happy to see "my peeps" out and about in the world.

So...as we were driving to the Farmer's Market on Saturday (which will require its own post later)...I saw this car! It was from Georgia and had an Auburn sticker on the back (How 'bout that Tim Watson?)

I quickly yelled, "Hey, War Eagle!" which scared Marc since he was driving and had his eyes where they should be...on me, right? No...no...on the road of course. So I pulled out my camera and snapped a few shots. I figured it wouldn't be safe to ride up beside them and honk the horn or follow them to their destination in order to have my "moment". I'm sure they appreciated this sentiment as well.

I would like to put a disclaimer on this sighting...it happens to be my second "War Eagle" moment since arriving here in the Springs. The other occurred as I was driving around a very windy road and saw a guy with an Auburn shirt on below me. "Below me" means about a 100 feet down...a cliff of sorts. There were two other Auburn grads in the car with me (Hey Merrills!), so I was able to share the moment with two people who actually care. No picture was taken because of obvious safety reasons...see Mom...I do take all those, "Bye, be carefuls." seriously.

War Eagle from Colorado!

I heart Cracker Barrel!

If you know anything about Marc Smith...you know that Cracker Barrel is one of his favs. I, too, have developed quite the love for this country store and restaurant since we first met. For me..it doesn't get any better than breakfast all day. Love it.

I had to return our books on CD the other day...and here is the view from our Colorado Springs Cracker Barrel. What can you see from your local Cracker Barrel?

Happy Father's Day!

"I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness." Proverbs 4:11 (ESV)

Thanks Dad...I love you!

The only cool thing in Kansas...

I hate to keep harpin' on Kansas, but these windmills were probably the most exciting thing we saw as we drove I-70 West (for eternity). I took these with my cell phone out the front windshield. They were huge...and the only cool thing in Kansas.

Summer Grillin'

We've anticipated Colorado cookouts for a while now. Here is our first attempt! It was absolutely delicious...grilled chicken, grilled corn, grilled yellow bell pepper, salad, Sister Schubert's roll and sweet tea (bringing a little of the south to the Springs)! Marc did a great job using his new charcoal grill....I was told this is the "Smith Way" of grilling out considering I'm use to "gas grilling" (because that's the "Cooper Way"). As long as I keep getting meals like this...I'm good with either way. We hope you are enjoying those summer cookouts as well...gotta love 'em!

Happy Birthday Ashtyn Grace!

Today Ashtyn Grace turns 9! I can remember how excited I was when Kim and Chris announced they were expecting. I somehow knew she was pregnant but hadn't told her I suspected...she still doesn't believe me that I had a hunch. They decided to not find out if they were having a boy or a girl NOR were they telling names, so June 19th, 2001 was greatly anticipated for lots of reasons.

I can still remember Chris walking down the hallway towards us in his hospital scrubs with a video camera in his hands to announce "It's a girl!" Of course, we wanted to know a name. Apparently, Kim and Chris had not "finalized" a name, so Chris named his new baby girl on the spot. He later informed Kim (who was completely drugged from the emergency C-section) that her name was "Ashtyn Grace" and asked, "Is that OK?" Kim agreed to it but really had no choice considering the entire family knew AG's name before she did. (Note: This is generally how the Kings roll...which thankfully works for them).

I took my role as an aunt very seriously (and still do)...I missed her terribly when it had been a couple of weeks. It helped that she was a "summer baby". Being a teacher allowed me to visit often in the summer, and I loved it!

Now, she's so grown-up! I mean...she sent me an email the other day...from her email address. What? She's a great big sister...even though she'll roll her eyes at EC and AK most of the time. She knows her multiplication facts better than some of my 5th graders...she reads like crazy (books are her fav)...and does not, I repeat, does not wear a bow in her hair anymore. Wow. Time flies.

Being AG's "My Kelley" has given me a glimpse into parenthood. Who knows what our kids will be like...but if they're anything like this 9 year old...I'll be blessed. Thanks Kim and Chris for showing Marc and me how it's done. We love our nieces and are proud to be celebrating nine years of parenthood with you two today! Job well done.

Happy Birthday Ashtyn Grace! We love you and miss you!

P.S. Yes, I'll go with you to get your ears pierced when we're home for Christmas.

Last Night Camp Out

While we were packing the truck on Thursday, we received a phone call from our real estate agent wanting to show the house on Friday (Of course...haven't had a showing in 4 weeks). We knew that we were going to spend the night at the house Friday night before we pulled out Saturday morning. We decided it would be a little weird for the showing to just have our mattress in the middle of the floor. So...we loaded it...and everything else in the truck. There was nothing in the house...and it was completely clean for our 2-4 showing that day.

This only happened because we have lots of people who love us...like Mom and Dad Smith, Mom Cooper, Bill and Myra who helped pack, load, and clean right up until our showing at 2:00.

However, how do you get a mattress back in the house when it's on the truck and the truck is parked in the cul-de-sac down the street??? Sure...stack it on top of the BMW and "ride" it to the house and unload it. I will take no credit for this...it was Marc's idea, and it worked.

So...that's how we slept Friday night....in the middle of the den on our mattress (complete with my beloved sound machine) that was delivered by the BMW. Marc was quick to remind me that this did not count as "camping out". He wants to do lots of camping in Colorado...I'm hoping to learn tons from the Eagle Scout himself on this subject. But...it's a start...right??

Packed

So...we finally were done packing the house. It was definitely a weird feeling of leaving my home...empty...nothing there. The thought of somebody else being there and calling it "home" doesn't seem right. So many memories...good times...not so good times. I'll miss 217 Hidden Creek Drive. It was good to me...it was safe and secure. However, two mortgage payments+me quiting my job= not ideal situation. But this is what I've been called to do...leave the comfortable of this house, the reliable job, and steady income...and trust I will be taken care of...it will not always suite me, but I'm praying that God will break me of my self-reliant spirit and learn that life does call...and will call for me to be uncomfortable. Here we go...Colorado bound!

We Made It!

Well, after nearly 1400 miles (Kansas never seems to end), we have made it to Colorado Springs. There were no real problems on the trip with the exception of some serious "road rear". The movers we hired to help us unload the truck seemed a little sketchy, but turned out to be pretty nice guys and got the truck unloaded in 2 hours. Still living with boxes all over the house has been tough the first couple of days. Kelley has been relentless in getting things unpacked and put in its proper place. Quite impressive what she has done so far.

Trouble with Comcast

I had quite a bit of trouble with getting our internet access working correctly. It took two trips out by Comcast, two different wireless routers (one returned to Walmart), a new set of cordless home phones, and countless calls to tech support. Finally I'm able to work.