Pike Road Meets Pikes Peak

Thursday, July 22nd:

My parents came to visit us! They had some difficulty getting here. They were suppose to arrive in Colorado Springs around 10:30 Thursday night. However, because of weather, they missed their connection in Houston and Marc and I had to pick them up in Denver...at midnight. Tack on a 2 hour ride back to the Springs...and we finally were in bed around 2:30 a.m. (3:30 a.m. Pike Road time)! But if you know my parents, they were up and at 'em the next morning ready to see it all!



Friday, July 23rd:

We started with breakfast at Village Inn which has become a fast Smith favorite...very similar to an IHOP...but even more awesom-er simply due to "Free Pie Wednesdays" (which will be getting its own blog post soon). Yum. Plus Mom and Dad saw their first view of Pike's Peak!
Our first adventure was riding the Cog Railroad to the top of Pike's Peak. Awesome! Here are some pictures:

We purchased the famous Pike's Peak doughnuts at the top. They were great...although they have nothing on the original Krispy Kreme...we still enjoyed them...especially Dad. We left Pike's Peak and drove Mom and Dad through Garden of the Gods. It's a beautiful city park! We drove the loop so they could see the rock formations...they are so impressive. A definite "must see" if you visit here!!
We ended our day buying shrimp (in which I learned that the "fresh" shrimp over in the seafood case are really just the thawed shrimp from the freezer in the "frozen" section of our local grocery store...felt duped!) and made one of my favorite dishes...BBQ Shrimp. Well, Dad really made dinner while Mom , Marc, and I relaxed with some good beverages and appetizers. We had a great night, but retired early due to...exhaustion!

Saturday, July 24th:

I decided to plan our day so we could see as much as possible. Shocking...me plan? First, we went to visit the Air Force Academy. My parents really loved the Chapel. It is a beautiful part of the campus. Lots of weddings take place there...including our cousin Allen's wedding. They were having one later that day...the chapel's stain glass windows are so gorgeous that little decorations are needed for weddings. Quite an impressive center aisle as well! We also saw flight training going on while we were there. The students learn to fly using a glider. The glider has no engine, so it's attached to another plane in order to "take off". Once both planes are in the air, and have ascended to a certain altitude, the pull plane releases the "cord" and the student glides through the air learning how to maneuver the plane...and of course...land it. It was neat to watch, and weird to think that the students were freshman and sophomores in college (aka-babies!)

A "squadron" assigned to the cadets at the Air Force Academy. That's what I'm talking about!
After we left the AFA, we headed to lunch at Bird Dog BBQ. Pretty good...especially the cost. We got the "Senior Discount" because we were with 60+ folks...membership does have its privileges in some cases...right Mom and Dad? After lunch, we headed to Focus on Family to look around and enjoyed checking out one of the most well-known Christian organizations in the world. It offers wonderful resources for families. (http://www.focusonthefamily.com/) Worth a look!


A tribute to Judge Roy Moore (from Alabama) at the Focus on the Family Welcome Center.

A visit to Costco was next! Never been...loved it...ate our way through with all the samples...loaded up on lots of stuff...and have a feeling Marc and I will have to get our own membership...just for the tortilla chips and Vita Tops! Thanks Mom and Dad for letting us "mooch" off your membership this time! After Costco, we took Mom and Dad to church so they could see where we'll be worshipping this year and then went to Pei Wei for dinner. Mom wasn't a fan of the ethnic fare, so we made a Chick-Fil-A milkshake run after dinner...can't go wrong with Chick-Fil-A. Ever.


Sunday, July 25th:

We ate a big breakfast at our local Cracker Barrel and headed to Old Colorado City for some souvenir shopping. After we bought the entire city for the grand kids, I decided to take Mom to see The Broadmoor. It's a five star hotel here in the Springs...and it is gorgeous! I believe this was one of Mom's favorites spots of the entire trip. We sat out on the patio and ate some snacks while enjoying the awesome views of this historic hotel (http://www.broadmoor.com/).



Here is Dad showing off his photography skills at The Broadmoor. The grounds were beautiful!

Mom and Dad surprised us with a gift certificate to eat at their famous Sunday Brunch. We'll be saving it for a special occasion...it will be great! Pretty sure it will be blog worthy! After our Broadmoor visit, we drove to Helen Hunt Falls. It's a pretty waterfall near the hotel, but I don't think Mom and Dad were too impressed considering they were in Hawaii in March...lots of waterfalls in Hawaii...tall, beautiful, tropical, waterfalls. This one probably was about a C+ compared to what they saw in March...but it was scenic enough for a couple of photo ops.

We headed home for some much needed R&R. We used the left over shrimp to make a salad for dinner and skyped with the Kings (minus Ashtyn Grace-missed you!). It was nice to just chill out after 3 full days of go-go-go!

Monday, July 26th:

We spent the morning just hanging out because Mom and Dad wanted to be at the airport around noon. Since they had so much trouble getting here, they were hoping to avoid that with an early arrival. Things went smoothly until they boarded...after an hour and 45 minutes of sitting on the Colorado Springs runway...they finally took off for Houston...landed...ran to the gate...learned they were delayed out of Houston...didn't arrive back in Alabama until midnight or so. Mom has sworn never to fly Continental again...especially through Houston. Bless their hearts!



It was a great visit! I'm glad Mom and Dad were able to see where we'll be spending the next year of our life. I think they approve...even though it is across the country from Alabama. When I tell people why Marc and I decided to do this, I make sure to clarify...it wasn't to "escape". It was hard to leave our families. It's rare when both sets of parents are still married...to the same person...and hello...they actually get along and enjoy each other's company! What a blessing! Marc and I have great examples of what marriage looks like...and we're using our time out here to hopefully be that same kind of example to our kids 40 years from now.

Thanks for coming Mom and Dad...we enjoyed you being here. But most of all...thanks for your love and support you've given us to be here in Colorado. We're blessed to be your children...and even though December seems far away...it will be here before you know it. How I know this??Auburn football will consume your fall (as it should) and time seems to pass quickly the older you get...right? We love you both very much!

Nothing Can Stop the USAF!

So I've been putting off writing this post. There are a couple of reasons, but I won't bore you with them. Truly, it's a post I've been dreading because it's a send off to my friend Sarah. Where is she going you might ask???

Well...the answer is...Turkey...and I do mean the country!

I remember a Sunday in 8th Grade, and there were two new visitors to come to the Life Saving Station from a small Lutheran Church down the street. I was sort of the "welcoming committee" and remember greeting both of them. And, with out going into too much detail...we spent the rest of our youth group days hanging out and developing a great friendship.

Sarah and I were off to Auburn and throughout those 4 years, we made many memories. We still reminisce about the Loveliest Village on the Plains...and would go back in a heartbeat...if we could still stay up past 10:00 p.m.
But we L-O-V-E our Auburn Football and have promised to even get tattooed if they ever win a National Championship in our lifetime. If you know us, that probably reveals just how much faith we have in that actually happening...but War Eagle anyway!

After college, we both moved to Birmingham, and after a series of other roommates and apartments, we ended up having a place of our own. The next 3 years were an absolute blast! I watched as Ryan and Sarah became a couple and eventually were engaged. At this point, our friendship was one of the most important relationships in my life...her family pretty much adopted me (my pseudonym is Kelley Elizabeth Thompson)...and I was blessed to be a "welcomed 3rd wheel" when Ryan was in town visiting.

So...I love Sarah...and her family...and Ryan. However, there is one little kink in all this. Ryan is in the Air Force. A noble profession that deserves all the gratitude and respect I can muster up. His service allows me to be here in Colorado Springs, but his service is also taking my best friend to Turkey for the next two years.

I remember this past March...getting a call from Sarah...who was a wreck on the phone. Ryan had just told her the news about the move. Luckily (OK...Divinely) it was my spring break, and my awesome husband booked me on a flight to San Antonio right then and there so I to go be with my friend. We needed to sort this Turkey thing out in our heads...and our hearts.

What a great week we had...and when I left...we knew that Sarah and William would go (IATT) with Ryan to Turkey...there was no doubt about it...and hasn't been any since then. Even though there has been other difficult emotions, and certainly s-t-r-e-s-s...I can say I've never been more proud to call someone my friend. Sarah has handle this just the way I would hope to if I was in the same position.

Last week, she came to visit us here in Colorado Springs. It was the last time I'll see her before she moves. We had a great time...and it was the first time that she'd left William (her adorable 2 year old) so we could enjoy being together...just like old times. (Thanks to Mom and Pops Thompson for making it all possible...what great parents and grandparents you are!)

Here are some pics from her visit:

Although the military provides us with our freedom everyday, it doesn't give its loyal recruits freedom to chose where they would like to live. When Sarah heard the news, there were lots of emotions...but the decision was made...there was nothing she could do to change the plan...so as the lyrics go...off she goes into the wild blue yonder because nothing can stop the US Air Force...including moving the Stebbins to Turkey.

And because she loves her husband more than anything and values her marriage above any other relationship, she will set off on this adventure with Ryan knowing it's what she must do...and can do...because she serves a God greater than any move to Turkey, greater than any fear, greater than any anxiety, greater than any comfort, and yes...even greater than any Pappasito's tortilla! Our God is greater!

Sarah, I will miss you. That goes without saying. I could not be more proud of you. Your faith will be tested. Your heart will be challenged. There will be hard days. There will be great days. Your life will be changed...and I believe for the absolute better. I know you'll always be you...and I'm thankful for that...cokes in the fridge, Blistex in hand, leftovers on your plate, sunglasses on, flat iron plugged in, and a best friend a girl could ever have.

So...bon voyage to our Turkish Delight (a sweet candy that originated in Turkey in the 1700s). We'll look forward to hearing about your adventure at Incirlik Air Force Base in Adana, Turkey (Incirlikingood.blog) and like you always say...we'll see ya soon!

Pikes Peak or Bust!

Nope, we still haven't made it to the Peak yet.  That is the title of the Rodeo that is in Colorado Springs every year.  This year happened to be the 70th Annual Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo (http://www.coloradospringsrodeo.com/).  What an event.  It was crazy cool, but I didn't really fit in wearing my flip flops and cowboy hatless head.  Kelley just came up with the idea out of the blue.  We had gone to this restaurant "A Second Cup" (http://www.asecondcup.net/ - which has great food.  Come and visit and we will take you there) and had finished dinner about 6:30 on a Saturday night and were looking for something fun  to do. We drive out to the place and the line is terribly long for tickets, but just as we get in line they start offering $5 standing room only tickets.  Score!  Though, I'm still thinking we aren't going to be able to see anything because standing room only seats are in the back or at the very top of the nose bleed section.  Boy was I wrong.  We had the best seats in the house....well, not seats, but places to stand anyway.

This was the view of the entire arena.  Beautiful.

Here's a close up of the action right at the start of the roping.  We were less than 10 feet away from these guys.

Apparently the cows thought we stunk too.

Summer Favs

Here are my nieces enjoying their summer. This is the first summer in nine years I haven't been around to hang out, so I wanted to share a few of my favorite pictures of them having fun.

AG-I think your hair looks so cute in this picture...very "4th Grade". Any day you can get free Chick-Fil-A is a good day...right?? Hope it was Yum-O!

EC-I'm jealous of your tan in this picture...there's not a beach anywhere close to my house, and I miss it. I know you loved playing in the sand and waves. Very pretty!

AK-Those freckles are about the cutest thing I've ever seen! Where did you get them? Wah-la-melon is the perfect food to have after swimming at Gran and GranDan's house. Isn't it?

School will start soon (boohoo!)....but December will be here before we know it (hooray!)I miss ya'll very much...36 jelly beans down!

I love you,
My Kelley

Oreo Tucker Watson

This is Oreo Tucker Watson...the best dog I have ever known. He wasn't even mine, but I loved him like he was. Today was his last day here, and we're all very sad. But...we want to remember him with laughter and smiles...not tears and frowns.

Here are a couple of my favorite things I remember about Oreo: I loved it when I would plop down in that brown chair and he would jump up and lay right beside me...just to give me some much needed company. I loved that you would have to spell "w-a-l-k" or else he would bark constantly...after going to fetch his leash. I loved that he could catch a piece of cheese like a pro...and I really loved the fact that he could chase a cat with the best of 'em.

To the Watsons...Tim, Grey, Bethan, Marianna...and especially Myra...I know you have many more memories of Oreo than I do...but I just wanted to share a few of my own. He was one great dog...and will be missed.

Peak Picture of the Day- July 5th

Here is a view of Pike's Peak from the Garden of the Gods. It's a great city park here in Colorado Springs that we'll be visiting frequently to hike.

...and Fireworks "Take Two!"

After our 4th of July "storm out"...we heard they had re-scheduled fireworks in Woodland Park. It's about 45 minutes north of here...a little mountain town that reminded me of Prattville (Hey Kings...miss you!) except the Sonic looked like a log cabin-cute. cute. cute.

We sat at Woodland Park Middle School in our Auburn chairs while listening to the Colorado Springs Philharmonic play patriotic music...and a few showtunes (my kind of show). It was a great community get-together...in fact it was the 3oth year of the event, and we loved being there.

It was about 55 degrees in that little mountain town, so we huddled under our fleece blanket (Thanks Sherrie and Abby!) to watch the fireworks, and it was all smiles on the 5th of July!

The 4th of July

Over the past couple of years, I've decided that the 4th of July is my favorite holiday. The only thing that makes it a tad "not-awesome" is the hot, humid, muggy...can't hardly breath summer weather of Alabama.

Well...this year...I was hopeful. We're living in Colorado...where the summer weather is like Alabama's fall...cool and pleasant. It's sure to be a great day of celebration. Right? Here's the story of our 4th...we'll call it "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly"...

Here's "The Good"...

We have found a church here and enjoying our time of worship. It's solid, sound, biblical teaching. We started our day by attending the 8:45 service at Woodmen Valley Chapel.

Then.....lunch...yum! We enjoyed grilled hamburgers with all the fixings, corn on the cob, baked beans, and sweet potato fries.

Dessert- Homemade pound cake (which we've decided we could Throwdown Bobby Flay with this recipe...thanks to Mama Smith) and homemade vanilla yogurt with blueberries. Our tummies were very happy. P.S. Here's where I really showcased my "Red, White, and Blue" theme...I know what you're thinking...watch out Martha Stewart.

Here's "The Bad"...

I love fireworks...l-o-v-e them. It's another reason this holiday is my favorite. So, Marc and I planned to head to the Air Force Academy to watch the fireworks. 50,000 people were expected to come to the show, but here is what we was happening on our way to the Academy. The weather was horrible...but we figured it would "blow over" and the show would go on. Didn't happen..and after sitting under a building to avoid the rain and the lightning for over an hour, we packed it up and headed home.

The weather continued to be stormy driving home, and when we drove into the driveway...here's what we found. There had been a hail storm...and the hail was huge. Here are a couple of pictures. The "white" in the grass is the hail.

Here's "The Ugly"...

This is what we thought of our evening. We made our ugly faces. But...we did get to see our fireworks that night...on CBS....with the weather warning at the bottom.

All in all...we made a memory...no worse for the wear...and the 4th will remain my favorite. I hope you all enjoyed good worship, good food, and good memories!

Peak Picture of the Day - July 2

This is from our neighborhood at dusk.

Who has a "Milk Man"?

....yep, you guessed it.  We do.

Royal Crest Dairy is a local dairy that still does deliveries.  Every Tuesday morning (okay, we've only had one delivery so far, but they tell us they will come back every week and we have no reason not to believe them.) they bring us our milk (and whatever else we decide to order like eggs, butter, bread, cheese, etc.).  Maybe the novelty will wear off at some point, but right now I think it's pretty cool.

Tuesday morning when I got up this was at our door.

Eggs & Milk (just in case you can't read the carton in the picture)

Biker Chick

Kelley all decked out in her gear.

Peak Picture of the Day - July 1

I've decided I'm going to try and post a picture each day of the peak.  From day to day I don't think there will be much change, except maybe the place I am taking the picture from, but over time they should give you a good idea of what the weather is like here.

This picture was taken from a trail at Palmer Park.  Can you see anything like this at your downtown parks?  I didn't think so.

Awake

I know this blog is meant to share our adventures here in Colorado, but there will be times that I'll share certain thoughts, ponderings, or "revelations" (albeit profound or not-so-profound) that I might have while I'm here. So, here's the first attempt...

We've been here almost a month (crazy.) and it honestly hasn't been a huge adjustment. I really feel like I'm at summer camp...if you will (I'm sure that thought will change when there's 6 inches of snow on the ground). We have had and will have visitors from home, and I've been enjoying my time off from school (just like any good teacher gets to do after a year of hard work and a classroom full of 5th graders). Sleeping late, watching morning TV (by morning TV, I mean the World Cup), working out, searching the Internet, cooking, playing card games, renting movies, running errands, riding bikes, going to the bathroom whenever I want to go!, etc. are just some of summer's simple pleasures.

Anyway, leading up to this move, on the days I would feel stressed or just "blah", I'd think "When we get to Colorado"...then this...or that. I was putting a lot of "life" into this move, but God would remind me, "Colorado may not be the "life" you're looking for." Sort of "the grass ain't always greener" food for thought...and it was what I needed... a good reality check about putting hope into things that may or may not deliver on its promises.

So, lately, here's what has convicted me about "life". Whether God called us to Colorado or Turkey (love you Sarah) or to stay at 217 Hidden Creek Drive, He wants me to be awake...which is when "life" can actually occur. Doesn't "life" sometimes feel like we're asleep? Think about it...when sleeping, your body runs automatically. You breath on your own, your heart pumps, brain waves flow. Everything operates like it always has operated. Your body is just going with the flow...the natural rhythm.

For me, even though I've moved across the country, life still kind of feels automatic...like I'm asleep I guess. Routine. Planned. Scheduled. This is how I like to operate most (OK, you could say "all") of the time...just ask Marc. But is this what I am called to be...asleep?

I have come to the conclusion that for long-time Believers (like myself)...it's easy to fall asleep. So, I've been challenged (thanks to OMPC.org)...to wake up! And what does that require from me? Well, I think of being younger and being woken up for school. There was always a "crying out" to get me going...like..."Kelley-Re...it's 6:15! Get up!", or an alarm blaring WLWI, or a Dad who turns on the light and then shakes the bed so violently you could throw-up. (FYI-never did).

And let me just stop and say this for those of you who don't know me very well...I am not...I repeat...am not! a morning person. I don't like to wake up. It's hard. It requires movement...action. Something of me that I haven't had to deal with in the last 8 hours. Let's face it...it is much easier to just stay asleep.

So...why wake-up at all? Well, you could create a list a mile long, but I think it basically boils down to this...we're obviously not meant to be sleepers.. We're meant to be awake. It's the only way we can live life now...not when we get to Colorado...or when we start school...or once our finances are in order...or have a baby...or get back from vacation.

So with that being said, I know I have some "waking up" to do...and it will require some crying out. Crying out to the only one who can truly wake us up- Jesus. Isn't that what He wants from me? A life full of "awake-ness"...not of "sleepy-ness". An awareness of Him in my life on a daily basis. His love. His forgiveness. His grace. His word. His promises. His faithfulness. These are always there...even when I am asleep. But by being awake...I'm guaranteed not to miss them.

Ephesians 5:14 (ESV)
"Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."


Isaiah 51:9 (ESV)
"Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord; awake as in the days of the old, the generations of long ago. "


1 Corinthians 15:51-52 (NIV)
"Listen, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed."