Christmas and Do-Overs

Christmas...in Pictures.

Picking up the Tree with Mom Enns. Brrrr!

Wy says Merry Christmas!

Tree decorating day...Wy and I stayed in our PJ's all day!

Church Women's Ministry Dinner. I hosted a table on a very Cold and Snowy Night. Thank goodness for Marti coming so I didn't have to lone it at my table!

Wy's first plane trip!

Love the pics of the Coonrad boys...Sleepy and patiently waiting for present opening!

Ahhh! Napping!!!!

The Puzzle Crew.

The Whole Family (minus one brother and fam).

Love this!

Just a bit of snow to contend with.

Do you ever want a do-over? Yesterday we took down the Christmas Tree...which always makes me a bit meloncoly. I think it is because it is a very real sign that Christmas has come and gone, again. As I took down the ornaments I think back to when the season began...and all that we did in the busy holiday, and I wonder why I have so little recollection of all of it. Why didn't I soak it in? Why was I so busy that I failed to even sit and stare at the tree? Why couldn't I just enjoy? I think I want a do-over.

Now don't get me wrong, as I look at these pictures of our holiday, I loved the moments seeing family and friends. I loved sharing Wyatt with everyone, but did I really tap into it? I mean really appreciate the holiday? Granted, it took us 3 days and 13 hours of flying time to actually arrive in Seattle, but then the time should've been even more precious, and I fear that I just went through the motions. It makes me wonder, how can one truly appreciate time? How does one slow down enough to soak it all in?

I guess that is why I love the pictures so much. I get to enjoy it all over again. I get to see the wonder in the eyes of the kids...and appreciate the moments that we had with everyone. I get to be reminded of the endless blessings of family and friends. I am so grateful that we have these pictures. So I can remember the beauty of the season, and hold tight to it.

Anyhow, it is just such a real reminder to me that each day I have to make it a priority to realize what it takes to make me happy. And to enjoy the moments. As fleeting as they may be. And I pray for the ability to just stop and stare at the Christms Tree, although it is already down and put away, to remember that those moments are too few and far between. I want a do-over of the holiday. I want to do it again and just enjoy it, but instead I will choose today to focus and appreciate all that I have. So that I don't want a do-over of today.

Celebrating the All-West Career of Herald!

Meeting Emily Anne Bush.

Quality Time on Road Trips. Some things never change!

Cheers! Happy New Year from the Enns' Home!

Blessings to you today! May today be one to love over and over again!

HOME

"Trot, trot to Boston to buy a loaf of bread, HOME again, HOME again, jiggity-jig." I have been searching my brain for all sorts of limmericks now that I am a mom...this one is fitting for today.

In taking the initiative from Lindsay...I have picked my theme word for 2009. It is HOME. I think that this word more than any other has such feeling in it. HOME. HOME.

Yesterday was a three year anniversary of the day that Mark and I started doing HOME together. Of all things that I love about being married, I love that HOME has a different feeling now. I used to be a late-night worker - not wanting to be HOME because it was dark, and cold and a bit lonely. Now I can't wait to get HOME. I love returning HOME from the end of a trip, a vacation, or even just a day at work. HOME now is a place full of laughter, conversation, consistency, peace...and a whole lot of laundry.

I remember talking with Mark a while ago about Boone, our black lab. One of the reasons that he is so fun to have around is because he is so rewarding to come HOME to. He is excited, whether it has been 10 minutes or 10 days. The dog goes crazy...he runs around the house barking and looking to find a shoe to lure you into playing. You get the feeling like you are his all and all...like he can't wait another minute for you to get HOME.

And this is the atmosphere that I want to create...that expectant, can't wait, this is my all and all...HOME. And it is going to take some work. Because I have a lot of laundry. And I am not the most organized person in the world (or neighborhood block for that matter), and I have boxes upon boxes of things to organize from when I moved - 3.5 years ago. No kidding. I want the peace and serenity of a place that I can be proud of, a HOME that is put together so that I don't fret about all I am not getting done (again) when I go to bed at night. A place that the spirit of the Lord dwells, and laughter reigns, and love is shared in this family of ours. HOME.

I have two plaques in my house....one says:

"HOME - it is where your story begins."

and another that says:

"As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

I pray for my ability to create this HOME environment. Will you also pray for it too? HOME - it is where it all begins and where we can just be ourselves. There is no better place than HOME. A HOME that loves and serves. This is my prayer.

Conversations with Dad...

It only seems to make sense to the two of them...but it is amazing how Wyatt has "discovered" his voice! Sorry for the quality of the camera...kinda crummy but this is still good!
Enjoy!

Wyatt week #11

It seems like no matter how the day goes, when you see the boy smile, it makes everything good again! It is a smile that lights up the room...and reminds me of God's limitless blessings.

Even Boone wants to kiss this boy!!!

Merry Christmas. May you feel blessed in each moment this season!

One Week

This has been a week. One that I hope I don't have to redo for quite awhile. It is a week that has disqualified me as mom of the year. As professor of the year. As wife of the year. As housekeeper of the year (oh who am I kidding - I was never even in the running for this one!).

One week ago I locked my keys in the car on the way to take my sister back to the airport. Did I mention that my child was also locked in the car?

I lost my cell phone over the weekend. When I finally found it I also found out I had a funeral to go to - just one hour after I picked up the message. Good planning.

Monday was Wy's two month immunizations. He wailed. He was not happy. And I didn't have any children's Tylenol...I had to stop at Target on my way home from the doctor to get it. Where are the instruction manuals on parenting, anyway?

And then we went to a funeral. He was passed around about 20 times (no exaggeration here). It messed him up a bit. I then dropped him at Lindsey's house and went to teach class at a local high school. I had left for the funeral from the Doctor's office...no teaching materials. I had to ask for a pen...good planning.

Monday Mark left for a week to Lamar, CO to process a lot of calves for his health project. He won't return until Saturday. He has brutal, long days. I have been a bit caught up in my world and forget that his world is stressy, too. By the way, he sent me flowers, so he IS up for spouse of the year.

This was Wy's first week of daycare. I had always heard about "those" moms that cry when they drop off their babies...and on Tuesday I became one of them. I just wish I could work each day with Wy in my lap.

I have prayed, cried, moaned, laughed, and prayed some more this week. I am trying to feel His presence in my daily life, to tap into the Holy Spirit. But, honestly, I don't want to do this week over again - any time soon. But I have to remember - it is only ONE week, and soon it will get better. Maybe Next Week?

Happiness is....

Happiness is a weekend on the Western Slope of Colorado at the base of Sopris Mountain...with views like this!

Happiness is Wyatt's first cattle event...notice my boys with the black cows in the background. It makes my toes curl with happiness!

Happiness is cow crap on the stroller wheels...is it strange to find happiness in this?

Happiness is a new calving/sale barn at TY Bar Ranch...beautiful!





Happiness is fall with black cattle, and a pumpkin!

Happiness is meeting cousin TIM!

Happiness is taking the long way home, for no good reason (check out this guy on a unicycle going down the pass)!

Happiness is a road trip with views like this.

Happiness is a drive where you are above timberline....







Hey Mark, what are you doing behind the tree? I am sure he must be happier now!

Happiness is a baby so good that he could spend a week under his momma's desk before day care starts!

Happiness is having students who love on your baby, too!

Oh, so much to be thankful for!

A few more...

WYATT

He is so big...it is hard to believe he looked like this just two weeks ago. Don't you love his "male-pattern baldness?" He is losing his baby hair and the new stuff is a lot lighter.

My three favorite boys...a trip into the mountains that was all about the first child - the laborador named BOONE!

Wyatt says BOO!

If only Mom could sleep like this boy.

See how I've changed? I'm this big!

Love to You from WyMan!