Passports & Photographs

We did it. 

We applied for passports. 

We are going back to Germany. 

Did you read that? 

We are going back to Germany!!

The place I called home, met my husband, and first visited at 4 years old. My parents lived in Germany following their wedding, it was my Dad's first duty station. It is a place they hold dear to their hearts just as I do mine. My mother in law was born and raised in Germany as well as my husband. It lies deep in all our hearts. 

We got a great deal on a flight and would like our daughter to meet her extended family. It is time for her to begin the love for Deutschland, just as her Mother and Father do. She already knows it is a special place.
(The place her Mom & Dad fell in love.)

To go anywhere outside the United States you should have a passport. When you apply for a passport you have to get your photograph taken. You can do this at most post offices that process passports or your local drug store that develops film. We needed two photographs each. I'm not sure why you need 2? They only ask for one and they cost $6.50 each. Which is pricey for a tiny head shot.

Here I am at 4 years old happily posing in my passport photograph. My daughter looks much prettier, she is 4 as well. 

The upside:

We have the cutest passport photos to compare since I was able to keep the spare as a keepsake.

The downside:

I'm reminded that it has been a long time since we got had ANY family photographs together. 

So long that my daughter was half the age she is now. I promised I would not miss a year and I did. Then my brain remembers, all over again, how I'm the only married woman with no wedding pictures. Moms, sisters, best friends, cousins, and ANY wedding guest, please, I beg you, make sure the Bride has a photographer! 

I will always regret not having a photographer. Pass on the limo and get the photographer. The photographs I have are horrible. Everyone is looking at another camera. The "friend" who stepped up with his fancy camera and said he would shoot all our photographs. However, he
NEVER SENT THEM TO ME!!

Not even one.
Big mistake.
Don't depend on a "friend" who lives out of state to take the  pictures of the happiest day of your life. Just don't depend on a friend at all. Hire a photographer. Take it from the girl with NO wedding albums. You can't get a do-over. No matter how hard I wish for it. It's never going to happen.

This really got me thinking. I MUST do family portraits. Passport photos should not be passed out to family. Missing a year took away my "Mom of the Year" award. I really want to earn it back.

I can only imagine what she could capture here in Colorado. If only she was nearby. I would have booked an appointment immediately. Maybe my next trip should be to Corpus Christi? I think a trip a month would be an excellent plan.

Social SECURITY?

I wish someone warned me.

Who knew I was about to go through metal detectors? 

I have put off replacing our missing security card for years now. They are hidden in the folds of a book somewhere, laughing at me.

First off, to get a child's Social Security Card replaced you will need proof of identity and a birth certificate. Since they don't have a driver's license or student i.d. yet this can be challenging. To solve this you can easily get an identity form from your doctor. Good thing my doctor is helpful, smart, and has a great staff. They easily added her photograph to a biography sheet which the doctor stamped & signed. Perfecto.

If you are like me you want your ducks in a row. You do not want to leave any chance of making a repeat trip. Maybe a toddler Mom puts extra effort in to this because lugging a toddler around is a bit challenging at times. Glad my gal is patient and sits nicely in her stroller. 

Not all cities have a social security office. They are probably the lucky ones. About 10 US states can apply & replace online. Of course Colorado is not on the list. 

Upon arrival, I pull into a empty parking lot. However the office has been open 30 minutes and the line is around the front of the building. 

(See the fun look on my face)

I feel like I'm at the DMV. If any of you have lived in Colorado Springs for at least ten years you should remember when we had one DMV. Back then you came at 7 am and the line wrapped the building. This was just the line to get in. The seats would be filled and the line would be long.

At the Social Security office the line was caused by the classic incompetent "Rent-A-Cop" complex man, who has been given authority at the metal detector. The seats are empty yet we are standing in line like prisoners. I'm really glad to see my tax dollars hard at work.

I wait 45 minutes to finally make it through the tiny lobby into the building. I have my child in a stroller. One with cup holders. I have her milk in one and my coffee in another.

 I felt like I was taking an international flight. My bags were searched. My silver bracelet and fit bit were asked to be removed. (Which I honestly said I WANT THEM BACK) My coffee was inspected. Since my cup was a POP TOP not a SCREW ON, it was not allowed. Everything was based on what cup I picked this morning, obviously the wrong choice. There is a trashcan right outside. We can both see it through the window. I ask if I can pour it out and was told I can not bring in an empty cup!? Are you kidding me?

First off I have a medical condition which leaves me carrying a drink and snacks at all times. (Except that one time my blood sugar was crashing and I dug through my daughter's diaper bag and chowed down on two lollipops so I didn't pass out. Mental Note: Do not to eat blue candy before attending grown up events.)

Secondly, this cup is a Tervis Tumbler. They are the nicest and priciest cups on the market. You are not taking my Tervis. He never checked my daughter's cups. So I can bring in two milk cups but not an empty cup? However based on his explanation you can bring a cup of acid with a screw top and a bottle of vodka. But he was so fixated on my coffee.

I'm very angry at this point, and my mouth loses its filter. That southern girl inside decided to surface. I called him an idiot and I'll take my cup to my car before I'll let his grubby hands touch it. I don't recall much between my car and waiting back in line. Except the part I told my daughter how sorry I am for the country she will be left with. That we are a backwards nation which takes care of the wrong people, and this is the kind of crap our tax dollars are paying for. If this is an example of our government then I give up all hope. As I wait back in line I can't understand anything because I have two Russians yelling to each next to me. All's I can think of is Svetlana from Shameless. At least that gives me a bit of a giggle.

Here we go again. One more time. Again, he never checks my daughter's 2 cups. One is in my bag. Next time disguise your cup with Stickers or just let your kid hold your coffee. (Of course not burning hot people) Because you can bring any liquid in a kids cup. Paint, pee, anything. Awe. Is this a flaw? Did the want-to-be He-man d.b. Rent-A-Cop miss something? What about terrorists using thier kids now? You're so big and bad but you're nothing but a security guard and careless. My daughter's stroller is never checked, nor is it pushed through the metal detector. Didn't you just make a big deal over my coffee? Yet you now are so careless you missed so much. Next time I'll strap my coffee to her waiste or under my stroller. If you're not checking my stroller, couldn't someone sneak a gun in on one of thiers? No longer does thier metal detectors have a purpose if they don't even use a wand on a stroller.

Wait, coffee is the objective here. Not personal security.  It just goes to show that his cares were to rid me of my coffee and not fully check my items. Good thing you are not part of our REAL homeland security because you sir are an epic failure at security checking. Do not pick and choose. Check everything.  You take five minutes a person and let a stroller go unchecked? Priorities for safety are not a Rent-A-Cops priority, coffee is.

 How many Rent-A-Cops does it take to work a medal detector? 2. One to look through your stuff (plus be a jerk) and one to lean on the wall, arms crossed, doing nothing.

I am SO glad I did this now so my daughter will NEVER have to go through this process in the future. What's next, full body scanners, cavity searches?

However, Equestrian girls came in handy and kept my daughter busy.

 I waited less time, from start to finish replacing my card, than I did in the metal detector line. Pretty pathetic. Good ol' Government Agency. 

I suggest bringing a pen. They have no pens. Because we all want to go there to steal pens. So I was happy to loan out two pens to be helpful. It was the least I could do for the process we endured entering the building. 

Next step, passports! At least the post office doesn't use metal detectors (yet).

All opinions are my own. I will never return to a social security office again. 

Luau Birthday Summer Party Theme

Aloha!

Upon entry to my daughter's birthday you were supposed to "Get Your Luau On". However, it happen to be the hottest day of the year and no window unit in the world would beat the sun that day. Unfortunately, NO one wore a lei, since it just made thier necks sweat more. So only about 3 of us dressed up and were good sports. Hot or Not, this Mom stayed dressed up!

My sister in law made me a coconut tree. She's very artistic.

Photo Spots!

Here is a Selfie with my sister in law.

Here's my Mom's famous cake and her delicious icing. I think she needs to make me a cake. I think I'll text her. 

I made these with both fruit shaped candy and real fruit. They were a huge hit! I wish I had a side by side shot! We started eating the fruit ones before I could get a photo! The menu also consisted of beef and shrimp kabobs.

Here's the happy birthday girl! All the kids got spill proof pineapple cups. I previous washed and dried them. They were able to take them home as part of thier goodie bag. 

I took apart a few Dollars store lei's and hot glued them on a cardboard number 2 I cut out. Afterwards I hung the number in her room as a keepsake. Here's her dessert table.

 

A luau party is fun and simple to do. 

Glenwood Hot Springs Pool and Lodge

Welcome to the heart of the Rockies! I always imagine being a pioneer and taking a wagon across this crazy terrain. I would of just settled in the plains. Actually, I would of settled in the exact town I live in now. They were very brave and a bit nuts. I am nervous just driving I-70 westbound, some parts are pretty tight and semi trucks are everywhere. I think a semi truck driver is brave as well. I would never take a semi or a wagon through the Rocky Mountains. No thank you.
I say this every time I cross the Colorado Rockies.

Isn't it just breathtaking? One reason I live here.

Our journey began at 4:30 am, due to a rock slide on I-70. They were down to two lanes, on one side, and closing Glenwood Canyon at 9 am. We needed to make it through before 9 am. It has been a good 8 years, since I have been so far west. It was lightly snowing through a few parts of I-70 but otherwise the weather was great for a road trip.

When I first met my husband in Germany, downtown Heidelberg, there is a tunnel. We had a little thing where we would hold our breaths the entire time we drove through for luck or to make a wish. So for every tunnel we talked about this memory and if we could hold our breaths. We laughed that the tunnels are so long we would pass out, there was one small tunnel we were able to hold our breaths through. It was a great start to our first date together. By first date, I mean our first night alone with out our daughter since she was born! She is almost 4.
I did good. I tried to focus on my husband and our time together.

Tunnels creep me out. They really do. I do not like the ones that go under water like on the east coast. I also do not like giant bridge like the one over the Mississippi River. I also do not like sitting on any bridge in town when stuck in traffic. Especial over a creek or the highway. I know I am weird.

We made it through Glenwood Canyon just in time. They were closing down both sides of the highway. The West bound lane of  I-70 was closed due to a massive rock slide. More like a boulder slide, why don't we just call it as it is? A semi truck was demolished from a picture I saw on line. Of course that had me a bit nervous. I will worry about anything and everything. 

As we drove I saw where the West bound lane had the guard rail missing. I assume that was the spot the slide happened. Even in my town we have rock slides. But never like this. Once we got through the pass and cell reception was back, I contacted our hotel to confirm we had made it through the pass. We made good timing with almost an hour to spare. 

Once we arrived in Glenwood Springs we decided to go eat breakfast and get some coffee. We decided we would go skiing and then check into the hotel. So we headed out to Sunlight Mountain Ski Resort. This would of been our first time skiing. Ever. We are mostly into summer activities. (Except my husband will fly-fish year round!) The weather was just so warm and beautiful, we checked it out, but decided to head to our hotel. It was going to be 58 degrees that day. Not the kind of weather for first time skiers. (I gifted the tickets to my cousin, who loves snowboarding) 

The Glenwood Springs Hot Springs Hotel will let you check in early, when available. We were really hoping to check in early & hit the hot springs pool. Jackpot, just around 11 am we checked in. Score! 

The rooms were small but perfect for a night or two. Four adults would be crowded but a family with 2 kids would fit great. They had a microwave, coffee maker, and mini fridge. We also had a small balcony, it was nice to sit outside and relax. We at the very end of the hallway and I would love the exact room again. I did not hear entry way doors slamming all night or morning. 

We mostly drove over to the pool, instead of walking. It was cold and we did not want to walk back wet.  To enter your have to walk all the way to the front and enter near the gift shop. This is on the far right side of the building. However, you can exit in the back off the pool and cross the street to the hotel. You have to check in through the front, give your room number, and you will receive towels. There are lockers if you need them as well.

To go into town you had to cross the Colorado River on a temporary bridge due to construction. It was pieced together and very creepy. I already mentioned my fear of bridges. I started to panic and told my husband I have to get off of here and left him behind as I did a power walk like a mad woman to get off ASAP! I thought maybe I should just cross the river to get back. That would be less scary in my mind.

The way the highway squeezes through this teeny town. Glenwood Springs just blows my mind how this town is squeezed in this little valley opening. Wyatt Earp lived and died here. There is a bar that marks the spot. It has a very little down town. 

 However if you head off to the west, there is a small polish place called Polanka Polish Restuarant. It was closed or we would of eaten there. They had a sign for home made Haluski. I am part Hungarian. I actually make this dish at home. Well, my husband does. Ha! We think we saw Polanka walking across the bridge. That gave us a lot of laughs. 

We walked around downtown and eventually found a great little steakhouse called Juicy Lucy's with a view of our hotel. It had Amazing service and an amazing lobster enchilada!Did I say Amazing service!!! I give our waiter 10 stars! He was what made the meal. However it was a bit pricey. When looking at this photo you would never know just to the left is a giant crane. or managed to shoot the photo and avoid getting the crane in the photo or the workers. 

Sitting at the table was this beautiful flower.

And this handsome man.

I'm a lucky, lucky lady!

Back to the hotel we go. We can't get back into the pool any faster! 

I imagine this is what Heaven is like. Heaven has to be filled with hot springs. It was 58 degrees the first day we swam in the pool. It was so nice and sunny. We both got sun burned a little on one side. So remember to wear sun screen. Cold out or not. If the suns out you will burn. High elevation sun is nothing to joke about. I am trying to avoid the sun at all costs. 

That night the temperature went down to 38 degrees. The steam that comes off the hit springs at night is like being in a sauna. Especially in the hot pool. 

This Hot Spring Pool is at an amazing 98.9 year round. It truly had healing properties. I had a swollen finger that I could not bend for a few days on and off. After a day in the pool my finger and joint were no longer swollen. 

There was a very hot pool at 104 degrees. It felt so good. However, you should not stay in for more than ten minutes. The amount of steam rising because of the cold temperature also made it almost sauna like. There were weird metal chairs in the hot pool, where you could pay with quarters to turn on bubbles. Every so often the maintenance guy would come by and turn every chair on. Its like being in a HOT hot tub. 

I never wanted to stay in a pool for so long, it was very hard to get out to go home. I wanted to stay another night, maybe even forever. My husband agreed with me. It felt amazing. It was amazing! 

Glenwood Hot Springs is the longest Hot Springs Pool in the world. It was like swimming a football field. It was majestic. There are lap lanes and even a diving board. 

The slides were not open, but I got an email today that they have opened for the 2016 season.

The following day was not as nice. The clouds had moved back in. This makes no difference at Glenwood Hot Springs. That morning while we swam, it snowed on us. Just flurry's. I felt as if I accomplished a bucket list item by swimming in snow.

This trip was amazing. Enjoying the Hot Springs was a perfect way to spend a date night with my husband. Did I mention it was our first night away from our daughter. We missed her like crazy but the time together was long overdue.

The source was fenced in but they had a small pool at the original temperature to keep the curious crazy ones out. This was were you would gag, as you walked by. If the win blew the steam at you, your stomach will turn. Sulfur is horrid like rotten eggs, for those who never smelled it.

My husband put his had it. It was filled with rocks and only meant to dip toes in to. I was okay with what I already smelled, so I stayed back and upwind. The source was 122° 

The main source is dangerous and completely closed off. They probably created the small tiny 122° pool so people would stay out of here. 

Check out time was noon. If you like you can spend that entire day at the pool, even after checkout. Sadly, We left the pool around 11:30 am to take quick showers and then check out. It was very hard to leave the hot springs pool. I did not want to get out. I was thinking of all kind of ways to stay another night. Knowing we never would.
We constantly talk about returning AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

 We had easy in-room check out and hurried out to hit the road. We had a long drive ahead. My husband napped while I drove since he got up early to fish the Frying Pan. I had to drive through tunnels. Eeek!
I was excited to see my daughter and 2 crazy dogs waiting for us at home.

I give the whole trip 5 stars!

I definitely will return. Glenwood Hot Springs Pool and Hotel tops my list of places in Colorado you must visit! 

A little piece of me never wanted to leave.

PicturesOnGold.com - Make This Summer Birthday Special - Sterling Silver Heart Locket

I received this amazing opportunity to review a BEAUTIFUL Sterling Silver 2-Picture Heart Locket from Pictures On Gold! I was so excited to create this locket using their “Build Your Own Locket” technology! This is such a unique process. It is done in real time, and can be created on any Mobile Device or Desktop. It was extremely simple. I designed and ordered my heart locket right on my smartphone! My phone has all my pictures, so it made it really convenient to upload current photographs.

The very first step I took when creating my locket was to add clip art. There were so many choices. I could sit here for hours thinking of a million different ways I can design the front. I started looking in the "Mother's Day" section because I wanted something that perfectly depicts my daughter and I. This was too perfect!

http://www.picturesongold.com/shop/locket-jewelry-designer.html

Next you can upload any photo you like, starting with the left side. You have the ability to zoom in or out and make the photo larger or smaller. This process was very easy from my smart phone. I added 2 photos. One of my daughter and one of my daughter with her father. I will eventually pass the locket down to my daughter so I wanted to include her Daddy into the keepsake of this beautiful piece of jewelry. 

I decided I would put the words I sang when I was pregnant, as I patted my belly, so my daughter would know my voice. "Sadie Momma's Baby Girl" was engraved on to the back. I was able to space it out an it appeared on the locket in real time. This whole process was amazing. In 15 minutes I  designed a beautiful locket, that I just love! It will be a nice heirloom to pass down to my daughter. 

Finally, I chose the 16 inch Sterling Silver Box chain with a Lobster Claw.
I hit preview, to make sure my locket looked perfect, and submitted my order.

The locket ended up prettier than I could of ever imagine. 

The step-by-step process is so easy I am sure my Mom could design one. That is saying a lot since I am lucky she knows how to answer her smart phone.  It is so easy and fun, you should order one for yourself, your Mom, Wife, Sister, Cousin, Grandma, Friend, or Me. (Just Saying) This would make a great surprise anytime, but especially on my Birthday! 

I know A WHOLE LOT OF YOU have Birthdays in the next few months! Maybe you should email, tweet, or share this on Facebook with your husbands. Wink, Wink. 

Visit Pictures On Gold today and get started building your own sterling silver heart locket NOW! 

I received this locket free of charge in return for my honest review. 

ARC of the Pike Peak Region, Great Finds

Thrifting has been a part of my life since I was a kid. I consider myself a "professional thrifter or picker". When I am thrifting, I mean business. Don't touch my "precious". You possibly could get hit by my cart. Not really, but I have been known to run and jump for something good.

Colorado has the best thrift stores. The ARC of the Pikes Peak Region has the best deals and amazing items! You never know what you will find. However, This is true with all Colorado ARC Thrift Stores, I have been to three in the Denver area. They help our community and those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Each day they offer a "Color of the Week"  where a specific price sticker in that color is 50% off. On a certain day of the week the ARC will add additional colors that offer the military and seniors 50% off more items, and on Saturdays everyone gets to partake in the deal. You can find more information on this amazing store by looking for the color of the week and other great information on their website http://www.arcthrift.org

A while ago I saw a tweet from @ARCThriftStores that someone scored an original Dooney & Boorke handbag for less that $10.00. My friend Joy found one for $6.99! Major score! Maybe I should start looking at the purses a little harder. I usually focus more on toys, bedding and Christmas decorations. I have been to hundreds of thrift stores, around the country, and never found a store as amazing as the ARC!

About a year ago I found a bag of 80's Rainbow Brite dolls and other similar items. The bag was priced at $6.99. I saw this big bag stuffed full, hanging at the very end of the wall. Immediately I could tell what everything squished in there was. I could not believe my eyes. Euphoria ran through my body as I ran to grab the bag. I can see it know in my head in slow motion. Que "Chariots of Fire "! I jump over a toy on the floor, move around 3 children left there to play while their parents shop, and grab the bag. As I walk back to my cart I squeal and make Sadie give me a high five. Telling her that her Mom is so lucky and just hit the jackpot. Even though who knows whats actually in that bag. The dolls and other items are squeezed so tight I really have no idea. I cannot wait to get home to open my amazing treasure! Inside was the following Rainbow Brite items:(remember I paid $6.99 for all this)

These dolls were an amazing find and very hot vintage toys.

Mother's Day - Everyday

Mother's Day - Celebrate Everyday

Four years ago, I was pregnant with a beautiful baby girl. I knew I loved her from the moment, I couldn't believe the three positive pregnancy tests! I was over the moon excited to meet her! I would dream about her all the time and wake up crying with happiness. (I would of said Joy, but now that sounds like I would wake up crying with my friend, so I have to watch my language. Ha.)

During my pregnancy my sister in law was a Junior at Palmer High School, who just happened to be taking Early Childhood Development. For one (1) day she had to wear a strap on belly. We met for lunch and got a picture of our bellies touching. It was so funny. We had lots of stares. I wonder if they thought my belly was strap on and hers was real. However, her belly was big! I remember sticking my belly out more to catch up some! Her belly was heavy and was hard on her breathing, especially walking to the restaurant during lunch. Good thing it was all down hill and I could give her a ride back. The greatest part of her assignment is that even boys were issued baby bellies. 

 The following week my sister in law received a digital baby that cried and you had to treat it like a real baby.  It needed to be fed, cuddled, rocked, and changed. Night number one it woke up once. But by night number two, like a real baby, it cried almost all night long. She tried rocking it in its car seat with one had as she laid in bed. It still would not stop crying. Eventually she put it in the hallway where luckily her mother watched the baby because she was on the verge of tears! No sleep is not fun by day two. I remember she slept in late that day because two days with lack of sleep is no fun. Welcome to MOM LIFE. No wonder she doesn't want children now or ever. The doll worked. However, she will change her mind in 10 years. If you're reading this Dani, I Love You! You always will be my "kid"! However, If someone thought she was my kid now, I would feel so old! 

It was really awesome we experienced this together. Once during my pregnancy we were all out to eat as a Family and Danielle said "Gee, I'm only one person" and gladly I added "I'm two!!" I found it hilarious. I can't believe I found the moment to say that and WAS two people. Being two is amazing. 

I was sick my entire pregnancy and had a million worries yet I LOVED being pregnant. I'd be pregnant forever. I know now why some women secretly have a ton of kids for the pure fact they love being pregnant. My Sadie belly was really cute. I knew I was having a girl the entire time. I would rub my belly and sing, "Sadie, Momma's baby girl"!

Being a Mother is the most rewarding job I have ever received. It has crazy hours, you get lots of over time and you never get a vacation. However you will get out of it what you put in to it. If you put nothing into motherhood, do not be surprised, you bore a drop out ingrate. If you put in a lot to motherhood, you may just end up with an amazing trumpet player with a college scholarship. It is no different than a plant, if you do not water it or give it sun, it will wither away. Some plants, regardless of how well we take care of them, will turn into a weed, not a flower. You may have a weed in your family. We love them and know that they came from the same seeds we did. So nothing stops us from loving them.

Motherhood is a long crazy ride that never lets you off. God blessed me with the cutest, funniest, loving little girl. I'd do it all a million times again! There is no price tag on love. Mother's Day is really a day to love on our kids more and be thankful for the blessings we have been given. Our children our a gift, not a promise. Treasure every moment with them. Teach them to grow into their own little personalities. One day my daughter will need a husband and I hope she finds a nice young man whose Mom loves him and did right by him, just as I do for her.

(I tell Sadie she is betrothed. She watches the Lion Kind enough, one day she will figure it out. I would love her to find a great boy from a great family. Like this cutie cowboy she is standing with above. I would love to be part of their family, for real. HaHa!
Is it silly I already think about her getting married and worry she will pick the right young man?)

My first Mother's Day when I was pregnant, (by the way motherhood begins in your heart, not your uterus) I saw a charm in an ad and really wanted it. I woke up and asked Martin if we could go buy it. I tried hinting and cutting it out, hanging in on the fridge. Yet, nothing clicked. So I just had to ask for it. It was a silver and rose gold heart with a mother holding her baby daughter on the inside. To me this is what my heart felt like and longed for. It perfectly described what my heart was longing for.

I promised to wear the necklace till she was born. Little did I know that  promise would change to keeping it on till she came home, a long 35 days later.

(Here you see I pushed it over to have some kangaroo care time.)

Even today, On Mothers Day, I am sick as can be, yet never get a moment "off". Not that I want off, maybe just a small nap. (I have a sinus infection and some sort of head cold, which is why this one blog has taken 3 days to finish.) I love being with my daughter and take her everywhere with me. Even when I am offered a moment off, I usually do not except since she is my heart and I suffer from Mom Guilt. Being a Mom is NOT a job. It does not have a time clock. It is a blessing from God. You may have to check in with him daily. Give him a run down, let God know your fears, your worries, your needs and wants. He may not give you a baby sitter but he may be able to help you get those winter boots you need.

About two January's ago it snowed and my daughter was wearing regular tennis shoes. I felt bad she did not have something protecting her ankles from the snow. I was flat broke at the time and bought a pair a Goodwill. I had to return them, for they were to big. Later that night I prayed and mentioned needing boots for my child. The boots were not the focus of my prayer, being thankful for what I do have, being a better Mother and protecting my daughter and her Daddy were my focus. The very next day I got an email from Coke stating I had a $30 credit to Zappos. It was a prize from a contest during the summer. However, to me it was a prize God delivered. For only he knew I needed boots. I had not told a soul but him.
There were two boots for kids on their website. One was exactly $30 and the shipping was free.

I do not believe those boots came from Coke, they came from Heaven. God does listen. It took me a long time to understand this. It was not till I started talking with him daily did he start answering me. I am not saying he always answers me. Sometimes he wants me to ask him about things a hundred times or more. I do now, and I never stop.  I think he wanted to show me he hears me but needed me to keep coming back to him. That is exactly what I did and my life started changing. That is a whole other Blog.

I thank the Lord for giving me these tiny feet to walk with me in his footsteps. We are learning one baby step at a time. In daily lessons to giant ones.