The Dandurand Family

Timber!

2011-09-13T06:27:00.000-07:00

So, on day 4 (August 19th) of us living on the farm, Paxton decides to climb our big maple in the front of the house. As you can probably guess where this is going, he falls from the tree, breaking his fall with his left wrist. Glasses go flying and left wrist is completely discombobulated! After a super fast ride to the medical center, a quick x-ray, and doctor visit....we are then on our way, quite rapidly, to Marshall where the Orthopedist is awaiting our arrival at the hospital. One look at the x-ray, a little IV, some pain killers, and Paxton is in surgery getting 3 pins put in his wrist,along with a beautiful blue cast!

He was such a trooper through the whole thing...he was in a lot of pain right up until surgery. He fractured the growth plate in his wrist and dislocated his radius to a pretty bad degree! $8400 later and out for the football season, he is recooperating quite well and is getting the pins out on September 20 and then either a replacement cast or a splint for the remaining 2 weeks! Not a great way to start out his freshman year, but we are very thankful that he didn't get more hurt than that!

Of course, Brad is out of town on a business trip during the action...missing out again, on a wonderfully stressful situation....I think God purposely makes him absent for these things...lol!

Farm Life Is For Us!

2011-09-13T06:09:00.000-07:00

Life for the Dandurands' has been busy to say the least! We moved to the farm the middle of August (a few days shy from a whole month). Life out here is great! It is so peaceful and private! I love just being outside and enjoying the little simplicities like gardening, mowing, pulling weeds, taking care of the puppies and the chickens, and watching Peighton enjoy farm life. These times are my therapy from all the business going on in the house and in our lives!

Brad has been really busy with the business and trying to keep up with work, the house, the grove, etc. There is a lot to do on the farm both with the house and the outbuildings, but it is so rewarding getting the opportunity to completely make it our own! Brad's parents have been such Godsends to us! They are always lending a helping hand. It is so nice to be around family again!

The boys have started school again and that has been a wonderful thing for both of them. The summer was getting to be too long! Now they seem to have a purpose again.

Preston got in with a wrong crowd over the summer and it is nice to see him off that path and unto a more straighter one! He is now hanging out with a great group of guys that enjoy fishing and just hanging out! We were really starting to worry about him and the path he was going down! Thank you, Jesus for bringing him back to where he needs to be! It is so nice to see the boys enjoying the farm, too. They go out and shoot their guns, ride dirt bike, mow the lawn, enjoy bonfires, etc. They enjoy being boys with a lot of room to move.

Paxton has had an eventful first few weeks of farm life....he was climbing our big maple in the front yard and fell out of it breaking his wrist, requiring surgery and 3 pins (see my next blog entry for the continued story)!

And then there is Peighton...to watch farm life through her eyes is priceless! She loves to play with the puppies, always making sure they have plenty of water and usually a bath or two while replenishing their water. She loves her chickens and looks forward to collecting eggs each day, 10 times a day she is checking to see how they are doing and if they have laid more eggs. When they do provide eggs she says" Thank you chickens for the eggs!" She stays so busy on the farm from morning until night! She rides her four wheeler around, plays with the puppies, collects eggs and hangs out in the chicken coop with them, picks produce from the garden, and her latest adventure is picking up "walmarts" from the ground of our walnut trees. She is so happy out here that nothing else seems to matter! I love seeing life in her way!

Well, my update entry of farm life must be cut short as the laundry room is calling my name...must paint and add the final touches so we can finally do laundry at our house...another simplicity that I will no longer take for granted!

Chloe and Company

2011-07-10T15:40:00.000-07:00

Chloe, our BullMastiff that we got from Brad's Uncle Ernie, came to us skinny and pregnant...breed by his American Bulldog. Chloe delivered 12 puppies on July 1st. The 12th pup however was a stillborn male. It was such an amazing opportunity to be there during the delivery of all the pups. I was in Chloe's whelping box with her for over 9 hours! There are light brindle, dark brindle, and tan pups. They are so adorable! When the stillborn pup was born, that was hard to take! I have never been a part of the delivery of animals, since we always have gotten our dogs fixed before that point. You get so attached to your pets, it is devastating when you loose one! After a week, the pups were doing great,except for one we named Patch, because he had a little white tuft of fur on his neck. He began to really take steps back, wasn't growing and nursing. I began feeding him multiple times a day to try to save him, but it wasn't God's plan! Patch died on July 8th! The other 10 puppies (5 female and 5 male) are doing great! They are growing and nursing and their eyes are starting to open! They are so beautiful! We are looking to sell all of them but 1 or 2. We are getting so attached to them that it will be hard to see them go!

Peighton named the first born pup, Claire and she has named one Zsa Zsa, and she thinks daddy should name his pup Jackson. Where she comes up with these name is beyond me!

Feeling Lost In Minnesota

2011-07-10T15:08:00.000-07:00

I know that God has a plan for my life, but when it isn't revealed and I am totally walking by faith, that makes for major confusion and hope that I am walking in His will. I look back on leaving Arizona and going to Colorado and I see God's hand on that move and decision because of Brad's heart condition and the amazing care he received while in Colorado, but as I was going through it, I didn't understand His plan at all. I am very grateful to be out of Colorado, but it seems that everything we try to do here, just doesn't turn out right. I am trying to start this Christian Preschool and I feel like I am swimming upstream like a salmon against the current! My intentions are good, I have a lot of experience and passion for teaching preschool, but I find myself up against so many odds!

I know part of it is that I am trying to do this on my own and not seeking God's direction and guidance. I feel like I have grown so far away from God and not letting Him take control of my life and what He has planned for it.

I feel so frustrated and overwhelmed with all that needs to be done for the Preschool to open in September:

1. licensing through the state of MN (and the state is shutdown)

2. financing to buy all the preschool supplies and furniture, licensing, and CDA

3. enrollment numbers (lack there of...only two kids are enrolled and one is mine)

4. getting my CDA credential completed

Not only am I feeling lost, but we all feel displaced in our own way. Paxton and Preston just got back from a two week vacation in Arizona, so their hearts are back their, along with mine! Brad has been traveling a lot for work in IN, KY, and OH. He hates being away from home, but doesn't really know why we are in Minnesota. I think if we were given the opportunity to move back to AZ, we would all agree to do it.

Preston is a senior this year, and I am so worried about what will happen to him. He has a lot of growing up to do and is pretty lazy without ambition. I really wonder what he will do after high school! He makes some pretty dumb decisions at times, not thinking about the outcome!

Our whole family has fallen away from our relationship with God. We have found a church that we think would be a good fit, but since we are not in the Granite community, it make it more difficult, since we feel so disconnected. Once we move out onto the farm, I know things will feel more real and we will feel more connected!

We have a huge move to the farm coming up as well and all the work that goes with that!

Not to mention, we are the owners of 7 chickens, 2 rabbits, 3 adult dogs, and 10 new puppies!

My garden has weeds galore..needs watering and WEEDING!!!!!!

We have bills to pay, dental work needed, truck to pay to fix, etc.

Life is just so overwhelming right now! I just want to climb in the arms of Jesus and just hide out in His love! Jesus take the wheel of my life!

Ham and Cheese Anyone?

2011-07-10T15:04:00.000-07:00

Peighton wanted to create in the kitchen...she came up with her own version of ham and cheese...

Grandpa and His Growing Boys

2011-07-10T14:59:00.001-07:00

Grandpa came out for a visit and was surprised at how much Paxton has sprouted up! He bypassed Brad and I and even Preston. I think he is ready to give Grandpa a run for his money now and then Nick! I do think that Peighton will catch up to Paxton someday, though!

Our Dancing Little Princess

2011-01-27T12:02:00.000-08:00

Peighton has enjoyed her first year of dance class. She is the youngest in her class by over a year. All the other little girls have been mother hens to her, helping her find her spot during tap and ballet class and always looking out for her. She started dancing in August and in May had her recital. During her recital she did quite well during the first song, but then got timid for her next 2 performances. There were a lot of people at the recital since the dances ranged from ages 3 to adult.

Grandpa Earl and Grandma Shirley were able to come to rehearsal. They enjoyed watching her perform. Grandpa Doug and Grandma Betty, Daddy and Mommy, Preston, and Paxton attended the dance recital. She did so good and was absolutely adorable! We sent her flowers and a teddy bear in her costume to her room before she danced. I know she will keep on dancing and get better and better with each year. Treasured Talents is a great dance studio with a very passionate dance teacher! Peighty is looking forward to starting dance and preschool again this fall.

2010 in Review

2011-01-09T11:13:00.001-08:00

As I look back at all the events of 2010 i can't help but see God's hand print on it all!

January we were starting our financial recovery from a very hard ending to 2009. Brad had his heart problems in 2009 and then after going back to work after his 2nd surgery, they left him go from work. We had to short sale our house, we lost our quads, and had to borrow money from family just to live. It was such a horrible way to end the 2009 year, but we were glad to move into 2010. Brad started selling telescoping flagpoles for Aaron Kranz. He started doing some trade shows in Minnesota and Iowa. He was traveling quite a bit, but we were able to resume paying our bills again. I was still teaching at Covenant Kids Day Out M-W-F mornings. Peighty was going to preschool with me and the boys were enjoying school at Castle Rock Middle School and Castle View High School.

February brought more recovery financially and a possibility of a great job opportunity for me in Larkspur as a Director of a Christian Preschool. I would be the director lead teacher at New Covenant Academy on Tuesday and Thursday and continue teaching in Castle Rock at CKDO on M-W-F. During this time, we were struggling with our church and our life group. PCCC just didn't seem to be meeting the needs that we were looking for, a lot of that was due to our church in Arizona and how much we loved and missed everything about it. No other church would have had a chance with our frame of minds and saddened hearts. It was really hard to get involved with the events of the church and especially teaching in the classroom environment...a movie theater.

Our life group relationships were dissipating due to a lot of judgement and opinions! The people in our group were very judgemental and not very supportive or understanding. They would make crazy accusations and were not handling themselves in very Godlike manners. Instead of reaching out in love, they reached out or didn't even reach out, in hurtful ways. We were starting to really withdraw from all of that! our neighborhood culdesac was full of the same judgement and materialism and clickiness that made us really withdraw from the church, considering all of those people attended and were even part of leadership at PCCC! Not the kind of church body I want to be associated with!

March brought about more financial recovery and the director job in Larkspur! I was so excited and overwhelmed at the same time! Brad was traveling A LOT, which left a lot of responsibility to come my way. Not only was I balancing 2 jobs, 3 kids, and the events of each day, but I had to do the bills, and run the house as well. I was wearing a lot of hats and was feeling quite out of control, which would explain my anxiety and panic attacks returning! I was in denial for a while as signs started creeping in!

April my anxiety came on full force! It took me over a month to get a halfway decent handle on it this time! I was pretty much inoperable for 2 plus weeks! I did all I could to get through each day. Brad was still traveling, given a dealership of the flagpoles for the Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky states. He was still traveling a lot, causing added stress because all expenses were out of our pocket now! I had to take a few weeks off of each job, to regain myself. All I did was walk, walk, walk. I wanted to be outside, because that is were I felt most like normal! I tried the homeopathic way, but I couldn't keep living this way, trying to find a remedy. I chose to get back on the meds that I knew worked in the past. So I started the Lexapro 10 mg again, which took 3-4 weeks to really start to work. I returned to work the end of the month and started to feel normal again!

May was a hard month for us as we contemplated a move because of Brad's heart and the Colorado elevation. He wasn't living the quality of life that he deserved in a lower elevation and he was traveling so much to IN, OH, and KY that a move just made sense. Things really started taking off after we prayerfully considered a move. We found someone to take over our lease, my school year would be over, the boys school year would end, we were finding a lot of possibilities of farms to live on in Indiana, we would be closer to my dad and our home of Minnesota. On May 31st, we finished the last of our packing and moving. 99% of our belongings were in 2 storage units in Denver and we were off to Minnesota for a month long vacation with the Dandurands and then on to Indiana in July to solidify a place to live, enroll in school, etc.

June felt great being out of Colorado and away from all the judgmental people! The hardest part of leaving Colorado was my job in Larkspur! I worked so hard bringing it together, and now I had to leave it behind! But honestly, that was the only thing I would truly miss about Colorado...that preschool and the conveniences of Castle Rock and Denver! We really had a great time with family and spending time with Doug and Betty! I enjoyed cooking and spending time with the family as did the kids. Brad was still traveling A lot! It was so nice being around family and people who genuinely are kind and loving!

July after graduation parties and family reunions, it was time to head to Indiana to find our residency there and start a new! The minute we arrived in my dad's driveway I knew this isn't where we were supposed to be. Doors didn't open for us there. It just didn't feel right. I wanted to be back in Minnesota. So, after a lot of prayer and seeking, we decided to go back to Minnesota. Things didn't come easy there either. Doors would slightly open and then close. We were having a hard time trying to find a place to live in Granite Falls. Finally 5 days before our belongings were coming from Colorado, I found a house to lease in Montevideo. It wasn't Granite, but it would be big enough and have to do.

August was spent unpacking and getting things organized and getting the kids ready for school. The boys decided to attend YME in Granite and I found a Christian Preschool for Peighton to attend on M-W-F. The summer was okay with the exception of mosquito infestation! I still missed Arizona and all our friends, our house, and our church. We were having a hard time getting settled and finding a church. Our neighbors across the street, were a lot of fun. The Omalleys' have 7 children ranging from 20-2. They home school and are a catholic family. They are full of fun and we have come to enjoy them!

September The kids are getting adjusted to small town schooling and living. We do miss the conveniences that a city brings, but we make due. The boys have made friends, Paxton went out for football and really enjoyed it. It was hard at first, but he got the hang of tackle and made new friends at the same time. Preston found himself a girlfriend from Monte. Things were starting to feel more normal for the Dandurand Family.

October I started to feel like I needed a purpose. The kids had school, Brad had his job, what did I have? So, I prayed about starting a Christian Preschool in Granite Falls. I contacted a local and established Lutheran Church and started to get the ball rolling. After a meeting with Pastor Steve Carmany, I felt pretty confident that this could really be God's plan for me and for the community. Preston had to start drivers training all over again because Minnesota wouldn't accept his Colorado permit...ugh! Brad had a good October with sales. We still haven't really connected to a church, which is hard because we are feeling the need to be fed. I started attending the local MOPS group, which is so different from the one in Colorado...more intimate and a lot less materialistic and clicky!

November Our family got hit with pneumonia! Peighton first...she was such a trooper at the emergency room, where they drew blood, swabbed her throat, and took a chest x-ray. She didn't even bat an eye! She was amazing and impressed the doctor and nursing staff. She had to be on an antibiotic and breathing treatments for two weeks. Daddy was on a business trip during all this fun. After he got home and Peighton was almost done with her recovery, daddy got pneumonia, which is not a goo thing for a heart patient! He was a great patient, too in the er...lol, but a little scarier with him. They put him on steroids, antibiotic, and breathing treatments. It took him a nit longer to heal than Peighton. So thankful that he did fine through all that and that he went in right away for treatment. we had the Dandurand Thanksgiving at our home post pneumonia. It was so nice celebrating with family. We had a great meal and a super time!

December we enjoyed having Brad the whole month, granted he kept busy with handyman job and hunting, but he was home every night! I was harder for us to get into the Christmas spirit this year with all the adjustments to being back in Minnesota. It helped having Christmas here with my family. It is always a lot of fun with the Carlsons' and all the games we play and laughs we share! The preschool planning is coming along quite well as things move forward. My prayer is to open in time for the 2011-2012 school year. There has been a lot of family drama with the Dandurand family since Cody and Amber have moved to Minnesota. I think there are expectations from others that don't always work out for people or are not in the best interest of others. That has been hard to deal with and has caused some hurt within the family, but I know things with work out. Jeremiah 29:11

We are thankful for all that God has provided for our family and know He has a plan for our lives and we look forward to continuing pursuing His will in 2011

A new start in 2011

2011-01-09T11:01:00.000-08:00

2010 was full of change as we moved back home from a long and tough year and a half in Colorado. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss Arizona, but I know that God had brought us home for a reason and I seek His will in all that He has planned for us. He has already opened doors of opportunity for our family. I am in the planning process of starting a new Christian Preschool in Granite Falls. I do get quite overwhelmed with all the steps that need to take place on this amazing journey, but as long as I let God lead and guide my ways, my ways will be His ways!

I am in the difficult stages of the preschool process and that is the business plan! My gifting is growing and learning with the kids...not the logistics! I know a huge weight will be off my shoulders when I get this part finished!

Most of the plans are written down, I just have to put them in order with correct verbiage. I look to open in September. I anticipate how God will use this Christian Preschool for the Granite Falls Community. I am thankful that all the seeds that were planted in my life over the last 13 years will be used for this new adventure!

Until the doors open, I will be on my knees, seeking God's wisdom and direction. After opening, I will still be on my knees seeking God's wisdom and direction.

God Stories

2010-11-30T08:50:00.000-08:00

Peighton was getting ready for bed last night and i went to go get her some water. When I came back into her room, she was sitting on her bed paging through her devotional book, she got from school. I asked her what she was reading "God Stories about Peighton being healthy when she grows up." She just recently got over pneumonia with many nights of praying for her to get healthy. She was also talking to God asking that her friend Elizabeth be has healthy, too. Elizabeth also had pneumonia.
Every night as I am tucking her into bed and saying prayers, she always ends our night time rituals with "Jesus is in my heart, right Mom." How precious! It gives personal meaning to how we should have childlike faith! Lord, help me to have that childlike faith, like Peighton!
"Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom belongs to such as these." -Mark 10:14

I am 16 going on 17

2010-11-14T09:44:00.000-08:00

Young love through your teenagers eyes brings me back to when Brad and I first met. It is so sweet watching Preston be so respectful and fun loving with Kasidy. It is safe to say that he is whipped. Within 2 weeks he was looking at cowboy boots and bootcut jeans! She seems to bring out a lot of really good qualities in him, that I knew he possessed, but just needed to be found. Kasidy is such a sweet farm girl that shares a lot of the same interests as Preston. She can be rough and tumble and gentle all at the same time.
Preston just glows when he is around her. It is so fun seeing this young love! Preston gave up 3 days of hunting to spend a few hours with Kas instead...he is getting a lot of grief for that one from his buddies, but do you think he cares?
He is so into wanting to work, so he can save money for Christmas and her birthday. Too cute! Just a reminder that young love doesn't have to ever get old! Brad and I still share that puppy love!

Sometimes all you need is a little heart "tweaking"

2010-09-17T10:21:00.000-07:00

Brad went to Dr. Darrell Carter in Granite on Wednesday and had lab work, EKG, and Echocardiogram done because he has been really tired, has low blood pressure and he feels a twitch in his stomach. All of his labs came back really good. He was fearful that he was developing diabetes, but all his labs work came back with excellent results...no diabetes! His EKG and Echo came back looking very good, too. Dr. Darrell made an appointment for Brad to see a Cardiologist in Willmar, which we sent to yesterday. After evaluation, it just seems like Brad's pacemaker just needs an little "tweaking". So today, Brad is in St. Cloud where they are going to adjust his pacemaker while using an echo for a really precise adjustment to make his pacemaker work at an optimum level. We were so thankful to hear that his ejection fraction rate has increased from 30% to 35-40%( a normal persons EF is around 70+%... it is the percentage of blood being pumped out of the heart)! That is a huge blessing, because that tells us his heart is improving!

Our Very Own "OchoCinco"

2010-09-17T09:56:00.000-07:00

Paxton is playing tackle football for the first time. He has played flag football and soccer for years, but this is a new playing field (literally). Not only is tackle new for him, but so is everything else...school, friends, state, house, etc. He was reluctant going to practice and getting involved, because of all the news, but with some supportive encouragement and pushing to try, he has been doing well. He has made new friends, knows his way around school, and is feeling more and more comfortable with all the changes as each day goes by.
He had his first game yesterday against Montevideo. He plays running back on offense and defensive end on defense. He sacked the quarterback yesterday, which helped build his confidence. He also had a run in with a cleat, but for the most part he is conquering each play and not letting football and others conquer him!
We thought it was pretty funny that he ended up with #85 on his jersey, because one of his favorite football players is OchoCinco (aka Chad Johnson) for the Bengals. Now we have our very own OchoCinco in the family! Tonight he plays in Olivia. Can't wait to cheer on our OchoCinco for the YME Sting! Go Sting!

Peighton and Grandma Agnes

2010-09-17T09:17:00.000-07:00

Grandma Agnes (94) and Peighton have a really good relationship. Peighton really enjoys going over to see Grandma and helping her when we go on errands or out to lunch with her. She will hand her her cane, take pictures of her with my phone, talk with the other residents at Prairie Meadows, and just sit in her room with Grandma and cuddle up to her! Grandma gets such a smile on her face whenever we come to visit! She radiates whenever she sees Peighton. I am so thankful for their relationship and the love they share. It reminds me of how close my Grandmother and I are to each other. I am so blessed and so is Peighton that Grandma Agnes has embraced her as she did me! I cherish every minute that we have with Grandma! She has been such a blessing to me in my life! She has taught me so much and I love that she is now teaching Peighton things and sharing part of her heart with her! Peighton loves her Great-Grandma with lots of hugs and kisses!

Heart Trouble...again!

2010-09-15T13:23:00.000-07:00

Brad is currently at the doctors trying to get some answers as to why he feels like he is being choked and fatigued. I have been in denial that it will just go away. Inside I am trying not to be scared, but I can't deny that I am! I prayed yesterday for peace and comfort to calm my anxious heart and mind, which already has problems with that! I know that God is in control and I need to put my faith and trust in Him! I try not to let my mind wander and think of what it could be! He has an appointment tomorrow with a Cardiologist to check his pacemaker. I hope and pray that it is as simple as them changing the flow of his electrical pulses from his pacer. Until then, I will look to God to be in control and let His hands take over the wheel of doubt, concern, worry, etc!

Proverbs 3:5-6 I will put my trust and hope in You, Lord!

Minnesota Life

2010-09-13T12:56:00.001-07:00

It has been such a long summer of transitioning and I am so happy to say that we are adjusting to Minnesota life and being in a routine again! Preston and Paxton started at YME last week. It was a hard first day with a lot of adjustments with a new school that is a complete maze! By the end of the week they were doing so much better...making friends, finding all their classes, and feeling like they belong!
Peighton started school today and so now we are all getting into a weekly routine! Brad has been working with his dad on a construction project for the last week, which is nice having him around every night. But now the fall home shows and festivals will be starting so he will be traveling more again.
I had a meeting at Granite Falls Lutheran Church with Pastor Steve and the president of the council regarding starting a Christian Preschool. They seem very interested and I meet with the board tomorrow night to share the vision! Granite doesn't have any Christian Preschool or any real preschooling except for ECFE classes and Childcare. This would be such an amazing opportunity to offer this community. I so want a new purpose and plan of God's in my life full of His guidance and direction.

Peighton's 1st Day of Preschool at Little Lambs

2010-09-13T12:33:00.000-07:00

Peighton had a great first day of preschool at Little Lambs Preschool at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Montevideo. She is in the M-W-F 4-5 year old class, even through she is only 3. I am so proud of her because she fully potty trained in less than a week. I had been really holding off because of all of our transitions with moving and vacationing.

She got right up this morning and was excited to go to school. After breakfast and picking out her clothes, and dressing herself, she headed right out the door with her backpack all excited to go! She went right to her cubby and put her backpack away and entered the class. She went right over to Miss Missy and started doing puzzles. There was no tears, not even from mommy! I am just so blessed to have found a Christian Preschool so local! It is going to be a blessing having her there!

I picked her up and she was still in her same clothes! She went potty all by herself at school! I was so proud of her. She said she had a really great day at school. We came home and had some lunch before she completely passed out on the couch after a fun filled morning!

My Pooped Preschooler

Picasso Peighton

2010-09-13T12:23:00.000-07:00

We went to IKEA when we dropped daddy off at the airport. We found a really nice and inexpensive easel for Peighton to draw, paint, chalk, and dry erase on. She is quite the artist and enjoys expressing herself through all kinds of art medium. I am eager to enjoy her creations!

Our Princess is 3!

2010-09-13T11:40:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Peighton's 3rd Birthday at Grandpa and Grandma's house. We had a small little party with family. She was blessed with some fun toys...Caillou Movies, Art Supplies, Princess CD player with microphone, Barbie Quad, etc. She had such a fun day and it was extra special celebrating with family.

Picking and Shucking Sweet Corn

2010-09-13T11:19:00.000-07:00

Grandpa, Grandma, Preston, Paxton, Peighton, and I went out to Christopherson Farm to pick sweet corn to process and freeze. The kids had a blast riding inthe "Gator" through the cornfield and then walking through the corn rows picking the corn. After we got back from picking the corn, Peighty, Grandma, and I shucked all the ears, washed them, blanched them, freezing some on the cob, as kernel corn, and cream corn! It was a lot of fun and we have enough fresh corn to enjoy all winter long!

The End of Summer

2010-08-31T14:20:00.001-07:00

Well, it has been a while since I blogged! So much has happened since my last entry! We moved to Minnesota, which took a while to find somewhere to lease. We didn't want to just jump into buying a home. There really isn't a lot to lease around here...plenty to purchase in town, but nothing rural that is what we want. We wanted to live in Granite Falls, but there is nothing there to rent or purchase! We had to lease a home in Monte, 12 miles from where we want to be. The boys will be going to school at Yellow Medicine East in Granite. I will be driving them to school everyday until Preston gets his license. Unfortunately, Minnesota will not accept his training from Colorado, so he will have to go through drivers ed all again.
After 3 months of searching for some where to live, we found a 4 bedroom rambler that is outside of the city limits. It is the biggest that we could find. We are very thankful to have found somewhere to call home for the next year, while we search for our farm.
Brad and Doug flew out to Denver to get our things. Out of all the people that we knew in Colorado, only one family showed up to help load...the Eden Family. I guess it doesn't surprise me with the type of people that are in Colorado. No one from our old life group came, our church, etc. I don't know why I thought they would anyway...too caught up in themselves and their opinions and judgements! So glad to be done with them! Life is too short to spend time investing in people like that!
We are very thankful for our new neighbors! They are so kind and giving and non-judgemental! The kids really like them and are having a blast getting to know their kids. They have a lot in common with them...outdoors, quads, dirt biking, hunting, etc. I am so thankful that they have already made friends.
It is nice to be close to family again. We see Grandpa and Grandma a few times a week and my grandmother every week. It will be great to celebrate holidays with family and be surrounded by them during our kids games and school activities and just be there for the simple things!
Peighton is enrolled at a Christian Preschool 3 days a week and I will be taking some classes and praying about starting a Christian Preschool in Granite Falls. Brad's business is going well in Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. Things are really starting to come together for us!
As the season starts to change with school starting and fall coming soon, a new season of our lives starts!

Summer Fun

2010-07-06T19:10:00.000-07:00

The whole month of June consisted of 4 graduations and a family reunion plus 3 parades, a street dance, and rodeo in between. We have had a blast the whole month of June in Minnesota, with the acception of Brad's absence working in Indiana. The small town, rural feel is so where I am at in my life. I am tired of chasing life, I want to live in each day and each moment enjoying every step of each day! Isn't that what life is supposed to be about? Simplifying and enjoying the roses and all that God has created and blessed each day with?
We have had so much fun being around family and friends! Laughing and enjoying together. We have missed that so much these past 15 years being away from Minnesota. I almost feel sad that the kids have been deprived of this for so long. But I also know that we were right where God wanted us to be.
Brad has so many fun relatives that I enjoy being with, talking to, and laughing with. They are all so much fun and have great sense of humor! They love us and accept us for who we are. They embrace our kids like they know them so well and they embrace them back, which is what family is about!
I find myself anticipating the next time we will be together again. As we are seeking God's will to move to Minesota, I can't help but try to influence God's decision by putting myself and what I want in the picture. I need to fully surrender and take myself completely out of it and let God just do what He does best...reign in me!
This summer has been so full of family fun, memories, pool time, laughs, and tears! I feel so connected with our family like never before! I am so thankful for this crazy limbo and transition that our family is in, because in the midst of the trial and uncertainty, we are full of love and acceptance, no matter what. Thank you, God for summer fun with family and friends, for allowing me to see the simple, but important things that life brings about daily, and for being full of joy even though life is full of uncertainty! Thank you that you have called me your child and that I know that I am so loved and blessed by your hands! I know you have a plan for my family and I and I eagerly anticipate living it out for your glory and honor! Thank you for your unconditional love, grace, and mercy! Amen!

Being Still and Knowing He is God

2010-07-06T18:57:00.000-07:00

We spent a whole month in Minnesota and we are now in Indiana at Dad and Shirley's. Brad has been working a lot of county fairs with the flagpole business, but these little fairs haven't paid off for all the effort he has been putting in. The last fair he and one of his salesmans fairs paid off on the last few days. Things are looking better as far as the business goes. He has some really good county fairs coming up before the state fairs start in a few weeks.
We have been praying and searching for places to live in Indiana and all doors to anything we find have closed in one way or another. We really are not feeling peace about living in Indiana. We are all uneasy about it, even though this is where Brad's territory for the flagpole business is. We are prayerfully seeking God's direction and plan for our lives. We really are beginning to feel like Minnesota may be where He wants us. Which we never imagined returning home ever. After 15 years, Minnesota sounds really good to our whole family. We want small town rural living for our children to grow up with. We have so little time parenting our children and we want to make the most of the time we have left with them under our roof!
We currently have people searching for farms for us in Minnesota in the Granite Falls area. 95% of our familes live in Minnesota and it would be so nice to be a part of their lives. We have spent so many holidays alone and the older we get the more we realize the importance of family and being close to them.
We are being still, knowing that God is in control of our lives and His plan and purpose is what we want our lives to be. I have been reading James and am now reading Job. If I could be a tiny portion of the God followers/faith believers that they were, I would be rich beyond measure!
Until we hear God's whisper, we wait at His feet and on our knees!
Prayerfully seeking His face!

Paving the Way

2010-05-30T20:54:00.000-07:00

It has been a long week! Brad and his dad have been working every day on the basement, trying to get it all finished for Paul before we move. That leaves the packing to me...not my expertise! In between packing here and there, I am taking care of the meals, packing, laundry,packing, cleaning, packing, still working on stuff for NCA and their licensing requirements, packing, etc. There are not enough hours in the day. Brad wanted to leave on Saturday...it is now Sunday and we will be lucky to leave on Tuesday!
I can't wait to be all done packing, loading, and on the road. I want to just leave all of Colorado behind. We have really found that a lot of the people here are so caddy, clicky, judgemental, and very opinionated and love to share their opinions quite openly no matter who it may hurt! No one seems to be subtle and where is the kindness? The church experience here has been quite different from the churches in Arizona. We have not felt very connected here. Our hope and prayer is that God will provide the authentic relationships that we had in Arizona...fellow Chrisitans who will love you for who you are, not judge, be encouraging and supportive, and not intentionally hurt people's feelings.
In times of hardship and times of neediness you really find out who your true friends really are! We have had NO help from our church body, neighbors, or friends from PCCC with moving, packing, anything...a few calls from some of our journey group, and only one offer for help. It really saddens me, but I shouldn't be surprised, really. Our neighborhood has been such a disappointment. Most of these neighbors in our culdesac atttend PCCC and are even leadership, yet they show as little Christianity as I have ever seen...very caddy, clicky, nosey, judgemental, sharing no love of Christ with others, even their own church body that live right across the street. I have never experienced this type of neighborhood and definitely not this type of church body! It breaks my heart that this is representation of God and the church!
We have learned a lot since we have been here in Colorado, mainly how we don't want to be and how we don't want to live, especially when we are children of God, followers of Christ, representing the everlasting, loving Creator of the universe. It has been a reminder of how God wants us to be, how He wants us to treat others, and how He wants us to be used by Him for His glory and honor! I do thank God for these lessons, because it will help to build our character to be better servants of Him and for Him!
I am thankful for all that we have endured, because I know that God is refining each of us in our family to be what He wants us to be! Thank you for the trials of this last year and a half...in our weakness we are made strong in You!

God's Faithfulness

2010-05-19T15:28:00.000-07:00

God has been so faithful to our family, especially lately. We have been prayerfully considering moving to Indiana for so many reasons. Since we surrendered that possibility to Him, He has really opened doors for us and has really directed our path to move forward. Yesterday I bought a for rent sign to post in our yard and within an hour we had a call, a tour today, and told it is a done deal an hour after the tour. We are so blessed to be able to get out of this lease and not be stuck in it!
We are really praying for a piece of property that would be a perfect fit for our family. It is a house an property on 20 acres of wooded land. It would be such a perfect place for us! We are hopeing and praying that this is God's perfect plan, but will be thankful for whatever He provides!
The next few weeks are going to be crazy busy as we pack, finish the school year, and finsih up loose ends before leaving Colorado.
We are going to keep looking to God for strength and direction! He is so faithful to us, even when we are undeserving!

Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs

2010-05-17T18:08:00.000-07:00

We spent a family day at the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. We enjoyed over a 5 mile hike over a 4-5 hour period. The rock formations and views were breath taking! If you don't have faith in God, that will make you come around! Peighton rode in the stoller and hiked and climbed up some rocks. She had a great time, but was a little bummed because of the lack of bugs we saw! She is a bug lover. The other day in the yard she collected 26 rolly polly bugs! Preston loved climbing the rocks. He is such an outdoor boy! Paxton just loves hanging with the family and making the most of it, like his mommy! Brad did incredibly well, considering his heart and the problem he endures with the elevation. We just took it nice and slow, so we all could enjoy each other and the beauty!
We are trying to enjoy some of the Colorado sites before leaving in two weeks! Colorado has so much beauty all around. We will miss the mountainous views!

The pink and purple bearded lady

2010-05-15T19:11:00.000-07:00

So Peighton was coloring with her markers and when we least expected it, she colored a beard on her face with pink and purple marker. She then proceeded to the basement where Brad was working and pointed to her face saying "Peighton beard like daddy." It was so adorable. She did a really good job giving herself a full beard in the right spot.

The Joy of Moving!

2010-05-15T19:06:00.000-07:00

Well, the packing and storing has started in full swing! Brad has been a machine, as best as he can be with the Colorado elevation! He is finishing the basement, packing, and hauling our stuff to the storage unit. Our house is a mess and will be for the next two weeks until we leave Colorado behind us. It will be a long two weeks, finishing up school, packing, storing, etc. But it will be well worth it once we get to Indiana and get all settled! Until then, we are working hard, getting things done, and trusting in God to continue making our path straight!

Leaving Colorado Behind WIth Joy!

2010-05-15T18:48:00.000-07:00

God has opened the doors for us to leave Colorado! We are so thankful for this opportunity to leave Colorado behind and start fresh! Our year and a half here has been so full of pain and loneliness! We just want to walk through the doors of opportunity that God is providing for our family in Indiana. The elevation here is so hard on Brad's heart. He acts like he is 80 years old! He played basketball with the boys the other day for 15 minutes and was completely exhausted! His quality of life is so poor here. When he is in other states with lower elevation, he does great.
We are looking at buying a house on 20 wooded acres only 7 miles from my dad and Shirley. There are so many pros to us making this move: Brad's health, Brad's territory is there for his job, my dad and Shirley are there and we have so missed being around family, opportunity to live on acreage and let the boys enjoy being boys, nice small schools for the kids, chance to lead a simpler way of life and not be so close to neighbors that are so caddy and nosey!
Some of our concerns are finding a church and life group. Our church in Arizona really set the bar high! I have researched a lot of churches and haven't really found one that would fit what we are looking for. I know that God will provide a church home for us! That is really the only concern that we have, which makes this move a peaceful one.
God has truely been paving the way for this move to happen. He is in control of every little detail and we are trusting in Him and walking by faith!
We will be leaving here on May 31st, putting everything into storage. We will then be going to Minnesota for a month for 3 graduations and a family reunion. We will then be going to Indiana and staying with my dad for a week or two while Brad and his dad fly to Denver and load up the moving trucks. The kids and I will not be returning to Colorado.
The hardest part of the move will be seeing the boys leave their friends behind. They each have one really good friend here and that is always tough.
I know God is faithful and will be everything we need!
Goodbye Colorado and Hello Indiana!

A Very Scary Day!

2010-05-15T18:34:00.000-07:00

On April 21st everything was going like normal for the Dandurand Family. Brad had just flew out for a trade show and would not be back for 8 days. Peighton took a nap and woke up at 2:30 all happy go lucky, playing and having fun. We went to go pick up brothers up from school and when Paxton got into the Trailblazer, he asked me what was wrong with Peighton because she was just shaking in her car seat. I looked back at her and she was acting like she was freezing. I got her home right away and gave her some tylenol and was about to take her temp. My thermometer batteries were dead, so I couldn't take her temp. I know she was burning up pretty good, though! She was sitting on the couch and became a little irritable. I called a friend to get some advice. He said to call her pediatrician to see what they wanted to do. As I was about to call Dr. Josepher, she sat on the floor and then fell back. Her eyes rolled back in her head and she was stiff. I immediately callede 911. She ended up having two more seizures before they got to the house. The last seizure she had was pretty scary...her lips turned blue and she was like gasping for air. The paramedics finally arrived and took her vitals and got her into the ambulance. By the time she got into the ambulance, she started to come around. She was crying and wanted me to comfort her. By the time we got to SkyRidge, she was doing much better and was much more responsive. They took her temp and it was 106.7! They gave her some Motrin and we waited for an hour and half until her temp went down. It was such a scary time seeing your child seize like that! The boys never had that high of a fever and definitely not seizures. I had a long night as she kept spiking fevers. The highest it got after that was 105.5, which was still so scary. She ended up having fevers for over 5 straight days! A lot of long nights. Her pediatrician blames it on a UTI. She had a minimal amount of bacteria in her urine. She is going to have an ultrasound of her kidneys and also a test on her bladder to make sure that everything is anatomically correct. If everything turns out okay, then they may just rule it as a virus. I was so thankful to have my dad and Shirley here during this time! It was such a comfort having them here!

Easter Joys

2010-04-20T08:54:00.000-07:00

Peighton had so much fun coloring Easter eggs and going on the PCCC Easter Egg hunt at Bison Park. It was such a windy and cold day, that the church had to cancel the helicopter egg drop. There were thousands of eggs, but Peighton managed to only collect 8. She took her time and was precise with the ones she wanted! The Easter Bunny brought her a lot of fun art supplies like water paints, chalk, coloring book, painting book, bubbles, and of course candy!
That was just a small part of our Easter, we know the true meaning and that is the Blood of Jesus that was shed for us and the truth that JESUS IS ALIVE!

My Little Explorer

2010-03-31T16:08:00.001-07:00

Peighton has a love of bugs! She loves to let them crawl on her. When we were in Minnesota last summer she loved picking up caterpillars and letting them crawl all over her arms, neck and back. So, when they were learning about worms at preschool, it wasn't a surprise that she LOVED playing with the earthworms! I love that she can be a a girly girl, but a tomboy,too! She is a well rounded girl with a love of life! She LOVES going to school!

The Relationship Between a Grandpa and His Grandkids

2010-03-31T15:40:00.001-07:00

Dad came for a visit over spring break. The relationship that my dad has with my children is so incredibly close and endearing! It is priceless for me to watch them just love on and cuddle with their Grandpa! He is so good to them and they always make such great memories when they spend time together! The relationship between grandpa and his grandkids is a treasure from God!

I got dad the movie "Charlie and Me" for his birthday. Paxton,Grandpa, Peighton, and I watched it together. It is a very endearing movie about the relationship between a grandpa and his granddaughter. During the whole movie Paxton is just cozying with Grandpa and Grandpa is just sobbing! It was a very priceless moment for me to be a part of!

Celebrating Peighton Eunhye

2010-03-31T15:09:00.000-07:00

Two years ago today, Brad flew into Sky Harbor Airport with our little blessing from God....Baby Peighton! She was welcomed home by many friends and family! As I am writing this, I can't help but constantly look at her and how she has grown! I can remember those first tender moments that we shared and how natural it felt to be her mother! Watching Brad's tender heart when he put her in my arms! The first few hours at home, just cuddling on the couch as a family while we watched their trip on video! Seeing Korea through the eyes of a lense. Getting to see Peighton's Foster Mom and the love that she has for our daughter! What a priceless treasure to have for Peighton when she is older!
The journey of adoption is such an amazing experience! I can't thank God enough for entrusting us with our daughter/sister and allowing us to be her family! We are blessed beyond measure to have been given this precious gift from God!

Celebrating You, Peighton and all the joy, laughter, and love you bring to our lives!

We Love You!

Happy 1st Birthday, Brad!

2010-03-23T18:38:00.001-07:00

Today marks one year since Brad's pacemaker surgery! I can't believe it has already been a year since Brad's heart quit working! I can't thank God enough for not being done with Brad yet and allowing him to watch his kids grow up and grow old with:) Life has new perspective and priority! Each day is a priceless reminder of how to live it to the fullest and be thankful for each moment that we have been given!
Thank you, Jesus for the precious gift of life you have given my amazing husband and father of my children! I love you Brad, and I look forward to growing old and gray with you as we watch our children grow and make us grandparents:)

"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11

Sweet 16, How Can It Be?

2010-03-06T07:19:00.000-08:00

I can hardly believe that Preston is 16! Honestly, where does the time go? It scares me to think that he will be graduating in only 2 more years and our time with him at home is limited! My prayer for him is that he will really give it is all. Try to be the best person that he can in all facets of life...friend choice, being a God follower, not getting caught up in sex, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, be a respectful guy, find a good Christian girl, go to college and get a degree, be happy, and keep a strong family dynamic and relationship with his dad, brother, and sister/s, and his mommy!
I can't help but wonder what he will do after he graduates, who he will marry, where will he live, will he come home and visit often, will he go to church and pray and rely on God? All I can do is pray and pray hard for God to grab a hold of his life and lead and guide him. Enjoy him while he is here under our roof, and love on him!
Parenting is the hardest thing and yet most rewarding thing! Thank you, God for blessing my life with an incredible son! I dedicate his life to you and pray you will use him for your glory and honor!
I love you, Preston!

Balancing It All

2010-03-06T07:12:00.000-08:00

I am finding that there are not enough hours in the day, or maybe it is that my time management skills definitely need fine tuning! I am having trouble trying to balance life as a wife, mom, friend, teacher, director, daughter, sister, and on and on! I know I am being hard on myself, like always, but I am so frustrated. I want to do everything so well, and I feel like I am doing everything so average or even below.
I know what I need to do to make things right, but why is God always the last one I seem to go to. Why do I have to fail miserably before I figure out to look to Jesus! I haven't gone to church service in over 2 months, My Bible needs the dust wiped off of it. We are doing this Bible study in our Journey Group and find it overwhelming and haven't picked it up for two weeks or more!
Lord, help me to make you my priority because then my endless to do lists will get accomplished, I will be way more content, not as hard on myself, be a much happier person!
Why do I have to make life so complicated? God, I look to you to be my life's balance and the person you created me to be! Now, off to my Bible! Let the balance begin!

Welcome Home, Brad...sick and all!

2010-02-15T12:32:00.000-08:00

We picked up Brad from the airport yesterday! He brought home for us a sick , achy, cranky, self! He has a bad cold and flu go on! He is miserable! I am trying to give him grace and mercy, but after being sick myself for over a week and dealing with life and three kids by myself, I was hoping for a little down time for me to fully recover...NOT HAPPENING! Now I get to baby a 4th child! UGH!! God, please grant me the patience I need for my family right now...PLEASE!!!
I am so happy to have Brad home, just not in this state! Love you, Honey! PLEASE GET BETTER SOON! xoxo

The Joys of Potty Training

2010-02-15T12:29:00.000-08:00

Well, Brad got a whim of energy and decided that Peighton should potty train today. He helped her pick out some "big girl" panties! To my surprise, she must have felt the same way. She stayed dry for over 5 hours! She had a little accident after lunch, but went on the potty! She is now in a pull up and in la la land for her nap! After nap, we will try the panties again and she how she does the rest of the day! Way To Go, PEIGHTON! So far so good! If it only stays this easy!

God's Will slowly revealing itself!

2010-02-09T12:14:00.000-08:00

Today I got an email from New Covenant Fellowship Academy's financial advisor regarding the Preschool director/teacher position at their school. My prayer over the last month has been for God to close doors here in Colorado and open them in Arizona or give me contentment to His calling for us to stay in Colorado. The other thing that I prayed about was that if I got the job at NCF Academy, that would be the start of contentment in Colorado. The email that I received basically stated that they were going before the board and elders tonight and that they are definitely considering me for director of the preschool!
Today I feel like I have such a purpose and that God is revealing that His plan for our lives is for us to be here in Colorado! Now that I really feel sure about that, I feel like I can wholeheartedly invest myself into all aspects...friendships, church, teaching/directing, etc! It feels so good to be walking in obedience to what God is calling us to do! I have felt so alone and off the beaten path, walking in uncertainty! God has been so faithful to us and I feel like He is paving the way for us to be used by Him. Brad's job is going really well, and God has provided such an amazing opportunity of growth for Brad. Now with this preschool position, I can be challenged and grow to what God has called me to do. The boys are adjusting really well here, are making friends, and really didn't want to move back to AZ! Peighton will grow and thrive wherever, so she is good. I am excited about her being part of the NCF Academy preschool because they have so much to offer! We can even start thinking an praying about the adoption journey for Peighson, since we already have our agency in Colorado picked!
I just am so excited to dive into life here, now that I know this is where we are planted and where God wants us to do life! Thank you, Jesus for revealing your plans for our lives, so we can come together and do your will! I am so thankful to not be walking in uncertainty! Things are coming together for us after a very long year of trials! THANK YOU, GOD FOR YOUR FAITHFULNESS, GRACE, MERCY, AND UNCONDITIONAL LOVE FOR US!!!!

Prayer of Contentment

2010-02-06T09:31:00.000-08:00

I am in this place of discontentment, that I have been battling through for quite some time. My battle is wanting to move back to AZ or being content with living in Colorado. I know that through Christ, I can be completely happy and fulfilled living in either place, but with our history in CO, I tend to want to move back to AZ where life was good! It has been such a challenge living here, in all aspects!
As I put this whole battle in perspective, I know deep down that moving to AZ could be an escape to what God has called us to Colorado for, but I don't want to believe it! I am in complete denial that AZ is not the answer and plan that God has for us! I want it to be! I need to completely lay at God's feet His plan and purpose for our family! I need to completely trust in what that is, as hard as it may be!
There are so many pros and cons to living at either place. We need to just fix our eyes on what God wants for us! It is so hard for me to fully rely on God to obey what He wants for our lives, when I want to go back to AZ so badly! I don't want to walk in disobedience and move to AZ when that is not His calling! It is such a hard place to be in, and of course, I want to know His will NOW and not wait for His timing!
There are so many things that we are waiting to hear from Him about...where He wants us to live and do His will, whether or not another adoption journey is part of His plan, my career, whether PCCC is where we are supposed to be...
All I can do is wait for God to lead and guide our lives and make his plan and purpose for our lives known! Until then, I will pray, read His word, and wait for Him to open and close doors, and pray for contentment with where He currently has us.

Peighton and her daddy

2010-02-06T09:28:00.000-08:00

As I am blogging about our current life, my heart is so tender at the immediate sight to my right. Peighton and daddy are cozying on the couch and she is enveloped in his arms fully asleep on his chest. It is such a tender moment to witness. Brad is completely engulfed in the moment! Thank you, God for these tender little moments that are held so dear to our hearts!

Praying for Peighson

2010-02-06T09:17:00.000-08:00

Our family is praying about adopting another little girl from Korea. We felt called to adoption about 7 years ago and God faithfully blessed our family with Peighton! We felt called also to two girls (sisters/daughters). We are laying the possiblity of adopting Peighson at God's feet. We would be so blessed by another little girl to call our own and give Peighton a little sister to grow up with.
Dear Jesus, if it is your will and plan and purpose for our family, we pray that you would open the doors for the journey of adoption a second time! We have been so blessed by your faithfulness by bringing into our hearts and lives, Peighton Eunhye! The thought of being blessed with another daughter/sister would be a double blessing for our family! We would be blessed beyond measure if you entrust us with Peighson! I know that if it is your plan, you already have her chosen for our family! We lay this possibility at your feet and pray that you would lead and guide us to into the journey of another Korean adoption and the completion of our family, that we feel you called us to!
In the precious name of Jesus, Amen!

Daddy's Home!

2010-02-06T08:41:00.000-08:00

It is so nice having Brad home for a full week after his 3 week absence on the road! As Peighton and I were driving to the airport and were only a few minutes away froom picking him up, she got so excited to know that she would see daddy soon! Her face just lit up when she saw him! Their bond is so amazing! I must admit that when I saw him coming towards the car, I had butterflies in my stomach! It was like when we were first dating! I have so enjoyed being around Brad and find that I don't let him out of my sight too much!
He leaves again tomorrow (a day earlier that expected) because of the weather coming to the midwest. He needs to make sure that he gets to the Kentucky show by Tuesday. My Valentine will be flying home on Sunday afternoon for Valentine's Day! The best valentine present for me will be spending time with my honey!
I am not looking forward to him being gone again, and again, but I am thankful for the opportunity that God has given our family to make a good income and get our monthly needs met! It will be a sacrifice for our family for a time, but it will be worth it!
Brad will be gone 3 weekends in a row in February and then for a weekend in March and 10 days in mid March. He will be home for spring break and we may take that week and go to AZ for the week. Depending on how he does at these shows!
I am so grateful for all Brad is doing for our family! He is so devoted and is willing to sacrifice for his family! We are blessed beyond measure by his hard work and dedication to us!

Missing AZ

2010-01-28T11:55:00.000-08:00

Today has been a really hard day for me as far as wanting to go back to Arizona. I found out today that two friends of mine are being called to the places they want to be. One friend is moving to Texas where she came from and has missed so much and is so happy to be moving back and another friend is moving from Arizona back to where they want to be in Colorado. I am so happy for those families, but my heart is really heavy today because I so wish that God's plan for our family would be to return to Arizona. I feel connected to Colorado with my journey group, church, my work, etc. But there is such an emptiness that makes me feel like we are all alone here! If given the opportunity, I would move back to Arizona in a heart beat! I know that being at a lower elevation would make Brad feel better, we have so many friends there, our home church is there, my kids friends of 12 years are there, my dad is there! There are so many reasons that just make sense for us to go back!
I wanted to surprise the boys and go back to AZ for spring break, but part of me is afraid that if we do that, that when I return to CO, I will miss being there even more than I currently do!
My prayer is to be in God's will, even if that if for us to stay here, but I then pray for contentment here!
Missing AZ:(

2 weeks to go!

2010-01-18T07:48:00.000-08:00

Well, God has provided me with the strength, peace, and comfort that I have needed to lean on Him for while Brad is away! Through Him I have successfully made it through the first week and only two more weeks to go! I am feeling much stronger because I have been praying a lot. reading His Word, journaling, and just living in the moment and enjoying my kids!
The kids and I are home today because of MLK Day and no school! I love just hanging out with my kids and just having a jammy day at home cleaning and playing! Peighton and I only have school on Wednesday and that is a field trip day. The kids and I don't have school on Friday either! Should be a fun week together!
I am blessed!

Philippians 4:6

2010-01-17T14:10:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow will be 1 full week under my belt of Brad being away, with 2 weeks to go! The trade show was a great thing for him. He is making instant money that our family needs to survive! I am so grateful that God provided this opportunity!
I taught in the Kidz Jam ministry today at church and God just has my back wherever I go. The lesson today was about laying all your worries at the cross and talk to God about any little thing, whenever you want to! The key verse today was Philippians 4:6 where it tells us to cast all of our worries to God because He cares so deeply for us and has our best interest at heart! He listens and loves us unconditionally! He knows our heart better than what we do! It was such a great reminder for me to live in each moment of each day and let tomorrow worry about itself!
Thank you, Jesus for that lesson! It never pays to worry! I am so thankful that I am not the driver of my life! I will take the backseat to God ANY DAY!!

Heart Full of Pain

2010-01-12T14:07:00.000-08:00

I just dropped off Brad at the airport a little while ago. I was doing okay until Peighton said "Bye, Bye, Daddy" as we pulled away. I kind of lost it! We will be without Brad for 3 weeks because he is going to work a few trade shows selling the telescoping flag pole to help us get back on our feet financially! He flew to Minnesota and will be there until the 20th and then he goes to Ohio another show until February 1st.
We have been together for 21 years, you think I would be happy getting a little break away from him, right? But my heart just hurts having him gone. I feel like a little teenager who is in that puppy love stage! I feel so sad, lost, and alone! I am so thankful that I have the kids to concentrate on and be with! I am sure this is all stemming from the horrible year we had with Brad's heart issues and all the scare that comes from that situation!
I will be leaning on God for strength, comfort, and peace, during our time apart! I will be counting the days, hours, and minutes, until he comes home! Until then, my heart is full of pain from missing Brad:(

2 Wrongs make a Right!

2010-01-11T18:03:00.000-08:00

The other day Peighton and the coffee table had a run in and the coffee table won! Peighton immediately picked herself up off the floor, hit the table saying " No, No, Table! You Be Nice!" Should be fun teaching her that the way she handled that situation won't quite work out for her benefit in the "Real World"! Have to love her spunk though!

Distance & Time Apart Makes the Heart Grow Fonder, Right?

2010-01-11T17:52:00.000-08:00

We just found out today that Brad has been given the opportunity to enter back into the trade show market to sell telescoping flag poles again. 2009 has been so challenging both in the health department and the financial department. He has been working at City Wide Roofing for a month now, but because it is the winter months and the slowest time of the year, no money has been made. We can't survive on nothing!
Come to find out that yesterday, Vern called Brad and told him that a mutual friend of theirs is now manufacturing his own telescoping flag pole and is looking for dealers and salesmen. Brad called up Aaron Kranz yesterday and is now flying out tomorrow to do a trade show in Minnesota this coming weekend and then a 10 day show in Ohio the following two weekends. As excited as I am about the money possibilities for our family, I am also finding myself so sad that Brad is leaving for so long! We haven't been apart this long for 7 years! It will be tough being apart and hard on the kids, too, but we need to do what is best for our family in the long run! We need to sacrifice for gain !
I have to take out my leader of the household, bill payer, handy man(handy woman), etc. hat out, dust it off, and remember how to use it right! I am so thankful that I have Preston and Paxton with me to help out and support me! I don't know if I could do it without them by my side!
It is going to be a LONG three weeks, but I know that God will be my strength, peace, and comfort while Brad is away and help me do this! I am so thankful for the support of my family and an amazing God batting in my corner! I know He doesn't give me more than I can handle and this job will benefit our family financially!
Thank you, Jesus for this opportunity! You are always there and always provide for our needs!
Brad, we will miss you like crazy cakes! Be safe and hurry home! Love you always and forever! Thank you for all the sacrifices you make to better our family! XOXOXOXO

The simple gifts in life are free

2009-12-31T15:30:00.000-08:00

Peighton just melted my heart by taking a piece of copy paper, wrapping a pine cone in it, and placed it under the Christmas tree! Then she got the camera, because she wanted to take a picture of it. She unwrapped it and was so excited to have gotten another present! The thought process that went into this is so amazing to me! What a simple gift of joy she has given to me!

Grandpa's Girl

2009-12-31T15:23:00.000-08:00

Peighton LOVES her Grandpa! She has been stuck to Grandpa Doug like a bear to honey! They are like peas and carrots! Brad and I are having to take a back seat to him! She woke up on Tuesday morning calling for Grandpa Doug "Grandpa, where are you?" So, of course Brad and I didn't want to interfere with the Grandpa/Grand-daughter relationship, so we did what we though would be best to foster that relationship...slept in another hour!
She is enjoying Grandpa and Grandma's visit so much! They bring out the best in each other! The blessing Grandparents bring to a child's life is a priceless treasure!

The Joy of Family

2009-12-31T15:12:00.000-08:00

Brad's parents and niece came out to spend some of the Christmas/New Year's holiday with us! They arrived on Monday morning at 12:30 a.m. We have enjoyed their visit so much! It is so nice spending the holidays with family! We have been feeling so all alone lately and this is a great present to us for sure! We took Amber shopping for a girls day on Monday and then on Tuesday we took her to get her hair done and senior pictures done. I also took some pictures of her outside. I must say, I think they turned out really good! She was so grateful and I was so blessed to be a part of it! Amber is a really special person with such a sweet inner spirit! I really admire her, considering all she has been up against in her life!
Tonight, we are ringing in the New Year with Brad's Mom and Dad and our family. We are having a crab leg dinner and a night of games! We anticipate the New Year and what God has planned for our family! We look back on 2009 with grateful hearts for what God has brought us through!
Happy New Year!

Peighton finds mommy's lipstick

2009-12-31T15:07:00.000-08:00

Peighton came downstairs this morning after experimenting with mommy's lipstick! She was so proud coming down looking so pretty!
Her brothers think she looks like "The Joker". I think she is lovely, and did a pretty good job. I loved her even more when I found no mess at all in the bathroom, that would have been a nightmare!

PJ Birthday Party at CKDO

2009-12-23T10:07:00.001-08:00

Peighton and I enjoyed a pajama birthday party for Jesus on our last day of school before Christmas break! We had so much fun at school! Peighton enjoyed playing outside on the playground in the nice weather! Peighton had such a fun filled day that during our Christmas movie time in chapel, she fell asleep. It was a great way to jump start our Christmas celebration!

The Real Meaning of Christmas

2009-12-23T09:38:00.001-08:00

This Christmas we are not getting caught up in the materialism of Christmas that normally takes place each year! We are thankful to have our priorities changed this year, however, it took a lot to make this happen! We have had a very difficult year, and I am so ashamed that it has taken all the events of this year for God to get our attention for us to celebrate the real meaning of Christmas this year...the Birth of Jesus...the most important and precious gift any of us could ever receive!

This Christmas our family is finding ourselves in a very humbling place. We are in a state that we are not connected with, we are alone (not having any "real" relationships to celebrate the birth of Christ with), we have limited means to do anything with, and yet, we are so thankful that we have been blessed beyond comprehension at the receiving of the greatest gift ever, when we so don't deserve it!

Having Jesus in our lives and being stripped of everything else, is all we ever need! Having God in our lives fills the holes of loneliness, materialism, and humbles us so much! When I look at the picture of Preston, Paxton, and Peighton, I am blessed beyond measure! When I look at my husband and think what could have happened, I am blessed beyond measure! When I look at the roof over my head, the food in my refrigerator, my families health, I am blessed beyond measure!

Jesus, you are the light of the world! Savior to all! The way, the truth, and my life! I am blessed beyond measure having you in my life! Merry Christmas... Happy Birthday,Jesus!

Peighton Eunhye and the joys of being 2

2009-12-23T09:10:00.000-08:00

Peighton is for sure enjoying life as a 2 year old! Now the rest of the family, not so much when it comes to her slippery fingers! She has made for herself the title of thief or borrower of others things! In one week, she managed to "misplace" my glasses, Paxton's ipod, and something else that I have now forgotten because it has been "lost" for a while. I had to wear my contacts for over a week, before Brad miraculously found them under Preston's bed. Unfortunately, Paxton's ipod is still waiting to be found!
Peighton is not only a borrower, she is also so independent that she likes to clean up her potty chair after she is done with it! She has done very well so far, only missing the big potty once when cleaning up (of course it was on the day that I had just got done washing the bathroom floor BY HAND)! She has to dress herself with NO HELP and I must say the clothes she picks out are definitely something I would choose for her to wear, only I would make sure that her shirt is on the right way!
She keeps us on our toys and brings so much color to our lives! We have lol moments all the time around here! She tries to help so much and has such a servant heart mentality! I do look forward to seeing how God will use her as she gets older!
Her latest thing is if someone is going somewhere, or doing something she wants to do, she points to herself and says"Peighton"? She wants to be included and doesn't ever skip a beat! She is our priceless, nothing gets by her, independent treasure for sure! She is currently sharing my chair with me, arms around my neck, asking to "play a game?" That's my cue! She has a date with the computer and Sesame Street! I love you dearly, my Peighton!

Long and Winding Road

2009-12-23T08:22:00.000-08:00

It has been a long time since I posted a blog. Part of that is just our circumstances. I haven't felt much like sharing my heart. It has been a tough month and definitely a very difficult year! We have really had to humble ourselves, which isn't a bad thing at all. Unfortunately, it has been tough asking family to borrow money because of our financial situation. It brings me a tiny bit of comfort knowing we are not the only ones that have been affected by this down economy, but it is hard when you are in the middle of it! I know that God has a plan for our lives and we will recover, learn and grow from this season, but it is so hard walking by complete faith! That is, I am sure, what God wants for us right now though! I am so thankful for God in our lives, I can't imagine not having Him walking beside us every step of the way(actually, I am pretty sure He is caring our family right now)!
My heart really hurts, not only because of our financial situation, but because of the move we made a year ago today. We have so many regrets coming to Colorado! If given the opportunity, we would return back to Arizona in a heart beat! We all miss our friends, our church, school, our life there! I actually prayed to God last night for the opportunity to go back to Arizona!
It is so hard to believe that this was His plan for our lives, when it has been nothing but trial after trial and hardship after hardship!
We feel like we are doing life alone here! We live in a culdesac surrounded by people that go to our church, but are not included into their lives at all. We are barely acknowledged! We have made a few relationships, but they are far from the relationships we had back home! We don't feel connected out here are all!
We are so thankful that Brad's parents are coming out to Colorado for a week over the holidays. We know that we will get the unconditional love from them and the feeling of being so alone out here with subside for a week! We anticipate their visit and know it will be so hard to see them go again, and us back to being alone!
I watched a video last night from COC( our church in AZ). My heart was so tender to what they are doing there and the fact that I am so far away to experience first hand what is taking place there! I was able to see some of our friends and my heart just ached because I miss them so!
Until God reveals His plan for the Dandurand Family, we will wait, seeking Him whole heartedly, and make the most of where He has placed us during this season, knowing that this to shall pass!
Thank you, God for sticking by us; for not judging us; for loving us unconditionally: for filling that void of not being connected here; for providing for our family: for humbling our hearts: for being our everything in our lives! We put our faith in you, knowing that you have plans for us, Lord! We believe in your Word and what it tells us...Jeremiah 29:11!

Thankful Heart

2009-11-21T07:52:00.000-08:00

Journaling our years challenging journey was so freeing to me. No more hiding what is really going on in the Dandurand Family's lives! It is so freeing when you can walk in truth! We do anticipate what God is going to do in our lives and through us! Use me, Jesus, Use me. Take this life of mine and use me! That is how i want to live my life...for the Lord alone!
Today, our family is going to inter-city Denver to serve a Thanksgiving dinner to about 300 people who are going through a really hard time. These people only make an income of $7000/year. It will be such a humbling experience for our family! We have face a very hard year as well, but if there is one thing that I could teach our children, it would be to always have a thankful heart, no matter what the circumstance! I have tried to keep a thankful heart and I have tried to find the joys of each new day! I am so thankful for this opportunity to serve God's children through a meal. My prayer is that our family will touch the hearts and lives of someone today for God's glory and honor! Use us Lord for your will today! May we come away from this event, changed to be more like you!

A Year of Walking by Faith

2009-11-20T07:30:00.001-08:00

This has been such a challenging year for our family! We moved to Colorado the end of December (the 22nd) from the house we loved, people we will cherish forever, a church that was absolutely AMAZING, a good job, etc. The past 12 years of our lives and the home to most of the kids childhood memories are there. Things were going good in Colorado, we were feeling pretty good about he move and what God had planned for our lives, until March 21! Brad felt a little weird heart stuff going on...slow pulse, skipping heart beats, the feeling like he was being choked. Little did we know that this would be the start of two heart surgeries and the close death of my husband. After going to urgent care to get an EKG, 10 minutes later he was in an ambulance on the way to Sky Ridge Hospital. After a day of tests and anxiety, they admitted him into the cardiac unit. He was stabilized, but still experiencing those same symptoms. They ruled out arterial blockage and his labs came back normal. He has always been a question when it comes to anything medically with him. We always tell the doctors that you have to think out of the box with Brad as your patient. After he was comfortable and settled in the hospital, I left that evening to go back home to the kids, who were at home this whole time with our neighbors, waiting to hear. I planned on taking the kids to see Brad the next day (Saturday). That night I prayed like never before. I felt God's complete peace embracing me through the night, until I got a call from Brad at 3:45 a.m. to tell me that he "crashed". I immediately felt panic, blood leaving my body, and sick to my stomach feeling! I just left him a few hours ago, how could he have gotten worse? He told me that crash meant he passed out, not had to have the paddles bring him back. That relieved me a tiny bit. He told me that he was in the bathroom and he felt light headed and started to pass out when his nurse came in and picked him up. His nurse, Steve, hit the stat button and 10 nurses came running into Brad's room! They put him back in bed, took his vitals, got him stabilized before transferring him down to ICU. He told me that his pulse got down to only 20 beats per minute. They put him on a Dopemine drip for the night, having a nurse check on him every 15 minutes.
On Sunday morning, I brought the kids in to see Brad. He completely broke down when I placed Peighton by him in his bed. The Cardiologist wanted to run a angiogram, since the team was there. They did the angiogram and decided to put a temporary pacemaker in his femoral artery to help him get through the day and night until they could put a permanent one in on Monday. The doctors found that Brad's electrical system was completely shut down and his outer heart lining was very weak. They determined that it was due to a virus that he contracted and it went right for his heart. As we look back, Brad thinks it might have been from when we had our pool built in Maricopa. He felt great, physically, before then, but then got weaker after that point. It didn't help that there is a family history on his dad's side with heart related issues.
The kids and I stayed most of the day with Brad on Sunday. We left early evening feeling confident that he would have a better night since he had the pacemaker in his leg and he was being monitored around the clock. What he didn't know at the time, was his parents and brother, Dick, were on there way to our house from Minnesota. My dad also flew out to be with the kids while I was at the hospital. It was a complete blessing knowing that I had family that were coming to surround us with their love during this extremely hard time! My dad arrived and I was so thankful that he was with me and here for the kids. Doug, Betty, and Dick arrived at 1:00 a.m. On Sunday, the big day, Doug , Betty, Dick,and I went to the hospital. I walked in Brad's room and told him that I found a few people who wanted to say Hi! In walked his family and Brad was so amazingly surprised and thankful that they were there! On the way to the hospital, Brad called his dad on his cell phone and talking to him about things, not knowing that he would be seeing his dad face to face 15 minutes after that conversation. Brad's spirit was good, God continued to fill us with His complete peace. The surgery went really well! God provided the two best Cardiologist for Brad. Dr. Sundaram is one of the best in the U.S. for pacemaker surgery. Dr. MacDonald initially saw Brad in the emergency room, cardiac unit, and ICU, and will be his regular Cardiologist.
The whole day I was so calm and at peace, God gave me complete comfort that Brad was going to be okay and with us for quite some time! I was rest assured in that hope! It was so great seeing his vitals increase by such a far margin. Before the surgery his heart monitor would go off quite a bit because his vitals would be fluctuating so much. I was so grateful to see them at a steady pace. We brought the kids to the hospital in the early evening to see daddy. Brad's color and energy level were back. He looked so much healthier than earlier that morning. He was so happy to see the kids. During this whole time, the kids really remained quite calm, even Peighton. She would sit in bed with Brad and not touch all the wires that were hooked up to him. She would sit there ever so still and just look at him with complete love! Preston and Paxton never let on any type of fear at all! I was so proud of my kids, again God knew what I needed! After we left Brad that night and got home, had dinner, talked for a while and went to bed, that is when a rush of emotion just filled every part of my body! I broke down with absolute joy and thanksgiving that God had a plan for Brad's life still here on earth and that He didn't take him home yet to be with Him! I couldn't wait to bring him home tomorrow!
Doug, Betty, Dick and I went to the hospital to see how Brad was doing not expecting to bring him home until afternoon/evening. There he was all packed up, dressed, and sitting in the chair waiting for us to take him home! It was so good having him back home with us! It was unreal to us the events that took place the last few days. It was a reminder that life is short, live each day to the fullest, because you never know what can happen! Brad's parents stayed a few more days, but headed back to Minnesota on Thursday before a storm that was heading our way. Dad flew out on Saturday. It was hard to see them go, but Brad needed rest to start his healing process. He went back to work on Monday feeling really good. He was weak and had low stamina, but overall, he was doing good!
Through the spring he was feeling okay, not 100%. During the months of June and July he started to get really tired and winded. It got to the point where he would walk up 15 steps and he would have to lay down for a half an hour. We knew something wasn't right. After consulting his Cardiologists, they found another problems with his heart. The heart wasn't communicating properly so when one side of the heart would pump, the other side wouldn't, causing his blood to not be pumped out of the heart properly. His infraction was only at 30% where a normal person is at about 70%. His doctors said that if they couldn't get that stabilized and it got in the 20% range, he would be a candidate for a heart transplant! After much pray, I had a complete peace from God that that would not happen. After an echocardiogram and other testing his doctors agreed that he would need to have another surgery. They would take out the current pacemaker and replace it with a bi-ventricular pacemaker with defibrillator. Brad's current pacemaker had two leads leading to the upper and lower chambers of the heart. What he needed was a third lead that would run to the side of the heart that wasn't doing its job to pump the blood out of the heart. Again, I was completely at peace with everything, knowing full well that Brad was going to be good, better than before! So, on August 13, Brad was set to have another procedure in the Catheterization lab to remove the old and put in the new. His parents came out to be with us as well as my dad. My dad stayed with the kids again and Doug, Betty, and I were at the hospital with Brad. This procedure would be a little more complicated than the first. They also had to put Brad's heart in an abnormal rhythm to make sure the the pacer/defibrillator would shock his heart if it did go in an abnormal rhythm. That was a little scary thinking about that! There was a 4% chance that his heart wouldn't come out of that rhythm! After 2 1/2 hours, Brad was great! Dr. Sundaram said that things couldn't have gone any better. They got that third lead in a great position and his heart should get stronger and Brad should feel so much better. Going into the surgery Dr. Sundaram said that there was a 1/3 chance that Brad would feel 100% better after the surgery; a third chance that he would feel a little better (instead of climbing only one flight of stairs and getting winded, he could go up 2-3 flights before that happenend); or a third chance that he would feel the same and when he went into surgery. With the grace of God, Brad came out feeling 100% better! After he got up to his room in the cardiac unit, he was talking and laughing and back to his old self! He was giving his nurse a hard time and just feeling amazing! Thank you, Jesus! Again, our parents left, and Brad went back to work and things were going really great! This went on for a few months before our next test of faith would begin!
By the middle of August we decided that we needed to get out of the Larkspur house because were were paying $2500/month to live there plus we were paying our mortgage on the Maricopa house. Money was getting tight paying on those, plus regular bills, and now medical bills. Not to mention that if something were to go wrong with Brad's heart, we were at least 1/2 hour a way from a hospital and 20 minutes from an urgent care. We were able to get out of our lease in Larkspur and in September, moved into Castle Rock. It was such a blessing to be close to the boys school, Peighton and I's preschool, and closer to Denver for Brad's work. Things at work were pretty stressful for Brad. Aaron would be going off like a time bomb one minute and then be all fine the next. Aaron's dad during this whole process, wasn't supportive and thought Brad was completely overpaid. There was empty promise given after empty promise. Overall, the business was doing okay. They had sold and produced almost a million in sales. Apparently that wasn't good enough for the Avery's. On October 2, Brad went to work and all hell pretty much broke loose! Needless to say, without going into all those details, Brad came home without his job, company vehicle, and salary! How could this happen? Seriously, after two heart surgeries, having to short sale our house in Maricopa, uprooting our family from their home, friends, church, etc. to have the plug pulled! We were mortified! At least we knew that Brad would have no problem finding another job, he had never been unemployed before, and he was a go getter with so much to offer, that finding a job would be a walk in the park! WOW! Were we set in out place shortly after putting out trust in that thought!
It is going on week 7 of unemployment for Brad! He has sent out so many resumes, at least 10 a day for the past 7 WEEKS! No quality hits, unless you are an insurance company...NO THANK YOU! It has been a tough year for our family! It has been a complete lesson of faith and trust in the Lord! We have learned so many life lessons from the course of the year. The first and foremost lesson learned is to have complete faith and trust in God to provide, lead, and guide us in His plan and purpose for our lives, not our own! Financially things are seriously tough! We had to let our families know that we are unable to come home for Christmas, which was such a downer for our whole family, kids especially. Through God's grace and mercy, we are doing good! We have so much to be thankful for...Brad's health, each other, food for the table, our humbled hearts, etc. Through these extremely tough times, we look to God as our Provider, Savior, and Best Friend! We lean on His Word, Prayer, Serving, and Church! He has a plan for this family, and we anticipate how He will use each of us for His glory and Honor! Stay tuned as the saga of this life will continue, God will prevail!
Lord God,
I thank you for the events of this year, because I know that you have a plan for our lives! I thank you for Brad's health, our family unit, the provisions you provide. We lay it all at your feet, Oh God. We know that you will provide the perfect job for Brad, it is all in your timing. We walk by faith in you and will obey your calling on our lives. We anticipate what you have for us! Until that time, we put our complete faith and trust in you!
In Your Precious Name,
Amen

Miss Independant

2009-11-07T10:09:00.000-08:00

Is it a girl thing this whole "independant/I can do it myself" busniess? I am so not used to having a little girl who is all about doing it herself. Today she was getting herself dressed. She was having a little trouble with her shirt, so I reached over and just held the sleeve so she could get her arm in. She ripped the whole shirt off because I was helping, turned it inside out and refused to let me help her with it. To my surprise, she actually ended up putting it on without a hitch and the right way! She is all about doing things herself and on her terms! Are Brad and I in trouble or what? She is like this with everything from getting a drink in the kitchen (having to get it herself and pick it out) to dressing herself to buckling herself into her car seat.
The boys were never like this! In fact, I still have to do Preston's (15) hair every day! Pretty soon Peighton will be doing that too! This might not be such a bad thing now that I think about it! She will be cooking and cleaning before I know it!
My Miss Independant, I love you to pieces, even though it is on your terms...lol!

The gift of love from Solomon

2009-11-05T06:34:00.000-08:00

Our family woke up this morning, an ordinary Thursday morning, to a lovely love offering brought to us by Solomon our tabby cat. To our surprise, Solomon caught a bird and brought it to us all over the house. I have never seen so many feathers all at once and throughout our house! I am thankful however that there are no evident "body" pieces anywhere! Solomon was courteous to his family in that respect! Thank you, Solomon for the gift of love that you showed to your family this morning!

The family that runs together stays together

2009-11-03T08:34:00.000-08:00

Our family started doing a family run on Sunday night! We go out after dinner, taking Peighton in the stroller. Brad and Preston take Peighton running with them for the first mile and then I take her for the 2nd mile. Brad and Preston run 2 miles and Paxton and I are running for the first 3/4 mile and then walk briskly the other 1 1/4 miles. My legs are so sore, my lungs just burn, but I do feel good and our family is really bonding by doing this together!
This whole thing started because Preston is going out for wrestling and we want to make sure that he is conditioned for the season and doesn't peter out on the mat! We decided to make this training a family affair! We are commited as a family to walk/run every night after dinner to get the whole family in shape and enjoy the Colorado evenings! It might be a little challenging when there is feet of snow on the ground!

Peighton's lunchbox

2009-11-03T08:15:00.000-08:00

Peighton loves to go to preschool and has to hold her lunchbox when she goes to school! As she is holding her lunchbox, she sings "school today..school today". On her days off of school, she loves to carry her lunchbox or backpack around singing her little song. As you look inside at the contents in the lunchbox or backpack you will always find some interesting things like, macaroni and cheese, canned goods, packets of food, whatever she can find and fit from the pantry into her backpack or lunchbox. She is a hoot! She holds her lunchbox or puts her backpack on her back, puts her baby in the stroller and pushes her around the house, singing her song being as happy as can be! Peighton is always so happy and full of joy! She can turn your day from bad to good in an instant! How do you thank God enough for placing Peighton into our lives? My heart is so full of joy and love right now I feel like I could burst! I am holding back tears of thanksgiving to God for this precious blessing! Peighton Eunhye, you are so loved and cherished by your mommy!!!!

Our 1st Halloween with Peighton

2009-10-31T19:30:00.000-07:00

We celebrated our first Halloween with Peighton today. Last year, Brad and I were in Puerto Vallerta, Mexico with Ace Asphalt. Today, daddy carved her pumpkin into Minnie Mouse, Peighton painted her pumpkin she got from the Pumpkin Patch, we roasted pumpkin seeds, went Trick or Treating, and handed out candy at our house! It was a really fun day and we loved living it through her eyes! Before Brad carved the pumpkin we let Peighton take out the seeds and guts of the pumpkin. That was very short lived. She didn't like the goop on her hands! Peighton was a frog! She wore the same costume that Preston and Paxton wore when they were 2 years old. Betty (Brad's mom) made this costume for Preston when he was two (13 years ago). She was so adorable in her costume! She loved Trick or Treating! She would wait at the door say "Twick or Tweet" and then "Thank You". It was precious!!!! l.

Peighton's Love

2009-10-29T09:03:00.000-07:00

The unconditional love that is received from a child is so precious. Peighton just loves me no matter what! The love that she shares with me is so priceless. The little kisses that come out of no where. The hold my neck hugs that she gives make me feel so loved and special. The smiles that she gives just melt my heart. The way she looks at me with those big brown eyes, just pierce through me to the depths of my soul. I am blessed beyond measure being Peighton's mom and the receiver of her love! I love you so much, Peighton! You make mommy feel so incredibly loved and special! You are my priceless treasure! Thank you for loving me so much!

SNOW DAY!

2009-10-29T08:58:00.000-07:00

The last two days we have been off of school and work and home together as a family! It has been so wonderful! I love being at home with all 5 of us. Making a big breakfast, staying in our jammies and being all cozy while it is cold and wintry outside! Being able to spend some time sledding and playing in the snow, and then coming in for a cup of hot chocolate and some fresh baked cookies. These are priceless memories that will be treasured for years to come!
Watching movies, doing puzzles, reading books. Making homeade soup and bread. Baking our favorite cookies and decorating them,too!
I love days like today and yesterday! I wish I could bottle up these days! Since I can't I need to live in the moment and enjoy every bit of them!
One of God's greatest gifts to us is our family! Thank you, Jesus for another snow day to enjoy my family and make more treasured memories with each other!

These are a few of my favorite things

2009-10-29T08:20:00.000-07:00

This poem was inspired by my family:
Brad, Preston, Paxton, & Peighton, thank you for loving me as a wife and mother and for allowing me to share my love, joy, sorrows, good times, and bad, with all of you daily! My life is so rich because of what each of you brings to it!
Thank you, Jesus for giving me the opportunity to be the wife of Brad and mother to Preston, Paxton , and Peighton! Thank you for calling me your child!

These are a few of my favorite things

Snow days with family all cozy and warm.
Baking and making good things that add charm.
Scrapbooking memories that will forever be shared.
These are some things that I love and show care.

Spending time alone with my best friend, my Savior
Journaling, praying, and thanking Him for His favor.
Going to church and sharing my faith with others.
These are things I enjoy and called to do for my Father.

Adopting one of God's children as my own.
Sharing in a special love as our hearts into one are sewn.
Having a daughter to share life and laughter with.
These are some things I thank God for "my precious gift.

Being the mother of a princess and two amazing boys.
Watching them learn and grow through all the hurts and the joys.
The honor I've been given to mother these three.
These are some things I do not take lightly.

A wife to my husband of nearly 19 years.
Someone to share all my joys with and fears.
A love that is so appreciated and divine.
These are the times that build character and define.

Backyard Snowboarding Fun

2009-10-21T17:21:00.000-07:00

Preston went out in the snow today to attempt a "little" snowboarding on our gigantic backyard hill! All of his runs were a success! His friend, Hayley was there to cheer him on! He was definitely having a bored moment. Fall break boredom is getting the best of him!

Happy Snowboarding, Preston!

Snow Much Fun

2009-10-21T16:10:00.000-07:00

It has been snowing all day today! Peighton and I went out for some snow fun. She made a snow angel, walked all around, caught some snowflakes on our tongue, and we made a "bird snowman". We didn't stay out too long because her mittens kept falling off and we were getting cold. She loves playing in the snow and just being in it! What a great way to end the afternoon before dinner! I love you my little snow princess! XOXO

Peighton Goes to her first Pumpkin Patch

2009-10-21T12:23:00.000-07:00

Peighton and her preschool went to the pumpkin patch. Each child got to go through the hay maze, check out all of the pumpkins and gourds, and pick out a pumpkin to call their own. It was a beautiful day to be out and about. Mommy and Daddy were able to go with and enjoy all the fall fun!

The Love Between Brother and Sister

2009-10-21T11:18:00.000-07:00

Preston and Peighton have developed a great bond to each other! Peighton adores her big brother, Preston. Preston really takes the time to play with and watch over her. It is because he spends time with her, that this bond has really evolved!
I am so thankful that they have this kind of relationship and shared love that will continue for years to come!

My Son and Me

2009-10-21T11:07:00.000-07:00

Brad and Preston share an amazing bond together! They enjoy hunting (camping and hiking as Paxton and I call it). This season they have been out bow hunting at least 5-7 weekends. Nothing to show for it(deer wise), except some priceless treasured memories! The elk season for bow came and went with no luck. Then came rifle season for doe...finally some luck came their way!
Preston shot dead on from 180 yards, however when coming up to his kill, he came to a pretty young doe that needless to say, could fit in a garbage bag (without being cut into)! Brad ended up shooting her grandma. They had a lot of fun and are enjoying the rewards of venison jerky, sausage, and steaks! Not bad for Preston's first deer!

Fun at Paxton's Football Game

2009-10-21T10:26:00.000-07:00

Our family was there showing Paxton support by attending all of his football games. Peighton and Preston made the most of it, by bonding together! This particular game was a lot of fun for the family! I was able to capture Peighton at her best!
It was a great season that we'll remember!

Our Football Hero

2009-10-21T10:10:00.000-07:00

Paxton played flag football this year for Castle Rock Middle School. He was reluctant because it was flag and not tackle, but he decided to anyway. The school does flag for 7th grade and tackle starting in 8th grade. He played running back and quarterback. His team had a great season 5-1! They lost their last game due a lot of faulty calls by the ref! Way to go #25!

Dancing at the Barn Dance-Yee-Haw!

2009-10-21T10:03:00.000-07:00

Our church put on a family Barn Dance at Wien's Ranch in Larkspur. We enjoyed chili,corn, cornbread, and yummy desserts! After dinner, Peighton and Mommy had a try at some good old country dancing! We didn't have cowboy boots or our cowboy hats, but we tied one on anyway! Peighton had a blast, even though she was two steps behind (no pun intended)!

Dressing Myself

2009-10-21T09:58:00.000-07:00

Peighton decided to find some clean clothes in the laundry basket and get herself dressed. She put on Paxton's boxers, Daddy's socks, and Mommy's panties (thong). She walked around in this outfit for over a half an hour! Isn't she a pretty picture...ready for the catwalk!

Big Eyes-Little Eyes

2009-10-21T09:53:00.000-07:00

We ask Peighton to show us her "Big Eyes" and her "Little Eyes". She can't show us her big eyes without opening her mouth and her little eyes without her mouth closed! She is so adorable!

Peighton and her Grandpa

2009-10-17T20:30:00.000-07:00

Peighton has been looking forward to Grandpa Earl's arrival all day! She has "Grandpa" mastered. She calls my dad "Grandpa Oil"! As soon as he came in the house, she was attached to him like a bee to honey! Over the last few weeks she has been "adopting" grandpa types where ever she goes. We were at the library a few weeks ago and there was a grandpa in the childrens area with his grandson. I turned to go look at books, assuming Peighton was behind me, I turned around and started to talk to no one. I looked around and there she was, looking at a book with the grandpa. He must have looked at 5 books with her. We went to story time and then after story time we were going to check out our books. She immediately went back to the grandpa to look at more books!
At Paxton's football game last week, Peighton found another grandpa type she wanted to hang with! Thank goodness Grandpa Earl is finally here! She will be his shadow all week! He has such patience, compassion, and love for his grandkids! It will be a memorable week for sure!
The bond between grandparents and grandchildren is so special...a true blessing from God!

Peighton at the CKDO Playground

2009-09-29T12:34:00.000-07:00

Peighton loves going to school on M-W-F at Covenant Kids Day Out, a Christian Preschool in downtown Castle Rock. She is in the two's class taught by Ms. Angela. She enjoys everything about school from playing playdough; to coloring; to playing with her friends; to snack and lunch; to playing on the playground; to chapel. I also am at the school with Peighton, teaching the 3 year olds. We both enjoy our time at school, but look forward to the end of the school day and spending time together, just us, until we pick up brothers from school!
Peighton always has a smile on her face when she knows we are going to school. We sing our "look who's going to school today" song, as she gets dressed and ready, she eats breakfast, helps pack her lunch, grabs her backpack before running out to the car! I hope and pray she continues this love for school for years to come!

It is so fun to view school through her eyes! She has learned so much and is eager to share her day with us! Swinging on the playground is one of her favorite things to do during recess! Sliding down the slide is also one of her favorites. The first time she climbed up the fort to go down the slide, my stomach was in my throat! She has no fear, and has yet to crash!

Forever Daddy's Girl

2009-09-27T12:22:00.000-07:00

Brad and Preston came home today from a weekend of elk hunting (a.k.a..camping and hiking). Peighton was glued to Brad for a complete hour, just sitting in his lap and cuddling! She wouldn't let him out of her sight! It was so precious to watch this term of endearment between two hearts that are bonded as father and daughter! I know that as time passes, that bond will just grow more and more! Just like me and my dad! I also, will forever be Daddy's Girl!

Goodbye Ba!!

2009-09-27T12:16:00.001-07:00

Peighton has been attached to "Ba"(her name for her pacifier) since we brought her home from Korea, until TODAY! I just put her down for her nap and we couldn't find any of her "Ba's" so I put her down without it, hoping she wouldn't care! So far so good! It has been 1/2 hour now, so I think we are in the safe zone! Since we moved to Castle Rock the 1st of September, she started to chew on them and tear them. I think that may of been her first step of saying "Goodbye Ba"!
She is getting to be such a big girl! She is literally growing up before my eyes! I love my Princess so much! I will be eternally grateful to God for blessing me with the privilege of being Peighton's mommy!

Paxton is 13!

2009-09-25T09:04:00.001-07:00

Yesterday my middle baby turned 13! I now have two teenagers! When did this happen? I remember "my little Pooh" just being born! He was a big 8 lbs. 3 1/2 oz at birth! It seems like yesterday when we brought him home and Preston was such a big helper and loved holding him! I miss those days so much, it hurts! To think that he is already 13 and a middle schooler! So many parents can't wait until their kids are off and out of the house! I really don't understand that! I am already mourning my kids leaving the house! Thank goodness we will have Peighton at home for years to come!

Paxton is so smart and good at sports! I look forward to see how God will use him and what plans God has for his life!

Happy 13th Birthday, Pooh! You are loved more than you could know!

Peighton's 1st Time Bowling

2009-09-25T08:41:00.000-07:00

We went bowling as a family last night to celebrate Paxton's 13th Birthday. Peighton was able to bowl! She loved it and was so proud rolling that ball down the lane and watching it knock the pins down! She would clap her hands no matter if she got a gutter or a strike (she got two strikes)! It was so fun living the game of bowling through the eyes of my toddler! Peighton was on cloud nine because not only did she get to bowl, we ordered loaded fries and she got to drink some Dr. Pepper! She may only be two, but she felt at least five last night!

Our baby girl is getting so big and enjoys trying everything her big brothers do! What a blessing and a joy she is to our family and our lives! Love you, Baby Girl!

My Wrestling Boys

2009-09-22T18:45:00.000-07:00

Brad is in his glory right now! Friday, Preston came home from school and announced that he his going out for wrestling for CVHS! This has been a dream of Brad's for his boys to follow in his wrestling footsteps!

Right now in the living room, Brad is teaching Preston "take downs"! I am in the office, grinning from ear to ear, because it brings me so much joy to see Brad so happy and proud! It has been such a hard last nine months with moving to Colorado, almost losing Brad due to his heart, two heart surgeries, going back to teaching, moving again...etc! Thank you, Jesus for some nice family fun and peace and joy and no cares about the world outside!

Brad has a new fire in his belly! Preston will definitely make his daddy proud no matter what the wrestling season has in store for him, win or lose!

I am at the computer typing this and I find myself so full of emotion, just thinking that my baby is going to be 16 years old in 6 months! Where does the time go? Just yesterday he was my two year old little boy and now he has side burns and is driving!

I was at MOPS today and we had an amazing speaker today that talked about kids growing before your eyes and how time goes so fast and to live and enjoy each moment with your kids. I got very emotional thinking about the limited time we have our kids with us at home! (No, I am not PMSing!)

Thank you, Jesus for allowing me to be a wife and mother! My family is my treasure given by God to love and grow with! I am abundantly blessed!

I Am Turning Techno!

2009-09-19T17:40:00.000-07:00

Hi friends and family! I am so excited to be creating a blog to better keep in touch with everyone! It is so hard being away from our family and AZ friends! I hope this will keep us in better contact and help in sharing life together, even though we are miles apart!

Brad and Preston are elk hunting today! They left last night at around 10 p.m. They hunted in Cripple Creek but no sign of any elk. They headed further west for today and tomorrows hunts! I hope and pray they get an elk. I would love to see Preston shoot an elk with his bow! We shall see. They only have this weekend and next! Then starts deer season!

Peighton is typical two...into everything, but a complete joy! We are working on potty training...pray for us! She loves school! She is in the two's class and really progressing in all areas!

Paxton turns 13 this week! Where does the time go? He playing football for his school. He found out Friday that he is running back! That is my boy! He is doing great in school...A average!

Preston is doing great in high school. He has a b average, which is great start to 10th grade! He put Brad on cloud nine this week, when he told him that he was going out for wrestling! He has been pumping iron everyday in PE. He is actually developing some nice guns!

Brad is doing GREAT! He is a walking miracle! His heart is pumping like it should! He has a lot more energy and looks great! Thank you, Jesus!

I have been busy with school 3 days a week, being mommy, wife, and friend! I am loving Colorado the more I am here and the more I get connected! I am in MOPS and am looking forward to sharing life with new friends that God is puttin gin my life!

With a thankful heart, I send love and prayers to all of you!

I will post pictures, once I figure that part out!