Tuesday, January 25, 2011

School...its a love/hate thing

We are in our third week of preschool and like the title says, its a love/hate relationship so far. He strongly dislikes his mother leaving him and he loves when she comes back for him. Luckily his teacher tells me he loves the in between as well.

The decision: Our beautiful caretaker Marilyn has been with Mason since he was 8 weeks old. I was blessed to find her and though I only needed her two days a week we built a friendship and a trust. As a first time mom and a mom period leaving your baby with anyone is seriously tough stuff but with time it got a little easier knowing what great hands my baby was in.

SO

In August Marilyn decided to go back to school with her daughter to pursue a dream she has always had and as her friend I knew supporting her was the only way it could be.

After researching and looking at local schools and talking to people the preschool at the corner of our street got the best reviews. Its safe and clean, the teachers are loving and strict, there is playtime, learning time, and nap time. There are other children and germs. BUT my only child is adjusting, making friends, learning to share, constantly sick, and learning to adjust to the two day schedule of preschool. As am I. I know how blessed we are to have this part time schedule and I know it is the right thing for Mason.

The best part of it all is when I come to pick him up at 2:00, he drops everything and runs full blast to me

"Mommy you came back!"

Monday, January 24, 2011

A love that will stand the test of time

The second child and only daughter of a Baptist Minister. Her Mother played the role of minister's wife and college professor at a women's college. This Denver born and raised girl, beautiful and talkative, caught the eye of a handsome man eight years her senior.

Just back from the second world war this second child and only son of a Denver pharmacist and god loving mother, attended church at his childhood church, Berkley Baptist. Sitting in the back he watched her, later calling her home and asking permission to "court" the minister's only daughter. The response from the minister "Well yes Roberta you can go on a date with Larry, for god sake he has been staring holes through you at church while I give my sermons, didn't you notice?"

And so it began, they courted for a summer and a fall and were married December 29, 1950 at her father's church. Her father insisted Christmas time was a great time for a wedding because the church would be beautifully decorated with white Christmas Lillie's and poinsettias. And like most father's, the best is the only way when it comes to daughters. One member of the church would replace all the colored Christmas lights with white bulbs while another would make their simple but beautiful wedding cake. Her mother would make her gown and with over 200 people in attendance these two would vow to always love each other...AND THEY HAVE.

From newlyweds making no more than $100.00/week

To first time parents

To parents of three. Two boys and one girl. Life would be busy and full of love and everyday trials. They would buy a home in Arvada when their youngest was just 7, this is the same home they still live in.
They would raise their American family there.

And one day they would all be grown.

Then they would welcome two grandsons
and a precious granddaughter 

and when he would retire from a wonderful career they would travel the world. Taking over 50 cruises.


and he would ski a lot! teaching his grand kids too.


Years later they would become great-grandparents
and they would temporarily have to say goodbye to a daughter they love so much, something no parent should have to go through.
but with faith and love for God and each other they find the strength to continue.

We celebrated Grandma and Grandpa's 60th Wedding Anniversary at Strings Restaurant in Denver on January 8th.

I can't remember when you weren't there
When I didn't care for anyone but you
I swear we've been through everything there is
Can't imagine anything we've missed
Can't imagine anything the two of us can't do

Through the years, through all the good and bad
I knew how much we had, I've always been so glad
To be with you ... Through the years
It's better every day, you've kissed my tears away
As long as it's okay, I'll stay with you
Through the years
Through the years, when everything went wrong
Together we were strong, I know that I belong
Right here with you ... Through the years
I never had a doubt, we'd always work things out
I've learned what love's about, by loving you
Through the years
Through the years, you've never let me down
You've turned my life around, the sweetest days I've found
I've found with you ... Through the years

It's better every day, you've kissed my tears away
As long as it's okay, I'll stay with you
Through the years!

In a world where marriage often ends in divorce it is refreshing to see a couple that's love will stand the test of time. Congratulations on 60 years, our love is deep and strong for the pair of you.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Its freaking cold and Happy New Year

On the 30th temperatures began to drop and an Arctic front made a grand entrance.

Finally some white stuff but with it some seriously cold temperatures. We remained in the single digits with
-30 wind chills for most of the New Year's weekend. Its cold but I love it.
We spent New Years cuddled in with yummy food, beverage, and movies. What else do you need? Sometimes I try to remember our life before Mason and it seems so foreign. What did we do with all that time? 

 We were watching the news and all the Denverites that ventured out downtown for the fireworks and festivities in 5 degree weather, these cute young girls in their short skirts and heels. That use to be us, I mean Matt wasn't a cute young girl but he liked them. Anyways, I love that with age you are confident in just being happy with where you are at and I am perfectly happy spending New Years in yoga pants.  
Matt is always trying new beers and this one was Delicious.

working on our photography skills. 
I also ask myself frequently "Who is this kid?" Pant less with slippers in 5 degree weather is the way to bring in the New Year. 

He is such a riot which leads me to a recent story. We were walking in Golden along the creek and Mason is obsessed with sticks (most boys are) except he has a really hard time saying "S" so it is pronounce dicks. He would scream "Look Mommy Big Dick, oh Little Dick" as he collected one after another. People were looking at me so awkwardly. Hilarious!
We spent a lot of our time indoors playing with play dough, blocks, and perfecting our singing with this new karaoke machine my parents got him. My son loves to sing, something he gets from his dad:)

After a few days of playing inside we decided Cabin fever had officially set in so off we went.

Our park has a decent hill but as you can see this storm didn't bring as much snow as it did cold. We were just so eager to get out there it didn't matter.

Teaching Mason how to make snow angels.

Sledding buddies

We can not give thanks enough to God for a beautiful 2010 and we are looking forward to 2011 as well.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Christmas part 2- Ala Gilbreath

After a quick drop off of the first round of gifts at our house we were off to pick up Grandma and Grandpa and headed north.
We always drive HWY 287 up to Longmont, which is one of my favorite drives. The views of the Rockies are gorgeous and there are a lot of homesteads along the way which leaves the big fields open and undeveloped.



Steve and the girls did a lovely job on the tree, Nancy would be proud.

As I have mentioned in past posts, Christmas was Nancy's favorite holiday and all of her decorations are awesome, they remind me of her which always makes Christmas bittersweet.
One of my favorite dudes, grandpa Larry! Seriously love this guy.

And of course these two are such a kick and two of my favorites. Ang found a Christmas apron Nancy made her when she was 5 so we made her sport it!

As soon as Chris, T, and the kids arrived we got right to some present opening.

The adorable Ellie. Mason adores his Ellie and she adores her Mason.

Aunt T, Lauren, and Ellie picked out this underwear for Mason. SO CUTE! We all know he is just a little obsessed with Firetrucks. I just need a cooperative 2 year old to wear them.

After a delicious Prime Rib dinner with all the fixings (Matt's Dad is quite the chef) we headed downstairs for some good ol' fashioned ping pong. Uncle Matt and nephew Luke.

The downstairs of Steve and Nancy's house is awesome! A huge rec room, bar, and the boys rooms. It reminds me a lot of my Grandparents house in California.

Ellie and Mason doing some bear wrestling, a new sport at the Gilbreath household.

Nancy made these for her little athletes and I think they are so cool. Of course the middle child Nick had to be different and go with number 4.

Another sport that happens downstairs is wine drinking, our champion:)

But seriously Angela is the champion of Pecan Pie making. Another tradition Mom Nancy always had and Ang has taken over the reins. Look at the placement of those pecans...a 10 I say.

Group photos, can you see how excited the guys are to do this?


Our newly engaged couple. YES! Nick asked Angie in early December and she agreed to marry him:) Now I love Nick just like a brother but Angie she is the "bees knees" and I can not wait to officially have her as a "sister." You probably can't tell they are wearing ribbons but they are. Angela found these in a drawer when we were setting the table, They are "Bride" and "Groom" ribbons, fitting. We are always finding stuff like that, knowing that Mom is definitely taking part in our activities.

Toots and Boots, just some nicknames I came up with for these two. Great coordination on the outfits by the way:)

Steve and the kids and some one's hand I forgot to crop out:)

Such a lovely Christmas this year. We are so blessed to have these people as family. They are fun, loving, and would lay down in traffic for you.

They are da coolest!