After a very long winter, Kelly and I escaped Cheyenne last weekend while Dylan was with his Dad. Kelly found us a wonderful suite at the Flatirons near Boulder, CO. Since he had never eaten at a Japanese Steakhouse, we dined at Benihana's nearby. It was a fun time. It was great to sleep in the next morning.


After a scrumptious breakfast we ventured into Boulder where we toured the Celestial Seasonings factory. The Mint Room, where the spearmint and peppermint are stored, cleared our sinuses and brought tears to our eyes! We sampled new flavors and bought a few to bring home.

Next we visited the Shelby American Museum. Kelly was like a kid when he saw the car show in the parking lot. It included Shelby GT 350's, Shelby GT 500's, AC Cobra 427, AC Cobra 289, Sunbeam Tigers, Pantera, and more. He took LOTS of pictures. Here are a few of his favorites. He hopes to have one of these when he grows up!

Shelby GT 350

Pantera

AC Cobras

Our next adventure was driving up Canyon Road to Boulder Falls. It was a short trek from the road.

Kelly wanted to take me to McGuckins Hardware Store--one of those stores that has everything--including the kitchen sink! We looked at knobs/pulls at their designer center, but decided to go eat when the price to replace ours was nearly $200. After our hike we were ready for food and drink. We ventured to the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder where we found JB's Chicago Style Pizza and Brewery, a restaurant with patio dining. It was a great place to people watch. (If you've ever been to Boulder you would understand why!--lots of eclectic folks.). Everything was green and colorful--it was a welcomed change.

It was a great weekend--Hard to return to Cheyenne to begin another week, but we were reminded how important it is to have "Kelly and Rhonda" time and we promised each other we'd do it again soon.

To Dylan no holiday ranks as high as his birthday--in his mind the whole year revolves around August 4th! Nonetheless, he was relatively excited about Mother's Day. He and Kelly got me a new Palm Treo phone. Now I feel really grown up. Although I am not a "techy", I like having my calendar and contacts within reach at all times. Kelly bought me a bluetooth, too. After church we drove to Ft. Collins to spend the day with Kelly's family.

As with most Moms, one of my favorite gifts did not come from the store. Dylan made me a Mother's Day card with his picture that included the following poem he wrote. It says it all (I think!)

I love you like the beautiful sunset on a summer evening.
I love you like an apple fell off a tree.
I love you like a pen you can write on a piece of paper with.
I love you like a watermelon to eat.
I love you like a bear heart.
I love you like a ladybug in a garden.
I love you like a rose bloom.
I love you like a fireplace.
I love you like a cherry on a tree.
I love you like a spider spinning webs.

One thing I know for sure....When God is prompting me to do something I get constant "reminders" . This was the case recently when I saw a unique opportunity present itself in several ways. I was intrigued and followed through by submitting an application for the first Women Rule Women's Leadership Summit sponsored by the O Magazine, American Express, and the White House Project--assuming I had nothing to lose! When I heard there were over 3000 applicants, I knew there was stiff competition and my chances of been selected were slim. I figured preparing the application and putting my vision onto paper was beneficial and a lesson learned. I was overwhelmed when I received word that I was one of 80 women chosen nationwide--the only person from WY and one of three from the Rocky Mountain Region. I will attend the Women Rule Summit in New York City in June where I will join other visionaries and participate in training led by exceptional women leaders. They will help me develop my dream for a multi tenant non-profit center for our community. As the demand on the clinic and other non profits in our community continue to increase, I envision a shared space where we can better meet the needs of our clients while being better stewards of the resources entrusted to us. You can check it out at www.thewhitehouseproject.org

I am in awe when I reflect on my life in Cheyenne and the journey that has brought me here. I never, ever could have fathomed the challenges I would face, the opportunities I have been given, and how utterly amazing it is when God brings a person out of her brokenness and into her passion. I am so blessed.

After a full life, my 98 year old Papa passed away in April. He had become increasingly frail since before Daddy passed away. We never fathomed he would out-live his son, but it seemed he had his sights set on his 100th birthday. I was thankful I was able to see him at Christmas and prepared myself for the reality that it could be our last visit on this earth. After several falls, he broke his hip and never recovered. Mom and Angie had continued to care for him in Dad's absence. It was difficult being so far away and not being able to return for for his funeral. Our pastor, Jeff, lost his grandfather just a few hours before Papa died. We both share the legacy and influence of Godly parents and grandparents. Mom sent me a large envelope filled with pictures of my Daddy's family. It is hard to believe an era has come to an end. I have lost my last two grandparents since I have been in Wyoming. I have many fond memories of spending time with Mema and Papa in Fitzgerald, GA. Rides from Moultrie to Fitzgerald in the Walker Tire and Battery Company Truck he drove. Long before seat belts, I would play in the massive floorboard, barely tall enough to peak over the dashboard. He would treat me to a Coca-Cola with salted peanuts poured into the dark, fizzy syrup. The same truck would deliver watermelons, sugar cane, and other items he had been given en route. He always carried a brown leather satchel when his work required an over night stay. My first bicycle appeared from the back of his truck. We took many walks to the nearby school yard to play or spent time on the swing strung in an ancient oak tree. We played on their screened in porch. A couple of summers we attended Vacation Bible School at Arbor Baptist Church, where he was a deacon , choir member, and Sunday School teacher. Dinner on the grounds were a feast to behold. Hot summer afternoons were spent at Lake B, the local swimming pool, building towers out of inner tubes and finding relief in the cool waters. He and Mema would watch patiently from an old wooden swing. He was fond of crackers and peanut butter. As I grew, I surpassed his petite frame, but I was never too big for him to sing "I love you a Bushel and a Peck and a hug around the neck". I was always intrigued by his 9.5 fingers--he lost part of a finger in an accident many years before. In my 42 years, there are few people who exemplified a Christian man more than my Papa. I am thankful a part of him will always live in me. Dylan reminds me when I am sad, "Don't cry Mommy. Granddaddy and Papa are in heaven and we will see them again one day."
Below is one of my favorite pictures of Papa with his brand new great-grandchildren. It was taken at a family reunion in Albany, GA. I believe Clara was less than a month old, while Dylan had been with us about 2 months and was about 14 months old. This is how I choose to remember him.

One of my best Georgia friends and I conspired several weeks ago to meet to celebrate our May birthdays. When I invited Debbie to join me for the Beth Moore Living Proof Conference in Colorado Springs the first weekend in May, she couldn't resist. The weatherman fore casted a strong spring snow storm the day she was to arrive. She was shocked when she flew into a snowy Denver. We found a quaint little town, Castle Pines, CO off the interstate and ate a yummy lunch at Tony's, a gourmet grocery, bakery and deli.
Castle Rock, CO and Pike's Peak were barely visible. We were enveloped in a snow-filled cloud. The trip south was slow, but we had plenty of catching up to do, so we did not complain too much.

We stayed at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort. It was wonderful! I hope to take Kelly and Dylan there someday.
The view from our hotel parking lot when we arrived (above). The view from our hotel balcony the next morning (below).
The next morning we visited the Garden of the Gods. I do not know how someone can deny there is a God when you stand in the shadow of such awe-inspiring rock formations and Pike's Peak in the distance.

We decided to check out nearby Manitou Springs. It is at the foot of Pike's Peak and the home of the historic cog railroad. We were especially intrigued by the locally mined stones and jewelry creations. We each chose a piece to take home. We would have enjoyed a closer investigation, but our trip was cut short when my Cheyenne friends called to let us know they had arrived in the Springs.

Afterwards, we met two of my best Wyoming friends---Kathy Cordell and Kathy Sanford at the Focus on the Family headquarters. We were thankful they made it to Colorado Springs safely since the highways out of Cheyenne were closed shortly after they left. Later that morning Cheyenne had a whiteout with the blowing snow. I think our husbands were wishing they were with us instead--rather than stuck in a blizzard with our children!! Yes, it was May. Afterwards, we feasted at PF Changs before we headed to the World Arena for the first session of the Beth Moors Conference. It was quickly evident that God has message for each of us.

The conference ended at noon the next day. After a lunch with the girls, we all headed back to Cheyenne. Kelly and Dylan were glad to see us and treated us to a steak dinner. The next morning we attended church together. Unfortunately, we had to take Debbie to Denver to meet her flight the next morning. We toured downtown Denver including the 16th Street Mall and enjoyed dinner at Maggiano's, where Kelly and I had one of our first dates. We allowed Dylan to swim at Debbie's pool (compliments of the La Quinta Inn) before we said our heartfelt goodbyes and returned to Wyoming to begin another week.

Mom arrived just in time for the Easter Bunny. Although it was a good visit, I think she decided to plan her next trip during a warmer season--which basically means Frontier Days! Dylan thought "Finding Nemo On Ice" was for babies, but he agreed to take Grandma. We all enjoyed it--including Dylan. We ate at the new Bone Fish restaurant in Loveland--a good choice for a sea-themed night. It was delicious, but Dylan was disappointed the fish did not have bones in them like at Grandma's house. (Yes, he is a Southern boy deep down!)

The next evening we saw Cirque Dreams Jungle Dreams in Cheyenne. What can I say , but "WOW! It was mesmerizing. We got home in time to turn in so the Easter Bunny could make his visit. Dylan was delighted with his brand new sporty red bike and a few chocolate goodies.

We attended Easter Services at Element Church. We are happy to have found our new church, but it was very different than the Easter Services of my past. No full choir or Easter Cantata, no Easter lilies, no "Up From the Grave He Arose" or the "Hallelujah Chorus", no Annie Armstrong Easter Offering and no brand new dresses, but it was a tremendous celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Element continues to increase its presence in our community. We now have nearly 500 in worship each week and God has answered our prayers for a permanent location. The church has been meeting at the Frontier Mall Theater since it launched in October.



Oh, yeah---Dylan's front tooth had been loose for weeks. He still believes Granddaddy should come back from heaven to pull his teeth, since he pulled Dylan's first loose tooth in July. We reminded him not to play with his tooth during eKidz (aka Sunday School) Easter Sunday. Well, I am sure it just fell out of his mouth without any coaxing....because he came running out of eKidz with his tooth waded up in a tissue and showed Kelly his toothless grin. Here's the proof:
That afternoon Dylan took his new bike for a spin. He hunted Easter eggs with the girls next door--Shy Anne, Samantha, and Sydney. Do you know how hard it is to hide Easter eggs when you do not have grass, flowers, or trees--just an occasional tumbleweed rolling through the yard???



The week after Mom left and Dylan returned to school we were reminded that is was not spring yet--instead we were blanketed with a fresh layer of snow from a spring storm.

Okay, so I really am the "Queen of Good Intentions". I had planned to resume regular blogging after my last post. I never imagined I would not return to it for 2.5 months! My how time flies!!! First, let me continue where I left off....

Kelly and I enjoyed a wonderful trip to Albuquerque, NM in March. It was great connecting with the other members of the Free Clinics of the Western Region. All the free clinics are unique, but share the common goal of caring for the uninsured, low-income citizens with limited staff and resources. We visited several clinics in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Kelly loved the architecture. We did find a margarita or two to enjoy. (See picture below) Next year's conference is in the San Francisco Bay area. I better start saving my pennies! It was great to get away before Kelly began his new job with Pouppirt Architects. He is loving his position. They got a two-fer in Kelly since he is an accomplished CAD Tech and a computer geek. He is enjoying the diversity. They are working on several exciting projects in Wyoming and Northern Colorado. His office is closer to the house and he is working with a great group of people. We are so thankful. Everybody is happy when Kelly is happy, too.




He has finally returned to his "honey do" list. We finally settled on a paint color for the living room and kitchen after months of searching. Kelly quickly started painting and we are thrilled with the results. Kelly had been wanting to add color to my very white house since before we were married. I have tempered him a bit though, since the bathroom in his condo was school bus yellow!