Re-Decorating

With the amazing help of my talented sister and a mix of Pinterest ideas I have re-decorated the wall going up my stairs. I am in LOVE!!! I just stand looking at all the beautiful pictures. I have often said that what makes a scrapbook page so great has a lot to do with how good the photos are. I have had the privilege of having some really talented girls take all kinds of pictures for us. It only enhances the beauty of my wall!

Here are the stairs from my front door.

Then some better close ups.

I saw on Pinterest this fun idea of a picture with all our families important dates. I decided rather than a picture in another frame I would do it out of vinyl. Once after Spencer and Jamison read the dates, I was asked: Are you going to add to this if there are more important dates? I asked them: What kind of dates would those be? Spencer laughed and said: When we have another brother. Ummm... NO that is not happening again in our home. Jamison then piped up with a big smile and said: You never know. Again umm.... Yes I do know- we are not having anymore children. :) Our little family is happy and complete.

PERU- finally

OK I know I have not been very good about writing on this blog- I do keep a journal, so I have some record of what's going on in our lives. However I wanted to share a few things from my trip to Peru. On March 9th, I with three of my favorite people boarded a plane to head to Peru for nine days.

 Jamey was such a good sport and took the time off to stay home with our kiddos. He got a small taste of what I go through- he decided that I could have it back. :) We did a lot of sight seeing, as well as spending three days in three different villages doing humanitarian work for those people. I actually got the chance to do some haircuts in the first village!

                                    

                                    

                                    

I also had the amazing opportunity to hike Huayna Picchu. That was probably one of the hardest hikes I have ever done, but the end and view made the trek completely worth every step I took. Looking down over Machu Picchu, feeling like I was as close to the sky as I could get, is defiantly a memory I will have forever. (Plus the pure joy of conquering that mountain!)

The land is absolutely gorgeous. I learned a lot from this experience. I felt like I had a few spiritual moments in the mist of everyday happenings. I came home with a greater appreciation for several things, such as; stop signs and street lights, people obeying traffic laws, using the bathroom at any location without having to pay, being able to flush toilet paper, ease of using a credit card at the grocery store, and then of course all the everyday luxuries that we each enjoy. I also came home with a great appreciate for my husband. He is truly my best friend- the person I can go to for anything. It was hard several times to not have him to talk to about the good and bad of the day. I know he puts up with a lot with me, but I am grateful that he loves me unconditionally. As I look back on my time in Peru, I learned many lessons and had some really great experiences. I know that it was a growth that I needed. I am grateful for the chance I had to go.

I took over 820 pictures- so here is just a small sampling of my favorites.

Lima- I loved the bright colors of the buildings and the trees. The white building is Peru's capital building.

It was a warm day and we all got a little sunburned.

In Cusco, Peru at Saqsaywaman

Our hike to the Christus statue. 

I just loved the clothing of the people. Oh and the babies!!!!

We helped the kids make some bracelets

Look at that dirty little boy. He was so darn cute. He was shy- wouldn't really come out, so when I grabbed this picture I was excited!!

I loved the landscape!!!

In a cui (guinea pig) farm

Making a rocket stove

My awesome friends- they made the week so fun!

One of my favorite pictures!

 Giving the school teacher our children's pictures that their classes made for the kids in Peru.

Pisac

Hiking  Huayna Picchu with Mel and Shannon

AMAZING!

We did it!!

I DID IT!!