Colorado Crockers

I have an acquaintance who's cousins child was just diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. She is 10 months old. My heart breaks for this family as they lean on God. The found all of this out just a few days ago and the baby has already had one surgery and is now starting chemo. I cried as I read there blog. I don't know that family personally. I don't know the children of Pwoje Espwa . I could stick my head in the sand, live in my suburban bubble and pretend the hurting don't exist. Some days I want to. Loving others hurts. The world has problems I can't even begin to imagine how to fix, I could use the excuse that I am just one, broke, stay at home mother of two. I could say "I can't fix it so why dwell on it?". I have been called to live outside myself, for Someone other than myself. If I say I want to know Him on a personal, deep level, I need to know His heart. The hurting are the heart of my Savior. I am created to love until it hurts, to give until I

Current favorite words: nocturnal and octagon. Yes, she uses them correctly. Most recent funny sayings: "Happy New Ears!" and "I have a terrible head egg" Favorite game: Pretending to be the mommy and taking "Mama Elie" and "Papa Elie" to the doctor for eating to many cookies. We always end up getting shots. Pastimes: Bossing around the sister, the dog and anyone in her vicinity. Pretending. Watching monkey and "Milo and Otis". Reading books. Asking lots and lots of questions. Taking Earl for a walk. Favorite Foods: broccoli, qusadillas, pizza, frozen peas, pasta with red sauce, frosting Hates: getting hair brushed, done, and washed. Being "stuck" in her car seat. Anyone touching her "bubas" (bunnies) Current interest: Letters and how words work, anything to do with artistic pursuits, mud, snow, singing songs and throwing in the word "poop" Best friend: Earl, the potato my father drew a face on 2 weeks ago.

Addilyn's first birthday was a lot like her birth, it didn't go exactly as I had planned. Addilyn has been fighting a fever on and off for the last few days, we chalked it up to teeth. After all, the kid only has two teeth and is bound to grow some more eventually. Friday morning Addilyn wasn't feeling great so I gave her some Tylenol and we headed to bible study. By the time we got home, she was a grump. Matt's folks had driven up from Pueblo so we could celebrate Nana and Addie's birthdays, but I ended up just putting her down for a nap. When Addilyn awoke, she was happy again. We spent several hours enjoying the grandparents before heading out to celebrate Addie, Amanda and Matt's birthdays with my family. Addilyn was worse when we got to dads, Grumpy, lethargic, and running a fever again. By the time we sang Happy Birthday and blew out the candle, I couldn't even get Addilyn to enjoy her birthday treats. We left dads and discussed what we should d

-This weather is AWESOME ! Just when you think you might have to leave your children duct taped in the closet until spring, God pulls out all the stops and gives us a 60 degree day. It's supposed to be this nice all week! -We went on a walk around the lake. We took the single stroller for Addie and Elie's bike. This was a big thing since Elie hasn't really done much riding. We discovered it takes a fair amount of coordination to peddle AND steer . This was not one of our faster walks. - Some things that you as an adult with life experience may consider a given, a 3 year old does not. Take, for instance, keeping your eyes open while ridding a bike. Even when the sun is in them, you must keep them open, or you will end up ridding your bike into the ditch. Repeatedly. - Communication is key and the almost 1 year old has it mastered! She nods her head for yes and shakes it for no. She signs sleep, eat, drink, hat, please, more, all done, and hot. She says all kinds of words,

I have always wanted to take a cake decorating class. Several years ago my parents got me the kit I would need to take a class and a gift certificate. I am just now getting around to using it. Here is my first cake. Everyone else made a rainbow cake, but I wanted to do flowers instead.

We are moving buildings again at church. I'm glad. When I started going to this body of believers, we met at a Rec center. It was nice, no overbearing feeling of "Church-e- ness " that has a tendency to make me slightly nauseous while making me put on my Happy Church Face. The meeting felt...organic. Real people hanging out, journeying together because they like each other. We often sat at round tables and had discussions, we drank wine, we laughed. I loved it. Then we moved and it sucked. We sat in pews facing an alter. It was the same people but a totally different dynamic. It felt " churchy " which is not what we wanted so we quit. Some people dig church in its traditional dress, its just not our bag. The church felt the same way, to stay true to its original intent, it is moving again. Hugh talked about what it means to be the church, how the church was called to "go". So often going is hard because it means to leave something else. I have a friend

Have you followed the Dugger family? If you don't know what I am talking about, than you can safely assume you haven't. They are the family that just had baby number 18. Wow. They believe in the concept " Quiverful ", meaning having as many children as God chooses to bless you with and not using any form of prevention. Did I say "wow"? I am not against what that family has chosen to do. They support themselves and raise there children to be good people. The love God and fit the jumper wearing stereo type of "christian home schooler ". I say more power to um! As I was reading there site and the " Quiverfull " site, I was struck by one thing: the concept of children as a blessing. Sure, we toss that around a lot, but do we really believe it? If I believe my children are a blessing from God, do I have a right to say when I am done being blessed? I mean, the scriptures refer to trials as a blessing too and I don't want any more of tho

"Choose and Identity". This is what Blogger says when you post a comment. The sad part is, I tried and it didn't let me. I choose that today I wanted to be someone else. My Identity today: I am a 5' 11'' brunette who weighs 140. I have a great body, perfect complexion and my hair and make-up is flawless. My wardrobe is not only all clean, but it all fits perfectly and is very fashionable. My career is "Pastry Taster". I sit in a plush office, overlooking the ocean. I am not a celiac . I have a personal assistant and house keeper. For lunch I meet with all my best friends. We take a long lunch with lots of wine at an Italian restaurant. I go back to work, get off early so I can prepare for a date with my husband. We go to the theater. We come back to our spotless loft and snuggle under down comforters all night until late the next morning. This is the identity that I choose, yet I am still sitting her in my jamies . My hair is undone, I weigh much mor

So usually I send out a Crocker's Top 10 list with a Christmas picture. Alas, this year I was lazy, so here is the list. 10. Addilyn Joy Crocker entered our family in January and the whole lot of us have gotten considerably less sleep, but we kept her anyway. 9. Matt traveled...a lot. He has been all over the country, gone for at least one week, usually more, a month. Sony is bound and determined to get there money's worth. 8. Gretchen went to Roanoke to surprise her friend Jenny. Had a wonderful few days, despite the fact her bag didn't ever show up. 7. Elie and Addie have become such great friends. Addie calls for Elie and they play together so nicely. I pray they remain this close for years to come. 6.We spent a ton of time with our friends. Between weekly play group get togethers, girls/guys night outs and every other weekend BBQ's we really enjoyed the fellowship. 5. Disney! Elie had her first experience and was...confused? Not really, it just will be a lot more fu