Spring in Canon City

It's now Fall in Wyoming, and I'm trying to remember all about my trip to Canon City in the Spring.  (Are seasons supposed to be capitalized?)  

My purpose for going was to support Mary, but I definitely felt rejuvenated and blessed by my time there.  Even though it had been only a couple of weeks, since we had been for Rhett's baptism, which at the time had some hint of green during the cool cloudiness, now the green hills, blossoming trees, blooming bulbs and blessed warmth were all in full spring mode.  There's something very healing about new life in spring.

Since I'm slow in putting this down for history, the day to day details are not as fresh.  But I will record a few highlights with photos to help tell the story as well.

I arrived on Monday.  The kids had that day off school, so Mary took them all swimming.  She was still gone when I arrived and told me where to find the key to their house and the guest house where I would be staying.  I walked into their home and it was perfectly clean and in order.  A huge flower arrangement beautifully positioned on the table adding a polished feel to the tidy home.  Before swimming all the children helped with chores to get the housework done.  The calm cleanliness caused me to wonder if I was really needed.  But more than that, it symbolized to me that Mary and all her family were being sustained and that they would be okay.  I knew then, in that first moment, that Mary would be okay.

Mary had Kira on a regular schedule with her home schooling.  Kira had a table set up in her room.  Mary makes the spaces in her house work for what needs to be done.  Her attitude is, "how can I make this happen?"

Her art looked just like it was supposed to in my opinion.

Liam is such a happy boy.  Such a tender heart with pure innocence and love.

This is actually the deck of the guest house.  Maybe it was ice cream cones?

Loved the Lilac bushes blooming, this was by Rhett's soccer practice.

The kids and I played in the park by the field where Rhett has his soccer practice until he was done.  Mary had a cub scout activity to prepare for and teach that night, so we tagged team.  I took the kids one way, while she prepared and set up at the church.  I brought Rhett to the church after practice.  Glen came to be Mary's second leader and I took the girls and Liam home.  It was a great afternoon for playing in the park.

Peek-a-boo!

Guess who?

Happy Sienna!

Brave Liam!

Careful balancing

Kira's can-do view

Rhett has some good speed.  It was fun to watch.

Kira likes to cook.  I may have made a mistake introducing her to Tip-hero cooking clips.  This was one of the videos we saw that we decided to make.  The dog bun is slice opened at the mouth and the hot dog goes there like the dog is eating it, or that it's his bone.  I don't think we got a photo with the hot dog in the bun.  But everyone had fun eating them, and Kira and I had fun making them.

Sometimes I was just busy making memories that I didn't always take photos of them.  The farm is a great place for those kids.  They each are responsible with chores.  There are wide open spaces to explore, exercise, play and learn.  We enjoyed some lovely sunshine with beautiful spring foliage.  A couple of days were cooler and rainy.

Mary was able to get an extra project done of painting all the baseboards and moulding around the windows and door frames.  I don't think she took any naps while I was there.  I was hoping to give her extra rest.  But I did take kids to school and pick up to give a bit of a break that way.

Mary and I went on a few walks.  Took the stroller for Liam, Kira came and the dog, Kippy.  Once again I soaked in all the beautiful sunshine and greenery.  Taylors are blessed to live in a beautiful location.

 One mild evening with clear blue skies turning towards sunset, we walked, just Mary and I, through beautiful red rock caves and cliffs on a trail high above a river.  I don't know what the place was called. But no one else was around.  A reverent, almost temple-like setting settled upon us as we shared our separate experiences of babies loved and lost.  A golden memory for me, with a bit of heaven meeting earth.

The week flew by quickly!  I left Friday morning.  It was slightly snowing that morning and when I reached Cheyenne and Laramie it looked like the middle of February.  Welcome back to Wyoming! 

Thanks for the great time, Mary!