Everyone needs some teen time.

I have been thinking a lot this week about what I can do to make our life a little more fun. I have every day in the week booked with school and work. Jace is at school sometimes for 12 hours a day. Needless to say, we are usually pretty pooped by the time we see each other at night. It has become routine to come home and collapse on the couch and watch "Friends" until we fall asleep. It is nice to relax, but I must admit, I am getting a little tired of Movies and TV! 
Yesterday, I was craving pizza. I emailed Jace while I was at work to tell him about it. He was very supportive of my craving so I told him we would have it for dinner...that's when the wheels started turning. I pick him up around 9:00pm on these days and always have dinner waiting for him in the passenger seat. He knew there would be pizza, but I wanted it to be more than just pizza. I wanted pizza in an exciting place! I goggled Denver Lookout sites with no luck. I was going to choose a really cool monument at Cheesman Park, but then realized we would probably be mugged so late at night. Finally, I thought I had the place.
I ordered Jace's favorite: Pappa John's, and hurried out to fulfill my mission. I threw a blanket in the back of the car and headed for my first stop, King Soopers to get sparkling cider, strawberries and a snack for Jace to munch on while we drove to the destination. I then picked up the pizza and hid everything under the blanket,  not too well. Jace could smell it when he got in the car and I did my best to distract him with the snack. 
I thought somewhere by Cherry Creek High school would be perfect. It's above everything. The park would have been good, but we chickened out at the thought of getting locked in. I searched and searched, then found a turn to the school parking lot  with a nice big sign that said "no tresspassing"...PERFECT! We parked. Ate our pizza. Listened to Jack Johnson. Watched for Rent-a cops. It was just like being 16 again. We still haven't renewed the registration on our car...so trouble was lurking from every corner. 
I was the best mini-date ever. THIS is what we've needed...a little danger. I am totally revamped now!

Jacey's Masterpiece

This is a project he did for his typography class. The assignment was to make a portrait entirely from type. 34 hours later, he made this. For those of you that know us really well, you may recognize the words...they are the lyrics from the first song Jace ever wrote me. Make sure you click on the picture to zoom in so you can appreciate the detail.
p.s. Jace LOVES school!

God Has Heard

I have found many variations of what the name "Jadyn" means, but one that has really stuck with me is "god has heard." Was she an answer to prayer? I didn't seem to have any trouble getting pregnant! But everything seems to be pointing to her. We were told to move...NOW, I got the perfect job for a pregnant lady, and Smashburger is now just around the corner.
Though every child is a blessing, I think she has especially been an answer to prayer even though I didn't know I was praying for her. I have found myself on my knees constantly asking for more hope for the future, more of a reason to push through the days, more of a reassurance that we are doing what is right, more courage, more determination to be better...and every time I feel a little nudge on my tummy... suddenly all my pleadings are granted.