The Gift Of A Vacation--One Thousand Gifts #22

One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are

I know it is not Monday, but after such an amazing vacation with my family, I had to post about the gifts.  We spent a week in Breckenridge and had a super good time.  I am so grateful.


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~LIFE.  I am alive.  He has brought me-- carried me to this place of mountains I dreamed of when I was sick.

~standing on snow in shorts

~my youngest girl and her cousin, discussing Grandpa and Grandma's generosity to provide this family trip

~amazing food everyday.  Nourishing.

~a smile on my face that is hard to erase.  How can I keep from singing and shouting His name?

~ a morning, 2- block walk alone to the Amazing Grace Natural Cafe

~granola w/ cranberries, bananas.  Soy milk in a small metal pitcher. A 'just-out-of-the-oven' scone.

~listening to the locals banter.  They are regulars here at this Amazing Grace cafe. I would be too, we would be friends, if I lived here.

~getting caught on my walk in the sprinklers

~an early morning stroll alone.  I find a church.  I stop to gaze at the cross top and thank Him for this day.

~candles burning in old church windows

~grandma bouncing grand baby

~brooks, streams and rivers

~grandpa chuckling to himself while reading from his Kindle

~energy to have FUN.

~His  BIGNESS!  He made these mountains!!

~on these mountains, my eyes seem to see the furthest east to west.  This is how far He has removed my transgressions!

~cousins playing board games

~a life that is so very blessed.

~journals and books

~a fancy dinner with my mother-in-law and sister-in-laws.  One of my favorite memories made. My heart bursts with love for them.

~the quaint shops of Breckenridge.

~my girls searching for the perfect souvenir to buy with the money Grandpa pulled from his pocket.

~listening and hearing my husband.  Putting my defenses down, caring more for his feelings than my own.  God's grace to do so.

~my awe in a spice store.  Amazed by all the scents from nature, I again praise the Creator.

~white water rafting.  The warmth of my wetsuit (we won't talk about how they smelled).  Safety.

~ my girls squeals of joy when rafting on white water

~Alpine slides and chair lifts

~cordless earphones in the car for our girls. A DVD player.

~ awesome time to bond with husband as kids watch movies in the car

~a private suite within a large family cabin.  Our own kitchen and bathroom.  Amazing.

~daughter overcoming her fear on chairlift

~alpine treetops.  Viewing them from above.

~bumping into friends I have not seen in over 24 years!!  So good to see you, Melissa & Jon!

~'fake' Keens that worked just as well as 'real' Keens

~watching nephews rock climb.  Their will and determination.

~bro-in-laws. Their unique personalities.  Their love for their families.  Their wisdom.

~cousins rock collections, their discovery of textures and colors

~the swiveling, wall-mounted t.v. in our suite

~orange poppies.  Their heads dancing, pointing toward majestic mountains

~family strolls, family time

~veggie pizza, served on white and red checkered tablecloths

~a leisure afternoon of shopping, when what the clock says just does not matter

~cupcakes with my cuppy-cuppy cupcakes!  Sweets with my sweetie-pies!

~a- latte -a- day----my vacation splurge

~a family train of twenty biking down the mountain.  Our splitting up then meeting again creates the rhythm of the day.

~feeling so alive as I coast down the mountain.  The words in my head--"The firmament shows His handiwork!!"

~forcing myself to not smile while biking, don't want bugs in my teeth!

~baby bike buggy

~daddy taking his girls horseback riding so I can shop alone

~flowering cactus, another something to delight my girls

~kind, patient zip line instructors

~safety on all 6 zips!

~little girls with big courage

~flying across the canyon, celebrating that I can!

~safety.  Our trip ends with an ambulance and paramedics.  They give our youngest 2 thumbs up after falling onto cement from 5 feet up.  She wanted to help pack the top of the car, and proceeded to do so after being told no!! Ugh.

~a sore wrist, but not broken.  A raw knee that can still walk.  A red knot on her head but no serious head injury.  Safe.