I'm Baaccckkk!

I had an AMAZING time out in Colorado with my lovely daughter Erin and her wonderful husband, my son-in-law, Jerry. Here is a picture of the two of them the day we ran through the Garden of the Gods. A most amazing place. I even saw a lady propelling down the rocks. I think that's what it was called. I mean really, it wasn't a free fall or nothing. But it made my toes curl and my stomach knot up then Erin announced that she too has done this. Argh!!!! Her fearless gene is a mutant one because that is not evident on either side of the family.

I flew in on the 22nd. So did every democrat from the nation. I flew back on the 29th. So did every democrat in the nation. It didn't help that McCain had announced his running mate that morning. The trip home was with cranky democrats. Denver airport is a bear during DNC.

Anyway, I digress. I flew in and we had a Packer preseason game to get to. I will mention right off that we WON!! High five and slap my butt!!! We had remarkable seats. My son-in-law is master at getting tickets. Don't think we had that great of seats? Well...we were in row 12 Packer side at the 20. Here is a picture to brag about. That's right folks, I took that picture and it was with a pocket digital and NOT Bob's space age Nikon with all the zoom technology. It was SO much fun seeing my boys up close and personal. I must add though that the Denver Bronco fans are a fun and friendly group. You don't see much of that on the east coast. Just friendly banter went back and forth. It was most pleasant.

By the time we got back to the house that night I had been up for 23 hours. Do you know what an old broad gets like with no sleep? Last time I stayed up that long was in my 20's and it was with the assist of beer and tequila. You'd of thought I would have slept in the next morning. Not this chronic isomniac. I was up at 5:30.

There was lots of running around every day. They took it easy on me Saturday and we garage saled. BARGAINS!!! I wish I had drove a moving truck there! Sunday we did brunch and mini golf. Monday I got a MASSAGE and we toured the AirForce Academy. Tuesday we went to Garden of the Gods and the Cliff Dwellings. Here is a picture of Erin inside one of the dwellings. They were fun. We even had Native Americans demonstrating their tradtional dance for us. And Wednesday.......Wednesday we went up to Pikes Peak!! You must keep in mind that I am terrified of heights. When we boarded the cog train and they had all the warnings about altitude sickness and everything I thought for sure I would be the one to embarass the kids and throw up on some unsuspecting fellow tourist. I am pleased to announce that I did NOT get sick and that I LOVED the whole experience!!! In fact I was giddy about it. It was like a God moment for me. All I could think as I watched the scene unfold before me as we climbed higher up that mountain is look at what God's mighty hand created.

Do you know you can not adequately take a picture to convey the height at which you are? It has to be experienced first hand. I encourage EVERYONE to make a point of going to a mountain summit at least once in your life. You'll never regret you did. Here is another picture of Erin and Jerry atop that wonderous mountain.

Oh, and do you know that when you get to the top they have DONUTS? Yum!! We are talking warm cake donuts and not those poor excuse for a pastry Krispy Creme yuckiness. These are what I remember Mama making when I was a wee one. Of course Jerry had to partake of their fudge too. They tell us calories don't count at 14,110 feet. We chose to go along with that little tidbit and lie. ANY excuse to eat right folks?

Are any of you doubting that I was actually at Pike's Peaks summit? Think I was too scared for such a venture? Well ahh hahh....I have picture proof. Here I am with Erin and I am thrilled and happy beyond description. Now for those of you that already know me....can you imagine what I might be like when my brain receives even less oxygen than it does now? A sidenote....the first two days I was back home I had so much energy from being back in oxygen it wasn't funny.

Saying goodbye to Erin at the airport was brutally hard. I had not cried that hard in some time. It got to a point Erin and Jerry had to leave the area or we would have stood their and bawled until I got all the way through security. People were looking at us funny. You know....democrats. But I am so glad I had this time with my daughter before she leaves and we were able to talk of important stuff and I have actually found peace about this all. Between having that time with her and praying Psalm 91 every single day since some dear friends at church turned me on to it I have a renewed hope and spirit about the situation. God is good....ALL the time!!! I look forward to flying back out to Colorado when Erin's tour in Iraq is done and this time the whole family will go and we will have a wonderful celebration.

So there you have it....a short recap of Theresa's vacation. It was WONDERFUL!!! Thank you Erin and Jerry!!! I love you both SO much!!!