The Kofford Family relocates to Colorado after 40 years as Californians. In December of 2007, Grandma Lorraine is diagnosed with Stage 4 brain cancer. Sadly, she passed away on Dec. 26th, 2008 after a year long courageous battle. Follow our journey as we keep Lorraine's memory alive, and as we learn to appreciate that each day we are given, is a gift to be enjoyed!

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”
~Maria Robertson

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Mother's Day, home improvements, and soon-to-be-summer vacation in one week!

It's been a busy week since Mother's Day, and we've been on the go. I have found the saying, "If I am a stay at home mom, why do I spend all my time in the car?" to be true. We've had a busy week of riding lessons, a Guitar Showcase, Girl Scout field trips and end of the year picnic, an Orchestra Concert, tennis lessons, piano lessons, etc...etc...amazingly, our kiddo's start their summer vacation next Friday, (isn't it a month early for summer?) and once again we have a whirlwind week until the end. We enjoyed a lovely Mother's Day beginning with church, a delicious brunch lovingly made by Tom, gifts, gardening, dinner out, and more! Tom and the kids surprised with me a new Canon Rebel camera which was a huge surprise, and much appreciated since someone walked off with my first Canon when we were robbed at an Open House before moving to Colorado. But that's a story for another time! I had fun trying out the new camera while Ashlyn made wishes with dandelions...
Tom and the kids planting vegetables while mother gets to relax!
Soon to be zuccinni squash...
Beautiful hydrangeas... Roscoe dog poses for a picture too...
Trying out the new camera and capturing blossoms...see the orange flicker in the background? That would be a fire in our fireplace...isn't it supposed to be warm on Mother's Day? :-)
Even weeds look pretty through the lens of a new camera!

Oh it's fun to zoom in...notice all the little hairs on Tara Belle's head... Kyle showing off his stuff...he had a Guitar Showcase the night before and had fun "jamming" for me on Mother's Day.

This week we are having our house painted, and I have been worried all week that one of the painters may fall from the giant ladders they use to reach the top story of the house...sure enough, today one of the painters fell as he lost his balance with the wind! Fortunately, he was not injured! Luckily the only damage was a huge bucket of paint that spilled all over the patio...I don't think I will relax until this project is complete!

I have not been to many of your blogs in over a week, so I look forward to stopping by very soon, I have missed you! I apologize for being absent for so long, and for letting our 'life changes for 3 weeks' fall by the wayside. There is much to catch up on...like an old friend, I know we will have lots to talk about in the coming days and weeks! See you again soon!

11 comments:

Unknown said...

Welcome back! We have parts of 3 weeks left...about 18 school days!

Sounds like you are super busy! We have dance recitals Today thru Sunday...oh hip hooray! lol

Lorri said...

I got the same camera (our husbands have been talking!) We'll have to do some classes together - they have some cannon classes in Boulder!

Lucy Marie said...

I love all the photos of the plants and flowers. A sign of new life!

Unknown said...

The pictures are wonderful, congrats on the new camera.
The summer break is upon us soon, girls are out 5/28, Nick on 6/5, much to his dismay, he doesn't like he is going later.
The end of the school year always brings busy-ness I find, but almost always the good kind.
I look forward to catching up with you more.

Laura said...

Great pictures w/ your new Camera! What a nice M.D. gift!

I see Kyle cut his hair...does he like it short or want to grow it out again?

Parker is still letting his grow, while Patrick likes his nice and short....too funny!

Laura

Faith said...

Sounds like a wonderful Mother's Day! That's so exciting about your new camera...you'll have fun with that!

Hope things begin to settle down soon for y'all!

Melissa said...

Great to read all about your week. Love the pics! You may have a future in photography! :D

Traci said...

Hey girl, I've gotten out of the bloggy habit but I'm finally back at it. I've been reading and catching up... bless your heart!
Honestly, the Lord has brought you to mind off and on over the past weeks during my regular busy routine and each time I've said a little prayer for you and I'm so glad to hear that He's answered.
Love the new camera photos! Look forward to seeing more as you become a pro!

Stephanie Baffone said...

Hi Denise,
I saw your post on Kelly Corrigan's website and I wanted to tell you how sorry I am to hear about your Mom & Dad. That is tough, indeed.

I lost my Mom 6 years ago but my father is 94 years old and still doing well, he lives in Florida. I had the same hesitation that you did about reading Kelly's book but I was glad that I read it. I was drawn to the book initially because Kelly and I grew up in the Philadelphia area and I was so familiar with all the places she referenced .

I actually am a grief and loss therapist in private practice but my biggest project so far is writing my memoir, Doris, Sophia and Me: A Memoir About My Mother Who Didn't Live Long Enough and My Daughter Who Was Never Born. It is the very early stages but in the end hopefully it will be a tribute to the legacy of my Mom.

The hardest year of my life too was caring for my Mom in the end. The saying that there comes a time when a daughter becomes a mother and a mother become a daughter was exactly what happened to me and my Mom. It was so painful but also sacred at the same time. Actually, I take that back, the hardest years for me included not only the period of time when she was so, so sick but those first few years after she passed away and I had to figure out how to live in a world without her. Even today, six years later there are days when I miss being someone's little girl!

Blessings to you Denise and your family! I love your blog.
Stephanie

Sue said...

Hooray for the new camera!! LOVE the pix! Glad you're all doing well and keeping busy. Just enjoy yourself... we'll all be here when you get back. :-)

xoxo

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Great pics, Denise! Love your pics of the family, including those cute chihauhuas. I have been looking at dogs, and I think those are darling.

XO,

Sheila :-)