red rocks...

While we were in Colorado, we drove out to Red Rocks amphitheater. I loved being out of the city, driving into the foothills, and then seeing the crop of red rocks stand out against the blue sky. Eric immediately said kopjes! and brought us all back to the islands of rocks that stand tall among the grasses of the Serengeti {think Pride Rock in Lion King!}

We wandered the Colorado Music Hall of Fame, and then took to the path that led us up to the amphitheater. My legs immediately began to groan, and I wondered if they were just tiring easily from all the walking we did in the city the day before, or if this was really just the altitude.  Either way, it felt like a climb, just getting to the first row of benches lined up before the stage. We looked up to see at least a hundred people working out on the benches, and I was still trying to just catch my breath. I watched one young lady sprint up the benches, hardly slowing as she neared the top row. It was all I could do to suggest to Cam that we walk up to see the view, I wasn't sure if Eric and Laura would make the attempt.

Eventually, we all arrived at the top rail to look down on the venue... and I while I gulped some water bought at the snack bar, I started regretting my decision to not see a concert here. Lauren Daigle was scheduled to perform the next evening and I would have loved to hear her voice amplify among these red rocks. But... the timing was wrong, and honestly, I didn't know if I could really climb back up here anyway. 

 Yesterday, I caught a clip of Lauren's performance at Red Rocks. Wow... it would have been incredible to hear her sing to the mountains in person.... listening to her sing Rescue just reverberated in my soul.

You are not hidden

There's never been a moment

You were forgotten

You are not hopeless

Though you have been broken

Your innocence stolen

I hear you whisper underneath your breath

I hear your SOS, your SOS

I will send out an army to find you

In the middle of the darkest night

It's true, I will rescue you

There is no distance

That cannot be covered

Over and over

You're not defenseless

I'll be your shelter, I'll be your armor...

To my kids... this song is for you.
You are grown, you are figuring out life as a grown up, and all that it has to offer. The good, the bad, and the really, really hard. But you are going to make it... beautiful. I want you to know though, that we are here... and with everything I have, if you need me...

I will send out an army to find you

In the middle of the darkest night

It's true, I will rescue you

I will never stop marching to reach you

In the middle of the hardest fight

It's true, I will rescue you.

-Lauren Daigle

life lately...the colorado edition

We are home from our adventure across the country, and my heart is full. Three and a half days of being reunited and seeing Laura's new world was pure joy... and I long to unpack some stories. For now, though, I offer a few glimpses of what was a wonderful, laughter-filled weekend.

1. Seeing where our girl is living was so nice... now I can picture her there when
we talk! And she was anxious to show me her little cup, picked up at the
Cherry Blossom Festival she went to.

2. The views from our walking tour were lovely... gardens and blue skies and public art.

3. I did this as often as I could... I plan to print this and put it
on the fridge where I can see her every day. 

4. Our food truck lunch was delicious and adventurous,
and we enjoyed it fountain-side at Union Station.
I tried Korean Barbecue for the first time!

5. When you see Swahili in Denver...

6. We passed these window boxes twice, and on my second trip by,
I had to touch them. Yep. Bottle caps!
{are they still considered window boxes if they are on a fence bordering a little street cafe?}

7. We climbed the steps to the top of the Red Rocks amphitheater...
you must have to be in great shape to see a concert there!

8. One of Laura's picks... visit a meadery. I almost said - let's skip it...
but Cam brought his Bees are freaking awesome shirt especially for this visit,
so I kept my mouth shut. It was a delicious decision!

9. Our last day... spent in Colorado Springs. Siamese Twins at Garden of the Gods.
Beauty in every direction.