This song

Malta, November 2013 Photo by Kellie Ann Barlow

"The greatest obstacle to creativity is breaking through the barrier of disbelief."

At the end of life

So, we moved to beautiful Colorado Springs!

I absolutely love it here. We live in a bright 2-story  home, that is colored with a happy shade of yellow.

January was warm beyond expectation, with many 50 and 60 degree days. The last week has has been unusually cold; so cold, in fact, that we have been waking up to temperatures as cold as -20, and even though it is 70 degrees in this house, the hinges of the front door have frost on them. On the inside.

To the delight of the older kids, our entire school district has been shut down for the last 2 days because of the extreme weather. We have been making real snow cones from the (clean) snow off our back deck- we just add apple juice,root beer, or my favorite, pepsi. Yum!

London recently had her eighth birthday, and we are busy planning a Frozen party together. Today we are working on a homemade pinata. She is a sweet sister, and a good helper to me.  She reads a lot, and, as always, makes friends where ever she goes.  Every night I tuck her covers around her skinny little frame and tell her she is "snug...as...a...bug...in...a....rug". She relishes feeling safe in her warm bed.

Olivia is doing really well, school and home seem to have both have come together for her, and her behavior has been really good overall. She is being incorporated into a regular 4th grade class room, and has excellent support here. She melts everyone with her blue eyes and blonde hair and friendly demeanor. She spent the morning playing with her siblings and a toy doctor kit, and, of course rocking Wii Party! She is really good at that game!

Nathaniel is in middle school. Middle school! I was terrified to send him there, but he is doing phenomenally well. His favorite thing is the lunch cafeteria- apparently they have a wide variety of food that appeals to boys his age- pizza, brownies, hot dogs, slushies.  He is learning Spanish and Drama, and has been working hard. I'm so proud of him! When he is at home, his life has one main objective- Minecraft. I've tried to play with him, but I just don't understand the appeal. To each his own, I guess!

 

Jack is a wild, cute little 3 year old. He loves all things Frozen,and goes around singing Let it Go all day long. I tell him he looks just like Kristoff, with his big brown eyes and blonde hair. He is going to preschool and music/art/sports classes at a local kids gym, and he loves it.  His naps are getting shorter, and he can dress himself now.  Every day when I comb his hair, he says he wants it to look like "Prince Aiden's" hair (a character from a Barbie movie).

Photo magic- the sun is shining brightly on his 'snow cone' --looks like magic!

Dane holds the title of "the Love of my Life". He is working like crazy these days, but we are hoping his long hours will come to fruition on his latest project. He is really sweet, and my absolute favorite cuddle bug! The best part of my day is when he gets home and I get to give him a big hug and kiss. I just wish I saw him more!

 

I'm sick today, and just dragging. Which is probably why I have time to post :)  Spending a lot of time reading, pinning (on Pinterest) organizing and unpacking boxes when I'm not running errands or taking care of the kids. I'm happy, and busy.

Anyway, that's the latest. Love you friends!!!

 

Jem - Yellow (cover with piano)

Ingrid Michaelson - Ghost (Official Lyric Video)

Life really is just so good. These photos (and from the last post) are from our family celebration of Olivia's 11th birthday. I love that sweet little girl. She is really smart, and fun, and sweet, and just good company.
Plus, she makes me laugh! I love that.

Jack was such a ham, leaning in for every picture. He as the squishiest, most kissable little cheeks. I could kiss them all day and not get tired of it.

Just a quick post about a happy memory. Happy Birthday to my Livie!

The Barlow Bunch

We are missing Kayla in this photo, but here the rest of us are-- we even got Brady to pose! Amazing.

I absolutely love evry single one of these beautiful kids, and especially the sweet man standing next to me, he takes such good care of me, and is so patient and loving. I'm so proud to call him mine!

 It doesn't get any better than this.

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." -Helen Keller

Have I ever told you how I love having a daughter? Or 2? Or 4?

When London came along, she completed my life in so many ways. What can be better than having a sweet little girl to love, and hug , and kiss, and dress, and braid her hair, and play with? 

London's favorite toy right now is her easel. She plays school in her room nearly every day, practicing for the day she gets to be a real teacher, her main goal in life at this point.  I will find her with rows of students (dolls and stuffed animals) hard at work, while she patiently teaches them how to spell or about the weather. And, while allowing the expo marker to be left in her room is a substantial risk with Jack on the loose in our home, I think it's proved to be worth the gamble so far.  

Sunday Snapshots

My little Jack-Jack. Just so darn cute all the time! I love kissing those sweet cheeks.

 

 

 

Shane is practically our household celebrity, the younger kids love and look up to him so much. We all really enjoy his easy going manner and good company when he comes over.

Brady, our poster child of rebellion, is actually a fantastic worker, and I love it when he comes to help. He tries so hard to hide it, but he's a total sweetheart underneath the rough exterior.

Dane works so hard on our yard- he is so amazing!

These two will play together for hours on end. Darling sisters.

Enjoying the family on a cool spring evening. Brady and Shane came and helped Dane with the yard work, and all the kids sat on the back of the truck and ate orange creamsicles while their feet swung in the air.

A perfect family memory.

Duh-na-na-na-na-na-na-na....

Batman!!!

Self-portrait

I sure love that man in the picture frame!

Random photos of people I love...and the cat

SerenDIPity

Serendipity: 

 noun

1.

an aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident

2.

good fortune; luck

Wishing you a day filled with serendipity!

(This read sign is near my father's work in American Fork, Utah. It makes me smile every time I drive by....even though I have to slow down for the dip)