Weekend in Denver & New Job

This past weekend, Matt had a continuing education course in Denver. Since work was paying, I joined him and enjoyed a night at the Hyatt on Friday night! This particular Hyatt was quite fancy. There was actually a book show going on that weekend with a variety of attendees...so we didn't feel out of place :) Many people were actually dressed up as characters for the occasion!

From the 9th Floor-where our room was.


See this bed? It was the most AMAZING bed I have ever slept on. It was like sleeping on a cloud.


Very nice bathroom.


Matt checking out the Guest Book.




Room Service! Pretty tasty burger & quesadilla.


Matt headed out early Saturday morning for his course while I dropped him off and then went back to the heavenly bed to sleep some more! I had a quick workout, watched the end of the movie Marley & Me on TV...thinking I wouldn't cry like a baby since I had already seen it before...WRONG about that one. ha ha. Then I met my previous boss from Colonial Columns, Teresa, for lunch at Mad Greens-great salads! Teresa & I went to this beautiful park after we ate and walked until we realized I was going to be late to pick Matt up! We did that last time too! We will try harder next time, Matt :) Thankfully my husband is very understanding. This is us back at her apartment complex.

It was so wonderful hanging out with Teresa. She transferred from Colorado Springs to a skilled nursing facility in Denver last February. But she was my boss who hired me last October when I began my employment at Colonial Columns. I love this lady...and was sorry to see her go!

Anyway, on that note concerning my job, I probably should announce that I resigned my position at Colonial three weeks ago. My last day is this Friday (10.30). A home health care company approached me a while back with an excellent opportunity that I could not refuse! I am very excited about this new position for a variety of reasons and Matt and I felt that is was the next step that God had for us. It was very difficult to resign from Colonial...but we are confident about this decision. My new company is Encompass Home Health and they are sending me to Dallas in November for 3 days of training. I am especially excited about this as it is very important as a sales/marketing professional to know what you are talking about! I would not make it passed the front desk in a doctor's office otherwise. :) So this is kind of important to my success in obtaining referrals. I am very happy to get back into home health care. I am even more elated to be joining such an incredible home health company with co-workers who are awesome and cheered me on all the way through my 3rd and final interview!

Mueller State Park

Matt & I went to Mueller State Park this weekend for a hike. We wanted to take advantage of the beautiful fall
weather today considering last weekend it was in the 20's and it snowed! Yikes.
76 degrees is the forecast for Sunday now...this Colorado weather is crazy!

Getting ready for our hike once we pulled into the trailhead.


Being silly.


Ok...and normal.


We did the Outlook Ridge hike and incorporated some others along the way. Matt is signing us in.


My man.


Pretty.


Close to the beginning of our hike.


Leaning on an Aspen.


More Aspen!


I love fall.


We were late for most of the fall leaves...but still breathtaking.




Matt playing with the settings on his new point & shoot camera.


Until I point & shoot at him!


Our first overlook.


The view.


Another pic for Grandma Johnson. :)


Shots on the overlook.


Fun one!


Enjoying the view.


Needing a rest...and this was only the first overlook!


Our second overlook and then we took another hike that wound around and went back to the trail head.
Gorgeous day in Colorado!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Jacob Ray

My 2nd nephew, Jacob Ray, was born sleeping on October 17, 2007.
This is his beautiful family, David, Adrienne & his older brother, Colin:

We still think of him often, wishing he could have spent his time on earth with us. But still trusting in the Lord's divine plan that we don't always understand. Please keep my brother and sister 'n law in your prayers today.
Love you, David, Age, Colin & Jacob! Can't wait to meet you in Heaven, Jacob.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

After the Alzheimer's Walk, Matt and I headed to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo for our September date! We set aside money each month to do something fun so I don't feel guilty about taking the money from somewhere else. I am so glad we decided to go on this day because after this weekend we started to have some cold days...and snow! We have been wanting to go to this zoo for awhile...it is the only mountainside zoo. It was a lot of walking, but it was great fun. We even splurged on the sky ride! I kept thinking about how my mom would hate the sky ride while I was on it because she doesn't like heights at all. It even made me nervous at first, and I am usually okay with heights.

Here are a couple highlights of our day: The Skyride


Going Up!


A little climbing.


The giraffes! These might have been my favorite :)




Bears-Matt's favorite...because the lions & tigers weren't very active while we were there.


Enjoying the bear show.


Wait, this might be my favorite! Ha ha. He makes me laugh every time!
He didn't look very happy as he sat there...pondering.


What a face!


Thanks Gary & Allison for the buy one get one free for the zoo!

We went to Texas Roadhouse when we were done at the zoo with our free appetizer
coupon from the Alzheimer's Walk...all in all, a great day!

Alzheimer's Walk

In September, the weekend after we got back from our Labor Day trip to Indy, Matt and I went to the Alzheimer's Walk in Colorado Springs. Colonial Columns Nursing Center (our work) was represented their with a booth. Actually all four of the Sava Senior Care nursing facilities were represented. And we are one of them. I had the early shift of setting up and I talked Matt into coming with me :) He is a good husband. When we got there the Director of Nursing from one of our other facilities, Aspen Living Center, said last year they did door prizes. So Matt and I ran to Wal-Mart quick so we could attract more people to our booth with a door prize. That was really fun! We did a lady prize and a man prize. Matt was particularly helpful with the man prize for obvious reasons. We put a fun Denver Broncos kit together. It drew a ton of attention!
More than we bargained for! Here are a few pics from the day:


Monica (from Aspen) & I at the booth:

The event was at "America the Beautiful Park"


Team "Colonial Columns" crossing the finish line!


Snack & picture break.


Colonial Columns Group-Matt took this picture, so you won't find him in here!

Pray for Grandma

Grandma Johnson, Matt's grandma, is having open heart surgery tomorrow (Friday) at 8:30AM Central Time.
We would covet your prayers for a very special woman in our life...in our whole family's lives.

Please pray for the surgeon to have wisdom and sure hands as he conducts the 3 hour procedure. Pray for peace for Grandma as well as Grandpa Johnson, Mom Wittleder and all of the family and friends that will be anxiously awaiting the outcome of the surgery. We are trusting God as we know He has a divine plan. And we are praising Him that the doctors discovered the blockages in her arteries this week. They told Grandma had they not found them in time, she likely would have had a heart attack that she would not have survived.

So please pray as we anxiously await the hand of the Lord in the life of a woman whom we love dearly.

We love you Grandma!!!
Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge. Psalms 62:8