Chester's 6 Month Shoot

Looking ahead to 2009!!

Well it seems it is hard to keep up with life enough to put it down in words... esp lately.

Moving to Tx has been great... not only have we been able to start attending Gabe's old home church we have also been reconnecting with friends and family. Chester is greatly enjoying all the attention ;)

Recently Gabe has decided to go back to school. It is so awesome seeing him so excited about something! Right now he is going to be meeting with the school adviser about their business/management program. And then after two years there (he has already done one year) he hopes to get into the music field. I will try to keep up more with this as we go on to tel lyou all how it is going.

It is also official... i started yesterday trying to finish my Photography degree. I was already doing it before I married gabe... but got a little side tracked ;) So now i am taking it back up and they said if I finish by 10/09 I can get my diploma with my class... so I am goin to try and work at it really hard! Hopefully be able to pick up some photography jobs on the side! I am really excited to be getting in it again and really hope I can get far with it!!

Wish me luck! I need to get back to studying!

Cheers!

Beginning in a new place...

Well we made it safely to Texas and have temporary moved into Gabe's grandparents home. (such a beautiful, peaceful place... love it so much!) The wont be moving in till March or somewhere around there so we are enjoying a little time to just chill, before we have to make another move... hopefully this time into our very first home. (yay for being homeowners!) We have been looking around alot at the different houses in the Mineola area (where his gparents house it) If we find something here it will be really great since Gabe GOT A JOB not 3 minutes down the road. He has really enjoying riding his bike to work and back. He is currently working at Hughes Appliances/Radio Shack as an installer/repair man. He really enjoys it a lot as the team he is working with is a bunch of really great guys and he is able to use his hands a little more and not just sit at a desk... or be in the kitchen all day!

Chester and I have really enjoying the Mineola area as well! Lately Chester and I have been working around the house a lot... and a lot of outdoor/yarn work. He sits in his little bouncy chair with all his toys and I rake the leaves and straited up the porch. He is so cute as he has gotten to the point where he can keep up a rather steady conversation! lol. Not to mention we have an awesome park right down the road! It is crazy taking Chester to the same places his Daddy grew up at! We are already planning Chester's first birthday at the park near the wooden bridge his Pop made and the same place Gabe had his first birthday party!! :) oh how fun!

Every day with Chester (now 5 months old!!) is an adventure and I wouldn't trade it for the world. Whether it be a smile... a laugh... his first time trying peaches... him reaching towards my face in a hello... or his learning how to use his first sippy cup... it is so much fun!! I can't wait to wake up in the morning to take him on a new adventure :) I am so proud of him... he seems to grow up leaps and bounds! With every new food I introduce to him he just gobbles up and looks for more!! He just loves it all... yes, even the peas ;) And today I gave him the new sippy cup I bought for him with a little bit of apple juice. He was amazing with it!! Ahh... mommas heart is so proud :)

well anyways feel like I have been ramblings so I will leave it for now :)

CHEERS ALL!!

Chester- 4 months!

God gave us one more snow...

A time to plant, and a time to uproot...

Well our time in Colorado has seem to come to an end for now... and we are packing up to move back to Gabe's home town in East Texas. This move is very bittersweet... sad we will be leaving all the friends we have made here in CO, sad to be leaving our beautiful mountains we have come to love so much... but at the same time we are trusting that God has a plan in this. And that we will grow closer as a family and to Him.

We will definitely be back to visit, there is no doubt about that... and one day I hope we will move back to Colorado.

We will miss you all here in Colorado... wish you the very best... and know that our prays are with you, even if we cannot be.

Cheers and loves!!

Chester's new "lil, big" boy bed!!

Please be praying for Gabe as he is out at Camp Redcloud at a Wild at Heart retreat. I am really praying this will be a really neat time for him.. not just spiritually, but that he will be able to connect with some of the guys (something that has been lacking) Hope this an an opportunity where he will be able to get away from the busyness of work and life and enjoy the mountains again and "find God" again!
Not just Gabe, but for all the guys out there!!

Christmas in September!!

Today has been like Christmas for us!! :)

This morning I woke up to 3 packages from the post office!

Box 1 was a book I had ordered for Ches called "I will love you forever". oh my the best book ever... and a definite must for anyone. I remember my Mom reading it to me when I was younger and have been looking everywhere for it so I can read it to Ches before he goes to bed just like my Mom did... and YAY, I finally got it! :) I was so excited!

Box 2 was a dress that I had ordered a while back...empire waist... green flowers with black and cream. It is so purdy and Gabe said he would take me out on a date just so I can wear it ;) lol

Box 3 my belated birthday present from my darling husband..... A DALLAS STARS JERSEY!! Heck yeh!! I have to say since dating and marrying my hubby I have become a very dedicated fan lol. Marty Turco is Turcolicious!!! Number 35 (the goalie) and so amazing! Now we just have to plan a trip down to Dallas to watch a home game!

Then we all went to Montrose for the day and what a fun time we had! First off we found a $100 mattress for Chester's crib (yep he is graduating!) for only 4 BUCKS!! Then we went to Target and I got some much needed jeans... a really cute shirt... new watch... and CONVERSES!! I have been eyeing them for a while lol. Then we went out to eat together and Ches flirted with all the passing women with his winner smile. Haha..he is such a darling.

Now we are relaxing at home... listening to Gabe composing songs on his guitar :) Chester is sleeping peacefully in his new crib and I am going to go relax into bed and enjoy some hot tea and an episode of Survivor..... ahh, what a wonderful day with my boyz :)

fall.times.

What a busy time lately!! I have hardly had enough time to blog anything! (not to mention it gets a little tough with a little one in my arms ;)

My birthday this year fell on the same date as the Music & Wine Festival here in Lake City. It is one of the biggest events of the year... and proved to be so once again. The town was packed, and Gabe, who was cooking all day, it was esp busy! Ches and I hung out... took a walk into town to check out all the festivities and then went to see Gabe at work. Ches is so cute when i bring him as he just watches Gabe going back and forth preping... all the while smiling so much at getting to see his Daddy during the day! Altho it was a crazy weekend with work and all... everyone has breathed a sigh of relief as it also marks the start of Lake City's "down time". The tourists start to leave town and we once again become our small mountain town starting to hibernate for the winter. All the locals start to come out again, friends get to catch up, and we who ere so busy before can get out and enjoy the changing colors of fall!! My favorite time of the year!! (Gabe and I are going to take Ches out for his first hike this weekend and I will be sure to take my camera...so pictures soon to come!!)

Yesterday I started going through the house dejunking and organizing each room... a task which is going to take longer then I thought!! I set up the second bedroom as Gabe's recording studio... and he is really stoked to have more time to play music this fall/winter. I love when he plays... which I usually listen to him while I try to do a little sketching. (A "lost art" I am trying to get back into.

Chester is turning 3 months this week, and I can't believe how fast the time has flown by!! He is growing so much... almost daily it seems by leaps and bounds. He loves laying on his stomach, pushing himself up and kicking his legs like crazy! He is so ready to start going places! He is always all smiles and his little laugh is so adorable. My little man... I can't believe what a blessing he is to his daddy and I! Ches is also moving into this crib this weekend and out of mamma's and papa's room... yes I am nervous at this... but I think it is just cause I love having my lil guy so close. But he has been sleeping through the night a lot and doing just great! We will see how it goes!!

Well.... I am off to bed. I worked today at the grill with Gabe and I am plain tuckered out!! Time to go cuddle with my boys and rest my tired feet :)

Cheers to all!

Well... as you can obviously tell it has been quite a while since I have updated this site. (My xanga site www.xanga.com/photogirl920 has been updated more) A lot has happened... so let me try to cover some of the changes in our lives.

Our most important update has been the wonderful addition of our newest lil Clayton. Chester Winton... born on July 6th at 9:25am. He is such a dear and growing so fast! He has a ready smile and looks so much like his daddy with his actions and personality. It is SOO adorable as he now is recognizing his Daddy and I more... the other day we walked into the room when we picked him up from a babysitter and he got the biggest smile on his face and squealed!! Just warmed my heart so much!! Ahh... he knows me!! ;) Chester has been such a joy to his Daddy and I and we can't help but stare into his eyes... or at his tiny feet and hands and feel so blessed!! We are so looking forward to the coming years as he grows!

Also we have FINALLY move out of the apartment about the Redcloud car shop and into our BEAUTIFUL apartment in Lake City!! I can now tell you enough, but this apartment was such an answer to our hopes and prayers! Lots of windows, vaulted ceilings, beautiful kitchen, tiles floors (with infloor heating!), a front porch with rocking chairs...and not to mention an incredible view of the mountains and river!! We could be happier!! And can I just say... A BATHROOM!! haha... even the small things we take for granted have been heavenly!!

Gabe has transferred from his job as youth camp cook at Redcloud to a cook in town at the Cannibal grill. He has loved his job there and all the people he has gotten to know! it is so awesome to see him more relaxed and loving his job. I go to see him a lot and I have my designated seat behind the bar where I watch him cook and keep him company. (Chester loves watching his Daddy go back and forth as he cooks!) I love all the people we have gotten to know... and how a WHOLE new appreciation for all of them. It is amazing once you really get to dig into the people you mean. You don't realize how the things they have gone through has really shaped who they are... and how they respond to things. I have realized I have been to quick to judge people at times... a lot of the times... and you really miss the people and who they are... but if you take the time to just listen and not judge for even 5 minutes... you realize something amazing about that person you may not have otherwise known. Take that 5 minutes today... I dare you ;)

Some people would say I have become a lot more relaxed on my beliefs... too relaxed. But I like to think that it isn't so much about what you believe or what youdon't... or what stands you make... or whatever you want to make it out to be. Is it really about how uptight you can be and making sure everyone around you BELIEVE what you do?... or is it about the people? Is it so important following everything ABandC... or is it about a relationship... about the people inside the mask. What is more important?

I choose not to major on the minor...
but see those around you...
open your eyes!!


ok that is my two and a half cents... lol

Spring here in Lake City, and we are SOO excited that it has been gettin warmer. Looking forward to afternoons in the park and all the activity the summer season is going to bring!

Gabe has been going full speed into the spring Outdoor Education season here at camp, and it is amazing to think it is already almost over! It has definitely been kind of a stretching season for Gabe and all the kitchen staff as have been going through some "growing pains" as of late. But it has been awesome to see them all rallying around each other to serve the kids... and make the food AMAZING!! So proud of them all!

Going into the summer season Gabe has been on the search for enough staff, and your prayers would be so appreciated. Just that God will bring those to Redcloud that are willing to serve and enthusiastic to hang in there for the busy summer season.

More personally, Gabe and I have recently signed the lease on an apartment in Lake City! The hitch is that we will be moving the week that I am due with the baby. So I am really praying that the lil guy decides to stay in the oven for a while longer and doesn't decide to come early! The apartment was a real answer to prayer how God opened it up... as we were really debating whether we are supposed to stay here in Lake City or move back to PA. But in a matter of a week, He opened up the apartment and a new part time job for Gabe in town. This has been a huge blessing as it has brought in some much needed funds.

That baby is doing excellent and is growing so much! We have 9 or so more weeks to go in the count down to the baby's arrival and are very excited (tho somewhat nervous!). We know he will come when God wants him too, so now we are just trying to get ready when that will be!

Prayer Requests:
- For the upcoming seasons here at camp that everyone will stay strong, that hearts will be prepared, and the staff will not grow weary as we strive to serve the kids that will be coming to Redcloud.
- For Gabe as he is starting his new job in town, that he will be a witness to all that he comes into contact with.
- For the baby's safe arrival!!
- As we are preparing to move that we will be able not to stress out so much and that the move will go smoothly and easily!

A new direction...

After a lot of prayer and seeking counsel, we have decided we are going to be moving on from Camp Redcloud at the end of the summer season (September). We have greatly enjoyed our time here in Colorado and will always hold close all the wonderful people we have grown so close to. (We will miss you all!)

With our growing family and with the direction God seems to be pointing us in we will hopefully be moving closer to our families, either in Texas (Gabe's family) or Pennsylvania (Heather's family). We pray that God will continue to open doors there, especially with housing and employment and greatly appreciate your prayers!

Until our departure, we are looking for people who would be willing to partner with us financially. Our goal is to raise $8,000 during this time period (est. $1,000 a month). We ask that you would please pray and consider if God would be leading you in this area, either with a one-time gift or month commitment.

(how to send support...see bottom of page)

Thank you all so much, and again, we are so grateful for your support and prayers!!

Prayer Requests:
- that we may continue serving here at Redcloud till September, and finish out strong!
- for all the new staff that is coming in a few weeks to serve!
- for His continued protection in the coming seasons
- for clear direction with housing and employment after September.
- for the needed financial support.

Our Valentine's Day surprise...

IT'S A BOY!!

lil hands and feet crossed at the ankles...

Thumbs up!!

lil face...

all curled up...

White Wonderland!

All through the long winter...

Winter has been an interesting time for us...though our schedules have slowed quite a bit due to the absence of winter groups, we have managed to keep plenty busy with different camp work projects. With the record amounts of snow we have received (up to 3 feet!) everyone here at camp have been busy with snow removable and trying to keep up with the maintenance with all the camp facilities. Recently, we have had a large break in our water main, which has forced staff to be flexible as the water has been turned off for long periods of time. Please be praying they find the leak soon and are able to repair it! Although we are very thankful for all the moisture, as we greatly needed it!

Gabe has been busy trying to get the kitchen up and running, with a lot of cleaning, restocking, and experimenting on new recipes to serve in the coming seasons. He is greatly looking forward to the return of his kitchen staff for a few extra hands in the kitchen, especially in time for the beginning of the season at the beginning of March! He has also really enjoying the winter months as they mean hockey and snowboarding!

I, Heather, have recently left my job as Marketing Assistant to stay home. Hopefully with this extra time I can really concentrate on fund raising and keeping up with tasks here at home. We have found it really challenging to really concentrate on fund-raising with both of us working full-time. Although our decision to have me leave my job means there is not as much cash flow coming in, we are trying to trust that God will make up that difference with fun-raising. I would really love to continue my work with graphic design on the side when I can!

The pregnancy is going well and the baby is growing big and healthy! I am finally past the “sick part” and am able to enjoy the little one growing inside me more. Gabe and I are very excited about our little one! Since we have passed the 20 week mark, we get to go in for an ultrasound. We are very excited to be learning the sex of our baby this coming Valentine’s Day...what a wonderful surprise! We are so thankful at the recent news that I was accepted for Medicaid and all doctor, hospital, and delivery bills will be covered! Praise God! That is definitely a weight off our shoulders.

This has definitely been a real stretching time for us spiritually, as we have really been wrestling with our ministry here at Camp Redcloud. It has proven to be very challenging for us to have faith in housing, money, and just fellowship that helps challenge and grow, but at the same time comfort and support. We have built some wonderful relationship with people here at Redcloud, and beyond!

Gabe and I have been very blessed during our time here at Redcloud, and God has always proven Himself to be faithful on our behalf. We are trusting Him in the seasons to come not only to provide, but to make it clear to us His direction for our family.

We hope to be posting on here more regularly about our day to day lives here in Colorado, as well as sharing more pictures! So keep checking back!

Blessings to you all and thank you for being such a support to our family as we serve here at Camp Redcloud in Colorado!

In Him,
Gabe & Heather