Glenwood Springs

This past weekend we went to Glenwood Springs, Colorado. We went in celebration of Jaxson's health and for March 7 be a fun family day. I wanted to create a really fun great memory on that day. When we first got there we went to Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. Such a neat place. We rode their Iron Mountain Tramway. It's a 7 minute ride in a gondola to the top of Iron Mountain. We had lunch in their restaurant which has such an amazing view of Glenwood Springs. They have all these neat attracts you can do such as a bungee tramp and Canyon flyer. It's going to be a place that gets more fun each year as Jaxson gets older and taller to do some of the things the park offers.

In the gondola heading up the mountain.

Some pictures from the top of the mountain just outside the restaurant.

After the park we checked into our hotel and Brett surprised me by telling me that I had an appointment. He had arranged for me to go to the spa and have a Chocolate Bliss Wrap. Isn't he so thoughtful. It was a really neat experience, very relaxing and smelt delicious!=) After the spa we went shopping, had dinner and then went to the hot springs. Absolutely loved the hot springs. Jaxson just thought he had a huge bathtub that night. He splashed liked crazy and giggled the whole time. Anyone that was around us would comment on how adorable Jaxson was he just loved it. It was a really fun day. The next day we figured since Grand Junction was only an hour and 20 minutes away we would go see my brother, Greg and his kids. We had a lot of fun being with them and watching them ride their mopeds and 4 wheeler. Kole just loves his Honda's and he has an outside one that's big and then a smaller inside one. When we were inside he just insisted that his best buddy, Jaxson ride with him. I love watching Jaxson interact and play with other children specially his cousins.

I think Jaxson's favorite part of the trip was our hotel tissues. The hotel was thoughtful to put the box of tissues at perfect height for Jaxson to pull out. He loved getting tissue after tissue. We tried stopping him but finally gave up and figured we were on vacation and that he could have fun with the tissues if he wanted to because when you are on vacation you get to do special things that sometimes you don't normally get to do.

We went on March 7 for a special reason it was the day Jaxson was diagnosed with PKU. I feel that day not only changed my life but changed my spirit. I am and will be forever a completely different person because of PKU. I feel that things and people come into our lives for a reason.

So in that spirit I want to blog about the 10 things I've learned in the last 365 days:

#10: I've learned a new language, a new way of life, a different way of cooking and that always having a medical bill come to your home is okay.

#9: I've learned that when you go through something really hard your faith, family and prayers become your "life preserver".

#8 : I've learned a deeper gratitude for the Resurrection when every imperfection will be made perfect.

#7: I've learned that when you go through something really hard your heart is never the same.

#6 I've learned more about the love God has for me.

#5: I've learned that every hard time has a "silver lining."

#4: I've learned that time doesn't heal a broken heart. It allows you to accept how your life has been changed, your new reality and allows you to create joyful memories that can give you hope and happiness but it's what you do with that time that helps your heart. You have to work on healing a broken heart.

#3 I've learned how strong I am. A few weeks ago I heard someone say that God doesn't give us trials for Him to see how strong we are but we are given trials for us to see how strong we are--Amen to that!

#2 I'm learning that on March 7, 2008 experiences such as birthdays, Halloween, family dinners, traveling, etc were not taken from Jaxson and our family. I might have to put in more effort then other mothers but I can still get to experience those moments with my son.

#1 I've learned that sorrow for your child is the deepest pain you will ever fill in this life time. When your child has to go through something that you wish with all your heart, mind and soul you could change so they didn't have to go through it or take their place. Nothing greater tears at your heart .

I don't know if I'll ever be at that place where I feel grateful that PKU came into our lives but I do know that I've learned and grown so much this year. For me it's taken a lot of mental and spiritual work to get where I am and I'm so happy with where I am 365 days later.