Addi's getting bigger and oh yeah, I'm going to Africa

See what I mean? Bigger.

As for Africa. I leave in a week. What!? Yes, it's true I'm going on a trip with Compassion to Ghana and Burkina Faso to photograph what Compassion is doing there. It will be a wonderful, hard, emotional, crazy trip. If you get the chance throw an e-mail or a call to Clint while I'm gone (the 9th-21st). Also, please pray for a safe time for me and the family.
Bri has been talking about flying with wings on her back like a butterfly the last few months. I've been thinking of this trip as taking a ride on the wings of God. I'm sure He'll surprise me with what He is going to show me and where we'll go.
I've always wanted to go to Africa.

Oh and don't worry Clint is getting help with the girls. Hee/hee.

A nap???

We happen to produce babies who don't sleep during the day. Really. Addison will sleep a total of maybe an hour or a little longer each day. This hour is split up into tiny power naps of 10 to 15 minutes. Bri was the same way. I had to teach Bri how to take naps and she didn't do so until around 11 months and even then it was only one nap of an hour and a half a day.

Right now as I type my house is quiet. I got to take a nap on the couch. I sat down to drink a glass of water. I checked my e-mail all by myself. I might just get time to go to the bathroom all alone. It's amazing! Both of the smallers are asleep. Is this really what other mom's experience? Phenomenal!

I hear Addi...gotta get to the bathroom.

The girls

There's No Business Like Snow Business

Here are a few shots of us in our backyard
after a little snow storm:

Whoop-ee!*

I think we're ready to try out for the US Olympic Luge Team!

Merry Christmas
and a
Happy New Year!!!

from the Locks clan

*Hey...It may not look like much, but it's free entertainment, and quality family time.

Cool Things We Have Gotten for Free That Make Me Think There Is A God

Often, people find their Faith through a series of events that defy explanation to the degree that they say "Fine! OK. There must be Something bigger than luck, coincidence and cool people doing consistently cool things. Now--what is It?" That's when the real journey begins...
Anyway, Alisa and I are pretty sure of our belief in God, but there are sometimes things that remind us that we're probably right. Here are some current examples:

Outdoor gear is expensive. I'm a school teacher in Colorado. 'Nuff said: this is an issue!

exhibit A: I had an old climbing back pack that I'd (ab)used for years. In sympathy, Mark, a friend of mine, told me I should take it to the company (Kelty) and see if they could repair it. I did. They didn't repair it; they offered me a NEW one for relatively free (regular price is over $165.00)! Right on.

exhibit B: Brianna was 'exploring' Alisa's pair of polarized glare-resistant sunglasses. Her exploration led to the violent death of said eyewear. On a lark, she decided to send them in and ask for a replacement. They did it...for free. The glasses were WAY past any reasonable replacement warranty. Sweet.

exhibit C: Inspired by Alisa's industry, I did the same...after stepping on my own pair of technical sunglasses. (Urgghh! Clutz-ball!)I had no hope of the same result. 3 business days later, I got a phone call from the company asking me to choose a new pair. 9 business days later, my new pair arrived in a cushy little box. Almost free. Love 'em.

exhibit D: Alisa needed a new climbing harness, as hers was not really suited for outdoor climbing. My boss at the Boulder Rock Club walked up to me a few days ago and said, "Hey, we got this nice Black Diamond harness (small) as a demo and can't use it. You have any use for it?" Hmmm. Yes, I do...

exhibit E: Pulling up at Copper Mountain Saturday morning (see previous post), I decided it would be a good "husband duty" to clean up Alisa's car a bit. I gathered up all the garbage, then walked over to one of the hundreds of resort trash cans. I dumped the coffee cups, hand warmer and bar wrappers and various kid-refuse. Walking back to the car, it clicked. "What the..?!" I walked back to the trash can and, sure enough, there they were: a totally new pair of ski goggles. Skiing, I fall down...a lot...really hard, so my pair had been worse for the wear for 3 years, having split all the way through the outer plate. Finding a brand-spanking new pair in the trash? You gotta be kidding...

(postscript) A buddy of mine recently gave me, out of the blue, a new ski helmet, goggles, and sunglasses. As it turned out, the helmet didn't fit and the goggles were too small. This is a weird one. It's like God was saying, "I can deliver to you. You spread the love." We're donating all of those items. Spread the love, pay it forward, embrace the beauty of community, right? I think that's what Jesus was talking about all along, anyway.

There's more, but that's enough to make my point. Something bigger than us Who loves us and takes care of us and wants us to take care of each other? A little sentimental, perhaps, but I like the idea.

updates from Clint

Things are good. (It's all about seeing the Big Picture, which is a whole different blog altogether). On the homefront news, our landlord decided not to put our house (actually, HIS house...it's hard to remember that. That's a whole different blog altogether) on the market until May, so we bought some time, which is good. Other than that, Addison the Smaller Smaller is doing well. Crying a lot, but wha'd'ya expect? Brianna the Taller Smaller is doing equally well. She loves her sister, which is good; we were worried there would be a sibling rivalry right off the bat. The only problem is: she thinks Addison should wrestle with her. Not good. Makes for more crying. We're up at Silverthorne right now, taking turns making turns and taking in the amazing snow at Copper. First day back on tele skis for the year for me. More crying...this time, from my quads and butt muscles. Worth it, though. Skipping school on Monday to prolong the glory. Christmas is just around the corner...which is a whole different blog altogether.

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree

We did it! We trekked out into the wild and found ourselves a Charlie Brown Christmas tree. It was great fun! Brianna loved it and Addison slept through most of it. The Christmas season is upon us. Now we all hope that we remember to water the little tree so we don't burn our house down.