A Family Favorite

One of our favorite things to do as a family is roller skate. We started a while ago with our homeschool group and have realized how much fun it is for everyone in the family. I wish I had video of Tony (7). It truly looks as if his legs are made of rubber bands. We aren't quite sure how he stays up, but he does. Trinity (3, shown here with Curt) picked it up quite fast. She tends to shuffle a little, but makes it around the whole rink without any help. I do get a bit worried when she sees me from across the rink and decides to make her way back by cutting across the middle of the rink. We call it "crossing the freeway". Destiny has a reputation of winning at the game Limbo. Chris (shown here behind Curt wearing blue jeans) goes around "helping" people. I'm not so sure he really is doing them a favor, but his intentions are good. He often finds little ones and tries to hold their hand...while trying to stay on his own two feet himself. We'll be at the rink again on Thursday if any of you want to join us. :)

We love the snow!

This is our second winter here in Colorado, and we love it! The sky is the most gorgeous blue, the air is clean and crisp, and the snow covered mountains are breath-taking. This winter has been mild compared to last, but we have managed to get a few inches of snow every week or so. This past Sat. Curt took all of the kids to the park to go sledding; I stayed home with a nasty head cold. They were at the park for 4 hours! When they returned, we sat down for some vegetable beef soup and later some hot chocolate...with marshmallows of course. I'm posting a few pictures of the fun they had.

Top is Christopher and Kevin.
Below is Destiny.

From Colorado to you...

Hi, we are the Wheeler Family. I am Valerie, proud wife of 22 years to Curt. We met while in high school at a church we were attending with our families in California. Shortly after graduation we married and began the journey of a lifetime together. Our marriage is built on Christ the solid rock, and every day we are growing together in our love for Jesus and one another. We recently moved from Hawaii, where Curt was working as a paramedic, to Colorado where he now has his own handyman business. I am a stay-home-mom to 10 gorgeous blessings from Heaven, and wouldn't change for the world. Yes, I have days that are very challenging, but He is strong where I am weak. Here are a few things about our children:

CJ-21 in Feb. Scout sniper in the Marine Corps and stationed in Twentynine Palms California. Served 7 months in Iraq last year and is headed to Afghanistan in April for another 7 months.
Kevin-18, right hand man to Curt with handyman business, however leaving for Marine boot camp in Feb.
Desmond-18, attending Pikes Peak Comm. College, working at Panera Bread, and moving in the direction of attending Moody Bible Inst.
Nick-15, driving!!! Got his permit recently and trying to put in hours on the road. He is in the 9th grade and is being home schooled. His favorite subjects are History and Computer animation.
Ryan-11, will shoot hoops for hours, loves, loves, loves reading the Bible, and currently taking Karate. He is in the 5th grade and is also home schooled...as are all the younger children.
Destiny-8, has the biggest brown eyes I've ever seen. She loves school and her favorite subjects are Spanish, cooking, and dance. She recently started her own business of making greeting cards.
Christopher-8, has a smile that goes from one ear to the other. He's usually the first one ready for school and today wrote God a letter and then asked me what His address was.
Tony-7, is very sweet, quiet, and beginning to come out of his shell. Tony loves fire engines, music, and riding his bike. Tony has no fear and often has me gasping for air.
Kaleigh-4, just learned how to spell her name and is telling everyone she knows, she sings at the top of her lungs while in the car, and loves to help in the kitchen.
Trinity-3, can't keep from dancing if there's music on, can spell Kaleigh's name, is a huge fan of "Dora the Explorer", and thoroughly enjoys cutting paper into tiny pieces.