Peace out Colorado

Herman Gulch Snow Shoeing

(Where's Ryan?)

Zoomed in on the mountains from from one summit to the other

Ryan and I after our trecherous hike to the top! (31/2 hours up- 12000 ft)

Trying my best to make a Snow Angel at the top - but the snow was hard on top

snowshoes make it hard, too

Well, I have news, Sisters! Thats right! Im coming home to AR at the end of March!! Its been a work in progress, but its pretty much finalized. My oldest sister Jan called me one day and asked if I would consider moving back to watch Taylor a few times a week. Though I love this place with all my heart, it didn't take much convincing on her part to make me start preparing to head home. Things just clicked. Its been some of the best and the worst 6 months of my life. haha I've seen and done more than I ever dreamed I would before I came. 

I've hiked my share of mountains, shopped in a plethera of hippie stores, seen monster truck rallys, shared a coffee or 10 downtown, rode the train, met some interesting people on my plane rides to and from Arkansas to Denver (long stories), been snowed in overnight, alone in the Atlanta airport (kinda cool), hiked a 14er, snowshoed and un-snowshoed, actually seen/felt the temperature drop to -16, made lots of snow angels, shared a 3 bedroom apartment with 5 people, gotten to stay in picturesque downtown mountain villages with friends who came to visit, road tripped from AR to CO and then back again, witnessed my car falling off the tow dolly (poor granny still has some fatal wounds), been shocked and awed by the grandeur and beauty of the mountains outside my window, cried my eyes out every single time i talked to Mom (she's the best! - haha Poor thing!), never been so stressed, worn out and alone in my life (made me a little tougher, i'd like to think), i've battled the mind and will of a spirited 3 year old (thought I might lose MY mind a few times), spent hours at parks, watching Diego and Dora the Explorer, and making up to 5-6 pb&j's a day, molding play-dough, wiping tears, giving timeouts and being filled with joy when i hear Topher say "Nik, I love you!",  jammed at loads of awesome concerts (Katie Hertzig, Griffin House, tons of random local bands, Facing Sunday, Matt Wertz, and I was looking forward to Ten out of Tenn...*sniff* , saw some friends on tour (Green River Ordinance - but it on iTunes today!), missed a concert or two because I waited to get tickets (still sad about City & Colour), got asked out by a guy at Marshalls clothing store (haha), read all 4 Twilight books (ok ok -I still have like 100 more pages, then i'll be done!) bought a bed for the first time, cooked homemade spaghetti, apple butter and some other random things, gained a ton of weight, cut my own bangs really horribly, cut a sleeping childs hair, - actually cut every persons hair in this house (minus ryan), been to heights and depths emotionally and physically that i've never been to before, and just lived. 

I know that is a lot to read, i don't expect anyone to get through that one (but bravo if you did!) - its just fun to realize how much I really have accomplished and experienced...And thats only touching the tip of the iceburg. I have learned and grown so much; through frustrating times of not finding a job, and being crammed into a tiny apartment with too many people and too many opinions, and just having life test my limits in a lot of areas that haven't been tested much before. I hope my character is stronger from all of this. I know i'll never regret coming. And for now, I am just looking forward to enjoying each day I have left here with great hope and anticipation for the future!  

Speaking of - i'll be looking for jobs when i get back, because i'll only be watching Taylor 2 days a week - so if anyone knows of ANYTHING, or can guide me in a direction, OR to a person who may need someone- please let me know!! I will be forever grateful! :) 

I love you guys - miss you all and can't wait to see you! (Suzan - i'll be home when Brian is and we are planning on a KF ambush around that time!) - lets make a plan! Brian doesn't mind getting kicked out of KF, but I do! haha

 

Peace out Colorado!

MUAH - much love

*Nik

It hasn't been the easiest 6 months of my life - but its definitely been nothing short of an adventure and some good life expriences!