Our First Recital and First Snow!!!

Couldn't pass this up for a post.
Isaac had his Christmas recital Sat. He played Away in a Manger and Silent Night. We were so proud. I'm so excited to have him take piano and hope to glean from his experience.


We had our first snow on Sunday. It has been cooold but I love it. We've had to call a couple "snow days" sticking to our math and L.A. schedule but enjoyingthe snow while it lasts.

Oh There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays!!!

With the:
undefeated soccer season ending,

the field trip to the MET Museum,

the Christmas party with our home school coop,

the tree trimming,

and hand made Christmas gifts and letter to get done.

There's simply no time to be here!
So, we'll see you in the New Year!!
May you have a blessed Christmas full of Christ!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

This year I hosted Thanksgiving for the first time. Whew, what a lot of work. We had about 17 people (counting kids) and I believe we maxed out my new table. It was so nice to have everyone in our home. I pray all felt blessed, were able to relax and be refreshed. I know my kids definitely enjoyed having everyone over. There's just something about their family coming to see them in their environment that is soo special.
We had the Wallaces over (friends of ours and their youngest son plays soccer with Isaac), my sister, and my folks and 3 nieces.

CATCH UP!

Hey, it's been awhile since I've posted. Mostly because I like posting things when I have pictures to share. However, our camera decided to take a dump right after our return from the cruise. On one hand that was great yet the other side was I've missed the kids dressing up for Halloween and decorating their pumpkins and our Fall pictures in general.
So, here is a boring post to "catch up":
First, we are still attending our church as we wrestle with how God would use us as a light and a fighting force for Truth. Our church is doing the same and with that in mind we feel we are to remain there until further notice.
Second, Isaac has been in full soccer swing. I will try to get some picts of the last 2 games to post. He is doing really well and more importantly, has a GREAT time.
Third, we have been leading several small groups through a wonderful 13 week DVD series put out by Focus on the Family called The Truth Project. It truly is transformational!!! If you haven't heard about it check out the website truthproject.org, if you have the opportunity to go through it as a small group, DO IT!!! It is soo exciting and I'd love to hear what y'all think.
Well, hope to be posting pictures soon. God bless until next time. :D

10 years ago today!!!

10 years ago today I was getting ready to embark on THE greatest adventure in my life. I had looked forward to that day for as long as I could remember. I can't explain all the emotions that I was experiencing, yet I remember them as if it were yesterday. If you knew me then you know what I'm talking about. There had been several long, difficult times but it all came together on that day.
We have had plenty of ups and downs. We have had plenty of challenges and changes. One thing is for sure, God is GREAT and His timing is perfect. I couldn't have imagined what a wonderful gift I'd be given in John. He is an amazing husband, hands-on Daddy, and the most consistent friend I've ever had.
I am especially contemplative about not only my marriage but marriage in general as we head into this election. For those of you who may not know this, California has a proposition on the ballot that if not passed could alter the way we define marriage. My heart aches over this blatant attack on one of God's "beautiful mysteries" that is such an amazing picture of His love for the church and even the relationship He has within the Trinity. Please join with us and others in CA that are praying that Proposition 8 will pass.

The Cruise

John and I treated ourselves to a 4-day cruise for our anniversary. We left Long Beach Mon. evening, went to Catalina for the day on Tues., Ensenada, Mexico for the day on Wed., and were "out to sea" for Thurs. We arrived back at Long Beach on Fri. morning. Without going into too much detail ( :D ), we had a great time. A few highlights: 1) Not having to use a watch to do anything or be anywhere. 2) Being able to complete an entire thought or conversation without interruption. 3) Meeting 3 very wonderful christian couples at different stages of this life than ours. 4) My children makin' bonds/memories, being loved, adored, spoiled (a little), and poured into by such a dear family to us. 5) Enjoying the feeling of missing my kids sooo much I couldn't wait to get back to them (at the end of the trip :) ). 6) Remembering that we are each others best friends and realizing how much we have missed each other).



Our Room w/a View.


This has quite a "funny" story. We decided to rent beach cruisers on our Catalina Island stop. We had a map that showed a loop that seemed like it would be nice and scenic. So we went up this humongous "hill" (of which the town sits humbly below) and were very proud of ourselves and looking forward to the downhill ride back to town. However, the road along the beach was closed off so we had to go all the way back up this hill. This pict was taken BEFORE we had realized this (notice how I am still smiling).



This was one of the two times we just sat in the sun and lounged.
With our busy lives we had all but forgotten what these kind of chairs were for.






This was our last sunset on the Paradise. As John and I looked
over the fairly placid water, I told him how cool it would be if we
saw a whale or something. I had no sooner finished my sentence
when we saw a couple splashes and then as we looked out in front of the boat the water teemed with at least a hundred or more dolphins! It was sooo amazing.



Every night when our steward would turn down the bed. He would leave mints and a cute "towel animal" on display. This was a big and little walrus, can you tell?


Here is an almost complete view of the Paradise. Our van full again of our precious treasures as well as Aunt Jeannie tryin' to prolong the goodbyes.

A very difficult last couple of weeks.

Well, this will not be a "fun" post. I have no pictures to show at this time (not for lack of them mind you but for lack of knowledge as to how to download them from the camera). My heart is aching. John and I have really been wrestling with what we should do in response to some decisions our denomination has made. Let me preface all this by saying I LOVE the church we attend. The people are sooo dear to my heart and truly show Jesus in their words and deeds. Our church is a Presbyterian Church-USA. For those of you who don't know all that that stands for, you're blessed. I, on the other hand, have gleaned way too much information of what this means. And, with this knowledge, John has felt compelled at this time that we should no longer attend. Had we known all that we know now when we first began attending 15 years ago, I don't know if we would have attended. It has nothing to do with our little church but what a large part of the leadership in the denomination of that church is/has been doing.
As you can imagine this is heartbreaking to say the least. This is the church where we call "home". This is where my babes have been welcomed into this world. This is where I have cried out and been heard and where I've received countless help. I don't know what to do and quite frankly don't know where we will attend now. I would really apprectiate all your prayers at this time for us.
John and I will be celebrating our 10th anniversary with a 4 day cruise next week and it really couldn't have come at a better time. We both need time away to sort through things, reconnect, and pray uninterrupted. I have felt so down and heavy-hearted and pray that will be a thing of the past after this time with my loves (God and John). Thanks for your prayers.

School Days are here again!!!

My tradition for our homeschool is to begin school (officially) the day after Labor Day and end Memorial Day.
I "borrowed" the idea of making our "1st"day of school memorable from a fellow homeschooler and friend at Keeping up with the Joneses.
We have a special breakfast (alphabet pancakes; I had to forgo in lieu of my arm so we had gel icinged letters on pancakes Daddy made the day before). I usually make a back-to-school banner and have some new school supplies "wrapped" up. We also take school pictures (individual and class : D ). I think the kids enjoy it and although it means the end of lazy summer days, they look forward to it.

Continued...

So, another "big event" that happened in August was my birthday.
It was bad enough that I thought my injury was partially due to the fact I was turning ..... but everyone made me feel very special. My aunt threw a pool party at her house on Sat., John made me this AWESOME 8' x 3.5' kitchen table (which I covered w/heavy duty plastic) that was graced with a beautiful flower arrangement my Aunt Barbara wired to me from VA, the kids all lavished me with drawings and love, and a friend took me out to lunch and gifted me with a pedicure.

August Daze!!

Here's a picture journal of our crazy end of July and August.

2 Days before I broke my arm we sent this precious soldier off to Africa (Nairobe, Kenya). Amy is very dear to our family and she has embarked on a most incredible journey. She will be teaching kids at a school for at least this year and possibly a second. We miss her all ready.

My nieces Shaylee and Tenaya came to help me out the week after my surgery. We got a lot of special attention and people visiting and bringing food that I think my children secretly hope I will injure myself again soon.

Not to let a broken arm stop all the summer fun, we went camping for a few days up the road. I figured as long as I'm not sleeping anyway, I might as well not be sleeping at home. John was very gracious and I was able to come home and be alone a couple of times. It really was pretty relaxing and Levi took such great naps that we all were able to have some real down time.

To Be Continued.....

Back from Land w/One Hand!!!

Okay, It's about time I updated my Blog. I have to take the girls to gymnastics and then I will try to gather the picts and write a little to update since The Surgery. Needless to say it has been quite interesting and I'm sooo very thankful for all my appendages. Here is a picture of me the day after surgery. I pretty much looked like this for the next 6wks. (maybe a little less drugged).

SURGERY!!! 07-25-08

Yes, I will be having surgery on my left wrist this Fri. This will be my first time on the operating table and I'm a little nervous to say the least.
It all started when I thought I'd get a quick bike ride in before dinner & bible study Tues. I was just starting to go uphill when the bike slipped a gear. It all happened in slow motion. The bike began to lean left so I kicked my left foot out of the toe clip. I put my foot down on the pavement and when the metal of the toe clip made contact with the pavement it "skated" out from under me. I fell on my knee first and then reactively put my hand out and felt a "clunk" and a lot of pressure in my wrist. When I looked at it, I thought I had dislocated it. I immediately raised my hand above my head, took my shoes off, moved the bike to the side of the road, & proceeded down the hill as quickly as I could tolerate. When I got home, I got some ice in a bag and rushed everyone into the car. PTL that it is summer & John was/is home. When we got to the ER, the nurse got me right in. After the xrays, I expected the Dr. to come in and "pop" it back in. Unfortunately, he came over with the films and said I had done quite a number on it and I would probably need surgery. That caught me off guard and I started to cry a little.
Today I met with the surgeon and he confirmed that I had "shattered" my radius (the bone on the thumb side). I have a piece of bone chipped off the Ulna, a transverse, anteriorly displaced fracture to the distal radius(I broke a piece of the bone on the thumb side and that is on top of the main bone) and that fractured piece of the radius has several fractures. He said he will do his best to fit all the pieces back together and put a titanium plate in there but there is no way it will be the same again. I will most likely lose about 50% of my range of motion and will battle arthritis as well.
I praise God that John is home and can be here for the kids and I. I praise God it is my left arm and not my right. I praise Him for my surgeon who specializes in hand & wrist surgeries and (from some of the things he said about God) I think he is a believer.
Please keep me and this situation in your prayers. Isaac came up to me yesterday and said, "Mommy, I know God allowed this to happen to you because He has something good planned. Maybe part of it is that you work so hard around here and He is telling you to take some time to rest." Out of the mouth of babes, huh? Thank you for your thoughts & prayers,

Vacation Part III

Well, my ability to type has been considerably hampered(more on that later) so (as the saying goes) since a picture is worth 1000 words, I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

My dear Jen and I with Miriam, Ruthie, & Levi

Abby & Levi playing at the park. Miriam & Ruthie havin' fun.

Aunt Jen's backyard is soooo fun!

On the ferry to Friday Harbor. A blind, fat seal waiting for us to take pity on him.Miriam & Ben ridin' Seal. The whole gang (except Dirk) havin' a pic nic, & a little face painting to round out the day.

Dirk, Jen, Ben, & Ruthie. Thanks for an awesome week of fun, fellowship, & food.

On to Shelton and the Perry Resort....

John & John getting a little R&R. Isaac & Jamin in the kayak.

Abby's turn.

What a spot, huh? The hospitality on the inside was every bit as awesome as the beauty on the outside.

That's my girl!!!

Back at home and playing with Aunt Tiffany!