Tut tut, It looks like rain.....not really

For those astute guests who walk through our front door you may have noticed our small collection of umbrellas. Granted they get used maybe once a year in our neck of the woods, but I still like them. They really have become a bit of a collection. I just came across another that I really like - but know that it isn't needed, nor is it a wise use of money...STILL I reallllly like it. You can just imagine those lovely lawn and garden tea parties of the bygone era
Signature Bella

Glimpsing the Elusive

While camping this weekend we caught sight of the Creature Comfort. It is often fearful of the typical camper and only comes out when hungry or needing to gather items to add to its collection.

Fun at the Fair

We had a glorious time at the fair yesterday. Driving down in the morning with the Campos family, we arrived ready for a day of fun. The kids were clamoring for the 'School Zone' where the theme was 'Backyard Adventure'. Larger than life bugs, live animals, and student's artwork were just a few of the things seen in that building.

The children enjoyed the barn yard animals. The baby cows were quite a hit - and a rabbit weighing 26 pounds. They all enjoyed feeding the sheep and goats. The $2 a cup of feed was way toooo high priced for both us moms. The children, being creative and resourceful, gathered all the hay pieces off the floor they could find and had a grand time 'feeding' the animals.

Each of them were able to go on one ride in the Midway. Chandler chose the swing ride (similar to the Stinger at CA Adventure) & Harrison chose a hang gliding ride that rode you in circles...not my cup of tea.

We ended the day with Lunch/Dinner at Baja Fresh before making our way home.

Just to precious

The other night we were busy doing some stuff and forgot that Chandler needed to be put to bed. Her bedding hadn't finished drying so she set herself up on the couch. This is how we found her.

Back in FULL swing

School is back in session. The PSP? (I don't know what our home school group is calling themselves yet) resumed on Friday. Sadly, Chandler was not able to join us fri am since she has been suffering from the flu - fever spikes but otherwise ok (She didn't stay home alone - Tom also had it so he stayed with her).

Harrison was excited about the new classes he is taking. The students 'hit the ground running' in the literature class. He is really enjoying the first book they are reading thru. 'A Single Shard'. He told me yesterday his favorite character is ''the gimpy man with one leg who says crazy things''. He has me intrigued. I can't believe that I have a 6th grader! It really does seem like he just began kindergarten and we were working on the alphabet!!! I was looking through teaching supplies and thinking that all the cute stuff is no longer necessary - and I almost got depressed. No more trying to make funny sound to help enforce a skill, no more scavenger hunts to learn nouns, pictures of turkeys made out of handprints, ...you get the picture. I can't even fathom the idea of him being a JR. HIGHER next year. How did we get to this so fast? I am so thankful that he has chosen to follow Christ and is striving to do what is right. I am excited to watch him grow this year, to pick friends (with guidance), and enter into the realm of 'growing up'. His humor is so abstract - like that of his Dad. But now he is starting to branch out and try his own style on for size. He is def not fitting the suit yet - but it will come with time. =>

The other classes ran smoothly. It was so nice to be back with the ladies. I didn't realize how much I miss my Friday chats till I walked back thru the door. I have been so truly blessed getting to know so many of them. The iron gets sharpened when I am with them. I cherish the ones who I got to know over this summer. They are all so amazing and talented. Each one bringing something new and different to the body life and specifically that of my family. We love them! It is wonderful how the body of Christ works together and you feel like family though you may have only known them a short time. These women love the Lord and love their families. They desire to do what is right no matter the difficulty or hardship. They are such an example to me and I am grateful to them and honored to get to call them friends.

Do you believe Genesis 1 & 2

Our family was so thrilled to hear John's messages on Sunday. While he was on vacation this summer the church had wonderful speakers whom we enjoyed quite a lot. But, because of where John had to stop within the series in Luke, it felt like a cliff hanger at the end of a seasons tv show. Bad analogy I know, but I'm not sure there is any other way to explain it.
The morning message was about the Character's on the Road to the Cross - Only the first two were discussed. The 'they' who took Christ away, and the man Simon of Cirene. I appreciated how the people came to life and 'jumped off the page'. How even in the cruelty of the Cross God had orchastrated everything. Simon was intrumental in bringing the Church to Cirene and then through others to Antioch where Paul was sent from. This one mans salvation was instrumental in taking the gospel to the world.
The evening service had the Enfield band play the worshp songs. I have never heard the service be so 'loud' in their singing. It was something. John then preached on the 'theology of creation'. The question posed was "Do you believe Genensis 1 & 2?" That you must to believe the rest of the bible. That you need to understand that believing this sets your foundation for the gospel and that by not believing the beginning you weaken your faith and can waffle on what scripture says in any other portion.
After service Crossroads hosted the Plaza fellowship. I love these times. We met a new couple and had a wonderful time talking with both of them. We will have them over soon I am sure.

Random musings from this week

This week has had both highs and lows. The highlight: watching my children improve their techniques in swim, finding out a lost sheep has been found and restoration is in process, spending time seeing the Creation around me, and working hard to overcome personal sin. The Lows: finding out that someone is not doing well spiritually, mentally, nor physically and hasn't been for awhile. I'm fighting the desire to place excuses and ask the WHY God?! questions that try to push themselves to the front of my heart when I ponder the situation. My heart weeps for the soul and wants answers to the 'how could it happen' with this situation and yet knows that all sin begins with a wrong view of God and an exalted view of self. Some of the situation was beyond this person's control and I weep even harder that they had to endure it and yet know that the evil can be meant for good. Right now I can't know what that good is. I cling to the promises of the Word knowing that someday we may see the answers. He IS Faithful. He IS Trustworthy, He IS in Control, He does Love, and He Does Care. I pray that the valley will show the heart it's needs and seek Him who can guide thru this Valley. Only complete turning to His Truth can overcome the sad and heartbreaking situation that has been learned of.
I long to solve the problem for them. Knowing that I can't, nor can I even be there is difficult to accept. But accept I must, and trust God even more. Why does it seem that so many around me appear to be in so many testing situations. I believe that God is teaching me to pray and pray fervently - going before the throne to wrestle with God both for those whom we care so much about and the need to trust Him fully. He is testing many and yet at the same time He is testing us all. Do I pray enough, believing that He does answer? Do I remain steadfast even when the answer is no? And do I truly trust His good and perfect will in the lives of both myself and those around me? If the answer is yes then I must remain trusting Him, not falling apart when the world around appears to be, or things go less than smoothly. I have been reminded that this world holds no promised ease, otherwise we wouldn't long for heaven. If life remained 'innocent' like the childhood years then we would not see the need nor have the want to fix our eyes on heaven.

Once Upon a Time in LA

Touring the city with friends for a second time couldn't be passed up. Together with the Ficketts, Meyers, and Terrells we trekked up and down the city.

Since the weather was actually cooler there were a lot more people about town...some quite interesting. Both of these lovely individuals were sighted outside the Central Library.
I think this man wins Crazy Hat Day.





We all agreed that the statue looks a LOT like Ian Hales. Maybe it was just the day was starting to get warmer.




















Jeff was dared to run through the fountain without getting wet. Shortly after he came back a small child tried the same stunt and got 'lost' when all the water shot up. He wasn't as successful to say the least.

Suggested Reading

I am reading through an amazing book writen by Thomas Brooks 'The Secret Key to Heaven'. Brooks' focus is on personal prayer aka private prayer. The argument is that our most private prayers show our true heart, our most honest attitude, and our desire to comune with our Father. I haven't gotten very far but def suggest this as your next read.

Good bye Becks!

The fabulous visit with Becky has come to an end....but will pick up again next year when we ALL go to Resolve. It was wonderful to have her spend time with our family and Chandler has officially adopted her as an 'older sisiter'. I will cherish the time spent trecking up and down southern CA, the talks on everything from growing up, dating and marriage to church discipline, faithfulness in our Christian walk and searching the scripture.

Gatorade in any color but pink

Hunt for Smore's - someday we WILLLLL find them!

Shamu Rocks!

Vengeful Mantarays

Surprise it's a loopy coaster

You must overcome your fears.....

Princess Bride

First person ever to not like an Artichoke

Would you like In-N-Out???

That was like only 2 pounds!

We will get this alllll home with you somehow

Terminal 2 .......5.......argh!.....2 ahhhh