Friday, June 5, 2009






Memorial Day Weekend

We had a wonderful 4 day weekend with Mike home. We went to six flags on Friday and it was awesome! The weather was wonderful (duh, it is California) and there were no lines. I was a little worried about going on a holiday weekend, but apparently, Friday was not a six flags day in most people's book. It was great. Lauren was so excited about riding the rides and she rode every roller coaster at least once, usually twice. Since Logan isn't quite tall enough for most of the rides (much to his disappointment, I might add), she would ride with either Mike or myself the first time, and then ride again with which ever one of us hadn't ridden. Logan's favorite ride was a water ride. I had dressed him in his swim trunks just in case, and boy am I glad I did! He got soaking wet and loved every second. We need to get a smaller digital camera before our next trip, because our camera is too expensive and large to take and carry around an amusement park.

On Saturday, we went to garage sales and shopping. Mike decided that I needed clothes that actually fit me, so my usual thrift store treasures were no longer hacking it. Which, I admit, most of my clothes are wayyyy too big. So, he took me clothing shopping, which was not something I was looking forward to. But I did get some nice things, and then I turned the tables on him and made him start trying stuff on. So, we both ended up with some new summer clothes.

On Sunday, we went to church and then to one of our church elder's house for a cookout. It was a bring your own meat thing, but we went home to change and took too long, so we just stopped by KFC and picked our meat up already cooked. It was a great afternoon fellowshipping with people from church and eating. The kids had a blast running around their park worthy back yard playing with all their friends from church. Mike lead the devotional for the evening service there before we left. Once again, I did not take the camera.

On Monday, we had a great time with Mitch and his family. They go camping with her side of the family every Memorial Day weekend, and came back a little early so that we could spend some time together. Mike cooked out on his grill, the kids had a blast in our pool and we all got some great visiting in. After we all cleaned up from the pool, Mike, Mitch, Lauren and Kaelyn really enjoyed playing on our piano. I don't know where Logan and Andrew went. Since we were at our house, I whipped out the camera for this day.

All in all, this was a wonderful weekend that we spent together as a family. I don't know when the next time we will get that much time alone together, but I sure am looking forward to it.

Friday, May 15, 2009

Bridging to Junior Scouts

Last night Lauren got to bridge from Brownies to Junior Girl Scouts. This is an event that she has been looking forward to for several months. This was her first year in scouts and it has been really good for her. Her troop meets every other Tuesday for meetings and working on badges or "Try-Its" and then one Tuesday a month, they meet at a retirement center to read or paint with the elderly people there. It has been really good for Lauren to be around other girls in a serving capacity. Since I home school her, this is the only time that we aren't together. Logan and I spend this hour and a half having "Mommy Logan Time". It is a time that we both really enjoy.

Lauren has earned many patches for her sash this year. I spent the hour before the ceremony ironing all her patches on that I found in her Brownie bag. I guess I should check her bag more often. Her latest patch she earned at Six Flags this weekend. She had to go around the park and ask questions to 7 different animal experts. She didn't want to do it at first, but once she got started, she really enjoyed it. It was a special day for the girl scouts in the park. It was really neat to see all these different troops from the state in their troop t-shirts. I think we should make t-shirts next year. That probably means that I will have to be in charge of that. Ha.

I was in brownies and girl scouts as a child and have so many fond memories. I still have a Christmas ornament that I made in brownies in 1979 that we hang on our tree. My mom was my leader at one point. I didn't handle that well, poor Mom. I wanted all her attention, but since she had a bunch of other girls who needed it, I didn't get what I wanted. Man I was a brat. Since this is the only time that Lauren and I have apart, I told her leader that I would not be helping during the meetings, but that if she needed something outside of that time, I would be more than happy to help. It has been nice to see Lauren grow in an area without me around.

We are really proud of our little scout and look forward to many more bridging ceremonies.
Click to play this Smilebox slideshow: Bridging Ceremony
Create your own slideshow - Powered by Smilebox
Make a Smilebox slideshow

Monday, May 11, 2009

Mother's Day

What a wonderful Mother's Day weekend we had. Mike took me to a Bible book store in Sacramento and let me pick out a Bible. I am so excited! We bought one about 12 years ago that we share. It is a nice Bible, but when we have separate classes at church, one of us doesn't get the Bible. Well, since we moved, I haven't located our Bible. It is really aggravating, because I remember putting it somewhere and thinking "I will be able to get to this right away once we get all settled." Whatever! So, sometime this week, my new Bible will come in. He also let me pick out a case for it. Lauren actually picked it out and it is really pretty. It is brown and pink, with "Believer" across the bottom.

We spent the day Saturday at Discovery Kingdom (a Six Flags park). Lauren earned a free ticket from her Girl Scout Cookie sales, and we got half priced tickets through them. Then, once we were in the park, we upgraded to season passes for $20 each. So, Lauren's season pass only cost us $20. It was really fun and we plan on going back weekend after next. Hopefully, it won't be as crowded. It was Girl Scout Day and it was packed with girls. There were also several bands. Boy, did that bring up memories of High School.

Then, on Sunday, we went to church and then spent the afternoon with our good friends from church, David and Anita. None of us could be with our own mothers, so we just spent it with each other. They are such a blessing to us. They aren't our family by blood, but they are our family by choice. They love us and our kids just as much as we love them and their kids. We are known as Uncle Mike and Auntie Selinda and our kids call them Uncle and Auntie. She is like the big sister I never had, and Mike feels the same about David. They aren't much older than we are, but they are a little older, but seem so much wiser than we are in so many areas.

Lauren and Logan took a little swim in the pool while we ate supper outside. Man, I love the weather out here! Mike and David cooked out on the grill while Anita taught me how to make potato salad. They gave the kids a movie to watch and we all just sat and visited. Good times.

In addition to my new Bible, Lauren got me "Twilight" the movie, which she knew I wanted. She wanted to watch it with me, but I told her I would have to preview it first without her. Well, after viewing it, yeah, well, let's just say she won't be watching it any time soon. I also got the last Pirates movie, but I got it for Christmas, so I will exchange it for something else. Any suggestions?

The evening ended with Mike and me cuddled up on the sofa watching Twilight. It was great. However, when we were about to go to bed, Mike sat down on our bed and I hear this big CRACK and then a Boom. Our bed broke. Yeah, I guess despite it being a really solid bed, being moved 14 times in 15 years has taken its toll.

All in all, it was a wonderful Mother's Day for me. Of course, the best part is actually being able to participate because I am a mom. My children are the greatest blessing God has given me since He gave me Mike. Knowing that God trusts me to raise these two precious souls to be like Him is a huge responsibility and privilege. I hope you had a wonderful mother's day and enjoy the job God has blessed you with as much as I do. I also thank God for the wonderful example that He gave me in my mom. I love you, Mom.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Home Sweet Home

Well, we are finally home! We got home last Saturday night and it is soooo good to be home. Mike was standing out on the sidewalk with Pizza Hut (my fave) and he had cut out the letters W, E, L, C, O, M, E, H, O, M, E and had them taped up on the garage door when we drove up. He also had roses for me and candy for the kids. He took off work until Wednesday and we all had a great time together.

The day after we got back, we went to Fresno (about 2 hours away) for a concert. It was awesome! It was 5 different contemporary christian artists including Mercy Me, Jeremy Camp, Addison Road(I think that is how it is spelled), Hawk Nelson and one more Lauren and I can't recall. The music was great, but what was really neat, was that the stadium was packed with people wanting to just sing about God. There were over 13,000 people in the stands. The last song was "I Love You Lord" sung accapella. It reminded me of chapel at ACU. Just beautiful singing. It is some kind of road show that Mike heard about on KLOVE. The tickets were only $10 and it was first come first seated. Our preacher and friend got there before we did, so he saved us some really great seats. If this concert series comes your way, it would really be worth going. The kids really enjoyed it and Lauren is already asking to go to subsequent concerts they had fliers for.

Logan is back at his preschool and playing with his best friend, Mason. He says they are not brothers, but they look like it. Which is too funny, because they look nothing alike. My huge blond hair blue eyed boy and Mason, who is dark skinned, dark hair and dark brown eyes and about a head shorter than Logan couldn't be more opposite in appearance. But, they do fight like brothers. First day back at school and they had to be separated. No matter how mean they are to each other, Mason wants to come to our house and play. We were at MOPs last Thursday and when I went to get Logan, he was in Time Out for kicking Mason in the head, yes, Kicking him in the head. Of course, I go over and kiss Mason and tell him how sorry I was that Logan was not being a nice friend, and what does Mason say? "Can I come over to your house?" After I dealt with Logan, I talked to Mason's mom (who is a really good friend of mine) and she said OK. I was babysitting a little 18 month old girl that day, so Lauren had to sit in the front with me, while the boys sat in the back with Savannah. Mason asked(among other things) "Who loves her?" Logan said "We do." Mason asked "Why?" and Logan said "Because she is our friend." Just love to hear kids talk.

Lauren is getting back to her schoolwork. We took books with us, but she finished while were in TX, so she has been off this week while I searched and unpacked more boxes until I found the rest of my teaching stuff. She is gearing up for LTC (Leadership Training for Christ) which is Easter weekend. She is going to do art, where she has decided to enter photgraphy, Chorus and drama. This is our first year in LTC, so it will be interesting to see how it all works. She has had a great time getting to know our new neighbor, Vanessa, who is just a little older than she is. They ride bikes and play Barbies almost everyday. We spent a good deal of Saturday out on the driveway painting boxes for Vanessa's dog. They wanted to have a pretty home for her. Most of the paint stayed on the box, but once they discovered how fun it was to "finger" paint by whole hands, I now have hand prints all over my driveway I need to wash off.

Mike found himself another motorcycle that he really likes. I told him if he would sell his car and his other motorcycle, he could buy this one. Well, that took all of 1 day. So, now he has a newer, faster, bigger motorcycle that he really loves riding. He had gone dirt biking with a friend from church while we were gone and had a blast. Then, on Saturday, he and our friend/preacher, David, rode up to Mont Diablo and had a great ride. They are already planning another ride to Yosimite in the near future with Mitch (his brother) and any other biker guys who want to go. While we were gone, Mike got a lawn mower and a few yard tools and has enjoyed doing yard work. He has really made a huge difference in the front yard. They also put the fence around the pool while I was gone, so that is a huge relief to me.

We are all really enjoying our new home. We have really been blessed with this new home. I still have alot to unpack and situate, but it is coming along. Once I get it more settle, I will take some pictures and post them. Until then, have a blessed and happy day.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Time in Texas

Hello friends! The kids and I are in TX visiting family and having a great time. My dad had knee surgery right after we got here and is recovering. He went to work for the first time today. I am about to go pick him up because he still can't drive. My wonderful husband told me to stay as long as I am needed. However, he would rather I come home sooner rather than later.

Mom, the kids and I worked on fixing up their front yard fountain this weekend. We still have some work to do, but it is shaping up nicely.

Kyle celebrated his 26th birthday last week. Can't believe he is that old. Anyway, he is doing well and has a girlfriend named Robin. We got to meet her at Kyle's birthday party. They are so cute together. She is 32 and wants to marry Kyle by the time she is 35. We shall see. Ha.

Bamaw is doing well and we have really enjoyed visiting with her. It is so nice to have her in Abilene so that we can see her without driving to Arkansas. She has been feeding us like she always does. I am looking forward to one more bowl of her chili before we have to head home.

John had another heart problem while we were in San Angelo. He was in the hospital almost the whole time I was there. So, we visited there. He is home and is feeling better. There really isn't anything they can do at this point. The stints they have already put in are all doing well. They gave him a new medication that will help with the chest pains.

Kathy started a new job, so I didn't get to see her much. I think she will really like it. Ben can ride with her anytime he wants. She will be the bus driver for people who need to go to the dr or shopping in San Angelo. She lives in Eldorado, and they provide the van and the gas. I am sure she will enjoy that.

Ben is Ben. He is happy as a little lark. It was good to see him. The day before I left, he and John came into town and met me and the kids for lunch and we had a great visit. I really enjoy being around them.

Nathan, Andrea and Heidi are doing well. Andrea is expecting in September and wasn't feeling all that great, so we didn't stay with them. We didn't get to spend as much time with them as I would have liked, but it was still nice. Andrea kept the kids one day while I stayed up at the hospital while John had his proceedure. They had a great time and it was nice and quiet at the hospital.

We stayed with my friend Carrie while we were in San Angelo and enjoyed all the time we got to spend together. She is so sweet.

We got to go to our old church and see lots of people. It was so amazing to see how much all of the kids have grown in the last 3 years. We were even lucky enough to see some friends of ours from church who moved to Houston, but were visiting for spring break. Friends are such a huge blessing and we are so grateful for all of you.

I got to see my brother, Chuck, and his family a couple of times. It is always great to see my family.

I always spend some time with my brother, Bobby, on the way out and on the way back home. He lives outside of Amarillo. I got to see my neice, Ryn, who is 16 now. She came over while we were with Bobby because she lives with her mom. We don't usually get to see her, so it was fun. We played my new favorite game, Scene It. Bobby and I were really good at it. They were too, but we still won!!!

Well, I must close and get to Dad's school to pick him up. I don't have my camera with me, so this is just a post of words. Sorry.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Getting it started

Ok, I have added some pictures. Yes, the ones of Lauren's birthday are almost a year old, but I thought you should see them. Besides, I just downloaded them off the camera today, so pretty much my first viewing too. Thanks to Jamie for the idea on the smilebox. I love it!

It is really sad, but I downloaded all the pictures off our camera today and they started from Christmas LAST year. No, not 2008, but 2007. Our memory card must be pretty large because I downloaded a lot of pictures.

Pretty soon, I will be taking pictures of our new house. We should be moving in the next couple of weeks. They are painting and recarpeting the whole house, so we have to wait for that. We are really excited about moving. We have lived in this house for just over 3 years. It is a record for us. Our previous record is 18 months.

Well, I need to get some real work done. Hope you are having a great week!

Lauren's 8th birthday

Click to play Lauren's 8th Birthday
Create your own slideshow - Powered by Smilebox
Make a Smilebox slideshow
Click to play Christmas 2008
Create your own photobook - Powered by Smilebox
Make a Smilebox photobook

Monday, January 26, 2009

Ok, I have had several people request I start a blog. So, here it is. I don't know how often I will update it, but I will try to add things that are interesting to us and may be interesting to you as well.

IF you have any applications that you think I might like, please let me know. Since I am new to this whole "Blogging thing", my knowledge is quite limited on outside sources to dress up my page.