Corn Maze Fun!

Our youth group went to a pretty awesome corn maze for the afternoon. It was a hang out time for our students and staff which was a total blast. The weather was rather warm considering it is late in October. I would have personally liked it a few (10 or so) degrees cooler than what it was but all-in-all a great day.

The maze is huge! This is an aerial shot of the maze that we ran through! Crazy huh?! This is a link to what it was last year. The coole part of this farm is $1.00 of the proceeds goes to the WBCA/Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Kay Yow's face is in the maze. If you can't make it out it is at the top in the middle of the shot.

They split you into groups and give you a huge flag in case you get lost which was not the most encouraging thought as you are about to walk in. There was a huge scaffold tower in the middle of the maze where some of the staff would watch for people waving their flags in case they were lost. They give you a list of questions that help you make your way through the maze. The right answer gets you out quicker the wrong answer will make you lost. It took us about an hour to get through the maze completely!

The other items to do on this working farm is the corn cannon (guess where all the boys hung out), hayride and the cow train. The cow train was the biggest hit with our youth! It cracked me up to watch them go all over the farm with their hands raised above their heads like they were on a roller coaster. Ky said it went pretty fast and was actually a little scary at times when they were swerving around.

We had a blast! It was nice to get out and do something fall like even though the weather wasn't really fall like yet. I can't wait for the upcoming weeks as the holidays get closer. I love this time of year.

Sings my Soul Saturdays - Joyful Noise by Flame

I am going to shake things up this Saturday. I grew up with rap and hip hop. They are still some of my favorite types of music. I definitely like thing with a beat and a deep bass line. I found this video one day while watching Christian videos on tv. I had been listening to the music going on about my day but this song made me stop in my tracks.

The word of God is spoken throughout this song. The chorus is filled with worship. It is amazing.

If you don't like rap I am asking that you give this a chance. God loves all types of music. It is the heart of the worshiper not the beat of the music that God listens to. I have placed the first video with the words in case you can't understand what they are saying. I have also added the actual music video below that under it so you can see what I saw.

I hope you enjoy!

A leader remembered

I found out yesterday via Facebook that the leader from my first missions trip had passed away. Todd MacDonell and his wife Linda had been the leaders of the yellow team with Royal Servants for many years. The year I went, Linda was pregnant with their oldest daughter, Kelsie (the brunette in the picture). Time has flown by as I found out Kelsie was married recently. I can't believe it has been that long because at times it really doesn't feel like it.

Todd had been recently diagnosed with CJD (Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease). This disease has to do with a mutation in protein, and is a rare, progressively degenerative, brain disorder. Unfortunately, CJD is not treatable or curable. Todd had been given weeks to live.

While we hadn't talked in years the fact of the matter is he had a part in my life. He and Linda mentored a 14 year old girl who had never been away from home longer than a week, who was now thousands of miles away from home in numerous foreign countries for a whole summer. I will forever be grateful for the time, wisdom, leadership he gave me that summer. The summer I experienced has stayed with me my whole life. It has made me who I am today.

I find it ironic that I had looked at those photos of that trip with my daughter recently. She is decorating her room with pictures from all over the world. We enlarged some of them for her walls. The pictures brought back such vivid memories. Ky is actually considering a missions trip this summer. She has wanted to go on one for a long time but I have been a little leary. She is ready. If she had leaders like Todd and Linda, I just think it would be the best experience for her.

Thank you Todd for your example. You will be missed!

October Goals

I cannot believe it is already October. It is fall and I am a happy girl. Gone are the hot, humid days of summer and back are the cool days of autumn.

I am setting a few more goal for October and some of the ones that may have not been totally accomplished in September. If you didn't remember what my goals were for September here you go:

September goals:

Hang and hem curtains in Ky's room - Completed
Choose paint and paint AJ's room
Refinish mirror and hang in house
Enlarge and frame pictures for Ky's room - Half way done still need frames
Start making hats for Fall Festival - have the paper bags none made
Prep and paint our bedroom
Choose paint color for master bath
Work on flower beds along fence line - completed
Sit down w/Mr A and discuss future landscaping projects - went to home show
Begin walking - either on treadmill or outside
Reducing my food portions
Drink more water - at least 64 ounces a day (not easy for me!)

So I got a few things off the list. Still plugging along. This is a learning process and one that I am getting excited about.

October Goals:
Sand and prep the night stands for guest bedroom
Choose paint and paint AJ's room
Refinish mirror and hang in house
Frame and hang Ky's pictures
Make hats and flowers for Fall Festival
Prep and paint our bedroom
Choose paint color for bath
Begin walking
Continue to reduce my food portions
Continue to increase my water consumption
Start Christmas shopping - yes we buy early

Well, that should keep me busy for awhile. Not a lot added but some of the projects from last month that weren't finished were big projects that have been on our radar for a while.

Any one else have some goals they would like to share?

Sings my soul Saturdays - Beautiful Things by Gungor

Another awesome worship song this week. This is sung by Gungor. Our youth band has been singing it for the last couple of weeks and it is just so awesome!

I LOVE FALL!

It's finally fall!

I never thought it would get here this year. This summer was the hottest I have seen in the 6 years of living here. On the first day of fall it was 96 degrees! How crazy is that?! But over the weekend we had rain and it seems to have pushed that hot air out and brought autumn in. I can't wait to unpack my long sleeves, sweaters, scarves and fleece!

I used to think I loved fall growing up in So. California. There was a change in the air (or so I thought), pumpkin patches would show up, trips to Julian for apples and cider...ah memories.

What I found out was that those "changes in season" weren't a true fall experience. Living in an area now that has actually has seasons I found out that I am absolutely in love with fall. There is a distinct change in the air that you can not only feel, but smell. I know weird but so true! The sky even seems to change. It makes things seem more crisp or pop out at you.

I love the vibrant colors of the changing of leaves. It is truly God's masterpiece on a living canvas of trees. I find myself longing for it every year now. It is truly breath taking. Reds, golds, oranges so vibrant that they seem to pop like fireworks of color.

Some of other things I love about fall are:

Football - this chick is a football girl. I have raised my girls to love football too. No college teams but we love our Chargers (even though they stink), Green Bay Packers (hubby's fam is from Wisconsin) and we occasionally watch the Carolina Panthers. There is nothing like coming home on Sunday afternoon eating lunch while watching some football.

Lipton's Green Tea Cranberry Pomegranate - It is like fall in a cup

Chili or soup and homemade biscuits - YUMMY. My new favorite soup is a Chicken and Dumplings soup made in the crockpot. Can we say more please!!

Apples - I love apples in the fall. We have found so many other varieties out here that we didn't know about before. The family's favorites are Suncrisp and Honey Crisp. They are a little tart like a Granny Smith but has a texture of a pear. They make the best apple crisps! http://www.pickyourown.org/apples.htm

Suncrisp
A hard tart, long keeping apple.
Red over orange color; Golden Delicious-type
Ripens late in the season
Best for: Baking, storing

Honeycrisp
Introduced in Minnesota
Very sweet and aromatic
Great for juice, as it is a very juicy apple
Best for: Eating, pies, baking
Mid season

As you can see I am going a little fall crazy right now. I am so ready for this change in seasons. I am so ready for the holidays, cooler weather and friends coming over. Are you in love with fall as much as me?

Blog Hop with me - Five Question Friday - 9/10/10

Decided to try and do something a little light-hearted for a Friday and get to know some more people out there in our "blog world."

1. Do you feel guilty spending money on yourself?

Yes - We are on a uber tight budget right now. I have never been into clothes, shoes, bags, etc which helps me not spend a lot on me.

2. How well do you know your neighbors?

We use to be really close. When we first moved into our neighborhood six years ago, we were one of a few houses on our street (new development). As people moved in we all began hanging out and doing things together. Sadly, we have all gone into our normal routines again. If we see each other we will stop and talk but we don't hang out like we use to.


3. What age are you looking forward to being?

I guess I am looking forward to 40. That is the next big milestone (even though it is a few years off). My girls will be done with HS and moving on to college. It will begin a new chapter in our lives. I think that is something to look forward to.

4. Do you get excited when the mail comes? Why?

Yes - I have always loved getting mail and opening it. I don't know the real reason but it is fun. I just hate opening bills - they stink!

5. What is your earliest childhood memory?

I don't have specific memories more like flashes of certain things - hanging out at home with my family, going to the zoo, Knott's Berry Farm and Disneyland. Like I said just more like flashes of memories but nothing specific.

Come and blog hop with me!

Any other tech-dinosaurs out there?

Sometimes I feel like the cool mom. Someone who knows her stuff. I feel I am up with current trends and latest buzz but when it comes to technology, I guess I am a dinosaur.

While my husband is the biggest computer geek around, I am not. Even while saying that, he does not own much of what he researches or works with when doing consulting work. We have our 2 Macs at home and a dying laptop that we lovingly call "the frisbee." We have older tvs none of which are flat screens. We both bounce around on Facebook. I obviously have a blog that I attempt to keep up to date. I just starting using Skype last month after much prompting by my parents -yes, my parents used Skype before me. How sad is that?!

I would love to be one of the ones on twitter telling people about my day or any little adventures I go on but I just don't have the technology nor the willingness to go out and buy it. My cell phone is used for phone calls and texting. I don't have mobile access due to the cost. We are on budgets and that just isn't in the budget at this time. It has a camera but it takes ok photos and the ones that I have taken are still in the same place they were when they were taken - on my phone.

I see all these posts on twitter, FB and blogs with all of these cute updates and massive amounts of pictures chronicling the day's events of my friends as I sit here in awe. Part of me wants to join in the fun too. There are so many times I wish I could post something right there in the moment of the event when all the emotions are still in play.

The other part of me knows I would become obsessed. Is that really what I want to do with my time?

For now, I am the techno-dinosaur. You can reach me by blog, email, text, phone or even by....wait for it - snail mail!

Sing My Soul Saturdays - Whisper His Name

I absolutely love this song. It is by Deluge. We sang it last week in our Encounter (extended worship) service. I have been singing it all week. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

September Goals

A friend of mine, Nancy Ray, has begun to rub off on me in a good way!

She is a goal setter. Every month on her blog she sets goals for herself for the month. While Mr. A has been away, I have been getting to small little projects and making list of new projects that I would like to attempt. So with that I decided to make my first set of goals for September. I am going to try my best to do all of them but I am not going to be disappointed if it doesn't happen.

September goals:

Hang and hem curtains in Ky's room
Choose paint and paint AJ's room
Refinish mirror and hang in house
Enlarge and frame pictures for Ky's room
Start making hats for Fall Festival
Prep and paint our bedroom
Choose paint color for master bath
Work on flower beds along fence line
Sit down w/Mr A and discuss future landscaping projects
Begin walking - either on treadmill or outside
Reducing my food portions
Drink more water - at least 64 ounces a day (not easy for me!)

I think those are a good start on goals. I think this will become a monthly thing like Nancy's. Look for more of these posts on the 1st of every month!

Thanks for the motivation Nancy!

I heart Skype!

Ok...I know I am a little delayed when it comes to technology but I can't say enough about how much I love Skype.

The girls and I were able to "talk" with Mr A and my parents using Skype. Oh my goodness if you could have heard the girls yell "Daddy" when they saw him on the screen. Yes they are 15 and 12 but still screamed for their Dad. He has been in CA since the 13 of August and this is the longest he has been away! They were so happy to see him...so was I! :)

I love being able to see the family and see the house I grew up in the background. It was just cool. We talk on the phone every week but there is something about seeing the person that makes it that much more special.

We heart skype!

School has begun

It's that time again! Time for the school supply lists and packing up all of those items in a book bag that cringes due to the amount of stuff getting crammed in it.

This year, Ky is a sophomore in high school. Where does the time go? It is crazy how fast time flies. She has a crazy semester again. 1) Honors Composition, 2) Honors Civics and Economics, 3) Spanish 1, and 4) Honors Algebra 2. She loves the pressure and is excited about the classes for the most part.

My only complaint so far - due to budget cuts she has 2 temporary contract teachers. One for Honors Comp and the other for Spanish 1. The sad thing is the Spanish 1 teacher doesn't even know Spanish. Seriously!!! How can you put someone in to teach Spanish who doesn't know Spanish. We are hoping that things will work out. They are hoping to have a permanent teacher in sometime in the next 3 weeks to 3 months. Thank goodness I have taken 3 years of Spanish and kept some of my old books. I am teaching her a lot more at home then she is getting so far in class. Ky says there is a boy in class who is helping the teacher with her pronunciation.

AJ is starting 7th grade. Her class load is pretty standard with the exception of her electives - chorus and band. She had chorus last year and absolutely loved it so that I am not worried about. The band on the other hand is a sore subject in our house. Ky took band in 6th and half of 7th grade. The teacher was the biggest jerk of all time! She stuck it out and we are proud of her for following through. We made a decision that AJ wouldn't take band due the issues we had previously.

However, when we saw her schedule band was there. Luckily the teacher has changed and this teacher seems very happy to teach and pretty enthusiastic which is a happy change from the previous teacher. The bad thing is due to our financial situation the rental of an instrument is some thing we really have to think about. Unfortunately there are no other classes for her to transfer into. This was her absolute last choice on her electives but all the other elective classes are completely full that they are forcing kids to take band and chorus because those are the two classes that still have room. We might just have to bit the bullet and get her an instrument for now and see what might open next semester.

The bonus for AJ is she only has 1 teacher that Ky had in middle school. I like that AJ has been able to have other teachers than what Ky had. That way there is no preconceived ideas about AJ or comparisons to Ky. They are both great students but their personalities and learning styles are so different to compare them would be an injustice to them both.

As they walked out of the house this morning my only regret was I didn't take picture for the first day. Mr. A has the camera in CA and I didn't feel like trying to find the girls cameras or take photos on my phone. I have a standard cell phone and the photos are pretty much junk!

No photos for their memory books but the memories will always remain in my mind and heart.

Exotic food weekend

This weekend was a fun one with my girls. We chilled out since this was the last weekend before school started.

The weekend started on Friday night with Ky having band practice with the youth department. AJ and I headed to the grocery store to pick up some things to get through the next week. When we got back to pick her up, the group had decided to go out for ice cream after rehearsal. Talk about fun! We had fun coversations with friends, a nice evening and the best ice cream. I had Graham Station - Graham cracker ice cream with chunks of graham cracker and chocolate pieces. AJ had white turtle - vanilla ice cream, pecans, carmel with white and dark chocolate. I don't even remember what Ky had but it was good too! Update: Ky had Butter Pecan! My classic girl through and through!

Saturday night we decided to have Indian food. We found some naan and other Indian food items at Trader Joes. Let me say, it was so yummy! We ate our food while watching our favorite Bollywood movie - Bride and Predjudice. That was so much fun and something we will definitely do it again!

On Sunday, we decided to do sushi. Ky had been looking forward to this for awhile. AJ wasn't as excited until we told her she could have something else other than sushi. She settled on Sesame Chicken while Ky and I did a sushi plate special. It was the chef's choice of 5 pieces of negri. Luckily it was all stuff we had tried before and liked. We left stuffed and were so happy that we were able to do that as a special treat!

We had such a fun weekend eating our way through it. I can't wait to do some of these things again. I am so happy that my girls aren't picky for the most part and are willing to try new things. I am so thankful for their adventurous spirits with life!

Sings my soul Saturdays - Beautiful

This song is by an amazing worship band called Unhindered. If you haven't found them, do so! You will be so blessed! They are just passionate about Our Savior and passionate about worshipping Him. Their latest album is BE. Definitely a must have! Hope you enjoy this song.

Another update on Jonah

This is the best update of all!

Jonah is home resting comfortably in his own bed as of Friday, August 20th! The doctors were so pleased with his progress that they let him go home!

How awesome is that! A little over a week and a half after having a major surgery - a kidney transplant no less - and the sweet boy is now home with his family.

We serve an miraculous Savior! I am in awe of this whole situation.

Just had to come by and share the news. Thanks for all of your prayers.

Quick update on Jonah

Look who is doing so much better!

He has been moved out of ICU. He is slowly gaining back his strength. Mr. A says that he is a hit with all of his nurses (he always has been a little flirt!)

He will be in the hospital a little while longer to monitor everything and get his parents trained on how to live with a child who has had a transplant. They have to be extremely careful with him for the next 3 months. No rough housing, jumping, falling, etc. All I have to say is good luck with a 2 year old!

Continue to pray that there is no rejection of his kidney and for wisdom and understanding for his parents as they learn all the new medications and procedures needed to help him in his new life.

On behalf of the family, we thank you so much for all of you who have been praying for this sweet boy! We love this kid so much and wish you could all meet him. He would have you a putty in his little hands within seconds.

Updates on Jonah

Jonah is doing amazing! He is a living miracle. Mr. A got out to CA on Friday and they had started bringing him out of sedation. Mr. A was able to hang out and help the nurses which made him feel very useful already.

Saturday was a huge day - his breathing tube was removed. HOORRAAY! He is breathing on his own and was able to be out of sedation totally. Poor kid looked extremely confused as to what had happened but was doing remarkable.

By yesterday (Monday) he was already standing with assistance and playing with his toys. I know people say that kids bounce back quickly, but I know that everyones prayers have helped to. We serve an awesome, mighty Healer!

I haven't heard anything recently but it is just a matter of time before this precious boy is able to be back home with his family. I will keep everyone posted on the progress as I hear it.

Keep praying that there will not be any rejection of the kidney or complications.

Thank you for your prayers!

Pajama Day with the girls

Have you ever had one of those days where you are just a total bum? We are having one of those days today. I asked the girls what they wanted to do and they wanted to chill. Not like they haven't been chilling all summer but I get it. Mr. A's away and it is just the three of us. We decided let's make it a chill day and be couch bums.

We caught up on a few shows, watched a couple of movies and just hung out under some blankets in our pjs. I love being able to just hang out with my girls. No crazy agendas, no big projects, just a chill time before school starts. I think we all needed this day to just be bums.

These are memories I will treasure. Just me and my girls hanging out, laughing and discuss movies, just being still and enjoying each others company.

Sings my Soul Saturdays - All in the Serve -

I chose this video today because my girls and I watched the movie "Second Chances" and this is song is from the soundtrack. When KA heard the song in the credits stated that this is one of her favorite by Michael W. Smith. Personally I love this movie and if you haven't watched it, it is a must see.

The movie shows what is our family's heart cry. It is all about serving those around you. Being Jesus to those who don't know Him. Living our lives as daily sacrifices for him. This is why our family's blog is titled "Our Adventurous Life." We are choosing to live our lives as God's hands and feet to the world around us.

Enjoy the song that includes clips from the movie "Second Chances."

Prayer for Jonah

This beautiful blue-eyed babe is my nephew Jonah, Mr. A's sister's son. This gorgeous kid has had a rough life. I blogged about his birth and what a roller coaster that was. Just after his 1st birthday, he was diagnosed with Denys-Drash Syndrome and which affects his kidneys. He had to have his kidneys removed in December 2009 so they would not start forming cancerous tumors, which is a side effect of Denys-Drash Syndrome.

We have been waiting for a match for him. The family got tested and his father was a match and began the process of getting everything done to get ready for donation. We finally had a date, August 18th for the transplant. Mr A booked his tickets to leave on the 13th to hang out with everyone prior to surgery and be there as both his nephew and brother-in-law go in for surgery.

HOWEVER….we serve a big GOD and yesterday morning, they received a phone call that a match had been found. Jonah had been on a donor list since his kidneys were removed but nothing had ever come up which is why his father was going to do it. Some one had passed away and was a match for Jonah. Then began the mass scramble of things.

WELL…he has his new kidney. Surgery went well. Doctors could not be more pleased with how well it went. I cannot say how happy I am for this family. They have been through some roller coaster events this last year so this was so worth it all.

Now we need to pray for a speedy recovery! He will be sedated for 2-3 days while his little body begins to heal. Then it is a matter of time to get him home. Mr. A is still heading out as planned and going to hang out and do whatever he can.

Please continue to pray for the Loader family, Jonah, Dwayne and Katherine. Pray for financial peace, healing and no rejection of the kidneys. Please pray for the family who lost their family member so Jonah could have life. What a selfless gift in a horrible time. I cannot say thank you enough to this family.

Mountain top experience vs our valleys

I heard this on the radio recently and it struck me in the heart. I have never heard it explained this way but it something my heart has been clinging to.

We all long for those mountain top experiences. You know the ones like where you go to camp and you "meet" God. You have such a peace, a fire, a renewal. You are so "high" on God that you are on the top of the world (or top of a mountain).

Then there are the times were you don't know what is going on. Things just aren't working, God seems distant, life just keeps coming at you and you grow weary. We "Christians" call this "our valley". We long for our mountain top when we are in our valleys times.

But if we stop and look around at the top of the mountain, there is nothing growing. At times there is nothing there but snow. No trees, plants, just rocks. If you look around, it is pretty bare compared to the valleys. The valleys are full of growth - trees, flowers, grass are all in bloom. Life is growing in the valleys.

It is in "our valleys" where we grow. God is pruning, seeding, growing our faith and belief during these times. We cannot grow on the mountain top. It is a moment in time to meet Him.

But it is in the valleys where we grow! Our faith becomes in bloom. The roots of our faith can grow deeper into the rich soil of these times.

While we may long for the top of the mountain, let's not forget the beauty of God in the valley!

Being at peace with where God has me

As I sit here and write, one of my best friends is making her self comfortable "at home" in CA. This is the third of my friends who have moved back to California in the last year. There were a lot of us who made a mass exodus from California about 6 years ago or shortly there before. Many of us were called to by God to move to other areas. Others moved for economic reasons. California is just so darn expense to live in. I had heard that growing up but it isn't until you leave and live somewhere else that you see just how expensive it really is.

As I talked to her while they were driving cross country it kind of made me home sick. She was talking about some of the places she wanted to take her kids and have them experience. Places we hung out and have memories of. Another of my friends who moved back within the last year was posting pictures on her blog of their stay-cation. They were just hanging out and being tourist in our hometown. I found myself longing to do that with my girls. Wanting my girls to experience some of the places, things and sights that my husband and I experienced growing up.

I guess it's not helping that right now I am in a funk. Things aren't bad, there is just a lot of stuff going on financially, spiritually and emotionally that sometimes you want to go back to what you know, what you are comfortable with. I will admit there have been times I have longed to go back to CA. Most of those times are when I am missing family or when an event is happening and I know there is no possible way to be there.

The grass is always greenier on the other side. The logical and practical side of me knows that nothing would really change or be better if we moved home. Same problems, prettier location to have them in. We would have family close and that is always a bonus. But when it comes to friends, I was the first in my group of friends to have kids. All of the girlfriends I mentioned have young kids. Kids that are infants or that have barely started elementary school while my kids are in high school and middle school. It's not like we wouldn't have things to discuss because we do, it is just we are in different phases in our lives.

So I just have to be thankful for where God has placed me. I can't be moving forward if I am constantly looking back. God has brought us to this place for a reason. There are times we scratch our head and wonder because we haven't seen "it" - the reason for coming. God has shown us little things along the way to confirm that this is where He wants us for now. Until God shows or provides another way, home is here. Home is where my God and my family are.

Love of musicals

Ok...one of the blogs I follow is a friend of mine, Nancy Ray Photography. Recently she posted that she is in love with the classics. I couldn't agree with that more. She was absolutely made for another time where women wore tailored suits, white gloves and beautiful hats. She has a sophistocated grace about her. Classic, elegant and beautiful. I love that woman!

She got me thinking. I love, love, love the fashion of the 1940's. There is something so beautiful to me about that decade. I know we had a war going on and things were bad but there was something so beautiful how people came together to help each other. People became creative, inventative and resourceful with what they had. Maybe I have watched too many hours of old war movies.

I too love another era - the era where musicals reigned supreme. I could watch some of these musicals over and over. I absolutely love Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. I also love Showboat, Kiss Me Kate, State Fair, Oklahoma and so many others. Every Christmas season we have White Christmas playing while we put up our Christmas tree. There is something about a classic musical - the outfits are to die for, the men are handsome, the women are beautiful and built like "normal" women of all shapes and sizes and the added bonus the songs are songs that you will find your self humming days after you have watched.

The best part is my girls now have a love for musicals. They love these classics as I do but have started expanding into modern day versions of musicals. Their new love - Bollywood musicals.

As cheesy as they can be, we find ourselves trying to sing along. The best thing about most Bollywood movies is they are extremely clean by today's standards. There is not a lot of language or sex. For the most part it reminds me of some of the classic musicals from yesterday. I love that this is something we can all share together. I love that the girls can watch something and for the most part not have to worry about the content.

If you haven't watched any musicals or any Bollywood musicals, give them a try.

Sing My Soul Saturday - If We've Ever Needed You

This song is amazing and so true for today! I have it playing on my MP3 all the time.

How much more?!

Back in January, I blogged about My One Word. I mentioned that my word for 2010 was trust. I knew that word was going to mean stretching beyond my comfort level but I am to the point of "How much more?"

I know a woman who when asked how she is doing will reply everytime "Blessed. Blessed. I am blessed." Sometimes I want to just say "Really?! How is that possible? You can't feel blessed all the time. How do you really feel?" I say this all because right now I don't feel blessed. I feel scared. I am angry. I am confused. I am so done with it all.

I mean I know I am blessed - I have my health, my family, a job, a house...I am blessed. Just sometimes when you are faced with bills, appointments, uncertainity...you really don't feel blessed.

I know it is more of a mental thing. I need to believe that things will be better than they are right now. I need to get it into the marrow of my bones so it becomes a part of my being.

I am blessed.
I am loved.
I am His.
I can trust Him.

More milestones - Drivers Ed

To even think that I have a child who is old enough to get her drivers permit is scary! But the truth is smacking me in the face today as my oldest, Ky, is heading to her first day of driver's ed. Luckily for her the classroom portion will be over by the end of the week. Then comes the best part for her and the true test of patience on our end - behind the wheel training.

I let her try and move my car once from one side of an empty parking lot to the other side with me in the car. I thought "how bad can this really be?!" Good gravy, she freaked me out! I told her to slowly put her foot on the gas. I don't know what she heard but it was like Dale Earnhart took over her body. She floored it and took off. All I could see was a telephone pole heading closer to my side of the vehicle. I screamed, "Take your foot off the gas!" After that she was only allowed to steer the vehicle from place to place. Yes, it may have taken us 5 minutes to get from one side of the parking lot to the other but at least I wasn't worried about my life.

Luckily for us, the school will give her behind the wheel training at some point in the next few months. Unfortunately her drivers ed teacher is also the HS football coach. With football season just around the corner, his time is extremely limited to do behind the wheel training. It could be November before she actually has time in the car with the instructor. I guess that means at some point we will take her out and let her get more familiar with everything. There is no reason to have her freaked out with an instructor yelling at her. At least she is used to us yelling!

A Child's Milestone - Sushi??

Ky has always wanted to try sushi. I am not opposed to it, I just don't know a lot about it. We do the basic - california roll and crunchy roll, but other than that I didn't want to waste my money on something we just wouldn't like. On one of the last days that the family was here, my sister and I took the girls out for sushi for girl time.

It was nice to have my sister, who eats sushi often, to order for us. She gave some suggestions and let Ky really take the lead. AJ was not interested at all. We ordered a couple of rolls that we knew she would like and a bowl of wonton soup but after that we ordered for the rest of us. We tried yellow tail, red snapper, octopus, scallop and a few different rolls with eel, etc.

The verdict - Ky has decided she loves sushi! I have decided I like it a lot. Some of it is mind over matter, but all-in-all I really enjoyed it. AJ has decided she wants her fish cooked if she eats fish at all! We will definitely have to go back and do it again now that we know basics to order.

Are there any other suggestions for sushi beginners?!

Family vacation 2010 - Myrtle Beach, SC

My whole family came out for vacation this summer. We were celebrating my mom's 60th birthday (May) and my parent's 40th wedding anniversary (July 11th). Originally we had wanted to go on a cruise but with the economy we had to downsize our trip. It actually worked out really well because my family was able to come out to and spend some time with us at our home both before and after the trip to Myrtle Beach.

We had many competitions on the Wii with the family, lots of people in and out of the kitchen, many games of cards and lots of laughter. My sister, parents and I have this thing about laughter. When we have been up too long or confined too long (car rides, etc) we tend to get a little giddy and you have no idea where things are going to go. We have almost been asked to leave restaurants due to our laughter and commotion once we get going. The best part is our husbands have learned to join in the fun. In fact sometimes they make it worse!

We all headed down to Myrtle Beach during the 4th of July weekend. Talk about a mad house. That place is totally crazy during the holiday weekend. It was wall to wall people. Luckily things thinned out once Tuesday rolled around. Mr. A and I had a condo on the 18th floor right on the beach. Talk about amazing views. The best part was the best place to connect to the Internet was on the balcony. That became my favorite place to hang out. I could breathe in the salty air, look at the amazing creation God made and take sometime for myself. It was wonderful.

There was two downsides to the trip - we were all spread out from each other and the weather. Unfortunately we weren't able to be at the same location. My sister and her family were located in N. Myrtle, my parent's were located in Surfside Beach and we were on the southern end of Myrtle Beach proper. We did a lot of driving to see each other but it was well worth the time and effort.

Then there was the weather. Talk about hot! To make it worse, my poor family who is use to So. California weather about melted. They were not use to the heat and humidity. I do have to admit it was even hot for me and I am pretty use to this weather. It was so hot the one day we decided to play at the beach we about died. My poor nephew about burnt the bottom of his little feet because the sand was just so hot! Thank goodness my parents went out and bought umbrellas for us. It would have been absolutely miserable without them.

All in all we had a fabulous vacation. Hours at the lazy river, mini-golf at Mt. Alanticus, fireworks at Barefoot Landing and the best of all hanging out with family. I can't believe how fast the time went. I can't wait until our next family vacation - whenever that may be.

Happy Birthday, Mr. A

Just a quick Happy Birthday wish to one of the best guys around. So thankful that God blessed me with you!

Then Sings my Soul Saturdays - Hillsong - More to See

It has been forever since I did one of these but I am back. This song has been my anthem recently. There is so much more to see if I take my eyes off my situation or my persepective and put them on His.

Family photos 2010

My family came out for a celebration/get-together. When we got the family together it only made since for us to do family pictures. We went to a park really close to our house that has some old farm buildings and great grass areas where we could take photos. My family always does the color coordinated thing when it comes to our pictures. This year we went for jewel tones. I must admit the colors really pop. I love my family.

She's like 15 now

Ok...that was an attempt on my valley girl talk of yesteryear!

My oldest, Ky, just turned 15. When asking what she wanted to do for her birthday she began a list of paintball, airsoft, etc. Things that were just not feasible this year for us to plan and to be totally honest not on my list of fun, but it is not about me.When we realized that none of the previous options were available we began to plan for a party at home with a theme. We began going through various themes when it came to the 80's. As soon as it was suggested, we began to run with it. So many things that were available back then are back in style now. Crazy how fast that cycle happens! We decided the 80's theme would be a perfect idea for her party!

Let me tell you the party rocked! We had so much fun. We did 80's trivia, karaoke and best of all everyone dressed up. We had such a blast! We even set up a sheet that we had splattered paint on and called it a photo op area! I don't think I have laughed like I did that night in a while. It was a perfect event made even better by all those who came. Ky said if she could do it again she would keep the same people who came because they made the night.

I can't believe I am a mom of a 15 year old! However if I could be a mom to any 15 year old in the world, I would have it be her. She is amazing! I love her to bunches and am so proud of her. I can't wait to see what she is going to do in the future. I know it is going to be amazing because....
"Her future is so bright, she's gotta wear shades!"

Memorial weekend was memorable

I am trying to catch up on things with my blog so my apologies to the mass attack of posts to come!

This Sunday was a huge day for our girls and their walk with Christ. Both of my girls were water baptized on Memorial Sunday. Some may wonder why they weren't baptized before this. My answer to this is I wanted the decision to be theirs and I wanted them to have an understanding on why this is so significant to them personally.

The girls have always expressed an interest when they saw those in the church being baptized. For me I know it was the thrill of the moment because it was never mentioned again until the next baptism. However, Ky has really grown in her walk recently and has really been looking for Christ on a deeper level. She had been praying about it and felt like God had been telling her to be baptized. Once she explained this to me and said that she didn't care if her sister was baptized on the same day as her because this was between her and God, I knew that she was ready. Also anytime she doesn't care if her younger sister does the same thing as her, I know her motives are true (coming from a mom of two girls who can't do things the same way or same time if at all possible).

AJ has been hounding me for months about being baptized. I knew in my heart that her desire to be baptized was pure. She has a heart for worship like none other that I know. She wants to honor Christ in everything she does.

The special part of the baptism was Mr. A and myself were able to stand right next to the baptismal and witness it closely. Mr. A was given the option of baptizing the girls himself but declined due to his back. This was the next best thing! I loved being right there with my girls as they made this personal step in their walks of faith.

We celebrated with a fun lunch with friends who adore our girls and were as proud of their decisions as we were! What a great way to celebrate this momentous occasion in their lives.

Ky and AJ, I am so proud of the "women" of God that you are becoming. I pray that you will never know a day without Christ by your sides. We all make decisions that change our lives and the decision you made to be baptized was one of those decisions. Dad and I could not be more proud of you both!

To my best friend

My best friend without a doubt would have to be my husband. Today we celebrate another milestone in our marriage - 15 years! We have had an amazing adventure together as husband and wife. I couldn't imagine doing life with anyone else.
Even from the engagement things have been a little different. Me being the girlie girl I am (yeah right) gave him a hard time from the word go. He made me dress up for our dinner out - requirements were a dress and heels. This did not make me excited at all. I had just gotten off work, changed and then we headed to the beach. This added fuel to the fire! I was starving and I did not want to go walking around in heels on the beach or cove. When he parked the car I told him I was not walking all over the place. This made him change his plan. We started walking for the cove and I told him I was not moving another step - we could see the seals from where we were. Poor guy wanted to go to the benches overlooking the cove so I could sit down and he could get on his knee and propose but I was not going to move another inch.

We began talking and he looked at me and said "Will you marry me?" My response "Yeah, yeah." I thought we were just talking about the future. I hadn't really caught on to what was going on. I was expecting an engagement but not for at least another 6 months to a year away. Mr. A had always made it a point not to actually ask me to marry him even while joking because he wanted those words to be special when he said them. Of course he had just said them and I blew it off. We began talking again and he asked again, "Will you marry me?" I said, "Yeah," still not quite catching on.

Finally he pulled out the ring and said "Do you want to wear this now?" My reaction, "You were serious?!" He replied, "I can put it back." Obviously he didn't and we went on to get married 14 months later.

So as you can see the poor guy has had to put up with a lot in the 17 years together and 15 years of marriage. However, I wouldn't change a thing. It is us and good or bad, we will always do it together.

Love ya babe!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Jonah

Happy 2nd birthday to the cutest little miracle around!

This baby has been through so much in his first 2 years of life! He was born 6 weeks premature. He has a syndrome called Denys-Drash that he was diagnosed with almost a year ago. Unfortunately with this syndrome he can get a cancer of the kidneys called Wilms Tumor so as a precaution the doctors removed both of his kidneys in Decemeber 2009. He is now waiting for a kidney transplant. His father, my brother-in-law, looks like he is the best canidadate unless another kidney comes in. They are hoping to have his transplant in the next few months.
Despite all this he has been through, he is a happy kid! He is always on the go. I have to laugh when I talk to my sister-in-law. Most of the time I hear, "Jonah, don't climb on that. Jonah, put that down." He is a typical 2 year old and I am so happy about that.
I was able to have breakfast with them when I was out there in March. He the the king of cheese! His smile is infectious. My sister-in-law says the nurses adore him. They let him get away with murder because of his personality.

They are having a party for him this Saturday and it is a medical theme. "Dr. Jonah" is in charge. The colors are green which is the color ribbon you would use to promote kidney health. I am so proud of his parents. They have been through the ringer and have come through stronger. We weren't sure how they were going to do when the original diagnosis came in but they are handling everything like champs. They have their moments, but Jonah is their priority!

Just want to say we love you little man! We wish we could be there to help you celebrate!

Festival of Hope

Well, we survived another year!

Even though it sounds like I am at my wits end, this honestly is the one of the highlights of my year! I love this weekend. While the weeks/months of prep are exhausting, the event itself is so exciting. I am always shocked and humbled when they want us to bring the hat booth back.

For those who haven't checked out my blog before, the Festival of Hope is put on my our local Rescue Mission as a thank you to the community and to bring more attention to what services the Rescue Mission does on a daily basis. Our local mission rocks. They have a on-site medical program, day care and many more services besides just being a shelter. They have the most loving people who work there. I love this organization more than I can say.

This festival is totally free. Local churches, organizations and loving people donate their time and supplies to this event so the people of the rescue mission can attend and not have to worry about trying to pay. This year was the biggest and best by far. When I started attending this event 4 years ago, attendance was closer to a few hundred people. This year, they estimated that attendance was 3,000-4,000 people. Amazing is all I can say.

A little background on our booth - we make hats out of grocery paper bags. We crush them up, pop them back out, roll the brim and then spray paint them. The people who attend the festival then get to decorate them however they would like. We have stickers, ribbon, foam pieces - basically anything you can stick on a hat can be used. Our first year we made 100 hats and ran out with about an hour left for the event. This year we made 500 and had a few left over.

Every year we are amazed at the response. People love these hats. We love seeing the tough guys who wouldn't be caught dead wearing something like this, take such pride in decorating the hat then wearing it for the rest of the day.

My favorite moment was on the way home. We had just loaded up the car with a bunch of girls who had come to help and Ky was in the front with me. Due to the street still being closed as they were cleaning up, we had to go out and around. We passed by a park where many homeless are known to stay. We were stopped at the light and I looked into the park and spotted him. This gentleman, who was obviously down on his luck with his possessions next to him, sitting on the edge of a plant bed holding a pink balloon and wearing one of our hats. I tapped Ky and told her to look in the park. She began to scan the crowd and I saw her eyes light up and began to tear. She had spotted him.

She looked at me and said, "He is why we do this mom. This is the reason. This makes it all worth it!"

With tears in my eyes and my throat unable to produce any sound, I shook my head in agreement. Like the first little girl I made a hat for 4 years ago whose face and smile has been burned into my heart and mind, this moment made me remember what all the hours of prep work had been for.

He is the reason. God made him. We need to love him and show him Christ through our respect, love and a hat made of paper and spray paint!

Sanna Haynes

Ok...I just have to give her a shout out! I think she is going to go so far. Remember this lovey's name - Sanna Haynes.

My family and I had the privilege of meeting her and her husband at our 1st church out here in NC. They were dating at the time. They are the most down to earth couple and are just as genuine as can be. They helped out with some of our church productions, both acting and technically. Mr. A loved working with them because they were willing to help out with big or little and also had a heart to learn. The girls and I had the privilege of attending their wedding in 2006 which was beautiful. It was one of the most memorable weddings I have been to and I have been to a few. We knew they were heading to school after their wedding for theater and film. They started in VA then ended up in CA which is awesome because it is my home state and they were heading to a school I was familiar with.

Anyway, recently she ended up modeling at LA's Fashion Week. She was absolutely gorgeous. She is a beautiful girl, but the best part is I know she is that gorgeous on the inside too!

Like I said, remember her name. God is going to bless her and "M" in so many ways through the arts and film industry. I can't wait to see what is going to happen next.

Love you Sanna and "M"!

I couldn't have said it better

One of my high school friends and blogging buddies, Beloved Mama, recently wrote something that I feel everyone should check out. I couldn't have said it any better!

http://belovedmama.blogspot.com/2010/04/am-i-gulp-environmentalist.html

Top 10 things to know about me

I saw this done on another website and had to admit that I loved the idea.

#10 - My favorite color is lime green.

I don't really know why necessarily, but I really do like it. I especially like it when it is paired with other colors that make it pop - black, pink, blue.#9 - I am a beach bum at heart.

Blame it on my upbringing, but I love the sounds, smells and the general feeling of being at the beach. I love just walking around on a day when too much has gone on listening to the sounds. It is "home" to me.

#8 - I love flowers.

I love peonies, tulips, hydrangeas, lilies....flowers!

#7 - I love photography.

I grew up with a shutterbug father. We were always in pictures, taking pictures or looking at pictures. I prefer photography to other art pieces. Give me a good black and white by Ansel Adams and I am a happy girl!

#6 - My favorite stores are Ikea and Crate and Barrel. I could move in and take up residence at both stores. I use to say I was never a contemporary modern type but these two stores tell me different.

#5 - Relaxing to me sitting on the couch with a good movie. Love a good chick flick or musical!

#4 - I love 80's music. Enough said!

#3 - I love genealogy.

I have always been interested in it, but with Ancestry.com, I have become a junkie. It is so cool to see and learn about other family members.

#2 - I love my family.

My husband is truly my best friend. My girls are a total blast most days (come on, we all have those other days!).

I have an incredible immediate family and awesome in-laws. I love all my nephews and have a blast when I get to hang out with them. I am extremely blessed.

#1 - I love my Jesus.

He loves me even though I don't deserve it at all.

Friends are truly friends forever

I was blessed by my parents and my sister with an early birthday present - a trip to CA to hang out with my friends. We were having a reunion of the people who attended the youth group from the 80's and 90's. I didn't think I would be able to attend since I am 3000 miles away, but my family knew it was something I would love.

It was an awesome weekend. I was able to hang out with my sister and her family for the first and last night of my long weekend in Orange County. Being around my nephews during my visit was heaven. I had always dreamed that I would be an active part of my sister's childrens lives, like she was with my girls, whenever she and her husband decided to have kids. Little did I know that God had other plans for our lives which included moving us clear across the country while my sister was pregnant with my 1st nephew. Auntie T was now a person of phone calls, pictures and gifts from afar. I cherished hearing those little giggles and constant questions of "why" and "Auntie, guess what?!" during my stay. Though I will admit it has been awhile since I have been in a household with an 19 month old and 5 year old. They can be exhausting, but I loved it!

Friday we drove down to San Diego to hang out with my parents and attend the reunion which was on Saturday. I had so much fun seeing friends who shared those awkward moments in life called the teenage years with me. We laughed at memories of trips taken, cried for friends we lost both then and now and were in awe of where God has brought all of us.

During the time of hanging out, we had a video playing on the screens from a youth musical we did in my junior year called "Friends Forever," which is based on Michael W. Smith's song "Friends Forever." We did the musical shortly after we lost 4 girls within a 1 year span of time. The musical was fun and a much needed part of our healing process. That musical seem to express what we were truly feeling for each other at that time. We were going to be friends forever. Better yet, we became family.

I have seen many youth groups since and no one has ever seemed to have the geniune love and compassion for each other like we have for all of each other. We are now scattered throughout the US and world but we honestly care about each of our friends and want to keep in touch with them. We pray for each other across the miles, send notes of encouragement or congratulations for each life change and make an effort to keep in touch with one another in a world that seems to be losing the art of personal contact.

One of our friends who spoke at the reunion stated it the best. He referred to the closing line of a note that one of the leaders had written to him in high school that ended with FAFFITLTLOT. Friends are friends forever, if the Lord's the Lord of them. I agree...if God is in the center, anything is possible.

No matter how many years

No matter how many miles

WE ARE FRIENDS (FAMILY) FOREVER!

Confession

OK...I have a confession to make. It's a good thing no one really follows this blog because this could be rather embarrassing.

I am 30+ years old and I love the HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL movies!

Yes, I said it! I love the High School Musical movies - 1, 2 and 3. I finally came to this conclusion after my husband and girls left for church and I was still watching the movie "High School Musical 3". I even went back and watched a couple more songs again. As a person who has done choreography for students in musicals I love all the dancing in the third movie! I think the chemistry both on and off the screen between Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens makes the scenes even more special. Yes, I really love these movies!

I don't know what it is about these movies that is so fun, but they really are fun. I think right now the third installment is my favorite. There is just something about that senior year in high school and all the emotions going on that all the songs seem to be hitting a cord with my soul. Wow...that is a pretty profound and deep thought for a tween movie!

I guess I am getting sentimental due to the fact that I am heading "home" to have a mini reunion with friends from my high school years. I love these people tons! They made me who I am today.

While there are times I dreaded high school and all that went along with it, I do remember helping my girlfriends get ready for proms, dances, dates, etc. Those are the memories I treasure. The laughter about nothing. The anxiety about the evening. The fears of how the night will go. I want my girls to experience those times with their friends. I can't wait to watch from the "wings" while my girls make on their own "scenes of life."
Well now that it's out in the open all I can say is: "Anyone want to come over and have a High School Musical marathon?!"

Help my friends

I just want to post this for my friends, Travis and Beckie Kiker. They are the most special people who have a heart for everyone! They especially have a passion for adoption. They were blessed with their 17 month old daughter Nevaeh through adoption. However, God has dropped another blessing in their laps and they need help. God opened the door for them to adopt a baby boy who is due anytime now. It happened so quickly it can only be a God thing!

However, adoptions cost money. They had not planned to adopt this quickly and are in need of funds in order to receive this special blessing God has offered them.

If you would please take a look at this website and if you can help out in anyway, we would all be extremely grateful!

http://www.kikeradoption.com/