Fall beauty

I mentioned a few posts back that fall is my favorite time of year. I really love the alternation of cool mornings with warm afternoons. The sky changes as quick as the wind. Nature's colors become darker and richer. I feel the frequent need to make homemade chili and bake just about anything. The daylight is shorter and cuddle time on weekend mornings can be longer.

These beautiful clouds that appeared out our back window yesterday brought a rain shower today. Maybe tomorrow will be sunny and bright. It's fall ;)

Happy Birthday Jared

Jared, I hope you know how proud we all are of you. I am the luckiest mom ever. Thank you for being such a good son. I love you tons, Mom

Love you Jared, Happy Birthday
Keith

Dear Brother, I miss you. I love you so much. Did I already tell you that maybe I get my braces off in December? Just asking. I can't wait to see you and Nacho Lebrae. Ha Ha Tell Bailey I said Hi. BTW Happy Birthday. Love Madison

Hi Jared How's it going/ My Birthday is in six weeks but your birthday is before mine. And I bet buster is ok. And I would like it if you would come down for my birthday. Love Mia

Happy 19th!!!!!!!!!!

*I love this picture that Linsey took

Apple Hill

Thanks to the wonderful deeds of Christopher Columbus we were out of school today doing some exploring of our own. Sad to say, this was our first trip to Apple Hill . I was thankful for some direction from Carolyn and Debby as to which farms were, in their opinion, the best. There is really too much to explore in one outing.

We really enjoyed the quieter area of Plubell's Family Orchard. We packed our own lunch and enjoyed it there. There are walking trails and a petting zoo. The red barn house was near Primus Vineyards. We didn't stop there but it would be a good place to take a rest as the grounds are quiet and they have a nice, large play structure for the kids. My favorite place was Kid's Inc. Unfortunately, Mia fell down the steep grade that led to the pumpkin patch. Next time, she will probably follow me on the grassy part that leads down the hill. The corn maze was closed. Their pies were being made right before our eyes. The aroma was amazing!!!! I thought it was a very pretty place.

Carolyn warned me that High Hill Ranch was huge and crowded. Boy, was she right. I couldn't resist. I drove in, and I drove out! Looks like fun for another day.

We stopped at Boa Vista Orchards while driving to Kid's Inc. Not the prettiest place around but they did have the train ride that went around the pond. They only take cash for the ride, I was out of cash. I usually don't carry much with me as I can use my debit card just about everywhere. Everywhere except the train ride at Boa Vista. I saw two long faces follow me back to the car. Those faces disappeared when they got a chocolate covered apple from Abel's Apple Acres on the way out of Apple Hill. I picked myself up the apple dumpling and a caramel apple for Keith.

A fun trip, only an hour from home and now we know our way around!

Just jump!

It was two years ago this month that God directed us to WVBC. It is the best church I have ever been a part of! God has allowed us to meet amazing people at this church. Keith was baptized last summer on July 13th. The girls accepted Christ that same month and were baptized on August 13th. I guess 13 is really a great number. I was saved and baptized when I was 13 years old. I don't actually believe in numbers, only salvation and grace. I also believe that we are exactly where God wants us to be.
October at WVBC is a very busy and exciting time. This past week was family Sunday. Pastor had his whole family there. Brother Gabe preached and he is a terrific preacher. His message was from the book of Colossians. These are the two verses that I ended up underlining in my Bible:
Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on the things of the earth.

Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

The message was full of direction, conviction and confirmation. We all can do more for God. That will always be the way. We will never fully arrive because we are human. But always do more tomorrow than you did today. I also realized that I don't ask for faith enough. I think of faith as something I am supposed to have not ask for. Well, I am supposed to ask. God continues to open my eyes to the world, I don't like what I see. I need to live more on faith than I ever have, for EVERYTHING. Brother Gabe used an example of a father telling his son to jump to him from a burning building. The son yelled to his father, "I don't want to jump because I can not see you ." The father said, "But I can see you."

Next Sunday is Round up Sunday. This is the service that I first attended two years ago. Pray that we will have a great group. Missions conference begins on the 17th. Carolyn is working hard on getting the food organized (among tons of other things). Thank you Carolyn. I will be calling you Leah, from Raleys!

Sisters

As we well know, girls are awesome. Sisters are even more awesome! An unexpected trip to the Oregon coast paved the way for the girls to meet their new cousins and for me to re-connect with my step sister, Ronda.

Last Friday, my dad called to tell me that Lloyd passed away. My heart sank. It has been about six years since I last saw my uncle. Far too long I know. He was strong and healthy. He was the leader of one of the most wonderful families I have ever known. They exude love and kindness in such a natural way. He was a terrific father and an amazing man of God. The love for his wife still shines. They really are a model family! I was not sad for his departure from this earth. He is home now, he is in heaven. I just could not think of the sadness his wife of 48 years must be feeling. The loss that his children and grandchildren are experiencing seems unthinkable.

A series of phone calls set the plans for Ronda and I to drive to Oregon together . I felt very ambivalent about the entire trip. I hadn't seen Ronda in about 18 years! We really had no idea what this reunion was going to be like.

I will say that a true test of compatibility is to load up six girls in a mini van, drive for 7 hours, stay awake for over 32 hours, drink way too much coffee, not have time to eat, then attend a funeral....!

Stay up too late that night, put six girls in a spacious hotel room, get plenty to eat, drive home taking about 10 hours, stopping at the beach, the redwoods, the town where I went to high school and you have a connection. The best part was to discover that not only did we spend part of our childhoods together, but we will spend eternity together because we are also sisters in Christ!

We are so happy that we were able to meet Halle and Hannah! They are fun and loving girls.

Like the energizer bunny

Will it ever stop? It just keeps going and going and going....................



High School Musical. We went to the 7:30 show at the Opera House last Saturday night. It was a perfect pre -Fall evening. The change in the air was just enough to send me to Starbucks to satisfy my craving for a hot yummy. The girls couldn't wait to get to the theater (even though we were 45 minutes early). I didn't even tell them I had tickets to the show until lunch time that same day. If I would have told them any sooner, they wouldn't have been able to contain themselves. For them, this was the biggest thing since following the Wildcat's Pep Rally down the streets of California Adventure Park. Or was it the biggest thing since HSM 2? I don't know. What I do know : the words to half the musical's songs. Yes, only half. I also know the story of Gabriella, Troy, Sharpay and Ryan. I bet you know the story too.




The play was wonderful. For such a small town, we have a terrific theater. The productions attract actors from surrounding communities. The actors who played the main characters were just awesome. They were every bit as talented as American Idol finalists!




As I was enjoying the show and watching the girls enjoy the show I started thinking about my highschool days. I went to a very small school. Thirty-five in my graduating class! The entire school had 189 kids and that included eighth grade. I didn't always think so at the time, but it was a great place to go to school. Everyone knew everyone. I was recalling which kids fell into what group. I knew a Troy. His name was Eric. Our Gabriella was Renee and I won't name the Sharpay. She was actually a grade below all of us. We had the jocks and brains (Eric belonged to both groups). We didn't have skaters really. Maybe because we lived in the mountains! We did have the loners (what we really called them rhymes with loners). I think they managed to graduate. I was not part of the popular group but must have been likeable because I was voted Homecoming princess, a cheerleader, an award winning Thespian, and a debate champ. I was on the honor roll and I played softball. I belonged to a threesome that the rest of our class affectionatly (I think) named the GABS. We sat together everywhere. "I'll save you a seat," was a given. If you were looking for one of us, you would find all three of us. I bet you guessed why we were named such. We were ALWAYS talking. We never got detention for talking or anything. I guess that is what we were known for. We just had a ton of fun.


Boy, that reminds me of a song, "We're all in this together"..............................................

Pray and.......

Remember

click above

Official good-bye to Summer

As you may know, school doesn't start for us until tomorrow. This past week we were counting the days. We are done with the swimming, light nights and the heat (this has been a very mild summer for us temperature wise). It has been a wonderful summer! The cycle has run its course. Even though the weather will feel like summer for another month, our frame of mind has changed. The girls are excited about the school day, falling leaves and the pumpkins that are growing in our garden. We anticipate the crisp weather and cinnamon filled festivals. Fall is my favorite time of year. I am thankful to the Lord for the many blessings He provides daily. I will faithfully embrace the seasons He has planned for our family.

Ecclesiastes 3:1
To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.

Happy Anniversary

It was 11 years ago today that Keith and I made the commitment to spend our lives together, forever. We celebrated with a casual dinner here. The girls stayed with the Evertsons and had a great time eating too many sweets and staying up too late. Simply put, I am a very lucky Girl!

Happy 11th Keith.

Kids say the funniest things....

A few weeks ago, Madison shared with me that God spoke to her heart concerning choices she has been making lately. I sat with her and we talked about her feelings and how the experience affected her. I usually direct both of the girls to consult with the Lord about life decisions both present and future.

We were cooped- up most of the day today as it was 105 degrees outside. We decided to make a snack run to Jamba Juice while I ran a few errands. While driving, the girls were talking non-stop, as they usually do. The conversation :

(As we drove past the hospital)

Madison: " I am not sure if I am supposed to be a doctor or a teacher."

Mia: "The Lord spoke to my heart about being a teacher."

Madison: "How do you know Mia? When the Lord spoke to me I really knew it."

Mia: "Well, when I was in chapel, the Lord said, Mia I don't think you want to work at Jelly Belly, maybe you want to be a teacher. "

Madison: "Come on Mia, what did you feel like? Like were you scared?"

Mia: " No. Maybe I was nervous because I was thinking maybe the kids won't listen to me."

I was laughing to myself and had to work at keeping quiet!

Fresh Berry Dessert Bites

I love the glossy little recipe magazines at the grocery check out. If I'm not in a hurry, I don't mind a slow line if I can preview a new, seasonal edition. Tonight I made a dessert from the latest member of my little recipe magazine collection. Leah gave me the Summer Fun Recipes from Pillsbury before she moved. The fresh berry dessert bites received mixed reviews: Keith said they were," awesome but really rich." The girls liked the shortbread like crust and the berries "but not with the frosting part." I thought they were very tasty but too rich for an everyday type of treat. Judge for yourself! Let me know what you think.

Crust

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

2/3 cup of sugar

1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup butter cut into tablespoon-size pieces

Topping

1 package (8oz) cream cheese, softened

2 tablespoons packed brown sugar

1 container (6oz) lemon yogurt

1 teaspoon grated lemon peel

Raspberries, blueberries, and or blackberries for the top

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 15x10x1 pan (I used 13x9x1 and it was too thick)

In a large bowl, mix all crust ingredients except butter. Using pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture looks like fine crumbs; press evenly in pan

Bake 18 to 21 min or until edges are light golden. Cool completely, about 45 min.

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and brown sugar with an electric mixer on low until blended. Add yougurt and lemon peel; beat until blended. Spread mixture over crust. Refrigerate at least one hour but not more than 24. Cut into 10 rows by 4 rows. Arrange fruit as desired. Store in refrigerator.

No change for high altitude

110 calories per bar with 7 grams of fat.

carb choice = 1

Exchanges= 1/2 starch. 1 1/2 fat

Blessings

What a blessed weekend we had. The girls and I had a free weekend to ourselves. Keith was out of town for a golf tournament and we didn't have anything in particular planned.
Sometimes that is the best way :) Hope you enjoy the video. I found the link on another blog.
I thought it was precious.

A brief list of our terrific weekend:

*Watched High School Musical 2 (count down was in progress)

*Had grilled chicken with jasmine rice and girly salad (baby greens, vinagarette etc) for dinner

*Mission accomplished =shoe shopping for both girls. Sometime mission impossible as Mia wears wide. Hard to find "her style" in wide!

*Completed and passed first test for DRE requirement. Ready to take test #two but they make you wait!

*Weather wasn't above the low 90's during the day and we had a terrific breeze in the evenings

*Bubble gum pink pedicures at home

*Handed out church tracts in Target parking lot, it was FULL of Fair parking

*Managed to avoid the Fair :)!!!!

*Lunch @ Plutos, alfresco

*Browsing @ Borders

*Started Disneyland scrapbook

*Up early to read my Bible

*Church

Today's Verse: And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Romans 12:2

This was the verse for today and I just wanted to preserve it on my blog.

Where's your hair?

The answer would be here. It was all Madison's idea. That is with a little help from Leah. Leah was playing with Madison's very long hair and said it was so pretty. She mentioned donating it. Madison asked me to look up all the details on the web site. From that moment on, just as soon as she saw the pictures of the children without hair, she was determined to get her hair cut. You know that it didn't even take 1.2 seconds for Mia to want to follow her sister's lead. All I heard for the next month was, "When are we going to get our hair cut?"

Madison had 11.5" cut and Mia had 11" cut

We are so very proud of the girls for thinking of others. I am the one who was a bit hesitant about them getting all that hair cut. I thought they looked so pretty with long hair. They told me, "Mommy, we can just grow it back." Now that their hair is short, I think they are just as beautiful on the outside and even more beautiful on the inside.

Bogey

The girl's golf lessons this summer were a little different than the ones they had last year. Last year, they went for one week, M-F for three hours each day. This year, beginning mid-June, we were on the golf course every morning from 7:30- 8:30 am. They refreshed the etiquette and rules, practiced putting, chipping and driving. During the second week the girls rationalized that since school was out they really shouldn't be getting out of bed so early. I admit, I was thinking the same thing. However, we all trekked on. It was actually easy because we were on the same schedule as when in school.

During the first week of July, their schedule switched. Madison had a tee time of 8:09 a.m. and Mia's was at 8:36 a.m.(Tues. & Thurs.). They each went out with a foursome to play three holes. I really enjoyed watching them play. As the lessons progressed so did their comfort with a natural swing and learning to play against themselves. Madison had a few boys in her group and was originally very competitive with them.

The lessons ended this week with a Jr.-Sr. scramble. The girls got to play the 9:00 am shotgun with Allysa and her dad. I followed the cart on foot so I could take pictures. We had a great time. Playing nine holes was a lot for Mia but she never gave up. The girls ended up with one bogey for the round. Afterward, we enjoyed a bbq and awards were handed out. The girls put their trophys on the shelf next to Daddy's. They were very proud.

I am very proud of them for not giving up when they were tired and for trying even harder when that silly little ball seemed so hard to hit. I am very proud that they are curious about golf because their daddy loves golf. And even more proud that they want to play golf because they love golf.

I know there are a lot of pictures but I really couldn't choose any less and kept myself from adding even more! You have to click on the picture above of Mia. Oh my gosh, too funny. I titled that picture "ball killer." BTW, no one is sleeping in much past 7:30am, golf lessons or no

golf lessons!