Manzanita Tree 2006

My husband for three years, since retiring from the US Air Force after 22 1/2 years, owns a small lawn maintenance business with himself only as CEO, Foreman, and Laborer. He has utilized the services of our boys as laborers, also.  One day in early fall, 2006 he and my 15 year old youngest son had been working and a customer had a tree in a pot that he wanted my husband to dispose of.  So he loaded it up and headed for home.  We keep a rather large compost, due to the many materials my husband brings home.  So my son decided the tree was pretty and he would display this rather unusual  tree near the compost.  The compost pile is at the gate to our driveway. 
Later that day I was driving past the newly acquired 'manzanita' tree and I stopped.  I am a native of Nevada County and had never seen a "manzanita" tree quite like this one.  It had the largest pink blooms all over it.  They appeared to be growing on each limb of this 3 ft tall tree.  The way it was positioned I could not see the pot it was sitting in and thought it was actually growing out of the compost.  Why had I not noticed this before? 
Being in a bit of a hurry I didn't tarry too long, however, I got to thinking about the five acres of manzanita we owned and if this manzanita had bloomed so beautifully then all of mine would.  So when I arrived home later, that day, instead of rushing to my home duties I took a walk around the property looking for blooms on the manzanita trees.  Not one bud on any of our manzanita.  So the incident was filed in the "ask my husband later" part of my mind and on with life.   This was long before we all had phones that had unlimited calls and we could just pick up the phone, text, and get the answers immediately. 
So a week or so went by and then I ask him why the manzanita was growing there and he laughs, because it was a fake plant.  Not even a manzanita, just painted to look very similar and the blossoms were not real at all. 
Back to studying the native plants, flowers, and trees for me.

This is a true Manzanita bush in bloom.


This is the full growth of Manzanita Tree that would overtake our property with the poison oak, if we allowed it. 



I have loved Manzanita since I was a child.  I used to make forts under the shelter of the tree, played hide and seek with neighbor kids, and played pretend within the little forests of the trees.  I enjoy the red bark, such a unique tree.  When we moved to our property and started clearing the trees, I sold the trees in parts.  Terrarium Logs, Money Trees, Marshmallow Roasting Sticks, etc.  As with most of my other sales efforts, I made little or no money with this venture, also. 

Psycho Rooster....

Sometimes a free gift is just too good to be true. 
So we did get chickens at Rocky Ridge, built a chicken coop out of wood paneled garage doors from the neighbor.  A few years of chickens and loving the farm fresh eggs a family friend was getting rid of a rooster.  She said he didn't get along with her hens.  So we integrate him in with ours and within a week he had pecked all of our hens bloody.  So we let him out of the coop and let him roam the 5 acres.  He had lots to eat and water.  So what does he do?  He waits by the back door, which is the door we use to enter the house, and he attacks us as we enter and exit the house.  He would scream and dance and jump on our heads, pecking us.  So the twins had a friend who had a phobia of chickens to begin with and he freaked out when he came over.  So the oldest twin and I decide we cannot live like this and one night after football practice we "take care of the rooster" and burn him in the burn barrel.  The next morning we are getting in the car to go to school and we hear rrrrr  rrrrr rrrrr from the burn barrel.  The vocal cord was still doing its job.  So my son and I pull him out and really "take care of him".   He was charred and except the vocal cord, dead!  Never got another Bad Rooster after that!

Summer of 2000....

We have lived in Penn Valley for one year now.  In the short year at Rocky Ridge we have acquired 2 sheep and a pot belly pig from some friends at church who moved to Ohio.  We rescued 2 Nubian goats that were attacked by a friends neighbors dogs.  The twins bought and raised 2 pigs for 4H and will show them at fair. We are talking about getting chickens.  The children are 5, 8, 12, 12 and 16.  The boys are in Little League and the youngest boy is in minors and plays outfield.  I pray for good sportsmanship to be learned.  The twins are in majors and are very athletic.  They made all-stars, though they got eliminated after losing the first two games.  They were really upset.  All of these life lessons, so hard to learn.  Snack Shack 2000, our first year, my oldest daughter and I rock that shack!  Everyday from 3:30-8pm and all day Saturdays.  Plus shopping during the week. My daughter does such a great job helping with it, she is such a lady and still a child.... I want this always in my life.  She turns 16 and has her birthday at Bridgeport a few days after.  She passes her driving test!  She will drive herself to school this year.  No more bus.  The boys go on to football in the fall. 

Las Vegas July 27-July 31, 2000
The kids and I packed up in our white Aerostar and off to Vegas we went.  The oldest daughter and I split the driving and after 10 hours, 5 children and a fun-filled road trip.... we arrived.  We went to Wet-n-Wild the next day with the cousins and Laser Tag and then dinner at the grandparents.  The oldest daughter and oldest twin spent the night at the grandparents house.  We had a wonderful time.  My husband's sister is so open and hospitable to us.   I miss my husband and wish he could have joined us. 

Football season and trying to work family time in with school, football, church and the oldest working at Holiday Mkt.  I want the best for the children physically, mentally, and spiritually.  I have prayed for years that God's will be done in each of their lives and through this very busy time in life teach us all to live for You.  1 John 4:16  And we have know and believed the love that God hath given to us.  God is love and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and God in Him. 

Christmas 2000
On Saturday, Dec. 23, 2000 the entire family drove in the White Aerostar to Las Vegas for Christmas.  my husband's sister flew out from Pennsylvania and we stayed with the my husband's younger sister and cousins.  The kids all get along so well.  On Christmas Eve we attend a Candlelight Service and have dinner at grandma and grandpa's.  We play Catch Phrase with all the kids.  On the 26th we went to find snow on Mt. Charleston.  We found a small patch and the kids had fun sledding.  We headed home on Dec 27th.  The good memories we made. 
The drive was the best!  Time with the family in the car was so fun!  My husband tells a story on the drive of a time when he was 12 or 13 playing baseball.  He was shortstop and pitcher.  He claims to have been very good and got chosen for the all-star team.  He pitched and played short stop and in the last inning the score was tied.  George got up to bat and 2 strikes later he swung and hit a home run.  Due to that home run he was given the bat from the game.  He still has this bat, of course.

Where Are You?

Do not read if you have a weak stomach....

One Saturday in June, 2010 my husband and I were headed home after a nice long workout at Beale AFB.  As we approached Oak Ridge Rd., I noticed our neighbor's mailbox open.  (This was not uncommon for me to stop and close it.)  The latch on the mailbox was broken.  So I say, "Hey, stop and I will close our neighbor's mailbox."  So my husband stops and I walk to the mailbox to close it.  Peering in the mailbox, I see a large stack of mail and look at the date on the them.  Some of the pieces were from February, 2010.  So I close the mailbox and walk back to the car.  In my soul I am sensing something not right.  I say to my husband, let's go check on our neighbor.  In my soul--No Way--I knew what I could find.  Our neighbor was 86 and lived alone.  So we talk about the mail and we decide to go up to his home.  We decide it would be best to be neighborly and go check on him.  

We drive up to his house and I go to the door, knock and wait.  I peak in the side windows and see the mess on the floor, cat food bags, poop, litter, etc.   Then I hear a cat meowing and check the door knob.  It was unlocked, and I push it open and smell instant death.  UGH. My husband follows me in, asking what I am doing?  I start franticly calling out our neighbors name.  I head toward the kitchen, spare room and bathroom.  Cat following me and meowing like crazy.  There is no water in toilets and then I head toward the other end of the house.  My husband is standing at the doorway to a room like a statue, frozen in place.  He puts his hand up to stop me and I ask what?  He can't talk.  So I rush into room, get a brief look and see a decomposing body on a bed.  I grab my husband's hand and we walk to the kitchen.  I give the cat water, grab the phone and call 911.  My husband is asking what I am doing?  I tell my husband to see if there is more food for the cat.  The neighbor must have known his time was getting close, he left notes written in February about his last wishes, cremation, donation to an organization, and 6 bags of cat food. 

We go outside to wait and get relief from the smell.  We wait for the sheriff and cry.  The saddest part was that he died alone and nobody knew for months.  We helped the family care of the landscape and get the place looking good for his memorial.  I need to take care of the ones I love, my church family, to keep in touch, to show them I love and care for them. 

OH, NEXT TIME WE WILL CALL THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR A WELFARE CHECK.

In case you were wondering... he had the mail continue to be delivered even if he did not come pick up for a long time.

Road Trip.....; (

The last couple weeks have been incredibly busy.  I helped with and attended a Women's Mini Retreat.  It was an amazing time of spending time with the women who I cherish.  We had a sleepover on Friday night with games and crazy times.  Saturday was a time of refreshment, fellowship and our lesson was on sharing the nuggets in life that have made us the incredible women we are. 
Here is an entry from a journal I wrote in 2007, then submitted it to Guidepost in 2010.

As this mother thinks of her son growing up, going through all the stages that he's gone through, she lets him know that she will always be there to support him.

Trying to sleep was impossible tonight as the anticipation welled up inside me.  The following morning my son and I would be driving to Logan, Utah to visit Utah State University for the weekend.  My son had accepted a full scholarship to play football with the Utah State University Aggies for the next four years.  My son and I had experienced a strained relationship through his last years in high school.  I knew it was his time in life to test his independence and to struggle through the process of becoming independent.  As with all youth, he was becoming an independent adult and preparing himself for leaving home in the fall.  He was really close to his father and his twin brother and would need to separate himself emotionally to prepare for the physical separation.  I knew our family would need to adjust to the transition that we would go through and I was reluctant to let go of the ultimate care and nurturing.  Through the teen years, I felt he could care less about me and I am sure he felt I was distant and could care less about him.  He would blame me for being too hard on him, not loving him.  Was this part of the process of letting go?  It better be, because this was the most emotionally stressful situation I have ever experienced. 

To know that in the fall James would be living 600 miles from me and from my nurturing and care.  Not only would he be leaving home for college, but his twin brother would also be leaving home to attend San Diego State University.  This was another 550 miles in a completely different direction.  REALLY?  Who would take care of them?  Who would feed them?  Oh, yes, they are both on the food plans, have dorms on campus and God will care for them.  They both still need me.  They did not know that I really need them.  Not only would I miss them filling our home, but I would miss caring for them and knowing how they really are.  I am not a telephone person and would need to keep in touch.  But how?  A lot of prayer and trusting God would be needed through this time of transition. 

The moment finally came and we were awake at 5am and on the road by 6am.  I was driving first and we had a plan to alternate driving throughout the day.  We drove over the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California and now my anticipation calmed to an excitement.   To have my son in a care for hours, just us, to talk, to laugh, to experience the drive, one of many we will take to visit him and watch games over the next four years.  We talked about the drive and how long it would take and I had some college brochures and graduation plans we were going to discuss for his high school graduation day.  I would pull them out on a boring stretch of highway somewhere in Nevada.  As we drove, I prayed and a peace came over me.  I felt so much love and pride for the accomplishments in his life.   He was everything a mom would want in a son and the love I felt for him, was even stronger now that the love I felt when I met him and married his father 15 years earlier, and through the years of nurturing and caring for him.

I was looking forward to our first stop in Winnemuca, after over three hours on the road, a chance to stretch and gas up.  I started to get sick, really sick.  I felt pain in my lower abdomen and it was working its way throughout my back and body.  As we stopped I could barely walk, the pain was so intense and I felt nauseas.  My son did not know what to do, or how to care for me, he had not seen me this sick before.  He took over driving and between me having to stop the car every few minutes, I saw true concern and worry in his face and his mannerism.  He probably thought we would never get there, a once ten hour trip was becoming a fifteen hour trip.  At one stop I went into the gas station and purchased some over-the-counter medicines.  I was diagnosing myself with the flu.  None of the medications helped.  I could find no relief for the pain.  I meditated on God and prayed for mercy and healing.  We were slowly making our way to Logan.  We were not talking about anything, except how I was feeling and what I thought I needed.  The pain took over my entire body.  This is not the way this trip was planned, there was not a word spoken about graduation, college planning, or plans for the fall.  As we got closer to Logan I could not wait to check into the hotel and get comfortable and hopefully sleep.  As we arrived at the hotel and my son checked me in and set me up in my hotel room, he went to catch up with a friend, he knew from high school, who now attended Utah State.  I could tell he was truly concerned about me and leaving me alone.  I took some over-the-counter pain relief medicine and felt like I was dying.  I could not sleep and could not sit-up or get comfortable.  The pain seemed to be spreading throughout my body.  I was weak and extremely tired.  The next 29 hours were spent in the hotel room, resting and praying for relief.  My son showed how truly mature and compassionate, caring and loving he truly was.  He would be fine on his own.  He looked after me, cared for me and was willing to do anything for me.  Barely 18 years old and so independent.  At the time the pain was so intense that I could not see the reasoning behind this trial I was facing.  I wanted to get home and to process all of the symptoms thoroughly to see what this ailment really was.  It felt like a really bad case of the flu.  As most mothers, I am the caregiver, the nurturer, the responder for my family.  I normally do not receive care from others and this was an experience that was unnatural. 

We finally headed for home on Sunday, after what felt like the longest weekend of my life.  The pain had not gotten better, though my body was getting numb to the pain.  I was not eating or functioning very well at all.  My son again drove all the way home and continued to care for me the best he knew how.  When we arrived home I went straight to bed, with the worst pain ever.  I had experienced the pain of childbirth twice with no pain medication and have a very high tolerance of pain.  This pain was worse than any other I have ever felt and the pain lasted and I could find no relief. 

I had another sleepless night and on Monday morning after getting my five kids off to school, drove myself to the emergency room and checked myself in.  The doctors discovered that my appendix had ruptured and the infection was spreading throughout my body.  The doctors were surprised I was even able to function at all.  They did not know exactly when it had ruptured, however, there was no medical explanation for me being alive today.  I was taken into surgery immediately, oh and called my husband on the gurney and told him the news.  The appendix removed, drains put in to remove the infection.  The doctors were optimistic about being able to treat me and remove all of the infection, however, I would not recover quickly.  There would be many treatments, antibiotics, and care from the hospital staff.  After five days in the hospital, my body responded to the treatment and antibiotics perfectly.  I was able to home and recuperate.  During my hospital stay my son would come to visit and I again saw that same concern, care and maturity I had experienced the last weekend with him.  He shared his life with me, his love and through the last few months at home and the upcoming events we would experience with him going off to college in the fall, I knew we would be fine.  The nurturing and care I had been showing him for years now turned around to him nurturing and caring for me.  I needed this sign of his abilities to care for himself and others in order to feel peace about the process that would take place in the fall.  This experience was one that I would have not chosen to experience, however, through the trial and the pain, I was shown the love of God in my son and his care for me.  A true reminder that God would indeed take care of my son, my family and myself through all the transitions in life.  I just need to place my trust in Him, wholly.

Worship through Music

Sometimes a song just reaches out and grabs your soul....  I have a few that bring me to tears each time I hear them. 

Kutless

Everybody falls sometimes

Gotta find the strength to rise

From the ashes

And make a new beginning

Anyone can feel the ache
You think it's more than you can take
But you're stronger
Stronger than you know

Don't you give up now
The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining

I've seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn't ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do

It doesn't matter what you've heard
Impossible is not a word
It's just a reason
For someone not to try

Everybody's scared to death
When they decide to take that step
Out on the water
It'll be alright

Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing

Overcome the odds
You don't have a chance
(That's what faith can do)
When the world says you can't
It'll tell you that you can
That's what faith can do
That's what faith can do

Even if you fall sometimes
You will have the strength to rise

 

Redeemed

Big Daddy Weave

from the album Love Come To Life

                                       

Seems like all I could see was the struggle
Haunted by ghosts that lived in my past
Bound up in shackles of all my failures
Wondering how long is this gonna last
Then You look at this prisoner and say to me
“Son, stop fighting a fight that's already been won”

(Chorus)
I am redeemed
You set me free
So I'll shake off theses heavy chains
And wipe away every stain
Now I'm not who I used to be
I am redeemed
I am redeemed

All my life I have been called unworthy
Named by the voice of my shame and regret
But when I hear You whisper, “Child lift up your head”
I remember oh God, You're not done with me yet

Chorus

I don't have to be
The old man inside of me
'Cause his day is long dead and gone
Because I've got a new name
A new life I'm not the same
And a hope that will carry me home

Chorus (X2)

• 

  Greater

  MercyMe

  from the album Welcome To The New

                                               

  Bring your tired
  Bring your shame
  Bring your guilt
  Bring your pain
  Don't you know that's not your name
  You will always be much more to me
  
  Everyday I wrestle with the voices
  That keep telling me I'm not right
  But that's alright
  
  ‘Cause I hear a voice and He calls me redeemed
  When others say I'll never be enough
  And greater is the One living inside of me
  Than he who is living in the world
  In the world
  In the world
  And greater is the One living inside of me
  Than he who is living in the world
  
  Bring your doubts
  Bring your fears
  Bring your hurt
  Bring your tears
  There'll be no condemnation here
  You are holy, righteous and redeemed
  
  Every time I fall
  There'll be those who will call me
  A mistake
  Well, that's ok
  
  There'll be days I lose the battle
  Grace says that it doesn't matter
  ‘Cause the cross already won the war
  He's greater
  He's greater
  I am learning to run freely
  Understanding just how He sees me
  And it makes me love Him more and more
  He's greater
  He's greater
  
  

In the World...Not of the World

1 John 2:15 (NAS) Do not love the world nor the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the Father is not in Him.  

God made the entire world and all in it, and set up in the world to walk, work and fellowship.  So is He referring to the sinful, worldly actions.  Those aside from His desires and will for our lives?  I think so....

When I was a child I became involved in a church that took an approach to Christian faith that was similar to Israel's separation laws in Leviticus 11.  We had lists of things that a Christian did and did not do;  things that set us apart from others.  The members carried covered Bibles to church and read them throughout the week.  The teens were for the most part discipled to not go to certain movies, smoke, dance, drink alcohol or utter cuss words.  I went to church on Sunday two times and on Wednesday nights.  Despite what some may think, it wasn't a burden for me to live by those rules.  I followed them joyfully, for in that same church I found warmth, acceptance, nurture, enthusiasm, commitment, fervent prayer and an honest caring for one another as well as for the eternal destiny of our family, friends and neighbors.  It was only later that I came to realize the truth.  Our very real "separation" wasn't defined by the do's and don'ts at all.  What really made us different and set apart as a true community of God's people on earth was the warmth and joy, the peace, the caring, and the commitment that I experienced in that first church I joined, so long ago.  

This is why I so wanted to raise my children with the community of believers and why I desire to fellowship with and share life with those who truly care and love, with His love.  No church is perfect, because the church is made up of US, us sinful, prideful, people trying to share and live His love in this world.

Wherever I worship with other believers I feel that same sense of community.  More so than anywhere else in this world.  

Love Outloud

Lately, I have been witnessing a lot of "loving outloud".  The term originated for me with Love Does by Bob Goff.  If you have not read his book, it is a must.  A compilation of short stories from his life in which he witness or experiences himself love in action.  Love should be an action, not just a feeling, or a fleeting moment in our life.  I am a "doer", so the idea of love in action is so powerful to me.
Here are some examples from the month of February, 2015.

My oldest daughter is full-time caregiver for her husband who is battling leukemia.  He has walking pneumonia presently and has recently been released from the bone marrow program at UCSF and has been in and out of the hospital over the last 8 months.  My daughter is my hero at this moment.  She has unwavering love for her husband and has been given extra compassion, love, and patience to handle whatever his care plan requires.  Amazing love in action.  I pray for her strength and peace for her everyday.

My youngest son had surgery yesterday on his shoulder (reconstruction of the shoulder) and a friend is taking care of him.  She is a God send and is doing an incredible job with him.  He is fighting the pain and discomfort and she is an angel sent from above.  Even with his crankies, she has such a great attitude.  I continue to pray for both of them.

I have friends who are taking care of their disabled children and aging parents and caring for their daily needs.  I see the joy in their eyes when they share their experiences of loving their children/parents this way.  They truly are receiving God's blessing each day.

I have friends in the hospital and many are visiting them and bringing a bit of joy each time they see them.

I have friends that have lost family members recently and the community of people by their side is amazing.

I know many single parents who are persevering with one or more children.  Being mom and dad to them.

I know grandparents raising their grandchildren and giving them amazing lives, in the midst of no parents around.

I know some who are being blessed in the midst of financial ruin.  They are receiving blessings unheard of and provisions to many to count, while looking for work.

God gives each of us a smile, love and compassion and we are to share that with others in our life everyday.   Just a few examples of Love Outloud this month.

Joy in the Midst of Trials

 James 1:2-4

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Yesterday I experienced a day filled with joy.   I was praising God all day for His love, His care, and I was able to give Him all my worries and cares. (and I did not try to take anything back to care for myself). 

My prayer list is quite long and I tend to take on the needs and worry instead of trusting God with the needs. 
I received many comments on the lack of Christmas news this year.  I sent out a simple cards with a picture of my husband and I.  So on with the news:

Our oldest daughter was married in November.  Her and her husband live two miles away in Penn Valley in a beautiful ranch home with a couple acres.  Her husband's leukemia came back after being in remission for a few years.  His sister donated her bone morrow in December and the transplant did not take.  He is currently in the hospital with staff infection and pneumonia.  My daughter works at a hair salon in Grass Valley and takes care of her husband and his needs.  Praying for them always!

Our oldest twin was married in September and has recently changes jobs.  He is now working for Sun Run Solar, selling solar systems to homeowners.  Our daughter-in-law is a nurse in Ventura, they live in a beautiful place in Ventura.  Her grandmother was recently diagnosed with cancer. Praying for them always!

Our youngest twin moved back from Oahu and lives with his twin in Ventura and works for Sun Run Solar also.  Praying for him always!

Our youngest son is in the army and stationed in Ft. Drum, NY.  He is having shoulder surgery on Wednesday.  He is in the middle of the extreme winter weather on the East Coast.  He is due to separate from the army in July.  Praying for him always!

Our youngest daughter is working her way through her third year of college in CSU Monterey Bay.  She works and pays her way through college.  She is dating a young man who graduated last May and works full time as a personal trainer.  Praying for them always!

Today I have many prayers to lay before the only One who can care for them all.  I have a friend in the hospital, my sister-in-law is having a knee replacement on Wednesday, my parents are snow birding in Mexico(praying for safety), many church members with health issues, my daughter and son-in-law, and all of my children in their daily affairs.

Traditions

Follow-up:  The Baby Shower went great!  It was greatly attended and the father and mother to be were showered with many blessings from the guests.

Onto traditions:  Today is a rainy, Sunday and we are chillin' at Rocky Ridges (that is the name of the homestead)

We have some incredible traditions in our family.  Most of them were incorporated early on in our marriage and years later still stick with us.  With all of the children out of the home, my husband and I still keep most of the traditions alive (for my sake).  Each family member has their favorite family tradition.   
Starting with the New Year's day we have Rose Bowl Parade, large breakfast, and football.  We take the tree and decorations down and clean the house up....The holidays are over and way to start a new year!  Winter months are filled with snow fun, trips to Tahoe, sledding, skiing, and the twins birthday. 
Valentine's Day was full of coupon books and showering love to each other. 
March was a month we went to Bodega Bay camping, crabbing, and kiting.  Such fun memories of the bay. 
Easter is a very special day for me, as it is the reason I serve God, with His death and resurrection. From Good Friday, Sunrise Service on Easter and a large breakfast, followed by an egg hunt or scavenger hunt and family fun-my favorite holiday and family traditions of the year. 
Spring and summer we enjoy river, camping, and outdoor fun along with five birthdays from the rest of the family.  Can you believe five of us have birthdays from June through August?  When the children were out of school for the summer, I would take them on road trips to visit family in Las Vegas or Phoenix.  What incredible summers we would have.  We went to the beach, river, swimming, camping, and hiking. 
Then school would start and fall activities started.  Fall Festivals, pumpkin patches, and carving our pumpkins.  Fall also brought more hikes, last river walks, and  school fun.
Bring on Christmas!  We tree hunt around the middle of the month.  Cutting a fresh tree *my husband and I stick with Silver Tip now*  We decorate and enjoy the corny Christmas music of the season, Christmas Cookies, look for Santa, Christmas light touring, attending a Candlelight Service on Christmas Eve and family on Christmas Day. 
As the children grew they got more involved with sports, friends, and school.  The traditions still hung around, even when the kiddos didn't.   

I am really excited to see what traditions our children and/or their spouses incorporate into their families

Baby Shower

I cannot remember the last time I attended a baby shower and I have not had the privilege to plan a baby shower, until tonight!  I have learned that baby showers have changed since my baby showers.  

My first baby had two showers,one was given by my mom and was an afternoon gathering of women on my parents deck and one was given after he was born by a long time friend from our church, at her home (she was the one who sang in our wedding and gave us the helicopter ride on our honeymoon).  We had light snacks, cake, a game, and the showering of my firstborn of needed items for his first years.  At the time I was living in their home, I had to wait until my child was born to be able to move into a house on base.  I had sold an alto saxaphone for a Jenny Lind baby set.  The set was beautiful and came with a bassinette, crib, high chair, and changing table.  All of this was set up in a bedroom in my parents home.  I moved from Knob Noster, MO to their home in May, 1991.  I did not want to know the sex of my baby and so when my water broke on August 12, 1991 I knew I would know soon enough.  So my mom and I drove to the hospital at Beale AFB and waited and walked and waited.  That was a very long night.  Then at 7 am the doctor said he needed to induce, it had been over 12 hours and no sign of labor.  They started prepping for the pitocin and no sooner than they got me hooked up to the IV and my beautiful, perfect son was born.  It all happened so fast, the doctor wasn't even in the room.  Then the baby was not breathing properly and the nurse and my mom wisked him down the hall.  August 13, 1991, with no pain meds and very little pitocin my firstborn is very healthy.

My second baby shower was given after her birth by a friend at church at her home.  The baby shower was light snacks, visiting and so much fun.  We did not want to know the sex of the baby and so, as with the first, my water broke one very early morning (1 am) and we took our time going to the hospital, especially if I had to wait 12 hours again.  So I showered, cleaned the house, and ate.  My mom came down to watch the kids about 5:30am.  We headed to the hospital and waited...and walked and waited.  We met other mom's waiting.  One would become a play date buddy for my daughter in her early years.  The doctor started the pitocin and a little longer and harder labor a beautiful, perfect baby was born.  She was past her due date by 3 weeks and a very healthy baby.  

Baby showers are now so diverse:  full meals or snacks, fancy cake/cupcakes, games/no games, co-ed, "reveal" events, and extravagant decorations*thanks to Pinterest*.

The shower tonight is a co-ed (this will be my husbands first shower ever to attend), a full barbeque dinner, a game, and beautiful cupcakes.  

Tonight's baby shower will be a showering of blessing upon a family, who within the next month will have a beautiful firstborn boy added to their family.  

*If you wish to comment on my blogs please login to a gmail account first*  This is a community blog--I welcome your stories and comments.  

Books I am reading today:  America's Greatest Disasters by Martin W. Sandler, Culture's Collide by Ann Rosi, Amazing Native American History by Liz Sonneborn,, Saltypie by Tim Tingle.  

Movies/TV shows:  Lark is Rising to Candleford.

ALOHA

Today is a dreamy kinda Friday....

a no make-up kinda day.....

a storm is coming our way kinda day.....

Last night we were reminiscing about Hawaii.  Hawaii is our special place.  

Actually, Kauai to be specific.

So Aloha, which means peace, compassion and mercy. 

 The islanders used it in greeting and farewells.

My first trip to the islands I was 17 years old and had just graduated high school.  I saved my money and with the help of some graduation money I was on my way to Oahu.  With a lei greeting (the only time I received one) and nothing but island time on my hands from June 20, 1988 to July 7, 1988.  I stayed with a family friend who lived on the Ala Wai Canal.  She met me at the airport and was a gracious hostess.  The first morning I woke up hearing yelling and grunting and more yelling.  Oh my goodness I was up and out of bed really quick.  The Ala Wai Canal is famous for professional rowing practice (canoeing) .  For the remainder of the trip, each morning I woke up to this sound.   I came to appreciate the sound and would sit on the lanai, while planning my day and watch them.  My main modes of transportation were bus and walking.  You can get almost anywhere on the island with their bus system.  I toured the following places in the time I was there.  My hostess  worked for Captain Bob's Catamaran in Kanoehe Bay, that would be a definite must do.  We took a catamaran out in the bay and were serenaded with Hawaiian music, provided a barbeque and my first snorkeling lessons.  We snorkeled around the reef and played volleyball in the sandy shallow waters.  So cool.  We saw such amazing tropical fish and dolphins.  

*July 1, 1988- Toured the island with a coach tour

*Pearl Harbor and USS Arizona Tour

*Snorkeled Hanauma Bay

*Kodak Hula Dance

*Toured Paradise Park

*Aloha Tower

*International MarketPlace

**Waikiki Baptist Church on Sunday

*Pier 7 and the Falls of Clyde

*Luau at the Polynesian Cultural Center 

*Waikiki

*Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center

*Hiked to the top of Diamond Head

*Hit most beaches in Oahu....

June 22, 1988 Jolani Palace

*June 23, 1988 went to see Nunsense in the Manoa Valley Theatre

*Waikiki Aquarium

*Kuhio Mall 

*Waimea Falls Park

*Dole Cannery Square

*Hilo Hattie Fashion Factory

*Zoo(while walking through the park got a surprise from a flyby bird.....)  Had to go back and change.  So big, juicy and gross I gagged...

Hawaii will always be a special place and I am so glad I spent my graduation trip there. 

Fast Forward to August 8, 1992.  George and I honeymooned in Kauai.  Our wedding night we spent in San Francisco and took off early the next morning for our island.  We arrived and picked up our car.  We stayed at the Kiahuna Plantation in Poipu Beach from August 9, 1992 to August 16, 1992.  We were provided a daily fruit/bread basket for breakfast.  

*We drove to the beaches, waterfalls, through quaint little towns

*Enjoyed the sunsets every night

*Took a helicopter tour through the Waimea Canyon-this was a gift from a friend who sang at our wedding.  

*Smith's Tropical Paradise-Fern Grotto tour and luau

*Snorkeling in Poipu-I absolutely love snorkeling as long as the seaslife stay a comfortable distance away.... no nibblers.  So one day I was snorkeling and really into the view and turn my head to the left and there is a 5 ft+ turtle swimming with me, only a few inches from my face.  So I hyperventilate and head up.  He scared me so bad, but it was soooo... cool.  I went back head down and swam with him for about 1/2 hour. 

This island is a honeymooner's dream.   The garden isle.  This was our honeymoon remember so we did what honeymooners do best!
Til next time....ALOHA

After an amazing family trip to S. Korea for 10 months.  Actually, my husband was stationed at Osan for 12 months, and we tagged along.  We were ready to see the islands again.  So with 5 children in tow, we took an adventure.  My husband hopped before us to Oahu.  He got the car and was ready for us.  I got the great task of herding 5 children through Seoul and flying with them, my oldest daughter and youngest twin were the biggest helps in occupying the younger two.  Any flight I take now will be nothing compared to that one.  So we stayed 8 days at Camp Bellows in the cottages(with an ocean view)  The cottage had 2 rooms.  The children shared a room.  The trip was amazing.  We snorkeled, beached, boogie boarded, beached, toured the island a bit.  With 5 children ranging from 4 to 14 this was an incredible experience.  The oldest daughter and I attended the Polynesian Cultural Center Luau.  Snorkeling was fun at Hanauma Bay.  The girls were so scared of the fish they did not even put their masks on.    The boys loved boogie boarding and hanging out in the sand.  The oldest twin stayed in the sun too long one day and was as red as a lobster.  So no sun and aloe for the rest of the trip.  He cried when he laid down at night, the bed would have sand in it.  He was hurting so bad and I felt so sorry for him.  We learned about sunburns the hard way, huh?  
Til next time...ALOHA

The next trip to Kauai was February 20-27, 2002.  Can you believe it has been 10 years?  I hope it has not changed.  The flight took 5 1/2 hours and was a straight flight to Lihue, Kauai.   We arrived at 1:00pm and went directly to pick up the car.  We were really hungry and stopped at Pizza Hut in Lihue, Kauai.  Then we went to check inn to our room at Kiahuna Plantation.  We walked through the beautiful garden and on the beach.  We watched the sunset from the Sheraton then walked across the street to the Poipu Shopping Center.   Day 2, we had a continental breakfast then set out to see Wailua Falls and Lydgate Park.  We suntanned and walked up the Wailua River and saw coco Palms (where Elvis Presley stayed).  It had been hit pretty hard by Hurricane Iniki and never remodeled.  It is pretty tore up.  Then we drove to Opaekea Falls and the Wailua River overlook.  We came back to room and relaxed.   Then went out to BK for dinner, Spouting Horn to watch the sunset.  At Spouting Horn there is said to be a dragon stuck under the lava rock and you can here him breathe and snort.  Day 3, We started off by walking Poipu Beach, and saw some cool breaks on the rocks, saw some turtles.  We drove around the west coast through the Hanapepe, coffee fields, sugar plantations, and saw the salt fields.  In Hanapepe we visited the Swinging Bridge, it was pretty old and scary to walk across.  Then we headed up to Waimea Canyon and all the way to Kokee State Park and overlooked the NaPali Coast.  We got car sick on the return trip down the hill.  We went to Barking Sands Pacific Coast Missile Range.  We bought some food and ate dinner on the beach and watched the sunsel on the best beach on Kauai.  We watched whales through a telescope.  The sunset behind Nihua island.  Very cool.   Day 4 We went golfing, we completed 9 holes and the course was right on the ocean.  Very beautiful.   Then came back to the room to relax and enjoy the beach.  Then drove to Koloa and had an ice cream and read about the history of the sugar plantation.  We came back to our beach and sat under the stars on the beach.  Very clear night and no wind.  Day 5, We went to church at Koloa Church then drove up the east coat to Kee Beach.  Beautiful Na Pali Coast.  We sat on the beach, hiked up the Na Pali Coast and relaxed on the beach.  We drove slowly back and visited other beaches, the lighthouse and watching the sea birds come in for breeding.  We enjoyed a Luau at the Hyatt.  Very nice!  Good Kalua pig and free Mai Tai's.  It started raining and got very windy. Day 6, took a drive to Kapaa then came back to room and laid on the beach.  We had dinner in the room, then watched the sunset.  Day 7, We hung out all day on the beach, snorkeled, boogie boarded and watched the sunset, then kicked back with our sunburns.  Day 8, Time to go back.  Went to beach then checked out of our room.  Til next time.... ALOHA

The next trip was October 5-12, 2007.  We were using the excuse that our youngest twin son's college team, Utah State University was in Oahu to play University of   Hawaii.  I journaled this trip and it was on the calendar.... A pretty big trip for my older children and us.  We arrived in Oahu and picked up our car, we drove to Waimea Audobon Gardens and walked up to the falls through the gardens.  We checked into Hale Koa...such beautiful property.  We met our football player for dinner on Waikiki and then went back to the hotel for a nap.  We knew the football player was a night owl and we aren't so a nap was in order.  We were asleep for a little over an hour when Pearl Harbor started (only in 2007)  Someone was bombing us.  We woke up and scrambled to find out what was going on.... What is it with the islands and noise?  It was fireworks from the hotel next door, but wow were we shaking from the startling wake up.  Then we laughed and laughed.   We went out to meet our football player on Waikiki Beach and sat on the beach with he and his friends.  

The next day we walked down Waikiki Strip, met our football player at his hotel, napped, drove to Hilo Hattie's and onto the Aloha Stadium for the game.  After the game we met with the football player at his hotel.  Somewhere in this trip we took our oldest daughter, oldest twin and his girlfriend(now his bride) on Captain Bob's Catamaran cruise and a day out.  I am not quite sure when we snuck this in, but I know we did.  
Til next time.... ALOHA

Then my husband and I flew to Kauai and stayed at Barking Sands Naval Base Cottages.  The first morning we woke up to screaming and screeching.  Not knowing what was going on, we scrambled to check it out.  It just happens, the trees behind the cottage are home to the loudest flock of birds anywhere.  So each morning we were greeted by the screeching birds of paradise.  Ear plugs help some.  We alternated days to plan events.    We really like it here!  Despite the screeching birds.  We shopped for food, went to the beach, swam, and enjoyed the sunset on the beach.  We decided to alternate choosing the events for the day.  So I started Monday.....actually, I should have let you guess? 

Monday, we drove to Waimea Canyon, took a picnic lunch up the canyon, hiked for 3 hours toward Alakai Swamp.  Awesome Rainforest, rained most of the hike, beach, swim, sun, and chill. 

Tuesday I rented snorkel gear and boogie board on base.  I got to the beach ready for some snorkeling and the first big wave carried away all of my snorkel gear in my hands. GONE.  The boogie board was wrapped to my wrist, thank goodness, however, it was beating me up.  Oh, did I tell you how graceful I am at times?  So I ended up going to the rental place and telling them I lost all the gear and they gave me new gear ***free***  I think they felt sorry for me and my less than gracefulness.  Anyway, I got to snorkel all day.  We went to dinner out at Shenanigan's on base.  

Wednesday we went to Wailua Falls, Opakee Falls, Wailua Fern Grotto Boat Ride, Lydgate Park (snorkeling), Poipu Beach (snorkeling), Kiahuna Plantation, Walmart, Shenanigan's for dinner and whale watching.  

Thursday we toured the coffee company, visited spouting horn, beach, sun and chill.  

We walked the beach each day - a 17 mile beach at Barking Sands.

Friday we went home....such mixed emotions***I miss my kids and love the islands***

Refreshed and ready!
Til next time.... ALOHA
 

Next month we will be going to Kauai again.  This time we rented a house and have 7 of us.  My husband and I, the oldest twin and his wife, the youngest daughter and her boyfriend and BFF (our third daughter).  Cannot wait!  Tickets bought, house rented, food list made, talking over events for the trip....  Sooooo..... excited!

Aloha...

Adoration

The meaning of adoration is respect, reverence, strong admiration or devotion in a certain person, place, or thing. The term comes from the Latin adōrātiō, meaning "to give homage or worship  to someone or something".  I have a prayer journal and on that journal the praises outweigh the needs.  We taught our children to prayer journal as children, we always kept a journal with prayer needs and praises.  When my children were young we used to also practice telling each other good things about the others.  We would start with one and they would share their adoration with each other.  My husband and I practice this today.  We will share randomly our adoration of each other using words or phrases that explain his respect, strong admiration or devotion.  These words carry so much power in them.  They can fill you up again and give you the encouragement you need.  I do not think I practice this enough with others in my life.  I would much rather serve them by doing something for them.  God calls us to encourage and lift each other up.  When He created us He intended for us to walk with Him through our lives, sharing everything, loving Him, and trusting Him for our needs.  When I am hiking or out in nature it is so easy to see Him for His creation is all around me.   I think our adoration must start with God.  Some days the routine keeps me so busy I do not Adore Him enough.   We talked about adoration/praise on Monday at small group and how to start this.  My praise is meditating on Him and allowing His love and worship in me to flow right back to Him. 

ELOHIM……meaning “God”, a reference to God’s power and might.
ADONAI……meaning “Lord”, a reference to the Lordship of God.
JEHOVAH–YAHWEH…..a reference to God’s divine salvation.
JEHOVAH-MACCADDESHEM…….meaning “The Lord thy sanctifier”
JEHOVAH-ROHI……meaning “The Lord my shepherd”
JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH…meaning “The Lord who is present”
JEHOVAH-RAPHA…meaning “The Lord our healer”
JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU…meaning “The Lord our righteousness”
JEHOVAH-JIREH………meaning “The Lord will provide”
JEHOVAH-NISSI……meaning “The Lord our banner”
JEHOVAH-SHALOM…meaning “The Lord is peace”
JEHOVAH-SABBAOTH……meaning “The Lord of Hosts”
EL-ELYON…………..meaning “The most high God”
EL-ROI…meaning “The strong one who sees”
EL-SHADDAI…meaning “The God of the mountains or God Almighty”
EL-OLAM……………meaning “The everlasting God”

LOVE.........JOY...........PEACE.........PATIENT...........KIND...........GENTLE.........FAITHFUL......GOOD.........
SELF-CONTROL........HEALER.........GREAT PHYSICIAN......LORD OF LORDS............KING OF KINGS.........ALMIGHTY...........COUNSELOR......KING.........LORD...CREATOR........WORD.......
MAJESTIC.....GLORY..........MERCY...........GRACE........FORGIVER.......PERFECT..........ADONAI......
LORD OF ALL.......RIGHTEOUS......OMNISCIENT........OMNIPOTENT.......ALL-KNOWING....
ABBA…ADVOCATE.....ALMIGHTY……ALPHA…AMEN…………ANCIENT OF DAYS………ANOINTED ONE……APOSTLE…………… LORD…………AUTHOR OF LIFE………AUTHOR OF OUR FAITH……BEGINNING………………
BLESSED & HOLY RULER…BREAD ……………BREAD OF LIFE.....BRIDEGROOM…………BRIGHT MORNING STAR… SHEPHERD………CHOSEN ONE.....CHRIST…………… GOD… LORD…………SON OF LIVING GOD....COMFORTER…………COMMANDER………
CONSUMING FIRE……………CORNERSTONE……………………COUNSELOR…………CREATOR………………DELIVERER……………DOOR………END....
ETERNAL ....EVERLASTING FATHER………………FAITHFUL & TRUE……………………
FAITHFUL WITNESS………FATHER…………………FIRSTBORN....
FIRSTFRUITS………FOUNDATION…FRIEND ....GENTLE WHISPER………………
GLORY....GOD ALMIGHTY……GOD OVER ALL………GOD WHO SEES ME......
GREAT HIGH PRIEST………GUIDE……HEAD OF THE BODY……………HEAD OF THE CHURCH……………HEIR ....HIGH PRIEST…………FOREVER……HOLY ONE…………………HOLY SPIRIT………HOPE……………………HORN OF SALVATION…………I AM……………IMAGE OF GOD…IMAGE OF HIS PERSON……………IMMANUEL……………
JEHOVAH………JESUS…………………JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD……………JUDGE……KING……………………… ETERNAL……………………KING OF KINGS…………………KING OF THE AGES…LAMB OF GOD…LEADER…LIFE…LIGHT OF THE WORLD…………LIKE AN EAGLE....LION....LIVING STONE....LIVING WATER....LORD…LORD GOD ALMIGHTY…………LORD JESUS CHRIST………………LORD OF ALL………LORD OF GLORY ………………LORD OF LORDS………………LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS………….LOVE…………………MASTER………MEDIATOR……………………MERCIFUL GOD…………MESSIAH…MIGHTY GOD……………………MIGHTY ONE…………………………NAZARENE………
OFFSPRING OF DAVID……………OMEGA……ONLY BEGOTTEN SON…………………OUR PASSOVER LAMB……………OUR PEACE…………POTTER……………POWER OF GOD…………………PRINCE OF PEACE......PROPHET……………………PURIFIER…………………RABBONI (TEACHER)…RADIANCE OF GOD’S GLORY……………REDEEMER……………………REFINER’S FIRE…………RESURRECTION………………RIGHTEOUS ONE....ROCK………………………
ROSE OF SHARON……………RULER OVER KINGS OF EARTH…………
RULER OVER ISRAEL…………SAVIOR……SHIELD……………………
SON OF MAN……………………SPIRIT OF GOD…………STONE……………
TEACHER…………………TRUE LIGHT………TRUE WITNESS……TRUTH…………………VINE………………WAY…………………WISDOM ....WONDERFUL…WORD.....

Wow!  I serve an amazing God.  Adoration of the Creator will lead to the adoration of others in our lives and will become easier every day.  

First Love or Last Love

 

In honor of Love month and Valentine's Day

My first serious crush... I was 15 1/2 and met a guy in my class.  Oh, my goodness!

It was in the time of Top Gun and Tom Cruise and let's just say Maverick had nothing on my guy.  I had gone out with friends and tried to have relationships with guys in the past.  But this one, he just took my heart with him everywhere.  He loved camping, hiking, river days, school, writing, talking.  We became best friends.  I would spend every spare minute with him.  We both worked after school and weekends at busy restaurants and our time was limited.  I thought about him all the time and even dreamed of a future with him.  I had been under the impression that I would marry a man who love Jesus Christ as much as I did, though.  Hmmm..  My guy was anything, but in love with my Jesus.  We dated for about two years and even started planning our future together.  I joined the Air Force in July, 1988 after three weeks in Oahu and one week with him at his Dad's home in Redondo Beach.  He joined the Air Force in October, 1988.  We got stationed in Missouri and Alaska.  Then all the dreams we had together, slowly unraveled.  We grew up and apart and found our differences were just too different.  Especially, our beliefs.

Then a few short years later... I was hooked up with my husband now at a Monday Night Football game on September 30, 1991.  He had three children and I had one and we connected.  We had both loved and lost and were carrying around deep wounds from our past.  Some of those wounds still open and bleeding and some scarred up.   We knew would have to work on this relationship.  So we became good friends and started on our path to building "us".   We talked about the future and my guy was learning to love the Lord each day.  He accepted Jesus Christ as His Lord and Savior and was baptized.  Typical of my guy he started saying well, let's get married and flippantly ask me to marry him.  I had to lay down the law that a ring and proper proposal would be in order.  So on Valentine's Day 1992, we attended a Sweetheart Banquet at the Church and it was snowing afterward.  We stopped off in Nevada City and in front of, what used to be, Cirinos my man proposed. (Yes! on his knee in the middle of the sidewalk, with snow flurrying around us).  He can be so romantic, still.  We were married in August. 1992.  We cherished our weekend getaways.  When we were alone, we would honeymoon - always and talk about US.  We would sometimes have tough decisions to work through and always came home refreshed for the children.  We are and always have been so grateful that my parents never said no to watching the grandchildren.  They would take one or all  five eventually.  They absolutely loved having them and have helped us raise incredible adults.  My children were so blessed to have them in their lives as well.
Through the 22 years of marriage we have grown in so many ways.  God united us and we will not be separated.  Through the storms of life, we grow in Him and in our relationship. 
We can complete each others sentences and know inner thoughts.
 Just a touch sends sparks through me today and a kiss, mmmmm......
Thinking forward..
Looking at the relationships my children have and have in their lives. 
I see strength in them to make love last at all cost.   There is no giving up.
No matter what past relationships have brought, forgive and forget.
 There is compromise every day.

 

To my guy-

I may not be your first kiss, first love or first anything! But as long as I am your last kiss, last love and last anything

Books I am currently reading.. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, Killing Lincoln by Bill O'Reilly, Jefferson Davis and his Generals by Steven E. Woodworth, The Faiths of our Fathers by Alf J. Mapp, Jr, and I just finished There is a Flying Squirrel in My Coffee by Bill Goss.  (I loved reading this book and have attached the picture for anyone interested.) 

Movies/Shows:  Best of Travel-Hawaii, Best of Travel-The Pacific Northwest, Julie and Julia.

 forever....That's all that matters.