Fresno for the 60th

We don't travel to Fresno often, but my grandfather just got back from a missions trip to Madagascar, my Aunt Connie was participating with other family members in a breast cancer walk (she is a breast cancer survivor, raise the Lord!), and we also threw a surprise birthday party for my Aunt Christine who was turning 60. Although it was a lot of driving for just a day of fun, it was well worth the drive to be together with family.

"Rain"

Living in California I have realized that it hardly rains. I grew up in California just accepting that rain came for one or two months of the year and when it rained you had to be very cautious driving on the roads because a. no one knows how to drive in the rain and b. because it hardly rains the oils on the road can make the roads slick. After living in Boston where it rains (or snows) year round I have come to appreciate rain. It is fun to run in the rain, I love the sound of rain, and I love how green things become when it rains. So the other day we had to take a break from our school work when the rain came down and go out and enjoy the rain. It's not often the girls get to wear their coats and boots or use their umbrella.

God's Way

Too often lately I have felt judged by others, and have shamefully defended myself or simply become hard hearted in how I treat others. As a part time homeschooling parent I find homeschooling parents asking why I do not homeschool full time, and parents sending their kids to public schools constantly ask why I chose to homeschool. One mom said, "You homeschool? But you seem so down to earth." I was down to earth, until she learned that I (part time) homeschool...now she's not so sure what to think of me. Ouch, right? I also have recently (and somewhat foolishly) engaged in debates about formula and other hot-topic parenting issues. Not that I am using any formula now for my kiddos, but I did use formula and I look back on how hard it was for me to use formula with everyone around me stating that "breastmilk is best" and thinking that I might be giving my child some less than the best. Really, as a more experienced mom I just want parents to be more inclusive and accepting. It's hard making parenting choices, and it's even harder feeling judged and like you are paving a different rode than those around you. Why can't people nurse and bottle feed next to each other without But what it really comes down to is that I have tied my identity too much to what I am doing and not enough of who I am doing it for. And even when I do think about doing my work to God's glory I borderline on pride. My heart really is deceiving. I want to parent God's way, and I want to honor God with the choices I make, and not fall into pride thinking that my way is best. It really is a delicate balance. I thank God for reminding me though that I am a sinner in need of Him, and I find comfort in knowing that when I ask for humility or wisdom that He will graciously answer my prayers. Lord, I thank you for gently drawing me back to you when my heart wanders into worshiping other idols. Please help me not find my identity in anything else but solely in your child who is completely forgiven through the blood and power of Jesus Christ. Help me look to you for guidance as I try to teach, love and encourage my children that you have blessed me with, and may we be able to bless others by living lives that bring glory to you! AMEN!

Hammy Hannah, Cutie-Pie Catherine, Radiant Rachel

I. love. my. girls.

Surprise!

The other Saturday Cindy and Roger came for a visit. It was a nice time hanging out when we received a text from Erin, my sister in law, saying she was in town with the boys and could we come for the afternoon. COULD WE EVER! After naps we grabbed the kiddos, loaded the minivan and headed to Carlsbad to hang out with some more family Sometimes the best times together are the surpise unplanned ones!

Thanks for making time for us Erin! The girls are still talking about how fun Nate is, and Kate has mentioned that she wants to teach Drew how to smile, laugh and say, "Kate." Hope the rest of your visit went well!

Pumpkin Patch with Kate's School

Have you ever gone to a pumpkin farm with a preschool? Not a pumpkin patch, but an actual working farm that has a pumpkin farm in it. You should. It's way more fun than a regular pumpkin patch. You will laugh, dance, ride on itchy hay rides, loss a kid in the hay maze, milk fake utters, play games that they have to keep you entertained and coming back, learn something new about farms, gag at the various smells, and at the end you will realize you did not have enough coffee to handle it all and then you will go home begging for a nap. Sounds like fun, right? Riiiight...because in all honesty it was. And I would do it again, only I would drink more coffee.

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3-4 Years Old!

I just posted about my grandfather turning 81, but for some reason Jeff turning 34 seems so, so...how do I say this so it doesn't hurt his feelings...old. And to make things even more interesting, we met in October when he was 17, so we have known each other for half his life. Maybe I am over=thinking this a little... Anyway, his actual birthday was low key since he was leaving for a trip to Palm Springs for a work conference. We had french toast and opened presents at breakfast (notice the girls still in jammies)

And then when he returned from the conference we had a surprise BBQ with some of our friends. I know it looks like a kid party, but really that is two of the dearest family friends we have and their kids...6 adults, 8 kids, and one adult had to leave early and another adult (me) is taking the pictures. So you can see, most parties we have these days have more kids than adults.

Happy birthday, Jeff!! Here's to 81 more!

Here's to 81 more!

We just celebrate our dear Grandpa John's birthday. He turned 81 years old, and as he blew out his candles he said, "And here's to 81 more!" I really hope that when I am 81 years old that I can say the same thing! He's a reminder that through life's ups and downs there is always fun to be had!

A Dream Fulfilled

I interviewed Kate and Hannah in January asking them a series of questions and having them think about one thing that they wanted to do this year. Kate said she wanted to dye Easter eggs...checked that one off in April...and Hannah said she wanted to ride a horse. So, when we drove by the pumpkin patch near my parents house and there were pony rides I knew we had to go! Hannah was so excited when Grandad Ray gave her the tickets for the ride...she darted off and waited at the gate for her turn.

Rachel Lee sat this one out with Grandma Sue.

Hannah hamming it up!

Kate, sugar and spice and everything nice:

Soccer

Hannah loves sports. She loves running and she loves winning. So, to give her a chance to run (and hopefully win) we signed her up for a season of AYSO. The coach is great! He has 3 boys, and his middle son is on Hannah's team. And the team is fabulous: Hananh, Addison, Kinsley, Martin, Bailey and. They have picked the team name the Bolts. The U6 (Under 6 years old) teams don't keep score (although I do!), play on smaller fields, don't have goalies and have 4 kids on the field at a time. I love that the games are 40 minutes and very friendly. I don't know what our future is with soccer or any sports, but for now, we are all enjoying the practice and game time, including Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Roger who made a special effort to make Hannah's 9:30am game!