And...We're Off! (in search of sunshine!)

The rain is coming down so much lately that I think I spied a steamboat come sailing down our street. Well, not really. But it makes me so ready to swim away leave this soggy land and head south for sunny southern California!

And to think we really are!!!

And the cold here...I'm not trying to complain, but March actually did a reverse and came in like a lamb, but is going out like a lion! Brrrr!

I'm getting ready to pack my bag, and it feels strange to put things into it like shorts, capri pants and a swim suit while I'm shivering, but it will be so nice if I actually get to wear them in just a few short days!

After one of these long, northwest stretches of rain and gray, my mom will always say at that first glimpse of sunshine,
"What is that strange, yellow ball in the sky up there?"
Mom...she's so cute, isn't she?

I recently found out that we'll be actually doing Sea World with my nephew and his family while we're down there. And this is a fun thought for several reasons...
his kids are close in age to mine, and...
he and I both went to Sea World for the first time together with my parents back in 1977!

I can't find a picture of us at Sea World at the moment...
but here's a Christmas picture of he and and I and his sister at Christmas 1976...

So, I'm off to finish cleaning and packing. And I guess this is my official last pre-vacation post!
If you would, please keep us in your prayers for a safe and happy family time.
And if you remember my Hawaii post from a year and a half ago, you'll know what I mean when I want prayer for good weather and an earthquake-free time.

Wait...as I'm typing this, a fraction of some strange ball in the sky did indeed seem to appear...

Nope. It's gone now.

California, here we come!

Easter Weekend

Edited to say that I wrote this yesterday...and then just as I was ready to hit post, due to a misunderstanding with our new server, our internet was shut off yet again! So, I still haven't even gotten to visit most of you! I think we're back now...mostly...;)

Hello...Happy Monday and hoping all of you had a very blessed Easter!

Well, I made it through my blog "fast" and I wanted to quickly post before the girls and I start school time this morning.
Plus, the house is in shambles...I think we're going to have a lesson in "Domestic Organization" today, too!




I have to say that there were a couple days that I so craved sitting down at the computer and reading all of my favorites places! But I resisted!

I would like to tell you that I was able to spend many hours of wonderful quiet time alone with the Lord, but honestly, I wasn't able to have as much quality time in prayer as I would have liked.
But I was able to devote some extra time to prayer in the days leading up to Easter.
My favorite time was when I opened the Bible and began reading the events of the Resurrection. It had been years since I actually read to myself this wonderful passage, and it really blessed me!

But one of the most beneficial things I think I did was that on Thursday and Friday, before we started in on the workbooks during school time, I read to them a few pages from another wonderful children's book, called, "The Story of Easter" by Christopher Doyle.

I read just a few pages each morning, as it described the events of Jesus leading up to the Resurrection. And as I could see my children's faces as they hung on every word, it felt SO rewarding.
I know God led to me to do this and it was one of the simple, quiet highlights of my week.



Easter weekend found us at a nearby church Easter egg hunt....a little wild- a little crazy, but the girls sure had fun! Their daddy had to work that Saturday, so I was in charge...and I think this was some good practice for me for winding through crowds of people in California amusement parks!
This church really went all out...free pony rides, a petting zoo, three big inflatable play structures, a "Good News" station (where children heard the salvation message) and free goody bags for everyone.

And of course...the egg hunts!


Look at the newborn baby goat kids nursing...so sweet!


Then after church on Easter Sunday, we spent the day with my husband's many siblings and their families...eating, talking...and then yet another egg hunt!


And of course, when spending some good time with one of the favorite uncles, it's always good to make sure he's properly turned out for Easter.
(Uncle B. is indeed a long-suffering uncle...it's no wonder she loves him so much!)


And now, as you can imagine, in this last week leading up to our trip, I have SO much to do! But in-between, I hope to catch up with some of you...because, really, as busy as I am, I missed you all and here I am about to be gone yet again!

I'll be back one more time, too, before we all pile in the car and head to the sunny California.

Until then, don't snitch too much of your child's Easter candy, ya' hear! ;)

Blessings!

An Early Easter Greeting...(and giveaway winner)

So... I had planned to tell you that I was going to take a bloggy break... when our internet service was interrupted for two days!
But I'm back- but just for the day!

Let me explain...

Our pastor has encouraged those of us who would like to, to participate in a time of prayer and fasting leading up to Easter. And although fasting does mean from food, he suggested that some of us could also "fast" from something else that may distract us. And for those of you who blog, I think you know where this is leading!

The purpose of this is to simple shut out some of the distractions and try to focus in on the Lord a bit more as we head into Easter Sunday.

I've got to be honest....because of all of our road trip preparations, and the fact that we leave just six days after Easter, I think it's been especially challenging for our family to dwell on Easter- and it's very real meaning.
So, in order for me to better do this, I'll be fasting from the blog world in these last few days leading up to Easter Sunday.

Not only do I hope to spend some of this time alone with the Lord...but I hope that our whole family will also be able to focus in on Him and that my children will understand a bit more about His great love.
Yes, they'll be participating in a few egg hunts...but in the midst of these fun times, I hope they will also see Jesus.

By the way, I found this book at our church library and we read it last night at bedtime. I thought some of you might be interested... I highly recommend this book, written by Chris Auer, and richly illustrated by Rick Johnson, as a read aloud for children during this season...or anytime!




Well, before I officially begin my break, I want to announce the winner of my giveaway- a new DVD of the old classic, "His Girl Friday"!

I just had my oldest little girl draw a name...and...the winner is...

Gail from More Than a Song!

My daughter exclaimed, "Gail won it again!"
Yes...this is true! A two-time winner from me!
But I wasn't going to throw her name back because she was picked fair and square! My five year declared, "Wow, that Gail is good!" heehee
Congratulations, Gail!



One more thing... After I return from my blogging break leading up to Easter, I will try to post twice that week. But then...I will be having yet another blogging break!


That's the countdown calendar my girls made...way back when the number started at 35. Now look at it...10. We can hardly believe it!!!

I think almost everyone by now knows that means when we'll be leaving for our long-awaited road trip to California!!!!
And unlike some of you dedicated bloggers, I won't be posting from the road.

But you can bet I'll be back as soon as we return, with stories and pictures to share!

Oh, I suppose there will be some laundry to do, too...but after two blogging breaks, I think that should take a backseat by then, don't you? ;)

So, in case by now you're completely confused...a re-cap:
I will be back before the trip- right after Easter.
But a week later...we have an appointment with Mickey and all the Disney princesses!

So today, I'll be visiting as many as I can for this one day of blogging I'm allowing myself this week!



A very Blessed Easter to each and every one of you!

March tidbits

Thank you to all of you who sent birthday wishes along to my mom! She read them all here (and she commented to that post twice, too!) and I can assure you that she was blessed by your sweet comments!

The blog party is now officially ended...and well, just like last year, I didn't visit near as many blog party-goers as I had planned. Time just seemed get away from me! But it was fun to meet at least a few new (to me) bloggers...it's amazing just how small the world seems now through the internet! I will having one of my girlies draw a name and then I'll announce the winner of my giveaway in the next couple days!

I simply cannot have March 17th come and go without cooking corn beef and cabbage- and sitting down to watch John Wayne and fiery Maureen O'hara roam the wilds of Ireland. If you've never seen it, you are truly missing out! I'm just a little bit Irish and wear that little bit proudly every year! What about you? Do you have any St. Patrick's Day traditions?

Our beautiful pre-spring weather has left and we now are drenched in a 10-day forecast of rain. I know it's to be expected, but the burst of energy I had just a few days ago is slipping! I'm back to wanting to curl up with a good book again...hope the sunshine returns soon. On the other hand, if it doesn't, it will make us all that more excited to be on our way to southern California!

I have more to tell you on my post where I announce the giveaway...
About trying to slow down and focus on the Lord on this last week leading up to Easter- despite crazy schedules and preparing for upcoming car trips to Disneyland only two weeks away...
It seems more than impossible to find any time reflect, I have to admit...but God said that with Him, all things are possible.
So, I'll explain more on that in a few days.

Until then...


Have a wonderful weekend...and Palm Sunday!

Happy Birthday, Mom

She was born in 1927...before the Great Depression even began.
During WWII, she was a teen, helping to plant victory gardens and gathering recyclables for the war effort.
She graduated from William Jennings Bryan college...taught Kindergarten...and then met my dad when she was age 30, beginning a new stage in her life.



She's been a devoted mother to me from the very beginning.


I was her only child...and she faithfully cared and taught me through the years, always ready to listen whenever I needed to share my heart.

And years later, after I was grown, she and my father received their ministers' licenses together and began working in prison ministry in the last years of his life.

Through my adult years she's been my very best friend...and during my first married year when my new husband was deployed for six months, she flew across the country to be with me for the holidays in Virginia.
She came again during his next deployment, and together we toured local sights, even driving together to Mt. Vernon...and spent many hours of "girl talk".

She was finally blessed with her first grandchildren...and they love her dearly.



Today marks her 81st birthday...

Happy Birthday, Mom!!!

Welcome to the Blog Party!

For those of you who may not know, 5 Minutes for Mom is hosting another blog party week! And wow, it's here! (And apparently a pretty happenin' party since the site is so busy it's temporarily unavailable!)

Anyway, come on in...relax...and make yourself at home!

I hope you like strong coffee...up here in the northwest, we do like a good strong cup. No watered down version for us! (Maybe that's why my husband went cold turkey off the stuff awhile back...) Oh, yes, we have cream and sugar. What's that? Yes, you can even more to it...

Have a seat, and I'll tell you a little bit about myself.

I've been blogging for almost two years now...starting, like so many, to keep family friends up to date. Plus give the writer in me a little outlet.

And then it happened. I became immersed into blogland!

As for my personal life... I have two little girls, ages 8 and 5, and have married for almost 13 years to someone who still makes my heart beat a little faster.

Yep, that's us. On our 10th anniversary trip to Hawaii!

We took our time finding each other ...and then starting a family. I'm now in my mid-40's, but I certainly don't feel it. And with a little Loreal or Clarol now and then, I'm fighting it all the way.

Of course, having two little ones these past few years has helped to keep me on my toes.


Let's see...This is my third year home schooling and I have to say, despite the occasional challenges, I have loved this adventure so much!
It is honestly a blessing to be with my children...to watch and help them learn...and sometimes learn right along with them!

We do also have another big baby at home...


Who started out a year and a half ago like this...


As I mentioned above, we live in the great Northwest (U.S.) ...and except for a little sogginess in winter, we love this area with it's tall, majestic trees and beautiful mountains and lakes surrounding us.


The most important aspect of my life, though, is knowing Jesus. I am far from perfect, and make mistakes daily...but having Him in my life and knowing He loves me means everything.

I hope you've enjoyed your little visit.
And by the way...we are getting ready for a big road trip to California- complete with Disneyland- in just a few weeks! (See post below for a walk down memory lane with my first trip to Disneyland!)
My husband and our girls have never been there...so needless to say, we are all just a little bit excited. Stay tuned for lots of stories and pictures to come!

Oh- one more thing! Everyone who knows me, knows I have a love of nostalgia, antiques, and old, classic movies. (I guess anything that makes me feel young in comparison!) ;)
So, if you were faithful to get to the end of this post...I am giving away an unopened DVD of Cary Grant's "His Girl Friday". (Popcorn not included.) :) Just leave a comment...with a link taking me somewhere, or if a non-blogger, your e-mail addy. It's open to old and new friends alike!

Thank you again for stopping by...I really hope you'll be back.

Coffee will be optional.

Blessings!

"California Here I Come, right back where I started from!"

We're literally counting the days until our big road trip to California.
And just so you and all the burglars lurking out there can know, today marks 26.

I still remember the excitement waking up at 5 am one morning in July of '77.
And as a fourteen year old, taking my first road trip to California -complete with Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm and Sea World- was about the only thing that would make me feel giddy about such unheard of hour in the morning!

We had the car all loaded and headed out...stopping in Eugene to pick up my nephew. I tell you, I can remember the excitement as he joined us in the car as if it were yesterday!

All the way down, we played games like Hangman, told stories and laughed...and occasionally plucking a plum from the ice chest between us in the backseat.

The "getting there" was almost as much fun as the destination!
Almost...but of course, not quite...

I think I've shown these pictures before...but now that I'm starting to feel just a little giddy again as we continue our countdown, it's fun to look at these memories.

Since I am an only child, my dad thought it would be fun to take my nephew, Randy - his grandson from his previous marriage- who was just three years younger than me.
We always got along amazingly well, so not only was it a good experience for R., but I had a lot more fun having another kid along than I would have otherwise.
(And even though I was a teen, I was still very much a "kid"!)

Here we are in Knotts Berry Farm, posing with a true native American Indian...colorful, don't you think?


By the way, this same nephew is now a Navy chaplain, and has a beautiful family close in age to our girls. He lives in California now, so we'll be getting to visit them on this same trip!

As I begin to pray for this family trip, not only do I pray for safety, but for a wonderful, bonding time for all of us.
For them to enjoy the journey almost as much as the destination...which holds hugs from Snow White and rides on teacups...
and that someday, they'll be looking at pictures from our first long road trip years from now... and feel the excitement all over again.