Thankful in Dallas November 27, 2008

 

We’re in Dallas this Thanksgiving visiting my uncle, aunt, and sweet 10-month old cousin!  My mom, sister and grandparents are here too, and we’ve been having tons of fun together.  I’ll blog more about it all later, but for now just wanted to say Happy Thanksgiving!!  Hope you have had a wonderful day filled with many reminders of the blessings that come from above.  Our good God has given us so much to thank him for!  My heart is full.  The pic above is of Hope and Jackson, two little ones I am DEFINITELY thankful for.

He’s 4! November 21, 2008

Last Saturday, my little boy turned 4 years old!!  Ryan and I are so incredibly thankful for Jackson Moses Dean (‘Jack-Jack,” “JMoses,” “Jackster,” “Punky”) and for the way that God is shaping his life.  He makes us laugh daily, and sometimes we have to shake our heads at his questions, advanced vocabulary, and surprisingly accurate observations about life.  He loves music, superheroes, going to Master’s Kids, and candy.  He can say and identify all the letters of the alphabet (I had to add that b/c I was a Kindergarten teacher. :)  We are praying for his understanding of the Gospel and his sin to deepen, and that he would repent and accept God’s free gift of salvation.  We love our Jackson Boy!

 

Chuck E Cheese for birthday fun with friends

 

 

Some of Jack’s favorite friends (from left: David, Jack, Isaac, and Sam)

 

 

         

 Here are the same boys a week earlier at David’s superhero birthday party, and Jack in his superhero pose

 

 

After Chuck E Cheese, we were so happy to get to meet up with more favorite friends, the Bohrs, who were on their way home to Fresno.  Jack loves Ethan and Ellie!!

 

 

the morning of his birthday with his decorated door!

 

 

This collage needs some explanation…we had planned to have a family party on Saturday at my parents’, but that was the day that fires were threatening numerous parts of Sothern California, which closed the freeways directly in our path.  Sooooo…after much discussion, we decided that although we would cancel the party, we still would try to get to my parents’ house.  We knew it would take a lot longer than normal to go all the way around (if you look closely in the top left pic, you’ll see the line of cars stretching endlessly in front of us as we drove between 1 and 2 mph), but we agreed that it was better than sitting at home being sad.  The other top row pics are of some cool scenery we passed as we went over the hill to Moorpark.  When we got on the 101 (finally), we stopped to get McDonald’s Mc Flurrys, since Jack was being a trooper.  I got really sad when he asked at one point, “Is my party over already?”  The rest of the shots are of the smoky scenes we passed.  After 5 HOURS of driving, we made it!!

 

 

My sweet mom and sister did a lot to make sure Jack still had a fun “mini” party, complete with extra presents and balloons.

 

 

The wonderful family members who were able to be there: Debbee, Aunt Melissa (“Mimi”), Baba and Deda (who almost got evacuated themselves), and of course, the wonderful Papa and Nana!  We had a great evening together.`

 

 

The 4 year old!!

 

 

            fhgfugfgjg hfhvgjg;;;;;;;;;gbtgjbngnnhnbkghjkhghkhkhyhuygutyuthhhh  .j

jackson

(this is because Jack wanted to type…)

God is the Ruler yet November 4, 2008

 

This is my Father’s world,
and to my listening ears
all nature sings, and round me rings
the music of the spheres. 
This is my Father’s world: 
I rest me in the thought
of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
his hand the wonders wrought.

 

This is my Father’s world,
the birds their carols raise,
the morning light, the lily white,
declare their maker’s praise. 
This is my Father’s world: 
he shines in all that’s fair;
in the rustling grass I hear him pass;
he speaks to me everywhere.

 

This is my Father’s world. 
O let me ne’er forget
that though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet. 
This is my Father’s world: 
why should my heart be sad? 
The Lord is King; let the heavens ring! 
God reigns; let the earth be glad!

“I…Am…That…HERO!!!!” October 31, 2008

This was our first year to really get into creating a Halloween costume.  What made it exciting was that Jack totally thought of who he wanted to be (Larry Boy…Veggie Tales’ Larry the Cucumber’s secret superhero identity), and stuck with it, leaving Ryan and I to come up with a way to make it happen!  Fortunately, I am blessed with a ninja for a husband, hence the amazing plunger helmet.    Someday, I will own a sewing machine AND become at least somewhat proficient in using it.  But until then, I did what I could with…a glue gun.  And, my amazingly proficient mom made the cape.  We had so much fun working together to create this costume.

 

My little Larry Boy in his superhero pose

 

The “real” Larry Boy

 

This picture is so you can fully appreciate the glory of the helmet 

 

And of course, a serious pose…complete with the mask.  “Bumblyburg needs a hero…I…AM…THAT…HERO!!!!”

 

Because I know you are all wondering, yes…the helmet WAS heavy…and no, he did not wear it for very long.  But Jack loved his Larry Boy costume tonight.  And that made it all worth it. 

Happy Halloween! October 31, 2008

This week at Master’s Kids, we got to dress up as something on the farm.   Jack’s idea was for us to be a sunflower and a bee…so here we are!! 

 

My favorite sunflower pic from Sunflower Alley

 

Lombardi Ranch–Our October tradition since Jack was in my tummy.  I can’t believe he’ll be 4 in a few weeks!

 

So thankful for my family!

 

Here are our Jack-o-lanterns to say “Happy Halloween!”

Underwood Farms Field Trip October 27, 2008

Last week Jack and I went on a field trip with Master’s Kids to Underwood Farms in Moorpark.  What a fun-filled trip!  Aside from the blazing hot weather (still waiting for fall to really arrive here in So. Cal!), it was a lovely day. 

 

We got to take a wagon ride through the sunflower fields and see all sorts of fruit trees.  Jack is sitting next to his friend David.  Also, my Aunt Ellen was able to join us, since she lives nearby.  What a fun treat! 

 

 Some of my favorite Jack pics…

“How Tall This Fall?”

 

Jack and his friend Isaac enjoyed feeding carrots to some animals…I love this shot, because it catches the situation perfectly…as Jack was going to put his carrot down the chute, this little horse got anxious for his snack and stuck his mouth through the bars, which startled Jack and he dropped the carrot!

 

I love his cute little face in this one!

 

Each of the kids got 3 tickets to “spend” on an activity of their choice.  Jack chose a tractor ride on one of these mini tractors…when you put in a token, the engine starts and the gas pedal works and everything!  He got to drive all around this enclosed area and had a BLAST.  So fun!

 

Top right: a goat ramp…putting that picture in a collage really doesn’t do it justice…that goat is up as high as the top of the trees!  Also, see the butternut squash Jack is holding?  I made some soup with it later in the week that turned out to be really delicious!  Probably because it came from the farm.   

Glorious Girly Getaway Weekend October 25, 2008

I am so excited to finally have some time to blog!  The past few weeks have been packed FULL with other stuff, and so often I have just wanted to sit down and write a post, but everything else was shouting louder to demand my attention.  Today, I have a few minutes…yay!!!

God is so good.  Not only did He provide me with sweet encouragement from blog readers after my last post, but He also orchestrated the timing of a Girls Getaway Weekend (a gift from my sister and my aunt for my birthday).  The purpose?  To get away as girls, and relax, and read, and watch Anne of Green Gables.  That’s all.  It was glorious.

 

The timing was perfect, the weather was breathtaking, the company was delightful, the reading material was prolific, visiting gardens was serene, being in my aunt’s home was refreshing, and of course…there was Anne. 

 

The sky as we were landing in Seattle…it was wonderful to get a real taste of fall, since our So Cal “fall” weather has been in the 90’s…

 

The bedside table in my room…

 

My Friday morning walk

 

Bellevue Botanical Gardens…my lovely aunt Lana and I on the left, cousin-in-law (and friend) Laura and I in the center, and sister (who thought this all up) with Laura on the right

 

Our almost 3-hour vacation shopping trip to Whole Foods…what fun!!

 

My cousin Katie joined us later that evening, and we baked cookies and made hot cocoa in preparation for Anne Evening #1

 

In our comfies ready to begin!

 

Saturday morning we had ebleskivers (YUM!!!) and took a group walk (joined by Uncle Steve and cousin Josh) to a spot in the neighborhood where you can see Mt. Rainier

 

The rest of the afternoon was spent preparing for High Tea…Katie prepared our beautiful place settings, (provided by my Aunt Lana and Aunt Ellen), while the rest of us worked together to make “duhlishus” tea delicacies

 

It was such a special thing to work hard together preparing, then be able to sit down and enjoy together what we had just prepared!  My aunt prayed for each one of us girls before we began, and I was reminded yet again of the blessing of the godly women that the Lord has placed in my family.  I never want to take that for granted.  It is such a gift to be family AND friends with these incredible ladies!

 

Each of us had a different teacup (mine is in the center).  We were very pleased with how our food turned out!

 

After cleaning up, we got comfy again to enjoy Anne Evening #2…we laughed, we cried…it was lovely!

 

 

On Sunday we were joined by my cousins Josh and Dan for breakfast, and then we set out for the Seattle Japanese Gardens.  On the way, we stopped so I could snap more fall tree pics…thanks, Costco Home parking lot! 

 

 

The gardens were breathtaking and so calming.  I could do a whole post on that one place, but here are just a few views.

 

Taking off to fly home. 

“I don’t want diamond sunbursts, or marble halls…I just…want…another Anne weekend next year!” 

(I couldn’t resist one Anne quote with a few changes…it just seemed fitting)

 

Thank you to all you girls for a weekend of wonderful memories…thank you to my sweet and thoughtful sister for thinking up the whole thing, and thank you to my beautiful aunt for refreshing us all with your hospitality, generosity and love.

Thank you October 5, 2008

Sweet blog readers,

 

Your comments have been such an encouragement.  Thank you.  God has been good to me through you.  I really wondered whether to keep that post up, but I know I will now, because I want to remember the way my Heavenly Father healed my heart and refreshed my spirit through my faithful friends.

 

Thank you.

 

“The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime;

And His song will be with me in the night, a prayer to the God of my life. 

Why are you in despair, O my soul?

And why have you become disturbed within me?

Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him,

The help of my countenance and my God.”

 

Psalm 42:8, 11

 

Fragile October 4, 2008

I feel fragile this week.  There have been wonderful moments, like Ryan’s birthday, and our train field trip with Master’s Kids.  SO much to be thankful for.  And I am thankful…thoughtful…it has just been one of those weeks when tears are close by, and Eeyeore’s little rain cloud seems to be right there over my head, no matter which way I turn.  I don’t usually blog when I’m feeling sad…if I’ve had a hard day, I’ll wait until it’s over with and I’m a little more balanced.  But it’s Friday (almost Saturday), and that “balance” hasn’t come quite yet.  So I thought I would just go ahead and practice being vulnerable by opening up to my blog readers about where I am right now.  There’s a part of me that is afraid to publish this post.  What is so hard for me seems small in comparison to the trials of others, and I don’t want to be a drama queen.  But for a reason that only God knows, this is my trial.  Maybe I’ll publish this and then delete it later.  But for now…   

 

Here’s what contributed to “fragile”:

 

Earlier this week, “Miss Lori” on PBS Kids was asking the kid tv viewers if they had little brothers or sisters.  I was in the kitchen, but I heard Jack answer, “No, but I weely weely want to have one.”

That made my heart hurt.

 

Sometimes, even when my brain knows what is true about God– about His goodness, His timing, His perfect plan…even when I know what is true about my life– that I am blessed beyond what I deserve in the gift of salvation and the hope of heaven, that I have an incredible husband, a sweet son, wonderful family and friends…even then it is hard.  Hard to wait for something my heart desires.  Something that is a GOOD thing.  Something that seems so easy for so many people.  And it is hard to fight off the lies that threaten to seep in…lies that say that God doesn’t care…that he forgot…

  

Below is something I read that reminded me of the good nature of trials.  Without them I would be “cold, worldly, and unspiritual.”  But through them I am learning.  Learning to love God’s ways more than mine.  Learning that this trial, this pain, isn’t a mistake, but is God’s way of drawing me closer to Him…making me more and more dependent on Him.  These truths are what I’m clinging to, even when the feelings aren’t there…even when it hurts.  My grip feels weak, but I’m clinging as hard as I can and trusting that God won’t let me go.

 

“The Ministry of Comfort”

(J. R. Miller, 1898)

“Before I was afflicted I went astray–but
 now I keep Your word.” Psalm 119:67

 

Most of us need the chastening of affliction.
Pain is a wonderful revealer. It teaches us many
things we never could have known, if we had
not been called to endure it. It opens windows
through which we see, as we never saw before
–the beautiful things of God’s love.

Many of the finest things in character, are the
fruits of pain. Many a Christian enters trial–cold,
worldly, unspiritual–and emerges from the
experience a little later, with spirit softened,
mellowed, and spiritually enriched.

Sanctified afflictions soften the harshness and
sharpness of one’s character. They consume the
dross of selfishness and worldliness. They humble
pride. They temper carnal ambitions. They quell
fierce passions. They show to us the evil of our
own heart, revealing our weaknesses, faults, and
blemishes–and making us aware of our spiritual
danger. They discipline the wayward spirit.

Sorrow draws its sharp ploughshare through the
heart, cutting deep and long furrows–and the
heavenly Sower follows with the seeds of godly
virtues. Then by and by, fruits of righteousness
spring up.

Sorrow has a tenderizing influence. It makes us
gentle and kindly toward each other. In no other
school, do our hearts learn the lessons of patience,
tolerance, and forbearance so quickly–as in the
school of suffering.

 

“It was good for me to be afflicted–so that
 I  could learn Your statutes.” Psalm 119:71

My 30th Birthday September 23, 2008

Tuesday, September 16, 2008: A Practically Perfect Day…

 

A birthday present from God…this amazing morning sky!

 

 

I was so happy to spend my birthday morning at Master’s Kids with Jack…we did a fish stamping craft…with a REAL (dead) fish!!  Definitely a yummy smell in the room…one of the instructions to the moms was: “Don’t say ‘GROSS’ or ‘YUCK!’”  One of my aunts told me she was proud of me for smiling in this picture, but it really wasn’t that bad…I think the teacher in me came out a little. 

 

 

Jack wanted to paint with each color…I love this shot of him!

 

 

      

 After Master’s Kids, Jack and I walked out to our car to find…Ryan standing there!  That was a total surprise, since I thought he was at work.  He had brought a Lemon Brulee Scone from Julienne AND these lovely flowers…how sweet is that????

 

 

 We headed out to pick up my mom, and continued on to Orange County, where we met my sister.  Then came the next surprise of the day…an afternoon at Burke Williams Spa!!!!   Oh. My. Word.  Complete and total relaxation perfection.  Seriously.  I highly recommend this place and am planning on going back someday!  Such a sweet time with my mom and sister…

 

 

Next stop:  Disneyland for a birthday button, birthday phone call from Goofy, and of course a few pictures!

 

 

 Another surprise…dinner at Roy’s, where I was given my own personalized Happy Birthday menu!  Definitely the coolest menu I’ve ever gotten..

 

 

 Views from our table…SUCH a delicious meal, aaaand dessert was on the house!  Even a special personalized plate for Jack.

 

 

People I love who were there to share dinner with me… (thanks, Aunt Lana, for treating us all!!!)

 

 

My incredible husband worked so hard on every detail to make sure it was a special surprise day for me…I don’t deserve this man!!!!

 

 

I don’t deserve this sweet sister, either…she put SO much thought and care into this day.

 

 

Oh!  I almost forgot…here are some of my birthday presents (as if the day’s events weren’t enough…)! 

 I LOVE this cookbook!  So stinkin’ cute.

 

Oh yeah.  And, along with the dvd set, I also got a Green Gables Girls Getaway weekend in October!!!  CANNOT wait!!!

 

                            

Every girl’s dream: the little blue box…and what came in it (from my husband…I know…seriously spoiled!)

 

Thank you, dear family members, for this day!!!  And, thank you, dear Lord, for being SO good to me…I do not deserve these blessings, or your love.

 

In my next post: The Party!  Maybe, just maybe, I will find the time to download the new Picasa before then…