Love and Respect's Valentine giveaway

sharing Love And Respect giveaway info ~
a Valentine's basket ~ worth over $200 ~ filled to the brim with all kinds of treats  BOTH for husband and wife: 

• Love & Respect book 
• The Love & Respect Experience
• Love & Respect for a Lifetime 
• PLUS all the ingredients for a romantic candlelight dinner for two that each of you  will enjoy

... check it out!
http://emersonandsarah.blogspot.com/2013/02/valentinesgiveaway.html

Holiday Potpourri Weekend Bonanza

A weekend of holiday potpourri - Valentine, Chinese New Year, President's, Marriage Week - take your pick, and for us a birthday celebration for the youngest. We ended up with a five day weekend and picked the youngest after to school Thursday to head down to the San Diego area. We went to Crossroads CRC in San Marcos for the church denomination's local classis meeting. While the husband attended, I took the youngest one of his favorite eateries, Panda Express, to celebrate his birthday - it was fun finding where to eat on the GPS. I was also using it to listen to Octavia Butler's Kindred, which has me captivated; fortunately the youngest likes listening too.

The husband and I had spent the day preparing to leave. I had my hair done by Monique; Lynn is recovering from surgery - both very special ladies. The husband and I went to see the movie 'Avatar' we had attempted to see last month. That time something was wrong with the theater sound system and we ended up with re-entry tickets. We very much enjoyed the movie in 3-D, the effects, the story. Afterward we stopped quickly at Burger King, as the youngest's school was letting out.

Once the car was packed we set off east the 60 to the 215 south until it hooked up with the 15 and further. We veered off to check into the Riviera Oaks in Ramona and then headed back to San Marcos. I enjoyed seeing several of the classis attendees again - Lois Vanderpol and Mike, Neville Koch, Cor Pool; I missed the Karstens, Phil DuBois, and Al Breems - but while I met some new people too, the husband was able to meet with them all. He obtained good information about our denomination, much that would prove useful to our congregation and was encouraged. Afterward we headed back to our accommodations.

Friday we spent leisurely around the place taking photographs, the likes of which we only had to go out our door. Everywhere there were bees and other insects, a variety of colorful birds in an assortment of trees and bushes, horses, cyclists, and many flowers. I only saw a rabbit once. The youngest camera and DS along to amuse him; we never even hooked up the Wii we had packed. I've begun exercising and wanted the option just in case.

We took a ride into town, Main Street, and bought some groceries at the local Staters. We bring most of our groceries with us. Riviera Oaks has a fully equipped kitchen with stove and microwave, pots and pans, etc., and a barbeque; it also has a nice fireplace. We had sausage and eggs in the morning before and for dinner rice with lousiana hot link. On Saturday, we had breakfast of steak and eggs (which was going to serve us well for the long day ahead), before checking out and heading for the Wild Animal Park. These pictures will also be posted on flickr.

It took no time to pack at all, and we were on our way by 10:30, which was just on the way back several miles. Our destination was a surprise to the youngest, as part of his birthday celebration. He had been to the San Diego Zoo on a school field trip previously; but he quick concluded, and confirmed by the end of the day, this was much better!

We were not able to cover the whole place in the time we had - we saw the bird aviaries, the monkeys, the gorillas, the elephants, the meerkats and dik diks, lorikeet, and took the safari tour of the zebras, lions, cheetahs, rhinos, etc. We still had major areas like the botanical gardens yet to see when we return. It was a very full day of walking! My pedometer said it was. People watching was phenomenal as well - observing the dynamics of how well people take care or don't of their children was another study altogether ;-)

It was a very satisfied and tired family that left, stopping at MacDonald's before heading home. The youngest said "it's going to be tomorrow before we get home". What a sense of time! We even had time to put most everything away that same evening after the husband got us there safely.

Sunday, our day of worship service, was spent with our First Love and went very well. I enjoyed the worship and the Word and seeing the saints. One of the couples had celebrated Valentines Day at the Gold Classic Cinemas in Pasadena where they had a meal AND saw the movie 'Dear John'. They said it was most enjoyable. One of our newlywed couples had just seen Avatar, the frist time they had gone to the show with each other. I watched, while I was singing, the boyfriend of one young lady enter church with a bouquet of flowers, a stuffed animal, and such, and saw her face of surprise when she saw him as she mouthed 'oh my '! One dear couple is celebrating their 21st valentine anniversary! What a blessing! I love our church!

The afternoon we got the car washed, finished unpacking and relaxed. I marinated and cooked a tip round roast, served with mashed potatoes and a mushroom steak gravy. The husband made his delicious ice tea. In the time we had left, the youngest had visits from siblings remembering his birthday. He had some phone calls before the weekend started.

The last day of our time off, we've spent accessing our sore walking muscles and doing a few household chores, slowly coming back to reality. But all in all, it's been a very nice holiday potpourri weekend - one filled communing with Creator and His creation; love and nature; peace and relaxation; fun , family and fellowship - something we must do again real soon!

Whom He has brought together ...

Roland Martin has his take on Valentine's day and I understand perfectly well where he is coming from. Having my hair done this day, I was given to think about it some - we have a God of love. I was reminded of when the husband and I met and fell in love.

My stylist Lynn was in with another stylist Cam. Cam was doing a lady's hair who is getting married tomorrow. She moved here from North Carolina, had met her man on E-Harmony and they'll be husband and wife tomorrow.

It was a February my man and I met on the internet, having since blended a family, having one child with each other. He was in ministry, something I recalled was told in my early teens would be part of my life. This young lady's man is an assistant pastor. They are blending a family. Their story sounded so familiar to my own.

Lord, the marriage you created for Adam and Eve give them. Have them entwine their lives with you an invincible 3-fold cord. Bless their day and bless their lives, their children, their ministry, the fruit of their hands. May the blending of their families be a sweet aroma unto you. Amen.

Today, I was reminded that God ordained the love of a man and a woman and that he is a God of second chances - not one's of our own making, but of His choosing. Don't conform your life to the commercialism of holidays - like the festivals of Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, Valentine's, the Resurrection, Memorial, Independence, and whatever you commemorate, but make the way you live a holiday like these pre-programmed or spontaneous in that you celebrate meaning not ritual.

As for Love:

If I speak in the tongues of men and angels,
but have not love,
I have become sounding brass or a tinkling symbol.

And if I have prophecy and know all mysteries and all knowledge,
and if I have all faith so as to remove mountains,
but have not love, I am nothing.

And if I dole out all my goods, and
if I deliver my body that I may boast
but have not love, nothing I am profited.

Love is long suffering,
love is kind,
it is not jealous,
love does not boast,
it is not inflated.

It is not discourteous,
it is not selfish,
it is not irritable,
it does not enumerate the evil.
It does not rejoice over the wrong, but rejoices in the truth

It covers all things,
it has faith for all things,
it hopes in all things,
it endures in all things.

Love never falls in ruins;
but whether prophecies, they will be abolished; or
tongues, they will cease; or
knowledge, it will be superseded.

For we know in part and we prophecy in part.

But when the perfect comes, the imperfect will be superseded.

When I was an infant,
I spoke as an infant,
I reckoned as an infant;

when I became [an adult],
I abolished the things of the infant.

For now we see through a mirror in an enigma, but then face to face.
Now I know in part, but then I shall know as also I was fully known.

But now remains
faith, hope, love,

these three;

but the greatest of these is love.

T, the blessings of the Lord be with you.

It is always a blessing to spend a morning with Lynn and an added pleasure to have breakfast at Moes; but today was a blessing indeed! And a lovely springboard to a special weekend.

Rest in Peace Paul Newman!

Newman - director and a classic, genuine, and classy actor! This was Newman, from the beginning and even into the older years such as in Road to Perdition and in the role of Dodge in Message in a Bottle. Favorites of mine: The Silver Chalice, Somebody Up There Likes Me, Cool Hand Luke, The Sting, Absence of Malice, The Verdict, The Color of Money. There are so many more. He had a charm! He is one of the very few in the business that had a lasting marriage with Joanne Woodward, another gem of Hollywood, in a place that tore at so many! Rest in Peace.

"Never Leave Your Partner Behind"

Having celebrated our nine year wedding anniversary, I'm looking forward to the opening of the marriage movie to see as the pinnacle of our reflection. Check it out!

Meandering at the close of the month ...

Coming off of a nice time away at our church leadership retreat, I'm feeling peaceful, hopeful, blessed. This was our second retreat, the first occurring Spring of this year. We looked over the past 6 months and by the grace of God, it was good. It was a 2-nighter where we had a couple of brainstorming sessions and we also relaxed and broke bread together, and enjoyed the tropical air and environment of Palm Springs, returning for Sunday morning service.

Another answer to prayer has been God's response to my job situation. I actually have a hard two weeks to look forward to, but the prayers of the saints in my behalf have been answered and God has heard my cry. Those weeks won't be any different than I originally anticipated; but I will. I moved from the majority report of the weeks to come to the Caleb report. My Lord will sustain me. Not that I doubted it, but I had wearied and I so needed that sense of Him. It will be the cornerstone of my holiday thoughts tomorrow - the verse below.

I have been blessed in the surge to have lost about 6 pounds. The challenge will have been these last few days and of course tomorrow. But I've increased my walking steps and managed well my nutrition over the past several weeks. I am encouraged. I already survived the test of a birthday party for a dear friend's husband where there was so much delicious food. And today, which I'll touch upon further was our church's monthly fellowship. I'm keeping myself accountable. I will forge ahead!

The husband and I just celebrated 9 years of marriage. I was recalling today, one of our initial encounters where he had really blessed me, and in doing so touched my heart. He was the speaker today at church. We had just returned straight from the retreat. It was a good sermon. And it was fellowship sunday, so it was nice kickin' it with everyone over food and faith. Another one of his train gang visited the church today; the other came a few weeks back. I really enjoy seeing new faces coming to the church, especially those who make it home. It was especially nice today because our Japanese sojourner, the husband's namesake is back home - he had been many months in the country he had long dreamed of. He has plans for his future and is trying to set everything in place. He came with two sisters with him today to enjoy hearing their dad speak.

I've gotten caught up in mob wars on facebook. What an addiction. And just when I thought I had it all in hand, some criminal tries to wipe me out and I scramble for hours to maintain my existence. What have I gotten into. Thank goodness for loyal mob members - I nearly died! I play a bit of wordscraper too - trying to keep the brain sharp. The husband thinks I've fallen for my lab top.

We actually celebrate our anniversary for 3 weeks. We went to the county courthouse and followed the occasion with a subsequent wedding and reception.

Summer is falling into Autumn as the last holiday of its time takes place. We'll (he'll) barbeque of course and hopefully we'll be blessed by the presence of loved ones. I have some housecleaning that day and then its back to life as usual.

Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. _{Matthew 11:28-29}

Have a Blessed Labor Day Holiday

Groom's mom pix

Mother of the groom didn't take the highest quality of picture - but here's a look at the goings on.

Family tree branches

spring blooms...

• The Giant is engaged - yes, its true! The young lady lives in our community and will become his wife May 10th. She's excited, to say the least. They'll have a celebration of the event in the area later. Meanwhile, it's Whidbey for Mother's Day weekend.
  
• The oldest nephew has a new one to this world. My great nephew is quite a cutie.

Life finds a way

The Nativity Story - new Christmas family film night tradition

Ever wonder how Mary, Joseph felt - we had one of our family movie nights - the girls were with us - and we watched The Nativity, very worthwhile and profound. To be unexplicably pregnant with only natural conclusions for people to assume. To be betrothed to such a woman. In the Stoning Age. The story brings to you the wonderment of 3 wisemen, these two, and a journey, giving us a reflection on the parents of John the Baptist as well - but touching mostly upon the relationship of Mary and John's mom, her cousin. You are stuck plumb in the history of the event to realize what people God had chosen and prepared for such a time as this!

I recognize Elizabeth's portrayer from "24", X-Men: The Last Stand, and The Exorcism of Emily Rose. Shohreh Aghdashloo plays moms often -i.e. The Lake House, House of Sand and Fog; I like seeing the native of Tehran do well.

Precious lines from the movie between Mary and Joseph:

People will not look at you the same. They will not look at us the same.
You are my wife. I am your husband. That is all anyone need know.

It was an enjoyable family film night.

loins and elephants

Larger than life are times you can spend with your kids. The youngest has been awarded many certificates which I've collected, but some of them included certificates for things like free lunch. This week we used one for the Elephant Bar - to which neither of us had been before. Thus that trunked image in the background is none other than an elephant, not living of course. This picture was taken with my HTC mogul phone.

I enjoyed the restaurant's decor and ambiance. The youngest ordered a hamburger sans cheese, lettuce and tomato which came with ample fries with chocolate milk which he loves, (it also came with a chocolate sundae) and I had the chicken fingers. The service was friendly and responsive, and the manager came by to make sure all was well. And it was until the bill which had errors; but they were corrected, and we left unscathed and happy. We enjoyed our day out. The youngest had a haircut earlier, but here he has his head hooded. He was an attractive date underneath, and amusing; but not as engaging as the husband.

Speaking of whom gave me a gps device for my birthday - it sure comes in handy. (This could be marriage saving - can you imagine me not getting us lost any more? - He's really cute when he tries to suck in his frustration for the love of me.) Anyways, the youngest and I, we were able to figure how to leave the Montclair shopping center without getting confused amongst all the after-Christmas shoppers. We call it Garmi.

The Giant called. He's officially a navy seaman and soon will be off to master of arms A-school in Texas for a couple of months. He'll be spending a few more days in Chicago before he goes. It was the first time we've had to talk since he left for boot camp. It was good to hear his voice. His boot camp stores were original with dental nightmares and a temperature above 104. He's graduated. He sounds good. He'll be in the same hemisphere as the eldest - afterall TX is more than an state - it's huge!

I have eight kids, mutual or not, I love them all. They are varied in gifts and personality -- each a unique treasure. These 3 came from my loins.

Movie Ministry on Why Married?

I was lookin' all over for this the other day and finally blogged without it - but here's what Movie Ministry says about Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married?

...this year, on a trip to Colorado, one couple's marital problems explode, and everyone else becomes collateral damage. Director Tyler Perry explores betrayal, confession, repentance, and reconciliation within a circle of friends willing to go the distance for each other.
Big Ideas: Confession is the first step to forgiveness, healing, and restoration.
Topics: Confession Restoration Repentance Forgiveness
Scripture: 1 John 1:8-9 James 5:14-16.

It's a very good source for Christ-minded movie watching and related discussions; their theme is see the truth.

So why haven't I talked about Why Did I Get Married?

Well as much as I've wanted to and am eager to support this, I haven't seen it yet. Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married?, I fully expect to be as rewarding as all of Perry's work I've seen. If you check out his site, you'll see he has more work coming down the road - looks like next year Madea is going to jail!

The New York Times review says “Why Did I Get Married?” follows four couples who meet each year for a therapeutic vacation. Friends since college, they converge to discuss their relationships and address marital difficulties. This being a Tyler Perry film, there is much to discuss; we also know there will be secrets revealed, sermons delivered and forgiveness sought. Sounds like it would be a worthy couple's study's endeavor. I'll see it soon - and to be sure, you'll hear from me.

Meanwhile look what I came across - This Christmas! Moviefone says of the film, the Whitfied siblings have come home for the first time in years and they've brought plenty of baggage with them....secrets are revealed and family bonds are tested. As their lives converge, they join together and help each other discover the true meaning of family - in an all-star cast including some of my favorites -Loretta Devine, Idris Elba (remember him from Daddy's Little Girls), Regina King, Delroy Lindo, Mekhi Phifer.

Hawaii Two-OO7

The Norman's in paradise -- We had a wonderful anniversary vacation in Oahu. We saw a lot of the island, a lot of each other, and we also saw our friends the Hays. We left early Thursday and arrived in Hawaii around 11, being donned with the (thank you Annie!) Pleasant Holidays greeting of a lai. Dollar upgraded our vehicle, since they were out of compact cars, to a red ford mustang convertible and in it we were off to our week-long home.

We could have stayed in the Waikiki "spouting water" area in the hustle and bustle of tourism, but we were remote with a private beach residing in the western Waianae Valley with the locals in Makaha. We gained a greater appreciation of Hawaiian life there. Out of our front door lay lush green mountains and shores of Ocean and out our lanai was the private beach and a horizon of sunset waters and moonlight nights.

We spent one day traveling over to the east side to Kailua and Lanikai beaches. We went across the Pali Highway stopping at the Nu`uana lookout to see an expanse of Oahu's shores and the preceding valley. The view was breathtaking and the winds breezily restyling my hair. I caught a glimspe of the revered sea turtles. Kailua was so lovely and calm, we enjoyed the waters for much of the day.

We took a drive up Farrington Highway north to Kamehameha through the middle of the island to the North Shore over to beaches. We took time to look at the Dole Plantation which has an amazing maze, made a stop in Haie'iwa (Baywatch filming location), and spent a couple of hours to walk through the Audobon Center mauka to the Waimea Falls (a Jurassic filming location) and traversed all the way to James Campbell's National Wildlife Refuge which was closed due to the mating season. Some other films using Oahu locations are Lost, Hawaii 5-0, Jurassic Park, Fantasy Island, Wind Talkers, Baywatch, and Pearl Harbor.

We also went across Likelike Highway, parallel to the Pali, and went up the Kamehameha all the way past the Mormon area of Laie and the Polynesian Cultural Center. Likelike Highway had tunnels (Wilson) like the Pali (Nu`uanu Pali). We ventured south beyond Sandy Beach and the Maiona Blow Hole over to Hanauma Bay. Sandy Beach is sandy! In one breeze I was stung by the tiny pellets! The surf was rough too. Red flagged no swimming signs lined the shore where surfers took on the waves.

We then ventured north to see sights such as Kane'ohe Bay and the Chinaman's Hat, the Kualoa cattle ranch (Jurassic Park and Lost filming location), Sea Life Park; the beaches of Kahana, Punalu'u and Hau'ula, Sunset (filming of 50 1st Dates), Heeia State Park and the Crouching Lion town of Ka'a'awa. We reconnected with the 99 to Kunio to return to our place. We passed a lovely chapel where a couple was getting married. When we had left Waimae falls a wedding was beginning there, and when we returned to our place a wedding had just taken place on the beach.

We drove through Honolulu and Waikiki to take the challengingly arduous climb in the hot sun to Leahi (Diamond Head) Crater where again there was a great expanse of Hawaii's beauty before us. The husband remarked how it appeared that the texture of Oahu's mountains and hillsides were sculpted by mighty finger strokes. The handout explains our trail was a ".8 mile climb one way 560 feet from the crater floor". It involves uneven and steep dirt terrain of numerous switchbacks, sets of steep stairways, and a long grade of tunnel. Leahi, once used by the military, had lookouts built into it that we had to climb through to complete our trip to the top.

We took time to appreciate the Pearl Harbor area too - touring the somber USS Arizona, the 'Mighty Mo' and the Bowfin. The ship - the Nimitz - carrying the niece of our friends at home was docked there as well. They will be seeing her in San Diego this weekend. Our friend Darrick's ship - the Erie is currently in that area also. The Arizona tour gives you cards with the particulars on one who was lost on that infamous day. The husband had told me of an african-american cook that was quite the hero that infamous day. Oddly enough the lady sitting next to him on the boat that day had this seaman's card. She agreed to trade with me for Doris 'Dory' Miller. How kewl!

We caught up with Darrick and Jenn near the end of our trip. They just moved into their new home, in Ewa Bay. We walked from their house to the water's edge shop - the Barefoot Cafe - and spent the rest of the evening at their new place. They have a good life! It was great to be able to spend time with them.

When we weren't out and about on the road enjoying 99.5 'the jewel'. We were enjoying our own surroundings and made a few acquaintances of our own! It was not unusual to be flanked by sand crabs. Our beach was rough. Certainly not as tumultuous as Sandy Beach, the locals swam it in stride regardless. We, on the other hand, had to be more careful not to be swept away. We also shared the beach with the occasional fisherman, painter and walkers - even ball retrieving labradors.

Too soon we boarded another plane near noon Hawaii time and arrived home at midnight. It was a wonderful week; and while it is great to be home it was a precious blessing to have a time of peace and relaxation amidst the awesomely beautiful work of God's hands. It was a special anniversary celebration.

The 'Smith'sonian fake Anniversary

A revised Mr. & Mrs. Smith moment ...

Shelley Norman: Like Christmas, like our wedding, like the time you forgot to bring my anniversary present.
Reggie Norman: Your *fake* anniversary present.

Okay, that might be confusing - you need to know our story!

Anyway, I want to take this moment and tell the husband (I did!)

I love you; I love us! I love my life!

And in two days we'll be in Hawaii. Woohoo!

Closing Smith moments ...

Opening Lines:

John Smith: [at the marriage counselor's] OK, I'll go first. Um... Let me say, uh, we don't really need to be here. See, we've been married for five years.
Jane Smith: Six.
John Smith: [chastened] Five, six years.

I kind of said something like this when we were making the decision for a timeshare:

Jane Smith: There's nowhere I'd rather be than here with you.

My favorite line: told to Jane about when he first met her

John Smith: You looked like Christmas morning.

HERE'S TO US!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY (fake anniversary ;-) My Love!
EIGHT DOWN WITH EVERLASTING LOVE TO GO!

Rth 1:16 And Ruth said, Do not entreat me to leave you, to turn back from following you. For where you go, I will go. And where you stay, I will stay. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.

Steptember is here! Oh where o where has my August gone!

to catch things up ...

• I joined the Steptember challenge on America on the Move - taking the Oregon trail while the husband traverses the Pacific. You do 2 things - increase you average monthly steps by 2000 and decrease calories consumed by 100 daily. Began that the 4th.
• I've met my first fitness goal - 177 pounds. Saw the doctor near the end of the month and my blood pressure was 122/80; I'm off those medz. woo hoo! Still working on the cholesterol though.
• The youngest started third grade a month ago already; has already completed his first school sale campaign - thanks to all of you at the husband's job who always come through for him big time, mine, church and friends that supported him. He got all but the top 2 prizes (and the top one just wasn't going to happen anyway). He's thrilled! We've already 'been there and done that' Back to School night as well. He's doing really great in school too and has a wonderful teacher rather than military commander. He's testing well. We're proud of him as he works on focus focus focus! He was Student of the Week last week.
• Speaking of the military, the giant laid on me that he has joined the armed forces - now a member of the U.S. navy - the plan: qualifying for Seals or being a MA; expecting to have basic training in November - Lord keep your hand upon him.
• Planning to go to the Pomona fair again this year and to the Angel City Classic this weekend; the calendar is getting awfully full - I've got to go to traffic school before the vacation too.
• The trip to Hawaii is a couple of weeks away - ooo wee aloha!
  
• It'll be in celebration of our 8th anniversary - as we rushed to end up being the last to be married in the Old Orange County Courthouse. In August, celebrated the official marriage and in September we celebrate our wedding ceremony standing before God and man (friends and family close at hand). Sometimes things want to creep in and whisper its not as good as it has been. But I know where that talk comes from. God has been so good to us - blessed us with this child and our blended family and friends and purpose and the ability to stand hand in hand with a common vision sewn by a common faith.
• We have non-dueling keyboards and have been enjoying quiet evenings at home with the music - very peaceful and relaxing - more on those later.
• Congrats to the Holybees on the addition of Hezekiah to their family!

... And its my anniversary in blog too!

July - already!

Look at the time!

I'm somewhat glad June has slip by - it was, not without its virtues, a difficult month. If I were doing a biometric thing I'd say 'whew, that emotional line is all over the place!"

The youngest was student of the month of May in his classroom. Yeah! Had a day off so I could enjoy that. Walked to his school and back home again, chatting with neighbors on the way. The weather is changing to the neighborly style where you have a minute for another person and can catch up with each other. It's a great time of year.

Visited Oasis Community Church, Moreno Valley, the first Sunday and afterward went to Sizzler for lunch. They just couldn't get the husband's order right! When he finally got his sirloin tips well done, they were scrumptious and my fish and chips were great. Overall we had a lovely sabbath.

The husband and I were going to attend a denominational discipling seminar only to find after driving through traffic to Norwalk it had been cancelled. They were very apologetic about not having gotten me the notice. So instead we leisurely slammed some breakfast at Denny's and visited his ministerial mentor. I hadn't met him and his wife - so it was a lovely day anyway. After all, it was another day off from work. I didn't get a chance to check-in on my brother, who didn't live very far away, but I have been able to get in touch with him this month and hope to see him the upcoming holiday weekend.

My hawaiian friend came through in a hayz - we should be seeing their family in two short months. The oldest of our two youngest girls turned 16 - woah and is learning to drive; look out world! Happy Birthday! My godchild, a lovely young lady, had a birthday this month - hey gyrl! My sister and brother-in-law (27) and my Ace and her husband (18 - and their son turned 4 too) had anniversaries - bless you all! I missed the renewed vows (25 years of marriage) of Compton (now living in Palmdale) cousin and his wife who I have yet to meet - I hope that gets remedied someday soon. My nephew, brother's son, graduated from high school - woohoo, very proud of him!

Happy belated Father's Day to all you devoted dad's out there, especially to the husband who is there for his mine and ours! It gets rocky at times movin' the one by one into adulthood - so glad the Lord helps us through! The youngest allowed me to join them for dinner out at Red Robin's - they have the best fish and chips - on a Friday night pre-celebration which I as the third wheel' thoroughly enjoyed.

I started a major campaign of regaining our retreat (the master bedroom) - some evil calamity ;-) seems to have had a hold over its appearance. I can now walk in the walk-in closet and found my desk; the husband has installed the new blinds; and it seems to have grown immensely as slowly I throw out , put, and give things away. I've been quite a busier bee around the house. My final stroke was to attack the hall closet - I actually know what's in there now.

Tyrtle has become quite comfortable in his new digs! What a life - eat, swim and sunbathe all day! You'd think he'd be grateful ;-0 - but he made a great escape again just the other day, only to be rounded up by one of the dogs (maybe there's some sheep/turtle dog in there somewhere).

The youngest has finished his school year - hallelujah! He achieved an additional attendance award at the end of the year - we're very proud of his perseverance in the face of adversity this year and overall academic achievements. Here's a Major News Flash! A couple of years ago, after falling while trying to learn to ride his bike the youngest was basically traumatized and vowed never to ride! Well , we gave it another 'go'! Now he's riding all over the place - and the three of us ride together.


The husband has just gone 'gun ho' on the fitness thing too - he's participating in a walk challenge at the work place, we walk down to the store and around the neighborhood together, with the dogs, or the youngest - rewarding ourselves with an occasional smoothie stop at Juice it Up! (they have double ticket clicks and Tuesdays and Thursdays which quickly gets us to some free ones), and now bike riding! Have a new spiffy pedometer -- the Omron HJ-112 the husband gave me - keeps track of steps, aerobic steps, aerobic minutes, miles, and kcal burn. Quite motivating. Let's see if my numbers go up. I'm doing really well, and in the women's challenge I've only missed one point so far and have already made that up with a bonus challenge. I missed a goal again at the end of the month because I had bashed my toe during the week (please, don't ask!) and in the next and final week I will be able to make that up and successfully complete the challenge! Overall I have increased my automatic daily activity to an healthy level and am enjoying the extra support, challenge, and companionship from the husband.

So though I started out the post on a low note - it is clear that the Lord works all things to the good of those who diligently seek Him. He is ever faithful!

And there you have it; June in July! Meanwhile keep the middle daughter lifted up as she begins new endeavors - may the Lord's grace and protection fervently rest upon her as He completes her - of course that applies to all of us!

Happy Anniversary Micah and Nicole

on life's journey, you sometimes come across some truly wonderful people you'll always be glad you met, have known and sometimes they are married to each other. Just wanted to say Happy Anniversary to two such people - here's to 5 years Micah and Nicole! May the Lord continue to bless you ever so richly! Kaitlyn, aren't they the best?! !

marriage seasons?

I found a quiz on Which Season of Marriage are you in? - you might find it enlightening. Enjoy and let me know what you discovered, if anything.

My results were:

Based on your score- your interpretation of your marriage indicates your marriage is predominantly in Spring. In Dr. Gary Chapman’s book The Four Seasons of Marriage ... the emotions of Spring are: excitement, joy and hope. This is a season that is very satisfying.

in celebration of an 18 year Anniversary

We know some kewl people that have withstood the test of time. I was listening to the morning show on KDAY this morning (okay, I think Steve Harvey is, although quite colorful, a hilarious and often inspiring christian) - and nephew Tommy's tip was glamorous does not go with ghetto.

Why they make me think of that I don't know - but I think some people try to move away from difficult times to better days, and they just bring the difficulties with them. The gist of it is our friends have seen harder days and struggles, and not that it's all glam now, but they are certainly going from glory to glory to glory!

Congratulations dear friends on your Valentine 18th Anniversary! You know who you are ;-)! May the Lord bless your lifetime of love! Here's to ya - One Life/One Love!

into February ...

A week into February - where did the time go? Life has been a many splendored thing!

• Well, thank you Brown, the package has finally arrived to stay - today! It wasn't in the best of condition, this delivery; but workable - so it gets to stay. The husband is at home and maybe the giant too - I wonder if it'll be put together by the time I get home. The giant didn't get the job from the last interview, but has some more set up - keep him in prayer. The floor is matted. The exercise bike is in place. And today I am a pound less than last week. It's time to step up the program!
• The 9/80 work week started and is going pretty well. I had my first Friday off last week. I used it to wait for people like housecleaners, service people, and school principals - oh joy. But more progress was made on the garage - and more things given to Goodwill and the Agape House. The next day off will be a 4-day weekend as the following Monday is a holiday - how kewl!
• The husband has wooed me to dinner a few times - we have patronized Tony Roma's again and also went to Chili's. At Tony's my eyes were so much larger than my stomach. I brought half of those ribs home.
  At Chili's I just love their Chicken Crispers. Again, I think the effects of working toward weight loss was reflected, as I couldn't begin to consume all of the food. But this time maybe it was because I over-ordered ;-). With a main course you can get a side of ribs for $5.99. Who could resist that? And then those onion blossoms! I couldn't even order their delicious mexican eggrolls sigh. But the good news is I dutifully packed up a lot of my meal for take home and dined on it over the rest of the week. Still maybe those bump ups on my weight loss progress chart are for a reason ...
  
• We had our annual superbowl party complete with tossing penalty flags into the middle of the floor and replete with food. And yet again, I did very well - one small plate of food even though I, yes me, made a dish myself - chicken nachos (recipe forthcoming). I was for the Colts, so very happy with the day's outcome.
• We must give homage to the youngest's godfather (picturing Marlon Brando in my head), a dear friend of ours - Happy Birthday Andre!
• Other dear friends of ours had an anniversary - Congratulations Aaron and Jody!
• The husband and I sensed a need to request a change for the youngest one's teacher. He had and absolutely wonderful teacher, Mrs. Zappe, in kindergarten. In 1st grade, Mr. Ferguson continued to challenge and stimulate him. But we are noticing signs of discouragement in the 2nd grade and not because the work is too hard. So after the principal did not return my 2 phone calls and a subsequent conversation I did have with the teacher (after 2 emails), dad took over the reigns and carried the baton from mom. They met today and if there is no improvement for the youngest, it'll be pressed even without relenting.
• The family room is getting a face lift - along with the TV the husband has been long wanting (no not a plasma!), I on the other had was able to adorn it with a lovely entertainment center. He was able to take advantage of 'after the bowl savings' and I snagged a no longer to be carried item before it disappeared into oblivion for a remarkable price that was only available until midnight the evening I spotted it. The wonders of the internet - I could still snatch it up even though the hour was late. It is now scheduled for delivery.

That's enough for a week into February; isn't it?