Desert Beauties

 

We're Back!

Well we are back from our family vacation west. Actually we've been back for almost a week now, but there was laundry to catch up on, groceries to buy, pictures to develop, the 5th Harry Potter book to reread before seeing the movie and a multitude of other HIGHLY important things to do before blogging :) I've been struggling with how to post about our vacation as my blogger pal that we went to see likes to keep her physical location (and physical attributes of her significant other) somewhat of a mystery so we will have to say we went west and to the desert. Oh and to the Grand Canyon which I can safely assume someone would recognize from the pictures and NO she doesn't live in the Grand Canyon...we were gone over a week so that allowed us to go some distances. Anyway here goes a montage of pictures in no particular order.

final bumper sticker post

These are just funny or at least they were last night at 2am

bumperstickers2

Here are some I thought would be good for family and friends of mine...

1 for Kellie A., 2 for Dena C., 3 and 4 for Lisa R., 5 for David M.

bumper stickers

Last night I couldn't sleep and was up surfing the internet till 2am. I came across a website that sold funny bumper stickers. Here are choices 1,2,3,4,and 5 for my car

At War

Sometimes I get so caught up in the nitty gritty of daily grind that I forget that we are at war. At war against the daily attempts of ultimate evil to make our lives meaningless. This past year was a hard one to survive for me. With my kids I wasn't always sure I was even winning the daily battles much less the final war. I often need reminders that I am fighting, what I'm fighting for and how to fight. The most rejuvinating short term shots in the arm for me are good movies, good books and time spent with good friends in the trenches. The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien reminds me I'm at war. The true hero, Samwise, reminds me how to fight, sold out and without regard to self. The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks reminds me one of the things worth fighting for, a love that has staying power even when there is no return. The books of Gene Stratton Porter remind me of doing right because it is right and for no other reason. White Banners by Lloyd C. Douglas reminds me of the true strength and power in letting go of rights and revenge. Eat this Book by Eugene Peterson reminds me of the ultimate weapon we have, God's Word.

So my questions today are:
1. What is worth fighting for (day to day and long term)?
2. What reminds you to fight?

JuJu2

 

JuJu

 

Emma 2

 

Emma waiting for Daddy

 

Daddy Daughter Dinner Dance 2007

 

Julia, Ray and Emma ready for Daddy Daughter Dinner Dance

What I've read, am reading and plan to read this summer

Finished
Born on a Blue Day by Daniel Tammet
The memoir of a Autistic Savant who sees numbers in colors and shapes.
Rating:*** out of 4 ****

Charms for the Easy Life by Kaye Gibbons
Women's Fiction. Excellent story. I've also read On the Occasion of my Last Afternoon by her and loved them both.
Rating:*** out of 4 ****

Hidden Places by Lynn Austin
Christian Fiction. Great Story...I bawled my eyes out. Almost as good as the Mitford books, but a different kind of story.
Rating: *** out of 4 ****

Still Reading

Prayer by Philip Yancey
Inspirational/Christian Living
I LOVE Philip Yancey's writing and this is one of my favorites of his writings so far!
Rating:**** out of 4 **** (I'm not finished yet so this could change

Planning to Read Later this Summer
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling
The Final installment in the Harry Potter Series (I'll see if I can beat my last installment record and read it in one day)

The Children of Hurin by JRR Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien and Alan Lee

Post what you are reading and any suggestions for what I should add to my list.

Who went to the beach?

 

I can't believe we went to the beach and left Emma at home. We come back 5 days later and she already has a SUPER dark tan...I on the other hand am turning greener with envy every day!

Butt Sketches

 

The agenda for one party during the conference we went to this past week listed "Butt Sketches" as entertainment...I was very skeptical but ended up having this cute "cartoon" charcole sketch of Ray and I ... I think it was airbrushed cause we look better than in real life :)

Branded!

This is what happens when you go out for the day wearing a cross necklace and no sunscreen...ooops...Thank goodness I wasn't wearing a big letter "A"

Catalina Island

 

The Cliffs Marriot at Dana Point California

 

Mission San Juan Capistrano

 

Summer is here and I feel a new lease on life

Summer is here and all things feel possible...okay maybe its the 1 cup of coffee that I had this morning that was big enough that I could fit the three cups I made into one serving! Or maybe it is that hubby and I are taking off on Wednesday for a 5 day trip to Laguna Beach California sans kids! (the high I'm feeling actually comes from everything that I need to do to get ready and knowingly ignoring it to post on my blog) I have to say in the past I have been more the proponant of year round school than summer breaks...this year school was SO difficult that I'm and enjoying summer even though we are having to do catch up on school work. I am taking the summer mornings to teach Emma to read well, Gabe grammer and Julia to count! Afternoons are reserved for friends, swimming and occasional laundry...oh and bread making...we made three loaves in my bread machine and just about ate them all in one day...don't tell the kids but the bread was really healthy...whole wheat and flax seed! Next time I make a loaf I'll post a picture...HERE'S TO SUMMER!!!!!

For my Sister and long Distance Friends

 

Wow I didn't realize how much red was in my hair till I saw these pics!...Guess I just always wanted to fit in :) (with my red headed sister and two brothers :))

Haircut

 

Well I guess its been since February since I had a haircut and I feel like a new woman! But DANG is it expensive these days! Glad I'm not highlighting anymore!

Emma's New Look

Emma has unfortunately inheritated my bad eyesight but boy does she make these specs look cute...they have a little bling bling on the sides that you can't really see in the pictures.

They're here this year!

Well after last summer with not a blue bonnet in sight they are out this year in MASS! Here is a picture Gabe took.

JuJu is 3!

 

Note the cake had BOTH Winnie the Pooh and Scooby Doo! The pretty pink dress is from Aunt Lisa, Uncle Jerimy and Baby Bet Bet! (Double click on the collage and it will show up bigger on your screen)

The new family pet

Well as promised here are pictures of "Timmy" although I suspect "Timmy" is really "Timmietta"