HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE

HE is risen...HE is risen indeed!!!

I hope that everyone celebrated Easter with the assurance of knowing why Easter is what it is.

It is NOT about bunny's and candy, but about the saving grace and mercy that our gracious God in Heaven bestowed upon us all when He rose His Son from the grave.

He did it for us because He loves us...If you don't already know Him, may you find Him now.

MATTHEW 7:7 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

Our sons sang in the childrens choir on Easter morning, what a wonderful time of worship it was, as I sang with tears in my eyes and a smile on my face, I realized how thankful I am to know and to trust the one true GOD! PRAISE JESUS CHRIST~

Spending time w/Jessicah

I am honored to be able to spend time with this special young lady! She is dear to my heart, and I had a wonderful morning talking, laughing & shopping!

Surprise Party for our friend Chris Dougherty

Our dear friend Jim Dougherty decided to throw a surprise birthday party for his wife, and after all their years of marriage, he was able to pull it off again! Good for you Jim!!! His son, Eric, and friends helped to pull off this joyous event! We are blessed to know them, and privledged to call them friends!

Slide Show

Mary Ann Comes for A Visit

Chris' sister, Mary Ann, comes to visit us (well my in-laws really...we just get to benefit from it, because they live 5 minutes from our house) at least once a year. This year, it seems like we just went out to eat ALOT!!! Augh...I'm still stuffed!!!

Here wer are at Wendy's...before we leave to pick her up from Loma Linda! Augh the drive was awful, but she's worth it!!!

Chris is trying to look sad, that he can't come to pick her up w/us...he had to work...he did try to get the day off, but couldn't!

After a long and tiresome drive home, we stop in at Chili's for dinner...yummy dry rub ribs!!!

What good is a trip to California, if you don't go shopping in the valley and stop into Norms for a bite to eat???

Then after a pleasant visit, a good-bye dinner at Red Lobster...we did do other things together, really, we did!!!

We love you Mary Ann...come back soon!

Ronald Reagan Library (field trip)

We were able to take a field trip w/our ISP, Lighthouse, to the Ronald Reagan Library. We found the whole trip to be very interesting. I highly suggest that everyone make this a day trip with their family; after all, Ronald Reagan, was one of the greatest presidents of all time.

Funny story: We toured Air Force One, and it's very dated, and while walking through it, Lukas asked, "Mommy, what is that curly cord on the phone for?" It was the cord between the handpiece and the base...I laughed and told him about the olden days, when cordless was just a dream and cell phones were not even an option...he thinks I'm joking with him...go figure!

Fire Station #73 Tour (field trip)

What child doesn't like to visit the fire station??? We were able to take a field trip to a local station last month...and man o man...my husband looks very yummy a fireman jacket!

Lunch w/Craig & Kathy Ratliff

We went to Claim Jumper for a nice lunch with Craig & Kathy. We always enjoy our time together. Kathy just needs to keep her clothes on!

Right after placing our order, Kathy realizes that her turtleneck is on backwards.
I thought I'd document this time of "adjustment" for her....as she used words for my poor camera that I really shouldn't document. We love you guys!

Happy Birthday Lukas & Courtney

Our little valentine, Lukas, turned 7, on Valentine's day. His friend Courtney, turned 7 on the 13th, thus we thought we'd join forces one last time, before boys and girls catch cooties. We celebrated, with 40 ankle biters (I call them that with all the love in my heart for them) and about 30 of their parents...have you ever seen such a crowd for two kids that turned "7"???

Lukas & Courtney had a BLAST, and planning this at our house w/the Lotz family was extra special.

Before the party...Seven Birthday Kisses from Momma...always a must!!!

Hostesses Georg & Jenny

The Guests of Honor...Courtney & Lukas blow out the candles

YUMMY CUPCAKES for 40!

Our 'Bouncer'...on bouncer duty!

Party Animals! What kind of Mexican would I be without a pinata??? Lukas & CourtneyChris shakes out the rest!

Candy diving!

The best thing about having a party this large is the fellowship with all our friends too!

We are grateful for our church famly... we love you all so much!

Chrisie, me, Julie

Sharon & Brenna

Andrea & Yvette

Kristen, me & Ashley

Caleb & his daddy Mike!

Doug, Michelle & Paul

Ashley, Julie, & Kristen

Amy, Kristina, and JennyI do believe Nathan's words were..."this better NOT make facebook"

I kept my word Nathan...this is NOT on facebook...snicker snicker

ACORNS TO OAKS

The Childrens & Jr. Choirs at church put on a 40 minute musical this winter called Acorns to Oaks. It tells a story of how one can only grow in Christ and Christ alone. Wyatt landed the part of an invention, that's right, you read it right, he played the part of an invention. He was a "ROBO-SCARECROW". I want to download the video but can't figure it out, so when I do I'll add it to the pictures. It was a great opportunity for an outreach to our community, we had a great turn out, and all the kids had a fun.

Lukas

Wyatt

Stage hands Sarah & Lauren

Jeanne & me

Master Kathy & her servant (me)

Wyatt plays a ROBO-SCARECROW that malfunctions...very cute & funny.
He did a wonderful job!

Just hanging out...

There are two things Lukas loves...his Bible homework & puzzels...here he is...doing his thing...

AWANA...w/Heidi

Heidi and I helped out a AWANA one night while all TMC students were on break.

AWANA is a program for kids that help them to memorize scriptures.

It stands for Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed 2 Timothy 2:15.

The kids love going EVERY week, it's something they look forward to.

Dinner & Movie w/the Cunningham's

We went on a double date with Nathan & Julie Cunningham.

Thanks to Claudia, the best babysitter EVER, we got this silly picture of us.

Here's Claudia with all five kids, Luke, Emma, Savanah, Wyatt & Lukas

CHRISTmas with the Ratliffs

Our annual CHRISTmas celebration with the Ratliff's was as wonderful as ever! Craig & Kathy are two of our dearest friends. We value their friendship and cherish the time we spend with them. They are planning a move to Cookeville, Tennessee in a few years. (I'm choosing to be in denial until it happens) They've purchased property, and to be honest, Chris and I have looked at some houses there in the heart of Cookeville, TN...just in case we decide to join them...I can't imagine not having them in our lives!

A Day at the Zoo

After celebrating CHRISTmas, we thought we'd enjoy a wonderful day at the zoo. While Grandma & Grandpa rode the tram...we walked the whole zoo...it was a great day, not too hot...not to cold.

Merry CHRISTmas!

We were honored to have our neice Angela & her husband Ben spend CHRISTmas with us this year. They came all the way from Grand Forks, North Dakota...they are wonderful guests and we can NOT wait for their next visit.

Wyatt's Birthday Party

Wyatt's birthday is on CHRISTmas Eve...thus we always have his party early in December...he invited 4 of his friends and had pizza, cake, movie & a sleep over...no one slept, I WAS TIRED!

CHRISTmas Concert (Children's Choir)

Wyatt & Lukas are both in the children's choir at church (PLACERITA BAPTIST CHURCH). They work really hard to learn the songs and stand still while singing...with standing still being the biggest challenge!

Before the concert

Both boys are actually singing...yipee!!!

Lukas smiling instead of singing (that's him...wakes up happy)

Lukas & Molli...and Tyler sneaking in on the photo op...

Still My Birthday

My oldest (time wise...not in age) and dearest friend always takes me out on my birthday. She always makes my day extra special...we do breakfast, shop, lunch, shop, then dinner...we went to the Americana on Brand this year...on my actual birthday...where they had the largest real tree I have ever seen decorated!!! It was taller than the one at Rockefeller Center in New York.

Once again, I spent a lovely day with a wonderful friend. Thank you Kathy, for always making my day so special! I LOVE YOU!

Happy Birthday to Me & Merry CHRISTmas to all!

Every year, my dearest girlfriends and I get together to celebrate our birthday's. Since my birthday is in December we always celebrate CHRISTmas together then too. This year I picked Claim Jumper for dinner and we all had a really nice time opening presents and visiting. I love these women very much, and this time together is very precious to me. Thank you ladies for more wonderful memories. LOVE YA!

Karate Promotion December 2008

Our boys were promoted in their Home School Karate class this December...they went from yellow belts to yellow w/a black stripe.

Thanksgiving 2008

We were blessed to spend Thanksgiving with my sister Eva and her family...we had a wonderful time and wonderful food! Ronnie and Eva...you both always do such a great job!

2008's Annual COOKIE Party

Here are some pictures of my Annual Cookie Party...I love hosting it, and my friends are the best guest EVER!

It's amazing that my home can fit so many wonderful women, but it does!!! (65 ladies this year)(the record was last year w/78 ladies).

It's the same day EVERY year...the Saturday before Thanksgiving...so I hope to see y'all here next year!

We all have a wonderful time of fellowship...laughter...food...cookies (of course) and GREED! Some women come for the cookies, some for the lunch, some for the ornament game we play...stealing is involved...and some come just for the fellowship! For whatever reason they may come, I'm glad they do! This is one of my highlights events every year, notice their are no children....

Here's some highlights!

The real hostess of the party...Anna, Kathy, Georg & Anna...they have been coming forever, and have already RSVP'd for the next 20 years!

Cookie Bags...

BY FAR the highest laugh on the rictor scale that day! See Erica laughing with her head thrown back...she just unwrapped her pick of wrapped ornaments which is a beautifully jeweled hanging frame for a tree, when she notices that Cindy, who brought that ornament, has stuck her high school senior portrait in it...leave it to Cindy!!!!

BTW...some of you were asking if we are doing a white elephant next year (you must have CHRISTmas stuff you want to get rid of)...well at the request of many...it will be an exchange of CHRISTMAS DECOR!...Be careful though...Cindy just might wrap a family portrait for over ones fireplace!

Squanto's Thanksgiving!

OK, I just figured out that the reason I am always behind on my blogging is because, I'M TOO BUSY! Whoever coined the phrase "STAY AT HOME MOM" was being sarcastic! OK with that said...

Our co-op did a Thanksgiving play called Squanto's Thanksgiving. Wyatt played Squanto, and Lukas played Samoset. They performed for all the co-op families at the Platt home in Lancaster. We followed it up with a DELICIOUS traditional Thanksgiving dinner cooked by Michelle Platt from scratch...the only thing she didn't do was slaughter the pig or behead the turkey...or did she??? She is an incredible mom and hostess as well as a wonderful cook. Thanks for your hospitality Platt family...we had a lovely time!

Selling of the Indian slaves!Squanto returning back to his homeland...by longboat...made by Chris, Wyatt & Lukas.

Samoset giving Squanto the bad news that his entire tribe has died...Squanto teaching the pilgrims to farm.The first Thanksgiving table.The kids made a Thankful Tree...Each child wrote the leaves telling us what they are thankful for!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Fall Fellowship

Every year our church has an event called the Fall Fellowship. It is where we ladies get together and are edified by God and His Word. We worship together, eat dinner, (good job Gary) and listen to speakers.

This year, we had a panel of speakers who spoke on finding joy through trials. Though there were many tears, we all saw the Light that is our Lord, and how He carries each and everyone of us through anything and everything. Our speakers this year were ladies from our church and they all did a wonderful job. I spent time with some of girl friends and shared in some very special heart felt moments with them! Thank you all for sharing so openly!