Summer's ending...

It's our last week...

of enjoying late dinners outside on a warm evening.

...of wondering what it'll be like to have Andrew heading off to high school every morning.

...of slow summer mornings.

...of letting kids read as late as they like or until they fall asleep with their head in the pages.

...of summer projects that just don't make the cut when our days are filled with school.

...so we'll enjoy the next few days to the fullest!

He works, we play...

We planned to be home this week...cooking camping food and going through camping gear. Instead, Nate found out last week that he'd have to be in SoCal on business and we tagged along.

We've done this business trip the last several years. It basically consists of the kids boogie boarding all day while Nate works and then scouting out good food and more beach fun after we pick him up.

~we found this little Italian restaurant on the PCH last year~

~delicious salads and pastas~

~fabulous cannoli~

and since we were only 1/2 block from the beach...

~after dinner walk along Sunset Beach~

~it started out as we'll walk along the beach as it gets dark...they were all fairly wet when all was said and done~

Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea--the Lord on high is mighty. Psalm 93:4

O LORD God of hosts, who is like You, O mighty LORD? Your faithfulness also surrounds You. You rule the swelling of the sea; When its waves rise, You still them. Psalm 89:8-9

When March was fun...

...because some of March simply doesn't fall under "fun". But the fun times are when I pull out the camera so here goes...

In early February the word no one ever wants to hear from their doctor knocked our family a little side ways as Nate's brother was diagnosed with cancer. The weeks that have followed have left us grateful that his leukemia should be treatable and with a new realization that God is bigger than a medical diagnosis and is carrying Josh and his wife and baby every step of the way! It makes So Cal feel far away when they're there and we're here!

We were able to go for a weekend visit with Nate's parents...

...baby.time...

The guys worked in the garden and helped with a few things outside.

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Enjoying family time and celebrating birthdays before my parents head off across the country to visit my sister....

Dad and Jake

 

Jake's on the move and playing with the big kids

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I am blessed by friends and family who, while walking tough paths, are putting their hope in the fact that God will one day set all things right and be VICTORIOUS! I have seen them trust in the Lord in such a way that gives Jesus the victory TODAY and His light shines ever so brightly in their lives!

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"He is a shield to those who walk in integrity" Proverbs 2:2:7b

Neighbor Baby...

Seems like the days fly by and we rarely just stop and play with Baby Jake...still if I had my way all my nephews would live right next door (and my nieces too:))!

I usually get these nice solemn stares from him so it's nice to have Kate around to help coax the smiles out.

Showing off his clapping~

Celebrate life TODAY!

November found us...

 ...studying hard so we can relax and enjoy Thanksgiving vacation.

...living in a cloud of dust due to all the orchard prep that's going on in the field across the road~I'm sayin' just plant the almond trees already!


...beginning a new tutoring program with Kate and seeing her put her heart and soul into improving her reading.

...thankful that Andrew and Clayton continue to step it up and take responsibility for their schoolwork that they can accomplish independently.

...having lunch with Nate where they spent the better part of an hour playing table football with the lids from their cups.

...hoping that the enthusiasm with which they practice their band instruments will one day be accompanied by skill as well.

...enjoying sweet fellowship of friends and family as we were once again reminded that having a small house is really lame reason to not practice hospitality. Praise God for gracious friends who come and hang out with us even when it's crowded and noisy!

...thankful that, although work is crazy busy due to moving into a new warehouse location, Nate still wants us to come have lunch with him.

...on a field trip with school friends to a local museum and mansion.

...enjoying the Christmas decorations and a break from the daily school routine.

...celebrating 14 years of being married to a man of integrity who daily chooses to walk through whatever God sets before him. So glad I get to spend my life with him!

...taking a picnic to the airport so the kids could fly with Grandpa.

...hitting the track and discovering that Evan likes to run. He ran a mile and a half, so Nathan is thinking after 13 years of pushing a jogging stroller the end is in sight.

...thankful that there is a garage where the drums can be played...can still hear them just fine from in the house!

...looking forward to the Christmas season!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! The word around here is they don't want dinner because they want to be so hungry tomorrow...thinkin' that would back fire on me about bedtime when they all decide they'd like to eat after all.