Ice Skating with Faith Kids

Our Faith Kids class had a field trip to the local ice rink today. Madeline was excited, although tentative about actually skating on the ice. I reassured her that all the children would be learning how to skate, and most of the mommies, too. We were about to walk in the door for our icy adventure.


The ice rink provided these "helpers" for first-time skaters. We were so thankful for some stability, and Madeline only fell once the whole day.


There was a wonderful pile of ice shavings provided for the kids to play in. They could make snowballs or just enjoy throwing the snow at each other. Madeline spent a good portion of the time here not even aware of how wet her clothes were getting.


Here's our little skater. She did really well.

The kids were ready for their much anticipated snack break of hot cocoa and chocolate chip cookies. I consoled myself, while gobbling up my cookie, that I had burned enough calories on the ice to indulge with the kids. Is that willful ignorance?

Reformed...for the evening

This year Madeline dressed up as a sunflower and Mason went out as a spider. Our theme was "Things You Find in a Garden".


Every garden needs a scarecrow...and of course a gardener.


Jay played tricks on some of the neighborhood kids. As they reached down for their treats from the basket, he "woke up" and scared them. Some of them ran away crying. It was fantastic! By far, he was the best looking scarecrow I've ever seen...or kissed for that matter!

More Pumpkin Patch pics

This is Madeline and her classmate, Kelly. Too cute.


There was a long, wooden train that all the kids were climbing on and through. Madeline is pictured here on the caboose.


There were no tears about getting on this pony! Madeline was elated about her ride and she kept affectionately petting her pony telling him, "Good job, Pony."


"Where we're headed, nobody knows." Madeline on the wooden train.

Pumpkin Patch field trip

On Monday, October 20, 2008, our Faith Kids preschool class went to Underwood Family Farms and pumpkin patch. They had sunflower fields, gourds, livestock, organic vegetables, play structures and of course, pumpkins. All the kids had a great time and Madeline was a delight...and delighted.


Our group was just about to embark on the tractor trailer ride through the farm.


Every child got to choose a Sugarbaby pumpkin upon completing the trailer ride. Madeline's was tall with a nice stem.


The kids loved climbing up and down this haystack. Of course, some of the more aggressive ones would have started playing "King of the Hill" if we weren't watching.


These are just a few of Madeline's classmates, all sweet children.


We rode down to the Farm with this gal, Savannah, and her mom. Madeline and Savannah hung out together most of the day and will be great pals in school.

Whitney

Steph and Whitney in 2006






Whitney in 2006



Whitney in 2007, right before she left for Albania



Whitney in 2007

Some of you may know of my niece, Whitney, and the accident she had with her right eye about 2 weeks ago. Whitney is 9 and lives in Albania with my sister, brother-in-law and their other 3 girls. Please pray for her. Although she returned from the hospital in Turkey with a somewhat-recovered eye, the eye has worsened. My sister and bro-in-law are working now (Tuesday, Sept. 16) to get her to a hospital, preferably in London or Houston. We are confident that God is not only NOT surprised by this news, but this has been His plan all along. We are also steadfast in our faith that the God who created Whitney's eye can heal it by a word from His mouth, if He deems it best. So, we are not despairing or wavering in our commitment to God's goodness or sovereignty. We have another opportunity to trust Him, plead with Him for little Whitney, and be at rest that He will direct our steps.



Whitney in 2004



Whitney in San Diego in 2004



In Houston in 2006



Whitney in 2004



Whitney in Montgomery, TX in 2004







Whitney at home in TX in 2006







Ready for school in 2006

In mid-August, my dad and his wife took our family and Amanda's two sons (including a friend) to a friend's house in Carmel. We were overwhelmed by the beauty of the house as well as the coast. We all enjoyed 6 days together, playing games and having devotionals. What memories!
This photo was taken several years ago but gives you an accurate perception of the house's happy situation, not to mention its grandeur.



This is the view of the front porch from the front entry of the house. It was lush with plants and beautiful hydrangeas.



You can see the house from the back deck, here.



It was hard not to just sit and try to take in the vast beauty and reckless coastline of the ocean. We enjoyed mild weather and glorious sunsets.



You can see Amanda's older son, Sean, on one of the top decks, and Ryan, Amanda's younger son, in the foreground. Every room had it's own balcony that overlooked the ocean.

Celebrating Kate

Kate's Mom, Sheri, put on the most delightful birthday for Kate and her friends. It was a "breakfast tea in your pajamas" with the cake being a stack of Belgian waffles. There was watercolor painting and frozen yogurt popsicles, too. Madeline just loves her best friend, Kate.

How Many Candles Do You Count?

We celebrated our dear friend's birthday, belatedly, at the end of July. (Belatedly would be the key characteristic of my blog.) She looks more beautiful every year! And we're blessed to be a part of her life, to be called her friends.

Reality Check

You know those moments when you realize something monumental is happening in your life? Yesterday was one of those moments for me. Madeline started preschool. Our little girl is growing up! As for the preschool, it's a co-op program where I will attend school with her (and actually be her teacher for Lesson time) at a local church. We're really looking forward to our special school time with each other. And I guess we'll be growing up together, too.

P.S. I know I haven't posted any pictures from our summer. I hope to do that before the end of the year!

Not Pictured: The Delight of My Heart

On May 14th, Salem Communications held a dinner at The Four Seasons hotel in Thousand Oaks. The key-note speaker was John, and Salem gave a copy of his latest book, A Tale of Two Sons, to each person. The president of Salem is Ed Atsinger, the father of my college friend, Ted. (We were on the same short-term mission trip to Italy in 1996. Ted finished at TMC and went on to study at Oxford where he met his wife. Now he's working for the Department of Defense doing undercover missions in Iraq.)


John's 25 minute message was on being a slave to Christ. It was foundational...and one of the best messages I've ever heard.
As wonderful as it was to hear John, I think the best part of the evening was being with Jay. He is so proficient, so masterful and adept at his work, and truly admired by fellow workers; I was bursting with pride and love for him. I mean, I've always known how amazing he is; I was glad to see how many other people are aware of it, too.

MOPS Mother's Day dinner

Pictured here are my table leader, Bonnie, and me, and my mentor mom, Debbie. Bonnie's husband is attending The Master's Seminary; they have 2 preschool-aged boys. Debbie works in the medical field and has 3 grown children and 2 grandchildren. We've had a wonderful time ministering to each other this semester.


This is my friend and college dorm-mate, Joy. We were both surprised to find ourselves reunited at MOPS and sharing most of the same trials and triumphs of raising preschoolers. She and her husband both attended The Master's College and still attend Grace Community Church. They have 2 beautiful children.


Our key-note speaker at the Mother's Day dinner was Pat Holt. I was shocked to discover that she was a former employer of mine! When I was a senior in college, I wanted some substituting experience in a Christian school. I interviewed with her at West Valley Christian Academy in Winnetka. She not only hired me the same day, but asked me if could serve in one of the Kindergarten rooms...right then! She'd had a teacher call in a few minutes before I had my interview. So I can't say for certain that she hired me for my potential; she was just desperate! Anyway, she is an outstanding speaker, funny and poinant. We had a great time that night.

Blue-eyed Boy

Jay took this picture of Mason while we were playing outside. Mason wasn't too happy about having to stop what he was doing (destroying) to look at Daddy.