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.

Misc. Pictures of Madeline

I just love this picture of Madeline and Aunt Connie at Ruby's Diner in Cabazon! Madeline was just elated to be there...and was soon to indulge in that chocolate milkshake. That always makes me smile, too!


Madeline decided to dress herself this particular morning. She was upstairs for about 20 minutes and came down just bursting with delight. Notice how well everything matches! :) And she didn't forget to accessorize. That's my girl!


Jay and I were impressed with Madeline's representation of Gramma on the white board. She concentrated much of her energy into drawing the glasses and curly hair. I was concerned that there wasn't any nose, but that didn't seem to bother her.


We had a record-breaking heat wave pass through Valencia this week. With 103 degree heat, water play was almost necessary! So, we had some water balloon fights and ran through the sprinkler that we set up in our cul-de-sac. Madeline is pictured here with our friend and neighbor, Jadin.

2 Weeks of Bliss

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

You will want to pause the music while viewing this Scrapbook of Madeline and Mason's visit to Gramma and Grandpa's house.

First Big Day at Gramma's

This was M&M's first full day of their vacation at Gramma and Grandpa's house. Madeline told me this afternoon that she had a dream about coming home but didn't want to. I interpreted that to mean she's having a great time! We're all enjoying the break!

Easter 2008

Make a scrapbook - it's easy!

You will want to pause the music before you view this scrapbook.

Little Bunny Foofoo?

Grammie sent Madeline these adorable bunny ears! She's just had a bath and is sitting on her bed reading books wearing her new ears. Thank you Grammie!

The Playmate Song

You will want to pause the music before you view this video.

Salvation Mountain

This was an amazing...no, bewildering...no, outrageous...um, indescribable sight. This man-made mountain, located just outside Niland, CA, was constructed out of adobe and painted with myriad colors. The builder/artist, Leonard Knight, wanted to create a visual display of "outsider art" which includes Bible verses, the sinner's prayer and the Lord's prayer. He continues to add on to the mountain, constructing "caves" and walk-throughs which are also painted and exhibit his theme of "God is Love". Visit his website, http://www.salvationmountain.us/ if you're interested in seeing more of his work.

Our group was on the "golden road" up the mountain to catch a spectacular view of the sunset.

Father and son...a sweet moment. We went to look at "art" but found ourselves marveling at God's brilliant display of His own designs: the clouds look whispery and ideally painted on a canvas of blue, the sunset reflecting colors of orange, yellow and pink on our faces. Now that's beautiful!

This a full view of the original Salvation Mountain; the newest additions are off to the right and pictured below with Jay.

You can see how Leonard builds his caves. He literally uses wood, hay and stubble as the foundation for his walls and then paints over them. And you can witness the frailty of such resources as they have tried to keep walls from cracking and crumbling. What excellent imagery for I Corinthians 3:12-13, "Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man's work will become evident..."

Flowers, Ficketts and the Fair

This past weekend we relished some time with our dear friends and family in El Centro. We attended the city's annual Winter fair where funnel cakes, caramel corn, jumbo corndogs and cotton candy abound.

If only I had taken a video of this moment! This particular cow was mooing his heart out. Bill was demonstrating for the cow how to make dulcet sounds. All these cows (and pigs, sheep and goats) were being judged at the fair. The winners received ribbons and funding to continue their care of the animal.

Poor Madeline. She's going to think that all barns smell good, and all pens are spotless. What she needs is a good six months on a dairy farm!

One of the rides Madeline enjoyed was on a jumbo Dumbo. It is similar to the Dumbo ride at Disneyland, but with less restraint and more electrical cords showing. Right after this ride, the wind started blowing and cut short our fun day at the fair.

Pre-Reader

Madeline loves this book so much, she has memorized it and "reads" it to Mason. It is Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Eric Carle.

Happy 42nd, Daddy!

You will want to pause the music before you view this video.

We celebrate you today, Jay, an unequalled daddy and my beloved husband.

No need for one; he is one!

You will want to pause the music while you view this video.

This morning, Madeline saw Mason take his first steps and informed me that he was walking. At first I thought she meant he had taken one step, which he's been doing for a few days now. But she was insistent that he had taken three or four steps. When I turned around, he walked toward me...and I got to see him pass this milestone. I'm so thankful for video! Aren't you?

Our Valentine

We celebrated this morning with a fun breakfast (heart-shaped pancake with whipped cream, chocolate chips and strawberries) and a new book. Madeline doesn't quite understand why we're giving each other cards or eating yummy things, but she's enjoying the ride (or should I say sugar high). What she does understand is that we can show love to one another because Jesus first loved us and showed us how to express our love for others. That makes today all the more sweet.

Mason Makes His Mark

Our coffee table before Mason and the wooden ice cream toy...

Our table after Mason and the wooden ice cream toy. What will Daddy say when he comes home from work? (It won't be, "Good boy, Mason!")
Well, Daddy came home and saw the damage. Much to my surprise, he said, with great disappointment, "Oh well. I guess that goes along with having kids." Do you think now would be a good time to tell him I put a dent in the car door? :)

A Sunshiney Day in February

We have renamed our daughter. She is no longer Madeline; she is Stands With A Smile.

Mason is such a cutie. He loves being at the park. And although he didn't venture far from the blanket at first, he soon lost all reserve and ended up climbing on Madeline's tricycle. Before we know it, he'll be opening his own bank account.

Madeline helped her community today. She took a wet wipe and cleaned off all the bark and dirt at the bottom of the slide so the kids at the park wouldn't get their clothes dirty. She's a girl after my own heart!

If only he would stay this young...and clean. A mom can wish, can't she?

Let Them Make Cake!

These are my beautiful students who managed to sit through over 4 hours of instruction and still laugh and listen and then produce spectacular cakes. Brava, ladies!

Of course, what would a Wilton frosting recipe be without Crisco?

Voila! The "Christmas" cake, as Amanda coined it. I think it looks great in her signature grey/blue shell border and red tri-dots.

Amber was ready to chow down! But she refrained and let others enjoy the beauty of her hard work. And she has a funny story that accompanies the green balloon behind her. When you see her, ask her about it.

Jen was about to drop this cake it became so heavy with frosting. She did a fantastic job of smoothing out the frosting and then decorating it herself. Well done!