A much needed update...

How quickly our days, weeks, and months fill...

Nov.
Jarrett finished up football. They made the playoffs!
David's grandfather passed away on Thanksgiving day. Jarrett still misses him and talks about him consistently. We visited the USS Midway museum for a school field trip this week, and he said, "I wish great-grandpa could come back for just one day to see this."

Dec.
What a glorious time of year! I love Christmas time, especially focusing on the true gift of Christmas, Jesus Himself! We enjoyed time with the family and each other.

Jan.
Jarrett turned 8 (where does time go?), so we took a family trip to Disneyland! It was soooo much fun! Jarrett started basketball with a recreational league focused on building skills and having fun! He enjoys it, but insists he wants to play tackle football this year! And David definitely wants his boy to play football! :) David and Jarrett have gone fishing a couple of times - they sure enjoy the lake! I have been busy balancing everything - but life is good! God is good!

And tomorrow is February ... sigh.

Upcoming Events:
Ducks Unlimited Banquet Dinner - March 20
Women's Retreat :) - May
Greenwing Event (DU) - July (TBA)

Melissa

Happy Thanksgiving!

Give thanks to God. Eat lots of turkey and pie. Love your family.

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours.

VOTE!

Please vote! I urge you to vote YOUR values and beliefs...not what this world says is 'right.' Most importantly, PRAY! Pray for discernment as you vote and for this nation!

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Happy Fall!

I love the change of seasons. Where we live, there isn't a drastic change in weather, but each season arrives with a change in focus.

For me, Fall is a time to start preparing our hearts for the great celebration of Christmas, Christ's birth. What better to prepare us than thanksgiving?

Psalm 100:4-5

"Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations."

No matter what happens in our homes, in this county, in this economy, in this world, we have the truth and promises of our faithful Father in heaven - His everlasting mercy, a living hope, an undefiled, incorruptible inheritance, a place reserved for us in Heaven for those who choose Him. I am thankful for these promises ... for I know I have a BIG God who can (and has) overcome all things ... what else REALLY matters?

What are you thankful for?

You know you are a paranoid Mom when…

You didn’t let the nurses leave the hospital room with your newborn-son unless Daddy followed…

You let your son sleep in your bedroom until he was three, fearing something terrible could happen…

You took Child Development courses to become a preschool teacher so you didn’t have to send him to preschool without you…

You can’t imagine sending your son to Kindergarten FIVE DAYS A WEEK, so you home-school two days…

You go get your seven (and a half, you cannot forget the half)-year-old son a cell phone for his first “official” play-date without Mom.

I just kissed my son good-bye - leaving with his buddy to watch a high-school football game – brand new (pay as you go) cell phone in his pocket. We were both nervous and excited, but wholly trusting the Lord.

Am I paranoid? Over-protective? Some may think so. But I feel I have followed my heart’s leading, cherishing these precious childhood years – doing the best I know how in this journey called 'Motherhood.'

He is growing so fast. I know it won’t be long before he is driving to the high-school football game on his own. Redeem the time, I say again, redeem the time…

A picture from the first day of Second Grade…

Summer

Summer has proven to be as fast-paced as every other season of the year! We have been keeping busy...

David has been working, and working out! (check out his 'fitness photo' on my new photography blog, link at left, woo-hoo). He has really been dedicated and has recently started playing racquetball to add some cardio. He loves it. He purchased a new racquet - who knew there was such a BIG difference? Technology - it is so far reaching! The three of us went to the gym last Sunday afternoon and played together...well, David attempted to teach us how to play. It was fun! Way better than walking a treadmill for 30 minutes!

Jarrett has been a busy boy. He finished up 1st grade and attended a six-week literacy program at his school. He made knew friends, and we learned more about his learning style/needs. He has enjoyed spending time with family and friends, going to the beach, swimming, and just started football again - after some persuasion! He is doing so well this year! Actually, the entire team has progressed -- maybe they will win some games this season! Raffle Tickets Anyone? $2 each ... LOL! :)

I have been busy, too. Between home, work, school, creating a new photography blog/business, preparing to teach an outdoor photography class, and a handful of photography sessions/events, I am one stretched woman! While it keeps me going (and going), all of these things are such a blessing in my life. I don't think I would change any of it. I appreciate that I have been called and equipped to minister in different ways. Redeem (make the most of) the time, Eph. 5:16.

Oh yeah, Jarrett and I spent yesterday afternoon at Boomers! We had such a good time...go-karts (6x), bumper boats (x2), ferris wheel, tea-cups (x3), swings, miniature golf, arcades, pizza, and ICEE! What a day! He came in this morning and gave me a big hug..."Thank you, Mama, for the best day ever yesterday!" The joy of motherhood...

God bless.

Seattle...

Aaaahh. Makes me want to sit and sip a sweet cup of coffee! I loved my cup of java so much I had to take a picture of it. I am sure the ambiance of the morning had a lot to do with it ... but I thought I would share anyway...isn't it cute?


We had a lovely time in Seattle. David was in meetings the majority of the time, but Jarrett and I had fun! And it didn't rain! I love the 'adventure' of exploring a new place.

Our hotel was in the downtown shopping district (good thing for David I don't like to shop!) I think this shot below captures the 'feel' of downtown ... I loved the trees and the art ... lots of art everywhere. Did you know that every new building in Seattle must commit 1% of its design to art?? More details and photos to come ...