Thankful Smiles

It is really sweet to see a child's joyful gratitude in response to acts of kindness.
(I gotta enjoy it, cuz the rest of the day...y'know, boys will be boys!)


"t(h)ank you!"

Speechless on Sunday

When the boys and I drove away from the house this morning, I shared with them that I had to pray about "what we should do" before our afternoon plans. One of the possible errands was to go to Henry's and buy some fruit, so I wouldn't have to run out tonight after they were in bed.

We did not end up going to the grocer.
I got a phone call when we are at the birthday party, and my aunt asked if I could stop by her place on the way home to pick up some fruit they picked up for us.
"Sure" I said, "that was sweet of you".
(It didn't occur to me at that moment that God was working through her and her husband).

I was humbled when I saw what they were giving us. This was such a large expression of kindness.
I asked them what led them to do this?
Steve said, "Times are tough for everyone. We were at Costco and decided to get extra [to share]".

My dear husband said, "Wow" when he opened the trunk to unload,

"The generosity of your family and extended family is endless".

Thank you Auntie Letty and Uncle Steve

Tail End of Friday

okay...twelve hours since my post this morning. i am tired. Yaaawn!
[can't help but think about how i dramatacize things when i reread that post.]

turned out to be a good day...
~had some quiet time to read a bit
~took care of a couple of important errands (closed my joint accounts for our children, and created the KIDS bank accounts. it's official.)
~some fellowship with friends
~enjoyed my children

now, cozying up in super comfy sheets sounds good...

Friday Five

1. Y'know when there is just an overwhelming feeling of gratitude?

2. I am feeling that right now. I pray that I choose to keep my heart in such a state. It can be so fleeting. The heart can be so fickle - one moment to the next.

3. Many thoughts run through my mind. At a moment, I think of Cory's friend, Keith Beasley, and the progress he's made through this coma. I am amazed at God's sovereignty, that He is in control. In my line of work, I have served adults who are in a coma and who can not breath without a machine helpting them. I have not been so blessed to have seen the type of progress that Keith is making. What an honor, to have the opportunity to pray and to read about this miracle unraveling.

To read Keith's story or join his family in prayer, go to click here http://www.caringbridge.org/ and then at "website" type in keithbeasley

4. There is so so much more. So much that my heart wells up.

Thank you to my extended family in the Philippines for sharing my mom and dad with me. I know that you are loving "growing old together with my parents", who are visiting so often these past years. I am learning to move beyond my selfishness that wants them to be in the United States.

Thank you Lord for the blessing of my mom-in-love, for her steadfast decision to Love. 5. I am so flawed...by the time you speak to me, or see me, i'll probably let a little complaint out of my mouth....forgive me...at least i captured the thankful heart "in the moment".

Marvelous Monday

Our usual family day picnic lunch was moved to the oceanfront. It was looking to be 90 degrees inland, so what better respite than our favorite mini-beach???

great choice! lots of seashells to collect, sea anemones to explore, enjoy the waves as the tides come in.

This brought back many a memory for my dear husband and I. We shared with our kids how we spent much time on this beach, cove and tidepools about 20 years ago. We both were bio majors, which included environmental research classes - studying hermit crab migration, sea anemone congregations, and more and more. What a beautiful place to be studying in the outdoors.

Last Five

Some of my friends are familiar with this one- come on out and play. My last five google searches are...
5. Butterfly perch (just trying to find a synonym for a butterfly landing) 4. Berean locations
3. The Cross movie Blessitt showtimes (heard it was good! started March 27)
2. Vinagrette recipe (Pete and I are eating more salads)
1. Dino Mountain Wild Animal Park Photos (starts May 23rd!)

Happy Hair

What a fun crazy hair bunco night! We all could let our hair down and enjoy.

Underwater world

I am REALLY enjoying this week of spring vacation. Just a little taste of summer fun! this week, we've been hiking, butterflying, to the bay, and now an arctic adventure. sliding out of an arctic cave:
Facing the beluga:

A flutter of butterflies

Runaway Jeep! where's the driver going? One of my favorite traditions of the Easter and Spring season is visiting a butterfly garden. We started in 2006 and often are fortunate to get up close and personal.

This butterfly was friendly enough to perch on many a finger

Monkeying Around

There is so much to do around the bay! What a place to hang out - picnicking, filling buckets with sand, wading, throwing the nerf ball back and forth, bicycling, climbing and sliding on the playground. A great way to spend time with dear friends.

Monday Morning Hike

What a view to take in and rest at after our morning hike.
We hiked out on Easter Monday on a trail Daddy had previously explored with buddies

Here's the peak of our trail before we headed back

tired legs hitch rides

see you again soon lake beauty

Easter Recap

We woke up Easter morning to a beautiful day with clear skies. We were Blessed that dear husband had been given this day off (requested it off in November)...so we slept in a little. After reading the Easter story, the kids get to head straight for an indoor easter egg hunt. They were running out their bedroom door :)
We enjoyed breakfast together, and were excited that Lola and Lolo joined us at church. It was an unexpected blessing we discovered the night before. Coffee and donuts while waiting for service to start - yum.

The message "Easter is for You" spoke to us personally. Pete and I recommitted our lives to Jesus, as did my father, with mom by our sides (maybe she did too - God knows). After brunch with Marn & Steve, we headed to the usual beach stop we venture to with Lolo and Lola. There was a strong ocean wind and it was COLD. Hence, my only picture on Easter is wearing a borrowed black jacket covering my easter dress...oh well, not a big deal. Our fun day of activities ended with another Easter egg hunt...(then a nap for me!). Eggs in fun places. This one said, "That Easter egg hunt was easter-rific!":

Happy Resurrection Day!

He is not here. He is risen just as He said.
Matthew 28:6

Six on Stay at home Saturday

1. Each Easter Season, the boys pose in this "tomb" with the stone rolled away.... 2. We spent the day between Good Friday and Ressurection Sunday preparing for Easter Fun by...

3. by drawing Easter decorations (Our older son's suggestion that we color because we have few decorations)

4. Juicing grapes and sipping something like what Jesus may have shared when fellowshipping with His friends.5. Decorating Eggs - we emptied a couple of eggs and decorated them with glitter! since it took so long to "blow" out the eggs, we hard boiled the rest and decorated with lots of colors.

6.Making a Resurrection Bread for tomorrow's breakfast...it's NOT pretty...nor crafty nor creative! we baked a breakfast bread, then cut it and carved it into a tomb shape with a "stone rolled away".

Five on Good Friday

1. What a blessing that we were able to remember Jesus this Good Friday with my parents. They read the boys the story of the First Easter. At the part where Jesus died on the cross, the boys, snuffed out the final candle of our cross-shaped candles.
2. We enjoyed Story Time with Ms. Dawn at Berean Christian Bookstore. This has been the 3rd Easter Season we enjoyed Ms. Dawn telling the story of atonement and Resurrection day. I pray that this tradition will continue year after year.
3. Sometimes the wishes we have for ourselves are a lot smaller that those God has for us.
4. Since the fall season, it's been a blessing to spend time almost monthly with Grandma, Al, Aunt Sammie, Uncle Mike, Aunt Cindy, or Uncle Don.
and
5. Although we missed my parents through birthdays (mine, Aidon, dad, mom), holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Valentines) --- they have returned in time for us to remember together the greatest gift.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17 NIV

Palm Sunday

I mentioned before that I was looking forward to adding new traditions this year.

On Palm Sunday, we started a countdown to Good Friday. On a black construction paper cross, six candles were lit. We extinguish one candle each day and on Good Friday the final candle would be extinguished.

At church, we each learned the story of Jesus riding the donkey into Jerusalem with the crowds waving palm branches yelling "Hosannah!". The boys were to take turns riding a "donkey" down the hallway while we wave construction paper palm branches yelling Hosannah!

BOTH of them were very embarrassed to play the role, even though it was just the four of us.

it must be overwhelming to pretend to be the King of Kings ;)

Back to the old routine

With Lolo and Lola's first day back in town, the grandkids just expected to jump back into the routine -- to go to the usual beach for a walk and hanging out with Lolo and Lola.

Another JUMP
dig. bury. find. build.

quick pose

back 2 exploring

A welcome arrival

It was with great pleasure that we all received my parents return from their travels!! the vacation was extended from february to march then march to april. we were beginning to wonder if there would actually be a return date. It is customary that Filipinos bring balikbayan when they go to visit as well as when they return. Here's just a portion of what my parents brought to share. The family room was empty and clean before they returned.

The most precious and well received gift was their presence. We are so glad they arrived safely and that they were healthy enough to travel. We all missed their company dearly.

-cheek to cheek-

They flew into the L A airport then drove back home. So, the kids were woken up close to midnight to say hello

it didn't take long before the grogginess wore off

Lolo was surprised when we all said goodnight, that the boys invited themselves to fall asleep next to him!

Welcome Home Lolo and Lola