Bonfire

All of us, after an evening with cool weather, bonfire, moonlight reflecting on the bay, s'mores roasting, and fireworks

Enjoying the sunset

digging holes in the sand

Skipping rocks in the moonlight

Fireworks display: an welcome surprise

Precious Life

A nice afternoon welcoming our friend's newest addition, a baby girl, to the world!

A 2010 Favorite

My mom and I

Earlier this year, my husband, kids, and, were talking about our hopes of seeing our favorite artists in concert in 2012. We spoke of each of the boys' favorites: Toby Mac and Stephen Curtis Chapman. Both in concert in San Diego, yet arriving before we could save enough.

What an answered prayer that one of our family's favorite bands was coming to San Diego, and for an outreach -- a free concert!

I was so excited when I heard that Mike's Chair, the artist of my favorite 2010 song, "Let the waters rise", was coming to San Diego to sing!

Just before the start of the concert with our family friends

Lolo and Lola were interested in joining, and really enjoyed themselves too 

Buddies

Pete and I were able to get their autographs afterwards!

You are someone worth dying for

Pulled Molasses

It's the first week of summer break, and our family reading is the first book in the Little House series. The boys enjoyed hearing about the candy that Pa, Ma, and the girls made.

The boys called their Lola and asked if they could make it with her. She was so gracious, and we were at her place in a few hours.

stirring the pot

The final step is allowing the melted molasses syrup to cool. It was fun shaping it into twists, squiggles and shapes. The boys and their friends were blessed when they shared the home made candies with others at church the next day.

Poolside with Pals

Enjoying our first week of summer by the pool with friends

Summer Baptism June 2012

I feel glad when we drive by the shores and my boys ask, "When do the baptisms start?" I feel thankful that they associate summer with coming together as a community of believers to eat, fellowship, and celebrate when others publicly show their belief in Jesus Christ.

Our boys enjoy digging holes til they hit sea water below, see the worms, and collect sand crabs

Good company of friends is such a blessing and adds joy

Worshipping then listening to what Jesus says about baptism

crab habitats just before it's time to worship

the boys like to "war with the waves" anytime, even amongst those being baptised

Blessed to witness our friend's baptism

look how his light shine, and the glow of joy of his family

another special moment to see our friend baptised

and yet one more precious memory


Truly, a blessed time in the Lord

Smiles

It is good to gather, laugh, and smile with old friends. Rekindling. Reconnecting.

First Day of Summer 2012

 The First Official day of summer means hitting the beach with friends, rain or shine, cold or hot! We played for a couple hours, then hit the indoor play area :-) still memorable

Last day of school

Celebrating the "official" last day of the year with our school mates! An afternoon of swim followed by munching. The kids and parents all looked forward to this with anticipation!

It was sweet to see them so chatty together

each of them into the conversation

Buddies

Retreat

This past academic year, I was truly blessed to be mentored by Jan through her bible study (Genesis then James). This group of women, for me, have truly been an example of Titus 2. For me personally, this past year has been a sweet time with the Lord.

Bible Study Retreat 2012 

The Lord provided a way for me to join in on this mountain retreat through an invitation to receive a scholarship. I felt that the Lord was pursuing me, because early in the year, I purposed to not ask a word about any women's retreats this year.  I decided I wasn't going to a retreat this year. God's plan unfolded, and it was clear He definitely wanted me there, and He met me there. This was my first time to attend a retreat and feel weights lifting off my shoulders, the chatter of the mind going silent, and to truly feel His peace fill my heart. At past retreats, God has met me, and shown me his great Love for me. But on this walk with the Lord, I began to feel His peace.

I am grateful

Happy Birthday

My uncle and aunt were visiting with us, and gave us Disney clothes. I shared my appreciation and that we would surely wear them to Disneyland when we go in 2013. This quickened my uncle's heart to open a conversation about the magical kingdom. I shared that we've been saving to go to Disney since our last visit, which was about 3 years ago. He and my aunt were so kind to give us passes to Disneyland!

It is hard to describe how surreal that was to receive such a generous gift. Even a week later, Pete and I still spoke of how it was "still hitting us." It meant we, old disney-fans, could visit this year rather than next. More than that, the love behind it, and how the gift is ultimately from the Lord is what hits. God knows each of us so well.

We decided to double the joy and celebrate a birthday at Disneyland!

the birthday cake

Excited about the treasure 

Here's the birthday boy!

A favorite ride: astro blasters

We all finished well

In the Nemo Submarine

lunch stop: pizza!

autopia

on the boat to a Small World

It's a small world after all

It's a small small world

Beautiful fireworks to end the day