Fifty Years!

On Saturday, I flew out to Littleton, CO to celebrate the 50th Wedding Anniversary of my Uncle Glenn and Aunt Barb. It was short (I returned Sunday morning), but amazingly sweet.-- THANK YOU to my super star hubby who not only encouraged me to go by booking my flight; he also held down the fort, AND I returned to a clean home. My Uncle Glenn and Aunt Barb didn't just celebrate 50 years of matrimony, they celebrated 50 years of love for God, one another, family and others. They're both incredible people. I was born in Colorado and had the blessing of being close (geographically) to my Uncle G and Aunt B until we moved out to California the fall of my first grade school year. They've made it to all of my school graduations, my wedding, and important events in my family's lives. As my two cousins, Beth and Trish, shared about their parents' lives, I couldn't help but shed a few joyful tears. Thinking of all the people they have impacted really overwhelmed me. Uncle Glenn is a spectacular Christ follower, husband, and dad. Aunt B is a wife and woman of noble character. They have touched SO many lives and their 50th anniversary was an exciting day for so many.

Here are a few things that stick out in my mind about this wonderful couple that just celebrated 50 years...

- Uncle Glenn quotes and knows Bible scripture more than anyone I know... he doesn't just say the words, he lives them too.

- Aunt B warmly welcomes all into her home and as Uncle G always says, "She's a good cooker and a good looker".

- I LOVE how Uncle G always brags about his wife and his family... When I got to their home before the party, he gave me a big bear hug and said, "We're so happy you could make it. We're celebrating our FIRST fifty years" (Okay, I'm tearing up again...).

- They are awesome grandparents. To my knowledge, they have made it to almost all of their grandkids (they have 6 from ages 10-18) events (soccer games, races, dance recitals, plays, etc.).

- They love Jesus and they love people. They're not perfect, there have been some really rough times for their family, but they have built a legacy of amazing love.

So, that's it. I could go on and on about sweet memories and how much respect and love I have for Uncle G and Aunt B, but I'll stop at this. A verse that my Uncle G tells me almost every time I see him...

It is good to give thanks to the LORD,

And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning,
And Your faithfulness every night, (Psalm 92:1-2)

Our Pets Heads are Falling Off!

Yes, an oldie but a goodie. I have always been a huge fan of Dumb and Dumber, and to this day, I still use some of the wonderful quotes from Lloyd and Harry.

I'm super grateful for all that God has given my family and I... as you can see from my previous post, we are beyond blessed. I do have to say I've found myself thinking and even saying as of late, "Our pets HEADS are FALLING OFF!!!"...

Between our house and our health, I feel as if it's been survival mode since Juliette was born. I'm happy to say that we're all healthy (mostly, girls are only sniffling now) and there are no house horrors going on at this point. This has been an awesome week actually; Jackson has spring break. Hopefully, it will be smooth sailing for the next few months. AND, we don't really have or want any pets so there are no falling heads to worry about...

He's Faithful

God is faithful. God provides. I know this... often on a head level, but in this season of life it's been penetrating my heart. This morning during my prayer time, I got on my knees and prayed that Jackson would have his job for next year. There's more-- I prayed specifically (and this is the first time I've been this specific, Jackson was told he should know soon- no later than the end of the month) that he would find out today, be it God's will. Jackson just called me and told me his principal came into his room no less than 30 minutes ago to talk with him. Jackson has his job for next year.

Belle's First Snow!

Belle went up to a snow park yesterday (Sugar Bowl) with her cousin AJ, Grammy, and "Tati" Shannon. She had a blast! She made a snowman, rode a sleigh, tubed, and even boarded. It was her first time to the snow. Jackson and I have not made it up one season since she's been born, but I'm hoping to make a family trip next season. It will be so fun to snowboard with Belle as she gets older.

Easter through Belle's Eyes

"God's not dead! Yeah! He is Al-i-i-ve!" Belle has been running around the house singing this song every day for the past week or so. I know that she is young and cannot fully comprehend all that's involved in the meaning of Easter just yet, but it is amazing how we are talking about Jesus' death and resurrection and how Belle is understanding that it is an incredible way that God chose to save us. We have this Bible, which I LOVE LOVE LOVE called the Jesus Storybook Bible, and Belle enjoys reading stories out of this book often. Lately, she's asked to read the story of Jesus' death and resurrection and she gets so excited when she sees the angel telling Mary Magdalene and the other women that Jesus is not dead anymore. Through Belle, God has given me a fresh and new song in my heart, "God's not dead! YEAH!!!! He IS ALIVE!!!"

Things I've Done and Want to Do

In February (around my 29th birthday) I started writing a list of things I'd like to do and I am finally getting around to completing it. My friend Mandy wrote a post about her Bucket List recently which inspired me to publish my own.

As I began to nail down 29 things I want to do before I die (but really, sooner than later), I started to think about all that I've been able to experience. God has really given me the privilege of living a full and exciting life so far... SO I am going to share 29 things I've done (some things that I would like to do again, given the chance) and 29 things I'd like to do... let's say in the next decade (or beyond).

Things I've Been Able to Do (in no particular order):

1. Go to Europe (I went to Romania on a mission trip in the summer of 1996)

2. Go to Hawaii (I have been to The Big Island and Oahu numerous times; I even para-sailed during my last stay in 2005)

3. Go to Australia (I've been twice, I was even able to snowboard during our- America's- summer)

4. Go to Japan (summer of 1994 for a week, even flew Business Class)

5. Live on the beach (Newport Summer Project with Campus Crusade 2001)

6. Learn to surf (I minored in this :-) during my college years at UC Santa Barbara)

7. Run a half marathon (La Jolla, CA Spring 2002)

8. Wake board (in Colorado and California)

9. Walk on the beach with someone I love (Jackson- Santa Barbara, San Diego, Monterey, Carmel, Santa Cruz...)

10. Vacation on the beach (Silver Strand- San Diego, CA 2003)

11. Go to Vegas (visited mother-in-law a few times, even won some $ playing Craps)

12. Get married in a beautiful garden to my best friend (Walnut Creek, CA 2004)

13. Attend Bill Bright's Memorial Service (Fort Collins, CO- 2003)

14. Resign from a job I don't like (got out of sales and started to become a teacher, 2008)

15. Get my teaching credential to teach K-6 (2009)

16. Get my Master's degree (Best Practices in Education, 2009)

17. Go night snorkeling (Catalina Island, 1999)

18. Visit a castle (Transylvania, 1994)

19. Learn piano (I played from ages 4-16)

20. Play soccer (I played competitively until my Junior year in high school, and I've played for fun off and on since then...)

21. Give birth/become a parent (2 times so far, this list is in very random order because my birth experiences are two of the most important in my life)

22. Go roller-blading (lots in Newport Beach, Santa Barbara, and even the Bay Area)

23. Sleep under the stars (yea for camping)

24. Swing on a rope swing into a swimming hole (Yellowstone National Park, 90s)

25. Fire a gun (Austin, TX- 2003)

26. Stay at a quaint bed and breakfast (Honeymoon at Carmel by the Sea, 2004)

27. Skateboard (did this in Newport Beach and actually skateboarded all around believe it or not, 2001)

28. Save someone's life (physically, rescued a boy as a lifeguard and resuscitated 1999; have shared in friends and even strangers accepting Jesus as their Savior throughout my life)

29. Help build a house (Habitat for Humanity, 1995)

Things I Want to Do (again, in no particular order):

1. Save more people (I want to help others get [or better]a personal relationship with Jesus)

2. Do a triathlon

3. Go to Kauai and Maui (I want to see the sunrise at Haleakala in Maui- see post picture)

4. Go to New Zealand

5. Go to Israel (I'd love to see Jerusalem and Nazareth)

6. Go on an Alaskan cruise (see a glacier fall into an iceberg and whale watch)

7. Have our kids sponsor a child on their 4th birthday and regularly write to the child (Jackson and I have been talking about something like this for awhile, and thank Mandy for the details on this action item!)

8. Ride a horse (on the beach if possible)

9. Snowboard in Colorado (and visit family while I'm there)

10. Wake board for a whole weekend (at least 2 days in a row)

11. Visit Prince Edward Island (ode to Anne of Green Gables :-) )

12. Hang glide

13. Take my kids blueberry picking in Oregon- visit with family and friends while we're there (I used to do this every summer with family as a kid)

14. Go to the East Coast (I've been a lot of places, but I've only been to the east coast for 1. a lay over in NJ on my way to Romania, 2. to visit Lindsey for a few days in WV, and 3. a Crusade Staff conference in FL). I want to visit historical places... specifically, I want to see New York, South Carolina, and Washington D.C.

15. Go somewhere special with Jackson for our 10 year anniversary for at least 3 days (July 2014).

16. Indoor skydive (like here )

17. Kayak in Half Moon Bay, CA

18. Do a girls' weekend with my 3 sisters (maybe attend a retreat together?)

19. Go on a mission trip with my kids (hopefully we'll do lots of these)

20. Take a dance class (like hip-hop or something... yeah I better do this one soon ;-) )

21. Ride a hot air balloon

22. Snorkel somewhere I haven't yet (tropical... maybe on the Kauai/Maui trip)

23. Swim with dolphins (Hawaii trip again?)

24. Live in a place (hopefully our next home) that gets a ton of natural light

25. Speak at a moms or marriage engagement

26. Jump with moon shoes (this is getting random, but I've always wanted to do this...)

27. Kiss Jackson behind a waterfall (this can happen in Kauai perhaps)

28. Ice skate on a frozen pond (maybe on my east coast trip?)

29. White water raft (Grade 4)

Juliette Grace

We're having Juliette dedicated at church on Mother's Day. She's already 5 months... by May, she'll be 7 months. I can't remember life without her, but I also can't believe she's been outside of me for about half of a year. Here's what's happening with Baby J:
- She's working on sitting by herself

- She loves to jump and constantly tries to stand

- At her last check up in February, she weighed 16 lbs. 6 oz.

- She's around 26 inches

- Belle is her hero (she constantly wants to be around her, see her, etc.)

- Her eyes are still blue

- Her hair looks crazy (semi-toupe, see picture)

- She's just starting to eat rice cereal (it's been offered to her for over a month)... she'll be trying new food (bananas? pears?) this week

- She loves baths

- She laughs out loud when you tickle her (and she laughed pretty hard when Belle was doing some silly antics yesterday)

- Something Jax and I say often, "She doesn't ask for much..."

- She's allowed me to know more of God's love and grace