Team Pipkin Family

Bowling with the Daisy Troop...

2012-01-16T20:54:00.001-08:00

since it was a holiday...we decided to go bowling with our daisy troop. this is the second time we've gone bowling with our troop. it was a good time had by all. after we were done we got some chocolate chip cookies from the vending machine & came home to have milk and cookies.

right now its "Cookie Time"...we started officially selling girl scout cookies last friday. we went selling door to door that day. did a few more on saturday. got a call back from the door hanger that we left behind. which was FABULOUS! tomorrow we are going to go across the street and then i think we will be done. we are suppose to get rain on wednesday so we will send the order form with dad to work on that day. tomorrow i have bible study and i know a few of my friends will order. our goal is to sell 160 before january 29th. my girl wants the 100th commemorative bracelets. we are having so much fun selling cookies that everyone loves.

A Confident Heart...

2012-01-13T15:04:00.000-08:00

is anyone doing the online book & bible study that starts on monday with Renee Swope?

i am so excited for this to begin. i was even more excited when this afternoon i received an email saying i won a book from Renee's blog giveaway. YAY!

right now on amazon they have The 7-Day Doubt Diet from Renee ebook for FREE. its the devotional to the book. its NOT a diet book. i see some people gave it some bad reviews thinking it was a diet book.

Are you joining the online study?

Little Evan got his angel wings this morning...

2012-01-11T11:52:00.000-08:00

My heart is truly breaking for my friend Mandy. I'm bawling over here. As a mother, it pains me to hear when a mother has to bury her baby.

It has been a while since she and I had talked. Almost 3yrs ago, my daughter & her daughter went to preschool together.

I don't understand why things like this happens. I can't even begin to imagine what it is like to bury a child...when God says its time for your baby to come home. I know that Jesus weeps with you when this happens. I know that you have to have complete utter faith that its all within his plan. We may not understand it at the moment or want to hear it.

I remember when my grandfather died. It was the first death in our immediate family. We heard all kinds of things from "he's in heaven now, no longer in pain"..."he's in a better place"...and oh my favorite: "so-in-so is in a hospital near death & no one comes to visit them".

Well AT THAT MOMENT...i was wishing that "so-in-so was dead and NOT my grandfather because he had so many people who loved him. I know he's in a better place BUT at that moment...I want him here on earth. I know heaven is real BUT I want my grandfather here so I can still the story of the day I was born.

Can for a moment CAN YOU JUST FEEL THEIR PAIN. The loss of someone so dear to them that has been taken away. No chance to say good-bye. No seeing their face everyday.

We have our faith...we know that heaven is a better place....we know that all the pain is taken away...we know that somewhere down the line all will be revealed on why we had to go through this pain.

BUT for the moment...just say "I'm so sorry for your loss" and maybe "I'm praying for you"...and "Your family is in my prayers".

Please...Please keep this family in your prayers. You can find them at Healing Evan.

Healing for Evan...

2012-01-09T10:27:00.000-08:00

I had another post lined up for today but I think this one is more important.

last week someone i know (from when my girl went to preschool) was asking for prayers for her 2 year old son Evan. his mom set up a facebook page called Healing Evan so she could update as things went along.

evan is 2 and had a fall on the playground last week. he landed face first in the bark and was already in cardiac arrest. someone at the park was able to give him CPR until the paramedics arrived. they took him to our local hospital, got him stabled and air lifted him to UC Davis. it has been a roller coaster ride for the past seven days. lots of ups & downs. but today his mother posted that she believes the doctors are giving up on him. now i know the power of prayer works...so please take a moment & pray for evan and his family.

thank you!

Joy is...

2012-01-05T10:21:00.000-08:00

seeing a room full of team captains at the Relay for Life meeting.

this year i am on the "fight back" committee for my local relay for life event. last night we had our first team captains meeting. it was such a joy to see all these people dedicated to such an important event. we all have the same common goal...to fight back against cancer.

As of today we have:

83 Participants

34 Teams

$810 Raised (goal is $120,000)

and I believe...2 Survivors (that are signed up. goal is to have 200)

that is amazing. the event is in may and it will be wonderful to see that number grow in the comings days & months.

********************

so i have been thinking about this "Joy is..." type posts that i have done for the past few days. i'm thinking its a new thing. to see the "joy" in my everyday. Hey...i just realized my friend Alicia blogs at "Joy in the Everyday" She gets it! So i guess that is my goal...the see the "joy in MY everyday". i want to photograph it & just enjoy it. bask in the wonderful gifts for me from the Lord. in everything i want to give thanks.

well my girl is still off from school this week. today we are going to bake gingerbread cookies & tonight she is attending a birthday party for a classmate of hers at Chuck E. Cheese. so that should be fun. she hasn't seen her classmates since they went on Christmas break.

if you have any "Joy is..." type post i would love to see them & read them.

have a wonderful day!

Joy is...

2012-01-03T16:09:00.000-08:00

doing a puzzle in the afternoon with my girl.

a birthday party celebration...

2012-01-02T18:10:00.000-08:00

My friend Sarah invited my girl & I to her daughter's birthday party. I must tell you...Sarah is "The hostess with the mostest" She is a wonderful host & is so crafty. All the party decorations she made herself. I inspire to be just like Sarah. I want to learn to do this for my children. So here are her creations...

The party theme was Tinker Bell & Fairies...

The party table...

Gluten-Free cupcakes decorated by Sarah herself...

She has a new business called Sarah Bakes...

She bakes gluten-free treats for her business.

Here is the cake she decorated for her daughter...

Centerpiece...

Last night I decided to get crafty and I made some headbands.

The first two photos are the ones I made for the birthday girl...

The one below is the one I made for my girl to wear to the party

but she wanted one like the photo above.

So I made her one quickly before the party to match her friend.

Her's is on a blue elastic headband strap & has purple beads in the middle.

Sadly I don't have a photo of that one yet.

I really like how the beads look on the white fabric.

So that was our monday afternoon. then we came home and hubby bbq'd some steaks for dinner. my girl still has another week off from school. the teenager does back to school on wednesday. tomorrow i plan to hit up michael's to buy some yarn. my next project is to knit my son a scarf. after that the other son wanted a beanie. so it will be a few weeks before i start knitting items for my etsy shop. a little off track from my goal but that is okay.

I've started reading the New Testament yesterday. I have read through the first 6 chapters. It seems like I've read these chapters before somewhere else like doing another bible study. But it warms my heart to read it & hear it again. It almost gives me that confident feeling of "knowing" the Bible. I haven't come across any words of "joy" yet to circle. I know I could probably cheat in the area and just look it up on google search. But then where's the fun of actually reading the Bible & looking for your word to circle.

Happy New Year! and my word for 2012...

2012-01-01T06:00:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year's Everyone!

Thank you so much for following Team Pipkin this past year.

I have truly enjoyed your comments & cyber friendships.

Did you make any New Year's Resolutions?

Here are mine...

Spiritual Goals:

1.) To read the New Testament in my bible daily. Not sure on the reading plan yet. Like a chapter or two a day. BUT...I will circle the word "Joy" and keep track of how many times its in the New Testament.

2.) Also I will being an online bible study this month. We will be reading "A Confident Heart" by Renee Swope. She also will be hosting it. You can click on the link to join up. I am really excited about it. Truth be told...my heart is not very confident at times.

3.) I will continue to be in my women's bible study group from my church. We end in May. We are going through the book of Mark and using N.T. Wrights book "Mark for Everyone".

4.) Lastly...on my cellphone I have the YouVersion.com app and I am reading "Joyce Meyer's- Promises for your everyday life- daily devotional".

Financial Goals:

Since I won a blog giveaway and the prize was Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University Membership Kit....we will be saving money in 2012. We are putting away the one & only credit card we have and ONLY use it for gas. We will not be eating fast food and this was a HUGE problem with us. We would spend almost $800 to $1000 a month of fast food. Usually on the weekends when we are out & about and get hungry we would just stop somewhere to eat. Having two grown son's that eat off the adult menu is very costly.

Business Goals:

To knit one item a week and list it in my Etsy shop. I have really slacked off and I need to just get crafty again. Maybe missing a few weeks to make something for my home.

Personal Goals:

1.) to learn how to sew.

2.) take one photograph a day weather it be from my cellphone or Nikon camera.

3.) be thankful. be grateful. be positive. be encouraging. be nice. be friendly. be the person God wants me to be....So I have 183 friends on facebook. Everyday I will go down the list (one person a day) and be thankful for that person. You have all impacted my life in the past, the present & going into my future. Some share encouraging words & sometimes other's are not so encouraging. But I guess there is a purpose for those people too.

4.) Do one craft project a month...just for fun.

Blog Goals:

1.) to do one blog post a day. Maybe some linking up to other big bloggers & things they host.

2.) to do a blog giveaway.

3.) this question is for you...What do you want to see on my blog this year?

and mainly this year...enJOY life!

Pictures of the past 2 weeks...

2011-12-30T14:08:00.000-08:00

All these photos were taken with my new cellphone that my hubby got me for Christmas. I transferred my cell number to Verizon (my hubby gets a company discount on phones/plans) so i was able to upgrade to a Motorola Droid X2...so far I {love} it. My main point in an upgrade was a "Camera with a FLASH"...I'm a mom & this feature was important to me. I really don't do much else with my cellphone except to check emails & facebook. My daughter enjoys the children's apps...it keeps her busy when I'm driving or shopping. 3G or 4G makes no difference for me...like I said "I'm a mom & wants a camera with a flash", lol.

So here are the photos from the past 2 weeks of what we've been up to...

I won a blog giveaway from Celebrate Everyday With Me

this membership kit is valued at $99 and I won it!

I couldn't afford to attend the classes when my church had them

so this was AMAZING! Our goal for 2012 is to SAVE MONEY!

Come January 1, 2012 the american express card is going away

& will only be used for gas. (More about our goals later)

Knitted a green scarf for the college students' GF...

Christmas projects my girl made at her girl scout Christmas party...

during the girl scout gift exchange she got a puzzle.

the teenager & his GF helped her put it together...

We got to attend our Playgroup Christmas Party.

They exchanged coloring books.

It was so much fun...

I baked Pumpkin Raisin Cookies & Snickerdoodle Cookies

on Christmas Eve...I hear Santa {loves} them...

Cookies left for Santa.

We had to put the milk in a sippy cup this year

because of Mr. Kitty. He {loves} milk & it isn't good for him...

Santa either for that matter (haha)

My girl & I read 'Twas The Night Before Christmas" before we went to bed.

It was so AWESOME to have her read the last line on every page...

The BIG thing this year was Lalaloopsy Dolls...

and...Monster High Doll...

The girl got sick AGAIN during her Christmas vacation.

So we enjoyed playing with our new U-build Monopoly game

that we got for Christmas...

so that about sums up our past two weeks. i hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with your families.

I hope you all have a safe & happy new year.

what i've been up to...

2011-12-16T10:16:00.000-08:00

well it never fails that someone gets sick in the family right before or during the holidays. right now the little girl is still sick. she went back to school on wednesday & thursday but this morning her cough is just worse. she is also upset that she missed the school pj party.

the teenager is sick & i'm also sick.

on top of all that...i decided to knit some gifts. here is the scarf that i made for my daughter's teacher...Mrs. S:

i also finished project #2 (that i can't post until after christmas) and working on project #3. after i'm done knitting these gifts, my son put in an order for a scarf. he wants to buy himself a peacoat. he (the college student) got a seasonal job at shari's berries. he starts on sunday & will be working 12 hour days.

in addition to us being sick...we have slacked off on the christmas activity tree. which makes me sad. one night we missed baking sugar cookies. most nights we just have been watching christmas movies. on top of that we can't even eat popcorn since we all have coughs. oh this is a rough season for us right now. i have given myself much grace in this area. the plus side is that we are home for christmas this year. my hubby is actually on call christmas eve & christmas day. our family is 3hrs. away so we won't see them until after the holidays. which means i don't have to bake until the day before we leave.

please say a prayer that our family gets well soon. my daughter still has 3 more days of school left before she goes on christmas break. i would love for her to be well & enjoy the last few days of school in 2011.

happy birthday to my teenager...

2011-12-13T17:45:00.000-08:00

17 years ago at 11:50pm...i gave birth to my second son...the teenager. i am still blown away on how quickly time flies when you have children. my son has a complex personality. tonight i told him about the night he as born. he said i had never told him that story but i'm pretty sure i had.

well today did not go as planned and if you have a december baby you know that anything can happen. for instance...when he was in elementary school...he was so hard to give him a birthday party. friends would decline due to parents going out to christmas parties. december 13th was too close to christmas and no one had extra funds to buy a kid a present. when he was little his best friend, eric was the only one who came....every single time. god bless that little boy. he made my boy so happy. through junior & high school they lost touch. they just reconnected on facebook.

once he became a teenager we just stopped trying to give him parties & jut gave him the cash.

well tonight...i started to get sick. the little girl is already sick & had been home from school the last 2 days. so tonight he is out having dinner with his girlfriends' family. they are taking him to old spaghetti factory. i am thankful that they are willing to do that for him. i know he was bummed. we are going to re-schedule his birthday dinner to sunday. my heart breaks for him.

we live 3 hours away from family and had we lived by family...the kids birthdays would be huge. mostly likely they would have 2 parties...one from each side of the family. that was what it was like when we lived in san jose. the teenager had his first 5 birthdays that way.

so tonight i want to thank god for blessing me 17yrs ago with my second son.

he is truly a gift.

hello monday...

2011-12-12T09:02:00.000-08:00

Oh sorry its been so quite over here lately. with christmas around the corner has me running all around town buying gifts for the kids when they in school.

and as it turns out all the crafts i bought for our "christmas activity tree" have NOT been working out. the "tacky glue" is just not holding as it did last year. so those were epic failures. which is why there have been no post on those. that was a huge bummer for us and the girl who was so looking forward to making all those craft kits.

so today i am saying hello monday...

hello...sleeping in late on this monday morning.

hello...little girl who stayed home sick today.

(please say a prayer fore her, she is miserable)

hello...college student who is done with fall semester.

hello...high school student who is off today to take his finals.

hello...messy kitchen that is screaming my name to clean it up.

hello...knitting project that MUST be finished today.

hello...headache that is awaiting for the motrin to kick in.

hello...freezing cold house.

I swear it is colder this year in Northern California than last year.

hello...FREE audiobook download of The Chronicles of Narnia

thanks to Money Savings Mom

linking up with Lisa Leonard

so that is my morning in a nutshell...

what are you saying hello to this monday morning?

Christmas Activity Tree 2011...

2011-11-29T20:07:00.001-08:00

This is our second year doing the Christmas Activity Tree. I got the idea from my friend Sandie, you can read here some of her idea's. Last year Team Pipkin did these activities.

So first you go through your calendar & mark all the busy evenings.

On those days you want your activity/craft to be easy & simple.

So I got some cute holiday-ish scrapbook paper and make some strips.

Then I numbered them & labeled the activities.

and it's all complete and ready to begin December 1st.

And here are the activities we will be doing...

Day 1~ Make snowman ornament (craft kit from JoAnn's 50% off this week)

Day 2~ Christmas Tree Craft (from The Dollar Tree, I'm going to make a garland after we are done)

Day 3~ attend our local Christmas Tree Lighting Event (this will be our first time doing that)

Day 4~ Make Marshmallow Santa/Reindeer Kit (from JoAnn's)

Day 5~ Movie & Popcorn Night- Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer on ABC Family (they have a lot of kid's movies this time of year to countdown to Christmas)

Day 6~ Game Night- Domino's

Day 7~ Movie & Craft Night-Frosty's Winter Wonderland & doing a Pom Pom Snowman Kit (from JoAnn's)

Day 8~ Decorate a Ginger Bread Cookie Sheet (from here)

Day 9~ Drive around town looking at the Christmas lights

Day 10~ Make Shrinky Dink Ornaments (kit from Walmart for $2. 97, in the Christmas stocking stuffer section)

Day 11~ Root Beer Floats & Christmas BINGO New Orleans Style (the winner will receive a beaded necklace. Christmas BINGO at Walmart for 97 cents)

Day 12~ Game Night- Uno!

Day 13~ Celebrate my son's bday w/a dinner out and do a few coloring sheets while we are there. I'm still looking for some.

Day 14~ Bake sugar cookies (this time I will prepare 2 batches of dough ahead of time to cut down on the time of decorating, it took a long time last year)

Day 15~ Movie Night & Popcorn- Beauty and the Beast on ABC Family

Day 16~ its friday night & usually the boys leave to their GF's houses so I have planned a craft night for Dad, Me & the girl. (Craft kit from The Dollar Tree)

Day 17~ Starbucks Run! for hot cocoa & apple cider and doing another activity sheet.

Day 18~ Penguin Craft (from JoAnn's)

Day 19~ Game Night- Skip Bo

Day 20~ Movie Night & Popcorn- Mickey's Christmas Carol (ABC Family)

Day 21~ Ice Cream Run!

Day 22~ Sugar Cone Trees (found here)

Day 23~ Kid's Choice

Day 24~ Read "The Night Before Christmas"

Day 25~ Celebrate the birth of Jesus Read Luke 2: 1-20

Here is a few of the craft projects that I bought at JoAnn's this week.

They were on sale for 50% off...

I have the hard copy in my planner so I know in advance what we have planned. I will get the supplies a few days before, if I don't have it on hand.

Do you do an advent activity like this with your family?

What are some of the activities do you have planned?

Proverbs 28; to walk with integrity...

2011-11-29T10:14:00.000-08:00

Sorry I am really behind. My daughter had a week off of school & I was just enjoying some family time. I have to admit that I didn't do my daily reading until today. I am all caught up.

Here are the scriptures for the past week:

Proverbs 18:13 (NIV) ~ He who answers before listening - that is his folly and his shame.

Proverbs 19: 18 (NIV) ~ Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death.

Proverbs 20: 9 (ESV) ~ who can say, "I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin"?

Proverbs 21: 9 (ESV) ~ It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

Proverbs 22: 6 (ESV) ~ Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 23: 19 (NIV) ~ Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path.

Proverbs 24: 3-4 (NIV) ~ By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.

Proverbs 25: 21 (NIV) ~ If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.

Proverbs 26: 20 (ESV) ~ For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.

Proverbs 27: 11 (NIV) ~ Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart; then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.

********************

Scripture:

So today...here is the verse from two versions. The first one is the one I did my lesson from & the second one I really like the way it was worded. Sorry I threw in a third:)

Better a poor man whose walk is blameless

than a rich man whose way are perverse.

Proverbs 28: 6 (NIV)

Better is a poor man who walks with integrity

than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.

Proverbs 28:6 (ESV)

Better to be poor and honest

than to be dishonest and rich.

Proverbs 28:6 (NLT)

{this one is short & to the point}

Observation:

Having three versions of the bible in my home makes understanding the scripture so much easier. The NIV is the bible I mainly use for church & bible studies. The ESV is on my Kindle {it was free} and the NLT is my daily reading bible.

To me the observation is that it is better to be poor and have your walk to be blameless, to be honest & walk with integrity. That just pretty much sums it up. Just be true to yourself.

Application:

To walk blamelessly, to be honest and walk with integrity. Don't throw around how much money I have or don't have. To talk about money good or bad is being boastful.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, I'm sorry that I was boasting about my Christmas money from my parents. It was being prideful. I removed those posts and I am deeply sorry. Its was not pleasing to you Lord. I was not walking very faithfully. I want to be a person who's walk is blameless, I want to be honest and I want to walk with integrity.

In Jesus Name ~ Amen.

How are you doing on your daily readings?

What version of the bible are you using?

If you have a different version of the verse above, would you mind posting it?

thanks...

Linking up with Amy @ Mom's Toolbox

Proverbs 17; a home without strife...

2011-11-17T09:19:00.000-08:00

Lately the scriptures speaking to my heart are having to do with my home. With the holidays soon coming up, I want this peaceful calmness over my home.

Proverbs 15:1 (NIV) ~ A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 16:1 (NLT) ~ Kinds words are like honey~ sweet for the soul and healthy for the body.

********************

Scripture:

Better a dry crust with piece and quiet

than a house full of feasting with strife.

Proverbs 17:1 (NIV)

Observation:

Its better to have day old food with everyone happy. Than fresh food and everyone angry and fighting.

Application:

I will try to keep the peace in my home.

Prayer:

Oh Lord, I pray that you are always watching over my family. I pray that you bring peace over my sons that they will get along. I lift them up to you Lord. You are in control.

In Jesus Name~ Amen.

Proverbs 14; she who builds her home...

2011-11-14T14:43:00.000-08:00

Sorry I fell behind again. With Veteran's Day being on friday the kids were home, so I get so caught up just being at home & enjoying a day off from running errands. I still did my bible study homework. I didn't fall behind in that. I just fell behind in posting.

Here are the verses I chose on those missing days...

Proverbs 11:27 (NIV) ~ He who seeks good, finds goodwill, but evil comes to him who searches for it.

Proverbs 12:4 (NIV) ~ A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.

Proverbs 13:15 (NIV) ~ Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful is hard.

**********************************

Scripture:

The wise woman builds her house,

but with her own hands

the foolish one tears it down.

Proverbs 14:1 (NIV)

Observation:

Oh this is one of my favorite verses. I came across it last year. When I start to get frustrated I fall back on this scripture.

The wise woman will build her home. Her husband & children will be happy. Joyous.

But the foolish woman who is angry all the time will bring her home down. No one is happy...there is anger all around. Everyone's emotions bounce off one another. Which will bring her home down if she doesn't keep the peace.

Application:

Build my home up. Everyone will be happy & want to actually be {at} home. Kick out negativity because it doesn't belong in your home.

My son's usually bail on the weekends & hang out with friends. When I was a child every Sunday we had dinner at my grandparents house. I so enjoyed these wonderful childhood memories. If was the thing we did when we were little & even after I got married & had my children (before we moved out of town). Every Sunday my grandparents house was the place to be.

After we moved away, I didn't even think to host my own little "Sunday Family Gathering". Now that my son's are older & dating the start of them having their own families isn't too far off. I wanted to host our own little "Team Pipkin Family Gatherings" on Sunday evenings.

Last night both boys had their girlfriends over for dinner. It was a successful dinner. I love family time.

I WILL BUILD UP MY HOME.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for bringing my family together. I thank you for my many blessings within my family. My children are truly a gift from you and see them happy fills my heart with JOY. I pray that you bring peace, love, & JOY into my home.

In Jesus Name~ Amen.

Linking today with Amy @ Mom's Toolbox

Proverbs 10; holding your tongue...

2011-11-10T13:22:00.000-08:00

Sorry I am a little behind on my posts. I have done Chapters 8, 9, & 10. What I got from Chapters 8 & 9 is that I need to "Fear the Lord". That seems to be a common statement throughout Proverbs so far. Here are the verses I chose for those missing posts...

Proverbs 8:13 (NIV)~ To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.

Proverbs 9:10 (NIV)~ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

**************************

Scripture:

When words are many,

sin is not absent,

but he who holds his tongue is wise.

Proverbs 10:19 (NIV)

Observation:

Keep your mouth shut. Don't talk to much. Something is bound to come out that is hurtful to someone.

Like Thumper's mother said in Bambi, "If you can't say something nice, then don't say anything at all." (not sure if that is a positive quote but its along the lines what what she was saying)

I need to remember this.

I have a tendency to say too much. It might also be the reason I have more "acquaintances" than actual "friends".

I need to remember that not everyone wants to know the actual me...like "what I think". I don't get invited to a lot of things. And in the back of my mind...I think its because "My words are many".

Application:

Basically...don't talk so much. Keep your mouth shut. Hold my tongue. Watch what I say.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, please hold my tongue. I know this is a problem I have. I need to keep my mouth shut. I don't want sin coming out of my mouth anymore. I want to be the wise & quiet one.

In Jesus Name~ Amen.

Linking up with Amy @ Mom's Toolbox

Proverbs 7: the wrong path...

2011-11-07T11:46:00.000-08:00

Sorry I didn't write any post for Chapters 5 & 6. The weekends tend to be a little busy around here. I did read them on their days, I just didn't do the SOAP method with them. I will do that this week (I promise).

Scripture:

Do not let your heart turn to her ways

or stray into her paths.

~Proverbs 7: 25 (NIV)

Observation:

The devil is always trying to get you to follow his path. He is lurking in every corner. He wants you to get angry & say mean things.

Today, I post something on facebook. A comment back was hurtful. They started out by saying, "no offense" but I got to admit I was offended. I was hurt. I felt that they were saying I was stupid. I posted a comment back, it wasn't mean. I left it up for about an hour & then deleted the whole post.

I pulled back. I didn't post a mean comment, although in my heart I wanted to. The devil wanted me to take his path. He was egging me on and oh I felt it. The anger was building up.

But I calmly did the dishes & then did my bible study reading this reading and the Lord was speaking to me.

Application:

I will not follow the path that leads to anger or hurtful things. I will walk away & give it to the Lord.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, you know my heart right now. You know I wanted to snap back. Thank you for holding my tongue & letting go. Please help me to be strong. And in the future to turn to your words for wisdom & guidance. Thank you that what I needed was in today's reading.

In Jesus Name~ Amen.

Linking up with Amy @ Mom's Toolbox

Proverbs 4; the path of righteousness...

2011-11-04T08:51:00.000-07:00

Scripture:

The path of righteous is like the

first gleam of dawn,

shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

Proverbs 4:18 (NIV)

Observation:

That when you have wisdom it will guide you on the right path. You'll know it because the right path will be shining so brightly. Having wisdom & understanding will guide you in life. Wisdom & understanding comes from reading your bible daily. Setting time to have one on one with the Lord. It also comes from teachings from your parents, grandparents, other Christian people/friends in your life.

In my bible study group we are a large group (around 15 give or take) of women from different season's in life. Some are grandmothers, some have teenagers & others are just building their families. When I meet with them once a week & we go over our lesson; they just take my breath away. They are all filled with such wisdom & I learn so much from them. Their take on the lesson & what they got out of it. Sometimes hearing it from someone else & their point of view just sinks right in. I joined this bible study group over 2 years ago & I am so glad I did. The Lord lead me right to them. It was just what I needed in my season of life. They are truly blessings to me.

Application:

Like verse 5 says, "Get wisdom, get understanding". I am going to read God's word daily. I'm going to set time aside each day for him. I will build up my wisdom & understanding of his word. I want to know that when I see a path in my life that I will clearly see it shining ever so brightly.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, All your words and your instructions are right in in your book...the bible. I pray that each one of your passages guides me to wisdom & understanding. I want to walk in the path of righteousness. Thank you for your word Lord.

In Jesus Name~ Amen.

Linking up with Amy @ Mom's Toolbox

Amy is the gal who is hosting this wonderful study.

Each link up that I do will take you straight to her post for the day.

Are you following along in the Proverbs in 31 Days Challenge?

What verse spoke to your heart today?

Proverbs 3; Trusting in the Lord...

2011-11-03T10:49:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you but so many verses jumped out at me today. It was really hard to pick one. But the one I chose had to with with an action. Sometimes I do this & it always in the back of my mine of "I should have" helped out.

Scripture:

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it,

when it is in your power to act.

Do not say to your neighbor,

"Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow" -

when you have it with you.

~Proverbs 3: 27-28 (NIV)

Observation:

WOW! Powerful words!

This is why I chose this verse...

You know this time of year when most stores are doing little stuff at the register when they ask you to pay a $1 for certain charities??

Sometimes I participate but when I don't its between paychecks. I have the extra $1 but I'm worried that something will come up & I will need to use it. So I tell them, "no thanks, next time." But in the back of my mind...there is this little voice that says, "You could spare that extra $1". Then I feel so guilty. It's just a $1...right? The Lord was talking & I wasn't listening.

My observation is that I need to TRUST in the LORD that he will always provide. Not to worry about "what could come up".

The needs of my family have always been met. We've always had a roof over our heads, food to eat & clothes to wear.

Today's lesson is very eye opening to me. I need to give more freely. Maybe this needs to be in the "application part".

Application:

I need to give more freely. I will trust in the Lord to provide for me, my family & others. In their way of asking me for help is the Lord's way of providing for them.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, Thank you for opening my eyes today. It all started out for being thankful this morning for my home. Thank you for providing a warm place for my family to live. I pray that you watch over those who don't have a home. Who are cold & living outdoors. Thank you for making me see that I can spare that extra $1...that I need to trust that you will always provide in what ever the needs are. Not to worry about "what could happen". Just to be in that moment & what can I do in this moment.

In Jesus Name~ Amen.

Linking up today with Amy @ Mom's Toolbox

UPDATE 11/4/2011:

so this morning I went into a store to get a few things and I was asked at the register to donate a gift for Christmas (something about the military doing it) . I gave a little giggle. Because these next two weeks money is going to be tight. We had some car repairs a few weeks ago & playing catch up on a few bills this week. I giggled cause I knew he was telling me to trust him. AMEN! I am trusting!

Proverbs 2; His wisdom...

2011-11-02T09:52:00.000-07:00

Today in my reading, I chose verse 6...

Scripture:

"For the LORD gives wisdom and from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding."

Observation:

That the LORD gives wisdom, knowledge & understanding.

Application:

I need to listen to the LORD. I need to take time out of my day to read my bible. In a quiet place so I can focus on Him & his message to me. I need to pray about what I read & ask Him to help me apply it to my life.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, I pray that when I read your word daily that you speak to my heart, mind & soul.

In Jesus Name~ Amen.

linking up today with Amy at Mom's Toolbox

A Blustery Day...

2011-11-02T06:00:00.000-07:00

yesterday it was so windy that the leaves were falling from our trees. when i picked up my girl from school she found a small patch of leaves on the ground at school. she wanted to run & jump & play in them but we had to go home. i told her that there were LOTS of leaves at home that she can run in. She had so much fun playing in the leaves...

I love this time of year.

What is your favorite season?

Proverbs in 31 Days Challenge...

2011-11-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

Amy at Mom's Toolbox is hosting this bible study and it starts TODAY! She also hosted "Bible in 90 Days Challenge" and I failed so badly. My ADD kicked in and I was not retaining what I was reading. It was so awful. I felt like it was a race & I had to read really fast.

BUT this...I can do!

You read one chapter of Proverbs a day and use the SOAP method on the lesson. For everyone it will be different. You will use the Scripture that speaks to you the most during that reading. You will do an Observation of the scripture. An Application for applying it to your life. Lastly, Pray about it. Asking God to help you apply it in your life. I really like the SOAP method when it comes to bible scriptures.

So hop over to Amy's blog for the details.

Grab your bible & notebook and you're ready to go!

I will try to do daily posting on what scripture that was calling me that day.

this morning I have bible study at my church

so I will do my reading later in the afternoon.

UPDATED POST:

here is the scripture that was really speaking to me the most this afternoon. I have come across this verse before where it just speaks to me...

Scripture:

Proverbs 1:8-9 (NIV) ~ "Listen, my son, to your father's instruction & do not forsake your mother's teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head & a chain to adorn your neck."

Observation:

There is wisdom in their teachings that will guide you & protect you.

Application:

Listen to God's instructions for me. He will guide me & protect me. Stop. Pause. Listen.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, please help me to know the difference between your ways & my ways. I want to follow your ways for my life. Help me to know the difference.

In Jesus Name~ Amen.

hello monday...

2011-10-31T11:49:00.001-07:00

hello...halloween wedding anniversary to this man...

19 years ago today, I married this man.

He is a wonderful husband & father.

I love you, babe!

hello...morning coffee...

its the first time I have been up at 6am in a week.

my girl was home from school all last week due to a double ear infection.

hello...Barbie Fairy costume...

this is costume #2 for her.

hello...new short haircut...

I got a new haircut a few weeks ago.

what do you think?

We are so ready for tonight. We are going to a local mall to go trick-or-treating & then a local neighborhood. We never go in our complex, its too dark.

Do you trick-or-treat in your neighborhood

or do you go elsewhere?

Today I'm linking up with Lisa Leonard.

Sick child again...

2011-10-29T17:05:00.000-07:00

this past week has been so busy. it started last sunday when we drove to san jose for my husband's 40th birthday with his family. on the way back our daughter got a cough. we thought it was just allergies since his brother has a dog. my allergies was acting up.

monday, she went off to school. she missed Gro-Pro's Garden Club since it meets in the early morning before school & its chilly in the mornings. i didn't want her to get worse. my monday evening her cough was much worst so she stayed home from school.

tuesday, i went off to bible study while the college student watched his sister for me. i dropped by walgreens to pick up some cold meds for her. tuesday evening she was crying that her throat hurt so bad that she couldn't swallow. she was just nodding & shaking her head to my questions.

wednesday, we were off to the doctors. she had a double ear infection & a throat infection (not strep, i think we got it before then). she has been on antibiotics since wednesday. she still has the nasty cough that sounds like it still has mucus in it. although the doctor said her lungs were clear. she missed 2 fun events with girl scouts. she was so bummed about that.

she will go back to school on monday.

so that has been my week. its one thing to be at home because you want to be & another when you have to be. i felt a little trapped this week. so has my girl. its driving her crazy to be stuck inside & not playing outdoors. hopefully this week will be much better.

hello monday...

2011-10-17T11:35:00.001-07:00

Hello...October 17th...

Hello...celebrating 20 years of being together with my man!

yes, we celebrate when we became BF/GF.

wedding anniversary is at the end of the month.

Hello...Gro-Pro's School Garden Club...

Hello...peas that keep growing bigger every week that we see you.

Hello...

I told my man that I'd save him 20 cookies;

One for every year we've been together.

My family {LOVES} these cookies.

So I can't guarantee there will be any left when he gets home, lol

What are you saying HELLO to on this wonderful Monday morning?

linking up with Lisa Leonard today

My $2 Autumn Wreath...

2011-10-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

So what do you think?

I got the inspiration from here. Sorry I don't have the supplies photo. I'm kind of new at this crafty thing. I changed the wreath part from the inspiration design. I didn't use the foam board. I used one of those stick wrapped wreath thingy. I also used 1 bag of fall leaves (there were 50 in the bag). All supplies came from The Dollar Tree. I glued all the leaves on the front, side & inside of the wreath. Alternating the yellow & red leaves. I wanted a wreath that can go up October 1st and stay up until the end of November.

I promise next time I will photograph my supplies before I get started on my project. lol

Baby Simeon's Baby Blanket...

2011-10-14T11:13:00.000-07:00

Yay! I finished baby simeon's blanket. i gave it to his mama last thursday and it was such a good thing cause baby simeon arrived monday. i really loved the way it turned out. i love this pattern. i have made this pattern three times already.

what do you think?

next knitting project is a shawl for me. i can't wait to show it to you. it should be done next week.

Have you missed me?

2011-10-04T10:10:00.000-07:00

Sorry I have been MIA for almost a month (my goodness)

I've been busy. I was knitting a baby blanket for a friend of mine. Which I just finished the other day. It was very time consuming but I so love the pattern. I will post a photo of it when I give it to her.

The women's bible study started back up at my church so I have been doing my homework on the side of making the baby blanket. We are studying the book of Mark.

I finished the 30 ways/ 30 days challenge with Sseko Designs. Here are the last days of the challenge...

Day 29: strap print: Azalia

Day 30: strap print: Tamzen

For participating in the challenge, I got a FREE pair of straps. Here is what I picked...

strap print: Cyrus

I really loved wearing my Sseko's in all the different ways for 30 days. I would lie in bed early in the morning thinking of new ways to tie them. You could say I had "Sseko on the brain". I made some wonderful friendships on their facebook page... we are now "Sseko Sisters".

If you haven't checked out sseko's, I highly recommend you do. These sandals help benefit women in Uganda to go to their University to get a higher education. There are youtube video's to help you get started in learning to tie your sandals. You don't have to tie them up everyday. There are quite a few how-to video's for slip on styles. In fact, next summer I'm gonna buy another pair just so I can keep those in a slip on style. These sandals would make a great Christmas gift...for yourself, mom, sister, friend or grandmother. Right now they are offering a sandal with pink ribbons for their Pink Ribbon Project.

I will always remember...9/11

2011-09-11T08:51:00.000-07:00

i had gotten up & got into the shower. andrew was a the gym & came home to tell me that a plane had hit one of the towers in New York City. so i quickly got out & dressed and was glued to the TV. we sat there together watching it unfold...then we saw the second plane hit the other tower. we knew at that point this was on purpose. we sat there totally shocked. at the same time i needed to get our boys up and ready for school. our oldest son was in 4th grade & my second son was in 1st grade. i remember thinking...is there gonna be school today. i thought some how we needed to just STOP everything we were doing. i didn't tell the boys anything because i didn't want them to be afraid to go to school. i told andrew NOT to drive to downtown sacramento that day. as with his job he drives everywhere. i thought we were at a safe distant from our state capital. after i dropped the boys off at school. i had to talked to their principal & teachers and both said they were gonna keep the day low key. they didn't know what the students knew before coming in that day & wanted to answer their questions if they had any. i came home & was glued to the TV. that was when i saw about the pentagon & flight 93 going down.

a few friends of mine who were military kept their children home that day.

another friend of mine got her call to duty. her sons' were the same ages as my boys and off she went.

...its now the 10th anniversary on the attack on our country. My boys are now 19 & 16. My baby girl is now in the first grade (the same grade her brother was 10yrs ago today).

I will NEVER FORGET what happened that day.

what were you doing that september day?

Recap of Days 20-27 of...

2011-09-10T11:15:00.000-07:00

30 ways in 30 days

with Sseko Designs.

Here are a few of ties i came up with this past week...

Day 22~ Tirzah's Chaing Mai tie

Day 23~ Susan's Twisted Slip-On Tie

Day 24: Emma's Knotted Slip-on Tie

although i didn't win the contest...i did win a pair of free straps for participating in the challenge. there are still 3 more days of the challenge and i will post the final pictures then.

rosette's & braided ties seem to be the in thing this summer. there were so many creative ties. what i love about this challenge was the friendships that were made for our love of sseko's. we are even thinking of hosting a "sseko strap swap" in the spring time next year.

we probably have another month of warm weather here until the rain hits. so i get to enjoy my sandals a while longer.

if you don't have a pair of sseko's...i suggest you buy some for two reason...#1) you will be helping women in Uganda pay for their college education and #2) all the creative ways to wear your {favorite} sandals. you can come up with your own ways or check out their website for ideas.

Recap of Days 14-19 of...

2011-09-04T15:43:00.000-07:00

30 Ways in 30 Days

with Sseko Designs...

Day 14~ rockin' the zebra tie at chuck e. cheese

Day 15~ Original Flip Flop Tie

Day 16~ Twisted & Looped Tie that i came up with

Day 17~ My attempt of the Eiffel Tower tie but video

wouldn't load so I got creative.

Day 18~ Woven Tie

Day 19~ Baylee's Braided Slip On Tie...

i really love this creative slip on tie. sometimes i think i need two pairs of Sseko's so i can keep one in a slip on for those days that I need to run out the door quickly. I'm really loving this challenge. at first i thought that i couldn't be creative enough to come up with a tie. but i sure surprised myself.

Have you checked out Sseko Designs yet?

Little fish in a BIG pond...

2011-08-31T06:00:00.000-07:00

she is now on the BIG playground...

look at her...

passing all those BIG kids to the playground...

i can just tear up thinking about it.

she is so tiny compared to other first graders.

the first few weeks of school wasn't easy on this playground...

she couldn't find her friends...

so she often played alone (this makes me sad)...

she wasn't the only one...

most of her friends had trouble finding each other

on the BIG playground...

they also played alone.

gone the safety of the kinder playground.

where finding your friends was so easy.

its getting better...

she is getting more comfortable...

out there in the BIG pond.

she is my baby...

the last one in my nest,

i'm not ready to let her fly yet.

and she isn't ready to leave me yet .

she still needs me to open her fruit snacks

(which i scissor cut them in her lunch box).

i love this girl...

i want to protect her & shelter her from "mean girls"

i pray that school is easy for her...

i pray that she isn't bullied...

i pray that she has friends that are true friends...

i pray that she isn't afraid on the BIG playground.

she has a strong faith in God.

when she is afraid, alone or scared...

she prays to him...

even at school (a public school).

Did your child have trouble adjusting to the BIG playground?

or did you?

Gro Pros Garden Club...

2011-08-30T10:29:00.000-07:00

this year my daughter (the smallest one in the back) joined her first school club...Gro Pros. The club is for first, second, & third graders that meet every monday morning before school to work in the school garden. it will run for 12 weeks. she was so excited...although the morning did not start out that way. she was a little grumpy getting up so early in the morning. but once she got there she enjoyed herself. the first meeting they talked over the garden rules & took a tour of the garden. check out all the yummy vegetables & fruits they are growing...

when my daughter was in kinder...her class planted these sunflowers in the garden.

yesterday her class (now 1st graders) got to harvest the seeds.

the birds got a hold of the corn but our school is going use these stalks

for our harvest carnival so they will stay there for now.

before they left they got to plant peas.

They will get to eat some of the stuff that they harvest. i think kids tend to eat what they grow themselves in a garden...like little farmers. i hope it will get her to actually try some veggies & fruit that she won't eat at home.

Does your school have a garden?

Camp Cupcake...

2011-08-29T06:00:00.000-07:00

at our most favorite place...

Icing on the Cupcake

it was the first time they hosted this event.

each child got two cupcakes to frost

(white sprinkled cupcake & red velvet).

these gals were so organized. they had 5 tables &

over 40 kids & adults frosting cupcakes.

my girl got to decorate a hat with their signature colors:

pink & brown...

they gave them matching aprons that they got to take home.

their "take home bag" is under the table.

decorating her cupcakes...

i {heart}...

gotta lick the knife when you're all done...

we had such a blast. she usually helps me at home make cupcakes but this time she was the one in charge. she frosted & decorated the cupcakes all by herself. i sure hope they host another one. i want to join in on the fun with my girl. i love mother/daughter events with her. i was gonna sign up but was worried that maybe she was gonna need my help. i was so wrong.

if you are ever in the Sacramento area you must check out this shop.

the have two locations in Rocklin, one in Sacramento & one in Folsom.

Do you have a {favorite} cupcake shop?

Recap of Days 8-13 of...

2011-08-27T12:05:00.000-07:00

30 Ways in 30 Days

with Seeko Designs

i call this one the "key-hole" tie

strap color: Green

not sure on the name of this tie...

strap print Hawthorne

Baylee's Diamond Tie

in Red straps (new straps)

Sunburst Tie

strap print Kapowski (a new strap)

don't have a name for this tie...

my attempt of the Bohannon's Best Tie

but straps weren't long enough so they are tucked under.

Don't forget to check out their facebook page

Everyone is getting so creative with tying their Sseko's.

Sophomore year in college...

2011-08-22T16:14:00.000-07:00

today my first born started his second year of college...

my oh my...where did the time go?

it seems like yesterday you were a newborn colic baby,

and i was praying hoping you'd grow out of it soon.

i was the same age that you are now

when i was pregnant with you.

isn't that a crazy thought?

once you turned 3 1/2 our life was so much on the go

when you started soccer...

after that we just counted down seasons, clubs & teams.

until now...that soccer is now over for you...

no more youth soccer clubs...

you are now a man.

Keep following your dreams mijo!

Day 7: 30 Ways in 30 Days & butterfly watching...

2011-08-21T15:18:00.000-07:00

Its just a "Classic" sunday at the park...

(strap print is Malindi from Sseko Designs)

butterfly watching...

with my baby girl.

How was your sunday?

Day 6: 30 Ways/30 Days w/Sseko Designs...

2011-08-20T11:56:00.000-07:00

not sure if this tying has already been done

& has a name.

strap print is Pinafore

(which is still sells in there shop)

okay...so my friend came up with a couple names for this tie...

(she said it reminds her of an ancient greek sandal)

Toga Party or Athena??

what should we call it?

Day 5: 30 Ways in 30 Days with Sseko Designs

2011-08-19T09:13:00.000-07:00

i was feeling very "knotty"

strap color: teal

so whatcha think?

head over to their facebook page to see what everyone else is coming up with.

Day 4: 30 Ways in 30 Days with Sseko Designs...

2011-08-18T17:46:00.000-07:00

this is my "crossing paths" with friends tie

straps are Havana

yesterday i was racking my brain to come up with a criss crossing tie. so instead of having "visions of sugarplums dancing in my head" i was having "visions of tying sseko straps dancing in my head".

have you checked out sseko designs yet...hop on over there & check them out. you will be helping woman in Uganda earn money for their university education.

i {love} [love] (love) my sseko sandals.

in fact...

i think i'm gonna hop on over there to buy a couple more straps.

what are your favorite strap colors?

First day of school & Day 3 of 30 Ways/30 Days...

2011-08-17T13:59:00.000-07:00

today was the first day of school for two of my children...

my baby girl is now entering...

can you see the EXCITEMENT of the teenagers' face

about going back to school?!?!

i had to hand write his sign cause the printer wasn't working

but then hubby got it to work so we did a "do-over"...

he was so thrilled about it...can you tell?

so off they are...i can't wait to hear about first grade from my girl. i {did not} forget to pack her lunch...thank God!

and now...Day 3 of 30 Ways in 30 Days

with Sseko Designs...

i'm just zig zagin' through my day...

the straps are Joplin print.

Have you checked out the Sseko's page yet?

Meet the teacher day

2011-08-16T12:41:00.000-07:00

HeLLo First Grade!

#1) walking to meet the teacher (we did not get a photo, teacher was really

swamped with other parents)

#2) sitting at her BIG girl desk (our neighbor boy sits next to her)

#3) already 2 books inside her desk

#4) word wall

the "daily schedule"...

she has such a long day.

class pets...walking sticks. there are 5 of them.

class library

science area...lots of cool stuff on the counter.

On another note...

i am participating in sseko's designs

30 days in 30 ways.

Here is...

i call this "meet the teacher tie"

i do not have a day 1 since i didn't go anywhere yesterday & was barefoot at home all day.

my daughter is wearing her brand new TOMS for school.

Do you have any sseko's?

if not, head on over there to learn about these FABULOUS sandals.

where every sandal has a story.

you can even change the straps to match your outfits daily.

at this moment i can't remember how many straps i own

but its MORE THAN 6!

i {love} my sseko's!!

Another birthday celebration...

2011-08-14T09:45:00.000-07:00

with our playgroup friends...

i bought her this shirt last year & it still fits!

we hosted at a local water park which is at our neighborhood park. i love free water play. her actual birthday is next week but she goes back to school this week. this was her last playgroup day with her friends. among her friends she is the oldest & is starting first grade. her friends are entering kindergarten this year. she will see them at sunday school & holidays off from school.

the birthday girl & "e" playing on the playground in their swim suits.

the slides were just too hot to go down on this day.

(having a little fun with the picnik stickers.)

the birthday girl & "j" drying off in the sun.

trying to host a party on the weekends is tough with our schedule. we have "mommy & me" swim classes late saturday afternoons. plus this weekend the hubby is on call. he left early this sunday morning for work. sundays are days everyone spends family time together. so hosting her bday on a playgroup day is the easiest for me. my week was so busy planning her playgroup water park party. it was low-key water fun.

when her birthday is actually here...she will get to join in on the tradition that i started with my sons (when they were in school)...she will get to pick her birthday lunch (from a fast food restaurant) & i bring it to the school at lunch time. it makes them feel extra special having something totally different from their normal lunch. she will wear the shirt above in the photos to school. i am thinking of doing a pizza party on her bday (normal we go to red robin) but i wanted to invite my BFF who visited us in the hospital when my girl was born. she works during the day so her evening is open.

this week 2 of my kids start school on wednesday. for the past few days i've been trying to wake up at 6:30am to get back on schedule again. we've been so lazy going to bed at 11:30pm & she waking up close to 10am. when school starts again she will have to wake up at 7:30am & the teenager about 7am. he will go to school 2 days a week and then an elective class will be added in september.

i am STILL having nightmares about forgetting to pack her a lunch for school. i am convinced that i will actually forget to pack her lunch the first day of school. i think i am just afraid that she is going on the BIG playground with the 2nd & 3rd graders. no longer the safe secure secluded playground for kinders. when my boys went to the BIG playground i wasn't too worried. my oldest boy's personality was strong, my second son not so much BUT he has brother on the playground. then i moved them to a charter school which was much more small & private. one class per grade so not many children on the playground. yard duty helpers had the grounds covered.

NOW with my girl she is in a public school with 2 classes per grade out on the playground. in the morning before school starts the first through sixth graders are all out on the playground together. my daughter's personality is very shy. if someone is mean to her, she will shut down, cry & wants to go home. not to mention that she personally cuts off that kid for being mean to her. she will NOT give them another chance...they will forever be known as the "mean kid" to her, especially when she is talking about them to me. she will say, "remember that mean kid who did this_______(fill in the blank) to me? well today they did this______". i will be volunteering this year. one day in the classroom & one day helping with lunch duty. i like to be very involved when my kids are in school.

do you have any fear about your child starting school?

A birthday celebration & a mini beach vacay...

2011-08-08T11:48:00.000-07:00

a couple of weeks ago the MIL called & asked if she can throw my daughter a birthday celebration at the beach. so we said, "okay".

so we celebrated her 6th birthday early

(with my hubby's side of the family)...

at the beach!

Sea Cliff State Beach (to be exact)

my kids had fun playing on the beach.

its kind of nice to have older kids who watch the younger one.

1. there was running in the ocean water

2. building sand castles with her brothers & daddy

3. teenagers looking for a cell signal (lol)

4. daddy making breakfast

birthday girl with her daddy...

her god-father & his sons.

We stayed like 8 hours on the beach. She loves the beach & playing in the water. We have never stayed that long before. Usually we go to the boardwalk in Santa Cruz. We haven't been to Sea Cliff since the boys were little. So it was actually really nice not to have a distraction of the boardwalk & just play on the beach. We were so tired once we got back to the hotel. We all took showers to get the sand off & we just crashed for the night. Sunday morning we drove back to Santa Cruz to walk down Pacific Ave. They have such nice shops down there. We were looking for TOMS for her back to school shoes but they didn't have the style she wanted. I hope we can find them locally so I don't have to order online.

It was really nice to have a mini beach vacay before the kids head back to school next week.

Are you planning any mini vacays before the kids go back to school?

Would you Give Tracy a $1?

2011-08-04T16:14:00.000-07:00

This is my friend Tracy...

walking Relay for Life 2011 with her son.

In October 2010 she was diagnosed with Stage 3/4 Colo-Rectal Cancer.

She started a website today called GiveTracyADollar.com

In a nutshell...She has lots of medical bills pilling up at the collection agency, her hubby lost his job & bank is foreclosing on their home. They are awaiting the sheriff to put the eviction notice on their front door before they actually leave the house.

It breaks my heart when I hear of families who are losing their home due to a family member having cancer. Sadly Tracy & her family is NOT the only family I know going through this right now & is in the same position as them.

Please pray for them & consider donating $1.

Please click the link to read Tracy's story in the "About Me" section.

Would you be willing to put this story on your blog?

First day of school nightmare...

2011-08-03T17:06:00.000-07:00

last night i had my first day of school nightmare regarding my daughter. she is entering the first grade and will be on the big kids playground. we haven't even gone back school yet.

so in my dream...our neighbor & his dad showed up at our door to walk to school together. my daughter wasn't even awake. i hadn't gone grocery shopping so i didn't have any lunch to pack her. i wasn't sure what they were serving for school lunch since my daughter is a picky eater. my grandmother was yelling at me that i should not talk to the kids' dad cause i have no business speaking to a man that is not my husband (gramma is very old fashion). everything seemed to be happening so fast and i was freaking out.

i seriously think i am NOT ready to send my daughter to first grade. i woke up with a terrible headache. we never made it to the movies today. when my boys went off to first grade i was not worried about them but for my daughter...it scares me to death. not sure why. maybe cause she is my last child...and this means she is growing up.

have you ever had nightmares like that before?

Finally an air conditioned sport...

2011-08-02T21:07:00.000-07:00

thank you Lord for this air conditioned sport!

GYMNASTICS!

I have been a "soccer mom" for over 15yrs with my sons.

now I get to be a "gymnastics mom" for a while with my daughter.

i think my girl is a natural gymnasts.

this is her second class & she is enjoying every moment of it.

she hopped on those bars like she's done it before.

i can't wait to see what this girl can do in a few months.

i love seeing her smile.

sometimes she's turn around & wave to me with the BIGGEST smile on her face.

this was also her first time on the balance beams.

i always bring something for me to read.

but i find it hard to read...i {love} watching her learn something new.

it brings me so much joy to see her happy.

tomorrow is the last summer movie day...

they are showing Jimmy Neutron.

Hello August!

2011-08-01T11:06:00.000-07:00

today i am saying...

i love this new "HeLLo" sticker from Uppercase Living.

and my wall calendar (a gift).

HeLLo new pots & pans from IKEA.

it has measurements inside so you don't need a measuring cups.

AWESOME! it was so easy to make pancakes this morning.

this set rocks! i {love} shopping at IKEA.

i can spend hours looking all over the place getting ideas.

HeLLo sleeping kitty in the window.

Sorry to have bothered you for a photo.

HeLLo count down to school...16 days to go before we say...

"HeLLo first grade"

"HeLLo junior year of high school"

"HeLLo second year of college"

school years go by way too quick for me.

What are you saying HeLLo to on this first day of August?

Pool Play Date Summer Fun...

2011-07-29T06:00:00.000-07:00

this morning we had our thursday morning playgroup date. my friend, sarah & her hubby bought their first home so this was the first time she hosted playgroup at her new home. which by the way was just lovely. my girl was so excited to go over there & see her friends' new home.

Here are some of the photo's i took...

lovely group shot while they enjoy some Popsicle's.

Enjoying some pool time with friends...

look at those cutie pies in the bottom photo's.

we are enjoying our last few weeks of summer.

we have 2 1/2 weeks before we go back to school.

when do your kiddo's go back to school?

Gymnastics is a lot of Fun!

2011-07-28T06:00:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago there was a special on Groupon for our local gymnastics place. The special was $20 but I had Groupon bucks (which I didn't know I had...a nice surprise) so the deal came out to $10...can you say "SCORE"?!?!? So we got 4 classes for $10. My girl had been wanting to try some new stuff and she had been talking about gymnastics & wanting to do it. So daddy said, "you're gonna have to wait for a Groupon or LivingSocial deal"...that daddy cracks me up sometimes, lol.

So I was soooo happy this came up. Tuesday afternoon was her first class. She was so shy at first, the teacher had to come get her off my lap. But once she got going she was having a BLAST! She was so happy to see that daddy came to see her first class.

Here are some of the photo's I took...

In this last group of photo's she is learning how to do cartwheels. This place is really cool. Once a child has learned to go something...they run up to this bell & ring it. All the instructors yell, "What did you do?" and the child tells them what they learned to do. It's a nice encouragement & making the child feel special at that moment.

My girl has decided that she {LOVES} gymnastics & wants to continue. I'm sure we can figure this out in the budget. It means going out to dinner less. She is our last child & wants to do activities/sports of her own. Which she should. The boys have outgrown sports so its kind of nice to have girly activities/sports around for a while. I missed soccer registration for her (only because she didn't want to play soccer at THAT time but now wants to...GIRLS! go figure).

So I guess this can be "her thing" for awhile until soccer season next year.

This school year we have planned:

Activity: Girl Scouts (2nd year Daisies): twice a month

Sports: Gymnastics: once a week

So what activities/sports do you have your children in this coming school year?

Do they do more than one?

Bloggy Bracelet Swap

2011-07-27T09:44:00.001-07:00

I recently participated in a Bloggy Bracelet Swap hosted by Michelle @ Michabella.

Here are the fun bracelets I got in the swap...

I love this set from Amy! It had all the summer colors that I love.

I also remember have bracelets like this in Junior High.

I wonder what happened to all of those?? hmmm...

This one is from Michelle herself (the host).

Turquoise is my "new signature color".

Have any idea's what movie that is from? lol

this one from Kylee is so cute!

She got it at Forever 21 & I gotta tell ya...I have NEVER been in that shop before.

Only because it's "outside" my mall, lol

But now I think I will go in there & check them out.

Kylee also sent me some "uppercase living" sample words.

Thank you! I'm gonna put them on my laptop!

My son & I have the same color & we get confused on which one belongs to whom.

Now mine will look girly...thanks!

(P.S. Please note that the blog link in photo is wrong. Yup, I just figured that out as I'm writing up this post, lol. There was a confusing on bracelet swap partners. Please click on Kylee's name to her link) So here is what I'm wondering...did Lauren get Kylee as a Bracelet Swap Partner?

{UPDATE} the info on this photo is WRONG! Miss Haylee sent me these bracelets!

My apologies to you Haylee. Thank you...I love them:)

this is from Haylee and I have to admit that I'm missing one from her. She sent 2.

She hand-made me a ribbon bracelet with the colors turquoise & orange braided.

i'm thinking my girl got a hold of it cause she was asking about it.

so i'm hoping it will turn up soon.

Thank you Michelle for hosting this bracelet swap!

Thank you gals for all the lovely bracelets!

This was a lot of fun!

It's nice to wear jewelry again now that I don't have a newborn, lol

Summer Laziness...

2011-07-22T20:35:00.000-07:00

Sorry, I've been neglecting my blog. The summer months has me so lazy. I go to bed very late & wake up late.

I do have to admit that our weather has been okay here. For the past three weeks we haven't used the A/C in the house. Although this past week we are in the 90's so we have the A/C on. Right now the A/C is out on our car so I don't drive anymore. Which has been saving us in gas. I only go out twice a week...$1 Summer Movies with my girl & playgroup with friends.

I joined a "Bloggy Bracelet Swap" which I need to take a photo & post my lovely bracelets. I officially became an Thirty-One Gifts Independent Consultant today. I ordered my kit this morning & waiting for its arrival. I need to set up my parties very soon.

Oh...we saw Winnie-the-Pooh & Harry Potter all in the same day. Now I've been a fan of Pooh Bear since my boys were little (& not to mention I have a 25yr old brother who used to watch it). So the movies were a little longer then. Well this new movie was probably about an hour long. Now it was cute but we walked out of the theater wanting more. Winnie-the-Pooh was at 5:30 and we walked out, i checked my "movie app" and Harry Potter was playing at 7:30 at the theater down the street. So we went theater hopping on Sunday. We both had Fandango coupons for 2 free adult tickets so we used both sets for Winnie-the-Pooh. My hubby & oldest son had 3 Century gift certificates so we used those to see Harry Potter & only paid for my daughter's ticket. I do recommend to watch Part 1 before seeing Part 2. I kind of forgot what was going on. ABC Family played all the Harry Potter movies last weekend EXCEPT for Part 1.

So that is all that is going on here...nothing too exciting.

So what have you been up to this summer?

It's a sad day in California...

2011-07-14T16:43:00.000-07:00

Governor Brown Signs Landmark Law To Teach Gay History

So I ask you my Christian friends...what faith based home-school curriculum do you use?

I feel this is my daughter's last year in a public school.

{semi} Wordless Wednesday...

2011-07-13T16:53:00.001-07:00

Recently the college student has taken up long-boarding with his friends. Two weeks ago, every time he went out he would come back with a new injury.

This was done when he was going down hill and

apparently you have to get down on the board to do it...

he ripped through his shorts, his soccer shorts (that he always wears under the first pair)

and his underwear. I told him I was gonna buy him shorts from the Goodwill & he can rip those up long-boarding.

The day before that he hit a concrete park bench with his ribs.

On Another Note:

USA beat France in the World Cup 3-1!!!

Looks like we will be playing Japan on Sunday for the FINALS!

Go USA!!!

Fire Station Tour & Mall Fun Day...

2011-07-12T18:40:00.000-07:00

On Monday my daughter's Daisy Troop (along with another troop) got to tour our local fire station. The girls had so much fun following Fireman Rich around the station as he showed them their living area, the garage where the trucks are & see a fireman suited up in his gear.

This morning, we headed to our local mall for Family Fun Day. Isabelle got to decorate a clay pot. Which she took very seriously. Then she sat for Story Time. After that we headed up stairs to the food court. Where I got a yummy Caramel Latte (which I missed my coffee this morning) from McDonald's & she got a Chicken Nugget Kids Meal.

Yesterday I started "The Bible in 90 Days" I find that if I get up early before the kids that its easier to read in peace and quiet. Although today, I ended up doing my reading after we got home from our outing. Which wasn't too bad cause I thought it would be really noisy.

Tomorrow morning the Women's USA team plays against France in the Semi-Finals of the World Cup. I just checked ESPN and its an early game 8:30PST.

Go USA!!!

USA!!!

USA!!!!

3 in 30 weekly linkup {07.08.11}

2011-07-11T10:09:00.000-07:00

So sorry that I missed linking up last friday!

Here is my progress...

#1.) Good Morning Girls S.O.A.P. Daily Readings...I am still on track with those. In fact I just finished doing Monday's reading right before I started blogging. Today's verse was from Proverbs 22:6 "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."

#2.) inCourage Book Club...I just finished reading the last two chapters this morning. I will hop over to the blog later to comment. The book we were reading was from Kelly Minter "The Fitting Room". Since this goal is done...I will think of another to replace it.

#3.) The Bible in 90 Days...this one started today. I did my first reading and was so into it that I wanted to continue on. I don't have the actual bible that goes with this. I have the "Busy Mom's Bible" which is from the same company & is set up the same as the "Bible in 90 Days". I will be focusing on this for my daily bible readings. I will not do any other book clubs during the summer. I want to fully dedicate my time on the bible.

So that is where I am right now.

I apologize for not linking up on friday.

3 in 30 july goals...

2011-07-01T10:11:00.000-07:00

my july goals are very spiritual goals. i need to fully give my soul to these and make myself very disciplined to each of them.

1.)

I am joining the "Good Morning Girls" in their "Ministry in Motherhood" series. All though I am not reading the book. I am only doing the S.O.A.P. readings. I slacked off on week 6 but got caught up on the monday of week 7. as of today, i am right on track. MY GOAL FOR THIS is to be disciplined and do the bible readings on the day they are assigned.

2.)

the reason i did not do the book reading for number 1 was because I committed myself to do this book club. we are reading "The Fitting Room". I have kept up my readings. MY GOAL FOR THIS is to be active on their blog post for the chapters. Instead of being a silent participant.

3.)

Now this last one is really gonna take all the disciplined to focus and not fall behind. I have decided to do "The Bible in 90 Days". I have been thinking about this a lot and usually when its been going on, I've been really busy with a lot of other things. Now is one will begin July 11th right when number 2 will be done. I will not join another book club for the rest of the summer as I want to fully focus on God's word and the plans he has for me & my life. I really want to pray more & be fully immersed in my prayers {that means praying on my knees}. This one I will do first thing in the morning as all my children are still sleeping & my home is all quiet. Along with this goal I not check my emails or jump on facebook first thing in the morning.

Those are my July Goals...

have you done "The Bible in 90 Days"?

hello rain...

2011-06-28T18:40:00.000-07:00

hello rain on a summer June afternoon!

hello a small thunder storm (wish there was more)

Thank you for coming to visit today...the tree outside my door had

way too much pollen on it.

Thank you Lord that there is a break in our 100 degree weather.

hello little girl painting on the patio while its raining...

my girl had so much fun painting outside while it was raining.

she does make quiet a mess & these paints aren't even washable.

I had them for another project and she found them. oh well, lol.

(did you see the heart in the middle of the crosses?)

"The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the works of his hands."

Psalm 19:1 (NIV)

hello monday...

2011-06-27T20:17:00.000-07:00

(Sorry there is no pictures)

hello sleeping in until 8:30am

hello cup of coffee to wake me up

hello FINALLY catching up on my S.O.A.P. bible readings

hello quiet time to read two chapters of The Fitting Room

hello to finally resting for the rest of the evening.

3 in 30 Link Up

2011-06-25T09:48:00.000-07:00

Well this months goals did not work out at all. I didn't complete any of them.

Well I did drink water but not like I wanted to or what my goal amount was too. I didn't exercise at all. Didn't even attempt to clean my house. Only bits here and there but not the major clean that I wanted to do.

Here is how June went down...had a mini vacay that included a family reunion & beach trip to Santa Cruz. Hubby got sick when we got back so he took a week off work & we just hung out. Little girl went to VBS this week which meant the boys were gone in the evening time with friends so hubby & I had a date nights all weeks. YAY! I finished reading 3 books on my Kindle which were all free books. Gotta love the Kindle and the free books. Its like going to the library to get a book but not actually leaving your home to go there. And they were all Christian books...The Pastor's Wife, Hide in Plain Sight (which is still FREE on Amazon & a really good book) and It Happens Every Spring. All of them were really great books. Reading Christian books is totally new to me & I was hooked on every word.

So in other words I was pretty lazy the month of June. Enjoying summer vacation.

July will have much different goals as they are all spiritual ones. Book Clubs that I want to finish & I will be taking on the challenge The Bible in 90 days.

Hopefully July will bring me on a more grounded spiritual path.

So how did you do?

Were you able to complete your goals?

a little beach vacay...

2011-06-17T14:52:00.001-07:00

our favorite beach location is Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

When the boys were little and we lived in Morgan Hill, we used to drive over the hill into Santa Cruz to cool off. Most homes in Morgan Hill at the time didn't have A/C so we needed to cool off somehow. So we would drive through Watsonville to get to Santa Cruz. The one thing about living in Northern California is that we aren't near any beaches.We love Santa Cruz so much that my blog picture is always from there. I update it whenever we go back, lol.

so this little one day vacay was no different. My boys & my girl just love it on the beach.

The college student can be so silly at times jumping on his daddy. lol

nothing like building sand castles...

my people...

i'm thinking this might be the new blog picture.

what do ya think?

me and my girl...

me & my man...with our girl

so where is your favorite beach spot?

a family reunion & a little vacay...

2011-06-13T16:05:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, my hubby's family had their annual family reunion at Casa de Fruta which is in between Gilroy & Holister. They have a fruit stand, restaurant, lodging, camping & picnic grounds. This time we did not visit the fruit stand. Not sure why. There was so much to do at our site. I took a lot of photos but here are a few to sum up the day...

Kids not wanting to do a photo shoot...

Cousin's playing...

Craft time with her daddy...

She was at the craft table for almost an hour.

She created a hat, jewelry box & butterfly wand.

And...the raffle prizes!

Yup, we have raffle prizes.

Here is the Adult Prizes.

If you can see in the upper right side of the photo is

a flat screen TV...that was the Grand Prize.

I'm sad to say we didn't win. We were 5 numbers off...bummer.

Kid's Raffle Prizes...

We didn't have much luck this year. We only won 2 adult prizes & 1 kid prize. Usually we do pretty well on the kid prizes but not so much this year. My girl won a craft bucket.

Well that was our Saturday. We spent the night in Morgan Hill and drove over Hwy 17 to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Our favorite beach. I will post those beach photos tomorrow. I took a lot.

Watch Out! Wild Things are coming...

2011-06-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

Last week at my daughter's school they had some fun things planned for the last two days of school. One of those was an assembly from Wild Things, Inc. They came to show the kiddos lots of wild animals. Some had a sad story...well I guess all of them did but some were worse than others. Last Wednesday was my last work day in kindergarten. When I got to class, the teacher asked me if I brought my camera. To which I replied, "No". she asked me if I wanted to run home & get it since Wild Things was coming. We live next door to the school so I ran home & grabbed me camera.

So here is what they brought us...

Hooter the North American Barn Owl...

check out those wings. they were AWESOME!

he made no sound when they flapped. It was completely silent.

Baby Possums...

their mommy was accidentally ran over & she had 16 babies

in her pouch. The person who hit her brought those babies to Wild Things.

and here is a Desert Turtle...

Lemur (not sure what kind)...

he can jump 25 yards.

Kinkajou...

sad story on him is that he was kept as an illegal pet.

When he got old enough the owner had removed all this nails/claws & I think sharp teeth.

So he can never be released back into the wild,

and last but not least...

Goliath the Black Throated Monitor Lizard

Goliath also has a sad story...the person who had him was a photographer on a photo shoot

in another country. He thought they looked cute & would make a great pet. At the time Goliath was a baby. So he picked him up, tied down his front legs over the top of his head and put him in his suit case. Once he arrived at LAX customs thought he was acting strange and searched his luggage & they found Goliath. Goliath had struggled pretty hard & scared up the top of his head from his claws.

The kids had a blast listening to each of their stories on the wild animals.

it was an excellent assembly.

Thank You Wild Things, Inc. for showing us

some beautiful creatures that God made.

3 in 30 (June Goals: second week link up)

2011-06-09T06:00:00.000-07:00

Well the first week didn't go so well. I may have over thunk two of my goals.

Goal #1: Drink more water ~

well I did well on this. i noticed that i needed to eat something when i drink the water.

if i don't then the water kind of makes me sick. almost like it has a taste.

it almost felt like when i had to take an ultrasound & they make you drink SO much water.

Goal #2: get some exercise ~

i did not do this.

we had bad weather over the weekend & i just sat on the couch & finished reading

two books. i really wasn't motivated. i tend to be so lazy in this category.

i may have to rethink this one and change this goal.

Goal #3: keep my home clean ~

i did not do this one either.

for me, i really need to be motivated to clean...like someone coming to visit.

then i can do this really well. but my girl has been sick & school was ending last week

so i totally lagged on this task/goal.

i am hoping to really do this one next week.

how did you all do with your goals?

Kindergarten Graduation

2011-06-08T00:05:00.000-07:00

Last week my sweet baby girl graduated kindergarten. i can't believe that she is my last & we are really truly done with kindergarten. there is no going back...she is growing up. those 10 months flew by so quickly. i feel as though the days just slipped though my fingers. i worked every wednesday in her class. i watched all those kiddos grow. from learning barely how to write to being able to write in their journals. some kids really changed in their looks. some in the beginning still had baby faces & then to see their faces thin out at the end of the school year.

waiting for the Principal to hand out the Graduation Certificates...

picking up from her teacher her art journal...

the Principal handing her the certificate & a school pencil...

this year she had a really FABULOUS kinder teacher &

an AWESOME principal.

her teacher is so AWESOME. we actually have a history with her. she has a son who is the same age as my middle son (the teenager). they were both in the first grade together & was on the same soccer team. i knew her when she was going to school to become a teacher. she was just subbing at that time. i had no idea she was at my daughter's school until we came for parent info night & i recognized her. i was so happy when my girl was put in her class. we are surly gonna miss Mrs. P. but she has done an excellent job preparing my girl for the first grade.

Relay for Life {part 5}...

2011-06-07T19:13:00.000-07:00

Sorry that I haven't kept up on my posts. Last week was so busy. My daughter graduated Kindergarten...as soon as I upload those photos I will post them.

Here are the last of the photos from Relay for Life...

We baked cupcakes for the Birthday Celebration Hour.

We got lots of pledges for "Fight Back"...

The Luminaria Ceremony...

This was the first time I stayed for one & I admit I was in tears.

As soon as they played the song "Wind Beneath My Wings"

the tears just flowed. I walked the silent lap arm n' arm with my son.

It was such a tender moment to share with my son.

Here is the luminaria bag we made for my grandfather...

Sunday Morning {closing ceremony}

We had a wonderful speaker come & share his cancer journey.

My daughter came and walked a MILE with her brother & I.

She did 3 laps with him while I did some last minute stuff.

Then 1 lap with me at the end.

My oldest & youngest walking hand in hand together.

Well that's The End.

It was a wonderful weekend that I will not forget.

Being on the Committee had me there a lot longer then I normally would

and that was really good for me. I met a few people who shared their journey with me.

If you missed Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 or Part 4

just click any of those numbers.

3 in 30 (June Goals)...

2011-06-03T17:53:00.000-07:00

I was away from doing 3 in 30 Goals from the months April & May. I was so busy knitting purple scarves for my Relay for Life goal. Now that it is over, its time for me to get back into my goals.

My June Goals are...

1.) Drink more water...I am really bad at this. I expect my daughter to drink more water but how can I expect her too if I can't even drink water. So this goal is for her and I.

2.) Get some exercise...I have to admit I had my fair share of my daughter's girl scout cookies. But oh man they were so yummy. And now I am totally paying the price of those yummy cookies. I plan to do some walking while my girl rides her bike next to me.

3.) Keep my home clean...Now that everyone is home for the summer. I am gonna set a chore chart for the kids. As long as they can keep the living room, their bedroom, & bathroom clean. Not to mention they want money to hang out with friends. They don't have jobs so they have to earn their money doing chores. I can keep up the kitchen. we tend to use a lot of dishes when we are home.

Did you get paid for doing chores when you were a teenager?

I did.

So those are my goals. I pray that I can really do the top 2. To me that is the most important ones since they are regarding my health & my daughter's health.

Happy Memorial Day...

2011-05-30T08:43:00.000-07:00

To the men & women who have died serving our country

for our freedom....

THANK YOU

Relay for Life {part 4}...

2011-05-24T18:12:00.000-07:00

I hope you all are enjoying this photos.

It was an INCREDIBLE weekend.

Since I was at the FIGHT BACK station...

we had a few activities going on through out the day.

We had a Kick Boxing Demo...

you know thats how we FIGHT BACK

I love this little kiddo wanting to get involved.

In fact, he wanted to wear the gloves & have the punch at him.

It was all too cute.

We even had Locks of Love.

I talked to the gal in the zebra print apron & she said that last

year they only had 4 people cut their hair.

When we talked she had 6 and I know when they left they must of

had very close to 15. Isn't that AWESOME?!?!

Between the hours of 2-4:30pm we had someone

come and give chair massages.

I can't believe that I missed those photo's.

I guess I was working & doing something else. lol

Tomorrow will be part 5;

The Birthday Hour Celebration.

Relay for Life {part 3}...

2011-05-23T17:59:00.000-07:00

2011 theme...Celebrate. Remember. FIGHT BACK.

I gotta tell you this year I was really involved and got the full effect of Relay for Life.

This year I was on the FIGHT BACK Committee.

I had never heard of Relay for Life before 2007.

In 2007, Team Pipkin walked Relay for Life for my grandmother

who survived breast cancer earlier that year.

In 2008, we lost my grampa to cancer.

I did not walk Relay that year.

Conflict in times but turns out I wouldn't be able to do it due to

my grandfather's funeral was that weekend.

In 2009 & 2010, was too hard for me.

My grandfather's birthday landed on the weekend for Relay.

I was still grieving and it just hurt.

This year 2011, I was strong & ready to FIGHT BACK against cancer.

Since 2007, my grandmother has survived breast cancer, uterine cancer

and is now fighting kidney cancer.

So here is what the Survivor Lap looked like this past weekend...

the gentleman holding the purple "Celebrate" sign came up to our booth

to share his story with us.

they had the Survivor's line up according to the years of surviving.

the 0-5 years was in from which is to the right of this photo.

There was a LOT in this group.

As you see from the photo it's pretty scattered of the Survivor's in PURPLE.

They told the first group...to look back.

That those Survivor's (posted in pic) is their HOPE.

It was so touching.

the gal (blond) standing to the right of the "RED flag" is a friend of mine...Tracy M.

She is on her journey still.

Kyler (brain cancer SURVIVOR) walking with his Dad.

My friend Rebecca walking with her daughter, Emma Kait.

She started her journey earlier this year.

You can read her blog Face of Faith.

tomorrow's post will be activities at the FIGHT BACK station.

We planned some fun stuff.

Relay for Life {part 2}...

2011-05-22T12:39:00.001-07:00

OH MY!!!

It was a FABULOUS Relay Weekend!!!

The day started off with a Survivor Breakfast...

here is my friend Sandie with her son, Kyler (brain cancer SURVIVOR)

Our Mission was to FIGHT BACK...

here are some examples of ways to can FIGHT BACK against CANCER.

Here are some of our teams and their Mission Delivery Activities and/or Fundraisers.

Here are the activities we had going at our FIGHT BACK station...

We were Pirates who are FIGHTING BACK against Cancer!

It was AWESOME to be on this Relay Committee...

Tomorrow I will post Part 3...the Survivor's Lap.

Relay for Life {part 1}...

2011-05-21T07:00:00.000-07:00

It's here...

It's FINALLY here!!!!

As of right now...I am on the field for most of the day.

We will start the morning off with a breakfast for the survivors.

Then the first lap is @9am...the "Survivor's Lap".

This year I'm on the "FIGHT BACK COMMITTEE".

Here are our Luminaria Bags...

WE WALK FOR:

My Grampa & Gramma

my girl made this one for her great-grandfather: Papa

and my Gramma who is fighting kidney cancer.

in June she goes back to the doctor to see if its grown.

As of today she is a breast cancer & uterine cancer "SURVIVOR"

we KNOW she can BEAT THIS!!

I can't wait to share with you all the photos from this weekend.

I will do them in different "parts"

It is not too late to make an online donation here.

You can donate as little as $5 online...EVERY little bit helps to find a cure.

You can also purchase a Luminaria Bag here.

our last kinder field trip was to...

2011-05-20T12:32:00.000-07:00

CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN!!

One of the kids from my daughter's class; his mommy works there and coordinated this field trip for our class and the other kinder class. Oh the kids had so much fun. I have to be honest...I've never eating here before. I think its my "new fave" place. We had to split up into 3 groups. Our group went and toured the mall and its fountains and then got to play in the mall playground. When it was our turn here is what they did...

doing an activity before we start to make our pizza's.

they each got to make their very own pizza's.

my girl just wanted cheese on her's.

tour the kitchen while the pizza's baked.

and then...

they got to eat their creations...YUMMY!!!

They also spoiled us parents and made us pizza's.

What the parents had as leftovers we got to take home.

Which I am eating right now while writing this post.

Well tomorrow is RELAY FOR LIFE...and I am so excited and a little nervous. My stomach keeps acting up. So tonight we have set up and tomorrow is the event. I will be posting pictures probably in parts.

Summer Reading: bible study & book club

2011-05-17T17:44:00.001-07:00

this morning was my last meeting with my bible study gals from church. we finished the last chapter of David by Chuck Swindoll. I have to admit...I didn't know that this was the "David" from David & Goliath. Next Tuesday we will have our potluck and then take a break over summer. Usually during the summer I look for online bible studies to do.

So here is my summer plan (some of them have already started)...

Right now I am joining...

"Good Morning Girls"

They will be reading "Ministry of Motherhood" by Sally Clarkson

I will be doing the S.O.A.P. Method of this study.

Which is bible verses.

I found a small group that is only doing this.

we communicate through facebook.

The study started yesterday.

There is still time to join...so hop on over to Good Morning Girls for all the info.

and then...I start this book club on June 5th...

We will be reading "The Fitting Room" by Kelly Minter

Right now the book is on sale through DaySpring for $10.

They have a free shipping code when you buy 2 books.

Maybe a friend might want to join with you.

I will more than likely be downloading this on my Kindle (for $9.68).

Here is the schedule from Bloom (in)courage

So that is my plan for the summer.

Oh, and I kind of want to read (in between all that) the Narnia series.

I rented the lasted movie this past weekend and was hooked.

I want to read all the books.

Let me know if you'd be joining me on any of these.

I'd love to have some blogger friends on this journey with me.

Scholastic Book Fair and Baby Chicks...

2011-05-16T15:06:00.001-07:00

this week is scholastic book fair week at my daughter's school. i volunteered on friday & today to work it. i love seeing all the books. its so hard to keep within your budget. LOL. i'm like a kid in a candy store. well since i volunteered i got a free book when i bought 3. so that was nice. my daughter's class came in today to "preview" the books. she picked out a few and i paid for them when she left.

Early Readers Section...

Bargain Books on this side...

Chapter Books for older kids...

Oh and today her kindergarten class got a special treat!

The baby chicks hatched today.

Here is the photo of the eggs in the incubator last week...

And here is one of the baby chicks...

There is about five in total that hatched today.

Say a prayer cause one looked kind of sick (not the one pictured above).

the kids were so excited!

right now they have butterflies, baby chicks & tadpoles in their class.

open house is this week.

oh what fun it is to be in kindergarten.

I WON!!!!

2011-05-13T10:58:00.000-07:00

I entered a contest at our local mall..."Spoil Mom Sweepstakes". they were picking 50 winners and each getting a $50 gift card to spend at the mall. well not only did i win...my hubby won too! i told him to enter me to better my odds. who knew that we'd both win.

i told him to keep the one he won as an early father's day gift.

as for me...i bought my first pair of.....

okay, i am {loving} my new pair of shoes.

i'm totally hooked.

i think, i need a purple pair for Relay for Life that is happening in 8 days!

i really love that when you buy a pair they give a pair away to a child in need.

i feel so blessed to have won the gift card.

Mother's Day 2011

2011-05-09T13:11:00.001-07:00

Happy Belated Mother's Day!

This year my hubby gave me a card. He didn't know what to get me for Mother's Day...in fact I have all I need. I couldn't come up with anything either. BUT I did remember that my "mother's ring" was missing a stone. I hadn't worn it in a few years so I asked him to get it fixed. So that is the plan.

My daughter gave me a "butterfly magnet" and "My Mom" book that she made in kindergarten class. so sweet of her. some of the things she said was just darling. My girl sure knows her Mama.

My son's gave me a card and the oldest one (the one in the middle of the photo below) wrote a poem. GOODNESS! When did my son's get taller than me?

Mother's Day Poem

from "the college student"

I Love You Mom for all the things you do

I don't know where I would be without you

You love me even when we fight

And even when I stay out all night

You love me even though I was colic

How you survived that must have been magic

You love me even when I'm bitter

And even when I eat all the dinner

You love me even with all the stupid stuff I do

And for this I thank you and love you.

I love you Mom and Happy Mother's Day.

Now isn't that the sweetest thing?

It made me tear up when I read it.

After all that it was time to head to San Jose to see my Mom and my Gramma. My parents were picking up my gramma and my cousin and bringing them to their house. It was a relaxing time spent talking. And the guys were watching a movie. My girl played with my brother's cat "Moo" who made my kitty look so tiny. Moo is HUGE for a cat. He was following my girl and playing with her. She loved it. I have been wanting to take a picture of us gals for a while but have always forgotten to take it. So yesterday I FINALLY took one.

"Four Generations of

Guzman, Palacios, Soltero & Pipkin Women/1 little girl"

mother's day tea

2011-05-06T17:45:00.000-07:00

this morning i had mother's day tea with my girl. she has been waiting all week for this big event. she had my gift (a butterfly magnet & my mom book). it was super sweet. the tables were beautifully decorated with yellow table covers & purple plates & napkins. each table had a bouquet flower center piece. she served us lemonade & chocolate chip cookies...YUMMY!

we finished off the afternoon with a mother/daughter date to the mall for our favorite food place. then we finished it off with a trip to Target for a few items. it was a wonderful day with my only girl.

this is my last "kindergarten mother's day tea".

i miss it already.

my baby is growing up.

once they hit school the years just fly by so fast.

thank you sweet baby girl

for a wonderful day!

my review on CouponChief.com

2011-05-02T14:15:00.000-07:00

Recently I was contacted to review a website called CouponChief.com. To be honest I had never heard of them until they contacted me. So needless to say I was excited to check them out.
They are a company that has LOTS of coupon codes to use when you shop online. I watched the video that walks you through their website and how it works. I browsed around at the companies I usually shop online at. They have lots of stores from A to Z. I tried out some of the coupon codes. Most of them worked and a few didn’t. When you use a code they want to know if it worked or didn’t work. If it did work they want to know how much you saved. They also want to know why it didn’t work. If it was expired or spam.
You can submit a coupon code by either signing in, signing up or anonymously.
You can even submit coupon codes on their “Pays-2-Share” program and get paid 2% of the savings when other customers use it.
So I immediantly signed up to get in on all the savings in coupon codes. As a mom I always look for deals that have “free shipping”. Right now they have a Mother’s Day section. So be sure to check that out and find your mom something special.
Be sure to check out their blog as they feature some of the stores listed and the savings you can receive with some of the codes they have listed for that piticular store.
If you’re a merchant you can manage which coupons or promotions are are displayed and its completely FREE.
I was very pleased by this company and will come to them first to check out what savings I can receive online at my favorite stores.
You can find them on facebook here and on twitter here.
I have been compensated by CouponChief.com to create this post . All opinions, of course, are 100% mine.

hello monday

2011-04-25T09:23:00.000-07:00

did you all have a wonderful Easter? Ours was very low key. With the gas prices we did not travel 3hrs (each way) to visit family. We stayed home. The girl and I went to church. It was a packed house. Pastor Nathan gave a very heartfelt sermon and I left feeling inspired. After church we came home and my hubby BBQ'd some steaks for lunch and they were YUMMY! we had so much leftover that we are going to have them for dinner...maybe a steak salad or put it in some pasta. Not sure yet. lol. We then had ham & some cheesy potatoes for dinner. We seriously have way too much food leftover. I guess dinner is covered for the next three nights.

The teenager was gone all day. He went out with his girlfriends' family to Marine World in Vallejo. The college student was gone in the evening as he went long boarding with his friends.

Spring break is over. The girl went back to school today, the boys go back tomorrow. I'm happy to be back into our routine.

Easter basket for the girl...

her new BIG kid Bible is in there.

I love this bible.

Its the Adventure Bible for Early Readers (NIrV)

In her Easter dress that my mom made her...

She looks so pretty.

Each Sunday at church we are given a paper that has info pertaining to the sermon. There are fill in the blank spaces to take notes during the sermon. So here are the notes that came from this past Easter Sunday's service...

Resurrection is God's last word.

Resurrection is history's most important event.

When We Start with Resurrection:

God: Jesus is God.

Me: I am His.

Suffering: He is with me in my suffering.

Outlook on Life: I can be hopeful.

Way to Live: I can live courageously.

{another} special delivery from gramma...

2011-04-21T00:05:00.000-07:00

my mom has sent another shipment of dresses that she made for my girl.

my girl LOVES getting these special packages in the mail.

this dress has a pretty pink mosaic print...

this one has a bunny print...

lavender print...

pretty dragonfly print...

she loved the green buttons on the front...

my mom made this one as her "Easter dress"...

i love the pretty flower print & blue bows on the front.

yellow floral print dress...

Easter tote bag to put all those Easter eggs

from hunting them down...

thanks mom for making my girl all these pretty dresses!

we love that you took the time to make them for her.

playgroup annual easter egg hunt...

2011-04-20T15:07:00.000-07:00

this week is spring break and we were able to get together with our playgroup friends and have an easter egg hunt. my girl doesn't get to see her playgroup friends all that much. she is a year older than them and is in kindergarten; while they are still in preschool. but we do love to visit with them when we have the chance. we only have 5 weeks of kindergarten left (yeah, i know. the time has flown by so quickly) and then we can hang out with them during the summer.

waiting to go and hunt for eggs...

playgroup photo...

and they are off hunting eggs...

she got one of the eggs we brought...

another playgroup photo...

although they really just wanted to jump in the bounce house instead.

Daisy Troop visit to local Police Dept.

2011-04-19T18:24:00.000-07:00

Yesterday my daughter's Daisy Troop took a tour of our local police dept. its spring break here and that means we get locked out of the school library for our girl scout meeting. so we decided to take a trip. here are some pictures. i do apologize. they were taken with my cellphone which isn't so good under dim lighting.

the girls taking turns sitting in the

back of a patrol car...

the girls kept saying, "its nice back here".

we told them "NO its not, you don't ever want to be back there"

lol

the girls sitting in one of the two juvenile holding rooms.

my daughter is the one walking out of the room.

she changed her mind...

we got to tour the firing range...

the wall on the left can open up so they can bring a patrol car in.

Pretty cool huh?

Daisy Troop (missing 1 girl) and some of the siblings

for a group picture...

what we learned about the new police station is AWESOME! the "command room" can be one BIG room or 2 smaller rooms. They have enough food supplies to keep them there for 2 days (if they are on a BIG case that needs FBI or other volunteers). The gals in the dispatched are locked in there room for 10hrs a day. they have their own bathroom & lunch room. we didn't get a chance to see the adult jail...they had someone in holding. which was a bummer cause we were told those were all with glass walls. Easy to clean.

it was very fun and the troop leader gave them a participation patch for the tour.

wonderful sunday afternoon

2011-04-17T21:31:00.000-07:00

this sunday afternoon we headed to the park. the weather was just wonderful. my girl had so much fun playing on the playground. we had the whole park to ourselves {which is just the way I like it}.

waiting for daddy to help her on the monkey bars...

she had no idea i was watching her or taking pictures

from where i was sitting {on the park bench}...

having a blast on the swing...

{look at that smile}

blowing away the dandelions...

{her favorite thing to do}

i {LOVE} how this shot just captured them flying away.

it was a very fun filled afternoon.

thank you God for the beautiful weather

and this time to enjoy my girl.

a little break...

2011-04-14T08:59:00.000-07:00

last week i took the week off from doing EVERYTHING! i didn't knit or blog (except for my birthday post). i needed some "me time" and "family time".

i needed to stop and smell the roses...

the week was busy & full of all kinds of things.

i got a new sectional sofa....

(don't mind the mess of toys in the corner)

the college student had a "do-over" for a junior prom.

he took his friend to her junior prom.

here she is trying to help him put on the matching bow tie...

here is the cute couple...

he said he had a blast at the prom. ran into a couple of his old teachers.

i'm so glad he got a "do-over".

he looks so handsome and his date looks so pretty.

***************

well this week is getting back into the swing of things.

i need to finish three scarves.

i am helping the college student raise money for his Relay for Life goal.

i am so proud that he wants to do this with me.

tomorrow i am helping in my daughter's kindergarten in their Easter Party.

Here is a question for you...

At what age do you get your child their first real bible?

(I know she is not able to read it yet but she wants me to read from my bible)

I was thinking of putting a bible in her Easter basket.

happy birthday to me!

2011-04-04T00:05:00.000-07:00

YAY ME! (doing a little birthday dance)

i don't know about you...BUT I. LOVE. MY. BIRTHDAYS.

i love being showered with birthday wishes.

today...APRIL 4th is ALL. ABOUT. ME.

today is gonna start with me getting a FREE massage (thats right FREE)

my friend is a massage therapist & needed a guinea pig for a new technique she learned.

i was smart enough to schedule it on my birthday (YAY ME!)

{Thanks Tiff}

this year i bought myself this little gift...

(YAY ME!)

*******************

this year i joined Love & Envelopes Birthday Club "From the Aisle to Aloha"

basically you are assigned a lovely gal and send her a birthday card on her special day.

this lovely card and AWESOMENESS "N" stationary is

from Whitney at Frames & Names (YAY ME!)

and this AWESOMENESS birthday card is

from Amy at Inside-Out Photography

its personalized in Disney font (cause I. Love. Disney.)

Thank you Whitney & Amy for the lovely birthday cards & sweet birthday gifts.

when they arrived it brought a smile to my face.

***************

after my massage...

i will get my FREE birthday coffee from Starbucks!

oh yeah...i printed all my FREE birthday coupons...

breakfast, lunch & dinner is all taking care of.

i bought a groupon last month for my favorite dessert place...

icing on the cupcake

the Pinkdelicious ones are MY. FAVORITE.

YAY ME!

well off for all my birthday fun!

happy monday to you all!

Psalm 139: 13-14 (NIV)

"For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully & wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful,

I know that full well."

thank you Lord, for creating me!

YAY ME!

special delivery from gramma...

2011-03-30T15:59:00.000-07:00

now that the weather is getting warmer, my mom made my daughter some beautiful summer dresses. she made my girl 13 dresses and has more at home that is waiting to be sewed. my mother has the wonderful gift of knowing how to sew. when i found out that i was having a girl almost 5 1/2 yrs ago...my mom started to make seasonal quilts, burp cloths & receiving blankets for her. and now that she is older...it is beautiful dresses. here are just a few...

red & white floral dress

Easter dress (one of many with bunny prints)

Easter Sunday dress...

vintage strawberry shortcake fabric...

Strawberry Shortcake summer top...

All fabric was in my mom's stash. All she bought was the patterns in my daughter's size and the zippers. I feel very blessed that my mom makes my daughter lovely things.

Thank You Mom!

meet Oliver...

2011-03-28T15:47:00.000-07:00

the {newest} addition to Team Pipkin!

a beautiful sunny day...

2011-03-28T15:33:00.000-07:00

for the past week we had some major storms here. every morning, my girl and i pass this bush that has about 4 of these gorgeous flowers on them. i've been wanting to take photos of them but its been raining that i didn't want to take my camera out.

well today, i had my cellphone on me and took these photos on the way home.

what do you think?

the {newest} member to team pipkin

2011-03-26T16:59:00.000-07:00

we picked up this little cute kitty today.

we got him from a friend of mine.

he doesn't have a name yet...

or at least one that we can decide on.

he is about 6 1/2 weeks old.

from what i hear...he is a total mama's boy.

my girl loves him so much.

his name will either be "Jack" from Nightmare Before Christmas

or...a name from Avatar.

his last youth club soccer game...

2011-03-15T17:32:00.000-07:00

Sunday was the college student "last youth club soccer game" with U19's Roseville Hammers. It was a little sad for me and for him. He first started playing soccer at the age of 3 1/2 for the YMCA in Morgan Hill. I "his mom" was his first soccer coach.

From there he went to play in Orchard Valley Youth Soccer Club when he was 5yrs. old. Morgan Hill was an awesome town to live in. They had soccer year round. In the spring they called it "Micro Soccer" and that was for the little ones until they were old enough to play club soccer. He played soccer until the 2nd grade (he was 7yrs old).

Then we moved to the desert...Trona. Oh I was so sad for him. When we drove into the town and by the school he said, "They have no grass". He didn't play soccer there. Thankfully we were only there for 3 months. My hubby that the job transfer to the current town we live in and we packed up and drove to Placer County.

I looked into soccer clubs right away & we moved here just in time for the last sign up date. He played three years in rec. soccer.

Three years Roseville Select (U12 & U14 Roseville Phantoms...an AWESOME team. I still keep in contact with a few of those parents).

Two years Comp. Soccer (Cal Rush...another awesome team).

His Junior year of high school he played Rocklin Select and his senior year he played U19 Roseville Hammers. He also played high school soccer for his sophomore, junior and senior years.

He has had an AMAZING run in soccer.

He even tried out for the San Jose Earthquakes when he was 16yrs old. We knew it was a long shot but it was something different he wanted to do. He wanted to know if he could actually keep up with grown men in a soccer game. He held his own. My boy is built like a wall. You can run into him on the field but he will be the last man standing.

What's next for him...a men's soccer league (probably a U25's men's team) & possibly coaching his little sister.

My boy is now a man...here are a few pictures of this last game as a "youth player".

his last field walk on...

his last team check in.

There are 3 other teammates here that played U12 & U14 with him

on the Roseville Phantoms team.

walking away after getting his last "yellow card"

nice play huh?

his Select soccer career started & ended in Roseville.

Thank you to all the coaches he has had over his 16yrs of playing soccer.

You've taught him that his education came first and soccer last.

He has done very well in both areas.

Sure he has been cocky at times but you always brought him back to reality.

Drew,

I have enjoyed being your first coach. You had so much energy to burn off on the field.

I remember when you were 5 and playing on the Fireballs team that you scored 12 goals in one game...in the rain. That was totally the game of your life.

No matter what position you played on the field (and you've played them all over the years) you always kicked butt. You Rock Bop!

Love ya,

mom

a pirates life for me...Arrrrr!

2011-03-13T09:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday my girl was invited to her friends 5th birthday party and it was a pirate theme party. they said the kids were more than welcome to come dressed as pirates...and boy was there some great costumes. they were so cute.

my girl went as Izzy from Jack and the Never Land Pirates. and she was the cutest Izzy ever.

This is my favorite photo from the day:

checking out their pirate loot.

the birthday boy is on the right.

Oh my goodness!

Its Jake & Izzy from "Jake and the Never Land Pirates"!

the treasure map!

pirate kiddos!

we had so much fun celebrating this day with "G". my girl had such a blast. thank you for inviting us:)