August 20, 1984

It was around midnight August 20 1984.  I was 9 months pregnant and ready to pop.  When I finally went into labor.  Since this was my first child I was very excited for this day to come.  So John and I kept track of my labor pains and when they got to about 3-5 mins apart we headed over to the hospital.  You might think Wow that’s cutting it close.  Your probably right but the last thing I wanted to do was spend more time in the hospital then I absolutely had to.  Besides the hospital was only 5 minutes away.  By this time it was around 4:00 a.m.  I got settled into my room, my Mom showed up upon my request of course, John went downstairs to fill out paperwork and we just waited.  In the eighties you didn’t get to have the baby in the same room you were in labor in.  They moved you to the delivery room.  Before they moved me they asked me if I wanted anything for pain.  I had heard of so many horror stories about having a baby that I had already decided to have a Coddle.  This was before Epidurals.  Well, as they were moving me from one bed to another in order to go to the delivery room my coddle fell out without anyone noticing.  The doctor is ready to deliver the baby and I was for sure ready so he proceeded to give me a pezeodomy and HELLO! I totally felt it.  So a local numbing was given to me and upon several pushes out came a beautiful 9 1/2lb, 21 1/2 inch baby boy.  He had a little bit of a cone head from all the pushing I had to do because he was turned wrong but I didn’t care.  He was the most beautiful thing on the face of the earth as far as I was concerned.  I would go through it all over again to have the joy that he has brought into my life.  He is sweet, loving, caring, funny, witty, smart and very conservative but he is all mine.  If you haven’t figured it out yet I’m talking about Matthew.  Happy Birthday Son.  I love you very much.  You make me very proud to be your mother.  Never stop being who you are.  You are unique in every way.  You have a blessing on your life that God put there along time ago.  Keep the faith.  Walk the walk.  See what the Lord has in store for you.  I pray everyday that God continues to bless you in all aspects of your life.  I know I should probably mention something in here about your Dad.  After all if it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t have had you lol!  You are very special son.  We love you very much.  Happy Birthday! Enjoy YOUR day.

Sweet Baby

Am I cool or what

Just Chillin

Sneeze???

Muscles??

Growing into a young handsome man

The road to Geek Hood

Other than marriage one of his most happiest days.

The beginning of a great relationship

Do you have Hope?

So for lunch today I went to one of my favorite places to eat.  Panda Express.  I know its not the most healthiest place to eat but do I look I’ve been watching my weight lately? Of course I have I’ve watched it grow..LOL  Anyways, you get a fortune cookie with your meal and mine said “If you have Hope you have everything”.  At first I thought OOOHHHhow deep is that?  (With sarcasmof course) Since I was eating by myself because my lunch partner is at camp meeting I began to think on it a little bit.  Hmmm, If we have Hope we have everything.  What is  Hope? So I looked it up in the dictionary.  I have hoped before so I new what it was but then I came across this… “Hope against Hope, to continue to hope, although the outlook does not warrant it: We are hoping against hope for change in our situation.”  #2 Hoping; Expectancy, longing.  Don’t give up.  Keep hoping.  I know I am.  In your darkest hour hope brings you a light that will help you find your way.  Hold on to it, it will guide you even  when you have come out of your darkest hour.  Your hope is yours and yours alone.  No one can take it from you only you can let it go.  God is so full of hope.  If you lose a little of yours plug back into God and He will fill you back up with it.  Lift your hands and worship, sing unto the Lord and see how good Hope is.  God Bless……..

got sand?

What a blast!!! We all had so much fun.  As you will see from my pictures.  I didn’t ride ATV’s but I did 4 wheel drive in the sand with John’s truck.  That was a blast.  I think I’m more of a truck or jeep 4 wheeler then a ATV rider but who knows next time I’ll try the ATV.  Friday night after work Amanda, Jason, Sabrina and I loaded up the truck and headed down south to Pismo.  We got a late start because I had to work so by the time we got there we didn’t have very much light left.  Tina called me while I was on the road to warn me about letting air out of my tires before we hit the sand.  Kirk and Tina, Matt and Danelle and Kyle and Todd all got stuck.  But we learned since it was all our first times.  I let the air out put it in 4 wheel and made it no problem.  When we got to the entrance of our campsite the sand got alot softer so the kids said “you got to punch it” so I did and Yee Haw we flew over those dunes even got airborne on one of them.  Parked the truck then had to unload, set up the tent and get situated.  By the time I got to sit down and relax it was way after dark and I was pooped.  Went to bed about 11:00pm and didn’t really fall asleep until about 2:00am.  Fireworks and ATV’s were still going at that time.  Up a 6:45 am and got a parking ticket.  Oh well.  After we all got up and Tina made the reservations for the ATV’s they all got in the back of my truck and I 4 wheeled them out to pick up the ATV’s.  That was a blast!  Hearing them in the back Yahooing and screaming Fish tailing in the wet sand.  I can’t wait to do it again. As much work as it was I gotta say I would sooo do it again.  But next time my husband has to go with me.  Yeah, he didn’t get to go because of work and he was looking forward to it for weeks.  Next time though for sure.  I don’t live far from the Hollister Hills SVRA park soI see those guys pulling their bikes to go play every day.  I would much rather play in the sand then the dirt.  It’s softer to when you fall or crash. Right Matt?   Thanks Kirk and Tina and Hollister Youth Group for letting me join you guys in all the fun. 

Jason & Sabrina

Our first night. Someone looks tired.

Tina and I took pics of each other. Say Cheese!

Hanging out by the camp fire

Todd looking comfy.

Campfire moment

Todd and Kyle

Watching the last of our firewood burn.

The next morning 7:00am

This is the main road in.

Nathan Evans and I took a walk on the beach.

Pretty rocks

Birds flew over us

Our campsite

Looks like a hobo camp

Getting ready to pack up

Scott, Victoria and Brandon on thier dune buggy

Looks like fun!

Kirk, Tina, Vanessa and Tori came by to say HI

Nathan got a turn!

Tina giving instructions to Amanda

So much fun!

“Refuge in the Park”

I am so very blessed to be a part of a group of young people who truly love God.  This was their second “Refuge in the park” this summer. The crowd wasn’t as big as the first one but that doesn’t matter to God because His Spirit was there just the same. What a glorious sight to see the hand of God on them.  It touches my heart every time I pray for them talk to them and see them worship.  John and I have such a burden for them.  We love them all.  No matter what shape or form they come in they are precious to us. To see them put together the “Refuge in the Park” is alot of work and to see them pull it together and enjoy doing it tells me alot about their burdens, love and passions.  We got a late start because the power was out and you know we need that for the instruments but that didn’t stop them.  Kyle went out and borrowed a generator and they plugged in and got started.  That to me says nothing can stand in their way.  Most people would have said o well got discouraged and called it off for another day but NO not our young people they just keep pressing on.  Way to go guys!  The crowd breaker was cute it was Marcus and Mimi on a blind date.  She was blind and he was upset that she couldn’t see so he started doing mean things like pouring salt in her drink and making faces but little did he know she was only blind in one eye. HEHE. Then Matt got up and spoke what a great  message.  I would like to hear it again.  That’s a keeper Matt.  If you missed it o well.  I really think Matt and Omar make a great team.  They had a rhythm going.  If you ever listened to a message that had to be translated you know that it can get alittle messy, so to speak.  But they did so well.  Great job guys! 

Todd on keyboard

The Refuge Crew

Worship

The Crowd

Sideliners

The Faithful

Crowd breaker

Daniel Rapping

When the trumpet sounds

Matt "Refuge speaker"

Matt preaching, Omar translating

Alter call worship

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

I am a very proud mother in-law today.  Because today Danelle graduated from Dental Assisting School.  I look back on that night when she was at my house fretting over what to do with her career.  She was bored of the same old thing and wanted to try something new.  I had  received a Gavilan College flyer in the mail and was thumbing through it while she was searching for a job online when I noticed a small add advertising a 6 month program for Dental Assisting.  I asked her about it and she thought she might be interested in it.  So I told her to research it online.  Check out if the job openings were out there for this line of work.  Well she did.  Just a few days later she came to me and said “Mom I really want to try this”.   I saw something in her eyes and I knew she was serious.  So the rest is history and here we are today.  Danelle I just want you to know that you do have your family behind you 110%.  We love you and are very happy for you.  Looking forward to seeing great things transpire.

 

The Tree

The Tree
    I hired a plumber to help me restore an old farmhouse, and after he had just finished a rough first day on the job: a flat tire made him lose an hour of work, his electric drill quit and his ancient one ton truck refused to start.  While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence. On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands.  When opening the door he underwent an amazing transformation. . His face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss. 

    Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed the tree and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier.  ‘Oh, that’s my trouble tree,’ he replied ‘I know I can’t help having troubles on the job, but one thing’s for sure, those troubles don’t belong in t he hou se with my wife and the children.. So I just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home and ask God to take care of them. Then in the morning I pick them up again.’ ‘Funny thing is,’ he smiled,’ when I come out in the morning to pick ‘em up, there aren’t nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before.’ 

 

First Kiss

 

 

The First Kiss
 

It’s your First Kiss and

 

several

 questions might come

 

to mind

 

Is anyone watching?

     

 

 

  Is it the right time?

 

 Does your partner

 Even want to?

Is your breath fresh?

 

‘What the heck!’

 

and Just Go for it!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Story

Law of the Garbage Truck 
 
This is a great way to look at things… 

One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us.
 
My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean he was really friendly. So I asked, ‘Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!’ This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, ‘The Law of the Garbage Truck.’
 
He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they’ll dump it on you. Don’t take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don’t take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets. The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. 
 
Life’s too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so….. ‘Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don’t.’ 
 
Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!

Mother’s Day

I had a very nice Mother’s Day.  Our Sunday afternoon service was very good.  To top it off we went to eat.  You know food after church is like having milk with oreos or a good cup of coffee after a dinner.  Those two things church and food just go so good together.  My Mom and brother came over our house on Sunday because we had reservations for Sunday Bruch at the Cedar House.  Mom and Leon were very impressed with the food.  We sat outside the weather was perfect and we ate and ate and ate.  I was blessed to have my Mom, Amanda, Matt and Danelle and especially my husband with me on a day when a Mom wants to have all her loved ones with her on her special day.  Sis Hurst next year is your turn Thanks for sharing.  Enjoy the pictures….

 

Family Time

Deep Fried Twinkies

No hole in one for her

Concentrating real hard

Play miniature golf

Posing for pics

Hmm Can I still cheat?

My Mommy:)

Sharing a Funnel Cake

April 30th was my husbands 43 birthday.  It fell on a mid week day and there was so much going on the following weekends that we didn’t really get to celebrate.  Instead we decided that we would get the kids and my Mom and brother to go to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk with us for a Family Day.  We had so much fun!  I ate like there was no tomorrow UGH! Let’s see…. As soon as we got there we had a corn dog, corn on the cob and soda.  We walked a little ways and Mom saw the deep fried Twinkies, she just had to have one. I couldn’t bring myself to eat one. EWWW… We walked some more and the guys wanted to try their talent on some dime tossing.  John, my brother and Matt won some drinking glasses.  So we walked some more and decided we all wanted to play miniaturegolf. That was fun.  Someone was always trying to cheat but I won’t say who it was (John) heehee.  After miniature golf we kinda built up an appetite so we stopped at the candy store and bought salt water taffy YUM…  Then alittle ways farther I had to have a funnel cake.  So after that, you know no matter where you walk there is something to eat so why not try everything right? Hence the extra 10 pounds I’ve put on but I could not leave until Mom and I had some Gilroy Garlic Fries.  Everyone in the car was not to happy with me all the way home…. But regardless of my stinky breath we all had a wonderful time.  It was good to see Mom smiling and having a good time.  It’s the first she has been out and about since my Dad passed away.  Love you Dad:(  But then there was Mothers Day weekend…to be continued…….