Just in case our kids in North Dakota miss us!!

Saying goodbye July 1, Alex (16) Dex (14 on the 4th) and Emma (11) head to North Dakota

Jefferson misses his sister.

Sheri's office/apt. Quite the community/complex at Irvine Spectrum. Gorgeous.

Jefferson taking time to draw bunnies.

Doheny State Beach. Always needed room for bat and ball.

Playing pickle at Dana Point.

My 'almost 8' youngest, still wants snuggles

Oceanside Pier

Oceanside pier. Lunch at Ruby's Diner

My brother Steve's daughter Emilie (left)

One of 4 pools

Balboa Island, Wilma's, a favorite

Tried to stop and see my cousin Bruce at the Marina, but he's on vacation. The nerve!

Nice to take Daddy's car! Cheaper too.

Celebrating Life and Friendships

Almost every year, my sister's family and ours have celebrated our 2nd born boys' birthdays, together. They're only a day apart. They look about as much alike as my sister and I. Golden and dark. We are so grateful for these chances which go too quickly, to be together. I can't believe they're 14 already! I think I'll post some pics of their previous birthdays on the 4th of July. (Dex's actual birthday!) We hadn't been to Organ Stop Pizza for years. The kids didn't even remember it. So we also invited some friends so the kids could say goodbye before leaving for North Dakota today. Sob! It was a fun night. Hard to talk, fun to listen and laugh. Thanks for coming Anviks, Langakers, Greggs, Tutens,Shepherds and Rays and celebrating!

My sister Karen and me

Nate (15) and Harrison (celebrating his turning 14 with Dex)

Our Presidents: cousins Jackson and Jefferson. (almost 8 year olds)

My parents are so amazing. Looking and feeling awesome at 71

Lizzy with her buddies Jemima and Zion

Alex and her friends. Dakota and Matt

Love these 2. Bradley and Dawn Gregg. New to Organ Stop Pizza that night! So fun

Alex's best buds Kara and Mcabe

My birthday boy. 14 on the 4th of July and he'll be in North Dakota!

I'll miss the conga banging!

God's Creation in our own Backyard

Baby owl on the basketball hoop, see the mama in the background?

Mama owl, not letting baby out of sight.

You can even see the new down on baby's head.

You Think You Can Multi-Task

Imagine each hand and each foot doing something completely different, yet together. I only had a few lessons on the organ but I do know what's involved. It's mind-boggling. I know 3 very accomplished organists, but even they are blown away by this woman's FEAT! Or FEET!

Aah, the Model Shines

A man in our orchestra at church,Robert Dickinson, asked if Alex would pose for some shots for his website. I love the colors he captured in her hair. These are untouched and I have to select from about 32 he sent me. It was a fun experience.

Alex and Emma were approached at a restaurant by some Barbazon photographers and they gave us their name and numbers to contact them. Haven't done that, but who knows? Could be a way through college. LOL. (for someone who doesn't like makeup or jewelry or clothes for that matter, she might not enjoy that world!)

What a Week!

Last week I was distracted (in a good way) with preparing for music camp each day. I guess I felt I short-changed the younger two a bit. They kept saying "can we just stay home?" But they had fun. One day at one grandparents' house, one day the grandparents here, two other days with friends at their houses. So this week, I said YES to just about whatever they suggested! A good thing, in moderation! It's only Wednesday and I am wiped out!

Emma and her friend McKenzie, getting creative with frosting.

Aah, the final product.

I went to tea at English Rose Tea Garden here in Carefree with my friend Julie for her birthday. (albeit late!) And that was so relaxing and enjoyable. Great food, even better company. Click HERE for pictures of the tea room. And HERE for a virtual tour, with the owner Joanne narrating in her English accent. It's so beautiful.

The Glory of God

The Glory of God is what He wants us to see so that we know Him better.

He shows us His glory in and through CHRIST

The glory of God is in His CHURCH

And the glory of God is in His CREATION

We GIVE God glory through our WORSHIP,
reading and knowing His WORD
and by our good WORKS

"To God be the glory, great things He hath done
So loved He the world that He gave us His son
Who yielded His life, an atonement for sin
And opened the life gate that all may go in.

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord
Let the earth hear His voice
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord
Let all people rejoice
Oh, come to the Father, through Jesus the Son
And give Him the glory, great things He hath done."

YOUTH-LED WORSHIP

Alex sang "Lead Me to the Cross" here. And she and Kelsie Doan did a beautiful duet of "Amazing Grace; My Chains are Gone"

(I need to give credit for these exquisite BW photos by my good friend Dawn Gregg)

Last night was the concert ending our week of music camp at Scottsdale Bible. We had a few songs that didn't go so well in rehearsal, but when the time came to give it up to God and let go, He blessed the kids beyond measure. They did great.Click on the photo to enlargeMy Emma worshiping, Carris Doan singing a solo on Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) and Michael Blair shared from his heart before he led "What Can I Do?". He also shared the meaning of his shirt, that to we gain Christ and eternal life when we lose ourselves.

Summer Music Camp

It doesn't get much better, singing with kids that love to sing! I am so blessed. We have 32 kids on the vocal team, grades 7-12 and I think 21 in the band!! So amazing. Lots of talent. I am humbled to get to work with the gifted Sean Johnson, Joe Bubar and Tammy Reimche. Their music abilities exceed the common man. Composing, playing many instruments, sheet music:optional!

Here's the music camp blog: SBC Music Camp 09

My Alex and our life-long friend Kelsie Doan.
I've known her since before she was born. Is that possible?

Logan Domenico (I have known this fine young man since he was about 3 I think)

Michael Blair, there are no words for this young man's enthusiasm and love of worshiping and of life. Sean Allen has an amazing talented voice and makes me laugh. I am so glad they're on my team!

Summer Schedule

So it begins, the questions about what a home school family does during the summer. Do you continue with school? Don't they get a break?

Actually, yes to both. We continue with school but we also have breaks. We take breaks all year. If we want to travel in February, we can. If we want to take a longer Christmas break, we do.

I always seem to have big dreams for the summer though. Because it isn't the normal schedule. We are inside a little more unless we're swimming or it's really early in the morning or we are inside at the mall or a museum or the movies.

I was in the middle of remodeling a kitchen last summer, recarpeting the house and having the outside painted. So cleaning up the clutter upstairs and moving the girls rooms was part of it. I always want to catch up on scrapbooking, never happens. Only in small chunks.

So here's what our days look like:

Monday-Thursday

8am Breakfast

Chores

Devotions

Music practice (piano, guitar, violin)

French

Math

Reading

(have yet to pick the 11,13 and 16 year olds' books yet, so they're reading fun stuff)

Writing (cards, letters, journals, blogs)As I was writing this, my 16 year old had just written a new entry in her story blog. Click here to read it. So cool

Noon: Lunch

Chores

Free time

MWF (computer)

Swimming

Errands or outings

Next week we have music camp in the afternoons.

July 1-18 my older 3 kids will be on the farm in North Dakota.

July 19-26 Home

July 26-August 15 Road trip to my nephew's wedding in North Carolina. (I'd love some ideas of what to do, where to stop on our way east!)

So they're actually not home a lot. The thing about studying foreign languages, music and math, is it's really hard to take long breaks from it. You lose ground. I'm grateful the kids actually have seen that and don't want to lose what they've worked on.

Lord, may I be diligent in teaching and training these gifts from You. Preparing them for a future that is in Your hands. Praying they choose the narrow path, the one that serves You, helps further Your kingdom, reaches the lost, uses their gifts for Your glory.