East Coast Road Trip

The kids covered composition notebooks to make their personal travel journals. Can't wait to see them at the end.

What would a hotel be without a pool to cool off after the hot drive?

My cousin Cindi in Springfield Missouri.

A picnic in our room after swimming

My wonderful folks, Blueridge Parkway

Make your own cones at Golden Corral

Every time I tell someone I am traveling with 7 kids, they give me the strangest looks, trying-to-be-polite smiles. I don't care. I'm NOT crazy. I'm so happy we are doing this. My only wish would be that my man was along. But having my folks come has been wonderful. To have the 2, 14-year old boys sitting in their car, talking about anything and everything, is nothing short of great preparation for life! The things they can glean from their grand-parents cannot be measured.

To see the 7-year olds reading for hours on end is amazing to me. To have all the boys helping with loading and unloading, and arranging the car without their dads over their shoulders is a great lesson.

To have my 16 year old, with her permit, driving and taking risks and learning from them, is a beautiful thing.

We left Friday morning July 24. Spent that night in ABQ, the next night in OK City, visited my dad's only sister and 2 of my cousins in Springfield Missouri. Kept heading a little north and slept in Lexington Kentucky but we were too late to see Lincoln's home. It's okay since we'll have 2 days in Williamsburg. I have never seen so many thickly growing trees as in Kentucky, West Virginia and Virginia. Thousands of acres, covering hundred of miles. And to think God gave us this beautiful earth to have dominion over and most people live on land the size of a postage stamp. Something's wrong with that picture!

Williamsburg for 2 days. More to come!

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.