Random photos and summers end...

Thought I'd post some random pics from the summer. School starts tomorrow. Where did the summer go? I have no idea, but it's always too short. I had a big 'ole post that I wrote up. It was deep. Lot's of pondering thoughts and what not. Decided I'd sit on it for a while.

Before I get into the photos, I thought I'd thank those of you that stop by and read my blog. I'd love to hear who you all are. How about giving me a little "shout out" that you were here? Some of you leave regular comments (which I love), but many of you just flit through and I'd love to know you better. =] Have a great week Bloggers!

Taryn got a Webkinz and spent a lot of time this summer figuring it out. She's hooked!

Hannah is playing the guitar and will continue lessons at school.

Marco walks and gets some big boy shoes!

Spent many, many hours out here.

Scrapbooking....

Card making...better than idle time, right?

Marco finally gets some of his own toys. No more borrowing the Barbie car to play. LOL

Attended my niece's Quincenera (Sweet 15th) Dedication

Went bowling with Uncle Jaime

Marco's first trip to the beach.

Spent time with friends. This is my dear friend Miriam...

and our dear friends Lorany and Robert

Lots of summer fun with the youth group. Here are just a few of them at my house after a video scavenger hunt.

We finally got a chance to go to the San Diego Zoo. Awesome!

Got closer to my hubby. He's such a hard worker, yet he always makes time for me and the kids!

Amazing Casting Crowns concert. There are no words.

August 12 on 12

I knew that I wanted to take things slow today - I needed it - then I realized it was 12 on 12 day! Ugh. How could I "jazz" up my day? Well...nevermind. It's supposed to be a day in the life - right? So here it is. My exciting day. =]

Gotta love my Senseo breakfast blend coffee with vanilla creamer. Yes, it must be in this mug. I just like how it fits in my hand...oh, and I have this thing for pumpkins. LOL

First one to wake up and of course, every morning, she greets me with a "Good Morning Mom." in her sleepy voice.

The girls and I had to run to a friend's house and I told the girls to make sure they ate something before we went...well, there were no "quick fix" lunch items so I ended up being a "dollar-naire" at Pollo Loco. LOL We all got something and the grand total was $5.35 =]

Uh oh...looks like we need to fix someone's straps on the car seat! Eek! That's not good.

Hannah got sucked into the Twilight series and we had gone to D's house to pick up the second book. Here's D's girls seeing us off after our great visit with them.

My little guy is getting way too big for this car seat carrier. He was on fast forward mode the whole time at D's house. He fell asleep the second we got him into the van in his seat.

Had to get home and cook up some dinner before Marco and I headed out for work. Actually, he would be coming home from work, eating dinner and going right back out to work with me. Poor guy - such a hard worker...never complains. Anyway, here's some boneless skinless chicken tenderloin grilling...oops! Looks like I got messy with the seasoning.

Here's dinner. Grilled chicken salad. Everybody likes a different dressing. Marco likes 4 cheese Italian, I like the red wine salad spritzer and the kids love Ranch...well, who doesn't like Ranch, right? Naomi calls Ranch dressing "dipper". She associates it with chicken nuggets. lol

These popsicles have been a great treat this summer.

The prices are getting a little better at some of the stations.

Ugh. The carts. See those frames at the end of the carts? That's where the ads go that I change out every month. This chain of stores actually will not be continuing with us, so I have been removing every frame at every store for the last couple of weeks. A job not for whimps. Yuck.

This is what I came home to. Looks like my little guy was looking for something. LOL He was probably looking for a guy toy among all those girly things. =]

There's my day. I came home late, hugged my kids, soaked in the bath and started finally reading Twilight. I was going to read it first, but Hannah got a hold of it. She's done and on to the second one so I can finally start! See ya 'round!

It is but for a moment...

My pastor (my sweet husband) preached a message this Sunday that is still with me today. I have been playing the Scripture he shared over and over in my mind. My heart has been heavy lately with some things that I think I do have control over - but lost it - and some things that I don't have control over at all. I don't like it when things are "unsure" or "unsettled". I like a plan. I like to know what to expect...no, I am not a control freak. Why do you ask? *Ehem*

Anyway, he preached from 2 Corinthians 4:15-18 which says:

15For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
16For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
17For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Aren't those verses powerful? I was so encouraged by it. We can not understand why bad things happen to good people. We will never understand why storms come into our lives, but let's remember that they are but for a moment.

Remember when you went through that hardship a while back? At the time, it seemed impossible to get through - but you did. Now, it is but a memory. You may have even grown from the situation. I know that when it rains, it pours. Yes, some things will not pass away as easily, but it is what life is all about. We have to take the good and the bad.

Do not be discouraged my friend. Like I said, my heart has been heavy and still is in some areas, but I feel as if the burden was made lighter by this Scripture reference.

It is my prayer, for all of my friends and family out there, that you will look on that which you can not see - not just what is in front of you - and have faith. Be strong. You too can be renewed day by day.

He is...

So, I wanted to try out Wordle. It was something I had seen on a few of my friends' blogs. It was pretty cool! I want to add more words to this, but thought I'd go ahead and post what I've already done. You should try it, too! (If you click on it, it will enlarge)

A necessary thing....

So my posts have been a little blah and generic lately. I know that. You don't even have to tell me! It's just that I have been really going through a lot these days. I think there may have been too much to even blog about, things that I can not really even find the words for. *sigh* I can't even fix that preposition that is dangling at the end of that last sentence. I will move on...even though it is hurting my knee. LOL

I have been wanting to write. I have been aching to write, but it won't come. So, I decided to ramble and just type. Maybe that will at least loosen things up. Ugh, another blasted preposition!

I had one of the best evenings ever last Friday. My dear husband suggested that I take our oldest daughter out for some one on one time with mom. I had a gift card to a restaraunt that I had been saving for Marco and I, but he insisted that I use it on her. We have been very busy lately, working a lot of extra hours and will be working even more hours this week. Hannah has been helping so much. Not only does she watch the kids, but she cooks, cleans up and more.

He was right. It would be good for both of us. So, Girls Night Out it was! We went to Applebees and decided we would get the special. It had a starter, main course and mini dessert. Perfect!

Afterward, we went to the Plaza. We wanted to head straight over to the Borders bookstore (she's hooked on a new series of books - thanks Desiree!), but heard some great Swing/Big Band music and decided to see what was going on. There was a live band playing in the center of the plaza. I wish I would have gotten some pictures of it! It was great. We sat and listened then finally ventured over to Borders. We browsed, got something from the Coffee place and I bought her a little something that she had been eyeing, but knew we didn't really have extra money for it and so she didn't even ask. She had gone to use the bathroom and while I was waiting, I thought that it was the least I could do for her.

I am really blessed to have such a great daughter. We really had some good talks that evening and of course, we laughed our heads off! She's becoming a bright, beautiful young lady - wow! How did that happen? I thanked God for her and thanked my hubby for the great idea. He knew that we needed it and I love him for that.

Husband Spotlight!

I've been tagged by Lee ... keep reading to see if YOU have been tagged!

So here we go...


What is his name? Marco, Daddy, or Pastor

How long have you been married? It will be 15 years this month!

How long did you date? Almost 4 years

How old is he? Almost 38!

Who eats more? He does, but unfortunately, I can usually keep up if I had to. LOL

Who said I love you first? He did. It kind of slipped out, but then he stuck with it. =]

Who is taller? He is.

Who sings better? That would probably be me, but he's not bad either. I like singing WITH him when he is serious.

Who's temper is worse? Mine. Move along...

Who does the laundry? Me usually, but he knows how and will when he needs something right away. =D

Who pays the bills? He makes the money, I write the checks. Ha!

Who cooks dinner? That would be me...or Hannah. She is awesome in the kitchen!

Who mows the lawn? Hmmm...we had a lawn guy, but I don't think that happens anymore. He does when it gets out of control and he can find the time.

Who wears the pants in the family? Let's just say that he is in charge. Of course, there are some things that he will gladly leave in my hands like the school work, the house stuff.... he will totally get involved if we need him to, but otherwise - he has enough on his plate.

OK, so I need to tag someone ... I think everyone has had this on their blog already! LOL I tag...Esther, Rachel and Desiree! Now go!

Wordless Wednesday: These shoes were made for walking...