More 'Celebrating 50' Photos

ATTEN - SHUN!! 

Sorry, Dad, but I think these new recruits are going to need a few more years of Basic Training!!



Would anyone else like to know what words of wisdom were being exchanged here???

 

 

Sisters. Beautiful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Okay, I just can't take all the cuteness....................

 

 

 

 

 

It's Beginning to Look...

A lot like Christmas?

 

 

 

I still haven't gotten used to both of these being in front of my house simultaneously!!

 

But we're having no trouble at all getting into the spirit of things...........

 

 

Spreading a little Christmas cheer at the local Kmart!!

 

 

It's so fun adding new traditions to our old, familiar ones!

New people, new experiences, they all add a richness to the season. I always used to be so fearful of change, not realizing what blessings I was missing when I held so tightly to everything familiar and comfortable. I selfishly wanted to hoard this time for myself and my family. Just the opposite of the whole reason for the season!!! In case you couldn't tell, I'm a very slow learner.

Not that we shouldn't cherish the special things we do each year....just that we should be more open to the opportunities God gives us to touch the lives of others. Hope this finds you enjoying old traditions and making new!

 

 

 

 

 

50 Years + 12 Kids

What a weekend!

I can hardly believe it's over already, but we enjoyed every single moment.  Never before have I been so aware of the unique blessing I have in my family! Listening to the childhood memories of my 11 siblings, my heart was filled with so many overwhelming emotions. We cried some and laughed a whole lot more. From the oldest to the youngest, we recounted incidents and stories that shaped our character and helped make us who we are today.

Was every moment blissful? No. Were my parents perfect? Of course not! Did they give us a warm, loving, safe home and live an example of a godly marriage?  Absolutely!!

Not only did they raise us and stay sane, but they did it well.  My prayer is that I can have a fraction of their patience, wisdom, and sense of humor as I attempt to nurture my own children. 

 

 

50 Years Ago, modeled by Lincoln and Nicole:

The Open House was beautiful and warm, full of loving family and friends, all joining together to celebrate this amazing milestone of half a century together!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Sibs.............

 

 

 

Dad used to tell people when they asked how many children he had, "Six and a half dozen." :)

 

Psalm 127:3 Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord...

 

More 'Doing'

"If you've got business to do, and God has put you in a place to do it, get out of your own way and get on with it......How can we run if we keep looking this way and that and checking our feet and wondering how we look as we run?"

Ouch.

This was something I read today....pretty sure I was intended to read it! This is definitely an area I struggle with. Thinking I have to have everything figured out, lined up, organized, details planned before I take one teeny tiny little step. That's not necessarily how God wants us to operate. More often than not, I try to "help" God figure it out when I really should just square my shoulders and march out there and do it.

Take it from someone who, fifteen years ago, couldn't bring herself to spontaneously entertain if the house wasn't in spotless-top-to-bottom condition, this has not been an overnight transformation.  Probably because the root of the problem is selfishness and pride.

So, more 'doing', less 'thinking'. Check.

 

Thanksgiving Week

What a whirlwind!
So much to do....enjoying every minute doing it!!

Taylor got in after midnight on Monday the 25th so we waited until Tuesday to celebrate Jackson's birthday.

 

Brunch with cousins!!



 

 

 

Then family photos at the beach - the boys were soooo into it.........



Actually, it went great (we may have bribed them with Islands Burgers...)!

 

 

 

Wednesday food prep.

Amazing how much can be accomplished if you only have one hour until tee time... :)

 

 

 

 

 

Laser tagging with San Diego young kids - what a great group!

 

 







THANKSGIVING DINNER!!
We were blessed to be joined by this amazing family....

 

TIP:  If the kids sleep over, you get a catered, four-course breakfast that is absolutely FAB and guaranteed to fill up 8 kids (including 3 teenagers!!)


To finish up a perfect week:
Tree Trimming.......

 AND 4th grade mission project!

 

 

 

 

 

 

CUP = OVERFLOWING.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our New Normal

 

 

 

 

Love, love, loving our new home! Had a wonderful designer fly all the way from IL to help make decorating decisions!!!  The neutral color scheme is a big improvement over the mood-altering purple ceiling and walls :)

 

 

Speaking of Susan, this one's for you........

 

(because you were worried I wasn't getting to see sunsets from my yard!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happiness Is:

 

 

 

 

 And:

 

 

 

And..........having Taylor here for a WHOLE WEEK!

 

 

 

I'm sure there will be some serious golfing going on while he is here!!!

 

 

 

 

And the best of all:

20 Years.

 

 

Even the little things

It is amazing how God is constantly assuring us that He is here, He is NOW. And He shows in amazing ways that He cares. When we're hurting, scared, or weary, He knows about every little detail....

I had put off looking for a new family doctor since we had moved. Okay, I was actually dreading it. I mean, who could replace our Dr. Sam, that wonderful Christian man who cared as deeply about the health of the soul as he did the body. Nope, irreplaceable. It came time I could avoid it no longer, so choosing the best fit our family, I called for an appointment for myself. The nurse is weighing, listening, doing her thing, then turns to go and as she shuts the door behind her I see taped to the mirror:  ‘How can I pray for you?'

I stared, blinked, and stared again. Then I did what anyone else would have done and took a picture on my phone so I could send it to Doug.

Then as I sat and waited, I wept over the fact that God cared enough about me that he gave me this particular encounter during this particular week. It meant EVERYTHING!

And even more amazing. When Dr. P came in, super nice fella, he asked questions about being new to the community, how we’ve met friends (through church) , and whether the adjustment to CA has been going well. After discussing my physical issues and different treatment options, he said, “Sarah, we both have faith backgrounds, would you mind if I would pray with you before we get started? “ I was speechless, and then suddenly babbling....”Of course! I would be so honored if you would! Please do!”

 It was a beautiful prayer. Heartfelt, genuine, and expressed by someone who knows that God is in ultimate control. But someone who sees value in medicine as well and uses it, prescribes it for healing. All the while acknowledging there is a Great Physician who is only a prayer away, even in a doctor’s office.

I thanked him and left the office with a new prescription, but also a new perception. God wants me out and doing. He wants me reaching people, touching people, making a difference. Look what that single GOD Moment did for me. I’m praying that when opportunities come along, I grab them and shine my heart out for Jesus Christ.