My Mom Rocks!

My mom and dad gave me the best birthday present yesterday! So, really, they both rock, but my mom was the mastermind behind the whole thing.

First, the history...
When I was here visiting in July, I checked out this cool new antique store with my mom and my sis. I fell completely in LOVE with a gorgeous old dresser. I wanted to buy it on the spot with the tip money I had earned, but decided that wasn't a good idea since I didn't live here yet and wouldn't have anywhere to store it. Plus, I had a trip home to afford. I couldn't justify spending the money but I really wanted to.

Just this weekend, Cal & I went back to that antique shop and sure enough that dresser was still there! I was a little irritated because the price had doubled, but I was still determined to come back and buy it as soon as I could. In fact, I told the owner on my way out, "I'm going to come back and buy that blue dresser as soon as I save enough. I hope you still have it!".

Last night, we went to our new house to start cleaning to prep for our move in. I walked in the front door only to find that one single piece of furniture in the house. A lonely, beautiful dresser was sitting in the front room! I couldn't believe it. I whipped around and yelled at my mom and Cal, "WHO DID THIS???"

As it turns out, my mom had made arrangements over a month ago to buy it for me, thus the doubled price. When I stopped by the antique shop over the weekend, the store owner was chuckling at me because I didn't know that the dresser was already mine.

I am so excited about it, I can't even tell you! So here are some pictures of my new/old piece of furniture. Is my mom awesome or what? (this is our new room but we'll be changing the wall color soon)





Also, for Christmas, my parents bought me a gorgeous antique vanity set. Obviously, I really enjoy antiques and vintage things. My mom already knew at Christmas that I'd have the dresser to rest these one. I had no idea.

Reflecting on Christmas

I've been so busy getting ready to move and prepping for the new year, that I forgot to post pictures from Christmas. So, since I know the Grands in Michigan are probably wanting to see pictures of the kids, I better get on it. Here are some of the highlights from our Christmas festivities.

On Christmas Eve, DJ marched in the parade in downtown Ajo, through the plaza. The cheerleaders lead Santa to the town plaza (our town square) where he ended and kids sat on his lap to let him know what they wanted before he went delivering that night. This is right where our new house is too. You can see the church in the background and our new house is just off to the right of it. (I'll post pictures of our new place soon)

DJ is the tiny one right in the middle. Can you spot her?:


Delainey is about a foot shorter than all the other girls on the squad. She loves being the little one though and all the older girls keep telling her how cute she is. She thinks it's a perfect scenario. I'm trying not to let it go to her head.


It was fun to share Christmas with my nephews and niece. They all went to see Santa at the same time and they ended up on the cover of the Ajo Copper News- the local newspaper. This is all 6 of my parents grand children.


This is the oldest (16) and the youngest (2) of my parents' grandchildren:


Here are the girls:


A long-time friend of ours who's in charge of youth at the church we're attending, asked Cal to teach the kids a medley of Christmas songs for Sunday's service. Here are the kids practicing with Caleb:









Elle taking it all in:


Then, they sang in church. It's a small group of kids & all ages.
A very sweet group.


One of the highlights this year was that Bry got a new 4 Wheeler. It is pretty small. In fact, when I ride it, my knees hit. And it doesn't go that fast because it has a governor in it. (Can you hear the mom in my voice?) Bry has a newfound love of riding and the freedom that comes with that. I love the motivation it gives him to get his school work done!

A Few of My Favorite Things

Today I turned 32! So, I want to list 32 things I'm thankful for today. For my birthday, please read all the way to the bottom and leave me a comment when you're done. Thanks!

Here it goes...
I AM VERY THANKFUL:
1. That I have a daily relationship with God, the Creator of the universe. He knows my name, He knows my hurts, my ugly sides, areas He wants to change in me, my insecurities, my joys, my hopes, my potential and my heart. Yet, He loves me beyond any love I could ever imagine.
2. For my husband who loves me and trusts me more than I ever hoped for. He is more than I knew I could have and he loves me like I am the most amazing woman in the world -and I'm so NOT.
3. For 3 beautiful, healthy, happy, smart, precious children who bring more joy than I knew a human heart could contain.
4. That I have parents who love me and support me and I always know that will never change.
5. For in-laws who love me and support mine & Cal's crazy, unpredictable life.
6. For an extended family who knows a lot about unconditional love and is great about accepting each other through good times and bad times.
7. That we have so many friends across the nation and even in various parts of the world who are like family to us. We have been blessed so abundantly with friendship!
8. For mine & Caleb's marriage which started out amazingly well and keeps getting better and better. It seems the longer we're married, the deeper our friendship and the truer our love.
9. For good hard laughs with people I love with everything in me.
10. For the many, amazing opportunities I've had in my lifetime. Too many to count.
11. For people who have given me a chance for no particular reason. I am so grateful!
12. To be born in a nation where freedoms are great and life is good.
13. To know God is still at work! I can see Him working in lives all around me, including my own. He still has a huge interest in mankind- even when we're in the midst of rebellion and deception. He truly is at work for world redemption.
14. For Grace. If I had one theme for my life, it would be GRACE- hands down. For those who know my whole story, you understand how real grace has been for me.
15. That God is creative and made all kinds of different people and cultures in the world.
16. For hard times & struggles because they bring us closer to God, to each other and they make us stronger. They help make us less prideful and less judgemental of others who face struggles.
17. For modern technology that makes communication, travel & health a lot easier on us.
18. For amazing true friends who love me enough to let me know when I'm wrong, who pray for me faithfully, love me no matter what and sharpen me year after year.
19. That there are simple things in life that are free and bring so much joy. (sunsets, going for walks, connecting with a friend, a kind word, a warm smile)
20. For the wondrous terrains and such a variety of landscapes that God gave us to enjoy.
21. For the times God clearly moves on our behalf. They are ALWAYS worth the wait!
22. For options. I love when I have choices and don't feel trapped. We have choices every day. I'm thankful for that!
23. For growth and maturity. Oh, I have SO FAR to go, but seeing progress is so encouraging!
24. My children's' laughs. There is no better sound on earth!
25. For gifted teachers who have a huge influence on my life. Beth Moore, Jim Warren, Curt Bradford, David Yarberry, Ravi Zacharias are just a few of my favorites.
26. For good buys at thrift stores- silly but true.
27. For excellent photography equipment. I still need a lot but I'm so thankful for the stuff I've been able to get so far!
28. That God gives each of us unique gifts and talents. I LOVE THAT! Every person has so much to offer and I think that is such a display of God's goodness.
29. For shelter, a place to sleep and food to eat. Recently, I've realized how good we have it. We never freeze and we never go hungry.
30. For nieces & nephews who I love so much & have been such a joy to watch grow and change over the years.
31. For older generations. I love old people, I really do. For some reason, their stories are always better, their words more sincere and their wisdom deeper. I am thankful for the old people who have taken time to impart great things into my life. I am better because of them. (my grandparents, Caleb's grandparents, Jim & June... just to name a few)
32. For gardening time. There's just something beautiful and raw about digging in the dirt and watching things grow that God has put in order.

Sorry for the book, but it's my day so I can get away with it! If you read all the way to here, KUDOS! Please leave a comment and let me know if you did!

Merry Christmas!

To all of you who care so much about us and check in on us through our blog, thanks for keeping up on us throughout the year. Thanks for loving us and being a part of our lives. We are so thankful for the friends and family we've been blessed with over the years. We have such an amazing support system of people who sincerely love us and influence our lives. Thank you for your prayers and ongoing love for all five of us. One of the greatest gifts we thank God for is you.

Merry Christmas!
Cal, Jaim, Bry, DJ & Elle

Christmas Ideas

Just wanted to share a few quick things with you during this "most wonderful time of the year" (which happens to be playing on the satelite radio as I type):

Scarves:
This is a cool no-knit scarf that I learned how to make. So I made a few for gifts this year. I learned that the thicker the yarn, the better. These are nice to give as homemade gifts to friends who like to change up their wardrobe with a scarf. I even made a couple for myself. You can find the directions to make your own here:
http://www.marthastewart.com/good-thing/no-knit-scarf





(Sorry to be so indulgent here with all the pictures of myself. I couldn't help myself because Bryant, the 8 year old, took all these for me. Actually, he took about 75 pictures, but I won't bore you with all of them. He was funny, telling me how to pose, what expression and so forth. I mean, he was REALLY getting into being the photographer for a change. When he was finally satisfied with the many pictures he took, he said, "Don't worry Mom, you're still the mother of all photographers." He thought that was the most brilliant thing he'd ever come up with. So I'm posting these pics out of parental pride. That's my boy, the aspiring photographer!)



This is me cracking up at Bry, the passionate photographer.


Beginer Topiaries:
Next, I made several beginer Rosemary topiaries that I wanted to share how to do. I made 10 and will give a few away as gifts this year. The others, I plan to nurture all year and give them as full topiaries next Christmas. They are very hardy plants that love even the harsh Arizona sun. I enjoy the process and it's a labor of love. Plus they smell lovely and look so darn cute once they've grown into full globe topiaries.
You can find the directions for these at: http://www.papagenos.com/blog/template_permalink.asp?id=140

Here is how you begin by stripping the single stem and putting a straight stake for support:


It's fun to use different pots:


I like to give them to friends in a pot that matches their personality or style:


Remember to rotate the pot so it will grow straight up. Otherwise it will get fuller on one side and start to lean towards the side that receives the most light. This is the desired final product:


Using Christmas Cards:
Lastly, I'm collecting all my Christmas cards this year and keeping them in a stack to use as book marks. My plan is to rotate through them and pray for the families and friends each time I use their card. This is a good way to remember to pray for the ones I love. I try to pray for my loved ones anyway, but this will serve as a good reminder. Just a thought, I thought I'd share.

Fast Pace in a Slow Town

Catching up:
I haven't been very good about blogging these days. I hope in the weeks to come that I will regain some focus and order in my life. Right now, I'm just hanging on for Christmas and the move into our own place. We plan on moving into a darling home near the heart of Ajo's downtown plaza, by the weekend of Jan 2. No, we haven't sold or rented our house in SC, but things are in the works and we feel confident that things will be established soon. I will keep you posted when that happens. (In the meantime, please keep praying for the situation- we greatly appreciate it).

Daily life:
For a little town, there sure is a lot to be done here! On most days Cal leaves before dawn and says good bye while I'm usually too asleep to really acknowledge what's going on. Homeschool takes up the majority of our day. Then, at 4:00, we head down to the Parks and Recreation for Bry's basketball and Delainey's dance/cheer practice. Elle usually plays on the playground while the other two do their thing. On Monday and Wednesday evenings, I work down at The Ranch House (my parents' restaurant). Those days are especially hard because I don't get to really connect with Caleb but the tip money has been nice. I also enjoy helping out with the family business now that I'm here. It also makes me thankful that I've been able to stay home for the most part with our children all these years, because even working 2 nights a week feels demanding and hectic at times.

Where we are:
Life is good in this funny little town deep in the desert. I can honestly say, we are enjoying it very much. The weather has been simply amazing and I've fallen in love with the Sonoran Desert all over again (remind me of this when it hits 115 degrees this summer). This peculiar town of Ajo is home.

Caleb is also settling in very well at ORPI. We are so certain we are exactly where we're supposed to be. This is the career meant for Caleb and Caleb seems meant for this career. In many ways, I feel like my "Caleb is back". I see a spark of confidence and satisfaction that I used to see before when he was rangering. Plus, he looks really good in his uniform, which is always a plus. He will become the PEB coordinator for his park and will be receiving training for this position in February. He is very excited about the possibilities within this line of work that he loves so much. He also highly respects and enjoys his fellow rangers here, which is enjoyable and inspiring for him. Needless to say, being outdoors again is simply exhilarating for Caleb. He feels very blessed to be in a line of work and a place he enjoys so much.

As for me, I'm so much busier here than I anticipated between homeschool, working for my mom and everything else that pulls at my attention. Photography, I anticipate will also pick up very soon. I've been asked to do all the senior pictures for the local high school, which I'm very excited about. These kids were Caleb's first set of 5th graders here. I really like this group of kids and to do their pictures is a privilege. I also have a wedding in March and another in August. I need to gear up and make some room in my life for my love of photography.

Extras:
Somehow, I've been managing to fit some great reading in. I just finished "The Witch of Blackbird Pond", which I HIGHLY recommend. Bryant and I read it together and I loved all the wonderful lessons I could pull from this book and share with him. It was a Newberry winner and an all-time fabulous book. I'm so glad I got to read it with him and share the experience. It shined a brilliant light on the dangers of legalism and the hurt that comes with it. I became so connected with the characters and found myself cheering them on or wanting to jump in and defend them. I can't wait to read it with my girls in the years to come.

Currently, I'm smack dab in the middle of the book, "Is The Bible Intolerant?" by Amy Orr-Ewing. If you want a thought provoking, knowledge-growing book to wrap your brain around, this is a deep but very good one. It goes on to answer many questions such as, "Is the Bible.... Sexist? Oppressive? Homophobic? Outdated? Irrelevant?". I find myself squeezing in little reading sessions so I can continue to inch on through the pages filled with great information. My brain is absorbing so much right now, it is stimulating.

I've also just started "Hinds Feet in High Places" by Hannah Hurnard. It is a beautiful allegory that I checked out at the library, but I'm sure will want to buy a copy to add to my own library once I'm finished. It has been compared to "Pilgrim's Progress" but with lighter reading. I can't wait to complete this journey with the main character, Much-Afraid.

Christmas!:
We are prepping for all the wonderful Christmas festivities and have been wrapping gifts for the past few days. We plan on baking today and Tuesday to get all of our treats made. On Wednesday we plan to continue our family tradition of making tamales. (Tamales are probably my favorite food in the whole wide world) Delainey will march with her cheer leading squad in the Christmas Eve parade downtown. We will spend Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with my family. I can't remember the last Christmas that I was home. It has been years. I'm thankful to be here with people I love so much.

Back At The Ranch

Yesterday we spent Thanksgiving with about 30 family members at my Uncle Gary & Aunt Brenda's place. This is where our family in Arizona spends Thanksgiving and Easter every year. I felt so good to be back with everyone. We had such a great time. It was cool because Aunt Brenda gave each of us a chance to say what we were thankful for. I think it is so important to speak our gratitude and give God the thanks He deserves in our lives. Yesterday was a very good day to do that. The weather was gorgeous with big clouds all around and just enough coolness in the air to keep the heat away. The time with family was priceless.

Uncle Gary's place is a wonderland for kids. So I took some pictures of the kids riding horses, chasing the cows, getting dirty and having a great time. This is the stuff childhood memories are made of. Sorry I haven't blogged in so long- been a little busy. I'm attaching lots of pictures to try to make up for my lack of posts lately.

Bry is studying Native Americans in school right now and loves anything to do with Indian culture and history. He also recently found out that we have Indian ancestors, so knowing he is part Indian has added to his infatuation.


The kids loved playing in the cattle shoot.


This is my sweet little neice, Kenzie.
I got to take some great pics of her yesterday too.


Surprisingly, Elle wasn't at all afraid of the horses.
She happily rode this one all by herself!


Delainey LOVES living close to Kenzie again.
They are 2 years apart but DJ thinks she's a
teenager half the time so she keeps up pretty well.


Climbing on the cattle shoot...


More climbing...


Elle pretending to be a cow.


This is my nephew Dylan.
Isn't he handsome? Such a fine young man.


Uncle Gary graciously gives every kid a ride.
Here is riding with his grandson, Brendan.


Elle, the cow, playing.


Bry, the Indian, riding.


Little Miss Independent


...on a mission!


DJ about to be swallowed by a horse.
(this child has no fear)


Everybody loves Raymond and what's not to love?


Uncle Gary and Elle, one more go round.


Elle finally settled in with Daddy after hours
of independent climbing and stomping.


Coleman chasing the cows.


Delainey was the horse hog. She didn't want to let
anyone else ride, but the other kids didn't stand for that.


The cows wanted their picture taken.
See how they all pushed to get to the camera?


Brendan, "Pee-wee", winking


Bry stirring up the cows.


Pucker up Dylan.




SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR!