Steam!!! Curls your hair and clears your lungs!

It is hard to believe this baby is sick. I took Susannah,our granddaughter, into the shower and steamed her for 20 minutes. She loved it and it made her feel so much better. This bathrobe is from Onilla. (My dear Colorado friend)Thanks, Nilla. It makes for an adorable 8 month picture. It has been such a blessing to live one minute from Heather and Troy. John built a step out of cinder blocks so I don't have to manuver a 3 foot wall.
For now,she is my California sunshine. God is good to give John and I both such a blessing in this period of transition. John will be doing some pulpit supply at a church in Dallas. He is very happy to be preparing sermons again.

A visit with the Wheats

Emily and Sarah were two of my third grade students in Colorado. We were able to stay with them when we went to John's uncle's funeral.

Gina ,Jackson (newest member of their family), along with Joseph and the girls greeted us in the front yard. Gina had picked up a white shirt, pressed it, had a selection of Joseph's ties laid out, oatmeal cookies, and sweet tea ready for us as we flew in the door. We had 10 minutes to change clothes and to get to the funeral home. Joseph drove us since it was only 2 minutes from their home and across the street from their church. No time to waste. It was amazing that we made it because of all their help.

We had such a fabulous time visiting and catching up. Joseph was our pastor at Village 7 in Colorado Springs. Since John was an assistant pastor under him and I taught his girls we managed to stay up way too late both nights we were with them. Thank you Wheats' for making us feel so loved. Thanks, Sarah Caitlyn for sharing your room. I can't believe you still have your "pigyata" from third grade, Emily Grace. Makes a teacher feel very special.

Uncle Robert Michael promoted to Glory

While we were at my Mom's Birthday Party ,we got word that John's most beloved Uncle Robert Michael had lost his 18 month battle with a brain tumor. John was asked to do the eulogy. We left Houston on Tuesday and drove to Jackson, Mississippi for the service.

John's sister, Susan drove from Atlanta. Our nephew, David drove from Austin, Texas.

It was amazing to be united with John's cousins whom we have not seen in many years. Most of them live in Jackson, Mississippi.

I borrowed clothes from my mom since I did not come prepared for a funeral. Our niece, Rachel came from Dallas, Susan, Aunt Lorraine from McComb, Mississippi, and our cousin Diane from Gulfport. What a blessing to have us all together again.

Aunt Jill and I have a wonderful friendship. Uncle Mike was just 69. Both he and Jill love the Lord Jesus Christ. John had the joy of marrying them just 5 years ago. They were the most precious couple. It was so sad to realize that he is no longer with us. He was buried in the same cemetary that John's great grandparents are buried in.

Celebrating Mom's 80th Birthday

Happy Birthday, Mom! February 1st. You look amazing and your are amazing. I love you.

All 29 of us were able to make it to my brother, Todd's house for the best birthday party ever.

Thank you, Todd, for being such an incredible host.

John and my brothers and I had a fun singalong. We sang songs of Mom's era.

The granddaughters Katherine (Louise, Texas) ,Heather(Grapevine, Texas), Katie(Ft. Collins, Colorado), Corrie(Monterey, California),Christina (Tampa, Florida).

The grandsons,Mark(Colorado Springs), Sam(Ft. Collins),Tommy(Columbia, Missouri), Nathan(Kemah, Texas).

A Texas Welcome

We were greeted with flowers at every sink, Heather's lawn furniture until our furniture made it, a big pot of chili and Susannah Sunflower.

Susannah is 7 months here and is checking out her Papa.

This is our new home. Our home is on the right on the bottom. It is spacious three bedroom. The nice terrace outside is a gathering for the community. I will be introducing you to the children as I meet them. We'll be doing a lot of walking to our car, the mailbox and the trash dumpster. We have a work out room and a nice pool very close by. We plan to stay here for 6 months.

Once again a true friend sleeps on a blowup bed after a three day trip. Thank you, Christine,

my faithful friend for bringing your California to Texas. You were such a trooper.

We missed President Bush by one day!

We arrived in Midland, Texas on Wednesday night. George and Laura arrived on Tuesday. At a coffee shop the next morning , I asked the waitress if the Bushes ever have coffee and grits there. "No", she said, but they lived just a few blocks away.

So we drove over to see George and Jeb's boyhood home.

It is interesting that two presidents and two govenors have lived in this home. That was a little treat that we did not expect. Made us feel very connected to national history.

Our first "grits" in Texas. See all that beautiful shiny grease. Christine's grandfather was actually born in Grapevine, Texas. Now is that random or what? So these were not here first grits.This was the last meal we had for the entire day. Blessed is the friend who will eat celery, peanut butter, hard boiled eggs, red hot tamale candy and cornnuts for an entire trip. I am nuts when I am driving and hate to stop. Yes, we are still kindred spirits and the best of friends.

Friends- New and Old

On January 20, John and I left beautiful Southern California heading to our new home in Texas. In the short two years that we were able to serve Redeemer PCA in Torrance, God blessed us with an amazing couple Roger and Christine Moore. Christine was able to work out her schedule as a teacher in South Central LA to accompany me in my car following John across the lovely desert. Her sense and humor and perseverence made the trip quite a wonderful adventure. On the first day we made it to Anthem, Arizona. The second day my warning light went off near a gas station in Tuscon. Checking it out at a Honda dealer a mile away, determined that I needed a new transmission. Yikes, $3000 and time to take cactus pictures, Christine and I were on our way in John's car. John stayed behind and crashed in a motel a few blocks away. He spent the night and followed the next day.

Gail and David's gorgeous home in Anthem. They greeted us the first night at 11:00 with a gourmet meal and a lushious bed.

It was wonderful to have these two precious friends meet each other. Gail and I have known each other for 25 years from Colorado Springs and our old neighborhood Bible Study. They have retired in this community. It was so great to be able to be with her in her new home. She has been my faithful prayer partner for all these years.

We are settling in in Texas!

Yes, we are getting settled. I was looking for pictures for my mom's slide show and this is what it looked like after I found it.
So much water has gone under the bridge since we moved. I look forward to highlighting our very eventful trip with my dear friend, Christine, and our visit in Anthem,Arizona with the Baileys.

Then, there was my mom's 80th birthday,with all the relatives, in Houston and the homegoing of John's Uncle Robert Michael in Jackson, Mississippi. He suffered for 18 months with a brain tumor.
We left Houston and went to Mississippi, stayed with the Wheats, the former pastor of our church in Colorado ,so that John could do the eulogy at the funeral.
Maybe I should call "Clean Sweep!!!

Our Welcome to Texas

This was our first welcome to Texas.,Susannah Grace, age 7 months. We arrived on Thursday night. My dear friend Christine drove with me. We had car trouble in Tucson and John stayed for the repairs. We had a very eventful trip across the country. More later.. Just want to introduce you to our Texas Moving Co.

Heather recruited elders, friends and Pastor Dale from Colleyville PCA. Troy's dad from Lake Charles was in town for the birth of a new grandson on Friday. The Uehara's are Wycliffe missionaries that are supported by Redeemer PC in Torrance. Amanda loved popping bubble wrap and undoing shrink wrap. Ray and Judy got our beds all set up and made at least a thousand trips to the dumpster. Our nephew Stephen stayed all day hauling boxes and unpacking pictures.Taking the picture is my precious, Christine. She set up our internet and cable and unshrink wrapped with Amanda.This crew unloaded all our worldly possessions in one and a half hours. Heather had cooked a big pot of chili for all to enjoy. It was just amazing. Thank "ya'll" sooo much.

The night before this crew unpacked our cars. Troy's cousin was in town with Ratheon. Lauren was even recruited.

We loved being with Troy's parents again. We have only been with them 4 times. We have very precious possession in common. We are off to Houston tomorrow to celebrate my mom's 80th birthday. All her descendants are coming.

Susannah-We are on our way!

We have not seen Susannah since she was born. We will be living in the same apartment complex as the Greenes. Susannah is 7 months old. We just might have a few sleepovers with Papa and LaLa. (Yes, that's us!)

California Goodbye - Hello Texas!

Our First Friday Fellowship group is such a wonderful blessing.
They all came to help us load our PODS.

Bryon and Frank getting buff serving Jesus.

Having fun with Spencer and Vatan's sabers.

We held a Texas Style BBQ for the church in our backyard.

About 50 friends showed up to tell us goodbye.

Crencencio, a new daddy, has been a great friend.

Leaving Margarit will be my greatest loss. John will be officiating her wedding in August. Here she is with Bryan at their engagement photo shoot by my fabulous personal photographer and friend, Christine Choi.

Jenna in Manhattan Beach at a sidewalk sale.

Here are our dear friends, Charlie and Norma at our Volleyball Christmas party.

Charlie has had those pants for at least 35 years.

Ron, our assistant pastor, and his wife, Lou Anne, came by to show us what he got for Christmas...an electric bike. He is in his 80's and can't keep up with his wife.

Susan and Claudio have become such great friends. Susan is on our volleyball team and Claudio is her new husband from Italy.

Farewell to Oscar the Fish

John found a home for Oscar. McKenna, the little girl I tutor, came by to tell him bye. He is a discus and has doubled in size since we got him. John had him at the church office and the children loved to take turns feeding him on Sunday.

Poor Oscar laid down flat in the bucket as he was being transferred to his new home.

Alan, a really good friend from church, adopted him. We are glad Oscar is in such good hands. Last night Alan called to ask if Oscar liked to sleep with the light on or off. Thanks, Alan and Lisa for taking good care of our beloved fish. :)

Fun times in Seaside, California

Corrie and Sean live 15 minutes from the Monterey Bay Aquarium. An amazing place. John and I spent all afternoon just watching fish swim after the girls went home for naps.

This is the beautiful home the Lord provided for these next 18 months. Sean will be attending the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey. Their address is actually Seaside. This is base housing with a park next door.

Papa took some very valuable time out for some fun.

Sophie is totally into her little DVD player. Papa is pretty hooked on his, too. Computers definately bridge the generation. Sophie turned two in November.

This is their beach just 20 minutes away in Carmel by the Sea. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon. It was cold but sunny. I am so happy that they get to expose their children to the beach.