Carpinteria Trip Day 1

Such a beautiful place this is. I am in awe every time I come here. The kids have such a great time here, they don't want to leave. I am not going to write a long post since I am still here and want to make the most of the rest of the trip. I will update with more when I get home.

On our way....

We are officially on our way to Carpinteria! I will update the blog tomorrow evening after we get settled and I have pictures. Have a great Monday!

Annual Family Pictures

Celine in Vegas!

For my sister's birthday, we went to Las Vegas to see Celine Dion in concert! It was so much fun. We saw her in concert almost five years ago. She didn't disappoint then and she really didn't disappoint this time! I picked up my sister at the airport the morning of her birthday and we had breakfast at Einstein's. I love that place. We then had a fun time window shopping and even went and saw a movie. It was such a relaxing day. We finally got over to the Flamingo to check in. What an awful place to stay! We couldn't find a place to park in the parking garage! I had driven the truck since my jeep was having some problems and that thing was such a pain to park the whole weekend! We asked for a strip view and he told us it would be a little bit of a walk, but we didn't mind. Well, it was quite a walk! And, it was a pool view, but oh well. The hallways were so dirty and the carpet was wrinkled. Our room was dirty too. The carpet actually smelled like someone had vomited on it in the corner. One of the drawers in the dresser was permanently wedged open the whole time we stayed there. The shower only worked when it wanted to. One of our room keys didn't work, and every time we went down to the lobby to get it fixed, there was at least a line of 20 people. Such a terrible place to stay. I would never stay there again! It was very convenient because Celine sang at Caesar's across the street so we didn't have to drive.That evening we got ready and headed over to the show and we were so excited. Everyone in line was!

The show was amazing! Her voice is so awesome. We waited for the audience to leave after so that we could get our picture in front of the stage. We walked down to the floor in front of the last row of the orchestra seating and asked a french lady to take our picture. All of a sudden, there was a security guard in front of us and then behind him was Celine's husband with some family, I assume. The lady taking our picture was stunned and therefore, the picture was pretty bad..lol. I told my sister that he comes to her show every night, but we didn't expect to see him. How funny?!
We headed over to Cheesecake Factory to eat dinner and my sister got some birthday Cheesecake. It was so good! I love all of the food in Vegas!
The next day, we got up and walked around the strip. We got our picture taken with some showgirls from the show at the Flamingo.

There are tons of performers all up and down the strip. People dressed up like transformers, Freddy from Nightmare on Elm Street, mimes and some classical musicians. Crazy! They all worked for tips. Must be a good way to make money because there were alot of them!
We went and had lunch at a yummy place called Cafe Rio. Very good mexican food. I guess they have them in AZ and Utah, so Cathy had eaten there before. We just walked around and window shopped some more until we had to pick Harrison up at the airport after spending a week with some family back east. After picking him up, we went to the Bellagio to walk around and found an arcade..

Then we headed off to the best buffet in Vegas, the Bellagio Buffet!
Stuffed and hardly able to move, I drove them around the Fremont Street area to show them the old Vegas signs and of course, a trip to Vegas isn't complete until you drive by Wayne Newton's house...

The next day, we were trying to find things to do with Harrison, so we came across this gem! It is the Pinball Hall of Fame Museum. There were pinball machines from the 20'- today! This place is ran by people who care and collect these games. Anyone can play them! The were cheap too. Only a quarter a game. Harrison found the original Tron game and sat there almost the whole time. There was all kinds of old school games. We played Pac Man, Donkey Kong, Super Mario Bros and Centipede. They even had popcorn and sodas! This place was awesome!! The best place to put your quarter into in Vegas!! Here is their website: http://www.pinballmuseum.org/

Here is Harrison playing a really old, old game with what looks like an exercise bike..

What a fun trip we had. We hung out by the pool. We ate too much. We saw Celine. We came, we saw, we conquered!!



Have a blessed week!

Faux Jewelry Toddler Tank

I was looking through cute blogs awhile back and came across this cute, cute and even more cute idea. A faux jewelry toddler shirt or tank! I love these little shirts that you find in the store and they are not super cheap, so I found a blog that had a tutorial on how to do it! I had a little hard time finding the velveteen paint, but finally came across some at Michael's the other day. I chose red, but now I wish that I would have just gotten the plain white. It was only 1.99. I bought the black tank at Old Navy on sale for 2.99.I had the button and the flower and I just sewed that on for alittle extra pizazz!
It isn't the best job. The paint is a little tricky to use the first time.

I can see lots of these in Allison's future!

Here is the link to the tutorial:

http://getyourcrafton.blogspot.com/2010/05/faux-jewelry-quick-tutorial.html

Now go out there and make your own!






Enjoy!

The Power of Words

I was shopping at Michael's in the dollar section and came across this funny set of coasters. I purchased them, they were only a dollar after all. Here is what they said:

This was probably the least sarcastic one of all the different products with cute little 50's style women doing household chores with witty comments. I put my coaster next to my bed that night, giggling.

Days passed by and everyday I looked at that coaster I really started thinking. I am not like this coaster at all. In fact, I do enjoy keeping my home and cooking for my children and making this a comfortable, safe place for my family to relax. Some days I do not feel like doing it and some things fall to the wayside.Some days aren't perfect, but those days are just another day of learning and growing in God's word. The more and more I thought about the words on the coaster, a scripture came to mind:

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14

I had never thought about the coasters that way. I just thought they were funny. God clearly is doing a work in my heart to make me think differently. I am not saying that as Christians, we cannot laugh and make funny jokes sometimes, but looking at that coaster everyday, really got me thinking. I have such a wonderful, blessed life. I could be homeless, out of food, no heat or a bed to sleep on at night. To someone who is going through that, they might see that coaster and be saddened. I understand that this is probably a "heavy" discussion over a coaster, but if you think deeply and ask God to help you understand more deeper, these kinds of things kind of catch you by surprise. I did not intend to offend anyone when I purchased these, but maybe my husband would feel badly if he read it and took it to heart.

We never want to cause any ill will or harm by our words, but the fact is, WORDS ARE POWERFUL and they can hurt even when we aren't meaning to. I know how it feels to be on both sides of words. I have said things that I did not intend to hurt or harm. One thing we can do to humble ourselves is when we find out that we might have offended someone with words we have used, is to apologize. Our Pastor spoke about this in church yesterday, and he made a very well put point. When we humble ourselves and ask for forgiveness and put our pride aside, we will be respected and looked up to even more. It is hard sometimes, since this world is cruel. I have had a lot of words said to me over the passed two years and I have finally let most of them go. Holding them in just make life miserable. Give that up to God. Don't wait until tomorrow or the next day, if you can just pray and ask Him to carry your load, He will. He always does.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

So, just my thought for today.Remember that words are powerful.

A wise family member once shared that with me...I have never forgotten that.

Love,

Great song to check out

This song speaks such volumes. Enjoy.

Here is the story beind this song....

Love,

Angela

Daily Bible Verse

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."

Matthew 5:6

 

 

What a great thing to hunger for. I hunger for a lot of things in life. Success for my children, my love for my husband, but do we remember to hunger and thirst for righteousness? Sometimes it is easy to just go along our day and just put God to the side until the end. When I do that on those days, I feel empty. This scripture says that if we hunger and thirst for Him, we will be filled. How wonderful is that! Now if we can just live by this verse. As my oldest son turns 17 this month, I am reminded that we have just a short time here on this earth. How do you want to spend your short time here? I want to make an impact. I want to serve Him with all of my heart, my mind, my soul and my strength. I want my children to do the same. I just pray that they will and always will. We want our children to be filled with good food and ideas for their future, but don't forget this scripture. The most important thing to be filled with, Him.

 

God is so good. Have a great rest of the week.

 

Love,

Angela

Harrison's 8th grade Grad

I cannot believe that my second oldest is going to be a freshman in the fall. I know I say this like a broken record, but where did the time go?? I am so proud of him. He loves to care for people, he loves Jesus, his parents and he makes a great first impression on any adult he meets! We had a great time at dinner before the ceremony. We met, Uncle Joey, Uncle Scott, Uncle Steve, Aunt Cathy M and Aunt Cathy S at Macayo's for dinner before heading over to the Phoenix Convention Center for the AFHE Junior High Commencement. Most of the family was out of town on the annual girls trip, but we were so glad that some were able to make it! The ceremony was awesome! The kids that had performed for the ceremony were amazing!! Two played the piano, one the violin and one girl, from Flagstaff, had pre-recorded an ice skating performance that they showed on the big screen. Another girl did sign language to a Christian song. It was pretty cool! We are so very thankful for our three children. I am always thanking the good Lord for them daily...

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

3 John 1:4



Love,

I will pray

The weekend proved to be an interesting one for the family. I have seen so much in my life, but nothing quite like this before with someone so close. I am just praying for God's will to be done. I am not sure how to handle these emotions I am feeling. I just wished that they would see how much care we have and that we are not condemning them. They are on my mind constantly. I am crying constantly in prayer. I know that God is good and I know that he is bigger and stronger, but at times I feel my faith slip. Why? Maybe because the world says so. Maybe because I have seen other outcomes in this situation go horribly wrong and I can't help but feel like this one will go the same. Regardless of all of these emotions, I am praying for strength and the realization of the situation. Sometimes I get entirely too emotional, but this time it is extremely different. It is so not about us looking like we care, but that we do care so very much.The world is so corrupt and evil and it can get ahold of any of us. Until we can see some changes, I will diligently pray. I will seek the Lord and sing and praise Him. I will remember those that cannot care for themselves and hope that they are in His hands. All in all, He is the one we will answer to in the end. I pray that I can stand up tall and say that I did Him proud in my short days here on this earth and that He will say, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

¹ Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:1-3

Love,

Angela

Just like Aunt Sarah

Well, there is just something about summertime. Gardening, green trees, family coming up to visit, hammocks and ice cream. Dairy Queen has opened and we have walked down there way too much this summer! Allison really loves walking down to get "cream". In fact, whenever we go on a walk and happen to pass by or get a glimpse of the DQ sign, she shouts, "CREAM!!". One night while walking home from our outing to DQ, Allison had still saved her cone, making it last and last...then we put her in the bathtub! What a smart thing! A hot bath and an ice cream cone...something only Aunt Sarah can appreciate.

More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Psalm 19:10

Love,
Angela

DIY Silhouettes

Really cute craft idea! Pretty easy too. You will need a digital camera, colored cardstock, fine tipped scissors and double sided tape.

1.Take a profile photo of your subject. I have found that bows and cute hairstyles really add to the end project.
2.Print out the picture.
3.Then, cut the picture, making sure you cut all of the fine details.
4.Place the picture cut out on a piece of colored cardstock, black is traditional. Trace with a pencil. Then cut out your colored paper picture. I mounted mine on some 12 X12 scrapbook paper and framed it in a box frame.


                                            Voila! Enjoy...

I even got her to smile really big

Love,

Broccoli Cole Slaw

This is so good. Trust me, try it, it is yummy!

 
2 bags (3 ounce) Ramen noodle soup in oriental
3/4 stick butter
1/4 cup slivered almonds
2 bags (12 ounce) bags broccoli cole slaw (in the bagged salad section)
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
chopped green onions, for garnish

Dressing:
3/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup brown or white sugar
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 ramen noodle oriental seasoning packet

Crush the noodles while melting the butter in a large skillet over low/medium heat. Add the crushed noodles and slivered almonds to the skillet and saute, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, whisk together all the dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Place the slaw mix into a big bowl and toss with the noodles, almonds and sunflower seeds. Pour the dressing over the  salad and toss to coat. Garnish with green onions.



Enjoy!

Sweet Potato Plant

When my mother in law came up last week, she brought me an amazing idea! This plant is from a sweet potato! Who knew? It is so beautiful. Just thought I would share...

Have a great Wednesday!

Love,

So glad to have family...

What a week and weekend! So much going on..4-H BBQ, family and two church services! WOW! I am always reminded why I love summer so much. Family comes up to visit. Having lost both of my parents has really made me appreciate them even more. Friends can come and go, but family is forever. God is so good and I am not sure where I would be without Him or family.

Our annual fundraiser went really well. Seems like Andrew and I loose about two days worth of sleep getting it ready, but in the end it is very worth it for the kids! We are so thankful for our regular donors and consumers.
Our church service was especially wonderful as our Las Vegas friends came up for the day. It was so nice to fellowship with them. We were moved by their special music. Such sweet friends.

Tomorrow I am hoping we can all go bowling and just start the summer off together. We haven't been bowling in months! This will be such a treat. We have been eating too much food, peeling, cutting and freezing peaches from Marisue's in laws trees and just laughing and having a great time. This all makes me so thankful for all that God has given us.



"Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

Deuteronomy 5:16

Have a blessed weekend!

Some of our improvements

I still have yet to finish decorating Allison's room, but here is what we have done so far....

Tearing out the hallway closet to make a new one.
This used to be the bathroom long, long ago.

Allison just wanted to crawl under there with the boys

This was such a chore, getting some of the house level

Almost finished, I will post more pics this week with the new flooring and decor in Alli's room...

Gotta love pocket doors!



My light and cheery laundry room has a finished ceiling!

Allison's room is now lavender :)

Have a great day!

Angela

A scripture to really think about....

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

 

Habakkuk 3:17-18

How many times have we woken up to a mess and started in on the family for not helping around the house. Or, just been annoyed with traffic or the long line at the bank. Habakkuk really reminds me of how I need to find joy in the Lord on those days especially. He will never leave us or forsake us, so why do I worry and get upset when things just don't go the way that I  think they should? We are so blessed as a nation to be able to have the freedoms to worship Christ. We need to use those freedoms. Our Pastor was speaking yesterday on how we need to take those small opportunities to speak into someones life when we get them. For instance, someone might be telling you about how they are afraid of an upcoming surgery or that a family member is sick and they are not sure why. Perfect moments to share Christ or just to ask to pray with them, or both! I do this on a regular basis. We have this in us to share. Our Pastor also said that sometimes we might just pass the ball and say, "I will have my Pastor pray for you, or let me contact my prayer chain," when we are perfectly capable to pray for that person right then and there. I believe that God puts us in those situations to do so, and let's not miss out on them. There used to be a time when I was afraid to offer up a prayer or to share Christ with someone, but it has gotten easier through the years and I believe that He has strengthened me to do so.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9

Just my two cents for today. Hope everyone has a great week!



Love to each and every one of you!

A couple of cute things I just made

Here is a purse I just made for my friend Julie, and an apron for Caitlin's birthday...

Mind the stain on the iron board. I need to sew a new one!

 

We love because he first loved us.

1 John 4:19

Love,

Apple tree is blooming!

Here's to hoping we get apples this fall! I love that I can just sit in my bed and gaze out at my blooming apple tree.