Our Little Honor Student

Well, this has been a fun time for Ellie!

This Monday, we got to go to an assemble to honor her (and others) and the January honor student for her class. Incidentally, she also is the "Star of the Week" in her classroom. The "Star" gets to make a poster of their families and themselves and share it with the class -- oh! -- and they get to sit in a fancy painted chair. :)

All of us were able to go to the assembly. Ellie was so proud. Now, you do need to understand that for the kindergartners, they draw names for the honor students (to make sure they all get a taste). That being said, it didn't take away any of the fun in celebrating with her. (Although, we have not told her about the drawing of names.)

Ellie also got to show off her sister and brother -- and Mom and Dad! Boy, that girl has a lot of energy!! It was a short and nice assembly. The principal read a short bit about each honored student (which the teachers had written). Ellie thought this was the GREATEST. Do you remember how amazing you thought the school principal was at 5 yrs old??? ... Well, that's how Ellie felt. The fact that "Mr. Dahl" stood next to her, spoke those things to her and gave her a pencil just about made her year!!!

The other kids are doing great! Josie is now 7 1/2 months old. She is nowhere near crawling -- and doesn't even sit up yet. But what she lacks in physical motivation, she makes up in enthusiasm for life and people. She has been pretty sick these past few weeks with flu/colds, but is still our Smiley Jo! Gideon continues to come into his own, and is becoming more boyish each day. He is realizing that he doean't have to play dress up or Barbies at Ellie's whim -- and has the freedom to pelt people with footballs when he feels the urge (even though he will no doubt get in trouble!). But he is a huge help around the house - and a sweet little guy!

A "Typical" Evening ... photo documentary

This is what happened when I turned my back for just a couple minutes tonight (while I was doing the dishes after dinner):

Ellie noticed I had my camera sitting on the counter and wanted to pose for a few shots...

Suddenly, from behind, came Gideon:

He had stripped down naked - except for socks- (I swear he was clothed just seconds earlier!!), pulled a yellow beanie over his face and was swinging his toy sawzall around:

(apparently, he could see through the beanie)



Next thing I know, he takes off again -- To where? I am still not sure.

...Welcome to my world!

Coastal California Blueberries - SLIDESHOW

Hope comes from a long line of farmers. Recently, Josh (her brother) and her Dad bought the ranch next to her Grandmother's ranch. As of last year, her Dad now manages this parcel full-time. Together with her Uncle, Will Gerry (who manages her Grandmother's land), they are building up the "Coastal California Blueberry Farm, LLC."

Together, these two ranches, DJ Farms and the Lawrence Gerry Ranch, are pioneers in growing blueberries in the Santa Rosa Valley (Camarillo, CA). Formerly, lemons and avocados were being grown - but are now only mulch for the berries! The land is in a beautiful valley that gently slopes down to the Pacific Ocean. From the ranches, you can see the Channel Islands along with the neighboring cities. The land is GORGEOUS -- and a true blessing from the Lord!

For More Info, Visit: http://www.ccblueberryfarm.com/

My Tree - A Life Lesson

It was great to get home from the holidays -- sleep in our own beds and all that goes along with "being home." But, as the sky lightened up (in the winter, there is no "sunrise" up here), Jeremy sadly pointed out to me one giant blemish from out front window - My Magnolia Tree. With the incredible amount of snow that fell on Tacoma this Christmas, the main two trunks split down the middle ... leaving only a few determined side branches.

My Magnolia was my birthday present for my 28th birthday (now only a memory!). I loved it ... I had studiously researched it, the variety and location - among other things. It was planted with love and threw out breathtaking citrus-perfumed blossoms twice a summer.

Anytime in the past we had talked about moving, I would tell Jeremy that it would be sad for me not to be able to watch "My Tree" grow to the glory of the picture in my head. (There is one other plant I would dig up ... Laurel and Daniel Beck's "wedding hydrangea" -- an amazing dark periwinkle color!) I have to admit, I was attached. After all, a person never researches, carefully chooses and plants a tree without the idea to enjoy it for a long, long time! So it was with my Magnolia.

Now, I know it isn't dead -- it will soldier on -- with care. But it will not be what I had envisioned ... and had carefully been pruning/shaping for the last 5 years. I can't help but feel a pain in my gut when I see my newly-maimed tree out our front window. And I can't help but think it may be symbolic....

I wonder what my new year, 2009 - 34 years, will hold. I wonder what, if anything, will hold me to this house now that "My Tree" is gone.

I guess my Magnolia could be an object lesson for all of us... Is there anything else that may hold us (physically or emotionally) to a location if the Lord were to ask us to go someplace else?? (Personally, I can think of a couple other things ... Thankfully, the Lord was gracious and nobody was hurt, buildings weren't destroyed and jobs weren't lost!)

Thank goodness for the blessings of little life lessons -- and holding things of this world very loosely!!! After all, my home is not here on this earth!!! (How about you??)

Family - Old and New!

While in California, we were able to see some of our extended family. Here are a few:

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POOL CHRISTMAS
(Hosted by Hope's Uncle Joe and Aunt Paula - the "Pool" side of the Family [ A LOT of very loved people!!]: Hope's Mom's Side .. along with Great Mama Carol)

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BLUEBERRY PICKING AND PICNIC WITH MARK, BO KYOUNG and ELIZABETH

(Jeremy's Dad, Step mom, Sister)

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We were also able to see some of the Extended GERRY FAMILY

(but I forgot to get my camera out until the very end!)

GREAT GRANDMA GERRY along with GERRY UNCLES

(Hope's Dad's Side)

(Pictured: Uncle Will; Not Pictured [but there]: Uncle Tim and Aunt Monica, Cousin Joe)

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All these loved ones ... along with Hope's Family whom we stayed with!

(pictures will be on another posting!!!)