Fall...

We have been so busy with projects and just life that I didn't realize I hadn't updated my blog lately...This hutch is our last original piece of wedding furniture and I decided it needed some modernization....

Not a great picture but you get the idea. Morgan, Jacob and I worked hard to give this a facelift. 

We enjoyed the Greenspot pumpkin patch and the creepy things that go along with it 

I'm thankful that as the girls grow older they still want to spend time with us and do things with us

We are slowly working on more updates on the inside of our house... so we got the kitchen cabinets painted...BEFORE 

AFTER. We had them painted a gray and the island a dark blue for a pop of color. 

Our friend Jessica took our family pictures for us...it had been two years so it was fun to see how much the girls have changed.

Dan and I snuck away to Palm Springs for a night to regroup and breath. Life gets busy and stressful and just a lot sometimes so it's good to get away and just be. The Fall weather out there is amazing.

Me, Ryanne and my mom worked at the Micah house harvest outreach. My high school small group showed up and did a booth which was fun!

Ry and her crew...

Morgan and Jacob went to a costume party....

Youth group Harvest festival...

This is what I have been studying lately. Colossians. It's very rich and full of life-giving hope. Sometimes I think we make our walks more difficult than we need to by watering down God's word or even watering down sin...but once we give our lives to Christ The word states he simply wants us to continue steadfast in the faith, stable and not shifting from the hope of the gospel you heard...blessings friends. 

Songs I Love Right Now...

Last weekend our church had a lake day and so my friend and I were walking around the lake and I couldn't help but think what an amazing view this was. There are two songs that have been on  my heart that I have been singing a lot lately and one is 'I Raise a Hallelujah' by Bethel music.... if you havne't heard it you should check it out when you get a chance. "I'm gonna sing in the middle of the storm, louder and louder, you're gonna hear my praises roar, up from the ashes, hope will arise, death is defeated the King is alive!"  I'm telling you the words will soak into your heart and stick there.

This was taking place while I was sitting on my patio Sunday night. Pictures don't do it justice. It was so quiet and the sky kept moving in the craziest way. I sat there until it was dark outside because I didn't want to miss any of God's art work. The other song I am loving right now is Rebel Heart by Lauren Daigle....."Lord I offer up this rebel heart, so stubborn and so restless from the start, I don't wanna fight you anymore...so take this rebel heart and make it yours." I love singing this song at the top of my lungs in my car (insert strange looks from passing cars!) but deep down I know I have this rebelious nature that wants things my way and so the so words are so accurate in that I want nothing more than to surrender to self and have my heart broken for Gods ways. be blessed today friends. 

Wrapped up Summer!

Well with Labor Day over we have officially wrapped up summer around our house but not without a couple more fun adventures. We loaded everyone up and headed to Mammoth for five days for lots of biking, hiking and finding fun coffee shops.

We were walking around town when I found this cool door and with teenagers you never know if you'll be "allowed" to take their picture but this day was a go! 

The weather was amazing! 84 degrees and the air so clean and clear!

We hiked all over the place....

The riding was amazing! We did some down hill single track mtn. biking which Ry doesn't love so one day we rented electric bikes and rode 14 miles on an amazing bike bath.

A life long friend of mine and his family live in Mammoth and he is on the search and rescue team up there so we hung out and he took us on some fun hikes. 

We hiked back to Devils Postpile

Even after five days we weren't ready to come home for sure..we love being outdoors so even though it was a trip full of physical activities, it was also refreshing

We love heading down to the beach..Dan runs between piers and I ride my bike. Ry roller skates.

I'm kind of obsessed with escape rooms at the moment. Such a fun group/family time if you have never done one. We did this one on Monday and got out with about 30 minutes to spare..

We have always loved the game Settlers of Catan and to Morgan's surprise we found out Jacob loves it as well so we roped Morgan into learning and drove her nuts playing this past weekend.

I've had an itch to start painting and be creative so I have been making books for myself and friends in bible study.

Loma Linda Fire participated in a community night complete with a dodge ball tournament. It was fun watching Dan and the guys have some play time! We have really enjoyed being part of the Loma Linda Fire family...been a huge blessing.

My sweet friend Lisa bought me this new devotional which I LOVE! With everything going on in the world, our homes, our ministries, peoples lives we care about; I am reminded that life is hard sometimes right? But God is good all of the time. Like when marriage is stressful, our kids are moody, serving is draining, storms rage around us...my God never changes. His word is steadfast and His mercies are new every morning. I can cling to His goodness.

This picture is for Jacob and he will know exactly why. Ha!!! 

Be blessed today friends.

Summer Updates.....

This summer has been anything but typical for us. We had both girls gone at different ends of the world serving on mission trips and doing internships. We found ourselves with a lot of "practice empty nest" time. I also found myself at the airport 7 times this summer so far. After one drop off to LAX we were able to shoot over and have dinner with Dans cousin which was a treat.

Morgan loved working in the orphanage down in Ecuador and informed us that one day she will be adopting from that country which i can't wait for. 

Morgan & Naomi got to see and do so much on their summer down on the equator that I just know God has grown them so much....

Ry had an amazing time in Portugal and I swear she came back older...

My mom & I got to sneak away for a night to San Diego for my cousins wedding and spend some time with my brother and sister in law who flew down for the wedding...

I took care of this pup all summer while Morgan was gone.....

Ryanne has a full brother who is 18 months younger and was adopted by another family in Co; he came out and spent a week with us....

We took off to the beach one day to enjoy te cooler air...

Ry turned 15 this summer and we did an escape room which we loved doing with her and her friends....

Some much needed friend time riding bikes at the beach...

All the girls on the Portugal team....

Dan completed a half Iron Man up in the bay area...

It was in a beautiful area....

We spent 5 days enjoying the sites.....

This was our first family vacation without Morgan so that was sad.....

But they just got home!!!!

It was like Christmas the night before and I couldn't sleep!!!

We got to serve at the Micah house backpack outreach which is always a sweet time serving with our church body...

I love having the three friends all back together and spending time together at our house doing fun girly stuff.  I  miss them when they are all gone doing different things. Looking forward to a couple more weeks of summer break and more adventures....all together this time though. Blessings friends.