I wish I could express

There is no one like My God.

I wish I could express what life is like walking with Jesus. Its amazing. Like...new adventures around every corner, a glimpse that He is directing my exact steps, a homeless man that becomes a friend, a tap on the shoulder when I'm selfish, a gentle correction when I'm wrong, like a quiet walk to the store with my dad to return what I've stolen, a hug when I'm overwhelmed, a conversation when I'm lonely, an army of angels sent to watch over my family while I sleep, an answer before my question. I think if you only knew how freeing and wonderful it is you would be walking right along with me.
I wish I could express.

Its His kindness that leads us to repentance...not the law. I'm sorry Christians have pushed the LAW on you. I now follow the law, in response to the gift of life, Christ gave me. I didn't follow the law first. I'm free. Christ died so that you can be free too...if you only would respond and believe.
Its the easiest thing you will ever do...He made it easy. A simple prayer of faith, a simple yes, and instant LIFE for eternity and to boot, a life that is fullfilling and full of hope. And He gives you His word, the Bible, as a precious guide. How could you refuse?

Your creator wants a relationship with you. Even more than a parent would want with their child.
When your laying in bed tonight...talk to Him. When its quiet and your seemingly alone...talk to Him. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you and He will respond. He wants you to come just as you are.
Jeremiah 29:12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

And Faith...I was asked a couple weeks ago "How, how do you have faith that its all going to be ok?" At the time I gave a simple answer...but couldn't stop thinking about it all week.
It really comes down to God's trustworthiness...
He loves me more than anyone ever will.
He created me...so He knows me better than I know myself.
He promised me.

Like a child holding his fathers hand to cross the street, completely oblivious of the near misses that are all around him, he trusts his father. Why? Because he believes his father is trustworthy. His father loves him so much that he would jump in front of an oncoming car to protect his son. He would die for his son. And thats exactly what Christ did for you. He died, so that you could live.

Psalm 146

The Happiness of Those Whose Help Is the LORD

1 Praise the LORD!

Praise the LORD, O my soul!
2 While I live I will praise the LORD;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

3 Do not put your trust in princes,
Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.
4 His spirit departs, he returns to his earth;
In that very day his plans perish.

5 Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help,
Whose hope is in the LORD his God,
6 Who made heaven and earth,
The sea, and all that is in them;
Who keeps truth forever,
7 Who executes justice for the oppressed,
Who gives food to the hungry.
The LORD gives freedom to the prisoners.

8 The LORD opens the eyes of the blind;
The LORD raises those who are bowed down;
The LORD loves the righteous.
9 The LORD watches over the strangers;
He relieves the fatherless and widow;
But the way of the wicked He turns upside down.

10 The LORD shall reign forever—
Your God, O Zion, to all generations.

Praise the LORD!

O God, You are my God

Psalm 63: 1-8

O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thristy land
Where there is no water.
So I have looked for You in the sancturary,
To see Your power and Your glory.

Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips shall praise You.
Thus I will bless You while I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.
My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.

When I remember You on my bed,
I meditate on you in the night watches.
Because You have been my help,
Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice,
My soul follows close behind You;
Your right hand upholds me.


We had two people close to our family pass away this past week and it got me thinking about heaven.
Oh, how I long to be with Jesus. And, oh I long to bless Him while I live.

10 years together!!

I have loved this man for most of my life. We were kids when we first started dating(17 & 20) and have practically grown-up together. Seriously, how could I have known what I was getting myself into...only God could have granted me the desires of my heart in human form...Josh. He is honorable, has truly great character. He loves Jesus, and takes my kids and I to church every Sunday. He makes me laugh and always catches me off guard. He gets me out of my head, and breaks me when I am taking life and myself to seriously. He tries to hold on while I talk about 29 different subjects in 2 minutes. :) He NEVER complains. He LISTENS. He loves me with his eyes. He protects me, and provides for our family. He plays with our kids and makes our home JOYFUL.
I could seriously go on and on...so I will... He is my KNIGHT in shining armor, my HERO that daily stands along side me, takes my hand, and quietly leads me through the craziness. He is a rock...so SMART and steady when my emotions are all over the place. He is my BEST FRIEND and I'm better for being married to him for these wonderful 10 years. What an incredibly blessed girl I am!



Our anniversary weekend!!!
We GOT AWAY!!! HOORAY!!
Thanks to amazing moms who watched ALL 3 of our kids, we were able to get away for a night in Marina Del Rey. The weekend started early Saturday morning as we drove into Pasadena to catch a UCLA football game at the Rose Bowl. They WON with 0 seconds on the clock and it was a blast to watch! yay!
Next we were off to Marina Del Rey Marriott. We relaxed all of Sunday, lounged around, watched a movie, read ,went in the spa. The extra hour from daylight savings time, relaxation and quiet were little gifts from heaven that day. We headed into Hollywood for yummy yummy Sushi and then made our way home.
It was so wonderful to have that time away to reconnect and come back refreshed, ready to tackle the next 10 years. :)

A Halloween Open House

Psalm 118:24
This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.


We invited our neighbors over!! Something we have been wanting to do since the day we moved in, and it finally happened. We love our home and we love where God has put us and we are so excited to be involved in our community. So, a bunch of families came over, we ate pie and drank cider, roamed the neighborhood, and returned home with bags full of loot. All in all it was a great night. Even Bo made a new friend...Jacob, a new neighbor that is only 4 weeks older than him! Hooray!
Gavin wanted us all to be ninjas...easier said than done. There are NO ninja girl costumes, I wonder why! :) So, we ended up all being ninjas...except Bo, he was a ninja monkey, and Gracie a strawberry. :) HAHA
We definitely had fun and thats all that matters.

A Halloween Parade

"He shall feed HIs flock like a shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with his arm."
-Isaiah 40:11

Our little ninja had a parade at school today!

Her new trick!

September

Here are a few fun things that happened this month!
Gavin started Preschool! He absolutely loves it. And the hug that comes along with "Mommy" as he runs towards me at the end of the day is the best part. Well...the break is nice too. :) Its funny how school has changed him. He is more disciplined and gets it when he has to wait his turn! So nice.




We bid farewell to Scotty. He is off to begin college life at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. We are so thrilled for him but will miss him terribly. We will miss hearing the piano and constant ukulele playing and Gavin will miss his favorite playmate!



Dinner with The Young fam! We met to celebrate G-pops & Uncle Sean's birthdays. Dinner was so great, but the bowling afterwards was even better! We love our family so much!!!



My poor mom has been having health problems for 2 years now. This week was especially tough with 2 trips to the ER. We were so glad that she was ok and wanted to just spend some time with her and show her we love her. We tried to make it relaxing as possible. Gavin and I made Oatmeal cookies and served them on the "good" dishes. Gavin and Nanny played Where's Waldo around the house for about an hour! It was so much fun! We love you Nana!



This is Gavin on Picture day, Grace with her favorite toy right now, and Bo with his beautiful new smiles!!




I also came across my new 'life verse'...

Underneath are the Everlasting Arms.
Duet. 33:27B

Thank you Lord for an amazing month.

My turn

So today was one of those days where It felt like I took care of everyone but myself. If your a mom, I'm sure most days feel like that...today was especially draining. So hear I am, its 11pm and I'm having a pity party. I'm racking my brain as to how I could've done this day 'better', how I could've taken care of myself along the way. So I'm tired and in my pity party I say, "So who is supposed to take care of me? When is it my turn?"
I know I sound 4...I mentioned pity party. yuk.
I need to unwind, so I grab the remotes, which happen to be resting on my bible. And I know that what I really need is my bible not the TV. So I decide to read a few verses before I unwind in front of the TV. :) ha
I open God's word and just like it promises...it always delivers, it grabs me. God grabs me and as I'm reading a Psalm, I'm humbled. I feel the embarrassing selfishness melt away. Nothing like talking to the God of the universe to give you a little perspective.
That song comes into my head...
I lift my eyes up to the mountains
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from You
Maker of heaven
Creator of the earth
Oh how I need you Lord
You are my only hope.
You're my only prayer.
So I will wait for you to come and rescue me
Come and give me life.

I bow my head and realize this is "my turn"
He is the one to take care of me.
101 verses flood my mind of all the promises God has made to love and take care of me.

Psalm 34:17
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
The Lord is near to those that have a broken heart

Psalm 139:10
Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.

Psalm 23:1-3
The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;

Thank you Lord. May I always run to You first to give me what I need, so that I can serve those you've given me.


P.S.
Thought these pics of Josh and the kids were too precious! What a great dad!

Christmas Portraits

My business partner Becky and I are doing Christmas Portraits again this year! Last year was such a success and SO much fun that we couldn't wait to do it again!
Please pass on the news to anyone in the Orange County area!!!


REFER A FRIEND!

2 months old

Psalm 92
4 For you make me glad by your deeds, O LORD;
I sing for joy at the works of your hands.

5 How great are your works, O LORD,
how profound your thoughts!


11.5 lbs 24.5 inches
A healthy and happier baby boy!