The Hills of Los Angeles are Burning


Thought I would take a picture of the smoke above our place.

Date Night







It was nice to get out with my hubby and enjoy a nice night out with the Durhams.

Where has the time gone?


2 weeks


5 months


15 months


2 years old



I have been thinking about the growth I have seen in our Luke.

All the talks we have in the car to and from school and the grocery store, all the questions he has and just listening to his prayers.
Yes, he can be spastic as times, but he makes me laugh.
God has truly blessed us with an awesome son.

November 4, 2008 - our Luke is 7 today!



What's a party without a good light saber fight?

Where has the time gone? It's hard to believe our little Luke is 7 years old.
Last week I asked Luke where he wanted to eat dinner on his birthday, thinking he'll choose Rainforest Cafe, and to my surprise he said El Pollo Loco! So, the Mearigs and Tim met us at El Pollo Loco for Luke's birthday dinner. Afterwards they all came over for cheesecake, another Lukie request, and opening of gifts. Luke had a blast with his Storm Trooper helmet and all the various Batman and Star War toys. Thanks everyone for making Luke's day so special.

San Diego: part 1






San Diego's Gaslamp District and tour of the U.S.S Midway.

San Diego: part 2






Matt and I spent the weekend in San Diego's Gasplamp District. We had a blast walking up and down each lively block. We had a great dinner and just enjoyed being with each other. The hotel we stayed at was built in the 1800's and was Victorian style, and our bay window was the original window (so the little plaque said). We had a corner room with a balcony that overlooked the busy street.


On Sunday we visited the U.S.S Midway that is docked there in San Diego. The Midway is an aircraft carrier that once was part of the Gulf War. All I can say is amazing. It's literally a city.

Several cafeterias, barber shop, post office, laundry room and even a sick bay that has an operating room.
This carrier housed up to 4,500 men so it needed everything. We had an audio tour, so we really got to know the things that happened in a lot of the areas of the carrier.

What I really enjoyed were the dining areas for the officers, the captain and admiral's quarters, which included their own kitchen and dining area each with their own chef. They had mannequins throughout the carrier to recreate scenes, so in some of my pictures they almost look real. I had no idea how big a carrier really is, and I'm so glad Jodie told me about it and even game me an extra ticket left over from her trip there. Thanks Jodie.


Miramar Air Show 2008






It's always fun to enjoy a day watching an air show. The highlight of the day was the Blue Angels.
We arrived there around 9 a.m. and Luke kept asking when the Blue Angels were showing up, well...when the Blue Angels did show up, Luke decided to play with some blue string he found and found different ways of hanging it for the next hour. I have got a silly boy.




My little football player



Luke is a running back for the Chargers, an Upward flag football team. He carried the ball for at least five yards at his first game this past Saturday (9/27)

Labor Day


We spent Labor Day weekend with our friends Ryan and Kelly who live in Dana Point.

We spent most of the time at the beach and just hanging out in thier beautiful home. We had a blast and they were the perfect hosts. Thanks you two for a great weekend.

What in your life needs further clarification?

When you clarify something , you illuminate it or shed light on it. Ask yourself today: "What area of my life still needs a floodlight shined on it?" There's so much to figure out and so little time to do it, that you even need to be clear about what you need clarified! In other words, ask God specifically what you want to know. Learning to ask for clarity is a skill that will help you become all God intends for you to become.

Luke 10:38-42
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.
She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said.
But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me"
"Martha, Martha" the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

Dear Lord, speak to me, face to face, directly and not in riddles! I want to hear your voice clearly and see you as you are. Today I pray for clarification from you about all aspects of my life and about my next steps, every step of the way. I ask for my eyes to be opened as you allow me to see the truth you want me to see. Take away all of my deliberate, spiritual blindness...Amen.

Praying for purpose, by Katie Brazelton



Family photos






Several months ago I decided that we needed to update our family portrait, so upon seeing the beautiful work of Hannah and Katelynn's photography I asked if they could take some family pics. They agreed and so today we all went to Newport Beach for the pics. Hannah and Katelynn did a phenomenal job, especially at trying to capture cute moments with a little boy who wanted to only play in the sand. There are a few pics of Luke not wanting to cooperate, but who can blame him, when all we ever really do at the beach is play in the sand and water... Not to take pictures.

First day of 1st grade


Now, Billy Joe McGuffrey was a really clumsy kid.

On the first day of first grade I'll tell you what he did.

He tripped over a pencil box, flew up in the air,

landed on a kangaroo who pulled out all his hair!

He needed first aid in the first grade, first aid in the first grade,

first aid in the first grade.

You could buy a zoo with all the doctor bills he paid.
(from Jonah, a VeggieTale's movie)
It's hard to believe my little boy is in first grade. They really do grow up fast.
So, after school I asked Luke if he had a good first day and he said he had a great time.
I then proceeded to ask:
mom: Luke, what are some of the classroom rules?
Luke: I actually don't remember them, but I'm sure I know them because I got a green light.

From kindergarten to 8th grade



It all started eight years ago when this cute, little, four year old girl named Arin walked into my room ready to conquer kindergarten. At least that's what I thought... Arin was quite the spunky character in her home, but once she was in my classroom she was so quiet and reserved. I was not expecting that at all, she did in fact conquer K, she was such a delight and joy to teach in K that I decided to stick around so I can have her in my eighth grade yearbook class.

Eighth grade is last grade here at Shoreline and Arin's last year here. It's been such a joy to watch this little girl grow up, and I have been so blessed to have been part of her life.


The first pic is the first day of K and then the first day of 8th.