I'll be home for Christmas. . . I hope

Stuffed in a car with six other people minus my morning cup of joe. The heater isn't working and it was four degrees last I heard on the morning news. (Did you get the only four degrees part?)

Stephen says, "I don't want to worry anyone, but the battery gauge just dropped all the way down to LOW". Why worry? We were only in a mountain pass in the middle of NOWHERE - 30 miles north of Alamo (Where's that?) The windows are fogging so I hand Stephen his glove thinking he would understand without me speaking that it was for him to wipe his windshield.

He didn't.

He tried to put it on his hand instead....accidentally bumping the wiper thing-a-mam-jig.......the wiper blade slowly works its way up the window as the car comes to a h a l t .

Stranded.

Freezing.

When did we see a car pass us last????

Time to pray. Please Lord help us get safely home.

Less than two minutes later a sweet couple, headed to Idaho pulls over to help. They generously offer to drive us back the opposite way to get help. The gentlemen walks Nana (she's 90) to their front seat and 3 of us crowd in the back with his wife. He goes back to get some extra jackets to cover up Grandma, Stephen and Alexa in our car and says he will be back for them in about an hour. There are kind people in this world. The Lord sent them our way.

We spent the next five hours safely in a warm truck stop in Alamo, while I placed phone calls to family and friends who could come to our rescue. I was overwhelmed by the response of our friends on Christmas Eve. My brother-in-law Anthony hurried to our rescue and rigged our car to drive home overriding the alternator with frequent battery switches and dangerously driving the rest of the way home without lights or heat.

While we got home a bit too late to make it to the Christmas Eve service at church, I had never wanted to be there more to worship and praise the Lord. Though my faith and trust is not always strong, I know he hears my prayers and answers them. My faith is stronger today.

Making the most of our time at Alamo Truck Stop

All Aboard!

We packed the car with the four of us, Grandma Claudia, Nana & Auntie Kimberly and drove up North as far as we could to board the Polar Express from Ely, Nevada. The trip was COLD, but magical. Santa boarded the train to ask the kiddies what they wanted for Christmas. We sang Christmas carols & drank cocoa. What could be better?

Family Shot

...just watching s n o w f a l l

When life gets too crazy out of control - the Lord sends snow to Las Vegas to slow everything down. Two parties & parent teacher conferences were canceled today. The roads are covered in 6 inches of white stuff. We had to spend the afternoon playing

and watching the snow fall...

...and praying for a SNOW DAY tomorrow.

Rocking the Christmas Season!!!

Busy! Shopping, Cookie Exchanges-2, Christmas Parties-2, Shopping, Holiday Band Concert, Gymnastics, Service projects: Living Grace Home & Wrapping for Make-A-Wish, Shopping, Sleepovers, Crafting, Rebel Game, Christmas Cards...

Up this week: Gymnastics x2, Christmas Parties x3, Parent Conferences & more shopping...ahhh School's Out Friday!!!!

Turkey for TWENTY-SIX

I am so thankful for this Thanksgiving time. This is the first time in I don't know how long that Stephen and I had ALL of our moms & dads, and sisters and brothers, nieces & nephews, and even some uncles from both sides of our family over for one Thanksgiving. It was crowded and LOUD, and ALOT of WORK, but so much FUN! I love my crazy family!

***I only had to break up one fight - Grandpa Goodall & Lexi - They were about to break my spatulas!***

My Super Student

Emily is Student of the Month! We are so proud of her.

Happy Birthday Stephen!

Wow! 35! That's half way to the big 4-0

10 things I love about Stephen:
1.He uses puns - and thinks they're "punny"
2.He's a nature boy
3.He'll play a game to win - not cut anyone any slack -even if they're only 7
4.He sings to me at karaoke bars (badly)
5.He is almost ok about always being surrounded by glitter, pink, and all things High School Musical no matter how much he denies it.
6.He'll watch chick flicks with me (but watches me to see if I'm crying - I swear this is a defense mechanism to keep him from crying himself)
7. He does grocery shopping
8. He is good daddy.
9. He is an amazing photographer (even if us girls don't rate in his shots)
10. He's mine forever...

IN TRAINING!

I figure if I put this out there it will be more likely to happen...

So here's the big announcement:
I am running the Disneyland Half Marathon in Sept 2009.

I am officially in training!

Any takers? Click here if you think you can run 13 miles at 16min/mile pace I sure hope I can!!!

A Bumble Bee, Really?

Lexi cam home from her friend Paige's house last week super excited. She wanted to be a bumble bee for Halloween. "Please Mom, you can order it at halloweencostumes.com"

A bumble bee, sounds innocent enough, right? Not so much! This is what she directed me too!



It's called the "sexy bumble bee". Are you kidding me? It was absolute NO!

...until we spotted it at Party City while looking for an alternative bee costume. I guess I was to quick to judge by name alone. With a t-shirt and leggings, my little bumble bee is cute as can bee...

72 and counting

Last week, while playing at the park the list began...

1. Names are Emily
2. Seven years old
3. Born in June
4. Both go to the Crossing (our church)
5. Moms are in the same bible study
7. Have "adult" teeth
8. Favorite color is pink (have rooms to prove it)
9. Like swings
10. Like Hannah Montana
11. Like the Cinderella2 movie
...The list goes on and on...

Today I was informed the are up to 72 things in common.

72. Love makeovers

*Proud to Be An American*

Today I chaperoned Alexa's 7th Grade field trip to KidVention (KidsVote). Immediately I was informed that it's not "cool" to have your mom come on a field trip in middle school. But to be honest I really wanted to check it out myself! (But from a distance he, he)

Once I was there I was glad I didn't listen to my adolescent's complaining. Imagine 2500 kids chanting U S A! It's amazing how caught up you can get in debates and initiatives. These kids were so completely involved in the process. Alexa can't wait to vote "for real".

It makes me proud to be an American!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA!!!

Happy Birthday Grandma!
We will treasure every last minute we have with you the next few weeks.
I love you.

Go For the BRONZE?

Emily Rash has made the Gymcats Bronze Team. She has perfected her back walk overs, pull-overs, back hip circles! We look forward to her first official gym meet in January. Are the Olympics in her future?

Loaves of Friendship

This year, at different times and from diffferent friends, I have received two starters for "Amish Friendship Bread". I haven't had a successful batch yet that I wasn't too busy to follow through with...hmmm....It got me thinking as I let both of them go - am I a very good friend? Do I randomly let people get crowded out of my busy schedule like the bread?

So I have looked up a recipe for starter online. I am determined to do it right this time. So look out pals! You have some extra loaves of friendship headed your way!!!

Not For Real

This isn't a real blog. It's just a fake one so I can leave comments