Good Friday morning!  It is the first day of October and I am already hitting the ground running.  Late this afternoon I am helping to host with a bunch of friends/co-workers a bridal shower for my dear friend Jessica Silva.  She is getting married in November.  Should be a great time of hanging out, eating, laughing and celebrating Jessica's upcoming wedded bliss!

Then early on Saturday morning Mike and I are off to San Diego.  I am meeting my friend Marga (the writer of our book SPF-150 "It's a Sunny Day")  who lives in Pismo Beach, Ca. and taking care of a bunch of things that need to be done with the book.  Very excited about that too.  So I hope you will all understand that I will be taking this weekend off from blogging.  Between getting home late tonight and leaving early tomorrow I just won't have much time.

Here is a picture of Tyler with the fall leaves that Angel Linda sent.  He loved them and I can't wait to scrapbook this picture on a page.  I love fall layouts.  Angel Linda....I took the leaves to school yesterday morning for the kids to see and do leaf rubbings.  Thank you!

Also a picture of mine and Tyler's hands holding some unripened grapes in the vineyard.

San Diego Charger's are playing the Arizona Cardinal's at home on Sunday.  Go Chargers!!! 

Prayer requests:  I have received requests for some people who are suffering from a debilitating illness.  Each day of their lives is difficult.  Let's remember to lift their spirits and encourage them by either stopping by their house for a minute to say hello and give them a hug, or give them a phone call and ask how they are doing and if they need something or send an encouraging card.  What an awesome thing to do and only takes a few minutes.

Psalms 92 verses 1 & 2:  It is good to say, "Thank you" to the Lord, to sing praises to the God who is above all gods.  Every morning tell him, "Thank you for your kindness," and every evening rejoice in all his faithfulness.

Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.  Humility is thinking more of others.  Humble people are so focused on serving others, they don't think of themselves.

Have a fantabulous day and weekend everyone!  Hope it is filled with fun! Today is another gift from God and He is so Good!  See you all on Monday!

Question....Have you ever been in a food fight?  Yes I have.....several fun ones when I was in High School.

Good Thursday morning!  Nothing like being woken up from a deep sleep to the loudest thunder storm!  YIKES....the lightning was striking close to our house too.  Mike actually got up to see it.  The nice thing about it was that it brought rain. I like storms......but that one was a little scary. (at least for me)  :) 

They are here!  Angel Linda sent me some fall leaves from Pennsylvania and they are gorgeous!  It is so nice to have a little piece of fall come my way even if it doesn't feel that way weather wise here.  I love it and this season!  It is time for me to start decorating my house for fall.  September flew by and I know the next few months will too. Jenna and I took pics of Tyler with the leaves yesterday.  I will post them soon.  Mary Jo.....we got pics of Tyler with the hat you made him too.  And we took his 11 month pictures.  Wow....between mine and Jenna's camera it was paparazzi time.

Here is another pic of Tyler in the apple orchard.  His cheeks are so rosy because it was so warm out.

Prayer requests:  Please pray for a friend who has a scratched cornea. That the medicine will work and it will heal quickly.  Also for two people who had  job interviews yesterday.  Pray they will get the jobs.  And for another friend who is having terrible headaches.  That the Dr. will find the best medicine that will work and not make her sleepy.

Psalms 77 verse 14:  You are the God of miracles and wonders!  You still demonstrate your awesome power.  Chapter 86 verse 10:  For you are great, and do great miracles.  You alone are God.

Relationships are what life is about.  The greatest gift you can give someone is your time.

Yesterday's comments made me tear up.  Thank you everyone.  It was great reading who your personal heros are.

Have a super day everyone!  Today is another gift from God and He is so Good! 

Question: If you had to be named after one of the 50 states, which one would it be?  I would have to say Virginia because that was my grandmother's name.

Good Wednesday morning!  How is your week going? 

I am always so thankful for all the things in my life, both big and small.  I pray everyday that God will keep my husband, children and grandchild healthy and safe.  Well the other night my son Jeff who usually takes his motorcycle to school decided to take my car instead.  As he was heading to school a raccoon the size of a 30-40 pound dog ran out in front of him and he tried to avoid it but still ended up hitting it.  He had thought he hit a coyote but when he pulled over to see what it was he realized it was a huge raccoon.  The raccoon made it's own way off the road (and I am sure died) but Jeff took one look at the car and the bumper was smashed in pretty good.  When he came home to show me I was just thanking God so much that it did not happen when he was on his motorcycle.  No telling what would of happened.  Does it bother me to have car damage?  Not one bit.....everytime I look at it now I am reminded of God taking care of him.  It will get fixed eventually but in the meantime I am good with it.  So now when you see my car, you know the story....and I am "Happy Dancing!"

Here is a picture of Jenna, Tyler and I in the apple orchard.  Thanks to my friend and co-worker Amy Brinnon for taking it.

 
Great opportunities may come once in a lifetime, but small opportunities surround us every day.  Even through such simple acts as telling the truth, being kind, and encouraging others, we bring a smile to God's face.

Prayer requests:  Please pray for these people who are fighting cancer...Lori, Lorri, Teresa, Lorenzo, Susan, Anna, Martha, Cova, Cyndi, Claudia's dad, Susan N., Betsy R., Chris H., Allen, Kenny, Maria, Samuel, Father Ruben, John, Ken, Krisitn, Patrick, Mike J., Carolyn, Becky, Jim, Wayne, Ron, Jeff B. and Virginia.  Pray for continued strength and encouragement for not only them but for their families too.

Psalms 46 verse 1:  God is our refuge and strength, a tested help in times of trouble.

Have a wonderful day everyone!  Today is another gift from God and He is so Good!

Who are your personal heros?

Good Tuesday morning!  Guess who is 11 months old now??  Can you believe that my sweet little guy is one month away from his BIG 1 year birthday?  Where did the time go?  He is growing up so fast.  I am thrilled that I have been able to share his growing up with you all too.  It has especially been a real blessing for my family members that don't live here.  Jenna and I will get his 11 month picture taken this week and I will post it. 

It is also my friend Brenda Grose's birthday today!  "Happy Birthday Brenda!!"  Have a super fun day!

It is sooooo HOT is southern California right now. Records are being set.  I can't believe that it is almost October and we are this hot.  My sister Monica said that it was 113 in San Diego yesterday.  That was hotter then it was here.  The forecast for this week is still suppose to be hot, hot, hot!  Yuck!  Hope fall weather comes soon.

When we went apple picking on Saturday they also had a grape vineyard near by that we walked over to and checked  out.  Here is Tyler and I picking some grapes off of the vine.

Looking forward to getting the fall leaves from Pennsylvania Angel Linda!  I'll let you know when they get here.  Thanks Jordyne for the cookies yesterday!  They were so good!

Knowing and loving God is our greatest privilege, and being known and loved is God's greatest pleasure.

Prayer requests: For my friend Denise's mom who is still having problems with her eye.  Continued prayer for a few people who are suffering from depression and have asked our prayer warriors to pray for them.  That the bad circumstances in their lives will get better and that they will have hope again and feel peace.  Also prayer for someone who is suffering from insomnia.

Proverbs 22 verses 17, 18 & 19:  Listen to this wise advice; follow it closely, for it will do you good, and you can pass it on to others: Trust in the Lord.

Have a terrific day everyone!  Today is another gift from God and He is so Good!!

Do you know how to change a car tire?  I do. I have never done it but could figure it out if I had to.

Good Monday morning!!  How was your weekend?  Jenna, Tyler and I had a great time in Julian Saturday.  It was a lot hotter then we thought it would be but we had fun picking apples, seeing my co-workers and eating some apple pie.  I took several pictures that I will share this week with you. This one is of Jenna and Tyler.  He loved picking up the apples and trying to eat them.

 
Big bummer that my San Diego Chargers lost on Sunday.  :(  But not without a fight.  San Diego's special teams better start getting their game on and do a better job. What a game.  

I want to wish a very "Happy Birthday" to our Aunts Edith and Evelyn!  I wish you both a super fun day!

Congratulations to my co-worker Caryn and her husband Adrian Rubio on the birth of their daughter Zoe Jennifer last Friday!!  Zoe is going home to 2 big brothers.

Thank you Aunt MaryAnn!!  Made my heart happy!  Also my thanks to Donna Cartwright.  Mary Jo....I love the hat you made for Tyler.  I will get a picture of him soon and post it.  Too cute!  Thank you!

Prayer requests: Some parents have asked for prayer from the prayer warriors here for guidance and direction for their children.  That they will make the right choices and and have more positive influences in their children's lives.  That God will strengthen them through these rough times.  Also prayer for someone who is taking an important test this morning. 

You may feel you are facing an impossible situation, but the Bible says,  "God.....is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of--infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes. (Taken from The Purpose Driven Life)

Isaiah 26 verses 3 & 4:  He will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in him, whose thoughts turn often to the Lord!  Trust in the Lord God always, for in the Lord Jehovah is your everlasting strength.

Have a marvelous day everyone!!  Today is another gift from God and He is so Good!!

What is your favorite word to say or find yourself saying all the time????