Our Christmas Pooch, Bailey

Christmas 2009

The Yokley Christmas was great, but of course it would have been even more fabulous if all the kids could have come home. Here are a few of my favorite photos.

Letting Their Little Lights Shine!!!

Click on the title above "Letting Their Little Lights Shine!!!" for the Ugandan Orphans Choir video.

Ugandan Orphans Choir

Our church hosted this group of children and their teachers and chaperons for the last 4 days, and the kids ministered in their traditional song and dance (letting their little lights shine). They were amazing and we were all very blessed!

Candid Shots (Corry & Christina's Shoot)

These are the shots in between the shot...more candid even though posed. I happen to like the last one...when giving the command to kiss as I do with couple shoots, it was too awkward for Corry to do so (coming from his mother), and this is what he chose to do on his own. It makes me laugh!

Corry & Christina's Photo Shoot

Thanksgiving 2009

The top 2 photos are of Thanksgiving #1. We shared it at our friend's, the Weed's, on Thanksgiving day. Cliff and Dave fell asleep right after the meal while watching football. Saturday, we had Thanksgiving #2 here with Corry and Christina (Corry had to work Thanksgiving Day). The last photo is Corry Skyping Ashlee and Margo with our webcam...it's pretty neat!!!

Wood

Wood heat is so desired in this household...Cliff got a cord of almond wood yesterday to keep us warm through the winter. Nothing like wood heat!

Eastman Lake Campout (Oct.23-25, 2009)

These are a few of my favorite photos of the trip...it was a perfect weekend camping trip get-away with 80 degree weather, plenty of wildlife, lots of R&R, delicious grub and perfect company. God certainly gave us wonderful memories this weekend. If you would like to see the video, click on the title "Eastman Lake Campout".

My Favorite People!!

My Favorite Photo (Lake McSwain)

My favorite photo of the weekend!

Lake McSwain Camp Weekend

I got off work at 12 noon Friday and we were on the road about 1:00 pm or so. Cliff had taken the whole day off so he could get the pick-up loaded, trailer hitched, and a few errands to run before I got home. It worked out great, because when we arrived at Lake McSwain (a half hour later), we were able to get our favorite spot on the lake. It just seemed from the moment we arrived, everything perfectly fell into place...rest by the lake...wildlife in our path...great cuisine...fabulous and friendly camping neighbors...perfect weather. What else could we ask for? If you would like to see our video of our weekend, click on the title above "Lake McSwain Camp Weekend".

Trailer Update 9/29/09

Both sides up, bathroom framework up, stove/sink framework up and the two over head cabinet/cupboard framework up!

Church in the Park

Yesterday we had church in the park celebrating the 9th anniversary of New Life Community Church. It was a beautiful service (they always are in the park). While sitting tight in my lawn chair, I eyed this litte one rummaging through her grandmother's purse. Grandma was quite aware as it kept the little one very entertained.

Holding Hands

As you know, I have committed myself to walk every morning, and when I do, I pray. Thus, prayer walks! I was telling my friend, Brenda, that I saw her parents yesterday morning on my prayer walk. They were holding hands, and she said that she wished she could have seen that. So, I told her I would take my camera with me this morning. I carried it on my entire walk and didn't see her parents, not once! I returned from my walk and as I opened the curtains and windows, there they were walking in front of our house! I grabbed my camera, ran out the door, and kind of ran down the street after them (I felt like the paparazzi!!), and was able to get a couple of shots. I hope that I will continue to be inspired to walk at their age...hand in hand with my husband! Too cute...great examples!!

Prayer Walks

One Week After 9/11 8th Anniversary

On my prayer walk this morning (#36) I was thinking, have we forgotten one week after the 8th anniversary of 9/11...my neighbors haven't! We need to always remember 9/11 and how it brought unity and goodness back into our country. I am proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free!

Photography Road Trip

My friend, Cherie, and I went on a photography road trip earlier this week. Photography road trips can be quite an adventure...like getting on the wrong road and ending up on one of the windiest roads in our area, not to mention it seemed to never end. Photography road trips are fun as we never know what we might find to photograph. This day was especially pretty with puffy clouds filling the sky.

Prayer Walk & Storm

Some of you may know already, that I have challenged myself to a daily prayer walk. Finished #32 consecutively. The photos below are from walk #29 this past Saturday. It was a beautiful sunrise and later in the morning we had a thunderstorm. I have added the YouTube video from that morning (reminds us the season is changing), with stills and video, if you'd like to check it out. Click on the title "Prayer Walk & Storm" and it will take you to the video.

Lake Alpine, CA

Cliff and I decided to head to the mountains on this Labor Day weekend just for fun. Well, it looked like everyone else had the very same idea. We changed our route plans when we were also in the grid-lock line seen here out our rear window. I never was big on patiences!

Aw, now this is more like it...in our camp chairs by the lake...beautiful sights, sounds, smells...lots of R&R and people watching! Just so thankful for God's creation!

This young man had the right idea!!

Prayer Walking and Hazards

I have been consecutively walking/praying for the past 19 days every morning. I was beginning to not feel myself...sluggish...tubby...a complete blobster. So, I decided to get back on my walking regiment. So far, so good.

Little did I know the hazards of walking...this little gem stuck clean through the ball of my tennis shoe right into my foot, but luckily I had an arch support that cushioned the stab, so no broken skin.

Action...Around the House

My Photography Challenge this week is "action". So, I tried to capture some of the action around the house. Bailey surely performs well in this category!! Cliff working on the trailer sink passes by with some of the pipe work in hand, and then it was time to harvest some of the Thompson Grapes!!

Sunday Picnic

Sometimes it's just nice to get away even if it's not too far from home. Cliff and I went on a picnic Sunday to Lake McSwain. We found a little bit of shade under a eucalyptus tree...enjoyed our meal...watched the people around us...enjoyed the cool breeze coming off the water...and enjoyed each other's company!

Brief Cool Off

Whew! It's been an absolutely gorgeous last couple of days with cool breezes and a reprieve from the heat. We are enjoying it!! Guess we better as the 100s will be back Monday and for many days after. Thank you, God, for the break!

Be Ready

Today while in the grocery store, a young man (high schooler) by the name of Bret came up to me, extended his arms and gave me a hello side hug. I was kind of surprised...after all we weren't in church and he didn't have to do that. We had a brief conversation. My heart strings were tugging for this young man as I know he has struggles. Perhaps more than most at his age. Brief words were probably exactly what he needed along with that hug. As parents we often throw are arms up to the heavens to relent to God when we just have no more answers in parenting. We aren't giving up, but giving in and really, isn't that the only way Jesus can shine through a person? I've been there as a parent and have had lots of practice!! (I'm a very slow learner.) I see Bret's parents struggle with discernment issues and feel their fight to get it right. Today, Bret just needed a hug. It profoundly spoke to me that we need to be ready...ready to be used of God in perhaps the smallest ways. Hugs are underestimated and can be a healing source for a hurting soul. Be ready to be used.

Our Weekend!

We started our weekend remembering when...when Cliff and I met 34 years ago this month at Divine Gardens in Turlock. Cliff use to be a rodeo cowboy riding bulls and was wearing this very hat the night we met. It still has the same rope band, sweat stains and cow poo on it. I'm pretty blessed to have this cowboy in my life!

We help celebrate a friend's birthday (Dave, in center)!

I got to spend some time with a friend and we shot some photography in a cemetery in a little country town not too far from home. We are both in a photography challenge group and our assignment/challenge was still life photography. I got a couple of shots.

Then to top off our weekend, we heard our little terrier dog yappin' and barkin' tonight, and she really doesn't do that unless something is outside. I asked Cliff if it could be an opossum as they seem to love our redwood tree and grapes!! Sure enough this little fellow was playing possum on the ground. Cliff asked, "should I put him out of his misery?" I looked at him in horror, "You're going to kill it?" I asked with sad ol puppy dog eyes. I left as I was not going to be a witness!

Okay, so don't tell anyone, but Cliff is an old softy! He came back into the house and said, "I put him in the small metal trash can and will take him out to the country before work tomorrow." Hopefully he will not die of stress until that time. Look at the teeth on this guy!! Click the photo to enlarge if you like. Well, that's enough excitement for a while.