APRIL...TO BAKER CITY WE GO!

God did work things out so we could get on the road before we thought we could, but then we ran into some questionable weather...okay, no question about it, it was bad weather and we had to change routes. Our original plan was to travel I-80 over Donner Pass, but chains were required and we were in a rental car and the business we rented from told us that we wouldn't be covered if the car was damaged by the chains. So, we turned around and headed northwest to I-5. The new plan added an extra day to our travels because of slow careful driving through snowy conditions. This photo was taken between Klamath Falls, Oregon and Bend, Oregon. To see the video, click on the Title "APRIL...TO BAKER CITY WE GO!"

April is a BLUR!

This is the town of Baker City, Oregon...where my folks live...where we were in the month of April. But before we were in Baker City, we were in Arizona! And...when we returned from Arizona we came home to a phone message telling us that there was suspected credit card fraud on our card...there was! Then the garage door broke, our daughter's boyfriend's dog needed a temporary home (yep she stayed with us the month of April) and then my dad became very ill and we needed to go to "Baker City!" But, then our car broke down before we could go, and we knew that would be another delay. Also, because we had fraudulent charges on our card we needed to close the account and open another. The interesting thing about that is that it takes 14 business days to get a new card. Traveling without a credit card is next to impossible, so we were stuck until we got it (that is another story in itself). So, the stress and urgency I was feeling, when we returned from Arizona, was truly a mountain before me. I came to a place in my heart, that it all was out of MY control, and my trust had to be in God to work all things for good....And He did! Now looking at this photo, I can remember the remarkable story God traveled us through, to get to "Baker City," and April isn't a blur anymore.

Places we Visted - Video

Just click on the title above (Places we Visted - Video) for the video!

Botanical Garden...Montezuma's Castle...Sedona

On our trip we visited the Phoenix Desert Botanical Garden, Montezuma's Castle and Sedona. All were amazing, but I was most impressed with Sedona. Just too beautiful for words! Be sure to click on the last 3 photos to enlarge them so you can see the people on top of Bell Rock. Some people are totally crazy as you will see in that last photo!!!

Montezuma's Castle National Monument

Bell Rock

Arizona Visit

Our Arizona visit with Gilbert, Ashlee, Maycin and Margo was wonderful!! It was too short, but we made the most of it. To see more (video) click on the title above "Arizona Visit".

Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010

After battling with what was a long start of a cold (I most assuredly caught from Cliff) this past week, turned it's ugly head into a miserable tickly cough, and continued head congestion. UGH!! I needed my morning decaf!!!!

And...I needed my comfy sick socks. My comfy sick socks always make me feel better.

Although I did enjoy my coffee and my comfy sick socks that comforted me enormously, I wasn't able to stay too comfortable for long. I had an engagement photo shoot with my friend, Cherie (it was her niece and future nephew), in almond and peach orchards. I really didn't want to miss this opportunity, and boy am I glad I toughed it out!!! Meet Amanda and Craig...

They had just clipped the peach orchard trees and hadn't picked up the trimmings before we got there. It was a beautiful carpet of pink!

Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010

Friday, Feb. 26, 2010

Friday night was our annual dinner auction fundraiser for our church Mexico Outreach Team (that will be going on their mission trip in April). Last year Cliff and I bid against each other on the very same guitar we donated this year. Cliff won and gave the guitar to me. I played it once! Our plan was to try to outbid everyone and redonate it year after year. As you can see, Steve Leeper was very interested in this guitar. When they called for the last 3 minutes of bidding, I got called aside by my pastor and our youth leader asking me questions about taking the auction money. It not only distracted me of my intent to make another bid on the guitar, but it also kept me from making a bid on the guitar. Then they called "No more bids, please. Bidding is closed." Steve and I had placed a few more bids not shown on the sheet above. People, I was very bummed...very, very bummed...I haven't been this bummed in many, many, years...I was so bummed, I almost cried buckets and buckets of loser tears! Steve Leeper, however, was a very happy man with MY GUITAR!!! I'm happy for you Steve "sniff, sniff".

After I almost cried buckets of loser tears, I was very happy with the very, very good news...(no, Steve did not give me back MY GUITAR) our Mexico Outreach Team now has $4,600 to add to their mission fund balance. God is good (but I'm still ticked about not getting my guitar back!). :0)

Lacee's First Homemade Bread

While Cliff was resting last night, Lacee asked me if I would teach her how to make homemade bread. I guess she relized that I wouldn't always be near her to make it, and it's one of her favorite homemade things (I use to bake it right before the kids would come home from school when they were young). She followed my instructions, and just look at how beautiful they turned out!! We got to have a taste last night, and they not only look good, but are delicious as well. We are having some of these rolls with our chili dinner tonight! YUM!

Cliff's Feeling Puny

Kind of a different Saturday for us. I had all kinds of plans, but didn't do one thing on my list except clean house some. I mainly tried to keep quiet while sick Cliff rested on the livingroom couch. He probably slept a good 5 hours straight. I made some homemade chicken soup when he woke. He's still sick, but he says he feels better. Lacee and I are hoping to avoid the punies.

Spring In Our Neighborhood

Happy Birthday Corry James!!

What a pleasure and blessing it has been to be Corry's parents! Happy Birthday, CJ!!!