Westwoods

Exactly a year ago, We came home from Chile, South America. Our church gave us a huge grocery shower to help us get started again. The plan was for us to be gone two years at least so we had pretty well gotten rid of everything. I am sure some people even wondered what we were doing back home already but out of the goodness of their hearts they gave us a lot of groceries and a warm welcome home. The back of the Tahoe was full top to bottom. The cupboards and fridge were both full to the max. I've often thought of that kindness this past year. Our church family had the questions I'm sure but instead they gave love and support. I've been thinking of how easy it is to pick at peoples faults and miss the greatness that people show as well. I plan to focus on the love and acceptance that God's people show everywhere daily. This is Jessie Litteral, one of our pastors wife. She is holding their newly adopted son, Gabriel. He is from Haiti. Josh and Jessie adopted a daughter,...

OH bummer, Above is my after picture... Below is the one you were suppose to see first. Below is my before pic.... When I showed Bruce what my hands found to do this morning he said " Wow, looks nice and cluttered." I was after organized in a cozy way.Hmmm...

And of course, you need to see pictures of the sand and sea... We did get to the beach one time as a family and also once more with Grandma and kiddies . While at the beach with Grandma we got to watch a couple daring people get pulled on this contraption through the air via boat in water. I don't ever have to do this to be happy. Great fun to watch from the ground. Also Grandma bought all the little ladies matching dresses. They got a little tired of all the photo shoots but these things are a must among moms and grandmas...

The famous hot tub at Grandpa Hartmans house... All the grandchildren that were there in this one. Bruce and his dad weeding the flowerbed one last time before the big move... A blurry pic. sorry, but this was an usual evening on the patio... or terrace as mom Hartman calls it. Cousins... and fast friends... Nicole stole our hearts. I called her a little peanut. She just is...

I'm noticing the wisemen this year because Shaunti brought them to my attention while we were setting up the manger scene. I was trying to explain to her what their role was in the Christmas story. I discovered that they were wisemen by profession but the truly wise thing about them was there search for Jesus to bring Him gifts and to worship Him. That is really what is needed in my life these days. True seeking and worship in what God sends to me for my roles as mom and wife. My worship to Jesus might be going through the things of life that keep working my faith and the things that are growing me up. A friend recently pointed out to me that the struggle is not shameful but something to be thankful for because it is changing me and molding me. Its all a part of growing in the wisdom that is from above. Growing wiser is laced with humility and worship for my Maker. thank-you Jesus, for those wisemen that showed by example.

A weekend away in Sand point... We went to the beach one drizzly afternoon. It was balmy, fall weather really. The weekend was very relaxing. We spent most of the time in the hot tub and pool at the motel. The kids were all suffering a nasty cold and were rather tame all weekend long. The plan was to get away before the mad rush of school sale and Thanksgiving season. Bruce has also been giving most of his spare time to the building of his "Hummel Bird" I'll post pictures of that another time. But for that particular weekend, I was hoping to pull him away for a little family attention. He remained with us in body but his spirit was far from us. Occasionally I waved my hand in front of his face to see. He WAS glazed over. He was appreciated for being a sport for the rest of us though. The kids and I had fun anyway. We took paints and glitter glue, paper and colors. I played a couple games of "go fish" Great fun! We went through the McDonald's drive through on...