Junior Guards Santa Barbara

Jack did great in this competition!  A fantastic and beautiful day!

Swimming with the sharks

After a "credible shark siting" we decided to hit the beach for the day.  Jack wouldn't get out of the water and Julia dug the biggest hole she could muster in 3 hours.  Great catching up with Ryan and letting the kids get to know him again.

Ryan Arrives

We celebrated his 31st bday with a German Chocolate cake......  So good to see my little bro.

Redemption

You know I just could NOT handle making a bad pie - especially bad crust - so I made another attempt last night using my original recipe (from Adele) and I have to say it was my best crust ever.  The pie was not that pretty (but mine never are) but the crust was perfectly flakey and yummy.  I made a peach-blueberry pie and I only wish that the people who ate my last pie were in town to have a piece of this one.  There is a reason to stick with something that works!

Papa

Today my Dad turns 64 but the years hardly matter really.   This man has lived so many different lives and faced so many different circumstances that he should be at least 150.  I sometimes can't believe he still has his wits about him after raising 8 children (and not easy children at that).  If I started to write about his life I wouldn't be able to stop for some time so I will leave it at this.

Papa, you are a man of strength and courage - the trials you have overcome and waded through have been enormous and still you faced them.  You are a man of patience and talent - your accomplishments are many and your skill and ability outnumber that of so many others.  You are a man of morals and values - I know you still are flabbergasted that others do not live by the same ethics that you find only natural and obvious.  Most of all I think you are a man of love.  I know you love deeply the people you hold close to your heart.  This I think is your greatest attribute - to love - unconditionally.  You have shown me patience and love even when I was at my darkest and unable to reciprocate.   You have encouraged me even though you were in trying times yourself.  You have given this gift to me and I try everyday to live up to that example.  You have shown me anything is possible in this life.  Happy Birthday Papa.  I know this one isn't the best of birthdays and I wish I could be with you to smother you with love and gifts and good food and cake but the best part of this day is that you were born to be my father.  It is I who gets the gift on your birthday.  I get to thank God for you today - and every day.  I love you with all of my heart.... unconditionally.

Coming Home

Taking your shoes off

Sinking into the couch

The smell of your own home

Comfortable clothes

Familiar food

Remembering the safety within God's arms and knowing you are right where you need to be....

Ti dye

Thank you Becca for doing ti dye with my children!  They have been waiting for 3 years to do this and I never could seem to find the time (and truly wanted to avoid the mess).  Even though the kids had dye all over their hands and feet and knees and foreheads they had so much fun and were so excited to finally create their own masterpieces.