Monterrey, California

Kirk's parents and his nephew came to visit for the week. On Thursday we traveled to Monterrey to see the Monterrey Bay Aquarium. The down side to the day was my daughter throwing up right before we got to Monterrey. She got a little car sick.



I thought that these clam pictures were cute!


The Aquarium is a little costly, but very nice! The kids are able to experience a lot of different aspects to sea life. There is an area to touch star fish and sting rays. We had a fun time! I didn't have many pictures of Logan because he was having a great time taking pictures of all the animals.





The Kelp Forest









She loves star fish!








Kirk touching a sting ray.







We also went to the beach. My four year old wasn't for sure about those waves.





Kirk's eyes are closed! I was not going to climb out on those rocks again to take another picture!





Logan had a fun time looking for sea life in the tidal pools. It was a relaxing day and we ended it by enjoying a meal at Bubba Gumps. MMM- Delicious!

Weekly Bible Reading Update

I thought that I was a little further in my reading, but I am not. I read October 21st today.

1Timothy 6:6-8, "Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can't take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content."

I hope that you find contentment in God this week and not to be discontented with what you have. It is a good reminder of what is true contentment. If you want to keep reading, this passage has a lot of other reminders about the way we should view money.

My in-laws just visited. I will post pictures later this week. Today and tomorrow my daughter and I are busy with school work. She has a plant project due Wednesday. I actually ruined the flowers that she was suppose to use, so we are going to re-do them. I have a test for my Constitution class Tuesday night that I am trying to study for as well.

I hope that you have a blessed week!

Weekly Bible Reading Update

Psalm 84, in October 14th's reading, says "How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of Heaven's Armies. I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the Lord. With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God." Verses 1-2

"A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked. For the Lord is our sun and shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those you do what is right. O Lord of Heaven's Armies, what joy for those who trust in you." Verses 10-12

Proverbs 25:15"Patience can persuade a prince, a soft speech can break bones."

I found that these verses were comforting to me at this moment in my life. Because of the uncertainty of the economy and of the election and feeling a little helpless in all of it, I remember that one day with God is better than anywhere else and that I need to trust in Him! The Proverbs verse reminds me to be patient and watch what I say.

I hope that you are reminded of God's greatness during your uncertainties and that you also are working on your patience. You will be glad that you did. God bless you!

Weekly Bible Reading Update

(I know that I haven't posted pictures of Kirk's car, but it is not working at the moment, so I am waiting. I wanted to take some picture at another location, but since it isn't running properly, the pictures are on hold. Sorry!)

I read October 8th in the OneYear Bible today. I am s l o w l y catching up. Today I read about wives submitting to husbands - not my favorite topic. I am a rebel when it comes to that subject. However, I have to keep reminding Kirk that it could be worse. On Saturday, we were in the Target parking lot waiting to turn the corner, but we were being held up by a van that was in the way. The man/husband was sitting in the driver's seat and woman/wife came out of Target and insisted that the man/husband get out so she could drive. I could tell that the man was wanting to drive, but he did move and let the woman drive. I do not know the background story here, but this woman didn't care that she was holding up traffic, she wanted what she wanted. I don't think that I am that bad. I have rebellious feelings about this verse because that is the part highlighted, but not the next part, "Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly." Everyone has definite opinions about how women can SUBMIT, but where are those definite opinions about how men can LOVE? I think it is inconsistent. Just tell me I am wrong, I would love to hear about it.

Anyway, the few verses I really want to highlight are also out of Colossians.

3:23 & 24, "Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ."

4:2, "Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart."

4:5 & 6, "Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone."

I pray that those verses remind you today of how we should live. Do your work as if working for the Lord. Pray alertly and thankfully. Also, converse graciously. God bless you today, I have to go now and do the Lord's laundry and His dishes and pick up His clothes and clean His bathroom. (I hope I haven't confused you here, not Kirk's , but God's - remember do our work as if we were working for Him. Maybe that way of thinking might help me be a little more cheerful about housework and a little less grumbly.) Have a great day!

Weekly Bible Reading Update

I am in October. I finished October 1st this morning. Whew. We started up our Thursday evening Bible Study. I also had a meeting last Monday evening. So the only 2 evenings that were somewhat free were Friday and Saturday. I know others are equally or even more busy than I am, but when you are not used to the busyness, it can wipe you out. I feel so behind and I am exhausted. Plus, we had a rained out flea market on Saturday that we still set up for and got soaked, and a birthday party in the afternoon. Wow!

I have been reading a lot of scripture lately, and it all starts to run together. I will read something that I want to share and then I will forget about it when I find something new.

Today, I am going to share with you a verse that I try to live by, but at times I struggle in doing it until I am reminded about the verse again. The background story to this verse is about my mother. She use to be (and still is) a dorm mother at Nebowa Christian Church Camp. The first night at camp she would have a meeting with all the girls. She would talk to them about the week, but she would say that she only had one rule for them to abide by. Philippians 2:3&4. I read it in the September 30th reading.

"Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble thinking of others better than yourselves. Don't look out for only your own interests, but take an interest in others, too." NLT

The translation is different, but the thought is, if you think of others before you think of yourselves, you will keep your stuff picked up and neat, you will flush the toilet, you will be quiet when lights are out, you will be kind and watch what you say to others, etc.

This week, try to remember that verse as you are dealing with people. At work, in the grocery store line, in Walmart, on the road as you are driving, and yes, even when you go to church, think of others better as yourself. (NIV)

God bless you this week!

Catching Up: September Pictures

I have not done a good job showing what the kids have been up to lately. Truthfully, September has gone by in a blur. I can't believe

that it is October already. I was going through the calendar for October and it is full. The church's flea market, a church camping
weekend, my daughter has a week off for fall break, family is
suppose to visit, the church's Pumpkin Carnival, and all the
festivities that come with Halloween time are the activities that are planned.

These first three pictures are of the three kids in their new Sunday School classes. The daughter is in the 1st and 2nd grade class. The middle is in the 4's,5's, and K's class. My youngest has moved out of the nursery and into the 2's and 3's class. I am a little sad about my baby being out of the nursery, but it is fun to see him doing big boy things.

In case you are wondering, he is talking more. Of course I am the only one who understands most of what he is trying to say. Lately, he has been saying, "Non" for his brother's name. I think that it is cute. He is still far behind, because he is suppose to be putting several words together by now, and he is not.



This picture is when we took the class's stuffed animal out for ice cream. My oldest was student of the week and she took Fuzzy home for the week. She was in charge of keeping a journal and writing about their adventures.





My youngest loves to put together puzzles. The harder ones, he never finishes, but it amazes me how much he does get together. Needless to say, I am always putting puzzles together when it is time to pick up. In fact, I have hidden some puzzles for a time because I am so tired of putting them back together. Shh! So, my youngest is behind on his talking, but he understands very much! He can point out colors, a lot of animals, and he knows most of the
trains from the Thomas stories. There are other examples of the things that he knows, but those are a few.


This is a picture of my middle child when he fell asleep after reading books. I think that I have instilled the love of books into my three kiddos - I hope!





I have enrolled my 2 oldest children in a soccer program that meets every Friday. It is a non-competitive program. They are learning the basics. We have gone one time and they both love it. They can't wait to go back.




I am glad that my daughter likes it, because she is shy. My son, he has no problem being himself. We started going to a Bible Club on Wednesday evenings at another church. My son enjoys going and is doing a great job. My daughter on the other hand is having a hard time and is not making any friends. I think it is important that she goes, but I am praying for her to make a friend, or that we can take one of hers from our church or school.


That is what the kids are up to. Kirk wants me to post pictures of his car. I will try to do that next week. I have been continuing to run/walk with Biscuit. My college class is going okay. I don't have all my grades back, but the ones I do know are pretty good. I am just feeling anxious about that paper and essay question. Also we have a simulation coming up that I am nervous about. What does it say in the Bible, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7) Okay, Okay! I will try to remember that.

I am a little nervous about the debate tonight, too, so I am praying.
Love to you all! I hope you are well.