Mountians Without Water

Last Saturday, Janice, my girls, cousin Abby and I went to a small national park just East of Flagstaff. It was only about 3-4 miles off the freeway and there you are nestled in a huge canyon filled with culture and history. The most interesting part of this were the ancient cliff dwellings. The girls were so happy to see them and get to step in to each and every one. Boys I'm sure would have been playing bows and arrows but the girls had fun imagining what the natives wore, what each room was used for, how they started fires, what they ate and how they slept on the hard rocks!

Read about Walnut Canyon National Park. It is a beautiful place.



The dwellings on the opposite side of the canyon.















The Sinagua people were short! The average height of a woman was 5'0. This gives you a perspective. Hannah is about 5'7.



















Here is a good example of the beautiful work of the Sinagua people. Imagine the time and energy it took to build theses walls.















Cute girls.









Here we are, Twin A and Twin B standing in a different area of the canyon. Look behind us and notice the fur and pine trees. Isn't that amazing? Compare it to the first picture where all you see it harsh rock structures and more desert-like landscape. This area clearly gets more shade and the pines can grow.

The climb out of the canyon was KILLER. I kept thinking how horrible it would be to have a heart attack and die on a day like this.....Janice and I were huffing and puffing. The girls? They ran ahead of us and beat us by a good 10 minutes. Lauren was wearing flip flops. What a trooper and what a bad mommy.

Yes, I'm wearing my glasses. I ripped a contact that morning. Bummer.

Amy, remember how you've been wanting to visit the Grand Canyon? We'll this would be a fun little side trip. C'mon, girl. What? You just gave birth?




One last picture. I know, not very PC. But then again, I am not PC.

There you have a post. Phew, the peer pressure was getting to me.

Love, Janet. Happy to be Conagua.

The Best One Yet!

Is your mouth watering yet?



Mexican Chip Dip
12 oz. cream cheese
1/2 C. sour cream
1/2 C. salsa
2 tsp. chili powder
1 1/2 tsp. cumin
2 C. shredded Mexican cheese
1 jar of green olives (slice)
1 can of black olives (slice)
1 bunch of green onions (chop)
2-3 Roma tomatoes (chop)

Mix together cream cheese, sour cream, chili powder and cumin. Add salsa after mixture is soft. Spread in to a serving platter, add other ingredients on top. Refrigerate. Serve with chips. Enjoy!















How many variations of this dip have you tried?

This one is by far the most delish.

It's the olives, of course!!

Bad Boy!

I had an interesting night last night but I need to back up and tell you what we did for the 4th of July in order for you to GET my story.

We always have a 4th of July party and this year would be no different except it was going to be earlier in the day so we could all leave and go watch fireworks. It was expected to be about 114 degrees outside and I didn't think one pool would suffice so I went shopping and bought the kids a Wham-O Slip and Slide (which was a huge hit) and a silly little blow up pool with a silly little blow up slide for the silly little girls that were going to be at the party. Everyone had a ball!

The next day I moved the slip and slide off the grass but I left the blow up pool. Nancy's dog Mack (pictured above, we've had him for 4 years) has been spotted drinking out of the pool and also standing in it. We were watching him yesterday hoping he would plop down and take a little (shallow) swim. You see, Mack is 14 and is beginning to do some very odd things. Lately, he has been barking from the kitchen at 5 am. Laying comfortably on the floor BARKING, at 5 AM. So we were curious to see what he would do in that pool.

Now back to last night. He came to our room at 3 AM and because I was awake I got up to let him out and wait for him to come back to our doors. I sat down in our rocker and waited for him to come to the door. He was taking FOREVER and I even dosed off waiting. Finally, he appeared at the door and pushed it open with his nose and greeted me. Of course it is pitch black in our room but I noticed something funny about him. He appeared to be wet and within one second, standing right in front of me, at my level he shakes a big full shake. I'm now soaked in grassy water from the silly blow up pool AT 3 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING. Evidently Mackie took an early morning swim. OK, I'm awake now and a little grossed out but I am laughing very hard because well, it's funny and he's precious, he's 14 and he's the best dog in the whole wide world and we have enjoyed him so much since we've had him!!

I can't imagine life without Mack.

Mama's Happy

It was time.

It was waaaaay past time for James to get a haircut. Dad and Mom said so.

He's a good kid and went willingly and this is what he told the barber to do....


















I had to do everything in my power to keep from jumping up and down, screaming happy screams and kissing the barber and James. Watching that hair fall to the ground was absolutely glorious. I am doing a happy dance right now.

Here's one more picture just for fun.

He looks older in this shot doesn't he?


















Yea for short hair!!!!

Perspective

Janice asked in the comments about the house we rented in Oceanside. She wanted a perspective of how close it was to the water. I took these last year. I stood in the same spot and just turned around 180 degrees. The beach was different this year. I think it must have been graded because there was a slope down to the water. The tide also seemed to come in higher than last year.

Back To Life

We are home from our annual trip to Oceanside, California. We had perfect weather, no one got sick or injured so I consider it a success! I have hit the floor running as they say and we are back to our busy summer routine of swim team, volleyball clinic and basketball. I have also been catching up on the laundry and unpacking. We made a trip to Costco today and filled the house with food so we are good to go, now I just need to cook something.

Here are a few pictures of our trip.

Hot!

If you have nothing better to do with your time you should watch my little weather pixie girl in my right side bar. By the end of the day she will be sporting a cute little bikini. I spotted her late yesterday afternoon because the temperature here got to 107. Today the temp should reach 108-110. Yea. I'm looking forward to the beach temperatures and ocean breeze.

And yes, that is what I look like in a bikini, I just choose not to wear one because I am more modest than weather girl.

He Said, She Said

We are heading out for our annual San Diego trip on Saturday morning.



Dave: Janet! Look at all of this junk. Don't you realize there are grocery stores in California too. Ralph's is right down the street.

Janet: Well! I don't want to spend my vacation in the grocery store. And anyway, the minute we pull our of our driveway someone will get hungry and thirsty. When we arrive you'll all need to go to the bathroom and stare at me looking for the TP and then someone will throw up and I'll need the paper towel and Children's Motrin. A teenager will get a bloody nose and need the box of Kleenex. Once we're done with the toilet, throwing up and Kleenex they'll head out to the beach and get burnt to a crisp without the sunscreen . They will be hungry and thirsty again and can eat Trail Mix and drink Capri Sun because that is just how we eat at the beach. And oh, the Diet Coke? Don't you even go there, dear Dave.

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Haircuts with cousin Ashley!

Yummy!

A few months ago Donna linked to the blog Confessions of a Pioneer Woman and I followed the link like a good, obedient, younger sister. I have been hooked ever since.

Ree is an amazing woman, photographer, cook, ranch babe and mommy of four! She has a great sense of humor and writes much better than this, but most all of you who read this blog write much better than this. :)

Ree also started up a recipe blog and whoa horsey, the recipes are amazing! I almost shed tears when I saw she posted a recipe for Rotel. Not your normal Rotel, but as she refers to it, Rotel on steroids!! I made it on Sunday afternoon and it did not disappoint. She received some blasphemous comments about it being too spicy and that the picture didn't make it look very appetizing. Well let me tell ya, real woman like spice ;-) and it is beautiful and appetizing. K!?

Here is my picture of Rotel on Steroids. That is James modelling for the picture, he couldn't keep his paws out of the stuff.

















Should I try the bread pudding next?

About Those Gloves

Look at what Amy found!

She said they are also sold at Sur La Table.

So, do you have a favorite?

Thank you Amy. :)

180 degrees

Now that's what I call repentance!

Good job, brother.

Kim and Aggie

These two ladies are the Simon Cowell of house cleaning!

Well, they are the sweet version.














I love them and we are hooked on the show How Clean Is Your House?

We recently got DVR on our Directv system and Dani is recording every episode for us. We watch and laugh and cringe and on occasion my stomach turns, seriously, some people live like slobs!! Hannah said that the people on the show make us look near perfect. :) I do wish Kim and Aggie would pay me a little visit and help me whip my laundry room and office area in to shape!

I love their English and Scottish accents and their bold remarks about the utter filth that they find these people living in. I took notes last night.

Here is an example of what they say and how they phrase it.....


Lovey, look at all of this rubbish!

Look at this absolute filth.

How can you live in this vile state?

When was the last time you tidied up this place?

This stench is bloody horrible.

Your loo is wretched, lovey.

I have never seen such grime.

That smell is just putrid, chap!

Don't you own a dust bin?

Get me some washing up liquid, quickly.


We watch the show on
BBC America and I just discovered it is also on
Lifetime TV. I'll be sure to let Dani know so she can record those also.

Here is a little more information on the darling hosts, if you must know more.

I'm searching the net for the fancy rubber gloves they wear. I'll be sure to let you know if I find them, lovey. :)

Summer!!

You see this motley crew? I had to deal with all of them on Thursday...all day. :) I decided that since I would be caring for 9 young people for an entire day it needed to turn in to a pool party complete with pizza and Popsicles. I set out to accomplish nothing and nothing was accomplished except these children were well cared for and fed. In this picture you see my 5 children, Janice's 2 boys and 2 girls who are staying with us for 3 days. (That spells T.I.R.E.D.)

















Here you have a picture of me. Lovely isn't it?

Once I get rid of all these children (hehehe) I will continue to work on tanning my feet and sneak away for a pedicure. A much needed pedicure.

How is your summer going?

Fun Times, For Sure

These are pictures of our activities on Saturday while we were up north. These pictures represent the GOOD PARTS. Because, letmetellya, there were a few bad parts, mostly having to do with our Rhino and a tree. Long story, all is well now, except our pocket book.....


Below we have a bunch of cousins sitting in dried mud. Hey, it makes for a great bench!!


















Sarah and her cousin Andrew.


















Lauren learning how to drive with Daddy very nearby.


















HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO HANNAH (15)AND DANI (12) !!!



















The cheesecake was from Sam's and it was delish! Actually much better than Costco's. Dave picked it up for us while he was in Flagstaff buying 4 new tires for our Suburban because 2 went flat the day before. Oh, yeah, we're sticking to the 'good parts' of this weekend.

Can you see the plastic placemat under the cheesecake? Yes, the one with brown mushrooms on it! For the record, I'd like to say that it is not mine. I have no control over the decor in that cabin. K? :-)

Giddy Up

We've been up in Mund's Park since Thursday night.

This is what we did on Friday afternoon....
























Lauren couldn't go on the one hour ride but she got to ride the horsey before we left for our ride. Can you see her excitement? I love the one with her squeezing the horn with all her might.

Do you see the person in front of me in the blue shirt? That is Dave's 75 year old mother! What a trooper. She grew up on a farm in Kentucky so this was nothing out of the ordinary for her. Except she had mules.

I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I've always loved horses and used to ride them when I lived in Wisconsin. I hadn't been on a horse in 20 years! My only regret is that we didn't get to run them. I held back a few times so I could get a little trot in but that was it, no running allowed. It's probably a very good thing we didn't run, I was very sore. The outside of my knees and my bum just ached!!

Next post, Saturday's pictures.

Modest and Pretty

I've been reading some interesting articles on other blogs lately.

This excellent article, written by a man, encourages young and old ladies to dress modestly. Some people were offended by this post but I took it as very good advice from a God-fearing man. It's true. Look around you...some women are dressing like tramps. They are wearing clothing that belongs in their bedroom. I cringe when I have my son with me and we encounter someone in an inappropriate outfit. I want to put my hands over his eyes (he's 13). We encounter these people all to often at our own church and our Christian school. I may sound like a prude but this mama bear has 5 precious blessings to protect and boy is it getting difficult!! We have long talks with our older children about their dress and about how to deal with the things they see out in public.

I think our dear mother taught us well about being modest. Her example to us was key and our example to our girls is also key. All of my sisters dress beautifully and modest. Yeah sisters!!



Here are a few outfits I think are:

a. hip and cool :)
b. modest
c. non-haggard like
d. affordable

Below you will find clothing from Coldwater Creek, Target, Chicos and Walmart (hey, I wanted a variety of prices).



















































So, tell me...what do you think?

Do you agree that these are modest, pretty and not haggard like?

And just for fun try guessing what clothing is from what store.

Jordin's In The House!!

Jordin Sparks paid a very special visit to Northwest Christian School!!! Can you believe it?

She's been on the local news all day and we knew she was going to be at her current school early in the day and Westgate Mall around 4pm.

Hannah text me at 2:45 and told me that Jordin was in the gym.our gym.NCS gym. I was right around the corner as it was time to pick the children up. I called Janice and Donna screaming my head off. I'm not sure but I have to wonder if this was an impromptu visit? She spent time with her friends in choir and sang a song for them and then she paid a visit to the rest of us in the school gymnasium. For those that don't know, Jordin attended NCS during her elementary grades. She did not sing for us but she was very sweet and gracious telling all the little kids "I love you"! She shook hands and signed a few autographs but that was it. It was short and sweet.

She looked beautiful, her hair was very long and straight. She wore a darling white dress and she looked TALL. :)

Lauren was on my shoulders so she had a great view. Her fingers/hands were either in my mouth, up my nose or poking me in the eyes. She was happy and screaming. I have a red shirt on and Lauren's is pinkish maroon. Look for us. I'm the one with fingers up my nose.


Yeah Jordin!!

Our next American Idol.

More info. Hannah told me that during the last period of the day no one was allowed a bathroom pass. It was then that they started to figure it all out. They guessed she was there.

A sheriff stopped me as I entered the parking lot and asked me if I was there to pick up my children. That was fun.

She rode around in a stylish black stretch Excursion (Ford!) and police were on our campus.

One of the football moms (spring work out) knows the Sparks family well and was invited to the big par-tay tonight. I know where it is....I should crash it. hehehe.

Fair Warning!

Moderate bragging ahead. :)

Hannah received a very special award at school yesterday and I am so proud of her! She is going to be mad at me for posting this but oh well, it's my blog and I can brag if I want to. And I'm the Mom.


















She received the very last award given out after a long morning of various academic awards. The Principal's Award was given to one young man and one young woman from each grade (9th-12th). It is from the high school principal and it was his sole decision. I honestly didn't know what it was even after she accepted it so I asked him. He said that he appreciates her positive Godly attitude and good behavior on the campus and that she is a pleasure to have around. And to that I give a hearty Amen! I couldn't agree more.




I grabbed the flowers while I was shopping at Costco and Dave picked up a special gift card to one of her favorite stores.

She was embarrassed and humble but cannot wait to go shopping!!

Way to go Miss Hannah. Keep honoring and glorifying God with your life.

Bon Voyage!

Remember my buddy Joshua?!

The one who HAD Burkitt's Lymphoma?

Well, he's smiling for a very good reason.



















Another limo is in his driveway ready to take him...NOT TO PHOENIX CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL this time.....

















Oh, and his parents and sister and grandparents get to go.

















On a very special cruise.

Here is one of their stops.




















The Grand Cayman Islands


All of this made possible by the amazing people at Make-A-Wish Foundation!

Bon Voyage, Joshua and family! We love you!

God's Word and Other Stuff

Encouragement for this Friday
Cor. 4:7-9

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.

2 Cor. 12:9,10

9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.





















This and That

Why the Gerbera Daisies? Just cuz they are pretty!

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Only 10 more days of sock wearing for my children!! The uniform policy at our school requires all children to wear socks and gym shoes, my life has been torturous. I will promptly throw out all socks and start fresh in the fall. Ten more days and the flip flops take over the house. Maybe I'll throw out all of the old smelly gym shoes too!

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Not relating to socks, I typed these words to Donna yesterday. "The older our children get the more I need my husband's wisdom and sense of humor". I am so thankful for a wise and witty husband to get me through the teen age years! :) Laughter is indeed very good medicine. Isn't it Donna?

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Lauren started swim lessons this week at Aquatots. It is a brand new indoor facility with a heated pool. I am determined to have that child swimming independent of any type of floatation device by June. I bribed her with a special lunch date and a visit to one of her favorite stores. Maybe she'll pick this darling outfit for her teddy bear.


Have a great weekend!

Any big plans?

Who's In Charge?

More from Called to Obedience

God's Purpose for Suffering and Adversity:


1. For His eternal purposes (2 Cor 4:17)

2. To bring you to a greater dependency upon Christ so you will know Him more intimately (2 Cor. 12:9,10; Phil. 3:10)

3. To teach you, experientially, that God's grace and love will sustain, uphold, enfold you in the midst of the trial. (Isa. 41:10)

4. To be conformed to the image of Christ; to build your character. (Rom. 8:29, 5:3,4)

5. To share in Christ's sufferings and for His sake (Phil 1:29, 3:10)

6. To share the comfort with others that you have received from Christ; to minister more effectively for His kingdom (2 Cor 1:3-7)

7. To learn more of God's Word (Psalm 119:71)

8. To produce more fruit than you are already yielding (John 15:2)

9. To realize that inner and eternal blessings and sometimes, outward blessings are God's rewards as a result of trials (Matt. 5:1-12, James 1:12)

You can download free studies here. These are life changing, Biblical truths.

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Next post: God's Sovereignty in Adversity

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Please go visit Heather today. Her post ties in perfectly with what I am sharing with you today. Please remember to pray for her on Thursday.