Garage Clean Out 2010

Well, our garage has taken the brunt of our busy lives lately, as you can see!

Scott and I were in Costco last week when I saw the most adorable cake pedestals, a set of 2 with fluted edges for only $19.99. I begged, he said NO. Then he made me a deal, I had to get rid of 5 things and I could get them! Today was gorgeous and hot, so we decided today was "garage clean out 2010".

I got right to work on my areas. See that dresser? I sent one text message and it was sold! I had to go into the house to dress Lindsay so I was gone oh, maybe 5 minutes, when I heard the familiar dribbling of a basketball.

I walked back into the garage to see that Scott was missing!

But," Michael Jordan" was in the driveway having himself a little "dunkfest".

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Impressive, but don't we have a task to complete?!

Seriously, you still "got game" but let's try to stay on task.

Okay, it looks like that is out of your system, and hopefully you won't be sore tomorrow.Onward to the mess!

Wow! Look what Mama can do in between getting people dressed, loading the dishwasher, throwing in a load of clothes, loading the car with all the stuff to donate....Uh, yep, my side is totally finished {and I got rid of waaaaaay more than 5 things!!}

After switching the laundry this is what I saw! Which means he had to run into his office to get his guitar to play along with the song! (and it was a dorky Garrison Keelor song!) Okay, maybe now he will stay on task now that that is out of his system.

Anna was a trooper, organizing her doll clothes and letting go of most of the Barbies!

See, after you finish your task it is fun to reward yourself with a little recreation! This was adorable to watch. Anna had Lindsay in full protective gear for a lesson in throwing a softball.

And I am not kidding, when I came back from dropping off the stuff in my car to the thrift store I found Scott lighting gun powder on fire on his work bench! He was tickled with himself that he had found it while cleaning and I guess if you find gunpowder, you must light it!

He may be easily distracted but he is a good boy with a BIG heart. He asked me to go out to his truck and bring him the box behind the driver's seat. I went out thinking, oh great, more distractions....

But, I found the cake pedestal set from Costco! I {love} him whether his side of the garage is clean or not!

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Happy Birthday to Papa!

Today is my father-in-law, Gordon Luff's birthday. What a wise and godly man he is. Shae has said many times that her Papa is the smartest man she knows! She has called him on numerous occasions to ask theological questions and get help with History. Lindsay calls him "a good man" and she is right! He has been working with kids since he was one himself. What a ministry he has had over the years. (we have had the privilege of serving with him for the last 20 years at camp!)

He was called into ministry when he was a child at camp while living in New York! Thank you, Jack Wyrtzen for showing this little boy the way to Christ! He has never strayed from his passionate calling and so many have come to Christ and have surrendered to full time ministry as a result of his godly counsel.

We took him to dinner last night at Nello's.

He was loved on by his 5 "local" grandchildren.

We ate yummy Italian food with lots of delicious bread.

Papa even had some help blowing out his candles. We are so lucky to have him in our lives. He is the most tender hearted man. If I ever get arrested or have a major catastrophe, he will be my first phone call. He has a way of making you think everything will be okay and talking you off the ledge! (I talked to him 11 years ago on the phone as I followed the ambulance carrying my baby, I will never forget his reassuring voice and words of comfort!)

Happy Birthday, Gordon!

I Love You!

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"Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore, from the rising of the sun to the place where THE SUN SETS, the name of the Lord is to be praised."

Ps. 113:2,3

Winter Semi Formal

Shae's school had the Winter semi-formal on Saturday night. It is a fun chance to get all dressed up and hang out with your friends...what could be better?!

These girls went together this year~WHO needs boys?

Maeghan's dad let them take the Mustang, don't they look so cute in it??

The girls went to dinner at a very nice place, Nello's. Delicious Italian food! While they were eating, a certain Daddy went and secretly paid their bill. {I picked a goooood man, I tell ya'}

I grew up in a VERY conservative church and home, so we NEVER *gasp* "danced". At the event this weekend, the kids learned ballroom dancing. They have a teacher {the math teacher} who brings his wife and they teach the kids in lines, rotating partners. They have done this for 3 years now. I thought the kids would NEVER do it, but they LOVE it!! It is good to see them just having fun and not being embarrassed to try.

Mr. Filkins and his wife are so cute, and they are really good!

These kids clean up so nicely!

This is Shae and her childhood BFF, Kitty May. She lived across the street from us since they were 18 months old and were inseparable until Kitty's family moved across town. She spent many summers at camp with us when the girls were little.

Some of the senior girls, they are a beautiful bunch~inside and out!

More Seniors. They can *never* take a serious picture.

Here are the smart, dateless girls. They had an Audrey Hepburn movie marathon after the event, in true "girls night out" fashion. They are all college bound and I am so proud of the women they are becoming. They all have a love for the Lord and want to do right, what a blessing they have all been to their parents and those around them.

We are already shopping for another dress for the Spring Formal! Hope Anna likes all Shae's choices since I am saving every one of them for her!

By the way, if you are wondering how I got all the pictures, Shae and Maeghan actually asked their Moms to come take pictures! We LOVE crashing the events to get pictures! {Stacy and I did leave and go to TJMaxx and then we came back at the end!}

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Riding the River Trail

Scott, Anna and Shae took advantage of the beautiful weather today and went to ride bikes at the trail along the Sacramento River. We have looked and looked for some kind of seat/trailer thing to allow Lindsay to enjoy the rides too, making it possible for ALL of us to be included. Until we find some kind of " Kiddie seat" to fit a 5'4' 100 lb BIG girl, Lindsay and I will be sorta left out :(

It was so clear and warm today. You can see the snow on all the mountains surrounding Redding, which makes me believe Scott when he says "we live in paradise!" The weatherman is predicting a rainy week, so we plan to be outside as much as possible this weekend. I love the mild sunny days but I also realize how badly we need the rain. It's good to get a sunny break after a week of storms, the pattern our weather has taken this year suits me just fine!

Anna had a chance to ride her new bike, she just needs a cute pink helmet, basket and water bottle to go with it.

Scott packed them a lunch to enjoy near the water too. What lucky girls to have such a great Dad!

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Ladies Who Lunch

Our weather has been beautifully Spring-like this week. Rain is coming this weekend so when Shae invited me to come {bring lunch} have lunch with her, I figured I should take advantage since next year that will be impossible!

74 degrees and breezy!!

I picked up salads from our favorite place and we enjoyed our lunch in the sunshine. I love that girl so much!!

The next day Lindsay had her annual check up where she has gone to physical and occupational therapy since her brain injury. It is always a very long wait for our turn, she missed the whole morning of school anyway...so she said, "Mommy, I don't feel like going to school, can I just skip?" I said yes and suggested we have a picnic by the river. She was VERY happy!

We went through the Arby's drive thru (Lindsay LOVES Arby's and I used to, but boy did I feel yucky after that sandwich!) and then headed to the park near the river.

After we ate, we walked down by the water to get a few rocks for Lindsay's rock collection. She was a little nervous about being "near" the water while we ate, but soon realized that it wasn't "scary wave water like at the ocean" so she relaxed and enjoyed herself.

I was so happy that she could actually see the Sundial Bridge (behind her in the picture) from such a distance! She wants to have another picnic with a bigger blanket and the rest of our family! I am hoping to round out my week by having lunch with Miss Anna tomorrow... if she will allow me (5th graders are sometimes embarrassed of their parents, even the super-cool ones like us!)

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Nothing Much

Today was bright, sunny and 75. It was beautiful!

Over the weekend Scott, Shae and Anna were at camp, there was a High School retreat and lots of Shae's friends were there so she thought it would be fun to go up for the weekend. She got right into the kitchen and took over where she left off last summer.

There was time for fun too, though!

Shae and her summer kitchen buddy, Denae.

Taking the little sister for a ride...hope she was kind!

Shannon taking Shae for a ride.

The girls enjoyed the snow (what was left after the rain!) and came home excited for summertime at Lassen Pines.

Lindsay said she wants to go next time. She and I just "chillaxed" all weekend at home. I caught up on all the laundry and ironing. She doesn't really do well in the cold, and don't get me started on trying to get her around on ice!!

We have been so jealous of all the snow all over the East coast, but Scott reminds me that it is terrible to get around in. In the words of Hannah Montana, "We've got the best of both worlds", beautiful spring-like weather at home and snow just a short 45 minute drive away...at our 2nd home!!

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Fun Stuff

I finally convinced Shae to go to a spin class with me! I had gone in the morning with Scott, so it was MY SECOND ONE THAT DAY! As you can see, she was a bit skeptical.

It was an extra tough class, TONS of "hovering"(lean forward bend down but don't sit on the seat). She was giving me dirty looks through the dripping sweat the whole time!

I have to admit, I actually kinda like cycling (it beats the boring cardio room any day), although I would NEVER be able to do it on the open road! Scott and I go 5 times a week. Shae found a whole new respect for her "old parents"!

Since Shae was already really liking me after the class, I decided to take advantage of it and go run some errands, leaving Lindsay with her. Lindsay is a talker so I am sure Shae was extra weary of answering questions and responding to all her comments.

Lindsay gently reminds her, "but I am your wittle sister, come pway with me." How can you resist that request! Next year Lindsay will be missing Shae so much. She loves for Shae to come snuggle in her bed in the mornings, and calls out until she comes!!!
We are getting some clear skies this weekend so I am hoping to go walk the trail at the Sacramento River with Lindsay, I will be sure to bring my camera. Scott and Anna are at camp serving a big High School Snow camp this weekend, so we may just eat at Taco Bell and NOT mess up the kitchen here!

Small Group Lunch

Before I had my children I imagined getting to do things like I was able to do today! I could not wait to drive on field trips, bake cupcakes and host parties for my kids.

Shae's "small group" from school came over for lunch today. She requested lasagna, salad and bread.... lots of bread! I made the salad and lasagna yesterday, so today all I had to do was clean the house, get the table ready and light the candles!

I did a Valentine's Day theme, I love love love Valentine's Day! This year when got my red and pink box down from the attic I was tickled pink to discover that I had purchased 15 pair of Valentine socks for 90% off last year!

Each girl got a little gift bag of socks and candy on her plate when she arrived!

They were starving when they got here, and they ate everything!

They talked and laughed while they ate. What sweet girls! I am so blessed that my girls are fortunate enough to go to a Christian school where they facilitate sharing in the small group atmosphere! Each small group is a mix of girls 9th-12th grade girls, so they can really share different stages of their lives with each other.

Dessert HAD to be CHOCOLATE!

Brownies and ice cream usually always hit the spot.

I enjoyed the afternoon with these precious girls very much! I can't wait until the next luncheon Shae volunteers me for!

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