Just Chilling

Just some thoughts...

" If you gain, you gain all. If you lose, you lose nothing. Wager then, without hesitation, that He exists."

Blaise Pascal

I have really been hit in the face lately with the simple question, does God really exist? I have always known this to be a truth. Yes, God exists. But how do I know this to be true? He cannot be seen. I cannot prove He lives. So, how do I know God to be real? Faith. I have to have faith.

It seems as though God does not work as he so powerfully worked before. As I read about Moses, Abraham, Mary, and so many others I am jealous of how they were able to hear God's voice and see Him so clearly. Or how the disciples watched Jesus perform so many miracles and were able to sit and talk with Him for hours. Why can't I see His face in a burning bush or see Jesus in that way? This is a struggle.

But, as my prayer life has blossomed over the last few months, I have come to hear and see Him more clearly and know that He still works in powerful ways. And then yesterday, something clicked. A daily dependence on God is necessary to see these miracles and power. If I am truly dependent on God, I know that ALL things come from Him. I see how He is working daily in my life to provide every necessity and a lot of times, He does not just give me what I need, but also stuff that takes me by surprise..."the dessert" I delight in. When I am in constant communication with God, I can see his work more clearly because my focus is on Him, not me.

Violated

Sunday morning as we headed out to church, I opened the Expedition to grab Avery's carseat and found the inside of the car a mess. I asked Jaron if he had been looking for something, but unfortunately we soon discovered someone had broken into the car. Jaron's mountain bike and the garage door opener were stolen. There has been alot of theft reported in our area lately, but it is of course never real until something happens to you. It really made me feel violated and fearful, especially since they took the garage door opener. Jaron cleared the codes, but last night I swear I heard the garage door open the close quickly. We checked the garage and the door light was on. Needless to say we were then very worried someone would try to come back later and break in. We filed a police report and Jaron bolted the garage door, grabbed a golf club, his weapon of choice, and slept out in the front room to keep a watchful eye and ear during the night. Obviously our fierce attack dog Roger is of no use to us. He was probably snoring too loud on Saturday night to hear the break in.
This morning all is well and no sign of any intruders, but I still feel a bit nervous. The word on Sunday morning was all about prayer and total daily dependence on God. Our small group lesson for the week was all about prayer. Do you think God is trying to tell me something?

" Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks fnds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7: 7-8

Our first pumpkin!

Tomatoes

Avery-high Corn

It's Summertime!

Last night Jaron and I went to the end of the year Harker Party. It was at the head of school's house in Monte Sereno and there was no expense spared. We enjoyed unlimited yummy food and drinks in a beautiful setting. We realized while we were there that this was our first night out since Riley was born. Wow, we really need to get out more.

Friday Favorites... and a not so favorite

First of all, my not so favorite.

I posted last week about my new contacts and how great they are. Yeah, well scratch that. I woke up on Thursday with a sore red eye, but went about my day. Unfortunately, it did not seem to improve so I went to the doctor this morning. I have a hole in my cornea thanks to those wonderful contacts. So, I have tape over the eye to keep from blinking so much and cannot wear contacts for 2-3 weeks. Contacts...not such a favorite.

Now on to the favorites:

1. Gardenia Lily lotion from Bath and Body Works. Love it! I really love the smell of gardenia so this is a great lotion for me. I am not one for strong scents, though. I usually cannot wear perfume or strong lotions because they give me a headache, but I use a lovely unscented lotion from Trader Joes and just mix a small bit of my chosen scent in. Yummy!

2. Harker Food Court. Jaron works at the Harker School and for the last 2 years we have enjoyed a major perk given to all Harker employees. Every Friday we get a menu for the following week. There are usually 1-2 options per night, Monday through Friday. Yes, for just $6 we can order a meal for four which usually includes the main course, a vegetable or two, and a salad. Example - One night this week we ordered Cobb Salad which came with breadsticks and strawberries. Another night we ordered Lamb roast with green beans, potatoes, and spinach salad. Thet usually feed us for the night and then 1-2 lunches or another dinner. Jaron just stops by the kitchen on his way home, picks it up, and dinnner is on the table 15 minutes later. Spectacular!

That's all I got for ya!

A special treat

My mom is back from Africa now and we went down to Gilroy to visit with her yesterday. She treated Avery and I to pedicures...so wonderful! Avery was on cloud 9 because she got to sit in her own chair and have her toes painted. She chose purple, her favorite color, and had flowers painted on the big toes as well. What fun!

I am...

I have wanted to post this for a while now, but have never gotten around to it and have never quite gotten the right picture for it either.

Avery is never Avery anymore. Every day she is a different character or person. Some days she is Ariel. Other days she is Snow White or Aurora. The other day she pretended to be Grams, then Grandma, then Kaylin. Jaron, Riley, and myself are always a different person as well. I have been the wicked stepmother, John (from Peter Pan), Jasmine, Mulan, and many others. When she is in character, she never responds to "Avery" only the name of whomever she has morphed into for the day. She is usually always one of the Disney princesses.

Speaking of princesses, Avery has also taken to only wearing dresses. She has a complete fit if I even attempt to put her in shorts or pants. She repeatedly tells me, "But Mom, princesses do NOT wear pants!"

Oh sorry, princess Avery!

MV Graduation

Today we headed over to Monte Vista for the high school graduation ceremony. These graduates were my very first 7th grade class at Monte Vista and my first group of students ever. They seriously are the best group of kids; every teacher has said this of them as they moved up from grade to grade. There are so many wonderful guys and gals in this group that as I looked over their senior pics and hugged many of them I was so thankful for the year I had with them. I can't believe that was 6 years ago!

Cassie Burrows

Diane Leininger

Julie Schaffer -

Kailee Wetzel

"...how does your garden grow?"

Very well, thank you.
Our garden is awesome and everything is doing well...no casualties yet.
Our 3 pumpkin plants are staring to flower and are getting big. Hopefully we will have a few to carve this fall.

The corn is getting really tall. Jaron took an ear of corn we bought from the store and tried to pass it off to Avery as one that came from the garden. She, of course, is too intelligent to be fooled by such silliness.

The tomatoes need to be weeded and thinned out as they are spreading too much and since I am the only one who will eat them we really do not need 5 plants.

Family Pic

Friday Favorites

Okay, so I am going off of my friend Kelci's advice to post my favorite things from the week every Friday. Here are my fabulous finds for this week:

1. Homemade granola bars. I am really trying to not buy a lot of pre-packaged products anymore so I discovered this yummy recipe for granola bars. It is great because you can alter any of the "add-ins" to suit your pallate. Here is the link: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Playgroup-Granola-Bars/Detail.aspx?src=etaf

I substituted chocolate chips for the raisins and added 1/4 cup peanut butter. I only cooked them for 25 minutes and they seemed perfect; golden brown on the edges and chewy in the middle!

2. The Goodwill Store. Zariq told me that all Target's stuff goes to the goodwill store when it does not sell so I thought I would check it out. It sure does! Lots of good stuff, but still a little high for the goodwill, I thought. But they are still in package and better than paying full price at Target. They also have a ton of other great finds too such as my "Peanut Shell" baby sling I got for 4$ and sold on ebay for 31$ and my "Hotslings" baby sling I got for 3$ and sold for 20$. Awesome! I also found 2 pairs of jean capris - old navy and gap brand- for 4.99 and 3.99 respectively, but on Wednesdays all clothes are 50% off.
Fact: Goodwill rocks!

3. A strawberry huller. I don't actually own this little gadget, but would really like it. If you have one and love it let me know if it truly works, or if you are feeling especially kind, you can buy one for me. I read about this fun toy in my weight watchers magazine (Thanks Kelci!!) and it is made by oxo.com and is only $5.99. Great for summer, I'm sure.

4. Last, but not least - contacts. I have worn glasses for a year and a half now and it is so nice to not have anything on my face and to wear sunglasses again. I think I am going to try the ones that change your eye color. Love it!

So, there you have it. I bet you can't wait until next Friday now, huh?

A visit with Papa and Grams

Today we had a long overdue visit with Grams and Papa. We had a nice bbq and enjoyed a great time playing games and visiting. Avery had been pretending I was Grams all week so I think she was very excited for their upcoming visit. :)

California Relays

A couple weeks ago I went to Modesto for the day to work at the California Relays as an athletic trainer. The event is held at Modesto Junior College where I first went to college and got my start in athletic training. I was glad to be able to help out and assist Bobby who is the first Certified Athletic Trainer I worked under as a student and who helped me get my start in a career I enjoy. After working with high school athletes, it is nice to go see world class athletes and olympians in action...a nice change of pace.

Two of my interns from SJSU came with me

Jenn Stuczynski - US record holder in pole vault

A love of music

Today we went down to visit my grandparents and Avery had a great time playing the piano, strumming the ukelele, and trying to play the recorder. She also listened to Great Grandpa play the trombone (or attempt to! :). She really has a love for music and really enjoyed listening and clapping along while the singing and playing took place. Riley also joined in the clapping, her new trick of the week!

Last Week's Events

We made a chocolate cake in the dutch oven and this was Avery after her sugar high.

Riley is getting ready to crawl and she is striking a pose!

Happy Mothers Day

Happy Mothers Day!

These are some of the cards I sent out this year. I really liked how they all turned out!

I can wave!

A clean shave

My dad has, as long as I can remember, had facial hair. Since my mom is in Africa and not here to protest, he decided to shave it all off! He showed up at the house today and scared Avery half to death. It was so sad!! She went out to greet him and ran away. She never once would look at him and cried that she wanted to go to her room. It was so bizarre as Grandpa is probably her favorite person in the world. Riley had no reaction and snuggled up to his soft face without a tear in sight.
Grandpa is supposed to baby sit next Sunday so hopefully Avery will adjust by then. :)

What do you think, Mom??

Where has the time gone?

Riley is growing up so fast! She is still such a happy girl and so easy going. We love it!