Walking in Grace

Facing the giants

2011-11-13T16:00:00.000-08:00

Ellie started volley ball a few weeks ago and it has been such an interesting process. It's just volleyball right, oh, so you say. Her coaches played themselves, their kids are on the team. The girls are at least 1ft taller or 1-2years older than Ellie or have played before. So, the first practice arrived, Ellie was so excited, she boldly walked in only to be completely shocked, (Leroy was also overwhelmed) but she got through practice only to burst into tears as soon as she got home. Stating that she "sucked" and that she did not want to play. What is a mom to do? Protect her, love her and reassure her that it will be OK. After she went to bed, I began to pray for her, I asked the Lord to teach her determination through volley ball, to give her confidence to try, and to give me courage to trust the process. When your children are vulnerable you want so badly to protect them. I realized that pushing her to continue volley ball was protecting her, I was allowing a very controlled process to grow her. So, the plan- we went the next day and got her some knee pads and a new volleyball, we solicited friends and family who have played in the past to encourage her and we made it to the next practice. Low and behold she did much better, she came home so excited. Then came the first game, honestly I was more nervous than her, it was very intimidating. She did great, her team mates are so encouraging, her coaches are intense, but kind and they actually did really good. I found myself on the verge of tears a few times as she so intensely folded her hands ready for anything that came at her. When it was all over I was so proud of her, not because she made the game winning point but because she tried and that is the much greater life skill. Who knows, maybe she will be an amazing volleyball player someday, maybe not, but she faced a giant in her life. Determination is such a valuable character trait, it separates the good from the great. So, what I take a way from volleyball is no matter what it is in life that you face do it with determination, take courage with you and don't loose heart.

And time just keeps moving us forward....

2011-07-06T16:09:00.000-07:00

I am so frustrated with myself and not updating our blog more often. Not that I have millions of followers, but simply for the fact that it make me sit down and reflect. This blog helps me to document our life. Wow, in the last few months so much life has happened, I am not sure where to start. Since my last entry was about the 1 year anniversary of my Dad's death I will begin there. We had a wonderful time in Orcas Island, the whole family was together, the weather was awesome, windy stormy and rainy at night and cloudy and dry during the day. The kids played outside the whole time as if it where summer. It was a great time of togetherness, sorrow and fun. Just what we needed to do, to celebrate Dad, and Lord willing will be a family tradition. Other exciting events, Ellie got baptized- she made the decision all by herself and it was so amazing to watch the Lord guide her through the process, I am so excited to watch the Lord guide her life. We had Leroy's
35th, Ryan's 3rd, Johanna's 5th, Jake's 1st, Grandpa's 86th, Ellie's 8th and Rex's 29th birthdays-that is alot of birthdays, a trip to Mt. Baker on spring break, Brian and Stacy announced they are having a girl in November, I got a new job, and LOVE IT, the vegetable garden was planted and is doing great, we got a new bunny named Ginger, and 6 new chickens in the spring, they are really funny and should be laying eggs soon, another Fathers day passed like a dagger in our hearts, some fun day trips, the picture above was just a few days ago on the top Chinook Pass-we went to check out all the snow left in July and it was alot, VBS camp for the girls, and the list goes on. Like I said lots of life has happened and painfully I have to admit that time does heal wounds. I remember when my Dad first died people would say-"It gets better with time" After coming out of the year mark I would say that it that it does not get better, you just learn to do life again and time just keeps moving us forward. So, you adjust, you change, you grow in ways that you never could imagine. Some of my biggest personal changes has been that I have learned that Life is meant to be lived. Relationships are the most valuable asset you receive, the little stuff matters, be kinder than necessary, practice gratefulness, Choose quality whether it be time spent, relationships, or good chocolate- you are worth it. So, as I listen to my kids play with their Dad, enjoying the carefree summer day I am thankful for the crazy, fun roller coaster ride called life.

A whole year....

2011-03-08T11:06:00.000-08:00

In 2 days it will be a whole year since my Dad's death. I can hardly believe that I have lived a whole year of my life with out him. So much has happened, major life events that I have to tell myself he was not apart of. This last year has been a year of great pain, growth, change, and restoration. I can honestly say that at the end of the day- I am proud of myself and my family. We have lived the last year with grace, and unity. We have taken care of each other, it always seemed as if there was always an emotional balance, when someone was having a hard day, there was someone to carry them, cry with them or just hug them. There is this song that came out just before my Dad died and there are a few lines that have profoundly encouraged me through this year "love will hold us together, make us a shelter to weather the storm and I will be my brothers keeper so the whole world will know that we are not alone...this is the first day of the rest of your life, and even in the dark we can still see the light, it is going to be alright, it is going to be alright..." I know now that it is going to be alright, that the Lord's grace is sufficient, that love holds all things together. My Dad would be so proud!!! I often wonder if I could have one more moment with my Dad, what I would say or do but the truth is I would change nothing about my last interactions with him, my last meal with him was spaghetti at my house, my last phone call was hours before he died, my last words were "have fun on your hike and I love you." I am blessed.

Fall Happenings....

2010-11-12T18:44:00.000-08:00

Our first family photo session, full of blessing, the girls had so much fun doing these pictures, and the photographer was amazing and they turned out so good and the best part was that it was a gift!!

Wow, the weather is changing, the days are shorter, and the colors are amazing. I LOVE fall! We are in full swing of life, the girls are loving school. Elisha or Ellie as she is going by this year is meeting the challenges of being in a split class with such determination, she loves being with the older kids. She has made some amazing friends and is turning into such a lady. Johanna grows taller every day and is loving preschool. She is a joyful reminder to slow down and pick up leaf's or look for wishing stars. I am still out of work with health problems, trying my hardest to have a good attitude and keep pressing forward-trusting that the Lord wants to heal me and His timing will be perfect. The great blessing has been being home with my kids. I feel like this a great time for me to prioritize my life and truly find my identity in Christ, being a wife and a mom. As the holidays get closer I am worried how we will do things with out my Dad. I really miss him, and the change of season seems to be the hardest, he loved the fall and winter. He loved to watch the snow line move down the hill, to be snuggled at home with his family. So, I find myself watching the snow line, smiling more when it "rains so hard it's like a cow pissing on a flat rock" or just taking time to remember Him. I am learning so much during this season about letting go, trusting the Lord and loving people. "Trust in the Lord and He shall make your path straight, though you will stumble you will not fall for the Lord will hold you up with His hand."

Family Pictures

2010-10-22T11:13:00.000-07:00

So, after my Dad died we had such an overwhelming out pouring from the community. One of the teacher at Elisha's school gave us a certificate to get some family pictures done and I can not even begin to say what a blessing it was. We have never done family pictures!!! I found the cutest outfits for the girls and then Leroy and I codinated colors we were set-until the day of the pictures the photographer called to cancel due to the weather. I was so sad because we were dressed and ready to go. So in the spirit of being flexable we took some pitures outside at the house and rescheduled for Monday... So enjoy the pictures....

Coming out of the Fog....

2010-09-17T13:19:00.000-07:00

This last year has been one of great trial, sadness, sickness, and change only to lead us back to the place we never intended to leave-the Lord's perfect grace. It is amazing how easy it is to fall away, to be overwhelmed by circumstances, distracted by poor health, consumed with sadness. As, I reflect on the last year I am amazed to be breathing still. In one short year, we have been pregnant, experienced a miscarriage, lead a ministry and stepped away from a ministry,had continued on going heath issues, experienced the death of a parent suddenly, moved, lived with my entire family(compound living), changed jobs, changed schools, changed churches, tried to sell a house, let go of that same house, been out of work, and the list goes on.... I have been thinking a lot about the last year and all of its moments and the only honest reflection that I have is that life continued to happen and that through this season, despite my rotten attitude at times the Lord never left me. When I cried he caught my tears; when I pushed people away, he understood; when I left a whole life behind to be with my family, He blessed me; He gave me grace when I deserved none, He showed me mercy when I had none to offer. He showed me love when I was unlovable. He walked beside me when I needed a friend, in front of me when I needed a father, behind me when I thought I would fall and he carried me when I could not walk. In the deepest parts of my sorrow, the valley floors of this last year, Jesus was there with me. As I come out of the valley, I have learned so much, as the fog lifts, I have began to see the layout of the land and all that I have been blessed with and I can say that truly the Lord's grace is sufficient.

Listen to some of my favorites

2010-09-08T17:53:00.001-07:00

2010-09-08T17:49:00.001-07:00

Jacob Landon

2010-05-20T11:28:00.000-07:00

Sweet baby Boy, what a wonderful blessing you are to this family. You represent LIFE, and so much more.. In a season when we are all walking in a very unfamiliar storm of emotions, Jacob Landon joins the family. He is beautiful. He is calm, very sweet and loves to snuggle. By the Lord's grace we have been so blessed in our tragedy. We have lost so great and gained so much. We have each other and I can honestly say that there is no other place that I want to be than right here. Together we heal... So, enjoy the pictures of my new nephew Jacob Landon Orcutt.

Missing Dad.....

2010-04-09T12:57:00.000-07:00

I can't even put into words how painful the last month has been. With everyday that goes by, reality hits like a ton of bricks in the most strange moments. Today, it was Elisha that was hit with the painful bricks of Life when she realized that Gramps can not finish her stall for her horses and that He is not coming home. She has been so brave, and full of grace. The girls whole world has changed. Elisha started at a new school on Monday. I am amazed at how children keep the world in motion. They just wear their emotions on their sleves, the good bad and the ugly. I am truly blessed with an amazing family. I have enjoyed being "HOME" and living at my parents house. There are things that I will miss about Gig Harbor, and having my own home but truly what I gain is so much more.... I gain the chance to grieve in a place where people know and loved my Dad, to be with my entire family, to reconnect with old friends, to live in my childhood home-my safe place, to watch the Lord provide for my every need. Everyday I understand that truely the most important thing we accomplish in life is "how we love" I am challenged to not be bound to stuff but to people. I want to live a life that starts and begins with LOVE. So, today as I wait for my husband to get home so that I can cry in his arms, I make a choice to stand on the words I heard from the Lord the night that my Dad died, "My grace is sufficient...."

A Great picture of Dad...

2010-03-29T14:55:00.000-07:00

Elisha Lost Her first tooth....

2009-12-03T14:50:00.000-08:00

Elisha Lost her first tooth. My baby is getting so big!!!!

The Perfect Christmas TREE.....

2009-11-29T21:14:00.000-08:00

So, we have started a new tradition the last few years and that it to get the family together, on this side of the bridge and get a u-cut Christmas tree. We found a really cute place this year and had a blast finding trees. WE usually get a noble, and I love it but this year Leroy picked a very special tree, and it was also very expensive(more expensive then even my moms 12ft noble-we had a great laugh with this), but once we got it home and decorated- it is near perfect. It almost looks fake it is so perfect. It smells so nice and the girls and I had a blast decorating it. So, enjoy the tree farm pictures....

Annual Ginger Bread House

2009-11-24T20:14:00.000-08:00

The girls and I did our Gingerbread House the other day. They work so well together, and have alot of fun together. Thank the Lord for Sisters!!!! Let the Holiday season begin, I have sent this years "thankful letter" that we sent out for thanksgiving this year. Christmas cards are my one of my favorite things to do, and this year it seemed more appropriate to do something a little different, so enjoy. Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

The last 2 months...

2009-11-09T10:19:00.000-08:00

As I read my last post, it still brings tears to my eyes. The last few months have been painful and sad. So much has happened in two months with my family.... My whole world feels turned upside down, as if I am walking on my hands. I stepped down at my job, and just work 2 days a weeks which has been a great adjustment financially and emotionally. I did not realize how much identity I had in my job, it really was the best choice and has given me more time to find identity in being a wife and a mother again. We also have stepped away from Kids ministry at church, this has been the hardest change, because I feel as if I have failed. I have never quit anything, In all my years with the Lord I have never not been "doing something" at church. I feel completely isolated but the truth in that is that I have done it to myself, and now feel like I am in a corner that I can not get out of. Jumping back into my life or what was my life feels to hard, running feels easier. Everything and everyone around me has moved forward and I still feel stuck... I am reading the Book of Luke trying my hardest to press into the Lord, along with a book on the Life of Jesus, and it has been refreshing to think of Jesus as a man who saw the pain in this world, daily I am learning to walk with the Lord more, that His grace in enough, that there is nothing I can do to walk out of His Love for me. So, here are some pictures of both the girls first days of school, and October! My children have smiles and laughter that sustain the broken heart... In Grace, Julie

Losing JOY....

2009-09-09T14:30:00.000-07:00

So, this is really just a way for me to get my thoughts together. The last week has been one of great difficulty, and it seem that it is easier for me to BLOG or facebook so that I don't actually have to engage people. Normally I run to people, but this week I have wanted nothing to do with people. I have experienced a miscarriage this last week and my heart seems to be broken. I feel as if I have lost JOY, empty and sad. I know that these things happen everyday and yet it still sucks. I had a bladder/kidney infection along with the miscarriage so it was really the perfect storm, a little bit of everything. Today is the first day that physically I feel well enough to get out of bed, but I don't really want to get out of bed, but I do anyway. Today is also the first day that my head feels clear enough to deal with my real feelings-whatever they are. Have I really lost my JOY- no because I can look outside this moment and see all that I have to be thankful for...that is the ironic thing about grief that if we are grieving it has nothing to do with the "blessings." Grief and pain are OK and often necessary in healing. For the few weeks that I was pregnant with my third child, I was so full of JOY and excitement, it seemed as if it was the perfect time for our family. The Girls had been praying for a new baby and the Lord was faithful to answer their prayers, I think back now and it seemed to perfect. When Leroy told them what had happened, he reminded them that the Lord had answered their prayers and that this was just not the right time but they still could have faith for the things unseen. The girls have been so amazing and tender with me, grace has been the only thing that covered the really sad moments for me, Elisha has such great faith, it really cuts to the heart, she see and understands things of the Lord that I will never. Johanna has said lots of random "Mom- I just love yous" and talks so confidently of the future. So again I am at a place when I can reject the JOY OF THE LORD, or I can refocus. I am not really sure what this looks like, or how I will mend, but what I am choosing to do today is reclaim JOY, and Let the Lord heal my heart and rest in his grace, cry and grieve....

Summer Time

2009-08-15T18:07:00.000-07:00

OK, summer has gone by way to fast!!!! We have had lots of fun, we spent a week in Canada with our cousins. We stayed on Hornby island and enjoyed being in the water during the heat wave a few weeks ago. We spend some time with my friend April and her boyfriend at the Summit lake house, where we discovered that Elisha has a very adventurous side, she was in the water the whole time swimming, jumping off the dock, sliding down the trampoline slide into the water and going on the seadoo when ever she could. I will post some pictures soon of all those events. Elisha had her first sleepover at our house with her friend Rachel, they had a blast and where actually asleep by 9:30-WOW. We are so blessed to have some neat friends so close by. Another fun thing that the girls have done this summer was camping/hiking with Leroy. Yes, my wonderfully brave husband went on a camping trip just him and the girls. They went to Mr. Rainer and had a blast, I was so sad that I missed out- I had to work:( So, enjoy the pictures of their camping trip.

On a side note, I have opened my own business, check out my web-site www.my-tfa-inhome.com/JulieK Book a party in the Month of August and receive a free purse or wallet!!!
This has been a great adventure for me and I am loving it....

Summer Time

2009-06-30T19:02:00.000-07:00

So, summer is offically here!!! This is our first full week of No School and having Elisha home and we are LOVING it! Today the girl and I walked 3 miles. Elisha rode her Bike and I pushed Johanna on her trike- it has a neat handle bar for the parents. Elisha did awesome and if I can figure out how to upload pictures from my cell phone, I have a cute one of the 2 of them. Then after a relaxing afternoon we had a fashion show in the front yard. So enjoy the fashion show.

Our Yard and Garden!!!!

2009-05-25T21:03:00.000-07:00

Wow, I am so excited to watch our yard bloom this year, we have been in our house for 4 years, and everything we have planted is in full bloom. We have had so much fun, designing our yard (we have had lots of help). Our garden is another great addition to our yard. This year the girls have been a real help with getting things ready and planted. In our garden we have- Stawberries, blueberries, raspberries, carrots, lettuce, broccoli, squash, cucumbers, sweet peas, string beans, sunflowers, calliflower, potatoes, rubarb, tomatoes, green peppers and cabbage- we also have a pumpkin patch. Enjoy the pictures!!!!

2009-05-10T20:19:00.000-07:00

For Mother's Day we went to the FC Sounders game!!! Here are some pictures.
Mothers Day 2009, might have been my best yet. We-all the adults in the family went to a Sounders Soccer Game, and had so much fun. Then we went and had drinks and appitizers at Cutters. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family, whom I enjoy to spend time with. I am also blessed to have such a wonderful mother in law who watched the Kids- all 3 (Elisha, Johanna and Ryan) and I know that they also had a great time. With all that fun, one would think that this was the highlight of my day, however after coming home- snuggling with my girls was the best part of my day, we all climbed into my bed and talked about our days and nearly fell asleep together. Thank you Lord for special MOM moments, teach me to enjoy my kids everyday....

Fun in the sun

2009-04-07T20:06:00.000-07:00

Where does the time go....

2009-03-24T14:52:00.000-07:00

Well, the last few weeks have been crazy and full of lots of fun things. After sharing at tea and testimony at my MOPS group, I have had such wonderful conversations with people about the Lord, my faith is truely being put in action, and I have been so blessed. We have had some fun times with the girls, we had a "movies, munchies and manicure night" at your house hence the fun picture of all 8girls-yes we had 8 girls. We had so much fun, Leroy was amazing and I am so blessed to have him as my husband, he just went with the flow of the evening, played with the girls, helped paint nails, cleaned up, and I know that he had just as much fun as all the girls did:). Leroy also celebrated his 33rd Birthday, we made him dinner and then he saw a movie with a friend, KUDOS to him for doing somthing for himself on his birthday. We have been getting ready for another great gardening season with our seeds starters in the window. I am so ready for spring and excited to see all that the Lord has planned in this next season. We are so blessed to have a church and a wonderful group of people to share life with, GOD IS SO GOOD! We have enjoyed spending time with our church family. And as this week ends WE will be celabrating Ryan's first birthday. I can hardly believe that He is 1, he is such a sweet boy, and such a wonderful blessing to all of us, I think that my favorite thing about Ryan is his determination, and his excitement and love for people, I trust that God is going to do great things with these qualities. Then 2 weeks later Johanna turns 3, lots of fun stuff....

Thanks be to the Lord.

2009-02-26T14:53:00.000-08:00

Today, was such a wonderful day, I was given an amazing opportunity to share with my MOPS group my testimony and how the Lord has restored my JOY. I was honored and so blessed to be used of the Lord. My prayer is that He who began a good work will be faithful to complete it in all of my MOPS moms.

Sweet Girls

2009-02-26T14:48:00.000-08:00

Taste and see that the Lord is good....

2009-02-19T11:32:00.000-08:00

I went to a Memorial service yesterday, and it was such an amazing experience. I truly have never been so inspired to walk with Jesus. Her life was such a testimony to the love of Jesus. I was amazed at the consistency in her loved ones stories. I took away lots of thoughts to carry with me through life and wanted to share.

1. LOVE JESUS, and LOVE PEOPLE
2. laugh more, smile more, love more
3. Do things that make you happy
4. Family extends beyond your home-you never really know the impact of love
5. Eat more Ice Cream and for that matter Chocolate
6. If you hear the call, GO and DO! Love and Obey
7. Ponder Heaven, and dance
8. Time is you greatest investment with people
9. Travel, enjoy the Lords creation
10. Have real conversations of your faith, with those closest to you(love you mom)

In all things, find Joy and learn to grow you faith through trust in Christ
I hope this encourages you all as much as yesterday did for me.

Ballerina Girls

2009-02-02T16:33:00.000-08:00

I love this picture of the Girls, it was on Elisha's first day of ballet a few weeks ago...

Sleepy Morning

2009-01-26T10:10:00.000-08:00

So, first thanks Sis for posting some pictures of yesterday. (Don't you all just love the picture of my sweet Ryan) We had such a nice dinner with the family- it was my late birthday dinner. I had asked my mom to make Chicken Divan the next time we had a family dinner for my birthday. It was awesome! Thanks MOM! Anyhow, I am writing to tell you a funny story. Johanna, woke up on the wrong side of the bed yesterday and today, she has been super crabby, on the verge of getting sick and today as I was getting ready to run out the door deliever dinner to a friend whom just had a baby, along with a long list of things to do, I went on line to get my friends address and could not hear Johanna playing in the play room, so I went to her room and found her asleep in her bed. So, needless to say, I am having to put my list down, deliever the dinner later, and take a moment to breath. The Lord has a way of making us slow down, and as I watch my baby sleep, I am allowed a moment to be thankful for my children. They are such a JOY. Lord remind me to be Thankful for my children awake, asleep, healthy or sick, crabby or happy. Have a wonderful day....

Fun pictures

2009-01-25T21:25:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year

2009-01-15T16:48:00.000-08:00

I can hardly believe that it is 2009, time seems to go by so fast. So, I thought I would blog to share my New Years thoughts.. I have made it my years theme to
"Be kind to myself" I have realized over the years that I am too critical of myself, and that it rarely is necessary. So, to all my friends and family, take a moment to breath with me and " Be Kind to yourself" I am looking forward to a new year full of suprizes, because life would be so boring if it was predicatable. Happy new year, and KUDOS to my sis whom is so honest and transparent on her Blog.
LOVE to you all, Julie

2008-12-25T12:02:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas, I hope that you all have had a wonderful Holiday. We have enjoyed a few days at Mungy and Papas house. I love Christmas, it is such a special time of year with children, and yes they got EVERYTHING they had wished for. I hope that as the toys lose there luster, the girls remember the real reason that we give presents and that is that Jesus was the perfect present to the world. God one and only son, sent to save us from our sins. We hope that this holiday is wonderful for all of you.

Girls in pretty dresses!

2008-12-15T10:33:00.000-08:00

So, my big undertaking of a family picture was taken care of when the girls put on their beautiful Christmas dresses (THANKS NANA), and smiled for the camera. Since their dresses are so pretty, I told them that they could where them two weeks in a row to church, I also secrectly was hoping to get a picture of them so that I could get my much delayed Christmas cards out. So, here are the pictures that are being mailed today! We had some snow, so they wore their dresses with their dress coats, which are also so cute and praise the the Lord that they fit again this year!

Christmas Tree

2008-12-09T13:58:00.000-08:00

We had so much fun getting our tree. We went to a tree farm that had tons of 3ft tall trees, so the girls thought it was a blast. We (the adults) also had a good time, laughing at the fact that we actually found three trees over 7ft tall. I love this time of year. It is so fun, the sights, smells, sounds and memories. It is so funny, one of my favorite things to do during the holiday is to do a Christmas card, and with all the fun stuff going on, I have yet to get it done, which I am actually OK with, so for those of you expecting a card from the Gonzales family, it will be there soon. Also, we had such a fun weekend, the pancake breakfast was awesome, and then after we went with Cindy and Lee to see Santa, fly in on an airplane. This was so cool, and I am sure something that the girls will always remember and look forward to each holiday. Then we had Grandpas concert, and it was wonderful. Elisha and I went and spent the day together, and then met up with the family for the concert and then dinner. It was so nice to see everyone, and just enjoy a meal together. I am so thankful to share my holiday season with such wonderful people, my family. This holiday, I hope that you all are blessed with people around you that love you. Enjoy the pictures!

Ginger Bread House

2008-12-02T17:55:00.000-08:00

We had so much fun this afternoon, we made a Gingerbread House. It was the kit from Costco ($9.99 what a deal), and the girls did a really good job, they really worked together well.

Christmas Letter

2008-11-21T11:08:00.000-08:00

I love this time of year and one of my favorite things about the holiday season, is doing a Christmas letter. It is one of the few times that Leroy jokes that I am unavaible to the outside world. Part of the Gonzales Christmas letter is a picture of the family, which seems imposssible, so I always start early and I have yet to get a good one of all of us, but I thought I would post some of the "trial pictures" Enjoy!!!

I Have

2008-11-12T23:37:00.000-08:00

This is a list that I checked out from Julie's Blog and thought it was fun. I have highlighted in bold letter all the things that I have done, it you want the list just copy and paste.
I HAVE….
1. Started my own Blog -
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than I can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain - I hiked a mountain but I'm not sure that counts
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sung a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched lightening at sea
14. Taught myself an art from scratch -
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown my own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill -
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of my ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught myself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had my portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason -
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68.Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had my picture in the newspaper -
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Rode an elephant

What a fun list and a great reminder that there is so many wonderful things to do in this world.

My Nephew Ryan

2008-11-12T22:32:00.001-08:00

I was thinking this evening about my sweet nephew, Ryan Matthew. He is 7 months old and just a JOY, he loves to smile, laugh and give kisses. He is a such a blessing to our family. It has been so much fun watching my Sister and Rexers, grow and change with him. Just the other night we were all having dinner together, and as we where sitting around the table, with all the kids in laps or high chairs, I had this moment of gratitude, how lucky am I to have so many people that love me, and that I get to love. Children are such great reminders of life, and the simple joys, like a noisy dinner table, a over crowded bath tub (yes, we bathe all 3 kids together), and three cousins snuggled up on the couch truely just enjoying eachother. Simple, yet so easliy missed moments. I also needed a reason to post a cute picture of Ry.

I have been tagged!

2008-10-21T12:20:00.000-07:00

How Fun, I have been tagged, by my friend Julie, who has an amazing Blog. I am tagged and suposed to share 7 thinks that you don't know about me.

1. I sleep walk. My husband says atleast once a night I wake up in a panic, and get up and walk the house and check all the doors and windows. Once I woke up in the bathroom, naked and ready to take a shower. I also talk in my sleep and sleep with a night light.

2. I don't like Lima beans and when I was a little girl, I would spit them out in my napkin.

3. I love to sing, but I am a shower and car singer. I am that lady that is totally rocking out in her car when I am driving alone.

4. I love to work in my garden, which was amazingh this year.

5. I don't like to be alone, I never know what to do with myself.

6. I (we) have six chickens and I am secretly scared of them, although I tell my girls not to be afraid of them. The other day, I went to go and let them out (they free range during the day) and they were kind of mad, because it was so late and when I let them out they started coming at me I was so scared that I shut myself in there coop until they went away, and laughed so hard that I almost wet my pants that I was in there coop and they were on the outside, when I got out I ran straight to the back door where, I began to laugh again by myself, even as I write this I am still laughing.

7. I have a cup of tea every morning, and as I get older, I am becoming my mom who also has a cup of tea every morning we drink it made the same also. Red Rose, steep forever,splash of milk and one splenda and one trip to the microwave for a warm up. Which is a compliment to her, because she is the best. Leroy, always laughs when he catches me doing things that she does.

I hope that you all enjoy learning 7 things about me. I am going to be late for work, so I must go, I love this blogging, it is so much fun and such a great way to get my thoughts out.

Pumpkin patch

2008-10-21T12:00:00.000-07:00

Today was one of those days as a parent that you what to go perfect, yet every move you make someone is in tears or about to be in tears, or recovering from tears. I love fall, and going to the pumpkin patch is one of my favorite things to do with my whole family. We went this last Saturday. The girls were just having a hard day, over tired and emotional, but since we went with my parents, my sister, brother(in-law) and sweet nephew Ryan, it actually turned out to be fun, because they helped with all the girls and we all got a good laugh in the end. I will post pictures, when I retrive them from my sisters camera. (Why do I keep forgetting my camera?)

2008-10-13T16:17:00.000-07:00

Well, we have enjoyed our first annual Oktoberfest with great success. The weather was crazy, but the food was hot and the company was great. We have had a crazy few weeks and we are looking forward to the coming of fall, it brings us all inside and gives us a chance to catch up with movies and our imaginations-which our girls are wonderful with. Just this morning Johanna was all dressed up and going to a "wedding" and I was the grandma and watching her children. Life is good! I will post some pictures of Oktoberfest once I get a hold of my moms camera,-she took all the pictures. This week I am trying enjoy all the blessing I am surrounded with, I hope that you will all do the same.

2008-09-30T14:00:00.000-07:00

Hello friends and family, I have been inspired by so many of my friends and their Blogs, to create one for the Gonzales Family. I am so excited because it is a way to stay in touch with so many of you that we don't see very often. I, Julie will be contructing this blog, so be patient with me as this is my first time.