Never Enough Luff

Changes....

2012-02-11T17:47:00.000-08:00

The turning of the "new year" has had me pondering something, especially this year. Sure, the new year brings new adventures and new endeavors. But this year, this year, the changes seem daunting to me. This year, we say goodbye to what has seemed like "the innocent years" for Lindsay. This year she will graduate from the comfort and safety of being on an "elementary school" campus and venture on into a new and frightening world....HIGH SCHOOL.

When you have a brain injured child, the younger years are tough in so so many ways, but it almost feels like the "younger" the child, the more accepting "the outside world" is to those with special needs.

Lindsay has always had such a vibrant and engaging personality,

She has been so easy to love. Everyone in her world has loved her. Loved her. I am not kidding.

But, it's easy to love the little ones. The children with special needs are so cute, so sweet, so innocent. Their teeth are small (well, not Lindsay's- haha), their needs are simplistic, they don't make people feel "uncomfortable".

They are so unassuming and approachable.

But, now with high school staring us in the face, I find myself doing more "fretting" than I am used to.

"Special" adults aren't as "cute" and they are certainly not as "approachable". Many adults avoid contact with people like that, and they don't teach their children how to react when they encounter them either.

Will Lindsay be loved and accepted in her new world, or will the teasing and bullying begin?

Will she even be able to tell if she is being teased?

To add to my stress, we recently had one of our appointments with a doctor who sees Lindsay every six months to reassess her physical therapy needs. At the end of the appointment, she came over to me and said, "She's so pretty" {huh?} I thought it was the strangest thing to say (but, I do realize that Lindsay is 5'8" tall, 130 pounds and WELL endowed). But then she continued, "I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't tell you that that can be dangerous in her situation. These kids are easily taken advantage of." Oh.my.gosh. THAT never dawned on me! YIKES!! A new "worry" to add to the growing list.

and...NEXT YEAR SHE IS GOING TO A PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL!?

My mind started going crazy with worry over Lindsay.

But, then I remembered something,

"I KNOW the plans I HAVE for you, says the LORD,

plans to prosper you AND NOT TO HARM YOU,

plans for a future and a hope."

Jeremiah 29:11

Phew! God has this all under control. HE HAS A PLAN!

HE didn't allow this to happen to Lindsay without ALL THINGS CONSIDERED!

As Mommys, we all have hopes and dreams for our children. Safety goes without saying, I suppose.

While a physical or mental disability can shatter those "original dreams", it seems like God has given a compensating gift to these 'special' kids. It is part of His unbelievable, wonderful, marvelous GRACE.

If HE planned her life before she was born, if he knew she would suffer a life changing brain injury on June 12, 1998 at 8 months old, if He loves her with an EVERLASTING love...

HE CAN HANDLE HIGH SCHOOL.

and so can I.

*I am humbled and thankful every single day by the love my other two girls have for their sister. I don't have the benefit of a "sibling" so I am in awe of the relationship my girls have with each other. I am so grateful that they feel a sense of responsibility for Lindsay too. This "unconditional love" prompts them to be very protective over her.

It's beyond my understanding to think that our heavenly Father loves her more than we do.

(God gave me this gift a few weeks ago. Lindsay was "coloring" and I was cleaning up after she had gone to bed. I found THIS PICTURE! She is 14 years old and this is the first picture she has ever drawn all by herself of a person. LOOK at the DETAIL! We were all amazed. It's as if GOD HIMSELF was saying to me, "Inger! I've got this! Let go and TRUST ME to work my plan for Lindsay's life!" )

"Now to HIM who is able to do exceedingly abundantly ABOVE all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us."

Ephesians 3:20

Life... Through the "Eye" of my Phone

2012-01-21T15:25:00.000-08:00

*all these photos are from my phone, so they are not the greatest quality*

Scott and I started watching a new show on Netflix over Thanksgiving while we were home alone with Lindsay. It's called 'Flying Wild Alaska' and it's from the Discovery Channel (I think). It is all about the remote areas of Alaska where they depend on Bush Pilots for everything. We told Shae about it, and she gotquickly hooked and all caught up on season 1 during Christmas!

Then, for Christmas, she bought us Season 2 on Amazon.

So, the lack of blogging= Shae's fault.

During Shae's month home we did not go on any trips or do anything exciting...

But I think I have learned to like not being so busy...there is more time for sister snuggles in Lindsay's bed.

(this is my favorite thing to see!)

And then, there was the whole..."Let's switch rooms!" evening. Easier said than done. Really.

At least Shae went through every single little thing she has kept for the last 19 years and was finally able to throw away a few things! Phew! She had a lot of laughs in the process!

Anna has wanted Shae's room forever because it has a front facing window. She was over at a friend's house while all this was happening, so she got to come home to a new (and highly organized) room. The next thing on the list is to paint her "new" room since it is still grey, and it does not match.

After an entire evening of moving all that stuff, Shae felt like she had her new closet under control (nice bra storage, huh?)

And she was delighted with her "new room". She had a candle lit in there every day and really enjoyed the change while she was home. I like change too, so I was happy to help.

(yes, poor Scott tried to stay out of all of the shenanigans, but we needed his muscles...he was so sweet to help. Oh. and what a great attitude he had. not.)

Lindsay had to be included in all the changes somehow, so I got out the duvet cover that Shae's friend, Laura had given us as a hand me down and I tried it in Lindsay's room. To my surprise, it looked great even with her old Pottery Barn Kids set ( I just turned her pillow shams over so the green striped side shows)!

*I am a BIG fan of Pottery Barn, especially now. This bedding has held up so beautifully-even in the room of a little girl who can be "hard on things". Thank you to Frances Cratsley, who ordered all this for me while she was a Pottery Barn Kids employee and thank you Trent family for thinking of us with your awesome hand me downs!

I think her room looks more like a "big girl" room now!

Scott had a group at camp the weekend Shae was leaving, so I took her to Sacramento to fly out. Scott let us stay in a hotel and even treated us dinner at Ruth's Chris. We had such a wonderful time and we stocked up on some Laura Mercier makeup goodness with what was left of my "cup money". I was so sad to say goodbye, but it was time for her to get back to business.

Lindsay has spent a lot of time coloring lately, which is somewhat new for her.

This is one of the drawings I found in her little pile of papers. People with "normal" kids would think nothing of this, or even think, "ugh...a 14 year old did that?"

But, to us, this is a priceless work of art.

I am amazed when I see Lindsay's undeniable progress!

"It is of The Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness"

Lamentations 3:22-23

The day Shae flew out was the same day Lindsay had her "8th Grade Invasion" field trip to Enterprise High School. I made it home to meet her as she got off the bus...

She was so excited to tell me all about her day "at high school" and show me her new t-shirt!

"I'm a Hornet now, Mom, not a Bulldog!"

(i wish she could be a Redding Christian Lion..)

Since the weather was beautiful and we were on our own for the weekend, Lindsay and I decided to go walk the River Trail. It was so much fun. But I was exhausted! Pushing around a 5'7" 130 pound girl is no picnic!

Lindsay was adorable. She spoke to every person or dog we passed, and everyone was so sweet to speak to her! One lady even said, "Hey, Pretty girl!" as she passed by us a second time on her way back to the parking lot. Lindsay said, "Mom, that 'wady' was so sweet to me!"

It was fun having conversation with Lindsay all along the way. She kept saying that she could hear the river otters swimming, the ducks splashing and the beavers building their dams (she watches a lot of Diego!). She also asked me if I could "hear that bear sharpening his claws on the tree bark?!" (a man told us to be sure and look for the bear claw marks on one of the trees!) I am certainly glad there was NOT a bear on the path..I wouldn't have had the energy to get away very quickly.

We are slowly getting used to life without one of our chicks in the nest once again. I don't like it when Shae is gone but I am so thankful for where she is. Liberty University is a wonderful place for her and she is embracing her new semester and all the excitement it brings!

Anna Fay is embracing her new semester too!

Little Miss Fashionista! I love to see what she is going to come out wearing every day. Shae was always the same way. They both seem to have a great sense of style. I don't know where they learned it, obviously not from me since I have spent 90% of their lives in camp "Staff" t shirts!

"For the Lord God is our light and protector. He gives us grace and glory. No good thing will the Lord withhold from those who do what is right."

Psalm 84:11

Christmas Night 2011

2011-12-31T15:24:00.000-08:00

Christmas Dinner is always a yummy event at Scott's parent's house. They work for several days getting everything just right. Dottie makes the most delicious stuffing ever!

Her house is always absolutely perfect, and so beautifully decorated. Her southern-ness really shines through!

Laurie comes to visit during her Christmas vacation, and ends up working hard nearly the whole time. I, for one, appreciate the little touches she and her Mama put on everything. She is amazingly talented and can make something from the dollar store look like it came from Neiman Marcus!

The table was gorgeous, as usual!

There was even a special table for two special little boys!

They settled in nicely to eat their yummy dinner too!

It was a huge spread of food, as usual! :) And we always eat on "Old Country Roses" china! I love that, because I don't even have china! We southern California raised girls don't know about registering for that kind of thing when we are getting married! (But I do now, almost 25 years later!)

The dessert table is always a big temptation!

We ALWAYS sing happy birthday to Jesus, the real reason we celebrate Christmas.

(I was looking at these pictures and I think Dottie's house photographs so beautifully!)

Brad spent the better part of the evening working on a Lego project! Next year I guess he will be putting together a doll house!!

My college girl has less than 2 weeks left at home. Boo! I have loved having a gym partner!

And the sisters have enjoyed having her here too!

Christmas 2011

2011-12-31T14:23:00.000-08:00

Christmas morning 2011 was a little different this year. I HAD TO WAKE MY CHILDREN UP!!!!

Once they were awake and ready, they opened their stockings,

and began the (seemingly) loooooong wait for Grandma, Papa and Laurie to arrive.

Once everyone had their place, and some had a cup of coffee, we were ready to open presents.

It's always fun to see what everyone gets. My favorite gifts are the well though-out and creative ones!

Laurie got some *sparkly* Sperry's!

Anna got an unexpected iPhone! She doesn't even mind that it is the 3G version! She is thrilled to be able to take pictures with it and listen to music on her phone now!

Lindsay went shopping at the store her school had this year and was so so happy to buy each of us a gift. She wanted to get her Aunt Laurie this pink piggy bank sooooo badly, but they were out of them when she was able to visit the store with her aide. Lucky for us, the parent volunteer who was running the store is a friend of ours who adores Lindsay. She went and got one of those pigs so Lindsay could buy it the next day!

Lindsay started "telling" me all about the pig as she was walking off the school bus that day, she was so happy! BUT, when she was standing at the top of the bus steps, she tossed her backpack to me and the bag with the pig came with it.....I was NOT even close to the bus yet, so that gift wrapped pig smashed into a million pieces!

Lindsay spent the next 10 minutes pacing around the house saying, "I feel so awful, I feel terrible, I feel so awful, why did I do that?" (it was heartbreaking!)

I called her school office and explained what had happened to the secretary and asked if there were any more pigs, she put me on hold and came back to say that there would be another pig at school the next day for Lindsay even though it had been the last day for the store!. Phew.

That sweet Stephanie had gone to 3 different stores to find her one more pig!

It came home wrapped in 2 layers of bubble wrap, wrapped in gift wrapping paper, in a box and covered in another layer of bubble wrap!

*the rest of us were a little jealous that it wasn't for us*

The best thing Shae got was this cute sign from Anna!

"Mirror, mirror

on the wall,

Make him rich,

and make him tall!"

Lindsay talks NON STOP about how she is "going to Enterprise High School next year" so Shae and I went over to Enterprise's student store and got her a T shirt and a sweatshirt! She was so happy! I really can't believe she is going to be in high school next year!

Laurie made Anna this precious blanket....and it is so cozy!

(now to keep it out of Shae's suitcase!)

I got the girls monogram necklaces, hoping they would like them. They are so darling! They have both worn them every single day since Christmas!

The Christmas girls!

After the boys had opened their presents at home with Brad and Beckie, they headed over to open the gifts we had for them and have breakfast with us. Austin loved his "insects" that Laurie got him!

Gavin didn't need another thing after he opened his new garbage truck!

Brad enjoyed Austin's remote control car....

And Beckie opened gifts for the new baby girl who is coming in March.

We were all very hungry after all that action...

So we all sat down to a yummy Christmas breakfast!

Cream Cheese Coffee Cake (recipe to follow next week!)

Fresh squeezed orange juice from the oranges off Papa's orange tree, an omelet bar (Scott does this with his staff at camp too..you choose what you want in your omelet, put everything in a Styrofoam bowl with your name on the bottom then leave it by the stove. When your name is called, your omelet is done!), diced grilled red and sweet potatoes and delicious french toast with fresh cinnamon whipped cream!

Scott is a master in the kitchen! He is so good at multi-tasking and he always cleans as he goes. The bar is set pretty high for the future husbands of our daughters!

Everything was so good!

Lindsay was pretty worn out by all the excitement...and she LOVED the "Fur Real" kitty and puppy that Austin and Gavin got for Christmas. They were very nice to let her hold them all morning (wish I had known about them, I would have told Santa to get her one too!)

We ended the morning outside on a beautiful Christmas day watching two little boys riding their new bikes!

We are blessed, indeed!

Christmas Eve 2011

2011-12-31T09:34:00.000-08:00

This year we had Christmas Eve dinner over at Brad and Beckie's house! It was fun to just get ready and BE INVITED somewhere to eat! Yay!

Some of us went "casual" and some chose the more "dressy" look! ha!

(I think Shae just likes wearing all the shorter dresses that she canNOT wear at Liberty!)

When we got to B&B's house, Lindsay wasted no time finding "those boys"!

Austin wasn't feeling very well, so he was relaxing on the couch watching a movie (relaxing, of course, UNTIL Lindsay's arrival!)

Beckie made two kinds of soup, Chicken Tortilla (yummmmyyyy!!) and Minestrone. She had sandwich fixin's too! It was the perfect meal the night before a big ol' Christmas meal!

We thanked the Lord for His goodness to us throughout the year...

and enjoyed an evening of fun, family and friends!

Lindsay had so much fun playing with Gavin's Garbage truck! He "taught her" how to roll it back and forth to him.

When we got home, it was time to open the annual matching Christmas pajamas...a much anticipated event. (they indulge me).

But they always really DO like them, no matter how they act!

And I like it when I get MY way with pictures in said matching PJs.

(get used to it, ladies....when you get married, your husbands will be wearing them too!)

Tis The Season

2011-12-24T16:43:00.000-08:00

Our Liberty girl is home!!

Which explains the lack of blog updating....

It's so much fun having 3 girls at the kitchen counter at breakfast again!

I feel like I just today, (Christmas Eve) have time to sit down! The gifts are wrapped, table is set for breakfast and we are invited over to my sister-in-law's for din din! Yahooo!!

December has been a busy month at the Luff house! There have been cups to make...

teacher gifts to make and wrap...

wood to reclaim in order to make personalized signs for special people!

Scott created this VERY special sign for his brother, also a pilot! So cool!

So, I should be back to some blogging soon, now that my "holiday rush" is over!

Merry Christmas!!

Welcome Home Anna!

2011-12-01T18:13:00.000-08:00

It is SO GOOD to have Anna home after 10 days without her! Lindsay and I were very very busy getting everything ready for the queen's arrival...

"Pink Bear" (real original name, huh?) especially missed Anna. They have been together for nearly 10 years!

But, I think there was a little girl here who didn't realize how much she loves having her sister around...

They, too, have been together for a long time!

It was PRICELESS to watch Lindsay run to Anna and embrace her!

I LOVE that my girls love each other. Oh how I would LOVE to have a sister of my own!

Anna had one request upon leaving for Texas. She wanted the house to be Christmas-y when she got back home.

Well, since it was just Scott, Lindsay and me all week, I had lots of time on my hands while Lindsay played blocks, magna-doodle, and colored as she watching various episodes of Dora, Diego and Brady Bunch. I set off to work after my pilot-husband delivered all my Christmas boxes to the garage after going to get them at the hangar they share with the airplane.

So, we are officially "Chritmas-y" around here.

We even had a special dinner for the little queen when she got home last night.

This little table is only temporary. Tomorrow our family room tree will be in it's spot.

While I was organizing my "cloffice" this week, I came across some priceless artwork that I promptly framed and proudly put on display for the season!

This one is by a darling first grader named 'Anna Fay Luff'...

(yes, Anna, His name IS Jesus!)

and this one is by another first grader (different era) named Shae Marrin Luff.

The unbelievably precious signature on the back of this one made me almost want to frame it upside down.

I have to admit, it DOES feel good to decorate early (I did it on Thanksgiving night while the Cowboys were playing!)

And it felt EVEN BETTER to get all the gifts I have had hidden away out and wrapped! Phew!

Here is my newest ornament...got it right off of the "House of Design's" black, red and white tree! Now if I could just find some of that black and white plaid ribbon for next year...

Happy December 1st! It's officially the Christmas season!

"And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."

Matthew 1:21

December Already?

2011-11-30T13:31:00.000-08:00

We have been treated to the most beautiful Fall weather, beautiful leaves on the trees and gorgeous sunsets this Fall in Redding, California!

How thankful I am to our Creator for His constant gifts!

Christmas is just around the corner, so a few weeks ago, Dottie and I went on our annual trek to the House of Design in Red Bluff to see all the beautiful Christmas inspiration!

Once again, they did NOT disappoint!

If only the little elves that work there could come to MY house....

It's so fun to get ideas that you can use with things you already own too!

This black white and red tree really impressed me this year. It was so pretty!

I am not much on the whole upside down tree thing though. : /

Why can't I get MY mantle to look like this!? Oh that garland...*sigh*

One of the reasons for my lack of posting on this here blog is right here:

Scott and I have been so so busy making these crazy family signs. He uses wood from up at camp that is so rough and ugly, and he transforms it into beautiful planks of perfect wood! You should see the gigantic MESS in our garage after the wood has been through the planar a few times! (luckily, none of my family members read this blog, or they would see their Christmas gifts!)

Scott's parents and Anna went to Dallas for Thanksgiving this year. (I am anxiously awaiting Anna's arrival home TODAY as I type this! She flew back alone because Scott's mom got VERY sick and was in the hospital for 5 days and is still recovering from pneumonia, so she and Gordon are staying an extra week to be sure she is okay to travel)

After we dropped them off at the airport in Sacramento, we went shopping. Oh Pottery Barn, how I love you! Look how darling this Christmas "family room" set up is!

I have asked my personal carpenter to create one of these box/tray things for MY OTTOMAN! Since he has all that wood and the tools in the garage already and all, I think I might just get one!

I am so proud of Anna for being so responsible and brave to fly home (changing planes twice!!) all by herself! I can't wait to see her!

(this is Anna and Dottie on the day they left)

I have one tree up and decorated and the other one will be up this weekend, I mailed my Christmas cards today (although I think they are heinous....let's just say that I did NOT get what I ordered. If you get one, ignore the cheesy-weird background behind the picture on the back...Hello...I took the picture outside with a great background on purpose, do NOT do something I did NOT ask for!

I will be back after I finish another bazillion cups and a couple more family signs! I hope you are all enjoying this lovely season!

Happy December! (yikes!)

All Kinds of Yumm!

2011-11-20T07:23:00.000-08:00

Hey Blog Readers! Yes, I KNOW I have been MIA for a good bit now. I PROMISE I will get back on my regular schedule of posting about our very exciting life (ha!) this week. Scott and I will be alone all week with only Lindsay home (a peek into our future.). Anna leaves today to go to Dallas with her grandparents to surprise her cousins for Thanksgiving and Shae stayed in Lynchburg!

BUT, while you are waiting, go check out the giveaway on All Kinds of Yumm. We are teaming up to give one lucky reader a personalized acrylic tumbler! (there are come other samples to see if you click on the tab above, also in my Facebook album). You will no doubt become a regular reader of All Kinds of Yumm! Rachael is a young wife who is cooking her way through marriage. Yumm! Not to mention she is hil-ar-ious! She is a gifted writer and you will find lots of things you want to try to cook up for your family!

Now for the PERSONAL part about Rachael. I have watched her grow up! Her parents are our best friends. She is a Southern (California) girl married to a South Carolina boy. They both graduated from Liberty University, my favorite school of all time. Rachael is the wife of a youth pastor (love!) and she is working full time while she is doing all this cooking! Wow! I am so proud of the young woman Rachael has become!

So go on over and check out her food blog...and her November giveaway!

Life Here on the Farm...

2011-11-04T21:35:00.000-07:00

We have been anxiously awaiting for it to be time to harvest the honey from Scott's hives. Last weekend was the perfect time to do it, temperatures were warm and we had NO sporting events!

I wish I had gone with him when he took the frames out of the very active hives...But, I had to stay with Lindsay and didn't want to take a chance on her being stung, so we stayed home.

What an incredible process! You would be hard pressed to NOT believe in THE creator when you ponder the intricate work that bees do. There is one queen in each hive, she is well cared for by her worker bees. Her only job is to lay eggs. The worker bees also keep the hive spotless and at a certain temperature at all times, they also make the wax"holes" that the queen lays her eggs in. The worker bees are also responsible to go out and look for nectar and pollen to bring back to feed the hive.

The bee society is remarkable. They all know what their jobs are and they do it! (I wonder how our society would be if people were to do the same thing?)
When all of the hive works together, they are able to create this wonderful product we call honey! They make enough to feed themselves and allow us to harvest the rest. However, they do not give it up easily....Scott wears a full bee suit so he doesn't get stung by the protective hive.

The rest of the time the bees are quite calm, tending to their responsibilities. Scott checks on them often without even wearing a mask or any protection. Every time I go out to see them with Scott, we are both just amazed at the whole process. What a fun hobby!

Take a look at the honey comb that is created completely by the bees! Isn't it amazing?! I like that they are neat, tidy and precise! Only GOD could orchestrate this talent!

Scott filters the honey through a series of 3 strainers, ending up with beautiful, clean organic honey!

The honey pours easily into the prepared jars and is ready to be spread onto Scott and Lindsay's sourdough toast in the morning!

Beautiful Churn Creek Bottom honey!

One of the by products of the harvested honey is beeswax. It has many uses....including being made into lip balm! Anna has found a new hobby!

My favorite is the tangerine peppermint flavor! I am an avid Burt's Bee's user, but they have a fierce competitor here on Dandelion Drive!

Just to prove that we are "farm living" here in the city...

We have a John Deere model B tractor in our driveway for the time being, getting a little overhaul!

And, lest you think we have gone completely hillbilly around here- Dottie, Anna, Chloe, Carolyn and supported the fine arts department at Redding Christian School by attending their rendition of one of my all time favorite movies, White Christmas.

What an unbelievable show! The dance/musical numbers were incredible. The hard work of the cast was evident. We are always amazed at the talent in this small school!

On to another weekend.

This one is filled with basketball ;)

Best-Surprise-Ever

2011-10-29T16:24:00.000-07:00

Last weekend Jenn, Anna and I had plans to go on a fun little outing together. It was a vintage garden and home sale about an hour away.

Scott was so sweet to take Lindsay with him to camp for the weekend so I didn't have to take her along and end up regretting the whole thing.

We had a fun time checking everything out but came away with nothing.

Little did I know that "JOY" was going to be my word of the day!!

On our way home, we stopped by an enormous cotton field. I am absolutely fascinated by cotton. I have some that Scott picked for me before we moved from Texas. I have it in an apothecary jar and i.love.it. Jenn wanted to get some for a jar of her own, so we became cotton pickers. We watched closely for any farmers carrying guns though. Yikes!

We got back to town and decided to look in a few local shops and have lunch at KOBE's (yummmy!) I had talked to Shae earlier in the day and was looking forward to seeing the pictures of her day at an apple orchard with her friends from Liberty. Jenn's husband's family goes and makes homemade apple cider every year, so I was happy that Shae was going to have the "Virginia apple experience" too.

We finished our lunch and Jenn offered to come over and help me with some things on the computer...any time I am offered help on the computer-I take it!

So we were sitting in the kitchen doing a project and Anna was baking pumpkin bread when the doorbell rang.

It was Maeghan, Shae's best friend. She showed me a Liberty University shirt that "Shae had sent her" and said that it made her think of us and stop by.

It is NOT unusual for Maeghan to come over while Shae was at school, so I thought nothing of it, except to be happy she came by!

We were chatting and catching up on the events of Maeghan's life when I heard the screen door behind me open....

IN WALKED SHAE!!!!

Maeghan had picked her up at the airport Sacramento that morning!

I can't even describe the SHOCK I experienced. (my heart is beating so hard and fast even NOW, as I am recalling the feeling!) Jenn had been in on the surprise!! Anna and I could not believe what we were seeing! I was so convinced that Shae was in Virginia it took me a little bit to let it all sink in!

(I am sure that Scott was probably thinking hmmmm...wonder how much this cost and how many classes she is missing!)

"We waited for Anna's pumpkin bread to be finished, and headed to camp to share the surprise with Scott, Lindsay, Grandma and Papa!

Grandma was busy setting tables for dinner for the the ladies' retreat when Shae walked in on her!

Her reaction was priceless!

Lindsay had no idea who this was...

Until she spoke.....

These really are life's most precious moments. NOTHING could be more wonderful.

We stayed for dinner at camp,

went on a golf Kart ride...

(Lindsay was in HEAVEN having Shae AND Maeghan on each side of her!)

Then we started our weekend of "Shae's favorites" by having mini cupcakes and gelato at Sweet Spot. (she had "In n Out" after Maeghan picked her up!)

The next morning we went to do a little shopping at the store where Maeghan works. (Lindsay stayed at camp-I could NOT believe she didn't want to come home!)

Good thing this sign was hanging on the register at For Elyse! Phew!

We enjoyed every single minute we had with Shae!

Shae brought Lindsay lunch at school,

(It was pajama day) Lindsay was thrilled when she walked in and she kept saying, "My big sister!!"

What a special gift Shae gave us by coming home for a surprise! I NEVER dreamed I would get one of those surprises since she goes to school on the other side of the country.

It was priceless and refreshing to see her so unexpectedly.

I think we can all make it until Christmas now....it really WOULD HAVE been a long time to wait to see her!

The night before Shae left we walked across the Sundial Bridge since it is decked out in pink during the month of October. It was so fun.

{this is the best thing I saw all weekend}

worth.every.penny.

Volleyball, Birthdays and Pumpkins

2011-10-12T14:02:00.000-07:00

We have been going a mile a minute around here lately...

Volleyball has consumed our evenings...

It has even consumed our Saturdays from 7am until 6pm.

Lindsay does NOT enjoy going to tournaments. They last too long. However, last weekend's tournament was out in the country!

Between games we shared our carrots and apples with the sweet horses. It was especially exciting when they "did their business" right there in front of us. I bet Lindsay laughed for 10 minutes over it!

The swings were a great way to stretch our legs during the long day too.

I saved the Dora the Explorer episode on the iPad for the championship game. Lindsay usually does not wear headphones (I think because her vision is impaired, they may make her feel a bit claustrophobic?) but I found some that are not tight and they worked great. She watched Dora twice while I watched Anna's game in peace. It was great!

The very long day was worth it because the Redding Christian Lions ended up undefeated, and were First Place in the tournament. They also ended up First in their league.

This picture makes me so happy. Praying together as a team after the games...I L.O.V.E our school!

We have been busy doing chores around the house. OH THE JOY of children who are old enough to empty the dish washer! Ahhhhh..... Even Lindsay gets in on the action! She is in charge of the silverware (and she LOVES doing it!!) Anna, notsomuch.

Lindsay is tolerating school this year. She is always ready to be home and asks "where's Daddy?" each day when she gets to the door after getting off the bus (she wants me to wait at the door so she can walk up "all by herself")

She plants herself on her new fuzzy pillow that her Texas cousins sent for her birthday.

Speaking of her birthday, we got a fun surprise! Uncle Barry was in San Fransisco on business so he drove up to SHOCK Grandma (and he DID!) We happened to be going to have pizza for Lindsay's birthday with Brad, the boys, Grandma and Papa (Daddy had a group at camp and Beckie was out of town) so we were thrilled when Barry walked in!

Lindsay told me all week that she wanted to go to the pumpkin patch, so Sunday after church we finally went.

We had a fun afternoon looking at all the pumpkins and finding just the right ones!

They had a large variety of different kinds of pumpkins.

The girls went on a train ride around the ranch (we only had enough $ for two tickets after paying for the pumpkins and getting kettle corn and lemonade! haha)

Chloe was there working with the animals (she is in 4H) so she took Lindsay into the petting zoo to see all the animals.

Our pumpkin plunder came in handy as the table decorations for Grandma's birthday dinner a couple days later.

I love all the colors of FALL...so rich and bountiful!

We had a fun evening celebrating Grandma and eating yummy food.

Just when things seem to be settling down a little....BASKETBALL season has arrived!

Happy 14th Birthday to Lindsay Leigh!

2011-10-06T00:15:00.000-07:00

It's so hard to believe that it has been 14 years since this dark-haired beauty entered into this family!

I still can't believe we had a baby with hair -DARK hair- after big sister Shae was born so bald! Lindsay, it makes me happy to hear you ask me to tell you about how thrilled I was when I saw that you had hair when you were born, and my FAVORITE thing about you-those DARK eyebrows!

You were a smiley little girl and we adored you!

(These pictures are SO special to me, they are the last ones taken before Lindsay's brain injury :)

It's incredible to think about how GOD has a plan for you, Lindsay. He loves you more than you will ever be able to understand. I had so many plans for the way I thought your life would go, but GOD is a much better planner than I and HE has it all taken care of.

His ways are not our ways, but HIS plan is always PERFECT, and FOR OUR GOOD. I still cling to a verse that we had written and posted in your crib while you were in the hospital,

"The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and HE knoweth them that trust Him."

Nahum 1:7

Your heart failure (because of a virus attacking your heart) and resulting brain injury was a shock after trying for so long to have another baby, yet I can see how God has used YOUR life, my precious one, to touch the lives of so many.

"Therefore I am content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong."
2 Corinthians 12:10

The first few months after you were sick were difficult in so many ways, but God was faithful,

and slowly, your personality and sweet smile returned,

Just a few months later your "partner in crime" was born...she has taught you MANY valuable things over the years too ;)

You are such an inspiration to me. You are brave enough to try things, and bring such fun to our family!

You are a Chocolate Chip Cookie MONSTER!

and you a-d-o-r-e your Daddyboy!

Your laugh can brighten up anyone's day, and you.are.funny. I love funny girls.

You are a hard worker...

and you sometimes make my work harder!

You say the most adorably, precious things and I LOVE our conversations at bedtime under your covers!

Our family would not be the same without you, nor would it be as wonderful if you weren't the "way you are". You are such an example of unconditional love and I truly think of you as my very "special" gift from God.

I am so grateful that I was given the gift of YOU 14 years ago!

Happy Birthday, Lindsay!! I love you xoxo

"How precious also are your thoughts unto me, O God. How great is the sum of them."

Psalm 139:17

American Pride

2011-09-29T21:41:00.000-07:00

(Do you LOVE Pinterest as much as I do? That is where I found this great quote!)

Last weekend the Airshow was in town. The jets flew by for several days practicing for it and the flight pattern is over our house, so Lindsay and I watched the Thunderbirds (we totally "get" where their name came from!) from the backyard each afternoon. That was as close as Lindsay wanted to be!

Anna, on the other hand, wanted to see the show close up! Scott got in for free since he has his airplane in a hangar over at the Redding airport.

Scott, Anna, Grandma and Papa spent the whole afternoon at the airshow on Saturday while I stayed at home. Scott was going back to the show on Sunday after church with his Dad, so I decided to go along while Lindsay went to Grandma's and Anna was over at Chloe's house.

It was an amazing show!

Brad and Austin came to watch too!

Something about seeing those powerful jets flying in formation with patriotic music playing in the background just absolutely brings tears to your eyes. I felt so PROUD to be an American and so THANKFUL for the military and their families for making America such a GREAT country.

I was so glad I went!

God BLESS the USA!!

(and bring us back to You!)

My Wish for the Birthday Girl

2011-09-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow,

And each road leads you where you want to go,

And if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,

I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.

And if one door opens to another door closed,

I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,

If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile,

But more than anything, more than anything,

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,

Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,

You never need to carry more than you can hold,

And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,

I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,

Yeah, this, is my wish.

I hope you never look back, but you never forget,

All the ones who love you, in the place you left,

I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,

And you help somebody every chance you get,

Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,

And you always give more than you take.

But more than anything, more than anything,

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,

Your dreams stay big and your worries stay small,

You never need to carry more than you can hold,

And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,

I hope you know somebody loves you,

Ans wants the same thing too,

Yeah, this, is my wish.

("My Wish" Rascal Flatts)

Shae, I can hardly believe that you have been ours for 19 years. What a joyful day it was when that bald headed beauty emerged onto the scene of our lives!

You have grown into a beautiful young woman from the inside out, We could not be more proud of you!

You have been such a joyful and fun part of our family,

You are always willing to give things a try,

You appreciate the little things, and the little people :)

As you venture on into adulthood, I pray that you will hold fast to the things you have been taught,

and seek God's best in every single decision!

You are truly a gift that I feel I could never deserve and my love for you is indescribable!

I wish you the happiest of birthdays and I wish I was there to cook your dinner!

I love love love you!

(p.s. I am so sorry for making you sport that mullet for so long...but, really, look at MY hair, how could I know any better?!)

"May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests."

Psalm 20: 4-5

Banners

2011-09-26T14:02:00.000-07:00

Spooky 1 ($20 shipped)
-SOLD-

Spooky 2 ($20 shipped)

Thankful 1 ($20 shipped)
-SOLD-

Thankful 2

Thankful 3

Thankful 4

Thankful 5

Thankful 6

Zebra Birthday $30 shipped.

I have some banners available for purchase! They are ready to go if you are interested.

(just trying to earn my way to Lynchburg this year!)

Happy Fall, Y'all!

Delicious Autumn

2011-09-21T11:53:00.000-07:00

I don't know if it is the over 100 degree temperatures or not, but. I had to just about force myself to decorate for Fall. Weird. Fall is my VERY favorite season, and this year my decorations are just, eh. I hope I am out of the slump by Christmas.

One of the BEST gifts I have ever received is my "Luff" pumpkin, given to me by my adorable, crafty friend, Nikki in our annual Fall Swap. She even told me how to make them! Ahhh, sharing friends are THE BEST!

My Woof 'n Poof pumpkins always make me happy. Not to mention, the company is located just down the road from us, it's in Chico, California. Gotta support those local businesses, right!?

My mantle is a work in progress....

Hello, new Woof 'n Poof owl! Redding peeps, hurry up and go to "Sugar Plum Cottage" and check out their adorable Fall line!

I have every.single. Susan Branch cookbook that has ever been printed. I am serious. I use her wall calendar every year in my kitchen too. Her pictures are just so happy and precious and her products make me feel all "homemaker-y".

I am loving this table I got from my Mom a little bit more every day. It is pretty scratched up but I feel like that just adds to it's charm.

These two and I have spent a lot of time together lately while Scott has been at camp. Lindsay usually snubs Anna and me in the mornings because she is SO into Scott but, one morning she was all about giving Anna a "have a good day hug and kiss". We'll take it when we can get it, right Anna?

"Delicious Autumn!

My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking successive Autumns."

George Eliot

I am still alive!

2011-09-12T08:46:00.000-07:00

Whew! School is in full swing...and Jr. High is BUSY! Anna started volleyball (she said she would never play volleyball, but here she IS, following in her big sister's footsteps!) and the schedule is grueling!

It has been HOT in Redding, I mean HOT.

Last Friday Scott and I decided to go out to the lake since it was going to be 108 degrees! Our poor kids were suffering in school, we were floating in the cool water, that's just how we roll. Sorry girls.

On the way back to the marina, Scott stopped the boat in the middle of Shasta Lake and took a little siesta. I had my phone, so I checked my e mails and stalked my daughter on Facebook.

We ate dinner at a pizza place that is right up the ramp from one of the marinas. It was so fun NOT having to park the boat, get in the car and drive somewhere, and the pizza was GOOD! On the way back to Bridge Bay we watched the sun set. What a relaxing day!

I LOVE weekends! Scott always makes breakfast ~~who am i kidding, he makes breakfast every day~~ and it is always something really good. I am not a big breakfast lover, but I DO love these German Pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream! (sorry Shae!)

We went to check on the bees after breakfast. The honey is ready to harvest!!

And, on the home front, I finally put something on the blank wall at the side of my fireplace. My Mom has been asking me if I want any of the furniture she has up at the apartment at camp and I finally decided I have room for some stuff. I love love love this table! The chalkboard that Scott made for me this summer looks kinda cute there, but it is really just there until I figure out where to hang it.

We have had this box for our entire marriage.

We have been dragging it around with us from house to house for 24 years. I adore it. It says "Lynchburg, Va." on it..and that is where we met. <3 presh.

It is perfect to hold blankets. (which we might be using if our air conditioner had not broken on Saturday night at 8:00) nice.

Another little piece I snagged from my Mom is this little chest of drawers. It is very narrow and has 3 little drawers in it. Perfect for all my candle holders and votives for the table.

The MOST important thing I have recently accomplished...

My "Cloffice"

Scott made our hallway coat close into a little "office" for me. It is directly across from our other hall closet that stores all the sheets, blankets, photo albums and kid movies. Up until recently, it has really just been a dumping ground for me.

It still has a little work to be done...the top shelf has all my paper and that is NOT convenient at all. Scott is going to put a file cabinet under the counter top for me to move the paper into which will make it so much better.

(seriously, Brittney, Shannon and Shae, if you do NOT comment on this transformation, we can't be friends any more!)

I have about 4,263 more spools of ribbon in my garage cabinet, but this Ikea shelf makes it easy to find what I am looking for. (and jars are just plain cute, but they are useful to hold scraps of said ribbon)

(that is a picture of Miss Lindsay taking her very first steps after her brain injury. she was almost 3)

And of course, my Erin Condren Life Planner, "special pens" and "Luff Week" tablet have a place of honor!

Here's to a better organized week!

..........and a working air conditioner..........

Just Some Stuff We Miss

2011-08-25T22:33:00.000-07:00

I am VERY happy to be back to the school routine this year. We had a challenging summer. But there are some things that I am beginning to miss a little.

Friendships that are formed when friends come to work at camp from the other side of the country.

Anna and Emmaline had a great time together this summer! We did manage to get off the mountain a few times and do a little shopping AND EATING!

Lindsay REALLY REALLY misses my parents when they return to Arizona with the rest of the snowbirds who "fly south" for the winter (this year we are going to go visit THEM!!)

My Mom always had the most clever ways to keep Lindsay entertained, and teach her something in the meantime. Lindsay is now towering over my Mom in height, but still tries to sit on her lap. I guess since she is so big now, that's why she puts her feet/legs on Grandma's lap! My sweet Mama is 80 years old and you would NEVER know it! I wish my parents lived next door. :(

The "cousin visits" are such a special time for us. I love love love that my girls know their cousins so well. How thankful I am that they come each summer to spend a few weeks with us at camp. It's hard having them live so far away (in the GREAT state of Texas!) but maybe they wouldn't pay attention to each other if we lived closer....

Lindsay misses the beach at camp. She has always loved to play in the sand. Each week, when the new groups come in, there is usually a kid or two who kinda look at Lindsay for a little while and then they come and play with her. Kids are cool that way...she's "different". Big deal. I LOVE that.

The WORST part of summer's end....my Liberty girl leaves. Boo.

My friend Carolyn told me to be sure and read the excerpt from "Jesus Calling" the other day...here's a little bit of what it said,

"ENTRUST YOUR LOVED ONES TO ME; release them into My protective care, They are much safer with Me than in your clinging hands. If you let a loved one become an idol in your heart, you endanger that one-as well as yourself.................When you release your loved ones to Me, you are free to cling to My hand. As you entrust others into My care, I am free to shower blessings on them. My Presence will go with them wherever they go and I will give them rest. This same Presence stays with you, as you relax and place your trust in Me. Watch to see what I will do."

School Days....

2011-08-20T10:06:00.000-07:00

We have spent the last week (since coming home from camp) getting Shae ready to go back to Liberty University for her sophomore year. This time we needed Scott's help to fit everything into the suitcases! (how did THAT happen?!)

We HAD TO have Shae's last meal at home...

so I could make it official!

Grandma and Papa joined us for one of Shae's favorites...

Roast beef, mashed potatoes & gravy, green beans, corn on the cob and especially homemade rolls!

Scott had to make one last "Dutch Baby" for breakfast too!

Lindsay misses Shae so much while she is away, and this time she won't come home until CHRISTMAS! Ugh!

We drove to Sacramento the day before, did some shopping, had a nice dinner and Lindsay was pooped out!

The next morning we did the inevitable...we took Shae to the airport to fly across the country. :( We had planned to shop a little more that day, but when Scott started to pray for Shae in the airport, and his voice quivered, we ALL cried (except Lindsay who had her meltdown the next day when she realized Shae was gone!) and no one said much for a few miles until we all said we wanted to just go on home...it doesn't get easier the second year. Yuck.

This year we sent TWO Junior High girls off to schoool! One seventh grader and one eighth grader!

They were armed with personalized cups for each teacher wrapped in cellophane with an Erin Condren sticker. (I know where you can get some of these cups of your own for $10...email me! ingerluff@yahoo.com!!!)

Shae took an arsenal of cups too. The make great gifts for RA's. prayer leaders and new roommates. She took 18 cups to Liberty with her!

Lindsay was thrilled to see her BFF Leslie and her favorite custodian, "Don-Don" when she got to school on the first day!

And Anna caught up with Michaela and Brook. (Anna's got her bag of cups for her teachers... (I hate that students don't bring gifts for the Jr. High and H.S teachers, so I always sent something with Shae and I will do the same for Anna!)

We waited anxiously for this cute little Kindergartner to arrive for his first day! We are so glad that he is at Redding Christian. It seems like we were just waiting at the hospital the night Austin was born and now he is in school, How time flies!

I am so grateful that Anna can be in a Christian school. My parents have graciously paid for Shae and Anna to attend Redding Christian each year and they would do the same for Lindsay if there was a place for her to go. How thankful I am for parents who understand the importance of Christian education!

Here's to another school year, off and running!

Erin Condren Life Planner

2011-08-17T15:54:00.000-07:00

Guess What arrived at my house??
I am linking up with the Tichenor Family and sharing my Erin Condren planner! Go check out all the beautiful planners HERE!

My WoNdErFuL Erin Condren Life Planner!

The "camp girls" and I had such a great time ordering them and I am the first to receive mine. I have carried it EVERYWHERE!

It is so sturdy, colorful and full of inspirational sayings. Just glancing it's way makes me smile!

Erin Condren & Co also included some fun personalized stickers and calling cards for me!

My favorite thing in my planner is the "planning stickers"! Oh to see your dentist appointment listed on your calendar with a precious sticker makes it so much LESS dreadful!

Shae received her planner after her arrival back in Virginia just in time to start her Sophomore year in an organized manner. I will post pictures of hers soon! The other 9 camp girls all promised to email me pictures of their planners when they get them too! (I ordered an address book too! Can't wait for it to arrive!)

If you need a planner...or just WANT to get yourself "organized, stylized and personalized", I really suggest you check out Erin's website!

The Lassen Pines Hoe-Down Throw-Down!

2011-08-12T10:40:00.000-07:00

What do you get when you have:

A really fun summer staff of kids...

A "Sheriff" packin' heat with a fake cig...

Some cousins visiting from Texas...

Girls with a Texan Daddyboy...

Guns...

A cool shooting range...

A newly cemented barn floor {!!}...

Scrumptious grub...

and more grub...

Peeps to eat all the grub...

A "Georgia Girl" teaching some line dancing to the cutest redhead ever...

Very special guests from town...

{who even let you hold them on your lap <3 }...

Smiles...

Girls with Guns...

Apple bobbin'....

Corn Hole playing...

Wanted posters...

Skeet shooting...

"Horn" hookin'...

Auntie huggin'...

Horseshoe throwin'...

Hoedown Throwdown learnin'...?

You got yourself the Lassen Pines Hoedown Throwdown 2011!

{and a whole lot of fun!}

Erin Condren LIFE planners!

2011-07-27T15:25:00.000-07:00

As summer starts to wind down we are all starting to think about REAL life away from camp! College students, teachers, moms, wives, there is so much that happens throughout the year with this bunch.....good thing we found ERIN CONDREN life planners!(she has other way cute things too!) Today the tiny office was packed with girls ordering and customizing their personalized life planners! We are so excited to get them, too bad they wont be here in time for us all to ooooo and ahhhh over the different designs we all got!

Shae and Brittney customizing their planners!

Trying to decide which one is absolute cutest!

Khristina is ordering one for herself and one for her mom!

And what a coincidence ALL the girls that ordered them are Liberty Girls! (at one point or another!)

The Seven of us are patiently awaiting the arrival of our new life planners, all of us are anticipating a stylized, personalized and organized life this next year! We will see which one of us actually gets organized the best!

We Can "Bear-ly" Get Anything Done

2011-07-15T21:35:00.000-07:00

We have another 'friend' this summer at camp...

he LOVES to get into the trash to look for snacks.

Even during the middle of the day!

He does like to run up trees when people come to see him though.

I was a little skeeeered while we were driving in the Ranger and came upon him but I was reminded that I only had to be a faster runner than one other person in my party!

Lassen Pines Second Annual "Girl's Night"

2011-07-13T11:56:00.000-07:00

Jenn and I have been excitedly planning this year's Girl's Night since LAST year's girl's night! We have had ideas and projects going for MONTHS and it finally all came together last weekend.

This year we wanted to use the beautiful front yard of the Lodge as our setting and the weather could not have been more perfect.

We had some girls pick wild daisies and fern from the upper field and they looked so pretty as a hanging "welcome" to the party!

We hung mason jars under the apple trees for over the dessert table.

The tables were set with lemon leaves, lemons and green apples.

Each girl received a little gift and a laminated card with our summer's theme verse (Jeremiah 29:11) on it to use as a bookmark. The girls raved over the striped straws were ordered! (ah the simple things!)

Jenn brought her chandelier from home to hang outside and it looked so so cute!

Desserts were plentiful...

and delicious!!

The girls seem to really enjoy themselves. (although I did hear that some of them said they would rather be up at the field shooting guns with the boys at "Guy's Night" so I guess later this month at the Hoedown we may have 'girlz with gunz' night)

It was a fun night of eating and visiting (my mom is on the right, across from my SIL from Texas, Stephanie, I PROMISE she was having fun...but she is like Lindsay and doesn't cooperate for pictures!)

Shannon and her crew did a great job with the yummy meal! This year we combined the meal for the boys and the girls, so it was a lot easier. Joseph's ribs were a hit!

The girls didn't seem to mind getting their fingers dirty!

And, what would a party night be without pictures and props! Here are the "Grandmas of Lassen Pines".

The 4 "Liberty Girls"posing for a picture. (2 juniors, a sophomore (boohoo) and a freshman)

I had a wonderful week of crafting with these two girls from Georgia! Amy and Anna, let's do it again next year!

Judy has come from Georgia to work at camp for 8 summers and this year she had her daughters and granddaughters here for a week. We had a ball laughing and making lots and lots of projects. Lindsay enjoyed Emery and Sydney so much, they were so patient and nice to her! Emmaline has stayed with Judy for 2 summers and worked on our staff (and Anna looks forward to her arrival!)

This year our cousins Brady and Averi were here with their parents for the week and we were so glad they were here for the fun night!

I made a few attempts for a Christmas card...and Lindsay was NOT in a picture mood, so I will have to try again later in the summer...ugh!

Jenn (my crafty, creative partner), Shae and me

Rebecca (a Lynchburg girl and daughter of our dear friends The Walkers) and Brittney (from Florida..she worked at camp for MANY summers and surprised us by coming back this year before she does her student teaching).

We had a great night and the best part of my summer has been watching these two girls grow closer. It is amazing what a year can do.

Next big night at camp.....the Hoedown!

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

Ankle Update and A Tin Grin

2011-06-30T14:16:00.000-07:00

This week has been a very busy...and expensive one!

Lindsay had another appointment with the ankle doctor to get her pink cast sawed off, another x-ray and a new cast.

Dr. Chang was VERY pleased with the way her ankle is healing, so he said 2 more weeks in a cast and she will be done!! ( I have the back and neck pain to PROVE that she has been staying off of her foot!) He also allowed her to have a boot that fits over the cast so she can walk on it now! Ya-Hooooooooooo!!

After hearing all day about how she was going to choose a purple cast this time, she told Mike, the master cast-maker, to give her a blue one. Huh?!!

The very next morning, was Lindsay's much anticipated appointment to get her braces on. I NEVER expected that this would ever be a possibility for her since our dentist (and Scott) told me that "putting braces on a child like her just buys trouble sometimes". She is 13 years old and has ZERO cavities, so he said that braces will make it harder for us to keep her teeth that way. Scott always said straight teeth didn't really matter for a child like her. :(

I told his mom that he said that.

Well, it is MY opinion (and my mother-in-law's opinion too) that Lindsay SHOULD have straight teeth like he sisters (and we think it is, perhaps, even MORE important for HER!)

I will admit that in the past it has been a challenge to take her to the dentist because she didn't want to cooperate. She almost NEVER tolerated the cleaning to the end and never the flouride treatment.

But, this girl just amazes us all the time and for the last 4 or 5 cleanings, has done every.single.part. and has been able to be in the big room with all the other patients (not the "special" room for ~~troubl~~e ~~makers~~ children who require more patience)

Lindsay woke up saying, "WooHoo! It's the day I am getting my braces!!"

Everyone in the office knew how much she was looking forward to this day!

She laid right down (on the same chair that Shae and Anna both got their braces put on) and didn't move a muscle! Dr. Gus would ask her if she was doing okay and she answered, "uh huh" every time. When he asked if she needed a break, she shook her head no!

He kept telling her that if ALL his patients were as easy and sweet as her, he wouldn't have any grey hair!

Dora came along for moral support.

So did Daddy.

I told Scott that I would be fine taking her by myself, but he kept telling me that she could go into "freak out mode" in no time, so he came down from camp to hold his girl's hand. <3

I was so glad he was there because he got the biggest kick out of how she acted! She was tickled to death about her new braces with the "blue ties that match her blue cast (which she later told me she picked because it is Daddy's favorite color.)

We couldn't stop laughing at her as she looked in the hand held mirror! She could NOT stop looking at herself! She was so so so happy.....

until this morning when she cried and told me "I want these things off!"

uh oh.

Tylenol to the rescue!

24 Years Ago Today...

2011-06-27T00:18:00.000-07:00

24 years ago today....

I married the man who would prove to be the *best* friend I have ever had, my godly leader, my most loyal supporter, my biggest fan, the father of my children, the owner of my heart.

What a fun journey we have had!

AND...being married in the late 80's left LOTS of room for "fashion improvement"!!

(I honestly thought I was the cat's meow in this "going away" dress! Bahaha)

I am so blessed to have this wonderful man to travel this journey with!

Happy Anniversary Scott! I'd marry you all over again! I Love You!!

San Fransisco, Pink Cast and a Couple of Teeth

2011-06-16T14:43:00.000-07:00

Summer is in FULL SWING! We finally got some warmer (hot) weather which made for a beautiful day in San Fransisco when Shae and I took Kayla back to the airport after her visit. We hit all the popular tourist locations in one day. It was windy and borderline COLD in the city, but we had a wonderful day!

We HAD TO take Kayla for an over-priced sundae at Ghiradelli's! Yum!

And, the "Bush Man" is a must! This guy sits on a crate and hides behind these "bushes" and then when people walk by, he scares the daylights out of them! After a few people get so scared as they walk by and their soda flies up in the air (and a crowd has formed), he passes his can around to collect "donations for the entertainment". He is probably a millionaire. It is pretty funny though, well worth the $2 I gave him.

We rode the fun Cable Cars to Union Square and the girls were brave enough to ride along the outside while I sat comfortably behind them as they blocked the cold wind. It was a glorious day, so clear and beautiful!

The Boudin Bakery is a must if you like clam chowder....and the most scrumptious sourdough bread EVER!

Shae hated to see Kayla go, but Kayla had a missions trip to go on and Shae has camp for the summer. What a fun way to start a summer, showing your Chicago friend another beautiful "windy" city!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lindsay Leigh

Well, we got some good news when we went back to the orthopaedic doctor. He said Lindsay will NOT need surgery to repair her ankle if she will stay off of it for 3 weeks! I am still deciding if I think this is good news or not. I honestly cannot imagine her staying off of that cast for 3 weeks, and if she is off of it, who takes her from place to place???????

I will let you guess the answer to that one, and I will give you a hint...

my.shoulders.and.neck.hurt.

Lindsay was THRILLED to choose a pink cast...thrilled!

She needed a little help keeping her foot in the right position and this was the only time since her fall that I heard her say anything about it hurting! She told the cast man, "it hurts when my foot is like this". She seemed to get used to it and hasn't said a word since. :)

She has admired the color of that cast so many times and can't wait to get to camp so "everyone can sign it!"

As if the broken ankle wasn't enough, Lindsay had to have 6 teeth pulled yesterday! Because of her heart issues, her cardiologist always makes her have anything done in the hospital if it involves her being put to sleep. (I am so thankful for careful doctors)

She was excited to get the teeth removed so she can get her braces later this month :)

We got to the hospital at about 8 am. I am so grateful that Lindsay doesn't completely understand things sometimes because it makes things less stressful for her.

All the pre-op nurses just fell in love with her. No surprise there, she is so sweet, innocent and precious.

It took her a long time to come out of her anesthesia this time. Her blood pressure stayed up all afternoon, so they moved her into a pediatric room until it was under control, which took all afternoon.

There were tears because her mouth hurt and especially when they tried to remove her IV, because the tape was so sticky. Poor baby.

Good thing she had her trust little puppy that Shae bought her at Ikea. When she woke up, that puppy had the doctor's mask on it!

By the time we got home, Miss "Talks a Lot" was back to herself. She ate everything that she could get her hands on and slept all night long with those humongous "shark teeth" under her pillow.

This morning she was thrilled to see that the tooth fairy had left her a new Dora book and movie AND had left the teeth for her to share!

"Mommy, wasn't that so nice of her to do that?" was all she said.

Brave, sweet girl right there!

Over the last week, God has reminded me of how easy I really DO have it. It's like a little glimpse into "what could have been" with my special needs child. I am VERY thankful that Lindsay can get around on her own. Oh the things I take for granted when I focus on (myself) the things that I think are hard.

"It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."

Lamentations 3:22-23

Happy Birthday Anna Fay!

2011-06-12T07:49:00.000-07:00

Today this fun loving little girl turns 12!

I don't know where the years have gone. It seems as though you were born yesterday, Anna. You were a little bitty 6 lb. 12oz. baby with some BIG lungs! You were considerate of others even on the day you were born, your sisters BOTH decided to be born in the middle of the night. Not you! You gave us a full night's sleep AND gave me ALL day to get showered and fixed, then at 2:48pm. you made your grand entrance into this world!

Lindsay didn't quite understand "what" you were...

But her love and adoration for you was quickly recognized!!

Our family was complete when you arrived.

Thank you for being such a precious part of our family. YOU are the reason Lindsay can talk, I am sure. You constantly helped her make the proper sounds to form her words as she struggled to talk, you changed her diapers, washed her in the bathtub, read books to her and loved her without reserve.

God KNEW I needed YOU to help me through this life. You have to be the most thoughtful, patient and giving person I know. The notes you leave for me almost always make me cry!

You are kind to everyone and include everyone!

You are loyal and precious!

I love you more than words can express! I am so proud to be your Mom. I hope you have a wonderful birthday and a fantastic first year in Jr. High!

"The LORD has done this and it is marvelous in our eyes!"

Mark 12:11

"I Guess 'Fwip Fwops' Weren't the Best Choice"

2011-06-10T22:35:00.000-07:00

We finally made it up to camp for the summer. It has been a VERY busy 2 weeks with the end of school and the start of camp, so the girls were thrilled when it was finally time to drive up that mountain!

I went to the airport in San Fransisco to pick up Kayla, Shae's friend from Liberty, so I was gone when little Miss Flip Flops did this:

She thought she was all the way down the stairs in the Lodge at camp, but, there was one more step...and one slippery flip flop!

I got up to camp late Wednesday night and peeked under the covers at Lindsay's swollen ankle. Poor baby! By the time she woke up it was bruising and still swollen, so down the hill I drove to see our family doctor. Dr. Mu sent us to MD Imaging for an x-ray...

and it was VERY hard to keep that little ankle still for the "pictures" but, we finally got some good ones. We waited a few minutes and the tech came out and whispered, "yep, it's broken!"

So, we drove back over to our doctor's office for a cast.

He looked at Lindsay's x-rays and said he wouldn't cast it because the break was very "unusual" and went through her growth plate and joint and he thought she needed surgery. awesome.

He then sent us to an orthopedist. Thank goodness for the xylophone app on my phone! Lindsay (and my little helper Anna too) was a trooper all day long going from one place to another (while they were VERY hungry!!) Dr. Chang did another x-ray and confirmed the seriousness of the break. He agreed with Dr. Mu that it looks like Lindsay's ankle will need to be operated on! (of course it would...) He ordered a CT scan after getting a second opinion from another doctor. In the meantime, he had a temporary cast put on Lindsay's foot.

At least she is looking forward to having a PINK cast next week!

We are trying to keep Lindsay off of her foot and to keep it elevated. not so easy. Baths are quite a workout for me. By the end of the summer I should have six pack abs and 2 awesome arms!!!

Daddy came to town to run a few errands, so we met him for dinner. Lindsay was SO happy to see him and tell him all about how still she was during the x-rays. :)

This morning we went back to MD Imaging for the CT scan. I took one look at that very narrow table you have to lay on and I thought she would NEVER do it. They strapped her on with a big velcro strap and they let me wear a big, heavy lead vest and stay with her. Once again, Lindsay surprised me. What a brave girl!

While Anna, Lindsay and I were waiting. Lindsay quietly said, "I guess fwip fwops weren't the best choice" and Anna and I just laughed and laughed!

After all the waiting and medical procedures and exams, we met up with Shae and Kayla for a little walk on the Sundial Bridge over the Sacramento River. The fresh air and sunshine was a nice treat after a long two days.

Lindsay is having some teeth pulled (at the hospital) next Wednesday in preparation for her braces which she is very exited about. Thursday we get the results, along with the plan of action for her ankle. I am praying that the teeth pulling is the only surgery she will have to endure!

What a reminder that God is in charge, and I am not! I am suddenly so thankful for Lindsay's "regular mobility" (limited as it is) now that she is not mobile on her own. Scott also pointed out that we have a legally blind (semi-klutzy) child just NOW with her first broken bone at 13!!

Happy Summer! Water proof cast (we hope) here we come!

Our theme verse this summer at camp is so appropriate for ME!

"I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."

Jeremiah 29:11

{Thanks for the reminder, Lord}

Roses and Rust

2011-06-07T13:55:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday there was an event at a local barn that was Redding's little version of "Farm Chicks".

It was called Roses and Rust and it.was.fun.

I went early in the morning with two of the Lassen Pines girls, Jenn and Brittney.

We were so excited when we pulled up and saw how cute everything looked!!

There were horses in the pasture welcoming everyone :)

And there were SO MANY things to see!

We didn't mind the constant rain at all.

This property is a popular wedding site and every inch of it was adorable. Look at this darling little house!

We had a wonderful time and getting there at 8am was the BEST choice...it got pretty crowded and it poured down rain later in the day!

We didn't buy much, but we got a zillion ideas and we kept saying, "how cute!" "we can totally make that!"

Summer Time...?

2011-06-06T21:51:00.000-07:00

This girl has turned into a Jr. Higher...7th grade {and a LOCKER!!!} here we come!!

And this girl is now an 8th grader!

The other grandparents have FINALLY arrived for summer at camp! My little 80 year old mother fell off her bike 2 months ago (her basket was full of the hats she knits for cancer patients and she was carrying a big stick (?!!!!? ) to display them on when the stick got caught in her bike's spokes! She ended up with a cracked pelvis!! She has healed nicely and can climb the stairs to their apartment at camp just fine! Phew!

My dad was so happy to see his favorite college girl!

Now, for the girls and I to get ourselves ready to get up to camp. I have cleaned out every closet in this house and have finished all my ironing! Tomorrow we are keeping the boys for Uncle Brad and Aunt Beckie for a little while AND it was still freezing cold and rainy today,

so my little "baker" got busy trying a new and fun cupcake recipe for her cousins to snack on tomorrow!

It was so easy! She mixed a white cake mix as directed and then divided it into six equal portions. Then she mixed in the colors she wanted to use.

She put a spoonful of each color into each cupcake liner and then baked them.

She frosted and "sprinkled" them....

And they were delicious AND adorable!!

Happy Summer!!

The Little Things in Life

2011-06-03T13:40:00.000-07:00

These last few weeks have been so busy, I can hardly wait to get to camp and just slow down!

While school was still in session (and I had my days free!) I made GOOD use of the time! My mother in law and I went to a big sale at the store we love, House of Design, down in Red Bluff. On my way to pick her up that morning, I had stopped at a HUGE "garage sale" at the Lutheran church. I saw some *brand new* clear dishes (a WHOLE set with 20 place settings!!) for CHEAP and I told Dottie about them.

Much to my surprise, she wanted to STOP and see if they were still there! (they were in a Land's End box with the address of the people who had donated them~SWANKY neighborhood!!) Dottie doesn't love garage sales, so this was BIG! How HILARIOUS is this picture of Dottie....with a SHOPPING CART, loading up our goods!? (this was the only garage sale I have ever been to that got a grocery store to donate carts for the day..smart!) We found the set of dishes AND a whole bunch of those clear glass "snack set" plates that have punch cups with them for ONE DOLLAR a BOX!!

When the worship leader from the church was loading the car for us, we kept saying, "Oh, gosh, we are in TROUBLE if Gordon or Scott drive by!" Bahahahahahahaha!!

This summer we are getting 30 new Go-Karts at camp (from our friend in Lynchburg!) They are being brought over by truck a few at a time. The truck goes to Reno, Nevada so Scott has gone twice on pick ups and I have gone with him! (love having my college girl home to babysit!) What a lovely drive it is over the mountain! It has been so unseasonably cold here the last few weeks, it actually snowed both times we went!

We stayed CHEAP at The Peppermill. The rooms in Reno are VERY over the top and super afforable...I guess so people will come and blow all their money in the smoke filled casinos.

I could get used to a big TV in the bathroom!

The food is pretty yummy there too! Scott had crepes one morning and it inspired him to make some when he got home. I think HIS were even better!

In an effort to have a little family time before we lost two of our family members to camp for the summer, we went to a very fun local event, The Happy Valley Strawberry Festival. Scott used to take his draft horses and wagon each year and give rides at this even and I would come out and spend the day with Shae and ride around until he was finished. Fun Memories, but I am glad we don't have horses anymore...they are A LOT of work.

We had some lunch (it was f r e e z i n g that day!)

We looked around at all the booths. The girls got these ping pong shooting guns (which I will be showing to my dad when he gets here so he can make me some for cousin gifts),

we watched this man make the most amazing kettle corn. ( My friend Susie can make kettle corn and hers is equally delicious!)

It smelled so delicious and was warm on a cold day.

The strawberry shortcake is scrumptious and the servings are enormous, but it's one of those things that you just gotta do!

Daddy and his girls <3

This little girl is the ONLY one of us that could finish the WHOLE thing!!

We had a wonderful time and I am so glad we had a fun day together since I have been by myself with the two school girls this whole week.

Our Little "Bulldog Award" Winner

2011-05-25T15:54:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago we received a note from Lindsay's teacher that said she would be receiving an award on May 23rd at a school assembly.

Lindsay has been the Student of the Month a few times before at her 2 other schools, it was always so sweet to see her walking up to the stage with her little cane and hold her award next to the other recipients-hers was usually upside down :)

This time, it was really different. An aide started to walk her up, but she went so fast, and with such purpose, the aide just let her go up by herself.

It was fun for her to be recognized with a few of her other classmates who had won awards for academics (she will never win awards for that, but it is SO okay with us!) Her very sweet friend, Lucio, won the award for his infectious smile and the daily JOY he spreads around school. How about being in a wheelchair with so many limitations and winning that award?! Puts us "normal" people to shame, huh?

Lindsay got the overall award given for her grade, The Bulldog Award. I am so proud to be the mommy of a little girl with so many challenges and "dis" abilities, but a heart full of love and compassion for others. God gave her lots of limits in life so the important "abilities" that really matter in life shine through even brighter. HIS plan is ALWAYS best!

The Lindsay fan club!

It was so special having Shae home in time for the awards assembly,

and Anna was more than happy to miss the first hour of her school to attend!

Grandma and Papa

Lindsay and her Big Daddyboy

Lindsay LOVED that Anna missed school to come see her get her award...and gave her an extra hard hug!


	It was a fun morning and another reassurance of God's plan for this precious girl

I Am Leaving Town More Often

2011-05-22T17:52:00.000-07:00

Remember this lovely furniture I bought at my neighbor's garage sale? Be sure and take notice of the purple chair that accompanied this set!

Remember this purple catastrophe?


And remember how Scott transformed her into this?? While I was gone to Virginia, my sweet ~~stripper~~ husband was busy busy busy once again!

He transformed the ugly purple chair into this adorable polka-dot darling!

She looks right at home in Anna's bedroom!

Another project Scott worked on while we were gone was his patio and fire pit. He has worked so so hard on it and his hard work has certainly paid off. The second we pulled up the driveway at home I saw these adorable wrought iron rocking chairs that I had wanted so desperately at Costco!

Don't they look so sweet...and almost SOUTHERN?!!

He even printed out a sweet little sign!!


WE have enjoyed the fire pit many times already. It is gas, so you just have to turn it on and you don't even have to smell like smoke!

I had just enough time to "prepare the way for the queen" after I got back home!

We have had a lot going on with Shae's homecoming, the end of school and the beginning of camp upon us but I wouldn't have it any other way! I am thinking about leaving town every month or so from now on...I like coming home to finished projects!

The Much Anticipated Lynchburg {May 2011} Post

2011-05-21T17:16:00.000-07:00

This sweet girl and I had a little mother-daughter getaway this month. We were informed (by Shae Marrin) of some "cheap" tickets to Lynchburg, Virginia. Sure enough, they WERE cheap...the only glitch was that we had to fly out of San Fransisco. We drove down the night before with Daddy, Lindsay and Grandma and Papa, ate a lovely dinner in Union Square and stayed the night downtown. The next morning Anna and I braved The BART and rode from outside out hotel all the way to the airport...ALL BY OURSELVES! Easy Peasy! What a great way to get to the airport!

We got to the airport in plenty of time to buy a yummy sandwich on de-lish SF sourdough bread to take on the plane with us. I made friends with a {very "sweet"} gate agent at the airport and before too long he walked over to me and said...{ever so sweetly} "Giiiiirl, you owe ME big time! I just moved a lady with a 2 year old lap child out of your middle seat! Now you have an empty seat between you and your daughter!" WooHoo! I showed Anna Fay that kindness does pay off!

We had THE BEST time travelling together! When it was time for us to eat our lunch we about died laughing at how the bag we had put our food in...and our chip bag had blown up because of the altitude!

We were pleasantly surprised at the amount of legroom aboard our USAirways flight. It was absolutely lovely having an empty seat between us too. We watched 4 downloaded ( to iTunes) episodes of Deadliest Catch on Shae's iPad. It was so nice having something to pass the time on the almost 6 hour flight! Ugh!

We were SO CLOSE to our final destination once we arrived in Charlotte...but almost every flight was cancelled or at least delayed out of Charlotte because of thunderstorms. Somehow, the skies over Virginia cleared and we were off to the Burg!

Anna was so excited to get to see Shae!

One of our very first stops in our whirlwind weekend was Cracker Barrel. I love love love Cracker Barrel...and NOT for the food. The shop gets me every time!

We picked up a couple of Redding boys that needed some off campus time too! Tyler and Steven will both be working at camp this summer!

We had lunch at a yummy organic place called Magnolia's with Shae's friend Kayla (who is coming to visit in a few weeks!) and Shae's roommate Kara. Kara's parents gave us the most fun Jeep to drive while we were in town..I am certain that all the kids on campus thought I was a student because I am so young looking anyway... ;)

Sweet F.R.O.G. (Fully Rely on God) yogurt was a stop we made on several occasions!

We went up Liberty Mountain to catch a view of the city from the LU monogram on the hill.

I love Lynchburg, Virginia!

The Snowflex Center had just opened up the new tubing area so we checked it out...

I saw a lady bite the dust pretty bad just after we got there , so I opted out! She had ample "Junk" in her trunk too...so I KNEW mine wouldn't help me stay in the tube!

The girls said it was awesome!

What a fun place!

We went to LOTS of baseball games...(and that other cute girl is Hope, Scott and I went to LU with her parents, She is coming to work at camp this summer!!)

We went to dinner with cute baseball boys...This one is also a VERY talented guitar player and he is from Atlanta and attends Andy Stanley's church, so he is a keeper!

We ate MORE frozen yogurt...

Kendra Penn is a lifelong friend of the Luff family. She travelled with Gordon on singing teas back in the early days of LU. She also sang in my wedding (the Lords prayer acapella). It was fun to go to the Sweet Frog in Forest where she is the manager so we could see her!

My sister-in-law Beckie's little sister, Katie was in town so we had a chance to visit with her before she headed back to her internship in Washington D.C.

We watched more baseball...this time it was COLD!

The very next day while we watched yet more baseball, it was typical Lynchburg and had turned so hot and VERY humid! So we were glad that Shae has those LU Baseball connections because we sat up in the air conditioned coaches suite!

I was so sad that #9 had hurt his knee just before we arrived and didn't play in a single game while we were there! I have, however, watched him play MANY times (when the game is online) to report any good plays to Shae while she was unable to watch the games. (the things we mothers do...)

But, Jeff is such a sweet southern boy and we had a ball having dinner with him and his hilarious-we would be such good friends if we lived near each other- Mom after a game one night. He made the VERY top of Anna's "favorite Lynchurg Boys list". I am thankful for his friendship to Shae. It's nice to know someone back there is looking out for her too!

I.adore.this.picture. How neat is that? The LU team prays for the other team's safety on the field and on the road!

We finally got down to business and did some of what we were supposed to be doing while we were in town...packing up that dorm room. Shae was getting more and more discouraged when she would look different places and find MORE STUFF! I am so glad she didn't fall when she was reaching above her closet!

Kara just laughed at us as we tried to navigate through all Shae's "stuff"!

Anna was sick of my picture taking at this point, but I had to show a picture of the famous "Princess Stairs". I remember girls falling down them when I was a student there because we had to wear skirts (with panyhose) and "pumps". UGH! I think it is hysterical that my own daughter fell UP these exact stairs with jeans and flip flops on! Klutz.

On our way out of town we were saying our goodbyes to everyone and Anna was in hot pursuit of Bball players to sign her baseball when we ran into Keegan who had pitched the night before. He is going on to Law School!


Shae has somehow bypassed all the inconvenient things that I had to deal with...like carrying my own CRAP to some one's car to take and unload by ourselves to a storage place in town. Not Shae....The first 2 loads were picked up by our dear friend, Scott Lawrenson (who was Scott's roommate at LU and his wife was mine!) He works for LU Baseball so he came and got her stuff on the golf cart. But poor Coach Ward...he got volunteered by Scott to go get the rest of her growing belongings! Hahaha


Seriously. Scott Lawrenson...You are right! I might need to re-name my blog "Never Enough Stuff" like you suggested! And, by the way, thanks for storing all the girl's stuff in your basement! I will make it up to you somehow, really I will!

I will never forget the fun weekend Anna and I had together in Lynchburg. It was fun to see her bonding with Shae and LOVING college life. She is "pretty sure" Liberty is FOR HER too! Yippeeee!
I didn't have a chance to hang out with any of "my" peeps while we were there, but I did get to see many of them in passing. I am very glad I focused on Shae and got to really know her friends! It's nice to know she has chosen well.

Easter 2011

2011-04-24T17:13:00.000-07:00

Easter 2011 was a Glorious day! The thought that Jesus would die to save wretched me, is unimaginable. How blessed we are that He keeps His promises...and He conquered the grave!

We went to our church service at the Convention Center this morning then came home to have lunch with family and friends... 18 in all!

Scott's parents came a little early to help get everything ready (and I am not gonna lie, I could get used to a "personal vacuumer"!) Dottie made the most precious cake! I LOVE that she focused on the REAL meaning of Easter.

My other luxury in this life is my "personal chef". People always thank me after meals at our house, but I must admit that Scott is almost always the one who has prepared the food!! (and he ALWAYS cleans up the whole kitchen-and believe me, I am so OVER feeling threatened by that!)

My job is to set the food out how I want it,

light the candles and set the tables.

This year, since we had so many people, we went with paper plates...thank you TJMaxx for having such beautiful paper goods!

It was raining when we woke up, so we almost had to go with plan B, but the sun ended up coming out and it was perfect to have the second table outside.

Anna organized an Easter egg hunt for all the little kids. She and Chloe were so patient to help them find the eggs and their baskets.

Some of the eggs were really hidden well, but Austin was "really good at finding Easter eggs".... good thing!

Gavin found his basket and he was thrilled that it was his favorite color...green.

Lindsay was so happy that she was able to find her basket all by herself.

{and after a rough morning at church (major crying melt down), it was good to see her smile. I think the whole loud music and lights and huge crowd at the convention center just completely over-stimulated her :( }

What a beautiful, sunny day to celebrate Easter with our family and friends!

Thank you for the CROSS, Lord! Thank you for the price YOU paid!

Bearing all my sin and shame, in love You came and gave amazing grace!

Shasta Caverns

2011-04-11T12:44:00.000-07:00

When you are in 6th grade in Shasta County, you get to go on a field trip to Shasta Caverns. It is an amazing field trip right after you finish the study of rocks. Seeing what you have learned about in real life really helps to understand it all.

We are so fortunate to live so close to so many historical places. Shasta Caverns is just a boat ride across Shasta Lake!

Kristina, Hannah, Anna and Lauren

We have had SO much rain this year, the lake is VERY full! I can't wait for warm weather so we can go out on the patio boat!

I am so thankful that Scott likes all these "hiking required" field trips! He was a good boy and took lots of pictures too!!

The cavern was discovered by an indian who was chasing a bobcat! Look how small the opening is! Scott could not believe the rough terrain all around the cavern. After the boat ride, you take a bus up a wind-y {scary} little road. He couldn't imagine those people wandering all around that area way back then!

Everyone wore headlamps to navigate through the cool, dark caverns.

I wouldn't mind having one of those things to wear at night when I am reading!

Anna had a great time,

especially since she had her Dad there to experience it all with!

Shasta Caverns is just another wonderful example of God's handiwork!

"Have you not known?

Have you not heard?

The everlasting God, the Lord,

The Creator of the ends of the earth,

Neither faints nor is weary.

His understanding is unsearchable."

Isaiah 40:28

Sacramento.

2011-04-09T14:13:00.000-07:00

Scott and I had the opportunity to go down to Sacramento overnight for the Sysco Food Show. They pay for us to have a hotel room, so it is always fun to go the day before and go shopping and eat somewhere we don't have in Redding.

Dottie told us that we HAD TO eat breakfast at a darling place that our friend, Melanie had told her about (Melanie has exquisite taste in EVERYTHING, so we knew it would not disappoint!)

We arrived at The Tower Cafe and I was instantly pleased! It is connected to an old movie house and surrounded by a beautiful garden. It was fun just looking around at all of the beautiful plants and the old building.

Inside the restaurant was a little hard to figure out. It was loaded with decorations and resembled a Mexican restaurant. The place was packed and every plate of food we saw looked scrumptious!!

Scott got the house specialty...french toast. I don't even like french toast and i LOVED this! It didn't have syrup on it (which is why I liked it!) It had fresh strawberries with a strawberry-ish sauce and the homemade cinnamon whipped cream was indescribably delicious!!

We had some time to do one of our favorite things, drive through a quaint neighborhood and look at the darling houses. For many years, we used to drive through a neighborhood in Sacramento called "The Fabulous Forties" while we waited for Lindsay's neurology appointments at Sutter Memorial (we would drive around so she could try to take a nap before seeing the doctor!)

I could picture us living in one of these cute little houses with Lindsay after our other girls are grown and on their own. Lindsay and I could walk to the grocery store or park each day.

We could do yard work on the weekends...

Aren't these the cutest!?? Older homes have so much character and personality, it really would be fun to find one!

In the mean time, my poor husband is attempting to paint the whole inside of our house. There are 2 ladders, rollers, paint cans and tape taking up residence here. Just today I got in my car and realized there was paint on the front of one of my pant legs. Argh.

I'll be glad when this project is finished...and if I don't go anywhere in public with paint on my hiney.

Birthday Boy and a Couple of Farmers

2011-04-04T11:39:00.000-07:00

Austin Luff turned 5 years old on March 28th. I remember the night that beautiful boy came into the world! It's hard to believe he will be in Kindergarten this Fall.

He and his brother are obsessed with garbage trucks. Beckie had a friend of a friend who hooked Austin up on his special day!

He had the chance to ride in a REAL garbage truck and "work the controls!" His Mom took some video and he could not wait for Grandma and Papa to see!

While Austin was reliving all the garbage truck fun, Lindsay played with Austin's little brother Gavin. Gavin is SO patient with Lindsay. He was "teaching" her how to play the "fishing game" and he was so sweet to put each fish back in it's hole when she couldn't see to do it right. When it was time for cake and presents, he carefully put the whole game back together and put it back on the shelf where it belongs.

Brad hooked the "Garbage Truck" video up to the TV for us to watch and Lindsay was tickled to death when she asked Austin to sit on her lap, and HE DID!

There were lots of new transformers in the house. Gavin was so excited over all of Austin's presents too and his birthday is later this week! Yay! Another party!

Anna missed the first part of the party because she had a softball game, but she made it in time for some yummy cake!

Happy Birthday, Austin Jeffrey Luff!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sunday afternoon Scott was going to check on his bee hives, so my little 'city girls' and I went with him to enjoy some fresh air.

We keep the hives at our friend, Tom's house. He also has horses...and what a bonus that they were so happy to see US!

Lindsay wasn't real sure about getting too close at first.

But, as usual, Anna talked her into being brave and getting a little closer to the fence.

Scott fixed one hive that had been knocked over and reported that those bees are still busy!

When we found some hay to give the horses a little snack, Lindsay kept saying, "We're FARMERS, Anna!" It was Hilarious!!

I can't imagine how frustrated that poor horse was with Lindsay because she would only get so close, then she dropped the hay when he tried to get it out of her hand!

When he sneezed, it was the absolute funniest thing!! Lindsay talked about how "that horse sneezed a couple of times" the rest of the night!

By the time we left, Farmer Lindsay had become quite comfortable around those horses and wanted to know when we could go back again!!

Lindsay's Field Trip to the Bounce House

2011-03-30T19:50:00.000-07:00

The day after I got home from Florida, Scott and I went on a field trip with Lindsay's Special Ed. class. Lindsay had been talking about this field trip non-stop for weeks and she instructed us that we both had to come! {we were the only parents there!}

It was a LOT of "work" for Scott. Besides rough housing with all the boys who were starved for his attention Scott had to help Lindsay do everything! She is so big now and she couldn't pull herself up on the slides. It was very frustrating for her when her feet would slip and she just didn't have the strength to pull her own weight up.

Her sweet classmate, Savannah came over to tell us that she "needed help getting Lindsay up to the top of the slide." It touched my heart that Savannah wanted Lindsay to experience the slide too and she was trying to push her up to the top!! {one of the boys in Lindsay's class said that Savannah looked like "Medusa" with her hair fixed like that! haha!!}

After lots of tears and even more encouragement, Lindsay was at the top....but I wasn't sure she would go down!

But, she did! And she never did it again!

Her buddy Lucio enjoyed the day free of his wheelchair thanks to one of the BEST aides on this planet, John. He toted Lucio around all morning and even took him into the bouncy things and pulled and pushed him through tunnels! I KNOW he had to be exhausted by the end of the day!

Lindsay liked "the swimming pool" the best.

She and Lucio pushed a ball back and forth and bounced a little tiny bit. These two truly love each other and look out for one another. They have been friends since they met in Kindergarten.

It was SILENT in the room where the class ate pizza for lunch. They were all absolutely exhausted. It was a fun time, and once again, I must say GOD BLESS SPECIAL ED TEACHERS, ADAPTIVE P.E. TEACHERS AND AIDES!
Lindsay came home that day just completely out of it! She spent the next 4 school days at home with a terrible cold and two ear infections, so I was beyond happy when she went back to school today!Softball season is in full "swing" for Anna and the weather is finally cooperating! I am ready to get some fresh, clean air and hopefully I won't catch a cold!

Spring Break 2011~Naples Edition

2011-03-24T09:34:00.000-07:00

When Shae asked me to meet her in Florida for Spring Break I was so excited! But, I could not find a good deal on a flight! Enter Susie Kramer....I started getting texts and Facebook messages with airline deals every day...from Susie. I don't know how she did it, but she found me a ticket for just over $200. A deal I could NOT refuse.

Shae flew to Naples on Sunday and I joined her there on Tuesday! I LOVED going to Florida on Spring Break when I was a Liberty girl! Susie, Dawn and I have many happy memories form our times in Miami!

One of the biggest reasons I wanted to go was to meet this precious thing:

Cassie Rae Kramer is Susie and Bill's 13 month old! I was shocked when Susie told me she was gonna have Kramer girl #4 when Kramer girl #3 was 13! But, now I can see that something would have been missing without that bright eyed, VERY BUSY, expressive girl.

Shae fell in love with that baby! She also enjoyed her time with Cassie's sweet big sisters!

Katie, Shae, Courtney and Kelly enjoyed {almost} daily visits to Rita's for frozen custard gelatis! Yummy!!!

We could not have felt more welcomed. The Kramers are wonderful hosts. They were leaving to fly to Denver the same day I flew home, I would have been a frazzled mess trying to get ready...not Susie. She made me feel as if I could have stayed another month!

It was a fun treat to see Susie's sister, Sally DeWitt, and her girls Danielle and Deanna, (and their roommate, Becca) all Liberty girls, when they drove over from Ft. Lauderdale.

We had lots of laying by the pool sessions! The Kramer resort is sooooooo nice!

We hit the beach, where the water is so much warmer than it is in California!

We did a little "house shopping"...

I found many options for us. Now to save some money for our Naples vacation home!

We celebrated Deanna's birthday. I held this beautiful girl when she was just a few days old on one of my visits to Florida! She is about to graduate with her Master's degree from Liberty University!

I simply adored each moment of uninterrupted time catching up with my girl.

The sunsets on the beach in Naples are incomparable! I think I would have a daily appointment there if I lived 1 mile from the beach like Bill and Susie do.

As if it wasn't enough to see one of my best friends....

Dawn and Kenny walked in the front door on Friday! Oh.my.gracious. was I surprised to TEARS! Shocked isn't even the word! Dawn is VERY busy with work and I was planning to see her this summer in South Carolina at her house.....What an unbelievable treat to have a weekend together! There is nothing like friendships that have lasted over the years and what torture to live so far away!

Susie has a precious neighbor, Miss Peg. She was a home economics teacher for many years and is the most wonderful neighbor anyone could ask for. She loaded me down with some cute patterns and lots of cute ideas! She embroidered special shirts for us!

Hilarious!

I feel like I have been refreshed and encouraged. These girls have a way of making me feel VERY loved and special. They love my family, are interested in my life and the little details and they understand and adore Lindsay. We have a bond that will only grow closer as time passes. The JOY of friendships that have The Lord as the common denominator cannot be compared!

I love that between the three of us we have 9 daughters, who are all friends! {funny that the tough football boys don't have any boys...and Bill is a football coach!}

Katie is graduating this year (she and Shae are only 2 months apart) and I am waiting on pins and needles to find out where she will go to school! She has multiple offers to swim and she is VERY dedicated (swimming 7 days a week before the crack of dawn!) but I hope, hope, hope Liberty gives her an offer she cannot refuse!

Florida was just the place we needed for a week of rest and relaxation...

Shae enjoyed every minute!

We had WAY TOO MANY of Susie's yummy creations (her homemade waffle cones are out of this world!). I am always challenged by her skills as a Mama. Her lunches make me feel inadequate...I will be making better sandwiches and wrapping them her way too!!

We fell hopelessly in love with this little girl!
I don't know how I will stay away for long, she has captured my heart!

Shae kept up with her "faithful employee of LU Baseball" status by watching the games online all week! And, I might add that I HAD TO WATCH and text updates to her while she was out with Katie!
"any good hits?" "WHO scored?"

We were loved on...

Spring Break Naples 2011 was one I will never forget!!!

Thank you to the Kramers and The Smiths for making it Perfect. So perfect.

I came home to a perfectly clean , laundry all done, clean sheet house complete with roses,

and the sweetest notes..... the perfect ending to a perfect week!

Thank you to Scott for dressing, bathing, fixing hair and answering questions all week by yourself for Lindsay, going to the orthodontist, the consignment store, driving to two different schools, cooking healthy dinners, making lunches, reading bedtime stories, going to Lindsay's IEP meeting by yourself, upgrading me to first class, giving me money to buy my college girl some goodies, and for making me feel like it was all "no big deal".

YOU.are.theBEST and I adore you.

The Evolution of a Purple Bench and Other Things

2011-03-09T09:08:00.000-08:00

Life is sure busy when you have middle school aged children. It seems that projects never cease!

Anna had to make a poster for her country report on Sudan. I have to admit, I do LOVE me a poster assignment! Lucky for Anna, her Daddy spent 6 months in Sudan back when he was at Liberty University. He was on a famine relief team and he had lots of pictures and mementos from his time there that we were able to use on her poster.

Lindsay went to the Dollar Store with Scott ~~after she bugged him to death asking a zillion times if he'd take her~~ one afternoon and bought this fun "windmill". She had to "show Anna how cool it is" when Anna got home from school.

It is really nice to have a special ed student. The pressures of schoolwork for Lindsay are basically none. Her homework consists of tracing her name or doing a simple dot to dot...both of which she needs help doing. That's okay, though...she gets a prize at school on Fridays for completed homework and it makes her whole week!

She was sick on Monday so she stayed home and caught up on some of her "shows". She had to make sure her Sid and Gabriella dolls (that Shae got for her) were able to "watch themselves on TV!"

Basketball season ended with second place for Anna's team. It was a fun season!

And now begins softball!!

Scott's got another job to add to his list: catcher.

Remember my little garage sale find last year??

Remember how my husband became a "professional stripper" a few posts back?

Well, look at her now!!!

Doesn't it look precious in Shae's room??

I think she will be very happy living in this space!

I was a little worried that the fabric I chose would be too "busy" in the room but, I think it works.

She'll have to enjoy her breathing room until May, because as soon as the girl who lives in this room gets home, I have a feeling this little bench won't be empty!

Precious Memories

2011-03-07T12:39:00.000-08:00

It is hard to believe that we have a child in college. It seems like just yesterday I was the Mama to one and looking forward to giving that "One" some siblings!

Time really does go by so quickly when you have children who grow up before your eyes. Memories become the precious treasures that are life's most important belongings.

My husband is so good about wanting to make and KEEP memories.

He worked so hard on a book to leave on Shae's bed in her dorm when we left after moving her in last August. He took so much time to compile pictures and look back through his notes from various "talks" he has had with Shae to include in her book.

Here is what she found that night on her bed:

Shae's nicknames are numerous, but the best one she has ever had is,

"The Bootiful One" it was given to her by her sweet Daddy way back when she was a little bald thing.

Scott took so much time to write from his heart. I couldn't get through the first sentence without crumbling into tears.

I can only imagine how special Shae must have felt as she read through this priceless treasure.

I am so thankful for this man who has a heart made of pure gold.

God knew that Scott would be just the guy for the job of raising these three girls!

He has touched our hearts and made it VERY hard for the "guys" that will have to live up to his example someday!

{and boy is he smart....he has already started to work on Anna's "book" }

........................................................................................................................................................................

I have been so blessed to have wonderful friends in my life. Two of them I met while I was a student at Liberty University (where my very own daughter goes to school!)

Dawn and Susie have been "with" me during the most crushing and difficult times of my life. Their friendship is an absolute treasure to me.

Susie lives in Naples, Florida now but when we were at LU she lived in Miami. We went to her house on most of our breaks from school. Her Mama, Angel, always welcomed anyone and we ate like royalty for the week!

{Susie and I circa 1984 on Spring Break}

Susie is now married to her college sweetheart, Bill, and living in Naples, Florida where they have 4 girls and Bill is the head football coach at Naples High (state champions!!)

They invited Shae for Spring Break and I was never more happy to buy a plane ticket for her! What could be better than my daughter in the safety of a Godly home during spring break!?

Shae is so excited for a break from school but even more excited to hang out with the Kramers for a week! Not to mention eat "Kramer" food!

We all met up (Dawn's family too!) in Orlando waaaaaay back when Shae and Katie were almost 2 (they are now 18!)

Shae and I also made a trip to Naples when Shae was in 7th grade (Dawn's family came to Naples then too!)

I love that the friendship of 3 girls at Liberty University has been passed down to the next generation!

And do you want to know the best part?

My college freshman begged me to join her on spring break! I told her that she has to be the only college girl in the history of the world who WANTS her Mom to be on spring break with her!

{my husband says "when your 18 year old wants you to hang out with her...you go."}

So guess where I'm going next week!??!

Change is Good ~especially in my pocket!

2011-03-01T12:23:00.000-08:00

I have been on a MAJOR organization kick. I guess it was forced upon me thanks to our "new budget". I have tried to concentrate on getting rid of the stuff we don't need and NOT buying anything we don't "need". I have even embraced "couponing"!

I did find myself in TJMaxx one evening while I waited for Anna's basketball practice to be over.

I have been looking for new bedding for Anna's room and came upon this precious Cynthia Rowley set for cheap! ( I called Scott to ask if we could possibly add it to the budget!)

I spent one whole evening/night cleaning out every square inch of Anna's bedroom while she was away at winter camp. Why oh WHY did I NOT take pictures of the family room during the process?? I literally took a laundry basket into her room and load by load took every.single.thing. out of her entire room and DUMPED it into the family room where I sorted everything while I watched episode after episode of Clean House on Netflix.

It was so refreshing to have everything organized and clean! I was so excited to put the new bedding on before she came home from camp and fix everything for her arrival.

She recently dragged out every trophy she has (from the attic) and put them on display in her room, so I had to work around those!

Scott fixed up this darling end table for Anna. It is from Treasure Island, the island where Liberty University's first students lived which later became the football team's practice location (Scott spent MANY hours there over the years!). It has since been washed away in a flood, so that little table is quite a treasure!

Anna actually squealed when she walked into her room and said, "I LOVE it!" What a wonderful thing to hear from my very subdued and non-emotional girl!

Don't be worried about poor Lindsay while all this was taking place...

she is never far away from me...

All I can say is YAY! for blocks!! (and Go Diego Go!)

Lindsay says that her room is next! (We'll have to talk Daddyboy aka "Dave Ramsey" into that!)

i {heart} you!

2011-02-12T10:17:00.000-08:00

How cute are these cupcakes?!!!

Go here to learn how to make them!

(You will find them a few posts down, I am lame and don't know how to link to a specific post yet!)

Happy {heart} day!