Welcome to my garden

There are so many jewels in my garden... rich soil, flowers, veggies and herbs, birds, butterflies, hummingbirds, ladybugs, seeds sprouting, the sound of the water fountain, but the best jewels are family and friends when they join me in the garden and share in the peace and beauty of what our Heavenly Father has provided me with. So many jewels, so many blessings. Julie +: )

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Is July really over??

I've been at Michelle's since July 2nd and it's now July 27! Where did the month go? Well lots has happened so here goes...

Before her surgery on the 5th we had to cram some fun time in. Like having dinner on Balboa Island, and then taking the ferry back...




say cheese...



okay say cheese...



c'mon you sillies, say cheese...



CHEESE!









-----------------------------------------------------------------
We celebrated July 4th with a picnic in the park, grilling, playing games, playing ball, watching the kids, water balloons...































and a fireworks show!




















Happy Belated 4th of July!




The very next day Michelle had her surgery. She is doing really good, not to say it was a breeze. It wasn't.




Her recovery has been painful, but she no longer has the 2 tubes dangling out of her with the bags that needed to be emptied twice a day. We really should have given them some cute names but we just called them bag 1 and bag 2...not very humorous!
Maybe a good thing since it hurt her to laugh.




I am not having to help her up to a sitting position, which hurt so bad she would cry (and me too).




She is no longer walking bent over looking like an old lady.




She can raise her arm straight ahead and is doing her excercises with less pain.




She can shower.




She is hardly taking any pain meds.




She is no longer sleeping in a sitting position.




She is driving short distances.




She is back in the kitchen helping me cook.




She is back to planning activities for the kids.




You've come a long way baby, you've come a long way!




"Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done. Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell of all His wonderful acts. Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and His strength, seek His face always. Remember the wonders He has done, His miracles, and the judgments He pronounced." 1 Chronicles 16:8-13




Next post... breakfast in bed : )

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Monday, June 27, 2011

Jesus Calling

Jesus Calling- Devotional Book by Sarah Young



I received this book from my sister (in-law) Linda when she invited me to her bible study group. Both her invitation and the book came at the most appropriate time for me...about a week before Michelle was diagnosed with breast cancer.



I wasn't able to attend each week's study but attended when I was in town.



Each morning I read the day's devotion and it is always right on.



Thank you Jesus for always looking out for me and providing me exactly what I need when I need it. And thank you Linda for being His messenger.



So after our girl's weekend, each of us has a copy and I hope you are all reading it each morning. Jesus' words fit every single morning no matter what we are going through. Just like this morning. Here is what Jesus said to me:

"Rest With Me A While. You have journeyed up a steep, rugged path in recent days. The way ahead is shrouded in uncertainty. Look neither behind you nor before you. Instead, focus your attention on Me, your constant Companion. Trust that I will equip you fully for whatever awaits you on your journey.

I designed time to be a protection for you. You couldn't bear to see all your life at once. Though I am unlimited by time, it is in the present moment that I meet you. Refresh yourself in My company, breathing deep draughts of My Presence. The highest level of trust is to enjoy Me moment by moment. I am with you, watching over you wherever you go. Psalm 143:8; Genesis 28:15

Psalm 143:8 - "At dawn let me hear of your kindness, for in you I trust. Show me the path I should walk, for to you I entrust my life."

Genesis 28:15 - "Know that I am with you; and will watch over you wherever you go, and bring you back to this land. I will never leave you until I have done what I promised you."



P*e*r*f*e*c*t
Does it apply to you as well?

Friday, June 17, 2011

San Diego - Girl's Weekend 2011

5th Annual Girl's Weekend


Each year for the past five years the women in our family have a weekend together, leaving the husbands and kids behind. It gives us a chance to catch up with no interruptions. We regroup, talk, laugh, pray, eat, shop....Julie, Frances, Veronica, Virginia, DeeDee, Michelle, Linda


(missing this year were Kori, Elizabeth, Chanin, and Kacey)




daughter/mother

cousins

mother/daughter

daughter/mother

sisters

cousins

putting together our girls weekend scrapbook






praying



eating in the first night.



We visited a farmer's market in Little Italy


there were so many goodies to sample


and lots of creative vendors






we visited a church and a mission


this one with beautiful stained glass windows and paintings



we had dinner and did more shopping at Old Town San Diego








Cheers!



We have Michelle to thank for these get aways. This was her way of spending time with her family in Arizona since she lives in California. She plans each year with a theme in mind, this year was how our attitudes play a role in our well being! What an example she gives us!





We go back and forth between the two states for our weekends. But next year we hope to spend our weekend in Washington State with Chanin, God willing.



Our previous years...



2010 - 4th Annual Get-Away in Los Alamitos CA



(above) Frances, Linda, Virginia, Kori, DeeDee, Julie, Michelle, Veronica



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





2009 - 3rd Annual Get-Away in Glendale AZ



(pictured above) Virginia, Kori, Michelle (front); DeeDee, Elizabeth, Veronica (middle); Frances, Julie, Chanin, Kacey, Linda (back)






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



2008 - 2nd Annual Get-Away in Prescott AZ


(above) Julie, Michelle, Frances, Kori, Virginia, Linda






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



2007 - 1st Annual Get-Away in Palm Springs CA


(above) Veronica, Virginia, Kori, Linda, DeeDee, Michelle, Julie