Wild Animal Park

One of the great things about living in San Diego besides the weather is all of the things to do in southern california. One of which is the Wild Animal Park in Escondido. This place is about a 15 20 minute drive from my house. The park is 1,300 acres. It's so cool, you take a tram around the park and the animals are just out chilling in a a semi- normal habitat. The animals that don't get along are separated and there are different habitats for different animals to explore. The lion exhibit was by far my favorite, the two momma's in the pride just had seven cubs between them. They were asleep when we first walked up and then the BIG poppa lion woke up scratched his face and just stared at me, here is the picture, it was amazing. He didn't take his eyes off me for a couple of minutes. The elephant exhibt was also great, i love how the people are behind the fences and not the other way around. Here is Aslan and i with the elephants. I didn't get any of them in the deer petting zoo but Aslan was so cute he kept squating down to look at the deers in their eyes like he was trying to talk to them:) Lastly the kids rode the animal carosel( Aslan's first time). It was a great last day with Nana and Pop Pop, they left today. We'll miss you guys. So for any visitors to San Diego I would highly recommend a trip to the Wild Animal Park it is worth it to see some maginificant animals in their semi- natural habitat( are there palm trees in Africa?)

Before and After- Aslan 1st Haircut

We finally cut Aslan's hair last night. He looks so cute, he looks like a British rock star. Jim was talking in a British accent and cracking us all up. Everytime I look at him I laugh, his hair is way too cool for a 2 year old. To get him to not freak out our friend Drew was improvising car wrecks and telling stories to distract him, it worked like a charm as you can see from his face. Thank you Jenna for cutting his hair you did an awesome job!

Before

Catching Up-Sledding in Idywild

Yes don't fall down I am finally posting. Sorry it's been so long... Jim's parents actually flew out here to help take care of the kids and manage the house so I could get some rest. They have been a huge blessing and i am resting more and getting much better as a result.
These pictures are of us taking the kids up to a cabin in Idywild, CA and both of my kids saw snow for the first time. We went up with two couples from our church and had a great time. Mady was not too thrilled about wearing ski pants for the first time, inside getting dressed she kept saying how hot she was, i explained they would keep her dry and warm in the snow. When we took them out sledding for the day she was sledding on her bottom for the first half and exclaimed, "I love these sliding pants". We eventually got her and Aslan on a sled. Aslan was a little frightened so we found we just had get on the sled with him and take off immediatley. I couldn't get any pictures of his face going down but he was excited and didn't want to get off after he was done. Mady had so much fun going down with Drew and Daddy. And she of course wanted to do things by herself so there are some shots of her and her friend Lauren going down together on a mini hill. I love their faces, Mady wants to figure it out and Lauren is just laughing and having fun. We all had a great time and even though our bottoms were a little sore it was well worth it for the adventure.
" Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart" Ps 37:4 Thank you Lord for this day and this weekend, what a treasure it was to delight in all of your creation and all that you have done in our family, and what a joy it was to get to share these moments with my family and friends. I owe it all to you, and to your son, for laying his life down for me.

Health Update

Well it turns out that I have pnemonia. They found a spot on my right lung, I have to go back in on Thursday and get another chest xray to see if it has gone away with the antibotics that I have been on the past week. Needless to say I have been really tired lately, even normal things make me tired. It's been diffucult to keep the kids happy they are tired of being indoors all day long, esp the little man. He's getting a little stir crazy. But God has been good to give me special time with them since I am not trying to do much. I am using the time to teach Aslan to use his words and just reading to them alot. I will keep you posted.

Prayer Request

I have been really sick lately since Christmas actually, I pushed myself to get through Mady's party and now and I am just feeling completely run down. Jim is also sick today with 104 fever and had to go to work, I can't even imagine how he must be feeling. I have had every bug first sinus infection, then the cough and lung virus, and now i am pretty sure i have the stomach flu. So please pray for me that I would feel God's grace and receive God's grace for all that doesn't get done. That Jim and I would somehow get some rest today. Thank you my friends for I know I can count on your prayers.

Happy Birthday Princess Mady

Happy Birthday my dear sweet Madeline Susannah. Your zeal for life and giggly laughter bring such warmth to our family. I want to praise your kind and sweet spirit. The other day you asked if we could take back all of our groceries and give the money to the lady who had a sign asking for help. You amaze me with your genereous heart, time and time again, how you want to share with your bubba. How you delight in making cards and crafts for your friends and family. You are such a help to me in the kitchen putting away dishes and helping me bake. I see how much the Lord has his hand on your life even now at 4 years old. And while you are not perfect, just like mommy and daddy you are learning that you don't have to be, that Jesus was for you. I love hearing you wander though the house singing worship songs how they overflow from your heart, when you rock your baby dolls with such tenderness and sing sweetly to them. You are so witty and understand grown up jokes and you make me and Bubba laugh all day with your goofy faces. Thank you for how you love us and for always wanting to snuggle in my neck. I hope you never outgrown this but, i am sure one day you will... so i am soaking up each moment that God has blessed me with with you. I love you my Mady, may this next year of your life bring you closer to falling more in love with our God.

Here are the pictures from her Princess birthday party, all of the women and little girls dressed up like princesses. We had so much fun, it's like getting to be a kid all over again. She was so excited and blessed, and I was too. Enjoy!

Catching Up- Christmas Lights 2007

Here we are looking at lights in a neighborhood called Candy Cane Lane. WE went with our neighbors from across the street. It was so incredible seeing how far people go to decorate their houses. My favorite was a house with the big cross so I included that one. I forgot to take a picture of our house which was done with white lights around the trees and framing the windows. Certainly not like Candy Cane lane but the kids really liked it. This place was great, hot chocolate every other house or so, and one house even had a karoke stand for everyone walking by to sing Christmas Carols. The last photo is of Mady singing Jingle Bells. I have been really sick lately, terrible cough and tired, plus had my parents and my friend Jenn visiting from Idaho so lots going on. I will try and post Christmas pictures tomorrow. And finish with Mady's princess birthday party which was this past weekend later this week. Enjoy.