Pine

Alright. This is horribly late but I find myself putting it off because I just don't have the time to tell my tale of a trip to Pine. So, I'm not going to tell much tale and just do what I do best... throw up some pictures.

These two are some of my favorite pics.. Friend, Carolyn was tossing Ri around and I love the way the sun hits and just the candid moment it captured!

Cliff Notes Version:
Our Life Group (church friends) headed up to Pine and stayed at a woman from our church's cabin. She is an older lady and a widow since last year so we took on a little work project to clean up her yard. After a hard day's work, we (by we, I mean Tiffany and Emily) planned a Halloween "murder mystery" which we all dressed the part (theme: literary characters) and acted out during a delicious dinner.

Here's our work party at work.

Mid-work break into song... Thriller came on. What can you expect?!
First attempt at Thriller- pathetic.

In sync!

The guys kept busy by cutting down dead trees on the property. They stocked the fire wood pile and even made a beautiful fire ring!


Snow White and Pippy Long Stocking
The Hood's- haha
Robin Hood and Red Riding Hood.. oh and the butler, of course.

The Madd Hatter and Alice in Wonderland

Big shoes to fill.

Water Baby

I have a post to do about our amazing Halloween/Birthday trip to Pine, AZ... But that one requires thought and, well... writing.
Here is a picture post. Thought I'd pass some smiles along because these pictures bring such a smile to my heart!

"Hmmm.. What is this?"

"Whatever it is... IT'S FUN!!!"

"A LOT OF FUN!.. WHOOO HOOO!!"

"Let's take a closer look..."
"gulp. gulp. gulp"
"Hehehe."

How can a person really be so smitten??? It's beyond words.

What 'cha think??

Soooo... my last pregnancy, I KNEW right from the beginning that we were having a BOY! Maybe it was my husband's constant comments or just my own hope to have a boy first... I have one older brother and he was my protector and guardian and once we were both in High School, we got along pretty famously. Whatever the case, I just knew that my Riley was destine to be my little boy!

But now this one.. I'm kinda baffled. John (and my whole church group friends) is (are) convinced that this time is definitely a girl. John's reasoning is because this time I felt queasy earlier (last time had the blahs from weeks 10-13 and this time it started around week 6) and because I was an emotional basket case- breaking into tears at absolutely NOTHING and ANYTHING.
...But... I'm not so sure because the blahs still only lasted 3 weeks for me and were gone by week 9 and although I may still get teary at commercials (who doesn't when pregnant, or even sometimes just being a "woman"), all in all I feel normal. Just like last time.

So what do YOU think??

In the Right column, I'm putting up my poll for you to vote whether you think I'll have a BOY or GIRL this time. I should be finding out in just under a month, so get your vote in!!!

No Crud for Me

Last Friday came and went one of the bi-annual Women's Crud Tournaments at the O-club. Oh how I love Crud. But sadly, I was merely a spectator at this event since it can be a kind of rough game and I'm carrying precious cargo. Our squadron had to plan and throw the event since last tourney we brought home the big "V"!






"Congratulations! You won the Tournament. Now you have to go through the huge butt pain to throw the next one!".... Huh?


Anyhow, the amazing Squadron Commander's Wife (kinda known as our head wife in our little wives group), Colleen planned quite the event. Not just a crud tournament, as it's been in the past, but a multi-event "Old School" party. We had 4-5-6, beer pong, a cigar and scotch room, we bussed in single chicks for our single pilots (which since 9-11 is virtually unheard of getting a bus full of civilians on base), quite the food spread, live music with the Juvat Boys Choir and even ended the night with a good ol' piano burning!



Good times! I was just excited to get into my Flight Suit Jumper that I made before I won't be able to!

Sweet and Sour

John's big 3-0 was Friday! Happy Birthday Honey!! Now he's officially old- although he doesn't feel too bad about it since he is in better shape now then when he turned the 2 decade point. Instead of buying gifts, we celebrate by cooking.

He picks the elaborate menu and I prepare it all. We have friends over to celebrate (since we both enjoy entertaining) and then I am responsible for all of the clean-up. Don't worry.. When it's my birthday, I get the same top notch treatment.
The Menu:

Course 1:
Honey Pecan Roasted Brie
Platter or Salami, Brie, Crackers and Grapes
Fruit arrangement
Course 2:
French Onion Soup from scratch,
topped with homemade french bread and Gruyer cheese

Course 3:
Bacon Wrapped Chicken stuffed with Boursin Cheese
w/ Creme Frische sauce
Carrots Promenade
Pesto Zucchini and Roasted Peppers
Course 4:

Orange Almond Mousse

And a whole lot of dishes to clean!


Not to bring the party down, but sadly our weekend of celebration had a pretty stained overtone to it. There has been just tragedy after tragedy within the F16 community lately. I don't know if I'm more aware of it since my hubby is a part of that community or if it really has been especially rough these past couple of months. If you're the praying type, please remember these families:

The Sullivan's
Sara passed away of breast cancer only weeks ago after giving birth to Chloe, their first baby.

The Giglio's
F 16 collision in the Atlantic Ocean caused a fatal crash where Nicholas Giglio is leaving behind his wife, his 15mo old daughter and one on the way.

The Friedman's
After delivering their second child, Katie passed away due to bleeding complications leaving Jon behind with 2 young boys.

The Houghton's
Fatal crash in Utah leaves a young widow behind.

It's very humbling to see this breaking news and realize that there is so much more going on that what is inside my tiny little insignificant bubble. I really believe that God is in control and has a plan and my prayer is that He is somehow glorified in each of these tragedies! It definately makes you happy for each moment we get to spend with our loved ones!!!


Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight --Proverbs 3:5-6

Mission News

John and I are very excited to announce that he will be going on a mission trip to Ghana from January 13-24, 2010!! I was planning to go but the little bug inside me is holding me back.. Love you lil' bug. Although I'd love to go, I am thrilled that John will be representing our family and serving the Lord!

We are looking forward to God working through us to accomplish His will in Ghana!

If you are willing and able, we prayerfully ask that you consider supporting us financially on this trip. A large portion of the proceeds goes to building a church. More importantly, we are seeking people to be praying for him and the group as they prepare for this trip and as they minister to the people of Ghana. If you would like to support in prayer or financially, please print and mail this form (This opens a PDF document that you can print).

Occupied!

You may be wondering... what is occupied?

Lots of things!!!

My life- I keep thinking after one busy season that things are going to finally slow down but they don't! It just rolls right into more busyness! Summer is coming to a close (ok.. i realize it's October but remember I live in Arizona and the temps here are still in the 9o's) and we had a lot going on over the summer.. Trip to Texas, California, tons of Squadron functions, John's job change, the launch of my business website, and then squeezing in camping/hiking and rock climbing when ever we could! Now it's finally cooling off at night which is just lovely. Around this time is when I do love living in Arizona... Sure, I really miss the leaves turning colors and the smell of fall, but you really can't shake a stick at the always sunny and comfortably warm days with the cool evenings here. Now that fall is in sight, there are upcoming things that have already got us Wilson's spinning! Sigh... I guess busy is the new normal.

My occupation- Homemaker/Seamstress (kinda). The month of September really was a record setting month for me and my little sweat shop. I typically get a couple orders a month, which that and watching my Ri' keeps me busy enough. The month of September brought me twelve purse orders!!!! 12! I am going to be SUPER busy- we're talking work on weekends busy! I'm not complaining at all!! I just have to stay focused!

My uterus. That's right. Riley's going to be a big brother- if only he could understand how much his world will be turned upside-down!! I am somewhere between 10 and 11 weeks pregnant and am due late April/early May. John's convinced we'll have a Cinco de Mayo baby which he wants to name Pedro (or Pedrita prospectively). I had my second ultrasound today and got to see the baby's profile and the strong heart beat!! Here we go again!!!

I love being occupied!

Here's the 7 week blip. This is the picture mail that John got while he was up in Flagstaff hunting.

Here's today's US image. May not be very clear to you, but I can see the whole profile, jaw bone, arms, etc! The baby was very active for the camera- which is so fun to see!!