My faithful friend Letitia reminded me that I DO have visitors here every now and then! She's wondering what's going on with my posts and I'll bet others are, too. I've been trying to move my posts over to my Blogger account. Way back when, I started blogging over there and, more recenlty, have set up my photography blog there. I'm finding the format easier to deal with as far as pictures go. Since I have dial-up, having to load pics up to Photobucket and the many steps it takes to finally get a post complete, is so time consuming that I hardly have the desire to write anymore.

Not only that, the Lord is moving in our hearts, as He always does. As I mature in the Lord, and as I see my children growing up before my very eyes, I see that there's more to me (and my family) than being a homeschooling family. First and foremost, we are Christians = followers of Christ. And, that may not always include homeschooling.

I hope you'll visit me over at the other TrustingDaily blog, sometime.

In His love ~ A

You know....the thing with kidney stones is that they're just so unpredictable. I'd been feeling like something was brewing all week. On March 7th, I had a sonogram on an unrelated body part and was thinking that my bladder was irritated because of it, but instead of getting better, my bladder continued to get my attention until last night, it would not allow me to ignore it any longer.

Unfortunately, it's sort of my nature to ignore pain until it gets unbearable. I don't know why.....well, maybe I do. Pain just gets in the way of me doing things I want to do. So I just bear it hoping it'll go away. And I'm not very good at taking meds, either. The task-oriented human that I am tends to be bothered when something (or someone) causes me to slow down ....or change my course.  Not a good thing, really. The Lord continues to teach me through the years though, usually in the form of slowing me down, getting in my way, using events in life to throw me off MY course so I can focus more on HIS course. Oh....He's just so good isn't He??

So, we ended up at the ER. Phillip and I joked that the only time we've ever had time alone together is when we're at a hospital!! It was wonderful to spend four uninterupted hours with him ~ and he agreed. The diagnosis? Kidney stones. But we already knew that. It's past time for another (third) lithotripsy to zap those last few fragments left over from "El Grande".  And maybe there's more now, too. I might be growing them!! The present pain/throbbing is from one that is apparently stuck at the base of my ureter (and beginning of my bladder) which explains the sharp-knife and throbbing episodes that happen at the most unexpected times. It seems to be settled at the moment and I'll make it through the weekend until I can be evaluated by the urologist in the coming week. Please pray for a lithotripsy in my near future! ~ and the funds to pay my part!! My doctor requires my part up front before the procedure. Well, that's life, huh?

I'm out of here. My family awaits and it's a gorgeous day in East Texas!! This outside girl can't waste another single minute inside!

Be a blessing today~  Angela

This has been the only weekend we've been able to really get out and explore. For most of our time here we've been sick and/or Phillip's work has required him to be close on Saturday's. Yesterday, we found two different county parks and did a bit of rock climbing ~ our version~ which is far from professional by any stretch of the imagination. As usual, we head out without really knowing what the day will hold. After finding the first park, where GOLD was first discovered, we were all hungry and found ourselves in the tiny community of Aqua Dulce. I know you hear me say this all the time, but again, it was a gift from the God.   Away from the city, traffic and people we ate lunch at the Sweetwater Cafe ~ country music playing on the radio, an antique store next door and horses!! Well, on the farms not at the cafe.  It was so refreshing.

And today we headed out to make the trek up Pacific Coast Highway. It was absolutely beautiful. I can't seem to wrap my brain around the fact that there are mountains so close to the shoreline. I'm just not accustomed to seeing that in my neck of the woods. We found several places to stop and eventually ended up at a place called Paradise Cove Beach Cafe. A bit pricey but it was fun. While we waited for our table we walked along the beach, studied the tide pools and took in the beauty of it all. Though we had to wait for a table, it wasn't really crowded because it was actually a "gated" little place where you had to pay to get in. We opted to pay the $3/4hr restaurant option and it was plenty of time for us there. I've posted a few pictures of our day below. 

 "Hanging on for dear life"

 ~Two Cuties~

 Mom and Dad

 A sign at Paradise Cove ~ it truly was such a nice, family-friendly place

~Lollie Lou~

Happy New Year!

~Angela

We went to the library today and did a study on the state of California using some printables I found online. While the olders looked up the state flower, bird, motto, etc., I took great pleasure in the opportunity to read to Laura in another part of the children's area. Eventually she wanted to be doing what "the kids" (her term for them) were doing so thankfully I'd copied some things for her. Below is a picture of her with the California state flag she colored. And she even wrote her own name at the top.

Then later as we were discussing various things, I asked "the kids" what direction they were facing when we were at the ocean yesterday. Of course they said, "West." But then I asked, ".....and if you set sail in that direction where would you end up?"  Excitedly Douglas replied..."I know! I know!...um....well, if you sailed straight ahead you would probably hit Japan...or is it China? And if you sailed a bit northwest, you might land in North Korea."  Honestly I was amazed to tears. Just when you begin to fall in that "I need to be doing more" trap, something like this happens. I don't know when I learned where China/Japan was in relation to America but (unfortunately) I can assure you, it wasn't in the fourth grade!

Blessings to you from some Texans learning about California

~Angela

Happy Monday!!

We had a grand time yesterday celebrating Sarah's 11 birthday with a picnic at Griffith Park. We also discovered ponies rides, a train ride and a carousel that we'll go back for another day.  After playing in the park a while, we drove around scouting out the Hollywood sign as it's in the same park, just on the other side of the hill. I've posted the best shot with the least amount power lines....

 And there's been a Jay Leno sighting! The boys had to take the truck in for some repair and while walking back and forth to PepBoys, they spotted him driving through Burbank in one of those old cars. I suppose he collects them? I don't know....we really don't watch Jay Leno, but it was fun for them to see the old car and a celebrity driving it! Phillip got back to the hotel and showed Douglas his picture on the front of the Burbank phonebook.

Ah...the world of make-believe.

With love......Angela

~Happy Birthday dear Sarah~

Today, Sarah is 11 years old. She woke this morning to gifts beautifully wrapped by her loving brother. We'll have cake and ice cream later this afternoon, but first, we're heading out to the park for the day.

Blessings from California

~Angela

~Good Morning~

We had a really good day yesterday. The children did all their schoolwork and later in the afternoon we walked over to Target. It was so fun just knowing all we had to do was walk back. Shopping tires me out and it's not my favorite thing to do so anytime it's easier, I'm thrilled! As we left the hotel, I took this beautiful picture of the view as we see it as we're walking over to Target. There are houses in the hills. You may be able to see them between the second and third palm tree from the left of the picture.

We probably won't make it to the beach before the weekend. It's about an hour away. Phillip is very busy with several meetings and such and I'm not going too far without him. I talked to Mom this morning and during our conversation she asked if we'd seen any movie stars yet.

I told her I doubted very seriously we'd frequent the same places to which she quickly replied, "Oh no, I know Morgan Freeman filmed part of movie in Target!"  .....well, I'll admit I have been scoping out the people around here! It's kinda funny though, I wouldn't know a movie star if they were staring me in the face! We don't watch a lot of TV and rarely go to the movies. Mom would love a picture of Robert Redford and I'd know him, of course.

Love from a Texan in sunny California

~Angela

We were home just two short weeks when Phillip got word that he would be needed in Burbank, California. We left the day after Thanksgiving and made it here last night. It was an incredible trip complete with an afternoon at Grand Canyon National Park. I'll be posting some of my pictures here.

All is well here. The children have already started their schoolwork and we'll venture out this afternoon, testing the waters. The freeways are fast and furious but as long as we have a map, we'll do fine. Phillip is a great driver and I'm the navigator. The hotel is next door to the Lowe's where Phillip will be working. He walked over there this morning. In the same parking lot/shopping center is everything we need within walking distance. Target is first on our list as the kids got an early Christmas surprise from their Uncle Bear and Aunt Natalie on Thanksgiving Day. Thank you! So, those gift cards are burning a hole in their pockets as you can imagine. Christmas shopping will be SO fun this year. It's all right here!

Here's the first of many pictures of the Grand Canyon.

With love from sunny California   ~Angela

We will be heading home tomorrow morning. For some reason, the Lord wanted us here today. As the day wore on it became very apparent that His handprints were everywhere. So we embraced the day with thankfulness; we got all of our laundry done, hitched up the U-Haul, emptied the small storage space we rented for a week, and the kids went swimming this evening one last time.

We are ready.

See you in Texas~