Chillin

Hanging out with my aunt Kristin!


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Black Friday

Santa,


Add this to my list!! Hehe


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Sleepy...too much turkey!

That turkey sure does make a guy tired!




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Holidays Almonds

Honey roasted almonds! Yum! We are just finishing up all our dessertse for the Thanksgiving feast at Ken's parents house. More later.


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My Successor

Hunter and Wade picked me up from work today. We are heading down south to my parents house. Let's hope traffic is not too bad.







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Hunter 'Mac Man' Little

You never can start learning about computers too soon!


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Dear Santa,

My grandma Julie introduced me to a horsey at Costco. I really liked riding him! I would really like to have him for Christmas. I will be a really good boy, I promise.

Love and cookies,

Hunter


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BJ's ..... Yum

The best pizza ever....and beer!







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Jessup University Dinner

Last weekend Wade and I went to a fundraiser at the Christian College in Sacramento! The pictures just arrived in the mail! It was an hounor to share in an evening all about God fearing college students. It was also fun to play dress up...doesn't Wade look HOT!!!





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Get to work

We are waisting no time teaching Hunter what both Wade and I do at work. Today Hunter came with me to learn about almonds and how to produce safe and healthy food for people to eat! He loves almonds and Monte Vista Farming!




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I love Miss Rachelle!!

Rachelle has become a part of our daily lives and our family. She spends time with Hunter while Wade and I are at work. Hunter and Rachelle have been making some real fun Thanksgiving crafts. Here is a picture of the Indian Cheif Hunter! Hunter is learning all about the history and meaning of Thanksgiving. We are thankful for many things including Rachelle!


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Xmas is coming!!

Well we only have a short while until Xmas is here...time to start shopping soon. Renee and Hunter are getting into the Xmas spirit!




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Sheer Joy

My Mom and Dad came into town this weekend! On Saturday night we attended an annual Christian College fundraising dinner in Sacremento. This dinner not only was a powerful reminder of how God is at work in students lives at Willium Jessup, but of how God is alive in my life. Exactly one year ago I introduced Wade to my parents and to my unborn son! That was a VERY challenging weekend, but I have once again seen that when there is a great challenge there is great opportunity for God to work.

Once in awhile I hear people cast down judgement upon women that have children out of wedlock...for a quick second I puff up in defense...then God breaks me. He has taught me that each and every person has their own story and their own trials. I am forgiven and I have been blessed beyond my wildest imagination through Wade and Hunter. I look forward to sharing my heart and the joy I have found in my mistakes with the people I encounter...becuase I have learned it is not the mistake that defines you, it is what you do about it.

Thanks Mom and Dad for everything you have done this past year for Wade, Hunter and I. You have stood beside us, loved us and encouraged us. Your visits are never often enough. I love you more today than ever. Here are a few fun pictures of Grandma and Grandpa with Hunter.

Loyalty

My man is as loyal as a lion!

He has been working at Sun Mircosystems for 10+ years and despite the turbulent waters for the past several years and generous offers elsewhere, he has not jumped ship. In today's society that is honourable. This morning Sun publicly announced an 18% reduction in force by sometime in January. OUCH!

God takes care of His own...I believe this with my whole heart. I know that Wade's loyalty, his intelligence, his time and his hard work will be honored and recognized.....by me, by Hunter, by God and hopefully by Sun.

Pray for all these families that will be affected. Be thankful for each meal, for a warm place to sleep and for all of the blessings you have in your life.

I love you Wade. I admire your loyalty to Sun, to our God and to our family. I will proudly and lovingly stand beside you forever. XO

Let's...

Another bad day in the stock market has landed this down turned economy too close for comfort.

People close to my heart are being touched by these down times....all people are being touched.

Divorce rates are on a radical incline.
Suicide, stealing and anger are becoming real life options for some.
Lay Offs, company closures, consolidation and deep budget cuts are happening in EVERY business.
Retirement is now not an option for people that had worked hard and prepared for it.
Fear, Doubt and Worry have filled the minds of most.
Depression has sunk in for many.

It is in the hard times that the true character of people emerges. What does your character look like?

Let's do something. Let's get up and make a difference. Let's have FAITH that God will provide for us. Let's LISTEN to his plan and choose to FOLLOW it.....where ever it may lead us. Let's PRAY with purpose and expectation. Let's WORK harder than we ever have before. Let's LOCK the devil out our minds, our hearts and our souls....there is only room for GOODNESS, FAITHFULLNESS and JOY.

The Cabin

I Love Yosemite!

When Hunter turned 3 months I went back to work...and right into Harvest. This past weekend was the first time Wade, Hunter and I have been together for more than 24 hours. What a treat!!

We got to Yosemite Friday night and just in time for steak dinner. Saturday we ate our traditional breakfast burritos and headed into the park. The valley floor was full of color. A few of the falls were still running and what a sight they were. The air was crisp and cold. The combination of sights and sounds were beautiful beyond words. It was food for my soul.

This was the first time that Wade had the chance to really spend time with my group of friends from college. He enjoyed seeing Nathan and Hunter together!

Saturday night we lit a bon fire and allowed the heat to warm our cold toes. Ericka encountered a few bugs on her way down to melt her chocolate...BIG bugs! I laughed harder than I had in a long time watching her run from these bugs!

My favorite part of the evening was playing catch phrase. We would break out in contagious laughter over and over. It was like I was back in college and we were all living next door again.

Every night was full of these moments. Now we are all becoming adults. Falling in love, getting married, having children....the best part is that we still get a chance to get together to celebrate life together. One popular quote has become a truth in my life and that is "You are who you hang out" I am kinder, smarter and a better person inside and out because of these people. Thanks Skye, KMoney, Sis, Ken, Ericka, Sam, Nathan, Wade and Hunter!! You all have been put into my life with such purpose from the Lord. You are a gift to me and I treasure each of you.

This cabin and these moments will forever be ingrained in my heart. It will be the last trip to the cabin ever, and I have tears running down my face as I type these words. The cabin was sold with the land around it and new chapters of life and living have been planned for the Smith family. Thank you Allan and Joan for sharing your special spot with us! Hunter will forever hear about this cabin and this monumental trip to "the cabin".

The Pressure is ON...

WOW...what a crazy day. I feel like the minutes are slipping through my fingers. One of my favorite things about my perfect son is that time seems to stop when I am with him. Everything else fades away. My worries disappear. My heart swells with gratefulness that God chose Wade and I for Hunter. I miss him more today than ever before....I could use a Hunter moment right now.

The partners meeting is Wed and this is a big and important meeting for me. I have a huge presentation and I want to win them over! I am praying for clarity of mind and speech. I am asking for wisdom and guidance. I am hoping for open ears and eyes as I cross new bridges.

Yosemite was amazing. I have so much to share as my heart is full of moments that I will remember forever. I will post a few of the best pictures tonight and share a bit about why this was such a special weekend.

Take a chance today....on love, on life, on God! Big things are happening and God want to use you if you will let him.

Enjoying the day!

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Yosemite!

We are here


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Test Results

We got the test results back and they came out negative! So we are off to Yosemite!

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We are...

We are clean
We are healthy
We are alive







We have each other
We are loved
We are saved by Jesus Christ

Tonight Wade and I watched a show about a young boy named Job who suffered and endured more than any child should. Through cancer, lung transplants, a failing body and much much more this young boy and his family celebrated what they had...each moment, each smile, each laugh. Everything and every second were a gift.

I am reminded that the biblical Job said "Naked I came into this world and naked I shall go out, blessed be the name of the Lord."

With great suffering comes great reward and with many blessings comes many responsibilties!

Thank you Job

Birthday Girl Sophia

Sophia is one of my favorite little girls on the planet! She is always in a good mood, she is not a picky eater and she is a knockout (watch out Hunter and Alex!) She turns 2 today! Wade, Hunter and I went to celebrate on Tuesday night with them. Steve, Natalie and Alex were there too! We always have so much fun when we are all together. The kids are running around, laughing and playing, we are eating good food and drinking good wine and we are talking about life and everything going on. These are some of my favorite moments.

Happy Birthday Sophia! We love you!!

I am working away today. I want to work on a presentation I have for a partners meeting next week. It is a big meeting and I really want to be prepared. Hi Ho off to work I go:)

Poop

Everybody poops! Hunter has been pooping a bit too much these days so we went to the dr and the dr said everything seems ok but let's run some tests to be sure. We have to fill these 5 jars with poop. That is going to be a task for daddy day...hehe.

Let's hope everything is A ok so we can go to Yosemite this weekend like we planned!



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At the dr with dad...

Today we are at the dr as Hunter has been having some problems...I think blowing out 5 outfits a day is too many!!


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Mondays!!

I work Saturdays and still my Mondays are insane!! I just got this new camera system and I love it... I am everywhere at once. I told everyone about the cameras but you would never believe the things some of the employees do right in front of the camera! I wish I had sound, guess I better work on my lip reading skills!




I hope you are have a productive day too!

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Hunter's Trumpet

Hunter has become quite the musician! He loves toys in general but toys that sing are his favorite!!


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Sunday breakfast

Renee preparing our normal Sunday breakfast! Hhhmmm good!



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A Rainy Day

Lainey Hudgins was born on Friday 10/31. She is an AMAZING gift to Amanda and John! They are a beautiful family. Amanda has a yellow lab like Laredo, and I cannot wait to hear how Freddy reacts to the baby. I can only assume he will lick her, protect her and love her. Walking with Amanda through these last few weeks have so much reminded me of when Hunter was born. I guess all births will remind me of my own. My heart leaps out of my chest with love, admiration and respect for women who go through pregnancy, labor and birth. There is something about the process that instantly connects us as mothers and women. I am so grateful to have such strong and faithful women in my life. I am proud of you Amanda and I cannot wait to meet Lainey! XO

I love the rain! It always brings a fresh, clean and earthy smell. The last few days we have gotten around an inch of rain. It is the first real good rain of the season. It has been dry and clean at work until now, which is nice. When it rain while the almonds are still in the field we always end up with a wet moldy mess to deal with in the plant.  We brought all the almonds in from the field last week....perfect timing!! 

Hunter has been sick the last few days. We have been laying low around the house. He is blowing through over a dozen outfits a day, poor kid. He is in the best mood, despite his ailing body. He has been handing out endless smiles and in a very snuggly mood. I love moments like those....where he snuggles right up into my arms. I love being able to comfort him. We are going to spend most of the day doing my favorite thing...laundry and errands! 

Here is a snap shot from Halloween night as Shrek. We stayed in because he was so sick, but we still put him in his costume for a few quick pictures. We enjoyed seeing all the kids come to the door. The longer I live in this house the more I fall in love with the neighborhood. There are really good people who are doing what they can to raise their families and do things right. 

I went on a walk this am and there were so many people out cleaning up the fallen leaves, chatting with their neighbors over steaming coffee and they all waved and smiled. I need to do more to get to know them! There are a few, that need help. One of our neighbors is a few months pregnant and outside smoking every morning. We also think she is using drugs. I wish I could help her to realize what she is doing. Right now I am praying specifically for that child and that I might have direction on what move to make...if one at all.

Enjoy your day! XO