Happy August

August, time of sunshine, playing at the park, fishing at the Pier, enjoying family and resting up for the school year that is just around the corner.

Above is a picture of Yosemite Valley in Northern California. On the left you see the taller peak is "Half Dome". Lauren, 16, just returned this week-end from a week long trip with the Landes family. She, along with 5 others, hiked up to the top of Half Dome. Luckily, I didn't catch wind of the hike until it was over and everyone was safely down. May I just add that Lauren has no hiking experience, they did not use safety devices. Apparently the top is all rock and the park has attached a cable running up the rock. There are "shelves" every 5 feet or so. You can hold onto the cable and climb up to each resting shelf. I am really proud of her for pushing herself to complete it but goodness gracious what these children get themselves into.....

August is an exciting time for our family. Matthew's birthday is this Saturday. He will be 8. Lauren will be taking Matthew to the X Games on Thursday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. They will be attending the skateboard events and are hoping to get a piece of Shawn White. Lauren has been a fan for years and years.

This Sunday, Lauren will be leaving for her second trip to New Orleans. She will be going on this missions trip with our church Hope Chapel. It will be a different group of kids going but many of the same leaders. She will again be ministering to the community and helping to clean up and rebuild.

Matthew has a trip planned to Seaside Lagoon and a camping trip with his Dad to Catalina Island. Both trips are with the Cub Scouts.

Mike and I will be celebrating our 12 year wedding anniversary on the 20th. Ahhh the love just gets sweeter and sweeter each passing day. May I just say how honored I am to be Mikey's wifey. His love knows no end. His kindnesses and plentiful. His forgiveness is quick for this silly lady who messes up daily. His patience is extended hourly for this family of growing flowers. He helps us "weed the garden". He guides us with a loving hand used with gentleness. Sounds a lot like Jesus, a man He is trying to emulate. Well done Mikey, well done.

That pretty much brings us swiftly into our new school year at the end of August.