The Little Man

This past weekend, we had to visit the "little man" and his parents! He is growing up so fast and it is always fun to see the changes each time we get to see him. Jayden is indeed a very happy guy!He is more fun to play with now because he is interacting more and more with everything and everyone that is around him.

Jayden always has such a ready smile-especially for his mommy! And he loves playing and bouncing in his Exersaucer!

Sun, Sand & Water

Last Sunday, we had a relaxing afternoon at Laguna Beach. The ocean is always a good place to go when one needs to just unwind after a busy week...

M&B had joined us for the day. This was their first visit to Laguna Beach.

Sam-dog loved being at the beach and never tired of fetching the ball!

While walking along the beach, Bec & I saw these beautiful murals painted on the remnants of some old cement walls. We thought of Jared...

The happy, expectant parents...

...and the gorgeous sunset.

The perfect ending to a day.

A Fun Date

On Friday evening, we went out on a date. After a very busy week that centered around everyone and everything else, we just needed a few hours with only each other!

First we went to a wonderful movie, "Fireproof. " We would highly recommend this movie to everyone! Since we attended the afternoon matinee, we still had several hours of the evening left. After dinner at a nearby restaurant, we drove to Brea.

Throughout the summer months, this beautiful city hosts a Music Festival on Friday and Saturday evenings. Several blocks are cordonned off, and a stage and chairs are set up in the street. Different musicians are invited to perform and many vendors provide food and other services for the crowd that comes. The open-air concert that we attended that evening was a jazz concert.
We joined many other people and sat on the steps of the movie theater that was just across the street from the stage. My husband happens to love jazz, so this was one of the best ways for him to relax after a hectic week! We loved sitting outside on that pleasant evening, and being able to stroll up and down the streets as we enjoyed the sound of the band. We decided to post a video so that you could share in our evening...

We also decided that a treat was in order...so we enjoyed some delicious ColdStone ice cream!

It was the perfect ending to a perfect date!

Lasting Friendships

We are so blessed with friends from all over the world! Not only are we forming new relationships now, but we are also blessed to renew old friendships. Having worked for many years overseas, and having endured similar trials and difficulties, we learned to treasure our friends there in a precious way. Last week we had a visit from some very precious friends...

We have known Jim and Karen for many years. Although we served with two different mission organizations, we were knit together in one spirit under the Lord that we loved and served. These dear people have just retired after serving as overseas missionaries for the past thirty years. We thank God for the many lives that were changed because of their willingness to sacrifice for His kingdom.

These two Jims have actually known each other since childhood. Since both of them had missionary parents, they grew up as TCK's (third culture kids) and became friends when they attended missionary boarding school as children. Later on, they both returned to the land where they were raised, and worked as adults, often working together as they served in the same role in their respective mission organizations.

No evening like this would have been complete without inviting more missionary friends! We were happy that Steve and Doreen and Chuck could also join us for the evening. Jim and Karen had lots of pictures to share with us...

...and lots of stories to share! We talked and laughed about our many shared experiences. Jim also told us about their most recent visit to an area that was located less than 100 miles from where we used to live. They showed us pictures and told us stories about the recent (to all of us anyway!!!) discovery of dinosaur tracks! Our evening visit went by all too fast, but we know that there will be more to come. Thank God for friends!

grandparents day,etc.

Last Sunday was Grandparents Day, and this was our first time to celebrate the event with this precious little guy! He has certainly changed our life this past year, and we praise God for him!

We are so thankful that his parents were willing to come and visit for the day. We appreciate every time we are together.

Happy Grandparents Day! M&B also came to spend the day. And they got some "parent-practicing"...

We are excited for this second grandchild to be born in a few months!

This week we said good-by to a dear friend. Elaine is moving to another state to be closer to several family members. We will miss her so much but know that God has prepared the way for a new and exciting future. God's blessings, Elaine!
This morning we were privileged to be part of an honored group from our church. We were invited to a "Senior Appreciation Luncheon" hosted by our women's ministry leaders.
Not only were we waited on by our lovely hostesses, we were also served a delicious Italian meal. There were about twenty people in attendance and the fellowship was so sweet! We are so thankful for the many new friends that God has brought into our lives in the past two years.

that sweet little face

Yesterday afternoon, J&K dropped by for a visit. We were so happy to see them and also delighted to spend time with Jayden, our precious grandson!

He's growing up so fast! He now has his two bottom teeth and he is constantly drooling and chewing on things...

He sits so well now and loves to play. There's that ready smile!

He loves to be outside in the stroller.

All set for bed in his brand new PJs!

That million dollar smile that we treasure so much!