Home again

I am back in Arkansas. God graciously said yes to all my prayers for travel and my time in California. He provided peace the whole time prior to flying. I even slept soundly the night before, that has never happened before. The flights from Little Rock to San Jose were very smooth. I did get a little lost in the DFW airport only because I misunderstood where my next gate was. Let me tell you there is no Gate C34 at DFW :) I had plenty of time to get to the correct gate, grab a cup of coffee and call my mom and Richard to let them know I was in Dallas. From DFW to San Jose, I had prayed for a good seatmate. I sat next to a sweet girl (well, young woman) who was on her way back to CA. She had just moved there 2 weeks before and had been home to visit family and "walk the platform" to get her Master's degree in physical therapy. We literally talked for 3 hours. She comes from a christian background (a preacher's daughter) Some things happened in their family that left a really bad taste in her mouth for all things christian. We talked about the sovereignty of God and how he is in control of the bad things and they happen for a reason. Another great thing about sitting next to her was God used her not only to help me concentrate on something other than myself and flying but He also used her to prepare me for Dawn's reaction to my new self. I haven't blogged about it but I have lost alot of weight since January. B (my seatmate) told me that her dad had lost a lot of weight from one time she saw him to the next. She thought he was sick and she was concerned for him. Dawn knew I was losing weight but she was still overwhelmed. She cried. She said she wouldn't have recognized me...I have changed alot and she hasn't seen me like this in over 19 years.

My time in California was precious to me. Getting to know Judah, playing with him was all sweet times for me. I haven't laughed so much in I don't know how long. Matt is very funny and makes it easy to laugh and we seem to think the same things are funny. I am so grateful to the Lord for allowing me the time to be with them and giving me a husband who was/is willing to sacrifice for his family that way. Twelve days is a long time for a couple to be apart. (Autumn knows all about that, multiplied!)

My flights home were just as smooth at the ones out. I know most people aren't liking the really hot weather but it does make for smooth flying :) I got to see a lady lose it at the Dallas airport and security had to be called...interesting but sad.

I miss Judah and Elijah (Dawn and Matt too). For some reason though, I can't figure out why, I just cry when I think of Elijah's sweet face, smell, and the feel of his head when I kiss him. I absolutely fell in love with that tiny guy. I'm sure glad I don't have to wait to long to see them all again. We are helping them move into their new apartment in MD in September. How many days, Matt??? I leave you with this, enjoy :)

And this :) I couldn't resist. Big brother/Little brother

The Esparza Grands

I am in California helping Dawn and Matt. Sweet baby Elijah arrived Tuesday, July 31 at 9:38 am. He weighed 7 lbs. 12 oz and was 20 inches long. Dawn is doing really well. She and Elijah will come home tomorrow. I should say Matt is doing well too as is Judah. Judah did seem to have somewhat of a melt down late this afternoon but he is teething and did have a bit of a fever on top of all that is going on in his life. Here are a few pics. Some are different than Dawn's blog some are not. Enjoy :)

Just a few hours old

Sweet family time


My happy Judah-man

Not the most flattering picture but his eyes are open :)

Elijah is so sweet. He has such a kissable head. His little mouth is just so tiny and well...sweet. You just want to kiss him. I will say though when it is time to eat you wonder how anything so small could scream the way he does. He has very strong lungs :D Today Judah touched Elijah without prompting for the first time. Elijah's toes were sticking out the blanket and I showed Judah. He very carefully touched E's little toe with his finger. It was very cute and would have made a great black and white photo...if a Nini had had her camera ready. I hope you all enjoy the pics. I know there will be more to come.

The Bruckman Grands

I have been able to spend quite a bit of time with Autumn, Erik, Hailey and Noah. Some special time with Noah when he was in the hospital. He got some sort of virus and became pretty dehydrated due to a high fever. He was a good little trooper in the hospital...so was Autumn :) Nothing like having your husband go out of town, then have a child go into the hospital all while you are needing to be getting ready to start nursing school. She is a better woman than I am. Here are a few pictures.



Yesterday we were at the pool. I shouldn't be in the sun so much but it is impossilbe to resist Noah when he says, "Nini I want you in the water!" It is in a cute voice. The BGs are getting so tan!!! I call them my brown babies. Yesterday BJ said that Noah looks chocolate compared to her :) Here are pictures of our fun yesterday.

Hanging out with my grandkids...

gives me good/funny things to post about. Andy and the kids came over for dinner tonight (Aut had met a friend from High School for dinner) We had chicken. Erik ate one and a half chicken breasts (shock) Later Erik, Hope and I were having a conversation about how much Erik had eaten at dinner...

Me: "Erik ate one and a half chicken breasts at dinner."

Erik: "Are those woman chicken b**bs?"

Sometimes it is really hard not to just crack up. I explained that it was different because they are chickens and not people. We had a good time. If you are interesting in the chicken it is Cranberry Chicken posted at Savary Sensations, link on the side under "links".

March Madness part 2

Okay, to continue...After the Seventeen mile drive day we mostly relaxed, cooked together, enjoyed one anothers company and Dawn and I did some shopping :) Friday, Dawn made the cupcake cones and birthday boy cake. I have never made cupcake cones so I was curious how they worked. I imagined trying to stuff the edges of the cupcake papers under the lip of the cones, which in my mind would make a huge mess and wouldn't be worth it. But you don't do that you just set the cone on top of the cupcake paper filled with batter. Dawn was up very late making these. When she was finished she covered them with plastic wrap to protect them...we didn't think about it or know what would happen, but that wasn't the best idea:












The cones became quite soft and some of them bent over. It was quite funny. So we frosted them and then Dawn wrote the words on some of the cupcakes. You know the words "Happy 1st B-day" then the birthday boys name. Now Judah has been around for a year now and I know Dawn reads her Old Testement but this is what she wrote:
Again, it was quite funny. The "Y", in Juday, came off easily and she wrote an "H" in its place, but we (I) forgot to take a picture of the corrected
birthday "cake"! There was quite the spread for the party. We had little PBJ sandwiches, little pigs in a blanket (may I say, YUUUUMMMM),baby goldfish, pretzels(I think) cupcake cones, and punch. Oh, the punch is another story. We got the bright idea (I think it was Hope's) to get Sprite and put tropical punch Kool-aid in it. No one thought about the fact that if you put a packet of Kool-aid into a FULL bottle of Sprite that spewing type things may happen. Yes, the Sprite bubbled up and spewed. Sorry, no pictures of that one :) Matt had the brilliant idea of pouring half a bottle of Sprite into something else then adding the Kool-aid. He is sooo smart. The punch was good.

The party was at a park close to Dawn and Matt's apartment. It was a beautiful day(Thank you, Lord, for answering our prayers). As we reached the park we realized that both picnic tables were occupied. Yes, I said both. I couldn't/can't believe this park only has two picnic tables, but I digress. One table was occupied with just stuff, not people. So Dawn found the people who owned the stuff and asked them if we could use the table for the party. They graciously said yes and moved thier stuff.
So we set up. Doesnt' it look great:
Quite a few people came, including some of Dawn and Matt's neighbors. It was nice to see and meet the people Dawn and Matt have become friends with in California. (For those friends who might read my blog, thank you for loving Dawn and Matt while they have been there).
Soon it was time for cake. The tradition of letting the 1 year old dive into the individual cake. It is always much anticipated. The excitement builds and Judah....well he wasn't to much into this idea. Dawn actually had to mash his hands into the cake. This was all that he did to his cake. Actually that is what Dawn helped him do. After she mashed his hands in the cake he didn't attempt to eat it or touch it again. You can click on it to get a better idea of what he didn't do.

Okay...it has been so long since I started this post, I have forgotten what else I was going to say. Suffice to say we had a great time!! I need to post more often don't I. Now on to the rest of life...I will try to get up some posts on what we did in April and May but next will be a post of yesterday at the pool with the Bruckman Grands :)

Kids say the darndest things :)

My sweet granddaughter Hailey...she makes me smile. There are a couple of people who blog the funny things their children say. I really enjoy reading those posts. Today I have a post of a funny thing Hailey said. I have some skin tags on my neck, quite a few actually. Hailey has often asked me about them. Saturday the children were here and once again Hailey noticed the skin tags, here is the conversation:


Hailey: What are those? (she is touching them)
Me: They are skin tags.
Hailey: They look like worms.

I'm smiling thinking about it. Autumn was standing there, I wonder if it was one of those "why does my child say things" momments. (I was not offended) I will say the skin tags are coming off though. I have thought about it for a long time, partly b/c Richard doesn't like them so much...neither do I for that matter, or the way they are removed. I just can't have "worms" growing out of my neck though!! :D

March Madness Part 1

No I'm not talking about basketball :) I'm talking about the FitzRandolph's March Madness. It began March 3rd. Hope attended her first homeschool spring banquet. She looked so pretty in her bubble gum pink dress.
She had a great time. They had the students make 5 minute "movies" and had a film festival. She and a couple of friends did a newscast. It sounds like they had fun making it. They didn't win but Hope said the group that did win deserved it.

Early on March 4th found us boarding a plane for a flight to California. Judah turned 1. My sweet husband blessed me, at Christmas, with a trip to California to celebrate with the birthday boy. Here is a pic of Hope as she waited for us to get our rental car in San Jose...does she look like she is used to traveling or what?
We had a good time visiting Dawn and Matt. Poor Richard had to work on a lecture almost constantly while we were there but he did take some time for fun. One glorious day we went on the "Seventeen Mile Drive". You pay $9 per car and drive around the Pebble Beach area. The houses are amazing but the shoreline is....well, it is God made therefore it is just incredible. Let me share the view with you!
This is a picture of a place where the waves go in three different directions. I think it was call "The Restless Sea". This picture is of a place called "Huckleberry Hill". Alot of the bushes were covered with small purple flowers, I assume they ripen into huckleberries. This picture is of the first beach we stopped at. I love the water, the sound and smell of the ocean. I could have stayed there all day except..... it was stinkin' cold and windy!!! As we traveled around "the drive" we came to "Bird Rock". There are birds all over that rock. The are quite big birds too. We also were visited by some little squirrels. They were fearless. Obviously they are quite used to people and being fed by them. Click on this pic of Dawn and Judah...you can see Dawn's smile. I think she liked that the squirrel came to visit them. We continued on our drive and came to the Pebble Beach Golf Club icon. It is this tree. I didn't know they had an icon until Dawn told me. We also saw some wild life, other than birds and squirrels...Sea otters and Seals
Here are a few other pictures that I don't think need explanation. Coming soon parts 2,3,4...not sure how many...it has been a mad, crazy month :)

Jumping on the quiz band wagon

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Lightbulb moments

If you read this blog you know that I have a tremendous fear of flying and I have to do it a couple of times every year. Well, a couple of weeks ago it was time to make plane reservations. These were happy reservations. We are going to California to visit our daughter, son-in-love and grandson. Happp times, right? Well, I confess I waited 3 days to make the reservations thinking, "maybe something will happen and we won't be able to go." The possibility was there, homeschool testing is during that time. After 3 days I realized that I was letting my fear of flying keep me from making the reservations...that is called sin. After wrestling with my heart for a few minutes I got on the computer and made the reservations, with pounding heart and sweaty palms. Second part of the story....I go to a ladies bible study at our church on Wednesday nights. We are studying Jerry Bridges book "The Practice of Godliness". (making plane reservations isn't necessarily practicing godliness). In the study you have to look up verses(duh) I was reading Psalm 103, which I have done many times in the twenty years I have walked with the Lord, but it was as if I was reading ver 10 for the first time in my life(hence the title of this post).

"He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities."

I was undone. I was in my van. I was crying. As I read those verses I realized the simplicity of that verse. Then I realized that my fear of flying (see it does tie back) is based on a low view of God. I expect Him to use a plane crash, my survival and all of the pain and suffering that results as a form of punishing me for not being the "good christian" I'm suppose to be. God doesn't punish me form not living up to His standard. Jesus took all the punishment I deserved. This has been amazingly freeing. God in His goodness has taken away the fear. This happened a week or so ago and I haven't been afraid since then. I am so grateful. Truely there are no words to express my graditude to my Lord for this release. He is good all the time and He will be good no matter what happens on that plane...though I don't expect anything to happen :) Please praise the Father with me!!!!

Lovin' my blog

A - Available or single: Neither - I'm married. I thought single meant available?(left Gina's answer, it was a good one :)
B - Best friend: Besides my husband, hmm, that is a hard one...my mom or Kay or Jennifer or...
C - Cake or pie: can I have my cake and pie too??
D - Drink of choice: Coffee in the morning, tea or water in the evening, when out to dinner with my hubby for special occasions a glass of white zin.
E - Essential item you use everyday: Deodorant
F - Favorite color: Pink, Red or Purple
G - Gummy bears or worms: Bears
H - Hometown: Hometown as in now? Central AR. Where I grew up? Southern AZ
I- Indulgence: Spending to much time on the Computer
J - January or February: February...Valentine's Day and some flowers start to bloom
K - Kids & names: Three - Autumn Lea, Dawn Marie and Hope Renee'
L - Life is incomplete without? God
M - Marriage date: August 20, 1988
N - Number of siblings: 4, 1 sister 3 brothers... all younger than me
O - Oranges or apples: Apples with peanut butter
P - Phobias or fears: Flying
Q - Fave quote: I don't know that I have a favorite quote. I'll think about it and get back to you
R - Reason to smile: My children and grandchildren :)
S - Season: I love them all, they each have a special attraction to me.
T - Tag 3 or 4 people: Dawn, Autumn and....Tracie in TN, you know who you are...I still can't access your blog :)
U - Unknown fact about me: You want me to give away deep dark secrets??? I used to be an alcoholic...BUT GOD :)
V- Vegetable you don't like: Lima beans blah, shiver
W - Worst habit: is a bad habit the same as a sin?? I really spend to much time on the computer, I know I have mentioned that twice now...does it give you an idea
X - Xrays: Well, my husband reads them so they are a good thing for us ;)
Y - Your fave food: A good steak with tiger dill sauce from Outback
Z - Zodiac sign: Libra if it really matters. I happen to think it doesn't

Christmas 2006

Praise God for His most indescribable gift!!!! He alone is worthy of praise not just today but everyday. May each of you have a joy-filled Christmas day as you celebrate the birth of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. My prayer for each of us is that at this time next year we will be walking more closely with, finding more joy in and loving more deeply the Lord of glory. For those who read this who may not know the Lord of glory, I pray that this time next year you will know Him as your Lord and Savior.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Christmas Questions...Answered

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? My husband's egg nog milkshakes, adult or non-adult version is fine with me.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree? who is Santa??

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Colored...although I could be convinced to go white I'm sure.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? We don't need misletoe to get/give kisses here :)

5. When do you put your decorations up? Usually the first weekend in December

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? hmmm, that is hard. My mom's stuffing, Janet's layered salad, my sweet potato casserole

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? Opening Jojo and Edbaby's presents on Christmas eve after we decorated the tree

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I have no idea

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? We did when I was little, but not now

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? various balls, Hope's ornaments from Nonie and Gramps, quite a few ornaments that explain the reason for Christmas, irridesent beads and a gold crown of thorns to remind us why Jesus came...the crown is my favorite ornament

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? If I've no place to go and it's warm inside, let it snow.

12. Can you ice skate? umm, not sure I've ever tried

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? growing up a doll my mom made, when I was 16 the Hope Chest my dad made and as an adult...not sure there have been alot

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Family.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? my Dad's pecan pie

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Pancake breakfast; new Christmas pj's;

17. What tops your tree? a gold crown of thorns

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Both.

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? O Holy Night...especially when it is sung by T. Murray

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? I can take them or leave them

Okay, okay....I'm blogging

My goodness go five or six weeks without blogging and...well, people threaten to stalk you :)

Let me see since the last time I really blogged (blog things don't count). My life really isn't all that exciting. I have been busy with school with Hope and cheerleading. She is a cheerleader for the Pulaski County Flames This was at her most recent game. I am surprised and how much I enjoy the games. I thought I would be more interested in wathcing the girls cheer but I'm finding I get quite caught up in the games. They are really fun.
Thanksgiving was good. Autumn, Andy and the kids came down from Cleveland and Dawn, Matt and Judah flew in from California(on a plane, for all you funny people out there). They all spent the day with the Little Rock Family, while Richard,Hope and I went to Texarkana, like we always do. The plan was to get up Friday morning and decorate the tree/house for Christmas. Have Christmas on Saturday morning and then New Year's Day on Saturday afternoon (Beans and corn bread by Nonie). Well, when the girls and their families got home someone said something about presents. Autumn and Dawn looked at me with somewhat puppydog eyes. I said "if we open presents tonight we are not decorating tomorrow" They said fine, so it really is all about the presents ;) So we opened presents

It was fun and I think everyone really enjoyed what they got. It was great having everyone here. The one sad note( we actually had two, Autumn had a misscarriage while she was here. She had just found out that she was pregnant. Unfortunately I don't think I was very supportive :( my bad) was that all three of the Bruckman kids got sick with a horrid cold or something. I think they are still recovering. One night Hailey really scared us. We thought we were going to have to take her to the ER but at the last moment her breathing eased and she stopped choking. I think the Lord intervened on her behalf (Thank you, Father). Judah started getting sick the day they went home. After everyone was home Autumn, Andy, Dawn, Matt and I got sick. THEN (drum roll) Dawn called and asked "can I take sudafed if I'm pregnant?" Yes, Dawn is expecting again :) Judah and the baby will be 17 months apart. So, Dawn was sick, then found out she was pregnant then called today to say that the doctor thinks she has the flu :P I wish there was something that could transport you around (think star trek) I could go help Dawn, then go help Autumn with the move...OH I forgot to mention AUTUMN AND ANDY ARE MOVING TO LITTLE ROCK!!!!!!! My word, how could I forget that. (Aut, please forgive your dense mom...you may have an idea of why I'm a bit fuzzy typing this. hehe) The Bruckmans will be moving to LR the first of the year. This is an answer to my prayers...ones that I thought were impossible for God to answer (again, my bad) I'm so grateful that He is faithful even when we are not.

Okay, so I'm thinking about what I have written and everyone should be caught up with my girls :) Maybe that is why I don't blog often...I don't really have anything to blog about me...maybe that isn't important. I am learning alot in our sunday school class on marriage...but I will save that for another blog :D I will leave you with pictures of the most adorable little people
I hope you all enjoy this...who knows when I'll blog again...oh yes, I forgot about THE STALKER!!!!

I'm bored...blogthings comin' at ya

You Are a Glazed Donut

Okay, you know that you're plain - and you're cool with that.You prefer not to let anything distract from your sweetness.Your appeal is understated yet universal. Everyone dig you.And in a pinch, you'll probably get eaten.

What Donut Are You?

You Are Impressionism

You think the world is quite beautiful, especially if you look at it in new and interesting ways.You tend to focus on color and movement in art.For you, seeing the big picture is much more important than recording every little detail.You can find inspiration anywhere... especially from nature.

What Art Movement Are You?

You Are 55% Normal

While some of your behavior is quite normal...Other things you do are downright strangeYou've got a little of your freak going onBut you mostly keep your weirdness to yourself

How Normal Are You?

You Are Strawberry Ice Cream

A bit shy and sensitive, you are sweet to the core.You often find yourself on the outside looking in.Insightful and pensive, you really understand how the world works. You are most compatible with chocolate chip ice cream.

What Flavor Ice Cream Are You?

Reeses Peanut Butter Cups

Very popular, one of you is not enough.

What Kind of Candy Are You?