First Tea in our New Home

Our CBS group didn't meet today since schools were closed for the holiday,

but several of us wanted to gather anyway, so we had Tea here.

Hopefully, this is just the first of many in our home and others'.

Meet Noelle, Sally Jo & Carrie. Carrie brought her sweet daughter, Marissa,

who played games with Tiffani.

It's ALWAYS a blessing to share time with sisters and I was so blessed today!
Just filled to overflowing.

Menu:
Frittata *
Blueberries
TJ's Orange Cranberry Scones
TJ's Chocolate Croissants
Tiffani's homemade Pita Chips and Dip
Apple Cinnamon Tea
Orange Juice
TJ's Organic Breakfast Blend Coffee

* I substituted pancetta for the bacon and chives for the green onion.

Annual Apologetics Conference

Tiffani and many of her desert friends have been reading books written by Joel Rosenberg...his fiction and non-fiction writings.

Today she and 2 of her friends (Sierra & Krysten) heard him speak along with Ergun Caner, Norman Geisler, William Dembski, Lee Strobel, and Ron Rhodes at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. The church was hosting the Veritas Evangelical Seminary's Annual Apologetics Conference.

After Mr. Rosenberg spoke, he was available to sign their Epicenter books and talk to them about visiting Israel. The girls were able to share with him that their Theology Book Club read and discussed Epicenter a few months back.



Joel Rosenberg signing Tiffani's book.

Graduation II

I found more pictures from Tiffani's June 2010 graduation on Jeff's iphone last night! Enjoy!

Other Graduation pictures can be seen HERE.

Pre-Grad HOPE pictures. And here she is Jumping for Joy!

Graduates presented: Elizabeth, Tiffani, Elissa & Josiah


Cap toss!





Karah

Jerry & little Josh

Hannah

Patti & Dale

Sierra

Grammy & Helen



Senior Grad Mamas: Anita, Traci, Susie & Kathy



Elissa



Christine & Ashley

Alyssa ~ Special Speaker, 2005 Homeschool Graduate, 2009 Vanguard University graduate and Tiffani's former babysitter! :-)

Corn Maze & Hot Fudge Cake

Tiff's Teen Scene group went to a Corn Maze on Friday night. I didn't take pictures ~ surprise! And Tiffani didn't either as she left her purse in the car. I'll post more as we receive them from friends.



After leaving the maze, we drove to Bob's Big Boy ~ haven't been one in over 20 years at least! Had to have my favorite ~ Hot Fudge Cake...brings back childhood memories and evidentally not just for me! LOL!

Here's a picture at Bob's of her former Girls Bible Study group.
(Karah, Hannah, Tiffani and Sierra)

Brunch at Pelican Hill

OK...I think today concludes my 10-day birthday celebration! LOL!

After church today, we had brunch at the Pelican Hill Grill. It was a gorgeous day and you can see the ocean in the distance of this picture.

Our sweet girl enjoying a laugh and French toast.

Gratitude is
the memory of the heart.

~Jean Baptiste Massieu

What a difference a year makes. Last year around this same time I was in the midst of an incredible health crisis. Today I am thankful to be here and alive and loving & being loved by my family and friends. I am truly blessed.

Sending love and hugs to all of you who share my life in the big ways and the small ways...

Courtesies of a small and trivial character
are the ones which strike deepest
in the grateful and appreciating heart.

~Henry Clay

Birthday at Babe's

I told my hubby that I feel so blessed to have so many friends/sisters with such beautiful hearts. I felt so loved today as I shared time with Yvonne, Leslie, Phyllis, Dani, Bethany and Lyndi. When Lyndi asked where I'd like to go for lunch, the answer had to be Babe's. It's one of a kind and I haven't found anything like it out here yet.

Everyone of these beautiful women brought their daughters (Hannah, Lexi, Chloe, Hannah, Tiffani & Sierra...we're missing Karah in this picture!) to share time together at their own table.



A big THANK YOU for your kindness and thoughtful gifts. I am truly blessed!

Friendship is a treasured gift,

and every time I talk with you I feel as if I'm getting richer and richer.
~ Anonymous

Western Mystery Party

We had a beautifully FULL Day today! We started the morning at Melissa's home and enjoyed our time chatting and playing with Elizabeth & Joshua, then had lunch at Babe's (pictures above).

In the evening, while I enjoyed some precious time with our Dinner/Movie group: Bethany C., Yvonne, and Christine (we missed you, Marny!), Tiff's Teen Scene group had their 3rd Mystery Dinner Party tonight.

Previous themes: Pirate and 1920's Puttin' on the Ritz. This one was a late-1800's Western Theme. Tiffani played Annie Maluver (Animal Lover) ~ the town Veterinarian.



Several of the girls got ready at Sierra's home and have Karah to thank for their hair styles. In fact, Karah played a Beautician in the mystery.




Sierra was a traveling Shakespearean Actress and Lexi was the town Librarian.






The Guys

The Gals

Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World

Tiffani and I drove out to the desert this afternoon after CBS, so she could attend her Theology Book Club and I could meet with my MaryMartha group. We are always so thankful and filled up after meeting with the special people in these groups. That's why we can't let go of them (for at least this school year!).

If you haven't read Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, we'd all hightly recommend it. Joanna Weaver has this amazing ability to teach by using personal story and images to create a new awareness in her reader. I'll be honest I bought this book, because I was compelled by the title and thought it was going to be one of those easy reads that I call a "bathtub book." You know...a good book, but easily read without pen in hand...good reminders and confirmation, but nothing really deep.

Was I in for a surprise when I attempted to read the first chapter in the bathtub without a pen! I had to put it down. And it was several months before I picked it back up...when Bethany suggested that we moms, who meet while our children discuss their books on Thursday night, should also read and discuss a book that would help us grow.

I suggested Ms. Weaver's book and we spent the summer reading, meeting and discussing it. And our time together has been so lovely! Filled with insight and hardship and joy and prayer. This little group of women has turned out to be one of the most precious groups in which I've ever participated. What an incredible blessing!

Packing and Moving...

Well...our 10 weeks (70 days) were complete on September 1...and we arrived safe and sound to our new home. Big THANK YOU's to Dani, Leslie, and Phyllis who got me where I needed to go as I was car-less in the days leading up to the move. Dani and Leslie for driving me around town for errands...and Phyllis for driving Tiff, Wiggles and me to our new home last night. It was such a blessing not having to worry about a rental car, which as it turned out would not have worked anyway.

Many of you received our first email after our arrival. Wiggles was my biggest concern, but he had an exceptional drive out here. He gave a brief "MEW" every 10 minutes or so to make sure all was fine. I'm sure he was comfortable since he was in his buggy with his favorite blanket and listening to the soothing harp music Tiffani had downloaded on her iPhone.

Empty...


Last dip in the pool...

Full...

Phyllis, Traci, Tiffani & Sierra in the new kitchen...









It's late, but they're playing Jinx!

Lucy Lovers Unite!

Tiffani has wanted to host an I Love Lucy evening all year. I'm so glad she was able to do so before we move next week. Four of her Lucy-loving friends were able to attend.

Lucy Lovers:
Sierra, Kendel, Karah, Samandra & Tiffani

If laughter is the best medicine, their immune systems skyrocketed tonight. They watched 6 episodes and acted out their favorite scenes afterward.

Crazy Lucy Lovers
(Tiffani's holding the Vitameatavegamin bottle)

Westfield Mall Fashion Show

Tiffani and Sierra were in Westfield Mall's 3rd Annual Fashion Show. This was Tiffani's 2nd year and Sierra auditioned this year & was selected. So fun to watch the kids & adults in our community up there on the stage.

Sierra & Tiffani on Rehearsal Night


Makeup


Hair











Tiffani in the mirror while Sierra's hair is styled.


Modeling for Aeropostale

Finale

Sierra, Tiffani & Samandra

All done!
Alexandrea, Sierra & Tiffani