wait upon the LORD

This week at church, Pastor Josh Matlock's message was:
When God is Silent
Mark 7:24-37

Josh hit three main points that God wants to teach us:
The need to be PERSISTENT
The need to be HUMBLE
The need to have FAITH

We know that God's love is unconditional and unfailing! I hope you know that! If God sent His own Son to die for us, not sparing Him, you must know that there's nothing He wouldn't do for you! So when we dig into this scripture, we see how even if He is silent and we don't see our prayers being answered...its only because He is drawing us closer to Him! God's silence isn't because He doesn't care, in fact its the total opposite. The more we ask and pray, the closer we're drawn to God. So then if/when we don't hear from Him just know that He's close...and He's drawing you closer! Be persistent! Humble yourselves before Him, He will meet you where ever you're at in life! And have faith that He only wants the best for you...and He will never leave you, nor forsake you! (Heb. 13:5) God wants to bless us and give us HIS desires for our lives, which doesn't necessarily mean what we want, but what we NEED!

strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord

Isaiah 41:10
'Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'

1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you!

Our growth leads to maturity
and maturity to a deeper relationship with God!

ATTENTION Young Adults!

Bethany Baptist Church is calling all Young Adults (ages 23-35) for a fun-filled MOVIE NIGHT! This Saturday night, June 27th at 6:30pm the Young Adults group is getting together to build relationships, fellowship with one another, and have some much needed fun together! We would love for anyone interested to join us and make some new connections with some really good people. Please contact me if you're interested and I'll give you the directions (post a comment with your email and I'll send you the information).

Our church is seeking to grow our Young Adults Group and would love to involve you! If you are at a place in your life where you don't feel connected and would like to find a place where you fit in, this is for you! We get together for fun nights out, whether it be bowling, lunches after church, movie nights, etc. and are encouraging others in the community to join us. There is also a weekly Bible Study happening on Sunday nights that is focused this month on the book of Proverbs. We would love for you to join. If you want to carpool and are located around Upland, let me know and I can come pick you up!

the upland street fair

Tonight little Annie and I strolled along the weekly Thursday night street fair and farmers market in downtown Upland. The crowds were out and the vendors plenty. We enjoyed the music from the band playing in the gazeebo, while checking out the booths and peeking in the stores. I stumbled across a cute little sign that I will hang on my wall at home from the Christine Mason Miller Collection. "everyday a new story begins" - I love it! I found it at the Speckled Hen. I also stopped in at the Sideboard, a super cute store that you MUST check out!, to visit my sweet friend Judi. Then I was off to continue my journey through the fun-filled streets. The flower stands were gorgeous, and Annie and I sat for bit while I indulged on a super yummy carne asada burrito from one of the local vendors. MMMMMMMM, Good!! :) Annie was very popular with the crowd too...she was loved on by many! And with the weather warming up, the summer evening stroll through the street fair was a nice way to kick off the weekend. It was very enjoyable and entertaining. If you haven't checked it out yet this season, you're missing out! Get on out there and enjoy some of what Upland has to offer! We sure had fun! :)

boot camp...kicks booty!!!

Whoa! Tonight's Boot Camp with Holly kicked my booty!!!
Bethany Baptist Church offers a free weekly Boot Camp on Wednesday nights for ladies. If you're interested, please leave a comment on this post and I'll give you the information...and here's a link to the church website if you'd like to learn more about what they believe, service times, etc.:
Bethany Baptist Church

Holly's passion for being physically fit and helping others on their journey towards that is inspiring. She's admitted her love for food and eats whatever she wants, but makes sure to work out that much harder to stay fit. She looks GREAT too! Anyway, the Boot Camp offers a variety of exercises in a circuit training way. You start off warming up and then get down to business. I don't necessarily enjoy being pushed so hard, but in the end I feel great! You will too, if you come join us!

What also makes getting together on Wednesday nights for Boot Camp great, is the fellowship with such great women. If you know me at all, you'd know that I wouldn't be excited to exercise, haha :) Its hanging out with everyone that I love! So if you're like me, get off your booty and come on out...even if its just to socialize! You'll not only feel great after the workout, but you will leave feeling connected and your spirits will be lifted. These ladies are great! Please come join us next week, we'd love to see you there! :)

After boot camp tonight, some of us ladies went out for some yummy Quiznos and Cold Stone ice cream. Ok, some of you might think..."what's the point of boot camp if you're gonna go eat afterwards?"...well, hello!!!!! - that's why we exercise, so we can eat! :) hahaha!!! Anyway, that's what we did. And it was yummy!!! More girly time, which is always fun...and then a full belly after a long workout. Lovely!!! THEN...Holly, Thiam and I went to the movies and saw "The Proposal". It was very good, and one I'll probably buy! I LOVE MOVIES! :) Now its 1am and I'm tired, but am here blogging. I think I'll start working towards going to bed now.

But seriously, you ladies should think about joining us on Wednesday nights...I mean come on, where else can you get a booty kickin boot camp for FREE???? :) Do it already! :) See you there!!!

relax & refresh

While the cats away the mice will play! heehee :)
My cousins went out of town for a few days and so I took advantage of their pool today! I spent the day lounging and swimming, and enjoying the beautiful weather! Although it did get pretty warm today...hot actually! But the pool was so refreshing! It felt so good to cool off and swim! I found myself sitting in the pool reading magazines more than laying out on the lounge chair. Oh, and it didn't hurt that the hill behind the pool in their backyard is so beautiful, you feel like you're on a tropical vacation while you're laying in the sun with it in view! :) It was a very relaxing and enjoyable day!! I could get used to more days spent like that!!! :)
Thanks for offering me use of your pool, guys...it was a great day!

filled with joy

One of my favorite things to do is hang out with the girlies!
Tonight I spent the evening with two of the sweetest girls,
Kristy and Krista Matlock.
I LOVE THESE GIRLS!!!
We didn't do anything extravagant...we just had some yummy Starbucks and walked/shopped around the Montclair Plaza. We had a few laughs trying on sunglasses, but got serious so as to find Kristy a pair for the summer. And we found a cute little comfy outfit for Krista to wear this week after her surgery (pray for her on Wednesday!), and I found a couple sundresses to wear camping in a couple weeks. Our night of shopping was a complete success!! :)
And everything was on sale!!!
Can't beat that! :)
Anyway, the best part of the evening was just being with these two special friends. I love that we have been able to spend more time together lately and I am for sure looking forward to more girlie nights :)
I love you girls! :)
Thank you for being you! Your friendship means a lot to me and I hope I never take it for granted. I'm realizing more and more that God has everything worked out and that being back in the Inland Empire is for the better. He has surrounded me by amazing friends and family and is drawing me closer to Him. I appreciate so much that you two are a part of that and am filled with joy. :)
I hope you two have a fabulous week and I'll see you soon!
Goodnight!!

Father's Day

I AM BLESSED!
Although my dad passed away nearly 16 years ago, I have not been left fatherless. I have been blessed with amazing influential men in my life, one man in particular is my sweet friend and father-figure Tom Matlock. I have known him my whole life (since birth) and have been taken care of by him in the last few years like I was his daughter. Tom and Judi are very loving and caring individuals who God has blessed me with and knew I needed in my life. They call me their adopted daughter, and I love it! Today I had the pleasure of spending a few hours with them and their family celebrating Father's Day. We had a bbq and ate some really tasty food, watched Tom's grandkids play in the pool, and we spent some time in fellowship with one another. It was a beautiful day! Tom, I love you and thank you for all your love, support, encouragement, and guidance you've shown me throughout the years. You are a true friend and have been a father that I needed when mine couldn't be here anymore! Thank you, and Happy Father's Day!

Me and TomTom with his twin sons (the other two sons live in TX)Tom's grandkids...

I was also able to talk on the phone with another special man in my life...my new stepdad Ray-Ray. My mom remarried a little over a year ago after being widowed for many years. Ray has been a blessing to not only my mom, but our whole family. He has been a wonderful addition to our family and I couldn't have asked for a more loving and wonderful stepdad! He is the most thoughtful and caring man I think I've ever met! God has truly blessed me again by this man. Ray-Ray, thank you for welcoming me into your life as a daughter. I appreciate so much the lengths you have gone to in helping me with the job hunt, the understanding and care you showed me during some hard times I've faced this year, and the love you've shown me throughout the time I've known you. We all feel blessed to have you in our lives and I'm so thankful that God brought someone so amazing into our family! :) Happy Father's Day, Ray-Ray! :)

Then this evening I was able to spend some time at my cousin's house celebrating Father's Day with their family and my Uncle Bill. We had a nice time catching up, reminiscing, eating yummy bbq food, and enjoying each other's company. It was a great way to wrap up such a wonderful day. I love my family so much and thank God every day for blessing me with such amazing cousins! Don and Cathy have been such best friends for me this year. They too have welcomed me into their home and made me feel like one of their own :) Thank you for being so wonderful and allowing me to be a part of your lives! You two are so special and have truly been a blessing this year! I love you guys!!! Happy Father's Day Don! :)

I do wish that I could've spent this day with my dad, but our Father in heaven wanted him at His side...And who wouldn't? :) He was an amazing man! :) I am sad that he is no longer here with us, but do feel so priviledged and blessed to have had the 14 years with him that I did. My dad was awesome! I had the best childhood with the most loving and amazing parents! My most special memories are those from when I was a child spending time with my family...whether it was at home, outside playing pickle, camping at the beach or Yosemite, at church, watching my dad play softball with the men at church, enjoying time cuddling on my daddy's lap...just a few of my favorites! Life is good, and life is short. Don't take for granted what you've been blessed with, you never know how long you'll have it. Take time to appreciate your fathers, not just today but everyday! Enjoy the time you have together and make lots of memories! :) And remember to thank God for all you have!

John 1:12-13
[12]But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,
[13] who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

I may not have an earthly father anymore, but I have an eternal Father in Heaven who loves me and has saved me! You too can have this...John 3:16.
Thank you Jesus for all your blessings!

what's on the inside?

create in me a clean heart oh God
and renew a right spirit within me

We sang that song today in church and it was perfect for the message that Pastor Josh Matlock gave.
Clean The Inside
Mark 7:1-23
So, here's the question...
What's on the inside? What's going on in our hearts?

So on a normal day we go about our business, whether it be going to our jobs, hanging out with friends, watching tv or movies, listening to music. I know that I'm guilty of not paying enough attention to the little things that I allow into my mind and body each day, but that's just it! We need to pay attention to what we put into our minds! What we put in our minds does affect us ...what our eyes see, and our ears hear.

"The Inside is What Counts"
(read vs. 20-23)
We need to work on the sin that is in our hearts.
- Our thoughts prompt our actions:
Evil thoughts in our hearts activate evil out of us.
- Take your thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:3-5):
We need to learn to control our evil thoughts.
Ask yourself...Is this obediant to Christ?

Your Thoughts Matter!!

Replace the bad and evil thoughts
with good and righteous thoughts!

Josh closed the sermon with some scripture verses to help in our times of struggle and need. He encouraged us to memorize them and think of them when evil is present in our lives, to take control of the sin and focus on being obedient to Christ. We were created in the image of God, so we should live each day striving to live as He lived, holy and righteous!! You too can use these verses to help you when you encounter evil and sin and need help (we all need help!):

Immoral Thoughts: Philippians 4:8
Angry Thoughts: Ecclesiastes 7:9
Unforgiving Thoughts: 1 John 4:20
Unloving Thoughts: 1 John 4:11
Covetous or Greedy Thoughts: 1 Timothy 6:7; Ecclesiastes 5:10
Lazy Thoughts: Proverbs 14:23
Thoughts of Gossip: Proverbs 20:19
Critical Thoughts: Matthew 7:2
(I referred to a couple of these already today and it totally changed my mindset and helped free me from the evil that was present!)

What is the desire of your heart?
Is the most important relationship you have with your Lord and Savior??

Its a choice to live holy...how do you choose to live each day?

Sin is not freedom...Its bondage!
See if there be some wicked way in me;
cleanse me from every sin,
and set me free!

Romans 6:11-23
[11] Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
[12] Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body that you should obey its lusts,
[13] and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.
[14] For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law, but under grace.
[15] What then? shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be!
[16] Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?
[17]But thanks be to God, that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were commiteed,
[18] and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.
[19] I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification.
[20] For when you were slaves to sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.
[21] Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death.
[22] But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to god, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.
[23] For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

VBS 2009

Vacation Bible School
June 15-19, 2009
at Bethany Baptist ChurchThis week was VBS for the youngsters in the community. Bethany Baptist Church held VBS for all kids 3 yrs to 6th grade with fun games, skits, snacks, crafts, songs, and Bible stories. The theme was Kingdom of the Son (african safari/jungle-ish). I was so happy to be able to have my cousin's daughter Paige go to this week of fun and learning at the church. It was fun for me as well, as I stuck around all week watching the kids, visiting with friends, and singing the fun songs. SkitsCraft Time:Games:Friendships: Lessons:
Pastor Josh Matlock dressed up as a game show host for the kid's Bible Story Time. LOVE the wig Josh! heehee :)
Bracelet of God's Truth and Salvation...
Black: Our Sin
Red: Jesus's blood for our sins
Clear: Washed clean
Blue: The Holy Spirit comes into our life
Green: Growth in Christ
Gold: Heaven and the streets of goldThe Challenge:
The leaders challenged the kids to bring friends this week to VBS. They told them that the team who brought the most friends would win a prize and the group that had the least amount of friends would lose, and their leader would have to drink something gross! Well, Paige's team lost...they didn't bring as many as the other groups. So her leader was given a pretty nasty combination of ingrediants blended and poured into a glass...Anyway, the week was great and Paige had a fun time. It's nice that there are events like this for the community and hopefully it will encourage the kids to bring more of their friends to church. Paige made some new friends and is excited to see them again at church! :)

my 5 mile accomplishment...

The last few weeks I've been hiking with my cousins up at the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park. There's some trails up there and we've been out there walking/hiking trying to get further and further up the hill...each time getting a bit farther. Well today my cousin Don was the only one who could go, so we headed out there in the heat of the day and started on our journey. It was a hard hike today, I wasn't feeling it. It was hot, I was hungry and tired, and I really didn't feel like doing it. But Don's a good encourager and he wouldn't let me give up. So we kept at it, and we did it....we made it around the whole trail! Or should I say
"I finally made it"
since he's already done it. haha :) The trail we've been working on is a total of 5 miles, mostly up hill!!! I always get excited for the walk down the hill...that to me is the best part! haha :) Anyway, I'm glad that I accomplished that! Yippee!!! Thanks Don for not letting me give up!

At the top of the hill...
I had to take a picture cuz who knows if I'll ever do that whole trail again! It's a hard one (for me at least)! :)Looking down at part of the trail...With the city view...check out all the smog! Gross!
(that's California for ya!)

midnight dogs

Well, last night was my night to stay over with my Gramma. I arrived around 9pm and I spent a couple hours just visiting/catching up with my Uncle Duane and Gramma. My Uncle left around 11ish and then Gramma and I continued to chat. At midnight we decided we were hungry and so we made some super-duper yummy chili cheese dogs! There's nothing better...
than a MIDNIGHT snack!!! :)
Am I right?...or Am I right? heehee :)Anyway, we ended up talking till all hours of the night and at around 3am I decided it was time for me to get some much needed beauty sleep! So I went to bed and laid there for a long time...who knows what time I actually fell asleep! Gramma said she didn't go to bed till after 4am (she's a night owl for sure)!
WE'RE PARTY ANIMALS!!
After getting little sleep, we spent our day today shopping! Boy, do we know how to shop! We're two peas in a pod when it comes to shopping! We have so much fun together, its great! Thanks Gramma for a fun-filled day! I love you and look forward to our next slumber party and shopping day! :)

happiest place on earth...

D I S N E Y L A N DLast night, two of my very sweet friends, Thiam and Holly, joined me on a fun-filled evening at Disneyland! After VBS (which I will blog about at the end of the week) we headed out to The Happiest Place on Earth! We arrived, and the park was packed!...Crowds everywhere! Not really my cup of tea to be there when its super crowded, but it didn't matter...I was so excited to to finally get to Dland again, as it had been about two years! And we had a great time! The girls taught me some tricks to do while on certain rides to make them a little more exciting (you'll have to go to Dland with us sometime to learn them) and we had lots of laughs! It was so fun to be there with them, chat about life and family, and just spend good quality time together. I love these girls! Thanks ladies, for such a fun evening! Let's do it again soon!

The MatterhornTea Cups
(No, I didn't actually go on them...this is the one that doesn't move! You wouldn't want me to throw up, would you? heehee)Thunder MountainIndiana Jones
(check out the worker posing in the background! haha)FantasmicPirates of the Carribean
There's a poem that I found in my dad's Bible, attached with paperclips to the front page, and it goes like this (author unknown)...

HUGS
It's wondrous what a hug can do.
A hug can cheer you when you're blue.
A hug can say, "I love you so"
Or, "I hate to see you go."
A hug is "Welcome back again,"
And "Great to see you! Where've you been?"
A hug can soothe a small child's pain,
And bring a rainbow after rain.
The hug, there's just no doubt about it -
We scarcely could survive without it!
A hug delights and warms and charms,
It must be why God gave us arms.
Hugs are great for fathers and mothers,
Sweet for sisters, swell for brothers;
And chances are your favorite aunts
Love them more than potted plants.
Kittens crave them, puppies love them;
Heads of states are not above them.
A hug can break the language barrier,
And make travel so much merrier.
No need to fret about your store of 'em;
The more you give, the more there's more of 'em.
So stretch those arms without delay
And give someone a hug today!

1+2+1=4

During my morning hike with my cousins today, up in the Claremont hills, we were making our way up the hill and sure enough...there was a DEER crossing the path! Yes, you heard me...a deer! How cool is that?!!! We were super close to it, its just too bad I didn't have my camera with me. It was so peaceful, just mosying on its way through the brush trying to find some breakfast :)

[that's 1...]

THEN...

So today I saw my very first coyote! Yep, that's right...my very first one! I was pretty excited, and very glad that I was inside a car and safe from it! After our hike, we drove to Cathy's office so she could pick up some papers she needed for the day. As we were driving into the parking lot, there was the coyote running across the golf course - with golfers stopped in their tracks watching it run by/inbetween them. I thought it was pretty cool!

THEN...

As I was leaving my cousin's house tonight (midnightish), there was ANOTHER COYOTE running down the center of 11th Street! Um, hello!!!!...can we say STOKED! So cool to not only see my very first coyote today, but then to see a second one! Awesome!!

[that's 1+2...]

and THEN...

As I continued my drive home tonight, totally amazed that I had just seen another coyote, I nearly ran over a possumm that was in the middle of the street! GEEZ, what's up with all the wildlife today??

[that's 1+2+1=4]

...4 wild animals in ONE DAY!

Anyway, I thought it was a pretty cool day seeing all the wildlife! :) I'm reminded of how awesome God is, just by seeing the creatures He created right there in front of me...these animals that don't usually all show up in one day, ya know? The beauty of the deer crossing the path seeking food...the coyotes running through public places on a journey of their own...and the possumm on his nightly prowl seeking survival - Life in all shapes and sizes is all because of our Almighty God. How blessed was I today to see part of His beauty right before me! :)

Psalms 42:1
As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for Thee, O God.

I will leave you with this thought...if you find time within the next couple days, I encourage you to read through Genesis 1 just as a reminder of God's Creation and how mighty He is! We all know the story, but sometimes we just need to reflect on it again and just take time to truly appreciate even the little things that He created, like the gross possumm I saw today, the beautiful deer, and the scary coyotes! All created with a purpose unknown to me, I am so glad that I was able to appreciate God by seeing them. I hope you too will be blessed and touched by things you see this week. Please take a few minutes to read through this chapter, it won't take you but a few minutes and I think you will be glad you did. I always find it nice to sit outside in nature (backyard/frontyard, anywhere you want) while reading it so that I can soak up all the goodness as I'm reading. You'll see, as you're sitting under the beautiful sun & sky, and the breeze sweeps by...its pretty impossible not to feel His presence! :) I pray you feel Him walking with you during your week!

Take time to appreciate the little things!! :)
No matter how little they may be to us, they are big to God!

Romans 8

At church today, Pastor Josh Matlock gave a great sermon on the passage of Mark 6...when Jesus Walk on Water. Everything about the service today was touching. I truly felt God's presence there, and a tugging at my heart. During the message Josh mentioned another passage, Romans 8. I spent some time this evening reading through the chapter and prayed about how I can change some things in my life and live less of the flesh [the world] and instead live according to the Spirit of God. I encourage you, my friends, to take some time to read through this scripture as well! I hope you too will find this as a good start for the new week and motivation to get on the right path if you aren't already. I know I struggle all the time to make the right decisions, and often fail. But I've been so blessed by this day, with the great sermon, amazing Christian friends that I was able to see at church and have lunch with, and God's Word and Spirit that give me life! I hope that I can be a friend that you need this week and I pray that you will all feel His touch on your life! I love you all and look forward to hearing how God is working in your lives! :) Please, do share!!!

I will leave you with this verse...
Romans 8:38-39
[38] For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
[39] nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I LOVE YOU & GOODNIGHT!

Links:
Bethany Baptist Church
Romans 8...Deliverance from Bondage/Our Victory in Christ
Mark 6:45-56...Jesus Walks on Water

BUNCO!! let the good times roll...

The women of Bethany Baptist Church had a Bunco night tonight. Ok, so before tonight I didn't think I had played Bunco before. Well I had, but not since high school! So needless to say I needed a refresher! It sounded easy enough with the instructions, but I started off losing pretty bad. But after a few rounds, I got my groove with the dice and started to do pretty well! :) It was a great night...there was food, fellowship with wonderful ladies, lots of laughter, tons of BUNCO's yelled out, and great prizes! It was loads of fun! AND I actually did really well! I tied with a couple other women for the most buncos and so we had a roll-off...unfortunately I rolled a 5 and someone else rolled a 6, so I didn't win the prize. But, my sweet friend had won a prize [a ring] that wasn't her style and didn't think she'd wear, so she gave it to me. How sweet is that! :) Thanks ladies, for inviting me to game night! I look forward to many more evenings spent getting to know you better!

dinner with my girlies

Tonight I met up with a couple of my girlies for dinner at the Rainforest Cafe at Downtown Disney. Joy was in town for the week spending time with her family at the Happiest Place on Earth and asked if Beth and I would meet up with her for dinner one of the nights she was in town.
OF COURSE WE WOULD!!! :)
I was excited to see my girls...it had been WAY TOO LONG!
GOOD food
GREAT conversation &
BEST friends!
There's nothing better than that!!!!
I love you girlies! Thanks for hanging out...see you later this summer!

Me and JoyOh, and how cute is Bethie all prego!! :) Congratulations again Beth, I can't wait to meet your little girl in a couple months!

welcome home!

Jeremy and Krista Matlock return home!Celebrating their 1 year of marriage tomorrow [Congratulations!], the Matlocks return home from their missions work in Russia. It was so great to see them again, and learn about what God has been doing in their lives, and the lives of those they've been sharing with in Russia. Tonight was their Welcome Home party in the beautiful backyard of Tom & Judi Matlock. All of their friends and family were there to welcome them home, it was very nice! The food was good, the yummy smoothie/coffee truck drinks were delish!, and the fellowship was wonderful. The only thing that slightly went wrong was the weather. Having an outdoor party with June Gloom was rough today...it was definitely gloomy and actually rained! But umbrellas came out, people took cover under trees and overhangs, and we still enjoyed the time with everyone. You can't let a little bad weather ruin a good time! :) Anyway, welcome home you guys! I have missed you TONS and can't wait to hang out soon! HUGS!!!

get'n some exercise

So this week was the start to get'n myself out of the house a bit more and doing some outdoor exercising! My cousins Don and Cathy asked me to go walking with them up in the Claremont hills on Monday. I decided to go with them, but what I didn't realize was how much of a hike this was going to be. Because we all haven't exercised that much lately, we started off with only two miles...one mile up and one mile down. Hopefully we'll be able to do the whole trail soon, its about 5 miles total. Anyway, it was nice being outdoors and in nature! The view on the walk/hike was beautiful and you just feel so energized after you exercise, don't you?!!

Then today we went on a bike ride on the path that goes from Upland to Claremont (it goes all the way to Rancho too, but we started by our houses). Their whole family went on the ride and I met up with them at the path (right inbetween our two houses). We did the ride, which I think was probably a total of 6 miles or so round trip. We stopped in Claremont and had dinner and then rode back. It was fun! I love riding bikes!

Well, its a start!
Hopefully we'll continue to exercise! Lord knows I need to! :)