She Can Swim!

So I was hanging out with my Cousin Cathy and her kids last night...
Paige wanted me to come over and go swimming with her, and she also wanted my little dog Annie to come along. So we headed over there after work. Shane, Cory and Paige showed me some of their drawings they had been working on, and Paige gave me a couple very special ones. She drew a picture of me with Annie...its so cute:
After that, we ordered some super YUMMY pizza and chatted for awhile. Then it was pool time. The kids really wanted to see if Annie could swim, so we gave it a shot! And what do you know...she is a GREAT swimmer!!! (she's a pro at the doggy-paddle...haha!!)Annie didn't really like being in the water, I think she was swimming for her life out there! But it was fun watching her, so I kept putting her back in. Does that make me a mean mom? haha :) Anyway, Annie and I had a great time at their house!

My Photo

Exciting news for me...

I answered an ad for Budget Travel Magazine to submit a photo taken of fireworks. So I submitted my photo from the 4th of July and guess what...It made it into their online slideshow as one of "17 of the best" photos submitted by Budget Travel Readers!!!
Here's the link if you want to check it out... Readers' Fireworks Photos in Budget Travel Magazine

15 YEARS

"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted"
(Matthew 5:4)

Wow, 15 years ago today my dad died. Sometimes it feels like it was just yesterday my dad and I were sitting on the couch crying together because we were both scared of what was going to happen, knowing that he only had a few weeks/months to live...then other days it seems like its been a lifetime! I know that he is in a better place, HEAVEN!, free from pain and suffering...but I'm selfish and wish he was still here. No matter how old we get, its still hard not having our dad around. I was 14 when he died...well, it was a month before my 15th birthday. I was so young then, and now being an adult it isn't much easier. But it is weird how life goes on, even though you think its the end of the world. I am glad that I had those 15 years with him though...I couldn't imagine growing up without a dad around at all, I think I'm lucky. Well, for those of you who are so blessed to still have your parents and loved ones around...take advantage of the time you've been given, you never know when it will be taken away!

Please be careful when you decide to go in the sun.
It is very harmful and can be deadly....be prepared!
MELANOMA - are you at risk?

The Dan Vasquez Memorial Library is located at Chino Valley Community Church.
Every year, the church puts on a Dan Vasquez Memorial Golf Tournament. If you are interested in participating, or sponsoring this event, please contact the church office at (909) 606-4848. The monies raised go towards scholarships for students going into full-time ministry, and the Memorial Library.

A Stamp In My Passport!!!

I did it...I bought my plane tickets today!
I'm flying to London for 2 days and then Paris for 5 days!
I leave September 3rd and come back on the 11th
...leaving me the weekend to recoup from the time change.
I'm so excited!!! I can't wait! :)
Turning 30 is going to be pretty great,
now that I'm finally getting a stamp in my passport!!!

Jyll's Bridal Shower

Jyll & Tommy

Tonight we celebrated with Jyll the coming of her wedding. We showered her with fun sexy gifts that she and Tommy will enjoy on their honeymoon!! :) It was a very nice party and she was totally surprised when she showed up. I guess we have some good secret keepers out there! We played some fun games...one of which I won, yea me!! We also did a game where we had to design a wedding dress out of toilet paper - we had to use our creative side! heehee...fun times! It was great spending time with all the ladies. Congratulations Jyll and Tommy!!!
Jody & Jyll
Toilet Paper Wedding Dress Game
Auntie Lin, Dawna, & Jody
Grandma, Jody & Duana
The Group Shot

Hyde Family Get-Together

Since my Uncle Marvin, Aunt Joyce, and their grandson my 2nd cousin David were in town, our Hyde family got together. We had yummy BBQ food, home-made ice cream, and good conversation. Its always nice hanging out with the family. This time was especially nice because my cousin David is in the Reserves and is leaving for Iraq in September. I'm glad we had the chance to spend some more time with him before he leaves. David's mom (my cousin Lisa) and sister are coming out here in a couples weeks for a visit, and hopefully we'll all get together again. with Grandma & Grandpa

Pictures from the 4th of July with DavidDavid & Annie on the 4th of JulyDavid with Shane & Tommy
David, Christy and I

***Fireworks***

Happy 4th of July!!!
My patriotic babies, Cali and Annie

Well, this is my FAVORITE holiday! I love the hot summer weather, spending the day at the beach, family bbq's, and firework shows! Ah, its so great!

I woke up this morning all geared and ready to go! I packed up my beach bag, put on my bathing suit, loaded my bike in the car, grabbed some bottles of water, dressed my dog (in her cute little patriotic outfit) and headed on my way! I made it out to the beach around 11am and parked about a mile away. I unloaded my bike and beach stuff, put my dog in the basket, and headed on down towards PCH. Oh my goodness...the beach was PACKED! So many people out for the 4th its crazy! Um, yea...at times it was difficult to ride my bike because of the crowds. But it was so nice being at the beach today. The weather was perfect, I got to ride my bike along the beach (close to 10 miles), my little Annie got her first ride in a bike basket :), and I got a tan. We also stopped in at my favorite little pizza by the slice place, Rubino's Pizza. It was good to see the owners again, and they let Annie come inside and even gave her some water. It was a warm welcome, and a hot one - they have no AC :) - but it was all good. They have the best pizza!!

Once I was pooped from all the sun and crowds of people, I headed back out to the Chino area and stopped in at the Matlock's party for a bit. They had all their kids home for the holiday as well as their friends over. I stayed there for a little while, had some nice bbq chicken and fresh fruit, chatted with some friends, watched Tom go down the water slide, and then headed over to my cousin Cathy's party.
Uncle Marvin, Aunt Joyce, and Cousin DavidTom & JudiTom going down the water slide

My cousin's party was the last on my list for today. I live down the street and around the corner from them, so it was nice to end close to home. Their party was so much fun! I've never hung out with my cousins outside of family get-togethers, so this was nice. I also got to see my Uncle Bill, who I haven't seen in about 7 or 8 years!! It was good catching up time. Lil Annie had some fun too, lots of attention. Later in the evening, the kids were having fun with some fireworks in the driveway and then we got our chairs and blankets and went on the front lawn to watch the fireworks show they were doing at the local high school down the street. They had great patriotic music playing while the show went on and it was great...you don't hear patriotic songs very often anymore so it was really nice. Well, I ended up hanging out at their house till around 1am I think (it was late). I came home and then crashed into bed.
Aunt Janet
Cousins Don & Cathy
Cousins Cathy & ChristyCousin Cathy, her daughter Paige, and Uncle Bill

Fun with Sparklers!! :)
Anyway, it was a long, but very enjoyable day! I got to spend time with friends and family...and that's the most important thing! The fireworks were icing on the cake!

Encouraging Statements

STATEMENTS I HEARD TONIGHT THAT ENCOURAGED ME:

~Its the things you don't choose, that make you who you are.
~Its never too late to become what you might have been.
~I am a great sinner, but Christ is a great Savior.
~You are sheep among wolves, be wise as serpants and innocent as doves.

We could all use a little encouragement here and there, and these statements were great to hear. I've been doing a lot of soul searching lately, trying to figure out what I'm doing with my life. I'm going to be thirty in 46 days and I don't feel like I've really done anything important or exciting. I wake up, go to work everyday for 8 hours, go to the gym, come home turn on the tube and watch either a movie or a tv show, then go to bed. What kind of a life is that? I do get together with friends once or twice a week...so that's good. But seriously, is that statement true...Its never too late to become what you might have been? If yes, then what am I waiting for? Oh wait, what am I supposed to be? I've always wanted to be a wife and mom...that hasn't happened. Well, that's not something I can just go run out and do, it takes another person to want the same thing. Hmmm...now what? Well, I can't make that happen right now, I know its all in God's timing. So instead, I've decided that I can make the little things happen...

I've always wanted to go to Europe...so I'm now going to Paris in September! :)

Trip to Europe - CHECK!

I've been wanting to get back into shape...

Go to the gym every night - CHECK!
Sign up for a 5k - CHECK!
Change my diet - CHECK!

I miss the beach and friends out there...

Spend a day at the beach - CHECK!
Hang out with Manny and Michelle - CHECK!

Well, its a start at least. I'm getting myself out of the house more, trying to see and do new things. Who knows...maybe I'll meet my prince charming while I'm out and about one day! :) A girl can dream, can't she?! heehee :) No but seriously, I'm looking forward to taking charge and getting active in my own life. I'm looking into taking a couple classes that interest me...not for a grade, but for pure enjoyment. I love doing certain things, being creative and such...I'm realizing that I should take that and stretch myself, learn more, use what I have and improve upon it. And who knows how God will use those gifts...but if I don't use them and make them better, then not only will I let myself down, but I'll be letting down God. Hmm, how many other areas in my life and I doing that? I've got a lot of work ahead of me, but its exciting to think about!

Anyway, I hope you too can be encouraged this week, as I have been tonight. There's always light at the end of the tunnel, but you gotta get off your butt and go through it to get there! A little work never hurt anyone! :)