Oh, What Beautiful Mornings!

As you can see, this is not my usual Fishtrap Creek walk ...

My H and I have been enjoying morning walks 

around the golf course in the desert, these days -

away from the usual. I've been very lazy,

but I wanted to just show you some of the desert beauty again -

so beautiful in it's own way,

Tall floral shoots reaching for the blue sky,

spun cactus balls,

flowers that look like brushes,

another shoot, (taken in a hurry)

a thousand tiny bells,

bushes covered in small, soft petaled flowers,

and one of my favorite -

a blooming cactus ...

all the while teasing me and gently calling me to a beauty
that reminds me of home.

Over the years this place has become like a second home to us.

I tease him about his Palm Springs office,

which I asked permission to use right now.

For a little while it's the best of both worlds.

Happy 13th, Natalie!

Oh the memories tucked in between 

baby bath snuggles

to getting our nails done ...

they fill my heart to overflowing!

Like any grandparent would say,

... it's been a path I never could have dreamed thirteen years ago!

Natalie, you have a joy in your heart,

a twinkle in your eyes, that we pray never goes away.

Your sensitivity,  kindness and generosity 

touch the lives of those around you

and bring blessings to us all.

On this, your birthday, our prayer is that

God will guide and protect you

as you enter the joys and challenges of teen years.

May you always know 

that you are fearfully and wonderfully made.

And loved for just the way you are. 

Papa and Mimi 

♡♡♡

Spring has Sprung!

It has become tradition to bring some sign of spring from the park

into the house ...

While last week we had snow coming down, 

 this week has brought us the most beautiful weather

with temps that feel almost like summer.

On, what I call the first day of spring,

the kids came for pancakes and a walk to the park down the hill.

The older ones on their scooters and Evy still in the stroller -

when it suited her.

The other part of the time I wondered why I was pushing a

stroller with whatever they did not want to carry. 

First thing upon entering the park we saw this turtle sunning itself.

They dropped everything to check it out

but, too bad, it heard them coming!

We continued on down the path ...

and saw the pussy willows are out!

She did not know what they were and

 was hesitant to touch them as first.

The playground was a good stop about the half way point around the lake.

The beaver dams got checked out but no beavers were home

with the water so low.

 I have no idea how many times and seasons I've walked this path ...

from watching for buds, to crunching in leaves ...

it's been a thousand times over and more,

either with my H, 

with a friend,

pushing a stroller on my own,

or trying to keep up with fast moving kids.

A place that has become very much a part of home.

And the Birthdays Keep Coming

Now that I've started mentioning each grand's birthday

I can't just stop ...

so here's a peek into a fun little breakfast time

we had with Landon on Saturday.

He turned eleven this weekend!

Birthdays are a time to reflect on the years that we've shared,

and reminiscing about Landon brings to mind

a blond little boy with the cutest smirk. 

Landon, you continue to have a smile that warms our hearts,

a softness about the way you treat others,

combined with an energy that makes life fun.

May God bless and keep you .

Love, Papa and Mimi

♡♡♡

Flashback to the Eighties

My little girl loved sitting on the counter beside my mixer and watch me 

as I added ingredients to the batter.

In those days we went through a lot of cookies.

So, as she saw me adding oatmeal, coconut, chocolate chips etc,

she asked me, 

"Mommy, when are you going to make the cookies that Oma makes,

the ones with nothing in them - just crumbs?" 

With the blog and cooking classes coming about,

I finally took the plunge.

Fast forward to this winter.

Evy decided that these were her favorite cookies.

When she talked about them, 

having taken home a container full,

Jade just said,

"I don't even know peppermint cookies.

I've never had them" ...

in a voice that betrayed her feeling left out.

Mimi had not given her a container of peppermint cookies.

Needless to say,

they're in the freezer as I type. 

Double the trouble,

double the fun!

Oma cookies on the way. 

♡♡♡

A Peek Way Across the Pacific (update added)

This past weekend Makenna turned eleven!
We sure would have loved to take her out on a date,
but what I am thankful for is that communication is so much
easier than it was when she was born!
This girl has started to email!
I just love her short sweet messages.

Today my thoughts are on Tehya and Paeton 

whom we facetimed with on Saturday

as they were preparing for their Outdoor Ed trip

to a village interior in West Papua.

The school plans a trip every year for the high school kids,
flying them (with MAF) into a remote place.

On these small planes, each student can only take 11 kilos.

This would be Paet's first time on this trip

and he packed his nine day supplies

 with great care ...

sleeping bag, mosquito net, towel, soap, 

TP, clothing, snacks, dishes, multi-tool knives ...

in pretty well vacuum sealed bags ...

ready to leave early Monday morning, 

(yesterday for us)

Tehya, our usual confident girl,

felt even more so, this being her third trip.

She told us about

 playing games with the children

and teaching Bible stories.

I know the children love the treats and the attention.

She was also quite excited about the 

aids awareness class she would be teaching. 

Brave girl.

They were not sure about what kind of conditions to expect,

but I know their dad has flown into this village

and most likely some preparations have been made.

Two cooks went along ... lots of rice on the menu.

You can imagine how we look forward to hearing of their adventures,

and praying for God's care and blessings on all.

I wish I could put on my rubber boots and spend a day there.

Probably not a night. =)

It's the end of the week and I've received some updates that have been passed along from a leader to the parents of the kids. They are keeping so busy there. Two MAF pilots are working with the students and locals to improve the airstrip. It is hard work, but said that there is good motivation to get the work completed as they would like the airstrip to re-open. =) 

The students are divided into groups to hike into smaller villages that can only be reached in this way. These hikes take about 3 - 4 hours. They are doing clubs and teaching simple math. Water tanks are being installed, the Jesus film is being shown and HIV/AIDS presentations are being given.  There has been great interaction. I have to ask how they communicate, language wise, as most probably speak their own dialect. Continuing to pray for health and protection.