Another day....and I'm Grumpy

Today was a "wonderful" day, it was as non-normal as any day can get here in Fresno.
I woke up late.
Was loaded with questions from a happy, already up, and cheery mother (i answered all questions in short kind (snippy) answers)
And went out the door with most of my homework finished.
The walk is 15-20min and of all days it was very, very, dreadfully cold. :( (about -29 degrees) May I tell you my hands, nose, and ears will never be the same again. It pained me to see my acquaintances/peers driving by in a nice warm car, all fine and dandy.
I managed to get to school but was not at all in the mood to talk, smile, or be a "Jesus Shiner". The day went on as usual. Surprisingly in this semi-mental emotional day I did have a high, because of a Doctors note I am unable to run for 3 days....meaning no Track today. :)
So after school I waited for my mom to pick me up. My hopes were crushed when after waiting 1min (with all the patience I had at the time) and no sign of my mommy dear I had to embark on a sad, sad quest for home all by my lonesome. Yes I had to walk again. But this time in the hot sun. (somehow the weather can turn from pure Antarctica to Death Valley. how God does it idk)
Arriving to my destination(home) I came in with a semi-happy expression which was quickly interrupted by an arrow plunging through my heart. There walking to his bedroom was my loving and generous brother. He was so kind to give me a ride home on his bike...oh wait.....I walked...hmmm....why would Kylen Jabez Downs not give his sister a ride? Oh of course! He had to get home as fast as he could to finish all his homework! (cuz that's what boys his age do) So here I am writing...still grumpy. This whole time/day I have been grumpy. My mom said it was a good idea to write it all out. Yea just so you can laugh at me....Oh how smart she is. I told her it would be a depressing story to tell all you guys....but she made it clear that there was people who are sensitive reading this and they may pity me...so what you have read is a G rated version. (OK i made half of what i just said up...yea. but that's what i was thinking)

Spring Break Recap--Part 2

Thursday morning we drove to Palm Springs and by the afternoon we were at a Date Farm learning about "the Romance and Sex Life of a Date" via a video. So...Ashlyn, Kylen, & Julianne know all about dates...the fruit. Brian's mom loves to make the most of every trip we venture on and so no matter what state or city we go to, we will always do the museums and theme parks. Palm Springs is rather limited in their museums, hence the reason we landed at the Date Farm.

It was fun and educational. Notice the sign behind us...

...with Grandpa & Grandma

Friday--Riley Farms--2 hours of Fun learning about the Civil War

We were from Louisiana--hard core Confederates!
The goats were the highlight...the kids now want goats...

Julianne brushing one as they ran around wild.

Ashlyn loving the goats

Brian & Ashlyn learning etiquette during the 1860's
I think we'll keep them in these until they decide the goats stay.

Great Memories! Dates, goats, the Civil War, the Downs Fam, and Spring Break! What more could we ask for.

Spring Break Recap--Part 1

He has risen!!! My heart is overjoyed as I rejoice in our Redeemer who lives! Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!

It has been a sweet relaxing Easter Day. We began it with a yummy waffle breakfast made by Brian, my handsome chef. We had some spontaneous guests arrive at our house last night after we got home from our trip this week (that I will tell you about in a bit), so it was fun to get to know them over breakfast--Dan and Justin. I love that the Lord gives unity of spirit, because we didn't really know each other before yesterday and to wake up and share time with brothers in the Lord was great.

Then off to church to celebrate Christ's resurrection! (I am learning that my adolescent kids don't enjoy dressing up unless it is for a dance, so knowing that, I had to intentionally not make it an "issue" in my mind that they wanted to wear jeans. Yes, I know the Lord is all about the heart and He doesn't care if we are in jeans or khakis or a dress...but every now and then the mom in me wants us all to look like we took a few minutes to get ready...my mom so wisely has said, "don't major on the minors"...so I made the choice to savor being with the kids and rejoice that they love going to church.) What is so funny now as I think back over the morning, they did look handsome and beautiful, even in their jeans! The Lord is patient with me.

Our gourmet lunch was Mexican from Taco Bell at the park. Simple and good to be together! The afternoon has consisted of relaxing, doing crafts, Kylen and I worked in the garden, & Brian has worked on preparing for his shift tomorrow.

It is tradition that Brian's parents come down from Washington every spring break to watch the kids as Brian & I head off to Staff Retreat. This year, since we are not with Hume, we didn't go to the retreat, but the kids wanted to spend it with Grandma and Grandpa, so last Saturday the kids headed to Palm Springs and enjoyed tennis, the water park, and swimming.

Wednesday, Brian & I headed down south and stayed with our friends, the Harkers. It was wonderful to spend a little time with them. Brian confused Ryanne, Dan & Christy's daughter, for life. He called himself "Frank" and me "Wonda". It was precious to see how much Ryanne loved Frank. She became his little shadow. I got to watch Morgan, their oldest daughter, swim like a fish. We adore the Harker Family. Some history...we met Dan & Christy at Hume. They were conferees and we served them. They have become partners in ministry, serving at Firefighters Conference & Romance, and dear friends.

"Frank" & Ryanne bonding

"Frank", Ryanne, & Dan

I took a picture on Morgan's door of her because I never got one of her while she was home.

Christy & I

Palm Springs with Grandpa & Grandma Downs--to be continued...

Firefighter's Ball

It was a delightful evening.

Brian & I had the privilege of attending the Firefighters Ball downtown Fresno this last month. It was the first one Fresno has had in 35 years! We got tickets a couple of days before the event. Now if you are a man...it's easy, you wear a suit and you're set. For a women it is much more complicated...hair (up do or down?), make up (how dark or light should it be worn?), shoes (I need to find really high heels so the dress isn't too long), a dress (where do I begin to look?), and hours of preparation. I am not one who knows much about fashion, so I didn't even know what was evening attire etiquette. Praise the Lord for my friend Jen who blessed me with the use of her dress. It was perfect.

What more could I ask for? A picture with a Dalmatian and my handsome man!

So, Brian and I took Ballroom dance lessons for weekly date nights leading up to the Ball. For the record, it didn't help in this instance. We learned slow waltzes and the rumba at class to a song that was on repeat for two hours. The Big Band that played for the Ball didn't repeat the same song and it wasn't slow. We would have been a big mess on the floor, not to mention the 5 inch heels I was in would have caused some horrible scene. I came away from the evening having a great respect for people who can actually dance.

The entire evening my mind and heart were filled with thoughts of how can we share Jesus with these 500 people. How desperately I want them to know the Lord! I yearned to go from table to table and have deep conversations, wanting to know each person's heart and learn who they were and their joys and struggles. Brian was proud of me because I showed great restraint and tried to keep conversations on a friendly level which was appropriate for an evening like that.

I love my fireman and we did have a ball!

Father Daughter Dance

Here is a picture of my dad and I all dressed up for our Father Daughter Dance at my school. We both danced all night and had a great time. I waltzed as my dad did "The Sprinkler" dance move. Once our feet hurt and it was getting too hot in the room we deicied to go home.

Muffins with Mom!

I just wanted to tell you guys about a very fun event that happened at my school yesterday morning at 7:30am. It was an event where you bring your mom to school and have a muffin for breakfast outside. So they call it Muffins With Mom. We went and to our surprise it was 47 degrees outside. Well I forgot to bring a sweatshirt so, I froze in the freezing cold air. Beside the coldness of the morning, I enjoyed being with my mom, with a few of my friends and warming up from the bathroom hand dryer.

-JULIANNE

First Post Ever!

This is the first time I have ever posted a blog! Is that even correct terminology? I have no idea, but I hope we can jump up and down :) together right now because you all know how much I don't know how to use computers and if you are reading this, the post has been successful.

Already you may have observed the difference between Brian and I. Brian wrote the message on the sidebar and I put our family purpose statement at the top. Night and day...Brian & I, and I love it that way!

This blog will be open to the five of us, actually the six of us (Meghan has her own blog but just maybe, if we are lucky enough, every now and then, maybe she will be a guest author for us), being Brian, Yvonne, Ashlyn, Kylen, and Julianne, writing about whatever is going on in our minds and lives. My desire is to have a family blog not individual ones, because of the diversity of us. Brian will make you laugh with his witty sense of humor. I will talk about Jesus and what He is doing in our lives, to convey the heart of our family. The kids will bring a perspective that will allow us to see or remember ourselves what the adolescent years hold.

We want to share our lives with those we love and who love us as we journey through life with Jesus Christ--with all the joys and struggles we encounter. We want you to see the real us--day by day, week by week, or if we aren't very good at this blog thing, maybe month by month. We shall see.

Let the blogging begin!