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!