Rain, Rain, go away, Come again, another day

God is good

We spent Monday and Tuesday in Anaheim for a conference. A group of the leadership from our church all went. We had a great time hanging out and although I didn't go to most of the lectures, from what I hear, they were really enjoyed by all.Grace and I spent most of the time in our hotel room with Evie, one of the ladies from our church. Her husband didn't want her to be left alone, so she hung out with us. Grace absolutely loves Evie, so they had a great time hanging out. Monday night we spent the evening in our hotel room coloring and pretending to talk on the phone. Tuesday we had to check out of our hotel at lunch time, so after spending time roaming the halls (with baby Beth and her stroller in tow), we decided to try to sit through some of the speakers. Grace actually was amazing (I know I am biased) but she sat through 2 hours QUIETLY before she fell asleep on my lap. I was so proud of her and really enjoyed being able to hear the speakers.
Tuesday morning once the boys got off to their conference, we decided to get some breakfast. We went to the restaurant in the bottom of the hotel and were there hanging out when the hostess came up and handed me an envelope. When I asked her who it was from she said it was anonymous. The envelope said "God is good" on the front, and to my amazement when I opened the envelope there was $100 in cash in it. I have no idea who it could be from or why anyone would want to give me $100. I only knew a few people there, and they were all in the conference with Gunnar. Seeing as who ever it was didn't want me to know who they were, but wanted me to thank God, I did! As we sat at breakfast amazed, Evie told me many stories of miraculously providing for them when they were in the pastorate. It was so humbling to be sitting with this 80 year old godly woman and hearing how God had been faithful all those years. I am continually amazed at God's faithfulness and I am so blessed to see his hand working in my life. As the anonymous giver so truthfully said "God is good".

Happy Valentines Day!

I know I am a few day late (for a Happy Valentines day) and I know no one actually enjoys Valentines day, but I figured I might as well wish you one anyways. :)

This week has been busy, fun, interesting, and odd all at the same time.

The busyness startede with some pastors from Kentucky came out on a survey tour (their church is helping us put on a VBS this summer). It was absolutely gorgeous while they were here. Blue skies and sunny. They didn't want to go home. One of them had never seen the pacific ocean, so that was a treat. Grace charmed them all by saying their names, giving them kisses and impressing them all with her Bible knowledge, needless to say she was a hit. :)

Wednesday night we had a church night out. It was in honor of Valentines day and everyone was invited. Seeing as the Chapel had a Valentines couples dinner the same night, some non-couples came up and spent the evening with us. We had a wonderful time. I am working on learning more about my camera, so I took a bunch of pictures of Grace to practice. She insisted on wearing her furn from Grandma Carol, which in this case was actually appropriate. Super cute.



A couple from the dinner:

I love how you can see the whole row of white hair in this one. We have such a wonderful group of elderly people at our church. They are such a blessing and so fun to be around. The man on the end started off the evening by showing us a picture of his great great grandchild. He called her his great great great grandchild and his wife had to remind him there were only two greats. So cute.

A strange thing about this week was the weather. It started it beautiful sunny and warm. Gunnar stained the little porch area on Wednesday while Grace watched him in her short sleeves. It was beautiful.

The next day it was freezing, cold and "our" mountains got a foot of snow. It snowed at our house but it melted as soon as it touched the ground. It was freezing and wet. My parents, Daniel and Maria were here that day and got to enjoy the beautiful view on the way home.

I have been on a crocheting kick, inspired by my grandma, who in currently undergoing chemotherapy. I have been making her hats to keep her head warm. Grace loved the last one I made for Grandma, so I made her a matching one.

When I was a little girl, my grandma used to make me clothes and pajamas and she would always put a red heart on them somewhere for me to find to remind me that she loves me. As a little girl I always loved it, So I made her a hat with a big red heart to remind her that I love her. Here is Grace in the matching one.

Lastly, A couple random pictures from around this week. We went to Panera and the Wild Animal Park on Friday.

Tuesday Grace was in the kitchen and I could hear her saying "Sit Honey lap" over and over again. I didn't understand what she was talking about until I looked in on her. Sure enough, she was sitting at the table, on Honey's (her baby) lap. Her other Baby, Beth, was sitting in the chair next to them. They were just hanging out, but gave me a good laugh.

Do it again!

Grace really enjoyed everyone singing to her on her birthday. In fact, she enjoyed it over and over and over again! :)

Birthday Fun!

We had a wonderful day celebrating Grace's birthday.

Grace started the day with a little jelly on her toast (talk about a party!). Then she talked on the phone to her grandma Ta, Grandpa "Pa", Tia, and Uncle Danny. She loves talking on the phone, so she enjoyed that very much. She did wish Uncle Danny a Happy Birthday, so I am not sure she really knew what was going on.

We got ready and headed down to San Diego. We went to the grocery store to pick up some stuff for her party. Grace got to "drive" at the grocery store. What can I say, we know how to show a girl a fun time! :)

From the grocery store, we headed over to Grandma Carols house for her first round of birthday fun.

She really liked the candle, but wasn't sure about the cupcake.

From Grandma Carol's, we headed over to my parents house to get ready for her "official" party. We got there early so Grace had a chance to read a book with Grandma "Ta" and thankfully was able to take a nap.

She also got to open a present from her great grandma (my grandma) Hilton. Coloring books and clothes, you can't go wrong with those!

When our friends got there, the fun really started. The guys kind of kept to themselves, I think that many little girls in one place can be frightening.

Gunnar and David (above) and Uncle Danny and Uncle Mike (below)

It was fun seeing friends we have known forever and to see how God has added and is adding to their families. Becky and Ann are both pregnant, and Aprill and Derek just had a baby girl, Ezra, a couple months ago. We have known them all since before they were married, it is weird to see us now, "all grown up". On a side note, in the picture of the pregnant friends you can see Maria's closet doors. She just redid her room and I love the paintings on the door!

Grace enjoyed the second cupcake (carrot cake this time) and candles even more, I think at this point she had the hang of it.

After cupcakes came the present bragade. She got many wonderful presents! After the first few she got a doll from Grandpa Dick and a doll bed from the Davis girls, and she lost intrest in the other gifts, so I got to "help" open most of them. I felt the love! :)

The Olivas gave her a cool picture hanging thing for her wall! I am super excited about it! :)

The beloved doll and bed

Checking out her fun play food from Auntie Ann with the Davis girls

We are so thankful for all our wonderful friends and family that were able to come and hang out and celebrate with us.

with the Hanson side of the family

and with the Hilton side of the family

Hanging out with Reya

We tried to get a good picture of all the kids. Kora didn't want to be in the picture, and even with a bunch of adults jumping and trying to get their attention, of course we didn't get a good one. Here are a couple so you get the picture. :)

Try #1:Try #6: Try #15: