Austin's 11th Birthday celebration!

I always have a hard time believing it, but my oldest son just turned 11! Now 11 may not seem that old, but it's truly hard to believe it has been 11 years since I became a Mom for the first time.

Since the birthday child always gets to pick all three meals on his birthday, Austin began his birthday with "apple pancake" for breakfast. His first choice breakfast of crepes, sausage, and hash browns will be served on Saturday, when a leasurely breakfast will be more feasible for all of us!

Yesterday he enjoyed his requested lunch of Velveeta Shells and Cheese (I actually think they are divine...but that's another story), since his actual birthday we were going to be at the Aquatic Center at lunchtime waiting in line to get in. We went to the Aquatic Center with the Berggrens, and it just so happened that some other families were able to join us for the afternoon, which made it a lot of fun that the boys had a lot of friends around to share his special day. They all had a ball playing in the water for the afternoon.

We headed over to the Berggren's house for a delicious dinner. The kids had mini sliders (little mini burgers), corn on the cob, and salad, while the adults enjoyed lamb chops, potatoes, corn, and salad. It was a delightful evening! We had cake and root beer float flavored ice cream for dessert.

Austin was the happy recipient of some great "boy" gifts- a ball shooter gun, a digital sound lab, legos, spy gear, etc. etc. A couple of months ago, we bought him an early birthday present- a new bike! We decided he had been riding that hand-me-down, pieced together bike for way too long. It was time!

Austin is a true joy to have in our lives. And I really mean that statement literally. He is always bubbling over with smiles, laughter, and goofiness. He is always helpful and kind. He is loving and lovable. There's a lot of potential in that young man that I can't wait to see emerge. He has wonderful talents and abilities. I continue to pray that God will work in his heart for His glory. Happy birthday to my big boy!

Fun With Photobucket!!!

This website is soooo fun! You can do personalized slideshows, and it's so fun to add them to your blog posts. If I can get this right, there might be some creativity from this uncreative Mom coming up in future blog posts!!!!

Trying somthing fun!

A Weekend in Gorman

The Jensen Clan and Dave off for a ride....
The Nardones visited for the day.....
Austin ridin' the 50.

A guy from Dave's work brought his rock crawler up, and we had a blast watching him climb these rocks....

Luke took a step up to the 80 this weekend!

Vance's homemade hammock.....

Vance loves this little blue dune buggy so much!

We just got back from a quick weekend in Gorman. It is an enormous SVRA (State Vehicular Recreation Area for you non-dirt bikers) just a few minutes past Pyramid Lake. It is so close and easy to pop up there for a weekend camp and ride! We arrived Friday evening and set up camp. It was relatively quiet when we pulled in, but by the time we got in bed, the place was packed. A group of what seemed like 100 people congregated next to us and played Mariachi music all night. Until the sun came up. And I have determined that when you are trying to sleep, Mariachi music is quite possibly THE WORST MUSIC you would want to listen to. It is irritating. Repetitive. The makings of a very irrational and irritated mommy by the morning!

A few cups of coffee perked me up in the morning. It was quiet when we emerged from the trailer with our breakfast. Of course it was quiet. The all night music people were asleep! Austin mentioned that they must be bats. That morning, the Jensens and the Nardones came in to join us for some day riding. We had a great day. The kids rode and rode, we talked, we ate. Usual camping stuff. It was perfectly pleasant in the shade, yet hot out in the sun. Luke rode the 80 for the first time and fell in love. His words were "the 80 is perfect." Enough said. He did really well and apparently felt very comfortable on it from the get-go. Vance spent the entire weekend up in a tree or driving the dune buggy. Austin enjoyed playing games, riding the dune buggy and the dirt bike, and just keeping busy.

That evening after our friends all left, we befriended the family camping on the other side of us. They had two of their kids with them, one was around Luke and Vance's age. They were very sweet. We invited them to join us for campfire that evening, and we talked and got to know each other. The next morning, Dave and the husband went out for a ride, and I had the opportunity to talk of spiritual things with the wife. It was a great providential meeting, and they really want to go camping with some other families, so we exchanged numbers/email so we can see them again. I am praying that God will use this in their lives and in ours, as well.

We left early afternoon Sunday, showered everyone, ate dinner, and headed down to church for the Seeds Concert. The boys had a blast worshipping God, eating popcorn, snow cones, and candy fur (cotton candy). It was a great ending to our Father's Day weekend. Speaking of Father's Day, the boys made a video for Dave to the tune of the SpongeBob song "Best Day Ever". They changed it to the "Best Dad Ever," and it turned out very cute. While we were camping, I made him a special meal of Top Sirloin, twice baked potatoes, lettuce wedge salad with blue cheese dressing, and mint chip ice cream sundaes for dessert. YUM!

Today she is in Glory!

Kiara Tyler
February 9, 2002-June 11, 2008

Today, our dear friends from the Juniors Ministry, Gary and Toya Tyler, lost their 6 year old daughter. But they lost her to Jesus. They know that "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." She was diagnosed with Fanconi Anemia early last year, and the last 18 months or so have been spent in and out of the hospital, with round the clock medical care, a bone marrow transplant, and the effects of GVHD. It has been a long, hard road.

While this all sounds horrible for parents to have to experience, the Tyler family triumphed in trial through their unwavering faith, hope, and trust in God's providence in every aspect of their lives. Their example and testimony was profound. They knew God was using this to impact the lives of people near and far. They joyfully accepted this as God's perfect will for their lives, and they never once complained. Their young daughter is now safe in the arms of Jesus, without pain, sickness, sin, or sorrow. So while their loss is unimaginable, they can now long for heaven even more themselves as a result, knowing they will be reunited with their daughter someday.

As Christians, our perspective on difficulty and hardship in life is different. We believe in a God who orders every detail of life (Romans 8:28). We believe in a God who gives us trials to strengthen us and make us depend on Him (1 Peter 1:3-7). Any response outside of thankful worship of God for his mercy and grace in our lives would be declaring to God that he has made a mistake. And we know God doesn't make mistakes, change his mind, nor lie.

I am so thankful for the testimony and example of this family to me. They are genuinely faithful, loving, and selfless. They have demonstrated the power of God by their attitudes, responses, love towards others, and thankfulness for everything they have experienced. I pray God will mercifully carry them through the next days and weeks as they go home to resume their lives once again. Great is Thy faithfulness. Your mercies are new every morning.

Time for muffins...

The DeShong household has been busy. Go, go, go. And did I say go? We have been going from one thing to the next. You know, those weeks where there isn't an evening spent at home for a while. It begins to tax on me, and if you know me well, you know I am a creature of habit. I like to take solace in the familiar, the regular. Call me weird.

This is my first morning and breakfast at home in over a week. We have been taking my father-in-law to all his chemo treatments, which means we have been out of the house by about 7:30 every morning. I know, all you public school families are laughing at me, probably even out loud right now. I am not used to shoving everyone out the door at 7:30!!! NO LIKE IT! IT DOESN'T FEEL YUMMY! Karen will understand that joke.

With all that said, this morning I get to stay home, and guess what? I made a delicious batch of muffins that I think anyone would have a heart attack from....I mean enjoy immensely. I am warning you that the only redeeming ingredient in it is the banana. Although you can easily adapt it to be more healthy. Or not. I do truly believe you shouldn't change certain things. Like the chocolate chip cookie, for instance. Don't put wheat flour in there. NO! Don't eliminate the butter. NO! Don't add flax. Ewwwww.......

Anyways, with all that said, here are the muffins I made for breakfast. They are really yummy warm out of the oven, and do not even need a drop of butter. But you will need a glass of cold milk.....Oh yeah! Did I mention that I didn't even eat these for breakfast? I only had one little bite (do you hear the tiny violins), so that I don't totally negate the exercise I am about to perform. But you should have seen the boys.....can you say gooey????? If you are a chocolate lover, I absolutely wholeheartedly recommend you try these today. Right now. GO....

Double Chocolate Banana Muffins

1 1/2 cups flour

1 cup sugar (I reduced to 3/4 cup)

1/4 cup baking cocoa

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp baking powder

1 1/3 cups mashed ripe banana

1/3 cup oil (I used applesauce)

1 egg

1 cup chocolate chips

Combine first six ingredients and set aside. In a separate bowl, combine banana, oil, and egg. Stir in dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in chocolate chips. Place in greased or paper lined muffin pan. Bake in 350 degree oven for 18-25 minutes or until they test done.

Makes 12 deliciously sinful muffins.

Yosemite Pics

Austin by the river at our campground
Vance demonstrating how tall trees are in Yosemite

Worship service on Saturday in our campground
Dave and I at Yosemite Falls
Our group at Yosemite Falls (plus an extra lady at the far left back...)
Group pic at the Swinging Bridge
About to hike to Yosemite Falls with Half Dome in the background

The kids on the little sandy "island"
Upper Yosemite Falls
Playing four square
The falls from the Swinging Bridge
Yosemite Falls

The adults
At the top of Vernal Falls after the Mist Trail Hike
Our camping neighbor and their HUGE Giant Alaskan Malamute "Falcor"
Luke in the freezing cold Merced

Austin feeding a squirrel. They were very well fed.
Dave and Rich contemplating the view from the top of Nevada Falls
Enjoying the campfire

Nevada Falls
Austin enjoying a dip in the Merced
Yosemite Falls-5th Largest in the World!
Our campsite in North Pines

Beautiful Half Dome

Singing to the Lord!

Yosemite Falls
View from our campground
In our campground

Top of Nevada Falls after a LONG hike!
Cute Falcor!
Hiking to Nevada

Having fun!
Bold Squirrel
Hiking to Nevada Falls
Beautiful Emma!
Vance about to go on a group ride!

Yosemite 2008

Well, we are already back from Yosemite, sadly. It was quite possibly, the best vacation I have ever been on. It is just so magnificently beautiful. So quiet, calm, and relaxing. So adventurous, exciting, and exhilarating. So enjoyable. So my place to be. I jokingly mentioned to Dave that I would like a summer home in Yosemite. AS IF.

When we arrived on Wednesday, it was freezing and cold. Did I mention it was pouring rain while we were setting up our trailer? Nice! It flash flooded for about 2-4 hours, then miraculously cleared up and changed from about 47 degrees to about 75! Praise God!

Thursday morning brought beautiful clear skies and our bike/hike to lower Yosemite falls. Our group of 31 (The Brooks, Tubbs, Jensens, Harasicks, and us) went together. It was spectacular, as usual. We kicked around our beautiful campground that afternoon. We were in North Pines this year, which backed right up to the Merced River and an unbelievable view of Yosemite Falls, which, as a bit of trivia, is the 5th largest in the world. And I had a view of it from my backyard for 5 days. Breathtaking! The boys loved riding their bikes around the campground.

Friday morning, some of us met up for our annual hike to Vernal Falls. This year, however, my sister and I decided we wanted to "kick it up a notch" and hike the next leg to Nevada Falls. Both of us have been fitness training for it for weeks to maximize our efforts in getting to the top. So we hiked the mist trail to Vernal Falls, rested for about 30 minutes at the top of Vernal Falls, and then headed up the trail again. And, all my kids decided to go, too! My sister sweetened the pot for them and told them they would each receive $5 if they beat her to the top. Nothing like a little motivation to keep them walking. Well, after several hours of strenuous hiking, we were all at the top of Nevada Falls, which was quite an accomplishment for all of us. Woo-hoo! We were now only about 5 miles from Half Dome. My brother in law said we will hike all the way to Half Dome next year. YIKES! Better get training right away. The view from the top of both of the falls we hiked to was utterly breathtaking to say the least. What a view from up there.

Saturday, we started off our morning with a worship service, since Sunday was going to be check out day. We had a group breakfast together, and then Rich taught us and we also enjoyed some singing. We also biked to the Swinging Bridge for more views of the Merced and the Falls. It was quite the sight to see us all biking together. Heads turned as they witnessed the largest biking group go by single file! The boys also swam in the Merced (can you say FREEZING), and played on the sandy shore.

Sunday it was already time to pack up and leave. We had such a fabulous time with these other dear families. They are just the most wonderful and enjoyable people to be around. The kids had a great time together around the campsite, playing four-square, biking, playing board games, frisbee, doing shows for the parents, etc. And we made memories to last a lifetime. Pics in the next post!