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!

The excitement is mounting....

We are leaving for Yosemite, my absolute favorite place to go, in 1 day!!!! This will be our third year in a row, and I can honestly say it is my favorite vacation destination. Hiking, biking, eating our meals outside amongst majestic trees, awe-inspiring mountains, and the sounds of rushing streams. The smell of a fire, the spray on my face from beautiful waterfalls, the mosquitos...Well, OK, I don't care for them too much. Seriously, though, just enjoying this place with my family and friends always brings me home in awe of our Creator who would bestow these gracious gifts of beauty to me. In the meantime, shopping has been done, food has been cooked, games and bikes have been packed, and the RV and car are shiny clean. All I need to do is laundry and pack up the clothes, and we are ready! More to come.......

Happy Birthday Lorrie!!!

Today is Lorrie, my Mother-in-law's birthday! She is so dear to me, and I am so thankful to have her in my life. I would not trade her for anything, as her worth is far more than rubies or gold to me. Here she is with my darling little niece, Sophia, who just turned one recently. She is walking everywhere!

We celebrated Lorrie's birthday by having Dave's family up here for dinner tonight. We also celebrated Tim's birthday (one of Dave's brothers), as he turns 29 tomorrow. His other brothers couldn't make it up, unfortunately, but Lorrie's brother Gary was able to join us, which was nice. Austin entertained him with magic tricks (he loves a new victim.....eh-hem, I mean audience).

The boys had fun playing with their cousin, and playing the Wii with Uncle Timmy and Papa Dan.

It was a very nice evening. Happy Birthday Lorrie! I hope you had a great day today! We all love you with all our hearts.

Our Anniversary...

13 years of marriage today!

Today I have been married to the love of my life for 13 years! I honestly can't believe it has been that long already. Technically, we have been together for almost 16 years if you count the time we were dating. It has been such an adventure, and we have both changed so much in so many ways. Had it not been for God's saving grace in our lives, we probably would be in a much different place than we are now. A lot has happened- 3 children, a house, 3 cats, 2 rats, and a frog...lots of camping trips and dirt bike riding, house projects, homeschooling, serving at Grace Church, learning God's word more and more and growing in our relationship with Christ, good, bad, easy, hard, tears, laughter, and all that life brings. I am so thankful to be blessed with a husband to share my life with.

I look forward to many more years with Dave, and can't even imagine that I might be able to love him any more than I do today. My heart is so full already.

P.S. Click here to see some nostalgic pics of our wedding day.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!!

Today is my Dad's birthday. If you're reading, Dad.....Happy Birthday!

This is the cutest pic of my Dad and Vance! Tonight we are celebrating at our house with a full-blown Mediterranean meal. Gyros cooked on the rotisserie, yogurt sauce, pitas, Basmati rice, veggies, hummus, etc. etc. Yum-O! And for dessert, a very special banana creation, because my Dad loves banana anything!

Fresh Perspective

I frequent several blogs, and one of my favorites is a blog written by beloved pastor C.J. Mahaney's wife and three daughters, called Girl Talk. The words of Nicole Whitacre, one of their daughters, in today's post, echo my sentiments exactly, as she ponders the recent disasters going on in the world currently. I quote her:

"God tipped buckets of rain on the northeast United States this past weekend. My kids were both sick on Mother’s Day and on my birthday (yesterday) they gave me their colds as a present. Did I mention it was still raining? (Cue mournful violins, please.)
In the afternoon my sweet husband took the kids out while I read a book and watched the news. Cyclone in Myanmar. Earthquake in China. Tornados in the mid-west. I saw an interview with a man whose home was destroyed by a twister. Miraculously his entire family escaped, but he lost everything that he owned.
Nothing like the severe trials of others to put my own (lack of) trials in perspective. “Compared with what I deserve to be, how happy my condition!” a wise man once said.
I deserve to be sick with a cold and to have it rain on my birthday. I deserve to have a tornado rip through my house. I deserve to have my family die in an earthquake. In fact, I deserve far worse! I deserve the wrath of God poured out on my sins forever and ever.
Oh, but my receivings are so infinitely better than my deservings (Valley of Vision, “The Mover”). For God sent his Son, Jesus Christ to bear His wrath in my place. Instead of what I deserve, I am the daily recipient of His love and mercy and grace. He works all things for my good. And I have a home with Him—free from suffering—to look forward to forever.
What a glorious gift God has given to me!"

Pumpkin in the Spring....

I know it's not fall, but I was craving a pumpkin baked good of some sort. I found a recipe for pumpkin cake, altered it a bit to make it more healthy, and made it for breakfast this morning. All I can say it YUMMMMMMMMM!!!! And the boys loved it. Sprinkled with a touch of powdered sugar and a dollop of whipped cream, what could beat that?

Incidentally, I have found that you can substitute applesauce, cup for cup, for any fat (whether it be butter or oil), with no consequence to the flavor or texture. It's just not as greasy. This cake was extremely moist and flavorful, so who needs all the extra calories and fat? Certainly not me. And hey, you get a bit of fiber from the applesauce, too! Next time I will try adding some walnuts and oats.

Here's my take on the recipe:

PUMPKIN CAKE

4 eggs
1 cup applesauce
1 can pumpkin (15 oz)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup honey (you can use regular sugar instead)
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp each ground cloves and nutmeg

Mix the wet ingredients, then add in the dry. Spread into greased 9 X 13 and bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Do not overbake, it is good a little underdone!

The Awana Grand Prix 2008

Last Saturday was one of the highlight events of our year-The Awana Grand Prix. This was our third year participating in this event, but Luke's first time, since you have to be in 3rd-6th grades. Essentially what the kids do is take a block of wood and four wheels and turn it into their own personally designed creations.

Luke chose to make his a skateboard, so Dave cut the block into a flat skateboard shape. Luke sanded it smooth.
Austin's design was three sticks of dynamite, since his Awana club is called T & T. Get it, TNT? Here are his cut pieces ready to be glued together.

Luke's finished skateboard complete with "grip tape" and paint job. Boy that sucker was fast!

It's the fastest if it weights precisely 5 oz. Here's Austin's car getting weighed on race day.
Luke's car needed a little more weight taped to the bottom.
Austin's dynamite car all painted, complete with fuse and everything!
Luke proudly displaying his smokin' fast car (he took 5th place)!

Another pic of Austin's car.

Austin excited to receive 2nd place in the design competition. He also made it into the top 12!
A group shot of all the racers!
The boys' cars on the track ready to race!
Some of the other cars entered to race that day.

Pics from the last post....

Here are the pics that go with my last post. If you haven't read it, just scroll down to enjoy the details that go with these pics!
Winchester Cheese Factory- Inside the large refrigerators trailers where the cheese was aging!
Our homeschool group at the entrance to Winchester Farms

Austin competing in the Bible Quiz-multiple choice questions!
Austin amongst his competitors in the Bible Quiz.
Austin and his teammate Kelly holding up their answers.
Austin proudly displaying his 1st place medal!

Vance enjoying his treat of sardines!

Cheese, toads, and the Bible....

The DeShong family experienced quite a plethora of events at the end of this glorious week! It all began Thursday when our homeschool group took a fascinating tour of the Winchester Cheese Factory. This is the only farm handcrafting cheese out of raw cow's milk the old fashioned way South of San Luis Obispo, making this a unique place indeed. We watched a video about the cheese making process, sampled several varities of Gouda (my favorite part), walked through the storage refrigeration units where the cheeses were aging (some were older than Luke and Vance), visited the cows and the milking rooms, and then bought some cheese to take home. The staff was extremely knowledgeable and kind to us, and we all had just a wonderful time.

After catching up on school, laundry, and housecleaning Friday, we enjoyed a wonderful dinner at our friends, the Nardones' beautiful home. We had some awesome sausage sandwiches with grilled peppers and onions, baked beans, and a beautiful salad. Gene built a fire in their pit outside, and we enjoyed an evening outside with coffee, dessert, and smore making for the kids.

Saturday morning, we were off to the Awana Bible Quiz at Camarillo Community Church, where Austin competed on a team against 5 other churches. This was such a great experience for Austin, and he did remarkably well. We were so proud of him, as he answered all but one question correct, helping his team to win 1st Place in his division! Go Austin!!! He was calm the whole time and we could tell he enjoyed himself thoroughly. We had a great time watching the competition alongside some of our other friends whose kids were also involved. It was one of those great and shining "parent moments" that you always used to see on TV. I am so thankful for our church's Awana program that has helped our boys memorize God's word faithfully each year. I know our boys will always remember their Wednesday night Awana classes, and I pray they will have firmly planted roots from the seeds God is planting in their hearts through this program.

We followed that up with a walk in the park as a family that same evening. It was such a beautiful and warm evening, and I truly enjoy the enormous park we have across the street from our house. It is like having my own huge and beautiful backyard. There are great walking paths that work wonderfully for walking, biking, scootering, or skateboarding. Dave and I walked the perimeter of the park while the three rode their bikes and scootered along the paths together. As Dave and I were walking up the hill in the back of the park, we noticed something move in front of our feet. It was a toad! We both knew we had to catch it to show the boys, especially our little froggy lover. So Dave put it in his pocket, which I am confident brought back some memories of sorts, and we found the boys to show them what we had found. They really wanted to bring it home, but it needed an environment which we would have to spend hundreds of dollars simulating at home. So, uh-uh. The boys really enjoyed holding him, chasing after his energetic hopping self, catching him, and so on. We decided to walk him up to where we found him, and as we were putting him back, we saw another one hopping around, so we put him with his froggy buddy. The funny thing is, not two minutes before, Austin told us that there were probably hundreds more where he came from, since frog mothers lay 2000-5000 eggs at once. We laughed at him when he said this, but he proved his intelligence as we literally saw toad after toad after toad as we continued down the path. It was like a scene out of a science fiction movie. It was like the invasion of the frog snatchers or something. The boys insisted on picking up each one we saw, and must have picked up a dozen or so! They had so much fun giggling and catching frogs, putting them down, finding others, etc. It was such a production! We then proceeded home to scrub their hands (twice) and send them to bed. It made me feel like the quintessential "boy Mom"! So here's to Gouda, the Bible, and frogs. And boys that love all three.

A little footnote: Did I mention the fact that Vance has literally been begging us to buy him a can of sardines? Who even knows why....but Dave picked up a can for him when we were doing our shopping the other night. When we got home, he gave them a try. What do you think? Yeah, or nay???? Let's just say he ate the entire container. Ewwwwww.........

Pics to come, as I totally messed up the whole thing!