Blasts from the Past

I've got dinner started and Jaydon is still napping, so I thought I would take a moment on the computer.

Garth had a weekend of reunions.

Reunion #1

Once about 12 years ago there were two guys, Garth and Leon. They lived in Hawaii - Garth in the Coast Guard and Leon in the Marines. They met at church and were great friends while both stationed there. It is funny how things work, but now both families are stationed here at Camp Pendleton. The guys are no longer single. Leon is married with 4 children and of course, you know our family make-up. We spent the 4th here at the house with Leon and 3 of his kids. It was great to have a familiar face around.

Garth did the tradition grilling for the 4th. It was very tasty. I even made that dessert that looks like an American flag. It was fun to make and delicious. I would recommend it. So easy to make. We drove around to find some fireworks. People come out from everywhere around here for some fun. There were people all over. The fireworks were cool and Dylan even enjoyed them.

Reunion #2

This one goes way back to the high school days. Garth had friends of course that he was close to back in the "day". Well after about 15 years or so, we met Jared, his wife, and 14 month old son. What great people!! It was fun to watch Jared and Garth talk about old times, friends, and where life has led them now.

They live in San Diego, and treated us to a couple of hours at the beach. The boys had fun. Dylan loved the water. Suprisingly, Jaydon not so much. He much preferred playing the sand and making little places for puddles to form. After the beach, Jared led us on a quick driving tour of the city and then we headed for a great Mexican lunch. Back to the house and Jared became Dylan's new best friend. Those two skatedboared all over the place. Some pizza to end the day and back to Temecula we came.

Thanks to Jared and his family for hosting us for the day. We had a great time.

That is the weekend in a nutshell. Garth is back to work and I'm doing what I do best -- hang out with my boys. Tonight we are heading to the local duck pond. I can't wait to go feed the ducks "B". I just wish I had Old Blue to travel to the pond in.

Till next time...

We have Arrived!!

This post is dedicated to my best bro-in-law ever -- Blake!! (I'll try to keep things updated a little better now that I have internet access.)

I am now officially blogging from Temecula, California. We have been here about 2 wks. We still have a few boxes to unpack and plenty of stuff to get in it's place, but we are getting more settled into our new life by the day. We are learning our way around a new town and enjoying having mountains and the beach so close. We drove down the coast on Saturday and went for a hike after church on Sunday. The boys are enjoying the walks to the parks and area stores. I am just trying to get back into some sort of routine and looking forward to time the "newness" wears off. Garth has checked into his new command and appears to be pleased with what he will be doing. Hopefully he will get on sometime and better explain his new position. In a nutshell, he is over a group called "Charlie Company." (Sounds so M*A*S*H like doesn't it.) He will be training about 50-60 "kids" to go to Iraq or wherever called to at this point. He will officially take over the company in mid-July. That gets you caught up on what's been going on since we arrived.













Now a bit about how we got out here:

The packers took our things away June 23. We enjoyed a fun 3 day weekend with our friends and neighbors on Huey drive. We spent out last few days at the Navy Lodge while Dylan completed Kinder and Garth checked out of the command. Dylan finished strong and we are proud to announce he is officially a 1st grader. It was very difficult to leave Corpus. Who would have thought. After tearful goodbyes, we had Corpus in our rearview mirror headed for Itasca.










It was a brief stop at my parents. We arrived and were surprised by a "Leaving Texas" party. We got to see some great friends and family before heading west. It was great to see everyone and hug their necks. One nights rest at my parents, and off to New Mexico.

This is where the fun begins. Let me explain that we are hauling our family (one that will be two in August, ughhhhh), tahoe (the big red dog), and pulling a trailer loaded down with motorcycles and other various things. We get to Amarrillo and the Expo decides it is not going to accelerate. So Garth basically nurses it and pray for it. Multiple stops on the side of the road and a few stops for Garth because he had to find a toliet a few choice times and we FINALLY made it to Albuquerque. The Expo went to the shop and a heafty bill later, it was up and running again. (Thanks Dad!!) We enjoyed time with Garth's family. We visited the zoo, Explora (children's museum), a fun center with bumper boats, go carts, and games, and a rousing game of croquet with Garth's cousin Claire and hubby Nick. It was great to see everyone and the boys enjoyed some time with the grandparents.










We then headed for Southfork,CO. Our home away from home. We met up with my parents, Blake and Nissy, and my grandparents. We shared a cabin together and had great times. The Expo once again returned to the shop for something else, but this time covered under warranty. (Thank God) And the guys of the group had to change a tire on it. This year's highlights of the trip were the boys riding dirtbikes and our hiking trips with Blake and Nissy. It is so strange to go there every year and do the same things, yet I already can't wait to get back. Dylan says he wishes it was his HOMEPLACE. I can't blame him. Our hope and prayer is that it will be his home at least for a few months in the summer at some point in the future. When out time was up it was time to say goodbye. Boy, that was a tough one. BUT, we got through it and are looking forward to the visits.













We continued on our journey. We got to see the Four Corners and stopped for a few hours at the Grand Canyon. We stayed the night in Kingman, AZ and made it to Temecula the next day.










It was a long haul. It was hard to be that unsettled for that long for everyone. But, it was a neat month. We are now looking forward to what God has for us here. Obviously something because I know His plan is perfect. It is so peaceful to rest in that. I have so much that I would love to share that I have learned even to this point, but I will save that for another time.

By the way, we really missed not seeing Buddo. The Alive Campaing is in Portland today. I can't believe that they are getting so close to their destination. I love reading their blog and keeping up with the happenings. It sounds like it has been quite an adventure. I can't wait to visit with him when it is over and hear about everything. Jaydon needs to see his Uncle. He sees random young guys with brown hair and says, "Hi, Bobbo!" I hope they don't think a 2 year old is calling them something else.

Ok -- that is long enough. Hope this finds everyone well.

Many blessings!

The Start of A Long Journey

"Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, forever. Amen". Eph. 3:20-21

The Alive Campaing crew started their long journey to Alaska today. I so wish I could have been there for the send off to show my support. That is one of the hard things about being away from family. I am so used to being with my loved ones at the hospital, sporting events, awards nights, good times, and bad times. That is just what I know to do. I'm still adjusting to showing support from a distance.

Enough of my pity party. Buddo did call me today before they got really started in the ride. With tears flowing, I expressed how proud I was of him and the others and hugged him as hard as I could through the phone. And Lanissa called and gave me details of the big send off and sent pictures so I could see my little bro in biker shorts. (Not too shabby Buddo.) I am so excited to hear of all the good that is going to come from this journey. I pray they are safe and have the experience of a life time. Please keep them in your prayers as they still need funding and places to stay on their trip.

Thanks for allowing me my brag session. That is the great thing about a blog!!

Name Change

Success!!! The boys are both down for the night. (Thank goodness) I made it through a whole weekend with Garth gone out of town. Cheers all around please. He left last Sunday to attend a course in DC, and will return on Friday. Come on Daddy!!

The weekdays weren't too bad. Jaydon and I stayed busy playing with the neighbors and Dylan went to school. When he got home, we did homework and then he was out to play with friends or we met someone for dinner or we went to gymnastics.

However, Saturday and Sunday were a bit more trying. It doesn't take long to discover that both our boys are high energy and need entertaining. Dylan has to be doing something all the time and preferablly with as many little boys from the street as possible. Jaydon wants to be outside, or if he has to stay indoors he wants to play tractor or train or motorcycle with you. Noises and all. I love my boys so much, and desire to pour into my little God given vessels. However, I am quite done pouring for the day.

Now the reason I labled this post Name Change is because I feel the need to be called Fred or Sue or Bob or Jane, even Lynita. I have heard MOM and MOMMY so many times this weekend that I am done. When Dylan was first talking, I so wanted him to say MA. He had DADA down pat for so long, but just wasn't saying MA. We went to Colorado with my family during this time and my Dad spotted a road called NO NAME LN. That was my road. Then it started and I haven't heard the end of it yet. Then Jaydon started talking and I knew better this time. Be careful what you wish for. But, MA, MOM, and now MOMMY came very quickly. I wasn't the only one who recognized it today. I took the boys to the mall and as I was checking out, the nice gentleman behind the counter said something like, "Don't you wish you could change your name sometimes?" My response, "Yes."

Now, do not read this and for one moment think I do not love my boys or want to be a MOMMY, MOMMY, MOMMY, MOMMY. I most certainly do - everyday for as long as God allows. It is just nice to have a small break every now and again.

So with that said, I, Lynita am going to call it a night and get some rest so I can continue filling the vessels, I affectionately call MY SONS.

Good night!

Two months and counting!!!

The big move is fast approaching. We will have Corpus Christi, TX in our rear view mirror in less than two months. Unfortunately it still hasn't sunk in yet that we will no longer have a TX address. It is so hard to believe that two and one-half years can fly by so fast. We will soon be living in a different state, Garth will have very different duty, Dylan will have a new school and friends. I could go on and on about what will change and how we will have to adjust. However, we will get through it and overcome I am sure. One thing never changes and that is Jesus Christ, so when all else fails grab onto Him.

I recently started a new Bible Study called Stepping Up by Beth Moore. It will take us through the Psalms of Ascent. I knew I wanted to do this bible study before heading out, but when I started studying, I learned that I think God wanted me to do it too. The study dives into Psalms 120-134. These are the psalms the people sang to and from the festivals God called the Jews to observe. (I never knew that till this study.) Well it didn't take me to long to find a psalm to grab ahold of for the journey - Psalms 121.

Psa 121:1 I will lift up my eyes to the hills. Where shall my help come from?
Psa 121:2 My help comes from Jehovah, who made Heaven and earth.
Psa 121:3 He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.
Psa 121:4 Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
Psa 121:5 Jehovah is your keeper; Jehovah is your shade on your right hand.
Psa 121:6 The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.
Psa 121:7 Jehovah shall keep you from all evil; He shall keep your soul.
Psa 121:8 Jehovah shall keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.

What could be more fitting for a spiritual journey or a physical journey? So I pray the Lord keeps this Psalms in the forefront of our minds as we may our way up and over the hills to a new land. We will keep you posted on the progress of the journey!!

Confidence

"But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him." Jeremiah 17:7

On a whim, Dylan raced in his second race yesterday. We had to return some items to the local moto store and a salesman told us about a local race being held. It didn't take Dylan long to let us know he wanted to race, but he was a bit torn about what bike to ride. A couple of weeks ago, we purchased Dylan a race motorcycle. He likes it, but is a bit leery of it because he can't touch his feet on the ground when he is on it. Long story short, Garth made an executive decision to let him ride the new bike.

We got to the track and all checked in for the race. Dylan has only been on this track a couple of times. The track was wet and kind of slick. On Dylan's practice lap, he didn't even make it around once. He kept falling and just not sure of himself at all. (He had just rode the day before and was looking really good on the bike.) He came off the track crying and Garth was frustrated. So, the serious parenting began. We knew he just needed some confidence and he could ride that track. We told him to ride with the confidence he had the day before and he would do great. Garth took him to a little track and let him ride while the other races were going. The confidence was building.

His race time began and believe it or not, he did all three laps without falling. He was a totally different rider. He came in last out of four, but he finished the race. He was so proud of himself. On the second moto, he was in third place up until the very end and a little guy passed him. But once again, all the way around three times without one fall. He came off the track with a big smile and was greeted by a big bear hug from his dad. He just got a participation trophy and was quite disappointed in it. However, the day turned out to be a big confidence booster for Dylan.

Confidence appeared to be the word of the day, and as I was replaying the day in my mind I began to realize that I am not too much unlike Dylan. There are many times that I don't have the confidence to get through some of the things I face. However, as the verse above states, we are to have our confidence in Jesus - that will be enough to get us through. If the waves are crashing in too hard and high or the waters ahead look murky and muddy or the mountain just looks way too treacherous - we are called to trust in Him and find our confidence to come through in Christ.

Be encouraged!!

Many blessings!

First Race

I just wanted to quickly tell you about Dylan's first motocross race. As you know, Dylan has ridden a little dirtbike for about a year. Lately, he has expressed interest in racing, so he rode in his first race yesterday. To make the day more special, my grandparents came down to enjoy the day with us.

We arrived at the track around 9 am and got Dylan checked in for the race. He was ready to ride as soon as we got there. We tried to get him to conserve enery for the race, but he informed us that he was here to ride not rest. Before the races began, a Christian motocycle club held a devotional for anyone who wanted to join, so we did and were greatly blessed. Dylan got a sticker from them and they prayed for him and his bike. (Very neat.) Then the waiting began. They run the little guys last, so he was race number 9. We are still learning about the motocross sport, so here is what we know. There is a class for PeeWee's and a class for race 50's. Dylan is in the PeeWee class because of the bike he rides. There were no other PeeWee's and only 2 race 50's. They ran these boys together and of course, Dylan came in last in both races. However, because he is considered PeeWee, he received the 1st place trophy for the class. Well, he thinks he is big stuff now. He has shown his trophy off and told big tales about the race and this morning he took a picture of the trophy to school. He had a great time and so did we, so I guess there will be more racing in our future and possibly a race bike.

It was a fast weekend, but very special. We are so glad that Mamaw and Papaw were able to jump in their car and come for a quick visit. The boys really enjoyed having them around, and it was good for them to spend some special time with Jaydon. We ended their visit with prayer and off to the big city of Hillsboro they went. I thank them for the Christian legacy they are passing on to their kids, grandkids, and now great-grandkids.










Well, now it is time to get things back in order from the weekend. Gotta go!! Laundry is beckoning.

Many blessings!!