A Poem

So there I was last night, sleep evading me, lying in bed just thinking of all the things that I've gone through in the past month. It seems unreal that Dave has been gone for over a month and even more unreal of the events that have unfolded. As I was lying there I realized how big God is and how much I needed him to carry me because I was unable to hold myself up under all this pressure of health, doctors, money, and children. He gave me this poem and I had to write it down. Believe it or not, within minutes of getting it down, I was sleeping. He is a good God. 


"This Time Around"


With each passing day
I learn more how to pray
With each passing hour
I learn more about his power
With each breath of life
I learn how to deal with strife
With each glimpse of his face
I learn how magnificent is his grace
With each tear that falls
I learn how to break down the walls
As I listen to the sound
this time around
I can't help but believe
That he made you and me
Wrapped in his love
Protected by angels above"

Summer Fun

As many of you know, Dave left for an international exercise that takes place every 2 years in Hawaii called RIMPAC. It's a total of 8 weeks and it's right smack dab in the middle of the summer. So, the girls and I have had to be creative while he's been gone. One awesome event that did happen was my mom (Grandma) and Aunt Dort came to visit us surrounding Rachel's 4th birthday. We did many things together, but most importantly we celebrated Rachel turning the big 4 by taking her to the San Diego fair and eating some delicious GF chocolate cake! She was showered with presents and had a glorious time sharing her room with Grandma. :) Here are some pics from their visit.

Here we are at the SD fair eating some yummy corn and fruit. 

Aunt Dort wanted Rachel to celebrate her birthday with a face painting that has a big "4" in the middle!

Rachel's yummy birthday cake!

Here Ray is opening an awesome water toy for the backyard from her Aunt Erica and Uncle Eric

Aunt Dort teaching helping Rachel put together her very challenging 100 piece Strawberry Shortcake puzzle.

Little did I know how much fun can be had with fluffy skirts from Aunt Vicki!!!

Grandma thought it was high time for Rachel to have her own bike! She practices on it almost daily now. 

The clan on the 4th of July! 

Here we are posing again. I just couldn't get Abigail to hold that flag! 

I love this picture of Rachel and me by the water near Seaport Village. 

There were a few nice sunny days while Grandma and Aunt Dort were here. We got the pool out and had some good fun!

This was at Old Town in San Diego. Pretty chilly day out, but fun was had by all. :)