Back Packing through So Cal for the Holidays

I never would have thought I would ever "back pack" through So Cal after growing up there all my life. However, when you come back for the holidays and you want to see and spend time with so many people, back packing seemed ideal. Needless to say it was.

The trip started with landing in Orange Country and mom picking me up and heading to our first dinner of the holiday season. We enjoyed a lovely dinner with life long friends, past neighbors of ours. The next day I was greeted by my baby sister waiting at the window for me as I arrive at my dads house where we went shopping and had lunch. That night the back pack was opened and shared a bed with the sister. My little brother is not so little any more and is about as tall as me and on my next visit will offically pin me down because it took all I had to pin him down this trip. (future body guard in training)

Childhood friend: Lisa

Spending time with my favorite little people!

Enjoyed the next day with a dear girlfriend, Megs, and ended the wonderful day with a Christmas dinner with all my high school friends in town. (Emma, Travis and Caitlin we missed you) A lovely breakfast with Matt and Megs and headed back to moms for a few nights. Christmas was approaching and I just couldn't wait to see all my family.

High School Family Christmas Dinner

Christmas Eve was here and that morning I had coffee with one of my past roommates, Jenn Nelson, from college who also was in town for the holidays. After returning to moms, the house was quickly filled with love and laughter. For most of you reading this blog you may have never known my wonderful grandmother, Ramona.Well this insert is to share a little about the traditions she started and have been carried throughout the lives of the grandchildren (32+ years and counting). My grandma Ramona passed away in 2000. Not to bring sad news but the traditions that we share on Christmas Eve holds a special meaning and I knew my grandma was smiling when I sat next to my Papa that night and watched his seven great grandchildren open gifts and play with all the new toys. As we have gotten older we started a new tradition of playing a white elephant trade game with whomever wanted to partake. It is so much fun to watch people go for some crazy gifts! The night wrapped up and babies were getting tired.

Jenn and I

Three Generations of love

After moms house clears out, we as an immediate family open presents. After enjoying watching the reactions on each others faces and being thankful for God's provisions we all went to bed. Christmas morning arrived quickly and my Baba made her french toast and bacon breakfast- which is a must on christmas morning. :-) Typically I pack a bag and stay at my dads after we have our Christmas but this year I came back to moms because the following morning I woke up early to drive my Papa back to Nevada. Papa and I arrived at his house, unloaded the car, I took a nap and then hit his local casino: the Virgin River, where we played Craps and Black Jack and ate dinner.  The next morning I was back on the road to Cali to see more family and friends.

My little sister- Riley

In no time my baby bro is going to be taller than me.

My little cousin- Ryder

My Little cousin- Brody

The Howard's

Visited more family and friends, hit the South Coast Winery Spa with my mom and Judy. New Years Eve came and I prepared home made Mexican food and drinks for my best friends and their spouses. We played games until the early morning. A great night! I caught up on sleep on new years day! It was needed!!

Playing games

Megs and I ringing in the New Year

The Duncan's

The Cynaumon's

The Hardeman's

Lisa and Danny

On my back packing tour, I was able to see my great Aunta Betty, aka Baba 2, and Cathy and Deanna my cousins. We went to dinner and just chatted about life and caught up with all the new things going on in each others lives. I just love them. That night Aunta Betty and I chatted again and then decided to hit the pillows. Waking up to stories of family memories of growing up with my papa. I just love hearing about the family, where I have come from and the family roots. My Aunta Betty is an amazing historian of the family. Loved spending time with her.

Next the back pack tour took me to another girlfriends house from college where we caught up and watched a movie. Love girl time! That next morning I headed back to moms to beat traffic. That night my dancing shoes went on and  line danced the night away in celebration of my cousin Craig's birthday. Let's just say: this New Year resolution of line dancing more frequently is running through my veins and I just cant wait to get back on the floor.

My last Saturday in Cali was spent visiting life long family friends. Home made tamales, beans and rice: yes please! That night I ended at my dads where we had a popcorn party and watched a movie. The next morning I rough housed with the sbilings and took Riley with me to have lunch with another special friend, Rachel. Rachel and I grew up together and loved catching up with her and seeing where she is in life. Loved it. That night I headed back to moms to spend a little time with my Baba and pack the bags to head back to Texas.

Morning came quickly and drove my mom into work in Orange County where I then took her car to meet up with another dear friend, Loreli, for breakfast. Went to my dads after to spend time with my step-grandma and aunt. Picked up the kids from school, helped with homework then went to have dinner with the girls: Emma, Megs and Melissa and watch the season premiere of the new Bachelor. Said my goodbyes and meet up with mom at work. A few hours of shut eye and I was up and getting ready for the trip home to Texas. No travel issues until I got stuck on the runway for a good thirty minutes in Dallas but overall an easy journey home.

Loved seeing and spending time with everyone that I was able to catch up with. For those that I missed I will plan to see you when I come back on the next visit. Happy New Year Y'all, I pray God blesses you and your families.

P.S. Excited for all the visitors that are coming this year!!

My Baba's Visit

On Friday, October 19 (which is my baby sister's birthday) my Baba flew into Dallas where I was waiting at the baggage claim. I was so excited for her to come and visit me and see my life out here in Texas.  My lovely roommate: Leigh Ann drove with me up to Dallas. We grabbed Baba and her luggage and headed for the truck. A quick stop for dinner at a place called Cheddar's so we could all eat and Baba could have her glass of wine. A few hours later we rolled up into my driveway.

Baba insisted on a tour of my house even though it was 1145 p.m. After a tour of the house we all went to bed to wake up early the next morning to have coffee and watch the horses in the backyard. Keep in mind these are not my horses but the property behind me has horses!!

On Saturday, I took Baba sight seeing, showed her Lake Tyler, where I lived before I bought my house, and just the city. This particular weekend happened to be the Annual Rose Festival in Tyler. A huge event for the City and Nationally known. Here is a few pictures of the extent of this festival.

Baba in front of some of the Roses

More Roses

The Festival within the Rose Garden Acres

Cheese

The Duchess of the Festival

After we enjoyed seeing all the beautiful dresses, costumes and walking through the museum, Baba and I grabbed a bite to eat and hit Walmart to get some food for the week. I requested some of my favorite dishes. Baba taught me how to make them.

My Baba teaching me how to cook my favorite chicken

Every night we enjoyed our wine, talking about whatever came to mind. That Sunday we had a busy day with church activities: church, lunch with friends, life group and family dinner at the Runyan's.

At family dinner we carved pumpkins and as usual Baba did a great job with the camera and it was a digital camera!! 

Carving our little hearts away

Everyone is so serious!

My finished Pumpkin

All our pumpkins

Cheese!

Monday we just chilled around the house. That night we got hooked into the seventh game of the National League Championships to watch the Giants advance to the world series and went to MNF at the Runyan's. Tuesday was another relaxing day and I worked that night. I had recorded the last Presidential Debate for my Baba to watch while I was at work. Came home Wednesday morning to have breakfast with Baba then head to bed for a few hours. Woke up to go wine tasting at the local winery: Kiepersol. 

Kiepersol Winery- Tyler, Texas

We love Wine

Beautiful Vineyards

We bought some wine to take home with us. I made dinner, had some more wine and watched a movie. Thursday morning I had a meeting with my Administration Team for the church at a place called Egg and I then Baba and I embarked on a mini road trip into Shreveport, Louisiana to shop. 

Shreveport, Louisiana

The Boardwalk Shops

Downtown- Shreveport, Louisiana

Another view of Downtown

Shopping was a blast. Baba loved going to Louisiana. We got home before dinner to heat up some leftovers and of course had some wine. We chilled for the rest of the night because we needed to get up early to head into Dallas for her to catch her flight back to Cali. A huge storm came in that morning but I planned on enough time to get through the storm and to Dallas. The storm got better after a good half and hour towards Dallas. Baba made it with plenty of time to spare. I hugged and kissed her bye and prayed for a safe flight home. She told me next year she is staying longer than a week! :-) 

On my journey back to Tyler I reflected on the time I had with my Baba. I am truly blessed to have a grandmother who has not only been apart of every aspect of my life but at the age 85 is willing to jump on a plane to see me and spend time with me. I am so thankful for my Baba and the time we had together that week. A true gift from God.

A Year Later

 A year ago today I arrived in Tyler, Texas. My truck was packed with clothes, scrapbooking goods and a stethoscope. A few weeks after arriving my nursing license was transferred and the orientation began. Learning the ropes as not only a new nurse but also in a different culture had its times of difficulty but would not have changed it for the world. Beyond thankful for the open door to work at ETMC and getting the opportunity to love of the people of East Texas. I love the people I work with and enjoy learning the ways of being a “Texan.”

Loving my job.

            Throughout the year the biggest thing I have learned is really how important my family and friends truly are and when they were so close and convenient I often took for granite how accessible they were until I moved 1,522 miles away. I am so thankful for technology today that allows me to FaceTime, Skype and even talk on the phone to friends and family all over the states.

            During this year the Lord has blessed me in ways I could have never imagined: a wonderful job, a home church, new friends, old friends, a house and adventures beyond my wildest dreams. And it was all because of a little spark of God telling me to move to impact His nation.  It truly amazes me how being obedient even when you question or wonder what the outcome will be that our Father has our best interest in His hands. Amazing Love: There is no greater love. 

            I am excited to see where this next year takes me. The people I meet, the lives I pray God touches through me and the adventures to be embarked on.  Excited for the visitors planned to come and see my life in Texas and meet the amazing people that make up this state. 

Here are some snaps shots of the year:

First Visitors: Mom, Jon and Jenny (not pictured) to help with the move into my house.

Second Visitors: My Aunt Beebes and the boys came to visit Sissy in her new home!! Loved having them over, can't wait for them to come back.

Road trip to Houston with Melissa (Caleb and Myah in back)

Zip lining with Hannah, a new little friend!! 

We fry everything out here: even our turkey's for Thanksgiving!!

T and I being crazy!

Road trip to the east coast for my birthday!!

T and I on a bathroom break.

Driving and still driving: so thankful and blessed for them in my life!

My turn to drive on the road trip and T took over the camera: number one mistake when stuck in a car for too long!!  

In New York City with Jenn, loved seeing her! 

Jailbreak Mudrun!! 

My blessing: a home! 

Harvest Carnival

The past few months I have been working on creating a celebration party for Harvest Church.  The church turned eight this past week and I was in charge of planning the event. After some pondering and considering I got the idea to throw a Carnival/Circus in celebration. We have a lot of kids in the church right now and decided to make the event memorable for them too.

The planning entailed getting a carousel bounce house, a band, dunk tank, face painting, volleyball, bonfire, horse shoes, and a game called washers.  A little bit of energy well spent on my church family and the community.  I made all the desserts: the cake, cupcakes, rice crispy treats and dipped pretzels. 

The fire department filling the dunk tank. So nice of them. 

We are having a Carnival.

Some crazy clowns I found: Melissa and David 

What Pastor do you know that awaits to be dunked in 50 degree weather. PS. I dunked him!!

My Clown Cake. Happy Birthday Harvest.

Celebrating Harvest Circus Style

The table in the church foyer for the Birthday celebration!!

At the end of the event, people left thanking me for a great time and never thought they would stay as long as they did. All worth the effort and energy when it makes an impact in the lives of Harvest. Happy Birthday Harvest!! Cheers to another great year ahead!