24th of July fun

The 24th of July Celebration was so fun this year. We used the Vacation Bible School props

for the 4th and 24th to make the church's float for the parades. Dave and I rode on the float this time and we had so much fun. Our float won which was so awesome.

The Church Dog and Weekend Events

We had an awesome day on Sunday, We went to Deccan Tom and Tina's home for a very wonderful dinner. Their son went to School in Salt Lake to be a Chef and they made one of
his gourmet dinners. It was so yummy. Baily even got a bone for his dinner. We had tons of fun looking at photo's of Tom's dad and other men who were fishermen. He had a beautiful ship on display and other cool things from a fisherman's world. Tina misses the oceon since she grew up in Sandiego. Her dad did a lot of fishing too.


Before we went to Tom and Tina's we went to church. During Vacation Bible School week, Father Jared would tell me to let Baily go in the church so that I could go in and watch the kids and be involved with the VBS. The only problem is that now when we try to go in the church and leave him outside he cries so loud that everyone can hear him very well, and it disrupts mass pretty bad. So everyone agreed that Baily should be aloud to go to church. LOL When I gave in and got Baily he ran up the steps and into the church with his tail wagging away. I wish my kids liked church that well. I hope we find a place in town soon so we can just leave Baily home to go to church.I really don't know what to do now that he is so spoiled but to officially call him The Church Dog.We met Tom and Katilyn in Pagosa Springs so that Lindsey can go visit for a few weeks. It was nice to see Katilyn again. I was at the hospital with Janet when Katilyn was born, and I raised her for almost a year at one time so she is very special to me.
We miss Lindsey and look forward to her coming home already. The house is too quiet.

A New Chapter

As I took pictures of Kelly, Hubert, and Lindsey racing cars - here at Needles, I realized that this was the marking of a different Chapter and saying goodbye to the past. Hubert spent the week with us and we all had a great time as always.

They Raced the cars on Tom's track for 2 1/2 hours, cars zipping and roaring, yelling and laughter rang through the quietness of Needles.

And my mind went back to the passed 5 years that we have been bringing kids out here to spend weekends and weeks with us. There were times we would have up to 6 extra kids.

The memories flooded my mind of all the hikes we have been on, the picnics, the bomb fires, the card games, walking under the moonlight, having the kids do paintings up on the rock behind our house, writing about Nature and so on. The signs above were a few of the signs the kids painted and put near their special places they found up on the rock. There are some really cool places up there too, little cubbies and part caves. I became a little sad as I realized that now that Kelly is gone, and Lindsey is much older, that those days are pretty much gone. I miss the sounds of their laughter and even trying to tame down the fights - the good memories are so special to me and so are all the kids who blessed us by coming out with us. Tylen, Josh, Anthony, Hubert, Luke, Curtis, their friends and more friends. I can't remember all the names, but their faces are in my mind. There were times we had to bring the pick-up out and the back would be full of kids. WOW how awesome it was. I just thank God for the memories and the blessings. I am not one that does well with Change so I am all Sentimental about the memories and Sad to let it all go and move on to the next chapter. I just pray the next chapter will be as awesome as this one was. I love all those kids so much and I just pray God's blessings on them as they grow older and journey on their own paths.

A Very Long/ Fun//Exciting/Trying/Sad Week

Isn't it amazing how wonderful - great friends bring sunshine to our life!

This past week was a very fun week along with a few trials and a little sadness. The week started out with Dave and I helping the Lund family (who payed for the church's VBS) Jeri Montella. along with other members in getting the VBS ready. I helped paint the set, and Dave helped set it up.

As you can see the kids had sailor hats and the chapel was turned into a ship.

The captain of the ship led the kids in some super fun songs and helped the kids look for God in

their lives.

The kids had so much fun with the songs. The church is so old however that when the kids would stomp their feet the entire building shook.

Melany and Avena were able to come experience the fun and they did have tons of fun.

Lindsey enjoyed being one of the leaders who led the children in fun activities from Bible stories.

Now in between all the fun here, our Explorer broke down. Fun! Fun! We can't afford to get it fixed so it's just sitting in town. We are having to drive in Dave's old 72 truck with no air conditioning. LOL Not fun in 105 degree weather.

This is the group Melany and Avena were in.

On the 4Th, the Church used the decorations from VBS and made a float for the parade. They sang one of the fun songs they had learned. It is also the churches 75Th Anniversary in Monticello. I designed and did the art work on the banner.

Dave and I helped decorate the float. It was super fun!

The Lund family has a beautiful place out side town including a Chapel to hold Mass when they stay here. So they brought Father Jarad from California to do Mass. Dave is sitting with him in this photo. He is a very awesome person and we really enjoyed him a lot. He asked me to do a painting of Mother Mary for his church in California. I'm really excited to get that done for him.

OOOOPS I didn't mean to get two photo's of him on here.... lol

This is Captain Jack. He works at Disney Land and he came along to help with VBS making it a super awesome fun time for the kids. He was hilarious.

Next.... Dave and I had our marriage blessed on Sunday. It was so very special and we

were so blessed by those who came to support us. Nichole was my Maid of Honor and Dave was my hubbies best man.

This is my God-Mother. I LOVE her. She was so excited as you can tell, she couldn't stop smiling. Her and I do the music together in church.

This gal is Jeri and we get very confused when ever anyone says Jeri. I may change my name. LOL She is the leader of the Children's group and VBS.

Nichole and Kelly were having a great time after the blessing.

This is Deccan Tom who did the blessing of our marriage. He has been a huge support in our lives and we have learned so much from him. Him and his wife are super cool.

Then... after our blessing we went to Grandpa and Grandma Cordovas house and visited for a while. We Love them so much.

Now comes the sad yet I guess exciting part of the week. Kelly left home today, a man with a whole future ahead of him. I'm happy for him, but sad that after 18 years of being with him so much, home schooled him, I'm sort of struggling. God be with Him.My three youngest kids are not so little anymore. We were happy to visit with Kylie for the past several days as well. We had a very fun time.

Escape the Oceon of Deception

When I was a young girl my parents listened to Neil Diamond a lot. I Loved Neil Diamond and
even at my young teen - age I loved Jonathan Livingston Seagull. Funny, however, that a seed was being planted as I listened to the sound track of the story written by Richard Bach during those years and I didn't even realize it. Recently this amazing story has touched my life in other ways as well - as God has been taking hold of my life in deeper and deeper ways. I hope you will watch this video it has an awesome message. Usually I put stories on my stories and art blog but I really wanted to share this with all of you. And I also want to thank Shay for being a super instrument in God's hands by bringing better things out in my life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDbToBxhZUo&feature=related

A Magical Weekend

The big day came Sunday evening as Lindsey courageously drove her car against the toughest of competitors. Lindsey had tons of fun despite her defeat but she ran close to the Winner who ran the track every day for the past 3 months. Lindsey had a total of ONE hour practice so Hurray for Lindsey for having fun and giving it a try.

This photo was taken today, the last day of Memorial weekend. We took the kids out riding the bike and then came home for home made pizza. It was super.

This past weekend was such a laughinglyicious weekend filled with magic and fun. I met, for the first time, my incredible awesome bff. Shay is one of Cassie's clients. Once Cassie got Shay and I connected it has been so fun. We read together, hiked, she met some of the family, and we even held the moon. LOL

We were so blessed to spend time together after e-mailing for 6 months prior to meeting. Here is a super great poem that just sums up the special spirit that was with us all weekend.

What is Laughter

What is laughter? What is laughter?

Is it God waking up?! O is it God waking up!

It is the sun poking it's sweet head out

From behind a cloud

You have been carrying too long,Veiling your eyes and heart.

It is Light breaking ground for a great Structure

That is your Real body-called Truth.

It is happiness applauding itself and then taking flight

To embrace everyone and everything in this world.

Laughter is the polestar

Held in the sky by our Beloved,

Who eternally says,

Yes dear ones, come this way,

Come this way toward Me and Love!

Come with your tender mouths moving

And your beautiful tongues conducting songs

And with your movements-your magic movements

Of hands and feet and glands and cells- Dancing!

Know that to God's Eye,

All movement is a Wondrous Language,

And Music-such exquisite, wild Music!"

O what is laughter, Hafiz?

What is this precious love and laughter

Budding in our hearts?

It is the glorious sound

Of a soul waking up!

Track Talk

The Needles District of Canyonlands has recently started track races. One of the Rangers, Tom, has tracks set up in his garage, and this Sunday is the big day for the tournament. Lindsey went over there last night and qualified to enter the races. Here is what was said about Lindsey in our Daily Needles Sports Paper:

"Lindsey Klausner - the youngest racer in the field qualifies with a 50.73 four lap average and a one lap best of 7.71 seconds but these are false reflections of one who is in her zone! Putting on her headset she races to music and when left alone she seems to double her time, consistently staying on the track for the betterment of 20 laps at a time! Surely they will ask, where did she come from? Lindsey says that if she wins the money will be saved to buy a car. Ah..today's youth."
Written by Tom Wilson

We will have pictures and how the race went next week. Pray she does her best and WINS. If not - at least have tons of fun. There will be free hot dogs and other food prepared for everyone. We are really looking forward to it. If you want to come join us you are invited.

The scent of a flower

Even our family dog appreciates the beautiful scent of flowers. Isn't this just adorable?