Camp Coyote, Earth Explorers

Day 2: Marshes and Swamps.  "My counselor says we MUST wear clothes we aren't afraid to get wet in and bring a change of clothes just in case all of us gets wet..."  Not excited AT ALL.  She pretty much slept in those purple camos.

Playing Baby

She really gets into character.  Babies in our house also eat apples, straight up.

Chocolate Dipped Candy Cupcakes and Dave's Birthday

Quite tasty but prepare for a seriously JACKed up kitchen.  Definitely not the best baking choice when 40+ people are coming over  to celebrate your husband's birthday, house is squeaky clean and you've locked the kids in the backyard to keep it that way.  But I think they were worth it.  Recipe here.

35 Reasons

...why I love my husband.  One for each year he celebrates today.  As told (primarily) through picture texts, sent from him to me.

35. His love for the little things.  Including this gargantuan-sized jug of Tapatio sent w/ "Booooooom" as the subject.  His excitement for stuff like this KILLS me.  And makes me want to kill him sometimes.  34. Nothing spells L-O-V-E more than clean (and folded) laundry.  Also, he has wonderfully realistic and domestically liberating expectations as to the cleanliness and organization of our home.  Until he can't find his dental floss.  Then the earth falls of its' axis.  33. His God-given leadership qualities, determination and drive.  Also, his passion for teaching God's Word and shepherding God's people.  This is my favorite picture ever, I think. 

32. He shops for our girls.  He bought those cute little purple Vans for Ashy last year.  And for KK, those skinny jeans and black converse.  31. His love for Chipotle that I definitely share.  Our baby has inherited it, too.  30. His passion for the game(s).  Football, baseball, hockey, golf, curling.  You name it and can play it, he loves it.  He dresses the girls in sports gear whenever he can.  And actually, I find security in his fanaticism.  His loyalty and devotion to teams  like the Giants and the Niners remind me that he will always stick around.  Even when I'm a loser. 

29. He always gives me his heart.  Artichoke and otherwise.  28. His passion for Jesus and serving His people.  This picture was taken while helping his mom rip up her carpet and replace it with hardwood floors.  And actually it's Kim and Kelly serving.  Which brings to mind another reason why I love him so much.  He has an amazing ability to move people to action and he only uses it for good.  27. He takes KK on ice cream dates.  He values his role as daddy and understands the lasting importance of spending quality time  with them.

26. Movie night at Kayla's school.  Speaking of Kayla's school, he has aspirations to be president of the PTA.  Look out, Sunnybrae.  25. He takes the safety of our children very seriously.  24. He loves Friday Night Lights, The Office, Whale Wars and Kitchen Nightmares almost as much as I do.  And Shark Week.

23. He is super helpful with the girls and loves getting them bathed and ready for bed.  And allows Ashy to wear Kayla's PJ's.  Which Ashy loves also.  22. He makes pizza from scratch.  21. He's a fun dad.  And allowed Ashlyn to wear her Halloween costume before even leaving the store.  And for most of the month, actually.

20. He is excited about ministering to our community and sharing Christ.  19. He watches with delight when Ashy swings a bat.  It's usually at her sister but he's not really concerned about that.  Definitely more interested in her form.  18. He takes artsy pictures.

17. He shares his bed.  And sometimes gets kicked out.  BAD summer habit.  We'll regulate when school starts.  16. He genuinely enjoys helping others.  Like his mom when she bought a new car earlier this month.  I think in his next life he will be a certified pre-owned car salesman.  He loves the whole process which I think is the weirdest thing EVER.  15. He loves Kobi.  The only other man in the house.

14. Our little Ashy at one of her many doctor's appointments this past year.  I love him because he constantly reminded me of God's plan and purpose through all of it.  And now, I can honestly say that I see this huge trial as a gift.  God is going to use it and her in big ways.  And I am thankful to my dear husband for continually reminding me of that fact.  13. He loves to take our babies to the zoo.  12. And to the beach.

11. And to movie dates with friends.  10. And to the snow.  9. And to Starbucks.

8. And to the park.  7. And to the pumpkin patch.  6. And to creepy, plush m&m factories.

5. He has discernment.  Todd Friel, pictured here, (and who spoke recently at a conference Dave attended) is the host of one of the more "legit" shows on Jesus TV.  Dave likes to watch late night Jesus TV and analyze its' theology.   I don't know why I love this but I do.  I have, however,  banned him from calling the hotlines to debate with the prayer warriors.  4. He listens to a Paul Washer sermon at least once a day.  3. He loves music.  And so does Ash.

2. The CityTeam housecat.  Sent with caption "Show to KK, please."  I love him because he's constantly thinking about his girls, even when he is not with them.  1. Daytime Skyline snow date while girls were in school.  He values our time together and invests in our relationship.  He is a true, living example of a biblical husband and father, who loves Jesus first and foremost, and I am blessed beyond belief to be married to him.

Happy Birthday, babe!  I love you and am thankful for all you do.

Our Oldest Friend

On Tuesday, our friend Danny turned old.  REAL old.  Like halfway-to-dead old.  The first of our close friends to hit the big 4-0.  We celebrated at a San Jose Giants game which, I have to say, was quite fun.  Not as fun as watching him hike over the hill WAY before us.  But still fun.  Let us know how it is on the other side, old man... ;)

Funny Face

Before school wrapped for the summer, Ashlyn and her teachers had been working on different emotions.  Even has a teeny, tiny baby, her face has always been very expressive.  These are a few of my favorites.  I apologize in advance for the see-food.  I had to bribe her with chicken nuggets.

First, we have "happy."

Next, "grumpy."

And, last but not least, "silly."

And yes, she is wearing Croakies.  I realize they are geeky and it's highly likely she will want to kill us when she's older.  But, you see, they prevent her hearing aids from taking another spin in the microwave.  Which prevent us from killing her.  So it's kind of  a life and death situation.  I think she'll understand.

Sunnybrae 5-Day Club

Last week, Hope hosted its' first annual 5-Day Bible Club at Sunnybrae Park in San Mateo.  And it was really wonderful.  Like most events during these early days of our church plant, it was very grass roots and simple.  And I think the simplicity is what made it so wonderful.

Claire, Camilla (Ashlyn loves her best because she thinks her name is Vanilla) and Jesse Sloan have been trained in Child Evangelism Fellowship and run clubs like these all over the Bay Area.  They, along with their parents have been an integral part of our church since they started attending in January.  And to say that they are gifted is a huge understatement.  They were able to teach over 40 little ones God's Word for an hour and a half, each day.  With little fluff and frills.  Amazing to see.  And such a blessing.

KK loved Club and asked about it every morning when she woke up.  She also emptied her piggy bank to help James, a CEF missionary currently living in the middle east purchase a car.  Ashlyn was more interested in the swings than Jesus.  I told her that Jesus loved her and she said that she loved Cheez-Its, too.  We've got a long road ahead.

"Call to Me and I will tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3