Christmas......the most wonderful time of the year!~

having a blast with my pumpkin......preparing all the goodies for Christmas week!

Christmas....... My favorite time of year!!!!











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There was
a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She
hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always
there for her. She told her boyfriend, 'If I could only see
the world, I will marry you.'


One day,
someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages
came off, she was able to see everything, including her
boyfriend.


He asked
her,'Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?' The
girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The
sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn't expected
that. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life
led her to refuse to marry him.


Her
boyfriend left in tears and days later wrote a note to her
saying: 'Take good care of your eyes, my dear, for before
they were yours, they were mine.'


This is
how the human brain often works when our status changes.
Only a very few remember what life was like before, and who
was always by their side in the most painful situations.


Life Is a
Gift


Today
before you say an unkind word - Think of someone who can't
speak.


Before
you complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone
who has nothing to eat.


Before
you complain about your husband or wife - Think of someone
who's crying out to GOD for a companion.


Today
before you complain about life - Think of someone who went
too early to heaven.


Before
whining about the distance you drive Think of someone who
walks the same distance with their feet.


And when
you are tired and complain about your job - Think of the
unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job.


And when
depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a smile on
your face and think: you're alive and still around.

The last few weeks have flown by....

we have been to Avila Beach then Texas then L.A. then Disneyland, home for West Coast and a few more road trips before the Holidays!

Needless to say although we have been extremely busy, we have had a blast.

Trip to Avila Beach,

We had a blast with Mom n Dad Hale.....Alana got to visit the pumpkin patch, catch crabs, play in the rain and go to her first Melodrama!

Alana feeding the cow.....who's big long tongue kept getting Alana's arm ha ha

Then our trip to L.A. We were so excited to attend our dear family friends and "elders" 50th birthday party at Benedict Castle! How beautiful it was and so perfect for such beautiful people! We love Elder & Sis Frazier!

Best Friends - The Fraziers & The Hales

Me & my good friend Veronica!

Alana & Peyton playing army!

God is good!

We are having a girl!!!!!
Ultrasound put us at a March 18th delivery date! Look at this cute little foot! The miracle of creation still amazes me!


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A lady was waiting for her flight in the boarding room of a big airport

As she would need to wait many hours, she decided to buy a book to spend her time. She also bought a packet of cookies.

She sat down in an armchair, in the VIP room of the airport, to rest and read in peace.

Beside the armchair where the packet of cookies lay, a man sat down in the next seat, opened his magazine and started reading.

When she took out the first cookie, the man took one also. She felt irritated but said nothing. She just thought: “what a nerve! If I was in the mood I would punch him for daring!”

For each cookie she took, the man took one too. This was infuriating her but she didn’t want to cause a scene.

When only one cookie remained, she thought: “ah….What this abusive man do now?” Then, the man, taking the last cookie, divided it into half, giving her one half.

Ah! That was too much!
She was much too angry now!

In a huff, she took her book, her things and stormed to the boarding place.

When she sat down in her seat, inside the plane, she looked into her purse to take her eyeglasses, and, to her surprise, her packet of cookies was there, untouched, unopened.

She felt so ashamed!! She realized that she was wrong…
She had forgotten that her cookies were in her purse.

The man had divided his cookies with her, without feeling angered or bitter.

….while she had been very angry, thinking that she was dividing her cookies with him. And now she had no chance to explain herself…nor apologize.

There are 4 things that you cannot recover.

The stone…
… after the throw!

The word…
…after it’s said!

The occasion…
…after the loss!

The time…
…after it’s gone!

Hospital E.R.'s

Emergency Rooms! Ew gross! This last Tuesday night we spent the night in a Fresno E.R.....
My hubby's blood pressure was sky high and he was having chest pain along with a severe headache. I couldn't believe the amount of people that were there. After 8 hours of being in the E.R. Doctors sent us home with good reports! No sign of heart attack, stroke or blood clot. Couldn't explain the sky high blood pressure or pain. I'm thankful to have a God that doesn't take 8 hours to reach!
Thanks to our family for being there and those that called! Thanks to all who were praying!!!



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Heat Wave!!!

This weekend we went to downtown LA and to Disneyland! We had a blast but wow was it hot! Yesterday when we left it was 104 degrees in Anaheim!!!!!!!
Came home to a cool 100 degrees haha!!



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Ok who is willing to admit they have a little anticipation of the coming seasons & holidays?

I just wish we had autumn like this ( lol)

I am so excited about them! I absolutely love this time of year ( as I have already admitted in a previous post) but I love it...everything about it!

I love the preparation, the baking,

the gift shopping (which I have to admit I haven't started) the extra time spent with family, the aroma's of fall candles, cookies, etc. I keep saying I need to get my fall stuff out....but keep putting it off because I am usually too tired by the time I get around to thinking about it!

Central California Womens Conference!!!

Yesterday a couple co-workers and I were able to attend the CCWC in Fresno! Our awesome company, Calarco, Inc. sends us every year! We have a great time and get tons of free stuff! I so wish I would have snapped a couple shots on my phone but oh well. The really awesome freebies I brought home include (but not limited to one) lol Pedometer from Union Bank, Awesome Apple shaped cutting board, really cool reusable cups w/lid & straw, a bath bag filled with lotion from bath & body, bath salt rocks & a vanity set, a large tooth comb, and lots of other goodies. The speakers were excellent, Dr. Kathleen Behr

who is a dermatologist had an excellent session on "The Sun & You" very informative info on how applying SPF 30 sunscreen every morning regardless if you will be outside or not will help protect your skin and reduce some aging of the skin.

The Luncheon keynote speaker was Marie Osmond,

I had no idea who she was until Monday, the General Manager printed off a 7 page Wikipedia article so I could familiarize myself with her, and she did a great job! I thought I had pressed the record button on my iphone and realized that i hadn't at the very end....ugh... I really enjoyed what she had to say!

At the end of a long day my feet were dying and I was exhausted! lol

Thank God its my Friday so I can rest tomorrow! :)

2nd Trimester!!

Well here we are week #13!
so far so good!

Baby should be between 2-3 inches long. Can't wait until I can start feeling baby move.




Food aversions at this point...
Lettuce ewwwww. I usually love lettuce but OMW not now!

Pretty much everything else is fine!


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Labor day weekend we got away to Disneyland! We had a great time once we got there. The traffic on the way down was horrendous! Finally once we checked into our hotel and got to the park we were not surprised to find a huge crowd lol.... Thank the Lord Saturday & Sunday the crowds were way down. The weather was awesome and we had a great time. Alana absolutely loves the parks and was not ready to come home!



-traffic on the way......
Bumper to bumper. Fun fun fun




Alana with Handy Manny



After riding Dumbo with Daddy





Practicing her Princess moves!

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Happy Labor Day!!!

Wishing everyone a safe & blessed Labor Day Weekend!

In whatever you may find yourself doing this weekend, remember to count your blessings and love your family!

Weekend Part #2

Saturday was the Loo Family Reunion!

We had a great time reuniting with all of our family! It was a treat to see everyone!

Weekend Recap

This past weekend was pretty busy for us!

It started off Friday night with a surprise birthday dinner for my hubby who turned 30!!!!

SURPRISE!!!!
Getting ready to serve dinner!
Mom Hale
Dad & Mom Loo
Best Friends, Soul Mates!

Jade & Seth
Jeremy's parents & I surprised him with his first gun as his gift. He was surprised!!!!
Grandma giving wisdom regarding his gift and our kids....safety first!!!! Thanks G-MA
The girls having a blast!

Alana giving daddy kisses!

HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY BABE!!!!

Today is my hubby's 30th birthday!

We had a surprise birthday dinner for him on Friday night and had a great time with Family & a few friends! I love you babe and hope you have an incredible 30th year!

Love ya!

Wifey

We had our first peek at our precious baby #2! Wow, the love I felt for this baby at first sight was incredible!!! Alana got to be there to see the baby, I'm not for certain she got the image haha!!!



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Anyone ready for autumn? I love the fall and the holiday anticipation! Truly my favorite time of year!!! The smells of pumpkin pie and harvest candles.... Oh how I truly enjoy this time of year!!!


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Life....

Live life to the fullest because you never know when you might just take your last breath!

Love those around you, you never know who around you is feeling un-loved!

Listen to your children, these moments slip quickly away.

Listen to your spouse, and cherish their voice.

Leap for joy if you find your running low!

Take chances, take risks, try new things, don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.

Make memories, be adventurous!

Love God with all of your heart and no matter what comes your way, He promises to never leave your side!

I choose to take life one step at a time, one day at a time and cherish the moments I have with my loved ones!

Blessed
By: Rachael Lampa

I may never climb a mountain,
So I could see the word from there.
I may never ride the waves,
And taste the salty ocean air.
Or build a bridge,
That would last a hundred years.
But no matter where the road leads,
One thing is always clear....

I am blessed,
I am blessed,
From when I rise up in the morning,
'Till I lay my head to rest,
And I feel you near me,
You sooth me when I'm weary.
Oh, Lord,
For all the worst and all the best,
I am blessed.

All along the road less traveled,
I have crawled and I have run.
I have wandered through the winds and rains,
Until I found the sun.
But watching eyes,
Asked me why,
I walk this narrow way,
There may never be a reason,
For the hope I have today....


You've given me joy,
You've given me love,
You give me strength,
When I want to give up.
You came from heaven,
To rescue my soul.
You are the reason,
I know,
I know.

I am truly a blessed person….

Richly blessed in Faith, Family, Love, Joy & Peace!

I am truly a blessed person….

Richly blessed in Faith, Family, Love, Joy & Peace!

Homemade Taco’s with fresh garden tomatoes = Delicious!!!!

I love homemade tacos! Last night I had the pleasure of hosting dinner for my family after service!!!

I have to admit the food was delicious, but most of all I enjoy time with my extended family (husband, Alana, parents, brother and sis-in-law) .

Each moment we spend together is a JOY!I am very thankful for my family (both sides Hale’s & Loo’s).

My mom offered to keep Alana for the night so we could get some much needed rest. Jeremy has been sick with a viral infection and I have just been tired (lol), my poor mother said Alana finally went to sleep about 1:20 this morning. Oh the wonderful wee hours of early childhood! Yes, I know she should be on a better schedule…we will work on that!

Alana definitely has tons of ENERGY!!!! I sure could use a few doses of that energy!

I am truly blessed!

Have you taken the time to count your blessings today?

^{Last night I was reading in the book of Joshua and these scriptures really stuck out to me in chapter 2,}

¹⁰For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed.

¹¹And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.

When I finished reading, I began to express my thoughts out loud to my husband………….and here they are.

The people of Jericho HEARD the testimony of the wonders the Lord had performed for the children of Israel, the mighty miracles he performed in setting them free and delivering them out of the hand of the enemy.

I began to think their God, He is MY GOD, He is the SAME, YESTERDAY (in the Bible Days) as He is TODAY, and He will be that same God TOMORROW.

The same God!!! I knew that before, but it was like a light came on, the same God that delivered them, is the same God I serve today, and what he did then, he can do now. NO matter the situation, no matter the circumstance, He is able and willing and desirous to perform on our behalf.

As I think of those around me, co-workers, neighbors, friends and family….who has heard what the Lord has done?

I am amazed at the number of individuals who DO NOT KNOW the examples from the bible, growing up I thought everyone had to know the stories I knew, but I am amazed at the number that don’t, tell them your story, your testimony of what God has done for you and where God has brought you from.

When we serve the One True Living God, with all of our heart, mind, soul & strength, the enemy melts, and his courage (if he has any) diminishes because he knows that my God is God in heaven above, and in the earth beneath and in my soul today!

Don’t limit God and his abilities. For what he did back then, he can truly do it again!!!!

The old song says.......

He'll do it again, oh yes

He'll do it again

Just take a look, at where you are now, and where you've been

Hasn't He always come through, for you, He's the same now as then........

You may not know how, you may not know when,

He'll do it again!

Blogworld.....
What a horrible habit to start......missing daily blogging. That equals a BORING BLOG!

I do have a thought to post and will do so after lunch!




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Expecting!!!!!

Yes, we are excited to announce that we are expecting our 2nd bundle of joy!!!!

Just barely expecting, but hey let's not waste one moment of this exciting time!!!!

As more details come, we will be sure to share!

Looks like a due date between the end of February and mid March. I had Alana 3 weeks early so hopefully this one will be the same!

My goal was to lose 30+ lbs and then get pregnant! And yes, it worked out perfectly!!! Thank you Jesus! Now just to keep that weight off once the baby comes.....

The last two weeks have been pretty busy!
We just got back from a week long trip to Disneyland with my hubbies side of the family. We had a blast!

It was quite warm for LA and Disneyland bit nevertheless we had a great time!!

It was nice to come home, now we can rest!!!

Pictures to come soon!


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Happy 4th of July!!!

Thank God the weather has cooled off for us slightly the past few days. The firework sales have been right on schedule!!!
Looking forward to a busy afternoon!!!











-Ronald Reagan : "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction."

I'm thankful today for the freedom we have from sin and the freedom we have in the USA!!!

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Animals....
I would not consider myself anything close to an animal lover. In fact, I tolerate dogs to a point, every other kind of animal in my opinion is better off being viewed from a good distance at the local zoo. I was not raised around animals so therefore I never attached myself to them. Although I on a couple of occasions had a puppy here and there. Cats especially give me the creeps. Anyways, animals and their characteristics at time remind me of people and the different personalities that are out there. On the opposite side of this story is my hubby, he loves animals. Which is not surprising being "opposites attract". He on the other hand was raised with animals. He was allowed to have them and wow many different varieties of animals at that. Just to mention a couple, a calf that lived in their atrium, four dogs that I can remember (Kim, Doby, Baby & Felon) I believe were their names, snakes, crawdads, mice, lizards and who knows what else. So needless to say he loves em, I tolerate them at a distance. We have 1 puppy, chocolate lab that just had her 1st bday and her name is Cocoa. Ok... I like her, she does excellent with Alana.

Anyways with all that...........

We visited the local school farm yesterday afternoon, Alana loves most animals. We saw pigs, sheep and goats. The fair is coming up next week so the animals were all being groomed and cleaned in preparation for their showings.











As I was looking at these different animals, several thoughts ran thru my mind. Such as the similarities between us and these animals. The sheep, stubborn, stinky, dumb and loud. While we were visiting the farm, there was a girl sheering her sheep. For this process to run as smooth as possible, the girl had harnessed and attached the leash to the fencing. The sheep although being very still was baa...ing very very loudly.

Sometimes as the sheep of God's pasture we may be doing everything we are supposed to and living right, being obedient but baa....ing about it to everyone in a negative way. That baa....ing is annoying to those around us. We may be working in the kingdom of God whether it's selling fireworks, cleaning the church, teaching a class, washing the church vehicles, whatever it may be....but we baa about it to those we speak as it's such a burden or a drag to be apart of. Being sheep are dumb, they don't realize how annoying their baa.....ing can become. As we walked thru that farm I could hear the baa of that sheep everywhere, and the closer I got, the louder and more annoying it was. My conclusion to this similarity between us and them... As the sheep of God's pasture, let us work in the kingdom and let our baa.....ing be praise and not complaining. That sheep sounded very annoyed with having to be sheared. Be joyful in that which you do. And be joyful because the Shepherd knows what's best for you!!!

I won't go into the other similarities now, blogging from my phone.... Well that's more for 1 liners haha!!!!




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Alana & Noni



Alana & Poppy



Papaw & Alana

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