1st Annual Drive-Thru Nativity at F.A.F.C.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God,
The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6:

Santa Visited Florence Avenue Foursquare Church!

Tonight was the first night of the First Annual Drive-Thru Nativity at our church. We had the blessing to be a part of the festivities. We were both able to be carolers. It was soooo much fun and such an exciting night!! Every year since I was a little girl I looked forward to the Drive-Thru Nativity, and now to get to be a part of it at our own church...God is so good, and we are so blessed! One of the best things was Chelsea and Wes coming to cheer us on!!! We even had time to visit with Santa in the Kids Zone!

The Little Patient Came Home!

All warm and snuggly in his new jacket!


He can barely keep his little eyes opened...still groggy from the anesthesia! He just doesn't want to miss a thing...plus he's afraid what will happen to him if he falls asleep! Our poor little patient! He was a trooper...and we know from before his beautiful hair will grow back...but for now, I've got a couple of little jackets to keep him warm!

Blessings are a blessing!!

It's been a desire of mine lately to be able to bless people. My old understanding of blessing people was buying them gifts, but the Lord has shown me how important time and friendship is a blessing. My new friend Ophelia has had a rough couple of years, but she is still able to see God's hand on her life and her obedience and faithfulness have been rewarded. This year she will be hosting her son and his family for Thanksgiving, and for the first time is having it at their temporary home. After the Heart & Home Event at church she was so excited to host this year, using one of the concepts that we learned that was soooooo profound, and that was to use what you have...before the event I thought that meant scrounging around your home and not buying new decorations to make your home look more festive, which to a point it was, but more importantly it was to use what we have and share it, which is the love of Christ! That's what we're supposed to do at the holidays, but oftentimes we get wrapped up in the whole affair. Ophelia has never done a menu before and really liked the idea of that, but doesn't have a computer at home...well, since I work on my computer all day I can help! So I typed up her menu on some pretty Thanksgiving paper, she is going to use a picture frame she has at home already to put the menu in and on the table, and tonight I'm giving her these little guys as place cards for her table setting. I made a batch of jar cupcakes with chocolate cupcakes, chocolate frosting and Reece's "Peaces." ;) Here is hers...what a blessing it was to her that I typed up the menu, but what more the blessing is that I can do it for her! Trust me, it's more of a blessing for me!!! That's one thing I'm thankful for this year, learning to walk in kindness with open eyes to see where I can bless somebody!

Happy Bird-day, Sally!!

My Pal Sal's birthday is on Thanksgiving this year! She's going to celebrate in style with her family! She always teases me the way I say "birthday," so that's why it's Bird-Day...or Birt-Day...I never say the full "th" sound! :) I love ya', Pal! This will be on your doorstep tonight! Enjoy your chocolate/mint cupcake!

Merry Christmas!

I woke up this morning with a wonderful kiss from my man! "Merry Christmas, Baby," he says! Oh, how he makes me smile...I'm so thankful God gave him to me! Yesterday John came home with a beautiful anniversary card! "Wait, is it Christmas Eve?" you may be asking yourselves. No! John just loves to on occasion on the 24th of the month give me an anniversary card. John doesn't believe in celebrating our anniversary only once a year. Of course, again, the little booger made me cry and thank him for marrying me!


On Christmas Eve we will celebrate 5 years of marriage and I still am in awe at how wonderful this life is being Mrs. John Turner! I still feel like "It sucks to be you," because I feel like God loves me more than anybody else by giving me this amazing man. This morning proved it again, just how special and loving John is and how gracious I am for my marriage! John is THE BEST husband, the man of every single dream I ever had...and also THE BEST example of a dad for my kids!! We all know our life wouldn't be anything like it is had John not married us, and we're so thankful for him! Merry Christmas!

Papa George & Nonni love Chelsea

Whether George & Barbara like it or not, Chelsea and Cameron have adopted them as their grandparents...not that the kids don't have grandparents and not that George and Barbara don't have enough grand kids of their own...it just happened that God blessed the kids with another set of grandparents!!! George and Barbara really had no choice in the matter, they just lovingly stepped up to the plate! Papa George is taking a digital photography class right now and learning all sorts of neat things to do with his photos...today my e-mail in-box brought me to tears when this was attached.

There are pictures of Chelsea & Wes, Chelsea & Barbara, Wes, and Chelsea. The picture of Chelsea in the middle is actually from a picture with George & Barbara's "real" grandson Dakota, who got cropped out, and was taken at George & Barbara's daughter Dawnn's wedding to Rick when Chelsea was like 3 years old. Don't you think Chelsea looks exactly the same!?!? Oh, time flies!! Thanks for the wonderful tears, George!!! We love ya'!

Roots!

You know, there are times when it's hard to count it a blessing what we endure, but truly, after an initial bit of a panic, we can count our blessings with the current catastrophe at the Turner Home. Our beautiful tree in the front yard that saves us considerably on air-conditioning costs in the summertime has caused a great expense. The roots have grown into the old pipes leading out of the house to the City's sewer. The plumbers put a camera into the pipe, and I was truly amazed that ANYTHING had been able to penetrate the weave of roots that has grown into the walls of the ceramic pipes that were used 60 years ago when the home was built! When the plumbers told me how expensive this fix would be, I told them, "Well, I know God will provide." Then I joked, "Man, I wish I were like Moses and could part the roots out of the pipes." Well, then I realized, regardless of the parting of the seas for Moses, God restored the water and didn't leave it parted...so, we write the 4,000-dollar check and give thanks that the pipes lasted as long as they did, give thanks that we can actually cover that check, give thanks that God allowed this to happen BEFORE the proposed new tax on services such as specifically, plumbing! Yep...we can count this a blessing!

Danielle's Update From India

Friends and Family, Namaste!This is the greeting they use here. Whheeww...By God's good grace wearrived here in India safe and sound with all our baggages, rearing togo! Airport security was a breeze and we were put to rest as we sawlittle Linnet jumping up and down amongst a crowd of people waitingoutside the airport. How that little body found us through all thosepeople was another miracle...though i am sure 11 Americans wanderingaround in Chennai's airport is hard to find! :o) We were greeted byLinnet Gupta and her fearless accomplice, Sushima. Both ladies were sowelcoming and graciously provided us with cool towels and cold water(it is almost 90 degrees, and 80% humidity), swooped us up and we wereon our way to the HBI campus.HBI has generously provided us with nice living quarters...way nicerthan I expected. I am rooming with Linda Pearce on the first floor (orthe ground floor as they call it) with Charlotte and Barry next doorto us and the others are on the 3rd floor (2nd floor). We have acommon room up on the third floor that is connected to all theirrooms. this is where we meet in the mornings to pray and discuss ourprevious day as well as the agenda for our current day.We have been blessed by very warm welcomes from the people here;during our introductory seminar yesterday, 4 girls from the HBI schoolcame and dressed us with home-made jasmine/rose leis, a traditionalcustom here. We have also been able to attend a church service ourfirst night here...Unfortunately we were all exhausted and fightingjet lag that we must of all looked like sleepy bobble heads,continuely nodding off. Thankfully the people here understood ourexhaustion and shooed us off to bed. For the most part, all of us ourrecovering well from the time difference and have almost caught up onour sleep. Today we were blessed by visiting a senior citizen home.There we were able to visit and pray with the elderly residing there.To our surprise many of them knew English and Jesus!!! They prayedWITH us and ' I was sung to by a sweet lady by the name of Mary Paul.The men recieved little pieces of paper a senior man, named' andHerold made in the form of a mini bible with one page. Opening it upthere was handwriting, inside it read "Let the peace of God rule inyour hearts" and "The Lord crowns you with loving kindness and tendermercy: Praise the LORD." Please keep these people in your prayers forthey have such a sweet and tender heart...they just crave for visitsfrom people.We'll I must run off to tour around the campus...We have the 2ndsession of the Truth Project going on as I type and tom we start ourWomen's conference and painting training. Please pray that these goover smootly as well as the upcoming pastor's leadership seminars,child development teachers' training as well as the continued showingsof the Truth Project and possible medical camp activities. We havefaith that the Lord will go before us, prepare the way, and provide uswith the right culturally sensitive yet effective words. So far ourhealth has been good with the exceptions of a few minorailments...please continue to include our health in your prayers,especially with this heat. We have only just begun the journey of ourmission here...Thank you all for your continued Prayers and Support! We really feelthem here---all the way on the other side of the world!!Love you all and many blessings sent your way from India!Peace, love and JOY,DanielleIndia Team 2008

International Tri-tip???

Anybody that knows me knows how interesting I find my local Mexican Markets! For a while there I was going daily and would share with everybody all the wonders of the Mexican Markets, but I had to stop those daily excursions because I was spending too much time away from my desk when I could be working, as well as too much money. Last week for Halloween I found THE CUTEST little painted pumpkins with feather hair...too cute and only 99 cents! Funny thing is we went to Super Target in Menifee while we were camping, and the exact same little painted pumpkins were $3.99...how crazy is that?? But today's find is a bit different, as well as perplexing...if you look at this label you'll see what I mean. "Tri-Tip Roast Product of US, Canada, and Mexico," huh????? Did the little cow walk all the way from Mexico to Canada and back to the U.S.? Gram thought maybe it was bred in Canada, Raised in Mexico, and slaughtered in the U.S. I don't know...what do you think??? It's in the smoker right now, so I'll have to let you know how it tasted...my little international tri-tip!

Praying for Danielle and Team

Today's the day and Danielle and her team left for India for their trip. Things have been hectic this week for her, but as I write this, she is at the airport ready to start the adventure.


Two weeks ago we met Papa George at Naleeni's church service on a Friday night so that Naleeni could pray for Danielle and give Danielle an opportunity to just talk to Naleeni for advice and encouragement. It was an awesome night and was such a blessing for Danielle to have somebody pray so specifically for her. Of course, the Lord revealed to Naleeni Danielle's specific fears and concerns, and the power of the Holy Spirit lead her prayers.

We're anxious to hear how the Lord has used Danielle and we'll be kept posted on the team's adventure. Please keep them in your prayers. I will update the specific requests or victories the team has as I am updated.

Prophetic?

CAMERON
Gender: Masculine & Feminine
Usage: Scottish, English
Pronounced: KAM-rən (English), KAM-ə-rən (English) [key]
From a Scottish surname meaning "crooked nose" from Gaelic cam "crooked" and sròn "nose."

So when Tommy and I decided on the name "Cameron" over 21 years ago, never did we think we were being prophetic...another broken nose...it's getting more crooked with each season playing hockey! Talked to Cameron last night and got the lo-down on the latest broken nose. He said while sitting in the penalty box after the latest scuffle, he noticed pressure against his eye and realized it was his nose out of place. Having had previous broken noses he knew to get it repositioned as quickly as possible so he "crunched" it back into place...then at the period break the coaches and trainers saw it was a bit too far to one side, so they "smooshed" it back into place again. After the game the team doctor took a look at it and realized it still wasn't in place properly, so "crunch, smoosh, crack," back into place! Ick!

Poor Gram!

Grandma's blood pressure has been up a bit this past couple of weeks, so we had to go in for a checkup today. When I got to her house she told me she had a "little rash." Immediately I see the "rash" that extends from the tip of her finger, all the way up into her arm pit. I said, "Gram, that's not a 'little rash,' that's shingles." She says, "Honey, I think I just got bit by a spider." "No, Gram, those blisters look just like when I had shingles; that's shingles!" Well, sure enough, the doctor walks in the room, looks at the rash, and says, "I know exactly what it is; one second." He comes back with a diagram of a body that shows the nerve tracks on your body and says, "Yes, it is shingles attacking your C8 nerve," which explains how it is all the way up her arm. The doctor explained her blood pressure being elevated is a side effect of the shingles and just upped her dosage of blood pressure medication for a bit. This picture doesn't even do it justice, to show how horrible her little arm looks. She looks as though somebody has poured hot oil down her arm. Poor little Gram! I explained to her that the reason he prescribed Vicodin was because by tomorrow she probably will begin experiencing extreme pain. She said, "No, I won't. I will myself to not have pain, Honey. Where there's a will, there's a way!" So, we're going to believe she's not going to be in pain, and that this pass quickly. I told her we would be praying for the same, so please do too! The only thing that is bothering her right now is she can't have her glass of wine before bed!

Election 2008

It's a big day in our country and a big day in our family! Not only did our nephew Brenton turn 16 today, but Chelsea got to vote for the first time and exercise a right that our great country affords us! I'm so excited for her and proud of her for standing up and letting her voice be heard. Although we got Cameron registered before he left for the season, his paperwork didn't come back early enough to be able to vote as an absentee voter. Conspiracy against yet another registered potential Republican voter??? Now we just wait to see how things come out. I've prayed and prayed, and we all know that God has a plan, so regardless of the outcome, there is a reason! God Bless America...please.

Roughin' it!

Roughin it! We took the condo out this weekend to camp near Kelly & Trudy's house so we could zip over there for Halloween! The campground had tons of activities all weekend long for Halloween and actually did trick'r treating on Saturday night instead of Friday for the safety of the kids with incoming campers on Friday night. To identify the camp sites giving away candy the kids had to look for signs posted at the sites, so they didn't disturb the others. We wanted to see all the cute costumes, so we picked up our sign. We passed out 6 bags of candy in 20 minutes and ran out! We had to take down our sign and go in and turn out the lights...there were soooooo many kids. I have to say, they were the most polite kids I've ever experienced! Well, done passing out candy, we headed inside, turned on the big TV, put in "Journey to Center of the Earth" in 3-D, put on our 3-D glasses and sat back to enjoy the show. 3-D movie, under-the-counter lights, and surround sound on a 32-inch High Definition TV! My kind of camping!

Happy Harvest!

Ally & Chelsea
Favorite Cousins
Ally was a Girl Rapper
and Chelsea was a
Cave Woman










Chelsea & Wes...awwww aren't they a cute couple??

The Homies-Ally, Chelsea & Wes!
We had a great time at my brother's house. Sorry, no pics of my nephews. Brenton was already out with his friends, he is going to be 16 on Tuesday, so he's just too cool for us! Chad was a camo commander, so you can't see him in the pictures because he blends right in!

Rooster Dawg!

This is what happens when the kids leave ...Halloween comes around and the only victim is the dog! Can ya' see his tail feathers too?

COPD/Bronchitis/Pneumonia No More!

This is a look at my life this week: my trashcan filled with work and tissues! The whole runny nose thing is a new phenomenon for me. My life has been spent battling bronchitis and pneumonia. Never do I get a "cold," because it always is an instantaneous upper respiratory infection. With all the medical tests this past couple years, it's been confirmed that my lungs have severe damage and my sinuses have extreme amounts of scar tissue. The doctors are amazed at the severity of the damage; however, it's just been my life.

Last week we attended the Holy Spirit Conference hosted by our church. The guest speakers were John and Sonja Decker, and they taught on the POWER of the Holy Spirit. In one of our group sessions we were encouraged to pray for people in our group and "command" healing. This is not a name-it-and-claim-it, mumbo-jumbo theology, it is a practical act of following instructions in the Bible such as from James 5:14-15, which says, "Is anyone of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up."

Our group had some extra time and asked if I needed prayer. I didn't believe I did at the current time, but told them I will never pass up the opportunity to have prayer and anointing. I asked specifically for prayer that if there is ANYTHING within my body that will try to come up and prevent me from doing what the Lord has in store for me, for it to GET OUT! I'm done being sick and done having illness prevent me from being ALL He wants of me!

Well, that night the cold hit and it's GETTING OUT! I think I've lost about 20 lbs of snot alone! I truly believe this cold is just getting all that last bit of sickness within my body out, a complete healing and cleansing of my physical body so I can be an effective Christian witness! I know my Women's Bible study class has taught me practical ways to deal with the emotions that are setting up road blocks, and that is being healed, and now my physical is being healed!

I know the Lord has great things in store for John and I, and He is orchestrating His plan in such an awesome way! I'm also so thankful that He has chosen us for this amazing life!!

Pray for Danielle and her team!

Hello Family and Friends
I realized it has been a while since I updated you on what’s been going on with India. A lot has been happening, not necessarily with the trip itself, but GOD's influence in all other aspects of my life through India. I don’t even know where to start! I guess I can first talk about my school. Now, this is my last year at CSULB. I am graduating in the spring. I am taking a full load and wasn’t sure how much school work I was getting into. I was also a little nervous about being absent from school for two weeks while I go to India. Well, GOD totally took these worries into His amazing hands. I can’t tell you how much God has worked things out for me. I will try and give you a glimpse at the gloriousness of it all.
Before I graduate I am required to work beside a professor on a project we devise up. I have been truly blessed with being able to work with one of my favorite professors who is not only the best in my field=2 0but is also from India!!! She was thrilled to find out I was going there and made my project to totally correlate with my time and experience of the trip!!! I also get to help her with her charity she started about 3 years ago—“Pennies for India.” What she does with this charity is by collecting pennies/change she goes back to India and provides children in slum schools with school supplies that they never had, field trips that they never had been on and for one of her future goals, a bathroom that they never used before. I feel so honored to be a part of this program with her!!
I have been even able to use this charity as our philanthropy of the month at my preschool where I work. How crazy was it that this month was the only month my boss didn’t have a charity for! WE needed something easy and to relate to children. GOD knew exactly the charity: “Pennies for India!” Yes!!! I am able to connect India to my work now!!! The kids and staff have been so excited about donating their change. I made a presentation at out Back to School Night to all the parents and was able to share my trip with many parents—Christian and non-Christian. Now a witnessing tool too! Okay GOD, I am in awe!!
As far as my other classes go, I have been immersed with India. I get to use my experience in India for at least one project in every class! How awesome is that! All my teachers are so supportive of me going. I do have to make up a lot of work; however my professors have been very flexible about it. I have meet more people from India randomly lately than I have ever met in my whole life! Not a week goes by that I do not get goose bumps over something relating to India!!! GOD has His hands in everything that I am surrounded by. How GREAT is the GOD we serve! When He wants us to do something He does not mess around!!
So that’s my story with how GOD has been using India in my life. As far as the happenings of the team goes, Praise GOD we all have our Visas now! The men and women of the team have been busy organizing and planning their designated areas of the trip. One of the many things we will be doing in India is mentoring, discipling and encouraging the people there. The men will be speaking to pastors and us women will be putting on a 3 day conference for about 50 women. These two events have been given the greatest attention, for they take the most preparation. Speaking as one of the women, we are a little anxious to see how the conference goes. Originally we thought we were just attending and helping out at the=2 0conference. However, we soon learned (about 3 weeks ago) that we are now running it and are supposed to speak at the whole thing!! Please pray for the planning of this and that the Indian women will respond to the topics GOD chooses for us.
Also, it is my mom’s one year anniversary of her miraculous healing! It is crazy to think that one year ago, I was sitting in ICU with my dad, not knowing what was going to happen to my mom but knowing it was in GOD”s hands. I definitely think GOD has rewarded me with India for my faithfulness. Please pray that I can fully prepare for my trip and that school, work, home, and all the other commitments and workload with be taken care of so I can go on my trip knowing things at home are taken care of!
Thank you for your continued prayers and support. I am truly blessed to have all of you in my life. May GOD bless all of you this week!
Peace and Hope in Christ,
Danielle Mitchell

My Kids, My Blessings!!!

Today's Bible study was awesome! Our current Women's Bible study is "Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed, A Study of David," by Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore, and Kay Arthur. I can't even begin to say how blessed I am and how much I'm learning more about God's love for me and who He wants me to become. Today, though, something really stuck out at me and literally brought me to tears...my kids are both Christians! I mean, you look at David's life and how God used him, even though he wasn't always perfect, and his family line, as promised, was that which produced our Savior!!! That is so incredibly awesome! And my children have chosen that same Savior and will carry on down our family line a legacy of God's hand in their lives. It struck me so strongly today, and I don't know if I have ever thanked my kids for their choice to follow the Lord!

Having the full responsibility of raising my children in a Christian household wasn't always easy, nor was I always perfect, as I'm sure Cameron & Chelsea could fill volumes of books with how imperfect I was, but having my children know God in a true and meaningful way was always my goal in life, even before I had my kids. Yes, my kids were raised in church, but oftentimes kids are raised in church and don't grow up to serve the Lord! Yet, both of the kids have been through things this past couple of years that we've prayed together about, and how awesome it is when they come to us and ask for prayer, knowing that they each know God will answer those prayers!

This is such a different stage in my life as a mom, Cameron is close to 21 and Chelsea is close to 20, they each are experiencing life somewhat on their own and are growing up. I've been dragging my heels this past couple of years as I learn to let them grow up, and it's been really tough not being their go-to person anymore! I have been so focused on their not needing me anymore, that I lost sight of the fact that God has blessed me with the knowledge that He has His hand on each of their lives and they both are seeking Him in their lives and seek His Will for their lives and their futures!

Cameron & Chelsea, thank you for being who you are. Thank you for understanding when I try to hold on too tight! Thank you for making wise choices, and learning from not so wise choices! Thank you for blessing me by being your mom! But mostly thank you for choosing to follow Christ! So many other parents pray daily that their children will "return" to the Lord, but each of you have made the wisest choice to stay with the Lord, and you've let Him heal your hurts and disappointments and you've praised Him for your many gifts! Thank you so much for being Christians and giving me the satisfaction of knowing your future in Him! You are such awesome, amazing people, and I can't even begin to tell you how proud of each of you I am! I know you each have amazing talents and gifts, and it's pretty amazing watching them unfold in your lives as you continue to grow up! I love you guys and am so thankful for you!

Love, Mom

Training Update!

Well, what's that saying, "All the best laid plans"? We had great plans for last week. These pictures are of our first day training in the hills of Solvang to prepare for our 1/2 Century in November and our Century in March. The first day of training was also our last day of training for last week!

The ride didn't start out too bad...I was a little winded just preparing the bikes for the ride, but figured that was simply from not riding for so long. So we headed out on the road. I was really enjoying the smells of the area...it smells so clean and crisp out on those roads. There's no smog, no stinky car exhaust. Just fresh air. I knew I wouldn't ride too great the first day because the 13 days prior I hadn't been able to hop on Mad Dawg and get in a ride. I was slammed with work the weeks before vacation, so I knew the first couple days of rides would be tough, but had such high hopes for our training and hill work this week. John's back was out, but he's a trooper so I figured, if he can do it, let's do it!!! 8 miles into the ride I couldn't breathe! I was so upset. I got to the top of a little hill and couldn't catch my breath! I couldn't explain it to John because it wasn't like my legs gave out, nor was it like my cardio was that bad, I just couldn't get a deep enough breath...well, then try breathing when you're crying...not so good! For the first time in our training I called it quits. The scary thing was my legs were shaking, I was shivering from chills, something just wasn't right...poor John. I felt like I let him down so much, but what the heck????? We made it back to the motor home having only ridden 15 1/2 miles, at an average speed of 10.5 mph...oh, boy, how am I going to do it? John then announced we may have to rethink our goals...okay, more water works from me!! What???? Is he losing faith in me? Does he not believe I can do it anymore??? Have I totally let him down????

Well, waking up the next morning it was quite clear why I couldn't breathe, the Mother of all Bronchitis attacks decided to pick our vacation to rear its ugly head!!! I haven't had a cold in over a year and thought that was a part of my past that was well behind me...my lungs thought otherwise! Thankfully I had antibiotics in the motor home for emergency attacks such as this and was able to get right on them, but a week later, I'm still not breathing normally. John's back was out the entire week, so no training for him either. He's on his way to Dr. Duddy again tonight to assess the situation...so, that was it for our training week!! We got a lot of rest, which is obviously what each of us needed after this past 6 months of craziness in our life. My goal of at least 200 miles for the week...only 184 1/2 miles short!

You know the saying, "If you fall off your bike, you gotta' get back on." Or is that horse?? Whatever...my hope is to hop on the bike tomorrow night and get at least a few miles in...will we make the 1/2 Century Prelude ride on November 1st? Probably not, unless something miraculous happens, but I'm not giving up my hope of finishing the Century in March! I'm still planning for that one!! I keep reminding myself, this is a lifestyle change for me...it's not just about a one-day event! One day and one pedal at a time...God has given me the strength to go from giving up physically to physically challenging my body, and I know He will continue to give me the strength to get my body where my brain is!

One Hockey Mom to Another!

Need I say More?! We believe in miracles and FINISHING WELL!!!

Danielle & Wes to the Rescue!

Day One of our vacation: I get up early to finish up one last job and scan it and one other. In between the scanning I showered, scanned, brushed my teeth, scanned, did my hair, scanned, ironed clothes for church, scanned...church starts at 9:00--out the door at 8:55! We walked into church during the first song! Bad, bad, bad! But worship was AWESOME so I think John forgave me! Then incredible service and Sunday School was phenomenal! Well, I notice John gingerly walking...his back is jacked! Great...vacation and a bad back...what a combination.

Well, we get home, finish loading up, and hit the road...only like 20 minutes after our originally planned send-off time...I was pretty impressed!

We drive to Solvang, get checked in, set up, three hours later...we're camping! Whew...we're camping! Such a needed camping trip...it was as if we wanted to cry we were so happy to FINALLY get to go camping again! John's back is pretty bad, but he figured he just needed a break and some rest!

Then Chelsea calls again...she hasn't been feeling well and had planned to go to the doctor on Monday. After several different calls she is now crying because the pain is so intense. We advise her to head straight to the hospital...maybe it's something major! Great, we're like 3 1/2 hours away, what if she has to have surgery??? Good gracious! If there was an emergency surgery she could have it and be out before I even got there...Well, Papa George and Barbara would be there for her...oh, wait, they actually are out of town in San Diego! Richard's there...oh, crap, he's down in San Clemente and can't get back with her. Gram's with Lil...Wes is at work...Chelsea's now getting scared and is crying from fear and pain at the emergency room all by herself. "Call Danielle," John says. What, call the busiest girl in the world. Who knows where she is...she's at home for once in her lifetime...she's at the hospital within like 5 minutes! Whew! Now we feel better. Then like 20 minutes later, Wes is there too...okay, Chelsea feels better now...is it the company of her heros Wes and Danielle? Maybe it's the morphine shot that helps!

While this drama with our little girl is going on Cameron is playing a game with the Detroit Red Wings. It's his first game of the tournament and as a mom I'm concerned about his nerves. So, I'm praying! I've got one kid in the E.R., one on the ice, a hubby with a jacked up back...this is vacation!!!????!!!!

Well, Danielle calls and gives me an update...they think it's either a really bad kidney infection or possibly kidney stones. She said the morphine is helping to edge the pain, although she still is in pain. Chelsea has the highest pain threshold of anybody I've ever known, so for her to be complaining of this much pain...it must be really bad! What a vacation!!!!

So, Chelsea calls, it's just a really bad infection, she's headed to the first Pharmacy, Sunday evening, they're closed. Now they have headed to the second pharmacy! Wes and Danielle drop her off so they can go pick up his truck, which he had left at the hospital to drive her car home. Then she finds out that pharmacy is closed too, so she has to walk across Beach Blvd. to the other pharmacy...drugged out on morphine talking to us on the phone...what a combination! Relief she's okay, but now worried the ding-bat is going to pass out from the morphine. "I feel weird," she says! Great...this is vacation????

Well, in summary: She got her medications and got home and settled, thanks to Danielle and Wes! They took care of our little girl.

Danielle said I can't thank her anymore, but one last time, Thanks so much for being there when we couldn't be!! She said God obviously knew Chelsea was going to need her because for once in her lifetime, she didn't have 100 other things lined up to do!

Wes, thanks for getting there and making sure she ate and staying with her! He stayed until she fell asleep, treating her like a queen!

Okay, so Chelsea's home and settled in and drugged up...Cameron text messages me that he played well. They won! John's settled into "vacation mode." All's well, now can I get into "vacation mode" too? When Mom's kids aren't settled, Mom's not settled, so now that they're both okay...I think I can sit back and get into "vacation mode."

Good Luck Cameron & Kurtis!!

Good Luck Cameron & Kurtis-Cameron heads today to Michigan to play for the Detroit Red Wings in the season-opener rookie tournament. Kurtis heads today to Phoenix to play with the Phoenix Coyotes in a tournament as well. After the tournaments both boys will participate in training camp with the respective teams...all in hopes of making a great impression and getting that pro contract!!! Good luck boys!

It's been quite a week with Cameron getting traded from Edmonton to Prince George. He found out Monday afternoon, called me at like 4:10 as soon as he got in his truck to head home to pack up for the move. By 4:48 the news was posted in the newspaper in Prince George and on the team websites...it's so fast!!!! So Tuesday Cameron drove the 8-hour drive from Edmonton to Prince George to get settled into his new house. Then Wednesday got up for a practice with the new team and a quick flight back to Edmonton to spend the night with his Mucha Family, so he could catch his flight this morning for Michigan!

Crazy, crazy couple of days! He's handling the whole thing so much better and with such a positive attitude than either Lee-Ann or I am!!! It's so funny when our kids are much more mature than we are! I know these kids have to grow up, but isn't always just too fast!!!!

With the move out of the Muchas' home in such an abrupt way, and then all the packing and traveling, and craziness the nervousness as moms has been overshadowed by our emotions. Lee-Ann, Cameron's Canadian mom has been slammed this week with the loss of her "other" son, slammed with work, lest she forget about Kurtis' try-out as well!!!

Well, Boys! Do us moms (mums) proud! Make an impression and seize your spots on the teams!!! Lee-Ann and I need to get together with some good news to see our boys in the "Show." God bless you both and may He give you the peace of knowing that He has the perfect plan for each of you!

She's our Queen!

Annie & Chelsea

Wes & Chelsea

Chelsea & Her favorite Uncle

We spent a weekend in Anaheim for the National American Miss California pageant. Chelsea competed in the Actress competition doing a commercial for Barbie. She also strutted her stuff in an awesome leopard print jacket, skinny jeans, huge hoop earrings and matching bracelets. We thought she was awesome, poised, and beautiful! Unfortunately the judges didn't agree with us, but you know Chelsea, it was a great weekend and she had lots of support! If you ask Chelsea what her favorite part of the weekend was, I'm sure she'd tell you Red Robin...poor kid, had Red Robin, Friday, Saturday & Sunday...don't think she'll be going there for a while!

Chelsea, we're proud of the way you presented yourself and the poise and grace you exude! We love you and are proud to be your fans!!!!