She is growing up too fast!

Disneyland

We have been telling the girls that maybe we could go to Disneyland once Korie turns "12" years old.  So, with her bday being last month, we have had many reminders about this.  What the girls didn't know is that we planned a trip way back in February.  What they also didn't know is that we were also going to Disneyland with friends.  It wasn't until we were in the car for 10 hours, met up for dinner with our beloved Turrentine family (from Idaho) that we told them the news.  So much fun!!!

 3 days hopping between Disneyland and California Adventure.  We had such a great time.

 Someone was a little grumpy because she didn't get the horse she wanted.

 Parade time

 The girls in the front row with their buddy Dylan

 Everyone has to ride the tea cups!

Dinner at the Rainforest Cafe.  LOVE that place, but don't love the bill.  Here are the three guys looking over our tab.  Yikes!  LOL

 The whole gang, us, the Turrentines and the Pattersons.  10 kids, 8 adults.  A restaurants dream, I am sure.

Something new

This year, Korie's school has a cross country team for the first time ever, thanks to the wonderful Mrs. Parsons.  Korie decided she wanted to try it.  Her first meet was yesterday.  She did so great.  We are so proud of her.  Out of 48 kiddos in the middle school age group, she got 4th place.  I literally walked over to the meet from my work (how awesome is THAT?).  Needless to say, I didn't have my camera.  Fortunately, a few others did.

Happy Cows? Happy Garden!

I have a dear dear friend.  Her name is Rachael, also known as "Fluffy" or "Veggie."  She read a book about animal cruelty regarding slaughter houses.  When she first found out we had a cattle ranch she asked "are they happy cows?"  Yes, she really asked me that.  Well, several years later, she has fed our cows, pet our cows and even moved to Montana (sniff, sniff), she has come along way.  Anyway....we planted tomatoes this year.  We used some of our "happy cow" manure as fertilizer.  Result: MONSTER 'mater plants; and very delicious I must add.  So...Rachael this one is for you...happy cows, happy fertilizer, KILLER garden! 

The plants are so big that Korie has to go in and pick plants from the inside.  It's good to have little helpers.

Catching Up

The month of August is very full.  Fair time, Papa and Grandma's annual camping visit at Lake Siskiyou, birthdays, start of school...whew!

 

 First day of school for Kali (kindergarten) and Korie (6th grade)

 Kinley Shea turned the big 4

 And Korie turned 12.  LOL

Ok, that is the best I can do for now. September has some pretty exciting things too.  Can't wait!

A berry good time

Indian Scotty

Another year for Korie at Indian Scotty with our church family.  So blessed to have somewhere safe to send Korie for some fun and learning about the Father.

 

 

We love Tosha so much!

 

Korie's incredible camp Counselor.  Such a sweet girl filled with the Spirit.

Steady my Heart - Kari Jobe - Acoustic version

I love this girl.  I pray my daughters have her kind of passion and love for Christ.  What a great role model.

Mark and I are trying to get a web site for the ranch up and running.  It takes many attempts at getting good photographs.  Cows aren't exactly thrilled about their pictures being taken, they told me so.  However, roaming around in the fields with your husband is good for the soul.

I spy a lab puppy dog

....and, here she is patiently waiting for her opportunity to come join us.  The cows chase her, it's their natural instinct.  Sometimes Molly gets pretty scared, but it's kind of good entertainment.

Couldn't resist taking a pic of this mama.  Thank you Lord for healthy mama cows.  Poor girl, LOL!

Can't imagine what heaven will be like.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all those dads out there.  Especially to my husband who is the best daddy to our three girls.  I couldn't ask for a better father for them.  Love you Mark Peacemaker.

Erika and Kinley.  Two of the cutest girlies around.

Graduation

Our little Kali graduated from preschool.  Sigh.  She is growing up so fast.  She has been at Chrysalis preschool for 2 years now.  They have done such a fabulous job preparing her for kindergarten.  I love that this fall she and Korie will be in school together.  Kali will have her big sister to keep an eye on her.

Sadly, Kinley will have to go through quite an adjustment.  Kinley is truly lost when Kali isn't around.  These two are inseparable.  Kinley turns into a completely different kiddo when her big sister Kali isn't by her side.  It will be good for Kinley, but definitely not a transition I am looking forward to watching her go through.  I love how much they love each other.

Get your motors running

Thankful for birthday weekend getaways, nice weather, an awesome babysitter and ONE day to roll out of bed whenever we feel like it!

A couple of months ago, I was invited to go to Idaho with two precious friends.  Idaho...that means getting on a plane!  I am terrified of flying.  I don't hyperventilate or anything when on a plane, but inside I am screaming "get me off."  So, my first instinct to go on this trip was "no thank you."  Then I was told, part of the trip would be attending a "leadership" conference.  Leadership?  Um, well...yeah, another "no thank you."  But the temptation of spending 4 days in Boise with these 2 sweet friends and going to see Beth Moore was definitely worth the two fears I had.  If you don't know who Beth Moore is...well, click on the blog link on the right of this blog.  Words can't describe this Godly woman.

So, on our trip we went.

My sweet husband got up and drove us to the airport at 3:00 am on Wednesday and then he picked us up 4 days later, with flowers in hand.  Love that man.

Here is Beth Moore.  She was worth every moment of anxiety I had.  Yes, THAT is how good our seats were!

Here are the two beautiful woman that encouraged me to go.  Love these ladies.
Idaho State Capital is gorgeous.  We had fun being the 3 tourists running amuck snapping pics everywhere.

 The fountain outside our hotel and down the main downtown strip of restaurants. 

I am ready to go again.  My two sweet friends Kari and Jen are a gift.  The leadership conference was fantastic.  Beth was amazing.  I wanted to bring every woman in that room back home with us.  They may have thought I was a little crazy.  Thank you Lord for the blessings in my life.

Melt my heart

Lately, one of my many favorite songs is "All my fountains" by Chris Tomlin. If you haven't heard it...go check it out.  This morning, Kali was singing her little heart out to the Chris Tomlin song.  I could hear her in the seat directly behind me belting out "come on and rain down on us, rain down on us Lord."  My heart melted and I literally started crying in the car. 

The other day, I was blasting music, as usual, in the car.  Came to our entrance.  Slowed down and waited for the gate to open.  Turned around and this was my view.

oh how I love music...especially great worship music with my loves and great friends

Third Day concert with Matt Maher, Trevor Morgan and The Neverclaim.  All fantastic!

 Third Day performing with Matt Maher

Growing Pains

I am often so distracted with daily activities, that I don't notice how fast our girls are growing.  Korie is quickly approaching 12 years old.  Where has the time gone?  She is at that stage where she is still  a girl but quickly entering the young woman stage.  Sometimes I think she struggles with how to behave and sometimes I struggle with how to treat her.  She is such a good girl and really is a delight. Not perfect by any means, but truly has a sweet heart.  God has blessed us.  This pic was taken during a church roller skating event (thanks S.V.) and it really touches me.  Korie and her sweet sweet friend....holding hands.   Girls anxious to grow up but young enough to still want to hold hands with their buddy.  

....and her sense of humor is pretty special too.  The "tooth fairy" was slacking in his duty; yes, the tooth fairy is a male in our house.  After about 3 days of the tooth still sitting by her nightstand, Korie posted about 10 hilarious notes around the house.  This was my favorite.  And yes, she does know who the tooth fairy really is.

Pear Blossom 2012

Watching the parade.  Almost as good as Easter.  Look how full of candy those pockets are.

 The awesome running teams of Peacemaker and Williams; ok...goofing off in this photo.

 Good job!