A Horse, A Cat and A Bad Perm

I came across the huge box that has all of my old photos in it. They are from the glory days of high school(I use that term loosely) up until a few years ago. Lots of memories in that box. Kids as babies, celebrating birthdays, camping trips, horseback riding, spending time with friends, being goofy, family shots, places we've lived...the memories with each picture came flooding back. I finally found the picture (that I thought was lost forever) that is one of my most favorite of my kids and me. We were camping and I think this is summer of 2001. Cute huh? The kids, I mean.



While going through the pictures, I realized some things that I was completely unaware of while being on the lens side of the camera.

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1. Contrary to popular belief, I was not popular in school. I know from this picture it's hard to believe. But I did rock the perm and sweaters. (And yes, Tam has been a friend of mine since first grade. How cool is that?)



2. One of my most favorite places in the whole world is with my friends Cowboy Bob and Eli (in picture), who live on a cattle ranch in Colorado Springs. It was because of spending time at the ranch that my daughter proclaimed at 3 years old that she loved Cowboy Bob and wanted to marry him.



3. I was always destined to be one of the Magnificent 7. (Yes, this is on the ranch and that is Pikes Peak in the background. Can't you hear the theme song?)



4.Every now and then, like once a year, Steph and I would let our kids get dressed up and run amok through the neighborhood. Good times.



5.Sometimes, it's just the simple things in life.



6. Even though I've made mistakes, I still want my kids to be able to look up to me. Always.



So if you posted a picture of a past memory, what would it be?

Random Friday

I'm glad it's Friday. Especially this Friday because the weather is supposed to be really decent this weekend, which means Jon will wash my car (I hope) and I'll get some walks in on the river trail.

It's been a crazy week in blogdom because it seems like everyone has been talking about prayer and religion. It's interesting for me to read others views on these two subjects because it's something so personal and it's allowing others to see your heart. For some, it's probably a great risk because there is such fear that others will condemn based on what they do or don't believe.

Those who know me know that I am a Christian (I prefer not to call myself religious because I feel that takes away from WHO I believe in and have a relationship with, which is Jesus Christ) and that prayer is a pretty sacred thing to me. When someone asks me to pray for them or others, that is a great privilege for me and extremely humbling - that someone would trust me enough to intercede for them. Let me just say that if you or someone you know has a need, you can always ask me to pray and I am more than happy to.

I wanted to start the weekend off with something a little bit o' fun and so I thought I'd throw out some more useless and random facts about myself. It's just all part of the package. Lucky Jon.

Which country are you from?
I was born in America, but my heritage is Hungarian, Romanian and English. When I was a teen, my parents probably thought I was from outer space. Luckily, I live back on earth now, smack dab in the middle of Oregon.

What do you do? What is your job?
Well, it's rather complicated right now, but lets just say I'm a public employee that buys lots of stuff. I also coach 9th grade volleyball at my old alma matter. Add wife, mother, housekeeper extraordinaire, blogger and chief dog walker (and whisperer in our house) to the list and that about sums it up.

Are you a morning or night person?
Well, since my dad's family is from Transylvania you'd think I'd be more of a night person (please...no vampire jokes), but I prefer morning. Especially in the summer. I like to get up extra early, go out on my deck with my coffee and bible and take in the mountain view.

Do you have brothers or sisters?
I have two older brothers. Infamous and famous. Seriously. One brother has 12 kids. He's my hero. Actually, his wife is.

What kind of people do you like?
All kinds. I know it must shock you that most of my friends do not lean hard right or are 'churchy'(even though now that I think about my blog buds more fit into that category..hmmm....). I mean, I have those too, but I prefer an eclectic mix and don't base my friendships on who you voted for or whether you believe in God or not. It's more of a 'hey, I really dig this person and think they are pretty cool to hang around and have a great time with them.' In other words, at my wine tasting party you'll find the pastor and the Hells Angel(What? Hells Angels can't like the finer things in life like wine?).

What are you best at?
When I was growing up it was whining. Hopefully I've outgrown that somewhat. I'm pretty good at messing up. Yes, I'm a messy Christian and I've got the whole flawed human thing down to a tee. But that has made me pretty good at accepting God's grace for my shortcomings. Oh, and I can make a pretty mean batch of Chile Verde and dish up a good old fashioned plate of sour cream garlic mashed potatoes with hamburger gravy.

Which languages do you speak?
English and Spanish. I was pretty lucky growing up with my Mexican friends because that was better than any Spanish class in school. I mean, working in their restaurants, if someone didn't want onions on their burrito I'd better be able to tell that to the cook in Spanish or we were gonna have all kinds of upset customers.

Who has had the most influence in your life?
Probably my parents. I am very close to them, talk to them almost daily and we genuinely have a great time when we are together. They both have incredible hearts for others, have been involved in missions all over the world and would do anything for anyone. They are most definitely where I get my strong desire for and sense of adventure.

Would you rather take pictures or be in pictures?
I love taking pictures and think of myself as a somewhat amateur (and I mean amateur) photographer. OK, I like the spotlight too, but only if my hair and makeup look good. I'm vain that way.

How many times did you move as a child?
Zero. I even ended up buying the house I grew up in from my parents. Now my kids on the other hand, have lived in four different states (Oregon, Colorado, Georgia, Wyoming) (we can thank the Army for some of that) and countless houses. Let's just say they are good at 'adjusting' to new surroundings.

Alright, that's enough for now. I don't want to overwhelm you too much before the weekend. After all, it's Friday and I am outta here! And fabulous weekend to you.

The Red Envelope Project

My friend Kat posted this video over at her blog, thus making me aware of the Red Envelope Project. The purpose of this project is to bring the importance of the sanctity of life to the attention of the current administration.

I would encourage you to watch the video to find out how you can participate or you can visit the Red Envelope Project website. I for one, will be sending my envelope, and then some. I hope you will also.

Interpretive Tuesday

I stumbled across this quote and I actually had to read it several times and let it sink in before I came up with my own interpretation. I'm curious as to how others interpret this, so have at it. What does this quote 'say' to you?


"Ethics cannot be based upon our obligations toward [people], but they are complete and natural only when we feel this Reverence for Life and the desire to have compassion for and to help all creatures insofar as it is in our power. I think that this ethic will become more and more recognized because of its great naturalness and because it is the foundation of a true humanism toward which we must strive if our culture is to become truly ethical."

Albert Schweitzer

Out The Bedroom Window

The sunsets that I see...

Judging Without Reason

Yesterday my mom and I were out shopping for a baby shower gift for a very good friend of mine. This is a friend whom I have known since high school, she is my daughter's Godmother and her family is like my 2nd family. In fact, it is because of this friend that I have a love affair with all things Mexican food, because I spent many, many hours hanging out in and working in her mom's Mexican restaurant.

So, as mom and I were leaving Target after a successful shopping trip, I noticed a man helping a woman by the side of the road. She got in her car and left and this man walked back to the little 'island' in the middle of the exit lane and sat back down with his backpack and sign.

Now Bend has many homeless and I have noticed an increase in panhandling over the past year probably due to the increase in homelessnes, loss of jobs, homes, hope, etc. I have been guilty of making snap judgements about those I see holding signs and asking for help, the most common being 'if I give them money they will probably just spend it on cigarettes or alcohol.' I am not proud of this because honestly, I don't know the person's story, or why they need the money. And, I don't know exactly when it was that I was hit over the head with the realization that I was in fact judging based on a sterotype, but I was mortified and disgusted with myself.

I know that even in the 'lean' months, I have more than most people in the world. Yes, IN. THE. WORLD. And, am I not called as a Christ follower to help the needy? God doesn't tell me to help only the needy who don't stand on a street corner and hold a sign, but to help all of the needy. And He doesn't call me to help the needy only when it's convenient for me to 'write a little something extra' in the tithe check. Maybe to me it's an inconvenient time, but to God, it's just stretching me a little.

And so, it started a few years ago that I asked God to just give me a good old prompt anytime He saw fit for me to help anyway I could.

I have driven past people holding signs, only to turn around and go back to give them food or money. I shop at a store where the homeless tend to hang out. I have walked out with my kids, our arms full of groceries, only to go back in so that I can buy some meals for them.

And just yesterday, when I pulled up to the man who had helped the woman, I felt the prompt. The crazy thing was when I was reaching for my purse.....my mom was reaching for hers. I called him over to the car, gave him some money and drove off. When I looked at my mom I said, "I used to use the excuse they will just buy alcohol or cigarettes with the money. But that changed because when I feel like God is prompting me to help them, if I use that excuse, I am basically questioning God and that is not my place. I don't know what they will do with the money, but if God tells me to give, I'm going to." And my mom, who is one of the wisest women I know said, 'we were both prompted at the same time.'

My friend Helen did a post about judging without knowing and perhaps this is what prompted this. I don't give to get praise, but because I am so humbled by the graciousness of those in need. Every time I give,

In A Nutshell

After being sick for so dang long, I couldn't help but feel the need to make a mad dash for the outdoors after work. Temps were hovering at 60°, the sun was out and so I thought Boz and I would head down to the river. As soon as I said I'm taking Boz to the river and grabbed the leash he full-on freaked out. The river is his favorite place and he went nuts. (We're supposed to have dogs on a leash at all times, but that is cruel and unusual punishment for a dog like Boz who just wants to run. He is the Forrest Gump of dogs.) I didn't make it the whole 3 mile loop because I started hacking, again, but I got in a good couple o' miles and darn if it didn't feel good to just be outside. At least the dog thought so.

It's good to feel at least half-way normal again(yeah, I know, that is probably a relative term where I'm concerned, especially in light of the fact that my daughter just told me I'm weird. But she'll always tell you I'm her favorite mom)and it helps that the weather going into the weekend is very conducive to outdoor activity. Hopefully tomorrow I can make the whole three miles.

My best bud Steph was in town last weekend. We've known each other since 5th grade. Unfortunately I was sick, but we still got to spend some time together and I've learned over the years that no matter how far apart we live, the minute we are in each other's company we just pick up where we left off. Our boys are all great friends and she brought her 14 year old son, who is best buds with my son. They had a great time together and Killian spent the entire weekend with them. I think I saw him for a few fleeting moments. Other than that, he was busy snowboarding, doing crazy boy things and I think he even got roped into some shopping with Steph and her mom. It's good training for him. (Yes, that is someone laying down on the dock behind us with a home made pina colada in their hand and you'll notice I'm sporting a lei. It's our good friend John and this was a little 4th of July gathering we had at the cabin on the river. Good times.)

Jon felt the ravages of the crud worse than I. He seemed to have a really bad reaction to the medication and he's still a quart low. He has been cooped up since Sunday and finally today he ventured over to his friends house for a short visit. Kenz informed me when I got home that Jon told her 'I just have to go somewhere. I have to get out of this house.' It's probably a good thing, now that #4 & #5 have been slayed today. I'm thinking Jon would probably dig this place right about now.

I think I have the two best kids in the world. They were very concerned about me and Jon this past week. Kenz even stepped up and drove Jon to the doctor, went to Costco and sat in line for 45 minutes to get his prescription, bought the best chicken soup, cooked for Jon when I wasn't around and even made a special trip to get the good Popsicles. I'd like to say I trained her right, but a heart like that isn't 'trained', I think you either have it or you don't. And both my kids have huge hearts for others and I am a very proud mama for that.

Here's to wishing you all a very awesome weekend!