Final Showdown/Graduation Party

We gave our son, Nate a graduation party on Saturday, May 28th.  It was a GREAT PARTY!!!  Unfortunately, Cal and I were sick as dogs.  We both had the stomach flu; Cal started on Thursday, and I became sick on Saturday morning, 2 a.m.  What a nightmare!  I prayed all night that God would remove the nausea, and He did. 

Thankfully, our beautiful friends, Bonnie and Rose came to the rescue.  They helped prep and grilled the burgers, and Rose made carnitas.  My husband usually tends to the grill, but he relinquished his tongs to Rose. (Now, let's keep it clean)

The turn out was great.  A lot of Nathaniel's old teachers showed up; that was really neat to see.  Many of our friends were there to give Nate their blessings, and he was blessed very well.   Another friend, Nydia made her famous Puerto Rican rice; Nathaniel's favorite.  Everything was just perfect, and it was the first party I did not feel I missed because I would have been running around taking care of stuff.  I actually relaxed.  It was so much fun. 

The next day Nathaniel gave my husband and I some thank you gifts; water bottle for Cal and the Elizabeth Taylor magazine for me.  Nate said he really enjoyed the party and was glad my husband and I felt well enough to enjoy it too.  Unfotunately, Cal and I didn't eat, okay I had a piece of cake.  I wasn't dying . . .

Now!  What to do with all the leftover hambuger buns?!

Graduation cake made by Sam's.  It was GOOD!!!

Nydia's famous Puerto Rican rice; Nathaniel's favorite

Rose at the grill.   What a great cook!

        

                                                        Nate's 2nd grade teacher

They look pretty guilty about something, don't they?

(Cake . . . little fingers)

  

 Transient who came off the alley

We love these people

I did not say anything to her mom about fingers in the cake

I did . . .

Graduation Day

                     Nathaniel's Graduation Day
  CLASS of 2011

  COUGARS IN
   THE HOUSE
 

May 25, 2011 was Nathaniel's high school graduation.  I cannot believe how fast it went.  First, my son graduated 30 years to almost the day from my graduation of 1981.  How stinking old does that make me feel?!  Very old!  My husband and I were talking earlier about when Nathaniel first went into kindergarten, and how I followed the school bus to make sure he was delivered to school safely.  There were other moms who were following the bus too; I was not the only psycho.  We have encouraged Nathaniel to pursue his dreams, though he has many, most artist do.  I know he will be alright with whatever endeavor he decides to take.  We will continue praying daily that God would give him favor and strength as he goes out into the world to find his way.

CONGRATULATIONS to our son NATE!!

Kissing Camels, tarnish and chicken salad

The beauty of Garden of the Gods; Kissing Camels. 

Back in 2000 after our plans for overseas missions fell through.  We decided to take our Nomad butts to Colorado.  We had nothing waiting for us in New Jersey anymore.  We had sold all our possessions, quit our jobs and said goodbye to our church.  It was time to go, time to start a new adventure in another state.  We needed to know what God had in plan for us.  We lived in a hotel for a week, determined to find a rental within that week; and we did.  Flew back to New Jersey, picked up the remnants we had placed in a small storage unit, drove back to Colorado, found jobs and have been in a constant roller coaster ride since.  We didn't think we would be staying in Colorado, thought about staying in Texas, but why?!  I believe we had to come to Colorado never realizing that we would be going through the Refiner's Fire.  We are still being polished so God's reflection can be clear to everyone we meet.

There were many times I just wanted to throw in the towel, but I met some very loving and wonderful people in Colorado.  People, who were strong in the Lord and had gone through the difficulties of life with grace and a plate full of chicken salad.  I realized that we are given choices on how we want to live and who we want in our lives to love.  It took me a long time, but my choice became very clear who I was going to serve and who would see me and family through the bad choices we had made and trials we had to go through.  I am writing to encourage whoever reads this posting; tarnish eventually comes off and we can either make chicken shit or chicken salad with our lives.  I personally love Chicken Salad!

Prom

May 6, 2011 was prom for my son's high school.  It was nice to see Nathaniel all dressed up for such a fun event.  Before any of prom festivities begun we had some drama.  Nathaniel had asked a friend to prom in April and she agreed to go with him.  About two weeks before prom she had to cancel with my son because she had forgotten that she had accepted an invitation from another boy in the beginning of the school year; naturally Nathaniel did not have any desire to attend the prom.  Well, as things go in the high drama of high school, this young lady let my son know that she was available to go to prom with him, (the other guy bailed out).  Nathaniel was on cloud nine again; the expenses began . . . but it was worth it according to my son.  Nathaniel was on a tight budget and he was truly blessed by a wonderful florist who works in Safeway.  Nathaniel and his date had a great time at the prom and then again at the after prom party. 

Nate and his date on prom night May 6, 2011

Dark values

This semester I am taking an oil painting class and figure drawing class.  Our figure drawing teacher gave us an assignement to use either oils, acrylics or ink medium to paint a marble statue from a xerox copy.  I painted my figure on canvas using acrylic paints.  Very difficult to keep acrylics wet and smooth, but I like the effect it gave.  Unfortunately, it was not what my teacher was looking for and gave me a "B" for my work; she said the values were too dark and it looked too technical.  I love my teacher, so I could understand what she was looking for after comparing my work with other students paintings.  Mine did look too graphic artist, but I still like it. So, I decided to hang this picture in my guest bathroom. 

xerox copy of marble statue

11 x 14

acrylics on canvas

 April 26, 2011

Ken and Tina

Ken and Tina are one of many wonderful people we are blessed with in our lives; they are also artists.  Cal attended the Green Horse Art Walk on Friday, April 15, 2011.  Of course my husband never passes up on Ken and Tina's work and purchased a vase.  I of course love their work, but our house is starting to look like a museum, a "Ken and Tina" museum.  LOL

These fantastic artists created a piece called "Callalily".   Tina told my husband that she called this piece after us (Cal and Lilly). We are so honored!  Unfortunately, someone had placed the piece on hold and was purchasing it.  So, since we missed out on this beautiful piece we trekked back to the Green Horse Gallery and took pictures.

From the Start

I can only imagine the Lord saying these words to his beloved children.  God knows who we are with all our imperfections and zaniness.  His imagination of creating who we are is infinite.  Thank you, Father for calling and chosing me from the begining of time.  You knew before I came to this earth and loved me enough to help me come to the cross of Jesus and confess my shortcomings and major blunders.   Thank you for adoring us, and especially me.

 

 

Mindy Gledhill, "All About the Heart"

 

 



Sergio's Birthday

Today is Sergio's birthday, he would have been 25 years old.  When Sergio was a little boy I would sing "Shenandoah" with him before he went to bed; it was his life song.  Before Sergio died, he had shared that he would sing "Shenandoah" and that this song gave him great comfort and memories.  I know he is celebrating his birthday before the Creator of all.  I thank the Lord for giving me those moments where Sergio was revealed to us.  Happy Birthday Sergio!!!  We love and miss you, Dad, Mom and Nate.

A day at the Broadmoor

Nathaniel and I are home all week for Spring Break, although my teachers still had assignments for me to complete. One of my assingments is to write a paper on a figurative artists, there was no way I would drive to Denver, not with these gas prices.  So, my figure drawing teacher recommended the Fine Arts Center in Colorado Springs, but they are renovating for new works.  Then she recommended The Hayden-Hays Gallery at the Broadmoor.  So, Nathaniel and I packed our water bottles, notebook and camera and off we went to visit the Broadmoor.  Too bad I had not washed or vacuumed my van, but we drove up to the Broadmoor and again we were treated like royalty.  Nathaniel and I looked like throwbacks from the 80's; Nathaniel with his Pink Floyd sweatshirt and me with my old faded blue skirt and sandals.  Thank God we blended with the people in designer clothes, oh well.  The galleries at the Broadmoor are great.  The gallery directors were professional and very kind; they were helpful with my assignment and allowed us to take photos.  I will be doing my paper on "Drying Peppers" by Kim English.  The colors, lights and the figure on this piece caught my attention at first glance.

Kim English

"Drying Peppers"

20 x 30

Oil on Canvas

This painting by Gary Ernest Smith, "Cowboy at Sunset" was my second choice. 

Gary Ernest Smith

"Cowboy at Sunset"

40 x 30

Oil on Canvas

             The Broadmoor

This was the only picture I took as we were driving out of The Broadmoor. 

Nathaniel took all the other pictures.  He is a talented photographer.

 

Leaving Las Vegas

(The Broadmoor)

God looks at the heart

My son is a senior in high school this year, and he will graduate this May 2011.  He is your typical teenager with all the drama life has to offer.  I am very proud of him, he has endured so much in the last 7 years, and I am sure that he will be given much to endure thoughout his life; and God will always be with him.

When my son was a freshman in high school, he attended his first high school Homecoming Parade.  He did not participate in the parades and he regreted not riding on his class floats. He would always say that he would ride on his class float the following year, but he never did. This year my son planned to be with his fellow classmates and enjoy the parade riding ontop the Senior class float; he volunteered to help with the decorations for the float.  Saturday morning he met up with his classmates and was extremely excitedly about the Homecoming Parade.

I was one of many spectators enjoying the Homecoming Parade, every class went by and when the Senior's float was approaching I was waiting with my camera on the ready.  I searched for my son on the float, but I could not find him.  All the Seniors were waving to their family and friends, but I did not see my son.  As the float passed me I saw my son walking behind, inhaling the fumes from the tractor truck that was pulling the Senior float.  My heart sank.  I was so heartbroken for him because he did not get to participate with the rest of the Seniors on the float that he helped decorate.  He was walking with one of his fellow classmates.  You see, this classmate is in a wheelchair.

When I met up with my son I was hurting for him, and I was crying.  When I asked him what happened he told me that his friend was not able to go on the float so a volunteer asked him if he would walk with her behind the float; the volunteer had asked other students and they refused.  I asked him if that bothered him, and he said, "No mom, she is my friend."  I was so proud of him.  He lived out what Jesus asks us to do for those can't.  My son had a wonderful time at the parade, and he didn't mind giving up the glory of riding on a float in a parade.  He was the most distinguished high school Senior for me that day; what a beautiful soul.

I am not writing to brag on my son, he can be a stinker at times, but the memory of my son's loving sacrifice will stay with me for as long as I live.  I cry everytime I think about my son's offering for a friend.  I thank the Lord everyday for the son He gave me, and for the heart God gave him to serve. 

Abudant Blessings to my son. May the Lord give you favor and continue to use you.  Amen.

Valentine's Day with a side of Beef

I hope you all had a lovely Valentine's Day. I know sometimes I think it can be a overrated holiday. So much expectation of a great restaurant, flowers, candy and romance, it could be a bit too much.  Romance on steroids.  No, I am not a sourpuss when it comes to Valentine's Day, I enjoy it very much. As a matter of fact my husband brought me flowers and a sweet card.

WHAT?! No chocolates?!

I made dinner for my family. We don't go out on this day of LOVE; restaurants are extremely busy. So, I went and bought some steaks (my husband's favorite. Ok mine too). I made pico de gallo, guacamole, veggies, tortillas and a chocolate brownie torte.

****************************************************************************
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We tend to eat a lot of chicken.  This definitely was a treat.

These flowers are so beautiful. 

Dinner was extremely satisfying. 

 (I paid for a week, if you know what I mean)

Brownies for dessert. 

Definitely next year for Valentine's I will eat lighter and go dancing . . .