Our Second Annual Trip to Big Bear

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then here are many thousand words worth.

We went up to the mountains east of Los Angeles, about a 2 1/2 drive under normal conditions.  Nothing was normal about our conditions.  The fastest way up there was closed due to a portion of the road sliding off the mountain back in December from all of the rain.  We took the scenic route which was about 3 hours.   

We went with 2 other families.  Last year there were 4, but this year one family had to opt out.  We found a new house this year.  It worked out well but wasn't quite as luxurious.  And we found it funny that there was no dining table...but there was a pool table.  To get to the hot tub we had to walk out to the street and under the carport!  

Each pair or part of a pair got to go skiing or snowboarding each day.  The other adults would stay behind to watch the kids.  The first day it was just nice weather with snow already on the ground.  The second day it snowed all day.  It was beautiful!  This was the day that John and I went skiing.  John rented a snowboard this year due to his boot breaking on the first day for him.  He was actually pretty good due to his newest hobby of surfing.  Yes, he really is becoming a Californian!

I, on the other hand am not a very practiced skier.  I basically ski with my "breaks" on, leaving me with very sore thighs after about 5 minutes.  Once I got over that and decided to just be sore and live in the moment, I had a great time!  John and I were almost at the same level with him boarding.

We had delicious dinners each night, each family taking turns to cook.  We had more food than we could have ever needed for 3 nights!

Chasey and Emilie (pictured at the way top left together) definitely acted like sisters and were constantly picking on one another!  It was kind of funny day one but by day four, they were making us crazy.  It is a blessing that they feel so close with each other.  At one point they snuck a box of fiddle faddle and were eating it; neither of them having eaten popcorn before.  They are a bit mischievous when together!  Have to watch out for them!!

We were very thankful for this little getaway.  It's always nice to have a vacation to look forward to.  It took us almost 4 hours to get home as chains were required and people were driving slower.  It was a little nerve wracking at times as we'd come to a dead stop and sit for 15 minutes not knowing what was happening ahead of us.  We were so happy to be home and out of the car.

We couldn't have asked for a better weekend or better friends to be enjoying the mountains with!

Until next year, thanks for the snow and the memories!!

Purple Flowers

Around this time of year we have the most glorious purple flowers that grow on our mountains and other hillside areas.  They are spectacular!  It is one of the things I look forward to most during the year.  It is like they are screaming out "look at me!!", "I am gorgeous!!!"  I've shown them enough to Chase now too that when we go by some she screams out "PURPLE FLOWERSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!"


Today, we were driving home and we passed a big patch close to our house, so I decided it was time I go and document this beauty.  We went home, got the camera, drove closer, but needed to walk along the busy road to get there.  Chase insisted that her kitty, Periwinkle Skipper, wanted to get a closer look too.  Of course these do not do them justice.  But it is a taste.


For those of you that live in parts of the country that maybe don't have flowers blooming at this time of year, I hope that these brighten your day.  They did mine!

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.

Worship the Lord with gladness;

come before him with joyful songs.

Know that the Lord is God.

It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Psalm 100:1-3

A Princess

As she stared at herself in the mirror, she asked, "Do princesses use pacis?"

"No", said her Mama

"Oh", said the forlorn Princess

Respite Full of Love

I had a little weekend getaway to Washington D.C. to visit two very dear friends over the weekend.  It was so nice to only have to pack for myself and then fly for all of those hours all alone, actually reading a book!  And of course I had so much fun with my friends, seeing them in their worlds, their homes, meeting their friends.  It's always funny to me when I go to D.C., that I'm not really going for the typical D.C. reasons.  There is this great city with zillions of things to see and do, great history to visit, tons of free museums, and yet, the best sights to me, are my friends.

Too many late nights talking, good, deep, soul stirring discussion...delicious home cooked meals, warm and delightful lemon-cranberry muffins, fun night out on the town (a bit of fish out of water syndrome for this stay at home mom of a 2 year old)...5 mile walk around the monuments, visiting an old home being restored...shopping undisturbed...

It was a fun time for me, and a first since Chase was born.  And yet, my heart longed for my family...for my sweet little girl, and my dear Valentine waiting for me at home.  Daddy did a great job and really enjoyed his time with his little girl. I am thankful for a husband that will allow me this "me time".  What a blessing!

::  These are pictures of the cookie baking we did for the sweet women that kept Chase for me  ::

Wintertime Blues (as in the color of the sky)

What glorious weather we have been having here!

 ** It is a blessing to be outdoors **

**To be walking on the beach**

**To discover animals hiding in the sand**

**Fun visits with family**

**And cute little blondie girls**

We hope that you and yours are keeping warm!

Happy Birthday Abby J!

I remember this day 8 years ago....a newlywed, caring for a 2 and 4 year old niece and nephew while my new Sister and Brother in law were in the hospital having a baby....we thought what fun it would be to watch these 2. We took them to the zoo, walked around for a while, not sure if we had a stroller.  And I specifically remember when things changed and it was no longer fun.  At the elephants....John announced that it was all fun and games until we hit the elephants!  I guess that is when those 2 little ones were pooped out for the day.

We love you sweet Abby, and our family would not be the same without you.  You are missed today!  

A Life Well Lived

This morning Skipper passed away.  He was a good companion to John for 11 years.

John got him long before we met; he picked him out at the pound.
Skipper was very special to him.  I remember thinking about getting married and knowing it wasn't just John that I was getting, but also his cat.  It's kind of like that in the Hatcher family.  The men like their cats and the women tolerate them because their men like them so.
The loss is definitely felt most by John.  I feel John's grief.  It was a long week this past week, watching him decline.  Each passing day got worse and worse.  
This house will be different without Skipper in it.  Chase will miss him, although, she hasn't really noticed yet.  One day I bet she'll wonder about him!

A Cat's Prayer
If it should be, that I grow frail and weak,
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then, you must do what must be done
For this, the last battle, can't be won.
Don't let your grief stay your hand,
For this day more than the rest,
Your love and friendship stand the test.
We've had so many years,
What is to come can hold no fear.
You'd not want me to suffer, so
When the time comes, please let me go.
Take me where my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me to the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you'll see it is a kindness you do for me
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I've been saved.
Don't grieve it should be you who this thing decides to do.
We've been so close, we two, these years,
Don't let your heart hold tears.
SMILE, FOR WE WALKED TOGETHER FOR AWHILE.