Cat Tales

I have a very long to-do list for my kids this summer...all totally fun stuff. So get set for a lot of summer time fun pictures. Yesterday we went to Cat Tales: a zoological park full of cats. Here's some pics.

This lion is the "MGM" lion that you would see growling at the beggining of MGM Studios movies. He's retired now because he stopped growling on demand!

Fresh Cleaning

Recently I've made some of my own cleaning solutions, and I know this sounds silly, but I actually look forward to cleaning my bathroom now, because they're so much fun to use! Isn't that absolutely ridiculous? I was so tired of the feeling of my lungs being coated with bleachiness for the rest of the day after I would clean the kitchen or bathroom...not to mention that all those chemicals are being rinsed right down the drain. I do not consider myself a "green" person, and I'm not into the "pink is the new green" thing. But here are my recipees for some cleaning solutions:

All-purpose cleanser:
(this works great as a deodorizer...like with potty accidents...or on greasy surfaces like the stove top)
In a spray bottle mix together 1/2 cup ammonia, 1/3 cup white vinegar, 1/4 cup baking soda with 1 3/4 pints water.

Bathroom cleaner:
Sprinkle a little bit of borax (borax is a mineral...not a chemical...that has disinfectant properties) on sink and in tub. Scrub with a sponge and rinse. After cleaning tub this way, spray tub with a solution of vinegar and water and wipe.

Toilet cleaner:
Pour some borax and a little bit of lemon juice in toilet. Let stand for 20 minutes. Scrub.

Disinfectant cleaner:
In a spray bottle, mix together water and 20 drops of lavendar, tea tree oil, lemon, grapefruit or any combination of the above of essential oils. (all the oils listed are disinfectants and work just as well as Lysol at killing germs!) I spray this all over my bathroom fixtures and then wipe dry after I've cleaned the bathroom. It leaves the bathroom smelling very fresh.

The Picture You've All Been Waiting For...

The bride and groom...Jayson and Bethany Heslop, with the mother of the bride Diana Doud.

Throwing bird seed on the bride and groom...I love what that symbolizes..."Have lots of babies"!!

Proof that I was at the wedding! It was a new thing for me to say, "I'm the minister's wife!" But I was proud to say it!

Here is some of the Miltenberger family...we stayed at their house in Montana and had the most amazing time. From left to right...Molly, Kathleen (friend of the family), and Margot.

Awesome couple...Richard and Katie Miltenberger...I'm so happy they're in Spokane!

This past weekend, Ben officiated his first wedding...and let me tell you...he did an amazing job. His wedding homily (sermon) was fantastic! He seemed very confident, not nervous at all. So here he is wearing his clerical robe. White represents Christ (when a pastor delivers God's word to the people, he represents Christ to them), as well as the purity of the Church. The red on the stole is the color of the Church, and the red symbols are the Jerusalem cross. The rope around his waist symbolizes being a slave to Christ. He really looks "set apart" when he wears this robe. Let me tell you, it was such and honor for Ben and I to be a part of this wedding. You're allowed into a very intimate and emotional circle for a time. We felt so honored to be a part of the beginning of this couple's lives together.

Summer Time

Ben took Elijah camping...they had an amazing time together...and they caught three large rainbow trout!

What's Growing in My Garden

Here's some of the flowers growing in my garden. I have other flowers and plants too...roses, daises, dragons heads...but my camera ran out of battery. I just love them all! How gracious of our Creator! I especially like the Columbines...Colorado's state flower! They're put together in such an interesting way...I don't know how they just don't blow apart every time the wind blows upon them.

To My Dear Dad...

Happy Father's Day! I sent you a card, but I know it will show up way after the fact. I thought I would post some pics for you from the last couple of years. Maybe it will give you a teaser for this summer when we'll be together again. Love you so much Dad...I owe you much thanks for the happy life you've given to me...what a gift! Have a great day!

Some Cute Elijah Quotes

Elijah has had some precious things to say lately.
On Sunday, Elijah picked some little flowers for me, and after he gave them to me he said, "I picked these out of love for you Mom." Oh it was so sweet.
Then last night when I was tucking him into bed, I asked him if he was happy or sad (I could tell that he was pretty happy). He said, "I'm happy!" And I asked him why he was happy, and he responded, "Because you're here with me Mommy!" I didn't expect him to say that, and I think it made my day!

A Spurgeon Quote

"The gospel is like a caged lion. It does not need to be defended, it just needs to be let out of its cage."

-Charles Spurgeon

Just a Year Ago...

Since Julia just turned one, I thought I would post a few pictures from 1 year ago. The picture of me pregnant was just a few days before Julia was born...we went hiking to try to get her to come! The last picture of her looks pretty funny!

Julia's 1st Birthday!

Julia just turned one on May 30. We really had a fun day just delighting in her. I enjoyed every moment of the day...she is so wonderful. I finished a special dress for her to wear on her b-day, and she enjoyed her first cake...butter cake with chocolate cream cheese frosting. It was so cute...the whole time we were singing Happy Birthday to her, she was just smiling and smiling...she loves music. What a precious gift from God she is...we thank the Lord for her.