Petrified Forest 3-29-2014

Saturday, the 29th of March was a big day!  We started it out with a 12 mile bike ride through the Petrified Forest and another couple of miles walking. It was amazing to see trees turned to stone - some of them still completely intact!

 

 Then we piled back into the truck/camper and headed for the Grand Canyon.  Here are a few snapshots of our time at the Petrified Forest. 

I got way too far behind on the bike ride because of my mad photography.  :)

Anybody up for hitch-hikers...?

I've always wanted a shot like this!

Just a boy and his dog.  Perfection.

There were some huge trees!

The colors were so gorgeous!

It looked like this tree got cut with a chainsaw.

Grand Canyon...coming soon!  I was SO not ready for what I saw there!

Petroglyph National Monument 3-28-2014

Well, hello there, everyone! 

 

I am writing this blog post from our cute little "home" in California.  We are currently on a vacation to California and visiting my parents' favorite sites - places that they used to spend time together as a young couple - before all of us kids came along.  :) 

 

We started out on Thursday, March 27 and made a few stops on the way. 

 

During our time here, I will try to post faithfully as I am also using this blog as a sort of "photo journal" for myself.  :) 

 

This was a lovely, peaceful little site just over the New Mexico border.  I am so grateful for my Papa who stops to let me take pictures!  :) 

Beginning to explore the Petroglyph National Monument - so incredible! 

This little guy was amazing! 

This was my favorite - it looked like an Indian with a spear and, possibly, a rifle. 

Does anyone else think that this looks like a dinosaur? 

The lizards were cute.  :) 

Adventure is out there! 

Next up!  The Petrified Forest in AZ!

This Year {Learning and Doing}

Hello and a very happy Spring to y'all!!!  It has been getting warmer here, and the sun is stronger and warmer than the chilly midwinter sunlight.  I love this season (even though it is impractically muddy!) of melting snow, new life, and warmer weather. 

Just a quick update on us (since I am so woefully behind in my blogging!):

This new year has been incredibly challenging and more blessed than I ever could have possibly imagined.  God is so good and so wise in everything that he does and I am so grateful to Him for all that He has done! 

There were several things on my mental "To-Learn-Someday" and "To-Do-Someday" lists that I have learned/accomplished in these first couple of months. 

I learned to dance early in February, and I cannot tell you how much FUN that was!  Even my brothers (skeptical in the extreme!) enjoyed it.  :) 

I ordered this online and have LOVED practicing my some of my favorite soundtracks.  :)

I am currently taking piano and voice lessons from some sweet friends here in Wisconsin.   A dear friend from church graciously and generously GAVE ME a piano!!!!!!  It was more than I had even thought to ask for or imagine.  God is so good!!!  I had prayed for a decent and cheap keyboard, and He provided me with a gorgeous instrument.  His ways are amazing!

Hockey!

 

Elijah, Jeremiah and I also learned to ski and play hockey this winter.  What a BLAST!!!  Skiing was, by far, one of the most thrilling experiences of my life!  I went down the bunny hill a couple of times and then graduated to a larger hill.  The whole way down I was praying, "Lord, PLEASE don't let me hit a tree, please don't let me hit a tree!"  It really showed me how utterly helpless I am!  It's just me, the hill, the trees, and my God keeping me safe. 

 

The whole group after a full day of epic skiing!

This lift was AWESOME!

Top of the World!

As far as reading this year, I determined to do better than last year, and I have surpassed last year's number already (that shows how few I actually read last year).  I read "The Journals of Jim Elliot" and am currently reading "Pilgrim's Progress", to name a couple of my favorites.  It has been amazing to read so many profitable and encouraging books!

This book is incredible!!

I have been blessed to have several dear friends visit briefly and the blessing to make new friends.  Friendship is such a sweet joy!
 
Y'all have a blessed week!  I am hoping to be posting more faithfully.  :)

He Who Promised is Faithful

My theme for this year. 

His promises are true and He will never fail.  He has always proven Himself faithful, and He will continue to do so!