Alaska ~

My favorite destination of all time!  I swear I am going to live there for a few months one year.
I don't care if I have to wait tables or clean fish. I just want to BE in that beauty
There is something so magical and breathtaking about it! And we were so blessed to have PERFECT weather the whole week. Not one drop of rain !
And of course with Dave and Sandy there was lots of side splitting laughter,card playing and silliness. 
It was epic, and if you ever get a chance to visit , Do it.....You wont regret it !
It gets under your skin in a way no other place ever can

My happy place on the ship...Bliss!

Our guide threw out a fish and a bald eagle swooped down right by our boat to grab it!

GREAT memories for sure!
Alaska ...
I will be back

He did it !

Chad is now a year around , full time Lifeguard One ! 

We are so incredibly proud of him. He has worked so hard and has so much passion for his job. The full time spots do not become available to often and each year he applied and would  learn that someone more senior got the job. He totally understood, and was always so happy for the one hired. { which made it even harder as his mom because he was always so darn sweet about it }
He never lost his joy or enthusiasm !
God is so faithful, and this time it was Chad who was hired.
And they told him it was his great attitude that they admired most !
You cant teach that.... 
Plus he did come in first in most of his academy's....
lets face it, the boy can swim! 
He became certified in water craft rescue, swift water, confined spaces, advanced diving,criminal law, fire arms and now cliff rescue.  Of course he has all kinds of medical training too.
And it has all paid off  !
He received his badge and new uniform the other day! 

He text me a quick pic and I just smiled ear to ear !
He loves people, loves serving others, and loves his momma !
Could this kid be any more awesome :)   

His joy just jumps off the page in this last shot....
And we are smiling right along with you !!! 
Way to go Chaddie!
Costa Rica, Mammoth, Hawaii and Europe are sure going to miss you !

Happy news!

Things have been crazy busy, but there is good news to share !
I have been back at my old store helping out for the last couple of weeks but knew it was only temporary. They have to bring people back by seniority and there was quite a few more ahead of me.My sweet boss kept telling me he had a plan and that he would do all he could to keep me, but I was already anticipating going back  
But today he told me its official !
I am "home" to stay!
I'm so blessed that he loves me and I'm so incredibly thankful he did so much to get me back! 

Working with my peeps, three miles from home for the GREATEST boss in the world ! 
Now that's good news  

Our other good news is ....
We are going back to Alaska this weekend !  We are meeting Dave and Sandy in Seattle and sailing off for a nice long, relaxing week!  We love Alaska and are so excited about going back. And spending quality time with them is the very best part!
I am packing  some good books, card games, and my camera ! Everything else is just stuff
And two ex Navy seals will be house sitting watching Brody so I can leave and not worry about a thing  :)  

Blurry , but it was the only one I took~ 

Lastly .....
I had the BEST Mothers day ! 
We met the kids in La Jolla for a long walk and  a wonderful dinner  at " Herringbone" . It was such a cool restaurant and we had such a great dinner. Travis generously treated all of us which was so sweet. Walking around with Beckham looking at the seals, watching him play with uncle Chad at the park, and chatting and strolling with Trav and Ash were  my favorite moments of the day  And I LOVED being able to celebrate "Mothers Day" with my daughter in law! My heart felt like it could burst with joy. Of course I had to read the cards later but they were so tender and loving. I also got the cutest gifts!  A darling little brag book , a tote bag with "YaYa"  on it, a fun travel book and  some yummy treats.
I am so blessed with my little family ....

And just so you can see the cuteness of this little guy....

He really is a heart stopper
And he will probably continue to always be my BEST NEWS !
Wishing you all a wonderful week,filled with love and lots of happy news !

Happy Mothers Day ~

I can honestly say I truly had the sweetest Mother ever! She taught me so much and the things I learned from her still bubble to the surface as gentle reminders of how to live and treat others. I can hear her voice telling me sweet stories and her joy that came through every conversation.
I miss her every single day , but rest knowing we will all be together again soon !

And being a mom to these sweet boys is my biggest claim to fame!
They are my biggest accomplishments and source of joy     

Happy Mothers Day !

A few things I learned in April

It has been quite a month, and  I have been way too busy
But I thought I would reflect on a few things I learned during the blurry days of April

1~ The friends you grow up are most likely the friends you will have for the rest of your life!
My dear friend and childhood neighbor lost her mom this month so we all gathered for the funeral and I hosted my friend Paula for a few days. Between the services and time helping Jeanette we got caught up on life. We talked until two in the morning ,laughing so hard my stomach muscles were sore for days. Even Steve said he just loved having her here !
We literally took up where we left off so many years ago. We have all been friends for over 30 years and they were bridesmaids in my wedding. These girls are my core.
They know me...they get me ...they accept and LOVE me..and I them!
They are such a blessing! 

And I hope this will be us in another 20 years!

 

2~ I have no concept of working full time and keeping up on life. I simply don't know how people do it! And never mind how many moms with young kids seem to manage life and laundry while working full time. {yes Kaci this is you}
I am a wimp!
I am wiped out and hardly have time to think !
To all you ladies who juggle a home, kids, a husband and job , I salute you!
You are truly a hero to me!
I am counting down the days until I am working my normal few days a week, near home and can return to a more calm life. And have more time for family and friends


3~ This little boy is my joy! Simply put he is always on my mind and in my prayers. I wonder what he will be like when he is older. I already pray for his wife and his sweet tender heart.
I pray he will always walk with the Lord and know how much he is loved. Steve and I spent time with him last week and fell even more in love !  He is so special and precious just like his momma and dadda

4~ This world is crazy! The bombings, the lack of conviction, the economy and life in general is so stressful for so many people. I am more than thankful for our quiet life and pray for peace for our nation and the victims of crimes that occur every single day. I pray that people will realize our need for God and His statutes. We have wandered far from Him and His word and are paying such a price as a country for doing so. I am thankful that the Lord continues to teach me daily about living my life in His Grace , with His heart for people   

I love you all !!
I hope you all find moments of joy and love this week

Fight for JOY ! 
Choose JOY ! 
I remind myself of that every day , because usually if i look for it...I can find it

Love and kisses Karen~ 


 

Christos Anesti

He is Risen....
And  what a fun celebration with my family
Ashlyn decided to host this year and she did such a amazing  job !
Our girl can put together a party with sweet details and great food and make it all look easy. And she does it all with a one year old busy boy under foot
It was so nice to be with her family, it has been years since we all celebrated a holiday together
The Greeks decided it was too far to travel and were very missed!
A few fun images from a wonderful day
Sara's been calling me to complain my blog is the same every time she logs on so I just had to put up a few quick pics { thanks for always stopping by Sara! Auntie Loves you  } 

 My talented daughter in law hand painted this darling tablecloth ...it was so stinkin cute

Uncle Chad loving on B

 Its exhausting being this adorable ...

 The newly engaged ....Kimberly and Russell

 My handsome boy ...And left Right Center winner!

 LOVE them...and love the views out of their house...ahhhmazing

Fun Fun Fun....
We certainly embrace our crazy

Punching In ...

Last week when I decided to return to work I started this crazy list in my head of all that I wanted to do before jumping back in
Amazing what "normal" people can accomplish while working full time and here I am with a part time job feeling like I have  so much to do before returning
There is not enough time in my normal life to see everyone, do all the chores that need to be done, and have all the fun that needs to be had! 

So away I went crossing off my list....
I cleaned out the fridge and freezer , and once again organized my pantry

Washed the down comforters and packed them away until next winter

Did all the laundry and put everything away  { I even matched all the socks }

Had our taxes done !

Filled all my bird feeders with thistle and made nectar for my hummingbirds
 
Straightened up the garage and trimmed my rose bushes

Celebrated a very special birthday with the book club girls for our dear friend Nancy !
Breakfast at Mo's and lots of fun conversation 

I also met Trish there the very next day for another two hours of chatting! So fun

Had Chad come down for a sleepover and enjoyed time with him playing cards, getting massages, taking walks and eating all his favorites
Just being with Chad makes your heart smile ! He always makes us feel like we did such a great job and thanks us constantly for being such great parents
{ we all know darn well he is just a extraordinary child }  

I also met my sweet aunt Mary for lunch and we chatted for three hours at Marie Callendars 
She is almost 87 and is so full of life. She loves a great conversation and I am never bored chatting with her. I actually spend half the time just cracking up ! 

I also met my friend Katie for lunch out in the winery and it was wonderful
Some friends just bless your life by being in it  
And she is one of those friends! It was such a beautiful day ....

So I think I'm ready!
I got my schedule and feel so thankful to have three eight hour days so even though I am driving it is the best possible scenario
God showed me clearly when I was wrestling with the idea of going back or just retiring that He wanted me to be "diligent"
Only God knows my future and I do feel like it is the diligent thing to do. So I am laying  my resentment of being laid off after 33 years aside and replacing it with a grateful heart that they have called me back
I am Choosing Joy ! 

And wishing you all a wonderful week filled with fun and giggles! 

Bragging rights

“Recent college graduate” and “vice president” are two terms not often spoken in the same breath, but they describe Travis Carter quite well. Carter is vice president at Hughes Marino, a leading commercial real estate firm in San Diego......

This boy of ours is so blessed !

He was written up in the Alumni Newsletter about his achievements in business
It is such a terrific article and we are very proud of his love for God and the balance between his business and spiritual life
He truly has found his passion and we rejoice with every success he has

A link to the article is here

A Beary Special Birthday

Our sweet Beckham is one! 
And Ashlyn did so much to make it extra special and sweet
It was a "Bear" theme and there was so much love in all the details
Travis also worked so hard getting the house ready to go and making everyone feel welcome
We had a BLAST!
Beckham was a little overwhelmed at first but he loved having everyone over
I've said before he is such a nice boy. He has such a sweet temperament and a kind little heart. He loves to give kisses and snuggle and quietly takes everything in 

Sweet parents

Chad with Grammy

 

Both sets of grandparents!

There was "Beary" punch, gummy bear favors, grilled cheese sticks with yummy tomato soup
Ashlyn made mini " Beary"  pies which were as good as they were cute! She also made bear party hats for all the kids. So many sweet details and such a fun time with family and friends
I hope this sweet boy always knows how Beary LOVED he is !

And because almost everyone has one of these shots from their first birthday !

Maybe he wanted chocolate cake  :)