Growing up, we did lots of fun things as a family. One thing I've always remembered is taking a trip to Calico Ghost Town. I remember the house made out of glass bottles, the name on the side of the mountain, and most of all drinking Sunkist (my favorite at the time). We had a fun family picture taken in old time clothes. I've always loved this picture.
So, in May, while in California I really wanted to go to Calico again and have a picture of my little family taken. They told us to look serious. I have been told by many family members that I just look mad. It is a great photo of my 2 loves, anyway.

The Refiner

I received this thought a few months after Tom and I got married. I have been thinking about this thought for the last few weeks. I pray that I can remember it as I face the trials the Lord has trusted me with.

Malachi 3:3 says "And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness."

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study group and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next study session.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the refining of silver

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver of the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver."

She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy- when I see my image in it."

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees his reflection in you. Reminds me of an old saying I keep reminding myself of : "God doesn't put tin foil in the fire (it only last a second). If you're feeling the fire, you must be gold or silver!

Battle Creek hike

Ok... this has nothing to do with our hike. I just wanted to include it. A funny face (enhanced by allergies) but it shows her top teeth. 3 of them!!!

Yesterday was so nice out that Tom decided we were due for a hike. We were going to do Stewart Falls but decided we wouldn't have enough time. I'm so glad we did this hike instead. It is our first hike in a year...and boy am I out of shape! I think Stewart Falls would have killed me- and I wasn't even carrying Aileah!

Setting out on our hike!

We made it! My smile is still very crooked :>

Aileah LOVES water... but this was too cold for her to stand for long.

Aileah's war wound. She and Daddy had a collision and she got a bloody nose. What a trooper!

The falls were beautiful. It was a short hike but it sure showed me how much work I need to do on myself. We plan on doing more hikes this summer. We have such a happy, outdoor-loving girl!

Aileah's first ice cream cone!

My dad bought a box of Drumsticks, thinking they were normal sized. But... luckily for Aileah they were Mini Drumsticks. She loved it! She sure does have a sweet tooth.

This was her reaction when I told her it was all gone.

Too funny!

Hi. My name is Heather and I'm a blogger slacker!

I have, actually, been very aware that I have not update the blog in a ridiculously long time. But thanks to some encouraging, "subtle" hints from some family members I am actually doing it. Life has been going crazy fast lately. I just finished up my 9th year with Headstart. WHOO HOO! If things go according to plan, I will not be going back in the fall. I am watching two great kids, Korbin and Chloe. And it allows me the opportunity to stay home with my cutie! So he's a quick rundown of some of our latest adventures, complete with lots of pics :)


We went to the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point.

Took a fun vacation to Disneyland

Really enjoyed playing in the ocean.

Really didn't enjoy playing in the pool.

Celebrated my first Mother's Day!

Celebrated Aileah's first birthday. She was way too tired to really

celebrate. We will have another bigger party soon.

What I can do- by Aileah

I can wave hello and goodbye. Sometimes it's a wave, sometimes it is
just a raised arm. I love people and I wave to everyone I see!

I can talk to Daddy and Mommy. I love to talk!

I like trying new foods...like chocolate. YUM!

I can use my monkey feet to grab and hold my toys.

It's pretty fun....see?

I love to read! My books are some of my favorite toys!

Sometimes I just gotta ask, "What are you doing, Mom?"

I love just sitting outside and taking everything in.

I will let Mommy and Daddy put funny hats on me...sometimes.

I can chew on my fingers... and I do all the time!

Our trip to the duck pond

Yesterday we took advantage of the beautiful Spring- like weather. Aileah loved seeing the ducks and exploring grass1 sure love this little girl!


They were all paired off. Maybe they knew it was Valentine's Day :)

I love this pic! It totally captures her personality.

Just checking out the duck pond!

A gratuitous cute photo of our little doll!