Christmas lights... A few years ago when Grace moved to Fullerton she discovered a street where the neighbors hang some pretty unique Christmas lights every year. They make globes with colored lights and hang them randomly from the tall eucalyptus trees that line the street. The picture does not do it any justice (and my battery was dying so I only got one shot). But if you get a chance to see these unique lights in person it is worth it! If you are driving east on Chapman Ave. turn left onto Yale Street .... and enjoy!

Friday was a wonderful time of celebration as we all gathered to celebrate Abby & Michael's graduation. It has been a long hard road but the Lord is faithful. Abby's parents (TN), Michael's mom (FL), friends and professors were all part of this wonderful get together. Later we went out to have dinner. It was a great time of fellowship.

Christmas Cookie Exchange 2006

more pics here:

http://chiarapics.spaces.live.com/

Baking cookies... This morning after seeing an amazingly beautiful sunrise & getting up early to go for my 2 mile jog I went over to Abby & Michael's place for a "Baking Day". Abby and I spent most of the day cooking and baking coconut macaroons, chocolate peanut butter whoopi pies, sugar cookies, and a birthday cake. It was so fun to do this together while chatting and listening to Christmas music on the radio. I love baking!!

BBW Christmas Luncheon - Paula was the speaker at today's luncheon. I am so blessed to work with such a great group of ladies!

Sometimes God sends special people into our lives to bless us along the way. One of these dear people is Ruth Hoorn. I met Ruth a little over a year ago at a ladies tea at church. We happened to sit at the same table... well I guess it didn't just "happen". God put Ruth in my life to pray for me. Everytime I see her she lets me know she is praying for me (and asks if I have met a nice boy!). I saw her again yesterday morning at our Christmas tea. During the tea she shared about her life growing up in Germany and what traditions they celebrated during Christmas. She has had a difficult year with her invalid husband and has recently recovered from hip surgery. Through it all she was thankful of God's faithfulness. What an encouragement to me... It was so nice to talk to her and know that she is still praying for me.

The "udderly moolicious" birthday party for Naomi! A fun time was had by all as we celebrated with delicious "black cows", cow patties, brownies and black and white M&M's.

Monday morning was a gloomy, cold, rainy day. So what better way to counteract the Monday blues? Wear pink! Abby, Megan and I all showed up to work looking like triplets. I guess its true when they say, "Great minds run on the same track!"

Thanksgiving 2006 - Mom, Grace, Jon, Sara Patrick, Joy, and I all drove down to Yuma, AZ to celebrate Thanksgiving at Donna & Greg's. The food was great... although I do have to admit that the ham was great but I missed not having turkey! What a wonderful time we had spending time together. Alyssa and Joshua are growing so fast and are a joy and so fun to spend time with. We stayed until Saturday afternoon. I am thankful for the time we could all spent together as a family. I taught little Alyssa how to crochet. Gave Joshua piggy back rides and made endless funny faces at the camera! Helped decorate their tree and shared great moments talking, eating, drinking, eating... eating... ! The day ended with a beautiful sunset. As I reflect about the many many things this year that I am so thankful for it seems almost like an endless list. God has been so good and has brought so many people into my life this year! I have made many new friends this year who have touched my life and heart in a very special way! I would like to share a part of an email my friend Desiree sent me this Thanksgiving. It really sums up alot of what I feel... "I'm thankful for the sacrifices of the men and women who serve in our all volunteer military who have made it possible for us to gather this Thanksgiving Day without fear of religious or political persecution. Admiral Nimitz said of the Marines who fought on Iwo Jima during WWII: "Among the men who fought on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue." We live in a society that perpetuates selfishness but you won't find that kind attitude on the battlefield these days. We continue to breed heroes, the kind who would lay down their lives for the sake of others. I've been there, I've seen it, I'm humbled by it. This Thanksgiving, please take some time to pray for those who are serving overseas, as well as for the families they've left behind." Thanksgiving 2006 has come and gone but my heart is still brimming with thanks for all of the wonderful friends, family and blessings the Lord has given me.

You can see all the pictures from Thanksgiving here: http://chiarapics.spaces.live.com

Fall colors... are something that I have not ever experienced. There are really none here in California and certainly none in Colombia growing up. Today at Sunset Beach I did see some amazing fall colors. I'd like to think of this as California fall colors... beautiful shades of gold and orange... Have I ever mentioned that I love sunsets?