August....
Well...a busy as usual month...but with more anxiety than most. I began the month by going to see Phantom of the Opera as an early birthday gift from my friend Tiffany. It's playing downtown at the Venetian. It was a great show...and we had delicious dinner and dessert afterwards. Since almost everybody knows by now I'll make it short; when I got back to my car that was parked in the Venetian parking garage...it had been burglarized. One of those days when I was traveling with EVERYTHING of value except my children. My very nice and expensive camera was taken from under the seat. My gym bag with my ipod, all of my credit cards, two bags of Molly's brand new school clothes after we had just gone shopping...along with many small items. sigh. I did pray for the thieves...and their very sad and blinded lives. I would like to say that I was just happy no one was hurt and I was thankful that my family was safe and sound. That didn't really happen for a few more days. Violation was what I felt in my gut for a good 48 hours. Alas...it's over and done with...and with only $1500 dollars to pay in insurance deductibles everything will be back to normal. good grief. The next weekend was my actual birthday weekend and I celebrated by going to dinner with my husband Friday night....and my group of AWESOME girlfriends the next night. Hubby night was dinner at On the Border. Girls night was going to see the movie Hairspray, and then girly drinks, appetizers, and cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory afterward. I have to say....as I came home that night (with Barbie balloons in hand) I got a bit teary and overwhelmed with thankfulness for the friends that God has put in my life. Mel, Jess, Joelle and Cara made girls night totally awesome and made me feel truly 30 flirty and thriving. I have...not tons...but just enough wonderful friends scattered from here in Vegas to Reno...and Sacramento. The friends I am talking about are the real deal...the kind that love me unconditionally, lift me up and keep me going. Girls...I thank God for you. Until my camera is replaced there are no pics from August 3rd on. And last but not least....I am running my half marathon this weekend. Sunday to be exact. Not a whole lot to say except...please offer up a prayer for me. Worry and anxiety are creeping in and I need the peace of and complete reliance on the Lord to sustain me. And oh yea....SCHOOL STARTS IN A WEEK! Wow....so many reasons to praise God today. heh heh. Until next time...here are NO pictures until I get a new camera. sigh.

I was doing so well...
I thought I was going to be on a roll with my blogging. No such luck. The past month has been crazy as usual and I have hardly been on the computer to do anything....no emailing....no bill paying...and sigh...no blogging. Anywho...in the past month: Jeffrey and Molly went to kids camp with our church for four days and they both LOVED it! We went to visit family in Reno which was, as always, too short. Then we had Vacation Bible School...where I helped with crafts again this year. Michael is still traveling for work...so it's sad not having him around. Sometimes I feel like there is so much to say and catch up on that I feel overwhelmed and can't seem to get it all out...so for now...here's some pics.

Ellie and grandpa watching movies in Reno

Uncle Paddy and Aunt Sarah

Newlyweds (grandpa and Beccy)

the kids with Emma (daughter of my childhood friend Cara)
she is adorable (even if she did give ellie a black eye)

Angelica and her kids drove up to Reno for the day to visit us! It was so fun! We took the kids swimming...they were sooooo excited to see eachother!


Although Kole was tapped out by the end of the day.

Gramellen....we love her so much!

and....the best news of all.....THE POOL IS DONE!!!!!