Dillon James...

One of the happiest days of my life... God's precious gift...

So I am a couple of days behind, but need I remind you there is a puppy in the house?...happy, tired, sometimes frustrated, sigh!

Anyhoo...two days ago, June 27th, was our firstborn's birthday! Yep, Dillon turned 19 and just typing those numbers is numbing. He is growing up so fast and becoming quite the young man. I love that he loves the Lord and desires to please and serve Him; he is very much the planner, organizer and sometimes over-thinker (we're working on that!); he is a natural leader among his peers; he loves his family; he is a hard-worker at home and work; he is a diligent, goal-oriented college student; he is a handsome guy; he has quite the sense of humor and so enjoyable to be around! I thank the Lord for Dillon and what He has done in his life and continues to do in his life! The future is very exciting and I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for Dillon! :)

We woke Dillon up with the traditional "happy birthday" song, gave gifts and inhaled donuts before church. Upon arriving at church, Brooke surprised Dillon by attending our church (she and her family attend another church in Santa Clarita) and we all were thrilled to have her there. :) After church, Dillon and Brooke saw a movie while Dalton participated in his golf tournament and Derek spectated. What did I do, you might ask? I needed to stay home with Ruger...he had quite a distressing morning while we were gone...boo hoo! Later that night when everyone came back home we hosted an impromptu BBQ for many of Dillon's friends. What a great night of BB gun shooting, ping pong, pool, food and entertainment (the Book of Eli, is amazing!) Derek and I love having the boys' friends over and enjoy their company very much!

So where are the pictures? Can you believe that I did not take ONE! I was soooo busy during the entire evening...I should have thought ahead and given my camera to one of the kids. Shoulda, coulda, woulda....let it go, Robin!

At least I will have an opportunity to redeem myself. This Saturday we are celebrating Dillon's birthday in Bakersfield with family. Since my Mom and Dillon share the same birthday, we traditionally party it up by their pool..we are looking forward to cooling off in the pool, as I hear the Bakersfield heat is in full swing!

Field Trip...

Yesterday the boys and I took Ruger to visit Derek at work! Ruger did great in the car, meeting new people and just hanging out in the office while we had lunch. It was the highlight of Derek's week! :)
This is what Ruger did most of the time...sleep on the ever-so-cool cement floors! I purchased a fundraiser "deputy bear" for Ruger as a toy but then discovered the bear's pants were filled with tiny pellets!...um, no.

Unfortunately, lunch time was over and it was time to leave...sigh! We had to wake Ruger up from his afternoon slumber...

We all really enjoyed this field trip...visiting our favorite deputy is always fun! :)

Summer lovin'...

One of Ruger's favorite things is the trampoline! He loves it and I love it too because he can't get into anything he shouldn't, like pine needles, rocks and leaves! :) Tonight before dinner, Derek and Ruger had some fun bonding time... Aren't they cute?...
Oh me, oh my! I absolutely LOVE this picture and will be buying a frame for it tomorrow!!

Looking forward to many more nights like this!

Father's Day 2010

We were honored this year to host Father's Day at the Ranch! Derek was busy grilling carne asada and chicken on his new "old school" Weber BBQ...the meat was out-of-this-world!! Our guests were my mom and dad, Dick and Maxine, and Derek's Uncle Gary...
The weather was perfect and I am so thankful we were able to eat outside and honor our Dads...

Derek and I are blessed to have Dads that love and support us, as well as our boys!! I am additionally blessed with a husband who is an amazing father and I thank the Lord daily for his example to Dillon and Dalton. I love you babe!!

Ruger's Homecoming...

The day finally arrived...time to bring Ruger home! Here I am "nesting"... :)
Derek and I on the way to Monrovia to pick up the boy...Can you feel our excitement?

He's so big and oh, so cute!

Jeannie and I with Ruger...She is such a joy and took such great care of our boy!

Oh - happy, happy day!...

Can you feel the love?...

Derek is such a skilled driver...he can drive and take pictures at the same time!..hehe

Finally, home! Getting acquainted with toys and...

the cool spots in the house...

and most of all, loving on the boys...

Yep, we all are very smitten with this newest addition! Now if he could just learn how to do his "business" outside!...sigh.

Graduation Celebration...

After the ceremony, we headed off to Benji's Basque Restaurant to paarrrttttyyyy! :) The most wonderful and supportive husband ever!...
My favorite people were there: Dick and Maxine...

The Munoz Family ~ Larry, Angela, Kaylynn and Ethan...

The Onaindia Family ~ Nick, Kristen and June...

Nee Nee (my Aunt Karen - my mom's sister), my Mom and Grandma Nonie...

The whole gang...I think our waitress did an awesome job taking this picture!!

What a great table shot...let the feast begin!

What's a graduation party without Smith's cake? Dull, I tell you! This lemon cake was AMAZING!!

Miss June Bug was having a great time...she looks as happy as I felt!

My niece, Kaylynn, also graduated this year...from Kindergarten! Onto bigger and better things...1st grade!!

My graduation day was such a blessing and I loved being surrounded by all the people who have loved and supported me along the way!! Thank you. thank you. thank you!

Class of 2010...Finally!

As many of you know, in 1988, I stopped attending CSUN one semester shy of graduating. A definite mistake in my youth and hopefully, a powerful lesson for my boys! Thankfully, I was able to complete what I had started over 2o years ago... The anticipated day was June 12, 2010 at California State University Bakersfield. Here I am with a couple of fellow future teachers, Debi (she is about 10 years older than I but we have kids the same ages and have empathized with one another a great deal in balancing family and college life) and Sue (we endured the daunting class of Earth Science together!)

President Mitchell addressing the graduates...

Debi and I...since we were sitting on the aisle, we were able to pass the time by looking at all the different shoes the girls were wearing (there were some doozies)! :)

Entering the amphitheatre...when Debi and I heard the music, we both started to tear up! It truly has been a journey for both of us!

Me, the graduate...it still is sinking in!

Anxiously waiting...

It's official...I is a college graduate! :)

My family...they have been so flexible, understanding and supportive! I love them very much!!

My amazingly supportive parents...xoxo!!

Me and my Grandma Nonie...I loved having her there!

It was also so special having Brooke there! We have had many "college" talks which I thoroughly enjoy! We share our frustrations with professors, as well as our successes!

It was really a great ceremony...I enjoyed the speaker and just soaked in every.single.minute!!