Sunday, September 27, 2009

October? Is That You?

My baby's turning two!  I can't believe it is October again with Caiden for the third time.  Fall is for Caiden.  Pumpkins and baby Caiden.  Orange and red leaves and my baby girl.  Pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and straw.  Two years ago on October 2nd, our little Caiden Keats entered the world with her little squawk.  I'll never forget David standing next to her while she was weighed and poked around, putting his head down close to hers and holding her hand.  Afterward, he told me, "I got her covered.  I told her all about Jesus and how he died for her and rose again.  She's all covered."  And that's what he was doing during her first few moments of life.  Loving her and covering her with the blood of the Lamb.  What a treasure to have this beautiful girl and a wonderful husband whose primary concern was for Caiden to know how much her Saviour loves her...

Lots of planning and concocting is going on around here for Caiden's little dress up party this weekend.  I'll have to show you some of my crafts... For now, here's a look at the invitation.




Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Photoshoot: Caiden






How could anyone resist a mug like that?  That's my little Caiden love.  We used to call her K-Hawk, because she can really let it out good and she more squawked than cried. She's a feisty little sucker, but oh, so lovable.  She's especially lovely those first few moments after she wakes up: warm, rosy cheeks and somewhat lethargic movements... Perfect for snuggling.  And that's when these shots were taken.  It was just Daddy and her one afternoon while Elliott was still asleep. 

Caiden loves her Daddy, but she's a typical lady and plays aloof.  As soon as she hears Daddy's car in the drive she drops everything and runs outside yelling, "Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!"  But as soon as he opens his door, squats down, and puts out his arms with a big, huge smile on his face, she stops in her tracks and turns her head to the side with downcast eyes as if to say, "You may pursue me if you wish, I couldn't care less either way."  And "Oh, this old thing?  I only wear it when I don't care HOW I look!"  That's my little Caiden.  She's got a lot going on behind those big beautiful eyes...




Uh-oh... Where's Caiden?


Peek-a-boo!  There she is!


She totally wanted music on for her photo shoot.  Gotta get in the mood, after all...


Noun. Caiden: Warrior of everything.


Saturday, September 12, 2009

What is Carpinteria?



Oh man, that's a loaded question.  If you are an Escalante fan or friend, you have surely heard of Carpinteria by now.  Carpinteria was probably one of Elliott's first few words.  We have been going there since Elliott was still in my womb (sorry I just said womb... twice.).  So we just got back from a little vacation time in Carpinteria--and by that, I mean three weeks or so ago.  David took some beautiful pictures and I of course would love to show them to you, but have been at a loss over what to say.  I've posted about Carpinteria a few times before.  I don't want to bore you, you know?  But... I really want to show you those photos.  So, let me tell you a few things about Carpinteria as opposed to again telling you about how we laid by the shore and got a tan, waded in the tide pools, saw the seals, went to the old candy shop, ate chocolate bananas, rode bicycles, had campfires, and roasted 'smores...  Because that can just get old.





So what is Carpinteria, anyway?  Well...  Carpinteria is:

>A tiny surf town just outside of the well known Santa Barbara
>Elliott's all time favorite place on earth
>A town with only 2 stoplights
>A town in which residents send each other "halos and pitchforks" in the local paper for noticeably good, bad, or annoying deeds
>Home of Reality
>Possessing the "Safest Beach in the World"

>A town where "the locals" definitely do not use leashes on their surfboards
>Boasting a beach with naturally occuring surface tar in the water and huge tar deposits on the beach
>A town with a state park where you can camp right up at the beach
>Where David's family hosts our "as often as humanly possible camping trips"
>"Poor man's Hawaii"
>Where you spend all day at the beach, go eat dinner, and then come right back to the beach to watch the amazing sunsets



>A geographical location used for marking the growth of my children.  i.e. "Look how well Elliott can ride the razor compared to last time!  He's grown up so much since then!"
>Tidepools
>Favorite gathering place of many, many old friends--and their kids, and their kids' kids
>Fancy tea parties on the beach
>Frozen chocolate covered bananas
>Antique shopping
>Lots of late night, no stake poker
>Pop up tent trailer, twinkle lights, fun tablecloths, beachy decor
>Family time
>Donuts

>10 million trips from our spot on the beach back to the trailer for "one more thing", 1 thousand trips bringing everything back to the trailer at night
>Hot showers at 25 cents for 2 minutes
>Very long and loud freight trains rushing by blowing their whistle in the middle of the night
>Extremely wise and crafty raccoons who know how to open coolers and tend to love carnitas
>Bike Theives
>Usually pretty cold ocean water
>Cliffs to hike
>Lovely beach jogging
>Fun place for surf lessons
>Many trips to Starbucks
>Many campfires
>Many S'mores
>Lots of laughter and good stories


I guess you just have to be there... Good times.  Good times.


Sunday, September 6, 2009

Verse of the Day



My son, if you receive my word,
And treasure my commands within you,
So that you incline your ear to wisdom,
And apply your heart to understanding;
Yes, if you cry out for discernment ,
And lift up your voice for understanding,
If you seek her as silver,
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
Then you will understand the fear of the LORD
And find the knowledge of God.
For the LORD gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk uprightly;
He guards the paths of justice,
And preserves the way of His saints.
Then you will understand righteousness and justice,
Equity and every good path.
When wisdom enters your heart,
And knowledge is pleasant to your soul,
Discretion will preserve you;
Understanding will keep you, [...]
Proverbs 2:1-11

I've started reading Proverbs to my kids during breakfast after being reminded to it by a friend.  This one jumped at me this morning...