HOPE

tumblr blog

2012-01-05T12:43:00.000-08:00

Read about this photo here.

I decided to set up a blog just for 2012 and my black and white images. You can check it out here: http://cristinarobeck.tumblr.com/

I am loving loving loving working in purely black and white. It's refreshing, mysterious and freeing. It reminds me of where I started and how far I have come! I hope you will follow my little moments in black and white.

-Cristina

Unexpected Beauty

2012-01-03T15:44:00.000-08:00

I came across this cool wall. Unexpected Beauty 2012 - A 52 week Project. Tuesday is the day I think I will post my images. I love the idea of unexpected beauty in little moments. I had actually taken this photo today before I even knew about the project.

a peek from my lens: Caleb, my son the super star.

I had already decided that this year I wanted to shoot in black and white and all the shades of grey. I absolutely love color and I LOVE to shoot contrasty images in color. This year I wanted to go back to where I started from, in black and white. Here is hoping that black and white and all the grays will prove to be a year of pure beauty!

Bring it to 2012!!!!

Angry Birds

2011-12-13T16:17:00.000-08:00

Caleb LOVES playing video games on his computer. He is really good at using the computer and he has recently done so well at school that we decided to let him play Angry Birds again. This past weekend him and JM played side by side for about 2 hours. Caleb was in video/dad land and loving it. All I kept hearing was "Caleb, how did you do that?"

What's wrong dad?

I think Angry Birds has gotten to him! hahahaha.
What a fun lazy Saturday afternoon!

Being 7 & 5

2011-12-10T11:14:00.001-08:00

Yesterday was a no school day which meant to my kids, no showers, playing, riding bikes, watching TV, watching movies and being carefree. At the end of the day they each went off to play by themselves and it was fun to hang out with each of them as they did what they enjoy most.

I love her smile. This is RRR perfectly at 7.

The boy on the other hand, well he was all about his race car today. Sound effects and all. He had fun showing me all the cool stuff his car has. He actually posed the car for these shots and told me to take them. Then he wanted to see them to make sure I did it right. If he did not like what I took I had to do it again! Great job Caleb shoot with mom!

CMR doing what he loves at 5.

Beautiful

2011-12-09T15:42:00.001-08:00

Today I captured this, water.

For me water means so much. In moments my mind is flooded by images I have seen, taken or experienced were clean water made a difference in a persons life. It is just water. It's just water to me. It's life.

It's a Little Scary

2011-12-01T20:17:00.001-08:00

My Life.

I am going to try to explain it in photos.

This post is a moment where I need to take a deep breathe and then going back to believing that God has an amazing plan where I get to stroll with some amazing people.

Some people know me as Cristina the designer, others know me as Cristina their sister with crazy ideas, others know me as Cristina the dreamer, others know me as Cristina the friend that cries and others know me as Cristina mom & wife. I know me as Cris the one that believes all is possible through God.

Aside: If you know me as Cris you can call me that, if not well then my name is Cristina with no "H" Ha!

I believe that God created me to believe in people.
I believe that God created me to help people.
I believe that God created me to love people to the point where they know the depth of that love.
I believe that God created me for a purpose.
I believe that God has a bigger plan than just my little dream.
I believe that God created me to take photos.
I believe that God created me to encourage people.
I believe that God believes in me.

I wish I could remember that list all the time. Most of the time I feel like I am saying just the opposite to myself. I feel like I am alone, I feel like I not creative, I feel like I don't know how to love people. That's life though. It's real. All of it. The belief in that love prevails and in the knowledge that life sucks sometimes.

I'm smiling.

Because these little moments in time make up my entire life. Where I suck at times and where I get to live in God's plan. It's a strange and beautiful thing.

All these words are coming from me thinking about Give Prints. I would have never taken this series of pictures had it not been for Give Prints. I would have never known all that God had for me had it not been for Give Prints. It's more than I can image and more than I know but it is becoming me.

Cristina the Photographer.
Cristina the wife who is an Entrepreneur.
Cristina the mom that has a rad job.
Cristina the sister that talks about art all the time.
Cristina who believes people are amazing, crazy and beautiful all at the same time.
Cristina who believes in me.

I hope and pray that Give Prints and our images inspire you to know that you are deeply loved.

Above all pray,
Cristina

PS - it's good to LIKE Give Prints on Facebook :)

The Grateful Project

2011-11-30T10:32:00.001-08:00

30 days - 30 pictures.

My friend Jenn is amazing. When she emailed me and said she wanted to do The Grateful Project for Give Prints I was stoked. Thirty days of gratitude. It seemed easy enough.. What I found a long the way was that my perspective changed and it was not always easy to be grateful. There where days when I was really just tired or mad or acting crazy and I still had to look for something to be grateful for. There where lots of moments I did not capture with my camera and the ones I did I found amazing because I got to capture a little piece of time where for that moment it was amazing to me. Here are my thirty photos, most of which are images of my little family, my friends, Give Prints, and food! I am grateful for all these little moments I get to live that make up my life!

Be blessed!

Grateful

2011-11-02T11:07:00.000-07:00

Grateful moments from time with family.

A Peek From my Lens: On the train ride with CMR to SD

A Peek From my Lens: She slept on my chest for an hour.

A Peek From my Lens: 5 of the 6 cousins, carved pumpkins!!!

A Peek From my Lens: Our Fashionistas!!!

A Peek From my Lens: Drama!!

A Peek From my Lens: All 6 cousins, Grateful!!

My Pentax K1000

2011-10-09T19:51:00.000-07:00

This is my camera, the camera I learned how to take photos with, the camera I traveled to Europe with, the camera I let other people borrow becasue they had an itch for photograhy, the camera I taught little kids how to shoot with and the camera that started this story.

Every time I think your passion that you have for using your creative gifts from the Lord have surely reached their best, you continue to astonish me!!! I pray for Give Prints and that the Lord continue to use you as HIS great vessel!!! -by my friend.

People say words to me all the time and I love the encouragement because it helps me move closer and deeper to Christ. These words however made me stop. My dear friend does not take lightly the words she says and for that I know she whole heartily means what she wrote and I whole heartily receive it.

I never think of myself as a "creative" person, I know, I know...shut up! But I don't, until recently. For the longest time I never thought I had talent, just a lot of dreams. Christ changed that, just recently. I realize now that I could not see the talent he gave me because there was still a lot of work he needed to do in me before I could step out in faith and know that He indeed has given me a creative side. It's more than just being creative. See my creativity does not come from within just me. It comes from me allowing Christ to work in me and allowing him to use other people in my life. Had it not been for my mom allowing me to pick up a camera at the age of 5, maybe even earlier or my cousin who use to carry her camera around her neck every time we went somewhere I may not have ever known how much I love to look through a lens. It's fun. It is who God has created me to be.

My very first photo I ever remember taking was of my sister. This one. Moni! I remember the day. I must had been 10 years old. She was 5, I think! I remember telling her how to pose, how to smile and to say cheese! I went on to study photography through Junior High, High School and College. I studied in Italy. I built dark rooms, I worked in labs, I shot a ton of photos and I can remember what it feels like to load black and white film in the dark. I remember the excitement of being in the darkroom for hours and coming out to see your photos on paper. There is nothing that compares to developing your own photo and holding it in your hand when it is all done.

Recently I have been thinking a lot about where I came from. I come from a God that loves me. Recently through many moments in my life I am beginning to really realize just how deep and wide that love truly is.

More than ever before people have wanted to know my story. It kind of freaks me out a little! But, they want to know how I got here and how did I come up with Give Prints? In all the conversations I have had in the last few months about Give Prints and photography I can only say, God led and all I had to do was walk through the doors He opened. Now, I won't lie to you, I did not always walk through the right door. I can just picture God going "oh really Cristina, why did you choose that way, you goof ball, get up and come back and take this door." There still is a lot of walking through the wrong doors but I am a lot faster at turning around and there is also a LOT of grace.

Door In El Salvador I took this past year.

So let's get to Give Prints. The big question being asked is, why? Well, all I know is we have these gifts and talents that God has given us and I want to use them for something! I want more than anything in the world for people to know that they are deeply loved by a God who created them and allows them to choose. For a long time I did not know what that meant, but I know today that I choose Christ and I choose to love people. That is not always easy or fun. But I want to be the person that people think of when they need something or they want to do something. I want to be the one to encourage them, love them, pray for them and if I can be the the one to help them walk through the door. I want to be able to provide an opportunity for them to express their creative side.

Give Prints is a dream to me. One of my dearest friends just recently asked me "Cristina, does this all excite you? Do you want to be doing this?" I had been complaining about how much work this all is. She stopped me, I stopped and said yes. In that moment I saw all the doors that I had walked through from this first photo I took of my sister. This is what God has called me to do and it has taken me 26 years and whole lot of doors to get here and it's just the beginning.

I am blessed to get emails from photographers all over the world asking to be part of Give Prints. I am blessed to provide new photographers a platform to GIVE. I am blessed to help charities and people all over the world in hopes that they will know they are loved. I am moved everyday by how our charities and photographers love what they do. They are amazing people and I for one want the world to know that we are trying to GIVE!

So friends -- it's the short of the story because if you know me when you ask me a question of any kind it takes me at least an hour + to give you the answer. Oh the poor people that have been asking for interviews!!! hahaha!

PS: If you are looking for someone to take photos of your family for the holidays or you are planning a wedding or having an event or need a photographer for anything check out our Photographers page on the Give Prints website, and please tell your friends about them! They are all amazing!

Above All Pray!
Cristina

He's Rad

2011-09-15T14:31:00.000-07:00

Caleb is such a great kid. If you spend any kind of time with the kid he will make you laugh at one point or the other. He comes up with the craziest things. I love it. This week he has been all about these glasses. They are his dad's old reading glasses and he loves them because they are blue and he thinks glasses are so super cool! Lucky you if you "get" to wear glasses. While wearing these glasses he said "gosh mom why does everything look so blurry?" And I answered "Hum, because you DON'T WEAR GLASSES!" He laughed!

Caleb you are a crack up and amazing, I love you!

Daddy Daughter Date Night

2011-09-12T14:18:00.000-07:00

A Peek from my Lens: She sees her dad coming!

Since RRR could walk JM has been taking her on DDD Nights. It is awesome. I love how excited they both get about going out on a special night together. I remember the first date night they went on. He took her to see the Sounds of Music at the dinner theater. She sat on his lap with a smile the whole way through the musical. Since then they have dressed up in fancy clothes and gone to dinner and a movie. This year she wanted to wear jeans! But she still did her hair, wore lip gloss, sparkly shoes and had a purse; which had gum for her and her dad. Something they both love. I helped to get her ready and we waited outside for him to come back with CMR. As she saw her dad come around the corner the smile came alive and she was jumping for joy. What a blessing for her and him to have these times together. He loves her so!

Being Here

2011-09-10T12:19:00.000-07:00

This last week I worked on a board for a client that was invited into his high schools Hall of Distinction. Years of images that I put together of his life. When talking with him about it he said "I have had a great life and God has been so faithful." Oh how true that is. It made me reflect on my own life and our family. I felt desperate to slow down and JM email me this;"Just reading Jenny’s dads bio reminded me of how fast life goes bye and how we need to slow down." It almost seems impossible. What does that mean, slow down. How do you slow down running two companies, raising two kids, church, school, PhD program, and all that comes with life. We can't really but we can take time to take some deep breathes, be present in each other lives and rest together. Some of the best moments for me this week have been stopping and hugging my kids and my husband. Writing notes for JM as he leaves for work to let him know how much I love him and how proud I am of how hard he works. Talking with RRR in the kitchen. Having lunch with CMR and holding him as he tells me about school. Living in the moments that matter and being open to change. God continues to provide and continues to open doors, my job is to walk through them with my whole family.

His love never fails.

Giggles, Backpacks, Kinder and Second Grade

2011-09-08T14:20:00.000-07:00

Kinder and Second grade. My kids are amazing and I love them. They started school today. We started the morning with special cards, tears from mom, new clothes, back packs, lunch boxes and pictures. Caleb woke up ready to go with a huge smile and he said "I got an idea! Let's have a family picture!" So we did! RRR woke up and was nervous. Once she saw her new dress and her purse lunch box and her dad was with her she was all giggles!

It's going to be a great school year I am sure. Caleb was already counting all the numbers around the top of his class room and RRR was looking for her friends. It's part of life right, going to school! We all did it and they will too. It is wonderful to know that God is in control and that He is with them.

They all wondered what I would do this morning without them, I took JM to work, I talked to my Mom, I got the car washed, I listened to music, processed photos and I cried a lot!

"May the Lord always walk with us as we seek Him in all we do. Be blessed my beautiful children as you are blessings to our family and others. Allow God to guide you and follow Him in all you do." Amen

I dearly love you both and I am so proud of you. You are more than rock stars, you are amazing!!!

Love

I love this picture as JM takes the kids to school and I am praying.

It's like God's sunshine covering them!

Together.

RRR showing CMR where his class is. She was giving him all the tips!

They have the same teacher!

Praying together.

He was so excited for her and him to be going to school together!

Where's CMR???

Hello 2nd Grade!!!

The End of Summer

2011-09-01T21:51:00.000-07:00

Today I took the kids out to take pictures. We do this every year right before school. The end of summer is hitting me like I did not expect. For the last three weeks I have longed for some alone time and to have a few minutes just to myself. Honestly I would like to just listen to music and be able to finish listening to an entire song without being asked a question about how the earth spins, what is check mate or how do chickens poop!

I must say though that it has been an amazing summer of relaxing, having fun, listening, crying, laughing, swimming and hanging out at the beach. I am blessed indeed to be able to spend as much time as I do to be with these two amazing little people. They make me better and I love them so. I get to listen to their amazing conversations, I get to break up their fights, I get to have breakfast with them EVERY SINGLE morning. I get to watch them create and watch them veg-out (we all need it). And then there are some sweet moments that I get to be a part of. I get to see them love on each other. I get to have them on my lap when I am trying to work just so they can tell me how much they love me. (yep now I am crying!) Sometimes I think I need to be more like them!

RRR and CMR you are amazing and I love you both so much. I am sorry for my faults and my short temper. Thank you for an amazing summer and for loving me so much! You are the raddest kids I know!!!!

A time to breathe

2011-08-04T14:01:00.000-07:00

A Peek From My Lens: Newport at night, Cristina Robeck

Summer, it's been good and flying by too fast. This was the first week that the kids had to entertain each other and it is driving me crazy. Oh the bickering is just getting to me and I feel angry all day. So last night I was done with saying "stop it, go to your rooms and can you just be kind to each other!" So we packed up the truck and headed to the beach for a picnic, dip in the ocean and a bonfire...and I happen to take my camera with me for some much need alone time!

After spending time looking at life through my lens I saw some beautiful things that God has entrusted to me. Those same little kids that where driving me crazy where loving each other and we where having fun together! It was worth it.

Love them so!

Water

2011-07-18T16:24:00.000-07:00

Coming back from El Salvador is always weird for me. Yesterday I was making dinner and I got a pot of water to boil pasta and saw "something" in the water. I dumped it and got more and went on with making dinner. While I was watching it boil I was reminded of how people in El Salvador just can't dump out the dirty water and get more. It makes me sad. See the water is dirty to begin with and they have one maybe two barrels of water. They get their water from a truck that brings them water once a week. They use that barrel for everything, cooking, bathing, drinking, washing clothes; everything you use water for.

I can not imagine not giving my kids or family clean water. I can not imagine running out of water and I can not image how much time it would take to make those barrels last. I pray that we will all remember how blessed we are to have clean water and that we can use it without having to worry or think about it.

To help bring clean water to the people of El Salvador go here.

It's Hard Coming Home

2011-07-12T20:08:00.000-07:00

A peek from my lens: Colors of El Salvador

Our trip to El Salvador was great. It was our 5th time as a family going to work along side ENLACE and the local church in El Salvador, it was like going home. It was wonderful to come out of the airport and be greeted by friends that knew us by name and where excited to see us. Our time there had it's up and downs emotionally, physically and spiritually. I was glad to be there. I had amazing moments of talking to to people in the community and sharing life with them. I was blown away at how hard my husband worked and how amazing the kids where. They worked so hard, harder than me! We are all still processing our time there and I think for me as a mom, I am having a hard time just being in the presence of who God is creating my children to be. Hard because it is amazing and it truly is all God and I am thankful.

Friends asked me at church today how the trip went and if the kids had fun. I just started crying for the first time. Fun just does not do it justice. They where touched by God is a special way. I am thankful! So for now here are a few pictures I have been able to process. I am sure in the coming weeks more will be told. Thank you again for your prayers and support as our family served in El Salvador.

A peek from my lens: Cow Spotting

A peek from my lens: Processing

A peek from my lens: From the Bus

A peek from my lens: Steps

A peek from my lens: Listening

A peek from my lens: He Helped Her

A peek from my lens: Working Hard

A peek from my lens: Running with You

A peek from my lens: Thank You

Behind all the Noise

2011-06-27T21:25:00.000-07:00

a peek from my lens

There has been so much that has been going on since our little vacation up north. RRR is out of school for the summer, we get to sleep in, we have gone to the beach (got a super bad sunburn), JM is studying for French, I have a ton of work, Give Prints pushes me in so many ways that I feel like I am learning more than I ever could imagine, swimming, taking photos and just hanging out with friends. I am blessed to have some amazing women in my life with amazing families. They make me better. They make me have a tender heart (which is not natural for me!), they point me to Christ every time I am with them. They make me think about what truly is important to me in this life.

I have been listening to a song and the lyrics just kind of stick in my head and help me to pray.

"You will find me

I'm a the point your breaking

Behind all the noise

When your world is darkest I can still see

Cause when there's nothing left

I'll be"

These lyrics remind me that God is. He is the constant in my life. He is enough and He's the reason I do what I do. I have a blessed life indeed. I am gifted in many ways and my family is well. I am grateful. I am honored to follow Christ.

Fun in the Sun

2011-05-31T20:16:00.000-07:00

This weekend I was in a car for over 1000+ miles with some of the best people in the world. For the first hour I just stirred out the window then I fell asleep. I can sleep anywhere and I love to sleep. Our first destination Santa Cruz. JM and I went here on our 6 month anniversary of being married and we have returned almost every year there after. Every year it gets better as the kids make the boardwalk an exciting place to play. I got so sick after the 20th spin ride and I had to stop. JM braved it out with them and thankfully the kids still love the kiddy rides!

I had a blast taking pictures all weekend as it gave me time to just be. It was little moment of solitude with God looking through my lens. I enjoyed the moments and it resulted in over 630 pictures taken!

After a great day at the board walk we grabbed a pizza and headed to the light house where they stayed in the car (because it was so cold) and I took pictures from the coast line until my trigger finger was frozen. It was well worth it. We ate our pizza in the car as the sun disappeared into the night.

Then on Saturday morning we headed out to Sacramento to celebrate JM's grandmother's 85th birthday. It was relaxing and fun. She is amazing and we love her dearly. She has the best backyard ever. She grows raspberries from which she makes the most amazing freezer jam from. She has birds and crazy stuff all around, rocks and bottles; I always get lost just taking picture of all her crazy stuff.

RRR & CMR with their Great-Grandma Gibbs

We ended our time in Sacramento going to Grandma's church with her and visiting her bother's grave. He fought in the Korean War and we took flowers to the grave site and listened to her tell stories of their childhood and living during the depression.

1000+ miles later we where back at home. It was a great to get away and a wonderful time with family.

My Give Prints Story

2011-05-20T15:22:00.000-07:00

www.GivePrints.com

Buy a photograph. Select a charity.

I am excited and honored to announce Give Prints. This new company is pressing the limits when it comes to conventional. It’s not. It’s a company that will hopefully be simple in design and at the core of it GIVE. My heart grew and was challenged when dreaming of this concept. I had much help along the way. From giving 50% of our profits instilled into me as I worked a long side a good friend to photography as I was challenged to go deeper by my dear shutter sister.

Along the way my prayer warriors (you know who you are and I am so grateful) came along side me. There has been the web developer who put countless hours into building the site with me and taking much of my frustration along the way, thank you for your forgiveness and for working hard for me. Our Videographer who rocked it beyond what I could have hoped for! Then there are the photographers; blessed by this team of people who gave so that we could GIVE. They are exceptional in what they do and I hope that you check their websites out, like them on Facebook and book them for sessions!

Finally our partner charities; so excited to be running along side them as they serve to love people around the world in unique ways. Be blessed.

I believe that photos bring a glimpse into how much God loves ALL his children. I hope as people buy a print and gaze into it, they will be reminded of how deeply God loves them, because he truly does.

This side of the adventure is just beginning!

Cristina

Camping

2011-05-16T15:58:00.000-07:00

We had such an amazing time camping this weekend with our family and our church. It was so relaxing I did not even want to turn my phone back on when we got home on Sunday. The kids got to have adventures with new friends. They pretty much only came to me or JM if they got tired or hungry. They where dirtier than dirt and had a blast playing all over the camp ground. They found tadpoles, frogs, and who knows what else. They climbed trees and peed in the brushes. JM and I pretty much just sat around the camp fire and chatted with friends and each other. It was a much needed time of rest.

Chicks

2011-05-12T10:23:00.000-07:00

on the left is Birdy on the right is chick
6 days old

So back in April we starting hatching eggs, here is the post about that. On May 6th two little chicks hatched. It was crazy. The first one no one even got to see come out and it came in the morning. The second one hatched during RRR's birthday party. It was craziness to say the least. The kids have had a blast with it though. From turning the eggs four times a day to now cleaning up after the chicks and giving them water and food everyday. I refuse to clean up after any more poop! The dog is enough! So JM and the kids have really taken to taking care of the chicks, I'm grateful. So we think we have one boy and one girl chick! They are called, Birdy and Chick.

This is Birdy hatching

Minutes after coming out

Birdy a few hours old (boy)

Chick a few hours old (girl)

Chick (left) Birdy (right) next day

The Most Amazing Party

2011-05-07T17:15:00.000-07:00

Happy 7th Birthday RRR. We loved celebrating you!!!

He Has It

2011-05-04T21:16:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was an amazing day and today was a blessing. I was a reminded that God is control and frankly He "has it!" I am saying these wonderful words over and over in my head, "God has it!" He does and all I have to do is follow! I am blessed to have great, amazing, God loving, friends that encourage me in my walk with the Lord. Today I got to go with my shutter sister and CMR to Lower Trestles where we would shoot some amazing photos, hang out, enjoy the surf competition, watch CMR play in the sand, find huge sticks and meet some new friends. God has been at work and we will soon have some amazing news to share. For now I hope and pray that you know how deeply God loves you. May you find joy and peace in a few of these images. Blessings!

photo project: A Day in the Life

2011-05-03T13:16:00.000-07:00

The Gibello's

Fun. Fun.Fun. Fun.Crazy.

For others that are participating in the photo project click here.

Game Day

2011-05-01T20:01:00.000-07:00

What a blast we had hanging out with good friends and watching our two teams.

Dodges vs. Padres. (padres won 7-0) YES!

Blessed by friendship!

Rose's on your birthday

2011-04-30T19:31:00.000-07:00

From my earliest memories I can remember my mom sending me flowers to school. I remember coming in from the playground and seeing the flowers on my desk and being so happy. I do not know if she ever missed a year (I doubt it) but I do know she gave them to me every year until I got married, now JM gives me Roses every year on my birthday! No matter where in the country I was she sent flowers. Since RRR was born to this very day she has gotten flowers on her birthday, roses. It is something I truly enjoy doing for her. This year I even got to leave them on her desk while she was out of the class room. Love you so much RRR!

7 Today

2011-04-29T09:27:00.000-07:00

Oh Miss Rebekah Rose. You are my joy and my love. You are the best little girl anyone could ever ask for. You are such a blessing to our family and LOVE LOVE LOVE you dearly. May this year bring you much joy and many new inspirations! I love you for all you are and all God is creating you to be. Be blessed little one as we seek Christ and follow in his ways!

Today was also a special treat at school as it was CRAZY HAIR DAY!!!

Solitude

2011-04-28T16:17:00.000-07:00

Here is where you will find me.

WATER BALLOON FIGHT

2011-04-27T13:33:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was one of those days where I was done with the kids fighting, so I told them to put their bathing suits on and take it outside. Their fighting turned to fun and they where so tired and cold that it made dinner pleasant and quite. Then it was early to bed! Who knew!

photo project: SERENE

2011-04-26T16:10:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I spent about 30 minutes by myself under the balboa pier. It was so relaxing for me. One, because I was by myself and two, because I got to play with my camera. Even though I have been taking pictures for a super long time I am finding a whole new learning curve and it brings me such joy. With the craziness of life sometimes a retreat (even if it is just for a few minutes) is needed. I can not wait for school to be out, sports to be over and summer days to be here. Oh wait can I have summer days with some else watching my kids! Yep that is how I roll!!! hahaha!

To see everyone else's photo project pics visit Miss Ashley Well's blog and all the links are on the right hand side. Enjoy!

Just Around

2011-04-25T11:53:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you just need to stop and look around....

Newport

2011-04-23T09:59:00.000-07:00

We spent some time yesterday just hanging out at the beach and it was needed. I needed to get out in the fresh air and the kids needed to be able to just go wild, other than in my house. I took a ton of pictures and over the next few days I will let you know what I captured. It was my own little retreat shooting while JM watched the kids. What a great husband!

Gum Balls and Craziness

2011-04-22T21:40:00.000-07:00

love!

Palm Sunday

2011-04-17T22:06:00.000-07:00

Hatching

2011-04-15T12:32:00.000-07:00

So here is the official story of our eggs that are in the incubator. A friend brought us some fresh eggs from her mom's chickens. Awesome. Ya, fresh eggs! JM grew up being around farm animals and loves the idea of the kids being able to see how chicks are hatched. So in discussion I was completely against getting eggs for hatching and I knew he would not go online and spend money to actually buy the eggs, so I was safe. Until the next morning I opened my Facebook and saw that one of my friends was GIVING hatching eggs away for free. Ugh...I should have just not told him right? I couldn't do that so, I told JM and off we went that evening to get the eggs.

That night he put the eggs in the cooler with a lamp...then the next day he built the incubator! It was craziness. He was taking apart a lamp for it (sorry Ash, he promises to put your lamp back together once they hatch!), took my rack out of the microwave, bought a light bulb and a timer, took my candy thermometer, my baking wear for water, some wood and a painting tin we had in the garage and there you have it. An incubator that self adjusts for the temp to only be 99 degrees!

I think it is amazing that JM's mind thinks like this and I am blessed that he can literally build and fix anything AND no one got hurt!!!

So watch as this continues...if I am blogging about building a chicken coop I'm done!

Fun with Sunbeams

2011-04-15T08:56:00.000-07:00

Snake Skin

2011-04-13T15:36:00.000-07:00

Yep this arrived in the mail yesterday and needed time to air out. I did not know that RRR had asked her uncle to send her a snake skin to take to school. I got an email from him warning me he actually sent the skin and that it was still "fresh!" Yep, this is part of being a Robeck. Snakes! So I went with my bold side of me and grabbed my camera and snapped away! Yes I have to admit I cleaned my camera and my hands after handling the thing, but I love how these came out!

Grateful

2011-04-12T11:20:00.000-07:00

I am not sure what to say. Life is grand. But I don't want to give you the illusion that it is perfect. It's not. Currently I am still in my PJs trying to finish up work, launch a new business, I have a sick kid on the couch and I need to brush my teethe! I have not even opened the shades today because I don't want the mailman walking up to my door to me see like this. But here I am smiling away and grateful. I get to stay at home and hang out with my son, work at what I love doing and be creative all at the same time!

Shutter Sisters

2011-04-09T11:46:00.000-07:00

More than a friend that shares a passion for Photography she shares a love for Jesus. She introduced me to a book by Shutter Sisters, and said "this is how I learned to take pictures and you are my Shutter Sister!" She is an amazing photographer and she has pushed me out of my comfort zone as a photographer. YES WE ARE PHOTOGRAPHERS, go ahead and ask!

She taught me how to do the grain on this photo

She taught me how to change the focus on an image

She taught me how to play with my shutter speed

Visit her site GibellyDesigns.com

and follow her blog as she rocks it in life to learn how to just be.

Amiga

2011-04-08T20:49:00.000-07:00

I have not laughed so hard in one single day in a long time. I was blessed to spend the day with my dear amiga and it was awesome. I felt so at home with her and found myself talking with her about things that I have never shared with anyone outside of my immediate family with. I am not one to just come out and spill my guts to someone and as I heard myself sharing with her I did not feel anything other than God's sweet love around us.

We talked about life, kids, our awesome hubbies, God, we drank way too much coffee and sat on her couch with our camera like two nerds going through the how-to-to's of taking photos. I was so blessed that she showed me so many of her awesome techniques. She called me out and told me I was "so lame" and it was awesome. We walked and talked and took photos and even yelled like school girls when we almost got wet by sprinklers. It was awesome. She made me feel weird in front of the camera and I laughed so hard.

She is a beautiful friend for whom I am so grateful to have in my life. She is beautiful, encouraging, inspiring, someone I can bare my soul to and someone I can just sit with. Thank you Jenn for being jacked up to the core with me!

Waiting

2011-04-05T15:32:00.000-07:00

Waiting at the bus stop for their dad to get home.

His Bus!

Send Love

2011-04-05T12:43:00.000-07:00

Over the last few weeks I have felt like sending love to people so I created these postcards. The hope is that people will be reminded that someone loves them (me or you) and that they are though about. Ultimately I believe that God's love of salvation wins. So as I send out my love wins postcards know, that you are prayed for and you are deeply loved by God! Comment or message me if you want a set for free to send out to your friends!

He's 5 Today

2011-04-04T09:07:00.000-07:00

Me:" Caleb I don't want you to turn 5."
CMR: "Well that's life, I can't stay 4 for forever!"

HAPPY 5th BIRTHDAY CALEB.
WE LOVE YOU

Home Party!

Birthdays

2011-04-02T15:44:00.000-07:00

They are turning five and seven this month.
What joys they truly are to be in my life.
I love you RRR & CMR!

The CMRs

2011-03-26T19:25:00.000-07:00

Cristina M. Robeck & Caleb M. Robeck

Happy

2011-03-24T11:43:00.000-07:00

I was blessed last night to run kids around and I found myself standing in the back of 50+ little girls and feeling like I wanted to just run to a quite place. At our church I found a place with a friend and we listened to each other. It was more than just chatting away about our days and more than just griping about our crazy kids, it was loving on each and just allowing God to move in us. I have been thinking about this time all morning and thinking how amazing our God is for allowing us to be imperfect. Thank you Jesus. The word HAPPY stood out to me last night and I have been thinking about it all night and morning. Happy! Who the freak is truly "happy" everyday. What exactly is happy anyways? The dictionary defines it like this:

1. delighted, pleased, or glad, as over a particular thing.

2. characterized by or indicative of pleasure, contentment, or joy.

I was telling JM this morning while taking him to work," who really is happy by these standards?" It makes me think of those people who are always smiling and laughing and bubbly. Come on ... that is just not realistic. Happy usually comes with a feeling. Like everything is great and dandie...what happens when it's not? I am happy that Jesus is with me and that I do not need to put on a front in my life. I don't need to be bubbly or smiley but I am content in my relationship with Christ, which is not made from a feeling but rather from faith.

I guess what I am trying to say is that happiness is not mandatory for our faithfulness. God never promised us that we would be happy-go-lucky people. In fact he said would come across trials. For me happiness doesn't always come with a feeling but rather from having faith and knowing that at the end of it all, in Christ, I am still standing. Happiness is knowing I have faith in a God who has redeemed me. Happiness is knowing that I can cry on a friend's shoulder. Happiness is knowing that when I suck God can make me better!

photo project: SPRING

2011-03-23T16:26:00.000-07:00

This year spring has a new meaning for us. Typically I would have taken pictures of us planting our garden but this year with spring comes softball! It is a new love for our family and it has been so much fun for all of us to watch RRR play, learn, and grow. I love taking pictures of these little girls.

She ran to 1st base and got tired!

With girls softball comes PINK!

Whose on 2nd?

Happy Birthday JM!

2011-03-22T20:54:00.001-07:00

Oh how he loves them! It was a great party that the kids and I threw for JM. They each gave him a shoe and so he has a new pair of shoes. This is significant because if you know JM, you know he has been wearing the same shoes to work for the last four years and would not by himself a new pair because there were other things we needed before he got a new pair of shoes! So the kids each wrapped a shoe to give him and they were so excited to see him wear them! The kids also picked out their own cards for him and wrote in it for him and here you can see how much he loves these two kids. I love it. And now we are all becoming a year older and it is sad in a way because the kids are growing up and life seems to be moving fast but it is also exciting because life is great in the presence of God.

JM thank you for your love and guidance for our family. Thank you for leading us closer to God. Thank you for challenging us to seek God on our own and to make our relationship with Christ our very own and stronger. You are an incredible man and I am grateful for you. Thank you for going to work everyday and coming home ready to be with us. Thank you for your amazing endurance and for moving forward in what God has called you to be. We support you and love you. I am with you! Blessings to you my love!

Love Wins

2011-03-21T10:03:00.000-07:00

In these days some may say, with all the tragic things going on in the world, "God, where are you?" I see how God is right here with us. Yes, it is hard to be full of faith with bad things happening all around us but I believe that our God is greater and loves us more. Like a parent that allows their child to fall sometimes, so that they can make their own chooses and then there is the parent to help them back up, so is our God.

Yesterday was a wonderful day of remembering God's promises for our lives. I tend to worry and when I worry I try to fix things on my own and then I fall. Yesterday I heard God say "here I am and I will take care of it all!" I could not help but just sit and cry on JM's shoulder as we worshiped together. And in that moment someone slipped an envelope under our hands. We did not see who it was but it was a tangible moment for me , it reminded me that God always provides for us and hears us.

"In my distress I called to the LORD;

I called out to my God.

From his temple he heard my voice;

my cry came to his ears."

2 Samuel 22:7

Surely as the sun will rise he hears us. Do not stop believing, for even when we are without faith He remains faithful. I feel a sense of urgency to draw closer to God during these times as there is much to pray for and much to seek God on. But before I seek for others I want to draw near to my God for me, in the hopes that as I seek our Lord it was bring a wave of love to those around me. A wave of love, unlike the wave of fear that we have recently seen on the news. A wave of love that will surpass all understanding and give hope where fear was and bring restoration where brokenness was. I believe love wins!

Super Heroes

2011-03-19T19:57:00.000-07:00

They are special super heroes to me!

Thank you Grandma Robeck for helping with this awesome project!!!

These capes came from SUPER CADE! (praying for you little man!)

photo project: TIME

2011-03-13T19:19:00.000-07:00

This past week all CMR wanted to do was spend time with his friend AJ from church. On Wednesday CMR got to go to his house to play and then Friday he was coming to ours. CMR could not wait for Friday to come. He said: "Mom, I am going to sleep through Thursday so that Friday will come fast so that I can spend time with AJ!" All they wanted was time together. This is from their Friday afternoon time together.

A Perfect Day

2011-03-10T20:12:00.000-08:00

Photo by: Cristina M. Robeck, Newport Beach 1:30pm today!

CMR: "Mom what do you want to do today?" It was about noon time. Me: "Oh, how about let's get a burger and head to the beach?" CMR: "YA!!! I will get dressed and grab my shovel!" When he says grab his shovel he means his "man" shovel. There is no messing around when it comes to digging holes in the sand. In fact, I don't even think CMR knows that the beach has water! Just kidding, he does but he just loves digging holes. So I grabbed my camera, a beach towel and off we went to hang out for the next few hours before we had to pick RRR up from school. It was awesome. The sun, CMR and me, and hardly anyone at the beach. Relaxing and I needed it so did CMR! CMR:" Mom this was the best day!"

The shovel!

Sandy hands...oh no!!!

Ash Wednesday

2011-03-09T21:05:00.001-08:00

Our church had an Ash Wednesday service. It was beautiful, simple and meaningful to me. Last year when our church decided to do an ash Wednesday service I was confused and a bit scared. As a kid I did Ash Wednesday and honestly all it meant to me was that for the next 40 days we could not eat meat on Fridays and we had to give something up! Ugh!

These last few years it has meant much more to me. "From dust to dust." The ash symbolizes that we came from dust and to dust we will return but here is where it changes for me. My soul will be in heaven with Christ praising God! I get it. I get why we as a church body do what we do. I told our pastor today that I love this service because it reminds me of where I came from and where I am going. I am blessed to know the Love of Christ Jesus who died on the cross for me so that I could have salvation.

Celebrating forgiveness and salvation

BLUE TIDE OPENING DAY

2011-03-08T12:22:00.000-08:00

Girls Softball

2011-03-08T12:14:00.000-08:00

RRR's bat is the HOT pink one!

I am so proud of RRR for playing softball. She decided on her own that she wanted to play this game. She was encouraged by us all to go for it. Little did I know she actually knows how to hit a ball! More than that her coach says that she is a great listener and very teachable. I though, wow whose kid is this. I have already seen how playing this game has boosted her confidence in herself. And how it has provided opportunity for her to tell stories to her coach....I think Ollie just might be famous with the little Blue Tide Team!

I also love how important it is to her to always look her best even when she is playing ball!

She thought it was funny she had to wear a "boy's" color.

Her rock star belt.

A girl CAN play hard with ruffle socks!

SO PROUD OF YOU RRR -- YOU ROCK #4

Being pushed to my limits

2011-03-07T09:17:00.000-08:00

Here is a picture I took this weekend on our missions intensive weekend in Santa Barbara. You have heard me talk about my friend JG and what an awesome photographer she is (www.gibellydesigns.com), this one is for her. Photography has been a part of my life ever since I can remember. I started with little cameras and taking pictures of my sister from her birthday, that was 30 years ago. In high school and college I was toughed how to work in a dark room and develop film. I learned on film. I went to Italy for a summer in college to take photos and work in a photo lab. It was amazing. If you asked me to put together a film lab I could do it. I have done it a few times. But here I am working without film and working on the computer to get the right feel for a photo. I was taught to take a picture on the camera and take it so that you would not have to manipulate it later. This photo was just that. I set my camera lined the shot up and took the photo. One photo and got this.

I was sitting in service outside looking up and noticed that the lights at this camp where made out of cans. I could not stop looking at them as I thought it was pretty awesome that they would use cans. I left the service to go get my camera and came back and took this picture. I was so happy to open it in photoshop and see that I really did not need to change it in anyway. It warms my heart and I have been thinking about it ever since I took it. It speaks to me only because it reminds me of the talent God has given me and it reminds me of the influence I have in my life. I am thankful for my friends that are pushing me to my limits and then when I think I got there they push a little harder and I begin to see that there is so much more to learn. I love that about life. Thanks!

photo project: LET THERE BE LIGHT

2011-03-03T12:51:00.000-08:00

The Light of the World

photo project: HUMAN TOUCH

2011-03-01T16:51:00.000-08:00

Photo for Judson, flying with you!

Hold hands

Together

With you

photo project: YELLOW

2011-03-01T14:56:00.000-08:00

So there are a bunch of beautiful girls that I love dearly and they are so cool to be doing a photo project. They pick a subject and post a picture/s. Two weeks ago it was Human Touch, I missed that one but I will be catching up here soon, last week it was Yellow... Here is my yellow. Just at home and things I saw today.

In our garden

Always on hand

Beautiful

2011-02-28T21:24:00.000-08:00

Rebekah all I want in life is to be able to love you the way you deserve to be loved. You are beautiful in so many ways. You are a treasure and as stubborn as I am and I love you for all you are, all you are becoming and all God has created you to be. I am honored to be your mom always!

Remember It

2011-02-28T20:59:00.000-08:00

"In his heart a man plans his course,

but the Lord determines his steps."

Proverbs 16:9

For some time I have felt incredibly blessed to know God in a deep way. This past year I've been so moved by God that it is so difficult to even put into words. In my nervous laughter I try to explain it but somehow it just sounds like a crazy person talking. OK JM would say I am a crazy person but that is besides the point. Last year at this time I did not know what God had in store for me personally. I can't really remember how I felt but I know what it looked like to me. Today I can not get through the day without thinking about how rich I am in Christ's love. This verse was given to me on 2-16-2011. My friend began praying. I started seeing God's vision and to be truly honest it scares the crap out of me. But here I am. It does not scare me like I am afraid, it scares me in the sense that who am I that God would choose me? Why me? Why not? No really, who am I? No one really. Just someone truly seeking to follow after Christ and try with all that I have to love his people. That is it. Nothing more. Love people. That is SO not my nature. Especially when love never came unconditionally in my life. I always felt like I had to earn it. Today my heart pounds to share God's love. TO be his hands and feet as He has shone to me.

This photo reminds me of his calling on my life and his love for his people.

Be blessed for Christ Lord Jesus LOVES you deeply.

Remember it.

Lady Bugs

2011-02-28T20:24:00.000-08:00

They actually went OUTSIDE in the back yard today all by themselves. It was wonderful. The dog is on vacation in San Diego (thanks mom) and the yard is clean and the grass is cut...perfect conditions for RRR and CMR to tackle the back yard again. They are people that love to explore. They found a total of 7 lady bugs and put them in a jar so they could find out all they need to know about lady bugs. They found out that they are good for our garden. The rule is that they can not be in the jar for more than 24 hours. So tomorrow they will put them back into the garden! But for now they have a little lady bug village.

Eyes

2011-02-28T19:46:00.000-08:00

Photo by Caleb's mom! Love you Caleb

I came out of the office today to find Caleb with this on his head.

He said "Mama, can you see my eyes?"

I thought it was so funny...who needs to buy toys, this

boy can make anything out of any box and love it for hours.

Tears...

2011-02-27T16:35:00.000-08:00

There are very few people that I will allow to see me cry. I was raised to be the tough one. To suck it up and keep going. I would say that it would take moving a mountain to make me cry. A few of my good friends would say that is not true. Even JM would say that I rarely cry. But in the last year God has moved my heart so much and so deep that I can not help but cry at the mention of His name. My friend MJ would say this: " I love how you say you never cried...but ever since I have known you, you cry all the time...because the Holy Spirit is moving in you!" She is right. My other friend JG would say :"I love how you cry, I love how tender hearted you are." It is weird to think that they know me as a crier!!! Ha. I am, I am a crier! I cry when I see their faces, I cry in the parking lot, I cry at the thought of God in my life. So here I am saying to you all I am a crier!

There was a day right after Christmas that I just felt like I needed to see my friend. And so I invited myself to go to lunch at a little taco place with her. What she did not know was that I cried with anticipation all the way to her house because just the thought of knowing I would be with her soon. I whole heartedly could not wait to see her. There have been a few times where my friends have held me while I cried. MJ when I saw her at church and just seeing her face reminded me of God's love, JG as I saw her waving at me from the back of church and I just had to give her a hug and in her embrace I broke down. Overwhelmed by God's promises. BD at church and walking towards her with her arms wide open as if God himself was saying "come take refuge". Even as I sit here now writing this I can remember how wonderful it is to just BE with these ladies.

These friendships are the perfect picture of God in my life. These women allow me to just BE and allow me to take refuge and allow me to share life with them. They have made me reevaluate what our world and I perceived friendship to be. I thought a friend was someone that I needed to be with every week, someone that I could enjoy being with...but really it is much much more with less words. It is knowing that they push me to draw closer to God. It is knowing that they love me no matter what. It is being with them for the sake of love and compassion. It is listening. It is allowing me to enter into the places of their lives that no one else wants to linger. It is just BEING with them without a schedule!

MJ, JG, BD : Thank you for allowing me to walk life with you. You have spoken into my life with great passion and love that I am forever changed by who God is in you. Thank you for allowing me to cry and allowing me to hear the Holy Spirit because you know that I never cry expect for when God's Spirit is with us!

Winter

2011-02-22T13:12:00.000-08:00

I have never been one to photograph nature. I tend to lean more towards taking pictures of peoples faces. But this weekend as I was watching the kids ride bikes in the front yard I tried to take a "good" picture. The best part of it is that I think these are three of the best photos of nature that I have ever taken, and each one reminds me of a face!

For my Mom

For JM

This one reminded me of a few people.

For: My-father-in-law & my brother-in-law (JLR)

Just Around the House

2011-02-22T13:07:00.000-08:00

Just hanging out with Dad.

The kids made JM a get better headband! JM wore it proudly!

Most mom's would have Photoshopped RRR pen stain out but this is RRR all the time now.

She is an artist and loves to put her markers in her mouth while she creates!

CMR: "This is how you wear a tie mom!"

CMR "This is how you use a tie!"

He makes my heart skip a beat

2011-02-15T16:58:00.000-08:00

p.s. thanks Jenn for your awesome songs!

HUGE SMILE

2011-02-14T20:40:00.000-08:00

You know last year if you would have asked me about my life I would have said something like this "it's good...it's ok...you know this and that really sucks..."oh and then the complaining would just start to roll off my lips. This year, deep breathe! It is amazing that it brings me to tears. Not amazing because I have lots of stuff or that I am in the "in-crowd" (I'm not) it is amazing because it is truly full of love from God and joy from my Savior. He has changed my heart. Last year did suck in many ways but in those somethings it was amazing because my circumstances lead me closer and deep to God.

I stepped out and fell off the side of a cliff. When I landed I saw that I was safe. I was in God's arms. They were the arms of his people. These beautiful people that grace me with there friendships, love, compassion, forgiveness and sorrow. I love it. When I think of them I can not help but pray, and get choked up and I get a HUGE SMILE. My whole life I would have to say I was not a crier. I am now. I will see my deep friend at church or drive to her house just for a few moments to say hi and get choked up. I can only say that God has changed me. He has touched me deeper than I can explain and here I am safe in His arms, in the arms of his people.

There is so much to praise God for in my life. Some may see my family and say "wow" such hardship, and they would be right. I look at my family and say "thank you God for trusting me and working on me and them so that we can life in the fullness of your grace!" This does not mean that I never feel lonely. I do. I still do to this day. But I know now my loneliness is not because I do not have it is because I am shut out to draw near to my God. To feel his touch and hear His whispers. In those moments I feel complete. I am excited about what God is doing in my life and I feel so incredible loved.

HUGE SMILE !

Valentines Day!

2011-02-14T19:52:00.000-08:00

It was a great day today. Not because of what we got but because we are blessed to be loved by God and each other. This lovely day reminded me of just how much I love my family and the community around me. Be blessed for God is with us!

Happy Valentines Day!

I love you too JM!

God has something great

2011-02-04T10:08:00.000-08:00

Photo by RRR & CMR

This past week has been craziness for our family. After getting into a bickering fight with JM and feeling super tired our bank called about the house. Our bank has been nothing but impossible and yet we have bent over backwards to give them everything they have asked for. On January 27th, we got that call from the bank yet again, "you have been kicked out of our program because you failed to send in your paper work." It was 6:30pm and we had just finished dinner. When I heard those words I walked to my office and shut the door with the phone in hand. For the next 15 minutes I "let" them have it and then handed the phone to JM. After about an hour and half he said, " I am running to my office to fax them the paper work." He kissed the kids and gave me a hug while I was on the phone.

At about 8pm he calls "I've been in an accident." Someone had hit him at 65mph on the 5 freeway while he was stopped in traffic. The Jetta was now beyond jacked-up. The driver had push him about 20 feet and he hit the car in front of him. Thankfully he was ok. He is still in a lot of pain. The next few days we laded low and CMR got sick, then RRR got sick and my ear was in a lot of pain. You would think after all these events I would say that life kind of sucked. It doesn't, God is still good and I am super thankful giving me a heart to rejoice!

At church a few people came up to JM to talk to him about how he was feeling. One person said to him "wow, your family has been through so much this past year and now this. God must be preparing you guys for something big." This phrase triggered a thought process in my head for for the next 4 days. Our family has been through a lot this past year but I really don't think we are any different than any of the other small business owners that are hurting because of the economy. In our God Story we learned so much and saw God provide in the most amazing ways. Our struggles have drawn me to a deeper relationship with my God. I learned that He alone is my salvation and my rock.

I have heard these words said before about our family and now I understand them. "God is preparing us for something great." Here it is. My kids drew this picture together today. It is our family as one with even our crazy dog George. It reminds me that this is the greatness of God in our life. He has been preparing us for today. I know that God wants us to serve him and that He has a great plan for our lives. I just don't always think that it is so far away like he is "preparing" us for something greater than today. I feel like our family has been called to serve. To serve each other, to serve our family, our friends, our church and our community. I think God's been preparing us to be authentic and true with Him, ourselves and our community. I don't dought that as time marches on God will continue to prepare us and continue to challenge us and change us and I am sure He has great plans for us. I just don't want to live my life hoping for that great moment to come when it is happening now.

"Thank you God for providing, for your love, for the reality of you in our lives. Use us only for your glory!" Amen and Amen.

I love you too

2011-01-26T11:19:00.000-08:00

Sometimes life just sucks but it is always great to know he loves. I love you too JM, sometimes I really don't like you but I will always love love love you. Thanks for giving me space and allowing me to process. I know with God in our life we will always be okay. Thanks for always loving me even when we say stupid things.

Three Six

2011-01-21T22:39:00.000-08:00

Today I turned 36. It was the most amazing year ever. Through all the hard times and all the great times I saw God in my life and I drew closer to him. I would not be the same person today without some amazing women who walked along side me. Today I wanted to celebrate them being in my life and drawing me closer to God. Along with JM and the kids we are blessed to have people who love us for who we are and for who we are not.

As of today I am 36 and I love it.

ps. yes, my mom called today and said " I did not know it was your birthday today!" Thanks Moni for giving her the 411!!! :)

Stupid Chicken

2011-01-19T10:38:00.000-08:00

When JM and I first got married I can remember driving up the coast with him listening to this song, a Beautiful Day by U2. We were in the (not so jacked up) Jetta. The sunroof was open and life was simple. There are times in life when JM just amazes me. These last few years there have been a lot of those moments.

He has a heart that wants to serve. Serve God, his family and his community. Last night I felt so blessed, at the end of it all, he smiled at me and then said "stupid chicken!" I laughed.

See earlier that day I called him and told him that I thought that there was a dead animal in our attic. Oh the dreadful dead animal in the attic or anywhere in our house for that matter. But when I called he thought I was telling him to come home right away because there was a dead animal in our house. As if I was standing on top of the kitchen counter in a panic because I was afraid or something. Really? No, Really! I know I can throw a crazy Hispanic Panic every once in a while but, really? So after I got ticked at him for even thinking that I just hung up the phone and openned the windows to air the house out again.

He got home, put his jumpsuit on and walked through the kitchen where I was making dinner with the ladder. Then CMR came into the kitchen and asked me for a trash bag. He crawled around the attic and it sounded like he was going to come crashing down from the there. He looked and looked and went through every part of that place he could looking for that dead animal. Nothing! He came down we cleaned up the floor and he took a shower and we sat down to eat dinner.

"I can smell it" he said. So he went through every cupboard, looked on top of the cupboards, took the dishwasher out (which I cleaned), took the stove out, took the frig out (which I cleaned), checked the garbage disposal, looked in the fireplace walls, looked in the garage walls, looked in the extra room ledge, looked on top of the roof. Nothing!

So we put the kids to bed, shut everything and left the kitchen, which by the way is super clean now! About 30 minutes later he was back in the kitchen looking. He said "well we are probably going to have to take that wall out." I was standing in front of the stove and I happened to glance at the microwave and there it was. A chicken breast I had put into the microwave to thaw out on SUNDAY! It had been "thawing" in the microwave for 3 days! Chicken! I took it out and as JM was walking the trash outside he turned with that face and said "well it IS a dead animal." That is was. I had felt so bad that he had done all that work and i just could not help but also laugh. He did not think it was as funny as I did of course.

So JM, it was indeed a dead animal. Thankful for you and all you do to serve our family. You truly are the best and sorry for sending you on the hunt! Love you always. It was still a Beautiful Day!

Hebrews 11:1

2011-01-11T10:49:00.000-08:00

A photo I took on Saturday and on Sunday the verse we studied in church.

This is one of my favorite verses as it gives me hope in our Lord.

CMR

2011-01-04T14:38:00.000-08:00

Encouraged

2011-01-03T10:40:00.000-08:00

Psalm 139:14
"I Praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."

The fullness of the Lord encourages me to strive to be more and more like Christ. I know, I am more apt to fail but my heart is close to the Lord and open to his quickness to correct me and love me. I know full well that I was made for a purpose. God, before my parents, had a plan. Although my dad has not walked this life with me, my God my Father has. He has reached out every moment of my life to watch over me. He has given me a blessed life and a purpose. He has ran next to me to encourage me and has called me by my name.

A few Sundays ago our Pastor talked about how when his kids where young he would come home and his girls would run to him yelling his name. As they have all grown that does not happen as often. His roll has changed. He now runs along side them cheering them on. It made me for the first time in a long while think about my dad. I do not ever remember as a child being happy when I saw my dad...it was more like wondering if he would even come to the door. It made me think that he never cheered along side me. He did not fight for me. He just left. It made me think of John Mark and all the joy he brings to our kids. It made me think how they run to him and call out for him and he runs to them to take them up in his arms and tells them how much be loves and adores them. How blessed we are.

You would think that I would feel a loss of some sort or anger but I don't. I feel blessed to know that God has taken me as his own and that he planned for me to be here. He loves me more than anyone could ever love a person. That Sunday as I cried on the should of my dear friend and as I told JM about it I felt so loved because my God my Father is with me and runs next to me to encourage me. He allows me to follow his plan and is there to help me back up when I fall. I do praise him for the life he has given me. I thank him for I know that I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Blessed be the name of the Lord forever and ever! Amen.

Found in Him

2011-01-02T14:52:00.000-08:00

Shadowfeet

when the world has fallen out from under me
I'll be found in you, still standing
When the sky rolls up and the mountains fall on their knees
when time and space are through
I'll be found in you

2010 proved to be a difficult year indeed.

This song rung true for me as I faced life's challenges. I can remember in Sept. 2010 feeling like hope was far from me and that I needed to hold strong to God's promises that he will indeed provide. Many of you know our God Story, it is amazing to me to even think back on that time where God proved to be our salvation. He has always been with us and we are blessed by his sacrifice for us. He amazes me in how much be deeply loves each one of us. I wrote this pray on Sept. 17, 2010, in the hopes that we would still be standing. We are!

"May the God of all creation bless you and keep you and may you know that you, my dear friend, are DEEPLY loved! Amen & Amen."

God touches my heart and soul like no other person on earth. My own husband and children fail in comparison to God and for that I am grateful. My hope does not lie in my family or even the amazing man I married but it completely and whole heartily lies in God.

On Dec.5th of this last year JM and I where at church for the morning service and at the end of the service I was in tears. Tears of joy and tears of feeling unworthy of God's blessings on our family and in my life. I turned to JM and he asked what was wrong. With every ounce of breathe I could mustard up I said, "God has blessed us, He has blessed us more than I could have ever imagined." I was then that I felt God's arms of love surround us as we thanked God together in our embrace.

2010 proved to be a faithful year indeed.

It was the year that JM and I had to believe that God wanted more for us. He wanted a better home, a better family, a better life. 2010 changed me forever when we had to surrender our own abilities to provide for ourselves over to God. It was humiliating and humbling all at the same time. Surrendering to God for us meant allowing His people to provide for us. For me it meant being honest enough to say that we where not making it, our house was facing foreclosure and we could not provide the bare necessities to run our family. It was a pride issue for me. An issue that I really did not even know I struggled with so much. As we saw God's church provide for us God showed his unfailing love for us through it all. By allowing me to be open and confess my sins, our church allowed us to experience God like never before. They freed our family from our everyday worries to allow us to turn to God with all that we had and listen. We learned this verse "Be still and know that I am God" and put it into practice. For me that meant spending more time listening to the ones around me like my children and husband. It allowed me to be quick to forgiveness and quick to see my own faults. By no means are we "there yet" in fact we are just beginning our journey and we are excited for all that God continues to do in our lives. Our kids have grown closer and deeper to God this past year. Rebekah gave her life to the Lord this past year in church. Caleb has enjoyed being a part of Rainbows at church and you can see his tender heart for the Lord. I am blessed to have a rich and deep love for God as my heavenly Father. We as a family are honored to have JM as a man of God seeking God's own heart as he leads us closer to Him.

2010 proved to be an amazing year indeed.

On Jan. 1, 2010 our car ran out of gas on the way to Pasadena. It seemed to be a "well this is just how our life goes" kind of thing. Little did I know it would be a foreshadow for me to see how we need to stop and wait to hear God. JM left us on the side of the road to go find gas for the car. What seemed like forever was only a little bit of time until we where back on the road. The months of July, Aug, Sept were just that. A time of listening to God for all he would have for us. Our prayer was that God would provide and that he would show us what we could not even dream of.

I would have never thought that we would be here, but here is were it is the best, all four of us in God's arms of faithfulness and love. Although our story stems around our business and how we are trusting God to provide financially for us, it is encompassed by his provision for us and us allowing ourselves to completely trust God with everything we have and everything that we are to be.

Thank you Lord for the salvation your Son has brought us and for living with us, using us to tell of your great news.

So my prayer for 2011 is this:

"Dear friends since we are still standing, may we live in the freedom of Christ as deeply loved children knowing that our God is able and desires us to be with Him! Amen & Amen!"

12:45pm

2010-12-16T16:06:00.000-08:00

Today marked an amazing day for our family. JM finished his last paper, in the last class he will ever take. 20 pages!!! Proud just does not explain the true emotion behind this accomplishment. Me and the kids have walked through these last three years of course work with JM for him to earn his PhD in Theology, Ethics & Culture. It has been a long 3 years of scheduling, studying, working, and balancing our family. For JM to have done this work and maintain his job & family has been amazing. For me the hardest semesters where the first one and the semester before this last one. It just felt like there was not enough time for anything. But with God's hand, he finished and finished well.

I am extremely honored to have walked this time in our lives with him. I am overwhelmed to know God's call on his life and feel God's love for us as JM continues to seek God's calling. JM has blessed us as a family in his pursuit of God (this is making me cry as I write it). Thank you JM for sticking with it and for being a great husband, dad and friend to us through it all. You are awesome and words can not explain just how proud we are of you. We are ready to tackle the next phase of this PhD and look forward to the day when you are teaching your first class as a faculty member at a University, we just might have to sit in on that class!

I can remember the first time me and the kids saw you teach Intro to Theology at VU. The students connected with you and I saw God's calling for you come alive. You are a wonderful teacher and I am so glad that you love it so! I know it will take a long while to finish your comprehensive exams and then to write your dissertation, but we will be right there with you as you do it and pray for you along the way.

Be blessed for we love and appreciate you!

Cookies and Fudge

2010-12-15T11:30:00.000-08:00

Each year for the last two years we have been getting together with JM family and some of our friends at the house to bake. This started because JM's grandma Gibbs had a tradition of making candy each year for the last 40 + years with her sister. A few years ago we took the family up to Sacramento to have our kids be part of this tradition. It was wonderful. The whole family got together on a Saturday in Dec. to make candy. It was a rich tradition that ended with a Chinese dinner as JM's grandfather use to get after making candy. These last two years we have been unable to go up and make candy so we thought we would keep with tradition and bake cookies and make fudge.

This year we had JM's parent's, our family, my sister-in-law and her family and my two great friends whom I love so! It was a great day that started off with CMR turning on the mixer with the beater up and cookie dough flying ALL over the kitchen. Him and I where covered in dough and the floor was a mess but the cookies turned out great. (pic above is the batch CMR and I where making when this happened!) CMR was a bit shocked and after he got cleaned up he decided he was done with making cookies and he would wait until they where ready to eat and be the cookie taster. Smart man! So blessed by our friends and family and all the cookies and fudge that we made that day!

FUDGE (this is JM's aunt Peggy's Recipe)

In a pan to heat and melt

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4 ½ cups granulated sugar

1 (12oz) can of evaporated milk (bring to full big boil and boil for 9 minutes)

In a large bowl mix – get ingredients together first

1 (12oz bag) semisweet chocolate Nestle chocolate chips

1 (7oz Kraft, Jet-Puffed) Marsh mellow

1 (8oz bar or 2, 4oz) chocolate heresy bar.

Grandma’s receipt asks for 4 - 5cent bars)

½ cup butter

Add nuts after cool to chocolate mixture

4 cups chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts)

Add ingredients to sugar and milk and mix until smooth and let cool then add nuts. Pour into cookie sheet, cover cookie sheet with foil and margarine.

SWEDISH OATMEAL COOKIES – (grandma Gibs usually triples this)

** Make topping first**

¾ cups flour

½ cup sugar

½ cup brown sugar

½ tsp salt

½ tsp banking soda

½ cup margarine

½ tsp vanilla

1 egg

1 ½ cup oatmeal

Cream margarine, sugar, salt add egg beat. Add dry ingredients. Drop with small spoon on cookie sheet, bake for 8 minutes at 350 degrees. Put 1.2 tsp of topping in center of cookie as soon as you take them out of the oven. Return to oven for 2-3 minutes Until lightly brown.

TOPPING:

½ cup sugar

¼ cup margarine

1 TBS of molasses

1/3 cup chopped almonds

1/8 tsp vanilla

Cook bring to boil, let boil for 1 minute. Cool while you mix the cookies

Oh Christmas Tree

2010-12-15T10:11:00.000-08:00

This year we all four got to decorate the tree. It was a fun night of watching the Polar Express DVD and decorating. As JM and the kids went through every ornament I focused on decorating the house. It is always fun to pull things out every year. The kids wanted to know which ornament was theirs and who gave it to them. oh how my memory is failing me! JM has a collection of Hallmark Chile ornaments that his mom has been giving to him since he was young, the kids wanted to know all about each one. We where happy to finally get the star on the top, which RRR did with her dad and CMR lit the tree. As I stood back and looked at the tree I noticed it was crooked. I was happy it was a little crooked as it reminded me that we are not all perfect and that each one of us is beautiful in our own way. We love this time of year as we get to focus on our Savior birth and thank Him for his salvation.

"For unto us a child was born, Christ Jesus!"

1 Month

2010-12-09T20:13:00.000-08:00

It has been such a joy to see our little Lucia Rose grow.

What a cutie!!! She has such a personality already!

Here she is at 1 month only today.

She was born on November 9, 2010

Christmas

2010-11-30T11:33:00.000-08:00

This time of year has always been my favorite time. Mostly because we are gathered with family and friends. I have been looking through some pictures of the years past and what great memories we have. I have loved seeing our family grow and seeing how RRR and CMR are always together. Even though it seems like they fight all the time now, they truly love each and it shows. So blessed by our little family!

2004 RRR's first Christmas

2005

2006 CMR's First Christmas

2007 First year at Bobby Lane House

2007

2008

2009

Looking forward to 2010 and the years to come!

Merry Christmas

New Love

2010-11-15T19:44:00.000-08:00

On November 9th our family was graced with love! Lucia Rose Paz-Hinrichs was born.

Oh how we love her so and pray for God's love and grace to follow her all the days of her life!

Chocolate Milk

2010-11-15T09:59:00.000-08:00

CMR: "Mom can you make me some chocolate milk?"
Me: "Sure!"

10 minutes later
Caleb comes into the office with chocolate all down the side of his shirt, on his face, and all over his hands. I thought to myself, "wow, you sure did have a hard time drinking that milk!" Little did I know he had long gone finished the milk I made for him and decided to make his "own" chocolate milk with "extra" chocolate. I have to take some blame as I did think to myself, hum...I should put this chocolate back up in the cupboard, but I left it on the counter and thought that my boy would not do that "again!"

Me: "Caleb am I going to find chocolate milk everywhere?"
CMR:"Well, no, I only split a little bit!"

As I turned the corner out to the living room, no milk! I thought to myself "pretty good CMR!' Then I turned into the kitchen where I found a cup dripping with chocolate and a tiny but of milk and the spoon he used...still not too too bad as it was in the sink. Then I looked to the counter...empty chocolate container... "CALEB!!!" He came into the kitchen "what?" He saw nothing wrong. Ok so I let him go, then I looked down and well there is where I found ALL the chocolate and a little bit of milk! "CALEB!!!" He came back into the kitchen, "what?"

An Afternoon With Mom Working!

2010-11-02T16:11:00.000-07:00

CMR: "My mom has the best job ever!"

Happy Halloween!

2010-11-01T09:44:00.000-07:00

Halloween 2005 and 2010!

Pumpkin Carving

2010-10-31T16:14:00.000-07:00

We were so excited to grow our own pumpkins and then carve them for Halloween!!! Here they are. Four Awesome pumpkins from our very own back yard!

October Fun

2010-10-25T11:25:00.000-07:00

Fall brings boots and hats. As a kids I longed to have a pony ride, wear cowboy boots and have a cowgirl hat! About 4 years ago my sister gave me the best boots known to me! I love them and wear them all the time, they are my go-to-shoes! This past week RRR got a great present from her grandma, a real cowgirl hat. Her head is just a little small for it so guess what, it fits mom perfect!!! We where able to go have some fun at the pumpkin patch at Irvine Park. Pony rides, exploring, tons of fun and jumping off trains (Caleb, enough said!).

Ghosts and 3 little Goblins

2010-10-25T10:30:00.000-07:00

I am not crafty by any means but every once in a blue moon I get an idea. The kids and their cousin "Little" Nathan had a craft time at the house a few weekends ago. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Halloween and decorating our house. This cute little ghosts are hanging over our dinner room table, we made once for each of us and they each fly over where we each sit!

How to make the ghosts:

Any size foam ball
Heavy tissue paper
White pipe cleaner
Black satin ribbon
Glue
Funny eyes

Take the heavy tissue paper and wrap it around the foam ball. Tie with the pip cleaner. Glue eyes. Tie ribbon and you are done! So much fun!

Date nights

2010-10-25T10:08:00.000-07:00

Every so often we have tried to have special time with just the kids. A few weekends ago we have Date Night and Girls night and Buys night. SO much fun. RRR needs time alone with her dad, they talk about daddy/daughter stuff. They get dressed up go out to a fun dinner and watch a movie or musical. It is what they LOVE to do. Caleb and I are a lot more low key. We get fast food somewhere, hang out at the toy store, talk in the car or like this time watch a movie! What a treat.

This was our Date nights....

This was our Girls Night / Boys Night

Girls night was so much fun, we got our nails done, shared a burrito bowl and went SHOPPING. RRR: "Well, let's go shopping Mom, it's what girls do!"

The Boys went to race cars....need to get pictures from daddy!

LOVE

2010-10-10T13:49:00.000-07:00

Our Family

8-8-10 Newport Beach, CA

RRR and JMR having a walk together.
"Come with me Rebekah.." and she ran to catch him!

CMR:" I love you daddy!"

Us!

Picking Pumpkins from our Garden

2010-10-09T12:21:00.000-07:00

Love These Cheeks!

2010-10-08T16:24:00.000-07:00

Not Just an Umbrella

2010-10-07T19:16:00.000-07:00

I Adore Him

2010-10-04T20:08:00.000-07:00

After all is said and done I am with him. Yes, we have our hard times and yes we argue and bicker, but at the end of the day I am with him. I love him beyond what words can explain. He loves me like no one on this earth. It is special and it is ours. I love his smile, I love that I fit right with him. I love that when I finally give in and leave my pride at the door I can simply be me with him. I love the comfort he brings to my life. I love how he leads our family to a deeper love for Jesus. He has a heart that truly loves people, I adore that about him. And I love that he always says frekin! I am blessed indeed!

Harvest Time

2010-09-30T20:46:00.000-07:00

For the past few weeks we have been enjoying seeing our garden produce some wonderful stuff! Chilies, lettuce, basil, Pumpkins, corn and tomatoes! We can not wait to carve our own pumpkins and make pumpkin seeds from the pumpkins in our garden! The chilies have been my favorite, they have made some yummy salsa for us and friends. We are already planning for next years garden! Crazy, we started late this year but next year will be even better as we will make it a little bigger and plant earlier! So great being able to pick from our own backyard!

Mommy Pre-School - Fall Art Project

2010-09-27T20:19:00.000-07:00

I have to say art and me and Caleb are a hard combo! I am not artsy and Caleb is all about the end product. So when we do something it has to be fast and awesome! My friend Ashley introduced me to her friend's blog...I call her "The Mod Podge Queen" Caleb and I will slowly be making some of her awesome crafts. Here is one. Instead of using food coloring I got it in my head for some reason to use paint. It comes out a little thicker which worked for us since our jars can not hold candles in them. They are more for a dry flower or something of the sort. Hope you enjoy!

Roller Skating

2010-09-25T20:23:00.000-07:00

First time on Skates!

Today RRR and I got to go skating at Holiday Skate Park with some friends. We had a blast. It has been well over 20+ years since I have strapped a pair of skates on my feet. RRR has never skated. It was so much fun. I was so proud of RRR for sticking with it even though she has a very very soar bottom. She did awesome though and was skating on her own in no time! I strapped those skates on and got up and yes, I feel on my butt so hard I thought it was over! I got up, got a new pair of skates and it took a good 30 minutes for it to come back to me. I had so much skating with RRR and her little friends. We skated together, I skated backwards and she followed. We all danced the robot and loved laughing and being silly! I love skating and can't wait to take RRR again! Thanks friends for the invite!

Soar butts!!!

First time out!

At the end she was skating on her own!

Dancing the Robot!

Mommy Pre-School - Field Trip

2010-09-23T13:59:00.000-07:00

Caleb at Helistream. He had a blast. He got to sit in the helicopters, got some education on how they worked and got to see them landing! CMR: "Mom you have the coolest clients!"

HOPE

tumblr blog

Unexpected Beauty

Angry Birds

Being 7 & 5

Beautiful

It's a Little Scary

The Grateful Project

Grateful

My Pentax K1000

He's Rad

Daddy Daughter Date Night

Being Here

Giggles, Backpacks, Kinder and Second Grade

The End of Summer

A time to breathe

Water

It's Hard Coming Home

Behind all the Noise

Fun in the Sun

My Give Prints Story

Camping

Chicks

The Most Amazing Party

He Has It

photo project: A Day in the Life

Game Day

Rose's on your birthday

7 Today

Solitude

WATER BALLOON FIGHT

photo project: SERENE

Just Around

Newport

Gum Balls and Craziness

Palm Sunday

Hatching

Fun with Sunbeams

Snake Skin

Grateful

Shutter Sisters

Amiga

Waiting

Send Love

He's 5 Today

Me:" Caleb I don't want you to turn 5." CMR: "Well that's life, I can't stay 4 for forever!"

HAPPY 5th BIRTHDAY CALEB. WE LOVE YOU

Home Party!

Birthdays

The CMRs

Happy

photo project: SPRING

Happy Birthday JM!

Love Wins

Super Heroes

photo project: TIME

A Perfect Day

Ash Wednesday

BLUE TIDE OPENING DAY

Girls Softball

Being pushed to my limits

photo project: LET THERE BE LIGHT

photo project: HUMAN TOUCH

photo project: YELLOW

Beautiful

Remember It

Lady Bugs

Eyes

Tears...

Winter

Just Around the House

He makes my heart skip a beat

HUGE SMILE

Valentines Day!

God has something great

I love you too

Three Six

Stupid Chicken

Hebrews 11:1

CMR

Me:" Caleb I don't want you to turn 5."
CMR: "Well that's life, I can't stay 4 for forever!"

HAPPY 5th BIRTHDAY CALEB.
WE LOVE YOU