Hiking Turtle Rock

Today I had an awesome hike near Turtle Rock in Irvine California. I haven't had good exercise in my travels so when dear Mary (our gracious host with whom I am staying) told me she was going on a hike with her hiking club I asked if I could tag along, it was so worth it. I was able to meet some great people and have some good conversations along with great heart pumping exercise. So for the details of the hike and lots of photos click here. I added a few here in case you don't click here.

The Whole Group

Going Up

Going Down

So far from home....

Arizona at 70 mph.

Someone told me once that they get bored reading posts about people's travels. If that is the case and my recent travel posts have bored you then go ahead and skip this post as I am traveling again.

I was headed home to Mexico when I got a request from another home in Mexico if I would help them make a trip to San Diego California to get a load of stuff for their home. After praying about it the Lord indicated I should. So here I am in San Diego Cal, in a hotel room right on the Mexican border, I am looking out the window and I see the Mexican flag and Tijuana is across the bridge. Mexico is oh so close, but I am still oh so far from home...don't worry guys I will come back.

Oh, Mexico!
It sounds so simple; I just got to go.
The sun's so hot, I forgot to go home,
Guess I'll have to go now!

Americano got the sleepy eye,
But his body's still shaking like a live wire.
Sleepy señorita with the eyes on fire.
Oh, Mexico!
It sounds so sweet, with the sun sinking low.
Moon's so bright, like to light up the night;
Make everything all right.

Adrian's Video

Adrian(7) has been fooling around with learning how to use Windows Movie Maker and edited this video all on his own. He wanted me to post it and I am more then happy to. So if you guys like it or have any tips or pointers for him be sure to leave him a comment...he will be checking for them.

Thursday Thought – Would you.....?

I recently saw this on a friends Skype as their quote,

If you saw me barely able to crawl, would you carry me on your shoulders? Would you let me fly on your wings? Would you be the angel in my world?

Even though I have never met this person I wanted to tell them "Yes! Absolutely without a doubt!" Often in the family we are there for the person that needs the shoulder to cry or stand on, we try to help them fly and wish we could be the angel in their world. But it is sometimes oh so hard to accept...

So my question for you is...

If I saw you barely able to crawl, would you let me carry you on my shoulders? Would you accept my wings to fly on? Would you allow me the honor of being the angel in your world?

HB2Y Seth Spirit

So the most amazing and ever so talented Spirits, Justin and Rossi have parented a son. The ever so handsome and good looking child, Seth Francis Spirit. I know I am late in posting since this most adorable child was born on Oct 23rd and yes this is not the first post to this incredible babe, but it is the one post that the parents authorized and gave permission for....LOL! I love you guys and hope he grows up to be as cool as you, his parents. Hey Justin I thought you might like to know this is my 300th post...maybe you have a Spartan child there!

HB2Y Haven

Happy Birthday Haven! I hope and pray that you have a great new year and that the Lord answers your prayers and dreams as you continue to walk by His side yielding your life to Him. You are an inspiration and encouragement to many!

The best party T-shirt ever!

John and Jamie tapping the Keg in typical "300" fashion.

Jade with baby Leonidas

Sea World with Adrian and Jade

Today the kids and I went to Sea World. We had a blast, saw some shows and rode some rides and toured the aquariums and animal exhibits. Here are the visuals.

Adrian riding the "Rio Loco" Jade was too small for this ride so Adrian found a couple of nice ladies to team up with and take him on the ride. He's such a charmer!

Jade and Adrian

A Fish Tank

Sharks

Freeee Beeeeer!!!!
Yes! They actually give away free beer at Sea World. So glad I have me a season pass!

Texas - Backroads and Critters

In the past weeks of being on the road and fundraising I have criss-crossed Texas from each end to the other, north to south, east to west and some mixed up directions in between. I have always loved driving and the open road and with the wide open spaces of Texas that is easily done. I had the opportunity to travel some on the "roads less traveled" as some of the cities I went to are not on the Interstate. It made for some interesting road signs that you don't normally see.

Careful when you cross here!

"May I suggest an alternate route?"

Along with the variety of the roads and their signs the wildlife and critters you encounter are also different then your every day run away dog or stuck in the tree cat! So I will leave you with some sights of them I have seen in the past couple weeks.

Spider

Armadillo

Opossum

Snake

Thursday Thought – A question for you!

What do you do when the only person who can make you stop crying is the person who made you cry?

Childhood Friends

Daniel and Angie

Tonight the 31st of Oct is when most people celebrate Halloween, I celebrated long time friends. I spent the evening with Daniel and Angie, friends of mine from my childhood that I haven't seen in nearly 10 years. They have two adorable children, Claire who's 5 and Aaron who's 2. The kids dressed up and went trick or treating and I tagged along pulling them in the wagon. Afterwards we had a spaghetti dinner and talked late into the night. If was fun. I will leave you with some photos.

Aaron: The Pope

Claire: The Princess

Angie: The Witch

Carved Pumpkins

Introducing.... Eli Rucker

Eli is the brother right above me in age. He is a great guy! Fun, intelligent, friendly and a favorite uncle to my kids, this guy is also a great cook. I have been spending the past couple days with him resting up from coming off the road. This evening he had some friends over and we BBQued his famous "Pork Chop Rolls" I am posting his "how to" video on how to make them along with some photos. Hope you enjoy. If any of you try this recipe leave a comment as to how you liked it. I know he would appreciate it!

Eli tenderizing the meat!

The coals burning.

The rolls on the rack.

Birthdays I missed...

So going three weeks with no Internet connection is a long time for some but I actually didn't mind the break. There are a couple of birthday's of note though that I need to highlight now that I am back online that transpired in the past three weeks.


Congratulations to Mike and Jessica on the birth of their son Alec. He was born on Oct 6th which is the same day as Mikes birthday....how cool is that? He is an adorable looking kid and I am not too offended that I wasn't notified of the birth except by a comment left on my blog which I didn't see until today. Thanks Cel for letting me know!

Anj

The other Birthday is on the 19th of Oct. Happy Birthday to Anjie who has the wonderful blog, Descending Angel Anjie I hope you have a great new year and find all the happiness the Lord has to send your way. Anjie is a great friend and these past 3 weeks as I was out on the road without Family or Internet contact, she would call me each day to check up on me and make sure I was still inspired and keeping the vision. Thanks so much for that Anj, you'll never know what a great help and blessing you were and are.

This here blog....

Well since no one really cares about this blog I don't feel bad for not having been able to get to it lately. But for those of you who did keep checking back you're patience will be rewarded as I hope to be posting more regularly again.

HB2Y Elliot

Elliot I hope that you have a great new year. It's been great being able to hang out with you from time to time these past couple years. I know the kids really enjoy it also...you're a great uncle and will make a good father one day.

For World Peace

Rodney Carrington - Show them to me

This video clip is rated "R" for language and nudity.