April Joys

First, the most joyful day of April is always today for me--it's my mom's birthday!! I love remembering her especially on this day. She was the most generous, loving, caring, hospitable, kind, thoughtful person I have ever known. And I still miss her terribly! Ironic she also died in April--the 18th.
My second joy is lilacs and the overwhelming scent they carry, and the wonderful childhood memories they evoke. I just returned from a trip to my hometown in Kansas and was able to pick some lilacs and inhale them several times a day. They are beautiful and scented--an unbeatable combination. I brought a few starts back with me in hopes of getting some going out here. We will see. Even if they start, it takes seven years to get flowers--what joy that will be!!
Joy three--Easter!! It's the entire reason for my faith!! I love celebrating with church services and family! We will color and hide eggs, and I will eat chocolate!!
The last but never least joy--Spring, the sunshine, the flowers, bird song, and everything that goes with it. Even a little rain this morning!! May God bless us all!

Stressed? Let it go!!

Had a great day at work. Driving home, I was listening to Christian Radio, and the pastor was talking about some slick new church opening up near where he lived, and they had sent out brochures saying how they had the answer to success in life, and happiness, and a bunch of feel-good stuff. He said--that isn't real Biblical teaching--real Biblical teaching is this--" Life is hard, then you die and go to heaven!!" That helps put a lot of things in perspective!! The pain, the fear, the disappointments, the worries, the sadness, the loss, are just part of life in this fallen world. My worries and stress over the many things I thought were important, just need to take a hike!! All that matters is what is done for Him. Have a great rest of the week!!

Resolutions/Goals/Wait on the Lord?

I have given up on New Year's Resolutions this year. Instead, I am making some goals for the new year and my future. This is the first day of the rest of my life!! No looking back, just striving forward to God's purpose for me. Some events in my life are causing me considerable stress--but I know who is in control, so I refuse to worry and be stressed. At least on the outside. I'm still searching for that inner peace which can only come from God. I only know this much--God has plans for me, plans to prosper me, not to harm me, plans to give me a hope and a future!! How can I doubt, or feel stress about anything when I am convinced God is in control. I will have goals--only ones that align with the will of God. Then I will wait on Him, and receive what he has promised me! Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year--2011!!

I just about jumped out of my skin when the talking wolf attacked Edmond!! I'm in the middle of a Chronicles of Narnia marathon!! Just finished the first installment, complete with a sundry of delicious sweet treats--I'm in the process of becoming, as my college friends used to say, pasted shut!! And loving every minute of it. In fact, during the break, I will make some popcorn complete with real butter to go with my Coke! The next installment, Prince Caspian, awaits! A great way to bring in the new year--preparing myself for the new movie, Voyage of the Dawn Treader! Which I will see very soon!! Hope you too are having an amazing New Year's Eve--and my wish to you all is a Very Happy New Year, with many blessings to you and your families!! WooHoo!! Happy New Year!!

Merry Christmas!!

Christmas Greetings from the Howertons--2010
It is pouring rain outside--our spa is overflowing, the fire is flickering in the fireplace, Christmas music is playing, I am in my warm flannels, drinking coffee, as I write this letter. A perfect California winter day!!
This has been a difficult year for many--us included. We are however, very thankful to still have our jobs! We feel very blessed! Lonnie is still with the Orange County Department of Ed. He completed the infamous Elk Hunt of 2010-at the top of his bucket list. Now however, he is hooked and wants to make it an annual event! He’s already busy planning next year’s hunts! He’ll never retire--has to work to pay for all his hunts! Lonnie celebrated his 45th class reunion last summer--boy those people are old!!
I am still sharing a contract in Tustin with daughter Sarah. We’ve had a tough year with a Kinder/First combo. We’re a third of the way finished--but who’s counting? Love the part time--don’t think I ever want to work full time again--after all, it’s almost retirement time, right? Then again, in this economy, do we ever really want to give up a perfectly good job? Especially part time? I didn’t get to travel much this year--Maybe next year! Lonnie did take me fly fishing in Colorado--it was an experience! I, unlike Lonnie, do not plan to make in an annual event! I do love Colorado-- but I don’t think we are moving there!
We have big news this year--two new grandsons!! Kembe came from Haiti in January to Mark and Kristen’s family, and Duzi came from South Africa to Michael and Jodie’s family!! We are very excited--we were all together for the first time at Thanksgiving. It was a happy reunion--the cousins (all 9 of them) had a blast!!
Michael and Jodie are still in Washington. They and their kids, Alex (10), Caleb (8), and Duzi (6) stay super busy with church (Overlake Christian), sports, and just living life!
Mark and Kristen are in Costa Mesa with their clan--Jafta (6 in a few days!), India (4), Kembe (4), and Karis (20 months). Mark is an MFT and Kristen teaches some classes at Vanguard University, and is writing an advice column for the OC Register. Jafta started Kindergarten this year and the two 4 year olds are in preschool. Again, busy life!
Sarah and Kipp moved to Mission Viejo this past fall--into our first home in California. It’s fun to see them in the house we lived in when Sarah was born! Kipp is still with the city of Aliso Viejo, and Sarah sharing a teaching contract with me. Tanner (3 ½) and Peyton, (22 months) love their nice yard. Tanner is in preschool this year and loving it. They also stay quite busy!
Other news this year is we have found a great church home. We are so blessed every Sunday with great teaching and wonderful loving people!! I have even joined the Christmas choir--with two rehearsals only--very different from the Viva-type choir from my past!! But I love singing praises to our awesome Lord!!
A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Let Me Entertain You!!

I am struggling to get some exercise in each day, and have decided to walk on the treadmill in the garage to old movies I have purchased at various yard sales. (Let me just say, I will not be walking in the garage when it is 108 degrees, like it is today!) So, yesterday morning, I watched my second installment of My Fair Lady. If you have never seen the movie--Rex Harrison, and one of my favorites, Audrey Hepburn, you don't know what you are missing!! The story--amazing! The music--incredible!! Just pure, unadulterated entertainment!! A movie from an era where you actually went home feeling good about life after seeing the movie!! A far cry from many of today's movies which seem to focus on the evil, the crime, the hate, and the fear in life. I guess that's why you will find me at all the movies like Toy Story, Up, Mama Mia, High School Musical, Alpha and Omega, and the Legend of the Guardians. I want to be entertained, I want to laugh, cry and identify with characters who are fun and enjoy life!! I want to, no need to, feel good about my movies!!

Country pleasures!!

When we first moved to our current location, about 7 years ago, I glibly remarked that this was probably the closest to the country we would ever live. We back up to a big canyon and see the Cleveland National Forest across the canyon--above a few houses. Very quiet and nice!
Recently, however, I am beginning to believe we do indeed live in the country. Why do I say that, you may ask? Well, it started a few weeks ago while I was working in the garage after dark--after it cooled down a little. I stepped inside for a few minutes, and when I came back to the garage, a huge (it had to have been at least 50 pounds or more!) raccoon went scooting out of the garage! We had never seen raccoons up here before.
Then last night, some friends stopped by, and as they were coming in the front door, a bird flew in. We spent the next 20-30 minutes trying to get it out!! Crazy!
Then tonight, I came in to work on the computer and I started smelling some serious skunk smell. And the window wasn't even open. I went to see if Lonnie was noticing it--and as I walked down the hall, it smelled like the skunk was in the house. We raced around closing all the windows and turned on the fans to try to get the smell out of here!! Seriously, my eyes are still burning. I have never smelled skunk so strong! I think a family of them has taken up residence in my yard. I was afraid to walk out there tonight--super crazy!
So I guess I am saying, even though I live in the middle of a very populated area, it seems I really do live in the country!! Now if I just had a red barn--I've always wanted one of those things!!