Please pray

Hi everyone, I'm updating on my phone asking for prayer. I'm still sick, with what's believed to be a horrible virus (stomach flu like). This is the 5th day I've been fighting it. Unable to keep food or water down. I'm dehydrated and concerned mainly about that because last year I had acute kidney failure and was in the hospital for 6 days then. Please pray I keep enough fluids in my body and recover quickly. Thank you dear friends!

First Time Seeing The West Coast (Part 1)

Last week Wednesday

a little before 4am

I drove myself to Detroit Metro Airport

                               to head 

                                   to The West Coast 

                                        to visit my friend Dana

                                                       eeeekkk! :)

Here is a glimpse of my trip there:

Wednesday: 

                Took early connecting flight and landed in Texas y'all! 

                                           
                                                   Then hello Reno, Nevada

 Settled in and relaxed for a few hours at Dana's

then we drove to Virgina City, Nevada

Had a great day and dinner with Dana's family.

And enjoyed the view in their neighborhood. 

 It's something pretty special to see

since I live in Michigan.

Thursday:

We took turns driving to California.

First we had to go into the mountains to get there.

Many had to stop and put chains on their tires 

because of the snow in the mountains

We quickly went from this:

To this (stopping in Sacramento, California): 

Then we drove to San Francisco, California

Do these houses below look familiar?

(I'll give you a clue: they were in the intro to a popular TV show

in the late 80's to early 90's. )

So...

I've been back in Michigan since Monday

One of the boys I nanny for (poor guy) 
passed along something to me when I got home:

 the stomach flu. 

It is as miserable as it sounds. 

 My nausea comes and goes. 

Then comes again.

Headache, chills/fever, dizzy, unable to get up. 

Yesterday evening I thought I was on the mend.

But I was wrong, last night was rough.

And today my body is still fighting it.

Yesterday I wanted to blog, but just physically couldn't.

That's how bad it was.

Hopefully I can catch up on here soon. 

Praying...

Beautiful view- picture I took last Friday in Sausalito, California

At The Pacific Ocean

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them! 

 If I should count them, they would be more in number

 than the sand;
When I awake, I am still with You.

     Psalm 139:17-18 

Remember my friend Dana from THIS STORY?

And from HERE too?

Well... I've been on the other side of the country

this week visiting her (and traveling lots!)

We took a road trip from Nevada to California. 

These pictures are from yesterday

which was my first time seeing The Pacific Ocean.

God's creations are breathtaking

(more pictures to come in the days ahead ;) 

Blessed by 7

I have three beautiful nieces 

AND

 four handsome nephews

It's been a little over a week now 

since my sister Rachel's wedding

And yesterday I kept thinking...

 I'm an aunt to 7 now... WOW!

I just love em' all :)

I am a blessed, blessed, blessed auntie!!!

Here is a pic I took yesterday 

at the park of the littlest of the bunch...

My sister Cassie's daughter,
my 15 month old niece, Miss. Charlotte Wren:

I was pushing her on the "big girl" swing, don't you just love that smile?!?!

Mercy

Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”

 

But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.”  Then he said to Jesus, “Lord,  remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

  And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

                                                               -Luke 23:39-43

Happy Tears (moments I want to remember forever)

It's been almost 3 days now since my sister,

 Rachel walked down the aisle.

I managed to keep my bridesmaid's bouquet semi-alive still ;)

But long after these flowers die

and long after the cake is eaten

and even after blisters heal from dancing in heels all night...

There are some moments I want to remember forever.

Some happy tears I want to never fade away from my heart.

I managed to take a few pictures on my phone

in all the hustle and bustle of the day.

I never want to forget how proud my dad was of his family.

Here is my dad looking out the window right before

he took my sister to walk her down the aisle.

Here he is looking at how beautiful my mom looked

(his bride of almost 34 years)

And lastly here he is with my 11-year old niece Mackenzie.

Years ago her dad died, 

but God knew she'd be in good hands with her papa.

I cannot help, but have happy tears when I remember her

wanting to dance with him and he took her hand just like that...

And they danced together.

What a beautiful wedding. What a beautiful day.

Thank You God for moments like this.

Thank You for family.