The Best of Estes

Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Baby Dedication!

2010-12-28T17:06:00.000-08:00

Wow, I guess when you become a parent you stop the avid blogging! :)

Nahum continues to be the complete JOY of our lives and we are SOOOO incredibly thankful for him. God is still providing for us financially so that I can stay home and raise and care for our boy. Praise Him for that!

For Halloween, Nahum dressed as Linus from the Peanuts cartoon. That was the only "costume" that Daddy approved of since he's really too young to understand what's going on. He was still pretty cute though.

Thanksgiving was certainly a test of endurance for all of us. We had extended familiy from all sides in town so that made for a 3-day Thanksgiving extraveganza! Poor baby boy didn't really get the rest he needed to recooperate, but he survived. Nahum got to meet his newest cousin, Nathan Jackson who was born about 6 months after him, to Chris and Suzanne Jackson.

He also got to meet his Uncle Samuel and Aunt Meg and Great-Grandma Pat for the fist time, at the Estes Thanksgiving meal in Visalia.

Christmas was SUCH a blessing this year.

We enjoyed a Christmas Eve candle light service at Steven's Dad's church and then we got to open presents with my imediate family that night. Christmas day was spent in Reedley with the Estes'. All of Steven's siblings and their families were together this year and I know that is special to my in-laws and to all of us. The Barker kids REALLY loved being around Nahum and he loved spending time with his cousins!

The day-after Christmas, we were blessed to have Nahum's baby dedication at Grace Community Church with Papa. All the Estes Barker's were there as well as my mom's family. Our dear friends Megan and Paul Hemphill and Leslie and Eric Rata were able to join us for this blessing too and we are SO happy they were there!

Here are all the original Estes siblings and their spouses. Samuel and Meg, Beth and Bryan Barker, Steven and me, and Peter and Katie will be married this coming June 2011!

Raspberries & Coos

2010-10-12T15:54:00.000-07:00

Man, I don't update this blog enough. I should, and I know I could use the excuse that I'm a new mommy, but honestly it's cause I update on FB so much that I forget about the blog!

So, Nahum turned 5 months last week! YIKES!!! I'm SO excited by all the new things he is doing these days. He can blow raspberries and babble and coo a lot more. He loves squeeling with glee! I just love it! He LOVES playing with his Daddy and I am SO thankful for that too.

Here are some recent pictures of him...
Here are all the Estes grandkids!

Here is Nahum at our Great Aunt Floretta and Ray White's wedding in September.

Here is Nahum with his Great Grandpa Clayton.

Here is Steven's parents with Nahum.

Update

2010-08-14T09:26:00.000-07:00

Well, I intended to post new things as Nahum got older and now I realize I just do that on Facebook, so here's some things that you may have missed.

Nahum met some of his friends for the first time:
Nahum and Charlie are 3 weeks apart. (Nahum is older)
Nahum and Samara are 3 months apart. (Samara is older)
And Nahum and Freddy are 6 weeks apart. (Nahum is older)

Nahum also got to meet all his Barker cousins too!

And we went for a visit to Bass Lake for Daddy's birthday, so Nahum got to meet his Great-Great Aunts: Linda and Dorothy & Great-Great Uncles Bill and Mark too!

Here's a picture of out little family on Steven's birthday. Nahum turned 3 months old the same day!

First Father's Day

2010-06-21T11:07:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Steven's very first Father's Day! We went to the early service at church, I made an ice cream cake and we went to my family's house for a BBQ and spent the day relaxing.

Nahum is 6 weeks old now and has continued to do SO much changing! We just love watching him make new faces and he is even starting to smile more often. It just fills my heart with joy everytime I get to spend time with him!

We're excited to welcome our family from LA and from Texas this next week. There will be many more pictures to come~

1 Month Old!

2010-06-08T10:16:00.000-07:00

Nahum had his 1 month birthday a couple of days ago and I can't believe how much he has changed and is STILL changing!

I have been breastfeeding exclusively and he is just turning into this delightfully chubby boy and I am so pleased and thankful. We weighed him last night at Kaiser and he weighs at least 9 pounds now!

He has been struggling with some digestive issues. We're not sure what the exact problem is, but he just cries and makes painful faces right before he "relieves" himself and then he's fine. It just breaks my heart to see him in such pain though. I have cut out dairy products from my diet for a week now to see if that helps him digest any easier and to be honest, I haven't seen any real improvement. I will keep with it for about another week and then re-evaluate that decision. I gotta say, I really miss eating ice cream now that the weather is warming up! But to be a mother is to sacrifice, so I'll gladly do that for him.

Here are some pictures from this last month. You can really see the change in him.

He's HERE!!!

2010-05-06T18:35:00.000-07:00

Nahum Levi Estes was born early at 37 weeks and 2 days on Thursday, May 6, 2010. He weighs 5 pounds, 10 oz and is 19" long! Not much baby fat, so they are monitoring his body temp to make sure he's ok. We're both doing well and happy to have him here!

More to come~

36 weeks and counting...

2010-04-27T21:23:00.000-07:00

Today I am 36 weeks pregnant and worked my very last day of work! YAY! I can now sleep past 5am and get some much-needed chores done around the house before Nahum comes!

We had a doctors appointment yesterday at Kaiser. The fetal heart monitor reading was good. They did have to "buzz" him to get more movement but it worked and it was fine. Our nurse practitioner measured my uterus and did some kind of vaginal/rectal test for a bacteria that could be there. I'm pretty sure it's not anything to worry about otherwise they would have notified me by now.

My blood pressure was higher than they liked to see so she's going to have me come in for the fetal heart monitor 2 times a week now until delivery instead of just 1. That's ok with me because I want to make sure there isn't any pressure on Nahum's heart.

I have been having more and more contractions throughout the day; especially yesterday and today. There have been a few times it was painful or felt like stretching or sharp pain for a few seconds. So, I think my body is still just getting ready. I should start keeping better track of how long the contractions are and how far apart they are. I guess I just keep thinking that when REAL labor starts, it will feel MUCH more painful and then I'll know the difference. That may not be accurate or very responsible of me, but I really don't have any other experience to go off of.

Nahum continues to move in rolling movements and lately I've felt him stretching (like w/ a yawning movement) towards my bladder and that is making things more uncomfortable.

The last several times I've gotten to take a nap during the afternoons; I'm sleeping VERY soundly. So much so that I wake up drooling and in the same position (which is good for me 'cause I usually switch sides a lot.) I am also waking up not remembering what day it is or how long I've been asleep. So, my best quality sleep is during the afternoons. At night it's spent tossing, turning and getting up to use the bathroom or straighten out a leg cramp (which are also more frequent now.)
!!
My co-workers threw me a surprise baby shower on Monday and that was so nice. I honestly thought they were going to forget about me and that I'd have my last day of work and that would be it, but they did a great job! We got a couple more cute outfits, a home-made blanket, some full-sized Johnson & Johnson bath products and a REALLY big Target gift card! AND my co-worker made a Hungry Caterpillar cake too! We felt very blessed by them all.

I have one more baby shower this Sunday afternoon for the ladies I grew up with in Sanger and some of Steven's and Debby's close friends from Reedley. I haven't seen many of these women in years so it will be SO nice to catch up! I'm really looking forward to it!

34 Week Ultrasound

2010-04-16T07:46:00.000-07:00

Well, we're coming right along now. At 34 weeks and 3 days we had another ultrasound and although the doctor wasn't actually there, the tech still got all the good shots of measurements that she needed.

According to his measurments, the doctor estimated his weight to be 5 pounds 2 oz!!! He's really getting big now and running out of room in my belly! Doc also said that he would recommend delivery by 41 weeks unless of course I go into labor naturally sooner than that.

So, in this picture, you can see his head to the right and follow his profile to the bridge of his nose and mouth and then you can see his tummy and I think his hand at the bottom left.

He's still moving a lot these days, which is good news that he's active and means that, even with a 2 vessel cord, he's getting enough blood-flow to move around.

I will now be going in to Kaiser every week for doctors appointments in addition to the fetal heart monitor for 20-30 min each time. I guess I'm glad about that. I keep hearing stories about pregnant women around the same time-frame as me having their babies early or other women who have had their babies around this time and it doesn't sit well with me. At only 34 weeks, he is NOT done "cook'n" yet and if I'll be monitored every week, then it makes me feel better that they would catch something if it arises.

Thanks for your continued prayers for us. I'm down to only 8 days left before my maternity leave starts and I can't WAIT!!!

!!!CoNgRaTuLaTiOnS!!!

2010-04-12T07:17:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to our brother Peter and his new FIANCE Katie Hughes!!! Peter proposed to Katie on their 3 year anniversary last week. He took her for a ride in Sam's plane and had the kids at Great Western school out in the yard holding letters that spelled "Will you marry me?" Katie was surprised and VERY happy! She said "YES!"

We're SO excited to have Katie as part of our family and look forward to their wedding day!

Nahum

2010-04-03T19:46:00.000-07:00

We were inspired to take some pictures of a verse in the Bible that we hope will a source of joy and encouragement to us as well as our son. Nahum 1:7. We'll be framing these and hanging them in his room.

~Showers of Blessings~

2010-03-29T07:26:00.000-07:00

Saturday, March 27th was our "family" baby shower given by one of my best friends, Hannah. She and her mom and friend Jenn did SUCH a fabulous job with the Very Hungry Caterpillar theme! I mean the details were just amazing and EVERYBODY loved it!!!

My friend Megan was such a big help to me too. She drove me to the shower, wrote down all my gifts for me and organized it all so it made writing my thank-you's a LOT easier! I just love her.~

I really did miss some of my family who wasn't able to be there with us; my Schletewitz girls in TX and my two sister-in-laws from Southern CA and my nieces too. Peter's gf Katie was there and that was really special though.

We got some great gifts for Nahum: a Graco swing, the changing table that matches our crib, lots of great clothes, some stuffed animals and my FAVORITE gifts were the crib bedding and quilt that Aunt Kathy made for us. I mean she did an INCREDIBLE job and we just couldn't wait to put it in Nahum's crib!

Steven put the changing table together and helped me unload all the gifts the next day. We even organized all Nahum's clothes into size and hung them up in the closet. It's beginning to look more like a little person is going to live in there. SO exciting!

30 week ultrasound

2010-03-18T07:39:00.000-07:00

Well, we saw his hair! Weird actually because, of course, I don't know WHAT I'm looking at, but the tech showed me that it was illuminated white on the screen and looked like it was floating in the fluid, so that made more sense.

His Right kidney is back into the 'normal' range now. It's measuring a 6 now and if it was a 7 it would be considered at risk, so we're IN THE NORMAL RANGE!!! Praise God!

All other measurements were normal too and he weighs 3 pounds and 5 oz now! They couldn't tell how long he was 'cause he was all bunched up. We got some pictures, but it was really hard to get a good shot of his face/profile because his arms were both up next to his head, like he was boxing or something!

They want to do 1 more ultrasound in 4 weeks and then they will wait until after he's born and do an ultrasound directly on him.

In 2 weeks they want me to go to my doctor and have them do the fetal heart monitor for 20-30 min. I guess they strap on some device to my tummy and just listen to his heart beat for that time frame.

Other than that, we're all good! Thanks for your continued prayers for baby Nahum!

30 weeks & my Birthday!

2010-03-16T12:39:00.000-07:00

Here I am 30 weeks pregnant and in Pismo Beach for my birthday weekend! More pictures to come!

29 Weeks!

2010-03-09T08:06:00.000-08:00

Today marks the 29th week of pregnancy for me! Yay! 11 more to go~

We had our doctors appointment yesterday and that went very well. I have gained 20 pounds now and hope to not gain much more than that. We'll see though...I have been enjoying ice cream just about everyday now.

I had some tests done at the lab to check for a possible vaginal infection and that came back negative, which is good! The Boy was positioned like he was sitting in my lap: head up by my belly button and sitting on my bladder. He gave the NP a good punch when I was lying down on the table and she was pushing around. I'm glad he's an active baby. It makes me remember that he's there and that's a comfort to me.

We scheduled all the rest of my doctors appointments until delivery and that is exciting! After the next one, I'll go in every-other week. They gave us an envelope with his birth certificate and social security information. I guess we can have it pre-filled out and just bring it with us to the hospital when I deliver and they will finish it for us. That's nice!

This week (with the assistance of our AWESOME friend Michelle) we finished painting Nahum's room, we had new carpet and a new pad put in yesterday (thanks to All American Flooring.) AND - Steven surprised me and put the crib together too! Here are some pictures.

It really seems REAL now that the room is starting to come together. Our main decorating colors are brown, tan and blue and the crib is an Espresso color. My fabulous Aunt Kathy is making our crib bumpers and bed skirt and my Nanni (grandma) is making the window covering out of the same material. I think I'd like to accent with owl decor. But I haven't quite figured out exactly what that's going to look like yet. I'm open to suggestions if anyone has any.

This weekend we're going to Pismo Beach with the Hemphill's for my birthday and next week we have another ultrasound appointment with Dr. Turocy so there are lots of things to look forward to!

Alien baby stikes again!

2010-02-22T11:53:00.000-08:00

I'm excited and amazed to see that when Nahum kicks or moves around, we can see it from the outside of my belly now! I have felt him move all around my stomach which is new as of last week. I usually only feel him move in my lower abdomen area, but now feel him all over and even above my belly button too!

According to the weekly email updates I get from Kaiser and DivineCaroline.com, he is measuring 14 1/2 inches long and about 2 pounds already! WOW right?!

Our next scheduled appointment is on Monday, March 8th!

Our new car!

2010-02-12T08:33:00.000-08:00

We are so happy and blessed to have the means to buy a new car! We purchased a 2009 Kia Sorento yesterday from Enterprise Car Sales in Fresno and LOVE LOVE LOVE it so far!!! We're excited to take it out of town this weekend and really test drive it!

25 week ultrasound

2010-02-12T08:17:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we had our 25 week ultrasound appointment with the Genetic Radiologist Specialist at the Clovis Kaiser.

Dr. Turocy had all of Nahum's parts and organs re-measured. We saw that his right kidney was still enlarged, BUT towards the end of the appointment he noticed that perhaps that kidney has 2 "collecting systems" instead of just 1 and maybe that is why it is enlarged. So, it felt like maybe that was an acceptable explanation for why his kidney was larger than normal, which makes me feel better about it.

Other than that, everything else is measuring normally and we were excited to see him again!

2/5/10 Dr. appointment update

2010-02-08T06:52:00.000-08:00

We had another routine doctors appointment on Friday and everything went really well! It was very quick too. My blood pressure always seems to be better when I lay on my left side and they take it that way. So, that's normal. The doc measured my uterus and that is at normal size and Nahum's heart beat was normal too! I've officially gained 10 pounds (since pre-pregnancy weight) and he said that was pretty normal too.

All in all, it was nice to hear so many encouraging words and we are happy we didn't have to be there for longer than 1/2 an hour!

We have another ultrasound appointment this Thursday, Feb. 11th with the Genetic Radiologist-specialist. We have been continuing to pray that Nahum's right kidney has not grown any bigger and that his left kidney has caught up and that they are both normal. We'll see! I'll keep you all posted.

Thanks for your prayers for us & Nahum too!

Daddy Moment

2010-02-02T15:39:00.000-08:00

Just a quick YAY to say that on Monday morning, Steven felt my tummy and experienced his first Daddy kick! I am thrilled because I've felt Nahum kick a LOT lately and for a while now, and now Steven has felt it too!

Brake Dancer!

2010-01-21T11:38:00.000-08:00

Baby Nahum has begun to be quite active these days! I can feel him move around a LOT and lately have felt more severe kick-like, or jabbing feelings. I think he's trying to see how hard he has to work to get my attention. Steven says he's practicing his 'break dancing moves.' I don't mind though. Every time I feel him move, I am reminded that he is still alive and moving and that he IS a blessing to me (& us.) We feel SO blessed by this little boy already and are SO anxious to meet him!

I have also registered at Babies R Us so far and plan to register at Target as well. I took a couple of hours by myself to take my time looking around the store and reading the boxes and labels of lots of things. It was nice to have that time and nice to finally have that accomplished!

We are still in the process of moving the two bedrooms around to accommodate the baby. Steven has moved his instruments to what used to be the guest room. We are planning to sell the monstrous corner desk we have not been using and still have some boxes to unpack in that room too. Steven has also been very productive in organizing both closets so we can stay neat and tidy and have room for baby stuff when it starts coming.

We also are planning to replace the carpet in the nursery. It's original to the house (20+ years old) and we would both feel better knowing it was as CLEAN as possible for Nahum's health. Luckily we have good friends that own a flooring store and can get us some quality carpet, a new pad and installation for under $300! We are also planning to paint his room, so now we won't have to worry about paint getting on the carpet. Yay!

Besides that, we are enjoying all the Valley rain these days. Steven has started back to work and school and I recently got my AA Degree diploma in the mail from Reedley College! That's about all our news for now! Stay tuned...we'll have another ultrasound appointment and another class at Kaiser in early Feb.!

Update on pregnancy

2010-01-05T09:48:00.000-08:00

Well, I've been feeling all sorts of new things happening to my body these days. I mostly still feel tired and wish I could take naps more often. I have been experiencing lower back pain for the first time ever! I can't sit or lay in the same position for very long before I need to readjust or put a pillow behind me for support.

I've been feeling more emotional these days too. Most of the time I think I handle things pretty well, but sometimes, out of nowhere, I'll just feel too frustrated or overwhelmed and start to cry. I cry for about 1/2 hour-1 hour sometimes just to get it all out of my system.

Steven has been WONDERFUL through this whole pregnancy. I truly am blessed with an amazing husband who loves and cares for me in every way I need, and sometimes don't know that I need. I just can't thank the Lord enough for blessing me with this man!

I'm starting to feel that I just can't work a full 40 hour work-week any longer. My current job will allow me to work 30 hours a week and still keep my health insurance (vision coverage.) So, I've been contemplating when it will be necessary for me to make that switch and what that will look like. Either shorter days everyday, or full days and take one more day off during the week. We'll see.

We have another doctors appointment this Friday and they will go over the results and measurements of our ultrasound with us. I might ask the doctor for written approval of my working shorter hours to take to my employer. Hopefully that will alleviate some of the dialog and just get it approved faster.

We have started looking into nursery themes and registry items! That's been fun and a little challenging for us to agree on. My great friend Kari is going to go with me to some stores and help me register for the things that really matter and educate me on the things that most people don't end up needing or using.

I've also started putting together the guest lists for baby showers. My mom's friend Brenda has offered to host me a shower and my friends Alicia and Jill have offered to host a shower for Clovis Hills peeps! I am very blessed to have such great friends who want to honor me and the baby!

Other than all that - I am enjoying being able to feel my son move around inside me and we really enjoy being able to pray for him by name now. It's defiantly feeling more real now and we love it!

It's a BOY!!!

2009-12-31T10:20:00.000-08:00

Hello All,
well - we found out yesterday at our BIG ultrasound appointment that we're expecting a BOY!!!

Here's a picture of the "money shot."

More to come, but wanted to share the news! Thanks for your continued prayers for us.

Here is a link to more photos on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=94212&id=583982705&l=573ef8b385

2009-11-17T09:54:00.001-08:00

Baby Estes - 12 Weeks!

2009-11-06T07:24:00.000-08:00

We went to Kaiser yesterday for our 12 week appointment to see Baby Estes! It was so exciting to see that it has grown SO much in 4 weeks since the last time we saw it. It defiantly looks like a baby now. We saw its head, arms, legs and torso and butt. We saw the two hemispheres of the brain too. We saw and heard its little heart beating again...strong! The baby is about 3 inches long now and about the size of an apricot, only not completely round. And it weighs about 1 oz.!

It was quite the wiggler which was SO fun to see! Here are some pictures.

Here is the baby's face on the left. Sort of looks like an alien, but it's OUR alien!

Here is the back of the baby's head on the left and its butt is on the lower right.

Here is the back of the baby's head on the left and its butt on the upper right. Sort of like its twisting its torso.

Our next appointment is two weeks before Christmas and won't be an ultrasound. (I'm very sad about this.) We had thought we could find out the gender at that time, but looks like we'll have to wait until the beginning of January instead. Oh well.

I had thought that by knowing if it was a boy or a girl would help me start to bond with the baby more. But since it's not going to happen until later, I'll have to trust that God will help me bond in other ways. I am just thankful that the baby is continuing to grow at a healthy rate and that I have stayed healthy too.

I haven't had any major "morning sickness" which has been SUCH a blessing! My only really bothersome symptom has been exhaustion. For about a good month or two I had to come home from work and get directly in bed for a nap. It was hard to stay awake at work and sometimes I even used my 1/2 hour lunch break for a nap in my car! I am pleased to say that even though I haven't had a nap in a week now, I'm still tired, but not as bad.

I have been struggling as to when to buy my first maternity clothes. I'm down to about two or three pairs of pants that I can still wear. (Sometimes with the button UNdone, but still getting away with it.) I will probably have to bite the bullet and get at least one or two pairs of maternity pants pretty soon. But that is to be expected I guess.

We are constantly amazed and thankful for all the changes happening to my body because of this little one. We are excited for its development and thrilled when we get to see it on screen. Thank you for continuing to pray for us. We'll keep you updated!

!!!NEWS!!!

2009-10-26T07:23:00.001-07:00

So, once again I have dropped off the face of the Earth and neglected my blogging. But we have WONDERFUL NEWS...we're expecting!!! I'm 10 weeks along now and Baby Estes is due to arrive in the middle of May 2010!!!
Here is our most recent ultrasound picture at 8 weeks. We have another appointment in about two weeks and hopefully will be able to see a more defined figure of the baby.

It is so amazing to feel the new changes in my body and yes, to even enjoy the spurts of sickness or discomfort knowing that this is something we've prayed for. We would appreciate your prayers as we progress in this pregnancy and await our precious little one! God is good, and we are SO thankful!

News!

2009-08-01T20:43:00.000-07:00

Wow, I just realized I haven't blogged in a while! Well, our lives have been so full to joy this summer. We moved into our first home last weekend and I have been blessed with a new job! The Lord is awesome and I am SO enjoying seeing Him work in our lives. I am also excited to report that I have also lost a total of 26 pounds since the begining of April and am looking forward to the next 20 pounds!.

Our 5 Year Anniversary!

2009-06-15T09:06:00.000-07:00

Thank you LORD for blessing me with 5 years of marriage to Steven Estes. I have strived to be the Godly wife you have called me to be. To be supporting and encouraging, to pray for him daily (sometimes more,) to protect and honor him and to LOVE him unconditionally! I look forward to what the next 5, 10, even 50 years will bring us!

Steven and I spent our anniversary date at the Clovis Farmer's Market with our good friends, the Alejo's! We had a great time taking part in our town's culture and festivities and best of all, being together!

The Mr. and Mrs.

Steven eating some of Fresno State University's premium ice cream!
(Ray and Alicia Alejo in the back right.)

Logan Alejo (Ray and Alicia's 3-year-old.)

Hats off to the Graduate!

2009-06-12T18:12:00.000-07:00

Our second big event for June was the graduation of our cousin Joy from Chino Hills High School!

Joy is one of my favorite cousins and I remember when she was BORN!!! Wow, that's weird to say!

Steven and I were able to make a day-trip to SoCal for her ceremony and some family time on Wednesday. We rode with my parents, brother and grandparents. (Yes - all in the same car!)

We left at 7:30am and didn't get back to our home until about 12:30am that night...but Joy was worth it! I love that girl.

Joy in her Cap and Gown at the house.

Our row of family at the graduation.

All the graduates and confetti.

Joy hugging her hunky friend Connor.

The beautiful Joy Bells!

My brother Daniel and Joy's brother (my cousin) Josiah. I think they're only 6-mo apart and best of friends.

The graduate hugging her Mom (Aunt Kathy) and sister Claire.

The grandparents, my Dad and Uncle Paul waiting at the restaurant.

Joy displaying the Coach-inspired purse we gave her.

Matt and Charlissa's Wedding

2009-06-12T17:58:00.000-07:00

Our first of many June committments has come and gone already.

Matt and Charlissa Strong tied the knot on Saturday, June 6th in Paso Robles, CA. It was a beautiful ceremony and reception. Charlissa and I lived together my first (and only) year at Fresno Pacific in 2002-2003. Matt attended FPU as well and time-over-time, they fell out of touch, fell back into touch and then in love!

Tis the Season!

2009-06-03T08:42:00.000-07:00

For WEDDINGS, GRADUATIONS, BBQ'S & BIRTHDAYS!!!!

This is definitely the time of year when EVERYBODY's schedules fill up to the brim with fun and exciting milestones and family get-togethers.

Just on our calendar we have:

Matt & Charlissa's wedding this Saturday, June 6th in Paso Robles,
a Women's Ministry meeting at church on Sunday morning, June 7th and
Jill's bridal shower that same afternoon,
my cousin Joy's high school graduation ceremony on Wednesday, June 10th in Chino Hills (SoCal,)
our 5 year wedding anniversary on Friday, June 12th,
my Uncle Nathan's 50th birthday celebration on Saturday, June 13th in Bakersfield,
Tim and Jill's wedding (and rehearsal too) on Saturday, June 20th and
my Great Aunt Dorthy and Great Uncle Mark's 50th Wedding Anniversary party in Bass Lake on Saturday, June 27th!!!

Wow, that made my head spin a little, how 'bout YOU!?!?

And those are just the things I know about! There most likely will be more coming, I'm sure!

Needless to say, not only do we get to attend some wonderful celebrations, and do lots of traveling, but we get to spend time with dear family and friends that are such a blessing to our lives! What a wonderful time of year~

Many pictures to come!

Mother's Day 2009

2009-05-16T14:40:00.000-07:00

This Mother's Day we hosted a full meal get-together for our immediate family at my parents' house in Sanger. Next year we can host at our own house, but our current house is too small for the whole family!

Steven BBQ'd his usual Tri Tip and some yummy salmon and veggies on the grill. (he's SO good at this!) I made stuffed mushrooms, a green salad, rice pilaf, cheesy cornbread muffins. We had angel food cake, and strawberries for dessert (my mother-in-law's fav.)

My brother Daniel helped me SO much! He set the table, helped make and bake the muffins and helped clean up afterwards. Such a trooper! We gave Debby a photo collage of our Estes family members in a frame and embellished with some scrapping materials. My mom got a new pair of summer pj's in blue (her fav color.) And I spent most of this past National Scrapbooking Day making a special book for my Grandma Alvera. Pictures of her and Grandpa, each of their sons and their wives, all of the married grandchildren and their spouses, the rest of the grandchildren and their great-grandson Clayton got his own page too! She really loved it. I never realized before, but Steven and I are the oldest grandchildren on all sides that are in the immediate area, so it has been our pleasure to coordinate/host Mother's Day for each family every year and we were so glad to have both the Estes and Schletewitz families together this year!

Female Family Felowship

2009-05-16T14:17:00.000-07:00

Throughout the year many churches host various Women's Ministry events for their ladies and each of my family's churches are the same.

I have had the pleasure of attending two Women's Tea/Luncheon/Brunch events in the last month.

In April I attended a Ladies Luncheon at my Mom's church: Sierra View Community Church in Sanger, CA. The speaker at this event was a long-time friend of my in-law's family and the men of SVCC were dressed up and functioned as our wait-staff for the day. SO lovely to not have to get your own drink! Today I attended a Ladies Brunch and Fashion Show at my Grandmother's church: Salem Evangelical Free Church in Sanger, CA. The theme was "Recycled and Re-used." All the tables were decorated with either antique dishware and such, or items found at thrift stores and/or discount stores (like Dollar Tree.) The Fashion Show was a showcase of complete outfits purchased at thrift stores; ALL for $13.00 and UNDER!!! Really creative and quite impressive! They had raffle prizes for the women AND for the young ladies and little girls, I thought that was quite special to include the little ones too! I was so blessed to be able to spend time at each of these events with my Mom and BOTH of my Grandmothers. I treasure those times as we all get older.

Swallows - a - Pleanty!

2009-05-06T10:54:00.000-07:00

So the staff at work got this email message from our Vice Chancellor yesterday:

"As you may know, Cliff Swallows have selected the Willow International Center as a nesting place as over 40 nests have been constructed to date. The federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 and the California Fish and Game Code Section 3800 protect the nests once they have been constructed and eggs laid. As a result of the constructed nests located above the southeast entrance to the Academic Center One building, we are closing this entrance to incoming traffic. The doors will still be used in case of an emergency.

We will do everything we can to try to keep the entrances and nesting areas clean until the migration of the swallows occurs in the next few weeks. Please contact Darren Cousineau, SCCCD Director of Environmental Health and Safety, or Janell Mendoza if you have any questions.

Thank you."

Apparently the birds that aren't extinct are in need of protection too. Here is a picture of some of their many nests on the East side of our campus building...right above my office window. Lots of chirping goin on lately too.

Did you miss me?!

2009-05-05T08:27:00.000-07:00

Wow I have been OUT OF TOUCH for a while! Sorry about that. There has been LOTS going on in life and I haven't gotten around to blogging about it. I must commend my sister-in-law, Beth, for her blogging though. Even with 6 kids she keeps up with it! Wow right?!

So, let's see...

I guess the biggest news is that we found a house! The Lord has really been at work in this process and Steven and I feel SO blessed that He has found us a house that will provide for ALL of our needs.

We had been having issues with our Realtor and finally decided to start working with a different one (recommended to us by Paul and Megan.) Colleen (the new Realtor) is wonderful! She came over to meet us and listened to our wants, dislikes and concerns and wrote everything down. Afterwards, she asked if she could pray for us and we were just SO impressed and blessed by that. We knew she was the ONE! After getting to know us a little bit more, she mentioned that she had some long-time friends in Clovis that wanted to sell their house, but didn't want to list it in this market. They had prayed that if God was calling them to sell and move, then He would bring them a buyer. We agreed to look at it (just for the heck of it) and LOVED it! We told Colleen that she could let the family know what our offer would be and they countered a little and we accepted! The other family was so thankful to know that we were Believers and that their home would be a dwelling place for the Lord even after they were gone. We also feel more at peace about this house knowing that they are Believers as well.

So, escrow opened on Thursday, April 30th and we will have our Home Inspection this Thursday, May 7th. I'll be sure to take some good pictures and post them here for you to see! The family is now actively looking for a new home to buy, but we have agreed that they will rent the house back from us for a couple months to give them some more time. This works great for us too since we would like to finish school this semester and then work on our existing house and have time to pack before we move.

The Lord has been SO good and we feel so blessed and excited about this new chapter in our life. Steven told me last night that for our 5-year anniversary (June 12th) that he is going to buy me a house! I like it! :)

Stress is my middle name.

2009-03-27T08:41:00.001-07:00

I have been so STRESSED lately. I feel like it's becoming my middle name these days. I even had a wonderful birthday two weeks ago and haven't had it together to post pictures and blog about it yet! Ugh.

I am taking 14 units this semester while working part time and trying to maintain my marriage and social life. I thought that after five years of not being a full time student that I could handle it now that I was more mature, but turns out, I'm in over my head.

I'm not sorry that I enrolled in 14 units, I'm just sorry that I don't have the discipline that a good student needs to accomplish this amount of course work. I'm taking Math-101, PoliSci-2, Music Appriciation (online) and 3 units of work experience.

My math class was my least favorite going into this semster mostly because I've NEVER been good at math and I HAVE to pass this class to get my AA Degree at the end of this semester. Turns out, I'm doing much better in the class than I had expected, which is a HUGE blessing. I failed my first test but since then I've gotten "B's" or better. Last test I got a 96%!!! That is so rare for me, but I'm thankful! Plus, the instructor will drop our lowest test score or give us the option to not take the final.

PoliSci has been fun. I enjoy the teaching style of my professor, and she is not only knowledgable of her field, she is a practicing attourney too, so we're learning a lot of the "law" that goes behind our politics. Class discussion is great! Can't you just see me in the middle of a debate on anything?!

My music appreciation class is the one I was most looking forward to, and has been the biggest dissapointment and cause of my stress this semester. The instructor has a completely UNREALISTIC expectation of how much homework is appropriate for a 3-unit class and several of the students in the class are frustrated because we're trying so hard to succeed and are not seeing the grade-results we are hoping for. I am actually in the middle of a "formal complaint" process with the Dean of Instruction about this class. Hopefully we can see a change for the better before the end of the semester.

Apart from all the school drama/stress, there is the usual work hours, worship team volunteering and various social events; baby showers, lunch dates with girlfriends, etc. AND we have been working with a realtor to look into buying a home. So, on the 1 day a week that Steven and I both have off, we are trying to find our next home. Hasn't happened yet, but we're sure that God has a place for us somewhere and we will just be faithful in prayer until He reveals it to us.

If you happen to read this blog, or just think about us from time to time, here is a perfect example of how you can be praying for me, and for Steven and I both. Thanks dear ones!

5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake

2009-03-10T11:43:00.000-07:00

A RECIPE EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW:

The most dangerous cake recipe

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

4 tablespoons flour

4 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons cocoa

1 egg

3 tablespoons milk

3 tablespoons oil

3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)

a small splash of vanilla extract

1 large coffee mug

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again.

Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts (high). The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed! Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.

EAT! (this can easily serve 2 people, TRUST me!)

And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world? Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night!

(thanks to Keirsten Craig for sending me this MOST helpful information!)

The Biggest Loser!

2009-02-27T17:06:00.000-08:00

So, I've been determined to lose some weight lately. With wanting to have a baby soon and knowing that I have Thyroid problems, my body had begun to show me that it's not going to be easy for me to maintain a healthy weight after I have a baby, so I thought I better start NOW! I've purchased The Biggest Loser - Cardio Workout DVD from Target and have been successfully training with Bob for an entire week now. I have to say, I'm pretty proud of myself. I can feel the sleepy muscles inside me waking up and I'm excited to say that I feel GOOD! Well, the second and third day I didn't feel so good, but now I do. So, if any of you three-or-so people that read this blog happen to be wondering about my progress, don't hesitate to ask me about it. I'd welcome the accountability. Lovingly of course. Anyway, my goal right now is to be able to wear a sleeveless dress for a couple of weddings I'll be attending in June. We'll see~

In Honor of V-Day!

2009-02-11T13:59:00.000-08:00

In honor of the upcoming Valentines Day, I would like to introduce to you...the LOVE of my life!

Steven Nahum Estes is my wonderful husband. I am sure many of you have heard the story of how we met and how we got set up by his parents and all that, but you may not know much about HIM.

Steven is the most intelligent person I know. I mean, honestly, he knows SO much. He calls it "useless knowledge" because he will inevitably know something about any sort of conversation happening near him and is an expert in many areas. He is currently a Chemistry major at Fresno State University and plans to attend pharmacology school to earn a doctorate of Pharmacy (Pharm.D degree.)

He can take a computer apart and put it back together again, and I've seen him do it! He can tile floors, he can cook, he is a fisherman, he can change the oil and the brakes on either one of our cars, he made my corsage for our high school prom as well as many other weddings, he is better at loading the dishwasher than I am, he's a WONDERFUL BBQ'er, he's very handy and can fix most anything, he cuts his own hair and he's a musician.

Steven can competently play: the bass guitar, trombone, French horn, banjo, accordion, guitar, piano, and the harmonica.

Apart from his impressive credentials listed above, Steven is no doubt a HANDSOME man. He is blond and has blue eyes. I always liked his eyebrows; they are so perfectly proportionate to his eyes. I also love his earlobes. They are so soft and although he doesn't like it when I touch them, I still do it! Recently he decided to grow a goatee. I never thought I would like facial hair on my husband, but turns out that I DO! So, he then proceeded to grow a full beard! I like it too, but if he decides to shave, then I'd like him to keep the goatee. It makes him look older, more distinguished. I have always loved the shape of his hands too. It is amazing to me that my hand fits so perfectly inside his. I'm sure God made us that way on purpose too. I love that he is comfortable. We can lay on the couch together and cuddle and he's just so comfortable! He has pretty skinny legs compared to the rest of him, but they are SO strong! HE is so strong. I sometimes tell him that he's better looking now, than when I first met him, and the truth is, I am attracted to him and love every bit of him.

He is loving and kind. He has a very long "fuse" and can put up with my quirks for a LONG time, but he is patient and forgiving too. He is compassionate and loyal. He is hard-working and has an exceptional work ethic. His co-workers and friends look to him for leadership and guidance. He is responsible and he willingly provides for his family. He loves children and they love him. He is sometimes attracted to the children at our campus' Child Development program who are disabled. He has befriended a little boy with Downs Syndrome and loves to pay special attention to him. He goes out of his way to play with these, and many other children, who might not otherwise get the attention. His nieces and nephews are so special to him. He loves to teach them new things and spend quality time with each of them. I am so anxious for us to have children of our own because I KNOW Steven will make an amazing dad!

Above all else, my husband is a wonderful man of God. It was always clear to me that he had a relationship with God and that it was very important to him. Just because he was raised in a Christian home and is a pastor's son, doesn't automatically mean he would have been a Christian. Steven chose to love the Lord and walk in faith of God's plan for his life and because of this, I am truly blessed. My husband prays with me every night before we go to bed and that has been such a HUGE blessing to me. I am so proud to have a husband who is not afraid to pray out loud and especially to lead his wife in prayer. It is truly amazing what God can do in the life of this man.

So, this Valentines Day, I will remember all the reasons why I am so incredibly thankful for my husband. This is just a short testament to how wonderful he is and I want each of you to think of your spouse and recall the wonders of what makes that person so special and such a blessing to your life.

Happy Valentines Day!

In Loving Memory of (Great Uncle) Ed Miller

2009-01-31T19:20:00.000-08:00

Today, with family and friends, we celebrated the life of our wonderful Great Uncle Ed Miller. Ed is married to Barbara, my grandmother Alvera's younger sister. Uncle Ed was one of our favorite people in the family. He always had a great sense of humor and loved to joke with us every time we were together. He was also one of few people in our extended family that really went out of his way to welcome (my husband) Steven into the family when we got engaged and married. His wonderful smile and great joke-ster attitude were a joy to be around, but his love for the Lord was also evident in his every-day life and that is such a testimony to be proud of.

Uncle Ed and Aunt Barbara were involved in an automobile accident this past August 2008 on their way to Oregon. Uncle Ed was driving and was very tired, he nodded off for a second and when he woke up, he over corrected the car and it drove onto an embankment on the side of the road and he died instantly. Aunt Barbara's injuries were extensive and her recovery took months. Though it was hard hearing of the loss of Uncle Ed, we felt at peace knowing that he was in Heaven and that he was in no pain. We are thankful to still have Aunt Barbara with us and today she was recovered and looked lovely. She smiled, socialized and hugged everyone and was just so thankful to have her husband's life celebrated with the people that matter most to her.

The Bill Seaberg Trio sang several lovely numbers: Great Uncle Bill and Aunt Linda Seabert (my grandmother's youngest sister) and Great Aunt Dorothy (grandmother's other sister,) Grandpa Clayton Schletewitz offered a powerful prayer, 3 of the 4 Lehman sisters singing, the 4 Lehman sisters all together, Steven, my dad Mark, grandpa and my brother Daniel afterwards, and us at the dinner celebration after the service.

25 Random Things About Me

2009-01-27T13:18:00.000-08:00

Uh oh, it's been over a month since my last posting and I thought I said I wasn't going to do that, but then I did. So, for your viewing pleasure, here are 25 Random Things About Me that you may or may not have known. Enjoy!

1. I can roll my tongue in three rolls at once. Yes, that's right.

2. I always knew I would marry a blonde-haired, blue-eyed man. Even though I was usually always attracted to the Tall, Dark and Hansom type. Guess who I married?!

3. I had a Vocal Scholarship to Fresno Pacific University my Freshman year of college.

4. I have been singing in public since I was 5 years old.

5. I had always wanted to say that I was "16 and never-been kissed." My first boyfriend, when I was 15, was 19 and he was very respectful of my wanting to wait until I was 16 and then my parents told me I had to stop seeing him because of our age difference and so he was not my first kiss after all. But, my husband WAS my first kiss, at age 18!

6. My husband and I were both virgins when we got married. (praise God!)

7. I've been to New York for a Choral Festival Competition with my high school choir.

8. My entire wedding, including my wedding dress, only cost $3,000.!

9. I have been deep-sea fishing, twice!

10. I am excited to be a full-time student again and my goal is to start the Degree Completion Program at Fresno Pacific University this Fall 2009 for my Bachelors Degree in Organizational Leadership.

11. I LOVE scrap booking and beading. (thanks to Leslie and Keirsten!)

12. I struggle with being tactful and so I pray about, and practice it regularly.

13. I've been to Ethiopia on a mission trip to teach music and English in 2008.

14. My first-ever attended concert was to see Barlow Girl in Bakersfield.

15. I am 1/2 Italian on my mother's side.

16. I serve as a volunteer on the Worship Team at Clovis Hills Community Church.

17. There were a total of 4 ministers involved with the ceremony at our wedding. (Uncle John, Uncle Paul, father-in-law Sam, and Grandpa [retired pastor.])

18. I sang the National Anthem at my high school graduation ceremony.

19. At one point, I had 5 piercing in my ears. (3 on my right lobe and 2 on my right.)

20. The place I feel the most at-peace and soulfully-refreshed is at the beach.

21. Tulips are my favorite flower.

22. I have been a brunette, a red-head and have had black hair before. (not all at once)

23. I have Hypo-Thyroidism.

24. I've been to Mexico on a mission trip in 1999.

25. I have a brother who is 10 years younger than me.

Now I'm a REAL Fan!

2008-12-19T08:56:00.000-08:00

So, my best friend Leslie gave me the BEST gift so far this Christmas...my very own Fresno Falcon's sweatshirt! Now I'm a REAL fan! I took this picture myself, so I'll have to get another good one of us both at the rink at one of the games too. Thanks Les! I love you.

Decking the Halls

2008-12-09T11:56:00.000-08:00

So my last post made reference to our house being decorated for Christmas two days after Thanksgiving, so I thought I'd share what that looked like! And now you get to see our new sectional sofa and decorated walls! I'm so excited that my friend Alicia was able to come over and help us hang pictures! It looks so great. We both love it! So...enjoy this little peek into our home. And our puppy, Daily, curled up in her "spot" next to the tree. Her bed used to be in the corner where the tree is now. She's still adjusting to that.

Thanksgiving...and into December we go...

2008-12-02T15:10:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving this year was hosted by US!!!! Oh my goodness we had a great time! I was so pleased that all the food turned out and my pies looked and tasted delicious and I escaped with only one minor injury. (I cut my finger while chopping sweet potatoes the night before.)

Steven dressed and cooked the turkey in our electric roaster, only took 4 hrs! I made mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, stuffing, sweet potato pies, a hot Shepherd's dip, an jalapeno and cream cheese dip, veggie platter and coffee! What a feast we were blessed to have. God sure did provide for us and we were SO thankful to partake.

My parents, grandparents, and brother, Daniel were our guests that day. We were able to watch two movies, play cards and eat together for almost 6 straight hours. It was a lovely day and I'm SO thankful to my mother who helped me with the dishes and so now my house is clean!

We were also blessed to spend two days, uninterrupted, together after the holiday. Since Steven returned to school full time and works full time, we hardly get to spend any quality time together and this year we were able to prioritize each other and it was a huge blessing. We spend Friday watching 4 movies together and lounging around in our new sectional sofa. Then Saturday, since our house was still clean, we took all the recycling out of our garage and Steven earned $71 towards the final cost of his bass guitar. We also put up the Christmas tree and decorations!!! We've never been THIS on-top of decorating before. Man it feels good! Our house finally looks like WE live there, and not just a mixture of other family members. Having that sectional sofa and our own matching pictures on the walls really makes it seem like home to us for the first time since we've moved in, (over a year ago.)

This holiday weekend was such a blessing to me and to our marriage. I am SO blessed.

Family

2008-11-24T08:49:00.000-08:00

Well, as we quickly approach Thanksgiving, I wanted to give my family a little face time on the blog. The second picture is last year's Estes clan. The Barker's have added another little one since then. New picture to be taken this year at Christmas! The first picture is my family. Much smaller, but love them SO much!

Vegas!

2008-11-24T08:42:00.000-08:00

It's been a while now since my last post. So, sorry to those who read this. In mid-October Leslie and I were blessed with a week's vacation to Las Vegas! We had SUCH a great time and saw SO many things, it was awesome! Here are just a few of the many pictures taken. We went to see STOMP and that was awesome! We had $100 in gift certificates to use at the Planet Hollywood restaurant and here's us at the Flamingo Hotel, can you tell?! The boas were at the Elton John gift shop~

Delightful

2008-09-16T08:34:00.000-07:00

For some reason, I have woken up on the right side of the bed this morning. I actually feel pretty rested and a little "chipper." I got up in time to get ready in time, including finding a cute outfit and shoes to wear, my hair looks decent, and I've had breakfast. Amazing!

I recently bought the $5.00 CD special at Berean, Lincoln Brewster - Let The Praises Ring, and I LOVE IT! I think it really added to my already potentially good mood this morning. So, I brought it into work and ripped it to my computer and am trying to make this feeling last as long as possible throughout my workday and if some of the faculty and staff happen to be exposed to the praises of our Lord, then Praise God!

I guess I'm just feeling delightful. I'm reminded of Psalms 37:4 - "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." Now, I don't want this to seem like it intentionally follows my last post, but today I am looking to delight myself in the Lord because He desires me to. And because I can, because I want to, because He's worthy of my praise. I just want to thank Him for the blessings He HAS given me. Because, why not?!

May you find yourself "delighted" in our Lord today. Take a moment and observe your existence in this day. That alone should be a blessing.~

desire of my heart

2008-09-05T14:59:00.000-07:00

I am having trouble lately.

There is a huge desire of our hearts to have children and sometime soon would be wonderful with us! One of the hard parts is the waiting, but sometimes even harder is watching our friends get to experience the joys of new pregnancies and new babies and knowing that we haven't gotten our blessing yet.

I know God has a plan for our lives and for our children, but for times like these, I just struggle to not loose hope. I pray constantly and Steven and I pray together about it. It has been a blessing and a privilege to pray daily with my husband, but I have waited four years to hear him say that he desires children (with me) and now that it's here, I feel helpless. There are only so many things you can do on your own about this sort of thing and then you have to believe that God is in control and that His plan is better than what we could ever imagine possible! That's hard too. I want to believe this with all my heart, but the human side of me wants to be in control of my life and just make it happen my way.

Some people would say, "when it's the right time, it will happen." Well, the problem with that is that there are many people who don't seem to have it "together" and they have kids and it surely doesn't seem like the "right time" for THEM to have kids and not me! Others say, "it will happen when you stop trying." Well, it's hard NOT to think about it when your desire is so strong.

All I can do is pray. Pray that God continues to work in me, to make me the mother and wife that I need to be before hand. Pray that my relationship with my husband grows stronger and deeper, regardless of what happens. Pray that I may have opportunities to grow closer in my relationship with God and through that, I will have a clearer understanding of His plans for my life.

But it's still so hard...

Welcome: Abigail Rose Barker

2008-08-25T10:49:00.001-07:00

We are proud to announce the birth of our third neice:

Abigail Rose Barker
born: 8-24-08 at 8:00am

weighing: 7 lbs, 10 oz.

18 1/2 inches long

This is #6 for the Barker family and Abbey makes 3 girls and 3 boys. All the children are so excited for Abbey's arrival! Hannah is excited to have her own little sister and Micah is no longer the baby. He and Abbey are only about a year and two months apart.

Beth chose to have a home-birth this time and from the report, seemed to be a good experience for mother and baby. We hope to get to meet this little one very soon!

Christian Music Awards 2008

2008-08-25T10:03:00.000-07:00

The Christian Music Awards were this last weekend and Steven was asked to play with a group of from our Clovis Hills Worship Team, lead by Music Director: Paul Haugen. They auditioned as a group and secured their spot in the "Best of the Blessed - Worship Band" category for the overall competition. They needed a name, so they became The Paul Haugen Band!

So, I was their honorary Band Manager / videographer / photographer for the weekend. We got "all access" passes to paroose the Warnor's Theater as we pleased and were fed and taken care of like true celebrities. My brother, Daniel also got in on the fun. He came as my guest and helper for the day!

Among the real celebrities performing were: Jacki Velazquez and Matthew West (co-hosts for the show) and Bethany Dillon, who all performed. Their was another band, Pres Play, that were guest artists from the LA area and were just wonderful people. Here's the thing, this was a pretty big deal (seeing as how it will be aired on the Gospel Music Chanel on September 20th) and there were real celebrities there and EVERYONE was so great. Everyone was encouraging and friendly, everyone was there for the same reason: to honor and worship Christ with their God-given talents and to give glory to HIM. That alone made the weekend what it was. Yes, there was a competition involved, but the ultimate purpose of this event was to come together as the Body of Christ and worship him. It was a great experience to be a part of.

The Paul Haugen Band placed 3rd in the Best of the Blessed competition, and they should be VERY proud of themselves. It was the opportunity of a lifetime and I hope they plan to compete again next year.

Band members: Paul Haugen (lead vocal and acoustic guitar,) Doug Frost (lead guitar,) Tim Douty (keys,) Dana Pellerin (drums,) Steven Estes (bass,) Jill Barnett (background vocalist,) and Frank Matthews (guitar.)

A lot to catch up on...

2008-08-25T09:40:00.000-07:00

So, it's been a while since my last post and I realized that a lot has happened over the last month-or-so.

Steven celebrated his 25th birthday this month! My hubby is now a 1/4 of a century old. We were blessed to celebrate with both sides of our family and had a great time. We also got a special experience flying a plane! Yep, Steven's dad is a part owner of a small plane at the Reedley Airport and he took us up for about an hour. We had a great time. I got to fly the plane on the way back from going over my parent's house in Sanger. Awesome experience!

The next weekend, we got to spend some quality time with our great friends, Ray and Alicia. We drove up to Yosemite for the day. It was a long drive, but beautiful. Neither Steven or I had been up there in many years. The park admission was $20. per car and I'm not sure we had $20 worth of fun, but it was great to spend the time together. We packed a picnic lunch and stopped at Bridal Veil Falls to eat and then we found a beautiful meadow to stop and take some pictures. Alicia set up her fancy camera and we took some fun shots of all four of us. We are being ninjas in that last one...can you tell? It was a lovely day.

Reading

2008-08-01T12:01:00.000-07:00

I'm not a "reading" person. The only time I ever enjoyed reading was in my high school literature classes. That mostly had to do with the fact that my teachers were awesome and didn't treat me like a kid. They respected me and my opinions of my readings (because if you know me at all, you'll know that I DO have opinions.) I so enjoyed reading The Great Gatsby, The Scarlet Letter, Beowolf, Great Expectations and other British lit materials.

However, now in my adult life, I just DON'T want to read. I would much rather watch the movie version of a book, even though most say that the book is better. Not sure why, but I just don't want to read normally.

Lately though, I have had the urge to read certain books. I want to learn more about the history of Christianity, about some of the key players in the Word; their background, their stories, their personalities, their ministry. I have purchased several books from recommended authors over the years and had every intention to read their books, and I have started some of them, and left a book mark wherever I left off, but never finished.

I have wanted to read The Power of a Praying Wife, The Life You've Always Wanted, His Needs/Her Needs, and recently Captivating. I actually think our new Growth Group will be doing Captivating as a study in the Fall.

I just have the desire to WANT to read now. Not necessarily that I want to READ, I just want the DESIRE to read. Does that make sense? So, if anyone has any good suggestions on where I should start with this I would gladly welcome them. I need to know how to get motivated and committed to reading and learn how to love and enjoy it. I guess I'm just afraid that the books that are suggested to me are going to turn out to be a disappointment. When in fact, I am the one who turns out to be the disappointment to myself.

Anyway, suggestions welcome.

Leslie's Suprise Party!

2008-08-01T11:52:00.000-07:00

My best friend Leslie turned the big 3-5 in July! I wanted to do something special for her so, we had a little surprise party at Bobby Salazar's. Most all of her very best friends were there and we had a great time. And the best part was that she was honestly surprised! That just made MY day. She always reads me like a book and this was quite an accomplishment for me. We got her a cake with her picture screen-printed on the icing (yummy too!) and a fuzzy tiara and scepter. She had a great time and so did all of us. Here are some pictures.

Visit from Texans

2008-07-15T08:43:00.000-07:00

My favorite cousins came to visit last week! Lisa and I got a whole day of pamering, it was wonderful! We both got our hair done, we got pedicures, and massages too! Oh how we're blessed!

Here is Lisa's "after" picture.

Yes, even 4-year-old Alison got in on the fun. She wanted "pink hair." So, that's what she got!

I'm so glad to have gotten the chance to see them, it wasn't long enough, but we are planning a trip to TX in the Fall! Love you girls!

4th of July - a little late

2008-07-15T08:22:00.000-07:00

Our 4th of July was just lovely! We were invited to stay in a beach house in Shell Beach, CA with Charlissa and Matt. The house was so adorable and had quite a lot of potential, but it had two cats. Not the greatest hosts, but Charlissa and Matt did a fantastic job of cleaning that house so it didn't smell like cat at all! (the view from our house.)

We went to Paso Robles to enjoy a picnic and fireworks show with Charlissa's family.

Our other good friends, Megan and Paul Hemphill were at the coast that weekend as well and they joined us for the show.

The boys played football and had a blast. Paul got a minor injury and Steven was exhausted, but they all had a good time.

Before we left the next day, we went to the beach and took pictures. It was nice to be at the beach. I feel so relaxed there. It was a wonderful little trip! We had a great time.

Anniversary

2008-06-12T16:39:00.000-07:00

Four years ago today, I married the most wonderful man!

We were young and in love and had our whole life ahead of us. We had prepared for marriage and commitment and we had made vows to put God first and each other second. We promised to love each other through sickness and health, good times and difficult times, to stay committed no matter what obstacles came our way. We made plans together and dreamed together. We made continuous strides to please each other and to care for one another.

We have defiantly learned a lot in four years, but I can say with confidence that I love him more today than I ever have and that my love for this man keeps growing as the minutes pass. I am so thankful for the many blessings that God has given us as a couple and for the ways God has matured us and grown us into the kind of person we each need in our spouse.

I am filled with overwhelming joy and happiness as I write this and just can't believe that I have been THIS blessed!

Thank you Lord, for such a phenomenal man. He loves me unconditionally and is such a wonderful provider and leader. I am so very very thankful!

Obsessions

2008-06-06T11:50:00.000-07:00

Well my friends, I'm Liz and I'm adicted to handbags. ("hi Liz" -- that's your line)

Yes, I have caught the bug and I am currently obsessed with finding a new COACH or Dooney and Bourke (knock-off) handbag. I have found several web sites, similar to ebay, that have a plethora of beautiful bags and I must say, I haven't enjoyed spending this much time online before. I love to browse through the lists and lists of those oh-so-attractive accessories and dream of the day when I will get one.

Les and I have also made tentative plans to visit the LA Fashion District to take a look first-hand at where all the goods come from. We are even planning to co-host a purse party! So, keep an eye out for that!

I know this is all pretty silly, but some women are obsessed with shoes (my feet are too big, they don't make many cute shoes in size 11) and some girls LOVE designer make-up, so why can't I enjoy the bargain-hunt of designer handbags?! Well, I can and I will!

Road Trip

2008-05-29T08:43:00.000-07:00

This Memorial Day weekend, we took a road trip with Peter and his girlfriend Katie to Magic Mountain, IKEA and Hollywood!

The theme park was pretty crowded for the holiday weekend, and the ride X2 had just re-opened and that brought a lot of traffic too. We were able to ride 4 rides in 6 hours and eat a nice leisurely lunch at the Moose Lodge.

We stayed at hotel near the park and then went to IKEA for the first time ever in Burbank. Then we met Samuel and Meg (the boys' older brother and our sister-in-law) at Ribs USA for lunch. It was nice to see them for a little bit.

Then we traveled to Hollywood so the boys could visit the guitar shops. Steven has been wanting to go to Carvin to check out their basses. He is considering building a new one for himself, and wants to purchase the neck from Carvin.

Overall, it was a great weekend. It never rained at the park, it was cold though. We didn't wreck my mother-in-law's car, nobody got sick, and we only got lost once for about 5 min! Pretty successful I think.

Mother's Day Take-2

2008-05-20T10:56:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday morning, my wonderful friend Alicia Alejo made the treck to Sanger to take family portraits of my family for my mom's Mother's Day present.

It was much warmer than we expected and a little uncomfortable, but I have to say, I am pleased with the results dispite how we felt.

Please take a look at her lovely web site and our family pictures. There are also photos of just Steven and I that are wonderful too!

www.thephotofriends.com
Click on "Client Proofs"
Click on "Schletewitz Portraits"
Or
Click on "Estes Portraits"

Let me know what you think!

Contacts

2008-05-13T09:54:00.000-07:00

Well, I got contacts yesterday!!! When taking pictures, I normally take my glasses off because they just don't do my face any justice, but now I won't have to anymore! AND I can wear regular sunglasses now through the summer! No more taking off my prescription glasses just to put on my prescription sunglasses every time the sun looks my way. What a bother that was! It's taking some getting used to, and I had to have the technician help me put in the left eye yesterday, but this morning I got them both in all by myself! Yea!

~Just thought I'd share my news with the world, or the three people that read this.~

Mother's Day Take-1

2008-05-12T13:16:00.000-07:00

Unfortunatly this Mother's Day, I did not get to see or spend time with my Mom, (that's next week.) We were able to have Steven's mom, dad and younger brother, Peter, over for dinner to celebrate.

My Master-BBQ'er husband delighted us all with tri-tip and grilled zuchini, I made rice pilaf, salad, deviled eggs, and watermelon. We had my mother-in-law's favorite for desert: angel food cake, strawberrys and vanilla ice cream. It was a lovely dinner and we had a very nice time visiting with all of them.

Here is the picture of the two boys and their mom. (missing Beth and Samuel, the older siblings.)

Missing the beach...

2008-05-06T08:29:00.001-07:00

Yep, I miss the beach. I guess who doesn't right?! Well, perhaps those that already live there. I honestly find that I am genuinely rejuvenated when I spend time at the beach. Life seems so simple there. There is sand, water, shells, rocks, and birds. Doesn't sound too exciting, and yet many people LOVE being there, I am one of them. I can sit on the beach for hours and just people-watch.

I love watching the families that bring their toddlers to the beach for the first time. They are my favorite. When the little ones are holding on to Daddy's fingers and stepping out into the water for the first time and they feel the wet sand between their little toes and the cool crisp water and realize that it comes close to their feet and then draws back to the big wide ocean and comes back again. To see them pick up sea shells in their tiny little hands and show their new-found treasures to Mommy! How exciting for them!

I also like watching couples. From newly dating to 80-year-olds who still hold hands and walk together along the shore line. I appreciate how a simplistic walk on the beach with your "honey" can be such an amazing memory. You can look back behind you and see two sets of footprints in the wet sand symbolizing the journey you committed to taking with each other and yet, seeing it this way in a quiet moment with all God's magnificent beauty around you provides you the opportunity to quietly re-commit yourself to your spouse and be thankful for the time you have together.

I LOVE the wind at the beach. I love that it is so strong and breezy and how it flows through my hair. But beach wind is filled with such wonderful fragrances too. I can smell the water, the seaweed and kelp and just the fresh-ness that the ocean brings in. So very un-polluted, almost pure. I can close my eyes and remember what it feels like to have that wind in my hair. I just love it.

Just in writing this I feel relaxed. Remembering all the special things that the beach means to me and to praise God for such a wonderful destination to look forward to every once-in-a-while. He is the Great Creator and today, I am thankful, simply for the beach...

Hailey May has arrived!

2008-04-25T08:15:00.000-07:00

Well, Hailey May Huffman was suposed to be born on May 1st, hence her middle name. HOWEVER, she was SOOOOO excited to see everybody, she thought coming early would be a nice suprise!

So, CoNgRaTuLaTiOnS to Nichole, Dustin and Aubrey:

Hailey May Huffman

born on

Thursday, April 24th 2008

9lbs. 7oz. 22" long

Psychic Fatigue

2008-04-23T12:18:00.000-07:00

I have had so much on my mind lately. This weekend was extremely busy.

Friday, after a full day of work, I participated in the National Scrapbooking Day at a local church with my scrap-buddies from 6-11pm! There were close to 200 women there and together, we all scrapped OVER 600+ pages! WoW, what an accomplishment! It felt great to be a part of that.

So, I got to sleep in a little on Saturday, but we were on the Worship Team this weekend, and call time is 4:15pm on Saturday afternoons. We played a full set, with two feature songs. After church, we went to dinner with my in-laws to celebrate my birthday (March 14) and my father-in-law's birthday (April 16th.) We had a lovely dinner at Red Robin, (quickly becoming my favorite place to eat,) and stayed out until about 10pm-ish. Which is pretty late for me, but really late for the in-laws! I was surprised how late we were out, but it was nice to talk with them for hours.

Sunday morning call time is 7:30am for a quick run-through. Directly after church, we stopped at home for a quick second to drop off the bass and pick up our Bible Study books for Couple's Group. We made a quick stop at a store, and then off to the Alejo's for study. We didn't leave until 4:30pm! Then the hubby and I only had the car ride from Tower to Fresno Kaiser to talk before we visited the Palmer's.

Our dear friends have had their share of hospital visits lately. Rob had a quad/motorcycle accident that landed him in the hospital with a broken clavicle (sp?) Then Christine encountered some health problems and was in the hospital for several days. (I think she might be home now, better call and check up on her.) They have two awesome girls that I just love! We were at Kaiser until about 7pm and I was getting REALLY hungry, so we took Rob and the girls to Chevey's for a nice dinner away from hospitals for a while.

Then another quick stop by another store in Riverpark and back home after a LOOOOOONG day out! I don't think I got to bed until at least 11pm! Ugh!

So, needless to say, I have not been able to recuperate yet this week, and I'm exhausted!

Yea For Tax Refund Fridays!

2008-04-18T16:12:00.000-07:00

Seems like good things happen on Fridays! Yea God, we got our tax refund via direct deposit this afternoon! AND Steven's check to the CA Board of Pharmacy was withdrawn also, which means that they received his paperwork and he will be getting his Pharmacy Technician License very soon! Yea for my honey! AND, the guy from the Bread Mill just stopped by our office and gave us a bunch of FREE loaves of bread to take home! Yeah!
Good news all around today! Hope everyone else is having a fabulous Friday too! I just realized that I may use too many exclamation points when I type. Oh well!

Nichole's Baby Shower

2008-04-18T08:52:00.000-07:00

The Huffman family is new to Clovis Hills. Dustin Huffman is our new Children's Ministry Pastor and is married to his beautiful wife Nichole and they have one daughter, Aubrey and another due on May 1st; Hailey.

Nichole has been a part of our Women's Bible Study and I have enjoyed getting to know her very much. Jenn and I thought it would be great it we hosted a baby shower for Nichole and so we did! This last Wednesday, at my house, we had an ice cream sundae baby shower where we decorated bibs, played games, and just had a great time of fellowship and fun! Thanks to all the girls who came to bless Nichole and baby Hailey.

Women of Faith Conference was AMAZING!

2008-04-16T09:19:00.000-07:00

The Women of Faith Conference this last weekend was AmAzInG! I was so blessed to be there and share that time with some very special friends of mine. Friday's Pre-Conference was the funniest and most enjoyable time for me. Patsy Clairmont was a hoot! I bought her book: I Second That Emotion, which I can't wait to read and that's saying something because I generaly don't enjoy reading. Anita Renfro is hillarious! I bought her DVD: It's Probably Just My Thyroid and can't wait to watch that with some girlfriends! And I bought her a devotional book that she wrote with her husband: Songs in the Key of Solomon (look'n forward to that one!) I also bought two T-Shirts one for me and one for Lisa! Love being matchy-matchy! (It's ok though, 'cause she's in TX and I'm in CA.) I also LOVED watching Ayiesha Woods perform (with her brother Donny.) She is AWESOME! And the way she moves when she sings and her body language looks almost "tribal" to me, which was so mezmorizing because it brought me back to my time in Ethiopia which was amazing and I just loved it! So, overall, the conference was wonderful! Thanks again to KDUV F.M. for picking my name to win those tickets!

So, now that I have hyper-linked so many of these amazing people, go check out their sites! Show some support!

I'll write more later...

Heart Broken

2008-04-08T10:37:00.000-07:00

This is my blog and I feel like I should be able to say what I feel.

I just have to say that first of all, I am thankful to have been blessed with many wonderful friends. God has truely provided me with people that love and support me. I couldn't ask for better friends.

However, it breaks my heart to see my friends go through hardships in their lives. I sometimes feel that all I can do is pray for them and believe me... I DO! I understand that when hard times come, difficult decisions present themselves, and uncomfortable life changes have their number called up, that the most important thing we can all do is pray through them. I am always willing and happy to support my friends in whatever they are dealing with. Even though I may not agree with their decision, or the manner in which they may have reached their decision, I'll still be there.....praying.

That's all, I guess. Just had to get that off my chest. Certainly not off my mind, but you get the idea.

Wilderness?

2008-04-02T14:30:00.000-07:00

Well, our last week of our Women's Bible Study in the Connect the Dots series was last night and we learned about "spiritual wilderness."

Not something I am used to hearing, but certainly something very real. In hearing everyone's answers to what they thought their own wilderness has been like at some point, and from those who have yet to experience one, I gained a new perspective about God's plan for our lives.

While most people associate a "spiritual wilderness" with a time when you have "fallen away" from God, it IS possible for you to experience a "wilderness" in your spiritual life while still remaining very close to God. It just usually means that you may be seeking God's will for your current life issue and He isn't ready to answer you yet. I learned that He may not be providing an answer, because He may not have prepared me for a sertain life change yet. And as frustrating as that feels, I would rather be prepared for God's blessings, than get what I want and cry out in desparation for Him to save me from something too big for me.

So, all this to say that I could use your prayers about some of the desires of my heart. I am confident that while I am waiting, I am praying for God's will in my life and HIS perfect timing, and that when he does bless me, that I would be prepared to receive it!

Thanks to the girls in our "NOG" group for being there to support me.

Free Stuff Friday!

2008-03-28T11:31:00.000-07:00

I am so excited! I just won 6 tickets to the upcoming Women of Faith Conference at the Save Mart Center this April!

Thank you to 88.9 & 100.1 KDUV F.M. for hooking me and 5 of my friends up with tickets to this incredible event! We are all looking forward to it.

Thank you Lord for "Free Stuff Fridays!"

Fat Day

2008-03-26T14:52:00.000-07:00

So, do you ever have one of those "FAT DAYS"? Or is it just me?

I swear, I had an extra 20 min. this morning to figure out what to wear to work and NOTHING fit! I hate that feeling. When you know you have perfectly good clothes that you just wore last week and fit fine, but today for some unknown reason, they DON'T!

And then I pick out something that looks decent and then relize that I have to change my hair and earrings to match the "personality" of my outfit. But I don't want to change my hair, so that means I have to search for something else to wear.

I finally found something that worked ok, and that I could most likely feel comfortable in all day and then relize that the thinner socks that go with the shoes I am going to wear are nowhere to be found! UGH!!!!!

Needless to say, on mornings like this one, it helps me to stop, take a deep breath and remember that I am blessed to have clothes first of all. Second, I am blessed to have a job where I need to wear clothes to. And third, I am my own worst critic, and most likely, nobody will notice my outfit anyway!

Oh well. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day...

Our relaxing weekend...

2008-03-25T15:29:00.001-07:00

So, the hubby and I went to Avila Beach this last weekend for three days! It was great!

We found this great hotel near the beach that was set in sort of a forest/park-like area near the river. There was a walking/bike trail that lead from the hotel, through the golf course and down to the beach! It was 1.7 miles ONE WAY though. And for somone who sits at a desk for a living, that was quite a lot of walking! It was nice though to take a stroll together down such a scenic trail. We took lots of pictures, which I will hopefully post soon.

Our room at the hotel had our own jacuzzi tub on our private patio! The hubby really enjoyed that. His back has been sore from work, so this was a nice treat for him. We had a CA King bed (which wasn't very comfortable, by the way,) a large flat screen TV and CABLE! They brought breakfast to our room each morning and gave us cupons for complimentary glasses of wine at the bar.

On Saturday afternoon, we brought a pic nic lunch with us to the beach and spread out under the pier along with several other families and just people-watched. That evening, we went to McLintock's in Pismo for dinner. WOW! It had been a while since we'd been there and they give you SOOOOO much food! So, we ended up taking most of it home for the next day, but it was a nice treat to go out to eat.

Overall, I'd say that I would recommend this hotel to our friends looking for a quiet get-away. It's a little pricy, for us, but for a special occasion, it would serve people well I think.

It was a great weekend! One that the two of us really needed and we both had a fabulous relaxing time and enjoyed being together.

Some people to brag about!

2008-03-19T15:20:00.001-07:00

Me and the Hubby at the EECU picnic in June 2007

Our nieces and nephews from right to left: Caleb, Sarah w/Micah, Hannah and Josiah My FAVORITE cousin (sister) Lisa!

Alison (Lisa's daughter) and Me! Me and my best friend (soul mate, sister, etc.) at a Falcon's game!

My Birthday

2008-03-19T14:53:00.000-07:00

Well, Friday, March 14th was my 24th Birthday. This year was pretty dissapointing I have to say. Not to make anyone feel bad, but I feel I have to be honest.

When I got to work Friday morning, my best friend had left me a cinnamon roll for breakfast! That was really nice. She gave me a card that had the most perfect picture of two young girls on the front (one a little older than the other,) and inside the card said, "In another time and place, I think we were sisters... Happy Birthday!" It was awefully perfect!

My hubby made me a card too and left it on my desk from the night before. His had a picture we took of our footprints in the sand at Pismo Beach and it said, "Talk about leaving your mark on the world!!! (you've certainly left one on me.) Inside he wrote his sincere feelings about me and that was really nice to hear. His gift to me is going to be a pedicure for me and Leslie after we get paid at the end of the month and Les is going to take me shopping to buy some new "work" clothes!

Later that day, some girlfriends and I headed up to Wonder Valley for the 10th annual CHCC Women's Retreat. It was a hectic afternoon just trying to get on the road. We got there after dinner and just in time to miss my vocal sound check, so they cut my song for the session. We did make it in time to be at the first session and that was nice. But again, nobody remembered it was my birthday. So, we scrounged for food in the dining hall after session and then went to our room and went to bed. That's it.

I have to say though, as much as I appriciate hubby and Les for the thoughful cards and well wishes, I do wish I could have 'opened' something on my birthday. But then again, I didn't specify that to anyone, so I am NOT complaining!

I think I have to come to grips with the fact that as I get older, Birthdays aren't such a big deal anymore. At least until we get to those "over the hill" years. So, I can accept that and move on. Maybe once we have kids, I will have a new outlet to live vicaiously through their birthdays!

Just as a P.S. If you ever want to know how to make me feel special, give me a gift I can OPEN!~

My First...

2008-03-12T10:06:00.000-07:00

So, I'm not much for journaling, but this seems to be a good way for me to get my thoughts out on paper (or screen.)

I have been experiencing new blessings in my life and I want to share them with anyone who is interested. So, as a first-time "blogger," just bare with me while I learn how to use this to the best of my ability...

A great friend of mine is an avid journaler and I have been inspired by her. I am also in a great young women's Bible study that is keeping me accountable to being in the Word more regularly. We are studying from a book called: Connect The Dots and this book is really generating some great conversations between me and God and His will FOR and IN my life.