Cookie Night @ Angel's!!!

These girls are crazy!!! We had a wonderful time, last night making sugar cookies! You would assume from the photos that there is more flour and laughter flying through the air than the smell of cookies, that assumption would be correct! Oh and did I mention they were rocking out to Christmas music??!!

This is the first time these girls have ever made cookies, aren't they the cutest?!

AH Lexi, having fun??!!


COOKIES!!!!

Tam n Lexi

Lexi n Dakota

Its Official...

On Thursday, May 21st 2009.....

I will marry my dearest & best friend.....

Christmas Eve 2008

Well, I have alot to fill in from my last post till now, but I'll only go over the demanding details ;)!

I flew out of Calgary on Monday, Dec 22nd and arrived in Springfield, Missouri late that evening. Wednesday afternoon everyone, which included Joey's parents-Alvy and Norah, Joey's brother and sister in law-Ben and Lauren and their two children-Sariya and lil Josh, and Joey's sister- Sarah, went to Jordan Valley Ice Park to ice skate. We skated around a few times and then Joey got off the ice. I waited for him but he continued to stand and talk with his dad, so I miss impatient just turned around and decided to continue skating without him.

Moments later he was behind me.

Joey: "I'm so sorry everyone is so stressed."

Me: "Its okay."

Joey: "My parents are really stressed, I'm sorry."

Me: "Joey, its okay, I understand, It's Christmas, don't worry."

Joey: "Well they are stressed for a good reason."

Me: Sarcasticly "Oh really and why is that?"

Joey: Grabbed my arm and spun me around " Cause I wanna ask you to marry me!"

Me: "WHAT???!!!???!!!"

Joey: Hands me the below locket

Me: "Oh my word, are you serious Jo?!"

Joey: with tears forming in his eyes, flips the locket over "Will you Marry Me?!"

I began to cry and then laughed and then just hugged him and cried/laughed some more.

Joey: "Well.........."

Me: "Yes, Yes!"

Everyone was watching from the side, so when we skated over the family said, "Welcome to the family Angel!" And I just cried! =)

Front of locket

Back of Locket

Inside of Locket-I opened it on the ice and the picture dropped

Signing in from beautiful Canada!!

Yesterday I flew into Calgary, Alberta and was welcomed with -22 degrees C and a warm hug from my butterfly Angie! I was rushed over to Merrily's house by Momma Holmes where we surprised Courtney completely!!!! After moments of her just standing there with her hand rubbing her cheek, she finally wrapped me in a HUGE hug and just sobbed and sobbed....It was the most incredible experience and I am so thankful for "family" that has helped to make this moment possible! Ang, Court and I talked Johnny into letting us use his truck=) and we spent the evening freezing at the Festival of Lights walk-crazy person who suggested that one lol...then we headed over to the Chocolate Bar for hot coco and ice cream! lol Ice cream in - 20 weather which is like -1 degree F for you American folks! Crazy as we are!
It was an awesome day and I am having a great time!!!

PS. I MISS YOU JOEY!!! and Jackson!!

The Purple Iris

I got this the other day and thought instead of forwarding the message....I'll post it!

There comes a point in your life when you realize:

Who matters,

Who never did,

Who won't anymore...

And who always will.

So, don't worry about people from your past,there's a reason why they didn't make it to your future.

Give these flowers to everyone you don't want to lose in 2009, including me, if that's what is in your heart.

We're at it again...

Ayla, Tamsen, Joey and I are heading up to Keno/Klamath Falls, Oregon for the holidays. This will by my first Thanksgiving spent with my mother in 10 years!!! Crazy! I'm looking forward to the snow and the time we'll spend together but I'm not looking forward to the drive.....=) mark that down as yet another road trip for the Lombardo's! he he Please keep us in your prayers as we travel, the roads are slick and there are crazy drivers out at this time of year! Have a wonderful Gobble Gobble day and remember to be Thankful for HIS Many Many Blessings!

Things I am truly thankful for this year:

• The Faithfulnes of my God
• The love of my family
• The support of my church and ministry
• New friends
• Joseph Ladd ;)
• Breathe
• Life
• School ending in 5 days!!!!!
• A roof over my head
• Food to eat
• A car to drive
• Wise parents
• A job
• okay so I could go on and on.....
• Thank you Jesus for my health and the health of my family. Continue to keep us in your ever loving arms. Guide us direct us in the path you have chosen us to follow! I love you with all my heart! Thank you for being my protector, my shelter, my peace, my comfort, my very very best friend!

Friday Night Fun

I thought I was supposed to be attending our church Plan Night, but ended up babysitting my brothers instead, soooooo that meant Fun Fun Fun! Last night the downtown Ice Skating rink opened!!!!! Yee Haw!!

We had an absolute BLAST!!!!!!! I didn't get any pictures though :( sniff sniff....We packed out our "bus" of a van and headed downtown around 7pm. You should have seen the staff when all 16 of us came scamblin in through the gate with the hugest grins on our faces! :) Alot of the staff remembered us from last year so we got to chitty chat with all the head people :) I'll def be getting some pictures within the next few months,

so if you don't hear from me for the next few weeks don't stress I'm probably out enjoying my favorite sport,

Ice Skating!!!!

IMPACT MINISTRIES

Saturday evening our drama team had the privilege to minister in Rancho Cordova @ Rock Tabernacle with Pastor Deathridge.

Click on this link for a video recap of " I Believe"

Some pics...

In Oceancove....our camping trip over the Labor Day weekend

Jo and I entering the cave

The ocean was beautiful.....we walked out across that to the tip

The wind was crazy strong...but we had a great hike

More of our view

We hiked down here...this was right by the cave

GUESS WHAT!!!!?????

Joey's home!!! =) Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My sister Ayla, my bud Nichole and I drove to San Fran...well, okay so I slept in the back seat...their flight landed around 7:29pm and it took them forever to make it through customs and claim their baggage. But they made it back safely! Maria and Joey were half starved for American food, toilets, soap and a shower! We stopped by the warf on the way home and we enjoyed some bread bowls filled with HOT clam chowder! Yum yum...Maria and Joey both scarfed down a Ceasar salad...one of the simplistic foods we take for granted, lettuce! Well as you can see I am soooo excited to have them home. I've heard crazy stories about hand shakes =) we'll leave that one there, boat rides, the singing, the preaching, and more about the incredible services and sights around Bohol and Manilla. God is good and I can't wait for Youth on Missions to Bohol!

LIFE-Cali and the Philippines

WOW WOW WOW! Okay, so the last few weeks have been so busy. Saturday, August 30th, Joey, Sarah, my Mom, Ayla, and I packed up my parents van and headed out to yonder winding death-cliff mountain actually known as Ocean Cove, near Ft Bragg, to meet my family and a whole gang of folks from the church. After a 4 hour scenic route, through the city of San Fran, passed acreas of farm land, twisting mountain roads, and cows at every mile marker, we finally arrived at the camp site. Oh what a weekend =) It was nothing short of cold...no wait I take that back FREEZING, but beautiful. We camped on the side of cliff with an incredible view of the ocean. We hiked down to the water and carved our name in the caves below and risked our lovely lives to have a BLAST. The evenings were a bit frigid, 3 sweaters, leggings, 2 pairs of socks, a heavy jean skirt, a blanket and a blazing fire, the chill was bearable =) I'm a loser when it comes to the cold so I was the imbomable snow monster walking around, it wouldn't have been half as bad had it not been for the wind. Poor Joey stayed in a tent =( while I slept warmly on the couch of our motor home. Rough camper! ha...Joey, Ayla and I found ourselves in an open meadow the first night and among those rocks and trees, the stars were INCREDIBLE! I took a great flying leap over some rocks and bruised myself really good and hurt my wrist! =)
Well, after 3 days of fun we headed home. Sadly only to find out that my beloved grandmother had had a massive heart attack, and within 10 min of them getting ahold of us she passed away. =( We raced home and bought a ticket for my daddy and within 45 min he was on a plane headed to Ohio. We left Thursday morning at like 5am! Joey was a great support. He stayed with us most of Monday evening, and then headed out to work early on Tuesday, but NOT before stopping by to wake me up and deliver some flowers. He came home Tuesday and decided to stay home from work and help us get ready for our trip. He was a great help to my mama at the shop and he along with his mother, sister Sarah, and mom's friend Tiffaney took us to the airport.

Thursday evening we arrived just in time for the viewing. There was another on Friday, and the funeral was Saturday morning. It was so hard! All the family was there, but it just wasn't the same without Grandma Sarah. Well you can only have so much fun before its time to come home. And oh was I ready. I missed my church and my lovely bed! We were late arriving to the airport on Tuesday and MISSED OUT FLIGHT! What a joy! ha ha sarcastically....well it turned out okay...All 8 of us stayed in a hotel room, I didn't get any sleep, but we did make some great memories! =) We departed Akron, Ohio at like 5 something am, and landed after a almost 5 hour flight in beautiful Sacramento. So life begins again on Thursday, Dad flies out at 5am for a business trip, and we the children head back to school. The only thing missing is...Joey =( I got to sleep with Grandma's blanket the night before the funeral. The next morning it was placed in the casket with her. =(

He flew out Monday evening with a whole group of people including Pastor and Sister Young, Pastor and Sister King, both of them, and an few others from our church to the Philippines! So we've not talked since Monday....oh what a tearful time of moarning I am in....its life and I'm proud of him. I've recieved 2 brief, yet wonderful emails from him and everyone is having a great time. No one is sick, so the mercy of God is with them. The crusade and recording are going well, and God is moving-and YEAH he'll be back Monday evening! Can't wait to see everyone!....So back in Cali, here I sit at work....Missing Joey sob sob...lol Yes, I am at work and missing Jo, but enjoying the lovely life I live and for the breathe I can take through this stuffed up nose due to allergies, I have a smile on my face and I can truly say GOD HAS BEEN SO GOOD TO ME! Now there you have it....my life in a long, but detailed post! For those that have made it to this point God bless you! =) XOXO

KEEP ALL THOSE INVOLVED WITH THE CRUSADE IN THE PHILIPPINES IN YOUR PRAYERS. We want a move of God and safe return home.

****PICTURES****

Sincerely yours,
a.rose 2008

Mi Bella

*****CLICK HERE FOR MORE PICS*****










http://www.tamsenlenai.blogspot.com/

A Tribute- SarahT Lombardo

C & C Invade Downtown Sac

Thursday evening the C & C group met at Bikes and Bites on 12th St for a night on wheels. First stop Luigi's-Pizza by the slice.

Here we are the fearless Bikers! Brand New Beachcruisers! A smooth ride....well except when Leader of the Pack Daniel Budda decided to take a "short cut" through the park.

Joey and I were a little excited for frozen yogurt!

Did you kow that YoGo Yogurt makes you BIG and Strong?! Nether did I...I do know it makes ya CrAzY!! =) I had to show Joey who was boss...hehe Joey and I also rode the Tandum(however you spell it) its the 2 person bicyle. It was fun, but kinda scary with me on the back unable to see and the crazy driver(Joey) in the front. Sorry there is no pic, I'm kinda bummed, but someone, Joey, was being un-photogenic at the moment so this memory will forever be lost on film~!

Sarah took some great shots....Click on link below for more pics!

Saraw's Pics =)

The most Incredible....

GUY EVER! Joseph Uriah =)

Joey took me miniture golfing a few weeks back with some friends and I forgot I had a pic...We had such a great time! This last weekend we went to the California State Fair with his parents and that too was priceless...I'm missing him REALLY badly right now if you can't tell....its hard having your boyfriend, esp your BEST friend gone 4 days out of the week, I don't think I could stand a long distance relationship any more than this, I'd go crazy =)lol

Just had to post something to let you all know I'm still around-so a pic of the bestest friends in the world will do...right?! hehe...

God has blessed me with such an incredible friend! Joey has been my best guy friend for the past at least 3 years. We shared everything together, boys I was kinda keeping my eye on and girls that caught his attention, life, job stuff, you name it we talked about it. We told everyone we would never be interested in each other in any other way than a true friend. But you see God had other plans. Both Joey and I are thankful for WISE parents ad ministry who seek only the best for us and have guided us with their Godly council. Though we do not know what is in store for our future, we pray DAILY for God's direction, anointing, and protection. He brought us together in friendship and in His timing into a deeper walk together and there is no telling where He will take us! So we wait on Him and place Him first in our personal lives, and in our relationship!

In a circle of friends....

"A circle is round it has no end, that's how long I want to be your friend!" - Anonymous

"A friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart!"

Sincerely yours,

a.rose 2008

The Calling

April 28th changed my life...10 year old DaVoughn Dow, a young boy in my Sunday School class, tragically passed away. An intelligent kid with an imagination out of this world. His death struck me like a load of bricks. Life comes at you fast, and before you know it, it passes you by and all you're left with are precious memories. Our children's pastor sent this letter to me this afternoon and it touched me. This is my mission statement: This is why I'm here-for others just like DaVoughn.

I am a minister. I minister to the largest mission field in the world. I
minister to children.
My calling is sure. My challenge is big. My vision is clear. My desire is
strong. My influence is eternal. My impact is critical. My values are solid. My faith is tough. My mission is urgent. My purpose is unmistakable. My direction is forward. My heart is genuine. My strength is supernatural. My reward is promised. And my God is real.

In a world of cynicism, I offer hope. In a world of confusion, I offer truth. In a world of immorality, I offer values. In a world of neglect, I offer attention. In a world of abuse, I offer safety. In a world of ridicule, I offer affirmation. In a world of division, I offer reconciliation. In a world of bitterness, I offer forgiveness. In a world of sin, I offer salvation. In a world of hate, I offer God’s love.

I refuse to be dismayed, disengaged, disgruntled, discouraged, or
distracted. Neither will I look back, stand back, fall back, go back, or sit back. I do not need applause, flattery, adulation, prestige, stature, or veneration. I do not have time for business as usual, mediocre standards, small thinking, outdated methods, normal expectations, average results, ordinary ideas, petty disputes, or low vision. I will not give up, give in, bail out, lie down, turn over, quit or surrender.

I will pray when things look bad. I will pray when things look good. I will move forward when others stand still. I will trust God when obstacles arise. I will work when the task is overwhelming. I will get up when I fall down.

My calling is to reach boys and girls for God. It is too serious to be taken lightly, too urgent to be postponed, too vital to be ignored, too relevant to be overlooked, too significant to be trivialized, too eternal to be fleeting, and too passionate to be quenched.

I know my mission. I know my challenge. I also know my limitations, my weaknesses, my fears, and my problems. And I know my God. Let others get the praise. Let the church get the blessing. Let God get the glory. I am a minister. I minister to children. This is who I am. This is what I do.
by Roger Fields

A day to celebrate!

Two years ago I was privileged to meet the Holmes family. From that day my life has been changed. I now have a family and a home away from home. And today I am blessed to wish a beautiful Godly woman-Katrina Holmes-Momma Holmes-CM-whatever you have chosen to call her a very special HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

I love you CM!

Love always,

Your PBP =0)

And a great big thank you to Mindy Gill for picking up the flowers and delivering them for me!

What a sweet day!

Who cares about a Valentine when you have such thoughtful brothers and a College and Career group with crazy ideas!

Yesterday was Valentine's Day, a day when "love" and cupid join forces and change the thought process of individuals for 24 hours! Everyone is on cloud nine! But for those that the arrow missed are at times left out of the heavenly aroma of flowers and chocolates, BUT WHO CARES! =) The day was beautiful and sun was shining with a slight breeze! A smile was on my face knowing I was thought of and loved by the most incredible individual of all, Jesus! The day was long, but eventful. Potlucks at work, a bag of candy, and 8 hours later I was on my way home. After a quick brownie at a friends, I headed off to C&C's Singles Awareness Day-Unvalentine's Party. I went on my FIRST Blind Date! What an experience! lol I was hooked up with my cousin so it wasn't half bad, except for the fact that he, along with the rest of the guys seemed to disappeared within 5 min....oh well! The poor guy was embarrassed!

The evening was fun, we dined on Mac-n-cheese, heart shaped Peanut Butter and jelly sandwiches, some Asian chicken salad with Ramon noodles, blue jello, oreos, coffee, and blue cool aide with crazy straws! Truly a single college student cuisine! My bestest friend gave me a card and a Tulip! It is so pretty! We played some games and then James spoke to us about the seasons of Singleness and the value of this season! It was good!

I left around 10:30 and went to my parents where I was presented with flowers and cards, a headband and the cutest Eiffel Tower soap dispenser for my new bathroom!

My daddy had us all gather around and we prayed and then I went home, took a shower and went to dream land! Whoo-What a day! =)

Today I have some State Testing for an Office Assistant position! I'm scared out of my shoes, but I know I've got God's favor!

Sincerely yours,

a.rose2008

A toast to Singlehood!

Regardless of what people say, being single has gotten bad press. Being in love isn't half bad, but being single is NOT terrible! It’s hardly unbearable. And in fact, it’s rather fun! To prove my point, I set out to pinpoint ten solid reasons to substantiate my claim. I got carried away! =)

1. You can bring home Sara Lee cake for two and eat both portions
2. You can rip out anything you want from the newspaper.
3. No one will criticize your painting, writing, cooking, or if your room is messy.
4. You can vacuum and dust whenever you want, or not at all.
5. You don’t have to make excuses if you dent your car.
6. You don’t have to worry about anyone drinking your contact lenses when you leave them in a glass overnight!
7. You can use all the hot water!
8. You don’t have to make your bed every morning if you don’t feel like it.
9. You never have to fight about the covers or turning down the electric blanket.
10. You can talk to yourself as much as you want.
11. You can make as much noise as you want when you eat.
12. You don’t have to worry about earning more money than anyone else
13. You can play the same song over and over and over again.
14. You can change the radio station without asking.
15. When you get a box of chocolate you can stick your fingers in all the pieces to see which one is the best!
16. You can rearrange the furniture in your apartment in the middle of the night.
17. You can decide on a Friday afternoon to head out for the weekend or stay out all night, and not have to tell anyone why you were late!

18. You don't have to worry about anyone leaving the toilet seat up, or turning the tissue in the wrong direction.

19. You can win a Truffel tree and not have to worry about sharing it with anyone!!! ;) Unless you really want to and just leave it for your best friend to eat- Love you Ang!

**My Favorite!!
20. You don’t need a sensible reason to buy a new pair of shoes, a dress to go with it, a handbag, and of course hair accessories!

.

Happy Valentine's Day!