An Adventure To Remember!!! Happy 9th Birthday Isaiah!!

CAMPING!!! That's a great word and a great subject! I wish I could post more about it but we don't get to do it very often!!

We went camping at Casper's Wilderness Park for Isaiah's 9th birthday! It was a beautiful 8,000 acre camping park with tons and tons of open space, trees, rocks and fresh air!!! ( For those of you, my blog friends who live in the country, it may seem like I'm making a big fuss about trees, fresh air etc. but we don't even live on an acre! We live in the busy city, on a busy street, so to us, it is a big deal!!!)

(The whole family had asked Isaiah what he wanted for his birthday and his wish had been a hiking trip. So Daddy and Mama were able to organize a camping/hiking trip! Here are Natey and Isaiah, excited and ready!)

True to the title we had an adventure and here it is......



Jumping into the car, we were all packed and soon driving down the freeway. Mama was a bit nervous as this was her first time pulling a trailer hitched to a 15 passenger van! She asked us to remain quiet until we had pulled out of the driveway and were on the freeway. So there we all sat, watching stores, homes, businesses, and cars fly past the window. I pulled out the cell phone, dialed the number of a good friend and was soon talking. It was her birthday and so we had surprised her by singing to her when she answered her phone. Our conversation lasted for awhile until there was a loud noise behind us and then a horrible scraping sound! My sister gasped and Mama and Ryan both said " What was that???" My friend, of course, heard it all and wanted to know if everything was ok! I quickly asked her if I could call her back later and shut the phone. Mama had stopped at the noise and Ryan jumped out of the van. He soon returned telling us that the trailer ball had come unhitched from the van. Now we were stuck! We needed to pull that trailer to the campsite, however the trailer would not go anywhere by itself and the trailer had hit the cement! Turning the the crank to lift it off the ground the pin holding it popped out and out came the handle! Looking up, the GPS told Mama we were only 4.2 miles from our destination! ( How discouraging!) It all happened to fast it seemed like and before we knew it, we were stopped on Ortega Highway and had held up traffic for 2 hours! The Lord sent a highway patrol officer to help us out and to direct traffic and to call for a tow truck. Daddy came from work and the problem was soon discovered and fixed. We all thanked the Officer and Tow Truck man and were back on the road again.



I personally think that the "adventure" was of the Lord to keep us from hitting the horrible traffic we saw on the opposite side of the road when we finally got going again! The cars were at a complete stop and so as soon as we came down the road they all wanted to know what was going on, Mama and I panicked thinking we were the cause of this horrible traffic! There had been a motorcycle accident during our adventure and so we were relived to know it was not us who had caused this! It was kinda funny to watch as Mama drove by car after car shouting "Motorcycle Accident!" but one can't do that forever and so soon Mama gave up. We arrived safely at the site, unhitched the trailer and went to town for some supplies.

Ryan, setting the tent up....(Daddy Mama, the little ones and Katie all slept in the trailer.)

The trailer....

Ryan fixing something on a bike....

My friend, Stinging Nettle( once it touches your skin, it immediately stings you and produces large swollen bumps which itch and hurt, as I found out!).....not really a friend but it was the first plant to greet me, and I would much have preferred another plant's greeting to its'!

We had our first fire when we got back around 11:00pm! Not the usual time for a fire, but with our road adventure we had lost alot of time. We enjoyed a lovely dinner of "Macaroni Bake", a special dinner we can't always have! We roasted "Cheddar Worst" and marshmallows over our fire which took us awhile to get going...we needed liter fluid! Late as it was we retired quite soon.

Cheddar Worst, anyone?

Daddy and Timothy. (That little guy just keeps growing! He'll be one in 7 days!!!)

Two of the group who braved the cold: Daniel and Isaiah.

RyKy and I.

Originally, Ryan, Daniel and Isaiah were going to sleep in the tent. However I was not about to let them have all the excitement and fun! I joined them, and though it was cold and I almost regretted it, when bedtime came again, I was ready for another night in the tent!

I woke up twice during the night, but every time Ryan was always awake before me. (We always try to see who wakes up first when we go camping and Ryan always seems to win. I think he must never sleep!j/k!) Ryan always has a story to share and so, because I was laying in the tent he had used on a desert trip with some guys from church, I listened to his adventures at the desert with Coyotes and such. He did such a good job telling me that at the end of his story, I was almost afraid to go to sleep!

(No, this is not blue screened in...)"After night comes day." True as this saying is we had a lovely view in the morning and afternoon from our screen.

Breakfast.....oatmeal and strawberries with orange juice.

We wanted to take a hike, and though we planned to we never actually did! However we had a great time at the playground! I actually played on it! I'm so glad you all were not there you would have just stood there with your mouth gaping.....really. They had a really neat slide and tire swing. The zip-line and teeter totter were so much fun! ( the Zip-line holds a story in itself...)

Three brothers, or should I say three partners???

Mama, Ryan, Katie and I walked to the park and met up with the ones on bicycles.

Isaiah, loving that tire-swing! ( Don't you love that face?) I really wanted to ride it but I never got a chance!

The last happy moment...

(a few seconds after this shot Natey got to the end of the line and let go, fell and broke his wrist. I felt so bad as you can see, I was right behind him and should have been holding him. Poor guy, but he told me he still loves me, "because" he said, "the Bible says to love your enemies."

Ryan and Caytlin on the teeter-totter and yes, I got on it.....later.

Isaiah's Birthday cake!~ Before..

Blow, buddy, blow!

Two of the many squirrels and rabbits we saw.

Biking was a great source of enjoyment!

It was beautiful out there so I took alot of pictures. I could not upload all of them but here is a link to the rest! http://picasaweb.google.com/beautyforHimonly/CasperSWildernessPark#

Isaiah had a great birthday and we all enjoyed camping for two days, biking, exploring and shooting picture!! It was a special day and even with all that happened...we are looking forward to doing it again as a family and maybe with our church!!!!!

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose. (KJV)

Romans 8:28

Happy Birthday Isaiah!!!!

Isaiah John Sebo

Born: March 27, 2000

Isaiah is our cowboy! He loves anything western from hats to guns! He is often seen playing his imaginary adventures with his two best buddies, Natey and Joshy! He loves to dress up in his Western gear, go outside and have an adventure!

He is also Mama's big helper and during school he often watched the younger ones for her. He loved to help his older sister and brothers! He is extremely fond of Ryan and looks up to him very much!

He has a fierce loyalty for his family and a strong sense of justice! He is always trying to protect his family! We appreciate that in him so much!

It has been amazing to watch him grow! He is a special part of our family!!!

Nicknames: "Zaya", "ZayZay", "Zaya Baby"

Hobbies and interests:

COWBOYS, soldiers, knights, spies, hiking, exploring, swimming, climbing things, Ultimate Frisbee, football, soccer, rib-sticking, skateboarding, making movies, acting, dressing up, making people laugh, helping others out when they need it, and many other things...

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:
The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
(KJV)

Numbers 6:24-25

A Surprise Visit!!!

It was Saturday night. We were all seated around the dinner table and had just finished praying when there came a rap on the front window. Most of us jumped and several voices cried, "It's probably Uncle Paul!"( A close family friend who often visits.) Daddy opened the door and a voice, we all knew well said " It's the Brimlows!" and Uncle Daniel and three of his children stepped in the doorway! ( We haven't seen him in a year, as their family has been in South America.)

Anna, Daniela and I......

Uncle Daniel and Daniel: this is the man who Daniel, my brother, was named after.....

Mama and Uncle Daniel......


Sharing the goodness of the Lord....

The couch people: Daniela and I listening to Natey and Joshy. ( If you look in the back there you can see Timothy and Nathaniel Brimlow having a stare down....)

Who is Uncle Daniel? Daniel Brimlow, his full name, was the young man who went and knocked on Mama's door, when she was little, and asked Grandma's permission to take Mama, along with her siblings, to Sunday School where they could learn about Jesus. Grandma, not a christian at the time, told us that she just had peace in her heart about this stranger and gave her consent! Through his faithful example and role to her as a godly adopted father, Mama was introduced to what a real Christian is. His whole family adopted Mama into their family, spiritually and we all have grown up knowing the Brimlows as family. That's why we call Him Uncle Daniel! (His is brother Uncle Paul, the one I mentioned earlier!)

Daniela, his oldest daughter, 19, holding Timothy.......

Anna, Daniela and Nathaniel, or Nathan sitting on the couch with the famous...Uncle Paul. (Mama wanted them to see our Sunday School/ SWORD folders and she "just so happened" to find mine first!)

Uncle Daniel, looking at Mama's folder....

We had a really special time of fellowship, sang some songs and prayed. I am so grateful for that evening and it was one I'll never forget! What joy to have family in Christ!!!

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (KJV)

Mathew 18:20

Weston Wedding

Saturday February 28, 2009 Kevin Weston, a family friend, married the love of his life, Darleen Waltman! We had the pleasure and privilege of attending and witnessing this special event!

(I was asked to come to the wedding 2 hours early and so Daddy, Ryan and I arrived around 12:00pm for the 2:00pm wedding!) Upon arriving, a flurry of activity greeted us. The bridal room was full with happy, nervous, excited bridesmaids and friends getting ready! Girls diving through each other in search of hair pins, lip balm or lipstick, curling irons and purses, was the scene! Hugs and greetings were alive as well in the room, and the faithful old mirror sat on the wall truthfully revealing whatever was before it! Meanwhile in the kitchen, people were busy making lemonade, preparing platters of fruit and other treats, putting the finishing touches on flowers or decorations, and helping with any last minute details!

Ryan was asked to bring his tripod (the one I recently posted abut him getting.) to help the video crew out. The sanctuary was a busy place, as well! Guys hooking up cameras, microphones, setting up tripods and camera angles. Others were practicing their music for the wedding, singing and playing their instruments and still others were running around taking pictures and watching those who were practicing.

The video crew: Brian and Andrew facing the camera and Jimmy behind and Ryan.

Kevin and Darleen wanted live music at their reception and so many people besides myself were asked to play. This is Mr. Beeman, practicing his cello.

These fans held the story of how Kevin and Darleen met and their stories. (If you want to read about it you can visit these sites: http://darleensphotos.blogspot.com/ http://iwouldratherhavejesus.blogspot.com/2008/07/love-and-life.html)

The reception setup...

Kevin, the groom, and his groomsmen arriving, after taking portraits at the park.

talking before the wedding....

The photographer: Sarah Quinnett, she was really good!

The bride, Darleen and her grandmother in the dressing room.

Darleen and Gloria, a bridesmaid ( She was so much fun!), trying to turn off a cell phone. (This picture was taken right before the wedding.)

This is a picture of Sarah and Kayleen, the bride's older sister and best friend and yes, she's crying. This was taken a few minutes before the wedding! (I love this picture!)

The lovely guestbook ladies, Rachel and Rebecca.

The sanctuary full of family and friends.

2:00pm came faster than we would have expected! Soon the seats were filled and the wedding began. People watched as the groom entered the room, smiles wreathed everyone's faces and excitement filled the room. The parents lit the candles and grandparents were seated, the wedding party came, the congregation stood, and the bride entered.

Mr. and Mrs. Waltman and Mr and Mrs. Weston lighting candles.

Kevin awaits the entrance of the bride.

Kevin and his groomsmen: Behind him, (his best man and brother) Stephen, Ricky (brother), Byron ( bride's brother), Brandon ( bride's brother), Johnathan (a friend), and the last three are Kyle, Justin and Andrew, friends. (I wasn't able to get a picture of all the bridesmaids, sorry.)

Kevin sees his bride for the first time.

Mr. Waltman and Darleen......

The Bride's entrance was beautiful and many people were close to tears, when the ceremony began.

Vows......

Praying with the parents...

Here are some of the best shots I could get during the ceremony.

After the lovely wedding ceremony was over all were invited to the Fellowship Hall for a reception. Friends and family greeted eachother with warm hugs, handshakes, smiles and made their way to the reception room. A few of us stayed behind to watch the photographer take the wedding pictures. The guys and girls talked, joked, and teased the bride and groom while tring to get little ones to smile. Many cameras, great and small, were present in the room and lots of flashes lit the room with their presence.

Meanwhile in the reception room, a lovely delicious cake adorned one table....

.....while a sweet, sticky surprise awaited the newly weds.

This is an inside joke: the first donut is Kevin with the cowboy hat and the donut hole is Darleen with the lace veil. The paper below says " filling the empty place in your life." (if any of you DHP guys want to explain in a comment, you're welcome to!)

Here are a few pictures from the reception of the attendees.

Soon the wedding portraits were over and those in the reception hall were joined by Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Weston. A few testimonies and gifts were given and then the lovely cake was next.

Cutting the cake....

Darleen feeding Kevin cake.

A toast.....

Kevin, Darleen, Kayleen and Joleen

As always, time flies by so fast when one is enjooying something! So it was true with the lovely wedding and reception. Soon it was time for the bride and groom's departure. (Some friends and realtives had decorated their car.) Smiles, handshakes, hugs and kisses greeted the newly wed couple as they approached their car. All too soon they car engine was started and a loud POP was heard as they drove away! (Some very clever person had thought tape ballons to the four tires.)

Bye!

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. (KJV)

Genesis 2:24