2 pictures

Warren and I recently went to a barbecue at the Alvarez's. They had a pear tree that was loaded with fruit and soon couples started picking pears to take home. I noticed this wasp who seemed to be having quite a picnic on a piece of fallen fruit. My picture taking did not bother him in the least.

Of course, I had to get a picture of Warren and I.

Rainy days and Fall

Yesterday was the first day of fall which I love for several reasons:

1. Warren was born in the fall and I would not be complete without him. He is my gift from

God and I am very thankful for him.

2. I love the rich warm colors of the leaves turning; the orange, shiny pumpkins; the cool

crispness of the air, and apples.

3. The cool nights and bright stars.

On our first night of fall, it rained and it is still drizzling this morning. It is like the Lord has chosen this time to wash the earth and usher in the fall of the year with a new cleanliness. It is in the fall that the Jews celebrate Rosh Hashanah. Rosh Hashanah occurs on the first and second days of Tishri. In Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah means, literally, "head of the year" or "first of the year." Rosh Hashanah is commonly known as the Jewish New Year. It is also called the "day of remembrance" or "the day of sounding the shofar." (A shofar is a kind of trumpet made from a ram's horn). A popular observance during this holiday is eating apples dipped in honey, a symbol of our wish for a sweet new year. I like this custom since I like eating apples. Another popular practice of the holiday is Tashlikh ("casting off"). We walk to flowing water, such as a creek or river, on the afternoon of the first day and empty our pockets into the river, symbolically casting off our sins. Small pieces of bread are commonly put in the pocket to cast off. I think both of these acts of symbolism are fun and if I still had my children at home, I am sure we would be observing both of these customs. I think God has provided so many good object lessons for us.

Yesterday, I was impressed by Beth Moore's posting on her blog and turned it into a prayer for the Jewish New Year. Just as God used the Shofar to call His people, God uses us as His trumpet to call others to Him. Here is my prayer based on Beth's blog:

God has called me--to use my mouth for His great glory. I don't want to add just noise, but to become a woman of God who opens her mouth with wisdom and with the law of kindness on my tongue. I want the love of Christ to rule and reign in my heart. May I never forget, kindness is not a weakness! Help me to seek the Lord and to head for Him when I am weary and worn down. May I seek the comfort and encouragement from other believers and let them build me back up. I must remember that Jesus' yoke is kind and to make sure it is the only yoke I wear. God led me with your cords of kindness and let me build a welcoming fire in this cold world. Let me live out the law of kindness. Amen.

Be washed clean by the word of God, and be renewing in your mind. Enjoy the fall in all of its glory and richness. God made it for us to enjoy!

Rain on a leaf

Our crab-apples. Not worth eating, but gorgeous colors

A Caster bean plant. I love the rich reds and huge leaves

Our Maxi million Daisies are in glorious bloom

Mark gets married

"For this cause a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh." Genesis 2:24

"An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her and he will have no lack of gain." Proverbs 31: 10-11


Mark and Amber arrive at the Inn

The last of the McKelvy boy's, Mark, got married Saturday, Sept. 18 at the Westlake Village Inn Resort. By Friday, the whole McKelvy clan had arrived in anticipation of the events that were to take place for the next two nights. Mark and Amber couldn't have picked a nicer place to have the wedding. The rooms were fantastic with wonderful beds--a necessity for us up in years. Each room had a little outside sitting area which was really nice. (The sitting area is behind the doors with the white blinds.)

The rooms

The grounds were filled with all kinds of greenery, flowers, ponds with ducks, waterfalls, and a vineyard. It had a golf course and a nice pool area, so there was a lot to do while we were waiting for the wedding to take place. This is definitely a favorite spot to have a wedding ceremony, because there were venues all over the place. It was fun to see all the brides in their beautiful gowns. Our rehearsal dinner was held in the wine cellar which over looked a pond. Our food and service was wonderful.


The sign so you can find your wedding

The table for the rehearsal dinner

Amber's grandma and mother (see the wine barrels in the background)


The bride and groom

Mark told me he would shave for the wedding.

Drew and the beautiful scenery

I have so many great pictures of everybody, but I decided I would be formatting pictures for the web all day if I tried to post them all. No wedding can take place without a ton of posing for pictures and interestingly enough no one complained about having to pose. Why can't they be as cooperative when I want to take pictures?

All the McKelvys

Top: Laurie, Ian, Zach, Meghan, Warren, Drew, Mark, Rob, Luke, Jordan

Lower: Reid, Erynn, Adi

Then came the wedding. Ian performed the ceremony for Mark and Amber, Zach did a reading, Luke was a groomsman, and Warren had the money to get us all there, lodged, and a lot of other things.

Ian, Zach, Warren, Mark, Luke



Here comes the bride, Amber. Her brother, Nick gave her away.

Mark waits for Amber

It was an emotional time for both of them.

They are married. Yeah!

They dared taking a picture with all the kids. Amazingly, it is pretty good.

Mark, Aubrey, Amber, Drew

Reid, Adi, Erynn

No wedding would be complete without some sort of mishap and ours was very minor. Adi decided to put the top part of her dress over her head. She looks like a burglar who wears the stocking panty hose over their face.

Adi being bored, but entertaining the crowd.

On the fun side, Mark wanted to make sure all the kids got to see the ocean, so we went; and everyone had a grand time. At first the kids were intimidated by it all, soon found it to be quite fun.

Mark is pretty entertaining as well

Not so sure about this.

Kristina Schomer, the best man's wife, and Erynn

Now everyone is having fun! Good idea, Mark!

I shall end this as I ended each night when I tucked the boys into bed--with a prayer.

"Now may the bless and keep Mark and Amber. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up His countenance on you and give you peace. Now and forevermore." Numbers 6:24

Grandkids

It has been awhile since I have posted. I decided I would add a little something so I would not be so very far behind. Erynn lost her first tooth August 29th. She called me first thing that morning to tell me it fell out in the night. Doesn't she look so cute with one missing tooth. Oh she has so many more to go. Hopefully, they will all be that painless.



Erynn and Reid came over one Sunday afternoon. They wanted to run through the sprinklers which I think would be rather cold, but kids don't care. With the end of summer just around the corner, I guess taking advantage of the warm weather was just the thing. They wanted me to take a picture of them jumping high in the air through the water. Here they are.