Blizzard Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament

Just wanted to post a few picks about the dinner we just had compliments of Blizzard (Nate company). The company rented out the Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament for over 1600 people this afternoon. They incorporated Blizzard games and fan favorites into the story line throughout the show. We have a great time being entertained, watching the jousting and fighting and eating dinner with our hands. This is something we could not have afforded to do on our own and was even more fun with all the Blizzard family and friends. Here is some pics from the night as well as a couple of videos.

Been a While!

WOW! It has been a while since I have posted to my blog. Let me catch you up on life in the Barber house!

School is out for the summer. I now have a daughter in 8th grade (last year before high school.....ahhhhh) and a son in 6th grade (cant believe no more elementary school). Both kids are SO glad to be out of school...duh! I'm glad to be able to spend more of my day with them and take them to the pool and beach. Cori made the A honor roll and ended the year with perfect attendance and a 4.0 gpa. Joel brought his d's and f's up to a's and b's and finished 5th grade Strong!

Nate and I are taking Bella (our dog) to the beach at least once a week. This makes for great family time with the kids and exercise and socializing with other dogs for Bella. We have been 3 times now and she is learning that she can be off the leash as soon as we hit the sand. Bella also has learned to "protect" her area around my chair on the beach but is starting to sniff and run with the other dogs. She loves going and we all enjoy the break from work to play at the beach. I think this will be the summer we take REAL advantage of living a mile from the beach.

Father's Day at the beach!

Nate is doing well at work and of course still loves his job. He is almost done with school....will be out in Oct with his bachelors degree. My work is going well, we had a manager quit, which leads me to be a full time key manager (still hourly but a big step in the right direction). I still love working in the restaurant and it is never boring.

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I have been having some health issues which is really weird to say at the age of 34 but it is the truth. The bottom line of the entire story is that I will be having laparoscopic surgery the end of July or 1st of August to find the source of pain in my right ovary. Since I don't want (nor can have) more kids living with only 1 ovary is fine with me. We won't know the true reason and solution for the pain until the Dr can preform the surgery.  The pain has been gradually getting worse over the weeks since it started in early April. The dr's are managing the pain with meds but as I have a very active life, I can't always be "doped" up on meds nor can I sit on the couch all day.
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Nate's company released their 1st of 3 games this year, which is unheard of with a studio, and the next game will be out this summer. This means lots of overtime and crazy schedules but what would life be like without a little crazy.

We signed another year lease and are so bless and thankful for the way God has worked to provide for us and let us live and enjoy life out here. We always miss our family, especially on the big occasions but it gets easier. We have seen Nate's mom, Jen and baby Bryce in April, my cousin in May and my mom is coming in August to that has helped with the missing of family.

When my cousin came to town in May, we all went to a Dodger's game, (don't worry still a Braves fan) and loved the stadium and fans. The game was awesome and can't wait to go to an Angels game too!

It is funny how I was not sure if I would have much to talk about but as I type the stories and thoughts just come flying at me. Sorry if it sounds like I am rambling or jumping from topic to topic. I will try to focus more on my blog updates and keep everyone in the loop of life out here!

Prayer Requests Please!
~ I will miss at least a week of work with the surgery so prayers for finances, and then also a safe surgery and very quick recovery.
~ Nate's continued growth with his job
~ Overall wellness for my kids
~Continued strength as I prepare for the surgery and endure the pain until then!!!! Thanks!!!!!1

Embracing Each Birthday

Tomorrow I will turn 34 and I'm embracing each year with a smile and a party.

When I was born my mom told me I was the light in my Fathers eyes. My father was 24 and dreading turning 25 in April. He talked about it a lot and so as God had planned in His time, my father died of a heart attack 2 weeks before his 25th birthday. For 6 weeks I was daddy's little girl. I never knew my father except through the stories told my mom, aunt and grandparents. Every year as my birthday approaches I remember this story, think of my father and embrace each birthday with a smile and a party.

At least one person will tell me that I won't always be happy about celebrating my birthdays or announcing them to the world.....I know I will always be thankful for each day and year as I also celebrate my father.

I don't get emotional or upset as the anniversary of his death or birth approaches but the next 6 weeks is always a reminder of the few things I did learn/inherit from him.

Don't get me wrong, I love my Daddy who has loved and raised me and God knew exactly what he was doing when he took my father and gave my mom and I a totally different life.

I am the person I am today because of both my father and his traits and my daddy and his faith. Without these men in my life I would not be the outspoken, independent, bossy, smart, Christian woman I am today.

Thank you Father and Daddy! I love you both very much!

The Juicer Experience!

Nate has just purchased a juicer is loving it. He is juicing everything this weekend and losing weight in the process. Here is his dinner for tonight.

Before the juicer

Juicing!

After

YUM!

The leftovers ~ no juice

Family Game Night

Christmas morning w my new game

I got a new Settlers game for Christmas from Nate. It has taken us a month n a half to find time to learn how to play and to actually play the game. Tonight we taught the kids how to play and I won!!!!!

The Board

Screamer ~ sleeping

Snuggled in for the game

Nate explaining the game

New Bread Machine!

For Christmas Nate got me a bread maker. I love it! Here are some pictures from my first attempt at making Cinnamon Bread. It turned out okay but next time I will add more sugar and cinnamon.

The Bread Maker and ingredients 

Added the mix

Into the maker

Kneeding

The dough

About to add the cinnamon and sugar mix

Baking

Done

I Don't Watch the News....

I don't watch the news...it is to depressing or just makes me angry so I avoid it and wait for Nate to tell me anything that is important. As I turned on the tv today, I changed the channel to CBS to see how the weather and storms were in Alabama last night. I saw the following person on CBS and he has created this you-tube video....

Why I hate Religion, But Love Jesus

Now when I started to watch the video I was a little skeptic of this guy but as the video concluded his point was made. We have to embrace the love and grace of Jesus Christ without embracing just the idea of being a religious person. Nate and I were just talking this weekend about how Religion seems to be the new "fad" at least out here on the west coast. It is like everyone is religious about some kind of religion and all these religions and different faiths are being accepted throughout the nation....except Christianity.

Jeff Bethke wrote and preformed this video/poem. He told CBS today that he read a book called "Jesus +  Nothing = Everything."  I like the point he made about how we as people and Christians want to add more to the religion and standard of Christianity instead of just loving Jesus and living our lives for Him. Here is the link from the story I watched this morning on CBS

CBS this morning

This is something that just made me think