Cheese

Most nights I pray the Numbers 6:24 blessing over the girls before they go to sleep. 

It says, "May the Lord bless you and keep you. May He make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. May He lift up His countenance upon you and bring you peace."

Rosie has memorized it by now and I often pause at the end, as in, .... and bring you...(pause) and she fills in the blank, peace. 

Today I put Sadie in her crib for her nap and was putting clothes away in her room. Rosie came in and asked if she could give Sadie her blessing. She recited in in her sweet little voice, with the r's that sound like w's and it almost brought me to my knees. At the end she paused just like I do and waited for Sadie to fill in the word, peace.
Do you know what Sadie said?

Cheese.

May he lift up His countenance upon you and bring you.....cheese.

Amen.

Spring in Central California

We went "home" for President's weekend with the Hunts and Welches. Although I love where we live, I miss this area. I miss the trees, the open space, the smells, the colors... one of the things that I miss so much about this area is the weather, or the variation of weather. 

I read an article that Anne Lammott wrote for this month's Sunset magazine this afternoon. She wrote about Northern California and although Bass Lake is technically Central California, it reminded me of February/March growing up.

 It's a long excerpt, but I know you'll indulge me because you know of the big crush I have on Anne.

Northern California spring is not a nice orderly progression that you recognize from any other part of your life. It's a kaleidoscope. On almost any day, it could be almost any season. Hot, warm, very cold, rainy, gray then blue. Then it rains, and when you try to adapt to the hopelessness of it all, you wake up to bright blue skies, and the warmth of the sun, and then the fog rolls in. An then we get that cold mean wind that pricks at your skin and your very being, and then soft golden warmth. Nature hikes up her skirt and bops you around and laughs, and you laugh with her, like when a sweet person teases you. 

Here are some pictures from a little mini-hike that we did with the kids one day.

That's Amore!

When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, 

that's amore!

Happy Valentine's Day from our Italian pizza shop to yours :)

Lots of love.

It Never Rains in Southern California

It's a rare thing when it rains here.
It's a rare thing when the Eckerts have a morning with n.o.t.h.i.n.g planned.
We celebrated the rainy day with everything cozy: makeshift movie theater, hot cocoa, picnic sleeping bag lunch and soup for supper. 

Delightful.

Message From Ron

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth.
1 John 3:1

The early church father St. Francis of Assisi said, “Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.” This Advent Season I came home to the following picture(s); which shortly after would be preached (delivered) to those in our community where our incarnate Lord can often be found.

Three beautiful girls, a counter of activity, 12 bags, thoughtful food, food for thought and a Toyota.

What a gift!  My favorite gift of the season.

Christmas 2011

Christmas was, well, wonderful. We hosted Mimi and Papa this year and woke up in our own beds on Christmas morning, which was incredible. The girls embraced the morning with an abundance of screams and giggles. We all enjoyed watching them take it all in. Post Christmas, the temperature soared to summer-ish degrees and we took full advantage. There were walks, jogs, bike rides and even some paddle boarding to be had by all. We celebrated birthdays, Skyped with family far away, ate, talked, hung out with friends, went out to eat, and even saw a movie! Ron and I rang in the new year with friends and actually stayed up  hung in there until 12:00! We decided that it was over rated (the staying up, not the friends), although we do love Ryan Seacrest.   

We wrapped it all up with the Rose Parade with the Hunts on the 2nd. 

Starting Tuesday, all were back to work and back to school and I must admit that it kind of sucked.

I like being together and playing all day long! I guess that's why they call it vacation!!
We are certainly grateful for this season and this year. We are grateful everyday for family, friends, our girls, health, jobs, the list goes on and on. Most of all we are blessed to be loved by a gracious God who sent his son for us.