Back to school dinner 2026

 Over the weekend we had our tradition of our annual back to school dinner. I decorated with hand made yarn and paper garlands. 

We chose the verse Lamentations 3:22-23:

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (NIV)

 These were the overarching themes we prayed over our kids:

1.God’s mercy is never used up.

2. Everyday is a new beginning.

3. God’s faithfulness is constant. 

They shared excitements as well as any prayer requests for the year, then they each prayed for each other. We prayed for their friendships, our teachers and faculty, and that the Lord would go before them in the school year ahead. 

We are so excited for what this year holds! We’ve done this since Ryder started preschool and it’s a highlight each and every school year!

A first for Gina

Last week I finished reading the bible in chronological order. I’ve never read it chronologically before and I really enjoyed it! I did some reading, and some audible book through the bible app. 

As I read the last words, I was overcome with hope, that He will make all things right. They brings me so much peace and joy in my heart!

His first College ID camp

 This last week Ryder had the opportunity to attend his first college ID camp at Biola, our alma mater. 

He spent three days going to trainings, staying in the dorms, eating in the cafeteria with the team. He had such a blast and the experience made him even more excited for the future college years.

Thursday…

 As I was walking into work, I looked up and saw our old original building hiding behind its new tower that was finished awhile ago. 

I remember when I started, it was just our original building… I can’t believe how big my little hospital has grown!

Surf Cup 2026

 Over the weekend, July 31-August 2, Eden and her new team participated in the Surf Cup in Oceanside. They were able to make it to game three, and Eden absolutely killed it with her goalie team mate. We kicked it off with Dutch Bros then watched the girls do their thing.

I am SO proud of my girl…❤️

creativity is her middle name…

 Eden LOVES to create, whether it’s with crochet, drawing, clay, sewing, nail art, bedazzling… She’s here for all of it! She wanted to try making a pajama outfit on a small scale, and just threw this together:

I love watching her create things!

High School Orientation

Eden had her high school orientation and Ryder is a new student mentor helping with orientation. He drove her there and was a point person for her during the day… 

They sent me this photo on day 1. 

I was on SBC on day two so I got to go to all the parent bonding…

I just can’t believe we have TWO high schoolers…

July books

 Here is what I read this month:

The book “The Thursday Murder Club” is a witty, cozy mystery about four clever retirees who meet each week to solve cold cases—until a real murder occurs in their retirement community, giving them their first live investigation. It’s equal parts mystery, humor, and heart.  The characters are delightful and sweetly developed in such an endearingly way. I recommend it!

Heartwood is a literary suspense novel that follows Valerie Gillis, an experienced Appalachian Trail hiker who disappears in the remote Maine wilderness just 200 miles from completing her journey. As she struggles to survive and writes poignant letters to her mother, a determined game warden, and an unlikely amateur sleuth race to uncover what happened. Blending a gripping missing-person mystery with themes of resilience, grief, and the bonds between mothers and daughters, the novel explores both the physical and emotional ways people become lost—and found.

Sorellanza

 My cousins daughter Casey turned 16 and on our Italian side of the family, we celebrate each 16 year old girl with affirmations and then a necklace that says “sorellanza” on it which means “sisterhood”. We eat, talk, and laugh and just enjoy each other’s company!

It’s a sweet time together!

Travel plans in the making…

 The kids passports expire this September and we have some trips we are planning! It always starts with paperwork and photos!

✅✅

Snippets

After Nationals, summer camp with church, playoffs, tournaments, family celebrations, we are all in the same place and have been loving our time together. Here are a few snippets of photos from the last week: