A Beautiful Smile

No more braces!

In all the baby excitement,  I forgot about another family milestone… Natalie had her braces removed the beginning of March.  Here she is  -smiling with her Orthodontist, Dr. Oates.   Her teeth are perfect and she still hasn’t stopped smiling!!

Now we can get those senior portraits done!
Look out world!!

A Baby – finally!

She’s here!  Our third grandchild was born on Thursday, March 12th at 12:43pm.

Her name is Lilian June Conrad.

 

7 lbs 4 oz, 20 inches long. 

Both Mother and Baby are doing very well!

Dad Aaron says that Lilian means “pure beauty” – and that she is!

Church Retreat

Gina and I at the beach in Santa Cruz

For the past 9 months or so I have been in a Bible Study with a fun bunch of women.  There are five of us. We have begun to affectionately call ourselves, Sister Saints.  As with life, things change and so we are ceasing our Bible Study time together and moving onto different things.  We decided that an appropriate end to our long standing engagement (this was the longest period of time in which I was consistently in a Bible Study) was to go together to a retreat.  Sun River Church hosted a retreat at Mission Springs in the Santa Cruz Mountains.  We carpooled to Santa Cruz and had a wonderful time of fellowship, worship, and time with our Father.  I was “on call” as my 3rd grandchild was overdue and so I wondered if I would be able to stay for the whole retreat… But I did!  We had a fun night of games and another of karaoke.  It was so beautiful there and very peaceful.  Enjoy the photos!

A peaceful retreat

Girlfriends

Branden’s Band does Charity Benefit

Christian Metal Rock Band

Did you know that Branden is in a band?  His band, Woe to Bethsaida, is a Christian Metal band.  They are a very committed group of young men.  They pray and worship together as well as play music.  I watched them perform at the high school last year and was a bit tear-y eyed when I saw then huddle together and pray just before taking the stage.  Right in the middle of the high school courtyard!  I would have never done that when I was their age, but praise God that they do!

On February 13th, they got a few bands together and hosted a benefit concert for a local charity, Loaves and Fishes.  This non profit feeds the hungry and provides shelter for the homeless.  The admittance “fee” to the charity beenfit was canned goods.  Branden told me that over 100 people attended and that they have a healthy donation of food to give to Loaves and Fishes.  The concert was held at our church, Arcade Wesleyan.  The pastors stopped by and were excited to see so many young people in attendance!  I hope the pastors wore earplugs because the volume was LOUD!

Branden plays the guitar for the band most of the time, but is also learning the keyboard.  He is still a music major at the local college and is taking percusison and voice right now.

Birthdays so far this year

Happy Birthday!

Austin celebrated his 21st birthday on January 6th.  He went to dinner with his dad and a few of his Ayala family members.  I can’t believe he’s grown up!

Adam, our nephew, turned 4 on February 3rd.  He was so cute on the phone; after thanking me for his gift, he wanted to know where my cat was……

My birthday was on February 8th.  I enjoyed it – my family went with me to church, I laid on the couch and took a glorious nap, and Doug made a delicious dinner with shrimp, rice, asparagus (and parsley for garnish!).  This picture was taken the day after when I celebrated with my Bible Study sisters.

Baby Conrad is almost here!

On February 1st, also known as SuperBowl Sunday,  Natty and I threw a baby shower for Jen.  Jen and Aaron are expecting their first baby on February 27th! We don’t know the sex of the baby but youcan be sure that I will post it as soon as he or she arrives!

A baby shower for Jen

A weekend in Tiburon

On January 9th, Doug and I took off for a little weekend retreat.  With Christmas packed up and things settling down, we snuck away for the weekend.  Tiburon is across the bay from San Francisco.  It is a small quaint town with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge.  We stayed at the Tiburon Lodge, a hotel resort with beautiful Craftsman architecture. (Doug and I love Craftsman era architecture and hope to one day own a bungalow.) 

Relaxing in Tiburon

 We had no particular agenda but did a little bit of hiking on Angel Island.  To get to Angel Island, you take a 10 minute ferry ride.   Angel Island has been many things in the past: a strategic military outpost, a west coast “Ellis Island” for immigrants, and a quarantine hospital for typhoid (?) outbreaks.  Now it is just a beautiful site to hike, ride bicycles, and have a picnic.

Taking the ferry to Tiburon

We also did something we never have a chance to do- we went to the movies!!! We saw the Clint Eastwood movie, Gran Torino.  It was a good movie (I give it a B).  I know we could go to the movies anytime, but when we are home we always find some chore or obligation to meet instead of relaxing.  It’s how we are wired!

Anyway, we had a great time together and really enjoyed the weekend.

Organized Habits

I am continuing to build my business as a professional organizer and speaker.  In 2008, I spoke more than 25 times and had media exposure as well.  I have my own office about 2 minutes from home.  I am also involved in two Toastmaster clubs.  I love speaking and teaching!

In January, I have 8 speaking engagements including :

Speaking at NAPO Sacramento's Vendor Expo in October

Organize Your Office Day – virtually!

Organize to Downsize workshops

Click on the links and see what these classes are about.  One of my goals in 2009 is to speak to groups all over the United States, so if you have a referral for a group or conference in your area that is looking for professional speakers on the topics of organization, focus and productivity, please refer me!

Happy New Year!

Natalie

The Conrad Wedding

Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Nelson Conrad

On June 1st, 2008 Aaron and Jen were married on the lawn of the State Capitol.  Surrounded by a large gathering of family and friends, it was a beautiful day.  The reception was in our backyard and there were about 150 people in attendance.  Aaron and Jen arrived by limosine but that was the end of the formalities.  Aaron and Jen are both down to earth people, so no putting on airs or perfectionism was in sight.  Overall the day was relaxing and filled with joy.  The wedding party had 4 bridesmaids, a flower girl and ring bearer and 5 groomsmen. They had over 8G of photographs taken, so here are just a couple to give you a glimpse……

Arriving at the reception

Santa’s Prayer on Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve the other night
I saw the most amazing sight,
For there beneath the Christmas tree
Was Santa kneeling on his knee,
His countenance was different than
That all-familiar, jolly grin;
His head was bowed, with hand to breast,
And slightly tucked into his vest.
For there in a nativity
Was Jesus and His family,

And as I heard him start to pray
I listened close to what he’d say,
“Lord, You know that You’re the reason
I take pleasure in this season.
I don’t want to take Your place,
But just reflect Your wondrous grace.
I hope You’ll help them understand
I’m just an ordinary man,
Who found a way to do Your will
By finding kids with needs to fill.
But all those centuries ago,
There was no way for me to know
That they would make so much of me,
And all the gifts beneath the tree.
They think I have some hidden power
Granted at the midnight hour,
But it is my love for You
Inspiring the things I do.
And so when they begin to open
gifts for which they have been hoping,
May they give You all the glory,
For You’re the One True Christmas story.”

By Warren D. Jennings