As most of our family and friends know Greg and I and now even the kids are looking forward to the time when the Lord blesses us with our hearts desire. FORTUNA, CA. While traveling up the Pacific Coast one summer in our trailer we decided to stay a few day in Fortuna in Humbolt County. We visited the beautiful California Redwoods where we saw the Avenue Of The Giants and the Eel River. We visited the beautiful Pacific Ocean Coastline and fell in love with the small town life of Fortuna, Ferndale, and Loleta. Greg and I instantly said this is where we want to live one day.
Fortuna California
Several years have passed since our trip and we still hunger for the quiet little town, the cool weather and GOD's beauty. We are ready to move and my parents have decided they would like to move up there as well. So we find ourselves asking, "why havent we been able to move yet?" "Why cant we just go?" "Why do we have to stay here" "Are we EVER gonna get to move"
I find myself hating the city in which we currently live. Greg finds himself also hating the city, is annoyed with the type of people that live in a huge city, the summer heat here and dreams of the cool weather. I find myself getting sucked into all the bad things a huge city has to offer. The busy unfriendly people who always seem to be in a hurry, The noisey neighbors who never say hello or only speak when they have a complaint. The traffic full of road rage people. The crazy high schools the kids attend. I do realize small town life has draw backs and that it isnt all roses, but it has always been my goal in life to live in the country and small town where people seem to care more, time moves slower, and GOD's beauty is very where I look.
I have now come to understand GOD planted me here in this home, in the this city and I must Bloom Where I Am Planted. If I harbor this dislike for my city and neighbors and long for my dream in Fortuna how am I doing HIS work. So we realize that we have work left to do here first. The Lord so wants to bless HIS children with their hearts desires but sometimes it is in HIS time, not ours. I realize that I could be a quiet moment in someone busy schedule, give them a smile, let them go ahead of me in the grocery line, show grace on the streets. I could be the kind neighbor to the unfriendly ones. Why cant I wave as I go out to the car, show them kindness not dislike. Become more involved in my childrens crazy high school. So we have alot of growing in grace and blooming here to do first.
So we still pray and ask for GOD's help in moving up north. But we also ask for HIS guidance in blooming here in the city. We have found that once we changed our prayers, GOD has shown us ways to make it happen. We set up a budget and will be debt free in 4 years. We also wait the housing market and pray it will be better in 4 years so we can sell our home and move. We discover that Eureka has a survey office that Greg could transfer to. We learn that Nathan would like to attend Humbolt State University and study medicine. Emily would be able to gradute here with her friends. So we wait for HIS timing and continue to learn our lessons on how to improve our attitudes to do GOD's will here. So we will strive to "BLOOM WHERE WE ARE PLANTED"
Here are some beautiful pictures we took of the Fortuna area and perhaps you can see why we fell in love with GOD's Country and would love to live there. Greg and I also pray that you will BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED as well.
This is the Eel River where Greg, Nathan, and Grandpa soon hope to be fishing.
The bridge over the Eel River heading into Ferndale. Where all the homes are victorian farm houses and bed and breakfasts.
The Avenue Of The Giants. The redwoods are full of walking trails that I hope to walk hand and hand with Greg and our dogs.
This is the Carson Mansion a local tourist attraction in the city of Eureka. Also on the corner you see a small portion of The Pink Lady victorian another popular tourist victorian. Eureka offers more of the "city" ammenities. Shopping mall for Emily, Movie theaters, a Costco, lots of fast food resturants and blessedly a Survey Office.
This is our dream home in Fortuna. This one is actually for sale in Fortuna. We check regularly and find it is still for sale. Fortuna is located along the coast more. Where some of the homes have ocean views and some like this one back right up to the Redwoods and offer more room to run and play.
GOD BLESS AND ALWAYS REMEMBER "BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED"
All Fixed Up
This one has been slacking as my yard has TONS of leaves that need raking.
Maybe now that he has a new look he will work harder so I wont have to????
This guy is my FAVORITE...I can't help but laugh when I see him..He is so cheery.
Especially now with his bright red hat. Don't ya think??
Mom was in charge of dessert. She went the easy route as Marie Calendars restaurant near our house had there Chocolate Cream Pies on sale and she picked up a couple.
We all headed outside as the weather was B.E.A.utiful. We find ourselves always over at their house so we can enjoy the beautiful deck and patio we all built last year.
The boys brought out tons of boardgames even. What a blessing they joined us outside instead of playstation inside.
My dad and Greg even relaxed. Greg doesn't want to go back to work tomorrow after 3 days off in a row. Blessedly he was off this weekend as they cannot close the freeways during holiday weekends.
Emily and my mom playing scrabble. Emily has fallen in love with this game. I need to inform my good friend Karen. (Karen you now have someone to play Scrabble with). 
Here my son Nathan (Left) and his friends Ricky (Middle) and Eric (Right) got to come over and hang out and play board games.
Greater Love
I pray that people do not forget what memorial day is about. Let us remember the American soldiers' who gave their lives in service to this country and those that are fighting overseas now. The service that allows us to sleep in peace each night. Thank you to all the families that allow their love ones to perform this very duty. 
Emily chose a flip flop sandals trinket box. That she painted in shades of blue.
My sister picked a cup cake trinket box.
I picked a butterfly that I will hang in the house and a saltwater fish for my son Nathan who loves fish and has a wonderful talent with his saltwater reef tank.
Me Painting My Butterfly
All done. 
Butter-flavored cooking spray
Mine.
In the crock pot.
Fortuna California
This is the Eel River where Greg, Nathan, and Grandpa soon hope to be fishing.
The bridge over the Eel River heading into Ferndale. Where all the homes are victorian farm houses and bed and breakfasts.
The Avenue Of The Giants. The redwoods are full of walking trails that I hope to walk hand and hand with Greg and our dogs.
This is the Carson Mansion a local tourist attraction in the city of Eureka. Also on the corner you see a small portion of The Pink Lady victorian another popular tourist victorian. Eureka offers more of the "city" ammenities. Shopping mall for Emily, Movie theaters, a Costco, lots of fast food resturants and blessedly a Survey Office.
This is our dream home in Fortuna. This one is actually for sale in Fortuna. We check regularly and find it is still for sale. Fortuna is located along the coast more. Where some of the homes have ocean views and some like this one back right up to the Redwoods and offer more room to run and play. 
Jan's Mother's Day present. A minature rose tree for her rose garden.
Greg's mom Jan, Our sister-in-law Lori, Our Neice Shannon, and our son Nathan helping plant some seeds and small plantings that they had started already.
Greg and his dad got some good visit time in while we worked.
A nice overview of the garden. This is only half of it. But it will be a very nice garden. They started by planting some corn and squash and then some watermelon and canalope. They had some dill and other herbs to plant. I can't wait to see it next month when we go out again. It should be well on its way by then.
Dad and Greg and Bella the Dog.
Nathan's 65 gallon reef tank.
this one is a foxface. One of Nathan's first fish
This one is called a Flame Angel. This one is in Nathan's tank but Greg also got one for our 24 gallon Reef Tank as it is Greg's favorite fishy
This was Nathan's FIRST fish it is a yellow tailed blue damsel
this guy is my favorite it is a African Spotted Leopard Wrasse. He is in Nate's tank I tried one in mine and didnt make it as my Sixline Wrasse killed it. :(
This guy is funny he sits up on the coral and looks down at everyone. He is a Longnose Hawkfish. Name suits him. He watches Nathan's coming and going just like a hawk. :)
this one is called purple tiger
This is a Double Delight.. this is a real favorite in the house as it smells so good
these last two are from my newest rose bush. It is called Josephs Coat. It starts out a bright yellow and orange and then gradually fades into bright red.
Well Nate is done with the lawn mowing and is off to volunteer and learn some at our friends fish store. So now that his chores are done he is outta here. Naw I love seeing him wanting to help others. What a blessing.
Well My garden is looking so much better and we had a wonderful time together working in our little yard. Stay tuned for more from our little garden.
