A day in the life...

Yesterday we were pleasantly surprised by the announcement that the Tehachapi Unified School District was calling a snow day. The first sign of bad weather has my kids doing the ancient snow day dance so they won't have to go to school the next day. After checking the website and confirming the snow day, we decided to try to be productive and get a few "to do's" out of the way. So I packed up the kids and shot out the door. First stop was in Arvin to try to get a "walk in" appt. for Kyle to get his drivers license. Since he has had his permit for some time now and he has some experience driving on the freeway I thought I would let him drive and "warm up" for his test.

Madisann was having a panic attack. She did not want to be in the car and just knew that we would all die. At one point she even threatened to get out of the car at a stoplight if I let him drive on the freeway. She didn't and we made it just fine.



Along the way, I was reminded of how beautiful the drive down the mountain is this time of year. We had a mix of green rolling hills with snow capped mountains in the background. Gorgeous.



This is a picture of the Hart Flat area with Bear Valley Mountains in the background.





On Hwy 58 overlooking Caliente

Since I had quickly pulled out my camera for a shot of the mountains I decided to take more pictures. I had no idea that it would be such a trip down memory lane.

 





This is the backside of the mountain that Scott made me climb on May 4th, 1991



This is my favorite part of the drive down to Bakersfield. When I was little, my grandmother would always comment on how beautiful this meadow was and how she would like to build a house right in the middle of it. To me it looks like God hand planted all of the beautiful oak trees. This  last year I have added another memory of this serene meadow to my bank. I lost my friend Lisa to a horrible disease. At her memorial, many shared stories of how she would drive with them and show them her favorite tree. It was one of these in Gods meadow. I can't help but think of her as I drive by no matter what time of year it is. I know she is picnicking with Jesus under a much bigger and prettier tree.

As we turned at the Arvin cutoff, we wrapped around the front side of this mountain. 20 years ago, Scott and I hiked up to the top. If you look real hard you will see a tiny tree at the top. I was sitting under that tree in utter exhaustion when I looked up to him kneeling in front of me with a smile on his face. He told me that he wished he could have taken me to the top of the world but this would have to suffice. He pulled a ring out of his pocket and asked me to marry him. It was so sweet. Of course I said "YES".




This is a picture of the right side of the road (opposite of the "engagement" mountain). It is the new Bakersfield National Cemetery.  A couple of years ago one of our school mates Jason George passed away while serving our country. He was the first lost soldier to really hit home for me.  Amazing how real war can get when it has the name and the face of someone you know. 



Jason was the very first person buried in the cemetery. Now less than two years later there are hundreds of headstones.







This is during the military ceremony where the soldiers pay respect to the fallen.
Thank you Jason George for serving and fighting my freedom.

Every time I pass by the cemetery, they are adding new areas.  This is the new addition since I have last seen it. My dad and mom have decided that this is where they would like to be buried. Today seeing it in such a beautiful light, I don't think there would be a more perfect place.

As we continued down towards Arvin, the green grass, blue skies, and white clouds were breathtaking. Here are just a few random shots I took.

As we drove through the gorgeous scenery, I couldn't help but be in awe of God. My two beautiful babies teenagers in the car with me as we were surrounded by such incredible views. That could only be from the hand of God. AMAZING!

Oh,  Kyle wasn't able to get his license. They don't take walk ins. That is ok. It will just make for a fun post later. Enjoy your day and don't forget to see Gods beauty all around you.