Dinner and Tricks

After a yummy dinner at the Pius resort...Camron impressed (and stumped) us all with his amazing card tricks.

4th of July

4th of July at the Pius Resort on the hill in Pismo Beach....can't beat it!


Why is it this is where I always find the boys?? Must be the xbox!

Awww..cute...matchy matchy shirts!

Pius x 2 checking out the crowded scene at the beaches....ahh..

Mama and her boy get ready to enjoy some fireworks

Poor Cierra had to hold her own with the boys! We missed you Nessa!!

Speechless....Boyz will be Boyz

One of the many fireworks at Pismo during an awesome show!

24 Hours...17+ Miles...1 Outlook on Life Forever Changed!

It just so happened to be the same day that Pastor Steve shared a sermon on "What's Your Purpose?" that Dan stood in front of the church talking about Relay For Life. Dan is a cancer survivor and shared the mission of the Relay and the excitement that our church was putting together a team.

It made me ponder....What was my Purpose?? Had I REALLY made a difference?? Sure.... I had a beautiful and loving family....tried to use my gifts to the best of my ability...but had I used my time wisely?? and for God's glory?? It created a drive in me that I have never felt before. And with that...it took no time at all for me to sign up for our team.

I had such wonderful and generous family & friends that made the "fundraising"part of being on this team a breeze. (Thankfully....cause I sooo do not like fundraising) The day couldn't have gotten here any sooner. I was ready.

This is a picture of my sister in Christ Lisa and I. She is a Colon AND Uterine cancer survivor! Just before Opening Ceremonies I was asked if I would walk with Lisa in the Survivor/Caretaker Lap at the beginning of the Relay and then present her with her Survivor medal. Not knowing the coming effect on me... I said Yes!

After the Opening Ceremonies, the Survivors take their lap and then the Caretakers come along side them and walk another lap with them. I had NO clue what this 5 mins would do to me. As you walk along the track lined with people on the teams...they are clapping for the survivor...and here I was walking with her! Life at that moment just became so precious. Here she had beaten not only one kind of cancer...but two and was walking to celebrate it!! She was so gracious that I agreed to walk with her, but little did she know that I was the one BLESSED by walking with her!!!

Lisa and I started the Realy together, and then she came back Sunday morning and as if it had been planned, it was with her that I walked my last laps. Talking and sharing, while all along, me..even as tired as I was...savoring the moment.

As if walking in the Caretaker lap wasn't enough...the Luminaria ceremony and Rememberance lap was gut wrenching. I've never been effected by cancer closely....but that night.. I was. In silence, everyone walked around the track that was lined with these decorated paper luminarias... family, friends, co workers names on them that have lost the battle...are in the midst of the battle or have conquered the battle.. Again....a reminder of how precious life is.


My worship buddy Debbie and I managed to solve all the worlds problems...plan cruise trips....talk about our kids......summer camps.... and grab our lap beads as we passed our booth while we walked. She made that hour of walking so much fun!!

The night was filled with games and activities...coffee....music....coffee....cat naps in my chair.....coffee....quiet walks around the track at all hours of the night....a beautiful sunrise......more coffee.....and then closing ceremony.

One can get rather lost and caught up in all the "event excitement" ..and forget the real reason that we all signed up for this. We were there to help fight cancer!

It was by far, one of the most touching things I've done. And you can bet...come June 26 and 27, 2010 I will be once again on that track for 24 hrs. It's the least I can do to help those who have been effected by this disease!

If you didn't get a chance, and wish to donate to the Realy For Life... you can check out my personal page and they are always accepting donations. Help Fight Cancer!

http://main.acsevents.org/goto/juliespiller

The Multitasking Gardner

I'm pretty sure he can walk and chew gum at the same time!!

In case you can't tell... Bubba has his IPod earphones on and texting while mowing the lawn! He's lucky I didn't write him up for an OSHA safety violation!! He got off with only a warning!

Let's hope he keeps this multitasking talent when he gets older...his wife will thank me!

First Year down...

Bubba survived his first year of Junior High! Woo Hoo!!
He managed to have a great year with highlights like...

• Serving as 7th Grade Class President
• Playing Jr. High Basketball
• Earning MVP Award for the Basketball season
• Honor Roll both semesters
• Top Science Award

I say he's off to a good start! Keep it up Bud!!

Bubba receives his envelope with all his awards and academic pins in it

CCS Says "We'll See You Around!"

Mrs. Misty Sano holds a special place in not only our hearts but in the hearts of MANY kids at Coastal Christian School! She has been a teacher, coach and athletic director for years, but recently her husband took a position that would relocate them to Southern California.

For us, Misty is more than just a teacher...she was a friend.

From the moment Nessa entered Jr. High at CCS, there was an instant connection. They shared the same birthday!! Every year...even after Nessa graduated...they would celebrate each other on their special day! Nessa worked with Misty through the years of sports, assisting her with the scoreboard or whatever she needed. When it came to academics, Misty was the one that encouraged Nessa on to get her through school. Her reward....a daily hug from Nessa.

That same caring and encouragement came this past year as Bubba moved up to the secondary. Before long, the long standing tradition of a "hug-a-day" that she was used to receiving from Nessa...was soon coming from Bubba.

Her smile is contagious and her love of teaching, coaching and just plain being there for the kids is evident in everything that she did. So...it's not a Good-Bye...cause that seems too final....it's a "We'll see ya around!"

Go Giants!

Halfway through the seasons, our Giants stand 7-1 in the league. A sweet victory came last night as they beat the one and only team that they had lost to, 6-5. It was a close, well played game! Here's looking at the rest of the season!

#5 gets ready to bat

Poised and ready to go!

A nice line drive..unfortunately he got out...but it was an RBI!


the pep talk..

#5's Biggest Fans!!!