Misc. June =)

Well, we're still making our residence at Homewood Suites, but we are not complaining about the pool, maid service, etc. =) Our house is coming along slowly, but we are very excited for the re-model we'll be coming home to in a few (Lord willing) weeks. We really have been so blessed to be at this hotel, and we're thankful for the opportunities we have had to build relationships with some of the staff. We've been praying quite a bit in our family worship times that we will be a light for Christ to all the staff at this hotel.

For the most part life has just continued on normally. We've had quite a bit of rainy weather, but are thankful for the days of sunshine that we have had. We try to get out and enjoy God's creation every bit we can. Here are some pictures from the last few weeks.

The girls and I went to Virginia City, Montana the week after school got out. My Mom joined us and we also met up with some friends of ours. The houses are from the Pioneer days and the girls call it "The Little House on the Prairie Museum."

We made it up to our favorite hike, Drinking Horse Mountain, and it was a beautiful day.

This is by far our favorite hike. It is just so beautiful and the girls love the fort at the top.

I edited this picture using an "oil painting" action.
You can see why we love this hike. This is just one of the awesome views on this hike.

The girls with the wildflowers they picked.

It's a given that Macy will fall at lease once, usually twice.
When Daddy is comforting her, though, she has a hard time staying sad. =)

All better!


Jon really is the best Dad and so good with the girls.
Sometimes when I am watching him with the girls I remember back to the days
where I was watching him completely level quarterbacks and I just laugh!
Amazing that the same guy can be so sweet and gentle with these precious girls.
And they absolutely ADORE him. I had a hotel staff person comment to me the other day about when she saw the girls greet Jon when he came home from work. She could not believe how excited they were to see him. I hope they always have the special relationship that they do now.

Montoya Demolition =)

There are big changes at the Montoya house lately. About 2 weeks ago we discovered a leak in our home from a pipe that had froze over the winter and busted. After calling our homeowners insurance and a restoration company, it was determined that there would need to be some MAJOR demolition of our kitchen and master bathroom AND that we would be moving out! We thought it sounded kind of drastic at first to move out, but now that we've gone over and seen what they're doing we realized there was no way we could have stayed. We have been living in a hotel for over a week and may be here for awhile. There was extensive damage to our floors, walls, cabinets, etc. Needless to say we are super thankful for homeowners insurance at a time like this and that they have put us up in a hotel for awhile. It's really been pretty fun, especially for the kids getting to swim everyday. Plus, we're thankful that it looks like we'll be getting new flooring and cabinets thanks to our insurance. It will be fun to give the kitchen and bathroom a "pick-me-up"....it was much needed it anyway. So, all in all, we're seeing God's good in all of it and thanking Him for the ways He has blessed us in the midst of all of this. In the meantime, we're getting lots of pool time so Macy has learned to swim really well on her own. Just another blessing to add to pile. =) Here are some pics of the demolition that is going on currently at our house for those of you interested.

Our kitchen with the flooring, sub-flooring and cabinets pulled out.
They've also had to take some of the sheet rock out as well. 

Our bathroom

Our dining room area.
Can't believe how far the water traveled.

The warning: if you walk in the kitchen, you may fall through the floor! =)

Here's what we've been getting to do while our home gets fixed:

Hannah Senior Pictures

I had the privilege of doing my first ever Senior Photo Shoot. Oh boy was this fun! Hannah and I had a blast. It was super special because I have been able to disciple Hannah on and off through her high school years and to watch her grow as a young woman and in her relationship with Christ. 

Hannah is an AMAZINGLY talented violinist and is going to The Master's College on a full ride music scholarship this Fall. Hannah, thanks for the opportunity to take these pictures. It was fun hanging out and laughing. 

Marian's International Feast

Marian's class has been "travelling around the world" to each continent learning SO much about the different continents. To finish off the unit, they had an International Feast where each student brought food from the continent they were assigned and parents joined for the feast. They were also encouraged to dress up like someone from that continent. When I saw that Marian was assigned South America, my first thought was to contact our missionary friends, Nathan and Kaylee Kelm, who are serving in Bolivia. Kaylee was great help in providing me with recipes for the meal as well as ideas for Marian's outfit. Marian dressed as a Quechua woman (with items I had around the house) and even wore a baby doll on her back all day. She had so much fun. Thanks Kaylee for your help and suggestions! The Empanadas turned out great and I'm thinking of adding them to our family meals.

Here are some pictures of Marian's outfit. I wish I had taken a picture of the Empanadas, but it was just too busy that morning. =)

Ten Years

Yesterday, May 19 Jon and I celebrated 10 amazing years of marriage. What a blessing! We are so thankful to the Lord for His faithfulness in our marriage. I am so blessed to be married to my Junior High Sweetheart. It's neat to have so much history with one another; we literally grew up together. Throughout the last ten years, there have been times when I am falling asleep at night that the thought will hit me "I married JON MONTOYA!" I know it seems like a rather obvious thing to think, but I can remember when Jon moved away in eighth grade I didn't know what the future held. (I know, I had my whole life ahead of me then, but I really thought he would be my husband one day. =) I wondered how the Lord would (or even if he would) bring Jon back into my life. I had to hold the desire to marry him loosely and trust the Lord for the future. Fast forward the tape about 17 years...and we are celebrating 10 years of marriage. I consider it an honor and a gift to be Jon's wife. He is amazing and the way he chooses to put the Lord first and to help me grow in my walk with Christ (not to mention his PATIENCE with me as I grow =) is such an example to me. He literally strengthens me and I am thankful to the Lord for the husband he has given to me. I wish I had time to go find a picture of us in junior high, but I don't. =) Maybe later. =)

Mothers Day

We had such a nice Mother's Day. I made pulled pork and we had my Mom and Wayne and our good friend Sally over. She's like family and we LOVE having her with us for holidays. Another friend happened to stop by and we talked her into staying too. It was fun and special. Marian made me a book called "I love Mom" with lots of pictures in it and the girls gave me tomato juice and sour candy (my favs).  My Mom knows me oh so well and gave me a "pampering gift" to a spa. Can't wait to use it! Jon's gift to me...my new iMac. Woo hoo! He totally surprised me as I had no idea. I am loving it and I am so excited for the blessing this computer will be to my photography!

The girls aren't crazy about these hats, but I just LOVE them
and since it was Mother's Day, they endured for me! =) 

I know Mother's Day is a celebration of Moms, but I really
feel it's a celebration of the Lord's gracious gift to BE a Mom!
I'm so thankful for the Lord blessing me with these precious girls.

Marian and Sally
Sally was in the waiting room almost the entire
time I was in labor with Marian. What a special friend.
Jon did his student teaching with her 7 years ago.
Can't wait until Marian is in 4th grade
and has her for a teacher. 

Macy and Gram

Macy looked over at my Mom during church and gave Grammy
this face. She is such a goof ball! 

Looking through my special book.
Yes, it made me cry! 

Awana Awards Ceremony

Last week the girls finished their year of AWANA (Macy's last year of Cubbies and Marian's 2nd year of Sparks). It is a club where they memorize Scripture and earn patches or jewels. They worked hard and Marian was able to actually work on her verses without me this year. We're proud of both of them. Super fun and we love that God's truth is being hidden in their hearts. The end of the year finishes off with an awards ceremony. Here are some pictures from that.

This picture makes me laugh...she looks nervous.
I wonder if she thought they might not give
her the award. =)

Sigh of relief!
She was so excited.

My big girl.
Anyone have any ideas on how I can stop time?
This one is growing so fast!

With her friend Abigail