protagonistically inclined

The Good I've Found (TGIF): Him

2012-01-13T03:00:00.000-08:00

my man

It's his birthday today. And I love him.

there is no greater TGIF this week. He is so much of what is good in my life.

oh, and he's home today from a week-long business trip ~ and yes, absence makes the heart grow fonder. But, for me, with him, it is true even when he leaves for work. I cannot wait until I get to see him again. Too mushy? Too Bad!! It's my post about my man ;)

Happy Birthday, Love :)

Monday Memories: Jack Daniels, summer 2008

2012-01-09T10:57:00.000-08:00

I haven't done a Monday Memory in a while...and was missing my childhood friend, Rebecca (hi, bec! I miss you so much my WEF!!) so, thought I'd take a moment to share a very important moment in our lives...our first shot of Jack Daniels. bwahahahaha!

Alright, not exactly an important moment. But a funny one. We had toured the Jack Daniels distillery that day with our husbands, but since it is located in a dry county in TN (irony) had not been able to taste it...and since neither of us ever had...(or maybe we had, just hadn't had a shot of it---which by the way---I do NOT understand. Shots, that is. Seriously not a fun way to ingest alcohol)

As evidenced by our faces, she had already done it--me, not quite yet--notice, I'm still smiling ;)

Happy Monday, Everyone!!

Writer's Block

2012-01-07T09:52:00.000-08:00

My calendar ran out

2012-01-02T15:39:00.000-08:00

For the first time in at least 10 years, I have no calendar hanging on the wall. (well, technically, I do...it just says 2011)

Having consistently stayed on top of the whole 'family-calendar-on-the-wall' thing has been a great blessing to my forgetful/distracted mind (quite honestly i can't believe this is the first year I forgot to order a new one!) not to mention to the family as a whole. It gives me a fighting chance at staying on top of upcoming events and it helps us all to look forward to special trips or guest arrivals.

As I glance across the room at DECEMBER 2011 staring at me from above well filled-in boxes, I figure I have a couple of choices:

1. Stop blogging about it and open another page with calendars.com and place order.

2. Claim ignorance about any upcoming appointments, classes and/or tasks...stay on vacation forever
and spiral into complete and utter chaos.

*sigh*

~~number 2!!!! definitely going for number~~ nope. I don't really have a choice. going to...ummm...go do something...be back in a sec...

Happy Twenty Twelve!!!

2012-01-01T14:16:00.000-08:00

Cheers!!!

A toast for you, my friends:

~May this year bring you all kinds of surprises, the good ones, of course, but also the hard ones that we all need to kick us in the pants and push us to become better, stronger and wiser. (please don't blame me when they happen, it is just a toast...)

~May you know love. True Love. His name is Wonderful, Counselor, Almighty God, Everlasting Peace. And may His Love spur you on to love those around you. (are you getting the warm fuzzies, yet?!...no we're not going to join hands and sing kumbaya, relax)

~and finally, May you visit Disneyland often. Hey, it is a toast from me and I do want you to share the smiles ;)

I love you all (no not writing this during margarita binge, really do love you!) and pray that I get to see each and every one of you this year. unless you are a random lurker to my blog, in which case, welcome, but if we don't get together this year, I understand...you're probably busy...

The Good I've Found (TGIF): sunshine

2011-12-23T19:50:00.000-08:00

Two days before Christmas and all through the windows
Came streaking and shining with jubilant fun
These bright rays of light, shimmering and dancing
Proclaiming that summer's not the only season for sun.

alright, so it's a bit rough...but you get the idea.

Maybe it is just because I've only lived back in sunny, SoCal for a year and a half, after being away in rainy Washington for almost 11 years...

maybe.

Or maybe it is that scientifically proven fact that sunshine makes you happy. ---or something like that, Vitamin D and all... (no, I'm not a scientist...but those who have the special lamps in their houses or go for light therapy treatments can back me up on this one, right?!)

hey! that one song by that one guy proclaims the fact..."...sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy...)

No matter the reason, the fact is... I don't miss the snow this year. Nope. Not one bit. ok, that's extreme --I do miss the beauty of it. But you know what? Fake snow is really beautiful, too ;) And my favorite place has lots of fun, fake snow.

my Evie in her winter wear :)

I know, I know. It's not the same. You are right. It is not cold. It is not damp. It is not messy. Yeah. I think I can deal with that.

My TGIF for this week is that I am, unashamedly, in love with this Southern Californian Christmas.

May your Christmas be as wonderful, wherever, however and with whomever you celebrate it !

The Good I've Found (TGIF) : friends

2011-12-09T02:00:00.000-08:00

I learned a song in girl scouts about friendship...without being able to sing it to you (I know you would all just love that!) here are the lyrics, at least:

make new friends

but keep the old

one is silver

and the other gold.

It was sung as a round (you remember those, right?) So as the first group got to the end of the 2nd verse, the next group started at the beginning, Which resulted in us proving that the clever writers of the song had created two equal parts (wow), and made for mixed up singers in a really loud, confusing mess. sigh. good times.

Good times with friends, in fact! And yes, I do consider those girls my friends. Even though I don't have any idea where most of them are, or have been for the past 25 or so years! (through the amazingness that is connected technology and social media I am happy to say that I do stay in relative contact with at least 2 of them, though...seriously cool!)

and speaking of social media ~ the very word FRIEND has become a much used verb in that context. To FRIEND someone.

so...let's vote. are they actually your friend, if they bear that title on your computer? (check yes, no or maybe and send back to me immediately!!!) They are in my book. If you are a part of my list, on Facebook, on my phone, in my blogroll...you are my friend. For Real. I want to get to know you better. I desire to see your photos, share in your life, read about your dreams...ok, except for those VERY few exceptions that use rather explicit language to describe your photos, life and dreams...you I hide and look at only when I can stomach it--my goodness some of you have potty mouths! (and I'm no saint!! lol)

I miss my friends that I have moved away from recently...sometimes I even miss my friends that I moved away from in 7th grade! I am excited to welcome new friends to my life through a new neighborhood, school and small group at church this year.

I love that I am finally feeling like I am friends with my parents. Not that they weren't friendly or there was anything bad before, but with age comes a new type of relationship...and I am so glad ours is friendship.

I don't have much to tie this all together. Just a musing this Friday about TGIF being the many, many friends in my life. May I be ever mindful of how blessed I am by you.

The Good I've Found (TGIF): Literally...Stuff I found...

2011-12-02T11:49:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I've been having MASSIVE issues with my photos on my computer.

No, I'll rephrase by saying I've been having MASSIVE issues with my computer. period.

That being said, my tech guy is amazing. He's just tired of having to deal with tech issues all day long and then come home to them as well. And between the 5 of us waiting for him at home...there is usually at least 5 computer questions/issues for him. Poor tech guy. We love you :)

ANYWAY...I have ~~blamed~~ ~~cursed~~ put off posting for a couple weeks now due to said issues...but enough is enough! There are GOOD THINGS that need to be posted!!! (and should I regain ability to add photos, I certainly will!)

You ready? Cause this is a REALLY COOL STORY:

Yesterday, the kiddos and I left the house around noon for an ortho appt. When we returned, an hour and a half later, I noticed our 'yard debris' container (it was trash day, so they were on the curb) was stuffed to overflowing with broken wood pieces--furniture and old frames--stuff that we definitely had not put in there and that had not been there before we left the house. I was a tad upset, thinking that it might not get hauled off--not to mention that someone had put it in our can without asking!--so I decided to try to transfer as much as I could over to the regular trash can. I accidentally lifter the 'recycling' can lid though and WOW, am I ever glad I did! Someone (presumably the same broken furniture off loading folks) had carefully deposited ~~a large~~ an enormous glass tank/aquarium inside. AND...that tank was full of another tank...AND...THAT tank was full of another...and another...and so on...and so on...

seriously, we now own 6 tanks. 3 glass and 3 plastic. Plus 6 heat lamps, bulb refills, sunning rocks and other accessories.

and it is all in great condition.

Ian has been asking for a turtle. I think God just said yes. ;)

Moral of the story: If you have any really cool stuff you've been wanting to get rid of, please come dump it in one of my trash bins...on Thursdays...I guarantee I will never not check them again because of TGIF this week! :)

Wordless Wednesday: The one where I smile because my guys are smiling at me

2011-11-16T06:00:00.000-08:00

The Good I've Found (TGIF) : 11:11 on 11-11-11

2011-11-11T11:11:00.000-08:00

Don't tell me this time and date isn't cool!!! 'Cause it is!!!

As my oldest daughter would say, "Make a Wish!"

some days I feel that I am living a dream and can't imagine what else I could wish for.

this is one of those days.


a beautiful moment in my beautiful life

TGIF ~ memorable moments.

special seconds.

times I love to record and remember.

(sooo...did you make a wish? or are you like me and just said thanks for all the wishes granted?)

Wordless Wednesday: the one where I, once again, back date post to Wednesday, but also use an image stolen from a friend. But it's beautiful, so Enjoy! :) In case you are wondering, it is still wordless. This is just the title.

2011-11-09T06:00:00.000-08:00

The Good I've Found (TGIF) : the secret of happiness

2011-11-04T06:00:00.000-07:00

No, it's not Disneyland.  


(although living close, certainly doesn't hurt one's 'happy meter')

The truth is...I've never much liked the word HAPPY. And I consider myself a pretty 'happy' person. Now...JOY--that's a whole different animal--not to mention post!--and that's certainly an awesome thing...a thing I treasure as a child of God. But happy is well...meh.

let's see what mr. webster has to say about it, shall we?

happy (hap'ee) adj.1 favored by circumstances; lucky; fortunate 2 having, showing, or causing a feeling of great pleasure...

and therein lies my issues with the word. circumstances lucky feeling all temporal. all variable.

now, please do not misunderstand me. I like to be happy. Very much. HELLO..Disneyland!!! :) But what I don't like is how much time I spend trying to BE happy. Trying to maintain that feeling. it is not something I am proud of.

But ... TGIF!!! Check out this quote:

"Happiness is finding something more important than you are and dedicating your life to it."

This video contains that quote in it. And I like it.

The secret of happiness

It is not my life's philosophy. And I certainly still do not love the word happy, but this quote, this video THIS view of happiness is a nice reconciliation for me... it is The Good I've Found this week :)

Wordless Wednesday: the one where we walk around the lake on a Thursday, but I back date the post to the day before so I can use this catchy title

2011-11-02T11:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T12:00:00.000-07:00

Gabby and Evie enjoying their friend, Minnie Mouse, at Disneyland last week.

I have many more photos to share from this past weeks' celebrations, but this is it for today as we attempt to 1. recover from the weekend (oof! Mondays are HARD) 2. get our schoolwork done...we are on double duty this week in an attempt to not get to far off schedule when our friends come to visit next week and we take 3 days off to party with them!!!...and 3. get dressed (yet again! this is our 3rd time!) in our costumes to trick-or-treat at daddy's office then the neighborhood.

wow.

I'm tired and it's not even noon.

but I'm throwing another post out in the blog world, and that's all I promised I would keep doing. for now. Eventually I will up the ante and will actually promise content and quality. eventually.

And it's Halloween! So, let's all go have fun, be safe and Rot Those Teeth :) (you are welcome, dentists).

The Good I've Found (TGIF) : schematic drawings and math

2011-10-28T05:00:00.000-07:00

I have always loved sketches. Perhaps because my dad is an artist and it reminds me of watching him begin a drawing or lay the ground work for a painting. Perhaps because I did so well in jr. high shop class and am still so proud of the A's I earned in a traditionally 'boy' class.

But I think it is more than just that. There is just something so intriguing to me about the plans/dimensions/numbers being visible. A skeletal, mathematic base from which the final piece will emerge. The necessary blend of creativity and precision.

a very good reminder for me as I struggle through teaching my children math.

My artistic mind wants only to read, to 'rite...but certainly not to 'rithmatic. yuck.

yet, looking at this simple charcoal and ink, I am humbled. Math is everywhere. And I have been blessed with children with strong, capable minds...minds that deserve the opportunity to experience life unhindered by predjudices against this subject.

yes, MATH is my TGIF this week. (and, yes, I'm surprised, too!)

The Good I've Found (TGIF) : an explanation

2011-10-28T04:59:00.000-07:00

The saying TGIF, or Thank God (Goodness) It's Friday, is used to express a relief that the work week is almost at an end and the weekly time of rest is upon us.

I am stealing this acronym (sue me) and renaming it The Good I've Found, to express my favorite thing (or something I've chosen to see in a good light) each week.

My inspiration is the Bible verse:

'Whatever is true,

whatever is noble,

whatever is right,

whatever is pure,

whatever is lovely,

whatever is admirable

--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.'

Phillipians 4:8

I shall, of course, continue to complain and whine all other days of the week. ;)

Starting Again...again!

2011-10-27T20:46:00.000-07:00

Coming out of bloggy hibernation is never easy for me.

The pressure to create the perfect awakening post is intense. Enough so to delay this moment quite a while.

But there is stuff to say. Photos to share.

And I miss you all. And writing here will ensure that I check my sidebar and read your blogs...and jump to others...and widen my world.

If you are seeing this today, I am impressed. You truly never gave up on me. If you are noticing that I began posting again and it is now November...or December...or 2012...Well, I am sorry I left for so long ---But! I'm back :) So, be sure to catch up ;)

If I go back and fill in a post that was begun but never posted, I will be sure to put a link to it in a current day. There are a number of birthdays and events that I want to keep chronological that I have not yet published.

Tomorrow: TGIF ! I know you've heard the saying before, but you'll have to come back to see just what it means on this blog :)

A Star Tours Smile

2011-06-13T12:04:00.000-07:00

Star Tours has been closed for quite a while getting a make-over. In fact, it was closed before we moved here in September, so the re-opening is a pretty big deal to us.

To advertise the newly refurbished adventure, Disney released a commercial featuring Darth Vader.

Have you seen THIS yet? If not, you must. It is amazing. Seriously, click the link. Go now. I'll wait.

did you do it? really? 'cause if you did, you are laughing, right? (or you were while watching?) and if the answer is no....well, please exit this blog because nothing else here is ever going to be that awesome so you might as well stop looking ;)

And tomorrow, I will post a photo of us at the attraction, since it is now open ~ we are going to ride!!! (shhh, some of us have already been on it a couple of times...not naming names, but there are some major Disneyland addicts around here...just sayin'...)

Today

2011-03-07T14:33:00.000-08:00

Time is just flying by! (story of my life...but that's a story for another time...) I am currently trying to wrap my head around the fact that it is March. My apologies to the month of February, I am not sure where I was, but I seem to have missed you this year...?

Anyway, Hello, world! So glad you are still there! :) (although won't it be a huge relief when it is not?! just saying)

Today, as per our usual routine (aka NON routine), my youngest two kiddos have succeeded in doing just about everything BUT their actual book work. *sigh* However, they are playing so well together, currently with Mario Cart, I simply cannot interrupt for the sake of 'school'. Gabby's smooth transition into a more traditional school has shown me that my lack of structure in her early homeschooling years has not damaged her. (too much...lol!) In fact, she still enjoys school! (including math and science! yay!) So, another year or so for Ian and Evie ~ allowing them to play more than pound them with book work, seems to be the plan for now.

Funny that I got on the blog today after quite some time away, really don't have anything to say ~ and yet I am going to publish this--without a photo, without a real "point". Just simply going to put this out here ~ more to prove to myself than anyone, that I AM still a blogger. :)

Have a wonderful day!

"It's beginning to look a lot like"...every other day!

2010-12-10T23:19:00.000-08:00

going to have to hunt some of this white stuff down!

Thank goodness for Christmas lights and trees (yes, even the fake, plastic ones!) ~ without them, I wouldn't believe it was that time of year! Because (to paraphrase another song)...

"Oh the weather outside is"...lovely!

This return to Southern California living does not take much getting used to in the weather department--every day is quite nice. We are planning a trip to nearby mountains, though, to experience some of the chill that really SHOULD accompany December ;)
Truly, the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas make my heart glad. I am happy to have a staircase, once again, in our current house to wrap with garland and lights. There is just something special about ascending a softly, glowing staircase at night as I head to bed.

Which is where I am headed now. *yawn*

I just wanted to make sure a Christmas"y" greeting awaited you here on my blog. (in case you are here for the first time--welcome! if you are a return visitor, well--you know I love you and welcome you, too!)

I would promise to get back with more photos and such, but I say that all of the time---and then I usually (eventually) do--- but for now, I am enjoying just posting when I can, and reading other blogs when I can, and living life on the 'outside' with intention :)

Merry Christmas to all! (and of course,... to all, a good night!)

Gabby's 10th

2010-12-05T17:00:00.000-08:00

Gabby celebrated here birthday by getting a 'rock star' make-over at Downtown Disney's 'Disney 365 Studio'. Evie and cousin, Julianna, also had make-overs, and after, we were able to play in California Adventure for a bit before heading back to the house for cake with the rest of the family.

Ian entertained himself while the girls had their make-overs.

may they all come true, Gab-girl. I love you!

periwinkle

2010-11-10T12:35:00.000-08:00

seriously. don't mess with me. or my girl.

Because of our move from acreage to cul-de-sac living he has transitioned from outdoor, hunting cat to indoor pussy ~and this cat now has a serious attitude problem with everyone except Gabby.

He knows she is the one who picked him and she has hauled him around since she was three years old, so he is fiercely protective of her. They sleep together every night, and in the morning, this is the kind of unwelcome looks I am greeted with. ( from him, not her--she's a lovey!)

Sometimes he is as sweet as can be to me, allowing me to pet him, even purring --but most times he only tolerates me ...then he bites me. hard.

I miss the free-roaming, outdoor Peri --and we have actually attempted to let him go outside here (got him a collar and ID tag) but he is very afraid and does not like it even for a moment

--but, despite his new nasty temperament, I would miss him even more if he were gone.

Here's to you ~ Mr. Periwinkle ~ I love you anyway ;)

Our Disney Life

2010-10-28T21:00:00.000-07:00

sooooo...as more and more days find us at "happyland"...well, it gets me thinking...perhaps I should have another blog...a blog specifically for our Disney life...a blog titled... ?!?! perhaps ~ Our Disney Life?

or....? any other suggestions?

I don't love the idea of starting another blog, and yet, I find that what I most want to post is about our days in Disneyland. ~ then, those who want to follow all that crazy fun can--and those who don't...well, they can stay here :)

and~ speaking of all things Disney--check out those amazing caramel apples! (and the amazing price tag to go along with them!)

my birthday fun

2010-10-23T20:00:00.000-07:00

Keira and mommy (Tricia) (my sis in law and niece) paint pumpkins

Brennan (nephew), Evie and Ian paint their pumpkins

Special Breakfast (made by my kiddos!), Pumpkin Carving (and scooping antics by daddy!), New Camera (that's it hiding up there on the fridge--couldn't use it because it was straight out of the box--needed charging!thank you, love, for an awesome and unexpected gift!), and Yummy Food( check out those fun rice crispy treats) ~ it was a lovely, surrounded by family, birthday.

note: There would be MANY more photos of family ~ if they all hadn't been such stinkers about having their photo taken! I see I shall have to train these ones: I love taking photos and you must learn to pose for me!!! :) So, even though they are not pictured here ~ mom and dad gove, greg and julie (brother and sister in law), AJ (nephew), Julianna (niece), and GABBY!! (how did she get by me?!) were also all at the pumpkin carving/birthday party.

the only thing that would have made it better: the REST of my family here and all of my Northwest friends--sooo missing you all!!!!

National Chocolate Cupcake Day?!

2010-10-18T10:28:00.000-07:00

That sounds like reason for a new post!

Not like there is anything else going on in our lives...

Actually, I've never been a big fan of chocolate cake ~ but if you are, maybe we can work out a deal, you see, I LOVE frosting. and sometimes it can be awkward just asking for a slice of frosting. or (in today's cupcake day mode) just licking the frosting off the top.

not considered polite.

In other news...
~we are now living in southern CA
~we are Disneyland Annual Passholders who visit at least once a week (mommy works it into the homeschool curriculum)
~Jeff commutes to work in LA by train every morning
~Ian turned 7 years old (!)
~Poppy Gove (Jeff's dad) had back surgery, but is now on the road to recovery
~mommy and kiddos traveled back to WA to visit last week
~and, lastly...sadly... Twinkle the fish went to the great fishbowl in the sky yesterday (as she was approaching 5 years old...we weren't really shocked at her passing, but it was still hard on our animal loving Gabby)

I will write more about each of the above listed events (some posts have even been started!) ~ but for now...I am going to go find some frosting...yes, still thinking about that frosting...

oh! and the photo is one Ian snapped on the road trip--(unedited)--I think we have a budding photographer :)

seriously, folks. some of you have been asking for a new post for a while--do you see now why I have been avoiding? has there ever been a more random post than this? *sigh* thanks for loving me anyway.

Goodbye WA!

2010-09-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

It has been a VERY long 6 months.

But, today, the kiddos and I (and assorted animals) head out to join daddy in CA.

The relief of finally being together again, rather than just having daddy visit on the weekends, is great.

The sadness of leaving behind a place that has been home for over 10 years is great.

The knowledge that God has this all in His hands and 1,000 miles is quite drivable and VERY 'flyable' is AWESOME!

Know that our door is always open--and we have a really nice guest room! :)

Love you all--see you soon.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

2010-08-30T06:00:00.000-07:00

we got to celebrate Mom's birthday early, while she was visiting us last week. These gorgeous cupcakes are from the Fred Meyer bakery ~ aren't they amazing?! and they were super yummy, too! So glad you were able to be with us, Mom! Hope your day today (first day on a new job, of all things!!) is wonderful :)

here she is about to set out on another travel nurse adventure, and in her backseat we find...

...a peek at those crazy, traveling cats---->

we love you!

Oh, How I Will Miss...

2010-08-29T06:00:00.000-07:00

Of course, friends and family still in the Northwest top this list (Shell, you are at the TOP top!) ;)

but there are moments like this that have been such a part of my life for the last 10 years that...well, words just cannot describe at this moment. (I was just a few feet away from this bambi in my yard)

thank you, momma deer, for having twins this year and blessing us with 2 darlings to watch this summer. I do hope the next owners of our house enjoy you and your fawns as much as we have.

Movin' On Out

2010-08-27T11:03:00.000-07:00

no, we are not loading them ;) tempting...but, no.

today IS the big load day, though, so we will be living out of a VERY empty house for the next 2 days for Jeff and 4 days for the rest of us. (he flies out Monday morning and we drive out on Wednesday morning--yes, I am driving it solo with 3 kiddos, 3 cats, a dog and a fish ~ please tell me I have your sympathy and prayers!!!)

so, this is a final blog post from me before I am officially a California blogger :)

(although I do have a couple of 'pre-programmed' ones that will come out in the next several days)

Meteor Shower!

2010-08-13T10:33:00.000-07:00

The title comes with an exclamation point because I am still super excited at the thought of a meteor shower on a clear night with just a sliver of a moon (keeps it nice and dark).

HOWEVER...our star watching party turned out very different from what was planned. ~ I am learning that plans are made just to keep me sane and excited for something, but they are not what is actually going to happen (I know, many of you figure this out much earlier on, but I am slow on the uptake with this concept, and just now learning to not anger at change) ~ so! while not a lengthy campout under the heavens...it was a fun evening topped off with a few 'shooting star' viewings.

My Plan: (Revised)

1.buy tarp check
2.make snacks check
3.gather blankets/sleeping bags check
4.flashlight check
5.movie on for kiddos at 10pm (~~keep them awake~~!) check (half of item accomplished, see #7 below)

~~6.pick up daddy at airport at midnight~~

~~6.pick up daddy at 12:15 (flight delayed)~~

6.pick up daddy at 1:15 (flight REALLY delayed) check
7.~~wake up 3 children~~
7. put youngest child to bed check
8. wake up 2 children check
9.spread out tarp in backyard check
10. cuddle in blankets check
11. ~~watch meteor shower for hours while eating yummy snacks~~

11. try to get children to keep eyes open to see even one meteor check
12. put children to bed 5 minutes later, not sure if they even comprehended any of it check
13. while blogging about it all, realize that this is the stuff of great memories anyway :) check

Perseid Meteor Shower Tonight!

2010-08-12T09:48:00.000-07:00

oh no! it's my second post in a row without a photo :(

~ it's not REALLY the post I am working on...what I am actually working on is the fun evening we have planned tonight watching a meteor shower!

BUT! Since I will be posting that one after the event is past ~ I wanted to make sure any of you that happen by here today (and haven't heard elsewhere) there is a very cool BIG meteor event this evening and on into the early hours of the morning.

we are having a family campout --whoo hoo! praying for CLEAR SKIES!!!! :)

just for the time and date, I had to post!

2010-08-09T22:09:00.000-07:00

The time is now 10:09:08 on 8/09/10 and that makes me smile :)

Yes, dad, it is a box

2010-08-03T17:43:00.001-07:00

Today, while talking to my friend, she mentioned that I did not have enough posts on here about the move. She also demanded a photo of me in a box.
This is for you, Meredith :)

perfect pool days

2010-07-29T01:38:00.000-07:00

a couple of the smiles that just melt my heart :)

Turkey Day

2010-07-26T22:51:00.000-07:00

am I getting ahead of myself? or am I just waaaaay behind ;) ?!

neither!

it was actually just 'cook a turkey day' for me today.

i had purchased an extra turkey last Thanksgiving, but never got around to cooking it.

decided turkey probably wasn't going to make the move with us...so needed to be cooked!

i have never actually cooked a turkey before today ~ my wonderful hubby handles all the holiday cooking around here :) *sigh* yes, i know how blessed i am :)

so, he dressed the turkey for me last night before he headed back down to LA and this morning, I put the hulking beast of a bird in my oven!

and, oh my! it turned out lovely..if I do say so myself ;)

I did not take a photo of the carving, as that was also a first for me and not particularly a pretty sight. did I mention that i am now (after carving the turkey) a vegetarian again? lol ok, not really, but it was pretty bad and i have not actually eaten any of it yet, due to the trauma of cutting it up :p

no, i would not survive in the wild. unless there were many, many berries... and no bears to wrestle them away from.

Apple Nachos

2010-07-22T16:54:00.000-07:00

    Yummy!

Delicious!

Fun!

Let's Make it Again!

be prepared for what you will hear, when you serve these for snacks ;)

the chef and her 'nachos'

To Make: cut 2 apples (we used Granny Smith) in rings , melt 2 T. peanut butter and drizzle over apple slices, top with coconut if desired, could also use yogurt as your 'sour cream' :)

it's really happening

2010-07-21T14:55:00.000-07:00

I am shipping them out!

hee hee. not really ;)

just beginning to pack for the move

(thought I'd start with the valuables)

heartache and hope

2010-07-20T11:20:00.000-07:00

Cancer has been a very present subject in our house this year. In December, when a friend's 4 year-old daughter was diagnosed with leukemia, I began praying intentionally with Gabby, Ian and Evie for her to be healed. Evie was in her Sunday School class at church, and we were driving her brother once a week to an appointment, so I knew they would be asking questions, and decided that confronting the subject head-on was best.

We celebrate with the family (via their web updates) everytime they pass a new hurdle. It is a long battle they have ahead of them --20 more months at this point, but she is doing good right now.

Through their website I was reintroduced to a young man (only a few weeks older than Gabby) that I had heard of back in the summer of 2007 when I did Relay for the Cure. His team was the largest and best decorated on the track. His name was Luke, and his cancer came back for the third time in March.

We added his name to our prayers. But his battle ended in May and I tried my best to honor his life and his family's legacy of faith by explaining to my children how he had gone home to be with Jesus. Two months later, my 4 year-old still sometimes says 'Luke' when she is praying for people needing healing, then she stops, pauses, and says 'oops, no, not Luke. He is all better now.' It makes me smile on the outside, but still feels like a kick to the gut inside.

Another name that just left our 'needing healing' list is Miss Rose. She is the mother of Shell's best friend, Maria. Rose is also Shell's boss at work.

She battled breast cancer a couple of years ago, but the cancer came back.

These past few weeks, she has been getting weaker, and concern had been growing, but because she was such a strong person, she carried so much at home and at work all the time, it was unfathomable to those around her to imagine her not recovering.

Early this morning Shell, who has been staying at Rose's house to be a support to Maria, texted that Rose had passed.

The words of a song keep going through my head... "no more sorrow, no more pain. I will rise, on eagle's wings, before my God, fall on my knees..."

Because we do serve a God who is greater than cancer. Because He knows our days before we live them and walks beside us in everything. Because He loves us. Regardless of what we believe, what we do, what we say.

I am angry right now. and sad. But I have faith that God knows what He is doing. I don't want Rose to be gone. I don't want her two beautiful daughters to have to miss their mother. I don't want my beautiful daughter to hurt.

And, so, I do what I am training my children to do. I pray. I give this to the One who set it all in motion. The only One who can handle all the hurts of this world. The One who loves us through our darkest moments. The One who has a plan, who is shaping and molding his children.

And, as I sit here at my computer, trying to put all of this into words, feeling lonely and wondering who I can call at this hour... my phone rings. The name on the display is a friend who lives near St. Louis--it is not that early for her (!)--and as I answer, I realize it is a 'butt-dial'...her children are talking in the background, I can hear her, very muffled...I smile and hang up. Thank you, for the reminder of how not alone we are :)

Another Opening, Another Show...

2010-06-11T14:44:00.000-07:00

This time, Noel Coward's "Present Laughter"!

If you are in the area ~ please come see this hilarious play. Opens tonight at The Magenta Theater.

In-and-Out Burger's Secret Menu

2010-06-09T10:11:00.000-07:00

Over a month?! It has been over a month since I last blogged?! How did that happen again?? soooo sorry. for anyone still checking in.

and what is it that brings me back to bloggyland? not the PILES of unfinished blogs about family life...nope! rather an article that clearly defines the SUPER SECRET (until, of course, it was published?!) menu of my favorite burger joint.

The following is an excerpt:

Burgers

* Veggie Burger: A hamburger with extra tomatoes instead of meat

* Extra Toast: This order toasts your bun a little bit more than usual making it extra crispy

* Protein style: Protein style removes the bun and wraps your burger in lettuce like a burrito.

* Grilled Cheese: A bun, tomatoes and onions, if you want them, grilled with melted cheese.

* Flying Dutchman: For the ultimate meat eater. No bun, no veggies, just two beef patties and two slices of cheese.

* Double meat burger: a double double without the cheese.

* Animal style: makes any burger come with extra pickles, extra sauce, grilled onions, and a mustard cooked patty.

* 3 by Meat: three beef patties and no cheese.

* 2 by 4: a double double with two extra slices of cheese. Not for the weak hearted.

* Chopped Chilies: This adds diced jalapenos to any burger

* Mustard grilled patty: ask for this and they will spread your patty with mustard before grilling it.

* No Salt: you wouldn’t think that this would apply to a burger but it does. In-N-Out patties are heavily salted, ask for no salt and you will get a much healthier and fresher tasting patty.

Fries

* Fries animal style: an order of French fries drenched in cheese, grilled onions, and special sauce (a thicker thousand island dressing)

* Fries Light: French fries taken out of the fryer a little early. These are a little bit raw on the inside and less crispy.

* Fries Well-Done: The opposite of fries light. This order leaves your fries on the fryer extra long, making them really crispy and oily.

* Cheese Fries: Fries with melted cheese on top

Drinks

* Neapolitan shake: All the milkshake flavors swirled together, vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry.

* Root Beer Float: Half vanilla milkshake and half root beer soda.

* Choco-Vanilla Swirl: A chocolate milkshake swirled in with a vanilla milkshake

* Lemon-up: Lemonade and seven up mixed together.

* Large and extra large shakes: if you ask for a large shake they’ll give you a shake in a medium sized soda cup and extra large in a large soda cup.

* Tea-Ade: An Arnold Palmer. Half iced tea and half lemonade.

You can read the entire article here.

Soooo, have you ever been to In-And-Out?

Did you know there was a secret menu?

my hubby has been ordering his burgers 'animal style' for years ~ but I only just began ordering my fries that way (i know, i know--but I don't live there yet--obviously will not be able to do that all the time once I'm down there!!!) this last summer. of course, now that I know about ALL of these fun SECRET options--I am excited to try them out!!! some of them, that is. the '3 by meat' sounds truly repulsive :p

Luke's story

2010-05-07T12:45:00.000-07:00

we have been praying for Luke for the past 2 months. so many prayers.

and now, so many tears.

his was a beautiful, short life that touched so many.

if you have not yet read about Luke, please take a moment to ~ you will be blessed.

columbian newspaper article

caring bridge site

thank you, Luke, you and your family's love and faith in God is powerful and far reaching.

Oh, Where is My Mailbox?

2010-05-04T09:20:00.000-07:00

just another reason why you should never leave your house in your pajamas

to drop off your child at class.

even when you are certain that you will not have to leave your vehicle,

because there is no way that there will have been a school bus that crashed into your mailbox**

and the accident will certainly not be being investigated at the end of your drive,

with not only the school bus driver, and the two other cars involved,

but also the police officer

who would like you to identify and retrieve your mailbox and contents that are spewed all over the ditch.

naw.

nothing like that could happen.

causing you to seriously regret your decision to leave the house in only jammies and slippers.

oh, and a headband.

forget clean underwear, it would have been nice to be wearing ANY underwear.

tmi(too much information), i know.

but it is important to me that this experience not be wasted.

please, learn from my mistake. please.

*at the beginning of the post I wrote this was 'just another reason...' because I know you all have experienced something like this, right? I need to feel better right now, so please share your 'reason'/experience with me. let's commiserate together,when did you leave the house under dressed and regretted it? :)*

** I should also assure you all that no one was injured in the crash. from the looks of it, there were no school kiddos on the bus at the time of the crash. and the other drivers in the other cars were fine and probably snickering at my slippers**

May Day

2010-05-03T12:19:00.000-07:00

As a child, my brother and I used to make paper 'buckets', fill them with flowers from our yard, hang them on neighbors front doors, ring their doorbells and RUN!

This was our version of May Day. and I LOVED it. :)

Every year, I remember, with fondness, our May Day flower fun.

This year, I taught my children about the tradition (I actually researched it a bit, but there isn't much history behind the tradition, other than that it has been done on the 1st of May for years. The whys of the tradition are not super clear.)

I did not tell them about the ringing the doorbell bit ~ but we (Gabby and I --the other two young ones are simply NOT the type you wake up early if you want to enjoy the rest of your day) did place the baskets sneakily in the early morning, so as to have the gifts be anonymous surprises :)

(except for Gramma's basket--she knew right away who they were from--after all, she is the one who taught me!)

Wacky Wednesday

2010-04-28T20:52:00.000-07:00

so, I read a blog of a friend who does a 'wordless wednesday' each week, and it was my intention to post one of those today, but then I found this photo. I actually found a number of photos that would work for this title, but decided to go with this one. who knows? maybe this will be a feature every week...

and, yes, I will explain.

they are mannequin legs. I am 8 months pregnant with Ian. I have actually been a blond as many years of my life as I have been a brunette. (but I am not proud of that fact. why did I ever think this color went with my skin tone?!)

I hope you enjoy many wacky moments of silliness in your life :) with so much seriousness right now in my life and the lives of so many I know, it is nice to giggle over these memories.

Thank you, Lord, for these moments.

Shut Down

2010-04-27T15:53:00.000-07:00

That's how I tend to think of myself right now.

That's how I usually deal with tough stuff.

I just shut down.

You may not notice. Especially if I only ever see you in a situation where I have a task to do. Those are the easiest situations to deal with right now. Get in, do the task, get out.

It's the alone time... The free time... The down time...that is the hardest to get through right now.

So, what exactly is it that is so hard in my life right now? nothing. not really.

it's just ... *cringe*... change.

i don't know of anyone who absolutely LOVES change. who thrives on not knowing what is around the corner (or at least has a pretense of knowing what is around the corner ~ for, when it comes right down to it, we never know do we?).

and it's not to say that I don't enjoy spontaneity. I do! a spur of the moment trip to the beach, a last minute dash to the super market to grab the makings for a fondue dinner, even a trip to Walt Disney World with less than 3 weeks to plan, prepare and go ;)

but I definitely do not like this limbo I am in right now.

we are moving. not across town. not even across the state. we are moving back to Southern California.

who? hubby, myself and the three younger kiddos. Shell has decided to stay up here and continue on with community college. She will be moving in with her best friend, Maria and her family in the summer.

when? probably this summer

why? my hubby has been working down there for a couple of months now. he had an amazing job offer come his way, accepted it, and now 'commutes' there during the week ~ flying home to be with us on the weekends.

what's the hold up in the moving? have to sell our current house. big debt (upside down) + bad market = short sale :( so hopefully it will sell quickly.

where exactly will we be living down there? in laws' garage. LOL! kidding. but truly don't know :) and, oh my, for a stay-at-home, homeschooling momma, that is a tough thing to not know, you know?!

how are my days going right now? for the most part, fine. most moments are exactly like they have been for the past 10 years we have been living in the Pacific Northwest : get up, get ready, get kiddos ready, clean, eat, clean, play, clean, eat, clean, shop, clean, play, clean, eat, clean, read, clean, watch tv, clean, go to bed. (ok, so I probably clean a bit more right now, since it is on the market and being shown!)

however, there are some days that I just don't want to get out of bed. and every one of those days, much as I try to give up and shut down completely, I am propelled along to the next day.

EXAMPLE: one such day, it was well past 9am and I was still tucked, having directed Gab to assist Ian and Evie with breakfast and turning cartoons on (oh, how I love homeschooling hee hee) ...when the phone rang. noticing it was a 714 (Orange County, CA) area code, I answered it. Sitting up, of course, and clearing my throat right before, so that caller would have NO idea that I was still in bed. Caller was my dear friend, M, who I worked with at Disney over 10 years ago, and who was just checking in on me. God's gift to me that morning.

and that, I suppose, is really the point of this post. to point out just how blessed I am. funny how it takes such a round-a-bout rambling to get back to that, huh? did you see it coming? I sure didn't. much as I may drag my heels and resist, God's Goodness and Blessings are so prevalent around me, I cannot do anything less than press onward. and I cannot help but want to do more. I fall so ridiculously short of what I desire to do for Him each day. and yet, just by giving Him praise in my inadequacies, He is glorified :)

do I want to move? no. but am I excited for what is ahead? always.

please note: I have read, re-read, done and un-done so much of this post over the past 6 weeks that I am now just posting it. very unlike me. I have MANY posts saved in drafts that will never make the cut. but I feel it is important to get this out there and at least give you all a glimpse at what is happening here. sorry to have been so silent so long!

CATS

2010-03-30T22:35:00.000-07:00

I was able to take Shell, Gab, and Ian to see the Broadway show 'CATS' this past Sunday.

The show holds a special space in my heart, because it was the first Broadway show I ever saw. It was my big 16th birthday present and my mom took me to see it:)

Mom was actually supposed to be at this performance with us, as well, but work has taken her down the coast for a bit to Monteray, CA.

We missed having gramma there, but it was amazing being able to share it with almost all of my kiddos ~ Evie and I will have to catch it when she is a bit older :)

Shell scores an autograph from 'Rum Tum Tugger' ;)

asleep by the time we arrived home...

and it was even a matinee' !!!

yes. I'm still here.

2010-03-23T16:28:00.000-07:00

just in case that was the question. :)

so....what have we been up to? ~~eh, not much.~~ a lot.

and the great thing has been that I have been doing stuff and not just sitting at my computer. of course, being too tired/busy to then sit and blog about said stuff is not as entertaining to you in bloggy land (nor to me!--yes, I read my blog;) hee hee).

now the ever elusive questions--do I attempt to catch up all in one post? several large posts over the next few days? go back and catch up chronologically (this one I tend to favor because many of the past couple months events are actually begun as blog drafts...just not completed yet)?

oooh. how 'bout I mix it up a bit and do a bit of each? I'll finish the blogs I've got saved in draft...and then throw the rest into a big compilation or two!!

but not today.

today the sun is shining again ~ and since my days as a Pacific Northwesterner are coming to an end...(*cue dramatic music*dun, dun, dun...there's some of that 'stuff' that's been happening--a bit of a preview/teaser!)..I think I'll go enjoy this golden afternoon out of doors. (with the cat, of course.) :)

(costume) Designing Woman

2010-02-15T11:55:00.000-08:00

Designing the costumes for a local production of Pride and Prejudice has given me new appreciation for fabric, seamstresses and historians.

Anxiety dreams have filled my head the last few nights, and auditions are still 2 days away. It is this waiting that is driving me crazy. I have had the designs done (for the most part) since last month, but until the roles are cast, it is not possible to begin the measuring, sewing and altering.

I have never undertaken anything this large in the costuming world before. The last show I designed for required creativity (one character had to look like he was a Macy's Day Parade balloon, complete with miniature figures dangling from his arms and legs to anchor him), and the show before that had much Goodwill hunting (ha!), to find '80's acid washed denim and hideous jumpers.

Nothing like this. This has upwards of 30 characters. It is set in early 19th century. In England. with soldiers. British soldiers during the Napoleonic period. do you have any idea how complicated their uniforms were? not exactly something that can be modified from something you find at Goodwill.

Fortunately! 1. I have an amazing team of extremely talented seamstresses. (soooo important (sew important?), because beyond the occasional Halloween costume...I do not sew!) and 2. I have a mom who loves fabric and fabric stores and knows so much more about it all than I do and is willing to go with me as often as I need, to get the best bargains ...even if it means being at the fabric shop 4 days in a row over President's Weekend! and MOST important ~ 3. I am not costuming for this...

ack!

I can't even begin to imagine.

Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day Dinner

2010-02-14T22:42:00.000-08:00

My husband surprised me yesterday by arranging for childcare(awesome!) and treating me to a 'date morning' :) He took me to an adorable cafe in downtown Portland where we had the yummiest french toast (mine had cherries with dark and white chocolate on top!) and then browsed in a very cool military/outdoor equipment surplus store ~ so different from our usual dinner and movie dates (which I also treasure!) ~ I LOVED it!!! great job, baby ;)

To celebrate Valentine's Day and the Chinese New Year today, we had a formal dinner at our house, complete with custom printed napkin rings with each person's name and the Chinese zodiac sign for the year they were born. This year is fun for me, since it is the Year of the Tiger ~ the sign I was born under! (yes, that makes me 24... :p) The chocolate dipped fortune cookies we opened this year were pretty funny...I have never seen fortunes quite like these ~ Shell's read : "You think that is a secret, but it never has been one." while mine was less ominous, yet disturbing in its own way (remember--this is MY fortune): "You and your wife will be happy in your life together." What?! Who writes fortunes that are gender specific??!! or as eerie sounding as Shell's??!! ah well, they were good for some laughs around the table. ( more laughs ensued when Ian opened his revealing "strike while the iron is hot"...yikes! not exactly the fortune needed for my aggressive hitter! no striking please!) Speaking of Ian, I received the sweetest Valentine from him. There is something special about the first Valentine received that is written with real words that he sounded out to write to me. I have early ones from both Shell and Gab and now I will add his to my keepsake cards. It is so fun to watch them all grow ~ I can't believe he is already reading and writing. I think when Evie reaches that point I will breakdown into a blubbering mess. For now, I am trying hard to not rush these growing up years. They are changing so much everyday. and I am so in love with them all. Shell, Gab, Ian and Evie ~ thank you for being my Valentines! you make my life sunshiney :)

and to you, Mr. Gove. thanks for picking me, and putting up with me ~ I'm loving this life together.

who needs the Olympics? we got medals!

2010-02-12T10:47:00.000-08:00

Gabby proudly displaying her medal she won on Wednesday during a creative competition. Her team had been working all year on their challenge and it was such fun seeing it all come together. Congratulations, Gab!

The Annual Blazer/ Laker Game

2010-02-08T12:17:00.000-08:00

It's a Shell and dad tradition that dates back to when we first moved up here from L.A. (yes, we root for the 'wrong side' for living in the Portland area).

and since today is Monday--let's add a Monday Memory: here they are in 2005!

proudly sporting her team's jersey :)

Groundhog Day

2010-02-02T07:00:00.000-08:00

Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0Ca-XVuemo&feature=player_embedded

This just in:

He saw his shadow!

~~He didn't see his shadow!~~

*hey--no one was really ready for it to be Spring yet, were they?!*

Computer Camaraderie

2010-02-01T10:05:00.000-08:00

Ian is often asking daddy for help in finding certain LEGO sets or individual pieces. I love the pure delight on his face here as they find exactly what he was wanting. And he's not even getting it--he's just happy knowing it exists! (ok--so he'd probably be happier getting it than not, but he was ok with it when we said not now)

On another note: the title of this post is actually something I crave during the day as the three of them battle over their one computer. You see, Gabby needs it most of the day for her school work, since hers is a computer based CD curriculum. But Ian and Evie have both discovered they love computer games--and once Gabby is done with her school work, she wants to be able to play on non-school sites as well! Soooo...mommy ends up giving up her computer which sometimes creates a WORSE scenario, because now instead of 2 not being able to play--there is only 1 left out :( and yes. I am aware that there are other things they could be doing. and yes. they ARE doing other things most of the day. BUT. really. computers are a huge part of many of our lives right now. and they will most likely be an ever HUGER part of our children's lives---ALL their lives! so I believe it is better to teach them now how to work on them, it's just the sharing and time management skills that I need to be working more on now :)

Chocolate Mug Cake

2010-01-28T21:16:00.000-08:00

so...I may be way behind the times here, but I had never heard of a mug cake until recently. and then the first recipe I came across called for oven safe mugs and, obviously, for baking in the oven. well, that seemed like a bit too much trouble to go to just for a little bit of cake...I mean, if you are going to heat up the oven anyway--why not just cook a regular size cake? and have a party! :) THEN I read about this...

4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons baking cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil (I used applesauce instead)
3 tablespoons chocolate chips(optional--but why would you not?)
1 tsp. vanilla

1 large coffee mug

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well (I mix mine in another bowl and then add it all to my mug to cook--because I like it to be as neat as possible, but then I you do have to wash an extra dish...)

Add the egg and mix thoroughly.

Pour in the milk and oil (or applesauce) and mix well.

Add the chocolate chips and vanilla, and mix again.

Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts. (My microwave is 1100 so I did it at 90%)

The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed! (do put a plate under it, if you don't want to have to mop up chocolate drizzle--it doesn't explode, just drips a bit--it's actually very cool to watch it rise and fall)

Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.

this serves 2 nicely (or 3 munchkins!) --and I think cooked in a heart-shaped mug would be an adorable Valentine's Day treat :)

roses

2010-01-28T13:22:00.001-08:00

I thought it would be fun to try sending in blog posts from my phone. --but then all this silly text stuff about it being sent from my phone comes through, too!

I'm going to try one with text, as well--but for now--here is a pic of the lovely roses my hubby gave me this week. they make me smile. :)

They Still Do These!!!

2010-01-26T10:33:00.000-08:00

<----------looky!

Closer...

...that's right... I got THE PRIZE IN THE BOX

-------->

I had no idea there were still cereal boxes with prizes in them. how fun:)

and now you also see what a seriously cool mom I am. seriously. they are still singing my praises. I mean, it's no chocolate cake... oooh! that reminds me--I have a post to share about this amazing chocolate cake that you make in the microwave (not those packaged ones that my husband pointed out they have in the store--this is homemade!)

I am feeling the need to share a recipe, since I inadvertently led you to believe yesterday that I knew how to make spam sushi. I regret I do not. My host family in Hawaii when I was there in college does. I'll ask them. oh wait, I've completely lost contact with them. *sigh* oh well. but HEY! I have this chocolate cake thingy...

spam

2010-01-25T10:11:00.000-08:00

I HATE SPAM.

no, not the canned meat stuff. (I actually kinda like that when served in little wanna-be sushi rolls...aaaaaanyway....)

I reiterate. I HATE SPAM.

in my email inbox. and now here, on my blog.

I have experienced this before, when I first started blogging a few years back. I thought that somehow my meager little musings had captured a worldwide audience ~ and I was honored! I figured their broken English and strange wordings were just evidence of it being their second language and they certainly had a better grasp on my first language than I would ever on theirs!...however...as more and more bloggy friends went to spam filters, I figured out that these 'foreign fans' were no more than ads. attempts to lure unsuspecting victims into scams.

STUPID SCAMMING SPAM.

I'm so upset about this that I am posting this WITHOUT A PICTURE. because they have ruined my blogging fun.

yes, I know. just add a filter setting and move on, right? I'll try.

and this is my apology for the annoying spam filter that you will have to leap through before posting a comment. I find these soooooo annoying and really dislike having to go through them on other blogs--but I do it, because I know why they have to have them there. so, I hope it does not dissuade you, my lovely, loyal, blog reader from commenting. I would miss that. and the bad guys would win. we don't want that. I already feel like I've given them the win by changing my settings.

I got to see The Cos!

2010-01-16T20:24:00.000-08:00

It was Jeff's birthday present, but I enjoyed it as much as he did! What a fun, relaxed, hilarious evening. Bill Cosby, at 72 years old, is just as endearing as I remember him being on the Cosby Show. You go, Dr. Huxtable :)

Because he loves cake...

2010-01-15T23:55:00.000-08:00

...and because he needed SOME old age ribbing ;)

R.I.P. spring chicken

I think cracks about turning older are always better received when served on German Chocolate Cake.

Fast Food Rules

2010-01-14T23:55:00.000-08:00

1. Don't eat fast food. (watch "Super Size Me" if you need further motivation that this 'food' is terrible for your body.)

2. Always double-check to make sure they get your order right in the drive-thru. (this rule is for those, like me, who despite watching "Super Size Me" and firmly believing that Rule #1 is what I should be listening to ~ still end up in the drive-thru, and get REALLY ticked off when an order is not correct! I mean, if I am going to fork over the $ for this stuff then every flipping, greasy, morsel had better make it into my bags! I am in the drive-thru, for goodness sake, you really think I would stoop to this level if I had the time to park, run inside with receipt in hand, wait for someone to notice me waving said receipt at counter, overhear conversation from the cook to the drive-thru bagger~

'You need a quarter-pounder, Derek?'

Derek, (checking his screen in front of him that obviously only show the current orders--not those that he short-changed a moment ago) 'Nope.'

'huh. weird. I got an extra.'

~~~~ huh. Weird. I didn't get mine. oh! oh! oh! do you think....?! ~ wow. this could all work out.)

I'm in love with the Birthday Boy

2010-01-13T11:01:00.000-08:00

celebrating Daddy's birthday with ice cream sundaes and presents.

Here's to you, my love ~ the world's best husband and daddy. You are our hero. I love you beyond words.

awww...

Hey! We like them, Sam-I-Am!

2010-01-12T21:05:00.000-08:00

We made Green Eggs and Ham!

(it looked so gross, I just had to add the pictures!)

no special reason...I know this is often done in the public schools on Dr. Seuss' birthday--but we were reading it today (Ian loves being able to read many of the words all by himself now!) and ~ just being silly ~ Gabby asked if we could ever have green eggs and ham to eat...so...we did!
you do not like green eggs and ham?
try them, try them ~ and you may! (try them and you may, I say!)

Monday Memories...'Murder By Natural Causes'

2010-01-11T23:55:00.000-08:00

The fun times had at the ADA's at Magenta Theater on Saturday have me reminiscing about my time with the theater company. This show was the first full-length production I did with them. It was fall '05. I got to shoot a gun :)

My desk or 'where the bloggy magic happens!'

2010-01-10T21:44:00.000-08:00

Key Elements in my Desk Space:
(other than the Pretty in Pink framed album. because, really, that speaks for itself.)

engagement photo
(did not see the dust before this close-up of this adorable, if rather youngish couple.)

scripture cards
the camera really does add ten pounds! I just didn't know it pertained to dust as well.
(nice shot of the glasses I should have on my head while typing this...hang-on...alrighty, much better! oh, dang. now I see even MORE dust! lol)

cool art project from last year that still makes me smile
and cut-out, groovy mannequin head from an ULTA ad.
(you may also note the enormous margarita glass from Great Wolf Lodge... now relegated to the unglamorous job of holding pens and such (if you are an odd-shaped mug or glass in my house, you better prove yourself adept at much more than 'beverage bearer' if you expect to stick around long)

Ergo keyboard

which is actually really funny, because I sit on a folding chair -- at the wrong height, thus erasing all possible benefits of mr. ergo keyboard...who, I notice upon closer inspection, is covered in shiny, sticky fingerprints. nice. *sigh* ah well, from the 'webkinz' tag lurking in the background I really didn't fool any of you into believing that I actually get to sit here when they are awake did I? didn't think so! :)

have a good evening! ~ I'm going to go get a washcloth...and a dust cloth...

awards night at the theater

2010-01-09T23:55:00.000-08:00

afterward: celebrating weeks of starving myself to fit into my dress...
ok, maybe not ;) but it sure was an amazing night and such fun to see so many friends all gussied-up! also got to listen to a concert from the Magenta Small Band~ and wow! they are terrific! --if you get a chance to see one of their concerts--do! you can get dates and ticket info at Magenta Theater website.

thank you, Jaynie, for Magenta Theater! (and thank you, again, for the award)
OH!!!!
and before I forget: we actually did get a chance to give a speech while accepting our awards--but since I had no idea I was even up for an award--of course was unprepared and muttered something about 'thanks'...so here it is...

Best Supporting Female Actor for Steel Magnolias 2009

*~My Acceptance Speech~*

(peering humbly around at everyone) thank you, oh, thank you, so much! I was so honored to even be cast in such an amazing show, that I have to first thank Dorinda for allowing me to play a role that is SO out of the ordinary for me. For seeing beyond this gorgeous exterior and sensing that deep down, I can be ugly with a touch of white trash. To Amanda, for allowing me to do unspeakable atrocities to your hair onstage, and douse you with water. To Dave, for creating the very cool contraption that allowed me to douse Amanda onstage...oh, wait...you already got an award for creating that--nevermind. sheesh! the trophy not enough for you?! now you're trying to sneak into my acceptance speech too?! (ahem) ...and to all of my other castmates for putting up with the visual assaults of my face in those glasses night after night...
and to my long-suffering husband, Jeff. He who tirelessly slaves in the kitchen to get dinner on the table after working all day just to dash home so I can run off to rehearsal. For taking on entire weekends with the children, sans me because of performances back to back (including matinees!) and doing it all without one complaint. not one. I've never heard him utter a word of negativity towards the theater or any of my time spent there.
and, of course--to Jaynie (who I actually DID remember to thank for real) for coming up with this brilliant ploy to adopt this adorable British accent in an attempt to lure people into the theater. Brilliant, I tell you--BRILLIANT!!! one wonders why we don't all do the same. she is so dang irresistible ;)

and to all the rest of you--for seeing through this ridiculous, completely (except for the parts that aren't!) sarcastic speech and knowing just how much I love you all and how much I appreciate your support--especially those of you that have ventured out and supported me in my theater adventures--it really is a magical place--hope to see you there!

giving the award some lovin'
(because, really, next to the money and the fame,
the awards really are what community theater is all about, right?
...................... right?!)
(yes...this is sarcastic, as well, it's just that kind of night)

for a non-sarcastic version of the evening ~ I suggest you link to my friend Steph's blog :)

cat on the counter

2010-01-08T23:55:00.000-08:00

no, she isn't allowed up there.

a good day

2010-01-07T21:02:00.000-08:00

being transparent has never been a strength of mine. oh, don't get me wrong ~ I do not have a poker face AT ALL. if something is bothering me, you'll know. you just may not know what it is. not really.

I've never made friends very easily. i wrote once about my social anxiety. i know that is a big part of it. but WHY i have the social anxiety is more the issue at hand. it's not one thing, and I'm not going to go into all of it here (not that I even could--I certainly don't have me figured out!) I just wanted to comment on the fact that many of the reasons I get anxious are completely unfounded thoughts that other people have things more 'together' than I do. that other moms, wives, women are better moms and wives and ...well...women than I am. they certainly have more fun together. go out more. get invited to more parties. have better behaved children (this may not be that far off...lol), have better hineys (*sigh*), make better dinners, ...and the list is neverending...and the list is SO UNTRUE!!! sooooooooo untrue! it's not true--do you hear me, women???!!!! IT'S A LIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sorry. sometimes it just needs to be said.

and today, I was blessed by a speaker who made herself so transparent and real to our moms group--that it really jolted me. nothing she said was new. I've heard it before. but then the lies creep back in. and I retreat to my solitude.

now this is not to say that I live a live of loneliness and sadness. I do not. I find joy in many things around me. and I am an introvert, so I need my alone time to rejuvenate and get ready for those 'play times' with others. but too often, I use the excuse of introvert or social anxiety as an excuse to not reach out to a friend...a friend who is most likely experiencing the very same types of lies that go through my own head! ("i'd love to have her over, but i'm sure her children never punch their siblings in the face, or pour the entire gallon of milk into the fruit drawer in the fridge to see if the apples will float, or scream at the top of their lungs when asked to clean up said milk or apologize for said face punch...")

it was so refreshing to hear so many women speak their reality out loud, in a safe environment, in our small group time. we cried. and cried. we are, after all, women :)

and I came home and I called a friend that I had been missing. and it felt so good to talk to her. and we set up a time for her to come over for lunch--and many of you know just HOW HARD that is for me to do!!! I have one friend whose house I regularly go to with my kiddos each week. but aside from that ~ well...let's just say *deep breath* I'm working on it *exhale* :)

I want to be real. it is so much easier for me to follow a script then to engage in an unwritten conversation. but knowing that we are all flawed helps. *sigh* I could ramble on about this all evening. *another happy sigh* but ~ I need to go to bed ...

AND!!!! i need to share some awesome news~~~~ completely changing subjects but in keeping with the GOODNESS of this day:

a HUGE praise for a friend's 4 year-old daughter that is , as of this morning, CANCER FREE!!!!

she was diagnosed with leukemia right before Christmas, and began treatment, but this morning her bone marrow test showed that she is already in remission! she is HEALED! there are, of course, still medications to be completed to make sure it stays gone--but this is the miracle we were all praying for her. --insert more tears of joy here-- it was a day of tears.

thank you, God.

A very good day.

Stairs not stars

2010-01-06T23:34:00.000-08:00

me. on my way to bed. realize I haven't posted for today. oops. run, get camera. attempt to take awesome photo of stars ~ no cloud cover tonight! so beautiful! can't figure out how to make camera take photo of stars. camera refuses. @!#!!! ~ take photo of stairs. unattractive. photoshop it. better. post it. goodnight :)

first cemetery walk

2010-01-05T19:59:00.000-08:00

as long as I can remember, I have been walking in cemeteries. first, as a child with my parents, then, in high school with friends (we were always very respectful...I absolutely cannot understand vandalism), and a few times as an adult, including an very old one on the east coast that Jeff, Shell and I were able to see in '99 --it was incredible to see dates as far back as the 1700s.

today, I shared this tradition with my three younger children. they all enjoyed walking among the plots and reading the names and dates. we smiled at the beautiful inscriptions, and, of course, I cried at the ones who died much too young. we did not know any of the people personally whose graves we visited today, but we did get to know their names and a glimpse of them ~ 'loving mother', 'devoted husband', 'dear friend'.

it was a lovely afternoon of reflection, quiet, and fresh air. and the overcast, grey day that we would have otherwise seen as dreary, provided the perfect backdrop to this outing :)

Back to Schooling

2010-01-04T14:12:00.001-08:00

from casual study on the couch ...

to workbooks...
to computers...
to texts...

we are back in full swing today :)

was I the only one that had a really hard time getting up this morning?!

lego creation of the moment

2010-01-03T20:24:00.000-08:00

it's a horseshoe game. and, there is a dinosaur head on the top and if you hit the dinosaur head with the horseshoe and it bounces back to you, you advance to level two and get to throw your horseshoe again. (ian's description when I asked him what he built...have i mentioned how much i love this kid?!)

Break is over for the college kiddo

2010-01-02T09:06:00.000-08:00

~Shell heads back to college~

"love you! drive safe! call! mwahhh!"
*sigh* miss her already

Ringing in 2010

2010-01-01T02:18:00.000-08:00

kiddos with their friends. they all made it to midnight this year!

me, Dana and Heather

Happy New Year!!!

New Year, New...

2009-12-30T22:09:00.000-08:00

...expectations.

...resolutions.

...risks.

...gains.

...losses.

...attitude.

...perception.

...desires.

...joys.

...sorrows.

...page. blank now, just waiting for that first glint of sunlight to rise on it ~ Jan. 1, 2010. what do you have in store for us, new decade? eager to find out...

new posts and first snow

2009-12-29T23:55:00.000-08:00

the kiddos raced outside today to play in the first snowfall of the season. not much on the ground in this photo from early afternoon, but it is certainly covered out there now!

little by little I have been keeping up my blogging. but I have been keeping it all to myself. I know. what's the point, right?

dunno.

but I just didn't feel inclined to publish them. don't judge. I've already admitted I don't know why.

anywho. they are here now. if you wish to peruse...please do. they date back to August, I believe ...and yes, I kept the original dates on them, even though some I just finished recently. I like chronological order. it makes sense in my oft scrambled brain.

oh. and there will be more (summer vacation pics still coming--yikes! only 6 months behind on those!). and they will be added by their original date, too. sorry if that is confusing. I would say that my new year's resolution is to keep up better with my blogging--but I think I said that LAST year... :P

Christmas 2009

2009-12-24T22:00:00.000-08:00

all dressed up in their Christmas outfits for Christmas Eve service at church.

I am so blessed :)

may your Christmas be filled with joy and love.

Pierced Ears

2009-12-12T23:55:00.000-08:00

Gabby's Pony Party

2009-12-05T23:55:00.000-08:00

Gabby has been taking riding lessons this year at a wonderful stable near our house. However, the lure of gymnastics recently pulled her away from riding and I am currently enjoying an inside seat during lessons at the gym (it is stinkier but much warmer ~ especially this time of year!). BUT, if birthday party desires are any indication of where a girl's true love lies...well, we may be back in the stable before long :)

Many of Gab's friends were able to join us for her pony party ON her actual birthday (so nice when they fall on a Saturday!) And Miss Kathryn really went out of her way to give everyone a fantastic experience. We all learned so much about horses and ponies during the tutorial time, and then all the kiddos got to ride TWICE! ice cream cake and presents rounded out a fun (although super cold) December day ;)

King Arthur patiently allows us to examine his teeth

so happy :)

Gabby, back in the saddle again!

ian saddles up, as well

even little sister goes for a ride

wonder what the wish could be? couldn't possibly involve horses...

the saddle Gabby sat on to open her presents!

Fun time all around :)

Oh, Gabrielle, I have so many wishes for you ~ on your birthday and always. mainly, I wish you to know just how very loved you are. and what an amazing young lady you are becoming. 9! whoa!--is that possible?! Each year has been more and more wonderful with you. You make me smile everyday with your songs and dances and dreams of being a 'rock star'. To me, you always will be. I love you, Babs. :)

Evie's 4th birthday

2009-11-21T23:55:00.000-08:00

What she wanted most for her birthday was a party at the local 'mouse house'. (aka Chuck E. Cheese) Having done a large birthday party at Chuck's for Gabby a few years back, the memories still make me cringe a bit. So, instead, we opted for family and one friend. Owen. Wouldn't you know it, Owen wasn't in the mood for photos that day, so I don't have any of them playing. but I assure you--they had fun. and it was the most stress-free party yet! yay!!!

(oh, and for those of you wondering...she is completely obsessed with Minnie Mouse--wants to wear the red and white polka-dot dress and mouse ears EVERYWHERE and introduces herself as 'minnie mouse')

Happy Birthday, Big 4-year-old! I love you so much :)

Tyrone Wells Concert

2009-11-11T23:55:00.000-08:00

I must first preface this by saying that this concert totally rocked!. We had so much fun, and were so uplifted by the music that it is almost frustrating that everyone we know did not go. --because it is impossible to relay just how great it was :) (kind of a 'you had to be there--wish you had been' kind of a thing)
We are big Tyrone fans to begin with ~ not that we had really followed his music all that closely lately (although we have now remedied that and have 2 of his CDs...and will assuredly get more!) ~ we are just fans of TYRONE! You see, we went to college with him, and Jeff's brother actually played with him in a band for a number of years before he went solo. He is a great guy: a sincere, Godly man that has an amazing voice and passion for music. So, next time he is in your town, grab the chance ~ and go!!

Definitely one of the best date nights we have had in a while :)

Walt Disney World

2009-10-05T17:00:00.000-07:00

This is what 3am looks like:

But the gorgeous view from our room made that late night arrival all worth it...

don't they look thrilled to see Walt Disney World?!

these crocs were not real--unlike the ones we saw later in Animal Kingdom!

ooooh...that Jungle Cruise is one serious ride...(I think they are trying to figure out the corny jokes!)

riding all together...

with mom and dad right behind!

even the quick thunder showers couldn't dampen our fun--we just tossed on ponchos!

Evie, especially, enjoyed the wet times :)

and what a treat it was to get to see Evie's roommate from China, Sage! (we also got to meet Sage's new sister from China, Mavery!)

AND we got to see one of Evie's other roommates, Rebeka, again! we had not seen her since China! the three girls (well, actually four, including Mavery) had such a great time together :)

Ian enjoys a swim in one of the gorgeous pools at the resort.

Evie with her new best friend, Minnie Mouse :)

night view of the Epcot ball. 'spaceship earth' (the ride inside the ball) was one of our favorites!

High School Musical 3 dances down the streets of Hollywood Studios...

and, to her delight, Gabby is chosen to dance with them!

what fun! an English phone booth in Epcot to squish in to!!

Ian and Gabby are swallowed by Bruce!
So glad we got to see your 2nd park, Uncle Walt :) We still love Disneyland the best, but WDW is certainly incredible!

Six Years Old

2009-09-19T17:00:00.000-07:00

For his 6th birthday this year, Ian wanted a Lego party. No big surprise there, as he has been very into Legos for the past year, building new creations every day.

Well, not only did he get that Lego party, filled with all things Lego for he and his friends...

(yup--that's the cake! one of the most fun I've made so far!)

handsome birthday boy waiting to welcome his guests

punch with Lego ice cubes :)

lego train game

...but he also got the ultimate Lego-lover's dream trip...

LegoLand, CA!!! (with the added bonus of it being a 'guy trip' with just daddy)

another bonus! getting to see CA cousins, AJ and Julianna!

I love you, Ian! it is a joy and privilege to be your mom :)

Oh My! Two to school!

2009-09-18T10:18:00.001-07:00

Gabby's first day back to classes was actually yesterday, so she got pictures taken two mornings in a row.

The gang. Evie is not actually headed off to school, but she insisted on dressing up and getting her backpack ready, as well.

My big kindergartener!

Yes, he picked Sponge Bob.

3rd grader and excited to show her brother the ropes at school.

Evie and I walked Gabby and Ian in to their class (yes, they are both in the same morning class--it is a 3 hour art class for grades K-4) but wasn't really needed, as Gabby showed Ian around the room and where to put his backpack and where to sit. I did manage to get a hug from them both, but they were brief and it was clear I was not needed (a good thing!).

I did tear up a bit in the car, and called Jeff to let him know what a sap I was (as if he needed more evidence!) and then Evie and I headed home. She asked immediately when Gabby and Ian were coming home, and then if she could watch Wall-E. I said, "How about we play a game? I will play Pretty, Pretty Princess with you!" her response? --"No, thanks, I will play that with Gabby." *sigh* I'd better finish up here and get back to Wall-E...I'm feeling the need to be needed --if only as a movie watching partner right now.

First Day of Homeschooling x 2

2009-08-31T15:31:00.001-07:00

because you can never have enough bling...

Well, I made it through my first day of homeschooling two kiddos! Ian began his kindergarten studies with gusto, determined to be reading by the end of the week (he gets his patience from me) and Gabby completed all of her first day of 3rd grade assignments with a smile on her face! (and that is quite an accomplishment--there is a big jump from 2nd to 3rd grade...!) Evie got bored with workbook pages in about 3 minutes, so she watched a video for the first hour of our schooling and then we waited until she went down for her nap this afternoon to finish up the rest of the schoolwork for the other two.

This was an unexpectedly quick start to our school year (we had been planning on next Tuesday, the 8th) because of an opportunity our family has to go to Walt Disney World the end of next month! yay! ~ we are so excited to get to go, but I didn't want to start off the school year already a week behind---and there is NO WAY I am taking school work to WDW! :p

I am sighing with relief *sigh* and trying to stay focused on one day at a time right now.

Tomorrow begins the busiest/craziest month our family has ever purposely planned. (and, of course, it will get busier and crazier when the unexpected happens ~ please pray that I am flexible and will meet the inevitable changes gracefully!)

I will attempt to keep up with posts ~ but if I don't see you all again until October, well, know that I am still here...just may not be able to fit blogging into the equation. ;)

Happy Birthday, Mom!

2009-08-30T23:00:00.000-07:00

I'm not saying how many candles were on the cake...but it was a milestone birthday :) So glad we were able to celebrate it with you, Mom!

~ I love you and wish you a blessed year ~

northern oregon coast

2009-08-25T11:05:00.000-07:00

Monday Gotcha Day Memories

2009-08-24T17:00:00.000-07:00

Evangeline, we dreamed about you and prayed for you long before you were even born. Today my Monday Memories are about you. because this week is your Gotcha Day. (we 'gotcha' !) :) A term that is so casually tossed around in adoption communities, but a reality that holds such a wealth of emotions.

precious princess in her Sunday best

mommy and daddy hold you for one of our first photos as a family big sis gets hold of those squishable cheeks :)

and here we are. today. with our treasure from China!

I love you, Evangeline. I love being your mommy. I love your goofy times, loud times and pretend times (when you insist on being called tinker bell, minnie mouse, horsey or puppy), I even love your grumpy times. Even during all of those prayers, I could not have imagined a more perfect daughter, a more perfect addition to our family. My life is so much sunnier with you in it.

The County Fair is here!

2009-08-11T00:08:00.000-07:00

making their own fun on a not-so-fast ride :)

getting to ride 'all by myself'!' ~such a big girl!

All smiles as Gabby finds her painting ~ she is our resident artist, and first time fair entrant!

Ian, also entering for the first time, was surprised to find a "Best of Class" ribbon decorating his entry!

Farm animals, fried food, exhibits, carnival rides, and 3 exhausted children. It was a wonderful day :)

Happy 4th of July!

2009-07-04T11:07:00.000-07:00

Monday Memories...musical theater

2009-06-29T12:34:00.000-07:00

Me, singing in a show in college. it was an original that our class (Children's Theater, maybe?) wrote to perform at local elementary schools called 'Growing Ups and Downs'.

(sorry about the quality of the photo ~ scanned.)

I love Musicals. Just last week, a friend and I went to see the Broadway touring show of RENT. (I'm going to have to go with Seth Rudetsky on this one and say that it was 'amawwww-zing!') Saw WICKED this past spring, Phantom last summer, Avenue Q and Spam-a-Lot the spring before... as well as a few amateur productions locally, including Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, The Sound of Music, and of course, the very famous Once Upon a Palace Purple...oh wait, I didn't exactly SEE that one...I was in it.

which really brings me to the point of this Monday Memory post. I do so love seeing them. it is the performing in them that I have never been too keen on. not that I don't LOVE them...I do! and not that I wouldn't love to do more--I would! it's the confidence in the singing I lack.

so, I'm going to do something that I should have done long ago. I'm going to take singing lessons. YIKES!! this is a very new decision, and one I am quite excited about ~ but also feeling very vulnerable about it. crazy, huh? I love the stage, love performing...so it only makes sense that I should sharpen this part of my craft...that's one of my favorite things about acting : you can never be 'done' learning how to improve your performance. there is always something more ~ because it is life that you are representing...and, goodness knows, that never stops changing.

and this... well this is my friend, Dana, who went to see RENT with me. she does musicals, too. and I put this here because I love her. :)

Canning ~ Strawberry Jam and Syrup!

2009-06-27T16:47:00.000-07:00

I remember, as a child, helping my mom can peaches one year (or maybe two...) and also doing applesauce a few times, but I had never attempted it myself as an adult.

Today, though, my friend, Amanda (we shall call her 'expert-canner-extraordinaire' for simplicity's sake) came over for 5 hours and we CANNED!!!

We each came away with 18 jars of strawberry (and a strawberry/raspberry mix) jam and 6 jars of strawberry syrup ~ YUM!

Gab and I canning

it's a-cookin'!

Gabby chopping the strawberries into jam-size pieces

Cindy napping strategically in the center of the kitchen. such a help.

This canning thing is seriously addicting. I am so looking forward to blackberry season...and apples...also going to try doing some salsa ~ there's no stopping me now! :)

Sleepover at our House

2009-06-26T11:01:00.000-07:00

Gabby has been wanting to have a friend spend the night for some time now. And last night, mommy finally said yes. As a bonus, Ian also got to have his friend stay as well (it is always nice to have friends with similarly matched siblings!) It was a fun-filled, late--LATE night and we all had a great time :)

Justin and Ian munch on snacks and enjoy a late night movie

Gabby and Hannah (and Bella) dress up

and Evie finds her own way to occupy the time

*sigh*

it won't be long before she will also be asking for a friend to stay...

oh my, that will be a full-house!

it's 'catch-up' time... dad's visit, great wolf, easter, mother's day, steel magnolias, prom

2009-06-11T14:55:00.000-07:00

WARNING: this post is filled with many photos and not much cleverness. it is a necessary post, and I am relieved to finally get it posted... if you have been waiting for family updates ~ this is for you! if you have been waiting for the more entertaining antics of my life...well, maybe posting this now will free up that part of my brain that has been frozen for a bit ;)

Dad's visit

My father visited from Arizona for 10 days in February.

hanging with the grandkids

riding the bumper cars with Ian at Seaside

doing their best Clint Eastwood impersonations

one of the many walks they took with grandpa, they so loved having him here ~ and we all agreed that next time everyone needed to come along with him!!

Great Wolf Lodge

me~getting drenched!

our dessert~ a 'campfire' ice cream treat

evie's favorite play area

Easter

preparing for the annual Easter morning treasure hunt

Ian finds another clue...

and so does Shell!
dyeing the eggs

egg hunt at our church with friend, Justin

Mother's Day

kiddos made special pictures for me,

and their daddy designed a Tom Petty poster for me that advertised a special show ~ just for me! :) (they got me the Tom Petty collection DVD ~ me likey!)

brunch at Gustav's ~ soooo yummy!

thank you, family, you are the best :)

Steel Magnolias

I got a chance to do this fun show recently.

I played the role of Annelle.

shhhh...backstage

onstage during rehearsal

(hee hee hee ~ not doing what I supposed to be doing)

photo from the show ~ Christmas scene

the Magnolias gather before the show

(I am top, center)

Prom

Shell attended prom one more time, because her boyfriend was a Senior this year.

Shell and Nick

whew! any of you that made it this far...thank you :)

at least they were smallish

2009-05-26T09:12:00.000-07:00

Tuesday morning script.

(too bad I did not have a copy on Monday. much screaming could have been avoided)

Evie: (running in to kitchen. excited) Mommy! There were two spiders on the floor!

Mommy: (not understanding that use of past tense for spiders location is crucial to conversation. smiling) There are? oh my! Where, sweetie?

Evie: (opening hands that mommy had not noticed were balled in fists) Here, mommy!

two spiders drop out of her adorable little hands to floor inches from Mommy's bare feet. mayhem ensues.

Re-booting

2009-05-06T14:58:00.000-07:00

One of my husband's favorite pearls of wisdom:

"Shut-up and re-boot."

It is sound advice. Anyone who has wrestled with a slow or malfunctioning computer, mobile phone, or other electronic device (and who hasn't these days?) knows that in the moment of frustration...the panic of possible data loss...it is not always easy to calmly stop and re-boot.

And yet, this simply step solves most of what ailes our machines.

We must stop. STOP. what we are doing. My husband's word for this is 'shut-up' because having worked in tech support, he knows the knee-jerk reaction of everyone facing technological crisis is to try to explain their way out of it, or attempt to push through it, or work harder--maybe attack it from another angle...tech support hears it many times a day...and all they want you to do is...

STOP (shut-up). AND. RE-BOOT.

I find myself tired of trying to explain my way out of __________... tired of attempting to push through _____________... tired of working harder, doing it MY way, trying another of MY ways...only to end up right back where I started.

a crashed machine.

desperately seeking rest.

a STOP. not to life ~ certainly not! in fact, rather the opposite~ a stop to those things that remove the life from my life. It is all those extra little 'shoulds' that interfere so often with the reality of what is important. the self-imposed rules that weigh so heavily on me, since I can never measure up to them, can never follow them well enough to 'win'. you know, that psuedo-prize of 'goodness'.

"I'm through with playing by the rules of someone else's game." One of my favorite lines in a song (Defying Gravity/Wicked). and truly a good reminder to not do something just because it is what has always been done.

so, for now, my friends, there are posts to be posted and pictures to be shared...but I have stopped to re-boot. a welcome and needed halt. and one that will have me running stronger and with greater capacity soon.

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phil 4:7

Springtime Sunshine...

2009-04-06T23:05:00.000-07:00

...and a baby horse just up the road from us.

I am feeling so blessed this evening ~ it was a beautiful day.

Monday Memories...remember when we went on vacation for Spring Break?

2009-03-30T19:21:00.001-07:00

So, it's not going back real far this Monday.

Just last year, at this time. Spring Break.

You can read the post here.

*sigh*

dare I even mention the word economy? are you as sick of hearing about it as I am? ok, I won't then. I'll just say that the 'e' word has this Spring Break looking a bit less...well,... Disney.

not necessarily a bad thing ... just forcing us to be more creative this break ~ today we spent much of the day painting and cleaning. it was actually quite fun!

Monday Memories...13 years of marriage began like this...

2009-03-16T14:40:00.000-07:00

Happy 13th Anniversary, my love.

Monday Memories...doesn't even look like the same house

2009-03-09T14:11:00.000-07:00

This photo is from Christmas 2004. Just over 4 years ago. And it was taken in my house--not that you'd know it if you came over today!

My husband loves projects. He almost always has a 'project car' he is working on, as well as some home-remodeling project going.

In this photo, alone, there are many examples of his remodeling/projects. I could tell you, but it is easier to just take a photo...

of how this same exact corner looks today!The molding on the door on the left in the photo is the only thing that has not changed. The wood stove and brickwork was beautiful, but in early 2005, Gabby was walking along the bricks, slipped and fell right onto the wood stove. Fortunately, she reached out to catch herself, so the burns were only on her hands--but they were severe enough that Daddy immediately tore out the stove!

Well, since he was going to have to match tile on the floor for where the bricks had been, and was going to have wall to fill in--he decided to do downstairs in all hardwood and add a window.

and that's just one corner! currently he is splitting our bonus room upstairs into two rooms: a bedroom for Evie, and a small office for himself. I'll post pics of that another day.

(yay! for Monday Memories...gives me another day before having to post more on my progress...er...not so much progress...on my mess clean-up)

The Mess Evolves...

2009-03-07T16:53:00.000-08:00

Almost everything is now out of the room, and the holes are spackled. (there were so many holes in this room--we had installed MANY shelves and railing--as well as an elevated play castle--in the room at one time) Now that it is all patched, I am going to go get some paint!

I got rid of a trashbag full of stuff from here! yay! and I now know what all is on the shelves--still more to get rid of...and I haven't begun digging below, but it sure feels good to have started.

Any of you considering posting your own messes yet?! It is really motivational knowing that you all are checking in on my progress!