Journeys

More fun

2008-08-01T10:59:00.000-07:00

Lots of fun at the beach.....my friend Mai Tai and I have been well acquainted.....Greg's gotten in 3 days of golf (I think it's getting progressively better!)

We went to a lua'a....it was fantastic....great food.....amazing show....Keira got to go on stage on do the hula and they brought her birthday cake and sang to her! And you know how the world is so small......well, our server's aunt and uncle live 5 doors down from my parents!

Took the kids to snorkel Molokini.....what a great day! We went on the Triology boat, if you're ever here you should definitely use them....what a fun crew, great food, just an all around fantastic day. Kade and I saw so much, tons of fish, different sea urchins, a spotted eagle ray and 5 sea turtles. The kids loved it when they turned off the engines and hoisted the sails. They were at the very front of the boat looking quite "Titanic I'm on Top of the World!" I was surprised they were totally fine in the water because all this week when we've been in the room they've been watching Shark Week on Discovery Channel so I thought we might have some issues!

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES AGAIN! PICS LATER

Another Day in Paradise

2008-07-29T16:39:00.000-07:00

So the Chicago style pizza in Maui is not truly Chicago worthy but what do you expect? It was good....but about half the size of a true Chicago deep dish....that's okay - just going to have to go back to Chi town!!

So besides eating we have been doing some other stuff!

Here is the view from our room......

This is from the coast of the Ritz Carlton in Kapalua where we hung out with my parents.....

Kade took surfing lessons - he did great!

We took the kids to the Iao Valley so they could see the Needle and be in a rainforest. The other little guy is our nephew Cooper.

That's it for now..... :)

Aloha from Ka'anapali

2008-07-27T20:48:00.000-07:00

Yep we're here!! Yesterday was excrutiating. Travel days are always a little wearing however when you are traveling as a party of 11.....and 3 of the 11 for some reason do not have confirmed seats on the plane.....and 4 of us (my family) end up having to pay for our luggage because our tickets weren't issued until June 23 even though the trip was booked in February.....and the airplane smells like cat urine....and not everyone in the party is booked on the same floor of the hotel....and the dinner restaurant does not have Hula Pie.....well, things get even a wee bit more complicated!

Today was better....got up and went to a 'presentation breakfast with Auntie Aloha. She is hilarious but of course they push the time share thing....not happening. After that we hooked up with my mom and dad who just happened to be here on the same island for a wedding. They're staying at the Ritz Carlton in Kapalua so we went there and swam all late am/early pm and then had a great lunch of tempura mahi mahi.

Kade learned to body surf! Yeah!! I think he's finally overcoming his ocean phobia. Keira is practicing her swimming like a champ.

Tonight we are eating at a Chicago style pizzeria. Can't wait. I've been jonesing for deep dish since Kathy and I were in Chi-town last summer.

Of course I can't show you any pics because I forgot the drive to dump my camera card but I'll do a google search and see what I can find for you.

More later!

The Littlest One is Six!!

2008-07-24T15:30:00.001-07:00

Yep - here she is - my baby turned 6 today!

She decided she wanted to go to the American Girl Store for her birthday so down to the Grove we went. We shopped and shopped.....and she finally decided on......

KIT!!

Now what you can't see in this picture is to her right, Adam Sandler, his wife and daughter are also shopping for an American Girl. When we were in line I heard this voice say "Hey Sadie look at this one!" and it sounded so familiar. I turned around and there he was. I said to Reece "Look - it's the Waterboy." And then he tells Kade "It's Zohan!" They wanted to get their picture with him but decided it would be nice to just let him chill and shop with his daughter. Of course when we were having lunch they decided they were so bummed they didn't take one with him. Here they are after lunch - Keira has changed into her matching Kit outfit by this time.

Now we're home and they're all tired and they are actually laying down and taking naps!!

What Have We Been Doing?

2008-07-22T15:14:00.000-07:00

Lots and lots and lots!!

Mostly baseball. Kade played in the Tournament of Champions and on a 10U District All Star Team. I was awesome.....but it was weeks and weeks and hours and hours of practices and games. If they weren't practicing or playing it seemed like all the boys were over here and I was cooking spaghetti and meatballs for them!

Kade also turned 10!! We had fun with all the family over....bbq and guitar hero all night long!

Keira has been playing, playing and going to dance camp and she turns 6 in 2 days! Where has the time gone.

As for G and I....well we're just keeping up with the kids....

We're off to Maui in a few days....hallelujah!! Vacation is well overdue!

So

2008-05-03T19:36:00.001-07:00

I didn't blog in March.....I didn't blog in April....let's see what I can do in May!

Of course we have been incredibly busy - as always. Here's a few pics from the last 2 months.

Today was the day...

2008-02-23T14:54:00.000-08:00

that Keira played her first t-ball softball game! It was great. She had a really fun time, especially when she found out she was playing against her cousin Carly. They did good though, only hugged before the game, waved at each other on the field once during the game and begged for a sleepover after the game.

Her team is the Pink Angels and surprisingly they are the only girls' team that wanted pink uniforms. If you ever want to come out for some good laughs let me know and I'll shoot you a copy of her schedule.

Oh and yes, Greg is quite thrilled that Keira chose softball over spring soccer.....and Keira is excited to have Asst. Coach Daddy!

Again?!?!

2008-02-17T17:26:00.000-08:00

Could it really happen again? Could these boys get robbed by the umpires two days in a row? Oh yes it can and it did!!

The first game this a.m. we had the same umping crew as yesterday and the one umpire (who informed us that his name was 'Ashton' not 'that guy')made about 4 blantantly horrific calls against our boys. Now it's no biggie if the bad calls are going both ways - it stinks but at least it stinks fairly.

So then we go to the second game of the day and guess who's behind the plate? Ashton. Are you kidding me????!!!! Right from the get go his calls were obviously completely against our boys. By the second inning he made a call that made grandma would've known was wrong and our coach just lost it. We knew as soon as we saw his hat go on backwards and he ran out of the dugout. Of course our coach was ejected and the boys were dejected. They played hard but it didn't matter - Ashton had decided our boys were going to have to work twice as hard. Again, I think it's a travesty that they umpire was able to take the ball out of the boys' hands and influence the games as much as he did.

At the end of the game Coach sat down with the boys, apologized to them for getting ejected, explained how he wants to protect them and let them play ball. It was great.

And I totally did the 'mom thing'. I waited until after the game and went over and Ashton to speak with him. The conversation went like this -

Me: As the mom of a White Sox player I have to say that I am very saddened that you screwed these boys every opportunity you had. It was bad yesterday and worse today.

Ashton: I am fair and unbiased.

Me: Um, no you're not and I am sure that fans from either sides of the bleachers would agree with me. (btw I already knew this was true because parents and coaches from the other teams had already approached us and apologized for how awful it seemed)

Ashton: I'm fair and unbiased.

Me: Well, no you're not and as a mommy I am very disappointed in you.

And with that I turned around and walked away.

So the boys will live to play another day - although it will never again be at Santa Susanna Little League in Simi Valley!!

I thought I wasn't one of "those" moms....

2008-02-16T17:01:00.001-08:00

but maybe I am....yep...I'm thinking I'm a "Little League" mom!

You see my Little Leaguer - he's 9. He loves baseball. He wants to play all the time. And today he and his 9 year old baseball team got robbed by hometown umps! So yes, I'm venting. I'm protective. I'm really irritated. I don't want to be "one of those moms", but when I see adults doing things to rob kids....I get pi$$ed!

So here's the story.........

We were warned by some other teams we know from all around not to play in this particular tournament because the umps always seem to go "hometown." You don't want to believe that though - for crying out loud these boys are 9 - why would an ump mess around with kids psyches like that.

Well, all of our friends can now say "I told you so!" Our boys played the hometown team today and had a rough start to the game. By the bottom of the 4th inning they were down by 9. But I gotta say these kids always save their best for the last innings so you never know what can happen. So sure enough during the last 2 innings they came back and ended up going ahead by 4 runs. Now all during the game the umps calls had been very questionable but the boys just played on

So we're in the bottom of the last inning. The other team has come back and are down by one. There are 2 outs. One more out and we win. Our pitcher pitches - the batter swings and misses - Game Over - We win!!!! Um, no.....the field umpire says "no the batter is not out. the pitcher balked" and he advances all the runners one base. Not good! First of all, I can't believe their calling balks on 9 year olds and second of all, if there is a balk you stop the play, throw your hands in the air and yell "balk!"....not let the kid pitch and then decide to do it. As you can imagine, our boys were confused - the coaches were irate and the fans in the stands, well, you can imagine.

So our boys pull it back together and know they just have to get one more out. The next batter hits it, my son gets it and throws a runner out...but in the meantime another runner scores. I couldn't tell if the run scored first or the out was made first - our boys must have thought it was the out because they came running off the field pumped up to go another inning. But of course the ump said the run scored first - game over - hometown team wins.

You should have seen the faces of our boys when the coaches had to tell them, "sorry guys, you lost." They just stared at the coaches in disbelief...first the bogus balk call and now another bad call in the boys' opinion. The boys will bounce back - of course they are very disappointed in the way it all went down - and I am too. I went to find the tournament director to ask her to have the umpires come over and explain to the boys why the made the last two calls the way they did. But of course that didn't happen.

I felt so bad for the kids! But Kade is out in the batting cage now, getting ready for tomorrow. I love how he can leave it on the field....wish I could be more like him! They have a double header tomorrow.....so say a little prayer of protection for the boys....and maybe for the umps....and definitely for the fans to remember we're there for the boys!

How am I?

2008-02-15T13:52:00.001-08:00

So I've been trying to keep on the blog a bit better - and I got a comment from my dear friend Amanda that said, "but how are you?"

Isn't that a great question! Often times people will just say "fine thanks" and move on....I think we're too afraid to unload our "junk" onto others. But I think it's healthy to unload....at the appropriate times to the appropriate person. We've been talking about that in my women's group. We're reading a book called Truefaced and it's awesome! All about removing the masks we wear.

Okay - but that's still not about me althought it does tell you about my women's group.

I'm doing good actually. I started going to an accupuncturist about 3 months ago and it's been awesome. I'm actually bummed on the weeks I don't go.

Work is crazed and I have accepted it always will be. I work with many people who find their bliss in complaining about the way things are....instead of using that energy to teach the kids and try to change the way things are in a positive manner.

Church is amazing. We're part of The Living Room, which started as a Bible study in a living room, hence the name. But there's also a much deeper aspect to the name too. We're really living in community. In the last week there was some dissension and such amongst our eklesia (look it up) and instead of it becoming back biting or speculation or relationship damaging everyone came together in a garage and laid it all out...honestly....and it got heated....but when that happened Dara just yelled "stop! we're praying right now" and that's what happened. We were there for hours...but there was still paths to travel down in the discussion so it happened the next day. And everyone is still together....is everything perfect - maybe not? But will it get there - probably not? But what is perfect other than Christ? So I am blessed to be a part of this group and I am being filled.

I can see that I will start spending a lot of time in the car again - Little League and Travel Ball have picked up for Kade and Keira is playing T-ball Softball!! I just want to make sure we can still carve out that family time at the dinner table at least a few times a week.

Greg is an incredible husband. I just can't say enough about who he is and what he does for us.

I'm not getting to scrapbook as much as I want. I've put on some extra weight that I really want off but can't seem to find the motivation to do anything about it right now. We've been interviewing contractors for a kitchen remodel. My big goal right now is home organization (it only took 2 days to clean off my desk - egads!)

So there's a quick nutshell. I know I'm leaving something out. But I'll try to remember to share about me too. Now all of you go and do the same so I know how you are!

Oh the 80's

2008-02-08T14:05:00.000-08:00

Can I just say I love my friends!? Even when they think the ecological footprint test is 'eco-nazi'? heehee! Seriously, I think we are truly blessed when we have friends that don't always agree with us....friends that occassionaly agree with us....friends that challenge us....friends that trust us.....friends that accept us....friends that are willing to tell us when they think we are wrong....friends that are there to help wipe away the tears....friends that are there to celebrate the moments.....friends that don't always have to say 'I told you so' (but you know they did!).....friends that you can be with and don't even have to talk....friends that you can call or that can call you at 11:30pm on a worknight and say "I need to talk".....

I have friends that fit all these categories and I can't imagine life without them. How sad and lonely it would be!! So let's start the weekend off by being thankful for our friends. Let a friend know how much you care!

My friend Glenn sent me this - brought quite a giggle - guess this was before Seinfeld since Jason has hair!

Enjoy!

The McDLT

Our Ecological Footprint

2008-02-06T16:34:00.000-08:00

I took this little quiz today to see how my living impacts the planet. I was pretty surprised. My results said that if everyone lived the way I did we would need 3.7 planets. EEK! So they have a little checklist on things you can adjust to make your eco footprint a bit smaller. Try the quiz. Hope you need less planets than I did!

Your Ecological Footprint Quiz

The Most Selfless Form of Recycling

2008-01-30T11:55:00.001-08:00

It's ECO Wednesday some I am sticking with the theme - but in a different context - recycling yourself. If you don't get any further in this post (because it most likely will be long!) just take this - BECOME AN ORGAN DONOR!

I have an incredibly amazing friend....who today is #3 on the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) list for a double lung transplant. After I dropped the kids off at school I got a call - at 1:30am she had received "the call" - potential lungs.

So what happens next? The doctors take off, up to 1,500 miles away, to find out if the lungs are a match. If they are, then "the call call" comes. The lungs will be transported here for my friend and the process of the transplant will begin.

I was on my way to Target when I got the call and I continued on my way. But I got there and wandered aimlessly - for 2 1/2 hours with a continuum of thoughts and emotions. And then the next call came - the lungs were rejected. That set off a whole new continuum.

I cannot truly fathom what my friend feels right now....although I do know that at the heart of it all she has peace....peace because she has given this process to Him. She knows she is in His hands.....and there's no better place to be.

So I am sharing my feelings.....my thoughts. My way of working through. My ultimate thoughts are always with my friend and her family but there is so much more.

The doctors - they get a call....they hop a plane to wherever....they evaluate the organs....if they are compatible they hop back on the plane and prepare for an incredible surgery that will take quite some time. These are dedicated doctors....dedicated to the people who's lives they are helping to improve and save. They need to be covered in prayer....for supernatural energy....unmatched skill....thier own health so that when the time is right they are ready to go....and for their total discernment about the organ in question....and today that was the case....this wasn't the one and they knew it.

The donor - My prayer for them is that they know Jesus Christ and will be waking up in Paradise. And I am so grateful for them....that they realized there was a time when they would no longer need their bodies and they are willing to share and 'recycle' as it would be.....I have realized that....my driver's license says so....my family is well aware of my wishes.

The donor's family - In their hour of loss I would prayer that they have a ray of comfort...a comfort that the one they loved is helping a one I love. I'm also grateful to them....that they honored the wishes of their loved one.

So I have 2 challenges for you today - really I am heavily urging you to take these on....if you are not already...seriously consider organ donation...research it....read about....I will pray for you, that you would be comforatable and sure in putting that red sticker on your driver's license. Secondly, pray....pray for everyone touched and used in this process....

If you are interested in more facts about organ donation
UNOS you can find it at UNOS.

ECO Wednesday - Plastic Planet

2008-01-23T14:50:00.000-08:00

So with my sabbatical from blogging I haven't done anymore ECO Wednesdays so since it's Wednesday - let's go ECO!

Today it's all about the plastic bags. Did you know the average family brings home 1,000 bags every year. Most of those bags end up in land fills. That really adds up - 100 billion plastic bags are sent to landfill in the US each year.

In landfills, it can take up to 1000 years for a bag to decompose. Plastics don't biodegrade, they photo-degrade, breaking down into tiny toxic pieces that contaminate soil and water or harm wildlife.

Many stores, like Trader Joes, are selling reusable bags as a bandaid to this problem. Great idea! How can we get more people on board? The bags I have from Trader Joes are always in my trunk so that when I go grocery shopping I have them with me. But it would be great to have a bag I could keep in my purse for all of those other little trips. I have found some online and ordered some of the Chico bags today. I'll let you know how they are when I get them.

Baggu Bags
Chico Bags

The other pain is the plastic baggies for lunches! Greg and Kade both take sandwiches everyday. I found a reusable sandwich wrapper to try out for them. I've got one coming. As long as the boys don't lose it, not only we'll we be saving landfill space - we'll be saving money on those darn bags!

Wrap-n-Mat

So here's your challenge for the next week - should you chose to accept it - get some reusable bags and use them. Try to cut down on the plastic bags from the grocery store!

God vs. Science

2008-01-22T21:03:00.001-08:00

This is a great story Glenn sent me - the moral of the story - in the end God always wins!!

GOD vs. SCIENCE
A science professor begins his school year with a lecture to the students,
"Let me explain the problem science has with religion." The atheist
professor of philosophy pauses before his class and then asks one of his new
students to stand.

"You're a Christian, aren't you, son?"
"Yes sir," the student says.

"So you believe in God?"
"Absolutely."

"Is God good?"
"Sure! God's good."

"Is God all-powerful? Can God do anything?"
"Yes."

"Are you good or evil?"
"The Bible says I'm evil."

The professor grins knowingly. "Aha! The Bible!" He considers for a moment.
"Here's one for you. Let's say there's a sick person over here and you can
cure him. You can do it. Would you help him? Would you try?"

"Yes sir, I would."

"So you're good...!"
"I wouldn't say that."

"But why not say that? You'd help a sick and maimed person if you could.
Most of us would if we could. But God doesn't."

The student does not answer, so the professor continues. "He doesn't, does
he? My brother was a Christian who died of cancer, even though he prayed to
Jesus to heal him. How is this Jesus good? Hmmm? Can you answer that one?"

The student remains silent.

"No, you can't, can you?" the professor says. He takes a sip of water from a
glass on his desk to give the student time to relax.

"Let's start again, young fella. Is God good?"
"Er...yes," the student says.

"Is Satan good?"
The student doesn't hesitate on this one. "No."

"Then where does Satan come from?"
The student falters. "From God"

"That's right. God made Satan, didn't he? Tell me, son. Is there evil in
this world?"
"Yes, sir."

"Evil's everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything, correct?"

"Yes."

"So who created evil?" The professor continued, "If God created everything,
then God created evil, since evil exists, and according to the principle
that our works define who we are, then God is evil."

Again, the student has no answer. "Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred?
Ugliness? All these terrible things, do they exist in this world?"

The student squirms on his feet. "Yes."

"So who created them?"

The student does not answer again, so the professor repeats his question.
"Who created them?" There is still no answer. Suddenly the lecturer breaks
away to pace in front of the classroom. The class is mesmerized. "Tell me,"
he continues onto another student. "Do you believe in Jesus Christ, son?"

The student's voice betrays him and cracks. "Yes, professor, I do."

The old man stops pacing. "Science says you have five senses you use to
identify and observe the world around you. Have you ever seen Jesus?"

"No sir. I've never seen Him."

"Then tell us if you've ever heard your Jesus?"
"No, sir, I have not."

"Have you ever felt your Jesus, tasted your Jesus or smelt your Jesus? Have
you ever had any sensory perception of Jesus Christ, or God for that
matter?"

"No, sir, I'm afraid I haven't."
"Yet you still believe in him?"
"Yes."

"According to the rules of empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol,
science says your God doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?"

"Nothing," the student replies. "I only have my faith."
"Yes, faith," the professor repeats. "And that is the problem science has
with God. There is no evidence, only faith."

The student stands quietly for a moment, before asking a question of His
own. "Professor, is there such thing as heat?"

"Yes," the professor replies.. "There's heat."

"And is there such a thing as cold?"
"Yes, son, there's cold too."
"No sir, there isn't."

The professor turns to face the student, obviously interested. The room
suddenly becomes very quiet. The student begins to explain. "You can have
lots of heat, even more heat, super-heat, mega-heat, unlimited heat, white
heat, a little heat or no heat, but we don't have anything called 'cold'. We
can hit up to 458 degrees below zero, which is no heat, but we can't go any
further after that. There is no such thing as cold; otherwise we would be
able to go colder than the lowest -458 degrees."

"Every body or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits
energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy.
Absolute zero (-458 F) is the total absence of heat. You see, sir, cold is
only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold.
Heat we can measure in thermal units because heat is energy. Cold is not the
opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it."

Silence across the room. A pen drops somewhere in the classroom, sounding
like a hammer.

"What about darkness, professor. Is there such a thing as darkness?"

"Yes," the professor replies without hesitation. "What is night if it isn't
darkness?"

"You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is not something; it is the absence of
something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing
light, but if you have no light constantly you have nothing and it's called
darkness, isn't it? That's the meaning we use to define the word."

"In reality, darkness isn't. If it were, you would be able to make darkness
darker, wouldn't you?"

The professor begins to smile at the student in front of him. This will be a
good semester. "So what point are you making, young man?"

"Yes, professor. My point is, your philosophical premise is flawed to start
with, and so your conclusion must also be flawed."

The professor's face cannot hide his surprise this time. "Flawed? Can you
explain how?"

"You are working on the premise of duality," the student explains. "You
argue that there is life and then there's death; a good God and a bad God.
You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can
measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought."

"It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully
understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be
ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death
is not the opposite of life, just the absence of it."

"Now tell me, professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a
monkey?"

"If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, young man, yes,
of course I do."

"Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?"

The professor begins to shake his head, still smiling, as he realizes where
the argument is going. A very good semester, indeed.

"Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot
even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching
your opinion, sir? Are you now not a scientist, but a preacher?"

The class is in uproar. The student remains silent until the commotion has
subsided.

"To continue the point you were making earlier to the other student, let me
give you an example of what I mean."

The student looks around the room. "Is there anyone in the class who has
ever seen the professor's brain?" The class breaks out into laughter.

"Is there anyone here who has ever heard the professor's brain, felt the
professor's brain, touched or smelt the professor's brain? No one appears to
have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable,
demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, with all due
respect, sir."

"So if science says you have no brain, how can we trust your lectures, sir?"

Now the room is silent. The professor just stares at the student, his face
unreadable.

Finally, after what seems an eternity, the old man answers. "I guess you'll
have to take them on faith."

"Now, you accept that there is faith, and, in fact, faith exists with life,"
the student continues. "Now, sir, is there such a thing as evil?"

Now uncertain, the professor responds, "Of course, there is. We see it
everyday. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man. It is in
the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These
manifestations are nothing else but evil."

To this the student replied, "Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does
not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like
darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of
God. God did not create evil. Evil is the result of what happens when man
does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes
when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light."

The professor sat down

Egads!

2008-01-19T16:48:00.001-08:00

Well it's been over 2 months! No way I can catch everything up. Here's a few pics of the end of the Bergman year.

Halloween!

2007-11-03T10:31:00.001-07:00

So the kids had fun but I was quite the hag. I put on my witch hat and that was quite fitting. However, it got better....it was good to walk....talk with Marcia....see all the cute kids out in their costumes....watch my kids faces light up when they opened the overflowing candy bags!

Here is Kade and Trevor as beat up soccer players.....they've been planning this since soccer season started

And Keira and Jennaye as Daphne and a cheerleader

Fire Storm

2007-10-21T14:54:00.000-07:00

Today is so eerie. It's only about 2:30 in the afternoon but it's like night.

All of the fires around SoCal and 60 mile per hour winds have created a very creepy atmosphere. Streetlights and headlights are on.

The air is so thick and glowing and orange red, beautiful colors but you know they are being created by disaster elsewhere. The pictures tell the story - I did no photo editing to these. Praying for an end to this soon.

More Catching Up

2007-10-20T10:08:00.000-07:00

Soccer has started! Well it started like 2 months ago but since I haven't been keeping up, it's new here!! Kiki's team in the 'Pink Sparkly Puppies' and mommy is the coach. They are actually doing really well this year....and even though we're not supposed to keep scores or stats - we do have a winning record. hheehhee

Kade is on the Cyclones this year and they have an incredible team. Watching them play is exciting. These boys have skills!

But of course there is a little competition going on in my house between my kids. Who will score the most goals this season? Right now little sister is ahead with 4. Kade has 2 but has less of an opportunity to score since he's usually playing goalie or fullback. Keira has 2 more games......Kade does too but he also has playoffs to try and and catch up. We shall see who is victorious and of course the only prize is bragging rights!

Catching Up

2007-10-15T19:09:00.001-07:00

So lots of things have happened this fall and I am way behind. So let's start with this one.

Kiki started Kindergarten!!

and Kade started 4th grade!!!

I cannot believe how quickly these 2 are growing up!!

Need to Talk - Don't Know What to Say

2007-09-15T17:20:00.000-07:00

The above is one of my favorite quotes from Grey's Anatomy. Do you remember how great it was being a kid? All we had to worry about was making sure we were in by the time the street lights came on.....making sure we strung the right pattern with our macaroni beads....just all the random things that then seemed huge. I wish that was what was huge now.

But now we're grown-ups...and with being a grown-up comes grown-up crap....death, infidelity, divorce, disallusion, disappointment, illness, loss.....some of these have touched my life....some have not....some have in a round about way......

I look at my husband and my kids and I praise God for my life. And then I'm on my knees praying for the hedge of protection He can provide them from 'the flaming arrows of the evil one.' I am just overwhelmed lately about the spiritual battle that is raging around us.

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,

but against the rulers, against the authorities,

against the powers of this dark world and

against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

Ephesians 6:12

But I still am going to keep praise on my lips because there's hope. I am finding peace in reading the Psalms right now. Songs of sorrow and joy....and hope.

ECO Wednesday

2007-09-12T09:10:00.001-07:00

I like to think that I am an environmentally concious person. My dad calls me a 'hippy' but I think that's a bit too far....I do shave under my arms and I can't stand bare feet. There are things that I do that I am sure are not fantastic for the environment so I try to make up for it So I have decided that on Wednesdays this will become ECO blog. Not sure what form it will take but I'm going on the ride nonetheless.

So for the inagural ECO Wednesday I thought I would share some of the things we do in my household to try and be good stewards of the beautiful earth.

Recycle! Yep, everyone does it I'm sure. But it should be more than the bottle and the can. We break down every cardboard box and container, toss in every newspaper and magazine....even junk mail!

Take your own bags to the market. Let's quit using all those plastic bags at the grocery store. I have some great canvas bags I take with me. And one of my faves is one I got at Trader Joe's. It's insulated so the cold foods stay cold.

Buy local. I know there's a debate on whether or not organic food is good for the planet in the long run. But I do try to buy meats and dairy products that come from animals that have not been treated with hormones. I just don't want to feed it to my kids. And I love buying our produce at the Farmer's Market. It supports the local farmers and nothing beats a tomato fresh off the vine in my salad.

Plant Something. Get that fresh oxygen flowing. Plant something in your yard once a month.

Okay - so those are some of the things I am trying to incorporate into my family's lifestyle. How about you? Any ideas I can add?

Who Am I?

2007-09-03T09:03:00.000-07:00

So this is a blog challenge from Liz over at EBB Creations . It's supposed to be an introduction about yourself. I guess I assume if you read my blog you know me....but maybe there are some things about me you don't know. So I guess I will share some 'deep dark secrets'.

1. I am extrememly claustrophobic and have serious space issues
2. I can't eat food if it still has bones in it
3. I have owned 8 cars in the last 20 years
4. I have been rapelling - Australian style.
5. I've spent a lot of time in school....I have an Associate of Arts degree, a Bachelor's Degree in Business Managment with a Minor in Finance, California Real Estate License, California State Teaching Credential with a Clear Credential and a CLAD Credential and a County of Ventura Level II Technology Certificate.
6. I have a 3 inch scar on my right foot from getting my foot sliced open when I was 2....broken glass in a lake.
7. I am enthralled by clouds.
8. I could never be a podiatrist or beautician because other people's hair and feet creep me out.
9. I eat plain yogurt and granola for breakfast almost everyday.
10. My nickname in Jr. High was Ralph.

Now what about you? Tell me something I don't know about you!

12 Years!!

2007-08-05T13:04:00.000-07:00

4,380 days , 105,120 hours, 6,312,600 minutes......that's us!

She's 5!!

2007-07-24T09:25:00.000-07:00

Back from Chicago!!

2007-07-23T11:33:00.000-07:00

G and I got home from the Windy City last night. It was weird...we flew in together, then he and I got into different rentals cars and went our different ways only to pull back into the rental return at the same time yesterday am! For G, his trip was many hours/miles in the car - Chicago to Champaign-Urbana to Indianapolis to Peoria and then the return. For me it was Chicago-Schaumburg-Rosemont but I also found myself on the tollroad to Milwaukee by mistake more than once!

G golfed and I went to the scrappers eye candy store - CHA!! Can you imagine it? A whole convention center filled with scrappers and their accoutrement? I picked Kathy up at the airport and we were off. Many adventures to share - I'll have to post those later. Here are a few of our goofier pics -

Kathy and the talented Tim Holtz ------

Self-portrait at the Cloud Gate in Milennium Park...I think Silver Kidney Bean would be a much better name!

Cruising downtown on the blueline during the late hours......

That's it for now. More later. Because in less than 48 hours this family is back on the road again and there is laundry and grocery shopping to be done!

Have a great day!

Champions!! And a plug for the power of prayer

2007-07-16T09:51:00.001-07:00

Look at these boys!! Champions of the Summer Kick Off Baseball Tourney 8U!! What a great weekend of awesome baseball! Kade had some defensive plays that were unreal...in fact he caught a long fly to center to end the game which was amazing. Of course I got a little weepie!

But what made me even more weepie was the little guy in the back row on the right. Do you see him? With the patch on his eye? The fact that he is in this picture, standing with his teammates is a true testimony to the power of prayer.

At his first at bat of the day he was hit in the eye with a pitch. The boys had been clocked throwing between 45 and 50 mph that day. When he went to the ground he wasn't really crying, but the words that came out of his mouth were more terrifying - "I can't see." His mom, who is an ER nurse, and his dad scooped him up and took off for the hospital. His dad called me with updates all throughout the morning...broken nose....burst vessles....torn muscles....and the worst - the don't know if they will be able to save his eye.

So we prayed....and prayed hard...parents and fans for both teams....also for the little boy who had thrown the pitch. All the while we didn't want our boys to know how bad things could be. They won the first game and then were to advance to the championship game. They knew their teammate and friend was in the hospital and wouldn't be back so they hung his glove at the entrance to the dugout and touched it each time they went out on the field.

The game was a battle....and our boys battled hard. They got to the 5th inning and just busted it open. The hit and hit and hit and scored 9 runs. Then my phone rang again and it was Larry. The doctors were going to release Reese and he wanted to get back to the game. Did he think I could get them to hold off on the awards ceremony until they got there? I would sure try! The announcer announced to everyone that the injured player was on his way and could everyone be patient just for awhile. After a bit the other team started getting restless so they were beginning the ceremony and then I saw this..........

They were there!! Everyone went crazy! The players mobbed him...the parents and fans wept. An amazing day! Reese's mom said to me, "He shouldn't be standing here getting this trophy right now. With this kind of injury. If it weren't for the prayers on his behalf....this is all because of prayer."

So if you pray, you can continue lifting this family up. There are still many medical appointments in the very near future for this little guy. And there are still no definite answers as to his prognosis...but yesterday...prayers were answered...and tomorrow they will be too!

This is my kid!

2007-07-06T11:06:00.000-07:00

I just was cleaning out my email inbox and found an email from Sara (thanks!) with a simple message "This is your kid" and this picture. Yep - he's all mine!! heehee

Happy Birthday Gram!

2007-07-04T11:26:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday dear Gram! I miss you so much. Even more so today. I'm wearing my Union Jack t-shirt in your honor today. Some will look at me like I'm unpatriotic....you wouldn't like that...with how much you loved your adopted homeland.....but then I remember that there is no sadness in heaven....and for that I am so glad....things have happened in the last few years that wouldn't have made you happy....especially between me and Pop.

Things have been said....by both of us....things that can't be taken back......you know the 2 of us are so much alike.....but we have completely different opinions about what's happened....and who is right or wrong....I've admitted my part but you know Pop better than anyone.....I haven't even spoken to him since Christmas....and even then he could hardly look at me across the table....I wonder if it's because he really is mad...or maybe feeling a bit guilty....sad....who knows....I want him to take responsibility for his part in this though....to feel that he should be held accountable.....

You would have been happy though to see all of us together....except Raymond and Pop....up at the beach house.....Mike & Amber and Hailey Lauren....Brian and Reece....my mom and dad...Eric and his fiancee Jen....Kimmy, Evan and Austin.....Greg, Keira, Kade and me....Keira made sure to remind everyone that it was your birthday! Dad and the boys were all out surfing....40 years since your #2 boy had been on a surfboard! We thought about you during all of the fireworks. Brian and Reece even went out to the cemetary and lit some off for you.

I miss you Gram............

Happy Birthday Sparky!

2007-06-12T06:27:00.000-07:00

Yep - my little guy is 9 today!

Hi There!!

2007-06-08T13:27:00.000-07:00

Haven't posted for awhile....life gets busy! I came across this video today....I totally dig it!

Music Video:WORLD ON FIRE (by Sarah McLachlan)

Music Video Code provided by VideoCodeZone.Com

Budding Artist

2007-05-15T17:58:00.000-07:00

Tonight was Kade's art show. They've been working with a professional art teacher this year which I love! So glad that his school and his teacher value art! They got to pick their 2 favorite pieces to show....and we got to buy them! He calls the one in the picture Grassy Forest and when you come to visit me you'll find it hanging in the family room. His other piece was called Cloudy Moon Night and Greg is going to hang that one in his office!

Does it really start this early?!?!

2007-05-02T18:02:00.000-07:00

I came home from a friend's house the other night to find the kids all snug in their beds - and Keira clutching her Princess Wishes diary. Sweet! So I asked her about it in the morning and her answer was "Oh, mommy, it's filled with all my privacy things."

EEK! Already?!?!? So of course, being the good mom I am, I read it when she was out playing. I love her version of 'privacy things'....it's a list of the words she knows how to spell and drawings of her family. Hope it is always that sweet!

Looking for Something to Do on National Scrapbook Day?

2007-04-28T09:37:00.000-07:00

NSD and Cinco De Mayo!! What could be better! If you don't have plans, some hang out with me at EBB :)

Here is the scoop straight from the top on the events happening at the EBB Scrapbooking & Crafts Center in Simi Valley for NSD on Friday May 4th and Saturday, May 5th. Upcoming class schedule will be posted soon. You can also pick up a class and event calendar in the store for full details. Any questions or registration please contact the store at 805-582-9150.

All Month Mon. – Fri. 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Free Cropping

Events
National Scrapbook Day & Cinco De Mayo Celebration Saturday May 5th
5% store discount on all merchandise
Spin the prize wheel with every purchase

Classes
10% off all purchases on class day

Paper Flower Class
Sat. May 5th 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
This class is for all levels of scrappers
Instructor: Julie Bergman
Includes Coffee, Orange Juice, Tea, and a morning snack $15.00

Friends Mini Album Class
Sat. May 5th 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
This class is for all levels of scrappers
Instructor: Kathy Wise
Includes Coffee, Orange Juice, Tea, and snacks $15.00

Explosion Mini Album Class
Sat. May 5th 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
This class is for all levels of scrappers
Instructor: Melissa Hancock
Includes Coffee, Orange Juice, Tea, and snacks $15.00

Crops
10% off all purchases during crop

Friday Night NSD Crop
Fri. May 4th 5:00 p.m. to Midnight
Snacks provided Hourly Prizes (spin the prize wheel and win) $20.00

NSD / Cinco De Mayo Crop
Sat. May 5th 5:00 p.m. to Midnight
Catered Event by Baja Fresh burritos, taquitos, salad, chips, and salsa will be served for dinner Hourly Prizes (spin the prize wheel and win) $30.00

You can call to sign up or visit the website at www.ebbcreations.com

Heroes Leading Us Through Dark Times

2007-04-26T15:52:00.000-07:00

Got these two tidbits from Glenn today....a must read story and a must see video. So I read and watched and contemplated.....then went to Yahoo to check the news....great to see that our top stories were that Hugh Grant is in trouble for throwing baked beans at a photographer and Richard Gere is considered a lewd kisser!

Heroes leading us through the darknessLA Daily News ^
04/24/2007 BRIDGET JOHNSON

ALONG with exposing the darkest side of human nature, the shootings at Virginia Tech last week reminded us that there are true heroes among us - like Holocaust survivor Liviu Librescu, a professor who blocked his classroom door to allow students to escape through the windows.
After the Holocaust, the Romanian Librescu - whose career stalled, said his son, for refusing to swear allegiance to the regime - risked arrest under the Communist system by having his science papers published in the West, until intervention from the Israeli government allowed him to immigrate there in 1979. "This saga epitomizes the life of an entire generation, which has known two of the harshest regimes of history and then reached the promised land of freedom and prosperity during the era of the 'end of history,"' friend Gedeon Dagan, a professor at Tel Aviv University, wrote for the BBC on Saturday.

"The tragic death of Liviu comes as a sombre warning that this might have been a temporary lull and that brutal and dark forces are once again casting their shadow on society."
Indeed, the communism that imprisoned Eastern Europe is not done with humanity. And the heroes are not done battling it.

Last Thursday, the House Foreign Affairs Committee unanimously approved a resolution introduced by Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., demanding human-rights reforms in Vietnam. At the center of the country's shameful record is Father Nguyen Van Ly, a Roman Catholic priest and editor of a pro-democracy publication who was sentenced March 30 to eight years in prison simply for peacefully opposing the Communist regime.

After hearing the verdict in this farce Vietnam called a trial, Father Ly shouted "Down with the Communist Party of Vietnam!" - and was then dragged away. Like most events nowadays that threaten tyrannical regimes, this stirring moment was caught on camera and distributed across the globe on YouTube.

Other "conspirators" sentenced along with Ly likewise vowed to continue to fight for democracy and freedom. One of these dissidents, Nguyen Phong, who received a six-year sentence, founded the Vietnam Party of Progress to work toward open, peaceful struggle against the oppressive Communist Party.

In a letter to the international community penned after the March 30 verdicts, Phong wrote, "In the face of this utterly unscrupulous behaviour by Vietnam's communist government, I am just an ordinary human being. But I am firmly resolved not retreat before this unjust court. I am firmly resolved to struggle even more for freedom, democracy and human rights.
"I am ready to offer my own personal suffering in exchange for these values for Vietnam."
Father Ly has spent much of his life - about 14 of his 59 years in prison, before this latest sentence - suffering for the cause of Vietnamese democracy and human rights. Ordained a priest in 1974, Father Ly was jailed by the regime by 1977 and spent a year behind bars. When authorities tried to remove him from his parish by force in 1983, surrounding the church, Father Ly got on a loudspeaker and rallied the local population about the need for freedom of religion. Catholics and Buddhists united around the church to try to keep authorities from arresting Father Ly - which 200 policemen eventually did, throwing him back in prison.
The priest has been sent to a labor camp, defied orders from the government to cease religious activities, and planted himself firmly on land to be seized by the government. No amount of police surveillance, harassment, cutting off his phone line or, frankly, prison time has stopped Father Ly. Despite a ban on leaving the country, he submitted testimony to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom for a 2001 hearing, resulting in another arrest by 600 policemen storming his church.

"If the United States and other countries truly sympathize with my ill-fated people and truly care about human rights, especially the right to religious freedom, of the Vietnamese people, you must not help the Communist Government prolong its totalitarian rule," Father Ly wrote in the testimony urging the U.S. to nix a trade agreement with Vietnam.
These are my heroes: Librescu, who stood up to evil throughout three dark chapters of history, and Father Ly and company, who continue to stand up to the darkness of an evil and repressive regime.

Librescu, who leaned against a door and took five bullets so that his students could live, and Father Ly, who languishes in dank confinement - again - so that his country might be free.
Bridget Johnson writes for the Daily News.

The YouTube link on Father Ly

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dzk1WmmHoBI

It was a Great Night!

2007-04-21T13:32:00.000-07:00

We had such a great time last night - I think G really was able to enjoy himself. So a huge thanks to Dave, Tracy, Clint, Gina, Glenn, Liz, Rachel, Jeremiah, Luke, Roy, Zya, Mimi, Elijah, Eddie, LaDonna, Lily, Tommy, Dara, Alex, Celeste, Dan, Katie, Kim, Gabby, Lynette, Ian, Sue, Brian, Scott, Cathy, Bryan, Sarah, Dan, Sara, Avery, Bobby, Sandra, Ren, Amanda, Tara, Sean and Sam for coming out and helping us celebrate!

This picture captures the highlight of my night though....when Miki came....just for a minute....to tell G she was thinking of him and loves him....and was happy to see him happy. That was the best!

So here are pics from all our fun....and here is a warning....the pictures suck! Just like Tommy told me, if you think you are a bad photographer you will be....and I was!!

A Time for Everything

2007-04-20T10:48:00.000-07:00

Ecclesiates says there is a season for everything under heaven....a time to be born and a time to die, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.....so what happens when all of these things are happening at the same time...on the same day?

Today we celebrate the life of Greg....and remember the life of Tim.

My honey turns 37 today....and we reflect on the loss of Tim 2 years ago today.

G actually wants to do something for his birthday this year....I really think it helped when Miki told him that today should also be about celebrating his life.....and Dave really planted the seed in G's mind a month ago about this too.

There's so much more I could say about these 2 guys....how I have been blessed by both of them....Greg continues to bless me daily....and remembering those last moments with Tim.....as painful as that was....there is blessing in that too.

Here is a link to Tim's Website.....the life of this man of God....incredible and you will find that out if you read about him. http://www.timgarrety.net

So today I thank God for G & T!!

The Store is Open!!

2007-04-18T17:26:00.000-07:00

It happened....after months and months of preparation

EBB Scrapbooking and Creations Center

is open!

Here are a few pics.....

I have more I need to download!!

If you are anywhere near Simi Valley you must stop in and tell E and Scott what a great thing they've done! You will go crazy over the crop room...and speaking of the crop room....there will be a "Getting to Know You" crop on Friday, April 27th and the cost is only 5 bucks!

Keep May 4th and 5th open too because we've got some fun fiestas planned for National Scrapbooking Day.

The store is located at 4437 Alpine Street in Simi Valley.

Even if you can't physically make it there...it's still open 24/7, 365 days a year at http://www.ebbcreations.com

Hope to see you there!

Just Have to Sneak

2007-04-09T19:22:00.000-07:00

you a peek. Some of you know that Kathy and I were asked by the guys at EBB Creations to help design their kits. It is so amazingly fun!! So here is a sneak of an upcoming April kit that will be available for sale on April 15...something better to look forward to than paying taxes!

I love this kit....just makes me happy!!

Happy Easter!

2007-04-08T11:09:00.001-07:00

Be kind to the Peeps!

You Must Read This

2007-04-02T08:11:00.000-07:00

I got this letter via email from a dear friend a few days ago. My friend's son made a bad decision a few years back. A choice with huge consequences. His trial just ended in March....sentencing happens April 5th. Things look bleak. But then I read the letter from Nick. You see, Nick was always a great kid. Never even had a parking ticket. One bad choice....one terrible decision. But these years in prison have not broken him....they have led him back to becoming the man God wanted him to be.

This letter was truly convicting for me. Hopefully it will speak to you as well.

To my family in Christ Jesus who have supported myfamily and me with your love and prayers:

Grace and peace to you from God, our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.

It has been a long road traveled up this point and there have been many days when
this weary traveler has wanted to call it quits; but I am a Christian, a soldier of Christ, and so quitting is just not an option. There were times and are times
still when in the flesh, I want to give in to self pity, but where is the value in that for the spiritual man, for it is through the Spirit of Christ that I now
live. Christ endured so much for me on the cross, paying the price for my sins by the shedding of His Blood. He did nothing for His punishment...what right do I have to pity myself? Instead, I pity those who are still lost in darkness as I once was, slaves to sin, held in bondage by their flesh, those who remain enemies of God and so cannot partake of the joy and peace that comes from faith in the precious promises
that are ours, given only by grace through Christ Jesus who redeemmed us with His precious blood.

I pray everyday that the Lord will give me the strength to live a life worthy of the calling I have received; that I may bring Him praise, honor and glory. It is my duty - not performed out of duty, but out of love for Him - to be an example to those who are still searching for a better life and greater hope. There is a saying, "You may be the only Jesus that people ever meet", and I realize that this may certainly be true in here. It is written, "Be holy because I am holy".

Never did I think that I would be preaching or teaching the Word of God (let alone incarcerated)butI have found it to be the greatest privilege and honor. Knowing that the Almighty God has chosen even me to be a temple for his Holy Spirit and that I am an instrument of righteousness through which He can yield His power, gives a man purpose in this life. Christ is not A reason to live, He is THE reason to live.
For me, this is the ultimate truth. This life I live, I live in Christ whether I am free or in prison.

I do not want any of you to be discouraged by the outcome of my trial, for it is written: "And we KNOW that ALL things God works for the good of those who love Him and have been called acording to His purpose".

Like the man, Job, the Lord has allowed Satan to test my faith. Satan must have thought, "Surely if God allows me to go down and make this jury find him guilty on ALL counts, giving him no chance at life outside, he will lose his faith and curse God to his face!" Surely not! My faith was tested and found genuine. I do not curse God, but praise Him all the more. I do not run from God but only tighten my
embrace. I do not lose my conviction but only strengthen my resolve. I will not take my eyes off Jesus but focus on Him even harder. He has not destroyed my testimony but given me a greater one. Faith in the worst of circumstances. I will never give up on God because He promised to never give up on me.

Thank you so much for all your prayers and encouragement. I encourage you all: abide in His love, rest in His grace, be joyful in hope and walk by faith. Pray. Pray more. Then keep on praying. Everything is ours in Christ Jesus - our heart's
desires, our deepest longings and all His promises.

I love you all.

Your brother in Christ,

Nicholas

Something California is Doing Right

2007-04-01T20:56:00.000-07:00

I love California...wouldn't want to live anywhere else (well there are a few places out of the country) but I heard something cool today.

Last weekend was Freedom Day in Costa Mesa. Over 1,000 people attended...learning more about helping end modern day slavery. Then, this week, there was a huge slavery ring bust in Orange County. Twenty massage parlors were shut down. Who's working in these massage parlors? Young girls and woman that have been trafficked to the US from China. Most of these girls were sold into this bondage by their families....if they were sent home to China chances are they would be sold again soon.

But the justice system in California does not force them to return home. They are offered Visas to stay in the US. So now these girls have a second chance. And their are organizations like JustOne out there looking for ways to help them. I am so happy to part of JustOne.

It was a rough morning

2007-03-29T12:46:00.000-07:00

for Kade today....having to realize the consequences of not doing his school work was not a good start to the day. I hated dropping him off at school in a terrible mood....Keira and I prayed his day would get better. In the meantime I just need to look at this pic of him at my grandma's birthday....a much happier day!

Your Intelligence

2007-03-28T21:36:00.000-07:00

Here's a fun quiz for you that I found on Chrissie's blog....

Your Dominant Intelligence is Linguistic Intelligence

You are excellent with words and language. You explain yourself well.
An elegant speaker, you can converse well with anyone on the fly.
You are also good at remembering information and convicing someone of your point of view.
A master of creative phrasing and unique words, you enjoy expanding your vocabulary.

You would make a fantastic poet, journalist, writer, teacher, lawyer, politician, or translator.

What Kind of Intelligence Do You Have?

CHA

2007-03-23T13:38:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite pics from CHA....hanging with three of my favorite people! The layout was created for this weeks ScrapJacked challenge....and I am so happy with how it turned out! The Tinkering Ink papers and Prima Pop Up Bird and Photo corners are from EBB Creations.

Have a great weekend!

A Medical Day

2007-03-22T18:43:00.000-07:00

What a day for these kiddos! First Kade visited the most fabulous dentist, Dr. Dan Sones for a check-up and cleaning!
And then it was Keira's turn to visit Dr. Rob for kindergarten shots! We've been building up the idea of these shots for weeks....getting her excited about it. She really was excited...felt like such a big girl.

And then she got the shots....she didn't cry at all....so brave.....but after the 4th shot she was done....but they still had to do the finger-prick blood draw....it was pretty hard to get her to pry her hand open. Only one little tear streamed down her face....but that was enough to make me want to cry!

We are sooooo lucky to have doctors that are also close personal friends. My kids have no fear of going because they trust these men. And I do too!

The best part was being able to tell Keira she doesn't have to do this again for 5 years!

Hula Girl!

2007-03-21T15:36:00.000-07:00

This pics were taken of Keira when we landed in Honolulu. As soon as she was given a lei she started hula-ing. And the funny thing was she was really good!

I love this Tinkering Ink paper!! It's from one of the new kits at EBB Creations. And speaking of EBB...lots of stuff going on there! The brick and mortar store is getting closer to opening everyday!! And the online site has a big Spring Fling On-line Crop coming up in the next few days. Kathy and I are having a ball helping with all the preparations and the store. Fun times!!

Have a great day!

He gets hotter every day!

2007-03-08T10:53:00.000-08:00

Yep - that's my man....giving pre-game counsel to the Diamondbacks. He is such a good coach....but that doesn't surprise me because he's good at everything he puts his mind too. I love to see him with the kids....teaching him about the game he loves. And helping led them to and 8-6 victory :)

I'm one lucky girl!!

My Baby is Growing Up!

2007-03-07T12:32:00.000-08:00

Seems like just yesterday we were at the hospital having her!

And today we registered her for Kindergarten!! She is sooo ready to go. Following her big brother around has prepared her for many things. (heehee)

We still have one big hurdle - the shots. She's always been a trooper when it comes to pain but I remember Kade's pre-Kindergarten appointment - brutal! So we've got 2 weeks to get ready for that. Ouch!

The Phrase of the Day

2007-03-03T17:31:00.000-08:00

Play Ball!

Today was Opening Day for our Little League. I always love opening day....the boys (and the mommies) have the nervous jitters....the uniforms are sparkling clean.....there's just this great energy in the air.

Here's my little Diamondback. They had a great game today. His team looks sooo solid! Kade got to play short-stop and pitch, his 2 favorite things. He made some exciting defensive plays and he got the first hit of the season for his team. I know that sounds a little braggy about my boy.....but I am so darn proud of him. And he is on cloud 9!

Ralph is Gone

2007-03-02T23:08:00.000-08:00

We can't find Ralph. We've been looking for him for 2 days. Apparently his singing scared some people at Starbucks and now he's not allowed to go in to get warm. Keira's worried about him. She thinks he's sick. Not sure how to explain this to her yet. Her heart is so compassionate and she just doesn't understand why everyone doesn't feel the same way about Ralph that she does.

The Word of the Day

2007-03-01T17:09:00.000-08:00

The word of today is

insinuation - covert suggestion or covert allusion to something applying chiefly to a remark, comment, or question which conveys or seems to convey a hint or implication, often one that is discreditable to the person at whom it is aimed.

Pondering

2007-02-28T09:59:00.000-08:00

So on the way home this morning, after dropping the kids off at school, I drove by an accident. And I had an unexpected response. I was immediately sick....like the kind of sick where you have to pull the car over to throw up.

I'm still pondering why that happened. We're coming up soon on the 2 year anniversary of Tim's death. I've driven by accidents since then. I know that you never really will get over or heal from sitting in the middle of a road holding your friend's hand while he dies, but do you continue to have these kind of physical reactions?

Could it have been that Miki and I had just been on the phone together? Or that I had seen her give Gavin a piggy back ride across the field at school this morning and for a brief minute could visualize Tim doing that with him?

This stuff's a downer, I know, but something I need to process nonetheless.

What's Up?

2007-02-27T18:42:00.000-08:00

I've been blog neglectful again! But I'm busy!! Waa!! Yes that's a little whine. I really need to blog about my business!! So here's the most recent goings on in no particular order..........

Just One - the non-profit focusing on putting an end to human trafficking, poverty and orphans locally and globally. Big event coming up on March 25 in Costa Mesa - Freedom Day.... I really need to devote a whole post to that

EBB Creations - what a rockin' store this is going to be! It's a great brick and mortar scrapbooking store opening up in Simi Valley reallllll soon. I'm getting to help out a bit and get to be on the store DT, which is very cool and exciting. Their website is ebbcreations.com .....

Teaching - um yeah, my 3rd graders are keeping me on my toes!

Little League - the season is here. Practices have started, opening day is this weekend. Just found out that Kade is pitching in the opener. I get so nervous when I see my baby up on that mound!

The Community formerly known as the Bridge now known as SymbolPeople or SymbolLiving - yeah, can't even explain this one .... if you're in it you know ...when I get my head more wrapped around it I'll blog

And of course my most important duties Mommy and Wife!

So what are you doing??

Recent Layouts

2007-02-17T14:03:00.001-08:00

Crazy Hair

2007-02-16T20:32:00.000-08:00

This is one of my all time fave photos of Keira.

There she is....cute as a bug....but that hair....it's everywhere....unruly....unmanageable....in her eyes.

This is one of those pics that just really captures her.

I did this layout for the latest ScrapJacked challenge. It's not my usual style. That's what I'm loving about these challenges. It makes me stretch and pulls me out of my creative comfort zone.

Ralph

2007-02-12T10:20:00.000-08:00

I need to talk today about Ralph. I started noticing Ralph at the beginning of January. He would be sitting alone at a table at Starbucks in Vons. From the looks of him, I thought he was probably homeless. And I saw him day after day.

So one very cold morning I bought him a cup of coffee and gave it to him on my way out with the passing words, "Hope this will warm you up." He smiled and thanked me.

The next day we were there again. This time I went over and asked him if he'd like a cup of coffee. "I can't actually drink coffee," he replied. "But I love hot chocolate." So from then on, hot chocolate it has been. As the weeks have gone on I have spent a more time at the table with Ralph. Not wanting to be intrusive, yet really wanting to know more about him. Today I found out that he lives behind Vons.

Keira is always with me when we go and has really taken a liking to Ralph. This morning she ran right over to him and gave him a huge hug. And I got some seriously dirty looks from the other patrons, like 'what do you think you're doing letting that little girl run over to that dirty, old homeless man who is invading our Starbucks??' I wanted to yell at all of them....."I know EXACTLY what I am doing? I am allowing my daughter to humanize a man who is marginalized by society! I am allowing my daughter to see past clothes and cleanliness...to look at a person as a PERSON! To love unconditionally as Jesus did! I know EXACTLY what I am doing! And you should be ashamed of yourselves for not doing the same."

But I didn't yell....I just looked at Keira and Ralph and smiled...and then looked at all of those around me and smiled.

Now I have also taught my children to be careful of strangers. And that some people who ask for money and stuff (which Ralph has never done) don't really need the stuff...they are just looking for cash to support a habit. Kade had a perfect opportunity to learn about this one day. We were going into a Circle K to get him a Gatorade before a baseball game. A guy approached us and asked for money. I told him no but that if he was thirsty or hungry I'd be glad to get him something to drink or eat. "Oh fine," he said. So we got him a bottle of water and some chips, gave it to him, and before we were even out of the parking lot he was trying to sell them to someone. It was a great lesson for Kade, this guy wasn't hungry, this guy was jonesing for something.

I'm not looking for any praise for being a friend to Ralph. I just need to talk about it. Get out some of my frustration at people who think they are so much better than him - when really, we are all just a few steps or circumstances away from where he is. Kathy called me on Thursday. I have been able to introduce her to Ralph. She said, "Pray for him today. People are just being nasty." Why do we have to be nasty!?!?

Keira wants to get Ralph some "fancy clothes" (her words) for his birthday. So I think we will go shopping and get him a backpack and some new things. And we will continue to be his friend, learning more about him without making him feel self-concious about his situation.

So what's the point today? I guess it's just be aware. Look around. Who can you be a friend to today?

An Almost Valentine's Day Valentine

2007-02-11T11:23:00.000-08:00

This is G and I......11 years married and happier than ever! Oh yes, there have been lots of ups and lots of downs but that keeps it interesting and makes us appreciate each other even more.

I created this layout for a challenge on the ScrapJacked Website. This week the challenge was to lift an Elsie Flannagan layout. So this is my attempt.

Happy Valentine's Week!!

Happy Birthday Grandma!!

2007-02-10T09:52:00.000-08:00

We celebrated my Grandma's 87 years last night! How cute is she blowing out the candles on her cake as Keira and Carly eagerly watch on. I hope my kids realize how utterly fortunate they are to have this woman as an active part of the their lives. I know I do!!

Love you Grandma!

Freedom Day is Coming!

2007-01-27T09:16:00.000-08:00

Hey - save the last weekend in March to attend this event!! I will post more info about it as it becomes available.

ONE VOICE TO END SLAVERY PRESENTS: FREEDOM DAYSUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2007

• 3-8 PMVanguard University

• Costa Mesa, California

Many believe slavery ended in the 1800s, but the face of slavery has simply changed. There are an estimated 27 million slaves in our world today. They are enslaved in every nation of the world, including our own neighborhoods. The US State Department estimates that at least 17,500 people are trafficked against their will into the US every year. These numbers are intolerable. They are devastating to the individuals who are enslaved. What will you do about it?Shake off the slumber of apathy, see the injustice, rage against this evil and never give up hope. Raise your voice and join as we gather as one people with one voice to end slavery.

Join us on Sunday, March 25, 2007, from 3-8 PM as we gather as one people with one voice to champion once again for the end of modern-day slavery in all its forms.

We will gather at Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, California, to feature films, music, and workshops on what is being done to eradicate slavery and how you can participate.

Stay tuned here as we roll out the Freedom Day campaign as one voice to end slavery. We will soon have flyers and posters ready to be distributed among your family, friends, places of worship, campuses and social centres.

If you would like more immediate information, please email the following people:
Greg RussingerFreedom Day Coordinatorgreg@just4one.org
Ruthi Hoffman HanchettVolunteer Recruiter/Organizerruthi@just4one.org
Charles Lee Communicationscharles@just4one.org
Joel HickenbottomGraphic Designjoel@just4one.org

The website address is www.onevoicetoendslavery.com

A Few More Minutes

2007-01-26T10:16:00.000-08:00

A friend and I were talking last night about death....not in a morbid way....but how, sometimes, right before a person dies, a person who has been chronically ill, they seem to get really better. They seem to be healing, and then they die.

"Why does God let this happen?" she asked. "Why do we get hope that there are going to get better?"

So I shared my take on it with her. This has happened to me twice. When my grandfather had been sick with lung/heart disease, he was very sick. I was in college, came home to see him one weekend and he looked fantastic! I remember telling my mom, "This is great! Grandpa is his old self. He is getting better!" The next week he died, and I was devastated.

Then it was my Gram. She too had been very ill for a few years and was becoming more and more incoherent and had a lot of trouble expressing herself. I was at her house staying with her one afternoon and I was watching Jaws. She woke up from a nap and immediately began talking to me about the movie, when she first saw it, we had an amazing conversation. Again, I remember going to my mom and telling her, "Gram's taking a turn for the better!" The next week she died, and again I was devastated.

So why does this happen? I think it happens specifically for the hope. I was given one last amazing memory/time with each of my grandparents. A time to remember who they had been my whole life....something great to hold on to. And I am so grateful to have had that....and lucky too I'm sure because not everyone gets that.

So if you ever do get a few more minutes, enjoy them!

The Danger of Raising Nice Kids - Ch. 5

2007-01-11T10:49:00.000-08:00

More great stuff from Timothy Smith's book. This chapter is called Learning to Listen. Last year one of my New Year's resolutions was learning to be a better listener. At the time I made that resolution I was thinking more of listening to Greg and my friends. I hadn't really extended that to my kids.

This chapter made me realize that often I try to jump in and finishe their thoughts, offer advice or criticism when that's not really why they're talking to me. I need to let them finish, come to some conclusions on their own, offer advice when they are totally off base, direct their thoughts when necessary....but I really need to listen.

Here are some of my favorite quotes from the chapter:

Listening without interrupting allow our child to get themselves out of difficult situations and become the hero of their own story.

The context of this quote came from a time the author picked his teenaged daughter up after a party. He asked how it was and she began to tell him about all the alcohol that was there. The author resisted the temptation to immediately jump in and let her finish. She continued to tell him about the drugs that were at the party and the sex that was happening. He would have missed all that if he would have jumped in. Then she got to be the hero....she continued and told him that she and her friends left and went to In n Out for a shake.

Not every moment is a teachable moment. Let some go by. Your kids will give you plenty of opportunities to interrupt, scold and interrogate. Resist the temptation. It's a test! They are baiting you. They are checking to see if you really care enough to listen, just listen, without correcting, lecturing or getting the details.

This happened in our house not to long ago. Kade started sharing something that really shocked me. A few times he stopped and looked at me to see what I was going to do. I wanted so badly to jump in, but I just kept my mouth shut and he continued. I found out sooooo much more than I would have if I would have laid into him right away. Later that evening, after being able to really think about what he had said, I went back to him and asked a few questions and it opened up a very productive conversation.

Comments such as: Sit up straight, your posture is terrible; Chew with your mouth shut, what are you an animal?; You behave like monkeys, knock it off; You aren't working up to your potential; I don't like your attitude...Such comments erupting from our lips destroy communication with our kids. Constant criticism and correction destroy communication with our kids. I am not saying never to correct your child, just be strategic about it. Know when and where. Connect first, correct second.

The key is this section for me was the word erupt. I compare it to a volcano......destructive. I know that I have said some of these things, because when I was younger I heard them. It's like we're conditioned to them. I like the idea of strategic correction.

There's a lot more to this chapter, but I will stop here for today and do the rest tomorrow. Every time I go back and re-read this book, or the posts, the overall message is shockingly clear to me. Active parenting. We cannot be passive or selfish. The time God has given us with our children is short......we must enjoy it, value it and create as much good with it as we can while we have it.

The Danger of Raising Nice Kids - Ch. 4

2007-01-05T10:04:00.000-08:00

So some people (well, just Liz :) ) have asked if I finished the Nice Kids book. I did in fact. So I will share some more with you.

Ch. 4 - Embracing Authenticity

I know I say I love each chapter....and I do! This one especially as it related to me being real to my kids. Am I who I say I am? So here are some of the quotes from the book that struck me the most.

1. Don't ruin your relationship with your child over an issue of discipline. You can influence your child if you have a relationship with her, but you can't if you are alienated from her. Don't sacrifice the relationship over one area of misbehavior. Kids will act up. They will make mistakes. They will disappoint us. They will act immature, impulsive and irrational. They'll act like children.

I grew up in a house of fairly heavy discipline....not that it was a bad thing....and I know we were fairly heavy handed with Kade's discipline early on. We accepting no misbehavior....really didn't allow much room for kid-ish mistakes. But I have realized that for Kade, that kind of discipline, doesn't work. He needs relationship through the discipline and that is how we get through to him.

2. The values you model in your daily dealings with your child will determine the result. Your authenticity will pass along your values to your child. Everything we do teaches our children something about life and becoming a mature individual.

I'm a yeller. When I get frustrated or upset, I yell. Yet I'm always telling the kids not to yell. Last night I yelled at Kade after he had yelled at me out of frustration. Then I realized, it's what I've modeled for him. So I apologized and we sat down and talked about how yelling won't help solve our problems and how we need to help hold each other to that. Our problem got solved quickly because I was honest and authentic with him (I think!)

3. We are held hostage by a cultural climate suggesting that moral training of our kids is inappropriate. Take a look around. Most kids don't have a clear, internalized sense of right and wrong. They don't respect rules. They don't respect authority. And they don't perceive the consequences of their unethical behavior. They may have refined their manipulative techniques and know how to put the right 'spin' on things, but their duplicity doesn't produce integrity.

Kids with integrity are becoming more and more rare. Parents need to realize that the little lie they tell about their child's age, to get the cheaper movie price, is speaking volumes to their integrity.

4. Looking good on the outside and not having it together on the inside leads to deception as the standard operating procedure in the home. It becomes an unspoken but practiced value. and then a little further on When you are authentic, you create an atmosphere of truth and grace. Within that environment your child will grow to become authentic as well.

I do not want my kids growing up under the burden of 'everything is fine.' Because sometimes it is not fine. It seems to me that we often say we are fine because we don't want anyone else to know we're undone, causing them discomfort in knowing how to deal with us. I have quit saying I am fine if I am not fine.

5. If we are going to teach our kids values, we need to give them some training wheels. We need to let them have a few crashes and a few bandaged knees. It is better for them to learn while they are under our protection and watchful eye than to have them learn in the big, bad world when they are on their own. The home is where they can learn without the full impact of negative consequences. They can learn between trial and error without being devastated. Try to affirm progress and don't expect perfection.

This last year Kade has had a lot of opportunties arise to learn about trial and error. I am pleased to say that there is some progress!!

6. Authenticity is grace and truth in relationship. It's the kind of truth seen when we are courageously honest with each other. No pretending. Nothing hidden. It's the kind of relationship that is grounded in grace. I define grace as love in relationship: not allowing anything to interfere with our relationship because I love you.

For our kids to have it, we need to have it.

Thoughts?

Resolutions 2007

2007-01-03T08:32:00.000-08:00

okay so I've been thinking about this year's resolutions....i try to change things on a 'need to be changed' basis....but there are things i put off.....so some of these are the ones I didn't meet last year....some are revised from last year....and some are new.

1. Don't gain any weight - i think this could be easier than losing weight - and who knows - maybe I will lose some along the way

2. Get something published - whether it's a layout, letter to the editor, altered item.....it's just got to be something and it's got to be published :)

3. Create a family mission statement - what does our family stand for? this was something we read about in the Nice Kids book....if i know what my family's main goals are then my kids will too

4. Live my faith on a day to day, minute by minute, second by second basis - i want the way i live my life to speak louder than the words that i speak

So how about you? What's on your agenda this year?

Resolution Rewind

2007-01-02T12:27:00.000-08:00

So I haven't made any resolutions this year....yet. But I thought I should look back and see how I did on the ones I made last year. Thank goodness for blog archives.....here was what I said last year.

1. Lose 8 pounds - harder than 5 but easier than 10 and doesn't everyone have some kind of weightloss goal?? Okay - so not all 8 are gone. We threw out all of our scales so I'm not sure how much is gone but I know that my pants aren't tight and I was able to buy a smaller size last month so I'm feeling pretty good about this one.

2. Be a better listener - really try to hear what other people are actually telling me - hmmm.....hard to say....but I definitely worked on this and I think I did better.....I guess only those that have talked to me could really answer this

3. Get a layout or project published....I guess this is my selfish goal....I think it would be very cool to see something I have created in print - well, this didn't happen. I started the year submitting things but nothing got picked up. It's kind of a process to get it all going and I really didn't devote very much time to it.....or......my stuff really isn't publishable....which I'm totally fine with....I like it :)

4. Trust and never doubt my faith - I can say that this one has been 100% accomplished this year. And I guess it's really the most important one

So now to contemplate this years..............................

A Mother's Nightmare

2006-12-10T08:23:00.000-08:00

at least mine, would be having someone steal my child. I think the Amber alert has been a really positive step. Now they've taken it a step futher and you can sign up to receive text messages on your cell phone when an alert is issued. You get to choose the zip codes for the areas you are in so you will get alerted if anything happens in your area.

Sign up!

https://www.wirelessamberalerts.org/index.jsp

My Little Songwriter

2006-12-05T18:58:00.000-08:00

We got out some of our Christmas decorations tonight. Keira was walking around with ornaments and other decor. Then she started singing "We Wish You A Merry Christmas"......Kade soon joined in. It's so cool to hear my kids singing together!

But then Keira started adding her own lyrics and when I realized what she was saying I had to write it down.....quite amazing for a 4 year old....I'm not totally sure she realized the poignancy of what she was saying....but I did.....here's a portion...

"....you're finding your way - you're destined to explain - in your time of doing it - by Jesus side - we don't know what to do without Baby Jesus - is it my time - is it my time - and I don't know what to do without God....."

She has been asking me about death a lot lately....talking about our friend Tim who was killed....my dear Gram who she's named after.....my grandma that's still here with us.....and today she asked me when it was going to be her time to go to heaven. Mommys don't want to think about that question....but when Keira talks about death, she has no fear....only trust....and what do you say to that? I do not want to put fear in her.....I want her to continue in the freedom of not living in fear....so I told her the only thing I could.....only God knows when you are going to heaven.

Be Thankful

2006-11-21T18:40:00.000-08:00

Oh there are so many things to be thankful for....the obvious....the not so obvious.....

Annette at SA issued the thankfulness blog challenge. And since I need to get blogging here goes....

1. God
2. Greg, Kade, Keira and my family
3. My friends that I consider a part of my family
4. The Bridge Community
5. People that stand up for injustice
6. The ability to physically feel joy and pain deep down inside
7. The smell on the streets after the first rain
8. Starbucks
9. The coccoon-like of my bed after a long day
10. The internet

Yes, some of these are deep...some shallow....but volumes could be written about each one. If you've read this - consider yourself tagged and get over to your blog and list!

I am Here!

2006-11-09T19:04:00.000-08:00

Breathing, well, happy, content.....

Life has been happening at full speed...I think I am beginning to see some slowing....

More to come soon

Nice Kids Chapter 3

2006-10-22T18:33:00.000-07:00

Chapter 3 of the study is entitled Clarifying Vision.

What is the vision I have for my kids? Do my kids know anything about the vision I have for them? If they know, do they get it too? I don't know if I've really thought about a concrete vision I have for my kids. I have a general target or umbrella thought about what I would like for them but I have never really thought of targets along the way. Or as all of us school teachers keep hearing....the benchmarks.

The author came up with a target that he wanted for his children when they reached 18 - it included goals in the following areas; spiritual, social, physical, emotional, mental, character and life skills.

Being the visual person I am, I actually want to create a picture of a target....break it into annual chunks and sit down with each of the kids and come up with our 'targets' for the coming year. With the new year right around the corner I think it's the perfect time. The goals can be measureable and we can check ourselves as the year goes on. I want my kids to take ownership of the target vision too....which is why Greg and I are going to include them in the planning process. Greg and I will also be working on a long range goal to help direct our parenting.

Here are some of the quotes that I liked and some of the things that gave me pause from this chapter:

"Only 4 percent of the parents surveyed (this was from a Barna Group survey) thought it was important to help their kids develop moral values. More than twice as many parents were concerned with making their kids happy than with seeing their kids moral."

"If we seek to disciple our children, the goal isn't their happiness but helping them prepare for life and make wise choices. One of the crucial goals parents often forget is imparting a vision to their child - helping her discover her purpose and see herself as a significant member of a larger community, contributing to a greater cause."

"Many parents are climbing the ladder of success and dragging their kids behind them, only to discover the ladder is leaning on the the wrong building. The ladder is leaning against the fun house from a traveling carnival. Tomorrow the structure will be gone. Happiness for our children is too elusive a goal."

"I like to tell Christian parents, "Don't stress. Pray. The same Holy Spirit that is in them is in you. Pray that he'll do his work.""

"Before we can pass on vision to our children, we must have one for ourselves as parents."

"It's no good to have a home with curb appeal but a crumbling foundation."

"Your children are more likely to become persons of vision if they have grown up in a home that believes in and reinforces vision."

"Prayer helps us imagine our children's future with confidence because we know that they won't walk alone - God will be with them."

"It takes a lot more than good intentions to leave a legacy of love. The best intentions have a tough time competing with the relentless pressures of culture. We have to be focused and strategic. Good intentions that aren't followed by specific actions are just empty words."

"A child with vision doesn't get trapped in the mundane. There is something he is shooting for. He has ideals and goals that inspire him. With an internal sense of purpose and a clear vision of what he wants to become, he is motivated to pursue his aims."

***Then one of my favorites of all***

"We are created by intelligent design rather than by evolution through natural selection. We aren't mistakes; we are masterpieces. We are creations of worth." Can I get an Amen!?!

So, do you have a vision for yourself? For yourself as a parent? For your child? Children? Do they know what the vision is? Any thoughts?

This Little Girl

2006-10-19T15:48:00.000-07:00

was born strong....even in the womb she was strong. And strong is a great way to describe her....she has strong will....a strong love for animals....a strong reliance on Jesus....as she grows she will be a strong force to be reckoned with!

She is also very smart! It amazes me that she is already writing all her letters and numbers....spelling words
.....drawing pictures and then telling us a story about them....

What a blessing she is!

My Firstborn

2006-10-18T20:35:00.000-07:00

He's my boy.....watching him grow is bringing tears to my eyes....tears of joy....but also of longing....for that little toddler in the cowboy hat. Tonight he reminded me that "he's halfway to being a guy"

How to describe him.....sensitive, empathetic, athletically gifted, artistic, loving, authentic, messy, distractable, creative, goofy......

I'm proud of the boy that he has become....he's overcome things....he still does not believe in himself as much as I do....but that will too come in time. He's my firstborn and will always be my baby!

Raising Nice Kids Part II

2006-10-17T13:58:00.000-07:00

Thanks for all your insightful comments on the last post. I love being part of conversations (even if online) where everyone can share freely and respectfully.

I think the gist of what I'm feeling from this book is that our kids need to be equipped to be more than just 'nice'. 'Nice' is great but can be so ambiguous. What is their 'nice' based in?

The second chapter is titled "Parenting as Discipleship" and holds to the thought that parenting should be more than just modifying our children's behavior. It shouldn't be just raising them into compliant little people that are dressed and groomed well and show good manners in public. That's part of it, of course, but they need preparation.....preparation and conditioning to take on the challenges they will most certainly face in life.....getting them ready to do battle in the 'cosmic contest' that is going on around them.

So here are some of the main ideas of this chapter that I found most intriguing....

"We want to pass on lasting values to our kids. To do this we need a perspective that is transcultural and not simply a product of our culture. We need a long term perspective that is not obsessed with short term payoffs."

"We are on a mission from God. We have been called by Him to raise up the next generation of moral leaders. We need to move beyond punishment and discipline to discipleship."

"Discipline should be understood not as punishment but as teaching of self-discipline, an internalization of values through relationship."

"The primary goal of parenting isn't teaching, it's modeling"

"A focus on discipline generally creates compliant kids, but it rarely produces courageous ones. Now I am not advocating a permissive style of parenting; I am calling us to a more demanding style of parenting - one that requires us to change and grow and provide the example. Discipleship calls on us to set the pace, knowing that our children are most likely to absorb the values they see lived out in our lives. We can teach them skills, but we need to show, not tell, when it comes to what we say is important."

That last paragraph is the most telling for me in the chapter. This book is reminding me that to change my children, most of the time I need to change myself too. I need to be present and cognizant of my daily doings.

Is what I am saying/telling my children matching up with the way that I am living on a day to day basis? Am I around when those 'teachable moments' present themselves or am I too absorbed in myself? Am I trying to occupy them by buying them the lastest and greatest, signing them up for every imaginable activity or am I showing them that I intend to be intentional and deliberate in the time I share with them?

Sometimes these questions are hard to ask....but we have to be honest with ourselves....not delude ourselves to think we're already doing everything we can to raise them.....I know that when I ask myself some of those questions the answers that I give are not the ones that will be in the best interest of raising my kids. So I have to change....and be willing to change.

Thoughts?

The Danger of Nice Children

2006-10-10T14:57:00.000-07:00

Greg and I are in a small group right now studying a book called The Danger of Raising Nice Kids. The first time I saw the title, I was baffled. What's wrong with nice kids? I think my kids are nice? I want them to be nice.

But as we're delving into this book I am finding reasons why I want my kids to be more than nice. Let me share a few things from the first chapter with you. As we dive deeper into the book and into conversation I'm sure there will be more.

What is nice? According to the author it's a pleasant, friendly, well-mannered, carefully groomed and most likely conservatively dressed person. But Webster's dictionary will tell you that at one time nice meant strange, lazy and foolish coming from the Latin root for 'ignorant.'

If you noticed all of the things the author mentions in his description of nice are outward or behavioral issues. Yes those things are important but what about the qualities of the heart like vision, authenticity, listening, empathy, compassion, discernment, boudaries, contentment and passionate love?

So for now, I will leave you with some of the quotes that struck me the post from the author. Feel free to comment. I'd love to be in conversations with you about this too.

1. A lot of what passes as advice to parents, including advice to Christian parents, will help us raise nice kids. Nice wimpy kids. Kids without backbone, passion or courage. In this era, kids like that will be destroyed.

2. We need to know how to go far beyond influencing our children's behavior to influencing their heart, mind and skills for life. We need to learn to parent with purpose, to grow integrity within ourselves and our children.

3. Our children need qualities that will help them become warriors, not wusses.

The author has a whole discussion on how we are creating an entire generation of children who do not know how to fail. We offer praise to our kids about everything and tell them they did good, even if the didn't. Do they realize we're just patronizing them sometimes? I have a feeling my kids do. So back to authors quotes.

4. False praise creates fragile people. We want people to feel good about themselves. As a result of this esteem obsession, we have a generation who thinks they are entitled to things without working for them.

5. We need to resist our culture and allow our children to grow up slowly.

6. Don't be afraid of your child. Don't be afraid to draw the line. Children need a moral center - an anchor that provides stability while they choose friends, discern the right decisions and perceive others with empathy.

7. We need to train them to take criticism without falling apart. We need to permit scenarios in which they fail but learn that failure is never final, unless you blame someone else. Some of lifes greatest lessons can be learned from our failures, if we are willing. We need to help our children develop an accurate view of themselves, with clear-cut analysis of their strengths and weaknesses, instead of a hyped-up self-esteem based on shallow slogans. We want them to feel good about themselves without thinking god of themselves.

Ok friends - that's it for today. I'll bring you thoughts on chapter 2 tomorrow.

The Music Tag

2006-10-02T16:58:00.000-07:00

Liz tagged me....so did Bonni I think and maybe someone else too....so I guess I shall participate.

The Rules
List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether or not they have words, or even if they’re not any good, but they must be songs you’re really enjoying now. Post these instructions in your LiveJournal/blog along with your seven songs. Then tag seven other people to see what they’re listening to.

1. How To Save A Life by The Fray
2. 100 Years by Five for Fighting
3. Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol
4. World Spins Madly On by The Weepies
5. Somewhere Only We Know by Keane
6. Since You've Been Around by Rosie Thomas
7. Where Does The Time Go by The Innocence Mission

Now who can I tag that hasn't been tagged yet.......let's see:
1. Jodi
2. Amanda
3. Sara
4. Miki
5. Kathy
6. Sonda Rimes
7. The In Case You Didn't Know Blog

Sad

2006-10-01T17:24:00.000-07:00

I'm behind on my blog - I know.....lots happening this past week, but more about that later. I need to share this. Kade did this the other night. It's a pic of Kita the first day Greg and I got her 11 years ago. She got liver cancer and we had to have her put down about 2 years ago. My kids are still mourning her.

Kade knows she's not coming back....but he made this anyway....and he left it sitting on my desk. Brought tears to me because she was such an amazing dog. And my boy still misses her so much.

A long 4 months

2006-09-15T15:52:00.000-07:00

not as long for me as it was for some others that I love dearly....but long enough. Back in May I asked you to pray about/for people who are like family to me. They were facing a situation that would have put a son/brother/father on death row. On May 10th the a committee was supposed to return a decision on whether or not the death penalty would be an option for this young man. Well, May 10 turned into September 14 and the decision is, the death penalty is not an option in sentencing.

Now of course this young man will pay, and has been paying, for the crime he committed. He willingly left his voice out of the workings of the committee in order for God to work in the way He wanted to. Would I have been able to do that knowing that my voice might save my life? Am I willing to give up my 'perceived' control over my destiny? Questions to think about.

Anyway, this situation is not over and there will be more hurdles to overcome...but there is comfort in knowing he will not have to pay the price of his life.

.000 ERA baby!

2006-09-10T11:51:00.000-07:00

Kade pitched his first ever game today! He's playing on a fall ball team with a bunch of really nice kids and parents....very cool experience so far. They had their first game this morning (and in the early morning rush I forgot the camera! waa!) The coach is letting all the kids get a chance at playing every position which is great. Kade got to pitch the 3rd inning. I think I held my breath the whole time. He walked the first batter. Then threw a strike to the 2nd batter...the first kid tried to steal 2nd and our catcher made an awesome throw (Kade even ducked out of the way for the throw - cute!) and they got him out. Then he struck out the next 2 batters. Needless to say he is on cloud 9 and I am finally breathing again!

Ponies Win!!

2006-09-04T16:17:00.000-07:00

Well, the soccer gods were looking down on the Shooting Star Ponies on Saturday. Victory! 3 to 0....and there is actually proof that Keira participated in the game. That actually didn't happen until halftime when her daddy and brother showed up. For some reason their mere presence turned her into Little Miss Pele. That's her....little number 4 going after the ball....shocking!

Now of course she and her friend Oni did a lot of hugging on the field too. There's just a lot of love on the Shooting Star Ponies! And when you are only 4 you need to take time for your friends....even if it is in the middle of a soccer game!

Exploring with my boy

2006-08-31T11:33:00.000-07:00

Blogger heard my desperate pleas and my picture uploaded!! What a Day!

So Ann(i)e's Challenge was to use 7 different pieces of patterned paper. This was good for me in so many ways! I have been hoarded this paper from ScrapAddict's Fashion Forward Kit. Why do I think paper is too beautiful to cut up? And these pictures of Kade and I have been sitting on my desk waiting for the perfect time to be used. I loved the layout Annie did so much that I lifted the way she laid out her patterned paper and mat paper.

There is not any journaling on this but I can vividly remember talking with Kade on the beach. We talked about all kinds of things....what he thought third grade would be like, what it would feel like to be bitten by a honu, things we love to eat....just little things...but things that remind me that my boy is growing up.

Of course there is also the embarrassing side to the pics....after Greg took these and Kade and I kept walking on down the beach, I slipped hard and cut up my knees and hands. Could it have been because I was wearing flip flops on moss covered rocks? Sure! But I didn't want to loose anytime changing my shoes when I could have been hanging out with my son. The cuts {and embarrassment} were worth it!

Stupid Blogger

2006-08-31T11:12:00.000-07:00

Dumb blogger! Won't let me upload pics today or yesterday and I actually finally got a page done for Ann(i)e's Challenge! Felt so good to create but I guess I have to wait until lame-o blogger gets their picture act together. Okay so I've called blogger three bad things that I wouldn't let my kids call anyone....sorry blogger....thanks for being free. Okay, how's that.

So since I can't post a pic today I will post a HMMMM list from Jess....some of them will make you actually scratch your head and some will make you giggle! Enjoy......

Stupid Questions.. Think about it

How much deeper would the sea be if were wasnt any sponges?:
Why doesnt Tarzan have a beard?:
When dog food is new and improved tasting how do they know?:
If ignorance is bliss, why arent more people happy?:
When companies ship Styrofoam, what do they pack it in?:
Should a crematorium give discounts for burn victims?:
If space is a vacuum, who changes the bags?:
How do you draw a blank?:
If rabbits feet are so lucky, then what happened to the rabbit?:
If nothing sticks to Teflon, then how do they make Teflon stick to the pan?:
Why do they put expiration dates on sour cream containers?:
When you choke a smurf, what colour does he turn?:
Why do they sterilize the needle for a lethal injection?:
Why is a carrot more orange than an orange?:
What if the hokey pokey really is what its all about?:
Do hummingbirds hum because theyve forgotten the words?:
Why do they call it a TV set when you only get one?:
Whos cruel idea was it to have an S in the word lisp?:
If money is the root of all evil, why do churches want it so badly?:
If swimming is such good excercise why are whales so fat?:
How comes night falls but day breaks?:
What if the lid of a milk catron said open somewhere else?:
Why are they called apartments if they're all stuck together?:
If vampires cant see their own reflections, how is their hair so neat?:
Why do tugboats push?:
Can you be a closet claustrophobic:
If police arrest a mime, do they say he has the right to remain silent?:
Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?:
Do people who are born again have two bellybuttons?:
If you try to fail, and succeed, what have you done?:
Are you getting sick of this quiz?:
Me too:
Final question: Five years from now, will they have a soviet reunion?:
Think about it..

It Won't Be Boring!

2006-08-29T06:16:00.000-07:00

Well everyone in this house is back to school....including me! And I have to say I am very excited about my students this year! It is definitely going to be one of the more challenging groups of kids I have had but they all seem so kind so I know we are going to make all kinds of progress.

One of the things that most excites me about the challenges is the amount of learning I am going to have to do this year. I have never had a group of kids in so many "categories" before. I have a student with diabetes....a severely hearing imparied student so they are putting an amplification system in my room and I get to wear a microphone (like I wasn't already loud enough...heehee).....3 students with some type of speech delay/impediment.....one little guy whose whole family are involved with gangs.....another student with an undiagnosed circumstance, I'm thinking it may be Aspergers Syndrome, remember 'Rainman', well this child is like that, brilliant but uncapable of any kind of interpersonal contact.....anyway these kids are awesome!

So even the teacher is going back to school this year....and I'm totally thrilled!

Hotel Rwanda

2006-08-27T17:30:00.000-07:00

I just finished watching Hotel Rwanda . It's taken me 2 days to watch. Last night I watched the first hour....then had to stop.....my mind was reeling and my heart was wrenched. There were many nightmares that followed during the long night.

This afternoon I feel sick....sick that something of this magnitude happened and I only knew bits and pieces of it. I don't care if the UN or foreign governments chose not to call it genocide....how they couldn't I have no idea. 800,000 men, women and children slaughtered with clubs and machetes over a 100 day period....that's 8,000 souls lost each day. And why? Because their identity card labeled them as Tutsi....one word....a word that meant indescriminate death.

If you're not familiar with the Rwandan Genocide here's a timeline of the inaction of the UN and every other country of the world. It's a total outrage.

Back on the Field!

2006-08-26T18:16:00.000-07:00

Well both of my kiddos hit the soccer field this morning....and it was also my coaching debut! To sum up today in a word - chaos!

Kade's game got rescheduled for 12:45 and Keira was to play at 12:30.....but Keira's game is only supposed to last about 45 minutes so we figured she and I would make it for the last quarter or so of Kade's game.

Keira and I got to the field at noon and all of the other Shooting Star Ponies began to arrive. By 12:25 there was no other team there yet for us to play. So here's what I learned today....if the schedule says your game is at 12:30....that really means your game is at 1:00 or any time between 12:30 and 1:00....just whenever people show up. WHAT!!??!! The scheduled game time is not the scheduled game time apparently. I'll have to call about that this week. After our girls had already been there warming up for a half hour, they were pretty much done. Well, Keira was really done. Her terror-ific attitude really made it hard for me to coach the other 7 girls. We ended up losing, 3 to 1, but the parents didn't seem upset and I think most of the girls had a good time. My head was spinning though! I did get in trouble for going onto the field during the game....one of the little girls decided to sit in the middle of the field and suck her thumb....I was afraid she was going to get run over and she wouldn't get up so I went out to pick her up....got a visit from the Division Director telling me to stay off the field. Oh well!

As our game ended I jumped in the car and headed to another park for Kade's game...and I pulled up just as the ref blew the whistle signaling the end of the game! I hear that Kade had a great game....they won 5 to 1. I took him to get an ice cream, just the 2 of us, so he could tell me all about it.

Okay - only nine games to go!

Irony, Kharma, Turn-about....

2006-08-20T09:59:00.000-07:00

whatever you call it....I have seen it in spades this week at work.

I've been debating since Friday whether or not to write about this. And now I have decided I need to...in order to get my thoughts on the situation clear because I know at work tomorrow there will be all kinds of drama and chaos surrounding this issue. Now, names will be changed to protect the innocent {even though I don't really think there are any innocent!}

During the last 4 years my job assignment has been complicated. Basically the position I had required twice the work as most others. This assignment was supposed to be rotated between a few of us teachers each year but for one reason or another it never happened and I was the fortunate one to carry it for the last 4 years. But not this year! Yeah!! It finally rotated to another teacher we will call Homer.

Now 2 years ago Homer was in a position to be able to help me out a bit....but he didn't want to help...instead he went to our principal, Mr. Smithers, and complained, moaned, groaned and said it was a violation of some Ed Code to help us....so Homer got what he wanted and we got no help. Not what I would have wished for from a colleague but it's what I got so I had to make the best of the situation. Not once did I consider not doing the extra work.....because the kids would be the ones to suffer and none of this was their responsibility. I was hired to do a job and I am not the kind of person who is going to do it half-ass. That's just not who I am.

So this year I have a new principal, Ms. Krebapple. Homer has told Ms. Krebapple in no uncertain terms he will not fulfill the duties assigned to him. Ms. Krebapple reminded him of the Ed Code that he had spouted 2 years ago and said he would have to do it alone. Well Homer came to my room, looking for support or validation of some sort I guess. I really had to fight back the urge to scream about my vindication, etc. Instead I told him that I would try to be as sympathetic as possible, which was not much since I knew the job could be done...and yes it will take more time and energy....I've done it for 4 years for crying out loud! I also told him that if he continued on the course of action he was pursuing, the kids were going to be the ones to suffer and that would not be fair.

So now it's time to prepare for tomorrow. I don't want to be in the middle of this but unfortunately I'm being pulled in for many different reasons. This is a really stinky way to start out the school year!

Knocking Out Another Challenge

2006-08-19T22:52:00.000-07:00

With all the rushing to get ready for school to start I haven't got to scrap! So since Greg is playing poker at a friend's house tonight I thought I get another of Ann(i)e's Challenges done. This one was to use circles.

The layout is a bit sappy...pics of K sleeping at 3 and then awake a few hours later at 4. The gorgeous Rhonna papers are from the Simply Splendid kitt at ScrapAddict.

Lots to catch up on...but tonight what I need to catch up on most is sleep

Don't Mess With Me

2006-08-16T14:32:00.000-07:00

So most of you that know me know that I do not love Chuck E. Cheese...too many germs....but because my children love it I relent. We joined some friends there this afternoon for what we hoped would be a fun time for the kids....but how quickly things can turn.

I glance up and there are 3 pre-teenish girls in the face of a sweet 9 year old boy. I call his name, the girls look at me and then walk away. I guess these girls had stuck their big ol hand in front of the camera when the boy's sister was taking a picture. He told them to stop so they follow him and proceed to intimidate him using these words, "You don't want to mess with us. We're bigger than you and we'll kill you."

Umhm....so the boy's mom and I went to find the girls...we do...start asking them what happened....they deny everything and I don't just mean deny, I mean disrespectfully deny ever even being by our table. Huh?? You looked right at me. But then their daddy shows up and decides getting in the face of a woman could be fun....he was very scary...I can definitely see where his daughters would have learned their intimidation skills.

The manager finally shows up....says he'll take care of it....pretty sure that these people were his family since he actually did nothing and they followed him around to the ice cream machine, getting tokens, etc. Before we left (which happened too early for my kids liking) I asked him if they were family, how did he take care of the situation, told him it looked funny that he now had these girls following him around the place, told him the girls continued to walk by our table giving us their go to hell looks....which by the way the girls told him that we were doing to them....yep...that's me....a 36 year old mom throwing down mad dogs to 12 year old girls!

So this whole situation opens up good conversation in the car on the way home. We talk about needing to be aware of our surroundings, that anyone can be a bully, when mommy says it's time to go there is a reason - not just spoiling your fun. Then it gets sticky. I tell them that when we pray together tonight we need to remember these girls and their dad....pray that something/someone will do something to touch their heart. "Why would I want to pray for them!?" is Kade's immediate response. "Well because that's what Jesus would do." What a lame answer! It's true, yes, but there's not a lot of meat there.

Then it gets me thinking about our discussions regarding hospitality during Soliton. One presenter said, "If someone asks if you're a Christian, tell them to ask your enemies." So today, these people were sort of my enemies...that's a bit strong of a word but you know what I mean. What did they think about me? How could I have extended hospitality? So I'm led to the writings of Luke:

Love for Enemies
27"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. 34And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. 35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

So for the rest of the day I am thinking....how could I have blessed these people? Do I really love them? How will be pray for them? Is there anything that we did do today that would have shown them a glimpse of the One we strive to follow? These will be the topic of conversation around our dinner table tonight!

She's No Bunny

2006-08-15T14:36:00.000-07:00

but the girl's got hops! Or is it she's looking for a way to stay entertained at her brother's baseball practice? I'd say it's a little bit of both!

I finally got Challenge #2 done for Ann(i)e's Blog Challenge. It was to use angled papers. So I found these silly pics of Keira and decided to go for it using the absolutely fabulous Geisha Girl kit from
ScrapAddict.

So not much else going on today....fairly lighthearted wouldn't you say? Guess you never know what you'll find on this journey with me....it's either heavy or light....maybe I'll try some in between sometime....heehee

Busy Day at Our House

2006-08-14T18:26:00.000-07:00

Well, Keira started her first day of Pre-K today!! She loved her day. She already knew the teacher and has 2 of her little girlfriends in the class. Such fun! Of course the new school outfit had to have pink in it! I'm wishing I could find a pair of pants like hers in my size!

She came home with a painting and 2 drawings. And when Kade asked how the day was she gave a little hop and said "good" and then was on her way to something else!

There is a movie being filmed in town right now. My friend J'Daire let us know they were looking for extras around Kade's age so he decided he would like to go.He got to be a kid playing basketball and in another scene playing 4 Square. A few of his friends were there and they had a good time. Of course they didn't get the "hurry up and wait" thing that was going on....but sometimes I don't either!

Now of course Keira was with us but she was too small/young to be in the shots. But as soon as I turn my back on her she's off, and has one of the production assistants wrapped around her finger. She went up and told him "I'm too small to play basketball." So what do you think they did? Well create a part for her of course! Good grief!

She is now the "hopscotch girl" in one of the playground scenes. Then it was off to wardrobe (aka Mom's car) to change into another outfit for the lunch scene. The director of the movie came out and talked to her and then asked if we could have her back at 7:45 in the morning. There's a big chance that call will be cancelled, which would be great because I would like to sleep in, but they have her number so we'll see.

So now we're home, eating sloppy joes, recapping the day.....who knows what tomorrow will bring!

Soliton

2006-08-13T19:56:00.000-07:00

Do you know what the word Soliton means? I didn't until May. The definition is quite mathematical and complex but one of the related articles is called Freak Waves. Now that I like. Basically think of dropping a pebble into calm water...ripples are created....if other pebbles are also dropped in the water their ripples will intersect and cross over one another. That's soliton. Basically it's a disturbance.

Enter the Soliton Sessions held this weekend here hosted by the Bridge. The conversations centered around hospitality and welcome and how we can be that in a world where so many choose isolationism.

I had the opportunity to listen to practioners from the UK, Northern Ireland, Philly, Texas, Minnesota....all over really. What's cool is these are now friends....our solitons intersecting across valleys, fields, oceans.....

The beauty of a gathering like this, to me, lies in the diversity of the people you come in contact with. And the way these people will love one another, taking the other in for who they are, who God created them to be. Letting go of things we can't control....in fact one of my favorite quotes came from a friend from Ireland in a prayer...."live in freedom in the place of no control".....the times that I have done this have been some of the most fulfilling times of my life. It's when I try to step in and become my own Master and Commander that I fall flat on my face in desperation.

I will share more experiences from this weekend later...right now there are kids to bathe and get tucked in....but I will leave you with just one for now....

One of those guiding the conversation this week is for peace (we all are really though aren't we?) and from what I gather an opponent of the war and the role the US is playing in the Middle East....there is another member of our community here who is in the Navy and will be deployed this week....here's the beautiful thing....the peace activist praying over the Navy man.....the paths they've chosen are different but those paths have intersected and the ripples of those 2 men will be felt by many. So my question is....why not just embrace the one with which you have differences....doesn't really matter the differences does it? I need to do it....I'm not good with certain people in my life....I feel the differences are too huge but they're really not are they. If I really look into the face of the other I should be seeing the face of Jesus in them. Am I looking hard enough? Are you?

9 Squares

2006-08-08T15:14:00.000-07:00

So yesterday's blog entry was pretty deep....thanks to all of you who commented....I'm much better today....I think I was in pity party mode yesterday. So let's lighten things up a bit today shall we?

I was invited by Ann Hafermann http://www.ahafermann.typepad.com/ to take part in a scrapping challenge she is running based on Ali Edwards' book. The first challenge was to close your eyes and choose 6 scraps from your stash and then create. This is what I came up with.

The rings were what Greg and I did for our anniversary. We decided to both go and shop for new bands. We had a really good time and both ended up with the very first ones we had tried on....of course we tried on many others in between...but both came back to the firsts. First instinct....there's something to be said about that.

The Plans

2006-08-07T09:16:00.000-07:00

I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Today I am struggling...well more of a wrestling I guess....about the plans God has for me....my purpose....my call....I'm seeing a pattern....and I'm not totally comfortable with it....a pattern of me being somewhere that I wouldn't normally be....and then at that place something happens.....and it's clear to me that is why I am there....but it's not to share news of joy or glad tidings....it's to share pain, fear, anguish......I'm feeling like my call is being the Bearer of Bad News....

In the last year I can think of 4 instances that are huge....

First and foremost - Tim's accident. A few of you know that story.....God's hand in placing me there was and is evident....but it still....it still.....there aren't even words for what it is so I am not even going to try right now.

Second - the young man trying to commit suicide at Christmas time....I blogged about that

Third - the young girl in the International Market Place....blogged about that too

And now - being somewhere to do something celebratory with my husband....seeing an old friend doing something he should never be doing in the first place.....feeling the burden of knowing I have to share this news with my dear friend and then actually having to tell her. It totally sucks...knowing you have to tell a friend something that is going to hurt her....I hate it!

None of these things are happy....."um yes, your daughter has been assaulted at the market"...."someone is trying to jump off the freeway"......

So yesterday at church I was sharing some of this with another close friend who I trust implicitly and she is always straight up honest with me.....she said, "You know you're doing what you are supposed to do. You are feeling the prompting and acting on it." I know that....but I don't want to be "Oh look, hear comes Julie, wonder what crappy awful thing has happened now."

I was led to this verse this morning

I advise you to obey only the Holy Spirit's instructions. He will tell you where to go and what to do, and then you won't always be doing the wrong things your evil nature wants you to. For we naturally love to do evil things that are just the opposite from the things that the Holy Spirit tells us to do; and the good things we want to do when the Spirit has his way with us are just the opposite of our natural desires. These two forces within us are constantly fighting each other to win control over us, and our wishes are never free from their pressures. Galatians 5:16-17

So today the forces are fighting inside of me.....guess I'm feeling sorry for myself that I didn't inherit the gift of hospitality or even speaking in tongues!

2006-08-06T17:00:00.000-07:00

So....the intense attitude Kade has for baseball has got the eye of a coach....we got a call....the gentleman who called us has coached many teams....in fact he is taking one to Cooperstown next week for a 10 day tournament....this is a group of boys he started coaching when they were right around Kade's age....he has had them together for the last 5 or so years with the goal of getting them to Cooperstown....and they are there!

Now he wants to start another team with his younger son who is Kade's age and called and invited Kade to be a part of the team!

Kade is excited to say the least...of course he is playing it down like it's not a big deal....maybe mommy and daddy are a little more excited.....and I am doggone proud of my boy! We'll be playing in Ocean View for awhile (not sure where that is but any place with Ocean in the title can't be bad!)

So there is a chance that his soccer season may be cut short or not even exist. We need to wait on specifics and see if he will be able to do both and if he wants to still play soccer. He's been a little stressed about soccer this year....has to move up to the under 10's and he just turned 8 so he'll be the youngest and littlest....but he's got a great coach so I am hoping that he'll be able to do both....but we'll let him decide.

Was I just saying not too long ago that I was glad baseball season was over for the time being? That didn't last very long! But that's okay - this is going to be a great adventure for Kade!!

Happy Anniversary

2006-08-05T21:42:00.000-07:00

11 years and we are stronger than ever!

Rainy Days

2006-08-04T09:13:00.000-07:00

So funny to wake up to rain in the summer....just a light shower but enough to make puddles in the backyard that the kids were quick to notice. Of course Keira felt right away she needed to put on a rain poncho....it's all about the accessories with her!

Yesterday I went and tried out for a new game show that NBC is producing. Happened kind of on a whim....they were looking for soccer moms....I got an email from AYSO....responded then never thought a thing about it.....but they called Wednesday night to see if I could come down to the studio. So we'll see if they call back or not. It was fun just being on the lot though.....it is the same lot they shot Gone With The Wind on and also where they filmed I Love Lucy. Sometimes when I am in an atmosphere like that I miss working in television....but then I just have to look at the pictures of my kids and I remember why I got out of the industry in the first place.....time....if I was still working in TV I would not have the time that I need to be a mom or a wife. But that is a part of my life I loved and sometimes I miss.

Well, I'm off to sit on the porch with my coffee and enjoy the summer rain!

The View

2006-08-01T12:29:00.000-07:00

This is the view from our lanai in Turtle Bay....this was the sunset on our last night there....I can still smell the ocean breeze and hear the small waves breaking against the rocks.

4 years and 1 week

2006-07-31T08:34:00.000-07:00

4 years and 1 week ago my precious baby girl was born! She didn't get her blog tribute last week though - a return from vacation and threatened pediculosis outbreak thwarted that plan = but that's a story for another day. Today it's about my girl!

We prayed for Keira for so long. After Kade there were losses, fertility, disappointments and then in October of 2001 we found out we were pregnant. I had a hard time getting excited. Didn't want to get my hopes up too high and have them dashed again. Christmas morning 2001 - it seemed we wouldn't be having the gift of this baby after all. I remember sitting in shower floor crying, asking God why I was going to have to lose another baby.....wasn't 2 enough? Why this one too? What was I doing that was so wrong? Didn't Kade deserve a sibling? I was mad and I was letting it out. Poor Greg....he'd been through this before....seen the following depression....watched me withdraw into myself....but this day was Christmas and he wasn't going to let Kade miss out....so off they went to a friends house.....and a few minutes later my dear friend showed up at my door. We sat on the couch together and cried. All she said was "I'm sorry" and that was enough.

But Keira was a fighter....even then at a mere 8 weeks in utero....the next morning Kade and I took off to the Dr.'s office first thing in the morning....I guess that was one of the good things about being a "high-risk" patient....I could go in whenever I needed to. None of the Drs. were there....just the Nurse Practitioner....she said she would try to pick up the heartbeat with the Doppler but not too panic if we didn't hear it because it was really too early to hear it anyway....but as soon as that instrument hit my tummy there she was...a loud, strong heartbeat. Again I cried....this time out of relief, thankfulness, disbelief.....8 weeks of bedrest followed.

All was looking up...it was March....I had an early August due date....and then on March 15th, a Friday morning, my Gram died.....one of the people that I was closest to in the world was gone.....I felt like falling apart but because of the little life inside of me I couldn't let that happen.....over the weekend we busied ourselves with arrangements, phone calls, sitting with my Poppa.....that Sunday night we went to church....then went to dinner with the same friends that were with us on Christmas....then at about 11pm that night I started bleeding again....no way....this could not happen now....there was no way another loss could be suffered......not now....

Greg took me to the ER....poor Kade was in his jammies sound asleep....I didn't want Greg calling anyone....this was something we were going to have to deal with on our own and we would tell everyone else after we had laid my Gram to rest the following Wednesday.....but of course that is not how my family operates and Greg has learned that very well.....I awoke the next morning to find my dad sitting at my bedside.....my mom, my uncle, my Poppa and about 10 other friends were all there within the half hour.....looking back I realize that taking care of me was actually a blessing for many of them.....made them feel useful in this time of grief we were all going through......

Once again Keira proved to be a fighter and all was well......the morning of my Gram's visitation I had an ultrasound appointment.....that was the day we found out Keira was going to be a girl....it was all as it should be.....the world lost an amazing woman but I knew in her place was coming another....life goes on.....

We got to the private family visitation and they all knew where we had been....they all knew we knew something....but none of them wanted to know what we knew.....they figured it would be another boy because it seems that is all my family is capable of producing! I was the first girl in 4 generations so hopes for a little girl were high but they also felt it was very unlikely.

Finally the morning of the funeral my cousin Kim couldn't stand it anymore....she pulled me into one of the rooms in the church and had me spill it....we both just cried. Then of course my mom needed to know....and my other Grandma......but that was it. A nice little secret we each held onto.

At the beginning of June my Dr. decided that we probably should schedule a c-section.....Kade has been 9 lbs. 8 oz. and 22 inches long and Keira was measuring bigger at every stage. He didn't think I would be able to deliver her naturally. So we scheduled to deliver her 3 weeks early on July 24.

That morning is still kind of a blur....I remember going in....kind of freaking out because we didn't have a name picked out yet....only the middle name - Riden - which was my Gram's middle name.....then the surgery.....hearing the Dr. say it's a girl but then not hearing her cry....seconds seemed like hours before I heard her.....once again God blessed us with a little girl who was a fighter.....the cord had been so tightly wrapped around her that if she had not been a c-section baby she would have died during child birth......she had to have some lung aspiration and some oxygen but our 7 lb. 14 oz., 21 inch long baby girl was here!

So Happy Birthday Baby Girl! Everytime I face a challenging day with you I need to remind myself how long and hard so many of us prayed for you. And thank God for the spunky personality He blessed you with!

I am a Soccer Coach!

2006-07-30T17:50:00.000-07:00

Woohoo!! It's official....just held the first team meeting....I am Keira's U6 Girls Coach. I actually was very nervous going to this meeting. I know there were at least 2 other parents that had signed up that they wanted to coach.....don't know why I got picked instead of them.....so I guess I felt like they would be sizing me up...looking for flaws....wish I could get past that insecurity level. For crying out loud I am 36 years old! I should be secure by now!

Anyways....the girls are totally cute....deciding if we are going to be The Pretty Ponies or The Shooting Stars or The Blue Dolphins. Should be an interesting season!

All gave Some - This One Gave All

2006-07-27T09:04:00.000-07:00

A soldier that I have never met.....yet my heart breaks at the news of his passing. He is the nephew of a friend, a son, a brother, a grandson, a friend.....serving his country....protecting those he has never met....craving peace.....peace that he now has but all of those who loved and cared for him will always seek.

Dennis was killed in action by enemy fire on July 24.....Keira's birthday....now every year when we celebrate her birth I will also offer up prayers for Dennis and his family.....celebration of life and death.....tied together always.

Regardless of how you feel about the war, you have to feel gratitude and compassion for these young men and women in the armed forces....and for their families. Maybe the reality of this war does not hit you every day....it didn't me.....until now.....we often would pray for those overseas.....but I had not experienced a personal loss in direct relation to what is happening in Iraq.....until now......and even though Dennis and I had never met....it feels personal.

So pray....pray for Dennis' family and the hell they are going through....pray for their healing....pray for peace.....pray for all the other heroes that are still on the front lines day in and day out.....just pray.

By the way - this layout was created by Laura as a tribute to Dennis and his brother Dana who is also serving.

Another Few Days in Paradise!

2006-07-21T18:29:00.000-07:00

Another 2fer - very bad connection where we are now......so here's the re-cap

Thursday - woke up this morning......took the kids to breakfast....told G we needed to go to the International MarketPlace one last time. "Why?" he asked. "I don't know." "What are you looking for?" he asks. "I don't know."

But after being there for only about 10 minutes I knew exactly why. We came across a young girl, crying, being restrained by a shopkeeper. He had a very tight grasp on her arms and would not let go. He kept yelling at her "Why your friend not pay?!?" She kept saying "I don't know what you are talking about, please let me go." But he wouldn't. Greg went over and tried to get the guy to let go of her to no avail. Then another young girl came running up screaming "Let my friend go!" I got security and finally the guy let the girl go. I sat with them and Greg talked with the owner and the security. The owner thought the girl's friend stole something so he 'captured' her friend to try and get her to return. I got the girl's mom on the phone - they were there from Seattle for a soccer tournament - Greg filled out a report......I don't know whether or not the girl stole the $1.00 magnet or not....I hope not....she stared me right in the eyes and said she didn't. But the other girl...she was totally traumatized.....she said she thought the guy was going to take her somewhere and do something terrible to her.

So that's why we were there. The girl's mother was very thankful. I told her that I hoped if my daughter ever found herself in a situation like this that someone would help her....and I told the girl's that they needed to try and enjoy what was left of their trip....and also to be aware of how they can find opportunities to help someone in need.

After that we headed back to the hotel (no, I didn't buy anything at the marketplace) and packed up. Loaded into the car and headed off through the pineapple and sugar cane fields to the North Shore and Turtle Bay.

We got checked in and OMG!! We are staying in a beach front cottage....opens onto a lovely veranda. We have a hammock, some chaise lounges with fabulous cushions (that's where I am right now!), the pools have natural rock and waterfalls, there are tons of turtles swimming in the beach right off our veranda.....and we have our own concierge named Brian. He takes care of everything. Keeps the ice bucket full, brings fresh fruit to the kids every morning, makes all the necessary reservations, etc. He is a Hoo'ki'pa, which translates into butler - never had one of those before. Seriously I don't want to leave this place. I told Greg we need a few more days here so we shall see!

Last night we drove into Halei'wa and ate at Cholo's Mexican food! I needed me some salsa! Lovin' the fresh fish and fruit but I really needed something spicy! Then it was back to the cottage and more swimming for the kids.

Today - Greg and Jeff had a 6:45 tee time on the Arnold Palmer course. That's basically what brought us to Turtle Bay - thank goodness! The kids and I slept in and then Kade and I decided to walk over to the course and get some pics of Greg golfing. We walked, and walked, and walked, and got lost, and walked, and asked for directions, and walked.....for an hour and a half and we finally found them. They were at the 13th hole by then so we rode along on the cart....unless someone was coming and then we had to walk some more. We totaled up the mileage and it was 7 miles! Kade was such a trooper....never complaining....it was great to have that time with him just to talk....we were freakin' tired by the end though and starving since we hadn't had breakfast.

When we got back I took him to the cabana at the pool and we had cheeseburgers and then swam. That felt good! Then we headed off to the keiki bay so he could do some snorkeling....but he was more excited about skipping rocks!

Right now we are off to a luau at the Polynesian Cultural Center and then a show. Keira is looking forward to the hula dancers and Kade can't wait to see the fire dancers.

Until later - aloha!