Veteran's Tribute

Each November Knott's Berry Farm honors those who serve and have served in the U.S. Military by offering free admission plus 1 guest free, and up to 6 more guests at $15 each. This year the offer is running from November 1st through Thanksgiving Day. So if you know anyone who has served or is currently serving in the military, this is a fun way to honor them and have a great time together! Make sure they bring their proof of military service (DD214, Veteran's Administration Hospital I.D, or Active Military Service I.D.). Check out all of Knott's promotions at http://www.knotts.com/hot/index.asp .

D-Land!

We had such a great time at Disneyland yesterday! Bekah had so much fun and we were blessed to have my dad as well as a friend of our girls come along. We rode lots of rides and discovered Bekah likes roller coasters! She wanted to do everything twice, but since we were there for only one day, once of everything was enough. She even loved Pirates of the Carribean! Annie was a different story. All in all we had a blast celebrating our baby's 4th birthday. She has such a sparkling personality and it was great to see the pure joy in her face so many times throughout the day. The first picture is of Annie's checklist. She completely took it upon herself to make a list of all her goals during our trip to Disneyland. I wonder where she gets that from? Here is a translation for those of you who don't read phonetically...kindergarten Level:

Fast rides
Dumbo
Winnie the Pooh
Small World
Merry Go Round
Have Fun
Nemo Ride

The last picture is of the end of the day...they were exhausted!!!

Emergency, Emergency, Call 9-1-1 !!!!

So my dad will be laughing when he reads the title of this post...its a joke from my childhood. However the fire behind my house about 45 minutes ago was no joke at all. I was doing laundry in the garage when I smelled smoke and it took about 2 seconds to realize none of the neighbors were BBQing. I hurried outside and found rising gray smoke behind our block wall (thank You, Lord its a block wall and not a wood fence!!!). Then I heard a kid yelling, "Mom hurry its spreading!!!". Oh poop. So I ran inside, grabbed the kids, social security cards and birth certificates, my purse and shoes and out we flew. We drove around the block to find the neighbors running around with shovels and fire extinguishers and calling 9-1-1. I talked to one of the neighbors who informed me it was an accident waiting to happen with piles of dry woodchips and dry weeds. Also, it was a kid who started it...the one with a lighter in his hand. Greaaaaaat...do I live behind a jr. pyromaniac??? The fire department showed up quickly as well as about 4 police cars (I guess this was the dramatic event of our city this afternoon). Thankfully everyone and everything is A-OK.

Bekah Turns 4 Tomorrow!

Tomorrow we'll be busy celebrating Bek's 4th birthday at Disneyland (Lord-willing) so I did a little video interview of her today. Enjoy!

Tag - I'm It!

My creative and beautiful friend, Corinne, tagged me.
(The rules....link your tagger and list these rules on your blog. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.)

*1* My right thumb is significantly flatter than my left from sucking it for "X" number of years. And I will never reveal on the world wide web the value of X.

*2* I am always and without ceasing on a schedule. I do not remember the last time I had a care-free day not thinking of the clock and what needs to happen next or be planned. I am constantly planning for the day, week, and even month ahead, constantly. Whether it be meals, chores, clothing, errands, parties, money, emails, blogging, even when I'll have a free moment to paint my nails, etc.

*3* As a young girl I wanted to be a primatologist - someone who studies apes. I particularly wanted to teach sign language to a gorilla. Wierd, I know. I think I actually know where I got this idea - the 80's sitcom "Family Ties" where Courtney Cox played "Lauren", a psychologist who taught apes sign language and dated Alex P. Keaton.

*4* TV had so much to do with my childhood. We faithfully watched many shows such as "The Wonder Years", "Our House", "Growing Pains", "Full House", "Life Goes On", "Different Strokes", "Saved by the Bell", "Charles in Charge", "I Love Lucy", "90210", "Fresh Prince", "Cheers", and "Kids Incorporated". Even now I am the one in the house who has the tendency to sit in front of the TV for far too long. Its not even a temptation for Jose but I'm a completely different story.

*5* This is pretty pathetic but here goes: Several years ago when I worked in the office of our church we received a phone call and I happened to be the secretary to answer it. It was Kirk Cameron wanting to speak with Pastor David about the release of his new movie "Left Behind". I seriously almost blurted out, "OMG its Mike Seaver!!!!" Thankfully I stayed calm, collected, and professional and transferred him to the appropriate secretary.

*6* So I mentioned "Kids Incorporated" above. Well we had a great group of kids in my neighborhood growing up and we loved to put on shows. We even put together our own group called "Kids Incorporated 2". Real original, huh? So guess who I played...Stacy Ferguson. Anyone think I look like Fergie now? Nah, me either.

*7* I can't believe I am going to say (type) this, but I think I am over my chocolate obsession of 29 years. I still love chocolate, especially dark, but I find that I am fine not to have it. Sometimes I'll even choose a non-chocolate treat over chocolate. I don't know why, but this kind of saddens me. :-(

So there you have some random and wierd facts about me. I hope those who I tag will share their facts as well. If I tag you and you don't blog, please post your facts in my comments section. I can't wait to read!!




Leti, Dad, Crystal, Lulu, Moni, Jannette, anjmama, Carin, Janel, Tami, and anybody else who would like to participate.

Remembering

Today I went to visit a friend who had her second baby a couple months ago. She is beautiful! And fussy. :-( My poor friend can hardly set her down for 5 minutes without hearing her cry. The baby has some tummy troubles and is just generally high maintenance. My friend also has a 4 year old who needs Mommy as well. I had forgotten what it was like having a child and a fussy newborn...the sleep deprivation, the unnerving feeling of hearing a baby cry inconsolably, knowing your older child needs more attention, etc. It can become such a closed-in existence that's its hard to see the big picture. The good news is that it is only a season. Things will get better and it will all be worth it. Its funny how we (I think selectively) can forget those hard seasons that seem unending. Thank God He gives us hope and we don't stay in those dark days forever. Life goes on and gets better.

Here's An Idea

Last week I was running errands with my girls when they got into some sibling rivalry. Of course I can't do anything about it while I'm driving as they are out of reach and they well know it. So instead of pleading with them to stop fighting and make peace I decided I'd drown out the noise and turn up the radio for my own listening pleasure. Little did I know they would LOVE it! I found a fun, upbeat song and blasted it. They laughed and screamed (in a good way) all the way home and now they beg me to turn on the crazy music. It beats hearing kids fight.

I'm Off Restriction

I'm so excited that I'm off restriction from lifting my kids as of today. It has been 8 weeks since my surgery and the doctor cleared me to lift and do whatever I want again (except for moving heavy furniture). It was so hard to not lift my kids and hold them the last two months. It did make Bekah a little more independent, but we were so much slower getting in and out of the car, etc. without me being allowed to lift. Now I'm back, a little wiser and a little more patient. :-)