Happy Birthday Dad!

Happy Birthday to my father, Bill!

I hope you are celebrating and having some awesome Mexican food at Hugo's.
Lots of love going out to you.

The kids had an excellent time camping, and it was a fun trip.
I will try to get some pictures up and posted on flickr.

More later-

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

God bless all of the veterans, their families and the fine people who made it their choice in life (and death) to defend our way of life in this country.
These freedoms are such a part of who we are, that unfortunately,it is easy sometimes to overlook the sacrifices our
veterans made so we could live in a nation where we can speak our minds without fear of reprisal.

Our family is off to celebrate the holiday by good, old fashioned camping!
We do indulge in some modern conveniences, like a pop-up trailer, sleeping bags and propane!
Be back on Tuesday with some pics.

Grey-O

Back in January, my oldest son Nolan started to watch American Idol on a regular basis.
B and I joined in, while Aaron was content to read or watch intermittently. Nothing big, just something to do together on a Tuesday and Wednesday evening. We each had our favorites: mine was Elliot, B liked Katherine, and Aaron didn't care much.

As the contestants got voted off, Nolan kept expressing his belief that a certain contestant was the best, and he liked the way he sang. He also liked how he was different from the others because of his grey hair.
Nolan christened him with the nickname "Grey-O".

The other kids at school didn't think Grey-O would win- he wasn't cool enough, or his grey hair wasn't what everybody else had.

We had to explain to Nolan what "Soul Patrol" meant: if you have soul, it is something that is deep inside you- it can't be faked or processed- it is what and who you are- to your essence and core.

Well, I just want to say: keep believing Nolan, or as Taylor Hicks said when he won American Idol, "I'm livin' the American Dream!"

Of course, If you ask me- I'm not a fan... "wink"

Picture of the Day

Aaron on the way back from his special chapel service at school today.

This kid's got a smile- it blows me away.

Poof! My heart's gone...

Let me just say...

Taylor is the next American Idol, ok?
You know why? Because I stayed up an hour PAST the time our Tivo'd show ended (which means it was 10:00pm)
and voted.
No, not once; not even five times, but TEN TIMES!!!
And I'm not even a fanatic.
Although, Bri and I did agree that out of all of the seasons, we could see ourselves buying the CD,
and,gulp, taking Nolan and Aaron to the American Idol live show.
Nolan was excited to hear this, and wants the CD also.

Fun times ahead.

A Day of Bests

What a great day on Saturday!

Just the kind of day where you sleep in the right amount, everyone is feeling good and happy, and the day was full of sunshine, friends, family and laughter.

I had a lovely chat with my Grandmother- I really long to see her and my family up in Oregon.
The kids went swimming, and Josalyn learned to drive her big brother's MOTORIZED bumper boat, complete with firing the water gun too.
My mom and Chris watched the kids for B and me so we could visit and enjoy dinner with our dear friend Karen. We also had the pleasure of catching up and visiting with her two sisters, Denise and Cheryl, and seeing our good friend Vida and her husband Troy. Such a splendid time! The margaritas were tasty (too tasty!), the food was delicious and the company was even better.

Again, what a great day!

My layered memories

I was watching the kids swim this early evening, and I couldn't help noticing how different they looked in the water, and how their moves were the moves of older kids. My Mom in law, Gayle, had made this remark to me also when she saw Nolan, Kayah, Aaron and Kush in the water together. I realized that the memories I had of them swimming now needed to be replaced with a newer version- the version of which I observed today.

Nolan is longer and leaner, with small, defined muscles on his shoulders and legs. He can hold his breath underwater for a very long time, and loves to watch the world of underwater motion with his mask firmly in place on his face.

Kayah is confident and strong. She is also very graceful with her swimming movements, and was holding Kush on her shoulders as the kids played "chicken fight". Her hair is extremely beautiful when it is wet.

Aaron is out in the deep end all of the time, doing flips underwater and swimming back and forth from the shallow end to the deep end. He is more social, and enjoys playing with other children he just met, engaging in imaginary games they make up for the water.

Kush-I see such a difference! He is tall and slender and swims with meaning and a purpose. He ventures out to the deep end continously unassisted. He can climb effortlessly upon Kayah's shoulders, or onto the boogie board in a mock surfing pose.

And did I mention Josalyn? I remember her as a 10-12 month old baby, in a swim diaper- only in the water because an adult holds her and swims around with her. Now, she wears a purple swimsuit with built in floaties, and sits on the steps in the shallow end. She loved the water as Aunt Stacy held her and swam her around in circles, the water running over her little shoulders and splashing her face. Her face is beaming with a smile as wide as the pool.

And so this summer, I prepare to add another layer to my memories of the children. Not replacing the layers underneath, but adding a new layer of remembrance over them.

Just like a tree. Hopefully, when I am older- I can recall each layer individually, with the clarity and emotion intact.

Have I mentioned how much I love my new camera?

Well, if I have, I apologize for repeating myself, but I LOVE IT!

Here are some wacky, random shots:

This is a spiderweb under a bridge at Big Dalton Canyon in Glendora



Nolan's ant farm.

I will try to post some more on Flickr soon.
Happy Thursday!

Goodbye Mt. Sac!

Well, after a decade at Mt. Sac (not consistently, but over the span!!) three changes in my major and an imaginary A.S. degree,
I took my last final exam this morning!
I don't know if it was the shingles, or the reality, but my tummy hurt. It went well hopefully.
Now, a short break and then onward to Loma Linda starting June 19th.

We are also having the mulberry tree taken out of our backyard. I am glad because it is extremely messy, but I am sad too because it gave us great shade, birds dug it, and the cats would climb it. It is going to take some getting used to. Also, I feel like in this world of concrete, wires, steel and plaster, it is one more elimination of something breathing and natural. But, I know we will choose another awesome tree that we can watch grow and become a part of our family history.

It's the circle of life.

Happy Mother's Day!

Love to all the moms!!!!

Hey, for fun- if you are reading this, sign in and post a comment so we can all see
who is here in cyberspace!
Just go to post a comment, sign in and write a message!

I'll start...

Pool Draining Day

Jo enjoying the pool water, and of course the boat!



The kids have the best time just playing with the water draining from the hose, and chasing it down the street gutter.
They made lego men boats complete with note attached.

Oh, and here's Josalyn with her glasses:


She needs a shirt that says,"ROCK STAR!!"

Happy early Mother's Day!

Happy Friday!

I am looking forward to the weekend. Of course, I feel like I haven't done much of anything this week
except work on recuperating. I hope I can take a break from my "work" this weekend.

Brian took the day off, and he is messing with his recording equipment. He is so cute when he gets in his "zone."

The boys are at school, Jo is napping and it's another beautiful (but sort of hazy) day.

Uh oh, I hear Jo stirring.

Break time over.

Jo Speak

Josalyn's vocabulary is expanding everyday, and she is starting to string words together.
She also uses the proper intonation, so it is ultra adorable!
Some of her sentences include:

"Kiki go bye-bye" (uttered while watching Tom and Jerry cartoons- I can only imagine what happened to poor Tom that caused her to say that)

"Sshh, mama night-night"

"mohr-mohr," (after her second bowl of cereal)

"Mama, come, durty" (she didn't like something)

Just wanted to remember this.

At the boy's school they have a fundraiser going, which consists of buying a ticket for a free dress day (they don't have to wear their uniform.)
I purchased two tickets, and I gave Aaron his ticket to present to his teacher, Mrs. Schaar. Aaron gave his ticket to her, and she exclaimed," Oh, my- this is valuable, more valuable than gold!"

Aaron beamed and got back in the van. As he shut the door, Nolan piped up from the back seat,"Actually, gold is $400.00
dollars an ounce right now."

New Pictures

Pictures of our Temecula trip are posted over at Flickr.

Such a superb weekend.

Happy Birthday Jamie!!!

Birthday wishes to my little brother Jamie today!
I hope you are doing something fun and enjoying your special day today.

Here is a fun shot I took of me and little Jo- she created more body art.


(excuse my bare midriff- rash therapy :) )

I finally finished a scrapbook page I was working on. I have had trouble concentrating lately and sitting still-
I like it though- I think it is because of the colors, and of course, the kids.



Happy Wednesday!!!

Hello, it's been awhile...

-Boy, I didn't realize it has been so long since I touched my blog.
OK, back to writing SOMETHING everyday.

I have been dealing with the Varicella Zoster virus for the last week, or as I like to call it, my new acquaintance- "Shingles".

New experiences of uncomfortableness (is that a word?) and new sensations of pain.

Hopefully, I am on the upside of down with this.

Onward- I have my PE final tomorrow. This consists of writing a paper, and taking a scantron test regarding exercise, body composition, muscles and healthy habits.

My medical terminology final is a week from today.

Then a short break and THE BIG TIME.

Come on pain pill, kick in...