Another one bites the dust...

Daniel lost his third tooth today. Actually it was pulled out by Mr. Joe during recess, but it still counts. Hopefully Daniel put it somewhere the tooth fairy can easily get to. I was a little worried when I mentioned to Daniel to make sure the tooth was accessible and Sammy said not to worry because the tooth fairy is magic and could find the tooth anywhere. Even if Sammy hid it. Great, that's just what the tooth fairy needs. Searching around the room in the dark for a tooth smaller than a pea. What happens if the tooth fairy can't find the tooth? Hopefully we won't have to find out.

Mellow Sunday

A little different...

We went to church bright and early this morning as usual, but it was a little different today. Sammy, for the first time, got to stay in service with Dan, Daniel and I and then go to Kids Worship, which is where the big kids get to go during the sermon. He was very excited and was practically skipping out of the sanctuary with joy. He also got to join the Kindergartners for Sunday School. Dan (he is one of the teachers of that class) said Sammy did very well. I have been going downstairs to drop off one or more of the boys at the nursery or preschool for almost 7 years now, so it was very strange going straight to the sanctuary with both the boys. They are getting so big!

On Reading...
I began reading, or rather re-reading, the book 'Celebration of Discipline' by Richard J. Foster, for our Bible Study today. In the intro Foster explains what led him to write this book and writes, "These "saints", as we sometimes call them, knew God in a way that I clearly did not. They experienced Jesus as the defining reality of their lives. They possessed a flaming vision of God that blinded them to all competing loyalties. They experienced life built on the Rock.
...I began desiring this kind of life for myself. And desiring led to seeking and seeking led to finding. And what I found settled me, deepened me, thickened me." This is just what we need in our society that tends to make us frantic, shallow and spread too thinned out.


Boys at play...
I love it when the boys set up little fortresses and scenes for their Lego people to inhabit.

Bombs away...

Sammy loves to jump from the top bunk to the bottom bunk. Me, not so much.

Wibbly, wobbly tooth...

It is just hanging by a thread. Any day now.

Tag! You're It!

The boys love playing tag. There are all different kinds of tag games with many different rules. And there is always at least one base, a safe haven. The boys like to add more and more bases as needed, but luckily the person who is 'it' can call 'Base on fire!' and the ones being chased have to flee the safe spot. It used to be I could catch them quite quickly, but they are becoming pretty fast little buggers. Sammy can turn on a dime and Daniel can really scramble out of the way.

I actually like chasing them around and it is a pretty good workout too. They don't seem to get very tired, but I am always left huffing and puffing. When was the last time you played tag? Gotcha! You're it!

A Look Back at 2007

January - Legoland for Daniel's 6th birthday
February - A visit from Auntie Chrissie and Leina
March - Spring Break in LA
April - Agua Caliente Church Camping Trip
May - Mother's Day
June - Daniel's Kindergarten graduation
July - Eating cinnamon buns at the Del Mar Fair
August - 2nd Annual Family vacation in Hawaii
September - Cub Scouts Balboa Camp
October - Church Family Retreat in Ramona, climbing the mountain to the cross
November - Jedi battles
December - Santa hats, lots of rain and lots of love.

A First of the New Year

What better way to start off the New Year than doing something you've never done before? Well, Daniel did just that. Daniel rode his bike today, without training wheels, for the first time. My Dad had taken Daniel out two previous times to teach him how to ride a bike, but Daniel had yet to be comfortable enough for my Dad to let go of the bike. I don't know what changed, but today Daniel said he was going to try riding all by himself and just like that he did it. My Dad and I were shocked, excited and so proud of him. I think Daniel was pretty proud of himself too. Way to go Daniel!

Goodbye 2008, Hello 2009!

Happy New Year! Another year has come and gone, and a brand new year now lies before us. There is something about the start of a new year. For me it is an exciting time. I love looking back and reminiscing about the past year and looking forward to what is to come.

We definitely had a full 2008 year. Our family went on our first camping trip to Agua Caliente, spent two weeks in Hawaii and went to a family retreat in Ramona. Daniel finished his first year of school and started the first grade. He has gone from sounding out words to reading with a fluency beyond his years. Sammy has also continued to grow in so many ways too. He has learned to write his name and with the development of his hand-eye coordination can draw pictures (with his left hand).

Dan got to travel to Baltimore for business and got to spend some time with his brother and family celebrating Alex's 5th birthday. I got to canoe the Colorado River last spring and went on a girls getaway weekend to Palm Springs with a bunch of my Mom friends this fall. Dan and I joined a Bible Study at our church and Dan volunteered to teach Sunday School to Kindergartners and 1st graders. Dan became Den Leader for Daniel's cub scout group and I volunteered to be co-president of our school's PTO.

This year we've seen gas prices rise and drop, the economy and stock market take a nose dive and too much fighting and unrest in the world. We've had friends and family experience joy and pain, hope and uncertainty. And yet never have I felt God's presence and hand at work more. His blessings continue to rain down on us. He is faithful.

Yes, it has been quite a year. I can't wait to see what 2009 holds in store for us!

Beach Stroll

We took a stroll along the beach at La Jolla Shores today. It was all blue skies and wonderful weather. Lots of surfers and a fair amount of people enjoying the ocean. We walked past the bench where Dan proposed to me over 12 years ago. I just love walking along the beach. Considering how close it is, I don't go often enough.

Maybe that will be one of my New Year's resolution. Not to take all the beauty of this city I live in for granted. Get out, explore and enjoy San Diego.

Do you take where you live for granted? Do you take advantage of all the great things your city or town has to offer?

A Quiet House

It has been abnormally quiet in our little house today. I think a big part of that is the fact that the boys are up in LA with my parents. Yes, Dan and I are sans kids for three whole days! Yippee! Can you tell I am a little excited? They left bright and early yesterday morning, so it has been about two days without the boys. And although I miss their sweet little faces and hugs and kisses, it sure is nice not to have take care of anyone but myself for a few days.

We Skyped them tonight and it appears everyone is doing well. My parents didn't seem to be at the end of their rope...yet. They got their hair cut, had donuts, saw a movie, pulled weeds and got soaking wet in my parent's backyard fountain and that was just today. I am sure my parents will be wiped by the time we arrive.

Dan and I have been doing a lot of relaxing. I have been reading, sewing, knitting and just enjoying the peace and quiet of our house. It is definitely nice to have a break from parenting every once and a while. Thanks Tutu and Papa!

Playing in the Rain

Last Monday when San Diego was experiencing Portland-like weather I took the boys out front to play in the rain. Since we don't get a whole lot of rain here the boys are always excited to romp around in the puddles and falling water. Most of the time they run around with their umbrellas, but this day they decided to ditch any cover and run around in the rain. Daniel played soccer while Sammy stood under an overflowing gutter and let the water drench him. I don't understand how they could stand being wet and in the cold. I was wearing a jacket and scarf and was still cold! But I can remember walking in the street gutters in bare feet on rainy days when I was a kid and not being cold. Either that or I just didn't care. Oh, to be so carefree and just enjoy the moment. I envy my boys that.

A Very Merry Christmas

We had a very Merry Christmas this year. The boys must have behaved very in 2008 because each received the present they asked Santa for.Daniel got a LEGO Star Wars Republic Gunship. In this picture he has just unwrapped his present and is saying, "YES!!!".Sammy got an Ultimate Lightsaber set.Dan was very happy when he opened a batch of his favorite Molasses cookies.The morning was spent building Legos... and Sammy practicing his Jedi moves.

Tutu and Papa joined us around lunch and then we all want to Nana's house for a delicious Christmas dinner. Turkey, sausage and cranberry stuffing, mashed potatoes, marshmellow sweet potatoes, almond green beans, rolls, gravy and pumpkin pie for desert. Yum!

One of my favorite presents was a handmade Merry Christmas banner from my sisiter. I only wish I could keep it up all year long. Soon I will be taking down the Christmas tree and all the decorations and we will be ringing in the New Year. I wish we could have another week or two to enjoy the Christmas season. It all goes by way to fast. The good thing is we get to do it all over again next year. I hope everyone had a great Christmas! I hope it was filled with lots of love, hope and joy and that all that good stuff will overflow into the next year.

Christmas Elves

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Getting Close...

I cannot believe it is only three days till Christmas. Last I remember it was Sammy's birthday and then I blinked my eyes and Halloween and Thanksgiving just flew by and now Christmas is on our doorstep. Amid all the Christmas programs and parties I have been working like a mad dog. This year I wanted to make all my Christmas presents and I am happy to say the besides a couple of store bought presents here and there I did it. Well, I am still making things and will probably be up late in my studio Christmas Eve, but hopefully everything will get done. It has been fun and I haven't missed the mall shopping and holiday crowds at all. I also finally got our Christmas letters in the mail today, with the help of two little helpers. Today we will be cutting out cookies for our traditional Terry Christmas cookies. It looks like rain is in the forecast, so it will be a perfect day for baking. Hope everyone is enjoying these days leading up to the Big Day.

Happy 5th Birthday Sammy!

Can it really be true? Say it's not so. Can my baby really be five years old today? Was it really five years ago today that we welcomed Sammy into this world?

It seems like eons ago and yet just like yesterday. I can hardly remember life without my Sammy, but these last five years have flown by in a blink of an eye. And what a five years it has been. I wouldn't trade one of them for anything in the world.

Happy birthday, Sammy! I love you so, so much!

Bigger is Better

While walking the aisles at Costco yesterday, Sammy saw this 'ginormous' stuffed dog. The photo really doesn't do it justice. The thing was massive.


I immediately thought of Leina, my niece. She loves stuffed animals and the bigger the better. Although I don't think her room is big enough for this monstrosity.We also came across this, which caught Sammy's attention. A five foot long Christmas stocking.
I know Costco is all about the bigger and bulkier the better, but really, does someone need a stocking this big?

Caught Red Handed

Daniel brought home his first yellow card of the year yesterday. I was actually working in his classroom when he got it so it wasn't much of a surprise. And I should have seen it coming since I recently found Daniel in our bathroom doing to same thing. When I asked him what he was trying to do he told me that someone was showing him how to blow bubbles with his hands at school one day. He wasn't able to do it at home because it wasn't the right kind of soap. So I guess he decided to try it at school. Big mistake. Wondering what was taking Daniel so long in the bathroom, his teacher went to check on him and caught him in the act. I can just imagine Daniel leaning over the sink gently trying to coax a bubble from between his hands when suddenly his teacher, who he has a major crush on, walks in and catches him red (or shall I say soapy) handed. He probably jumped out of his skin. Oh that I could have seen the look in his face. I don't think he will be doing that again.

Notes from Daniel

I love that Daniel can read and write now. He is even learning how to spell this year. Hopefully he will be a much better speller than his mother. I often find notes and lists around the house like this: And like this:How cool is that?

The Next Top Ten Song

'Always Exclusive' performed by Daniel and Sammy:



Yes, they are saying 'always exclusive'. No, I don't know why. And Yes, my kids are quite strange.

Sammy's First Day

Today was Sammy's first day of his last year of preschool. He was a little shy this morning going to class, but had a great day. Sammy also has the same teacher and same classroom as last year, but instead of 4 boys and 8 girls, there are 4 boys and 14 girls. They added a teacher and added 6 more kids since the part time preschool is so popular. Fortunately, Sammy is not old enough to appreciate the boy to girl ratio.

As for myself, I got to have the day to myself with nothing to do. It has been a while. I enjoyed a nice lunch with Dan at Niban (my favorite place to get sushi) and got some stuff done around the house. A very quiet and mellow day indeed.

First Day of the 1st Grade

Daniel is officially a 1st grader. He was pretty excited about going back to school this morning. He didn't seem nervous of uncomfortable at all. I think it helps he has Ms. Foust, his teacher from last year who he adores, and is in the same room. It is a split class, half Kindergartners and half 1st graders, so there was some quivering lips and sad faces. I think it probably helped to have some older kids in there putting the younger ones at ease. When I picked up Daniel he was happy and in a good mood. He seemed a little tired. I expected as much as this year he will not have nap time. I am sure he will adjust as the year goes on.
Sammy starts his preschool class tomorrow. We ran some errands, played some Lego Star Wars together (the boys are obsessive about this game) and Sammy's theatrics kept me entertained.

Sammy and I both missed Daniel around the house. I'm not sure who missed him more, me or Sammy. It's probably a tie. Tomorrow both boys will be in school and I am sure the house will seem oh so quiet. I expect I will be enjoying some alone time quite a bit.

Home Again

Home sweet home. We made it back safe and sound. We had a wonderful trip and so, so much fun. The only negative was that the time went by too quickly. Really was that two weeks? I guess so because it is September already. September! Wow, the summer flew by.

And tomorrow Daniel has his first day of 1st grade. Now that cannot possibly be right. Not my little nugget. How can my first born be in 1st grade when I have such vivid memories of being in 1st grade?

So tomorrow starts another school year. And for Sammy his last year of preschool. Wait! That really can't be right. Sammy's practically a baby still. Okay, so he is a pretty big kid now, but I don't know if I'm ready for both of my boys to be in school full time. I will have to enjoy and treasure this last year of time with Sammy.

I hope that the boys have a great school year and I can't wait to see how much each of them grows and learns. What an exciting time! I am looking forward to it all.