vacation

We ventured out and decided to take the kids up to San Luis Obispo for a few days. Our original plan was to just stay at the Apple Farm Inn, let the kids play at the pool, nap and then return to the pool again, along with a few short walks here and there.

Aren't we funny? We had it all worked out.

But every morning the weather was cold and overcast, nixing our plan to swim in the morning. Which caused us to be spontaneous and it worked out wonderfully.

On the first leg of our 4-hour drive up, we stopped in Summerland at a park so the kids could stretch, play and eat lunch. We made it up to the Apple Farm just in time for their daily "reception" where they put out yummy baked goods with cold apple cider for the kids and wonderful wine for Mommy! :) Then we played in the pool and pooped out for the night.

The next morning was cold and even a bit drizzly...so we drove the kids to Morro Bay and picnicked at a local park, took a ride on the Trolley, walked around the bay shops, visited a seal and then headed back for "reception" and pool time again.

The third day was a little warmer. We met up with my cousin Rebecca and her newborn son Braden at a local park. After the kids got all their wiggles and giggles out, we headed north to a little stop just past Hearst Castle where there are TONS of elephant seals. They are not the most beautiful creatures, but they are large, loud and interesting to watch. Grant cried when we left. He wasn't finished yet. We drove back for our reception and pool time routines. Nathan even let us order a movie The Pirates Who Do Nothing to help the kids zone out and fall asleep. It worked well.

By the way, every evening at 7pm the Apple Farm staff bring out freshly baked cookies. We lived for 7pm.

The last day we packed up and headed home, deciding to stop at the Santa Barbara Zoo to break up the drive. What a wonderful place for children. We even rode the train for a tour of the zoo...the kids loved it. Evan cried when we got off the train.

As we finished the last leg of our trip, we decided to eat dinner at the Spaghetti Factory in Duarte. Evan ate bread, pasta, mizithra cheese and yes, even a little bit of ice cream. Yes I know it's not good for him, but he is the baby of the family and he loved it!

We're home and ready to pack up once more for another trip.

Family trips are fun...not relaxing...but who wants relaxing when you get to just play and giggle and enjoy your little ones without any interruptions?

8 months old

already eager to embrace life

it's potty time...round 2!

Yes, we've begun the trek to train Grant how to go potty...doesn't that sound funny? How to go potty...like he doesn't already know that. Every time I smell something foul I ask him if he did a poopy...No poopy...poopy toot! Thanks for trying to pull a fast one son, but the fact of the matter is that my senses have betrayed you.

The thing that kept running through my mind as I sat on the floor trying to convince Grant to stay put on the pot was that potty training is actually not done for the child at all. It's the parent being trained to look for the signs that force them to drop everything, pick up a buck naked child and run half way through the house to make it to the bathroom to just sit there for another 20 minutes. Yes, that was the scenario at my house yesterday.

I decided to put Grant on the port-a-pot in front of the television to watch a short video about going potty. I was teaching piano in one room while Nathan was just outside in the yard watering when Grant went potty on the pot for the first time. And the only one who shared in his glorious moment was his big sister. I walked out of the piano lesson for a minute to grab something and I looked up to find Madeline standing, just waiting to burst. Guess what Grant did, Mom? HE WENT POTTY!!!! She could hardly contain herself, it was so adorably cute!

Today he sat down several times but nothing came out. Maddie offered him some valuable advice I told him that if he pinches his penis it will come out. He took the advice but to no avail. He just appreciated her willingness to help because to him, she must know what she's talking about since she's the big sister.

picnic dinner

We made sandwiches and other goodies, loaded up the kids and enjoyed a relaxing dinner at the park. It's funny when we put all the kids in the swings. There are four swings across...three of the swings are occupied by our kids.

Evan just smiles, drools and giggles while swinging. He's starting to crawl backwards, and today he tumbled right out of his pod chair and landed on all fours - apparently he's tired of being immobile.

Grant is becoming more adventurous, climbing and doing more tricks. He takes Nathan by the hand to help him on the monkey bars and to help him slide down the fireman pole!

Madeline is really beginning to mature...It's good to watch her do new things but hard to watch her grow up. She said I wish I had some friends to play with at the park. I responded with We're your friends...don't you want to play with us?

Apparently not.

But it's a good thing. She went up to a little girl and asked Will you be my friend? They ran and played together and then initiated another girl to join their play group. Makes me smile to see her growing in confidence and willingness to branch out.

It's hard to come home because of course, nobody wants to take showers and go to bed. But it still ended nicely. Evan fell asleep first with his nook in his mouth, cuddling Spotty, his blankie. Grant and Nathan read books in his rocking chair, while Madeline and I enjoyed her books rocking outside on the front porch.

Before bed we prayed together. I confessed my sin of yelling at her today. She whispered in my ear Can you ask Jesus to help me to stop whining? Funny that she thinks I have extra pull with the Lord. I hope she'll continue to reach out to Him in her own childlike way.

catching up

My college friend Danica (and college roommate for a time) and I were able to meet up today and play catch up on each other's lives from the last 15 months that we haven't been so good at keeping up. Every time I leave one of our visits, I remember how important friendship is. How important it is to have lifelong friends whom we can pick up where we left off, even when months and sometimes even years have passed without a word simply because life gets too busy. But she is a friend that I can laugh with and at the same time, share from the deepest parts of my soul with. And I may not see her again for several weeks or months. But then we'll just pick up again where we left off.

More than that, I'm so honored to be called her friend. I've always looked up to her wit, charm and passion for life. She has unknowingly inspired me to reach higher and work harder, even when our lives have gone different directions. She has respected my path while passionately pursuing hers.

I never knew that when I signed up for that Russia missions trip my freshman year at Biola that I would meet a lifelong friend.

wow!

Nathan and I attended our first CHEA Conference today. It was wonderful. It was overwhelming. It was awe inspiring. I was amazed at the curriculum focused on instilling virtues and reviewing our Christian heritage, as well as our Christian brothers and sisters who have been missionaries before us, and the numerous ways these different homeschooling organizations work in different ways to do one thing: to educate our children at home to instill our Christian values. Not the current so-called Christian values of I call myself a Christian, I might even go to church, but I do whatever I want. I follow my own gospel. This was convicting as I talked with people who desire to LIVE out their faith in every aspect of their lives, homeschooling being no exception. It's only one tiny piece of the puzzle. But it is a wonderful piece. We're only going to commit to one year of light homeschooling - just getting a feel for it by doing some Preschool/Kindergarten assignments and exercises. We'll see how it goes. The public school system is not criticized at all. That's not the point. The point is that we have an opportunity to provide a different education, one that is completely compatible with the Bible and the difficult lives Christ has called us to.

I feel challenged to go much deeper in my faith and life as a follower of Christ. I want to include my family in this venture.

wicked!

Nathan treated me to a wonderful date on this special night. We went to see Wicked at the Pantages Theatre. We left the kids at home, rushed out the door and I started to rant when we hit the Glendale freeway and the on-ramp was closed. We got the second to last parking spot in the lot next to the theatre and literally ran! We sat down in our seats (which were perfect) and breathed a sigh of relief, actually a few sighs. And within about two minutes the show began. I love going to the theatre, but going on a date with my husband, all dressed up and walking hand in hand, is what gives me butterflies.

ups and downs

I realized yesterday that I put too much pressure on myself to be even keel all the time. I don't want the kids to see me having bad days. I don't like the way I respond and act when I feel down. But someone pointed out to me that that isn't real life. Being even keel all the time doesn't teach them about real emotions and how to work through them. Ups and downs are normal. Experiencing a range of emotions is healthy. Telling my kids mommy is feeling yucky today...I need some space is healthy. It sets boundaries and gives them permission to feel yucky too.

happy birthday, america!

We had a leisurely morning on the 4th, and the kids took a 4-hour nap - all of them - at the same time. I was amazed. Of course I'm finding that Evan is only taking one nap per day lately. Yes, but it's better for him to take one long nap with his siblings so that I can have a little down time.

Anyway, we went to Auntie and Uncle Steve's, swam in their pool, ate steak and hot dogs, and watched fireworks. In fact, Grant decided that he wanted to do sparklers, and more sparklers and more sparklers. It was a fun day. Very memorable indeed.

camping buddies

On Thursday night, Nathan and the kids camped out in our backyard and made s'mores...what a dad!

mad rush

Madeline had a birthday party this morning. I thought it was next week. In addition to all of us having colds for the last week, I got my dates mixed up.

So in a mad rush, I get the kids dressed, teeth brushed, and run Evan over to Aunt Jan's to make the trip faster (thank the Lord she was available!). We run into Target, walk around in circles because we don't have a clue what to buy, we finally pick a cute item and then make another mad dash out to the car, and I drive with heavy guilt knowing I'm a lead-foot. Everyone is quiet in the car.

I think to myself Why do I do this? Why am I so disorganized? Why do I wait until the last minute and then put the family through such chaos? It's not worth it.

I park the car, step on the parking brake, get Maddie out and of course she wants me to untie her scarf and put it into her backpack, we run in, I run back out to Grant. I realize that I forgot to kiss her good-bye. I drive away sad, wondering how I've gotten to this point.

How do I even begin to change?

feminists for life

Read here about what Patricia Heaton is doing to spread this pro-life message.

Evan's 6 month check-up

He's actually seven months now, but I just forgot to schedule it on time? I don't know...don't remember how that happened.

He's doing well - growing normally. Actually, he's a beast. He weighed in at 19 lbs. 10 oz, and 27 1/2 inches long. He's in the 75th percentile.

I watch his eyes follow everything that Madeline and Grant do, and now he wants what they hold in their hands. They walk by and he quickly reaches out - sometimes he does the death grip on their hair, faces, toys. Grant gets so offended No, Baby! he says with great conviction. But watch out big brother and big sister, the baby is going to be taking over only in a matter of time.

different perspective

Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas

We attend a home group on Sunday nights. We have formed wonderful friendships. This is the book we've been reading for the last several weeks. Here is an excerpt. It was hard to just choose one...this book is rich with wisdom and conviction.

A difficult marriage does not pronounce a death sentence on a meaningful life. It presents several challenges, to be sure, but it also provides wonderful opportunities for spiritual growth. Look at your marriage through this lens--What am I learning? How is this causing me to grow? What is this doing for me from an eternal perspective?--and see if it doesn't lighten the load, at least somewhat. More important, contrast how your marriage draws you closer to God and shapes you in the character of Jesus Christ with how closely it draws you to the elusive state of carefree happiness. (p.152)