A wish for my children...

I pray that you will be blessed as I was while growing up. The world in which we live has changed so much in just 20 years. I can't just let you roam and go to school alone. You have to ride your bike around where I can see you and you can't walk blocks to go to your friend's house. But, keep that childhood innocence. Where there is not much to worry and fear. Do your best and believe that anything is possible. Because, with God all things are. Play and create. Let your imagination run wild. Explore your surroundings. But, respect. Yourself, your parents, your siblings, your family, your Creator. To do so will bring happiness all the years of your childhood. May you almost always act your age, while having a good head on your shoulders. You are my sunshines.

My Mama

I remember parts of that day and my feelings, but much of it is just a blurred sense of what was going on. But, it changed my life forever.

I have missed you at my wedding, the birth of my kids, and my graduation. My children know you through pictures and stories and a video I have of you reading Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day to your class. I think of you often this year as I homeschool the boys and teach your grade you taught for so long, 3rd. I even have your last lesson plan book, though I don't look at it often.

As I tell B and O more about you, I come to a greater realization of just who you were. You sacrificed so much for me and while at times it sacrificed our time together, you always tried to find a way to make it up. Yes, I was spoiled, and yes, I was a brat. And you put up with all of that. Thank you, Mom, for guiding me during my younger years. For all of the English papers that you listened to and all of the sentences that you dictated to me for my spelling words. You are forever in my heart, and while the memories dim so much, the fondness of your love will never be forgotten.

Yes, I know she is sleeping in the grave. But, at this special point in time, I need to get my feelings out as I see how special my mother was. I pray that today will have a moment of reflection in her honor.

Field Trip!

A couple of weeks ago, I decided to take the day off from teaching and take all 3 boys on a field trip. B and O were doing animal reports. O decided to do dolphins at first (which was too vague) and finally narrowed it down to orcas. We have seen the dolphins and whales at Discovery Kingdom and SeaWorld, but I wanted to take them to the place that I knew was closest that had them. So, off we went to the Seymour Discovery Marine Center at Long Marine Lab. I had a lab and a lecture here when I was at UC Santa Cruz and I will say that my nostalgia for the city is as great as it has been. Despite the "weirdness", I love Santa Cruz. And, I like the Marine Lab (I think the tank is too small for the dolphins though :o( ). I hadn't been since the boys were, oh, about 6 months old. They had a great time!

where did time go?

This question has been coming out of my mouth a lot lately. As I think about it being mid-April already and even moreso as I think about how B and O are going to be 9 years old this year and G is going to be 3. It's been 10 years almost since my mom died and 12 since my dad died and I just have to ask, where did the time go? It seems like it has gone by so fast.

Here's a few pictures to show what we have been up to in the past couple of months. The twins are big into Legos, so here are some of their creations they have come up with.



and G found that he can reach the doorbell over the gate at the front door



We've been on field trips and Daddy-O and I are on a journey of health and wellness right now, so look for future posts about those! XXXX to all of our family and friends.

wow! what a blessing

our backyard (well, communal with the HOA, but no one else really uses it)

God is good. And lately we have been reminded of his blessings over and over again. Specifically, how different B and O are from other boys and girls. Yesterday, we went to Marie Callender's to eat and two couples commented on how well behaved the boys were. One man said that he only saw manners being re-enforced like that in the Midwest and another older gentleman came over and shook the boys' hands and thanked them. Wow!

Today, Daddy-O and I were inside the house while the boys are outside playing in our backyard area. A lady in the area knocked on the door and asked if the twins were ours. She said that she just wanted to let us know that they are so well behaved and that she hopes that they stay like that for the rest of their lives.

Huge mama moment and smiles on my face. God is so good and his mercies are abundant. Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

Happy Valentine's Day

To all of our friends and family, happy Valentine's Day from me, Daddy-O, O, B, and G. We hope that you had a great day full of love and that you know just how much you mean to us. We had a great brunch at Marie Callender's, I went to work for a few hours and got some good work done, and Daddy-O and I are back on the love brainwave.

Tapatio

We are big fans of Tapatio in this house. Since B is allergic to tomatoes, he frequently requests it when O has ketchup or salsa. He loved it even before we found out about his allergy. As of late, whenever G has not been wanting to eat his dinner (pizza, chili, etc.) we have offered him Tapatio. He's been saying yes and actually eats his food when we put on just a few drops. I normally make sure to spread it around, and on occasion, he has mixed it in himself. Tonight was a totally different story. We were eating chili sans tomatoes but G was not liking it too much. Daddy-O had the Tapatio out for himself and offered it to G. An inevitable yes was said and a couple of drops were put into his bowl. But, no mixing occurred. He just ate a bite with a big drop in it. And, his face told everything. But, the best part was he was quiet about it until Daddy-O asked him if he liked it and very clearly G said, "No, it was very hot." I wonder if he'll say yes to Tapatio next time. LOL