How did this happen???

Last Thursday was Chandler's 12th birthday.

When we brought her home and I began to panic, "What if I can't do this? What if I screw up? What if she cries and never stops?" My fears were in vain. She was a wonderful, good-natured baby. I can remember when we moved into our house when she was 7 months and looking at the elementary school across the street and thinking, "She'll never be old enough to go there!" That day would never come.

She grew into the sweetest, most imaginative child. We knew we had something special in her - what a gift! She always impressed those around her with her adorable voice and inquisitive spirit. She wanted to know everything and learned everything we taught her well. Going off to kindergarten with her heart full of joy, I cried uncontrollably. The day had come and she was growing up.

We imagined her as young lady, knowing she was going to be a wonderful, amazing daughter. We knew she'd be beautiful and loving. But we also knew that day would never come.

Now she's that young woman of 12, we see the dreams we had for her coming to fruition. She is a loving, beautiful, sweet, intelligent girl. She's all we could ask for in a daughter. Now we think about the teenage years, and I hope God keeps her innocent and joyful. I can't bear to imagine her grown with her own family. That day will never come.

It's not fair. I can't bear to see her grow. Each step has been a joy and there was not one time that I wished she would be older. I have cherished each day. I quit working full-time and eventually gave up even part-time work so that I could see every moment. I home-school because I saw time flying and I want to be an influence all throughout the day.

All these hours spent with her, watching her grow up, it's still not enough.

I want her to slow down, spend a few years being 12. PLEASE don't make the jump to 13. Please don't let the day you grow up and don't need me anymore ever come.

Since my last post

I know it's been a while...

Since my last post... I gave the clothes away. Hopefully they are doing some good.

I went camping in Idyllwild with our 4x4 group. Where we had fun sledding in the mud, fishing, shopping in the cute little town, eating too much, and waking up to a beautiful snow-covered world!

Then, it was rushing into my "normal life". School, kids, Revolution stuff for the new series... NO time to blog...

Disneyland (of course) on Wednesday for Chandler's birthday on Thursday...

Then this weekend was an all-party weekend. I helped host a baby shower for Jenny Platt. Tons of friends and family who have waited a long time for this little one came to shower her with soooo many gifts. It took an hour to open them all...

Then we went off to celebrate a birthday of a friend...

Leaving there, we went to celebrate the birthdays of Chandler (12!!!) and her cousin Josh(2) at Fuddruckers...

Finally it was off to the Academy Awards party. I think this is officially my favorite eating day of the year. The food is all appetizers and I could eat all of it single-handedly! Once again, I lost. I guess "eeny-meeny-miney-moe" doesn't get you the grand prize. And since the only movies I had seen were Cars and Pirates...

BTW, I REALLY hate blogspot. This post took over an hour to do and the photos are totally randomly located. ugh...

So leave a comment and let me know my hard work was not in vain!

One more random thought... my toes are starting to regain feeling... Thanks for the prayers and support.

Clothes Giveaway

A good friend spoils me and gives me all her hand-me-downs. I am so blessed that she only buys quality clothing mostly from GAP and Ann Taylor.

Anyways, I went through three HUGE bags full and kept all that fit. But there is a lot left, that either doesn't fit or duplicates what I already have, or is wool (I can't wear wool; I get itchy just thinking about it.)

So I was reminded of what David Trotter said about giving away our stuff. I cleaned out my closet as well and so now I offer it to whoever wants it. Free. All that is left after a week or so will go to Goodwill.



Here's what I have (size and description):

Sweaters
L striped
M green
L pink
L blue striped
M black

Shorts
10 khaki
8 lt. blue

Shirts
M white
M lt. blue
M white sleeveless
M pink sleeveless
10 brown sleeveless
5 - M camisols (2 White, 2 black and 1 red)

Pants
32/30 Jeans
10 petite Jeans
9 Jeans
5 - size 4s Jeans
6 capri Jeans
4 capri khakis
6 khakis
6 pink hawaiian print capris
11/12 black
2 - 10 brown
L blue workout pants
L lt blue workout pants

PJs
M blue striped bottom
M pink set
M blue striped bottom

If you see anything you want, let me know. You can either post it here or email me at MLasch@Charter.net

Meeting Capt'n Jack

I know that Matt from our church works at Disneyland as Captain Jack Sparrow, but we have never gotten the chance to meet him there in costume. Yesterday, we caught him just as he was leaving. He very kindly granted us a photo even though his handler had said "No more photos."

He does such an amazing job as Captain Jack. The Bambricks were there and couldn't believe it was Matt. He's very convincing. I felt like I had met the real thing and I was all fluttered the rest of the evening!

Neighbors and Cookies

Today I took a page out of David Trotter's playbook and made cookies for our neighbors. Now in his case, he did it to introduce his family to the neighborhood when he first moved in. We've been here for 12 years, but as I've discovered - on this street, we're the newbies. One couple (founder of Moreys Music in Lakewood) have been here since the 50's. Another has been here for 36 years! She told me that the previous owner of our home worked on the Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln animatronic at Disneyland. How cool is that!

So it was really fun meeting people I live just a few feet from, but I have never talked to. It was such a positive experience. I can't wait to talk to them again.

Here is the "valentine" I put on their cookies along with the new postcard for Easter at Revolution.

It was definitely out of my comfort zone, but well worth it!

Legoland

We went ot Legoland yesterday with the Bambricks on a "Homeschool Day". This allowed us to get in for only $17 each!!
The best part was a ride called Knights Tournament. It was a giant arm and you selected the level of the ride. One was easy and five was an insane tossing. Here are some pics from our adventure:


Chandler and Garhett react after water bombing Ashley and Regan.

Chandler and Ashley being tossed around like ragdolls!

Chinglish

Maybe I'm just really tired from staying up too late working on the Easter promo, but I found this article in the Wall Street Journal very funny. It details China's attempt to clean up bad translations on their signs in anticipation of the 2008 Olympics. Although many find the loopy English endearing, the Chinese are simply embarrassed.

Several websites have sprung up to record the tranlation nonsense for posterity. This site has a link to the WSJ article, and I have included my favorite pieces of wackiness here.

And my absolute favorite:

Is it supposed to say, "Genital Man" or "Gentlemen"?

Homeschool Freaks

Sunday, we were having lunch with Christopher Lytle, the Revolution Bellflower pastor, and he descovered we were, "Homeschool... uh... uh... homeschool... um..." Wanting to help him as he groped for the right word, I said, "Freaks. We're homeschool freaks. I believe that's the word you are looking for."

Turns out he was trying to say "Your'e a homeschool family."

No matter. It's amazing how many time "homeschool" is followed by "freak". I think what's actually going on is that some kids who homeschool are socially awkward. This is because, not being beat up mentally by their peers everyday, they tend to be themselves and enjoy the hobbies that most interest them. So, some homeschooled kids have not been formed and molded into being "cool" and altering their values and opinions to fit in.

Who cares? Part of the beauty and value of homeschooling is that kids can be whoever they want without fear of being ostracized. They can follow their interests without the pressure to be into "cool" things like inappropriate music, t.v., fashion or early sexualization.

Now I'm rambling.

The point is that I am excited to be homeschooling. I'm getting ready for next year already because I am so jazzed by what we are going to be doing. I'm already thinking about high school even though it is two and a half years away. The options are overwhelming, so I need to start losing sleep NOW!

Today reinforced my joy in homeschooling.

Chandler is studying poetry and this week focused on Psalms, so she's been reading them all week. Today she was instructed to write one of her own.

Here it is:

I am amazed;
because God’s generosity.
I am grateful;
because the Lord my God has given me love.
I am faithful;
because Jesus will never leave me.
I am filled with gratitude;
because the King of Kings has given me life.
I am happy;
because the Lord is waiting in heaven for me.
I am thankful;
for my Heavenly Father has forgiven me.
I am patiently waiting;
because my Savior will be here soon.
I am appreciative;
because Jesus died for me.
I am joyful;
because I know God is with me.
I am celebrating;
because of the awesome things He did.
I am excited;
because I’ll see Jesus in heaven some day.
I am speechless;
because of his great power.
I am glad;
because my Savior loves me no matter what.
I am in awe;
because the Lord has given me so much.
I am inspired;
to be as much as I can like my Messiah.
I am blessed;
because He has reserved a place in His heart for me.

This really touched my heart.