Homeschool Day at the Aquarium

On the way to the Aquarium today, Chandler asked me how many kids are homeschooled. I told her it was about 3,000,000, which she thought was a very large number. When we arrived, she told me she thought they were all there!

It was that crowded.

What did I expect for $6 admission? Oh well, it was fun hanging out with other homeschool families and seeing the delight on the kids faces as we experienced some fascinating animals. My favorite one was a seahorse that looks like a plant. I think God has such an awesome sense of humor as well as an amazing ability to create what seems impossible!

Days like today, make me glad we homeschool. Even with the crowds, I was so glad to be there and experience so much alongside of my kids.

Wanna know how to vote?

If you have questions about the propositions or judges, Dennis Prager recommended this site on his radio program today, so I share it with you: http://www.robynnordell.com/onestop.aspx

This is from a decidedly Republican/conservative viewpoint. If you are a Democrat/liberal, it will tell you how NOT to vote, I guess!

Mouse Adventure

O.K., so we didn't win... again. I'm getting tired of not winning. We always do well, but never win.

I was quite nervous this time. It was an Amazing Race style scavenger hunt put on by MousePlanet.com, and the last time they did this, we fell too far behind and didn't finish. That's the only time we did not at least complete every quest. This time, it was another Amazing Race type event, with at least 10 miles of walking over 7 hours!!

We started off strong. The first quest was to identify numbers from the Main street area. These were fairly easily found (i.e. how many cannons are there?) The numbers were recorded and added up. The correct answer got us our next quest. This allowed us to choose, "Train or Twain?" We chose train and had to answer two more number questions while on the train, then plug all the numbers into a very cool grid of letters connecting them with lines. We were to cut along each line and we either got our next clue or a lot of confetti. Fortunately, we got our next clue, and proceeded to Buzz Lightyear. Tim had to compete against another team for the most points while the rest of us answered question mostly around TomorrowLand. The answers eventually led us to a locker and a compass that led us to the Tiki Room. (Fritz is the last bird to speak, by the way, if you ever need that information for a similar trivia quiz.)

The day continued pretty well until we got to a very maddening quest. We were to use the compass to find different locations around California Adventure and then answer questions about things found in that location. If the compass actually pointed north, it might have been easier. The answer to each question gave one digit of a phone number. When we just could NOT get the last number, we decided to guess. With the two quarters included with the quest, we began calling. Fortunately, the quarters were returned if there was no answer. The 8th try gave us a recorded message about our next step - the ferris wheel.

Jenny is deathly afraid of heights, but she cowgirled up and jumped on (eyes closed the whole time). From that height, we found the order of the "mountain" rides at Disneyland and also spotted 3 umbrellas with a number on each. That became important to figuring out the next clue - unscramble shonrcesp. (You try it!!) It looked like "princess" to me and apparently I was right! That led to the final quest, which unfortunately, we were not able to finish as we ran out of time. Too bad, because it was very easy questions like what is the north-most statue surrounding Walt and Mickey or how many items on the Hungry Bear menu.

Oh well... We're probably out for the spring unless Jenny wants to buck up at nine months pregnant. We could wheel her around I guess... maybe get her one of those cool Segways! We'll see.

Halloween Preview

Today, Chandler and Regan went to a Halloween event at Life Center with my parents. They brought their friend Ashley Bambrick along as well.

Here are some preview pics of what they will be wearing come Tuesday, except for Ashley. She borrowed Chandler's costume from last year.

I think they look fantastic.

Also pictured is my mom, Sharon Peeters and a family friend, Bonnie Flores.

Revolution - a man's church

I am always a little leery when women become the primary participant in religion. I know that nationwide, women are far more likely to attend church, volunteer, and be involved in religious things. It's going to sound a little sexist of me, but I don't believe this is the way it supposed to be. I believe men should be the ones leading the charge and their families into a relationship with God.

That said, I am particularly sensitive when there is an open call in a church service for any kind of participation and it appears only women are answering.

This morning was definitely different. We wrote poems to God that formed the acrostic ADORE. There was an invitation to read your poem and at first only women were reading. I was silently praying, "Please men, someone, stand up and show us what a man of God looks like." After three women read, up went the men! I was so excited to see man after man, unashamed to acknowledge his love for God, read poem after poem. Of all the poems read, most were from men.

All the poems were moving and touching and I appreciated each one. The women, as well as the men, did an awesome job of adoring God. The best part for me came when we were asked to place our poems on a large cross in the center of the room. The first six people to rush up were men. How cool is that!!

Way to go men and women of Revolution! It is awe-inspiring to see so many love and serve God openly, without hesitation.

Since it's short, but certainly not the best I heard today, I'll share mine here:

Always faithful
Desiring relationship
Ongoing friendship
Relates to me and my experiences
Eternal love

Welcome Malia

We went to the hospital tonight to welcome little Malia Faith Velarde to the family. She's so cute and tiny. You forget how small they can be. Chandler and Regan were so excited that we were able to sneak them into the hospital. They've been anxiously counting down the days!

So I know it's been a while...

I know I haven't blogged anything for a while.

I have used the excuse that I didn't have anything to say, but that's not really true. The truth is, I've been in front of my computer so much lately, that sitting down to blog didn't sound fun. Well, I've been in front of my computer ALL DAY today, but I had a few minutes and enough people bugging me, that I thought I'd jump in again.

Since my last blog:

I have met Caleb Marchessault, and by now so has everyone else.

I celebrated my sister Lori's baby shower for her newest addition-to-be, Malia. (Still no word yet on her arrival.)

I had a fantastic meal at Claim Jumper with a lot of cool women to wish Jenny Platt a happy birthday.

I met with David Trotter to talk about upcoming events that need graphic representation. (I'm just finishing a cool self-promotional piece using families that attend Revolution. I think it looks very interesting and different from anything Revolution has done in the past. But that's O.K. We're different than we have been in the past.)

I attended a Kid's Training put on by Jenny Platt. All the Blast Off leaders did songs with hand motions and there weren't even any kids in the building.

I went to Riley's Farm with the Bambricks and saw a really cool reenactment of Revolutionary times in the freezing cold. (It was in the 40's and we weren't prepared.)



I did 3 photo shoots with my dad. Favorite pic here:



(Says Dave Peeters Photo because I downloaded the low res off his website.)

Tonight I'm going to a Mom's Night Out at Dawn Bambricks house.

So there it is. Everything I would have blogged about if I had had the time and energy. I plan to get back into it and do a much better job than this.

LOST is back!!

Tonight, we joined the Bambricks for a "Welcome back LOST" party. Of course, at the mention of the word "party" Rick went into full gear. He planned an amazing Lost-themed menu that was so cool.

First we had Jin's sushi served with tropical fruit.
He followed it with Sun's fresh greens salad and green beans.
We had Charlie's poppy seed muffins.
Hurley's fried chicken was the main course.
And last, but not least, was Claire's peanut butter cookies!

What an awesome evening! What great planning! What amazing presentation! This guy has way too much time on his hands.

Free TV to a good home

We have a 27" television that is only a few years old, and it needs a new home. We received a 33" set from my parents and now our very nice, in-good-shape TV is available to anyone who needs it.

Let me know!!!

Chandler the Photographer

Apparently the photography genes run deep in our family. Here are some pictures Chandler took. They are amazing, if I do say so myself.

More Hawaii News

The girls are having a terrific time in Hawaii. This afternoon, they went parasailing! How cool is that! I'm very jealous and I do miss them. Fortunately, email and cell phones are keeping us in constant contact. It's great to get the photos. Almost makes me feel like I'm there... almost.

Diet Update II

I got on the scale today, like a do everyday, and all of a sudden, I'm down 4 more pounds!! So I'm up to a total of 6lbs and 10 for the year. At least I'm going in the right direction.

Off to Hawaii

Unfortunately, I'm not the one off to Hawaii. Chandler and Regan got a very special surprise from their Papa when he announced a couple of weeks ago that he was taking them to Maui. He got a wonderful deal some time back and had kept it a secret until recently.

So, I am missing them, but I already have photos so I can see what a good time they're having!!

Regan and the Bear

Regan turned 10 last Thursday!! Incredible! Double-digits! This milestone gave me the push to do something I've wanted to do for a long time.

Ever since she and Chandler were born, I've been taking their picture with a large stuffed bear on their birthdays. I've been wanting to compile them in one place to see the progression, and here it is for Regan.

The first picture is her at 1 month. After that, she is one, then two, then three. Unfortunately, I either didn't take the photo for her seventh and ninthbirthdays, or I can't find them. Either way, my heart is breaking that I don't have those years to include.

Here is the year over year progression. Wasn't she a doll?!

Diet update

I'm amazed whenever someone asks me how my diet is going. My first thought is, "How did you know?" and then, "You read my blog!!" and then, "Why don't you post comments, so I know you're reading it?!"

Well for those who have read it and haven't asked, but I'm sure care deeply, I'll give you an update.

Bottom line, I'm down 2 pounds. That may not seem like a lot, but consider that I have gone on SEVERAL vacations since I started. I consider what I have done so far successful because I haven't gained and I have written down what I ate everyday since then.

Last week was when I intended to officially start, and I did join Weight Watchers then. So now, I can get into a normal routine, start exercising regularly, and begin picking out the outfit from the many in my closet for my "after" shot!

Starting School - kinda

Well, it's officially our first week of school, and we don't have our books yet! I ordered them a month ago, but I guess it takes more time than that.

Unfortunately, it's made it hard to get excited about school. Usually, the beginning of the year is such a cool time of seeing what we are going to learn, cracking open fresh, new books and everyone is excited to go. But without books, we're doing makework stuff, like finishing last year's books.

That's no fun for anybody.

Hopefully, we'll have them by next week...

Stock Photography

In an effort to upload as many files to his stock photography account as possible, my dad took some photos of the girls and me. Here are my favorites:

Celebrities in 2037

Here are some photos forwarded to me, originally from www.worth1000.com. This is a very funny website that show cases digitally altered photos.

This collection is what different stars will look like in 30 years. Very funny!

I've been tagged by Rick Bambrick

There is a reading Q&A that's going around, so here are my answers.

One book that changed your life:I know the standard answer is the Bible, but I'm going to assume you know that and go with the Sacred Romance. Realizing how much God loved me was an eye-opener.

One book that you've read more than once: The Well-Trained Mind. It's the book that convinced me to homeschool and I've probably read it ten times.

One book you'd want on a desert island: The Worst-Case Scenario Little Book for Survival.

One book that made you laugh: A Girl Named Zippy. I ended up reading most of the book to Tim, because I'd say, "You got hear this. This is hilarious!"

One book that made you cry: Outlander. My favorite romance book EVER!

One book you wish had been written: Parenting in One Easy Step: How to get your children to be nothing like you were when you were a kid

One book you wish had never been written: I can't think of anything, but I'm sure there are some out there. Maybe the Koran.

One book you are currently reading: Rick Bambrick's copy of Revolution by George Barna. I'm almost done. Very interesting stuff. I'm still trying to decide if I'm a revolutionary or not. I want to be one, that's for sure.

One book you've been meaning to read: I'm with David Trotter on this one. If I want to read a book, I read it. Books don't sit around my house for long.

So that's my reading info.

Summer Reading

One thing I love about summer is the opportunity to read. My idea of a vacation is sitting by the water somewhere with a book, and I've been able to do that quite a bit this summer. Here are three I've just finished: Rebel-in-Chief by Fred Barnes, 1776 by David McCullough, and Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner.


I highly recommend all three. They are easily readable and illuminating.

However, it did take a few pages to get into 1776. The author picks up after the Battle of Bunker Hill and assumes the reader has a thorough knowledge of it and the events immediately following it. So you enter the story in the middle, as it were, and it takes a little bit to figure out what's going on. But once I got through that part, I couldn't put it down.

Rebel-in-Chief takes a decidedly different viewpoint of President Bush than the one that has been portrayed in the media.

Freakonomics combines an economists love of numbers and his own natural curiosity to answer such questions as, "What do teachers and sumo wrestlers have in common?" and "If drug dealers make so much money, why do they still live with their moms?" Really great read.

Locks of Love

I am so proud of Chandler! Today, she decided to get a major haircut and donate 10" of hair to Locks of Love. Personally, I think she looks even better in the after photos, and someone will be very lucky to get the use of her beautiful, thick hair.


Before.............................her donated braid...................after!

The "D" word - day 2

Maxed out food. Still starving.

The "D" word

I know I said after Father's day that I was starting my diet. Well, I lied. Everyone lies about starting a diet, but this time I mean it! No, seriously, I mean it.

In fact, I already started. I'm doing Weight Watchers for the millionth time. Like any diet, it works if you actually do it, and I'm actually doing it. So far today, I'm at my max food limit and I am STARVING!!! But I'm committed to this.

I've got to do something. I have 17 pairs of jeans in my closet that don't fit. One of them is a size 2! I was horrified when Chandler started fitting some of my "skinny clothes," not because she was big enough to wear them, but because I used to be that small!!! Not that long ago! So I made a pact with my mom. We are going to keep each other accountable. Every night we have to email each other our food journal. That way every bite is counted.

I'll keep my blog updated. Maybe this will spur me on as well.

Here is a before picture. Can't wait for the after!

Sunday Nights @ Revolution

I've had a FANTASTIC opportunity to work with Dave on graphic communications for Revolution. I really love doing this kind of work and Dave is really helping me to get better by giving me such a wide variety of projects to be part of.

The latest one, which is seen on his blog, is the poster for Sunday Nights. We did have another version that did not end up going to print, but we both agreed it would be very successful!

My dirty little secret

Apparently it's not a secret anymore... it's this... this blog. When I started it, no one knew because I didn't tell anyone. It was my journal, my diary, my confidante. But the word got out somehow and it seems I have readers!

Unfortunately, since I didn't think anyone would ever see it, I rambled a little more than I should have. I guess I prefer to spill my guts to the keyboard rather than to people, but in this case, it was worse than just letting loose on a person. I let loose on who knows who since it appears there are a couple of links to this blog. I don't know who has read it and who've I've offended.

So far, I count two.

Tonight we did an inventory of our spiritual gifts. My top 4 were as follows:
1. Knowledge
2. Craftsmanship
3. Teaching
4. Leadership

The careful reader (and I am now assuming I have some) will notice that Mercy and Wisdom did not make the list. Mercy wasn't even close, unless you count 21 out of 23 close. So combine that with my pernicious habit of only thinking of myself and you've got a recipe for hurting other people.

I won't name names, but... I'm sorry. I had no right to disparage anyone in public. Even if I thought it was private, it clearly wasn't and I should have realized that. I managed to hurt the best friend I have ever or will ever have.

How awful is that!

I am blessed to have a friend who would give her life for me or my family. She has been loyal beyond measure and I can honestly say I do not know why she values me so much. I don't deserve it. She is so giving and caring. She is always thinking of me and I am in awe of the fact that she has given me a second chance (third, fourth, fifth... who's counting?).

So, if you're reading this, let me know. If I haven't offended you yet, let me know that too. I'm sure it's a short list! Hurting people's feelings should have been in my top 4 spiritual gifts, but strictly speaking, I don't think putting your foot in your mouth qualifies.

So I'll continue to write and some of you will continue to read. Leave a comment once in a while so I don't forget you are out there.

Mexico

Where do I start... it was the best of times, it was the worst of times... how cliche'd is that???

O.K. My first sentence right off the bat if asked how it was, is, "It wasn't as bad as I expected." Anyone who knows me, knows I am not much of an outdoor girl. I'm the Bed and Breakfast type. So the no-shower-for-5 days, sleeping (or not) with a bunch of giggling girls, and hole-in-the-ground-for-a-toilet thing had me a little worried. Panic attack worried. Wake up in the middle of the night worried.

I was having memories of my own camps when I was a kid and I hated having to get up at 5 something if you wanted a shower. I hated camp food. I hated that no one actually slept.

This camp was different. The shower thing didn't bother me like I thought it would. I actually didn't want to take a shower because I knew I would just get filthy again. (Although I did end up taking one, once... another story) We were very blessed to have the use of Robert's bathroom in his trailer, and I cannot praise him enough for hand emptying the sewage tanks!!! The girls were great about going to sleep and I was usually the first one awake... around 8:00 if you can believe that. And the food... AMAZING. Lyndsay did a fantastic job planning and cooking our meals. No problem there. In fact, I'm afraid to get on the scale.

Huge hugs and love and high-fives to the parent volunteers and to Shauntelle. NO WAY it could have been pulled off without them.


Hailey popping her head out of the "Taj Mahal"
Our campsite
Dylan and Darrenn in front of La Buffador as it blows
Hailey, Chandler and Briana shopping in La Buffador

Happy Birthday to me!

Yesterday was my birthday. #36... ugh. I am starting to hate birthdays and I hate that I hate them. Afterall, everyone ages. I just don't want to. I recognize the benefits of growing older... wisdom, patience, perspective. I just want to have all that and be 23. Not really. I guess to be 23 means I'd have to start all over again and I definitely DO NOT want to do that. It's been a lot of hard work to get here and I'm proud of all I have accomplished. So I don't want to lose the gains, but I don't want to gain anymore years either!

The only thing that makes it palatable is that I see my friends age as well. I certainly would not want them to leave me behind. And I don't want to stay young without them. I like being able to trade stories about our homes and kids and parents and jobs and all the junk that comes with being a grown up. T.V., movies and books make youth look so prescient and wise, so beautiful and thin, so... got it all together and my youth as well. But I know that's a farce. Youth do not have what I have. I have experience that can only be gained daily, and it takes a lot of "dailies" to get what I have. I have wisdom and have learned things that I had no idea I would ever need to know. I get to see who my kids are becoming. Take that 23-year-old kidless self.

I know what my life will look like when I'm 35. No 18-year-old knows that. Or even if he will ever be 35. I know, despite all the fears and second-guessing, it turned out all right. I know what will matter 20 years out of high school. I know how very little high school matters. I know if I lost my girlish figure after having kids. I know that life is not fair... and I'm O.K. with that. It's not fair to anybody. It took a lot years to learn that one.

I know God is good. I know He has sustained me this far and He's not about to stop now.

I spent my actual birthday at a Royal Family Kid's Camp hosting their Birthday Party. It's our chance to tell the kids that the day of their birth was no accident. They are here for a reason. God loves them and has a plan for their lives. As I looked into their faces, I couldn't help but think, "What will happen to them?" I don't know. But I know what happened to me.

Thirty-six. Halfway to seventy. Ugh. Halfway home. I know what the first half held. Can't wait to see the second.