Trip to CA...vol.1

Thursday- Wow! LAX welcomed us with no car seats. Neither of my children's seats made it. One I could understand...but both?!?! After an hour of explaining to the guy I didn't want loaner seats because of not knowing the history he told me a shipment came in and he had 2 with the tags still attached to the strap. Not my preference of seats (because I'm crazy and look up safety ratings) but I at least knew they were accident free. Several days later our seats were found. Good thing I packed all the wedding attire in my carry-on. The wedding was the day after we flew in...that would have sucked.

Friday- Bub and Liz (or Beth for the reader whose sister is best friends with her....lol) got Married! It started off amazing! As we were boarding we ran into my Nana and Uncle. My Father (who hasn't talked to his parents since about 1987) greeted my Nana with a kiss on the cheek and "Hi Mom". I saw Nana smile, put her head down and tear. I choked up. Since my Brother told me he was going to marry this girl, even before he proposed to her, I have been praying for that day. I had my Women's (Bible study) group praying. I had our Life Group (couple Bible study) praying. As the time drew near I prayed for no conflict on that special day and put it all in His hands. Look what happened! Even thought words may not have been exchanged throughout the evening, it's still progress! Now I pray that my Father and Nana will rebuild that Mother-Son relationship they once had. I expect it to be a slow process taking baby steps but any progress is a blessing.

Saturday- My Nana, Uncle and cousins met my Father, Linda, Kalee, Bear and I at Tom's Farm's. A place I remember going to as a small child. It was amazing! All thought my Father didn't greet Nana they did have conversation about an ill family member. Again, progress. Nana opened and invitation for him to go see her. Nothing could fill the lost 22 years but closing the link can help fill the void and reestablish a bond that once existed between the two. It's touching for my brother and I. We never thought we would see these days coming. Something I have never stopped praying for.

Sunday- The kids and I attended one of my old churches I fellowshiped at as a teenager. It was so nice to see the group of people who helped guide me to a firm spiritual foundation. I feel like I go through stages of building on my foundation, and building, and building more, then breaking it down and rebuilding. It seems to be a constant cycle. But I realized that day how I have grown spiritually. I can't pin point how, why or which direction but I know I have grown and changed. A surprisingly settling feeling. After Church my friend Renee (the one that no one at the wedding would know about because we were too old for them) invited us over for lunch. Can I say yum-o? She made salad not from a bag, bread that wasn't the frozen Texas Toast, some fancy tomato basil cheese stuff and a delicious pasta dish that she gave me the recipe for ages ago and I have only messed it up once because I couldn't find all the ingredients. Oh and if that wasn't enough to make me realize I'm not cooking for her if she ever comes my direction, dessert was home made whipped cream (ok, of coarse I can do that...it involves sugar) that my kids thought the world of to top our berry salad. AND...you wouldn't guess who showed up.....Renee's friend whose Mom told me her daughter knew me at the wedding. Yeah, what a small world. I thoroughly enjoyed visiting but wished I didn't give my children that red vine licorice in Church...they were acting like crazy monkeys. Next time Renee's going to invite me but tell me to leave my monsters at home.

By Sunday evening I was pooped...but still had a week ahead of me. More to come another time...

What's Cold?

To me, cold is cold. There is chilly (freezing for the average person SoCal) where you need to wear warmer clothes...and cold when you must armor your skin with undershirts, thermals, long sleeve, sweatshirts, heavy coats, gloves, scarves, earmuffs triple socks and Vaseline all at the same time. I know my 'It's 50 degrees here in California and we are in full length coat' friends of mine are asking why the Vaseline. People in the Alaska use it for a reason! I can't believe I can say it's almost as cold as it was when we lived in Japan and our time in Rhode Island doesn't compare to these past 2 days of the Artic Blast we have received here. WOW! When I have to suit up for 30 seconds to grab frozen liquid soap from the back stock pantry in the garage, and have to use a towel to touch the door knob so I don't get frostbit.....it's cold! Instantly after walking back in the house my toes hurt as they defrosted like when you get in a hot bath with cold feet. Ouch!

So yeah, cold is cold....but I forgot how cold, cold was. ;) I couldn't imagine being in one of the Northern states dealing with months of this. Burrr!

I'm ready for the double digits on my thermometer again!

The Mr.& Mrs. 01/02/09

The story of Liz and Bub's wedding told by me:

The afternoon of January 2nd we boarded a beautiful yacht out of Newport Beach and took a cruise to Maui. Unfortunately they wouldn't dock us to see paradise so you could imagine how plastered my face was to the window, as I was mesmerized by the swaying palm trees and pure beauty of the blue ocean. Ok, ok....maybe we didn't go as far as Maui but that is where they went on their honeymoon. The yacht was fully dressed (no I'm not speaking Navy terms you Navy people), as was the wedding party. The bride Elizabeth, my now sister-in-law looked absolutely flawless. My brother of 23 years was handsome...but when I look at him I still see him wearing Moms bra filled with balloons and a hot wheels track between his legs hiding his "pecker". He's all grown now...but those crazy childhood memories will never part my mind. The wedding party looked great. The Mom's dresses complimented each other very well. My brothers "bro's" behaved very well when the announcement "no more bro's before..." was made. My son the ring bearer, made it through the evening without breaking something, peeing off the side of the yacht, or throwing something overboard. I did loose sight of him as I was hugging someone. I turned around and my heart pounded. My eyes scanned the room once... twice... and I let out "Where's Bear?!?!" Fortunately Liz's brother Joe (I know way too many Joe's in my family now) pointed "he's outside!" I bee-lined it! That boy was at the bow of the boat (still docked) getting ready to throw the pillow overboard. When I ran back in all the guys said "I've never seen someone run so fast in heels" I replied, "Mom's are different in so many categories" My boy got an ear full and remained within leg reach...so I could kick his butt into gear if he choose to cut up.

Everyone dressed, the guests have all been boarded and the horn blew. Time to push off and start the ceremony. It was beautiful! Kalee and Bear walked down the isle last right before Liz and her brother Joe (who gave her away since her father has passed). Like I said she looked flawless. I straightened her dress train as she left the bride's cabin and admittedly started to choke up. My little brother who I climbed trees with, fed mud pies to, and beat up was getting married. The ceremony was perfectly short for Bears attention span. In fact so short the Captain marrying them forgot the rings. Bear kept picking up the flowers Kalee dropped and throwing them further down the isle. He kept lipping words to me and making the cutest facial expressions so I had to scoot out of sight. Fortunately my Mom was prepared with Tow-mater, silly putty and grapes (which the girls in the Bride's cabin filled him up on to keep him quiet while everything started) in her purse. He was occupied while the rings were exchanged, and they were announced husband and wife.

Everyone went back down to the first deck while wedding party pictures were taken, the cake cutting and toasts...and the tables were being prepared for dinner. The food was fantastic...and I'm not just saying that because of my cooking abilities. ;) You could see the Bride and Grooms love for each other at several tables as the centerpieces caught on fire. Yes, fire! We were safe. The best man serves in the LAFD, not to mention my brother has been trained to fight fires on ships...you know because he's a Marine...AKA: part time Mariner. :P

During the evening a lady walked up to me saying "My daughter knows you". Really? "Yeah, your friends with Renee aren't you?" Um....no. (I was thinking about a different Renee because clearly no one would know the Renee I went to school with ...er...um...years ago) "Didn't you go to school with Renee Arnold?" OHHHHHH! Yes! I put the pieces together but unfortunately not all the way until after the wedding. Funny enough the Maid of Honor's older sister was a friend of Renee's in High School. I later saw her at Renee's Mom's house for a get together and laughed at a story about the bottom of her coffee cup bursting at the wedding. Coffee smelling clothing can't be that bad.

I learned Bear was a dancing fool who was not afraid to dance with Liz's cousin Bernadette. Kalee looked and acted like a princess...but requested to take her pantyhose off after the ceremony...I easily permitted. My little sister looked very pretty as a bridesmaid and is starting to dress more like a girl (on days other then after good games). I have gained a sister and am happy for my brother...but I wish I lived closer.

I'll post more pictures of the family soon. Here is the photographers website for your viewing pleasure who did an outstanding job at capturing the memories.

*I was questioned already about the dress(es). Yes she had two. They did pictures before and she didnt want him seeing her in that dress when she walked down the isle. Both were beautiful!

Class Started!

I started teaching my parent toddler class today! I had a fantastic turnout, excellent participants and an outstanding review. I'm thrilled! The only thing that would have made it better is if Bear didn't rise at the butt crack of dawn. He got cranky the last 5 minutes of class and cleanup.

After class we had to make a Wal-Mart run. My daughter dearest would not let me wash her hair last night because it smelled like her Aunt Liz's. Yes, she's as ridiculous as I am with clothes laundered by my Mom, Nana or Max's Grandma (the only 3 people allowed to do my laundry, because they taught me). She said she wanted shampoo like her Aunt...so I gave in and bought the un-natural chemical based stuff. But she's still using coconut oil to moisturize her skin!

My list of to do's isn't getting any shorter with me sitting here. I thought I could burn a few minuted while installing an updated version of my photo editing program....you know instead of folding laundry or scrubbing toilets.

Wedding pics first...visits with friends to follow.

Chill out...

I just got home. Let me lather my alligator skin in a heavy creme, unpack the suitcases, and grab a few things at the commissary for dinner tonight. I have everything from the airlines loosing both car seats on our flight there, to several mini fires (and bursting coffee cups) on the yacht, to not putting a friends name with her face until lunch with a mutual friend after the wedding, and lets not forget having to bust out the Californian in me while behind the wheel. It's going to take a series of blogs starting with the Wedding so be prepared...

First things first.....LOTION!

They Have Wed

My baby brother is now a married man. I am so excited for him and what is even better is I feel like I gained another sister. The kids did great. Bear was a dancing fool and the limelight of the dance floor for some time. Kalee was such the little lady. We got lots of pictures and I will have to post them after I spend some time editing when I get home. I'll also get the funny stories of the evening out too. Yeah they are goofs. I can't believe how beautiful everything turned out....my Bub and Liz are married!

Congrats to the new Mr. and Mrs.!

Attention Readers- 2009 Contract

2009 Contract

After serious & cautious consideration . . .Your contract of friendship has been renewed for the New Year 2009! It was a very hard decision to make. So try not to screw it up!!! My Wish for you in 2009; may peace break into your house and may thieves come to steal your debts. May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet of $100 bills. May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault your lips! May your clothes smell of success like smoking tires and may happiness slap you across the face and may your tears be that of joy. May the problems you had forget your home address! In simple words . . . May 2009 be the best year of your life.

Got this from an e-mail floating around. Happy New Year to my readers!!!