Teenagers

I've been walking around thinking about these teenage years that Mark and I are experiencing with our kids. Boy, have they been tough. But, the year ahead of us....the last year before they turn 18 seems to be the most challenging of all. I know, we just got started but it seems like Mark and I are heading up a mountain, backpaks loaded, tired before we even start the climb and we are helping each other along the way. Our teenagers are so head-strong, wanting everything RIGHT NOW! Don't work to get there...just hand it to me, I deserve it! WHAT? I keep wondering if we were this bad when we were teenagers? I guess I will have to ask more from my parents on that subject. I'm going through a real mommy moment these days. I am struggling with the fact that I have two children, Andrew and Nettie, who are getting ready to get out into the world in less than a year. I wonder to myself, "are they ready?" - probably not! But, I have to let them go. It is so hard. I want my babies all home for awhile. They seem so young! This year is going to be a long hard climb. I just want to get to the top and know that Mark and I did our very best to achieve the goal of preparing them for what is ahead. I hope Andrew and Nettie know that they can come to us for anything. It's funny, I was just asking my mom for guidance just the other day and I am 41! I realize you are NEVER too old to ask! You never know when you need your parents, but I hope they realize that we are there no matter what!

A thought for the day.....

Take the task He give you gladly;

Let His work your pleasure be;

Answer quickly when He calleth;

"Hear I am, send me, send me!" - March

Whom God calls He qualifies; Whom He qualifies, He sends.

Water Balloons and Sprinkler Fun

Saturday afternoon fun! It has been in the triple digits here in Bako and the kids were asking what they could do......what is more fun than sprinklers and water balloons to pass the time, stay cool and a little mud puddle too!

Back Flip???

I couldn't believe it the other day when Megan asked me to watch her on the diving board. She said, "MOM, I can do a back flip!" I thought no way, Megan? She is afraid of all sorts of stuff and I do not consider her a dare devil at all. So, outside I went to see what she was talking about. She first told me she was trying it off the side of the pool. She thought it was easy so she went to the diving board. Sure, enough, Megan did a back flip and landed in the water feet first!! Incredible! I have never been able to do a back flip...to afraid to and now I am just too old! LOL

On Thursday, Mark went off to work as usual and the kids and I were wondering what we were going to do that day!! Mark surprised us with a phone call that said...."let's runaway today!" I asked, "Where are we going?" Mark said...to the lake...get the boat ready.....we are going to go play!! The smiles on the kids faces were as big as the lake we were going to......



By Noon on Thursday, the boat was in the lake, and the kids were so excited to get out on the raft and laugh and scream! We spent the afternoon pulling the kids around the lake. The weather was perfect, the lake wasn't crowded and we had a great surprise from daddy!! Thanks Dad for turning a dull day into a fantastic day!

We ended the day with a trip to Carl's Jr for dinner then home for some R & R after a long day!!

Old Toys

While visiting at my parents house, my dad brought out some old toys that he had saved and gave them to the kids. Briggor was fascinated by the "Lite Brite"!

Beema and Papa Joe's House

On Wednesday, the little kids and I spent the afternoon down in the valley visiting with my parents - swimming and eating pizza!

Father's Day

On Father's Day- the girls decided to make dad breakfast! I showed them how to make breakfast burritos which is one of Mark's favorite breakfast foods.

Look......

Look what grew in my vegetable pot! Yes, a pot...no garden as of yet! Hoping my garden is up and functioning next year!

My first tomato! :) It's not very big but it is the first of the season! I cut it up tonight and tried it (no salt) OH MY was it good...no salt needed. Perfect!

Quote

"A House is made with walls and beams; a home is built with love and dreams."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Mark's Dream Come True (besides marrying me!)

Last Monday evening, Mark had a chance to meet one of his all-time heros from childhood - STEVE GARVEY! It was a special Night under the Lights at Dodger Stadium. Actually, the met and took pictures with Steve Garvey, Ron Cey and Russell Martin. Mark and his cousin Rick spent the evening - batting on the field, pitching in the bullpen, standing by the bases, sitting by the dugout, eating at tables out on the field as the lights turned on as the sun went down over Dodger Stadium. They actually got to tour the areas beneath Dodger Stadium and the locker room. Very cool night for him! I'm glad that they got the chance to enjoy a special event.

Mark brought home t-shirts, signed autographed pictures and baseballs! And he had the biggest SMILE on his face that lasted for days! Next time you see him, ask him about this night! It is a night he won't soon forget!

Bike Ride

The other night I took off on Tasha's bike to get away for awhile. I needed a break. The summer home with 8 kids can take a toll on you. As I was riding my bike, thoughts of my childhood passed through my mind. My dad and I used to ride the McDonalds Bike ride for Diabetes back in the 70's. I was probably 11 or 12 at the time. My dad and I would ride all day - if I recall we actually did 20 miles in one day stopping at various McDonalds along the way - free drinks, hamburgers, fries, etc.- they were the check points on the route! Thinking back, while I was riding the other day, seems like so long ago. Good times, good memories with my dad. I think he thought I was crazy doing 20 miles.....maybe he didn't really want to do it but he did it for me! AWESOME! Don't think I could do 20 miles today without some training!!! LOL Like months of training!

So back to the present....I do belive I rode about 3 miles that evening - just me and the bike. When I returned I was de-stressed and proud of myself that I actually can still ride a bike. LOL

Another birthday in our house...

Jade celebrated her 10th birthday today with hot dogs, swimming, presents and cake! She invited friends over to help her celebrate!

Jade also had lunch out with me and Uncle Michael at the Moo Creamery. Dad also surprised her by showing up in the middle of lunch! :) It is an old-fashioned soda fountain. Most of the food and goodies are homemade. When was the last time you had homemade ice cream, homemade hot fudge and homemade whip cream. YUM! I actually found out that they make their own pickles! I asked the owner "who actually makes their own pickles these days?" She just smiled and said, "We Do!"

After everything was said and done.....and everyone was winding down.....I do believe Jade had a wonderful "double-digit" birthday! :)

Jade's Birthday Wish List

Jade will be turning 10 tomorrow and she handed us her Birthday List over the weekend. It is the cutest list so I had to share. Here is is:
1. 3 funny movies
2. 3 or 2 D.S. cards (she means games) LOL
3. 4 or 5 toys please
4. 2 cool books
5. Surprise me!
6. You can buy it if you want your choice 5 board games
7. a camera that has 30 or 35 files
8. surprise me
9. surprise me
10.surprise me

He Passed!

So he did it! After 8 hours of testing on the 2nd of June, Andrew passed his GED. Now, remember, I said this before, this is NOT for him to get out of high school. This was for him to be ungrounded for grades. Yes, grades! He continues NOT to do homework and thinks that trying to get "A"'s on his tests will keep him with a "C" at the end of the quarter. That has been his plan. Guess what? Hasn't worked in 3 years! LOL All we ask is that the kids get "C"s or better on their report card and Andrew refuses! So, we gave him a way out with passing his GED. It's a win-win situation. Now matter what Andrew will either have a GED in his hand or a high school diploma or both by June of next year. Also, since Andrew is 17 1/2, the GED division will not issue his "GED diploma" until after his 18th birthday which will be in March. Andrew will attend his senior year this fall and will hopefully be able to enjoy his senior year without the pressure from us of getting "C"'s on his report card. Now, he just has to follow our rules and the year will be awesome!

CONGRATULATIONS Andrew on a job well done!

My 41st Birthday

I celebrated my 41st birthday yesterday! The girls and I walked down to the tidepools again for a couple of hours. We all headed out for dinner at Moonstone Beach Bar and Grill. YES! I had my steak and lobster....it was De-lish! They even served me cheesecake with candles for dessert. As we enjoyed a beautiful evening right on the coast...we watched the whales out in the ocean and enjoyed a great meal!

One of our favorite places to eat.....

Mark and Andrew arrived in Cambria on Friday night and we met them at one of our favorite hang outs....JJ's Pizza. It's a little bitty place which has some good food. We spent Friday evening singing songs and hanging out with the family!

Off to the Beach House.....

I left this morning with some of the kids to head out to the beach house for the weekend. I was wondering how the weather was going to be since the temperatures dropped about 20 degrees over the last few days. When we arrived, the weather was perfect, the house was perfect and I couldn't wait to get down by the ocean. The girls and I headed down that way after a trip to the market to fill the fridge and checking to see if the house was intact!! LOL We went to the Fiscalini Ranch where they have a trail that runs along the cliffs and looks over the Pacific Ocean. We actually saw whales and dolphins out in the distance. It was a beautiful, relaxing time with my girls. I got some really great shots of them.....check it out!





We are now waiting for Mark and Andrew to arrive and we will start our weekend!! Tomorrow is my birthday!! :) I'm thinking steak and lobster......can you taste it???

Our Puppy, Riley

I took Riley to the vet this week. She is now 3 months old and has gained 6 lbs. in 3 weeks. Roxy, our older German Shepherd mix, has been playing mother and playmate to our little puppy. They have grown to love each other. They sleep together on the patio couch and play all day long. She is the cuddliest puppy!

Makeup?

So...Tasha has been bugging us like girls do to wear makeup. Try it at least and see how this whole thing works. Curiosity I call it! We promised her when she started Jr. High that she would be able to wear SOME makeup to school. So, I figured the summer BEFORE Tasha started Jr. High would be a great time to practice before the big time of Jr High and all the girls there. The pictures show he attempts at makeup and her hair stylist was Megan. Tasha and I went to the store and purchased mascara, blush, eye shadow and clear lip gloss. What do you think?

Bible Verse to share....

"If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes. —Mark 9:23 ”