I once knew this guy

That is the question

2010-10-22T17:56:00.000-07:00

The current question for our lives is to homeschool or not to homeschool? It has been a question I have been asking myself ever since London was about to start Kindergarten. After 2 years of asking myself that question, I think I may finally be coming up with an answer. It is an answer that won't come without a TON of prayer, though. Homeschooling is a scary thing for me. It is a desire I have - I want to have the kids home with me, learning the things we want to teach them - but every time I think about me being the one in charge of their education, I feel overwhelmingly unqualified.

Is this really what God wants for us? Is it what will be best for the kids? For me? For us as a family? There are so many pros and even some cons, that when all put together still don't give me a clear cut decision. I am not the most creative person and I feel like that is a hinderance in the homeschooling realm. I am also not the most patient person. Heck, I'll just say it.. I'm not even the least bit patient. Can I really handle teaching my children ALL day long?! Sometimes I am giddily excited and screaming "WE'RE GOING TO HOMESCHOOL!!" on the inside and sometimes I am panic-stricken by the notion.

What I do know, with all my heart, is that if homeschooling is what God wants for us, He will provide everything we need for it.. Patience, self-control, kindness, energy, rest, wisdom and finances. I know I need to stop stressing about it and just follow God's lead.

Exciting times ahead....

Daddy's little girl

2010-08-20T19:00:00.000-07:00

Six months ago today my dad lost his battle with cancer. Words can't even begin to describe the pain that has come from losing him. I am (and always have been) a complete Daddy's Girl. My mom tells stories of when I was a baby and how my dad doted over me. He always changed my diaper when needed and fixed whatever made me cry. As I grew, I always knew just how much my dad loved me. He never missed an opportunity to show me and tell me. I owe my good self-esteem to my dad. I believe a dad's love for his daughter helps shape her into the woman she becomes. My dad did exactly that for me. I never once looked for my self worth in anything or anyone outside of who God created me to be.

My dad taught me to work hard, to respect myself and others and to love those around me. He was a quiet man (and most people found him incredibly intimidating until they got to know him), but he was full of love and emotion. I felt that love every single day of my life. I am incredibly thankful for getting to live next door to him and my mom the last 5 years. I am thankful that they got to be such a huge part of my children's lives. My dad and I spent the last 5 years becoming even closer.. I miss seeing him every day and learning from him. He was the first person I called if I had a question about anything (outside of cooking, that requires my mom!). He was a wealth of knowledge and could fix just about anything. He wasn't one to sit still for very long. He loved exploring and discovering how things worked. My oldest, London, is so much like him. They took many trips together to Home Depot to get parts for my dad's many projects. They also loved exploring along the river with Papa's metal detector. My dad taught London to fish. They didn't get as much time together as either of them wanted, but I hope that London carries those memories with him. London sure does miss his Papa and I am sad he doesn't have the privilege of more time with my dad. My dad would have taught London all the things he taught me. Now my brothers and I have the honor of carrying on our dad's legacy and instilling those things in our children, his 9 grandchildren. They will always know how much their Papa loved them. They will know what it is to work hard, to take pride in the things they do, to respect themselves and each other and to love those around them.

I can still feel my dad's love every day and I know that won't diminish. When I make a discovery or learn something new he is the first person I think of. I know he would want to be here with us too, watching his grandchildren grow into such great little people. He was a great example of strength, even through his sickness. He never once gave up and never once questioned God's plan. He held tight to his salvation and accepted everything that came with incredible courage. I am thankful God blessed me with such an amazing dad. I never expected our time to be cut so short, but I am incredibly thankful for the time we had. And even though he's no longer physically here, I will forever be his little girl.

Warp speed

2010-05-04T16:43:00.000-07:00

I really can't believe it's been over 2 years. There is something about having kids that makes time move at an incredibly fast rate.. Faster than normal. Growing up my dad would always tell me that years pass in the blink of an eye. He was right. Not only am I years older, but my children are growing at a non-stop pace. I have asked them repeatedly to stop growing older, but they have yet to obey.

London is now 7 and wrapping up the 1st grade. He loves school, even though he informed me at the beginning of the school year that he wanted to drop out of school so he didn't have to do homework anymore. I laughed and said, "Sorry dear, you have 10 more years of it." He seems to have accepted this lot in life and has excelled in his studies. He has been playing piano for 2 years and started showing an increasing interest in guitar. We let him start guitar lessons in April. His dad is his teacher, which I love. It is such a special thing for the two of them to be able to bond over. They are both enjoying their time together. London also enjoys playing soccer with the Folsom Soccer Club. He will begin his 4th season of soccer this August, with the same team.

Adelaide is now 5, going on 13 sometimes. She started preschool in February (5 months into the year), but she has fit right in and absolutely loves every minute of it. She has started making her own friends and gets a break from her pesky brothers. ;) She took ballet and tap for 18 months and danced in 2 recitals during that time. Dancing is in her blood and she can't stay away from it for too long. She has taken a break since soccer season last fall, but desperately wants to get back to it. Her favorite part is the recital. She is at home on the big stage, under the lights, dancing in front of a crowd. She has also started piano lessons in April, compliments of her very talented dad. She really enjoys learning and finally being able to do the things her older brother does. She will start Kindergarten in August and is over the moon to be at London's school - FINALLY! I know she will do great and have so much fun each day. Adelaide is a monster on the soccer field!! She will begin her second season this August. She was more aggressive on the field than I expected. She scored several goals throughout the season and absolutely loved being on the field as much as possible.

Porter.. What can I say?! He's 3 1/2 and gains more energy as he grows. Kind of like the Incredible Hulk!! His nickname is Destructor and it is incredibly appropriate. He will being preschool in September (and turn 4)... That is, if the kid gets the desire to use the toilet for his business instead of a diaper. I don't think there is a child that has ever lived that has had less interest in using a toilet! I am determined to get him potty trained by the time school starts in September. I have a feeling he's going to spend a lot of time naked in our backyard this summer..

Gabe continues to be used by God at our church, Harbor Community Church, as the worship director. It has been great to see how God has used him to grow our church in their understanding and love of worshiping our great God! He is also still teaching guitar lessons 5 days a week. He steadily has about 45 students from month to month! He also finds time to be a great dad and an even greater husband :) We are celebrating 10 years of marriage this July.. I can't believe it!

I plug on as a wife and mother. It is always what I knew God was calling me to be. I wouldn't trade it for anything. I am so blessed to have the husband I have and the three crazy kids I have!

Has it really been that long?

2008-03-06T17:57:00.001-08:00

Well, to my faithful 2 or 3 readers, Hello. I'm sorry I have been away so long. Three kids will do that to a person.

So golly, it's been 8 months. Nothing too exciting has happened in these last 8 months. I haven't catered at all. London started preschool. Porter turned 1 back in September. London turned 5 just a few weeks ago. Adelaide will be 3 in a few weeks. I actually started watching our friends' baby last month. She just turned 4 months old. I watch her 4 days a week. Adelaide adores her and is my big helper. Porter didn't like her being here all that much when she first started coming over. She's growing on him though. He's a lot more tolerant of her now. It's crazy with 4 kids.. Just slightly crazier than with 3. I'll be watching her till mid-June. We love having her here with us. She just loves watching the three crazies cause a raucus. The sights and sounds amaze her. I'm sure it's a lot different than her normal world that only contains two barking dogs. Well, maybe a little different.. :)

London is your typical 5-year old. He started preschool in September and he really likes it. He enjoys the independence and freedom from this house. He is doing quite well and is definitely ready for Kindergarten in the fall. He's active, mouthy, sometimes a little rough with his sister, loves to "rough house" with his dad, is pretty well-mannered and loves Ninja Warrior. He is going to be a rock star someday. He has quite a musical knack and we are looking into getting him started with piano lessons (as soon as his Uncle Del moves to Davis!!). He still loves the accordion, but his favorite is the guitar (what, with the 50 we have in the house...).

Adelaide is your typical almost 3-year old going on 16. She's become a little bit sassy, but underneath it really is a sweet girl. She loves to help me with whatever I need help with (dishes, laundry, toy clean-up, etc). She simply adores her brothers and is quite good at keeping up with London, no matter what he does. She wants to be a ballerina when she grows up. We are hoping to start her in ballet classes soon.

Porter. What can I say? He's the craziest of the crazies. He loves pulling all my cookbooks off the bookshelf (several times a day). He has an odd infatuation with his sister's shoes. He loves climbing on anyone and anything. He screeches at animals. His favorite person is Elmo (though his Babcia runs a close second). He has some nappy hair; it's the curliest of all three and boy, it gets nappy. He has also discovered a love for the harmonica. He's quite good too (for an 18-month old!). We figure he'll take to the drums because he likes things to be as loud as possible. He is definitely our loudest. Boy, he's loud. Seriously, have I mentioned how loud he is?

Gabe is still keeping busy being the Worship Director for our church and teaching guitar lessons. God is definitely using him in great ways at our church and I just love the worship experience. He has over 40 guitar students, which is pretty much a full schedule. He's also plugging away with his two bands, For Steven and The Black Tie Riot (that's a new one). For Steven just recently had a show after a pretty long hiatus. It was great to see them perform again. My husband is such a rock star!

And me? I'm just trying to keep up with the husband, the kids and the house. I recently started on Jr. High staff at our church. Going back to my roots. I am quite enjoying it. The students are super cool. Mostly my days are spent focused on my children. I am referee when London and Adelaide decide to argue (which is almost constant). I am the maid when the kids make a mess too big to clean up themselves. I keep the chef in me alive preparing peanut butter-jelly-and-fluff sandwiches, concocting different ways to make grilled cheese sandwiches (there aren't many, trust me) and creating different ways to present food that makes "gross" things more appealing. I am a fitness instructor with our daily walks and outdoor playtime. One of my most tiring jobs is definitely night watchman. Porter continues to not sleep through the night and has now taken to waking two times a night, before his 6am wake up time. I am tired, folks. But I know there will come a time, all too soon, that the kids will sleep through the night, they won't want me to interject so much and they just plain won't want me around. So I'm milking this stage of life for all I can. Through all the arguing and yelling and crying and night-time bottles, I am enjoying my children while they still need me.

We're hoping to hit up Disneyland at the end of April. Iowa's most likely a bust again this year. We'll see if things change, though. We might be able to pull off a July visit. Good thing is my brother and his family will be here in July, so at least we'll get to see them then.

Well, folks, my shift of personal trainer is about to begin. The weather has been absolutely beautiful here and it is time to go outside to burn off some energy. Or as DJ Lance from Yo Gabba Gabba would say, "Let's get the sillies out!".. That's about it. I've felt bad for not updating this blog as much as I should, I'll try harder. I can't promise anything, but I will try.

Peace out.

Celebrate good times, come on

2007-07-12T09:14:00.000-07:00

It's over!! I have successfully made it through another job. The fact that I made it through a job of this caliber is quite a feat. I had some amazing help, without whom I wouldn't have come through this experience so sane. The food turned out great, the wedding cake was tremendous. The best experience for me was the wedding cake. Everyone loved it, it was so nice to get such amazing compliments. I will post pictures as soon as I get them from the photographer. Unfortunately I had not one spare moment to take pictures of anything myself. But I watched the photographer get many, many, many pictures of everything. I know she got some shots of the cake.

It was thrilling for me to make that cake. I was up till 4am one of the mornings working on getting one of the layers just so. This was my first wedding cake (heck, my first any sort of occasion cake) so I was quite nervous about my ability to pull it off. I absolutely LOVED working on that cake.. From baking the layers, to the filling, to assembling the layers and then frosting and assembling the cake. It has solidified my goal.. To open a bakery. I don't want to cater forever, but it's good for right now and it's fun and I love the experience and knowledge I gain from all the different jobs. But make no mistake, my heart belongs to my future bakery. Whether it takes 5 years or 10, I will open that bakery.

Now I have another job for the end of September. Same sort of buffet menu and I'll be inquiring on whether they want a birthday cake too. It's for good friends of ours, celebrating a 40th birthday. I love being a part of our friends lives like this. Rock on.

Gag me with a spoon

2007-07-06T22:13:00.000-07:00

I thought it pertinent to mention that the wedding I am catering is taking place on 7/7/07 at 7pm.

Yikes.

Wedding Bonanza

2007-06-12T16:28:00.000-07:00

Over a month ago I agreed to make the wedding cake for a friend's wedding in July. At the time I'm all, "Sure, I can make it. I'd be honored." Now I think, "Why the heck do I agree to do these sorts of things? Oh right, because I LOVE IT." Just a few weeks ago the caterer for the wedding ended up bidding DOUBLE the price they said it would be for the food for the wedding. Said friend approached me about catering the wedding. Again I found myself saying "Sure, I can do the food. I'd be honored." And I'm still left thinking the same thing as always. I was okay with doing the cake, I'd be okay with only doing the food.. But doing the cake AND the food? This time I think I'm in over my head. Luckily I love a challenge. Now I just need to be super organized and add in some hours to the day!

This is my biggest challenge yet. Not only attempting a 3-tiered square wedding cake (with chocolate ganache and raspberry filling) covered in white chocolate shavings, but catering a wedding (A WEDDING!) for 125 guests. I think that means I'm moving up in this catering business of mine. This is by far my biggest gig and the highest paying. It's definitely a good thing. Now I just need to execute it and please the bride and groom.

My wonderful husband has also been working on my new website. I have a whole new name now. Sweet Girl Catering. Named after my precious little sweet girl, Adelaide. Check out the site, www.sweetgirlcatering.com. I've also registered my fictitous business name, so I'm becoming more legit. The website is still being worked on, but it's got a front page with the info. It will blow up into something wonderful, so check back often. I'll even put pictures of the wedding cake and the food on there.

Take it easy my friends.

I have this friend

2007-05-18T23:47:00.000-07:00

So I have this friend, let's call her Shmebie. She is a good friend. Problem is, Shmebie, she disappeared on me a little while ago. I call her, even leave messages for her but she never answers her phone, never returns my calls. She doesn't even email me. I miss her dearly. I want to know how she is. I want her to know that I'm all out of love, I'm so lost without her. I know she was right, believing for so long. If only she could see me now, see what I've become. I know she'd never leave me again.

Shmebie, if you're out there.. Please email me, please call me. I think of you often. I miss you. I want to hear your voice. I need to know you're okay.

Sincerely,
Gekkha-Kahn

Hello, old friend

2007-05-03T16:11:00.000-07:00

Wow. Has it really been 6 months? Have you all given up on me? I don't blame you. Hopefully if you've given up, something will bring you back and you'll see I'm here.

So much has happened in the last 6 months. London turned 4 in February, Adelaide turned 2 in March and Porter is currently 7 months old. On the day Porter turned 7 months he sprouted his first tooth! He's always been a very vocal, chatty baby. Quite some time ago he discovered how to blow raspberries and it continues to be one of his favorite things to do. He absolutely LOVES attention and gets so excited when people talk to him. He is rolling around like crazy, scooting himself all over the place and flirting with the idea of crawling (emphasis on the word idea). It seems like it might be a while before he crawls though, and that is okay with me. Keep them immobile for as long as possible! London loves making Porter laugh and Porter just adores his older brother. Everything London does is funny to him. And Adelaide, she just wants to do everything her older brother does. So far London doesn't seem to mind but I know he will soon. She will at that moment become the annoying little sister her mother once was. Adelaide is also a great big sister to Porter. She is starting to want to help give him a bottle and feed him his baby food. She's going to be a helpful big sister! London has also been enrolled in preschool (YAY!) and will begin in September 3 days a week, 3 hours a day. At this point I'm more excited about it than he is.

As for me, well, I'm just going crazy, one kid at a time. I cater as much as I can, which hasn't been much since November. But I do have a job coming up on May 20th (for about 70 people). I'm excited to be working again! I also will be making the cake for my friend's wedding in July. That I am totally stoked about. I've really been wanting to get into cakes (mostly specialty cakes for parties, I can't handle the pressure of weddings!), so this is a great start in that direction! I also have officially named my company (Sweet Girl Catering - after my sweet little girl) and my website should be up and running within the next couple days (thanks to my wonderful husband). We're also working on new business cards and brochures. Sweet! In the next year I'll also be catering a cocktail party of 30 people. I donated my services to a local elementary school's auction. It guarantees me some work, can't beat that (plus, you know, tax right off!).

I'm also getting way more involved in our church. God has been calling me into doing something with our women's ministries, exactly what we'll have to wait and see. I'm just excited for God to use me in the lives of those women. He's already started some things happening and they've been such a huge blessing to me. It's an exciting time!

Gabe keeps super busy as our church's worship director and teaching guitar lessons. He consistently has 40-45 students. As hard as he works, he plays with our kids as much as he can and gives me the breaks I need. I'm one blessed girl.

So that's the jist of it. I want to post some pictures and keep this bloggy-blog more updated, so make sure you're checking back regularly.

Halloween

2006-10-24T17:52:00.000-07:00

Gabe and I haven't dressed up for Halloween since before we were dating. At least I think we weren't yet dating (he would probably better remember). We went as "swing dancers" I guess you would call it. All I know is my hair was bangin'. We looked cute. That was the last (and I think only) time I went to a Halloween party. I honestly don't even remember much about it. I just have a picture as proof of Gabe and my's cuteness. And I remember getting my hair done, I think my Aunt did it for me. And I remember taking all the bobby-pins out afterwards and the affects of all the hairspray. My hair kind of just stood out to the sides like wings. I remember being in the house I was living in at the time (with my wonderful roommate Sabrina) and Gabe was there for the unveiling. I remember thinking how horrendous I must have looked with such horrid hair, but Gabe just seemed to be too gobsmacked to care. He's cute like that.

Since we've had kids, we have begun celebrating Halloween again, mostly just through dressing up our kids in adorable outfits and eating all their candy once they've gone to bed. Ah, the benefits of being a parent to gullible children.

This year it will be the most fun yet, now that we have the three kids to dress up. London is going to be a lion, Adelaide is going to be a monkey (so appropriate) and Porter will be a bat. We are having a church Halloween family party on Sunday. There is a costume contest. "Best family" is one of the categories. Once I heard that, I knew Gabe and I had to dress up. We decided since the kids were all animals we would be zookeepers (that is pretty much what I feel like most days anyway!). We are so taking that best family prize. There's also a "cutest" category. How will they choose just one winner from 3 of the cutest kids without costumes, let alone in costumes that only increase their uber-cuteness? One of my kids is so taking the cutest prize. I'd honestly put my money on Adelaide. She is dang cute in her monkey costume. And come on, we have produced three of the cutest kids known to mankind. We deserve some sort of prize for that. And if this is the only way we can get that prize.. So be it.

Gabe and I have the daunting task of making our zookeeper costumes. We're going bare minimum on the costume effort (after all, we're just a novelty, the kids will keep the focus off us). We'll doctor up some shirts to make them say "zookeeper" and that will probably be the extent of it. Sad, I know. But we don't have much time or money to be able to go all authentic zookeeper.

We will for sure get the Halloween pictures up on our website as soon as Gabe can. And we'll keep you posted on how we fare in the contest.

GO SEARLES!

Finally, some pictures

2006-10-18T17:26:00.000-07:00

For anyone who's asking... homepage.mac.com/searlesbunch

You can see Mr. Porter Cash and the rest of the clan. We'll update pictures as regularly as we can (and by "we" I mean Gabe) so make sure you check back often. Porter is growing like a weed.. You don't want to miss it.

Hey Porter

2006-10-01T20:51:00.000-07:00

Porter Cash Searles has arrived!

Friday, September 29th at 10:17 pm
7 lbs 5 oz
21 inches long

He arrived after only about 2 hours of labor, 5 minutes of pushing and no doctor in the room (don't worry, the bed caught him and the nurses were right there to grab him).

Just email me for details (if you actually want them!)

We are home and doing great. The other two crazies love their little brother and we are starting the adjustment to our bigger (much noisier) family.

Pictures will come soon!

Pregnancy Watch 2006 - Day 2

2006-09-28T19:42:00.000-07:00

So I am officially past my due date. I am not surprised and frankly I don't know why it bothers me so. I knew, having gone late with both the other crazies, that I would also go late with this one. Why should I get a break now? It is quite a tough thing, still, to watch my due date come and go. Quietly hoping something will happen, but knowing deep down inside nothing will. Yet still being disappointed when my deep down insides are right.

I don't so much mind being overdue. It just gets harder every day to take care of my kids and normal household things. By 5pm each night I am feeling the aches and pains of being 40 weeks pregnant. No contractions mind you, but lots of sharp pains and loads of pressure of things wanting to fall out. So here I sit, a baby inside of me probably hanging on for dear life. Does he not know the angst he causes his mother? Of course, this pain he causes me now is nothing compared to the pain he is going to be causing me once my body decides it has had enough and sends him out with the force of a watermelon being squeezed through a straw.

I am going to try and not be induced, but we will see how long I can hang in there. I have my next doctor's appointment on Monday, the 2nd. I will be 5 days overdue by that point. I'm sure if I have a need for that appointment I will be begging the doctor to do whatever it takes to get this kid out of me. This is so reminiscent of my pregnancy with London. I was 4 days late when I was induced and I had barely even dialated. He also never dropped and so I spent 1 1/2 hours pushing him down and out the birthing chute. Adelaide on the other hand (though she was 3 days late), dropped into the chute around month 7. By the time I went into labor I was quite dialated and I only had to push for 15 minutes. What is it with the boys I birth? Why do they treat me this way? Why don't they want to come out???

Local newscaster

2006-09-13T10:02:00.000-07:00

Best (real) name I've heard in a while:

Harry Beetle

He reports the local news on Talk 650 AM. Imagine growing up with THAT name.

Bumblebear, Moosel and Eleroo

2006-08-21T16:50:00.000-07:00

The catering job was a success. It was in a beautiful home, with a kitchen so much nicer than mine. I got to use double ovens. I was in heaven. Though the big pregnant bump made it really hard for me to reach into the top oven. Some of the appetizers I had meant to prepare didn't turn out and others I just didn't have time to do. Same with some desserts. But, overall there was plenty of food and people were full of compliments. I am glad it's over.

I will not cater again until I am no longer pregnant. This last job was so difficult. My next job is November 4th. I look forward to it. It is for a friend. She is starting her own event planning business and has asked if she can use me for her jobs. Let me think about that for a split second... Um yea. So that's pretty cool. Hopefully we can partner together and have a prosperous business future.

This will be my first job ever NOT pregnant. That will be so nice. I don't care that I'll have 3 kids. I WON'T BE PREGNANT. That is all that matters. It's what husbands and babysitters are for.

So yea, you'll get a maternity leave of a break from hearing about my catering ventures. Lucky you.

10,000 years will give you such a crick in the neck

2006-08-08T08:31:00.000-07:00

So I got the catering job. I am so stoked. The event is the 19th, just shy of 2 weeks away. The more jobs I get under my belt the more wisdom I attain. I am already days ahead in my preparations, knowing what I can make ahead and freeze. This makes the few days before the event so much easier on me. Now I'll just have to pull said things out of the freezer and cook them. But there is still plenty to do in the few days leading up to the event that I will be plenty busy.

This is a pretty big deal in my world of trying to start my own catering company with the hopes of someday opening my own bakery-coffeeshop. This job will pay me the most thus far. It is for someone I didn't know. It was a referral from someone who had actually tasted what I have to offer. It is also challenging me with things I haven't yet served. This will be the first time I am not actually attending the party I am catering! It will be all professional going and getting the food all set up and served.

The final head count for the party comes in on Thursday. So this weekend I will be doing nothing but getting all the things done ahead of time that can be done. My mother-in-law is coming up for the weekend to help me with the prep work. She will then come back the weekend of the party and help me with all the final preparations. She is a life-saver. I can't tell you how much more I get done when she's around to help! (Considering she gets me off my lazy, pregnant butt and in the kitchen to do what needs to be done!)

I'm going to go revel in the greatness of this opportunity I have been given, on my lazy, pregnant butt, with my venti iced chai and raspberry-almond tea cake.

If you can't stand the relentless heat, retreat to the kitchen

2006-07-26T15:51:00.000-07:00

The heat here is horrible. My poor swollen pregnant body officially HATES the hot weather. We are in our 11th straight day of triple digit temperatures. People, I tell you this should be illegal. Our air conditioner runs for about 20 straight hours a day. Do you know what that does to our utility bill?! I die inside a little each time I look at it. And even with the air running constantly all day long it is still about 82 degrees in this house. It is too hot to go outside. The kids are going crazy. I'm going crazy. I need cooler weather. It is essential to my well-being (and that of those who live in close proximity to me). Today is supposed to be the last day of 100 degree weather. The infamouse Delta Breeze is gearing up and will kick in by tomorrow and bring the temperature down into the 90s. And by Sunday, the high 80s. And get this.. It will actually cool off at night. No more 76 degree lows.. We are talking lows in the 60s. My prayers have been answered. Maybe now my ankles will stop being so swollen and I will stop being so grumpy. Maybe.

The heat makes it near impossible to turn my oven on, as that heats the house up tremendously. And of course, in the middle of the heat wave, I get a call for a catering job. The client (a referral!) is coming over this Friday to taste test some things, talk prices, menu, etc. The job is a party for close to 100 people on August 19th. How stoked am I?! This will be my first job that doesn't involve me knowing the person who hires me! And to think someone referred me! (I know who did the referring and I am so grateful to them!). So I am preparing for the meeting on Friday, getting some things pre-made and testing other things (stuffed mushrooms, which has been requested - the likes of which I have never made before....). It will be interesting and I hope the client likes me enough to hire me. How exciting! Now, I must get my pregnant, barefoot self back into the kitchen.

Bungo was his name-o

2006-07-03T11:13:00.000-07:00

London: "Mama! We have to get this book. The one about BUNGO!"
Me: "Who?!"
London: "BUNGO! Right here!!!!"
After looking at what he was pointing to...
Me: "Ohhhh, Dumbo. That's Dumbo."
London: "Yea, Dumbo."

Bungo definitely is a classic story.

Happy Birthday to me!

2006-05-31T15:09:00.000-07:00

So, my birthday isn't until the end of September... But I just saw that the Dixie Chicks (one of my favorite bands) are coming to Arco Arena in September. I have wanted to see them in concert since they first came out and have never gotten the chance. Until now. I immediately told Gabe "I know what I want for my birthday!". And since this is the BIG one.. 30.. I figured we could splurge on the tickets. So I marched myself out today and bought their new CD (which I wanted anyway), got the presale ticket code, and just now purchased our tickets for their concert.

This will soften the blow of turning that unspeakable number.

A mind shattered into a thousand pieces

2006-05-29T21:54:00.000-07:00

I am catering a wedding reception this Saturday for 100 people at 6pm. The preparations have started. My mind is about to explode. There is so much I have to do... All whilest caring for the two crazies that suck every last ounce of life out of me. Have I mentioned that I am 5 months pregnant and oh so very tired all the time (see afore mentioned crazies)? Because I am. But I am, of course, so thrilled to have this opportunity. It is a great experience and notch on my catering belt. It's always at this point before the event that I yearn for it to be over and done with. It is now that I long for a full time nanny, a bigger kitchen and (at least) double ovens. That pregnant, lifeless, exhausted part of me wants to just throw in the towel and figure out some other way to provide the food (a way that doesn't involve me preparing it). But the soul of me, that part is as giddy as a school girl at this opportunity to do what it is I love to do. To get one step closer to having my dream job. I am trying to unleash that part so that it devours the other part. That battle is a bloody one.

I cannot wait until Saturday at 11 pm when I lay my weary head down on my pillow and breath a HUGE sigh of relief.

For a dear friend

2006-05-18T11:48:00.000-07:00

Now that our friend Steve is who knows where out in the yonder.. I feel a sense of responsibility to keep him posted as to the happenings in our world, as he is a bit incognito. So Steve, if you read this, we miss you, we are praying for you, and we can't wait for you to return. I know it must be hard to be away from Steph.

And in case you didn't know, we found out we're having a boy! He will be called Porter. Porter Cash. He is due to arrive at the end of September, so figure most likely he'll make his debut at the beginning of October. We are very excited to be adding to our brood.

Here are some pictures of London and Adelaide.

Thank you for your service to this country. You deserve the utmost respect for doing what you are doing to help keep the rest of us safe and free. You are more of a man than most.

Bugga

2006-05-09T09:57:00.000-07:00

We have termites. Western subterranean termites that live way underground. They look like flying ants. They are what is known in the termite world as swarmers. They are the scouts sent out this time of year (once the colony has gotten too big) to locate vacant space and start new colonies. Once they find a place to start a new colony they shed their wings and mate. Fabulous. The great thing about these underground termites is you can have them for years and years and not know it until one day (last Friday) they dig a tunnel out of the side of your foundation and start scouting.

We had the termite people out here to "fix" the problem. Their solution should last about 10 years. In my calculations, that means we just spent $110 per year for the next 10 years to hopefully keep us termite free. Of course if we move, we just payed for the future owners to not have to worry their pretty little heads about our winged friends.

Farewell old friend, hello new love

2006-04-25T09:52:00.000-07:00

We said goodbye to our Jeep on Saturday. It was quite hard for me. Which I know sounds odd, it is after all just a car. Actually I take that back. It's not just a car. It's a Jeep. The first (and only to date) new car I've ever owned. We owned that Jeep for almost 5 years (we fall 3 months short of the 5 year annivesary). That Jeep treated us well. But alas, we have a growing family and it has outlived its usefulness. It was a tight squeeze with just the 2 kids, we knew there was absolutely NO WAY we could put 3 kids in it.

Let me tell you a little story. Gabe and I, with the impending arrival I am carrying in my womb, knew that by September we would have to purchase a bigger vehicle. We've debated over a mini-van, Suburban and Expedition. Our preference has always been the Suburban. Saturday we took a jaunt to a car dealership with the intention of just starting our search. We were curious to see what's available out there and at what price. We had done a little research and knew the market value of several years of Suburbans. Our goal was to get a 2001, since we knew we couldn't afford any younger than that, and that was the first year of the new body style. And we figured our Jeep is a 2001, so we wouldn't be down grading any if we got a comparable year. We also hoped to get a vehicle with around the same mileage, 75,000. One problem we found with these big family vehicles (other than the money rushing out of our wallets into the gas pumps) is that they tend to have LOTS of miles on them. My brother has a 2001 Yukon XL, which they purchased soon after we purchased our Jeep, and their vehicle has 35,000 more miles on it than our Jeep. I guess those vehicles are just made to be taken on family trips!! (We have made several family trips in my parents' mini-van). I digress. Our other criteria was to find a 2-wheel drive Suburban. 4-wheel drive is so overrated (we had it on the Jeep and just used it for the first time this last winter when we got stuck in Tahoe during a snow storm. It went unused for almost 5 years!!). So we get to this car lot and as we get out of the Jeep we are promptly apprehended, I mean, welcomed by a car salesman (one of the worst occupations on this planet in my opinion). His name was Dan. He was a tall fellow with a bright yellow sweater on. The first vehicle we looked at happened to be a 2001 Suburban, 2-wheel drive. Knowing it would be WAY out of our price range I didn't think much of it, other than OH MY GOSH I WANT THIS TRUCK. When I found out the mileage I almost wet myself. Just under 63,000 miles. WHAT?! Less than the Jeep???!!! We perused a few more vehicles and decided, what the heck, let's talk numbers. The cost was more than we thought we could afford, but we threw caution to the wind and went inside with Dan.

(Now I want to interject here and say it is already at this point probably 1:30 or 2:00 pm. We had both kids with us and my dad - since he's quite the vehicle expert. The kids' nap time is about 1:00 pm. We are already pass that.)

Well, good old Dan and his sleezy car salesman boss, Boyce, actually made the monthly payments something we could afford. They offered us decent money to trade in our Jeep (which saved us from actually having to clean it and go through the whole selling process ourselves). So after 4 hours from when we walked into the office, we were driving away in our new Suburban. The kids were basket cases in those 4 hours. We pumped them full of snacks, balloons, toys, pacifier, threats and hugs.. Not much worked. London was running amuck in the dealership and Adelaide was just sitting in the stroller crying. It was a horrible 4 hours.

Now that we've had our new vehicle a few days, I can say we are so happy with it. The kids are no longer cramped. Gabe no longer has to sit in the trunk if an extra person wants to ride with us somewhere. People no longer have to complain how hard it is to get into that cramped back seat. This thing is a tank. I love it. I have yet to master confidence when it comes to parking it and we can no longer fit into compact spaces. But we are a happier, more spacious family because of our lovely Suburban. We can't wait till we get to drive it down to Disneyland in a month!

Awesome new shower in all its spectacular new shower glory

2006-04-17T17:45:00.000-07:00

Our master bathroom shower is done. My dad is amazing. He manned that project 95% all by himself. All we have left to do is paint the trim (which will be done when we paint the entire bathroom) and get the new shower doors. We have yet to purchase the shower doors, after which Gabe and my dad will have to install them. No sweat after what they've done. Ahh.. I am so close to enjoying our new shower, bench seats and all. I can't wait. It looks so pretty, I'll post pictures soon (before and after).

Oh happy, happy day.

The new sibling

2006-04-12T10:23:00.000-07:00

London is very taken with this baby I have in my tummy. When I was pregnant with Adelaide, I think he was a little young to really understand what me being pregnant meant. But now, after having experienced Mama having a baby in her tummy and now having a sister, I think he's catching on to what it means. Adelaide on the other hand, is too young to have any clue as to what is happening. Her world will just be disrupted in about 5 more months, out of the blue, for no good reason, when she is no longer the baby of the family.

London loves looking at the ultrasound picture, knowing that it is a picture of the baby in Mama's tummy. A couple weeks ago we were having dinner and he started to pat my tummy and said "You have a baby in your tummy?" "Yes" I replied. The wheels in his little brain started turning, "How did it get in your tummy?" Thinking he's too young for any of "those" kinds of talks, I replied with, "God put it there". He wasn't buying it. He got a really concerned look on his face and asked "You ate it?" After the laughter died down, I assured him that, No, Mama is not in the business of eating babies. I do understand his logic. When he eats food, he knows it goes into his tummy. So how else would a baby get into my tummy other than me eating it?! I explained to him that God makes babies and gives them to us to love and care for. He seemed okay with that answer because he dropped the subject. Although I don't know if he realizes that I didn't in fact eat this baby, I'm sure some day he'll understand where babies truly come from. Though that will probably be after he tells all his friends at school that his mother eats babies.

Happy Birthday Sweet Baby Girl

2006-03-28T08:26:00.000-08:00

Today Adelaide Magnolia turns 1. It's actually in this, the 8 am hour that I write, that I gave birth to her. I can't remember exactly what time she was born, I think it was close to 8:45am, but it was after almost 8 hours of labor and just about 20 minutes of pushing that she made her entrance into this world. For her first 4 hours of life she made sounds similar to that of a pterodactyl (or at least, what we think one would sound like). She was quite entertaining. It's funny now, because anytime she sees a dinosaur she roars. That's the only animal sound she makes.

I can't believe our little girl is a year old. It really doesn't seem like it's been that long. A year of her smiles and giggles and not sleeping through the night. A year of her beautiful face greeting us each morning. God has so richly blessed our lives with Adelaide, she is such a joy. It is an honor to be her mother, to watch her grow and learn. One of the moments I cherish most is having her fall asleep in my arms and just holding her, watching her sleep, so peaceful and content. I could do that for hours. It is times like that in which I am forced to slow down and relax. I sit back and marvel at the little girl she is becoming. She is changing so much. She is walking and playing and interacting. She adores her brother and her care bear. She gives big open mouth kisses. She is so funny when she plays peek-a-boo. Sometimes she covers her eyes, sometimes she just ends up smacking herself on the head. She is learning to blow kisses. She can't help but shake her groove thing when there is music playing. She gets the biggest kick out of talking into microphones. She absolutely loves people and will stare them down until they pay attention to her. She is a fairly quiet baby, always has been. She does not upset easily. She has a newly discovered fascination with bubbles and is addicted to pop tarts.

All in all, she is more than we could have ever hoped for in a daughter. She is a most precious gift from God. She is her Dada's weak spot and her Mama's sweet baby girl.

It's over

2006-03-20T15:50:00.000-08:00

I have never been so relieved for anything to be over more than I am that this past weekend is behind me. Saturday night is done. My desserts were baked, assembled, eaten and digested. I got so many rave reviews that night it was a little overwhelming. My mind is still a little numb from my 3 day preparation extravaganza.

But it's over now. I am breathing easier. The looming stress of what to make, how it's going to turn out, will I have enough time? is no longer resting on my shoulders. That is a nice feeling.

I regrettably only took pictures of some of my prep work. I didn't take any pictures of the finished products (like my fantastical Lemon Cheesecake with Strawberries and Port Syrup). I need to make another one, though, to see how it tastes.. So I'll take a picture of it at that point.

One of the great things that came out of this event is my website. After many years of dreaming it is finally up and running, not at full steam, but running none the less. www.foodlady.net. It is a total rough draft at this point, but I just needed something as a point of contact for now. Gabe was the mastermind in the website (along with some help from Tommy Base). Gabe also made me some business cards to hand out Saturday night. And I'll tell you, I actually had a couple people come up to me afterwards and ask if I do private parties, to which I replied "Yes indeed!". How cool is that. Whether or not anything comes of those inquiries, just the fact that people would have considered me based on those desserts that night.. That is enough for me! If anything does come up, you will be among the first to know! It's a strange feeling knowing that this dream of mine, working in the food industry - catering, baking professionally, opening up my own bakery - it could really come true some day. That would be something!

The final countdown

2006-03-16T09:25:00.000-08:00

So it's here. The final two days before THE BIG DAY. My first official catering gig. It couldn't have come at a worse time. Or maybe this pregnancy couldn't have come at a worse time. Being just at the end of my first trimester I am still left feeling yucky and more tired than a caterpillar trying to make its way through hot gum on the sidewalk of despair.

Today is it. There are no more days to put anything off. My preparations must begin today. I sit here exhausted out of my mind, almost in tears because all I want to do is lay down and sleep. But with two kids to care for and a butt load of baking to be done there will be no rest for me. Tuesday was a very bad sick day for me. The contents of my undigested lunch (macaroni and cheese and hot dog) were projected from my body at a force so great that the human body should never ever have to experience. I am still reeling from that experience. It has left me almost completely unable to eat. And since food = energy (which I am so low on anyway) you can see my dilemma.

I can not procrastinate any longer. I have cookie doughs, white chocolate candies and a cheesecake to make today. Tomorrow it's lime tarts, mini crumb cakes, chocolate mousse and baking the cookie doughs. Then Saturday I have over 200 strawberries to dip in chocolate.

On a totally different subject, I got another ultrasound done yesterday. I am 12 weeks, so the baby actually looks like a little tiny baby. Cute little Beany McBeanster. It totally jumped and wiggled during the ultrasound. Great, that's what I need, another active one. How about one, just one, calm mellow baby? One who doesn't start sprouting teeth at 3 months, walking at 10 months and the other one whos favorite activity is to spin in circles. Is that too much to ask for?

Reunited and it feels so good

2006-03-09T09:37:00.000-08:00

I have rediscovered a love of my youth. TANG. My dear, long lost friend. I am sorry we have been apart for so many years.

I was at Costco perusing the drink section. I got me some Countrytime Lemonade mix (a staple in our house each time the weather warms), some Raspberry Iced Tea mix (new discovery.. so good!!) and there it was.. In all its orange glory. Calling out to me. TANG!!! Oh man. I broke it open yesterday and had some, for the first time in too many years. Oh man. It is even better than I remember it. It is now my new addiction. This baby is going to come out orange and addicted to Tang. And that is okay with me.

Do yourselves a favor. Rediscover something from your own youth. You won't be sorry.

The problems are starting

2006-03-01T17:16:00.000-08:00

Naming a child is a big responsibility. One not to be taken lightly. One not to be squandered. After all, the name you bestow will be with the child FOREVER. It will make or break the kid. This is the pressure I felt before our first was born. Naming my child seemed a bigger responsibility than actually caring for him.

We named our child London. I'm not sure if we've scarred him or given him the ultra coolest name ever (in my heart I know it's the latter). But the problems set in pretty quick. The first time we took him to his now pediatrician he was 6 months old. The first thing we heard was "I see London, I see France" from the RECEPTIONIST (not even a snotty nosed little punk). Like I didn't expect THAT to happen to him throughout his entire life. But the doctor's office? He's not safe anywhere.

And now, the real confusion for my poor son sets in. A while back I was singing to the kids during dinner (it seems to help Adelaide eat better and London is to the age now that he actually will sing along, it's dang cute) and I started singing "London Bridge is falling down". London looked at me and said "Mama, my bridge fall down?". He was seriously concerned (not the fact that he owned a bridge and owning bridges can get very expensive, but that it was falling down). As I continued with the song he continued with "Mama, my bridge no fall down". On rare occasions when the city of London is mentioned on TV you can see he gets a little confused as to why the strangers on the bright shiny box are talking about him. (I guess it doesn't help that in those instances we tell him "London, they know your name! They know who you are!"). I know. We're not helping.

I know we have doomed our kid to hearing the famed "I see London, I see France" taunt for years to come. But we'll teach him before those snotty nosed little punks can finish that sentence to pull down their pants and finish it for them.

Walk like an Egyptian

2006-02-28T11:44:00.000-08:00

Adelaide is walking. She has just turned 11 months old today. She has been walking on her own, like crazy, for almost a week now. That girl gives me no breaks.

We bought her her first pair of shoes yesterday. They are just your standard "first walker" shoes, white, but with cute little pink embroidered flowers at the top. When the salesman pointed out which shoes were beginning walker appropriate I just about peed myself. I had to forcibly stop myself from buying her 4 pairs of shoes. There are some cute ones. But I played it safe and bought her ones that will go with any outfit. Of course, they won't go with a dress. Dang. I have to go back and buy her a pair that will go with her dresses. She's going to put me in the poor house.

She was so incredibly funny to watch as she walked with shoes on for the first time. She would take these big huge exaggerated steps and then fall down. She did that several times and then decided she was done and she started crawling, but it was the kind of crawling that used a knee and a foot to propel her along. She couldn't quite grasp the shoe thing. She needs practice. And we'll have fun laughing at her (and videotaping her and exploiting her on the internet) as she hones her skills.

Kids are great entertainment.

Home improvement

2006-02-21T16:25:00.000-08:00

So my dad is at this moment dismantling the shower stall in our master bathroom. This is something we were hoping to do in the next couple months, get a new shower stall. But Gabe had a little mishap with trying to rig the already warping tiles and let's just say when he was done there was a big hole in the wall. I couldn't have asked for a better mishap. We should have our new shower stall in this weekend. I can't wait. There are 2 benches and it is pretty and white. And clean. And there are no tiles and no grout. I will never have to battle mold on the grout again in there.

I am one happy girl.

Spreading the disease

2006-02-15T17:13:00.000-08:00

It always strikes me funny how pregnancy comes in clusters. During my pregnancy with London I knew (actually personally knew) 5 other women who were pregnant too. If you ever were to visit our old church (Crossings in da house) you would see specific age groupings of the kids there. While pregnant with Adelaide, 5 other women at our current church ended up pregnant too. All the babies were born within 6 months of Adelaide. Boy did that put a strain on the nursery staff!!!

So now, as I announce to you my readers, that I am once again expecting (that would be baby #3, due at the end of September) I have just come to find out that 2 of my dear friends from CT are also expecting, one at the end of August and one on the same day as me. How trippy is that? I have two other friends who are due in May and June. And I believe the good people at Gymboree pump some sort of pregnancy drug through their ventilation system. The two other moms in London's class are both pregnant. And the class after ours, there are 4 pregnant women in there and one who just had a baby a few weeks ago. Seriously! I was just bound to get pregnant with all that surrounding me! It's an epidemic.

Watch yourselves....

A day late and a dollar short...

2006-02-13T17:05:00.000-08:00

I am always behind. I'm never on time. Ever. I totally meant to post on Saturday, it was London's 3rd birthday. My firstborn, my son, my bubba. He turned 3. We had a SpongeBob party for him. He was so excited! We decorated the living room before we went to bed Friday night, so he'd wake up to it. He loved it! It's so great to experience those moments.

We still can't believe he's 3. Now granted, it's not like he's 16, I know. But still. Each year older he gets just blows us away. People have always told me to cherish these times because it passes in the blink of an eye. These last 3 years certainly have passed that quickly, as I know the next 3 will. He is becoming such a little man. He talks non-stop. He is a curious sort. And he is active as all get out. His shins have been continuously bruised since he was 8 months old! His manners are great. He is becoming so polite (most times without our urging!). He says please, thank you, excuse me and I'm sorry. He loves his sister and absolutely adores his Dada. Yesterday he woke up from his afternoon nap and started crying. When I went in to get him I said "Hi Bubba". He said "Mama, I cry" and I said "I know, why were you crying?" And he replied "Because I love you". I'm not quite sure what that means, but it melts my heart nonetheless.

London was my first lesson in complete and utter selflessness. My first experience of loving something more than I thought possible the very first time I saw him. He has been a test of patience and faith. He has deepened my relationship with God. He has changed my relationship with my husband. He has brought laughter and tears and unconditional love into my life. I praise God for blessing us with London. Our lives are better, richer because of him. He will always be my little Bubba, no matter how big he gets.

Yum

2006-02-09T16:54:00.000-08:00

Fresh baked chocolate chip cookies are one of the best things ever.

I am so thankful to Mrs. Wakefield for creating such a delectable recipe.

So happy together

2006-02-07T15:23:00.000-08:00

Today I got new pots and pans from Costco. They are Ameriware Professional commercial grade. My brother also bought the same set several months back and has been happy with them, so I decided I'd give them a try. It was a great deal for the money. I was holding out for All Clad, but with how pricey those puppies are I knew it would be years before I would own them. The pots and pans we currently have (going on almost 6 years) have served us well (though we've had to get rid of both frying pans due to the coating wearing off) but are coated with Teflon, which is the worst thing you could ever cook with. I know this now but didn't back when we got the cookware. So for the sake of my family's well being, I really wanted to change my cookware. So now we'll see how the new stuff does. I'm always excited to have new kitchen stuff. Plus the set came with so many pots and pans, more than I had, so I have some new pieces to find uses for. Hopefully they won't let me down.

I also finally received the Shun Classic bread knife that Gabe got me for Christmas (the company he ordered it from originally sent him a completely different knife than what he ordered). This is the knife I needed to complete my knife collection. It is beautiful. Now my Shun Classic santoku is no longer lonely. Those two are very happy together. That bread knife seriously slices bread like it's butter. Gabe and I are both impressed. And I am oh so smitten.

The big day's a-coming

2006-01-26T10:35:00.000-08:00

So March 18th is IT. The day of our church's adult's night out event. The one in which I am catering with an all desserts menu. I am beside myself with many emotions. Excitement, anxiety, fear, anticipation, self-doubt, stress. I am starting to create the menu, which is one of the exciting things. I am going to hopefully try out some new recipes this weekend to see if the end result is worthy.

Let the baking begin!!

An homage to friends

2006-01-10T17:40:00.000-08:00

Today we got to hang out with two of our dearest friends, Kevin and Sabrina. We got to meet their son, who is just 2 months younger than Adelaide, and they got to meet Adelaide (and see London after probably over a year of not seeing him!). They were fresh off the plane from Georgia and we met at Joe's Crab Shack in Old Sacramento. It was quite fun. They are definitely the friends who we can go years without seeing (of course there is quite a bit of communication in those years) yet when we do see each other, it's like we just got together last weekend. We've known Kevin and Sabrina for about 8 years, even before they were The Dickson's. Kevin and Gabe were in a band together for a while. The 4 of us led worship for our college group for a time. Sabrina and I lived together for a year way back when, before there were husbands, before there were kids. (Funny story from our vault: While we were living together we had an ill-fated trip to Starbucks. 10 pm and neither one of us thought to order DECAF. We said our goodnights at about midnight and both ended up back in the living room around 2 am, not able to sleep. Ahh, hindsight). Sabrina and I were in a discipleship group together for a while. We would hang out while the husbands had band practice and watch movies and/or work out. We would go grocery shopping together. I envisioned our kids growing up together, they were THOSE KIND of people.

We love Kevin and Sabrina dearly and it was so good to see them again and meet their cute, Sabrina replica son. They are those friends that we HATED to see move away and Sabrina is the girl friend I miss dearly. I don't know if we'll ever live near each other again, but I do know I would be so, so sad to not keep in touch and remain friends for as long as we walk this earth. In life we go in and out of friendships with so many different people, some we work at, most we don't. Sabrina's is one I will work hard to keep, no matter how many miles separate us.

They are coming back through this area on Monday, before they head up to Redding with Kevin's parents.. They are going to stop by our house and hang out with us for a bit. I can't wait.

A Wild Monkey Beast on crack

2006-01-04T22:44:00.000-08:00

Anyone who has ever actually encountered the WMB never disputes when I refer to her as such. If you ever want to break a sweat doing something that was once thought simple, take a stab at changing Adelaide. The sweet, cuddly, heart melting daughter that I gave birth to 9 months ago has morphed into a writhing, strong willed, poop factory who refuses to sleep.

Here is a rare picture of the Wild Monkey Beast:

*Please note that photographers were harmed in the process

Here is a picture of the WMB trying to disguise herself as a Pajama Pirate. Poor unsuspecting souls....

Now bring us some figgy pudding

2006-01-02T10:12:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.

We definitely had a great holiday season. Christmas was awesome with the kids (though Adelaide couldn't care less about opening presents). London was beside himself when he woke up and saw all the presents under the tree. The kid believes in Santa, which I'm okay with. I think it's a part of growing up. A right of passage. But, that certainly will not overshadow the true meaning of Christmas.. Christ. We took this opportunity to start teaching London why we celebrate at Christmas. Because God loves us and sent His Son. I know he doesn't really understand what that means, but it's our job as his parents to make sure that someday (soon) he does.

My whole family (my parents, my brothers & their families - 16 people total) spent the week between Christmas and New Year's in Tahoe. Did I mention the 16 people? That would be 8 adults and 8 kids. In one 4 bedroom house. For 5 days. Let's just say that all the tears and yelling and hitting were actually worth it. Growing up my family would hook up with another family we grew up with and head to a cabin in Vermont for the week. We did that for 5 years. Some of the best memories of my childhood came from those trips (4 adults and 7 kids!). We always had a blast! So I was stoked that our families decided to do it this year. Hopefully it will be the start of a new tradition. It was great just to get away and be with my brothers and for the cousins to be together (again, despite all the tears and yelling and hitting). I think they all had a good time. We were forced to leave a day early which totally stinks.. So we didn't actually get to ring in the New Year together. A big storm hit, they closed 50, we lost power in the house for the entire day (New Year's Eve).. So we decided since another storm was coming in that night we'd pack up and leave. Once 50 was reopened we headed out (about 4pm). It was such an abrupt end to the week, but a super fun and enjoyable week nonetheless. I'll post some pictures later today.

I hope you all had a great Christmas and New Year experience.

Now on to 2006!

If you ever see me in a crowd of people, RUN!

2005-12-22T21:45:00.000-08:00

These past couple of days have kept me busy. It included a Christmas lunch with my old co-workers (miss you guys). We exchanged presents. Among the presents I got were Fraggle Rock season 1 and Wonder Woman seasons 1 & 2. I'm so stoked.

I have been in my kitchen more hours than I care to admit (what with 2 kids I've been neglecting). Over the last 2 days I have made Blueberry Hazelnut Biscotti, Cherry Almond Granola, Hazelnut Truffles, Orange Ginger Biscotti, Three Chocolate Toffee Bars and Cherry Chocolate Biscotti. Those are actually baked and done. Now over the next 2 days I will be busy with all the cookie doughs I have in my freezer. That will be 2 days of straight baking (at least Gabe will be home to look after the kids). But I love it.

Today I was able to get out sans kids and do some last minute shopping (thanks to our new babysitter who is available during the week to give me the chance to run more errands without the kids. She is my new best friend.). It was raining pretty hard at times, which made my decision to wear flip flops a horrible one. Today's outing would have made us complete in the Christmas shopping department except that I forgot that movie theaters only take cash. So the gift certificates I needed to buy were not bought, as I did not have any cash. So now I have to run back there tomorrow, again, to finalize the shopping. I hate last minute shopping. I just want to be done with the stores and the people and the going out in the rain. I am not a big fan of crowds. The only places I'll tolerate massive amounts of people are Disneyland, Chili's and Starbucks. When too many people congregate in one place brain power seems to weaken and common sense gets lost. And I am all for brain power and common sense. So for the sake of my sanity and the wellfare of others I try really hard to avoid the crowds. And you know, since Christmas is all about God sending His Son to save us all, I know I have to love these people. But they don't make it very easy.

You know you're hormonal when

2005-12-20T21:45:00.000-08:00

You watch the video to Kelly Clarkson's "Because of You" and have to fight back the tears.

The greatest compliment

2005-12-20T14:58:00.000-08:00

Our church is having a Valentine's party of sorts in the beginning of February. A night out for all us adults, complete with a comedian, with a "bring your friend" sort of outreach flair. We're renting out the local VFW to accomodate all the people (since our church doesn't have its own facility). Our church probably has about 125 members. It will be a dessert only menu. I have been asked to cater it. Oh my gosh, did you hear that? I HAVE BEEN ASKED TO CATER IT!!!! Though it won't be my first official paying gig, it is my first OH MY FREAKING GOSH this is a big deal paying gig. When I was first asked to do it I started to get all jittery inside, like I had just smoked a big bag of crack. I was so flattered to be asked. I mean, people believe in me. They like me, they REALLY like me. Well, maybe not me, but they like my desserts. And I am so okay with that. So now is the task of deciding what to make. So far, on my rough draft list, are an assortment of cheesecakes, cookies, truffles and other sorts of cakes I really haven't decided on. The more I think about it the more freaked out I get. I really hope I am able to handle this and pull it off with grace and dignity. I have lots of planning to do. This whole thing has kind of been pushed to the far, cobwebby corners of my mind. I have been so busy planning all my Christmas baking I haven't thought much past the end of this year. But February is just around the corner and I better get my act together. Step 1 - Finalizing the menu. Step 2 - Freak out a little more as the time gets closer. Step 3 will be designing fun menus for each table. Step 4 involves me questioning whether or not I can really pull this off. Step 5, don't you know that the time has arrived? Sorry, New Kids flashback. But seriously, my mind is going to be one busy machine for the next couple weeks as I plan this all out and freak out in the process.

I'll keep you updated. Please let me know if you have any suggestions.

My husband gets me

2005-12-16T21:23:00.000-08:00

I unintentionally received an early Christmas present tonight. UPS made a delivery while Gabe was out. My present came in its own product box. There was no way I could have avoided seeing what it was. I was bummed knowing that I was just robbed of opening that gift on Christmas morning (and in that experiencing it with Gabe). I am so super stoked over this gift. This is my Taylor guitar of gifts (see previous post "It's better to give than to receive"). This gift proves to me that my husband gets me. He knows me. It is one tangible evidence of his love for me. This was the one gift that I was really REALLY hoping for this Christmas, but not actually expecting to get. And I know without a doubt that my husband knows that if I could have only one gift on my wish list this year, it would be this gift. I still have not opened it. I want to wait for Gabe to be with me when I behold it in all its glory. It actually is a blessing in disguise, receiving this gift early. I still have lots of Christmas baking to do. Now I can get an extra week's worth of use out of this, my precious Christmas gift. My sweet glorious KitchenAid Accolade stand mixer, in all its 400 watt magnificence. That is over ONE HUNDRED more watts than my current KitchenAid mixer. I can't wait to fire this puppy up. Sweet dreams my precious Accolade. Rest well, for tomorrow you start working for me.

While the merry bells keep ringing

2005-12-05T11:00:00.000-08:00

My first attempt at making chocolate truffles was an amazing success!! I have always wanted to try my hand at them and this past week, I got my chance.

We had our annual Ornament Exchange party with the women from our church on Thursday. I was asked to bring cookies and other delectables. I decided the night called for chocolate truffles and some fancified cookies. I made Chocolate Candy Cane cookies. They were fabulous! Peppermint buttercream sandwiched between two scrumptious chocolate cookies, edged with crushed peppermint candies. Yum. I also made Lime Snowballs (if you like lime, you would love these cookies) and Chocolate Chews (the best chocolate cookies ever created). Those cookies, in themselves, were a hit. But, to top it off, I made an assortment of truffles. Dark chocolate with honey and lime, Chocolate and Raspberry (chambord liquer, mmmm), Dark Chocolate (slightly flavored with Grand Marnier) and Hazelnut truffles. It took me 3 days to make the truffles (what with 2 kids and a house to take care of), but it was 3 days of learning, growing and chocolate. I made about 200 truffles. I knew that was way too many for just 40 women and 2 hours, so I thought it would be nice to make little boxes to put the truffles in so everyone could take some home. That was nice. I'm glad I decided to do that.

I can now add the notch of truffle making to my pastry belt. That delights me. I will definitely be adding truffles to my baking repetoire. I have a few other kinds I'd really like to try (think Chocolate Caramel Peanut and Rocky Road).

Now I will get neck deep in my Christmas baking. Man I love this time of year.

Merry Christmas!

You can't make this stuff up

2005-11-22T19:53:00.000-08:00

A phone conversation I had with my mom yesterday morning:

"Hey. I was wondering what you thought of avocado for a baby."

"What?"

"What do you think of avocado for a baby?"

"Avocado?"

"Yes. Avocado. Do you think it's okay for a baby?"

"Well, I guess. I don't know."

"Because Sabrina's giving it to Miles and I thought maybe it would be a good thing to put in that mesh bag for Addie."

Long pause. "Ooohh. Avocado as food for a baby. I thought you were asking how I liked Avocado as a name for a baby. I thought you'd gone crazy."

It's better to give than to receive

2005-11-21T10:02:00.000-08:00

Last week I surprised Gabe with an early Christmas present. A Taylor 514ce acoustic guitar. Now, to the layman such as myself, this does not mean much. But to the schooled out there, you know that this is a big, nay, GINORMOUS deal. This is a guitar that Gabe has dreamed of, drooled over, thought he wouldn't be able to own for many more years. I knew I needed to make it happen.

Last Sunday, Brian and I set out to test drive some Taylors. See, when shopping for a Taylor, one must play it to know whether or not it sounds good. And, as I learned, unlike shoe shopping, you want the guitar that everyone else has tried on. So as I am not one that would know which guitar sounded the best, I brought Brian along to help. He was the one person I could think of that Gabe would trust with such a task. Plus, I think it made it even more special to have Brian be a part of this epic moment in Gabe's life. So after trying just two guitars (a 514 and a 614) we found THE ONE. I had Brian take the guitar home for safe keeping, since there is nowhere in our tiny dwelling that I could have succesfully hid it from Gabe. Now, I intended this gift to be a Christmas gift; one that is given on Christmas. I had already planned it all out in my head. We would invite a ton of people over on Christmas, as this is a gift that is to be received in front of a crowd. A little more than 24 hours after I purchased the guitar I broke down, I was so excited for Gabe to have his new Taylor, I was not gonna last till Christmas. I called Brian and asked if he could bring it with him to band practice on Tuesday night. (I had decided that Brian really needed to be there when I gave the guitar to Gabe, since he had played a part in the picking out of the guitar). Those 2 days of having that guitar and not giving it to Gabe, not being able to say anything, knowing how bad he was going to FREAK OUT when he saw it, those 2 days killed me. Sheer torture.
When Brian showed up Tuesday night (before Gabe got home from work) with IT, I almost couldn't contain my excitement. After those agonizing days of waiting, it was finally going to happen. Gabe was so close to having that puppy in his hands. So we set the guitar up in their practice space (our garage) on a guitar stand, in the middle of the floor. Gabe arrived home and we all ate dinner. I was so giddy inside I was almost squirming. And I couldn't look at Brian, because I was afraid I was going to burst, knowing what we knew, and knowing it was going to happen soon. I followed the guys out (I just happened to have to carry a plate of cookies out for them), and when the light came on, there it was, in all her glory. Gabe was mighty confused at first, thinking it might be Brian's, but then realizing it looked much different. He looked at me and I said "Merry Christmas".. When he finally realized it was his guitar, his Taylor, his baby, he was floored. It was seriously one of the best moments of gift giving in my life. I was so thrilled to give him something that he so badly wanted and never expected.
Giving him that guitar, seeing the sheer joy on his face and knowing how much he loves the gift, it was a glimpse into Christmas day. And I thought of Christmas morning when I was a kid, how jumping out of our skins excited my brothers and I were. So excited that we would wake up at 4:00 AM and sit around the tree until my parents got up. I CANNOT WAIT until Christmas. London is going to pee himself silly. Heck. I'm going to pee myself silly.

Taggerific

2005-11-04T14:35:00.000-08:00

Okay, so it happened. I've been tagged. And though I'm still not exactly sure what that means I do know I have to now tell you, my dear reader, 20 things that I've never blogged before, I think. So here we go.

1. The smell of ketchup makes me want to vomit.

2. I love the smell of skunk.

3. I once peed my pants in the 3rd grade, during Creature Teacher, while class was in progress.

4. I desperately wanted to be a Fly Girl on In Living Color.

5. I love to watch gymnastics, ice skating and ballroom dancing.

6. I would love to be a contestant on Ballroom Bootcamp on TLC.

7. The worst thing I ever threw up was hot and sour soup while I was 32 weeks pregnant. I managed to get it all over most of the bathroom; then I had to clean it up.

8. When I was little I used to choreograph roller skating routines to Madonna's Like A Virgin album.

9. The first cassette tape I ever bought was Madonna's Like A Virgin. I think I was 8.

10. I've only ever told one boy that I love him. He is now my husband.

11. I have given birth twice with no drugs. I plan to do it a third (and possibly a fourth) time too.

12. When I was little I tried to unscrew the metal part of a light bulb. It didn't work and I have the scar to prove it.

13. In 5th grade I got in trouble for kissing a boy, let's call him Tim, during recess. I got sent to the principal's office, reprimanded for my inappropriate actions and a call was made to my mother. The next day at school our class had a special assembly about the physical happenings that shouldn't happen between boys and girls. Everyone knew it was because of Tim and me.

14. When I was in high school I decided I wanted to be a marine mammal trainer. My senior year I got to work at the Maritime Center in Norwalk, CT. One of my responsibilities was feeding the sharks. I had to stand over the open shark tank on a tiny little plank and throw fish into the tank. Every time I did this I just knew it would be the time I fell in. One of my most favorite things was working with the harbor seals. I got to feed them, play with them, get kisses from them and clean their dirty, poopy tank each week. It was one of the best experiences of my life.

15. I am deathly afraid of heights.

16. When I was little I wanted to be Puerto Rican when I grew up. Don't ask, I don't know.

17. My brothers named me after the Bionic Woman.

18. Growing up my brothers found great amusement in tickling me till I peed my pants. They'd also hold me down and fart on my face.

19. In the mid-80s I had the HUGEST crushes on Lars Ulrich and Eddie Van Halen. Had? Who am I kidding. I still think they're cute.

20. I detest tomatoes. I am not a huge fan of chocolate. I refuse to eat lamb or veal (for cute baby animal reasons). I do however highly enjoy brussels sprouts, asparagus, beets and artichokes.

I am a robot. I am talking like a robot.

2005-11-02T14:36:00.000-08:00

Gabe made London's robot costume for Halloween this year. It came out awesome. He was the hit of the night. We even had a car full of people stop us and take a picture of London (I must admit I feel as if he was a bit exploited and my motherly instincts shouted DON'T YOU DARE OR I WILL CUT YOU! when the person asked to take his picture). London loved his robot costume. Gabe did such a great job (thank you, from me and London). Adelaide was a duck. She of course made a cute duck. Here are some pictures from trick-or-treating.

Outside perks

2005-10-27T10:45:00.000-07:00

This is a crape myrtle in our back yard. One night at dusk, the sky, the air had an unusual pink hue. It illuminated the pink crape myrtle. If you look at the small patches of sky in the background, you can see it's pink.

We get to experience an amazing sunset out our front window each night. It is a great way to end the day. Gabe and I are HUGE fans of the sky and its awesome beauty. It has always been a thing in our relationship, so it is very appropriate that we have these sunsets outside our window.

God's creation is mind blowing!

Sweet morsels of goodness

2005-10-19T11:08:00.000-07:00

Chocolate chip
Caramel/Milk chocolate swirl chip
Peanut butter-oatmeal-chocolate chip
Oatmeal butterscotch
Oatmeal raisin
Cranberry oatmeal white chocolate chunk
Chocolate chews (the BEST COOKIES EVER)
Chocolate anise biscotti
Cranberry oatmeal cinnamon scones

These are the cookie doughs I made so far this week to put in my freezer for future use.

I must be stopped.

Little Miss Addie

2005-10-13T20:58:00.000-07:00

Adelaide is now 6 1/2 months old. She has 7 teeth. She is in the 97th percentile for height. She still looks just like her Dada and yet amazingly resembles London. She adores her brother and squeals anytime he gets near her. She is expanding her noise repetoire and likes everyone to know it. She loves to smile and bounce in her exersaucer. She can go days without crying. She loves to watch people. She also likes to torture her Mama (as if pregnancy, labor and delivery weren't torture enough) by frequent night wakings, staying awake for hours on end. But she also loves her naps (probably because of her night waking enjoyment).

All in all, this girl.. She's a keeper.

Long overdue

2005-10-01T10:39:00.000-07:00

Finally. For anyone who hasn't partaken in the cuteness that is Owen Barber, here you go.

He is a perfect blend of his three siblings, which in turn is a perfect blend of his parents. He is now 3 1/2 months and getting cuter every time I see him.

The joys of motherhood

2005-09-24T21:16:00.000-07:00

There are times as a mother that I am just blown away by my kids. Moments (sometimes few) that erase all the crying and screaming and tears and sheer defiance I am faced with on a daily basis. We had one of those moments yesterday. A moment that still overflows my heart with joy. Let me share the back story before you witness the moment.

Gabe was sitting on the couch playing his guitar (a common occurrence in the Searles household). London was sitting on the couch next to him. He quickly got down off the couch, went over to his toy box, grabbed something and came back to the couch and resumed his position next to Gabe. What he picked up was his harmonica (which he loves to play). As Gabe was playing London joined in on his harmonica. A total freestyle jam session! I quickly grabbed the video camera (I am so thankful that thought occurred to me) and began recording. The session lasted probably about 10 minutes. It's almost indescribable the emotion that ran through me watching my little boy playing the harmonica. It instantly aged him. I was no longer looking at my 2 year old. I was looking at my 13 year old. It was by far one of the best moments of my life. I know even more so for Gabe; sharing something he so deeply loves with his son.

So we want to share it with anyone who cares to partake. Check out the video at homepage.mac.com/searlesbunch. Enjoy.

Sixteen candles

2005-09-20T21:54:00.000-07:00

I wish. Sixteen was a good age. Sophmore in high school. Got my first car, a blue '77 Toyota Corona wagon, which never made it on the street (legally). I shortly thereafter got my second car (a family hand me down), an '84 Datsun. I loved that car. I had great friends. And I had not a care in the world (except how my hair looked and if that certain boy actually knew I existed). I lived with my parents. I spent my money on gas, car insurance, clothes and eating at Duchess. Oh sweet Duchess how I miss you.

Tomorrow I turn 29. 29. That's one, two, three, four, TWENTY-NINE. One year away from the big one. And my cares are now too many to count. I now spend my money on the house, the kids, the cars. But I have awesome friends. I now live next door to my parents. And the best thing(s) of all.. The worth in my life.. My husband and my children. They keep me going. They make me smile. They make me feel loved. And that's the best feeling of all.

I am one blessed almost 29 year old.

Bittersweet at its best

2005-09-19T15:56:00.000-07:00

So, it's official. Britney's new baby is named Sean Preston. I must say I am vainly tickled silly that they didn't go with London. BUT now I will feel like a sheep if we had another girl and named her Sean. I guess we'll burn that bridge when we cross over into white trash land and live amongst Britney and Kevin's people.

I am now just asking myself WHO CARES? Why should I let the famous of this world dictate what I do or don't name my child? Plus, I can rest easy knowing I have cuter kids than most of them. Not that it's a contest.. But if it were, we'd clearly be the winners.

Waiting patiently

2005-09-14T19:03:00.000-07:00

Britney Spears (I hate to even devote blog space to her, but this must be said) has infiltrated our lives. I haven't quite figured out how she's doing it, but I know she MUST be watching us, listening to our conversations, digging through our trash. Saturday night a good friend broke the news to me. If Britney's child is a boy, they're naming him London. If it's a girl, Addison, and they'll call her Addie. WHAT? Dost my ears deceiveth me? I had always heard she wanted the name Preston (for a boy). Now, Gabe and I have chosen our children's names very carefully. My goal was for our children to have unique but beautiful names (you will not find a Pilot Inspektor or Audio Science on our list of possible names, though I have to admit I think Apple is a cute name). But, the point is UNIQUE. Not an every day name. While I was pregnant with our first, we narrowed down our names. London for a boy and Adelaide for a girl (we didn't find out the sex while I was pregnant). It was a boy, and we bestowed upon him the name London. But we adored the name Adelaide and knew if we had a girl, that would be her name. Some time after our son was born we learned that Slash (yes Slash, the guitarist from Guns N Roses) had a son, not much older than ours, named London. Stink. So then, fast forward a year. I am pregnant with a girl. No discussion needed. We will call her Adelaide. 3 months after Adelaide was born, an actress (one Rachel Griffiths) has a girl. My Aunt breaks the news to me. "Some actress just had a girl and named her Adelaide." WHAT? You have GOT TO BE kidding me.

And here we are to present day. I am waiting not very patiently to discover the name of Britney & Kevin's son. The funny (not funny ha-ha funny, but funny they seriously are listening in on us scary funny) thing is, the latest I read was the names they picked out if it was a boy were Sean Preston or London Preston. Here's that funny thing.... Gabe and I had just decided we really liked Sean for our next girl (that happens to be my brother's name and I have just always liked that name for a girl). Now tell me CONVINCINGLY that the famous of this world don't listen in on us commoners' daily lives. They are everywhere and they are watching us. Just waiting to steal our children's names and take them as their own. Curse you celebrities. Curse you all.

Where happiness abounds

2005-09-06T17:40:00.000-07:00

Friday night we returned from a 4 day trip to Disneyland. Disneyland.. The happiest place on earth despite the screaming kids. There is an awful lot of crying at the happiest place on earth. I think someone's lying.

We spent 2 days driving and 2 days at the park. It was our first family vacation ever. And Gabe and I haven't been on a trip since before London was born. This was well overdue. We know London most likely won't remember this trip and Adelaide definitely won't remember this trip, but we needed a FAMILY friendly vacation. Disneyland is what we came up with. It was great. Gabe and I haven't been to Disneyland since before we were married (over 5 years ago!). A lot has changed. They have since added California Adventure, Downtown Disney, and some new rides in Disneyland. London LOVED Disneyland. A few days before we left we started talking to him about Disneyland and all the magical wonder that he was going to experience. When we arrived at the hotel, I went inside to check in. I came back to the car and London yelled "WE'RE HERE!!!!". That ignited the Disneyland excitement.

We went to the park the next morning. Standing in line to get inside the gate I got goose bumps. There IS something magical about Disneyland. I seriously felt like I was 5 years old on Christmas morning, knowing I was about to unwrap the greatest present ever to exist. I almost couldn't contain the excitement. We got through the gates, to the first photo-op place.. And that's when the crying ensued. Well, after we got London out of the stroller to take his picture; when we tried to put him back in the stroller. That was the first of MANY crying fits.. I don't think he got the memo about Disneyland being the happiest place on earth. He has much to learn.

But seriously folks, we had a great time. London got to see his first fireworks display. He absolutely loved it. He watched Fantasmic on Dadda's shoulders. A couple parts scared him, but overall he was enthralled. A few rides scared him: Pinnochio, and because of that, Small World (the first half of the ride he spent looking down. Halfway through he finally allowed himself to look up and highly enjoyed the rest of the ride), Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland.. A few rides he liked the most: Autopia, the merry-go-round, Dumbo. At California Adventure we visited Bug's Land, got to see some BIG Tonka trucks (which he loves). He got to meet JoJo, Stanley, Goofy, Flick and Flick's chick (I can't remember her name). He got to see some princesses (all the rage with the girls, but London has no clue who they are) and Mickey walk by. We were in a store, Mickey walked through, I yelled (very, very excitedly) "LONDON, THERE'S MICKEY!!!" As he whipped his head around to see, so did the rest of the store.. I was a little louder than I had intended to be. And apparently crazy by the looks on people's faces. The highlight of the trip for London (right up there with the fireworks) was the Playhouse Disney show. He got to see IN PERSON characters that had up till then only existed in his TV. That was the most thrilling 20 minutes of his life. I have never seen him enjoy anything else as much. That was awesome.

It was amazing to introduce our son to the awe that is Disneyland. We can't wait for next year!

(I'll post pictures by this weekend. And if you're wondering where Adelaide was this whole time, wonder no more. She was in her stroller pretty much the whole trip. She was one of the few kids not crying. She gets the whole "happiest place" thing.)

Never got to say goodbye

2005-08-20T10:11:00.000-07:00

We received the message none of us wanted to get. Kurt Mathews passed away at 9am this morning. A gloom has been cast over our hearts. We mourn with our friends at the passing of their husband and dad.

Now as we continue with our day of various errands and family gatherings, our hearts, thoughts and prayers are fixed on the Mathews family as they endure this horrible, life altering time.

Kurt has gone before us. His family has said goodbye to his time on earth. But there is hope. This is not the final goodbye.

Kurt Mathews is survived by his wife, daughter and son. And a church family who will miss him dearly.

Sadness

2005-08-18T12:22:00.000-07:00

One of our good friend's dad (who we also know pretty well), is at this moment, dying of cancer. He was diagnosed just one month ago with lung cancer. At the time he was diagnosed the cancer had already spread to his liver and bones. Since starting treatment, one month ago, masses behind his eye and ear have also been discovered. He has been hospitalized since this weekend. He just recently lost the mobility in his right arm. The family was just informed there is nothing else that can medically be done. Now they just have to stay by his side and prepare for his passing. I can barely type those words without crying. We have seen a family crushed. A man, a physically fit, healthy man in his 50s, brought to his end by cancer. A wife, losing her best friend, her love, her life. A son, watching his father fight for his life, now taking care of his mother and sister, having to be the man of the house. A daughter, no doubt daddy's little girl, having to see her strong, hero dad, being defeated by his greatest enemy. This is devastation to the fullest. My heart is so heavy for this family. We are grieving with them.

The man that lies dying of this horrible disease, joyful, for he knows God is in control. The family that lies in ruin can rejoice. This is not the end for them. Praise God for that hope! And as a church family, we will mourn the passing of this man, but we will rejoice and praise God knowing He is the creator and sustainer of life. God is in control and is calling home one of his own.

Some kind of wonderful

2005-08-14T15:06:00.000-07:00

Okay.. So let me put everyone's mind at ease. I AM NOT PREGNANT. I mean really, I'm not that crazy. Though, hopefully within the next 6 months I'll be announcing that kind of news. So be patient. But please, no triplets.

So the big news is I AM OFFICIALLY GOING TO BE A STAY AT HOME MAMA. That's right. Gabe got a job (day job) at our church (office manager type thing). We found out Wednesday and when he told me, I could barely contain myself. If I were a dog, I would've peed myself. I gave my 2 weeks notice on Friday. I was anxious about that. You must understand, I actually really like my job. I get to go hang out with 2 really good friends for 7.5 hours a day. The work is tolerable and I spend a good amount of time shootin' the breeze with my co-workers. I was also a little apprehensive about telling my boss.. She's not your average boss. She rocks the boss world big time. She and her husband have broken bread with our family a number of times and we try to get together for poker games often. I mean, come on people, WE'VE GAMBLED TOGETHER. That is some serious bonding. I was so nervous the professional dealings would put a strain on that personal friendship. I just didn't want her to feel like I was abandoning her. AND OH MY GOSH. Continuing in her cool bossness, in a totally geniune "I'm so happy for you" attitude, the first words out of her mouth were "I'm so happy for you. I know this is what you wanted". That situation couldn't have gone better. And so a super big SHOUT OUT to Trixie. You are the coolest boss EVER. And I will miss being bossed by you. And to my partner in crime, a phatty shout out to you. A shout out so big it comes complete with a ghetto-slammed pick up truck with phatty tires and dub spinners (and the guy driving has a peg leg). You have helped make this past year of work so bearable. I have never had a better co-worker. And I certainly have never laughed so much at work. I'm sorry to leave you alone with the Czech and Fonzeki. Ahuh, ahuh.. Ahuh, ahuh, ahuh. :) And I'm sorry you found out about me leaving the way you did. You deserved to hear it from me. Yea you did. Now granted, you both have two more weeks to work with me, but I just wanted to take this opportunity to show the love. Because even though the co-worker thing stops, the friend thing keeps going. So you definitely won't be rid of me.

So PRAISE GOD for providing that job for Gabe. We have been working towards me being a stay at home mom since we found out I was pregnant with London.. So now, after 3 years, it is finally happening. And it feels a little strange. I've never quit a job without having another job lined up (not counting being layed off and having to move in with my parents). So my first inclination is to be all wigged out and wonder how we're going to survive with me not working, what with 2 little mouths to feed and 2 little butts to diaper. But then, the skies open and I am quieted with the fact that God has provided enough income for us. Gabe, my wonderful, amazing husband, is going to work 2 jobs. TWO jobs people. That's two. One. Two whole jobs so I can stay at home with the kids. And we're not talking for 5 months while I'm on maternity leave. This is an indefinite amount of time thing. Man alive God is good! I don't think I can proclaim that enough. Hey, speaking of which, did you hear the one about God being good? Can you tell I'm really, really thankful for what God has just done in our lives? Are you sick of hearing me say God so much? Because none of this would've happened had it not been for HIS awesomeness and provision (see, I didn't say God in that sentence). So two more weeks of work. And Gabe starts his job tomorrow. And then, to celebrate all that God has done, we are going to Disneyland. No, really. We've had this trip planned for months now and it couldn't be happening at a better time. (Must be a God thing). Because the very next week after my last day of work, we're going to Disneyland. Our first family vacation. London is definitely going to pee himself. He has no idea the magical magic that is waiting for him. Gabe and I haven't been to Disneyland since we've been married, and we haven't been on a vacation since London happened. So this will be a great trip. And did I mention when we get back from that trip I won't have to leave my babies to go to work? I get to STAY HOME and work for 2 of the best bosses that ever lived (under the age of 30).. Poop, tears and all.

Muchas gracias

2005-08-13T09:11:00.000-07:00

Well, anyone who reads the comments posted to this site, knows that Kristin gave away the big news.

Thanks Kristin.

Big news a-comin'

2005-08-11T21:58:00.000-07:00

Wait for it....

WAIT. FOR. IT.....

London calling

2005-08-11T07:52:00.000-07:00

So, as if it's really any sort of big deal or milestone, London Thomas Garrison Searles, the son that I brought forth into this world, my first born, is today officially 2 1/2 years old. What does this mean? Oh, just your average "MINE" and "NO" and "STOP THAT" and "NAH" (his new favorite).. All wonderful phrases that it has taken him only 2.5 years to master and will take me approximately the rest of my life to undo. And the crying that ensues when he is denied something that he MUST HAVE AT THIS VERY MOMENT OR HE WILL CEASE TO EXIST. But it also is a lifetime of those "Iwahyou"s that just melt my heart. Those hugs and kisses that I couldn't live a day without. The bedtime rituals of saying "na-night" to everyone and everything (na-night guitar, na-night dump truck, na-night tv), and those sweet kisses he insists on giving Addie. Excuse me as I tear up.

This day means that I couldn't let it go by without acknowledging his existence and sharing my thoughts. Acknowledging that despite his 2 1/2 year old behavior at times, he is the sweetest, cutest and most adorable little boy I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. A little boy who mirrors my image so eerily, but balances it off so perfectly with his Dada's eyes. And with a face like this, how could you not smother him with kisses and praise God each day for bestowing such a perfect gift?

A thousand firsts

2005-08-01T20:40:00.000-07:00

Today was my first day back to work after a 5 month maternity leave. The struggle within started about midday yesterday. As the night drew closer, the struggle intensified. I had to fight back the tears a few times last night. Every time I'd think of leaving my babies I would get very emotional. I was up with a fussy Adelaide around 5:30 this morning, just trying to get her to stay asleep. I was successful and she eventually fell back asleep around 5:45 am. My alarm went off at 6 am. I got up and got ready for work. Adelaide woke up about 6:30am so Gabe got up to give her a bottle. I was unable to say goodbye to London, as he was still asleep. I kissed Gabe and Adelaide goodbye and BOY HOWDY were the emotion warriors ready for battle. I was able to get out of the house with just a few tears shed. I quickly focused on something else... Starbucks. I had only a few minutes to decide what I was going to get. The next bought of emotion hit when I got to work and checked my email. My coworker had sent me one in regards to me being back at work and away from the kids.. Great.

I probably thought about the kids a thousand times today. But I made it through. Now the difficult thing is going back tomorrow. Luckily I have quite a bit of work waiting for me, so when I get in I can get right to work and keep busy. Keep my mind off the fact that I'm missing London and Adelaide terribly. Work, have lunch, chat with some coworkers, and think a thousand more thoughts of my children.

Sweet Adelaide Magnolia

2005-07-28T14:39:00.000-07:00

In honor of Adelaide's 4 month birthday today, I decided to take her to the doctor. What a way to celebrate!!

So seriously, she had her 4 month check up today... As if anyone who has looked at her doesn't know, she's a chub-a-chub. The girl doesn't eat as much as she should each day (close to half as much). And yet she weighs 15 1/2 lbs (that's the 90th percentile) and she's just over 26 inches tall (also 90th percentile). So she's a growing machine. She got 2 shots today and was such a trooper. She made me proud.

And now, as I reflect back on these past 4 months and wonder where the time has gone, I look at my beautiful daughter and wonder why me? I still am amazed that God has blessed me with my children. Two beautiful, healthy, sunshine to the darkness children. 4 months ago I labored painfully and brought forth an 8 lb bundle of goop. And now, here she is, 4 months later, one of the most precious things I have experienced. I am a better person because of her.

Happy 4 month birthday sweet girl. Mama loves you.

Siblings

2005-07-26T11:43:00.000-07:00

I am amazed how much London seems to love Adelaide. Really, she is the invasion to his perfectly happy, only child life. He has taken to her better than I imagined. When she's not around he asks for her. When she cries he immediately tries to comfort her (either by rocking her or giving her kisses or telling her it's okay). Today Addie was chilling in her bouncy seat, sucking her pacifier. It fell out and London stopped what he was doing and put it back in her mouth. That was sweet. Now I know there will soon come a time when I will hear "Addie stop crying" and "Stop looking at me" and "Stop touching me". And there may even be assaults and wrestling matches. And the sharing... Once Adelaide is mobile and touching London's toys, well, I just don't think he's going to like that. But maybe by that point he'll be a little better at sharing.

Above all, one of our biggest hopes for our children is that they grow up to be the best of friends. And that they are always there for each other, no strings (or judgements) attached. That is one of the things we will teach them. To always love and respect and watch out for each other. Family is the most important thing.

I think they're off to a good start.

FREEDOM

2005-07-22T16:04:00.000-07:00

This is the vine, ripped from its lifeline. It can no longer hurt anyone.

I fought the vine... And I won. Though the tree did suffer a loss.

The fallen comrades. A moment of silence, please.

In the beginning

2005-07-22T14:35:00.000-07:00

This is a before shot of our front yard. And so the evolution begins.

What once was a picture of beauty

2005-07-21T18:38:00.000-07:00

This is the plant that was planning to take over our front yard, back in its glory days of beautiful flowers. They didn't last too long. I should've known better....

Here it is in all its death grip glory. This is actually a combination of 3 things. A tree, the vine and another grass type plant that was also accosted by the vine.

And so it begins

2005-07-21T16:36:00.000-07:00

Gabe and I have officially started the landscape renovation on our yard this morning. We had done little plant killings here and there, but this morning was some hard core, sweat filled ripping out of plants in the front yard. I wrestled with a particular vine that we didn't realize was alive and thriving and suffocating a poor defenseless tree. At one time, this alleged vine boasted beautiful purple flowers. It brought a very welcomed burst of color to our yard. Little did we know it was just luring us in, waiting to unleash its fury. It was so subtle we didn't even realize what was happening. I couldn't even believe how big and crazy that thing had gotten. The tree it was planted near is a good 8 feet tall... And this little plant, it vined its way all the way to the top of the tree. It even entangled a weed (as tall as me) that was growing nearby. This thing showed no mercy. As I hacked away at it (Gabe helped me free the tree from its grasp) I realized this plant had also grown over some sort of grass plant. As I started to remove the grass plant, I realized it had become a home, a haven, to many gross and disgusting creatures. The only good thing is the ladybugs it harbored (no doubt because of the nasty creatures). I tell you, there were white spiders, tiny spider-looking bugs (maybe aphids?), rolie polie bugs, and the nastiest of all plant dwelling creatures.. The Nasty Catepillar (as we explained to London so he wouldn't think it was a kindly bug). I want to say it was maybe a centipede, but I am not 100% sure. All I know is it was about 3 inches long, had oh so many legs, and was the spawn of Satan. Oh the horror. They were everywhere. I kept my cool (on the outside) so that I wouldn't completely freak London out (he's just learning about bugs and I don't want him to be scared of them). But on the inside I was SCREAMING BLOODY MURDER and my skin was crawling. I knew my life would end if one of those things touched me. I tried to get a picture of one, but it isn't too visible. Being the spawn of Satan, they kept burrowing deeper into the ground when I finally ripped the plant out. *As a side note, London let a ladybug crawl on him for the very first time today. He loved it. The ladybug had only 1 wing and it couldn't fly. I felt bad. But then it excreted some orange liquid on London's hand and I immediately flicked it into the tree. I'm not sure what orange excrement out of a ladybug means....

I have quite a passion for this gardening thing (I'm no Bob Villa of the gardening world), but I am learning and I love getting my hands dirty. So I have been chomping at the bit to get the MASSIVE project going (the 100 degree weather has been quite a hinderance). The previous homeowner had the entire yard landscaped just 3 years ago.. There are a ton of plants, bushes and trees to take out.... They are not to my liking. It is now my yard, and I want to plant my favorite flowers and trees in my yard. I want it to look exactly how I want it to look. Now we know this project will most likely take us until next summer as we don't have a ton of time to devote to it (what with jobs, kids, lives) and we have the front and back to do. But I am okay with that now that we are underway. I am going to post some pictures of us this morning. Some before shots... And then, if you stay with me, you will eventually see the after photos. Alluring isn't it?

The saga continues

2005-07-20T10:07:00.000-07:00

So, Adelaide has cut her second tooth (it actually happened a couple days ago). She turns 4 months old in a week. I think that means in a couple more months she'll start PMSing. This poor little girl (who looks ultra cute with her one big tooth sticking out when she smiles) shouldn't have had to deal with teething this early. Life is hard enough. She's just starting to learn how to chew on things other than her fingers. I don't know what is in our genes that makes our children grow teeth so early. Since London cut his first 2 at 5 months and Adelaide now at 3 months, maybe that means the next one will start at 1 month.. Sheesh. And then if there's a 4th baby, maybe that kid will be born with teeth. That's not even funny.

Other than that, in light of the recent Jude Law scandal, I am very sad. I highly enjoy Jude Law (did you see Cold Mountain?!). What a tangled web we weave Mr. Law. What on earth were you thinking?

Belated

2005-07-11T19:53:00.000-07:00

So I totally meant to post on Friday, July 8th... Gabe and I celebrated 5 years of marriage. I really wanted to post that day to wish him a Happy Anniversary (since he didn't let me buy him a gift) and give him a big SHOUT OUT for putting up with me for 7 years. Through the ups and downs (and believe me, after 2 kids, there are plenty of downs), Gabe has held my hand and loved me through it all. And on top of that, he is an amazing father. It is so evident how much he loves his children. And watching him grow in his love for our kids has deepened my love for him.

So Gabe, even though it's late.. Happy anniversary. I love you.

Just the other day

2005-07-07T14:50:00.000-07:00

Okay, so here's what happens to me when I finally find an affordable fridge, very close by, that I can purchase for our garage....

So I take a trip just down the street to a tag sale I hear has a side-by-side fridge for sale, $100. I figure I'll go, offer $75 and that'd be a great deal. So, as I'm checking out the merchandise with the lady seller who barely has any teeth (she's easily in her 30s) and can't stop moving her hand (withdrawal maybe?) a Folsom police officer pulls up behind my Jeep. He comes up the drive, a man comes out of the house with a bandage on his nose (with just as few teeth as the woman) and the officer begins his questioning. He's asking for ID, do they live there?, have they ever been arrested before?, what was the situation? Now, as I'm perusing the fridge I start to ask myself "What is the proper ettiquete in this situation?". Do I stay and try and buy the fridge that I really, really want? Do I leave and come back later and hope that the tag sale is still going on? I really didn't want to miss this opportunity to buy the fridge. So I awkwardly stood looking at the fridge and talking with the woman (the cop was more interested in the guy with the bandage). Turns out a neighbor of there's called the cops on them for some sort of assault.. (I saw the said neighbor standing just behind his garage, watching what was going on as I drove by after I made my purchase). I also heard that the said neighbor was tormenting him earlier in the day. As the bandaged guy would put up his tag sales signs, old said neighbor would follow behind him pulling them out. Not sure what's up with that.. But sounds like one of those annoying neighbors who has nothing better to do with his time but fill it with what everyone else is doing. Granted, I'm sure the couple who sold me the fridge was no picnic in the neighbor department (word on the street is they are heavy drug users) but still.. Following behind him tearing down his tag sale signs, when it's not even in front of your house?

So that's my story, for what it's worth. It was quite an experience. Please don't get me wrong, I happen to live in a very nice, secluded neighborhood. Not one known for drug problems. These people happened to be renting that house.. And lucky for me they were. Cause now I have my lovely fridge and freezer out in the garage. And I am happy about that.

Woah Nelly

2005-07-05T15:58:00.000-07:00

I really never thought it would happen. My poor little 3 month old daughter has gotten her first tooth. THREE MONTHS OLD and she already has to deal with the torture that is teething. London got his first 2 teeth at 5 1/2 months, so I was hoping Addy would hold out for a little while longer. I love gummy baby smiles. And soon, those will be a distant memory. My little girl, with a tooth. She is not old enough! Not to mention the constant stream of drool, the chewing on her hand (she's not even old enough to want to chew on a toy or teether), and the screams.. Oh the screams......

And so starts the 2 year teething journey.

Only the lonely

2005-07-02T16:24:00.000-07:00

I must say, most of you (the possible 3 that actually read this site) are about to think I am the sorriest loser out there.. Today is a happy, happy day for me. I recently purchased a side-by-side refrigerator/freezer this past weekend (during the arrest of the sellers, that story will follow in another post).. And today (here comes the happy part) it was moved into it's permanent home in the garage and plugged in. Happy happy joy joy!! I have pined for years to have a garage to put a fridge in. 6 months ago I got that garage.. And now, my dream is fulfilled. Even though it won't really be cold enough to be filled for 24 hours (at which time the ultimate joy will be reached as I will be assured of it working properly), I couldn't help myself and I put a ton of drinks into the fridge. And I loved every minute of it. Sad, huh? Joy in my life is cultivated in the form of a fridge and freezer in my garage. I don't care. I am in the throws of the benefits of being a homeowner.

A HUGE thanks to my wonderful husband who worked for hours in the hot, stifling, 100 degree Sacramento weather garage (in the afternoon!) to move stuff around to put the fridge where I wanted it. And to boot, he went way above and beyond and did an amazing job clearing out the garage too.. It's so uncluttered, and coupled with the grandeur that was plugging in my fridge, I fell in love with having a garage all over again today. It's a lovely thing.

Okay.. Now, get ready for the story of buying the fridge and the arrest that occurred during my purchase.....

Sweet justice

2005-06-22T16:49:00.000-07:00

http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_1436854.html?menu=

If only it were medically possible to make that the punishment for a man anytime he utters the words "It must be THAT time of the month" or "Is dinner ready yet?" or "You look fine" or "Oh, sweetie, it's not THAT bad" or "I was going to do the dishes but then I started playing ProSkater" or the time he forgets your name when introducing you to an ex.....

If only it were possible....

Owen Michael

2005-06-19T21:37:00.000-07:00

I met my newest nephew on Wednesday. He looks just like his sister, Olivia. He has black hair (and for this family of hair-challenged newborns), quite a bit. He has long toes and fingers. I didn't get to see much of him (there were 5 other kids there sucking every last ounce of my energy). But I did get to take one close-up look and he is just darling. There is something about little tiny newborn babies. Though my daughter is just closing in on 12 weeks, Owen totally makes me want another one. It's funny, Adelaide is only just 12 weeks old and yet next to Owen she looked like a big chubba-chubs. She looked so huge compared to him and yet she was that size just a short time ago. Man.. How time does fly and how fast little ones grow.

Anyway.. Another congrats to my brother and sister-in-law (who seriously deserves some sort of recognition for going through it 4 times). Owen is beautiful (and the name rocks big time!).

Pictures ARE worth a thousand words..

2005-06-14T16:01:00.000-07:00

To all who have asked several times to get pictures of the kids... We are finally answering. Check them out (often) at homepage.mac.com/searlesbunch. You can see both London and Adelaide and get your fill.

:)

Welcome to the family

2005-06-13T08:22:00.000-07:00

My sister-in-law delivered a boy at 12:50 am this morning. Owen Michael, 8 lbs 7 oz, 20 1/4 inches. I guess he technically delivered himself. She pushed when she wasn't supposed to, and in 2 pushes, he was out, on the bed, water in tact (Owen eventually broke it with his arm). The nurses scurried to do something, while my brother freaked out and yelled "Somebody help him!". The doctor showed up 10 minutes later (there's gotta be some sort of discount for that). Mom and baby are doing just fine. I cannot wait to meet him on Wednesday!

Owen makes grandchild # 8, great grandchild # 23.

Congratulations Sean & Heather (and the 3 that came before him - Isaac, Lily and Olivia).

And Owen, Welcome to this crazy family.

-Auntie Jaime

Babies babies everywhere...

2005-06-12T18:54:00.000-07:00

My sister-in-law is in the hospital right now getting ready to have her baby. How exciting! She should have it by tomorrow night (for her sake I hope sooner!). We don't know what "it" is.. So I cannot wait to hear if we have a new niece or nephew.. A little Audrey or Owen. This is my brother and sister-in-law's 4th child. God bless 'em. The kids and I are traveling down on Wednesday to meet the little one (and to visit the rest).

I'll update as soon as things happen.

:)

Happy Birthday Isaac

2005-06-03T16:29:00.000-07:00

Today is my oldest nephew's 8th birthday (he's also the oldest of the grandchildren). I still remember when my sister-in-law told me she was pregnant... Doesn't seem like that much time has passed.. Isaac holds a very special place in my heart. I was at the hospital when he was born, I was his part-time nanny for the first 2 years of his life.. And I spent a lot of time over at my brother and sister-in-law's back then, so I was always around him. When he started to refer to me as something it was "on" (we're from CT so we say Aunt properly, not like the little black insect that scurries about), then he matured his vocabulary and he called me "onnie" for the longest time. He seemed to save all his "firsts" for when I'd be with him. I was the first one to see him roll over, sit up, crawl and walk. I doubt he did that on purpose, but I'll keep believing he did.. :) I cried at his Kindergarten graduation. He is now 8 years old! And he has become such a smart, caring and sweet young man (he is very sensitive to other people's feelings). Two years ago we had to move 2 1/2 hours away from my brother and his family (for 6 years I lived right around the corner from them). I have tried hard to catch soccer games, birthday parties and just plain old Auntie time. I definitely have missed these past 2 years of watching him (and my 2 nieces) grow. Though I know my nephew most likely has no recollection of all the time we spent together, I do.. And I will hold those memories so close and smile (and probably shed some tears) as I watch him grow and recall the day he was born.

Good times with Fondue

2005-06-03T14:52:00.000-07:00

How good is fondue? If you don't know, I implore and beseech you to give it a try this weekend. It makes for a really fun dinner party with friends. Gabe and I had a very yummy chocolate & rum fondue this past weekend with our friends Scott & Kate. We hadn't had fondue in way too long (I think the 2 years we've been living here we've never had it). We used to fondue with our friends all the time in San Jose. And I'm talking appetizer cheese fondue, grilling our meats on the table (with our indoor electric grill) and dessert fondue. There is nothing better than fresh raspberries dipped in melted chocolate (or the marshmallows, cheesecake, strawberries or pineapple we had this weekend). Having that fondue inspired us to break out our pot and plan a fondue party with some of our new friends up here in Folsom. We've been away a long time, but my dear friend fondue, WE ARE BACK.

Enjoy some fondue this weekend. You won't regret it.
(For all things fondue, check out www.gourmetsleuth.com/fondue)

Have a great, fondue filled weekend.

In rememberance

2005-05-30T09:11:00.000-07:00

Today is Memorial Day (and my dad's birthday.. Happy Birthday Dad). Please take some time today to reflect on why we all have the day off, filling ourselves with way too much food and alcohol.

A lot of brave people have fought and died for this country. My Dad happens to have served as a Marine back in the 60s. He was fortunate to not get shipped off to Vietnam, but has a lot of friends from the service that weren't so fortunate, and most never returned home. I feel people who serve in the military are very special people and deserve way more recognition than they get. We have 2 dear friends who are currently serving in the Air Force (you know who you are), and we thank you for your bravery, service and selflessness. So today, we think of you and your fellow soldiers. We hold you in the highest regard. And Gabe and I pray for you often.

Everyone, be safe today.. Have fun but don't be stupid. It is a day to enjoy family, friends and good food. I know we will certainly be doing that very thing.

Baby-tastic

2005-05-28T22:42:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to our dear friends on the birth of their son, Miles! I just received word tonight that Miles was born Thursday!!! We are so excited for you guys. We hope to get to meet him soon!!! I can't wait to hear all the gory, amazing details of his arrival.

Other than that, we traveled to Turlock today for a family function (my husband's family). It was a rocky start (traveling somewhere new without good directions doesn't make for a good time for us) and we threatened each other to not go... But we ended up making it there (2 hours late) and we had a very nice time. It was the first time for most of them to meet our daughter. I think she was a bit overwhelmed from being passed around from person to person for 2 hours straight. At one point I swear she looked at me with utter desperation and said "Please mom, SAVE ME!!!". So of course I did. And within minutes of her being back in my arms she was asleep.

I got my hair cut today. That makes twice this year already.. That is a record for me (I only got my hair cut once last year). It was with a new stylist. I didn't so much like her. But I like how she cut my hair and I had her color it too (with a demi-permanent color, just a tad lighter than my normal color). And even if I hated it, I enjoyed an entire 2 1/2 hours of me time. No whining, no diapers, no "Mama. Mama. Mama. Mama. Mama" incessant utterances. I will not be going back to this stylist. She was a bit peer pressurey and had an unfriendly sense of humor. But, the time spent was well worth the insance price I paid!

If anyone even reads this and you need something to waste some time, check out For Steven. It's my husband's band and they are quite good. Just two acoustic guitars, a cello and some heartfelt lyrics. www.takeodesigns.com/fs. Let me know what you think. If you are in the Sacramento area, they have some shows coming up in June. You should really check them out. They rock the coffee house scene.

Various rants

2005-05-27T22:25:00.000-07:00

Okay, so here it is. No rhyme, no reason.. Just jumpin on the blog bandwagon (ALL ABOARD). Seems to be the new craze so I figure, why not? I am very much inspired by my most favorite blogger out there, Dooce. Those of you who know who that is I'm sure enjoy her as much as I do. She rocks the blog.

So that's it. We'll see where this leads. I'm not sure if I'm at a point in my life that I want a serious relationship. I'll have to test the waters and see. Maybe the waters won't be so nice.

What did my day consist of? Thanks for asking. Basically, being a mother of 2 children (my son is 2 years old and my daughter is 2 months old today) I am very well acquainted with dirty diapers. We're old friends. I spend most days doing just that.. Changing diapers. I also feed them when hungry, console them when crying, entertain them when bored and make sure they don't hurt themselves (this takes a very watchful eye with my 2 year old).

My rant for today is this.. Some magazine (Details or something of that caliber) recently named Tom Cruise as the ALL TIME best actor. Now folks, don't get me wrong, Tom Cruise is a great actor (one of the best of all time). But I must disagree. The BEST actor that ever was? I think not. Now had they crowned Johnny Depp with that title, I wouldn't have even batted an eyelash at the thought. That guy is amazing.. (Have you seen Secret Window?). The depth of his portrayals of such unique and varying characters is mind blowing (and he is very, very easy on the eyes). I have been thinking for days who I think is the BEST ACTOR OF ALL TIME and I haven't come up with an answer. But I am certainly uneasy about Tom Cruise having that title. I will have to ponder that some more.