New Toys

I had to post some pictures and be sure to mention that Andrew and Wesley have saved enough money and have purchased their newest toy: a PS2 gaming system. Both of the boys have been saving Christmas money, birthday money, and anything else they could scrap together. Gary found the PS2 on sale this week for $30.00 off the regular price, so they all took a trip to purchase this. It is the biggest item the boys have ever purchased, including a memory card, extra hand controller and seven games. Anyway, when a new toy is purchased, it seems like every other toy in the house is "boring." They have been very busy playing! Gary and I have let them have fun with it this first week, but I am sure we will be setting some time limits in the near future.
P.S. We did also get a new large screen TV---that was Gary's new toy :)

Free Day

When I awoke this morning and pondered the different events of my day, I was struck by the fact that tomorrow (Friday, February 29, 2008) was an extra day. (This probably was spurred by reading Aunt Juliet's blog.) Anyway, I was kind of motivated to think of this "extra day" as a "free day." Sometimes, when I am teaching, I start class by just babbling about something non-mathematical. Bad idea, today. I started talking about how "God has given us an extra day this year. I think we should have a free day!" Of course, to all of my students that just meant no class! Though I did consider the idea of canceling all my classes for Friday (now known as Free Day), I was unable to do so. I wanted to throw the idea out to you, though: What would it mean to you to have a free day? I think the general consensus at Ventura College was----no school, no work....or teacher brings the donuts :)

Would you let these flowers die?

Yesterday was Sunday, and I was unable to attend church due to the fact that I have been sick and in bed for three days. (That is a whole other story for another day.) After church, all three of the kids walked in, each holding one of these plants. At first I thought, "How nice to bring their sick mom a flower home." Then I heard the only thing I remember them saying, "We just have to watch them die." Now, that was a very odd statement. I got the whole story from Gary later, and the lesson was very sobering. Our pastor handed out these plants to everyone in the church and asked them to take them home and not water it and not give it any sunlight. Basically, just watch it die. He knew that this will bother many of the people. It only takes a little time to give it a little water, and that would help so much. How can I just slowly watch this pretty flower wither up and die? Pastor preached a message to go with the illustration, but the main point is this: how many of us do the same thing with people? We don't share the water of God's word. We don't tell them about the light of the world. We basically just let them wither and die to an eternity in hell. Pastor said, "If that plant really bothers you over the course of this next week, then may it motivate you to go share some good news with your neighbor or co-worker. Be more concerned over those souls than a small plant."
I did not get to church, but I did get the message----nice and clear!

Andrew's Birthday Party

Andrew and some of his friends enjoying cake and opening presents.


Of course, everyone's favorite thing to do is to play endless games!



The birthday boy!



After a morning of basketball games, we had a birthday party for Andrew's 7th birthday coming up on Monday. He invited several friends from school, and we all met at Chuck E. Cheeses. I like having parties there because it is nice to just let the kids play and not have to try and "control" everything. And I don't have to make the pizza :) Andrew was happy because he wanted Bionicles, and he did get three of them. Happy (early) birthday, Buddy!

A 4-year old lazy chair

Now, the chair is not really 4-years old, but the person sitting in the chair is 4. Last time we went to Toys R Us, shortly after Christmas, Brooke was intent on buying this pink chair. I had to post some pictures of her in it, because she just looks so "comfy" (as she would put it). Thanks, Aunt Kari, for the gift cards!

Thanksgiving in January

I wanted to post some of the pictures that Gary has recently taken in our backyard. We have a "bluebird" that frequents our trees, and Gary gets much practice in photographing him. I was amazed this past week as I was reminded of the fact that we have been here in Ventura for three years now. It has flown by so fast! I am also very thankful for several things, and I wanted to share them.

First, I am thankful for the city in which I live. I think there is a place on earth specifically for each individual, and I am thankful that I have found my "home sweet home."
We love living in Ventura! As I drive the boys to school each morning, I am still overwhelmed by the beauty of the mountains and the majestic glory of the Pacific Ocean. I am so thankful to drop my boys off at a school where they are free to learn about God and enjoy their friends and environment. Then I pull into campus, and I thank God for my opportunity to do what I love, and to serve Him in doing it. So, each morning, even three years later, I am still so very overwhelmed.


This past week, I was also reminded how thankful I am for my health and for my husband. Brooke has been very sick, and I hate seeing her in pain. Gary has been so patient to be up with her every night, and to "wait" on her each day. My blood sugar got low at school one day, and
the paramedics were called. Again, I am so thankful for the Lord's constant watch over me. Everything was fine (after a few minutes and a few injections of glucose), but I was again reminded how fragile life can be. Gary, again, was so patient in coming to pick me up, and not make me feel bad about the whole incident. Thank God for patient husbands.
It has been a long yet busy week, but in the end, I can only say, "Thank you, Lord!"

Our Little Princess

Brooke had her annual pictures taken this past week, and I wanted to share some of her best portraits. We had them done at JcPenny's. This was the first year (ever) that she did her pictures without shedding a tear. Yeah for being a big girl :)

Upwards Basketball Season Begins!

Andrew's team is made up of first and second graders. Unfortunately, none of his friends from church are on his team, but it will be a good opportunity for him to meet some new kids. He is coached by our family pastor's wife and son, for which I was very glad (they are a special family). Andrew is so much fun to watch on the court. He is not very aggressive. However, he did make one rebound that he immediately returned for one basket. Way to go Andrew!!!




Wesley's team has just 6 members, so he is able to play most all of the game. He was great on defense and in making baskets. Dad is his assistant coach, so I get to be the photographer and watch the kids. They had a super game, and every single player demonstrated great sportsmanship and great effort!

Nothing like getting kicked in the mouth!

This is how Andrew looked when he got home from school today. I learned that, after I dropped him off in the morning, he was playing outside on the tire swing, and .........well, I am vague on the details, but Andrew ended up losing a tooth and having one very loose tooth. Thankfully, the lost tooth was one that was already loose. He is quite the chicken, though, and does not want anyone touching his loose tooth. As I write this, he is eating breakfast, and I must say is quite the master at being a "side chewer."

Time with Gramma and Poppa

Thank you mom and dad for flying out to see us over Christmas break. It seems like we all play a bit harder when they are with us. Mom and Dad have to go home and take a rest from their vacation :) The pictures above show activities including the following: Poppa and Brooke having tea, Gramma riding Wesley's bike, Poppa playing with the legos, Gramma with the boys on the tire swing, and a good game of pickle with Poppa and dad.