Donald Who???

A very quick Dylan story to share.  A new student arrived in his class yesterday morning.  I had to pick Dylan up early for a dental appointment and on the way to the car, I was inquiring about the new little boy.  He told me he thought he was from Canada (who knows) and that he was really nice.  When I asked his name, Dylan said, "Donald..... you know, like Donald Goose."  True story.

Goodnight Tahoe.......

We have had a busy couple of weeks.  My parents came out the weekend before Thanksgiving and Garth's mom left yesterday after spending Thanksgiving with us.  I hope to sit down and write about our visits shortly, but at this time I just wanted to note a loss to the Aldrich Family.

Tahoe was put to sleep yesterday.  After some tests and x-rays, it was determined that he was very sick and best if he was put to sleep.  

From the mouths of Babes.... OR 7 year olds!

I just wanted to post a couple of things today.

First I have a couple of Dylan stories.  The other day at school, his teacher approached me and said she had a story to tell me.  I braced myself and listened.  She said Dylan asked another 1st grade teacher if she knew that Obama was the new President.  She said, "Yes!  Are you just so excited that he is our new President?"  Without hesitation, Dylan responded with, "NO!!  I am a Republican!"  I have to tell you that is a pretty proud moment in a parent's life!  :)  He may not always be conservative, but at least he claims it now and is telling the masses.

Story #2:  Last night, Dylan was telling me about the songs he sang in worship at sunday school.  I told him that I recognized them and we sang those songs in church too.  He went on to share that he doesn't sit down during worship, but stands up and sings to Jesus as loud as he can.  I found that to be so sweet.  After baths, he and Garth broke out the guitar and had a worship session.  I actually caught a bit on tape.  It is so sweet to hear worship from your child's mouth.  I hope the video works and you can hear him sing too, it will do your heart good.

I just posted a picture of Jaydon with some ice cream.  Little kids and ice cream cones are so darn cute. 

Till next time - Blessings!

The Last Republican

Rated "R" for Republican - Read at your own risk!

This time change has thrown us for a loop.  Jaydon especially.  He goes to bed at his regular bedtime, but wakes up at 6 a.m. instead of 7 a.m.  I say that to explain why I can be blogging this morning.  We're all up an hour too early.

I don't have much time because I do have to actually get dressed this morning to go to MOPS, but I wanted to share something.

Today is election day.  (I just thought I would share in case someone has been out of the loop the last couple of years.)  And I'm anxious about it.  The Bible says be anxious about nothing, so I keep telling myself, "God is in control.  God is in control."  Even if he turns his back to this nation, he will not turn his back on me.   Thank you God.

Garth and I were talking about the election last night as we were going to bed.  He is at peace (by no means likes it) with everything because he resolved early on that Obama will probably win and has been mentally preparing for that fate.  I, on the other hand, am more of an optimist and refuse to resign to that outcome until all votes are counted.  At least until today - I still have hope - hope in the place I live, the nation I call great, the nation I love and, most of all, hope in the citizens of American.  My hope is diminishing though.  I am in disbelief at the number of Americans that can cast a vote for Obama and what he stands for.  McCain is by no means perfect and I don't agree with everything he says or says he will do, but Obama is in a whole other league.  His views and ideas are so skewed from anything this country has ever stood for.

I finally said, "Where are the normal people?  Are there no more conservative, God fearing, Republicans (people) in the world today?  That is why we have no friends.  How can so many people vote for Obama and what he brings to the table?  How come so many people in CA can vote No on 8 which allows the state to recognize same-sex marriages?"  Thats when it hit me!!!  Sadly, we are THE LAST REPUBLICANS.   We had a good laugh coming up with ideas for our feature film with that title.  So be on the look out for the next major film accomplishment called THE LAST REPUBLICAN!!  (Not to be confused with THE LAST MOHICAN.)  I'm sure a few will be able to identify.

Have a blessed election day!

McCain for President!  (Just not ready to let go yet.)  ;)

Grandparent visit, Birthday, Pumpkin Carving!!

Lots to catch up on.

My parents came for a visit last weekend.  It was great to see them (and Puppy) and spend time with them.  There was really no down time while they were here.  They came in Thursday and we spent the day at Legoland on Friday, Saturday was Dylan's b-day party, and Sunday we went to church and then to Julian, and Monday it was back to the airport.  

We had a great time at Legoland.  It is the perfect place to go for those with kiddos in elementary school or younger.  The park was filled with young families 

and grandparents.  It was great.  Dylan had a fun time.  He rode his first roller coaster!! I hope to go back when Jaydon is a bit older.

Dylan celebrated his birthday with a Motocross party.  He had a few boys from his class come over to help celebrate.  His favorite gifts that day were his TX longhorn jersey, R/C motocross bike, and his tons of dollars from Blake and Nissy.  His creative uncle and aunt taped $20 together and Dylan thinks he is rolling in the dough.  :)  Grammy made the coolest cake with some direction, of course, from Dylan.  It was so fun for me to have the little boys over and watch them interact together.  We played games and had pizza and cake.  We missed having so many of our loved ones here to help us celebrate, but thank you all for your gifts and sweet birthday wishes.

After church Sunday, we went to Julian, CA.  It is known for its apples.  For the next couple of months it has an apple festival on the weekends.  It is a cute, quaint town.  It was really busy, but still so fun to experience.  We had apple pie and bought a couple of carmel apples.  It was so fun watching Jaydon eat the carmel apple.

The time came quickly to say goodbye to my parents, as it always does.  We hope to see them again soon.

Yesterday, we took Dylan out to Lake Elsinore to ride his bike.  He started on his Honda, but thankfully, it got a flat and he had to get on his KTM to continue riding.  He went from a bit timid on the bike, to having more confidence and wanting to ride the KTM.  We just need to make a point to get him more seat time.  He is too good and enjoys it to much, not too.  

We (really Garth) carved our pumpkins last night.  He is so creative.  One is just a traditional jack-o-lantern, but the other Dylan wanted to be a FOX pumpkin.  So, daddy came though and we now have a FOX pumpkin.  Too cool!!  I even roasted the pumpkin seeds.  Yummy!

I think that gets you caught up on our lives.  There are so many little details like - I got a haircut for the first time in 5 months, we had sushi last night, and someone had the nerve to take my McCain/Palin sign (don't get me started on that one!).

Well, thats it for now.  We are still missing our family and dear friends, but know we are adjusting and doing well.  Blessings to you all.

Pumpkin Patch

Dishwasher Uses

There have been many times I have wanted to sit down and blog about something, but I just couldn't get myself to sit down and do it!!!  So because of that I will give you a snapshot of what you have missed because of my laziness.

1.  I am now a coffee drinker.  I know - I can't believe it either.  I like those iced coffees. Especially the iced vanilla coffee from McDonald's of all places.  I have started making a version of them at the house to save Garth's hard earned $.  I also enjoy mochas.  We even bought an espresso maker, so we could make them ourselves.  If it ever gets below 90 degrees around here, I think I will enjoy using it.

2.  I enjoy a good walk or jog.  I used to hate working out.  Something about our coach dropping us off 2 miles from the school and then driving behind us telling us to pick it up - that just steals the joy.  Now I get joy in a good 2-3 mile walk or jog.  Maybe it has something to do with my health.  I don't know how long I have to be active, so I may as well enjoy it now.  I also think I am a better wife and mom because I take a few minutes out of the day to do something for myself.

3.  I can't believe the nature of our dinner conversations now.  I never thought I would be at a point in my life where I was truly concerned with a presidential election and the state of the economy.  I obviously have always wanted the best for the country and the economy, but I never imagined that I would be discussing the topics of the day.  On that note - we have a McCain/Palin sign in our yard.  I'm really not that type of in your face, let everyone know what I think person, but I just feel this election is too important.  Unless things change, it appears Obama is the winner, but I am at peace (I never said I liked it or wouldn't do my share of complaining) because of the following:

Psalm 2:10-12

Now then, you kings, act wisely!

Be warned, you rulers of the earth!

Serve the Lord with reverent fear,

and rejoice with trembling.

Submit to God's royal son, or he will become angry, 

and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities-

for his anger flares up in an instant.

But what joy for all who take refuge in him!

The words to cling to are - But what joy for all who take refuge in him!  No matter what happens in this old world, we are called to cling to him - Jesus Christ!

Enough of the catch up blogging.  There were many other topics and thoughts, but I will save those for another day.

My real reason for this post is how the uses of your dishwasher change when you have a toddler.  Today my dishwasher has been a dishwasher, a zoo for a giraffe, a landing strip for an airplane and a race track for a car.  Oh the joys!!!  These pics show the dishwasher play and Jaydon using a tape recorder as a camera to take a pic of me.  Cheese, Mom!!