Two BIG Events....

Jaydon is now TWO!!  We can't believe how quickly these two years have gone.  He is definitely a one-of-a-kind.  He is running around and talking.  He tries to do everything Dylan does.  He speaks with one volume level and it is loud.  He loves motorcycles.  Actually he likes to play with anything that has wheels.  Rarely is he without a toy in each hand.  Like his big brother he has a special blanket he can't do without.  His favorite word is "NO".  He doesn't like it when people get in his space.  He likes life to happen on his terms.  He can throw a serious tantrum.  He has the bluest eyes and the cutest chubby cheeks.  Most importantly God gave Jaydon to us, and we feel so blessed to be his parents.  We have so enjoyed watching him grow these first two years and look forward to watching many, many more.  You are SO loved, Jaydon.  

Now to Dylan.  Today is his first day of First Grade.  Craziness!!!  We can't believe we have a 2 year old and a 1st grader.  Last 

night he was so excited.   He could hardly sit still and Garth and I chuckled when we overheard him say - "I love school."  We'll see how he feels as the years click by.  He got ready this morning and the nerves were showing.  I can't blame him.  I was a bit n

ervous myself.  A brand new school, kids, teachers.  Everything different from what we know.  We loaded Jaydon in the stroller and he got on his scooter and off to school we went.  There were people everywhere.  We found his class and met his teachers.  He 

introduced himself and sat at his seat and began coloring.  He was really pretty cool.  I stayed for a bit and forced myself to leave him in strangers hands for the day.  Jaydon wasn't too excited to leave him.  As we left I felt better though because I heard him telling one of his teachers he 

was a MX racer.  It didn't take him long to get in his element and start the stories.   We walked back home and all I knew to do was pray for him.  If I can't be with him, I need to know that Jesus is.  This parenting thing just doesn't seem to get any easier.

Its just Jaydon and I at home now and boy is it quite.  I'm glad for the break from Dylan, but today 3:20 can't come fast enough.   We'll keep you posted on the school happenings.

UPDATE!!

The boys are glued to the television right now. The X-games MX is on so there are lots of ooohhhs and aaaahhhs coming from the couch. They are all so cute. Jaydon is holding tight to a toy motorcycle and enjoying the action as well.

I just wanted to catch everyone up on the week -

Wednesday, Garth participated in a Change of Command ceremony. It was really neat (and different) to experience. There was very much a Marine influence. It was rewarding however to watch my husband stand with pride in front of his company. So far he is enjoying the different elements of this duty station. As Garth would say, "OORAH!"

Dylan likes to inform me that his Dad is the BOSS of all those people.

The evenings cool off and it makes it really nice to be outside here. We usually play in the backyard or go for a walk. The boys have discovered a skateboard park near the house, so on some evenings Garth and Dylan will go "rip it up" and Jaydon and I will play at the park nearby. Dylan has so much fun skateboarding with his dad. He is getting alot better and much more confident. He has started "dropping in" and is very proud of himself. He wanted to make sure I saw his new skills before we left the park. Garth has a good time too. He likes to relive the good ol' days, but seems to take it a bit easier now. He understands the body doesn't heal as easily as is used too. He still enjoys riding with his boy.

Today we took Dylan to Starwest MX track in Perris. He got to ride on a 50's track and built up some lost confidence. He still isn't riding to his potential, but he had FUN today. We all did. It was great to see him enjoying riding his bike and increasing confidence. There was lots of clapping and thumbs up going on. Jaydon was a great cheerleader, yelling "GO, Dee,Dee!!!" and clapping as Dylan would ride by. He loves his big brother more and more all the time.

We came home and later for dinner Garth grilled some steaks. They were delicious as usual. Dylan even had steak for dinner. That is a rarity. Jaydon got in on the grilling action today. He is becoming Daddy's little helper. Watching him, I have flashbacks to Dylan always following Garth around and wanting to do what his dad was doing. Following the yummy dinner, we had homemade peanut butter ice cream. Very tasty.

Enjoy the pics. We wish you were here to share these times with us. Till next time......

P.S. My brother made it to Alaska with the Alive Campaign team. We are so proud of their accomplishment and can't wait to see him sometime so he can relive some of his journey. They have touched many lives and taught us all to live beyond ourselves. Dylan said it best the morning they arrived at their destination - "I love my Buddo." We all love you Buddo. Good Job!!

Karate Kid

On Tuesday we signed Dylan up for karate at Sunridge Karate. Sunridge Karate is a Christian based martial arts program. In order to progress through the belts you must not only learn the martial arts, but also memorize Bible verses.

He received his white belt tonight. In order to receive it, he had to do an act of courtesy. So today at the pool, he helped a family collect their toys so they could leave and when asked to do the same for us, he said "yes, mam" and gathered cheerfully. So he is now officially a white belt. He has also memorized his first verse -

Matthew 7:12 "So in everything, do to others as you would have them do to you."

P.S. We eat lots of popsicles around here...

New MX Gear

For many this event is not worth blogging; however, I still have to share. I know the Granddad will enjoy seeing his grandson in new MX duds.

Today we went to a MX store called Chaparrel Racing because Dylan was in need of some new gear. It was the coolest place of its type we have ever been to. It literally had everything a BIKE rider could possibly need or want. In the past I have ordered basically everything online for Dylan and Garth, but today it was great to actually have them try things on to know exactly what style and size worked the best for them. Dylan walked away with a brand new get up.

First though I want to share a picture of my little MXer about 1 1/2 years ago:

This is Dylan today -

WOW!!! He is changing and getting so much bigger.

After our purchases, we had dinner at Jason's Deli (an Aldrich staple) and then found another MX track to try out soon.

It was a fun day with the boys!

P.S. Jaydon got in on the action too -

What cute boys we have!!

California Kid

I just had to share these pictures of Dylan. The boys got haircuts today. He has been asking for a blue mohawk, so instead we settled on "spikey" hair with some red wash-out gel in it. He thinks it is cool. We may as well have fun while its summertime. Besides........ we're in Cali!!!

Contentment

The "newness" of California is wearing off and I am really kind of ready to take residence back up in Texas - Huey Drive would be fine. I know I have friends there. Those to chat, laugh, and cry with. Those that love my husband and kids. Kiddos for Dylan and Jaydon to play with. I know exactly where Garth works and what he does. I can follow along in a conversation about his work because I know the people he works with and what they do also. I know my family can reach me or me get to them in 6 hours. I was COMFORTABLE.


Don't get me wrong, California is great. The terrain is beautiful. The weather is great. There are more than enough things to do... pools, playgrounds, etc. But, I'm not comfortable yet.

However with this rambling I do know that I am not to live in the past. We have be placed here at this appointed time by God for His reasons. I have to be content in that. I recently heard a sermon out of Matthew about Jesus healing the leper after coming down from the Mount. Basically the leper asks Jesus to heal him if it is His will. The leper fully believed Jesus could heal him, but was content (there's that word again) if He didn't because He knew Jesus' will for him was the most fulfilling way. I've read and heard this many times, but this time it hit me in a different way. I need to apply the leper's words to my life. "Lord, you have placed me here. For what reason I do not know. I know you could take me "home", but I want your will to prevail. Help me to be content where you have placed me and keep me looking forward to the things to come." I have been dwelling on these thoughts for this area of my life and my physical life. I hope that I can become so saturated with Jesus that I am content no matter where I am, who I know, or how I feel. I am such a work in progress.

Thanks for letting me share. I will share more pics and happenings from Cali soon. Tonight is "Aldrich Hang-out night". We are starting to take 2 nights a month where we get some one-on-one time with the boys. Tonight, Garth gets Dylan and I get Jaydon. Next time, we switch. I thought it would be a good idea to give them each some alone time where we can focus on them individually. I'll let you know how it went.

Till next time or next lesson learned......

Blasts from the Past

I've got dinner started and Jaydon is still napping, so I thought I would take a moment on the computer.

Garth had a weekend of reunions.

Reunion #1

Once about 12 years ago there were two guys, Garth and Leon. They lived in Hawaii - Garth in the Coast Guard and Leon in the Marines. They met at church and were great friends while both stationed there. It is funny how things work, but now both families are stationed here at Camp Pendleton. The guys are no longer single. Leon is married with 4 children and of course, you know our family make-up. We spent the 4th here at the house with Leon and 3 of his kids. It was great to have a familiar face around.

Garth did the tradition grilling for the 4th. It was very tasty. I even made that dessert that looks like an American flag. It was fun to make and delicious. I would recommend it. So easy to make. We drove around to find some fireworks. People come out from everywhere around here for some fun. There were people all over. The fireworks were cool and Dylan even enjoyed them.

Reunion #2

This one goes way back to the high school days. Garth had friends of course that he was close to back in the "day". Well after about 15 years or so, we met Jared, his wife, and 14 month old son. What great people!! It was fun to watch Jared and Garth talk about old times, friends, and where life has led them now.

They live in San Diego, and treated us to a couple of hours at the beach. The boys had fun. Dylan loved the water. Suprisingly, Jaydon not so much. He much preferred playing the sand and making little places for puddles to form. After the beach, Jared led us on a quick driving tour of the city and then we headed for a great Mexican lunch. Back to the house and Jared became Dylan's new best friend. Those two skatedboared all over the place. Some pizza to end the day and back to Temecula we came.

Thanks to Jared and his family for hosting us for the day. We had a great time.

That is the weekend in a nutshell. Garth is back to work and I'm doing what I do best -- hang out with my boys. Tonight we are heading to the local duck pond. I can't wait to go feed the ducks "B". I just wish I had Old Blue to travel to the pond in.

Till next time...