Happy New Year

The Aldrich Family wishes you a very Happy and Blessed New Year.

Thanksgiving Grandparent Visit #2

We were doubly blessed with with grandparents for Thanksgiving.  Garth's mom, Susan, got here Wednesday and stayed through early Saturday morning.  We enjoyed Wednesday evening with a fun meal at a local diner and topped it off with Starbucks.  Good stuff.  Thursday was Thanksgiving of course.  Dylan and Grandma Sue enjoyed the morning taking a walk around the neighborhood (in the rain) and visiting the local Walmart for a few extra special goodies.  This was my first time to do Thanksgiving at our house.  I didn't do a turkey.  I don't know how and with just us, I didn't want to have to deal with all the left overs.  I did pull off a pretty good meal though.  I have a long way to go to live up to my Grandmother Side's feast.  It was still tasty and enjoyable.  We spent the rest of the day doing what you do on Thanksgiving.  Sports, Sports, Sports.  Friday Garth, the boys and Grandma Sue went to the beach to see the ocean.  I was told they had a fun time.  I, on the other hand, went shopping.  I got plenty accomplished and so enjoyed my kid-free shopping day.  Thank you Garth and Susan.  What a treat for me.  Saturday came and Grandma Sue was gone.  It was great having her here in our home and watching her have a special time with the boys.  Come again soon, Susan!!!

Thanksgiving Grandparent Visit #1

The weekend before Thanksgiving, we were blessed to have my parents come for a  visit.  It was a quick visit, but no matter how long the stay, it always seems to go too fast.  

To kick the stay off, we prepared a Thanksgiving dinner.  When I say we, I really mean Grammy.  She would get something started and then out to play soccer with Dylan or watch him play football with Granddad.   We enjoyed a yummy meal complete with dressing and pumpkin roll.   Friday, they received a quick glimpse of Garth's workplace - Camp Pendleton.  On to Saturday which was a day of watching the boys ride.  We went out to Lake Elsinore MX park and watched Garth and Dylan ride and enjoyed some hamburgers cooked on our new Weber portable grill (the best investment in a long time).  It was all of a sudden, Sunday, and time to take them to the airport.  It was great having them here and watching them enjoy the boys.   

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.)  ;)