Java Brio

New Year's Resolutions

2010-01-01T13:06:00.000-08:00

This year my resolutions are to grow my hair out, shrink my waist and move the fat to other areas of my body, write a book, spend less time on Facebook, read the Bible in one year and run a 5K for some charity. In actuality, none of these things will probably happen this year. In fact, a few years ago, I resolved to stop making resolutions since I seemed to give up after 3 weeks and then felt like an incredible failure that I never achieved any of my lofty resolutions for the new year.

Why do we make New Year’s resolutions? According to this site: http://ezinearticles.com/?The-History-of-New-Years-Resolutions&id=245213 The tradition began in 153 B.C with a mythical king of early Rome, Janus. He had two faces: one that looked at past events and one that looked at to the future. Janus represented resolutions in which Romans received forgiveness from their enemies and began their new year exchanging gifts.

There is also a reference that the Babylonians created this tradition 4,000 years ago to the gods’ to get favor. It was considered bad luck if a resolution was broken according to this site:http://www.examiner.com/x-22551-Mesa-Elementary-Years-Parenting-Examiner~y2009m12d29-History-of-New-Years-Resolutions

As a Christian, I would rather live my life by the Word of God. According to the Bible, old things have passed away and all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). I do not have to be bound by guilt or shame. I don’t have to create resolutions that I will break in 3 weeks. Instead I can embrace the truth of God. God says that we are His masterpiece and that He created us anew in Jesus, so we can do the good things He has planned for us long ago (Ephesians 2:10).

So instead of making resolutions, let’s look for the good things that God created us to do. Let this be a year that we do the purposes of God and in doing that we will find fulfillment. We will be able to look back on 2010 knowing we have obeyed God and accomplished His will.

Elleanna's quotes

2010-01-01T13:01:00.000-08:00

Elleanna’s quotes:

2007:

I was really tired and Elleanna said, “All you need is a cigarette to relax.”

My head is too big for this seatbelt.

I said, “You are starting to piss me off.” Elle said, “You piss me off!”

Daddy said, “I can’t make pancakes well.” Elle said, “That’s okay. I will teach you.”

2008

Dad was reading Strong Willed Child by Dobson. Elle says, “Are you reading about how strong I am? (at this time she couldn’t read)

When I was wrapping Dad’s gift, Elle said is that a bomb?

2009:

"Mom, what is that red dot on your forehead? It looks like one of those dots that Indian girls wear." Thank you Elleanna - it's a pimple.

My red head is trying to make lemonade with an egg slicer...what is wrong with this picture?!

It's too hard for me to remember, my brain is too small.

I am wondering how to answer Elleanna's question: how can a dog have puppies when it's not married?

Elleanna's new quote: I don't know what's wrong with my fish. It's always drowning! Dec. 2009 (her betta fish)

I got a lump of coal in my stocking. My sweet Elleanna said I deserved it. I told her that I negotiated with Santa to take it for her so she could have presents...ha!

2009-10-21T15:50:00.000-07:00

Such a sweet smile, but behind that smile is sass and wit! Life is not dull with Elleanna who can give the quickest retort to any comment I make. She never misses a beat and nows if someone got a new outfit or even slightly changed their haircut.

We encourage learning about other cultures in our family. She made a correlation between the pimple on my forehead and Indian girls. She said, "Mom, you look just like an Indian girl with that red mark on your forehead!" Thank you Elleanna for being so observant! And by the way, how did you find the gum that I hid in the top cabinet? GET OUT OF THERE!

Yes, never a dull moment....

How sexy can a car be?!

2009-10-16T23:11:00.001-07:00

Today a young 20 year old girl strutted to her car boasting, "Check out my sexy car!" Of course she wasn't talking to me, but her co-workers. Yes, it was a sexy car I must admit. I didn't know that cars could be considered as such, but it was sleek and silver with all the bells and whistles...2010 Mustang GT.

I became very self conscious standing next to my van that screamed, "Soccer Mom"! I am not even a soccer mom. I taxi my kids to dance and music lessons. My van is not sexy. It's not sleek. It does have all the bells and whistles that every mom desires: lots of seat belts for my children and their friends, a DVD player to watch 'Cars' again and again, leather seats and even a seat warmer! It even comes with its own air freshener: dirty diapers. I have searched and searched, but to no avail have I found that diaper. Not to mention the sticky, gooey, carmel from a carmel apple that has adhered to the arm rest.

As the girl proudly touched her lustrous car, I had this immediate desire to slink away and find another car to claim as my own. The truth be told, I quickly got into my van with the sticky handprints on the window and prayed that I wouldn't back out and hit a car as I made my exit. The only satisfaction I had was to think that one day this young, hip girl would be driving a minivan with her four kids and proclaiming, "Check out my sexy van! It has cup holders to hold my Starbucks and even my kids' sippy cups! And it goes 0 to 70 in under 10 minutes! Don't I look good in it? It's my color, don't ya think?"

The Use of Toilets

2009-02-22T00:50:00.000-08:00

Toilets are used for one thing and that is either number one or number two. Levi, my 20 month old has found another purpose for the toilet. He uses toilet water to style his hair. I did not connect the dots when I found his clothes and hair wet. I thought he stood on a stool step and used the faucet. I changed him into dry clothes and we went to church. Upon arriving home, my roommate Rhonda showed me Levi's toothbrush she had found on her wet bathroom floor. It only took a moment to connect the dots. What can one do, but laugh and hope the toilet water was clean when he was playing in it!

Elleanna and the Earthworm

2009-02-21T13:43:00.000-08:00

Today Elleanna found a pet worm that she put into a plastic container with some grass and some mud. She showed it to her friend Melissa.

Melissa said, "Squeeze the head." I interjected that they might be squeezing the butt so maybe they shouldn't do it. Secretly I didn't want the poor, pathetic worm to be tortured by a four year old and a five year old.

Melissa thoughtfully asked if the worm goes poo-poo.

With confidence, Elleanna said, "I think the worm poops mud."

Tomorrow I think I need to go get a worm farm and so we can learn more about worms.

"I think it is a boy," said Elleanna. "Maybe it's a girl."

"I don't think they have a sex," I said trying to recall facts about worms. Ya, I think we need to get that worm farm.

Date night to self

2008-10-21T16:23:00.000-07:00

Since I home school, I believe in the importance of a date night to my self. So tonight I go to the local coffee shop where I use my 'free coffee birthday coupon'. The coffee shop is packed, but I happen to find a table next to a party of six. To my surprise, they were low talkers and I even wondered if sometimes they were just staring at each other because it was so quiet!

I open my Bible to Galatians. I am using one of Kay Arthur's Bible Studies. I have done many Bible studies, but I think these are the best I have ever done. I am learning so much as I mark my Bible and read and re-read the chapter several times.

Tonight I had to read the verses more than once because 15 fifteen feet away was a 40ish year old man on a "first coffee date" with an attractive 45 year old woman. For 45 minutes he talked non-stop about his 16 and 13 year old daughters and about their ipod and the classical music he downloads into it. He believes once a week they should be exposed to The Who, Asia, and anything else from the 70's. Gee - what a dad! Barely catching his breath, he proceeds to share his life as a sports writer. I try desperately to tune him out wishing for my ipod! The woman has barely said 10 full sentences and when she does, her date appears to have a plastered smile just waiting to talk about himself. After returning from the restroom, he asks the woman if he has freaked her out. I want to shout, "Yes and me too!" She politely says no, but you read in her response that this is the last date with him. He confirms this with, "I have been on many coffee dates like this." And I thought, "Something tells me this will be your last coffee date with her." He then proceeds to tell her, "They all say that I am a nice guy." Oh, that is really going to get you a second date! When she declines coffee with you again, she will make sure to use that line.

As I leave the coffee shop, I look forward to going home to my husband of 14 years. And of course, we reminisce about our first date as I share my evening with him.

My Irish Red Head

2008-10-14T00:48:00.000-07:00

Elleanna started kindergarten this year. Being a red head, she gets extra attention. A boy named Michael is smitten with red heads. He has already given her a peck on the cheek and follows her around on the playground! His mom said he can go to Ireland when he growns up and marry a red headed Irish lass! He has no idea what he is in for! Red heads have a mind of their own!

Hostess Snoball!!!

2008-08-29T23:15:00.000-07:00

Give me a Snoball over an Idaho Spud any day! This delicious, fattening cake has a creamy filling center covered with marshmallows and sprinkled with pink coconut. I only eat one every two years because it is way too rich and crazy for me! It is moist which is more than I can say for the Idaho Spud that resembles a potato!

Hostess boasts that 25 million Sno Balls are sold each year. Somehow I believe this could be true...

Idaho Spud Candy - "The candy bar that makes Idaho famous"

2008-08-29T22:44:00.000-07:00

As anyone can tell from the looks on my kids faces - they didn't like the candy. I am not sure how it made Idaho famous and I payed $1.00 for it.

Yes, I have regrets.

The candy has made me possessed! I did swallow, but I did not take another bite!

So I had to find out what was in this dried out candy bar

that had stayed on the shelf way too long!

It is a light cocoa flavored marshmallow center drenched with a dark chocolate coating and then sprinkled with coconut.

Marketing says that the "Idaho Spud" is one of the top hundred selling candy bars in the Northwest, and is Idaho Candy Company's best selling bar.

Is this true or just a sales gimmick?

Give me a snowball anyday!

Montana

2008-08-29T22:29:00.000-07:00

This town is right outside the entrance to

Yellowstone Park.

I feel like I have entered another place, another era.

I am expecting a rugged cowboy on a horse to come cantering down the road. Maybe even see a horse drawn wagon which will take me back to episodes of 'House on the Prairie.' The sky is beautiful - not a power line in sight.

Mammoth Country - It's not snow - it was 100 degrees!

2008-08-29T22:21:00.000-07:00

Bison

2008-08-28T23:14:00.000-07:00

I love this picture that Kenny took of the bison. People slowed down traffic and would even get out of their cars to take pictures of these animals. We stayed in the safety of our car. A few days after our vacation a family was standing only a few feet away from the bison when their son was thrown into the air by a very disgruntled bison. The boy survived, but let that be a warning!

Firehole Hot Spring

2008-08-28T22:56:00.000-07:00

I must say Yellowstone is an amazing place on earth. It is beautiful and raw and dangerous. Not a place to take unruly children. One wrong move and there could be death. So to say I had a relaxing vacation would not be true. I was constantly watching my children and warning them of the dangers.

Highschool Musical Auditions?

2008-08-28T22:52:00.000-07:00

Strike a pose!

Firehole River

2008-08-28T22:42:00.000-07:00

Samantha took this picture. I love it! It looks like a picture I would take.

I just love the curve of the river and the contrast of green and brown grass. God's creation is beautiful!

Grand Prismatic Spring

2008-08-28T22:08:00.000-07:00

The yellow, orange, and brown colors are caused by heat loving microorganisms. These microbes contain colorful pigments that allow them to make energy from sunlight and thrive in hot springs.

The intense blue color is because sunlight is scattered by

fine particles suspended in the water.

Magma from an active volcano heats water that rises to the surface through fissures in the rocks. The water is constantly 160F causing the spring to steam.

We need some ivory soap!

2008-08-25T16:56:00.000-07:00

I left Levi with daddy for 2o minutes and came back to a dirty little boy! So that evening I gave the kids all showers which was a nightmare! First, we had to pay to take showers and then I was holding Levi in one arm while trying to help Elleanna wash her hair. Elleanna won't rinse the soap out of her hair and starts screaming there is soap in her eyes. I put Levi down to help Elleanna only to have Levi almost slip in the shower stall and then touch hair in the drain.

Nasty!

Old Faithful

2008-08-25T16:39:00.000-07:00

Old Faithful is just that...faithful.

It goes off every 90 minutes like clockwork.

Campfire hot dogs and Elleanna...

2008-08-24T17:11:00.000-07:00

Keep your eye on Elleanna. She is having such a grand time cooking her hot dog.

Elleanna is still cooking her hot dog with just a little attitude.

Wow! Elleanna give a look! The smoke is in her eyes and her hot dog is still not done!

Looking for waterfalls!

2008-08-21T08:36:00.000-07:00

At the beginning of our family hike, it was an adventure!

As we walk through a beautiful meadow scattered with purple and yellow wildflowers our mission is to find the Upper and Lower Falls. We do not have a map, but Kenny believes it is this way. Every corner must get us closer to the waterfalls. I wonder where all the people are?

We have yet to find a waterfall, but we have discovered a horrible smell! The earth is amazing! This muddy water is boiling up from the earth. I would burn my finger if I dared put my finger in it!

No waterfall yet!

Samantha is taking a break!

The whining has begun, but can you blame her after 2 miles of walking!

Someone on the trail felt sorry for us and gave us a map. We are so far away from the waterfalls! We have been on a nature walk no where near the waterfalls!!

Another trail, another meadow....

Finally after another 1 1/2 miles we have arrived at the Lower Falls. The kids are too tired to even walk to the Upper Falls. We will have to save that for another day....

Yellowstone Fire

2008-08-16T18:38:00.000-07:00

We were going to vacation at Big Sur this year, but canceled when all the California fires were happening. We choose Yellowstone instead. When we got there smoke filled the air. These are not just pictures of pretty clouds. This is smoke from fire! I cannot believe this! We have set up camp 8 miles away from a fire that is 5% controlled and has burned over 4,000 acres. Every morning we woke up to a smoke filled valley.

Day Three of Vacation

2008-08-16T17:56:00.000-07:00

As my daughter takes this picture of a sulphur cauldron and bison (upper right corner), I am people watching. In the middle of a narrow dirt path, a little toddler standing next to her mom pulls down her pants and pees on the ground. I guess I wouldn't have thought anything of it if it had happened off the beaten path. Several minutes later a group of tourists walked over the pee soaked ground. As we leave the sight, I notice this same toddler and her parents. Since they were already unconventional in my mind, I decided to watch to see what else they might do. I wasn't disappointed. In California, there are strict laws about everything. I don't know what other states do, but this family was from Utah. So maybe the "buckle up" laws are different. I was shocked when I watched the mom sit in the front passenger seat with her daughter on her lap and no seatbelt. Seatbelts are no promise for tomorrow, but I like to believe they may spare my children if the unavoidable might happen.

Baby Gap model

2008-08-16T10:54:00.000-07:00

At the start of the week, Levi appeared as the next Baby Gap model. The next day daddy had spilled him in the stroller causing Levi to have a big, fat, spilt lip the rest of the week. Levi never seemed to be as clean as this picture. He was covered in dirt constantly and had eczema all over his body. He had an allergic reaction to the dirt, meadow, trees, or food. All I know is he cleared up once we got back home!

Day Three of Vacation

2008-08-16T01:15:00.000-07:00

Samantha found a teeter - totter. She had fun after she got over falling!

Elleanna is sunning herself in the early morning sun. Every morning her favorite thing was to run across to the bathroom and warm her hands under the air blower that dries hands.

Day Three of Vacation

2008-08-15T23:50:00.000-07:00

Every morning I will wake up and look at this dead tree. It is my view in this valley amongst the many campers that have pitched their tents.

In fact, one family came in last night at 1AM. I was in a much needed deep sleep only to be awoken by banging and loud voices. "Shh, be quiet Aaron," loudly whispered the mom. A whiny response and a few moments later the sound of pots dropping resonated thru the campsite. This continued for over an hour with sibling fighting as well. "Hey, that's my sleeping bag." I thought I would love to zip them all up in their sleeping bags and sing them a lullaby. Earlier in the evening, the camp had been serenaded with campers singing lovely ballads with a guitar. Maybe I should just borrow the guitar and knock some sense into this family. Isn't there a law about disturbing the peace at 1AM? Especially while camping?

Day Two of Vacation - We are almost there!

2008-08-13T00:25:00.000-07:00

Moose, Elks, too many horns!

2008-08-12T23:41:00.000-07:00

We have just drove thru Jackson Hole, Wyoming and preparing to enter the Great Tetons! But first we must make a "potty" stop before driving another 100 miles to our campsite.

So heavy, Mom! I think the horns are as big as Sam!

Day Two of Vacation

2008-08-12T23:33:00.000-07:00

Elleanna likes to layer when it's hot and wear shorts when it's cold. So can you guess what the weather was like?

Answer: 80 degrees.

Day Two of Vacation

2008-08-12T23:08:00.000-07:00

Where is the traffic, ethnic groups, two story houses, and wires filling the sky?! I have only seen two police cars and lots of bikers with no helmets. Even the stores are closed on Sunday! What a slower pace in Idaho. No one even goes the speed limit here. Ahhh, but thank God for Starbucks. Starbucks and Walmarts are everywhere!

Day One of Vacation

2008-08-12T15:21:00.000-07:00

After 8 hours of driving, we have arrived in Twin Falls, ID. Can you tell the love my children are feeling? Behind us is a deep canyon and there are no fences and we are not standing too close!
So my first night of sleeping in the new tent. As I sleep, I am awoken by an oder. "Mommy, I have to go the bathroom." No time for shoes. I pick up Elleanna and we trek to the bathroom. I can hear Levi screaming in the tent. I am sure our camping neighbors are cursing at us or planning to throw stones at us! I return and Levi is still screaming. I nurse Levi to sleep and now he has taken over my side of the air mattress. I move to the foot of the girls half deflated air mattress. As I toss and turn and feel the cold seep into my bones, I promise tomorrow that we will buy the girl's a new mattress. This is going to be a long camping trip with memories!

The Road to Hana

2008-07-24T00:00:00.000-07:00

Can you believe I took this with my little Canon digital? Point and shoot! I took this picture after a long drive around Maui on the famous 'Road to Hana'. This is the second time we have done this road trip. I have vowed not to do it again if we ever go back to Maui! I feel do for another trip to the islands.
Maybe Kona...Take me away!

Play doh fun!

2008-07-22T15:52:00.000-07:00

Samantha and Elleanna are having fun together making cookies, pizza, fruit and flowers. I love to see them be creative and get along! That is a great combination!!

Who doesn't have fond memories of playing with play doh and creating such real looking sculptures of food only to discover they taste like salt?!

How many fun colors play doh comes in. I pay tribute to Noah and Joseph McVicker for creating play doh 52 years ago! Thank God the color is no longer off white! That would have been boring! And I am glad that it is used for more than just removing wallpaper. And I am glad that it can entertain my kids for HOURS!!

The Police Concert

2008-07-19T23:32:00.000-07:00

14 years of marriage and we are at The Police concert. Who would have thought?! Everyone is so mellow. It must be because we are all in our 30's and 40's. And Sting is not looking that young himself! I am not sure if it was the beard which I could have done without. But he and his two band members put on a great show cutting loose and just jamming. This is the last Police tour. Sting's quote: "It's the end of an era."

The first time I heard The Police was at Cassandra's slumber party. I was in sixth grade(25 years ago). We sang our hearts out: There's a little black spot on the sun today...

I enjoyed the concert, but it made me realize how blessed I am every week. I worship God in an incredible church, The Rock, with talented musicians. Worshipping God is fulfilling. Sting opened his concert with a song about a hole in his life. A shadow in his heart... I thought, "Wow, this is the opposite of what I sing and feel. My heart is so filled with the Love of God." It makes me realize how blessed my life is.

Speaking of blessed. I am so blessed to have such a beautiful and great sister. Can you see the resemblance? Our kids have confused us. Especially when we have our glasses on sipping our coffee. We have both experienced people talking to us only to realize they have the wrong sister. Oh, it's fun! I noticed at the concert we even dance the same. Now how funny is that...

My Girls

2008-07-13T09:46:00.000-07:00

Need I write anything? This picture tells all! Samantha is so sweet and Elleanna...well she is Elleanna. A recent story just for Elle. The girls and cousins were having a puppet show. Aunt Carrie was laughing and Elleanna threatened to throw pancakes in her eyes if she kept laughing. Of course Aunt Carrie egged her on and asked if whip cream came with that.

My Babies

2008-07-13T09:03:00.000-07:00

My precious babies...where does the time go? Samantha will be in 2nd grade this year. She reasons and articulates so well. She even wrote her first song recently. Is it true that Levi is a one year old?! He is busy running all over the place. And yes, he is a momma's boy, but isn't every little boy?

Kenny's 38th Birthday....

2008-07-11T01:18:00.000-07:00

I love this picture of my family. It is Kenny's 38th birthday at Six Flags doing what he loves: riding rides with his kids. This picture just captures my family in each of their unique and beautiful personalities.

Mickey Robinson's account of heaven

2008-07-10T10:15:00.000-07:00

Years ago, I went to a conference and heard Mickey's testimony and had the opportunity to receive prayer from him. This was one of the first accounts I had heard of people experiencing death and entering heaven and experiencing the love of Jesus. I never get tired of hearing Mickey's testimony. How can one not believe that Jesus is not real? Or at least how can one not desire to receive this love that is so freely given despite ones inadequacies?

"He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." John 7:38

Ian McCormick's account of heaven

2008-07-10T10:06:00.000-07:00

One night while diving for lobster on the small Island of Mauritius I was stung on my forearm by 5 Box-Jellyfish, which the local Creole fishermen called "invisables" A sting from a Box-Jellyfish often proves to be fatal - as exemplified in Australia where 70 people are known to have died from their stings. Many books quote this particular type of Jellyfish to be among the most venomous creatures in the world.

By the time an ambulance arrived my body was totally paralyzed and necrosis had begun to set into my bone marrow. On route to the hospital I began to see my life flash before me. At this point of my life I was an atheist - but I knew I was nearly dead and I didn't know if there was life after death or whether there was just nothing. As I lay there dying, I saw my mother in a vision praying for me, encouraging me to cry out to God from my heart and He would hear me and forgive me (my mother was the only Christian in our family.) I didn't know what to pray and cried out that if God was real, could He help me to pray. Immediately God showed me the Lord’s Prayer, and for the first time in my life I prayed from my heart and gave my life to the Lord.

The ambulance stopped and they placed me in a wheel chair and raced me into the hospital. The nurse took my blood pressure twice but could not find a pulse as my veins had collapsed. The doctors tried to save my life by injecting anti-toxins and dextrose into my body, but seemingly to no avail. Within a few minutes I seemed to slip away (apparently life ceased from my body for a period of approx. 15 minutes).

Without Love I am a Noisy Gong....

2008-07-09T16:39:00.000-07:00

I am so intrigued with heaven and people's life and death experiences. Over and over again, people shared how they experienced Christ love.

I am reading Approaching the Heart of Prophecy by Graham Cooke. The first chapter is all about love. If I never did anything else but learn to receive God's love and give it out then this was one of the most life impacting books for me. I am praying that somehow over the next 20 years while my children live with me that I impart that to them. I am not sure that anything else matters as much. It is so simple, but so complex. Ingrid Betancourt was captured by Colombian guerrillas for seven years. Incredible woman - she is living God's love. She did not want to take bitterness from the jungle, but instead her response is to forget and forgive. "God was with me from the first day to the end of this horrible experience."

"Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you....if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them....but love your enemies and do good....for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." Luke 6: 28, 32, 35-36

Levi "Jonesy" Joseph

2008-07-05T19:28:00.000-07:00

Levi, my sweet litte redhead! He has such an easy disposition. His smile just lights up the heart receiving his love. Thank you Lord for such a blessing. I love his blue eyes with this blue shirt. He can walk and say, "Bye-bye" and "Mommy" and "Daddy". Do I want to have more children? I don't know. I am feeling very full and very busy. Maybe the next time I get the "baby urge", I will just get a dog. Just kidding Kenny. I will stick to our betta fish. They are very loving and cuddly! They just need a little food and their tank cleaned once in awhile.

Evelina

2008-07-05T18:00:00.000-07:00

Alicia is going to love this picture of Evelina. She is so adorable with lots of personality. She is on her phone talking to her girlfriends Elleanna and Samantha.

Tie-dye family

2008-07-05T17:52:00.000-07:00

Such happy colors!

2008-07-05T17:46:00.000-07:00

The results are in!

2008-07-05T17:41:00.000-07:00

Look at our happy results!

Kenny's shirt shrunk though...the water must have been too hot!

Look at daddy tie-dye!

2008-07-05T17:36:00.000-07:00

My goal is to have fun, but to stay clean. I am having a blast as long as the colors stay in the bucket and on the shirt!

Fourth of July tradition

2008-07-05T17:27:00.000-07:00

Aunt Rhonda gets the credit for all the tie-dye fun! We had such a blast that we have decided that it will be our annual Fourth of July tradition.

Color me blue!

2008-07-05T17:10:00.000-07:00

Now if my hair was just a little longer than I could color it blue. My mom didn't mind when I cut it short so I am sure she wouldn't mind if I color it.

More tie-dye

2008-07-05T16:52:00.000-07:00

Look at Matthew's cool colors. Yes, the adults were getting into this tie-dye thing as much as the kids.

Stir it good!

2008-07-05T16:45:00.000-07:00

This is the way we stir the dye,

stir the dye,

stir the dye.

This is the way we stir the dye

on every

Fourth of July.

Red + Blue = Purple

2008-07-05T16:28:00.000-07:00

Samantha is being creative as she dips a shirt into dye. This tie-dye stuff is alot of fun! No wonder the hippies went overboard with it! Of course, Samantha doesn't even know what a hippy is...should I tell her that her papa used to have hair down to his shoulders? I don't think she would believe me!

Check out that hot mom!

2008-07-05T15:16:00.001-07:00

Here we are ready to go Elleanna's dance recital. Wow - I am one hot mom with two beautiful daughters! Today I am not looking 35. Now tomorrow will probably be a different story, but I will relish in this happy thought for today! It is sad to say, but my bones hurt everyday and I have already had two root canals and I have laugh and frown wrinkles setting in. I sag and wear a wire support just to recapture some of my youth! Elleanna reminds me how old my hands look. Thank you, Elleanna. I started taking my liquid vitamin again hoping it will perform some magic. So yes, I will relish in how hot I look today! Some may call it vanity, but I just call it a pep talk for the days I am not feeling so young and hip!

Elleanna Bellanna

2008-07-05T15:15:00.000-07:00

I can see you! I am Elleanna Bellanna and believe it or not, I got stage fright! I forgot where to stand during my dance recital. I just covered my forehead with my gloved hand and shook my head. Oh my, why did my mommy put me in this dumb dance class? I hid my leotard knowing she would never make me go without a leotard! Instead she bought me a new one! My next step was to misplace my tap shoes, but she found those! I am soooo glad today was the last day. I think secretly my mommy was glad it was done too!!

Elleanna's First Recital Ever!

2008-07-05T14:55:00.000-07:00

On the good ship, lollipop!

It's a nice trip to the candy shop!

Where bonbons play...

Elleanna strikes a pose, but really she is whining to get this scratchy outfit OFF!

She has vowed never to wear it again or go to tap class. Phewwy with dance class.

Too boring!

Go Higher!!

2008-06-26T01:51:00.000-07:00

DADDY, IT'S NOT HIGH ENOUGH!! YOU NEED TO THROW ME HIGHER! REMEMBER SPLASH MOUNTAIN AND MATTERHORN ARE MY FAVORITE RIDES! REMEMBER I LIKE WHEN PAPA SWINGS ME HIGH ON THE MAKESHIFT TREE SWING! HIGHER, HIGHER! DO IT AGAIN! ARE YOUR ARMS SORE YET? GOOD BECAUSE I WANT TO DO IT 50 MORE TIMES!! YOU ARE SO COOL DADDY! I AM HAVING A BLAST!

Happy Birthday Levi!

2008-06-26T01:30:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Levi!

The first day of summer will always get Levi in a happy mood because it means cake and ice cream time for him! He is very happy as he celebrates his first birthday!

What an easy disposition; God has answered my prayers! Levi takes a nap without fuss and even wakes with no fuss. He even coos in his crib for hours. Now what kind of baby does that?! Thank you God for not giving us anymore than we can handle!

Pointe Ballerina!

2008-06-26T00:22:00.000-07:00

Oh my beautiful ballerina!

Pointe, plie, third position.

Samantha awaits to dance

with all her ballerina amis.

They are poised and fin pret in their leotards.

Pas de duex!

Center your spine. Lift up chin.

Pirouette...joli!

Pointe, plie, third position.

Dance my petite bird!

More Redheads!

2008-06-23T01:05:00.000-07:00

Redheads are a crazy bunch! People think they want a redhead. I hear it all the time from strangers! I just laugh!! What are they wishing for? Don't they know that means less sleep and relaxing on the couch? It is 24 hour watch with pint size redheads that rule their territory. My Elleanna is like 'Speedy Gonzales' and the 'Tasmanian Devil' rolled up into one! She manages to make a mess in every room. When I ask her to clean up, she automatically replies, "My legs hurt!" Hmmm...those legs didn't hurt 10 seconds ago when she was doing her break dance moves on the floor. Oh my.....

LOOK AT ME!!

2008-06-23T01:01:00.000-07:00

Hey, I'm Elleanna and I can do flips too! Watch this! Today I told my mom that when I grow up I will be explainable! I like to tell my mom all kinds of silly things! Once my mom said she was so tired and I told her all she needed was a cigarette. Of course, she doesn't smoke, but why not start today? I like to make everyone laugh whether it be with my layers and layers of clothes or just my sassy personality! Did you know that Jesus doesn't like to make His bed or pick up His clothes either? Yeah, that's right. He likes CANDY!! (I like candy too - see my picture below. Please don't tell my mom!!) Oh by the way, I am lefty too! That explains alot!

Summertime!

2008-06-23T00:57:00.000-07:00

Mom, watch this! Look what I can do! I can hang upside down! I am seven and growing leaps and bounds! I am sensitive and love Jesus! I love my sister, but sometimes I need my space! She teases too much! I love to draw and paint and have you hang all my artwork! I love my life! Oh and I love to do cartwheels!

Sisters in the Rain

2008-06-13T01:08:00.000-07:00

I took this picture of the girls when they were two and five. I love it! I love their personalities that I see in the pajamas down to the rainboots and rain jacket. Was it raining? Of course! Maybe not that hard though...

2008-06-08T22:19:00.000-07:00

My journey took me to a land where I did not belong; a land with food, but customs that were not my own. I had left my relatives and friends behind for a grain of barley. How could something this size affect my life? But it did. My family was now fed, but alas my husband died. I beat my chest and cried out to God. How could you bring my family to this foriegn place and now I am alone with my sons?! My provider, my protector, my lover has died! I want to curse this grain of barley for it has brought pain to my life. It has taken from me. Oh my heart aches for my loss. But I will allow my God to wipe the tears from my face; to wipe away the sorrow. I will not despair because I have my precious sons.

Piano Recital

2008-06-07T16:39:00.000-07:00

Samantha's first piano recital, duet of Jesus Loves Me with piano teacher, Mrs. Becca. She did a fabulous job not missing a note! Samantha loves music. She loves to sing and dance. This fall she would like to learn the violin as well. She will also increase her ballet lessons from one day to two days a week.

Smile Everyone!

2008-06-07T01:21:00.000-07:00

Disneyland

provides more smiles

than any other place in the

world!

Candy Girl

2008-06-07T01:06:00.000-07:00

I love candy!
It is sweet!
It is dandy!
I love to eat
Lots of CANDY!

Happy Levi

2008-06-06T23:19:00.000-07:00

Life is so much fun
cruising Disneyland!

Levi slept through most of it, but that's okay. We plan to go back when he is 3 1/2 years old and a little taller!

Disneyland really is a magical place where dreams do come true!

My Princesses

2008-06-06T23:03:00.000-07:00

Elleanna Bellanna

2008-06-06T23:00:00.000-07:00

Pucker up, baby!

Elleanna Bellanna

is one sassy girl!

Sweet Samantha

2008-06-06T22:57:00.000-07:00

The sweet taste of summer,
Samantha was five.
Floating on her back this summer,
Samantha is seven.
Let time not move too fast.