Sorry for the delay in getting these pictures up. It's been a tad nuts around here.
September 11th was also Josh's birthday. He's SO oooooooooooooooolllllllllllldddddd!!! He's that decrepit old age of 23 years old. And nothing says Happy Birthday like your very own gun cleaning kit. Love how Tabitha is peeking over the back of the couch! Some things never change.
Your own box of Chocolate MINT pudding. If you know Josh, you KNOW his passion for anything mint!
Amber gets the "brownie points" for the most creative gift. Four, count them 4 boxes of brownie mix.
And the start of Josh's very own droid Army!!
The birthday BROWNIE!!! With a side of gummy-worm dirt.
The ages of our kids at the time: Robert - 16 Tabitha - 13 Amber - 9 David - 4
Rob had just left for the gym and both Robert and I were barely awake as he needed to get up and ready for seminary (Bible study). Within 10 minutes of Rob leaving he returns. Somehow I knew something was terribly wrong when he walked into the door. I sat up in bed and said "What's wrong?" It all unfolded. Immediately I called Grandma Vicki to make sure both Shaun and Connie (her son and daughter-in-law) were safe. They both are flight attendants for American Airlines. They were safe as I woke them up with the news. I next called my friend Kim, whose hubby was getting on a flight that morning. He was safe as well and returning home as we all know further air traffic was canceled immediately.
We just can't forget!!! We can't forget the innocent lives lost. And those that worked in the twin towers that had something "happen" to them that made them late for work that day. We can't forget our heroes that day.
And the heroes that keep our country safe! Thank you!!!
Last week Amber's seminary (Bible study) teacher asked her to prepare a musical number with someone else for tonight's kick-off meeting. This other person wasn't going to be around this weekend so it was all up to Amber to figure out something to do. Sing, play the piano, play her bassoon? What to do? Then she came up with this idea. Use pictures of the Savior to one of her favorite songs, Come Thou Fount. It turned out amazing!!! Wonderful job Amber. We are SO proud of you!!!
Weird that we are on the tail end of our kids going to school. At one point in time we had
A Senior (Grade 12)
A Freshman (Grade 9)
A 5th grader
A Kindergartner
All going to school the same year! This is from our (the parents) school book. This book stays with Mom and Dad. It has all their first day of school pictures as well as their senior pictures. It's funny how they complain about me taking these pics on the first day of school and now, they LOVE this book.
So ever since I posted about Foreigner being in our top 5 favorite concerts of all time, I've had people ask me "So what are your other favorites?"
Some of them I don't have video of or pictures. But here you go.. I'm giving you 6!
#6 The Nylons
#5 Lionel Hampton
We saw him at Disneyland and danced to his music at the Carnation Plaza.
#4 Dave Brubeck
When Robert was a young teenager, we took him to see him. WONDERFUL!!
#3 Foreigner
#2 Pat Benatar
We've seen her twice in concert and it's NEVER a disappointment!
#1 Bon Jovi
BEST birthday present EVER!! Well, except for the time that Rob took be to see the Nutcracker performed by the Joffery Ballet. That was heavenly and another birthday I will never forget.
This week has been a good week in so many ways. LOTS of changes going on and many of them are good ones.
This week I had the opportunity to talk with exercise expert, Susan Powter on the phone. What an amazing woman! She's so inspiring and encouraging to help you get on your journey "to fit". She has helped get me on a different way of life with exercise and eating and thinking. I can't wait to see the changes. And the hardest thing? I'm not allowed to step ONE FOOT on my scale for the next 90 days. Yikes! You wouldn't think that to be hard, but it really is. Especially when you see your body changing (for the good) and want to see how much weight you've lost. But she told me that if I do, I could destroy ANY progress I've made. So that's my promise, I will NOT step on the scale for the next 90 days.
At this same time, I started an online class called "Help! I don't know where to begin!" from Simplify 101. This class have helped me learn how to move from feeling overwhelmed to feeling motivated, inspired and empowered to get organized and to learn a simple approach for decluttering your home. And you know what? It's working!!! I am SO feeling empowered and dedicated to getting my house in order and KEEP it there. LOTS and LOTS of bags going in the trash or being donated. It's wonderful.
Getting the kids ready for the start of school next week. Picked up their schedules (already knew Amber's. I'm very please with David's classes and teachers. It should be a good year for him.
Friday we had an unexpected house guest for the night. Tabitha!! Josh was off at a Cub Scout overnight campout so Tabitha came and played with us, ate our food, jumped on our bed, chatted into the wee hours of the morning (1 am-ish) with Amber and David being the typical 12 year old brother. It was just too fun :D
Then Church today was just amazing! The kind where you are so filled. Where your Spirit is rejuvenated and guided to know how the Lord wants you to be and act and do. So I just have to share some video's that sink into my soul today.
This first one has many memories with it. Especially of one amazing piano player (Robert) that does this piano run the best.
And this next one goes along with what our Bishop shared with us today. Having our offerings to the Lord being a "broken heart and contrite spirit". This song just went along so well with his message. (Thanks Tabitha)
Please remember how blessed we all are, no matter our struggles and difficulties. Our lives are in God's hands.
Please excuse the wobble of the camera. It's not the best footage but we didn't know until later that we weren't supposed to take video. Oops! If you ever have the opportunity to see Foreigner, TAKE IT!!! They are outstanding. They are in the top 5 of favorite concerts.
Here are a few photos we snatched too. He came down in the audience and I didn't have a chance to change my camera setting. He was way to quick and my camera too slow.
There are way too many pics to show you from our photo shoot in July. But here are just a few of my personal favorites taken by the AMAZING Cassie of CLG Photography.
Of course there are a couple I'm keeping locked up "in the vault" because we just may use them for our Christmas cards. Anytime I have ALL my kiddos together for a picture is the best!
Here are some funny and cute out takes. SO David! Cassie said "Time for a cheesy grin" and that's what she got!
Sillies!
Lizzie kept wanting to play peek-a-boo!
Lizzie attacking her Daddy while the rest of us have no idea what's going on in the back.
Not me! But Rob did!! It makes me dizzy just looking at it! At the Sears Tower in Chicago.
He also went to visit The Bean sculpture. Pretty awesome!
LOVE the hustle and bustle of the city And what's an Art Institute or museum without matching lions in the front?
Rob had a rough time getting home as his airplane, and the entire airport for that matter, was shut down because of thunderstorms. I looked online and it was more than just a simple thunderstorm. It was TORNADOES!!!!! YIKES! We are grateful he made it back to Seattle in time to catch the last flight out to Bellingham. The joys of traveling for business.
I'm a born and raised California city girl! Grew up in the OC! And a transplanted Washingtonian of 19 years. I have a great husband, 4 kids and a son-in-law, and a beautifully gorgeous granddaughter. I'm a SAHM that doesn't get to stay at home as much as I'd like. But I LOVE life, my family and friends and my God. And we LOVE chocolate :D
