Thursday, April 30, 2009
"As for me... I'll follow the Prophet."
Brian: "The other guy in my class is an only child. He says his mom and dad let him do
whatever he wants."
mom: "Really? That sounds fun, huh?"
Brian: "(sighs) Yeah, it sounds fun but I know it's not really. If that were to happen to me,
and you let me do whatever I wanted, I know I'd just have to listen to the
prophet, Thomas Monson, very carefully!"
Yeah Brian!!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
New Menu item at Casa de la Baak!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Easter 2009
Tyson was the first one to wake up and find easter eggs filled with "treasure" hidden around the house. He had so much fun discovering where they were and what was inside them:
(We won't mention his over 4 decades of life!)
Monday, April 27, 2009
Tyson's haircut!
Dan the Handy Man provides a peace of mind!
This house, like the last, is a work in progress. Not as much so as the first, but we are still living with our stuff in disaray (no floors in the upstairs bedrooms, hence we are on matresses in the living room, bonus room, etc.
Danny is busy putting this house together for us. The list of projects is still long and we have to really pick and prioritize what's at the top.
If you look in the positng if our jacuzzi initiation you will see something missing. Yes, we had been living with no fence around the pool the first 2 weeks of our life here. Needless to say, I have been somewhat frazzled always wondering where Tyson is at.
This weekend, Danny installed a beautiful wrought iron gate around the pool while I was in H.B. picking Kierstin up from spending time with friends. Danny had never installed fencing like this before. But he studied it, decided he could do it and when I got home this is what I found...
It is absolutely beautiful and such a relief! Danny really is amazing at what he can do! He never ceases to amaze me. He saved us at least $700 doing this himself and it looks professionally done!
Cost to install wrought iron gate: $600 in materials. Peace of mind it brings.... PRICELESS!!
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! From me and Tyson!!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Health Report
Kierstin and Bradley have both had a really hard time with their allergies out here, especially Bradley. I have had them on every over the counter type allergy medicine with minimal success. Bradley had a sinus infection a few months ago. The doctor had put him on what I thought, was a rather strong medine regime; nasal spray, antibiotic and a prescription strength allergy tablet. It seemed to clear it up for a while.
However, the day before Danny and I were supposed to leave on the trek, he really got congested. The morning of, I could tell he was miserable but what was I to do? I filled him full of allergy medicine and told him to rest. My friend, Cynthia Campbell, who was watching Bryce and Brian that day, said she would call to check in on him. Danny and I were supposed to bring our phones so I was able to periodically call him during the day. He sounded and felt awful! I was so upset to be so far away. Fortunately, my saintly friend Cynthia, took him to the doctor for me (MANY THANKS CYNTHIA!!!) Yes, he had a sinus infection. Antibiotic and Afrin nasal spray. When Danny and I got home Sunday, he still was not feeling great. So I took him to the doc on Monday. She couldn't believe he wasn't better. She sent him for a sinus xray and told him he'd have to do another course of antibiotics, Zyrtec-D in the morning, a spray of Nasonex, a Singular in the afternoon and a Zyrtec -D in the evening!! I am not big on medicine so this makes me nervous. But the doctor was firm so we're trying it out. He's back to school today. We'll see how it goes.
When I have grown a foot or two...(?!)
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Tuesday's Spring Break Fun
I hadn't really planned on going Tuesday but I checked my emails in the morning and found one from a friend that said that Tuesday was kids free day for the Natural History museum. So I thought that would be great. I packed up the kids ( and a MUCH protesting Bradley) and headed down south.
I was almost discouraged when we got there. I expected it to be crowded but it was INSANE! We drove around for 20 minutes trying to find a parking space by the Natural History museum to no avail. Plus the line was almost around the building to get in. I drove around the other museums and although there weren't lines around them I could not find a parking space. I haven't even been to a crowded day at Disneyland with such NO luck on a parking space.
My heart sunk because we had driven so far and Bradley had really not wanted to come; one reason being he gets car sick. But I was determined to have a cheerful attitude and prevail. So, I took the boys to good old McDonald's and we ate lunch and went back to try again. After driving around for 30 minutes (no exaggeration) we found a lady heading to her car. She was so kind as to notice and point us in the direction of her car to make sure we got her spot (thank you good neighbor!) Fortunately, she had an expedition and so my big van fit in with little problem!
I decided to not attempt the History Museum, bite the bullet and just pay to go to another museum. The boys choice the air and space museum (of course). Tyson enjoyed it as soon as he got out of the car. It was right in the flight path of the planes landing at the San Deigo airport.
Look at the smiles on those faces!
Tyson trying his hand at being a pilot. It was a little chamber filled with air and you have to use the stick to keep the plane centered. He was a natural!
We left at 2:30, to miss traffic and we did miss it! Smooth sailing all the way home. The best part... we all left with smiling faces and more fun memories to add to our collection. But the best part for me was to hear my pre-teen, previously cranky son, say "Thanks mom. I'm sorry I was grumpy this morning. It was worth it!" That, made it all worth it to me!
FHE - Jacuzzi Initiation & poor man's donuts
Monday, April 13, 2009
Easter Gratitude!
Take a moment to watch this excerpt the church put out with his talk. It is truly moving and expresses all Easter sentiments better than I can ever express.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpFhS0dAduc
I am so profoundly GRATEFUL for all of the bounteous blessings the Lord has bestowed upon me. I feel so overwhelmed and unworthy. May I live up to the expectations of the Lord and make sure that I am not a contributor to the Lord feeling like he has to walk alone again as Elder Holland expresses.
Friday, April 10, 2009
They just Don't Make Them Like They Used To
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Tyson turns 2 on March 11, 2009!
I know 2 has been termed "the terrible twos," but personally, I love hitting that 2nd year milestone. Not to say that my kids don't go through the typical stubborn, pitch fitting, throw yourself on the floor tantrums, boy do they; but it is such a relief to me. Yes, I love my babies but I do not like the lack of communication. That when they hurt or are upset I somtimes do not know what is wrong.
I love how inquisitive two is. Everything is fresh and new. The littlest things are so exciting and fun! They can really start understanding the workings of the world. At two they can at least start to communicate, even if they aren't necessarily talking (which Tyson isn't!).
We didn't have a big party with friends and everything but we made sure he knew it was a special day.
In our home, we start birthdays off with the favorite birthday breakfast with a wish warmer upper (1 candle to kind of practice on). Tyson knew just what to do with that candle atop his chocolate chip pancake (see the smoke?).
We sang happy birthday to him at every point during the day. I took him to one of his favorite places, the park (sorry, no pic) and pushed him on the swing for 35 minutes straight!
He opened presents; he knew just how to do it:
This one was a hit; a geo track airplane set. It has a remote he can work all by himself. A green button for go and red for stop..
Gma Nancy sent some new books for us to enjoy.
It was his birthday, how could I spoil an otherwise fun day?
And of course, his 2 year old wish is going to come true. Candles out in one blow!
Welcome to our Home in Murrieta!
We are thankful to our CAL OAKS friends who made us feel so welcome and needed right off the bat. It made our transition so much easier. Special thanks to our friends the Campbells, who lived right up the street from us and made us feel right at home. We will miss the convenience of just going up the hill to play but know we will still keep in touch.
In any case, here is our new home in Murrieta:
See that little room with the window in front? One of my favorite features. It is actually is a single car detached garage... finally a home for all of Danny's tools and toys!! Yeah!
t sits at the end of a quiet neighborhood at the end of a cul de sac (we love that!). But this is the big reason we bought this house:
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Prayers for Calam!
So I am asking you, my friends who read this, to pray for my friend Erin McGibbon and her husband Patrick's newly adopted baby Calam. They have been waiting for this new addition to their family for such a long time. They were finally able to meet him and bring him home just yesterday. this morning, he woke with a 101 fever, which is always disconcerting to say the least with a newborn. Please pray for baby Calam and the doctors who are over his care!
Many thanks!
Rebecca
Words Cannot Express...
Life is truly a whirlwind of emotions; you can be soaring high one moment, and spiraling low the next and then back up. There is such a range of emotions. For instance, how can the same word happy apply to all those different range of emotions from just simply having a good day, to finding your soulmate, to your wedding day, the birth of your children, watching your children grow to finding contentment in older years.... It just does not seem adequate for all those occasions. Nor does attaching various adverbs such as very, so much, a lot, etc.
I guess that is why it the next phrase "actions speak louder than words." really hits home lately as well too. We read so much more into a person's actions than words.
So when "I say I have learned to be so very grateful for the very bounteous goodness of my Heavenly Father lately; for his infinite patience and consideration for me and all the little things in my life." Let's just say, words cannot quite adequately express just how much gratitude is within my heart.
I think all of this stems from watching General Conference this weekend. The prophet and general authoritie's words just seemed to so hit home with me. I especially loved Elder Holland's remarks on the sufferings of the Savior and that he went through it all for us; for me! It just touched me in a way words cannot express.
I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father and for all of his bounteous blessings and especially the great gift from our elder brother, Jesus Christ. Just how wonderous a gift it truly was stirs my soul more and more.
If you did not get a chance to view conference you can find the link here: http://www.lds.org/conference/languages/0,6353,310-1,00.html
See if you are not touched as well!