Our Homes and the Fire

Here is an email I just sent out to friends and family:

Hello to all,

I just wanted to send out an update. We found out this morning that my parents and grandparents homes have burned to the ground. There is video of it at http://video.knbc.com/player/?id=170532. Our home is still in grave danger. The fire is headed right for it. The good thing for us is that we are so close to downtown Fallbrook. The firefighters are going to do their best to save downtown. My brother is a reporter and he has stayed in Fallbrook at the command center. He said it is concievable that the entire town could burn today. Please pray that our home is spared so that we can help my parents and friends affected by the fire. Also, please pray for his safety and for my parents and grandparents (for peace). My parents have had a great attitude about the whole thing, that it is just stuff and we are all together and safe. (It is sad, though, to lose my great-grandma's china and my other great-grandma's dolls, heirlooms, etc.)

I really can't believe this is happening. So many friends affected. Where is everyone going to go? We love you all and are thankful for all your prayers and calls of support.

Please Pray

We are surrounded by fire. There have been strong Santa Ana winds that are making everything crazy. Two of my aunts and at least one friend have been evacuated. Our whole town may be evacuated. So we are preparing right now just in case. Also, our huge 50+ year old Chinese Elm has had two of the main branches (more like trunk) break off and they are hanging. So please pray that when they fall that they miss our house and the guest house where my brother and his wife live.

This just in...my parents and grandma have been told to evacuate. They live about ten minutes from us. I'll post updates as I can (and hopefully pictures...my camera decided to act up just today) :(

PS The crazy thing is that I met someone yesterday who said there is a white out blizzard going on in CO. Fire and blizzards...all on the same day and in the same country. If you life in CO please comment and let me know about the blizzard. Thanks.

Shoes

Jonny just tied his shoes all by himself for the first time! He got new shoes and they aren't Velcro. They are laced shoes, so we figured it was time to teach him how to tie his shoes. I have to admit I've kinda been dreading and putting off teaching him. I don't know why. It wasn't so bad when we actually did it. Joel's speech therapist was here yesterday and when she heard him ask me to tie his shoes she was surprised he didn't know how. So she taught him. I did join in on the teaching but it made me feel guilty that I hadn't found time to teach my (barely) 7-year-old. Part of the problem is I just got caught up in life and used to the routine of tying his shoes. The other part of the problem is all the shoes with Velcro. He could do that by himself and his play shoes have always had Velcro so I just don't think much about tying shoes. One kid down, two to go. :)

Storybooks

Would you like an easy way to get your photos into beautiful, quality, hardback books? I am now an independent consultant for Heritage Makers.

The heart and soul of a family is in their stories. - Leah Gutierrez
Whether they're happy or sad, old or new, we all have stories. Now we have an easy way to get our photos and stories into books, preserving our memories for future generations. How many people don’t know their grandparents or great-grandparents stories? How did they grow up? What was life like for them when they were young? What were their most treasured memories? Or, how many of you have sat there looking at pictures and wondering who they were of? Don’t let that be your family. You now have an easy way to enjoy, save and share your family’s stories. Make memories last with Heritage Makers. Heritage Makers offers a fast, affordable way to actually do something with your photos and stories. Storybooks are high quality and will last for generations to come. And, I am here to guide and support you. If you have questions or need anything please contact me. I would love to help you start sharing your stories! If you'd like to host a Celebration in Southern California for your friends, family, church, or community group, need help on your own books, or would like more information on the exciting and rewarding opportunity of being a consultant, please e-mail me or give me a call.

We sell Storybooks, cards, Family Folds, posters, and calendars. You create them on-line (kinda like on-line scrap-booking) and then when you are done you click publish, pay for them, and they will be delivered to you approximately 10 days later. You can create a free account at www.save-your-stories.com. Once you have an account you can watch tutorials, upload photos from your computer or you can scan in non-digital photos (at a high dpi), upload them and start your project. You don't have to pay anything until you are ready to publish your project. Book prices range from $34.95-$129.95. Cards range from $1.75-$5.99. If you would like access to over $2,000,000 worth of premier art provided through a partnership with Scrap Girls, then that is only $24.95 for the first month renewing each month at $19.95. Ask me about specials. My e-mail is saveyourstories@gmail.com

Why?

My oldest son just asked me "Why is Daddy gone two days in a row?" I explained to him, while trying to hold back a chuckle, that Daddy is going to be gone Monday-Friday and home on Saturday and Sunday. To little minds three months was a LONG time ago. Hard to remember what it was like for Daddy to work full-time. ;) Besides, the boys have become really close to Daddy since he's been home a lot. All three of my boys are Daddy's boys now!

We have work!

Isaac started work yesterday! It went well and he likes the people he's working with. Thank you, Lord, for providing for us. Hopefully now we can start to climb out of the hole we fell further and further into with him being out of work for so long. The interesting thing is that I got used to him being around all day long and now I miss him. I am also having to get re-adjusted to parenting all by myself during the day. I am not complaining...I am VERY happy we have work, I just have to get used to him working again. You know how having a man home from work disrupts your schedule. Well, Isaac was home so long that our schedule had changed permanently, now I have to re-adjust it. The kids are going to have to get used to not having daddy around all day too. I am praying for a smooth transition and so far everything has gone well. Thank you for all your prayers that Isaac would get work. God answered with a "Yes."

Soccer started today!

Warm-up: Jonny is on the left.

Jonny asked a question and is getting the answer.

Jason is in the middle (green shorts, gray shirt.) This is part of about two minutes that Jason actually played.

The rest of the time this is what he was doing. Hanging out with daddy seemed better than getting "knocked down by the kids." Even though he was never knocked down, this was my 4-year-olds reason for not playing.

All-in-all I feel pretty good about how today went. Jonny was confident and never shy (he has been really shy in the past but is starting to grow out of it.) Jason was better than I thought he'd be. No crying, and at least he participated some. I was glad Isaac could come. When Jonny played baseball he was supportive, but never REALLY into it. Soccer is his thing, he used to play a lot when he was a kid, so he was totally into it today. That helps the kids get into it. The wonderful thing for me was that I got to socialize with other moms. :) As a side note, there are beautiful views from the fields.

Job Postponed

Isaac spoke to his future boss Saturday and he said he doesn't have any work until a week from tomorrow. (Hopefully a week from tomorrow he really will have work.) Considering he was supposed to start a week ago and he was hired a week before that it's becoming a little frustrating. We are wondering what God is doing in our life. I do know one thing...we can't hang on much longer. Isaac has been out of work for almost 3 months now.

Jonny's Birthday Party

On a brighter note...we had Jonny's birthday party today. He had so much fun and it was a wonderful day for our whole family. Here are some pictures from the party.

Can you tell it was a spiderman theme?

The pinata (part of which Jonny is wearing on his head) was fun.

I think Jonny really enjoyed being the center of attention. Like mother, like son. Besides he got some really cool gifts.

My thoughts looking at this picture: it was a really fun day which is hard to let go of. Oh, and maybe a little sugar rush.

And lastly, we can't forget Joel. He was there too. Trying to steal everything off the table. He actually spilled about 7 drinks today while trying to grab cups.

Happy Birthday, Jonny!

Jonny is seven years old today! His birthday party will be on Sunday, but we'll have a special family dinner tonight. Jonny has grown so much this last year. He has a sweet heart and is always helping somebody. He is one of the best big brothers I have ever seen (he's wonderful at sharing with, protecting, and helping his little brothers.) He's a lot more outgoing than a year ago and now has some special friends. Jonny's in second grade and is doing well in school. He says his favorite subject is reading. Some new developments in the last couple months are wearing glasses (which I have a hard time keeping on him) and piano lessons with Aunt Dori (it's very helpful to have a piano teacher in the family.) He's also going to start playing soccer in a couple of weeks.

Like I said, never boring

Both of these pictures were taken within a 24 hour time period. Proof that life around our house is never boring. In the first picture Jonny and Jason were "helping" Daddy wrap Joel's birthday gifts. (Hint: look closely at their faces.) In the second picture I have no idea, except that when I got out of my morning shower they were wearing Daddy's wet suits and Isaac was taking pictures of them. I have to say I have pretty creative little boys. They are constantly putting a smile on my face :-)

Praise the Lord!

I have great news. After two whole months laid off of work Isaac got a job today. If I believed in luck, I would say that Joel was our good luck. But I believe in God, and God's timing is perfect. I believe that God was encouraging us by sending a random job on Joel's birthday. You see, Isaac got a call this morning from a man he didn't know with a company he didn't recognize. The man said he had received Isaac's resume 5 months ago (which was the last time he was laid off and looking for work) and that he had saved it. He said he wanted to hire Isaac as an operator/laborer and if Isaac does well on the equipment he will make him a full time operator. That alone is an answer to prayer because an operator makes much higher pay therefore there is more competition for the job. Isaac has been trying to get an operator job for 2 years but is always told he is too young or there is someone with more experience. Isaac met with his new boss this afternoon to fill out paperwork and was hired without an interview. He should be starting next Monday. Back to it being such an encouragement for all this to happen on Joel's birthday. I feel like God was saying "Thank you for embracing, loving, and caring for this special baby I have sent you. I love all of you and I will supply ALL your needs." I feel like God was showing us that he is happy with us for how we have cared for Joel. Thank you, Lord, for sending a job on Joel's birthday.

"The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs..."
~ Isaiah 58:11a

Happy Birthday, Joel!

Joel is two years old today! We love you, Joel. Visit Joel's Blog to see many more photos and read updates.

First time at the circus

About a week-and-a-half ago we went to the circus for the first time. (Thank you for the tickets, Aunt Carol and Uncle Byron) At first Jonny and Jason were cautious, not quite knowing what to think.


But after getting used to the noise, lights, costumes, and animals, they loved it.


I was surprised at how close they let the crowd gather around the elephant during the pre-show. Basically only a few people between him and us. Boy, am I glad he didn't misbehave.


Our seats were kinda high up, but it provided the kids with a sense of safety. The stadium wasn't full, and when I suggested we try to move lower everyone protested. Needless to say we stayed in these seats.


God bless America! My home, sweet home!


Where's Waldo? Can you pick out the two men shoveling dung?


If you want to see some video clips, I posted them on YouTube. Here are the links: tigers performing, roaring tigers, trapeze, tightrope, elephants, human canon ball.

Forty Dollars

Tonight, after the kids were in bed, Jason told me "Mommy, I have a headache." I asked him how bad his headache was. He answered, "Fifty." When I was trying to figure out how much Tylenol to use I absentmindedly asked him "How much do you weigh?" His answer, "Forty Dollars."

Fun in the Backyard

The kids love playing in our backyard. They all like swinging, but Joel especially loves swinging with daddy. He gets a huge grin.


One of the swing seats broke, so it's just two hanging ropes. Jason thinks he's Spiderman.


Do all kids love water as much as mine? I can't seem to keep them out of it.


Joel playing in the sprinkler. It was the highlight of his day.


Of course, Jason had to get in on the action saying "Picture me, Mama!"


Jonny plays in the background as Joel tries to steal the show.


Children bring so much joy and laughter into a home. We thank God for these little souls He's entrusted to us.

Happy Birthday, Uncle Tom

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, Uncle Tom. Happy birthday to you (in China). We hope you are having a wonderful birthday. We love you and are thinking of you. The boys wanted to make a special video for you, so here it is:

"Take 1"



"Take 2"

Welcome

Welcome to our family blog. We have some very special friends and family in different parts of the world, so I am pleased to have found a way to keep everyone updated with family news and photos. We enjoy hearing from you so please leave comments or email us.

Here are some pictures from JulyThe boys LOVE swimming...

and uncles that feed them watermelon...

and baths...and birthdays (Jason's 4th - actually in June)...and just being together.