Congratulations to Gideon!

I love my kids' gymnastics class! Their coach works them hard from the second they walk in to the gym, to the second they leave. he has them doing push ups and chin ups and hand stands and cartwheels and all sorts of stuff. At the end of every class, when they're worn out and exhausted, he has them climb a rope to the top of the gym. We've been going for a couple months now, but neither of the kids could get to the top, to ring the bell. They're always so close, but they quit right before they make it. Every day after gymnastics, i take the kids to get $1 chicken sandwiches at Jack In The Box. So last week, I told Chloe and Gideon that if they rang the bell, they could get **whatever they wanted** at JITB. This never happens, because if it did, i'd be broke. So... they both tried with all their might. Chloe got *so* close, but didn't quite make it. But Gideon, after much struggling, MADE IT TO THE TOP!!! Yay, Gideon!! so we went to JITB and celebrated with a strawberry milkshake, curly fries, and two tacos (which he didn't eat beacause they were too spicy).

Only One Did That For Me

Okay this is my new favorite song. LOVE IT!!! it supposed to be a christmas song, but i think it works all year round.

don't necessarily love the video. I think it takess away from the words. so maybe you can close your eyes while you listen or something. :)



How Many Kings by Downhere

Follow the star to a place unexpected
Would you believe after all we’ve projected
A child in a manger

Lowly and small, the weakest of all
Unlikeliness hero, wrapped in his mothers shawl
Just a child
Is this who we’ve waited for?

Cause how many kings, stepped down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
How many Gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that has torn all apart?
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?

Bringing our gifts for the newborn savior
All that we have whether costly or meek
Because we believe
Gold for his honor and frankincense for his pleasure
And myrrh for the cross he’ll suffer
Do you believe, is this who we’ve waited for?
It’s who we’ve waited for

How many kings, stepped down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
How many Gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that has torn all apart?
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?
Only one did that for me
All for me
All for you
All for me

More Pics

my friend asked me to take some pics of Lindsey's sister, so she could have matching sets on her wall. here are a few of my favorites. :)

Can you tell I like black and white? I have 'em all in color as well... just like these better.

ber mam idoo Not wot too bo skool

The other day, Chloe wrote me a note informing me that she didn't want to do school that day. So, like the good teacher that i am, i showed her how to write it correctly. Then I had her trace what I wrote. Then copy it. Then I made her write it two more times, until she could do the proper spelling without looking.

Hey, if she's gonna be writing me notes about not wanting to do school, she's going to write them correctly! :)

I'm such a mean mom. >:)

poor evy

So our family has started a sunday evening tradition of going up to a cliff over the ocean & watching the sunset. It's always beautiful & peaceful. But every day at the end, when the very last little drop of sun disappears behind the mountains, Evy busts into tears because she can't see the sun anymore. it's just so dang cute! :)

Checking In

Lots going on in my life right now, which is why i haven't had much time to post. Kinda funny...when i have lots of time to write, there's nothing exciting to talk about. but when i have lots to tell you about, there's not time. :)

So... our friends who are going to England as missionaries have been delayed, so they've come to live in our house, until they can get their visas in order. I've really enjoyed this whole communal living thing. :) They have 2 little girls, 5 and 2; and all the kids just love playing together. And Shelley and I have someone to keep eachother company while we do the housework. Then in the evening, after all the kids are in bed, we hang out & play games. so fun! :) But until they leave, i'm just not going to have as much time on the computer.

In other news, we went to Yosemite last weekend & had a blast. We spent 6 hours hiking 4.5 miles up (& down) a waterfall. it was a LOT of work & got a bit dangerous in a few places, but it was SO fun!! Most impressive, is Zachary who did all that hiking w/out anyone carrying him! the next day, he informed us that he didn't want to do it again, because his "feet just got so tired, and I was so sweaty" :)

Here's a picture of us, after hiking 1 mile to the bottom of the waterfall, before starting the BIG hike. See how we all look happy and energeitc? :)

We took a break about half-way through our hike. This waterfall is just above the one that we were hiking to.
Here it is! vernal waterfall! If you look closely, you can see the double rainbow at the bottom. :)

More pictures to come. :)

This weekend, i'm going to a Ladies' retreat at church. i'm looking forward to that. I always enjoy getting away & having time to myself. I'm taking a car full of 4 other women, so we should have lots of fun. :)

And on the church subject, we've started anther class, going through the book, "Emotionally Healthy Spirituality" by Peter Scazzero. The title makes me cringe, but i think it's going to be really good.

In addition to all that, Mom's planning to come back next Friday. She's feeling like she needs to be here to help take care of Grandma. She's planning to stay here for several weeks. I'm looking forward to seeing her again. :)

That's about it everything, in a nutshell. Some day my life will slow down a little more, & i'll have the time to check all of your blogs, & update this one more frequently. :)