Wishing away time....

It seems in life there is always SOMETHING I am - Waiting for...

Something that makes me want to WISH the current time to pass as quickly as possible....

Oh, how impatient I am. . .

It is a trait that I am not proud of, but I can remember embracing even as a young child.

Heck, I remember, when I was 6 years old, I was told I could drive when I was 16... How I wanted to drive. I remember thinking, "Wow, I am 6, 16 is more than my entire life so far, and then some"... And I couldn't wait. Seriously, every time I would have a birthday I would think one more year down, one more year closer to driving!!! Getting my license on my 16th birthday meant the WORLD to me... I had wanted it so badly, and for so long that the night before my 16th birthday I COULD NOT SLEEP at all. I was sure I would die before morning, because of how much I wanted it... Seems a little dramatic now, but I always have been a tad 'passionate' about things... Fortunately, I made it through the night, and by the GRACE OF GOD I passed my driving test. I can't imagine how my world would have been rocked if I hadn't passed, or if I hadn't been able to take the test on my actual 16th birthday....

So, when I say that I have a tendency to wish time away looking toward some alluring date in the future. I am very serious.

Here is what I find myself doing constantly.

I can't wait for my kids to get home from school, so I watch the clock...
I can't WAIT to spend time with Todd, so I wish Friday would come faster...
I know you know what I mean. Watching the clock waiting to go home from work, watching the clock waiting for a class to end... Waiting for a pay day. Waiting to go to Disneyland (had to include that). Waiting for a phone call. Waiting for a package. Waiting, waiting, waiting. . . . .

Look at these cute faces? Patience, as if?!

There is ALWAYS something to wait for it seems... So, I am willing to bet MOST people are MUCH more Patient that I am... Patience, my biggest challenge. One thing that God is ALWAYS trying to help me to learn...

What I have realized, is while I am wishing away time to get to the elusive more exciting moment in the future, I am missing the precious moment that is now.

Every day, hour and minute is a - GIFT. A precious gift... While, yes, sometimes it is a gift you would rather return. We all have our bad days. Most days we do have some control over the way they turn out, and how much we get out of the day. Considering we each only have a limited number of days, moments, and hours - each should be cherished, right? I think so...

This is such a challenge for me....

But, I am making a new resolution,

"To live more in the now"
and to try and
"appreciate every day, hour and minute a little more"

I am thankful for the gift that life is, even with all of the patience that is required...


But, how sweet is it when the wait is over????

Funk to Fun - through pics

Ever just kind of feel in a funk?

Yes, I am sure you do.

Everyone does from time to time, Really.

I have been kind of in a funk lately. Todd started a new job, which I am SO happy for HIM about! Yay! Great job! Great job that is 50 some miles a way from home (beautiful by the coast 50 mile drive mind you), but I miss him, a LOT! Even if I can IM him all day, and he is home on Fridays. I am having husband withdrawal. Well, and with a new job there is the waiting for the pay cycle to start and with this job - 45 days to get rolling, annoying.... But happy about the job. Good job! YAY! Even with all the rationalizing, I was still kind of 'funkish'... Pathetic, I know, but I am HUMAN!

So, you know what pulls me out of a funk???
Well, at least tonight?

Here Let Me show you!

Look at that sweet smile!

and. No, not because she is doing the dishes, but it is a BONUS!
Thanks Krystin!!!

Oh, this would make anyone smile, and even laugh.

Logan giving Indy some loving, while doing homework.

Lily wants some lovin' too

Indy thought Logan needed to be groomed,
and wouldn't get off his head - so funny!!!!

He had JUST showered too.

Big sister to the rescue... or...hmn

Kayla brought in some help,
persuasion is best accomplished in one's own language.

Xia trying to convince Indy, that while Logan's head is nice
It is NOT a landing pad...

I SURE LOVE these Kiddos and creatures!!!
SOOO MUCH!!!

Thanks for making me smile!

Well, and this guy is pretty cute too

as he waits with me for these two

to finish Roadshow practice.

Did I mention Krystin has a solo in it?
Because She does, and it is REALLY CUTE!
Performances will be Fri and Sat Feb 26/27...

How can you stay in a funk with such cute, sweet faces all around you??! You can't!

And even if they get moody, they are still REALLY dang CUTE when they are sleeping.
Well, and Todd is taking me to Disneyland Friday evening - that works too! (:

Avatar. . .

Ok, well I have been DYING to see this movie:

Really, Really wanted to see this movie when it first came out, but Todd started a new job mid December, so we needed to wait 'til he got a pay check first (which took 5 weeks, ugh)!

Oh, and patience is really not my best virtue...
So, when we finally were able to see it.
I was a little bit anxious to get going...
I wanted to be to the theater at LEAST an hour ahead of time to make sure we would have great seats!

I wanted to leave, and what was my family doing?

Well, we are a little silly in our family, so ....

Krystin was playing with watermelons and cracking up.


Kay was attempting to put on her shoes,
Lily had other plans.


Todd had some last minute 'business' to take care of... (hee, hee)

Todd, don't kill me, please - you make me laugh!
(Disclaimer: I did ask Todd if it was ok to publish this. He said, yes, but to watch out for comeuppance. He can't be serious. I am not NEARLY as entertaining in the bathroom)

and Logan? What was he doing? I don't know, the girls and I were laughing so hard I can't remember...

Finally, everyone was ready, water bottles stowed - check, candy stowed away -check, cookies - check, jackets - check.
Dang it...
Everyone thought they should be able to have some sort of dinner too.
Fine, we will stop on the way.

Logan sampling some hot sauce.


We had purchased our tickets earlier in the day, so now just to go wait outside the theater door. We made it an hour before the movie started.
I was sooo HAPPY!

Kids waiting for the movie, and contemplating future movies.


Finally! We were in and had perfect seats.

Was my anticipation worth it?

YES!

I have to say Avatar is probably one of the MOST amazing movies, if not the most amazing movie I have ever seen. I believe that it will change movie making from this point going forward.

Also, you HAVE to see it in 3-D, period.

We want to see it again, a LOT.
Next time, though, we want to go to IMAX.
It will be a bit before we can, but I am pretty sure it will be there waiting.

Thank you James Cameron - YOU ROCK!

Rain ... and Shine

When it Looks Like this outside,
in the middle of the day.

and like this...

A little something to brighten the day is in order, for me this works:

and this...

Well, and the cuteness that my little furry girls are too.

When we adopted Honey (at 1 year old),
she came with MANY toys...
And she has received MANY, MANY more in the 6 years since.
But, from the day we brought her home -
this monkey has always been her favorite

She LOVES to sleep with it in her mouth...

Yum... 7 years of dog saliva, tantalizing...

It must be good, because now...
Lily loves it too...

and yes, sleeps with it i HER mouth too...

Well, and under head, like a pillow


Why this monkey, we have tons of monkeys and other toys?
Just must be - the best?!
These pictures were both taken today.
The dogs don't fight over it, just take turns...

So cute, they make me SMILE!

Silliness...

Here are a couple things that made me smile this last week.

Cute kids that played with me at Disneyland!


Where was Kay?

Recovering from the exhausting life of an 11th grade high school student.
We missed her, til next time!

Oh my Lily...

I was washing pillows, and she claimed this one.
So funny that she loves to rest her head on it, like a person.

Look how Lils sits, compared to Honey?!

She cracks me up.
She just went around the house all morning with that dang paper hanging out of her mouth.
Silly girl.

Any how, here's to a little silliness.

Why???

WARNING - Read at your own risk, as I am a bit rambly.

I haven't felt like blogging lately. I have been thinking, watching, and contemplating...


Yes, the earthquake in Haiti initiated this process... I am always taken a back when my eyes are 're-awakened' to the realities of life. I pray for the people in Haiti with all of my heart. I wish there was more that I can do for them. I want to adopt ALL of their little orphans that need a home, and love them, every one. It kills me to know that children, especially children, are suffering... Todd finds me a bit irrational, but alas, I can't help it.


It is so easy to be so near sighted, really. I mean with my own family and pets to worry about, how easy it is to distance myself from the 'realities' of life. How shielded are we in the U.S. from such extreme poverty... and such extreme suffering...

In the end, though, we are really all subject to "the Powers that Be"... Mother nature, or anything else that should come our way...


Really, living in Southern California is a reminder of that - we expect the 'big one', anytime... We have faith that our buildings will hold up better than in Haiti, and most will. Money allows for privilege in the form of building codes, expert engineers and so forth. Not all will be saved, but I believe most will. Those that are injured will not go without medical treatment to the point of countless amputations. Those that need food and water will be taken care of...

However, unexpected things still loom ... You never know - Yesterday, our kids were on lock down at school for a "Tornado" warning, yes in Southern California - go figure.

Why? Why? Why?

I am left wondering about this world we live in. About the leaders of our planet. About those that come to power (now and throughout time) and what they do with that power.

Why isn't there a 'must be a Good person' prerequisite to being in a position of power???

Why are there bad people in the world? Since, I was a tiny child I have had a really hard time with accepting two things about this Earthly life:

1. How could anyone do something hurtful to another? No matter how many times I have tried to understand this. Psychology classes, ethics classes, nothing makes logical sense to me. And how in the heck do these really bad people tend to rise to power and get others to do their bidding??? I will NEVER understand... and maybe I don't want to.

2. Death... I know I will see my loved ones again. I DO NOT CARE. I am SELFISH. I want them with me for my ENTIRE journey. I hate to be away from my family for very long, and to have them poof gone makes me kind of devastated. Don't get me wrong, I am not so selfish that I would want to keep my love one alive in a vegetative state or if they were suffering. But, it doesn't make it any easier to live without them. No more hugs. No more fun visits. No more THEM! I just don't like death. At the same time I respect death, and I am happy for the person that has gone on... But being left behind sucks!

Oh, and all the death and terror right now in Haiti... Those poor people. Just the smell of death is enough, and I am willing to bet many that have been left behind envy those that have gone on...

Yet, while some die, some too live. Even under extreme and miraculous circumstance. A 5 year old boy was pulled from the rubble, 8 days out? Nothing short of miraculous. His parents presumed dead. Why? Why was he saved?

I like to believe that we each have a purpose(s) to fulfill in this life, and while some people's purposes seem grander than others ALL are important, and this sweet boy has yet to fulfill his. Perhaps, even just by his miraculous recovery, he has fulfilled the purpose of renewing hope. Hope that miracles are possible, even in such perilous circumstance.

Alas, Let us strive to bring Hope to others

Let them see the light and good in the world.

So, Why? Why do bad things happen??

Because, it gives the rest of us the opportunity to grow,
and to think about what is really important in life.
No, not that cool new phone or toy or car.

What is really important?

Caring, compassion, loving others.

Ok, enough, I am done...

Police

EEEK!

When I was arriving home from picking up Krystin from school yesterday,
I saw not only a police car parked RIGHT in front of our house,
but a police motorcycle too. Of course, I thought the worst.
.

Now, to put things in perspective, keep this in mind:

1. We have No neighbor across the street.
2. Kayla has been driving for about 3 and 1/2 months
and should have beat me home by a few minutes.
3. Police don't usually stop by just to say hi...
.



Needless to say, my heart sank..

I couldn't see Kayla's car in the drive way at first, stupid bushes.
but it was there

Still, a police car and a police motor cycle outside my front door.

What the heck?!

I mean if they were here for any other neighbor,
why park in front of my house.

I quickly parked and ran in the house.
to find...

Logan happily singing in the shower

and Kayla up in her room.

???

Apparently, the police were here for the next-door neighbor, just checking up on her, because I guess she hadn't been seen for a couple of days and she is a single lady that lives alone.
.
DEAR GOODNESS...

Kayla and Logan told me that the police did talk to them, just asked if they had seen our neighbor. Oh, and Kay thought that just maybe I might panic when I saw the Police entourage out front and that maybe she should call or text me to let me know, but then decided I would figure it out quick enough.
Thanks Kay! :p

Kayla-isms

Ok, my eldest daughter is always full of insight.
I love her.
She is wise beyond her years...

Well, and pretty cute too!

Her latest insight, as she is always trying to help her Mommy out:

"Life is always measured in contrasts"...

You get it, right?

You can only really appreciate the good, when compared to the bad.
The light, compared to the dark.
Or even a good grade for a class, when it is a little more challenging.

Kayla-ism #1

Starting the year off - right!

Yes... We made resolutions, shared thoughts, hopes and wishes for this new year...


But, come on people. We have to have priorities. Forget - being healthier, dieting, exercise and all or all the other resolutions about financial frugality and the betterment of humankind. Not, that these are not all on the list and very important. But, like I said - priorities!

... and ... Priority number one:
Have More fun!

aaahh, Disneyland - Perfect!

Logan, I think that was a little 'too' much fun there kiddo.

Kay was tired. I asked her to give me her best pouty/annoyed face.
Oh, Kayla you can do better than that. You still look cute!

Ok, my other favorite resolution... Enjoy the beauty around us a little more.

another awesome greeting this morning.

Hmn? Seriously?!

Lily - again - I know!

But really, come on?!

Lily, I hate to inform you of this...


But ...
You are a dog!

and dogs
Poop Outside,
not in the bathroom


Ugh. What to do?

She loves to go pee outside, but is quite insistant about using the facilities for the production of number 2.
Such a strange dog...

Lily talking

Lily really thinks she is a baby, not a puppy...
.
She cries to be held ALL the time..
and She says "Mama, Maaama".
I couldn't get a great recording of it,
because she was getting MAD that I didn't immediately pick her up, but it is SOO FUNNY!
I had to share.

Puzzles!

Every year, over the winter break, the girls and I make puzzles.
(Logan did help a little, and it's not Todd's thing)
.
I love it! So much fun, hours together laughing and creating a beautiful picture.
.
Awesome
.

.
We usually do a few 500 piece puzzles, but this year we decided on a 1500 piece puzzle.
(after completing a 500 piece puzzle mind you)
.
We picked it out together, and after many hours...
Our kitchen table will finally be free again.

Excellent work girls!
I love you!

Good Morning

"We can only appreciate the miracle of a sunrise, if we have waited in the darkness" --- Author Unknown

...view from my bedroom window this morning...
and the Earth says Good Morning...