Integrity

Integrity is a virtue that I feel should be prized in all of us.... However, it seems to be something our society really is missing more and more. In fact, I really doubt that most people truly understand the meaning of this word.

Here is a definition that I like:

"In western ethics, integrity is regarded as the quality of having an intuitive sense of honesty and truthfulness in regard to the motivations for one's actions."

A intuitive sense of honesty and truthfulness in regard to the motivations for ones actions... HMN... Makes sense!

What a noble society we would live in, if Integrity were the center to our focus, rather than the "Gimme, Gimme, what can I get for free" culture that we have...

Let us teach our children Integrity through our example and change the world....

Officiating Summer....

Well, it has begun. Summer that is. With it's warm, sunny, beautiful days, followed by cool starry nights. Love it....

But, then there is the kids' schedules, no break from that. Fortunately, there will be a slight transition....

For instance, right now I just have to take Logan to Cross Country practice at the high school (hour round trip) to be repeated at 9 and 11am... Think I am going to have to find something to do at the high school, rather than then spend 2 hours driving in the morning. Wait didn't we just move - really close to the 'new high school' you might ask? Like walking distance! Why yes, we did... But, we don't like simple, that is boring. . . So, we have requested a boundary exception for the old high school. We actually won't know if we will be granted the boundary exception for up to a month, but figured might as well keep him with his current team til we know for sure.

Why would we (really I) want to spend an extra zillion hours driving a day? Well, because they are only in high school once, and we did JUST move them 2 years ago, and they have friends, and oh some sort of consistency.

Anyhow, back to the officiating of Summer -

So, you got it Logan 9-11am Cross Country
Well, as of Thursday (only on Thursdays) -
Krystin will have Math from 2-4pm at the High School (remember hour round trip)
Then Next week Logan will have Math at the Junior College from 11-2p
(In the complete opposite direction of the high school). Haven't quite figured out how he will be able to be at practice and class... Working on that one.

Bring on Summer!

Last Wednesday,

was the kid's last day of school!

look at those tired faces before school.

Good Bye Newhart Middle School!

So. Summer is officially Here!
FINALLY! WOO- HOOOO!

What better way to welcome summer, than to get up at 5am and head to the beach?!
Kayla decided to pass on the early wake-up call, but next time....

Our good friend & his son offered to teach
the kids some surfing techniques, and
loan them some boards.

Thank you Michael! You are awesome!

Danny helped Krystin the entire time!
Danny - thank you for keeping Krystin alive and well!

Todd braved it with the kids too.


The gang heading out!


Danny showing KC the ropes


Krystin paddling out like a pro

Everyone made it back safe! YAY!

They can't wait to get back out there!

They must love it to get up at 5am on a Saturday morning, during the Summer! (:

High School Bound

Krystin is on her way to High School.
I can't believe it!
My BABY!!!!

She is looking way too grown up, pout!

8th Grade Dance fun!

Yes, she is adorable, just like her big sister!

She got home from the dance after 10pm last night,
and then today the 8th graders spent all day at
Wild Rivers Water Park....
Yes, she is going to sleep good tonight!

Krystin and her good friend Kimmy

Bonus: the original Seaweed Models

Birthday & Father's Day Fun!

So, we finally had a small Birthday Party for the Boys!
Aside from being 30 minutes late to our own party (don't ask) at the beach, it was awesome.


I sure love this kid!
He is really an awesome boy!
He was modeling some seaweed, cute huh?

Logan only wanted to invite a few close friends.

and they were really fun!

hard to get a good pic, with random kids running! :p

Todd had fun with his friends too


and 2 of his sisters came too

Kids have had finals and final projects last week and this. They have been a little stressed, as have we! But, we did make time to have the party, and for Father's Day we spent a few hours at Disneyland! So much fun!

We caught ourselves some teens! HEE HEE

Kids were entertaining as always!

It was cute.
We were waiting in line for a ride,
and I looked up and saw this:

yah, they love each other.
...
then a minute later...

funny kiddos.
They are so much fun!

Kay and Kryst were trying to give me 'serious' looks...

Ok, Todd's entertaining too!

Happy Father's Day!

A Father's Day tribute...
What does it mean to be a Father?

I have been giving this a bit of thought lately,
as Father's Day nears. Really, what does it mean...

While I was looking for the right way to describe
the blessing that a father is, I found this poem, and loved it!

Here's to the Fathers...

(Mitch Albom, 1996, The Detroit News)

Here's to the fathers, who always begin,
on the outside of children, but looking in.
Such curious men snapping cameras like mad,
recording the moment, they turn into "Dad."

Here's to the fathers, who put in their time,
who don't say to mother's 'that's your job, not mine'.
Who wipe chins and noses and never say "won't"
who do with the diapers, what some fathers don't.

Here's to the fathers who manage to stay
when so many fathers are turning away.
When so many run, leaving families to rot,
here, then, a cheer, for those who do not.

Here's to the fathers whose big money dreams,
die in the comer while their baby screams.
And yet without anger, dread or regrets,
they comfort the child, hold it close to their chests.

And as the child grows, they grow with it too,
learning a depth that they never knew.
And soon they are older, their hair slightly gone,
chasing two children around the front lawn.

Or car-pooling teams to Little League games,
buying them hamburgers after it rains.
They mend broken dolls and fix broken wheels,
they cringe when their daughters, try their first pair of heels.

They reach in their pockets, but never keep count,
they pay dear for parenthood awful amounts
They postpone their plans to sail across seas,
instead they sing "Barney" and bandage skinned knees.

Here's to the fathers who get off the phone,
to hear their sons practice their new saxophone
Who leave work to see their daughter's recital
Here's to the heroes, who work without title.

For this is a world now full of neglect,
with everyday stories of lives that are wrecked.
Of fatherless children who take up with guns
to kill other children of fatherless sons.

Divorce shattered families, childhood's derailed,
mothers still waiting for checks still un-mailed
You wonder what wrongs these souls ever did
to make a grown man turn away from his kids.

So here's to the fathers who won't compromise
who see a light shining in their children's eyes
And feel a rare glow as if from a gem
and know that once someone saw this glow in them.

For all the good boys they have raised in the world
for all the examples they set for their girls
For all the loved children whose stories they'll tell
Here's to the father's that taught them so well.

Happy Father's Day!

No words can describe the difference a Father makes
in the life of a child better than pictures,
so I made a little Father's collage -enjoy.
(you can click on the pics to see a bigger version)

Happy Father's Day to the Father's in our Lives!
We love you lots!