Duck, Duck, Goose

I took James, Steven, and Kirsten to Almaden Lake Park for a picnic. It was such a beautiful day and we needed some fresh air and sunshine after all the rain we'd been having.
I picked out a nice picnic table underneath some trees near the lake. Our feast consisted of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, ham/turkey sandwiches, juice, a big bag of Cheetos, and lots of stale buns and bread for the ducks. (I like to keep things simple.)


We looked out on the lake and saw birds and geese. The kids wanted to feed them, but I told them to eat their lunch first. The temptation was too much. Especially once the geese came waddling onto shore. I gave in. (I like to pick my battles carefully. This was one not worth winning.)
I sat down in the warm sun and was quite content. The sound of their laughter mixed with the sun's rays was intoxicating. I didn't want it to end. If only we could freeze time.


Once the ducks and geese cleaned us out of bread and Cheetos, James, Steven, and Kirsten spent a while playing at the park. This was a nice end to our aftenoon.

What I Have to Look Forward To

There is an image in my head that I can't seem to get out.

It happened yesterday while sitting in the orthodontist's waiting room while Steven was getting his braces tightened.

Kirsten and I were watching James play a game on his DS Lite while sucking on a Werther's Original.

In walked a husband and his wife holding hands, with their teenage son close behind them. Now, this teenager, was at least 7 feet tall. At least! His parent's sat down on the couch beside us while he sat in a chair across the room. The mom beckoned him to sit with them. So, in three strides (I'm telling you...his legs are long, like stilts) this teenager is standing in front of his mom. He then plops down on her lap.

Can you picture this? A 7 foot tall teenager sitting on his mom's lap (who is my size), with a huge grin on his face.. At first I thought it was a joke. I was expecting the mom to kick him off. But she seemed to be enjoying the moment just as much as he was. Her one hand was still in her husband's hand and the other was around her son. They noticed me smiling in their direction and the dad said while laughing, "This is what you have to look forward to."

This was a close family. There was no doubt about it.

I hope that is what I have to look forward to.

Highlights

I wanted to share some highlights of Deborah and her family's visit with us over the four day weekend. It had been almost two years since I'd seen Deborah and her children. I was so excited to finally meet Kamea. Needless to say...We had a lot of catching up to do. And three and a half days is NOT enough time.

Thanks for coming to see us Deborah, Thavee, Sean, Aaron, and Kamea. We love you all so much and are looking forward to seeing you again.
Cutting down the bush was definitely memorable. Check out my HOT husband!



When it wasn't raining, James and Steven taught Sean and Aaron how to play hockey.

And when it was raining, they played hockey in the upstairs hallway using a horse for a stick and a soccer nerf as a ball.


This was my shopping splurge with Deborah. Isn't it cute. Everyone fights over sitting in it. But once the baby comes...it's all MINE!


All of the kids bonded well with each other. It was fun to see them play nicely together. By the end of their stay with us, Kamea had James and Steven wrapped around her finger.


And last but not least, I saw a side of Deborah and Thavee that I'd never seen before. This picture is proof! You had to be there! (Nice monk pose Thavee)

My Valentine

Valentine's Day started out with love in the air. My sister Deborah and her family, Thavee, Sean, Aaron, and Kamea, were spending President's day weekend with us. There were smiles and hugs for everyone as we exchanged valentines.

But after that, it was chaos.
The missionaries showed up to help with the removal of our poisonous bush (an oleander bush).
James and Justin had to be dropped off at the church to help with building clean-up.
Steven had to be dropped off at gymnastics.
Deborah and I went grocery shopping.
James, Justin, and Steven had to be picked-up.

We returned home to find that the bush removal was no where near complete (it was supposed to be a half an hour job...said David and the guys). The first chain saw wasn't even powerful enough to cut a finger. The next chain saw needed oil. The problems kept adding up. But it was worth it to see my hunky husband handle a chainsaw.

What were Deborah and I to do in a situation like this?

While that guys worked out their problems and the kids ran around carefree, Deborah and I spent a couple of hours doing what girls no how to do best. SHOP!!

We came home to find the refrigerator cleaned out and one crashed out missionary on the couch. The kids were still alive, even though Thavee let Kamea chew on an oleander stick.

Wew!

The day ended with a romantic dinner at the Cheesecake Factory with no children. Deborah, Thavee, David and I got there at 5pm hoping to beat the rush. Instead we found a one an a half hour wait. The hostess told us that we could be seated right away if we ate outside on the heated patio. We jumped at the offer and enjoyed a wonderful dinner. The rain even stopped for us while we ate.
I'm so thankful that I could spend this special day with my family.

Pitter Pitter Pat

Why is the sound of rain so inviting?
Why does it make me feel cozy?
Why does it lull me to sleep?
Why does it make me smile?

I love all types of rain. In Texas, I was introduced to the big droplets (everything is BIG in Texas). The rain showers wouldn't last long, but the amount was enormous. The kids and I loved cuddling up on the couch with our blankets and pillows listening to it pound on the roof. And I mean pound! When the storm passed, the kids would always run outside (shoeless) to stomp and play in the huge puddles. Kirsten loved walking up and down the curbside where the water was the deepest.

The rain in California is very different. We have small droplets. And it is usually a light rain that lasts for days. The sound hitting the rooftop is very soft and soothing. At the first sight and/or sound of rain, the kids grab their umbrellas and head for the outdoors. They enjoy listening to the hitting their umbrellas.


As a child, I remember loving to sit in the car with my sister while it rained. The sound of the rain hitting the metal roof was enticing. Deborah and I would bring our barbie dolls and blankets into the car. The blankets were used to cover the windows. We didn't like passerbys peering into our secret world. The front seat was a "house" for some barbies and the back seat was another "house". I always smile when I think back on those times.

One Year Older

This past week, we celebrated Justin's 14th birthday. The number fourteen isn't a big number. In fact, on a scale of 1-100, it is at the beginning. If I think about it that way, Justin's life is just getting started. He has much more living yet to come. But I only have four or five years left with him. Yes, I know that parenting never ends and I'll always be his mom...but it won't be the same. Justin will be starting a new life...a life away from me.

So, I guess I'd better make the next five years meaningful and memorable.

Sunday definitely falls under memorable moments. Our family, along with Grandma and Grandpa Zinn, watched Justin be ordained a Teacher. I know he will always remember the feeling in that classroom as his father, grandfather, bishopric, and YM leaders, laid their hands on his head.

After church, we broke our fast and had ribs for dinner and cake and ice-cream for dessert. Grandma and Grandpa Zinn left and the boys watched the 2nd half of the Super-Bowl (Arizona vs Pittsburgh). Our evening ended with the missionaries stopping by. They hung out with us for a while, and as always, brought a sweet spirit into our home...Another memory for Justin to hold onto.

Happy Birthday Justin.
I love you!!

P.S.
The jacket that Justin is wearing is a present from David and I.
We refer to it as a modern version of the "coat of many colors".