Retraction

According to Wikipedia, "A retraction is a public statement, either in print, or by verbal statement that is made to correct a previously made statement that was incorrect, invalid, or in error. The intent of a public retraction is to correct any incorrect information."

Well, that is what I'm going to do now. I have been getting a lot of negative feed-back from my most loyal readers (my children) on a particular paragraph that I recently wrote (the blog about our snow trip). Here is what I wrote that caused hours of backlash and offended feelings in our home:

David took Justin, James, and Steven to the bunny slopes to teach them how to snow board. By the time we met for lunch, they were all snowboarding down the hill with ease. David said that Steven caught on the quickest and easiest. Probably because James and Justin didn't stick around to hear the rest of their dad's instructions. They were impatient to hit the slopes. Because of this choice they fell a lot more than Steven.

Corrected version (with the help of David, who witnessed it all)
David took Justin, James, and Steven to the bunny slopes to teach them how to snow board. By the time we met for lunch, they were all snowboarding down the hill with ease. Steven showed the most patience by sticking around for his dad's lesson and mastering all the basics. James and Justin felt more adventurous and abandoned Dad's lesson in favor of adding their own personal style to their repertoire. By the end of the day, each of the boys possessed the skill-set of a seasoned pro.

Hellos and Goodbyes

I was so excited for Sunday to come. Once it came, time seemed to drag on.

Finally, it was 5:30pm and our doorbell rang. Our dinner guests were very punctual!

When I opened the door I saw one familiar, loved face and two unfamiliar, yet loved faces.
It was Jessica Christian, a.k.a Jessica Lance (I can't get used to her married name) with her husband Rory and baby girl Sadie.

Many years ago I was Jessica's Mia Maid leader and she stole my heart from the moment I met her. Her smile, laughter, and giving personality was contagious. And I was pleased to find that six years later (since I last saw her) she is the same.

Now, I was looking at a grown woman with a family of her own. As I watched Jessica in her new "role" as a wife and mother, I was touched. I treasured those few hours that I had with her family. Holding her daughter was unreal. I didn't want to let her go. Sadie is a lucky girl to be born into the Christian/Lance family.

While eating dessert, our doorbell rang again. This time it was people whom we weren't expecting. Elder Seaman and Elder Gregg. But instead of saying "hello" we were sad to be saying "goodbye" to Elder Seaman. He was to be transfered the next day and will be sorely missed by our family. He brought a powerful missionary spirit each time he entered our home. Elder Seaman has also been a wonderful example to the boys. We all felt his love while he was here and I hope he felt ours.

P.S.
Take a look at the gift Jessica brought for me that she made for the baby. Two bibs, a pacifier holder, an adorable stegosaurus "softie", and two onesies (the one with the tie is my favorite). She is so talented! Thank you Jessica!

Click here to see her etsy store.

Snow Boarding and Tubing

It finally happened! For a month, we had been planning a family ski trip. But bad weather or other unforeseen events prevented us each time.

This past Saturday was the day! At 6:30am we loaded the Durango with our winter gear along with tons of food.

Our destination? Soda Springs

It was a three hour drive, but it was three hours of beauty. The hills and mountsides were green with wildflowers scattered about. We even saw Bluebonnets, which is the state flower of Texas. I had always assumed it only grew in Texas. (Note to self: Never assume anything).

We arrived in Soda Springs at 9:40. After spending ten minutes getting everyone's snow clothes on, sunscreen applied to faces, and chapstick on lips, we rented our gear and headed out.

David took Justin, James, and Steven to the bunny slopes to teach them how to snow board. By the time we met for lunch, they were all snowboarding down the hill with ease. David said that Steven caught on the quickest and easiest. Probably because James and Justin didn't stick around to hear the rest of their dad's instructions. They were impatient to hit the slopes. Because of this choice they fell a lot more than Steven.

While the boys were snowboarding, I took Kirsten snow tubing. I was fooled into thinking that Kirsten would be able to do it by herself. My plan was to watch her and take tons of picture. I was so wrong!

First of all, the inner tubes were big. With every step forward, the tube pulled Kirsten two to three steps back. So, I stepped in and helped her pull it up and onto the conveyor belt.

Once we reached the top, I had to hold the inner tube, push her off, and walk all the way down the hill to do it over again. Wew! The combination of being pregnant and not being used to the high altitude (6000 ft) made this task very difficult. Kirsten was having a blast though! The scarier and bumpier the course, the better. She especially enjoyed riding down on her stomach. I silently rejoiced when lunch time came.

After a much needed break of refueling our bodies with food and water, we went our separate ways again. By this time, it had really warmed up (58 degrees). People were stripping down to t-shirts and tank tops. The snow was becoming mushy, which resulted in slow tubing. Kirsten quickly became bored of her sled not making it down the hill, and I didn't have the energy to haul that darn thing up the hill again.

Then a miracle happened. The employees brought out saucers. This solved all our problems. I was no longer needed to help Kirsten, and she was able to go down the slushy hill faster.

By 3pm, Kirsten and I met up with the boys and we all agreed it was time to go home. Our energy was spent. We were all exhausted beyond words.

On the ride home, David and the boys and Kirsten began planning the next snow trip. I was silent. Exhaustion had left me speechless and motionless.

P.S.
When I looked through the pictures of our snow trip, I was shocked at how much Justin looks like me. I think it's the smile. What do you think?

What's the Buzz?

Look at this girl. She looks cute and innocent, right?

You're probably saying to yourself, "She couldn't even hurt a fly."




Ahem...




Now look at this picture:
(WARNING...If seeing tortured insects makes you squeamish, then don't look any further!)



Yesterday, Kirsten came looking for me in my room saying excitedly, "Mom, look what I did!"

She opened her hand to show me a fly.

"Yeah. You caught a fly. Good job."

"No, look! I took the wings off the fly!"

I gave the poor fly a closer inspection and sure enough...No wings!

"Why did you do that?"

"So it wouldn't fly away."

I shouldn't be surprised at Kirsten's actions. After all, when she was two years old she loved holding crane flies up-side-down by their legs. She would laugh and laugh as the crane fly spun around in circles.

What happens when you tear the wings off a FLY?
It's a FLEW!!

Spring?

This was the first weekend of spring. Yet, we had a winter storm.
Previously in the week, we were spoiled with high 70 degree weather.
I began making a mental list of all the plants and trees I wanted to buy:
Grapefruit tree
Lemon tree
Tomatoes
Peppers
Grapes
Herbs
Flowers

But the cold drove those thoughts away. Brrr!

Maybe next week will be the time for spring planting.

I hope!

Hope for our Future

Thursday evening, our youth went to the Oakland Temple to do baptisms for the dead. This was James' first time doing baptisms and Justin's first time in the Oakland Temple. Each of them had a wonderful experience. James told us that the water in the font came up to his chin. He said that he struggled to keep his head above the water as he walked in. I smile every time I think of this.

I am amazed in the youth of this generation. Their faith and testimonies are stronger than mine was at that age. They are truly being prepared for a "great work". When I watch the news, local and worldwide, I fear for the future. But then I see pictures like this. Pictures of valiant, strong youth standing in holy places. They are our hope.

Take a look at our future. (Justin is 2nd from the top left and James is 2nd from the bottom left.)

10 Signs That Your Pool Needs to be Cleaned

10. Algae is growing in it
9. The drain keeps getting clogged
8. "Max", our pool sweeper, is overwhelmed
7. People's response when seeing it is,
"Why is the water green?"
6. No one will swim in it
5. No one will even stick their feet in it
4. Debris and who knows what is floating on the surface
3. There's a thick layer of dirt on the bottom of it
2. Mosquitoes are breeding in it

And...The number one sign that your pool needs to be cleaned is...

1. Ducks are mistaking it for a pond

Pocket Treasures

Last night I was a no show at Steven's pack meeting. This is the first pack meeting that I have missed in a long time, but I was feeling light headed and dizzy.

When Steven returned from scouts, he excitedly ran to me with something in his hands.

"Mom! Here's some cookies that I saved for you."

He handed me a blue napkin with two chocolate cookies (ones that we had made earlier on in the day for this event) nestled inside. The cookies felt warm, as if they had recently come out of the oven. This confused me. Our cookies wouldn't be warm. We had made them hours ago.

I asked Steven if these were our cookies and he said, yes.

"Why are they so warm?" I asked.

"Because they were in my pocket." replied Steven.

What is it with boys and their pockets? Everything ends up there. On laundry day, I am always finding little surprises hidden in their pants. Rocks, Legos, crayons, leaves, magnets, rubber bands, etc.

Well, at least Steven thought to wrap them in a napkin before putting them in his pocket. And...They were yummy.

Escaped Again

I'm a day late in writing about St. Patrick's Day. I'll blame it on those mischievous leprechauns.

We have been preparing for St. Paddy's day for quite some time. Weeks ago, James, Steven, and Kirsten made leprechaun traps (an idea we found in Family Fun magazine). They were determined to catch these little guys this year. Then, last week they made shirts with shamrocks painted on (an idea that I found here: www.alphamom.com/holiday/2009/03/st_patricks_day_tshirt.php)

We even let our pool turn green in honor of the Irish. Well...actually our pool man (a.k.a. David) has been neglecting his chores.

The children woke up to find Lucky Charms and green milk for breakfast.

Then, we did school, while checking the leprechaun traps every now and then.

To James', Steven's, and Kirsten's delight and disappointment, the leprechauns did visit their traps. But instead of being caught, those sneaky guys left a silly note and chocolate gold coins in their path.


The kids are already designing their traps for next year.
Watch out LEPRACHAUNS!

Democracy

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."

– Thomas Jefferson

Hmmmmmm...Perhaps our new president of the United States, Barack Obama, needs to read this quote from Thomas Jefferson.

We can learn a lot from the past. Especially from our founding fathers.

Snack Time Anyone?

Earlier this afternoon, I was craving a snack.

Something sweet, but not too sweet.

It also needed to be crunchy.

I opened the refrigerator and saw a bag of left-over lemon cream frosting.

I remembered as a little girl eating left-over butter cream frosting spread over graham crackers. It was so yummy. Who came up with the idea? Did my mom? Or did her mom make it for her?

I looked in the pantry and happily found a box of graham crackers.

YUM!!

I was in heaven.

The lemon frosting on graham crackers was a winning combination.

Crunchy...And not too sweet.

Thanks to whoever came up with this snack. Thank you Mom for passing it down to me.

The World of Web Sites

About a month ago, James wrote a letter to Florida's Chamber of Commerce to fulfill an English assignment. In the business letter, he expressed an interest in learning more about the Everglades. Specifically the wildlife that live there.

A few days ago, his letter was answered, but not in the way he or I thought.

I remember when I was James' age, I loved writing or calling chamber of commerces all over the country asking for information for a report or for fun. I would always receive big packets in the mail full of posters, pictures, maps and other resources.




James received a piece of paper with a list of websites for information.

The web world has given a lot, but it has also taken a lot away.

I miss living in a paper world.

Seventeen Years Later

Turning eighteen was my year of independence. It was the year I finally got my drivers license and graduated from high school. With the combination of attending Skyline College and driving by myself, I felt free...more mature (which, looking back seems odd since I was still living at home).

One of my favorite things to do with this new freedom was drive to the beach. My favorite beach was (and still is) Fort Funston. I would first buy a sandwich from the Westmore Subway, and then eat it on the cliffs of Fort Funston while watching the hang gliders. I was fascinated with hang gliding. It was so thrilling to watch the gliders drop off the cliff and then soar up into the sky. I would sit there for as long as time permitted, just watching and listening and meditating. I was always at peace there.

Now, seventeen years later, Fort Funston is still my favorite beach. So, it was only fitting that I return there on my birthday. I took James, Steven, and Kirsten with me down memory lane.
We stopped off at the same Subway, and found a nice sunny cove on the cliffs. There weren't any hang gliders to watch because there wasn't a breeze. The windsock wasn't blowing at all. But it was still peaceful.

Until...a stranger began lecturing me on how the cliffs are unstable and and how I was such a bad mother for letting my children sit there. I reassured her that my children were okay and she just glared at me saying, "Well! I sure hope none of them die." As she walked away, I wanted to chase after her and say things like, "My children are more at risk of being malled by one of these 100 dogs running around here without a leash on than this cliff collapsing." or "The chances are greater that we will die in a car crash driving home today than this cliff collapsing with us on it." But I didn't. She was probably one of those liberals who wants laws passed forcing parents to keep their children in a car seat until they are sixteen years old. You know the type. Arguing with her would be a waste of time.

Well, I was no longer at peace and she had scared the kids, so we packed up our lunch and hiked down to the beach.

The kids spent most of the time climbing the steep dunes covered in ice plant. I was secretly wishing that the "liberal lady" would walk by and see how far I was letting them explore. She would've freaked out, and I would've laughed!

A while later, I laid down on my blanket with my head propped up on log that must have been carved to fit the shape of my head. I was so comfy and relaxed. The water was a sky blue and the waves were lined up as far as the eye could see. Each time they crashed onto shore, I silently applauded God's work. James, Steven, and Kirsten were now busy with a secret project. I was ordered to stay where I was until they were done. I didn't argue with them. I had no intention of leaving my spot.

They finally finished and called me over to see. This is what I saw:
Don't I have the best children in the world?

As we headed back, we found three whole sand dollars. What luck!

An hour later, I arrived home to find flowers and a balloon happily waiting for me on my doorstep, that I later found out was from my wonderful mother-in-law.

David came home from work early and took us all to Ohana's Grill (a Hawaiian restaurant).

Then, we dropped the kids off at home (except Kirsten) and David took me to the mall to pick out my birthday present. He planned for me to get new shoes and make-up.

Sounds like a great birthday so far, right?

Than why did I break down and cry when we drove home from the mall empty handed uttering phrases like,

"Nothing looks nice on me!"
"I feel so fat and ugly!"
"I'm not in the prime of my life anymore!"
"I'm not blind! I can see what I look like in mirrors and pictures!"

Poor David. He meant well. He just underestimated the power of pregnancy hormones.

After pulling myself together, we returned home to eat a YUMMY flourless chocolate cake that David made for me. I won first prize in the husband department.

Natural Bridges

Plan A: Our family had originally made plans to go snowboarding and inner-tubing on Saturday. But the weather didn't cooperate. The mountains were going to be getting 30 mph winds. BRRRR!! No thanks!

Plan B: Instead, we drove 35 miles to Natural Bridges ( a state park). David had been here as a child, but it was my first time.
Not only is it the only State Monarch Preserve in California, but it has tide pools full of life. The low tides reveal sea stars, crabs, sea anemones, and other colorful ocean life.
The weather was perfect. 76 degrees with a very light breeze. In fact, Kirsten brought her kite, but wasn't able to fly it. We spent most of our time exploring the many tide pools. The kids all loved sticking their fingers or entire fists in the sea anemones. The rocks were very slippery, which caused me (6 months pregnant) to be very cautious. Justin slipped once and almost fell in the ocean, but other than that, we all survived.

James even found a shark tooth!

When we tired of exploring (we meaning David and I), we found our way back to the beach and found half of our chips missing ( no doubt by a hungry seagull). James, Steven, and Kirsten played in the ocean, Justin and David played catch with the football, and I took all the pictures.

Best of Show

Steven is my little chef. He loves helping me cook. And he's good at it. His french toast is to die for!

So, you can imagine Steven's delight when it was announced that there would be a cake contest for the Blue and Gold Banquet.

The theme was "American ABC". Steven decided on making a California cake. He cooked it, cut it, frosted and decorated it by himself. As you can see from the picture, it turned out awesome!

The judges agreed and awarded him Best of Show.