Date Nights in all their Glory

We are getting a new respite worker. Merlene who has been with us eleven years on and off is moving to Utah. We have new tutors and insurance is picking up ABA for that and we will have more change. Even though IEP and behaviorism therapy demands are high and somewhat stressful, I feel there are benefits and growth that comes from managing these things for my special needs kiddos. I am learning what to stress about and what to leave to the Lord. I am learning to be kind and to not worry, things will work out.  Faith and hope and planning and order all are anxiety preventers and help to see things from a perspective of understanding and patience. I am learning that sometimes things just happen because that is where are children are developmentally or where we are in our age and development.  We have had a lot of date nights lately. We took Emmy and Joe to Café Rio. We kind of like Costa Vida a little better.

Café Rio reminded me of Utah and how we had such great memories there, but now we are so happy in California and it is delicious to us now too, maybe even better that the other.  After dinner we went to TJ Max and I found some beautiful turquoise earrings which Brian got for me. We had family time and learned of a friend going through hard times. As we do our routines we can help others, pray for them, learn from them, and better our lives and feel grateful. I don't feel concerned or like I need to do this or that or experience this or that to feel Happy. I feel happy now and am grateful for these children at home that grow up so quickly. 

Brian and I went out to dinner with some friends and they offered us some theater tickets as she would be working. It was a nice time going in to Sacramento. We walked around and found a yummy, fancy restaurant called Esquire's and Brian had the yummiest hamburger I've ever had. My salad was pretty great too with Squash, Chicken, Roasted walnuts, feta cheese and Spinach/kale. We really are suburb folks, but it seemed nice to do something different and visit in the city. The capitol was gorgeous all lit up  as we walked around. We had memories of various places we had been downtown for Brian's work and for Time out for Women and field trips that I've been to. The show was great, I loved all the costumes and music. I do think music is such a great part of our lives and it can be so meaningful. The special effects were really nice in the show too. I'm excited to go see Phantom of the opera with Brian there too.

So Joseph has been being a typical teenager, so tired and sassy and not wanting to do things. Brian and I took him out to dinner at Moe's. We had a coupon and were able to talk to him a bit and see where he is and what he is thinking about these days. Brian was such a great example. He is a loving father and a patient teacher and a gentle hand to guide. Joe has a lot of respect for him and I'm glad Bri is on my team, because raising a teenage boy is not a walk in the park all the time. On the date night we helped Joe come up with some goals and rewards and a time frame. Later after talking with my Mom about Joe, My Mom helped give some reinforcement for Joe too to earn after a month of going to seminary on time. He is acting a bit better and I am thinking it does take a village to raise a child. Now Joseph has a permit and has been out Driving with an instructor. He is growing up fast, I hope we have time too instill in him all that we hope for his future ahead.

Family and Faultlines

Your mom Is the family historian after all. Bri had to tell the kids that was the case after there was talk of me recounting our love story often to them. We won the Newly Wed game at my folks last night. Our prize was movie tickets. I wonder what we'll see.  It was a great Valentine's Day. I am back in business blogging away on my new technology and feeling so blessed despite chaos in the world today.  The Oroville dam we visited in November was at the point of overflowing and the failure at the emergency overflow sites were disconcerting.. Cities were evacuated at a safety measure and we all got a fire drill so to speak for natural disasters in our area. Earthquakes have happened recently in the East and in Mendocino.

I went and got food and filled up the gas tank.  We have had a few wake up calls lately with emergencies and the fragile state of life. There have been so many car accidents and medical conditions that have taken family and friends by surprise.  I have felt the Lord's tender mercies and mindfulness of me in more abundance lately.  I'm grateful for my life and what it entails. We have had a lot of appointments lately, mostly preventative medicine.

 I learned Emmy doesn't need glasses and Celia does need braces. Spence is having a good week this week. He is happy and engaging more after a medicine change and being laid out in bed for more than ten days. Meetings and changes and new problems are arising everyday. I think this may become the new norm. I do enjoy my loving best friend and hubby, having Emmy in town to help and my parents on both sides nearby. Our van almost kicked the bucket, but we saved it for Spence and to practice frugality although that cherry red xl suburban was a sweet ride. I guess our van will take us through rain and mud and flood a little longer. So here we are plugging along at a new year enjoying each others company and focusing on Love and all is well.

Age of Sails

 It was fun clue into the past and all things nautical to go on Celia's Field trip called Age of Sails. Were were on a ship in San Francisco. I had volunteered to drive months before and Celia had been anticipating the day for. She knew the captain and first mate would be strict. She knew there would be punishments for talking in everyday language from the 20th century and for having idle hands. I didn't realize being a "tall sailor" I would be participating so much in the back to the ages event. It was fun to be in character. I learned to say A Vast when I spotted anything unsafe. There was definitely some team building going on and I felt privileged to bu-lei the sailors as the rigger and learn to hoist sailors up high to reach the sail and mast. Our captain looked a little like the Character Russ Poldark and it felt very surreal like living in real life at the time and place of Pirate's of the Caribbean.

We did get rained on, an the ship did rock to and fro a little too much at times. Overall it was a great experience. I especially felt blessed and noticed the Lord's tender mercies towards me. Pack meeting was on the same day as this event. I was worried about traffic and getting home in time for the track master to set up for the event. The other fifth grade classes that went the this same field trip returned home much later that was feasible for me to do all my duties in preparation for pinewood derby.  We avoided traffic on the way there and a semi that jack knifed on the freeway we were on. We were ahead of our group an arrived there 30 mins early. I noticed I didn't have my lunch for the all day trip so with the extra time I was able to park closely, get a lunch and get some validation for the parking. As soon as we were off the boat, I was able to leave early with the group I was in charge of. They took their birthday cupcakes to go and we arrived home early after all.  Another Mom that knew I was in a hurry offered to wait with my scholars I was in charge of so I was on my way home in no time. We saw many beautiful birds and rainbows were in abundance as well. Pinewood derby went well and I was glad to have had the stamina to endure the busy, demanding, blessed day!

When December Ends and Christmas

It was a Holiday Whirlwind after coming home from Hawaii.  We prepped for Christmas Eve and recuperated from the flight back and road trip hurrying an getting no where in traffic. The temperature change was noticeable and so I drove to see the luminaries in our neighborhood rather than walk.:) I love our devotional though. So much singing and feeling of he true spirit of Christmas. Christmas morning was nice. The family enjoyed so many great gifts. Celia got overwhelmed a little because who can process all those git and treats without feeling a little overwhelmed. We were happy to have Papa and Rah Rah come visit us on Christmas evening. We opened gifts from them and enjoyed family.  Joseph got a gift card and combined it with another gift car a friend that is a girl gave him and he bought a smart watch.  I can't believe what a teen he is becoming.  He got his permit after one try of not passing. I think it was great for him to learn that he had to study to pass. I feel liek history is repeating itself since we went through the teaching our child to drive phase with Emmy not long ago.

Emmy was such a great help with Spence  when we were in Hawaii. She had a desire to see the beach so me an all the kids headed to Santa Cruz on a week day.  I got a referral of the best places  to eat while there from a friend and we headed out.  At first, I thought this is so close to Monterrey, we  might as well go there instead. I soon found out that Santa Cruz s its own great place to visit. We stopped off at the Boardwalk. It was a great carnival to see. Joseph won a shop kin stuffed animal for Celia. Spence we loved the sunshine an waves although he his his face a nit. Joseph hid his face in his phone a bit, typical millennial.  I looked around and what did I see? A beautiful blue and white lighthouse in view. Never had I had such  a beautiful view with such little effort to obtain it.  From then on I was all smiles. The girls ran in the surf. Emmy found a sand dollar and we played for a bit.

We went to Pizza My Heart, which was so delicious. Spencer did great in the restaurant which made me feel very happy and grateful. We would definitely go there again.  We also visited the natural bridges. There wee so many pelicans, it was a neat site to see although a little stinky. I would have preferred to sit on the beach near the Boardwalk and soak up the 67 degree weather all day.  We Did get to visit Marianne's ice cream creamery on the way out. It was all around a great beach day!

For New Year's we went to Grandma's an Grandpa's. We had dinner, played games and dance to Just Dance 2017. I was pretty happy to win the dancing competition and gain rewards from my mom. Never to old to dance! I remember how much I loved to dance and it will be part of my new year, I just know it!