March of Dimes

Walk America is a program by March of Dimes to raise money and awareness for premature babies. My friend Kristen walks every year. I know she'd appreciate it if you could help her with donations for her walk.

It's a great cause to help save babies! Donate if you can!

Home Improvement Updates

Anthony finished the fireplace, the mantel and all of the chair railing. We managed to get it all painted this past weekend. Here are the before and after pics of the fireplace and the new painting.

Fireplace before (white painted brick):

Fireplace with new tile:

Painting (bottom is called barnwood and top is called antique):

Final work with chair rails and mantel:

(Notice on this picture the shelves Anthony built that are on either side of the fireplace?)

Anthony built shelves for the end of our hallway, the entry and by the fireplace. They came out great.

I've been tagged

Four jobs you have had in your life:

1. Engineer
2. Planner
3. Analyst
4. Intern
*all with the same company

Movies you would watch over and over:

1. Grease
2. 10 Things I Hate About You
3. Ice Age
4. The Wedding Singer

Four places you have lived:

1. Illinois
2. Yorba Linda, CA
3. Chino/Ontario, CA
4. Riverside, CA

Four TV shows you love to watch:

1. American Idol
2. Gilmore Girls
3. Desperate Housewives
4. ER

Four places you have been on vacation:
1. Lake Havasu, AZ
2. Illinois
3. Greenfield, IN
4. Virginia (or was that W.Virginia?)

Four websites I visit daily

1. NOTI
2. Yahoo! News
3. Child Support
4. Findlaw.com

Four of my favorite foods:

1. Banana Creme Pie
2. Cheesecake
3. Shredded beef combination burrito (rice/beans/cheese/salsa)
4. Mashed potatoes

Four places I would rather be right now:

1. home, in bed, sleeping
2. shopping for home decor
3. at the beach - today's a really nice day!
4. watching my kids play ball

Four Places you shop at regularly:

1. Stater Bros (groceries)
2. Del Taco (lol quick dinner during softball season!)
3. 99cent store
4. Target

Ten Guidelines From God

Effective Immediately. Please be aware that there are changes YOU need to make in YOUR life. These changes need to be completed in order that I may fulfill My promises to you to grant you peace, joy and happiness in this life. I apologize for any inconvenience, but after all that I am doing, this seems very little to ask of you. Please, follow these 10 guidelines.


1. QUIT WORRYING:
Life has dealt you a blow and all you do is sit and worry. Have you forgotten that I am here to take all your burdens and carry them for you? Or do you just enjoy fretting over every little thing that comes your way?

2. PUT IT ON THE LIST:
Something needs done or taken care of. Put it on the list. No, not YOUR list. Put it on MY to-do-list. Let ME be the one to take care of the problem. I can't help you until you turn it over to Me. And although My to-do-list is long, I am after all... God. I can take care of anything you put into My hands. In fact, if the truth were ever really known, I take care of a lot of things for you that you never
even realize.

3. TRUST ME:
Once you've given your burdens to Me, quit trying to take them back. Trust in
Me. Have the faith that I will take care of all your needs, your problems and your trials. Problems with the kids? Put them on My list. Problem with finances? Put it on My list. Problems with your emotional roller coaster? For My sake, put it on My list. I want to help you. All you have to do is ask.

4. LEAVE IT ALONE:
Don't wake up one morning and say, "Well, I'm feeling much stronger now, I think
I can handle it from here." Why do you think you are feeling stronger now? It's simple. You gave Me your burdens and I'm taking care of them. I also renew your strength and cover you in my peace. Don't you know that if I give you these problems back, you will be right back where you started? Leave them with Me and forget about them. Just let Me do my job.

5. TALK TO ME:
I want you to forget a lot of things. Forget what was making you crazy. Forget the worry and the fretting because you know I'm in control. But there's one thing I pray you never forget. Please, don't forget to talk to Me - OFTEN! I love YOU! I want to hear your voice. I want you to include Me in on the things going on in your life.
I want to hear you talk about your friends and family.. Prayer is simply you having
a conversation with Me. I want to be your dearest friend.

6. HAVE FAITH:
I see a lot of things from up here that you can't see from where you are. Have faith in Me that I know what I'm doing. Trust Me; you wouldn't want the view from My eyes. I will continue to care for you, watch over you, and meet your needs. You only have to trust Me. Although I have a much bigger task than you, it seems as if you have so much trouble just doing your simple part. How hard can trust be?

7. SHARE:
You were taught to share when you were only two years old. When did you forget? That rule still applies. Share with those who are less fortunate than you. Share your joy with those who need encouragement. Share your laughter with those who haven't heard any in such a long time. Share your tears with those who have forgotten how to cry. Share your faith with those who have none.

8. BE PATIENT:
I managed to fix it so in just one lifetime you could have so many diverse experiences. You grow from a child to an adult, have children, change jobs many times, learn many trades, travel to so many places, meet thousands of people, and experience so much. How can you be so impatient then when it takes Me a little longer than you expect to handle something on My to-do-list? Trust in My timing, for My timing is perfect. Just because I created the entire universe in only six days, everyone thinks I should always rush, rush, rush.

9. BE KIND:
Be kind to others, for I love them just as much as I love you. They may not dress
like you, or talk like you, or live the same way you do, but I still love you all. Please try to get along, for My sake. I created each of you different in some way. It would be too boring if you were all identical. Please, know I love each of your differences.

10. LOVE YOURSELF:
As much as I love you, how can you not love yourself? You were created by me for
one reason only -- to be loved, and to love in return. I am a God of Love. Love Me.
Love your neighbors. But also love yourself. It makes My heart ache when I see you
so angry with yourself when things go wrong. You are very precious to me. Don't ever forget.

~author unknown

Touch someone with your love. Rather than focus upon the thorns of life, smell the roses and count your blessings!

Philippians 4:13 --- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

The road to success is not straight. There is a curve called Failure, a loop called Confusion, speed bumps called Friends, red lights called Enemies, caution lights called Family. You will have flats called Jobs. But, if you have a spare called Determination, an engine called Perseverance, insurance called Faith, a driver called Jesus, you will make it to a place called Success.

Genealogy

I've always been interested in uncovering the past and the trail of my ancestors. This past weekend brought me some more information on my dad's side of the family. With help from an online friend Cindy, I've been researching more lately after having laid this task down some years ago.

I can't wait to add the new information to my records. Maybe one of these days I can put it all up on the web for you to see.

Thank you Aunt Linda and Uncle Happ for providing this information for me. It renews my inspiration to continue the research.

I even have records on Anthony's family that go back quite a ways. Apparently his family is related to General Moya! I'm not sure if this is the same one or not, but it will be interesting to get more information.

I don't feel any older.

Tired yes, but older, no.

to me.

I'm glad it didn't rain today! It's actually quite nice outside - a bit cool, but very sunny! Maybe it'll get to the 70's like yesterday!

Jordan had her birthday party this past Sunday at our local bowling alley and had a great time. A couple of her friends from school came and a few of the girls from her softball team as well as her cousins and her sisters. Noah was with his mom and wasn't able to make it. Alex even made it!

Jordan had a great time bowling with her friends. I hope you enjoy the pictures.
And check out that strawberry shortcake ball! It's almost bigger than her! I also want to share that the outfit she is wearing came from our friends in South Africa this past Christmas (thanks Luke, Adam, Sam, & Martyn!)

Thank You Grandma & Grandpa

Today Jordan received her birthday gift in the mail from grandma & grandpa. She was excited when she got home from school and saw her package at the door - she called me at work to see if she had to wait to open it lol.

Here she is with her new strawberry shortcake videos from grandma & grandpa.

Hopefully we won't see the new strawberry shortcake stickers all over her bedroom door since we just painted.

And she's decided she wants to put her check from grandma & grandpa in the bank!

Updates

Been busy with work, softball and soccer. I have some pictures I need to upload this weekend.

Kelsey and Jordan's Opening Day ceremonies for softball from earlier this month. Pictures from Noah's first soccer game this season. Pictures of the work done on the house (fireplace tile done, new blinds done, paint done).

We are having Jordan's birthday party this weekend at the bowling alley. Not sure what to get her for her birthday though. Mamo and Papo are talking about getting her heelys. That should be fun. lol

Next weekend we'll be going out to dinner for mine and Jordan's birthday. And then me and the kids are off to see my parents and aunt and uncle in AZ. The kids are really looking forward to seeing grandma and grandpa!

Commit a Crime, Be Rewarded

Seriously - how is this for a defense? The people here in the US that have come here for "economic prosperity" are here ILLEGALLY in a great deal of cases. That's ok says President Bush, let's give them amnesty ( Guest Worker Plan Leads Immigration Debate ). So in essence, let's overlook the fact they are breaking the law.

So next time someone gets the urge to rob a bank for "economic prosperity" one can just say "I knew it was wrong before, during and after I committed the crime, but it was for my own economic prosperity and in line with the immigrants breaking the law, can't we just overlook that too?"

I call it the illegal immigrant defense - commit a crime, admit to wrongdoing, be given amnesty. Oh and don't forget to stage a walk out.

Mickey Mouse

The downside to living next to open fields. Open fields when they get graded for new homes, bring out the critters. The critters have to go somewhere obviously.

We have said critter in our attic. Nothing better than waking up at 3am in the morning to scratching of the critter on your ceiling - seemingly mad as hell - apparently pissed we closed off all his access into the house.

Field mice suck. Anthony suggested we put Peanut up in the attic to "hunt" out the mouse since he's a terrier line that was originally bred to hunt vermin. I doubt we'd be able to get Peanut down after though so we are putting up traps instead.

http://www.GlitterMaker.com/ - Glitter Graphics

Alley Cats win again!

Ok I have some updating to do. The kids have had opening day ceremonies. I have pics to upload for that.

Kelsey finally was able to play her first game since the rains. Most of her games have been rained out due to rain or muddy fields. They moved fields yesterday so they could play since the field assigned was still muddy. And more rains this weekend!

Kelsey's first game - 5-2 in favor of the Alley Cats!
Kelsey's second game - called due to mercy rules 6-1 in favor of the Alley Cats!

She's a catcher now and she's loving it. Of course she wants us to go out and buy all the expensive catcher's gear. She'll have to settle for use of the league's gear, but we'll buy her the knee savers.

Jordan has played a few games as well. Not sure I have pictures of any of the games, but I have them from opening day for sure.

I've been late in updating because we are doing housework. We've just painted the full inside of our house and everything had to be moved so I haven't had much time to upload pictures or update here. I've taken before and after pics of the fireplace but not the walls. All the bedrooms have been painted as well and it's made for a sleeping nightmare to say the least.

Noah starts soccer tomorrow. Now I know why I didn't care much for Spring season soccer - they play in the rain! He plays tomorrow rain or shine. I'm not looking forward to standing in the rain for 90 minutes lol.

Pics hopefully soon!

Home Improvement Part I

I wanted to have the ceilings scraped of the acoustic popcorn stuff, retextured, primed and painted. *sigh* I guess it's just cheaper for me to repaint. So much for scraping the ceiling. But the house is getting painted next week and we'll be adding chair rails and new baseboards.

The bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchen will be painted antique with cafe cream trim. The living room, dining room, hallway will all be painted with barnwood on the bottom half of the wall and antique on the top with cafe cream trim.

And we are working on the fireplace this weekend. Pictures to come!

Pet Peeves

I really don't have the patience for drivers who insist on site-seeing while you need to be somewhere. And inevitably they need to be driving S---L---O---W---L---Y in front of you. This happened to me yesterday. I was on my way home to get the kids from school and in front of me is a driver from Tennessee who wanted to take in the sites of EVERY strip mall on the street. He'd brake for everything so he could crane his neck to see what the mall had. GET OFF THE ROAD!

I really lack the patience for drivers who can't merge onto a freeway or can't change lanes without some big ordeal and nearly causing an accident. What is so difficult about merging onto a freeway AT freeway speed? Why must you get onto the freeway doing WELL below freeway speed and then freak out when cars pass you or honk at you because obviously you can't drive? And those changing lanes at the very last minute just irritate me. You clearly can see the sign that the interchange is one mile ahead. WHY must you wait until the very last fly-off-the-road-second to merge in front of cars tightly packed together? Oh and then be sure to come flying up to merge into a tightly packed line of cars and slam on your brakes. That certainly helps matters.

Let's not even discuss the rain factor. It's water people, not the great flood. If you can't drive the speed limit when it's perfectly safe to do so on the road, DON'T DRIVE IN THE FAST LANE - MOVE OVER! And what is with drivers who don't want to pass the big trucks when it's raining? Again, it's just water, not the end of the world.

So today - I had the site-seeing driver who didn't know how to merge onto the freeway, cut off a diesel and slow down to do so clearly afraid to drive in the rain. Why are these people allowed to have control of a vehicle?

School Awards

Noah got an Attendance Award for the last trimester. Kelsey got an award for helping out her teacher.

Jordan had a small awards ceremony in her class today. She got several awards today (the pictures are kind of dark):

Alphabet Champion (recognizes all her upper and lower case letters and their sounds)


Number Queen (recognizes numbers 0-30 in any order)


Homework Hero (turning in all her homework every week)


Word Wizard (knowing the mandatory kindergarten words by sight).

Softball Saturday

The first Saturday game was rained out so technically today was Jordan's first game day. She did great! Kelsey helped the team out on the field and in the dugout.

Good News?

I applied for a supervisory position within the company I work for. I figured I would get the courtesy phone call (aka brush off) for the job because I'm a bit tempered (thanks dad!). Anyway I received an email from HR saying that my resume lacked information and if I did indeed have that experience/knowledge, to update my resume. Is that a good sign?

In any event I updated my resume because I do indeed have the experience/knowledge that was requested (and didn't realize my resume didn't have that information on it). I emailed HR back letting them know my resume had been updated.

Fingers crossed.....

We're going to be MILLIONAIRES!

From:"lord_lugard02"

Subject:DEAR PEREZ
Date: Mon, 20 Feb 2006 03:59:02 +0000 (GMT)

From The Desk of Barrister Lord Lugard

Chamber of commerce

No: 35 Allen Avenue

Festac Lagos Nigeria

Email: llugard7@yahoofr

Dear Perez,

I am barrister Lord Lugard a solicitor at law. I am the personal attorney to Tony Perez, a national of your country, who used to work with shell Development Company in Nigeria. Here in after shall be referred to as my client. On the 21st of April 2003, my client, his wife and their threechildren were involved in a car accident along Owerri express road. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives. Since then I have made several Enquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives this has also proved unsuccessful.After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track his last name over the Internet, to locate any member of his family hence I contacted you.I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the Finance Company where these huge deposits were lodged. Where the deceased had an account valued at about 12.6 million dollars as the Finance company has issued a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated within the next ten official working days.Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 3 years now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you have the same last name so that the proceeds of this account valued at 12.6 million dollars can be paid to you and then you and I can share the money. I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make.All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this deal through.I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. Please get in touch with me as soon as possible on my private email address (llugard7@yahoo.fr)

I wait your urgent response in other for us to move forward.Best Regards,Barrister Lord Lugard (ESQ)

Kelsey isn't feeling well.

Sometimes I wonder if she fakes it to stay home. But I thought only Noah could make himself throwup on command? So Kelsey is home from school and Jordan thinks she can escape the horrible imprisonment of school as well and says "mommy I feel warm, can I go to Mamo's too?" No, you are going to school!

Jordan has practice tonight. Of which she cries she doesn't want to go, but she was so eager to play. Hopefully Mamo won't have issues with her at practice (I'm meeting them at the field). Kelsey has practice tonight too. But if she's too sick to go to school, she's too sick to practice. There's another girl vying for the catcher's position so Kelsey is missing out on her chances to shine for her coaches.

Noah - we're still waiting to hear from AYSO for him to play spring soccer. The games don't start until 3/18 so we have some time yet.