Mourning to Dancing

Monday, August 31, 2009

Starting new

Oksana officially moved in with us today. We are greatly excited about the days to come. Please pray for me as we get school in order.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Our last evening in D.C.

I have been packing all day! Whew! We hop on a plane bright and early tomorrow morning. Aunt Tobi read the Pokey Little Puppy to the Boys tonight and we had one last photo shoot with the cousins.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Bon Qui Qui

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZkdcYlOn5M

I can't believe I haven't posted this yet! It's totally my all time favorite.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

We drove from my Aunt's house in Clinton, NJ, to Washington, D.C., and met my sweet friend, Geryl Anderson. Geryl and I met when we were in the Lion King Parade at Disneyland. He is in D.C. now which is his hometown. He is recovering from triple bypass heart surgery...please keep him in prayer as he is healing. He is truly a very special man. Our whole family adores him! We also got to meet Geryl's mom, Marietta, who is an incredibly endearing lady. It was such a refreshingly wonderful visit.

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...even though you-know-who lives there...
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Below is the box at Ford Theater that President Lincoln was sitting in when he was shot by John Wilkes Booth.

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Home schooling has been so cool. We spent much time learning about Apollo 11 and other aerospace stuff. We went to the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum the first day. Here is Si in front of the Apollo 11 command module, and the boys with the Wright Flyer.

Would you believe there is a 2nd Air & Space Museum closer to Tobi & Rich's house? And there is a Space Shuttle there. That is sooooo cool! We were awestruck at the complete massiveness of this thing. Lucas, my nephew joined us.

We're staying with my sis and her family in Manassas, VA.

Jamie's dear friend, Jon Carroll, drove up from South Carolina to spend a day with us. He brought his wife, Leah, and daughter, Abigail. We ventured out to see the American History Museum, but arrived only 10 minutes before they closed, so we were able to see Old Glory and nothing else. However, Old Glory was beautiful and certainly did not disappoint. I was in tears looking at that beautiful flag. It was flown over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812 and it flew all night as the Fort was under attack and it was the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key's "The Star Spangled Banner". Tobi sang the National Anthem with Abigail with Brandon and Silas present. Then a quick stop at the Natural History Museum. We had dinner at the Capitol City Brewing Company and took the metro out of DC on our way "home".

Tobi & Rich watched the boys for us on one of our last days in DC, so Jamie & I could enjoy the city on our own. We revisited the Pentagon Memorial, American History Museum, walked the National Mall all the way down to the Lincoln & Vietnam Memorials, then hailed a taxi to the Old Ebbitt Grill near the White House.

D.C. is a really cool city.

Will be heading home on Tuesday. Has been a great time.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Liberty Enlightening the World

We weren't able to see the Statue of Liberty while we were in New York. We tried to book tickets to go up to the crown but it was sold out through November. We couldn't even get pedestal access from Battery Park, so our next best option was to go while we were in New Jersey. Praise the Lord! It was quite easy getting in and out of there from the New Jersey side. God knows best! And Vanessa, my cousin's girlfriend, was telling me that it is a hard climb and very hot and stuffy so I believe God worked it out the very best for us. We had a wonderful visit today. We will stay one more night with my Aunt Toby and her family and then will go back to DC tomorrow where we will meet up with a sweet friend, Geryl Anderson, who I used to dance with at Disneyland, and spend a few more days with my sis. So that will be super cool!

Prayer for Joyce

Please pray for my sweet sister in Jesus, Joyce Martin. She has been undergoing intense radiation treatments for the past few weeks for some cancerous tumors found on her spine and brain. Please pray the Lord will wholly heal her...here or in heaven. His will be done.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Clinton, NJ

My Aunt Toby & Uncle Glen live in Clinton, which is the cutest little town without having to be so remote that it takes an hour and a half to drive to the nearest shopping center....ok, so maybe I am referring to the remoteness of Borrego (is "remoteness" a word?). Anyway, it is quite charming here and has been so refreshing to just enjoy their little town and spend time with family. My aunt is such a dear, kindred spirit to me and I really adore her.

My cousin, Kyler, is housesitting for Mark Lipinksi of "Quilter's Home Magazine" and we enjoyed yesterday afternoon in his pool and playing with his 3 dogs: Tulip, Petunia, & Violet. I think it

was a much needed day of R&R.

Aunt Toby treated me to a pedicure and then we walked along the downtown Clinton with a stop for tea and lunch. Yeah! That's why I love her life! Toby owns a quilting shop here called "Kindred Quilts" and has the most beautiful creations. www.kindredquilts.com At the end of the street, there are 2 mills along the stream. We were able to take a little walk through the Red Mill. The boys loved climbing all those stairs and watching the wheel turn.

We had a wonderful visit with family in Clinton. Definitely my favorite part of the trip so far. It is so refreshing to be with those whom your soul is knit to.

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Insights from Brandon

"My brother is crazy because he drinks a lot of fruit juice." (7-5-10)

A phone call.

Dad: "Hey Brandon, do you miss me?"

Brandon: "Actually, Dad, I've been having such a good time, I haven't really thought about you."

While watching the Perseid Meteor Shower, Daddy put away the telescope. B says: "Well, we'll have to depend on our eyes now." (8-12-10)

Was watching AFV with B. I said, "I've never seen a cat do that." B looked at me and stated very matter-of-fact: "Well, now you have." (8/22/10)

B: "Mom, Si said he was mad at you and daddy because he couldn't go miniature golfing. I told him he should be mad at satan because satan made him be bad." Me: "Brandon, you know satan doesn't make us do anything. We all make our own decisions." B: "Oh! Thank you, Mom. I guess I don't know everything." (9/11/10)

"I can only find my sandals. If Jesus can wear 'em, I can wear 'em!" (11/15/10)

B: "Mom, instead of just buying milk at the store..."

Me: "...we should just get a cow?"

B: "Yes! Cows are my favorite animal."

Me: "Do you like cows because they make milk?"

B: "Yes! Milk is my favorite drink."

Me: "Yes, well, where would we keep it?" (1/12/11)

J: "Does anyone know what 'reproach' means?"

B: "Well, I think I sort of know. It's like when you first approach somebody and then you reproach them later." (1/17/11)

"I love me! I love myself! I'm a genius!" ...upon great success playing his math game. Don't worry, I reminded him of the Proverb: Let another man praise you and not your own lips. And then I praised him and told him he's a genius. (2/18/11)

"Mom! I didn't know I could have so much fun in one day!" Excitedly pronounced as we exited Circus Circus. (3/18/11)

B: "Mom, Si's having an otter pop. Can I have one?"

Me: "Yes."

B: "But, you said we couldn't have dessert."

Me: "Well, Daddy said yes."

B: "Oh! It doesn't matter what you say, Mom; it matters what Dad says!" (8/27/11)

B: "There's 2 reasons why I was in the bathroom for so long. I was going poo...that's number one..." Mommy: "Don't you mean that's number 2?" (2/15/12)

Me: "Brandon, I'm teaching Sunday School tomorrow and I need you to help me collect some Legos for a game we're playing."

B: "Wow, Mom! Thanks for telling me. I'm a Lego genius!"

Me: "Your brother likes being dirty."

B: "Yeah. Dirty's his favorite thing. I think he likes it more than his favorite color." (2/18/13)

At a memorial for our friend, Sharon Bergman:

Dutch (Sharon's husband) to B: "I'm really glad you guys came today. It really means a lot."

B: "Well, I really didn't have a choice." (6/1/13)

"One thing's for sure: I never get tired of going to church! (2014)

Silas speaks

"Mommy, Jesus was in my dream and He said, 'You should obey your mom and dad everyday.'" (4-5-10)

I got the ice cream out of the freezer and set it on the stove to dish some up for the boys and Silas says, "Don't warm it up, Mom! Then it won't be ice cream, it will just be cream." (6/4/10)

Silas: "Dad, why is the earth made of dirt?'

Daddy: "That's a strange question coming from a kid that should be asleep."

Silas: "But it's a good one." (6/6/10)

"I picked up Daddy's rubber band (the theraband Jamie is using for p.t. on his arm) and I looked around and no one was looking, but I knew God was looking so I put it back." (6/7/10)

We were having lunch at Calico's (a restaurant) and Silas says to the owner, "Brandon is sad because he likes the Fudge Factory better." (7/22/10)

B: "Grammy we got Twinkies at the Bottle Shop for an after-lunch treat."

Si: "Yeah, We had zucchinis...I mean, whatever-they're-called." (8/21/10)

B: "Mommy, I want to sleep with you."

Mommy: "That's nice, but you need to sleep in your own bed."

Si: "I want to sleep on the crouton." (He meant the futon in our room.) (8/22/10)

Me: "Si, what was your favorite part of Sunday School today." Si: "Saying my memory verse." Me: "Really? What was it?" Si: "I don't remember." (9/12/10)

I'm going through Madeline for our Five-In-A-Row lesson, and I asked the boys what tower is in Paris. Si shouts, "The Tower of Terror!" I guess the ride at Disneyland made an impression. (9/27/10)

Si & I were at the Miramar Air Show when a man sitting in front of us fell unconscious. By all observations, he was dead. So, I prayed and helped how I could. After a while, we walked away and I tried to explain to Si what had happened. I asked him if he'd like to pray for the man and his wife and he did. His prayer was beautiful and perfect. After praying, he said to me, "Mommy, when I was praying I thought my eyes were going to cry." I told him that those are the best prayers. (10/1/10)

We were talking about the Lamb's Book of Life during breakfast, and Si says, "Mom, I think we should pray right now that our names are in the Book." "Okay, honey," I said, "go ahead and we will all pray." About 3 minutes later, I continued to read the Bible story and I saw Si, head bowed, hands clasped. "Siley, are you praying again?" "Yes, mommy. I really want my name in that book." (11/30/10)

Watching the Charger game.

"The reason why they call him 'Rivers' is because his shirt is blue." (12/16/10)

Spoken as dramatically as you can comprehend: "I am the golden child!" (12/20/10)

Daddy: "Are you excited to see your great-grandmother tomorrow?"

Si: "I don't even know who she is."

Daddy: "She is Baba's mom."

Si: "I didn't know moms and dads and grandmas and grandpas have moms and dads."

Daddy: "Baba and Dadu are my mom and dad."

Si: "How do you know?"

Jamie went into a lengthy answer about living with them while he was young, etc., then Silas asked, "Well then, why did you leave them?" (12/21/10)

After writing the letter 'q'. "Wow! That's a great whatever-that-letter-is!" (1/17/11)

"I burped three times. Excuse me... Thrice!" (5/28/11)

Me: "Boys, who is your favorite hero and why?"

Si: "God. Because anytime He wants He can turn me into a chicken." (1/12/12)

Me: "Real life is way better than school." Si: "I'll tell you what's better than school...learning about heaven!" (2/6/12)

Grammy: "Si, wouldn't you want a million dollars?" Si: "No, because it's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." (7/15/14)

Si: "Mom, you know how Obamacare only really works for people who are old?" Me: "Yeah." Si: "Well, if I become a famous ball player, I can take care of you. It'll be Silas-care!" (10/21/14)

"I'm just a big blob of tissue right now. Standing here, talking, walking around, looking like a person. I'm just a big blob of tissue." (5/15/15)

Ganging up together...

B: "Silas, you know, when you drop one of my favorite things, your brain tells your bones to do it." To which Si responds: "Maybe that's it! My brain's being mean to me!!" (9/1/10)

B: "Hey! You killed me! Why'd you do that?"

Si: "Well, you ran in front of my gun...what do you expect?" (4/23/11)

The boys are coloring.

me: "Who is that?"

B: "Abraham Lincoln."

me: "What's he doing?

B: "Reading."

Me: "He's reading by the firelight. Everything he ever learned, he taught himself."

Si: "So did Yoda." (2-12-12 Happy Birthday, Abe.)

Si: "Mom, you know why I like being the youngest? It's like Jacob and Esau...'the oldest shall serve the youngest.'"

B: Laughing, "Yeah, this morning he asked if I would sell my birthright." (9-17-12)

Great Quotes

"Be sure to put your feet in the right place, then stand firm." ~Abraham Lincoln

"In contemplating the political institutions of the United States, [if we remove the Bible from schools] I lament that we waste so much time and money in punishing crimes and take so little pains to prevent them." ~Dr. Benjamin Rush, The Father of the Public Schools under the Constitution

"Those who have known freedom and lost it have never known it again." ~Ronald Reagan

"In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot." ~Mark Twain

"Act as though it's all up to you; Pray as though it's all up to Him." ~Glenn Beck

"God uses each of us within the limitations of our personalities. ...it is Him in me that will reach the world." ~Sally Clarkson

"If I had a choice, I would still choose to remain blind...for when I die, the first face I will ever see will be the face of my blessed Savior." ~Fanny Crosby (author of more than 8000 hymns)

"Cat food tastes so bad cats deserve it." ~Hank the Cowdog