Sunshine Promises

Amazing Amanda whom I wrote about HERE, has a very special place where she shares her innermost feelings and inspires all to find sunshine amongst life's storms.  I think you will be touched to read her words.  It is humbling to me that she has decided to turn heartbreak into hope as she shares with others the message of forever families. 

Click the link below and follow her journey...

This is real life

We decided as a family last year to cancel tv (cable and local) in order to clean our home of useless and worldly information and entertainment.  This has been one of the greatest choices we have ever made.  It has made such a difference in how we spend our time and the spirit we bring here.  Occasionally I have withdrawals from some of my favorite design or food programs, but TV shows and commercials have become so frighteningly innapropriate, that truthfully, we are all surviving just fine without all that junk. Now we just watch movies through Netflix and DVD's, which are closely monitored.  My next step is to get rid of the xbox... but then we might become perfect and have to be translated so might as well keep Lego Batman and Call of Duty on the shelf.

***

When catastrophes happen in our own town or in the world we are the last to find out about it, especially if my computer is down, and since we don't take the newspaper (which I need to change), I rely on the internet to stay informed.  I can't express how desolated I am catching up on the aftermath of the tsunami in Japan.  I am grateful that I don't have tv to remind me everyday of what's going on, but at the same time I feel like I have my head in the sand.  I feel helpless and desperate for those dear people.  I must think of a way to help.  Do you have any ideas?  Maybe another joint effort with the kids and their friends is in order... or maybe I'll contact the Humanitarian Center of our church and ask them what the needs are. 

Sometimes, all we can do is pray.

*

photos from the associated press yahoo news page

Jenga-Fett

For over a week now the Imperial Army has been attacking my computer, and Darth Virus shuts it down every three minutes... totally frustrating!  Have you ever gone a week without a computer?  It's like Chewbacca going a day without growling.  Obi-Wan (Chris) was crazy busy getting ready for the big Bull Sale that turned out to be a huge success, so he wasn't able to come rescue me from the droid's predicament... I pretty much turned into Jaba for the week.  So much for posting everyday, but I will continue to use The Force daily even if the internet doesn't witness my mad Jedi skillz. 

***

My very own Anakin (Tade) and I have been enjoying games of Jenga, and the following pictures depict a typical game... his facial expressions are better than Princess Leia's buns.

(wow star wars is exhausting... and cheesy.)

Welcome to the world

new little baby boy born March 2nd

Skyler Brady

***

Tony and Cheri now have four under four...Yowzers!

  Congratulations to the Lima family, we can't wait to hold him!

Brightside

california here i come. quick packing. allegiant air. delayed flight. reading march ensign. ipod. 70-80 degrees. girls pull up and honk. trader joes goodies on my seat- crackers, brie, diet pepsi, scotty licorice dogs, chocolate almonds, joejoes, toffee. getting tricked into getting feathered. tammy gimme glitz. pedicures at villagio. jason and devin watch the kids. fontana. beautiful home. sweet and sour chicken. eating slowly. mag on bed. long talks. puffy air mattress. sleeping in. caramel rolls. rancho cucamonga. shopping at victoria gardens. anthro. forever 21. outfit for addy. urban outfitters. flashlight rings. cherokee nation shorts. cool dudes. francheska's. pink berry. chilling out. naptime. water balloons. lizards. in a pickle baseball. patient mothers. clean mothers. loving mothers. chips and salsa. skyping. jason's potatoes. miley cyrus. newport. no bake turds. sandwiches. beach. long car rides. wind and sand. seashells. brave kiddos in the cold ocean. sweet dads. sassy sisters. soaking it in. reading. king taco. unlocked door. devins amazing building projects. jasons swift driving skillz. china town. bowing street performer. pinkberry again. dots cupcakes. rose bowl. pasadena. rad houses. frantic phone call. sunkissed face. finley and her pretties. little buddy crew. hazel kisses. chickfila. saying goodbye. waiting.  home again home again jiggity jig.

thank you chris for surprising me with such a marvelous trip! thank you jason and devin for watching the kids and giving up time with your wives! thank you rachel and eliza for being amazing hostesses and treating me like a queen! all of the driving, and pampering, and eating, and talking, and sunshine filled me up good!

YOU ARE ALL SUNSHINE FOR MY SOUL!!

Intervention

Sara, don't be mad at me.

I went to Insta Care and talked to one of the doctors there,

I asked him if he had any suggestions for something you can take,

just to help with your mood a little.

He said that there's this over-the-counter drug

that will do wonders.

Ummmmmm..... you did what?

(hands her bottle of pills)

***

What did I ever do to deserve him?

Sunshine, here I come.

Crying with Tess

Reading Tess of the D'Urbervilles during the climax of the longest winter of my life did not bode well for Sara.  But maybe, it just made my isolated shell of a spirit that much more romantic and embellished.  The ugly cry made its curtain call several times this week as I weathered through some crumbling matters, and this book only dotted the i's, and crossed the t's of my emotions.  The beginning to middle built slowly and beautifully, and I anticipated that the worst situation to the plot was past, until toward the end of the book all at once Thomas Hardy decided to make milk sour.  With flawed and human characters, I found my mind becoming frustrated with misunderstandings and lack of forgiveness... how apropos to life.  Tragic Tess was a strong woman, and yet so weak in her blinding love.  I'm so glad Nadia chose this as the first book for the bookclub, because I don't think I would have ever found it on my own.  I adore it when I know nothing about a book before I read it and I'm surprised with each page turn... books are so awesome... and enveloping... good thing I'm reading Jane Eyre next, that's not depressing AT ALL...(wink wink)  Actually it's one of my favorite stories, so I can't wait to dive in!

eating inspired by the book- wheat bagel with honey, havarti cheese, blueberries, milk

{bubble_gum_heart}

{mr_twingo}

{indiae}

{JaydeLee}

{meltys}

{hakanphotography}

{thoosah}

{visioluxus}

read with me

My friend Nadia of la porte rouge started an online book club.  Our last reading was Tess of the D'Urbervilles written by Thomas Hardy.

HOW IT WORKS

.every month a book will be selected

.you would prepare a meal, dessert or drink that related to the book( up to your interpretation) and you can enjoy while reading!

.we would all post about the book on the same day

.the post could include photographs, artwork or music that made you think of the book.

.what you cooked/drank and why

.it can also include the cover of your version of the book!
 

***

I have a few chapters left and then I'm done.  Tomorrow I'll share about the book, it's been a pretty heavy read.  But for today, the first day of March, I'd like to profess my commitment to a month straight of journaling everyday.  I promise, it's really going to happen, come hell or high water, or steers, or glitter, or pizza, or mass hysteria.

 

Read with us!

The next book... Jane Eyre