PSP Christmas Play

The Lovely Daughter participated in the Christmas play. Mr Cool had a ton of fun after too.

The First Fire

The first fire in the fireplace. It was nice.

Sweet Niece

New Addition

Welcome Isaiah Lawson!

I got sick the day after he was born and stayed sick with Bronchitis. Didn't get to hold the cutie till he was 6 weeks old. He is bigger now.

Random Life

Prep work to install attic ladders. Love my guy for doing this! No loose ladders here.

Presenting the ........inside of the cabinets. OOOOH!

That is one way to bring the air hose to Dad.

Lovely Daughter tried to take her own picture. Didn't know about these till the upload. Love my daughter!

Starting on the Kitchen

Walls are 'Dozen Roses' red, cabinets are white, counters will be white marble.

Hanging the upper cabinets.

Can it really be coming up?!

He will be driving in 20 months! Way to soon. Figured that Mr. Cool needs to learn about changing a tire. Since My Gentleman got 2 flats on the way home now was a great time!

Learn'n bout Californeea

Spent the summer learning about the wonderful, sunny state of California through the reading of various literature:

Island of the Blue Dolphins

Zara

By the Great Horn Spoon

Cruise the Artic Star

Pony Express

Activities included a scavenger hunt through the Simi Valley Mall, Indian museum, Building a mission, trip to Santa Barabara's mission, and Carpenteria Beach swim. 

Make the way Paved

It's time to add some beauty to the front. After much deliberation we decided on pavers. Thank you Directbuy!

The yard the way it used to be. No driveway unless you want to 4-wheel it.

Always wanting to be in or on a dirt pile.

Watching them grade the driveway. The workers expected to take out 2-3 loads of dirt. They took out 6!

Laying the beginnings of the driveway.

Summer Fun

The Summer is filled with the fun and relaxing. The kids were content to once again become part fish and live in water every day. Hanging out with some of our favorite pool friends was an added bonus.

Water polo was another fun aspect. Both teams made it to the LA84 finals. Lovely Daughter's team came in 2nd. Mr. Cool's team did very well for a 1st year team. We were very proud of all the kids accomplishments and their good sportsmanship and fair play attitudes....something that was a bit of a challenge for the other teams.

Jr. Lifeguard was a new option offered. We loved it! The final day they got to follow the guards around and sit in the tower. ....and 'rescue' their fellow guards and friends.

So Where is the House at now?

The Drywall is done and the siding is up. Next....painting!

Wedding Prep

How many boxes of cake mix does it take?

Shannon's wedding is rapidly approaching. With the looming event comes the many tasks that need to be accomplished. One of those is THE cake.
How do you get your big sister to make your wedding cake and not realize the job she said yes to?.....ask her to do something that comes very easy first "I need you to make the programs." - then throw in the request behind it with an "Oh, and can you make the cake too? It's not a hard cake. Just a couple tiers with coconut covering it. It isn't going to be difficult."
Because I LOVVVVVE her, and because I wasn't thinking I said yes.

I've decided that I wont take credit until after everyone has eaten it and given their opinion. Then I will either speak up........or go hide.

So how is it coming? Ok, I guess. She asked to have lemon cake and likes the boxed cake mix. How many do you need for this cake? We are on #13 and almost finished. We did add fresh lemon juice and zest, and a tad of vanilla.

I am making the buttercream frosting from scratch.

Looking Back

January 10th marked year two since the fire. I have marveled at how much the Lord has given us, provided for us, and protected us more than we could ask or think during this time of rebuild. Though the house is not yet finished, the light at the end of the tunnel is becoming visible.

Given to Us:

• The money to do this project
• A lowered permit cost all because the Building & Safety desk 'felt' our fees were to high
• Friends and co-workers who helped by providing us with things we didn't even realize that we needed

Provided for Us:

• Leading us in finding companies and vendors who were inexpensive, had integrity, and did a job well. Anytime a personal referral would fall through the phone book was pulled off the shelf, we would pray that He would direct us, and we would start dialing. Each time this has occurred He has been faithful to answer those requests.
• Giving us Companies to purchase supplies for below market or estimated prices.
• Allowed help and encouragement at just the 'right' time, either by bringing encouragement through a friend calling, stopping by, or a note in the mail OR when ready to lose both our cool and our testimony He brought along someone who would remind us of our real purpose and job.
• Giving us enough patience and perseverance for what the day requires.
• Swaying the minds of those in 'high' places show us mercy, understanding, and concern when they didn't / shouldn't have to.

Protected Us:

• Protected us from major illnesses. One prayer when we had to move into the 'one' room was that no one would get the flu.
• Allowed for our comfort: a very mild summer with few sweltering days.
• No earthquakes. With the extra layer of insulation via the stacks of boxes, none have fallen and crushed us in our sleep.

Other lessons learned throughout this time:

• Being organized is important in very small things too.
• We don't need as much as we think we do.
• Much of what we own we are unwilling to give up because we are selfish creatures
• God is in control of each aspect of our lives, since each scenario that occurs is allowed we have no reason to be upset, though He still requires us to use backbone and not slink off because the situation is difficult or we want to avoid conflict.
• Not everyone around you can be trusted to keep a confidence, desires to be a true friend, or not take you for a "ride"
• When sales people are giving you a 'vibe' it is not wrong to go with instinct.
• People in masks can not be trusted - nor can sales reps who begin their statements with "I'm not going to lie to you....."

While we are far from being perfected from the events that have taken place, I know that He has been faithful. He has continued to show His care. He has been diligent to show us His hand in the little things that then remind us of those times when we must depend on Him for the big things.

2010 Family Christmas

Christmas Houses

Making 'Gingerbread' houses with the Woo family

In the Christmas Concert

Thanksgiving

Since the house construction needed to be the primary focus this Thanksgiving we stayed in town. The plan was to deep fry a turkey at home. It was so windy that we went to the folks house and did it there. It was so relaxing.

Haloween

The kids dressed up and walked the routes with the Ficketts. Mr. Cool made his pumpkin head out of paper mache and the Lovely Daughter went as a Venetian Lady in Waiting complete with home made mask.

It is a hot roof, but not tin

The roof is going on!

On the Road to Monterey...

For our 15th Wedding Anniversary we went to Monterey and stayed in the Old Monterey Inn. It was glorious and very relaxing. It was wonderful to not have any agenda. Wandering the wharf, eating at nice restaurants, and just hanging out.

While at the inn they had a lovely jet tub that I jumped at the chance to partake of. Sadly it was broken and we didn't find that out till after I was already in it.

We couldn't pass up the opportunity to stop.

Lets Build

While at Toy's R Us we stopped and admired the handiwork of others.

Ok - so this is just Funny!

Going Shopping

We were out the other day and found a pair of shoes. I see these & think who would pay $600 to wrap their feet in gold aluminum foil?