No good deed goes unpunished!

There I was, trying to be a good steward over my belongings, filling in a few small chips in the paint on my car with this special paint pen I bought from the dealership. Joseph saw me and said: "Paint!" I said, "No, this is a mommy job." I thought he was done. But he found a small felt tip marker and drew on the car. Luckily it wiped right off.
However, I didn't learn my lesson and kept working. After we were done, I discovered - and I'm not even sure how it happened...I didn't see him on THAT side of the car- a host of scratches on my car door. He had found a ball point pen, and just like mommy "painted" the car!

You're lucky your only two, little guy! I explained that he shouldn't do that- he asked why- I said it was because it hurts the car and is ugly. He said sorry in his own little way and gave me a "love."

I do love you more than a car door. But this one will go down in your book of stories-unfortunately.

The Roaring 20's

We were asked to participate in a skit marking our Stake's 50th anniversary. Our skit represented missionary work in the last 100 years. Warren and I began the whole show by representing the 1920s and not listening to the missionaries and then were also the final scene in the show-this time accepting the gospel. It was fun to dress up and be someone else for a little while. Oh, the days of hats. What fun!

Mr. and Mrs. 1920s

Our Bishop and his wife-the 60s.



Rebecca wanted to be in the show but twas not to be this time. I think she would have been a cute addition though!

Disneyland with old friends

We made use of our new passes to meet up with some old college days friends who were visiting for a couple of days. The girls got along great and the weather was perfect. Just wished we could have had more time to talk! Hope to see you soon!
If anyone else is ever down for a visit we'd love to meet up with you, too. Just let us know!

My Little Helper

Joseph decided to help me unload the dishwasher. This is one of those proud mommy moments. He really wanted to help me and from his perspective he was doing a great job!

I loved it.

Self Portrait

Happy Birthday Warren!

For Warren's birthday we surprised the kids and took them to Disneyland. We bought annual passes which are quite reasonable if you live in So Cal and with the birthday money (Disney is doing a "free on your birthday deal" or you can use the money towards an annual pass) and some Disney credit we had our passes for the whole year ended up costing us about what a day pass costs. What a deal! We told Rebecca we had to run some boring errands but since it was Daddy's birthday and it was what he wanted to do we had to have a good attitude about it. As she realized where we actually were and that we had tricked her she got so emotional that she started to cry. She does that when she is really happy and it is very cute.

As a gift to Warren I wrote to a few of his friends and family and requested "imaginary birthday presents." Several people obliged and sent the most fun presents imaginable! I had a great time reading them to Warren as he laughed and enjoyed everyone's thoughtfulness. I would post them here but didn't request permission to go public with them so I want to respect people's privacy. If anyone else wants to add one in a comment here you are welcome to do so.
I got the idea from my friend Becca and just loved it. I think it's a great idea.

And now for my final words of this birthday post:

Dear Warren,

I want the world to know how much I love you, am grateful for you and all you do for me and the kids. You are the greatest husband a girl could ask for and more. You treat me so well and work so hard for our family. Thank you for who you are and for sharing your life with me.

Happy Birthday, my best friend! Here's to many, many more.

Love,

Dorothea

Oh where, oh where has my daughter gone?

We were at a rehearsal this morning for a show our Stake is putting on next week as part of it's 50th anniversary celebrations. Every ward is doing a skit. I left Rebecca watching the rehearsal while I went to look at our costume options in another room. I didn't tell her where we were and she gets really scarred if she suddenly can't find us so I thought I better check on her and make sure she knows where we were.
She wasn't where I had left her. I started searching, looking and listening for kids playing in a foyer or hallway somewhere. I couldn't find her. I went back to where I left her and double checked. Still no Rebecca. I started mildly panicking. I started running around a little more frantically. You know how Stake Centers are, doors all over the place, nooks and crannies everywhere. I figured she was somewhere but the paranoid thoughts started coming through my mind: What if someone took off with her?
I went back into the cultural hall where I had left her and was about to ask someone in the audience if they had seen a little girl and where she had gone. The music started so I naturally looked up to the stage and there comes Rebecca, marching out onto the stage waving the American flag, trying to copy the only other performer in the number! She had been recruited. I laughed so hard.

Performing... I guess it's in her blood.

Bedtime stories with Dr. Seuss

Me to my kids: "Bye, I'm going to my tennis lesson. You better be asleep before I'm back!"

later...

(I've been back for 20 minutes already. Kids are still awake)

Me: "Was it hard to get the kids to bed tonight?"

Warren: "I picked the wrong book. It was too long. It was a bedtime book by Dr. Seuss. The problem is- he writes too well. It's too interesting. I actually want to read the whole thing."

Thanks a lot Dr. Seuss. Did you ever hear of trying to keep your kids bedtime routine to an hour?
;)

A quick visit to LA

Rebecca has been begging me ever since we moved to take her back to her old kindergarten class. I felt like she needed this closure, so yesterday we made the trek out to LA and visited her old friends. I was totally unprepared for what happened. Her kindergarten friends were having their lunch recess time. When we stepped on to the playground they ran over to her and mobbed her with a huge group hug. Everyone was shouting her name and trying to get in on the hug. It was one of those moments I regretted deciding to leave my camera in the car. She was completely overwhelmed and looked shocked. I have to admit, it made me cry a little bit to see how happy they were to see her. She was like some sort of celebrity and they wouldn't let go of her. The TA had to tell them to give her some space, but even after that they jealously guarder her. Changing schools is never easy, especially in the middle of the year, and although we are totally happy at our new school, I was surprised at how emotional it made me to be back at the place my first child first started school. I tried hard to learn all the kids names and they were surprised I still remembered their names!
We spent the rest of the afternoon playing at our favorite old haunt, Mar Vista park with a few of Rebecca's little rascals gang. It felt just like old times and felt completely normal to be there, yet at the same time I knew this wasn't my life anymore. It's hard to explain. I cherish those times and but I'm also glad we have made our move. We miss our friends but luckily we're not too far away!

Thanks for the good times, Ladies!

Easter Sunday

 

What a wonderful Easter Sunday.  We had a bunch of dear friends over for Easter dinner.  Everyone brought something and the meal was absolutely delicious if I may say so myself.  We even managed to get 9 adults and 5 kids around the table with the three little girls on a little table on their own.  We had another fun Easter egg hunt, good conversation and good company.  It was fun to host something in my own home for people I care about so much.  What a wonderful day.  

Easter Saturday with friends

We had an Easter party with a couple of my high school friends and their kids. We had a fantastic Easter egg hunt with a golden egg for everyone. The Easterbunny even left paw prints all over the backyard! A hummingbird had made her nest on top of a windchime. There were two little eggs nestled inside-so sweet-the size of jelly beans. The kids dyed eggs and ate cupcakes in honor of Joseph's birthday last week. It was a great afternoon.

Aquarium of the Pacific

For our family spring break "vacation" we spent an afternoon in Long Beach and visited the Aquarium of the Pacific. We enjoyed getting to know some of the amazing creatures that share this planet with us. Rebecca even had the courage to touch starfish, sting rays, sharks and sea urchins. Her other favorite thing were the Lorikeet birds. I enjoyed everything, but especially just getting out with my family.

Discovery Science Center

As part of our spring break activities we met up with one of Rebecca's West LA friends and went to the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana. We watched an awesome Bubble Show and got to try our hand at making big bubbles ourselves. We had a great afternoon.

Time warp

I was at Target in the movie section and the young saleswoman asked me if I was finding everything alright. I said: "Actually, I was wondering if you had Ben Hur?"

After seeing the look of bewilderment on her face I said, "You know, Ben Hur..., it's an old movie."

Target girl: "Oh, you mean like from the 80s and 90s?"

Me: "No, I mean REALLY old, like from the 50s!" (It was 1959 to be precise.)

Target girl (with an even greater bewildered look that anyone would watch anything from the 50s...did they even have movies back then?): "Oh, you'll find those kinds of movies in the corner on the back wall."

Sure enough, I went to the backwall to look for those REALLY old movies. I found them. "A River Runs Through It" (1992-yeah, that's really old), "Sense and Sensibility" (1995-another old movie...), and on and on....

If those are old movies, then I'm REALLY old and my parents must be ancient.

Conference Weekend

Growing up general conference was always a special weekend for me. The things I learned and heard at conference shaped my spiritual growth, feelings and testimony. We often lived in Europe where we had to drive further to watch conference and bring a picnic and stay all day long. We wouldn't get all of the sessions due to the time difference and I always remember hoping and praying we would get to hear Neal A. Maxwell and other favorites in the sessions that we actually got to listen to live. As a result I have very fond memories of family time at conference.

I wanted to start some family traditions for our little family to create happy memories of conference weekend for my children. I made a three ring binder with activities for Rebecca from a website called sugardoodle.net. She enjoyed her special binder and it helped her focus more than she has in the past.
Sunday morning I made a special breakfast "Creme Brule French Toast" that Rebecca and I had prepared the night before while daddy was at his meeting. (Thanks Katie for the recipe).
In between sessions we snacked on hummus, chips, guacamole and other yummy light things.
It was a happy day and it felt special. I loved the talks I heard and hope to be able to implement the things I learned.

Sunday morning breakfast



Playing outside in between sessions-isn't having a big sister fun?

Joseph always folds his arms for prayers lately. He used to fold his hands but then he discovered he could fold his arms (just barely) and is very proud of that fact.

Does anyone else have fun conference traditions to tell me about? Memories from growing up or things you're doing with your own family? Let me know-I'd love to hear.

A perfect party for a perfect 2 year old

For Joseph's 2nd birthday we had a perfect party. Grandma Darlene joined us for pizza, a couple presents (I put a chocolate egg in a couple of the bags just to have more things to open and make it feel more festive), ice cream cake from Trader Joe's and some free Ralph's balloons. It was great. Joseph was too shy to blow out the candles but he LOVED opening presents. He was excited no matter what it was. He just loved the idea of opening things. His perfect birthday made up for a rough day the day before where we were at the doctor for his well check up and discovered he had a fever and a full blown ear infection. Poor guy. It kind of makes you feel badly as a mom that you didn't even notice that he had a fever.

Happy Birthday Joseph!
I love you because you are cute and cuddly and fold your arms when you pray. I love how you love to read, drive your "bloom bloom," and make noises for cars and animals and "guys." I love how you say: "Why?" "Oh" and "O-kay." I love that you clap when prayers are done. I love your tender heart, your sense of humor and your kind ways. I love how well you get along with your sister. I love that you are a part of my life and heart forever.
I love you because you're mine.

9-1-1...remembering two years ago

We packed in as many activities as possible right before Joseph was born, including "Wicked," Disneyland, and a Star Wars exhibit at the Science Center.

Yes, that is me with an extra 50 pounds and a chubby stormtrooper!

On Joseph's due date (of all days!) I woke up in the middle of the night with contractions and waited to see if they were real. After awhile I decided they were and told Warren to get ready. We were literally ready to walk out the door when something changed and I said, "call 9-1-1, we're not going anywhere any more." My mom rolled up her sleeves and with great enthusiasm started getting things ready with the words: "We're having a baby!"

Warren was on the phone with the dispatcher and told him the team was parked in front of the wrong house. Shortly after that one Firefighter from the Los Angeles Fire Department came sauntering up the stairs when he realized this was real and not some paranoid, over-dramatic West LA mom imagining things and then the whole team came running up the stairs leaving their firetruck and ambulance in front for all to wonder about. They walked over to me and right then and there helped welcome Joseph into the world. This had not been the plan and I was in total shock. But other than that it was a wonderful experience and really couldn't have been any better. From the time I woke up to the time I had Joseph was a total of 2 hours. This was our firefighter's second delivery ever. It is quite rare for them to deliver babies in their neck of the woods. You could see the relief on their faces after it was all over.

Hooray- We did it! We have a baby!

We still went to the hospital where Joseph was under observation and on antibiotics due to a high white blood cell count.

A few days after we got home we joined both sets of Grandparents at the Getty Villa in Malibu.

When Joseph was three months old we returned to the fire station to say thank you!

Delivery number 2!

Deep in conversation with Daddy at an early age

Good pals with Sister from the start

Always a happy, sweet boy.

Early excursions to Disneyland

A trip to Kirtland, Ohio



You bring us Joy

Kauai 2008

Surfin' safari



My little "helper"

Thanks for 2 wonderful years, Joseph. Here's to many, many more...

FHE and chocolate chips for lunch

Inspired by my friend Queen Scarlett's postings about her family home evening lessons the last few weeks I decided to post our FHE activities as well. Since next weekend is general conference we had a mini lesson on who is who in the First Presidency and talked about following the prophet. We began by singing that all time favorite song "Follow the Prophet" taking turns being the leader and following each other around the room. Joseph didn't want to stop. He never wants to stop. Singing that is. But for Rebecca's sake we actually do some talking and discussing. In the end we ate our freshly baked snickerdoodles (thanks QS for the idea) which I have never made before in my life. We also shared some with the neighbors and brought some to a family who has helped us with airport pickup recently. The cookies were delicious. But I think I passed on my chocolate chip cookie gene to my son, because the next day around 11:30 he wanted a cookie. I offered him one of the snickerdoodles to no avail. Chocolate chip cookies is what he wanted. But since I didn't have any and wasn't about to make any right then and he was so grumpy about it I gave him a bowl full of chocolate chips and let him go at it. And obviously he didn't want lunch after that. There are days you just got eat chocolate chips for lunch. And it's okay.