Book Review: One Glorious Ambition

I recently read One Glorious Ambition by Jane Kirkpatrick.   I found this an interesting book.  This book is a work of fiction, but it is based closely on the life of Dorothea Dix.  The book gives a through timeline of Dorothea Dix’s life.   The author gives a positive rendering of Dix’s life.  

Prior to reading this book, I knew nothing about Dorothea Dix.   I found the life of the reformer interesting.   The story follows Dix’s life from her childhood into her later years.   Dix’s causes include running a school for the less fortunate to advocating for the mentally ill very interesting.  She is portrayed as a tenacious woman who worked hard to advocate for her causes.   She did all this during a time when women did not participate in politics.  

This is the third book I've read by Jane Kirkpatrick.   She is very detailed in her books.   Her books are informative and shed light on various women in history who led a colorful life. 

I received this book for the purposes of review from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers.   All ideas are my own.   

Book Review: Twice a Bride

I recently read Twice a Bride by Mona Hodgson.  Set in 1898, the story follows a widowed woman, Willow, who is restarting her life after the loss of her husband.  She returns to the Colorado town of Cripple Creek after the death of her father and attempts to find work.   She begins working for a man named Trenton and the story unfolds from there.  

It is an enjoyable work of romantic fiction.    Twice a Bride is the fourth book in the series, but I did not realize that until after I had read the book.   It can stand alone quite easily.   The characters were engaging and not contrived at all.   The story progresses naturally and the ending is happy.  

I would recommend this work for cozy by the fire winter reading or for a sunny beach day.   It is a easy enjoyable read.  I would read the previous books as well because I enjoyed this one so much.

I received this book from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers for the purposes of review, but all thoughts are my own.  

Book Reivew: Fourth Fisherman

I recently read The Fourth Fisherman by Joe Kissack.   The story tells of three fishermen who survive an 8 month ordeal on the Pacific Ocean while simultaneously telling the story of an entertainment executive’s path to God.   I found the book very easy to read and completed it in a couple of days.   Every other chapter details the fishermen’s account.  The intervening chapters detail the executive’s life.   Although it switches back and forth, it is not confusing.  

This is a book about seeing God at work in the lives of people.  It can be inspirational to encourage you to go after what you feel God leading you to do.   You see the themes of reliance on God, trusting in God, and seeing God work in lives of people.   I found it encouraging and interesting.   It was a bit biographical in nature.   I enjoyed the book and would recommend it.

 

I received this book from Multnomah Publishers for the purposes of review, but all thoughts are my own.  

Last Day of September

I can't believe that October starts tomorrow.   This month has flown by!   I started my Christmas shopping this weekend.   I found a deal on something that I could not pass up.   Jason and I were discussing his flights tonight and I realized that we have 7 more weeks out here until we pack up and go home.   We have been here seven weeks already.   It feels like we just got here.   He has three more trips out here before we return home.  

In the spirit of trying to blog more, I'll try to share what is rolling around in my head.  Church today was great.   I watched our Houston church online this morning as I got ready to go to church here.   I heard two totally different sermons, but was completely blessed by both of them.   In the L.A. sermon, I was really challenged in my walk with God.   The pastor in L.A. is usually pretty deep and it takes me a few days to formulate my thoughts.   My statement above sounds simplistic, but what I am thinking about goes much deeper.  I need to think about it more, maybe listen to the podcast...

In other news, my daughter was on set all day yesterday finishing a short film.   I started thinking about what I have learned about being on set in the last year.   We were filming on location yesterday as opposed to a sound stage.    Locations are interesting because you have outside noises that disrupt filming such as an airplane flying overhead, a car driving past, the neighbor's dog barking, or the guy on a bike who rides past everyday at 5:00 pm blaring a trumpet.   I am not kidding about the guy on a bike.   When we filmed in San Pedro last January, he came by EVERYDAY at 5:00.   It got to be a joke.   Also, when you are in a house, you play musical chairs as they turn shots around.   My daughter is usually in my eye line and always in earshot.   Since I am so close, I usually am moving a lot as they finish one camera angle and move to the next.   Sometimes, they set up a monitor where I can watch what the camera sees.   That is pretty cool.   The air conditioning is turned off while filming because it is too noisy.   That is fine in January in San Pedro, but can get hot on a day like yesterday when the temperature was around 100.   Yesterday, they ran the A/C until the last possible minute and then cut it off.   Sound stages are cold and dusty, period.   My daughter shot a commercial on a huge sound stage at one of the studios.    It was warm outside and freezing inside unless you were under the lights, then you sweat.   Since I am a parent and not an actor, I layer on the clothes.  I have no idea where God is taking us with my daughter's acting, but it has been an interesting experience. 

Goodbye September, Hello October.

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for."

Hebrews 11:1-2

Today is Thursday

Ok, it is the end of September and I am finally posting.   First, I have not done anything with the video of my son at gymnastics because things have been busy around here.  We are up and going with classes and auditions.   My daughter takes two 2 hour classes a week for acting.   Both the kids take violin once a week.   My son takes gymnastics once a week.   Once you sprinkle in homeschooling, daily violin practice, 3-5 auditions a week, and playtime with friends and our schedule is bursting at the seams.   Yep, the blog is the first to go.   I need to do as my friend Marilyn and post something every few days, even if it is a couple of sentences.

On the acting front, my daughter has filmed two short films since we have been out here.   Both films have given her some great connections and both were family friendly!    Family friendly is exciting because not a lot of things are not too family friendly.   We are asked about her friends seeing her work.   My daughter's part is not objectionable, but the film as a whole geared to adults not kids.   These shorts her friends can watch!  She still loves acting.   She comes bouncing out of every audition and class.   It is truly her thing.   She absolutely loves to be on set.   I think she really likes the challenge of it.  She has to make the character real.  She also has to adjust as directed.  It challenges her intellect and she loves a challenge.  

My son has made amazing strides at gymnastics.   Every week he is challenged and learns to do something new.   The coaches know how much to push without pushing him too far.   He loved his trial class.   It helped that he knew someone in his trial class.   He didn't want to go to his first class due to not knowing anyone, but now will go anytime.   We have to adjust his class time or day due to auditions popping up.   He just rolls with it.   The coaches are incredible.   I know that is one reason he loves it so much.  

My husband has been able to visit multiple times.   It is great to have him out here for 3 days at a time.   We have been back to Disney, hung out on set, and run around to auditions together.   The important thing is that we get quality and quantity time together.  Next time he is in town, we are planning to take a trip to the heated pool.  My son wants to demonstrate his forward tuck into the pool.   Yep, another thing he learned in gymnastics.  
  
We have some great friends out here.   They make the experience of being away from home so much easier.   The kids get along.   The moms are nice not nutty.   This is showbiz in L.A,  I have met some nut jobs!   Thankfully, my friends are blessings!   Oh...and last year they introduced me to curry.   Now, we have to order curry at least once a season.   We ordered curry last night.    Food, fellowship, and fun!   The kids even swam in the freezing cold, unheated pool.  

I'm off to bed.  Tomorrow is a big audition.   The Lord willing she will go forward in the process.   If you want to pray for us.   We would love it!   If I can pray for you, make a comment.   I would love to pray for you as well.  

"Instead you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."
James 4:15

Thursday Night Ramblings

This week was quiet, which is nice.   Last year on Labor Day, we went to Santa Monica beach, this year I changed locations to Zuma Beach in Malibu.  Last spring, I pinkie promised myself that I would learn the canyon roads here to get places.   I am finally making good on the that promise.  So far, I have been on Beverly Glen get to from the Westside into The Valley.   I tried Laurel Canyon last week to get from We Ho (West Hollywood) to the Valley.  It was horribly trafficked, so I found another way.  On Monday, I tried Malibu Canyon to get into Malibu.   The views along Malibu Canyon are breathtaking.  I absolutely need to stop next time and take pictures.  

I went to Malibu with another Mom we met here at the apartment.  We got to Zuma around ten which was great because it was not crazy crowded yet.   I KNOW I saw a famous person, but have no idea who.  We were driving through the neighborhood near Point Dume.  We saw this lady walking with an umbrella.   What drew our attention was that she stopped, turned around and hid behind the umbrella when we drove past.  Once we were past her, she turned back around and kept walking away from us with the umbrella at her back.   That the most extreme case I have seen of keeping an identity secret.   Don't worry lady...we had three kids who wanted to go to the beach, we don't want your picture!

Malibu was beautiful.   We saw about 20-30 dolphins at different times about 20 yards off shore.   We attempted to explore the tide pools at Point Dume.  It was high tide, so that was a no go.   We watched about 30 surfers catching 8-10 waves off Point Dume.   At Zuma beach, the waves were high. We wouldn't let the kids go in past their ankles.   They played in the surf for a while and then dug a giant crater in the sand.   We ate at an Italian restaurant of PCH and headed home.  

Tuesday was quiet.   We were home all day doing school.   Wednesday, we went to my daughter's acting coach to have an audition taped.   Today brought another audition.

My son started gymnastics a couple of weeks ago.   We went last week, but at a different time due to my daughter having an audition.   He absolutely refused to go into class.   My husband and I spent an hour begging, pleading, threatening, and bargaining with him to go to class.   He refused.   That kid is stubborn!   He finally relented and agreed to go on the floor after the class was over.   He said he refused because he didn't know anyone.   For the past week we have talked about going to class and not refusing.   He was ready to go.  My daughter was called for another audition this week which caused him to have to change his class again.   I was worried he would refuse again.   I let him rule the show.   I sat where he wanted me to sit.   I walked to the edge of the floor with him.   While we waited for him to be called, I could tell he was getting nervous.  He slipped his hand into mine.   When they called his class, he went!   Whew!   He did great and had a great time!     I got a video of him doing his first back tuck with help from the instructor.   Now, I need to figure out where to upload it and post it.  

Tomorrow is the great "scoot over" as I am calling it.   We are moving to the apartment that is next door.   It is slightly larger and has another bed.   I will no longer have to share with one of the kids!  I hope our scoot over doesn't take too long, but it is essentially moving.   I hate moving.   That is why I prefer to think of it another way.  

This weekend we have a photo shoot for the short film on Saturday, filming for the short on Sunday, and maybe Disney on Monday.   We plan to eat with the Ewings tomorrow night.   Enough rambling, goodnight.  

Slow Sunday

We are enjoying our slow Sunday.   Our Sunday mornings are always really relaxed here because church does not start until 11:15.   The kids and I wake up at our regular time and then have the morning to just relax.   We don't have to get a jump on school like we do during the week.  

This week the auditions picked up.   We found out my daughter was cast in a short film for company that produces films that are family friendly.   She works next weekend and then a day at the end of September.   Yesterday, she auditioned for a film at USC.   I've been to USC multiple times, but yesterday was the home opener for the Trojans.   The filmmaker warned up to leave extra time.  Wow!   There were a ton of people there.   I planned to go an hour and a half early, but I got stuck in horrible traffic on the 110.   I got off the 110 cut through Koreatown and headed down to USC.   I kept my eye out for a parking space.   As I got closer to campus, the traffic got worse.   I turned around and started looking in the neighborhood for a parking space.   I finally found one a block from the I-10 freeway and ONE mile from the building on campus I needed.  Thankfully, I had the kids' scooters in the car and we needed exercise. They scootered and I walked.   We made it right on time for the audition.   At the audition, the parents were talking.  One parent saw a place that was charging $100 to park.   People were renting out their driveways for $20.   I parked for free, a mile from campus.  What an adventure!   We got home and the kids swam and played.   I drank a Dr. Pepper, ate tortilla chips with lime, and relaxed.   These was the hardest to get to audition we ever attended.   At a typical audition, you find a parking spot, park, walk 1-5 minutes to the building, go in, audition, and leave.   Yesterday, my daughter also auditioned for a casting director that cast her in the feature film she did in January.   That was neat to see her again.  

It is time to feed the littles and get ready for church.  

Carsland at California Adventure

Our little boy has been anxiously waiting to explore Carsland.   We waited until my husband could join us and we headed out this weekend to Disneyland.   Our first stop was California Adventure, Sunday afternoon.   The new main street is wonderful.   While it is not as expansive as big brother, Main Street Disneyland, it is cute and wonderful all on its own.   We headed straight for Carsland.   We got a sneak peek last Spring of the main drag of Carsland. 

 



We got to walk the street Sunday and it was a treat.   It was crazy crowded and hot, but so worth it.   You feel like you are walking through the movie.   Everything was as it was pictured in the movie down to the blinking stoplight and statue of Stanley.   We just looked and appreciated everything.   The premiere ride, Radiator Springs Racers had a two hour wait.   The fast passes were gone for the day as well.   We decided to wait for Luigi's Flying Tires.   This was a unique twist on bumper cars because each tire is a hovercraft.   You lean to make them go the direction you want to go.   There was a 40 minute wait for this ride, but we were entertained by just standing in line.   The details that Disney went to recreate Luigi's tire shop was amazing.   It gives a nod to both Cars movies.   There was so much to look at.   We enjoyed our flying tires.  I didn't adjust my camera phone for bright sunlight, so the color is off in the picture.   You can see another tire over my son's shoulder and the silver things on the ground were blowing up the air.  

 

 

We next headed off to Mater's Junkyard Jamboree.   This is a pretty cute ride too.   You are towed around in a cart by a little tractor, except the tractors make quick turns and you are swung around.   It mixes a ride with almost square dancing.   The other three new things in Carsland are dining places.   Filmore's taste-in sells snacks, such as chips and apples.   The cozy cone motel has 5 different cones serving various foods and drinks.   We enjoyed the pretzel bites.   Another patron we met while sharing a picnic table, tried the chili cone queso and raved about how good it was.  We left Carsland for other attractions, but came back before we left the park for the night to see the neon lights.   There was a lot of neon!  The picture is really blurred, but you can see the neon lights.

 



 

Monday morning we returned to Disney to ride Radiator Springs Racers.   We were in the park by 10:15 and the fast passes for Radiator Springs Racers were already gone for the day.   We really wanted to try this ride out, so we opted to stand in line for an hour and 40 minutes.   The line was really long, but seemed to move quickly.   Starting somewhere around the middle of the line, Disney had people stationed at intervals selling ice cream, Italian ice, water, and sodas at $4 each.  They were selling quickly.   We got up to the ride and sat down in a car for six people.   You put on your seat belt and get ready.   The ride was pure Disney, top quality entertainment.   There were speakers behind our heads to play music or characters talking to us.   There was a replica of Ornament Valley, complete with waterfall.   Then we moved through various scenes from the movie, and it felt like I was in the movie.   We tractor tipped, ran from Frank, got advice from Doc., and more.   Finally, we got to race another car through Ornament Valley.   That was a bit like a roller coaster, and so much fun!   It was totally worth the long line.   I overhead someone telling someone else there were 10 different experiences you could have on the ride.   My one critique for Disney would be to provide more shade where the line first started snaking.   Most people were moving from one shady spot to another.   As you got closer to the front of the line, the shade improved.  

 

Sunday night, we convinced my son to try Symphony Swings.   He was sure it wouldn't like it, but ended up riding it twice.   We also rode Goofy's Sky School, one of his favorites as well. 

 

Monday, my daughter and I rode California Screamin.   I was reminded riding The Texas Cyclone at Astroworld as a teenager with my friend Tara Wikoff.   We also rode the Toy Story Midway, Goofy's Sky School again, and Mater's Junkyard Jamboree again.   We were out of time and had to leave after those rides.   The kids had a blast this weekend at California Adventure. 

Blowing the Dust Off

I am picking up the blog today and blowing the dust off.   This past month has been very busy.   We left Texas a couple of weeks ago to head out to L.A. for another season.   My daughter had a workshop with a casting director last weekend.   Due to the workshop, we arrived a couple of weeks earlier than last year.   We got to enjoy L.A.'s heat.   While Houston has L.A. beat on heat any day of the week, 95 degrees is still hot.   I know...in Houston its the humidity, not the heat, but take it from me, 95 sans humidity is still hot!

Enough about the weather, we spent the last week in July and first week in August starting our school year.   My daughter started 3rd grade and my son started Kinder.   I took pictures of their first day out on our front porch like I do every year.   Unfortunately, I don' t have a copy of the pictures because they are downloaded on our home computer and not my laptop.   My daughter's first comment while taking the pictures was, "I don't have a uniform in this year's school picture!"  School is going well.   The kids are back at it with few complaints.   Last year was the first year of homeschooling and there was push back from my daughter.   This year, so far are cruising along.  

We spent the first two weeks of August squeezing in as many play dates as possible in before we left for L.A.   It was great to see so many good friends.   We made the trip out to L.A. over a weekend and Monday so that my hubby could drive with us.   It was so nice to have a 2nd driver.   I usually try to do the drive on my own to haul more stuff with me, but having a 2nd driver is REALLY nice.   We got a late start from Houston on Saturday afternoon because we really wanted to attend a birthday party.   Saturday night we stopped in Kerrville.   We got up early the next morning and hit the road and drove to Phoenix!   That was a haul.   My husband did most of the driving and I give him props for it.   We drove into L.A. on Monday, picked up the key to the apartment, unloaded the car and got my husband off to the airport.   The first week here we continued with school, made some new friends, swam, and went to church on Sunday.   My L.A. church is so good.   It was good to be back.  

The last two weeks have been slow as far as acting.   Last week was especially slow, with school starting here.   My daughter has done a couple of auditions and booked a student film to film in September.  

I signed my son up for XMA.   It is an extreme martial arts gym that does non-combat martial arts.   Several actors have trained here.  In fact, my son's tramp/acro instructor is a stunt man that has worked on several projects.   Everyone I met was wonderful.   My son tried two classes Tramp/Acro and XMA and really liked the Tramp/Acro.   I met with Mike Chat, the owner.   He meets with all the parents and explains philosophy and programming.   My son is so excited to start his class this week.   Since they work with actors, they understand how auditions can be unpredictable.   We will be able to make up classes he might miss due to sister's auditions.   Perfect!   That was the one thing holding me back from putting my son in a class.  

My daughter's acting class starts in a couple of weeks.  Until then, we're just doing school, violin, auditions, and swimming in the apartment pool as much as we can! 

I almost forgot one of the most exciting developments of the last two weeks!  My son is actually swimming.   He can jump in from the side and swim across the pool.   He has been resistant to swimming, prefering to hang on to things.   In the last week, he has practiced putting his head down and swimming.  He can do it.   He even pops his head up to take a breath and keeps swimming in water where he cannot touch.   We are so excited for him to reach this milestone.  

We went to Disney this weekend.   We explored the new Carsland, but that is a blog post all on its own.   Maybe tomorrow...we'll see how the week goes.  

Book Review: The Scent of Cherry Blossoms

I recently read The Scent of Cherry Blossoms by Cindy Woodsmall.  I have read several of her books based on Amish characters.   Many stories based on Amish characters by various authors all seem to have a similar storyline.   This book was quite different.   It follows a Mennonite woman and an Amish man who fall in love and have to overcome their differences in religion.   The story never seemed to drag and moved nicely.   I almost had a hard time putting it down.  

I enjoyed this book a lot.   It was engaging.   I never got bored with the storyline.   In fact, with thirty pages to the end, I wondered how the story would end due to a seemingly impossible situation.   I learned something new about the Amish.  They are not allowed to intermarry with Mennonites.  This book ended with a happy ending.   I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys stories about the Amish or romance novels.  

I received this book for the purposes of review from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers.

Solar System Lesson

This year for science we are studying astronomy.   I am using the Young Explorer Series, Exploring Creation with Astronomy curriculum by Apoilogia Educational Ministries.   The book goes through the introduction which covered a brief history of astronomy.   We also covered the planets, Copernicus, Galileo, and NASA.  The book suggested an activity in which you hang balloons of varying sizes from the ceiling to approximate the size and distance of each planet from the sun.   While browsing Michael's, I found a Jolee’s sticker sheet that had each of the planets and a title flag.  This sticker pack gave me an idea to take a roll of paper I already had and line the planet stickers up on it with scaled distances.   Here are my materials: a tape measure, a long roll of paper, the jolee's sticker set, and a calcuation of the scaled distances.  

My mother-in-law is a retired math teacher.  I asked her about the best way to calculate the distance from the sun to the individual planets down to something I could represent in my home.   I used the Usborne Complete Book of Astronomy & Science for the data.   My mother-in-law calculated the distance into a scale that would span twelve feet.  She started with a simple porportion that equated 6000 km to 10 feet, and solved for how many km to 1 foot.   She found x to be 600 km.   Then using ratios she found the scaled distances using the data provided by the Usborne book.  She did some rounding to simplify the calculations. 

The kids had no idea how far the project would stretch when we started.   We started with Mercury placed 1.2 inches from the sun.   Then, we went to Venus which was two inches.  Earth was three inches.  Mars 4 inches.  Jupiter was one foot, 2 inches, Saturn is 2 feet, 4 inches, Uranus is 4 feet, 9 inches, Neptune is 7 feet, 5 inches.   Pluto, the binary planet, is 10 feet.   We included Pluto just because the kids have heard of it.  This a close up of the whiteboard.

As we started the lesson, the kids were unimpressed with Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.   Things become interesting with the jump to Jupiter.   They were pretty excited as we placed the rest of the planets. 

We added the rest of the planets.  The kids were very excited by the size of the model.   They could lay down end to end and stretch to equal the span.  

We officially start back to school Monday, but did some science this week to connect to our trip last weekend to Space Center Houston.   Using the sticker to make this concrete representation of our solar system was fun and easy.   The activity took about 30 minutes due to the teaching time as well as the construction of the project.

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

Genesis 1:1

SWOC accomplished!

This week my kids particpated in SWOC which stands for Summer Week of Choir.  My daughter participated last year and had a blast!   We were still in L.A. when it was time to start signing up.   She begged her Daddy to make sure she was signed up.   My son less eager, but got signed up anyway.   He is not one to try new things.  After the first day of camp, he was sold.   He also loved the experience. 

What is Summer Week of Choir?   It is a dynamic, fun filled week of singing and fun.   The kids learn a musical in one week.   We get CDs ahead of time to start listening to the music, so it familiar.   They attend music classes to learn the songs, play games, and do stuff kids like to do.   Wednesday afternoon the kids plat at a carnival. Thursday afternoon, they do a Bible Quiz Off competeition where they  have to be able to quote scripture EXACTLY as it was written on the sheet handed out of the camp.   Friday afternoon, some of Houston's finest firefighters show up with a ladder truck and douse the kids. 

 Friday night, they sing their hearts out.   My daughter auditioned for a "special part." this year.   She got to do a small solo.   She was pretty excited.   She did a great job on her solo, as did all the kids.  

Our month is now winding down.   We have family in town visiting this week and then we are going to rest a couple more weeks before we return to L.A.

"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.

Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs."

Psalm 100:1-2

Great Accountability

A friend of mine mentioned she was heading up a FB group called "Hello Mornings."   Basically, you get up, read your Bible, and workout before you start your day.   I signed up without much thought at the beginning of the summer.   It was a total God prompting.   It has been a great experience for me.   I post a "good morning"on our group FB page to tell the other members that I completed both tasks.   I enjoy the accountability of it and I somewhat reconnect with some friends from college.  I have also met new friends. 

"If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!"

Ecclesiastes 4:10

Book Review: To Heaven and Back

I recently had the opportunity to read To Heaven and Back by Mary C. Neal.   I found it a very interesting book.   The book basically details an accident that causes Mary to die and come back to life.  After her death experience, the book follows her life to the present.  

 I found that the first half of the book which describes her life up to and including the accident reads very quickly.  The second half of the book goes a bit slower.  She provides great detail of her experiences.   You can clearly see God working in her life.   She is unapologetic about seeing God at work in her life and recognizing it as such.  

I would recommend this to a friend.

I received this book from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers for the purposes of review.  

Still Here

I have successfully completed the great house clean out, .   I took a ton of stuff to Alabama with me.   My sister-in-law and I spent two days tagging stuff to consign while visiting my in-laws.  My sister-in-law is consigning stuff for me in Alabama since I am no longer in town for the big consignment sales here.  It was too much for my husband to do for me.   He did it for last year's fall sale, but it was added stress he didn't need.   I am so thankful for my sister-in-law's willingness to consign for me.   The bonus is that we each had help from the other tagging stuff.  

I did VBS at church two weeks ago.   It was a crazy week with two auditions, violin lessons, and packing to go out of town.   I had a blast helping in the preschool art room.   My kids loved VBS.   They are still singing the songs they learned in music.   At the end of VBS, my daughter and husband flew to L.A. for a day and then we headed to my in-laws house for eight days.  

We had a great time in Alabama.   We got to spend a day on the lake playing on the jet ski.   I did some knee boarding and am finally good enough to attempt some stunts.  I was helping my daughter get ready to knee board at one point.  The jet ski was turned off.  I stood up, lost my balance, and cart wheeled into the water.   I have a purdy bruise about 8 inches long and 6 inches wide on my right leg.  My daughter still laughs when I tell someone how I got my huge bruise.  I just wish I had gotten it doing some amazing stunt on the kneeboard, nope, just klutzy!

We spent the 4th of July at Jason's family reunion.  It was good to see family we only get to see once a year.  It was hot, hot, hot!   The kids got in the pool.   I stood a little look close to the pool and got a good splashing.   It was nice to be wet and cooled off!  Thursday sent us to Decatur to a water park.   It was crazy crowded,but the kids had a blast.   My son went down a tube slide for the first time.   He wanted to go again and again.   My daughter and I got haircuts Friday morning.   I also did a little antiquing in my in-laws small town.   I found a beautiful vase and dish.   Happy Birthday to me!   Friday evening, we enjoyed a fish fry with some of Jason's extended family.    Saturday brought a 50th anniversary party for Jason's aunt and uncle.   Sunday, Jason and I went to Huntsville, so Jason could look through some of his grandparent's things.   He found some old letters and pictures.   I found some cool vintage sheets that I loved.  

Monday we drove home.   This week we are doing Houston Project with our church.   We like our assigned site this year.   It is a neighborhood church with a really nice pastor.   The kids from the community are also pretty cute.   I really enjoy doing this "in town" mission project every summer.   It is always fun and rewarding.   We do a felt board presentation of God's plan to send Jesus so that we can have forgiveness of sins each night.   I taught on Jesus healing the paralytic Wednesday night.   Last night, I taught on Jesus's death, burial, and resurrection.   Each child got a New Testament to go home.   We helped them mark six foundational verses in it.   The kids were excited about their new Bibles.   We handed out some Bibles in English and some in Spanish according to the child's preference.  

Tuesday, we took a small tour of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.   They have two live owls and a hawk that live in their lobby.   It was very informative.   The kids had a great time learning something new.   We met Brooke's best friends from her old school.   After our tour, we went to Canyon Creek for lunch.   I'd been to one of the other "Creek" restaurants.   I enjoyed this one as much as the others.  

Thursday, we went to the Houston Museum of Natural Science in Sugarland.  I'll write a separate blog post about that trip. We've done some local side trips earlier in the summer.   I'll blog about them as I have time.   So far, summer has been action packed!

Summer Can Begin Now

We are almost finally well after about 10 days of sickness.   The kids and I had an awful respiratory virus which Jason never caught.   I am still fighting fatigue, runny nose, and a cough, but since I am not longer laid out on the couch, I feel like we can finally enjoy our summer.  

First thing we did Monday was drop by and see my Grandmother.  We visited a couple of hours and then came home and the kids did their school work for the day.   Monday afternoon, we had playdatepalozia here.   My son's friend came to play so his Mom could do something related to his sister's school.   My daughter was REALLY wanted to see her friend.  After a quick e-mail and some phone tag, my daughter's friend was able to come over and play as well.   My Mom came over and worked on the scrapbook from my parent's trip out West two years ago.   I attempted to find the floor in my studio space.   The kids played well upstairs.   Sometimes they played together, sometimes the girls played in one place and the boys in another.  Both of my kids were worn out by the end of the day.    Oh, and I found the floor! 

Tuesday brought errands and gymnastics lessons.   My son was so excited to be doing gymnastics again.   My daughter was so unhappy to NOT be doing gymnastics.   She is taking a one day gymnastics camp, some dance lessons and getting a one day pass to the Texas Rock Gym.   The errand running really wore me out because I HAD to take a nap Tuesday afternoon.  

Today brought violin lessons and a clean up of the playroom.   I slept in this morning trying to shake the fatigue and took it easy this evening.   I was waiting for Jason to finish a project.   Now we are both off to bed. 

Happy Summer. 

Book Review: Where Lilacs Still Bloom

I recently read Where Lilacs Still Bloom by Jane Kirkpatrick.  I found this book extremely interesting.   The author opened the book with various chapters dedicated to the various characters.  I found this odd at first that I was introduced to various and seemingly random people.    Ms. Kirkpatrick then started weaving the stories together and I found it came together nicely.  The characters were very believable and likable.   The protagonist of the story was humble woman who truly had a passion of what she did with plants.  

As the whole the book is unique.  The book introduced me to an aspect of gardening I do not have much experience with, the hybridizing of various plants.   I found this interesting.  The Christian themes were present, but not overwhelming.  Hulda had a quiet, unassuming faith.   The story follows Hulda's life as it ebbs and flows like the rivers that threaten to destroy her work.    

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an interesting, well written book that fictionizes parts of a real person's life story.

Recap

The blog has been quiet because I am BUSY!  

Sunday a week ago, the kids, Jason and I went on a bike ride.   After using the bike trail in L.A., I was itching to check out the Heights bike trail here.  We got on the trail near Lancaster Park and just wanted to see where it went.   I couldn't find a ton of information online about the trail.   We wound our way through the Heights, crossed Yale, Heights, and White Oak.   We passed the Target on Taylor and ended up at U of H Downtown.   After congratulating ourselves for making it downtown, we turned around and rode home.   The total distance was 6.75 miles, slight biggie for Jason and me.  For the kids, especially little man, this was incredible.   He did it on a small 12 inch bike.   He is ready for a bigger bike, so that will be next.   My one disappointment with the Heights bike trail was the number of streets you have to cross.   In L.A., the bike trail has a few street crossings, but they are some distance apart with a crosswalk and a light.   The street crossings on the Heights bike trail are about a block apart.   Yale, Heights, and White Oak are crossings without a light.  Houston HAS a few bike trails now and that is progress.  I won't complain too much about it, but if anyone wanted a suggestion for improvement...I'm just sayin'.  

Monday we went to violin lessons.   Tuesday we headed over to Canninos for some produce.   Thursday, my daughter filmed an audition submission for a short independent film.   Her asthma had flared up and it took two hours to film due to her coughing.   I figured she was fighting a cold virus and reacting to the high ozone days.  Thursday night, Jason and I went on a date to the Rienzi Museum.   I love to tour old houses.   This house is more modern than I usually visit, designed in 1952, but it was filled with 17th century English antiques.   Absolutely beautiful!   The fountain in the backyard is big enough to be a swimming pool, but only a foot deep. 

After dinner, we went to Saltgrass for dinner.   So good!   I love their chicken tortilla soup.   We headed home after that.  

When we got home, we found our daughter running a fever and looking terrible.   My Mom was watching the kids.   The fever had started abot 30 minutes before we got home.   She was about to call when when came in.   I gave my daughter medicine for the fever and got her into bed.   I was up 3 times that night giving her more asthma medicine.   Friday was more of the same.    She was coughing constantly, as in several times a minute.  She also took two naps on the couch.   My daughter hasn't napped since she was toddler.   Even when she is sick, she will not nap.   I called the nurse at the doctor's office.   They wanted to see her.   The doctor said she has a respiratory infection going around and that her asthma seemed to be in check.   She gave me a script for an oral steroid, just in case.  Saturday morning, we went to church for my daughter to audition for a speaking part in the summer choir camp.  After that, we just laid low.    Her coughing started to get worse again.   By that evening, I saw her have her first true asthma attack where she couldn't get a breath.   After six puffs on the inhaler, she could breathe, but after an hour seemed worse again.   Jason and I decided the oral steroid needed to be filled.   We had already increased her inhaled steroid on the advice of the doctor.  Jason headed over to the 24 hour CVS.   At 11:00, they said it would be ready by 12:45.   He dropped it off and came home to wait.   The pharmacist called at midnight to tell us it was ready.   We gave it to her when Jason got home.   The next morning she was a different child.  The coughing was markedly better, she was perkier.   We stayed home from church and rested.   We rented a movie and watched it.   She seemed a lot better by Sunday night.  Monday morning brought my son to our bed with a fever and a nauseous tummy.   It wasn't long before he threw up.   He laid low on Monday and we rented another movie.   They also played Legos.  

Tuesday, both seem better, although my son had a fever.   I have it now, but it seems milder.   I have nasal drainage, body aches, and a cough.   Hopefully, I can kick it quickly.

We'd hoped to do a fun outing on Memorial Day, but it wasn't meant to be.   This morning, I had an appointment to protest our taxes.   I made a presentation and was successful!   The review board complimented me on my presentation and said it helped the process go so smoothly.   The kids sat in the room with me very quiet.   They review board also complimented the kids on their good behavior.  Yea!   Jason and I are doing something right.   Truly, after spending the last 8 months at lots of  auditions, they know how to wait quietly.  

Now I am parked on the coach vowing to do nothing the rest of the day.   Hopefully tomorrow I will feel better. 

My house is finally organized, except for my studio space.   I need to finish some projects and downsize some of the stuff.   That will be a process.   I'll post the projects as I finish them.  

Thursday, Thursday

Today is Thursday and I am beat!   I am getting up every morning with my husband.   That allows me time to have Bible study before the kids get up.   I also plan to add exercise to that time next week.  I managed to make it work one day this week.   I am enjoying my FB accountability group.   It is fun to encouraging to read what other like minded ladies are doing.   I think I am also adjusted back to central time.   Two hours doesn't seem like much, but it is a bit rough.  

I have worked everyday except Wednesday on getting my house back into shape.   When you leave for 7-8 months, your kids outgrow stuff and stuff just kind of piles up.   We also brought home the contents of our studio apartment.   It is new stuff to assimilate with the old.  There is old to throw out or donate.   I could just throw all the stuff into drawers and shove them closed, but that would make me crazy.   I have cleaned out room by room.   I started in the bathroom.  I worked on the kids rooms today.   We have a nice tidy pile of clothes that I need to ask my sister-in-law if she wants for her kids.   What she doesn't want gets sold or dontated.   I haven't tackled the toys in the playroom yet.  I did go through the books and have another nice tidy pile for my sister-in-law.   I did this to the kitchen last summer and truly it is still ok.   I need to clear the rest of the living room out so that I can take down the Christmas decorations tomorrow.  Yep, it is still Christmas at my house.   I didn't have time to do it before I had to rush back to L.A. for film rehearsals.   It looks like tomorrow is the day!   I actually worked on a couple of drawers in my bedroom yesterday and today.   It feels good to declutter.   I haven't made it to my studio space, but I have big plans for decluttering there too!  I plan for the decluttering to be a long process and I am taking my time and not stressing myself out.  

Wednesday I went to my final MOPS meeting.   I missed most of the meetings this year due to being in L.A., but I was able to go to the last one.  We do an accessory exchange every year at the final meeting.   I got some cute headbands that would work for either Brooke or myself.   It was fun to see my friends and catch up.   I love my MOPS group and I will miss not being a part of MOPS next year.  I've done MOPS since my daughter was about a year old.   I joined a group in Florida and then joined the group here.   MOPS has been wonderful, but another season in my life has ended.  I love that God walks with me through it all.   

I am still homeschooling, so that impedes house progress some.   I have a pile of school work to grade from the last couple of days.   I am planning to school through the summer.   The kids have enough days to stop, but I don't like to have to restart routines in the fall.  Our new school year will start July 1st.   We are working on finishing this school year strong.   I am pleased with what has been accomplished this year.   I am thinking about how to tweak for next year.   I worked on cleaning out our homeschooling trunk.   Some of my early childhood stuff is being packed away for the first time in 5 years!  I am saving some stuff on the off chance I ever return to teaching.   In the short term, I don't see that happening, but I cannot predict the future.   It has been a fun year.   I can see lots of growth in the kids.  Once I catch my breath, I plan to have my Mom watch the kids while I spend the morning at the homeschool store getting curriculum for next year.   I have a couple areas I want to improve, so I have in mind what I need to look for at the store.   The homeschool store can be very overwhelming at first.   Now that I have math, Grammar, Vocabulary, and Spelling programs I like, I plan to look for some history/social studies and science that is practical for our unique situation.   I also want to get all the books I need to the reading program for my son, so I don't have to search for them at the library.   I just don't have the time to do that.   For homeschooling I am wrapping up and looking forward.  

In other news, I went to a VBS volunteer meeting last night at church.   I'm so excited to help out in the crafts room under the direction of two wonderful ladies who are directing.   We started prepping crafts last night and it was fun.   I love VBS.   It is so much fun for me and my kids love it too.   I couldn't imagine going through summer without doing VBS.  

I am working on what activities the kids will do this summer.   My son is doing gymnastics after missing out on it this school year.   I am not sure if my daughter will do gymnastics, dance, or something else.   They are both signed up for the week of choir camp at church.  

I needed to catch my breath before launching into dinner and the nighttime routines, thanks for listening.   Have a blessed rest of the day!

Hello Monday!

Our trip home from California is finally over.   We arrived into Houston about 6:00 Saturday night.   Friday morning I started feeling ill.   I called my husband and asked if he could fly into El Paso that evening and drive the rest of the way with me.   El Paso didn't work, but Midland did work.   Jason flew into Midland Friday night and we picked him up.    was so happy to see him!  We stayed in Midland overnight and drove home on Saturday.   Jason did all of the driving.   We got into Houston with enough time to pick up Jason's car from the airport and meet my family for dinner.   We got home, left the car loaded and went to bed.   We finally made it to bed about 11:30.   Sunday morning we slept a little later and went to service at church.   After church, we ate lunch with friends and enjoyed catching up while the kids played.   Last night, we unpacked the car into the den. 

My house is due for a deep cleaning, so I am cleaning before I put things away.   I plan to start in the bathroom.   I plan to clean out drawer and shelves, throw away things and then put stuff up.   It will be a process, but I'll get it done.   The kids have outgrown clothes.   I need to clean out clothes as well.   We have tons of yard work to do as well.   I'll pace myself and slowly things will get done.

I joined a group of college friends doing an accountability group.   The challenge is to get up before your children, study the Word, and exercise.   Today I started a Bible study I put down a few years ago and did Pilates.   The group is open to anyone.   We have a FB group that we post into.  Let me know if you are interested in joining out FB group.   This is the basis for it. 

I need to get the kids up.   We are having breakfast with my Grandmother and then off to violin lessons.   Wait, I hear feet.   Good timing! 

"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.  But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night."
 Psalm 1: 1-2