All I want for Christmas

Here's Tessa. Don't you wish you were six years old with no top teeth at Christmas time?

Bob and Larry

Veggie Tales have been a part of our family since they first came out in 1993. We have VHS tapes, DVD's, cassettes, CD's, posters and stuffed toys! There are a couple of episodes the twinners have found to be a bit scary, "Where is God when I'm scared" (oddly enough) and "Moe's Big Exit". They always tell me they can watch "Where is God when I'm scared", but there are always problems that night. However today they were both excited to go see Bob and Larry in person! It was a little disappointing since neither Bob nor Larry said anything and big sister Jacee pointed out when we got home "they have arms and hands!" but it was still FUN. 10 more days till Christmas!

Mannheim Steamroller

Last night Derek, Hailey, Mike and I attended a Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Concert in Sacramento. The tickets were a birthday present from my family. It was an awesome present, and one I hope they repeat in years to come. And you don't have to ask -- yes I cried when the very first song started. It was two hours of pure joy.

Lane's Car

A couple months back, I read a thread on moparts about a guy in Canada that painted his '68 Charger with Trem-Clad(The Canadian equivalent of Rustoleum). The paint is thinned 50-50% with mineral spirits, and then applied with a foam roller. After a few coats(wet-sanding between each) and a final buffing, it looks pretty sharp. Heres the link: $50 Paint jobSince the rattle can black I had put on the dart a couple months back wasn't looking as good as I had hoped, I figured it was worth a shot. You can see the results in the pictures below. When I have the time, it will get another wetsanding and a good buffing with an electric polisher. My advice? Save your money and go to a pro body shop to get a base coat/clear coat job. Unless your paint can't get any worse, which was the case with mine. I did learn 2 things though:
1. How to work with body filler.
2. To ALWAYS use power sanders (Seriously. I stripped paint, and blocked body filler all by hand. It sucks. Don't be a cheapskate like me)
Also, the dart is running strong with a new V8 and transmission.
Here's pics. Maybe better than Mr. Schieb could have done, ;)?
Lane

Black Friday

Jacee, Lane and I hit the trail at the late hour of 8:20 this morning. We went to the Sunrise mall and got the goods then headed up the hill. 8 hours later we were home and tired, but had found loads of bargains! And we are a little closer to finishing Christmas shopping! Parking lots were crazy full but once inside crowds didn't seem so bad and people were very polite - until they got behind the wheel....... Kohl's seemed to be the place for the "best" deals. My daughter in law stood in line for 2 1/2 hours waiting to check out. The early bird deals were over at 1 and at 3 people were still holding their place in line! And NOT wanting to move. These are serious shoppers! All in all it was a good day. I don't often get to spend an entire day with my two remaining teens at home. :-)

Taylor

We saw Taylor's ortho surgeon today for her surgery follow up. She has been having pain yesterday and today. Dr. says it's time for the plate and screws to come out! He thinks we might be able to schedule for next Friday. Not a lot of time to think, think, think. I guess that's good. After her appointment we spent the entire day shopping. Mike was the model of patience. Might have something to do with it being my birthday. :-)

Homeschool Day at Discovery Kingdom

Yesterday Lane, the twins and I went to 6 Flags/Discovery Kingdom with loads of other California homeschoolers. There wasn't any general admission which cut the crowds considerably and the lines were great! It was a much more relaxed and polite atmosphere than the other two times we have been there. We were there from a little after opening till they announced we had to leave the park. Not all rides were operational (bummer) but we still had tons to do. We went again to Shouka the killer whale show and got to sit quite close, but not close enough to get wet! The weather was very nice and Lane and I actually got to ride two rides- Kong (a coaster ride) and V2 (a dangle your feet and hang on for dear life ride). The twins rode many many rides but didn't think it was fair that they had to wait 45 minutes on Lane and I for one of the rides. oh well. We saw parts of the park we had never seen before like the giraffes, lions, penguins and walruses. Other than paying $35 for lunch for 3 it was a very enjoyable day.

GARMENTS OF GRACE

“I will rejoice greatly in the Lord, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation, he has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness…” (Isaiah 61:10a).

The young man realized he had reached a new low in a whole season of low points when he caught himself day-dreaming of eating the same slop which he was feeding to the pigs. The days when he ate his fill at his father’s well-stocked table seemed like an eternity ago. The bulging money bag that had attracted so many friends and had funded so many extravagances had run dry without so much as a warning. As his gaze fell upon the dirty rags he wore, he recalled how that, at one time, he had worn clothing that marked him as the son of a wealthy man. How very foolish he had been to demand his inheritance and leave his father!

Tears came to his eyes as he reflected on his father’s love and generosity. And, suddenly, a new resolve arose within his heart. He would return to his father, beg forgiveness for his rebellion, and take his place among the common servants. Maybe, just maybe, his father would accept him back! Could he even dare to hope?

As he neared home, imagine his surprise when his father ran to meet him and then warmly embraced him. As the young man began the repentance speech he had likely rehearsed over and over again, the father seemed to be preoccupied with other matters. “Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate…” (Luke 15:22-23).

The best robe??? Surely we must wear our sinful rags for awhile longer. Surely we have to do penance of some sort for our sin. Surely we should start at the bottom again and work our way back into good standing. Surely not! Praise God for His garments of grace!

God loves you!

Mike

October in California

As I type Taylor is yelling "Mama watch! I can pump!" A few minutes ago same little girl was crying........."I can't pump". It's been a beautiful busy month. It's 65 degress outside- a wonderful day to swing. I love fall. It is the time to draw home. Sewing projects are out and last night I began cutting out flannel jammies for the twins. Might even get the quilt project back out! The hummingbirds are regular guests out the dining room window but the birds have headed south. There are so many leaf colors here that we just didn't see in Nebraska. A lot more raking too! Anyway, enjoy the picture of part of our back yard. Happy Fall!
Kendy

Coconut

For the past several months when we visit WinCo one of the twins normally asks if we can buy a coconut. Well, yesterday i gave in. We brought it home and they patiently waited for me to be "ready". After some internet research on how to crack it we jumped in with both feet. They tasted the coconut water (so-so) and an hour or so later tasted coconut milk. Neither one of them was overly impressed. One more hour and the coconut came out of the oven (it was 10 p.m. by this time) and was cooled and bagged. It was good coconut, but i wouldn't say it was ~that~ much better than what i can buy. Might be awhile before i can be talked into buying another one. At least until they break the coconut halves they are both playing with!

Garage Sale Day

It was a beautiful day to have a garage sale. We live in an ideal location for that sort of thing. Translated - lots of traffic passes by our house. We merely put up a sign when we wanted to start and took it down when we were done. We had people from 9:00 till 4:30! My son and daughter in law made over $100! I made around $10. Doesn't seem fair does it? However it gave me the chance to clear out the junk and make a bit of garage sale money for next weeks finds........ Most of the stuff that didn't sell is already loaded in the suburban and ready to drop off at hospice. ahhhhhh it was a good, tiring day.

Travelers

Last November we were blessed with trip to see our oldest son and his family. They lived in Italy at the time. We spent 10 days traipsing around Italy and Germany with a pass through Austria. Rome in one day was not enough time but we saw the top things on our list, the collesium and the catacombs with a pass through Pisa to see the leaning tower. In Germany we toured a castle, a wood carvers shop and an old church. It was a once in a lifetime trip and I'm glad we did it. A couple of weeks ago the twinners and mom took a trip back to Nebraska to see family and friends. With a 7 hour layover in Phoenix we were able to see some dear friends who were kind enough to spend 3 hours with us. However, now mom and twins anyway, are tired of traveling.