SNAKES!

SNAKES!

I actually like snakes. That is, when they are in the arms of someone else or behind glass. I could hold one but it wouldn't be my favorite thing to do. Although I must say that they do fascinate me quite a bit.

Joshua on the other hand...LOVES his snake.

The snake was recently given to him by his Uncle. Every day he holds it and carries it around the house. He cleaned his cage out and has done a great job keeping it's water filled up. I had to give him a "two feet" rule when he was around me. I couldn't handle it when out of nowhere a snake would be right in my face curled up on Joshua's arm who was standing right next to me. (Okay, so it wasn't right in my face, but when it's in my personal space it is TOO close!)
After we made that rule Joshua has done a good job keeping his distance.
I think they are best buddies already:


Angela is like me...not too fond of holding it herself. She held it for a couple seconds (as long as Dad was holding it also) then started freaking out and had to back away!

The Zoo

The Zoo
We gathered up the kids and headed to the Zoo.

Jeremy has never been so this was extra special! He's read about elephants, giraffes, zebras, tigers and monkeys but has never seen them in real life.
He wasn't sure where we were going but he knew that it was something exciting!

This is one of those traditional "have to's" when you go to the zoo:
walking up the posts

When we walked through the front gates we could hear the monkeys hollering it up.
The kids were so excited that we could hardly get there fast enough.

One of Jeremy's favorite animals is the elephant. When he saw it for real the only thing he could do was observe, taking it all in.

I love going to the zoo myself. I'm always fascinated at the different animals and the way God created them.

Angela was our Camera Man, she definitely takes her job seriously:

After the zoo we went across the way to the PlayLand Fun Park and played in the water. It's so cool 'cause it's free to go in. If you want to go on any of the rides there are tickets you have to buy, but in this heat all the kids wanted to do was GET WET!

I just had to include this photo 'cause it turned out pretty awesome (check out the sunglasses):

San Fransisco

A week ago my two sisters and I met up for a girls weekend in San Fransisco.
We had a wonderful time talking, laughing and catching up on each others lives.
We did the fun walk around Ghiradelli, the cannery, fisherman's wharf.


The next day we visited Golden Gate Park.
I was very impressed with the many plants and trees. It was very beautiful walking through the pathways. We went through the Conservatory of Flowers. What an amazing place! My body was fighting headaches all weekend so I wasn't able to get through the whole Conservatory. I think the stuffiness and humidity was just too much for my head to bear. I was so bummed 'cause there were many different kinds of unique plants and flowers.
We also visited the Japanese Tea Garden. Every bush and plant was sculpted or grown to add texture and shape to the landscape. We took the opportunity to relax and talk while we drank green tea in the middle of the garden.

That evening we went to the Musical "Wicked". It was quite an amazing play. I don't think I've ever seen professional acting like that before. They did a great job. I was impressed with the acting and vocals as well as the lighting and props.
Best of all it was fun being with my sisters. There is nothing like family. I love them so much. I am thankful for their encouragement and their laughter that brings smiles to my day.

Whew, was it HOT today ...110 degrees!
This morning we watched many people being baptized from our church. How awesome it was hearing the stories and seeing their faces as they were brought up out of the water. Last night, in anticipation of today, Angela asked a bunch of questions regarding baptism. It was a sweet time of discussion.

When we got home we quickly downed some lunch then jumped into the pool. I feel like we've been living in the pool lately! At least every day we've been getting in to get a relief from the heat.

I'll have to bring my camera down tomorrow and snap some pictures for you.

Stay tuned!

8 weeks today

Jeremy has been home 8 weeks.

It seems like yesterday that we brought him home and yet he fits so well into our family that it feels as if he's been here all along.
The other day Andrew and I were laughing because Jeremy and Joshua are so much alike in their personalities. They are both full of joy and hugs. They love to tease in a way to get your attention and bring fun into daily life. They are both analytical in figuring things out. They are confident and yet thrive on encouragement and praise.

Both Angela and Joshua have been great helpers loving and caring for Jeremy. I am thankful for God's timing in all of this.



A week ago we decided to go biking in the neighborhood.

It was so much fun!

Andrew hooked up a rig-shaw onto the back of his bike (the same one I rode in when I was a little girl!), the kids biked behind him and I followed in the back. It felt like a family of ducks all in a row. Jeremy loved waving to the rest of us and seeing the sights of the city.
There's something about riding a bike. It's a great way to see the city up close. When ever I drive my car downtown I don't usually notice the details.
There are many hurting people all around us but often we are bustling through life too fast to see them or take time to reach out a little kindness to them. Every time God pricks my heart in this way I pray that He will open the eyes of my heart with compassion and a readiness to love.

After we got back from riding our bikes we were hot and sweaty! Ready for a jump in the pool!

THE BEACH


We had the wonderful opportunity of staying for a week at the coast.
What a beautiful week it was.
We had adventures of exploring the rocks along the beach for sea creatures.

We visited the nearby aquarium. That was fascinating! An unexplainable world that we rarely get to see was placed right in front of our eyes. God's incredible. I love the beauty of His handiwork.

Jeremy loved the beach from a distance...and with his tennies on. It took a couple days for him to walk on the sand with sandles and to not cry out in fear at the seaweed. By the end of the week he was actually liking the rocks and the creatures we found...although he still freaked when the water would gently push itself onto the sand and touch his toes! It was fun seeing him experience all these things for the first time.

Daddy and Jeremy


We spent the week with Andrew's brother and sis and their families. That was a blast! There were some fierce Risk battles, many hours on the playstation race course, lots of laughs and just good 'ol hanging out. The kids got to ride their bikes on the road that followed along the shore line. Jeremy had great practice figuring out how to stay to the side of the road!

Angela and I were able to steal away for an hour or so and get some pastries. We carried them out to the rocks where the waves were crashing itself in it's mighty strength and nibbled on our goodies. I love being with her. She's so sweet and silly all in one. We have some good laughs together.

One morning I took the kids to a nearby park. It was a wonderful and fun park! It had tunnels, play grounds, bridges, mazes, lookouts, and so many places to run around!
Joshua and Angela were kind and took Jeremy down the bumpy slide over and over.

Joshua started a trend. He went down on his feet...eventually standing up as if he was skate boarding. Soon all the big kids were doing the same thing. He got a kick out of that!

We've been through a lot this past month and a half with transitions and changes. The kids have all been learning to work together and communicate. Jeremy is responding well to instruction and is expanding in his vocabulary. Andrew and I have been spending time reevaluating how to love our children and direct them in knowing God.