Our callings

My friend Eddie is a youth pastor down in Aromas. I met his friend he's talked about for ages over the summer at a camp out up at my grandpa's property. I heard more about his work at Gospel Graffiti and finally checked the website out. These guys are so talented. I love how God uses our past for His future.

I guess I've been thinking a lot about that since I'm on the job hunt. A few things keep cycling back into my life.... one being Rod's friend asking me to help out at Crisis Pregnancy center where he works. That was the first place I went when I was 20 years old, unmarried, half way through college, with the dad not allowed in my own country with no plans for a pregnancy. Maybe God is calling me to share my story and help other girls see God's power for purpose in our lives?

If not, I'm sure it's something else amazing. It always is with Him.

We need...

More days hitting the 80's

on the coast in the middle of winter.

It is crazy beautiful out!

Maybe global warming isn't such a bad thing after all?

December Highlights

Here are some Decemeber Highlights...


We visited our friend's dad at his firestation. Luke was stoked to sit in the big engine and go for a ride around town in a real firetruck!






Kids sang at church...




I made my own Christmas gifts this year... Aprons. Hair clips. Deco-podge journal. Personalized Stationary. Portuguese Sweet Bread. Magnets.




Rod's best friend from Australia is here for a few weeks, so he stopped by on his way to his girlfriend's place in San Francisco. Those Aussies just love us American girls! Welcome John.



Rod was off work for a week. It's been a treat to have him around and help with the kiddies and nitty griddy, like scrubbing the tub out. We day tripped it to San Francisco or "The Big Smoke" to the Australians. We drove up highway one for the scenic route, pass Pigeon Point Lighthouse...


Jumped on the Bart. The kids were in awe of this speed machine...


Went ice skating in Union Square...


before stopping off at our friends for dinner on our return trip.




Job update:
Ok, still jobless, but I have had a few call backs and interviews lined up... so a little prayer please. My most hopeful one is at Rocking Horse Ranch Preschool. They have outdoor ed with horses and gardening. It's a good fit with what I went to school for... BA teaching/environmental studies. So I'm hanging for a call back. I got an email from the owner on her vacation who said she'd for sure contact me when she gets back... so I wait. The topper would be that they let me bring Luke there, maybe for a discount fee or free.

J O B

I have to find a full time job- ouch! It is a little daunting at the moment, but I almost think it will be easier than part time, cuz then both R and I will be full time, therefor all housework splits right down the middle. Right? I'm probably going to guess that's wrong, but we'll see how we end up. I won't be stressed out driving the kids to and fro all before 2pm if it were a part time gig and then have to do it all still. I'm trying to find the beauty in it... like having a whole hour lunch break to eat by myself and not have to get up to get someone a napkin, milk, or more of something. That alone is a beautiful thing.

I found this today. I think I should print it up and frame.

It just makes me smile.

PS I know I am terrible at keeping up a blog. Sorry.

My Brother Lands a HUGE Fish. HUGE!!!!

I'm double posting and they are both a little boastful blogs today, but I'm very proud of both Luke riding his bike and my brother landing the fish of a lifetime!

My brother Marc went on a ten day fishing trip out of San Diego the day after Thanksgiving. Just when they thought things were looking slow, they spotted something on the horizon and headed over where my brother caught a HUGE ASS fish.

HOLY COW!!!

3 4 4 lb

F I S H

They call it cow town for a reason I guess?!

Here is the fishing report from the boat

he was out on and a picture to prove this fish tale!

Here is my other brother's email about it...

My brother Marc is on a $3000, 10-day fishing trip out of San Diego. They travel down the Baja-Peninsula targeting 100 to 300lbs Yellowfin Tuna (AKA “Cows”). They had reached their southern-most point of the trip in “cow-town” and were discouraged to only catch a few 100+ pounders. They were about to leave the grounds and head back hoping to find some action on the way home when they suddenly saw “something interesting” on the horizon.

When the putted over there, two guys hooked into some “cows”. Marc fought a 344 pounder!!!! This fish spooled his reel. That means the 500+ yards of line was now empty so they do a risky, but common maneuver where they tie the end of his rod to a second one, let his $1000+ rod and reel go in the ocean and continue the battle on the second rod!!!!!

Icing on the cake: There is a contest going that gives anyone on the boat that catches a 300+ pound fish a free 10-day trip in the future!!!!

Sushi anyone?

Look who learned to ride a bike...

Yep Luke!

The night before we were on a family bike ride when Rodney called us all to a stop. Luke listened, but the big red caboose didn't. I accidently ran over his training wheel- Crack! The whole entire little wheel shattered in pieces. I felt like a big bully running over his little training wheel with my beach cruiser tire. Upon discovering his stumped training wheel he declared, "Hey, that wasn't nice, you broke my bike!" Tears. Lots of tears. More tears.

Ahhh, I felt terrible. The best I could do is apologize to my little man who's bicycle dreams had just been shattered. I quickly encouraged him that tomorrow.... "daddy will teach you to ride without your training wheel cuz you're a big boy Luke- I know you can do it." I mean after all, he's very athletic for his age. He can dribble a basketball and sink shots. He can ride a razor scooter and go off curbs with it. He jumps off our fourth stair to the ground floor. The kid is just crazy-wild like that.

The next day, Rod is heads out the door to go down to the parking lot with his tools.

J What are you working on the truck (It hasn't started well lately)?

R No, I was going to fix Luke's wheel you broke.

J Well, I think he could ride a bike without them. You should try first before you fix it!

I went about housely duties when Rod comes in and said...

"You were right. He can do it."

It's beginning to feel like Christmas

I finally broke out our limited collection of Christmas decorations and hung our stockings. Bella and I colored wreaths, trees, and cut out snowflakes to replace the turkey's in the window with our Christmas art. I have an almost-life size Nativity scene given to me by my grandma but until we live in a bigger place it just plain takes up too much of our space, not to mention the year round storage of it.

After listening to Christmas music all day, I convinced Rod to get us a tree after work. This year we opted for the local cut trees. What happen to the days when it was cheaper to cut your own? Last year it was near $50 to cut our own. This time it was only $30 and around the corner from our house. However, they did have organic nobel firs the same size for $70?!! Only in Santa Cruz.








We've been getting crafty with the cold weather. I bought some mod-podge and have used it on everything from canvas to headbands. I even mod-podged the front page of my dictonary back on. That stuff is like the womans duct tape! I love it.

With birthdays and Christmas so near, we've come up with some handmade things like felt barrets, headbands, sewing aprons, and felt pin cushions. We are looking to cut cost on presents this year, so I'm open to great gift ideas if you have any? What fun stuff have you made that's fairly easy and kid friendly. Would about for boys? It seems I can't think of much, except maybe a army camo or dino apron? Hmmmm.

Here is a peek at 1st graders art work. Isabella's creations this year in first grade blow me away. She made a leaf bowl with real clay. I think I maybe had finger painting in 1st grade, not clay! Yesterday, she came home with this cutie. It's half clay, half paper. I love the whimsical feel all her drawings and faces have. However, some disagree, like her own father. When I showed him her creation, he stood there looking at it with a concerned look on his face.