"I learned most , not from those who taught me but from those who talked with me" -Augustine

Electronic Devices

Jeff & I represent different ends of the spectrum on the subject of electronics.
When our boys were younger I had my thumb firmly planted on the situation. As little guys they knew the phrase, "no more electronic devices" They were only allowed a certain amount of time, period. That included T.V., movies, radio & computer games. When I left for an afternoon or evening B & R got really excited. It was party time! No time limits with Dad.
Over the years Jeff has seen the error of his ways. He began making the boys run off steam as well as preform manual labor duties. Then the three would sit down for video games or whatever with no time limit.
I have let go of the electronic noose. I have seen the light, so to speak, of Net Flicks. I order many educational or time period movies to supplement our schooling. Now that B&R are older & stay home alone from time to time they play more video games. I kinda like that because I know they aren't getting themselves into mischief, they are numbed-out in front of the TV. I have submitted to movies I don't like as they have gotten older, things I would never watch but the guys enjoy. I've succumbed to the cellphone because I like the ability to call my sons when they are away & vis-versa. I've allowed the ipod to enter our world although I don't like it attached to my boys. I think that makes it too easy to go off into your own world. Books on tape, Music CD or the radio are on a lot around here. We ultilize music, typing & foreign language computer programs.
We do block their ability to get on the computer if we are not home. They will NOT have TVs or computers in their rooms. Jeff regularly monitors their my space & email accounts. No video games, radio, emails or my space is allowed until all school work & chores are completed.
Hey, look at me, I'm writing a blog. It wasn't that long ago that I wouldn't even use the computer. I'm still in the world of "rarely use your cell phone". It's who I am. I would rather share some tea & chat face to face. I would rather see kids making projects, exploring outdoors, experimenting with different art mediums. theres is so much to life, so live it, don't watch it!
Billy & Ricky have finally bought their beloved wii. They worked real hard for it. I'm proud of them for setting a goal & accomplishing it. They have been trying to convince me all along that the wii is great for exercise. So last night I watched them play. It is true, you can get a good work out, if you choose the right settings. I would still rather see them hike our property etc....

Marine World?

Marine World is no more. It is now called Discovery Kingdom.

Yesterday we went to "Homeschool Day". We got in for a discount price, less then half of the original amount. The park was closed to the general public so even with all the homeschoolers, the lines were minuscule, very cool.

The park is much different now. When I went as a teen the emphasis was on the animTals. Now its the thrill rides. Don't get me wrong, I liked the rides & there was quit a few animals opportunities. I was just reminiscent of when my Mom, Monica & I went. I have always talked about that trip & wanted to take my family. I was disappointed in that I didn't get to share my memories with them. But, we made new awesome memories.

We went on every big & moderate ride, some even twice. We scared ourselves out of our wits! The bird show was neat, I love hearing them talk. I was reminded of the majesty of the feathered kingdom. The dolphin show was a treat, they are so sweet. We have decided to do the dolphin encounter program next year. Of course the killer whale show was our favorite. We sat right in the front, in the middle. Billy & Jeff got off easy, just a slight sprinkle. Ricky & I got a bath! I planned for that, I brought a change of clothes for everyone. We spent a lot of our time looking at walruses, seals, sea lions, giraffes etc.. We really liked the animal exhibits. An unforgettable moment was when Giant butterflies landed on Ricky & Billy.

Photo Scavenger Hunt

The Boys both participated in a Photo Scavenger Hunt throughout the shops at River Park. Again, they were not placed on the same team-no biggy. They were given a list of places to go. On that list were also assignments to be completed at each spot. Such as "go to Target & find a shield, take a picture using it" or find the big horse & play horsey" This horse is obviously in front of P.F. Chang's. These photos were open to interpretation & you got points for the most creative choices.
After the Scavenger Hunt the crew went to the new Me & Eds across from Edwards. They had an awesome time in the giant new arcade. Billy's team won. The prize was pizza gift cards. Being teenage boys, they bought more pizza right then & there. FOOOOD!!!!!!

These are the days of our lives......

Yep, more drama!

First off, last weekend we made plans for this weekend...didn't happen.

Instead of soccer, seeing Madagascar 2 at the theater, going to a 4-H fundraiser dinner in Lemoore & Christmas shopping. We went to the emergency room (in Hanford), went to the aid of a dear friend (in the Chos) & worked on putting up an invisible fence for our turkey-butt Dalmatian & Chocolate Lab.

Eddy, our Dalmatian ran away. He was frightened by the thunder & lightening storm. We called, we posted, we prayed, we waited. He was gone for 3 days, but we do have him back with us. However, now he knows how to leave & has tried. He is on house arrest until we get the invisible fence up. Unfortunately it began to rain as the guys were working on that project. It is only half done. Guess what next weekend entails....

Sunday was a little more fun. After church Billy & Ricky went to a missionary friends going away party. Jeff & I took a long drive through a forest of autumn colors & ate some comfort food at a local diner. We picked up Kung Fu Panda on the way to get the boys, which we watched that evening. It was Billy's turn to cook. He made Spicy Shrimp Scampi w/ Linguini & a Green Salad.

We did manage to get school pictures & shop for our Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes (x6) done this week. We had a nice visit with the Orazem girls & the guys all enjoyed the special Chitudo sessions with Ramero. The week wasn't completely wacked.

"For thousands of years, in thousands of places,
families educated their own. 

This tradition changed not because a better method was found,

but because economic conditions required it. 

To work one had to leave ones children. 

Ones children, furthermore, had to be trained for tasks no one in their purview could be seen doing. 

For these reasons institutionalized schooling was invented,

and while it adequately addressed a set of economic problems,

it inspired a new set of human ones that are psychological, emotional and even spiritual in nature"

-David Guterson

Bible Face Off

Our Homeschool group has started a Bible Face off League. Billy & Ricky are on separate teams containing 5 teens each. It plays kinda like Family Fued, however they jump up, instead of buzzing. They compete once a month. At the end of the school year they will have their grand finale.
Billy & Ricky have been great about helping each other study, even though they are not on the same team-I love that. Of course they have been busy at Star bucks & other such meeting places to study with their teammates. So again, a once a month things...isn't. They are having a great time with this & learning as well.

The Big Fresno Fair

We went to Educational Day at the fair, which got us in free! I'm so glad I no longer have kidlets. I always felt the need to go over the history of the fair, its importance yada-yada-yada.....I mean they let us in for free. The boys have the story down, so I'm done.
We watched the pigs races, looked at giant produce, rocks, art, watched break dancers & ate our favorite Fair Foods.
Since today was also Christian Day we stayed after all the schools went home. Then it was off to the Midway. Billy & Ricky had earned enough money from their Grandparents to buy wrist bands for the whole day. So off they went to this ride & that ride over & over again!
We ended our day at the Newsboys Concert, one of Billy & Ricky's favorite bands. They were Awesome!!
We all had a great time. The boys had enough money left over to buy a Newsboys Souvenir.

"I am much afraid that the schools will prove the very gates of hell, 

unless they diligently labor in explaining the Holy Scriptures, 

and engraving them in the hearts of the youth. 

I advise no one to place his child where the
scriptures do not reign paramount. 

Every institution in which means are not increasingly occupied with the word of God must be corrupt." 

Martin Luther

Video Game System Envy

My boys have the video game envy...not me. They would love to have a wii & xbox 360. Billy & Ricky are currently pinching pennies trying to save enough to buy themselves a system.
There are so many neat games out there. I hear about Super Smash Bros Brawl from Billy. Ricky is really interested in Guitar Hero. They went to their friend Levi's birthday party & there we found out about the Christian version of Guitar Hero called Guitar Praise, pretty cool stuff.
However I really want them to buy this themselves. Its a big investment & they really want it. They will pay for it & take care of it in turn. Well that is the plan anyway. Of course when even their grandparents have a wii it causes me to have to swim up stream on the whole issue!

California Trippin'

Okay so I have this corky part of my personality. Yeah, yeah I can hear the jokes already. Anyway! I have a notebook separated by counties of California. Why? I make notes as we are traveling. I take flyers, I listen to what people say, I read magazines, books etc.. all to gain a little more knowledge about our state. I suppose I could sell it....really. I have hikes, camps, national, state & regional parks. I have family fun activities. I have all kinds of stuff. When I get new info I bring it home & throw it in a shoebox. Eventually I have time to check things out in more detail. When I do, I add those entries to my notebook. Insane? Yeah, maybe. But you know what they say, insanity runs in my family, well it gallops really.

Fun times with Garage Band

Billy & Ricky were part of a group who took a class at the Apple store in Fashion Fair. They were taught how to use the program Garage Band. They received a certificate of participation, a tee shirt & a CD of the music they created. The best part is that it was all free. Go Apple! I'm sure you can guess that this program is going to be used quit a bit in this household now!

Busy days

The boys have been more busy than me. I have been cherishing some longed for time alone. I just wish I could have the time & not be sick. I certainly would be able to enjoy it more!!

Billy sorted & bagged beans while Ricky loaded & carried boxes of food items to crates at the Fresno Food Bank. They were both on a team of teens helping to design a teeshirt for the Fresno Rescue Missions new Teen Volunteer Program.

Both Boys have been taking Contra Dance lesson in preparation for the Civil War Ball this spring. Billy has been taking a series of classes at the Fresno School of Missions (an African praise & worship drumming class dealing with the book of Psalms)

Ricky has been playing Flag Football & Soccer at CHEFA's Sports Saturdays.

Although I like my peaceful lonesome time. It is great that we have kids that still want to be with us. Jeff & I both know we don't get to have them for too many more years. So we like to do something special just the four of us from time to time. Recently we went to the Corn Field Maze & out to dinner at Applebees afterward. We laughed a lot & had a really great time.

Believe it or not we actually canceled a lot of events this month due to sickness. We have never been this sick as a family. We are FINALLY feeling sooo much better! Heres to better health in November.

Today I had the Boys get out their travel book/memory book, oh whatever you want to call it! We haven't spent much time on these books lately. We were able to update them, well the written part anyway. I need to print a bunch of photos for each boy & then we will be caught up. hmmm, well until the next event away!

A-Z+J+C+B+R

Okay so we decided to try this activity. Each of us wrote what we first thought of, for each letter of the alphabet. Its supposed to represent who you are. We tested our friends to see if they could figure it out. Here are our results. How well do you know us?

A-Adventurous
B-Bungee Jumping
C-Chin Ups
D-David
E-Eddy
F-Father
G-God
H-"Hi!"
I-Ikkyowaza
J-Jeremiah was a Bullfrog....
K-Kite Surfing
L-Loco (as in the crazy chicken)
M-Martial Arts
N-Never Give Up
O-"Oh My Gosh, Becky"
P-Push Ups
Q-Quack
R-Rhode Island
S-Sweet Tea
T-Tap Out
U-"Ussins"
V-Vincent
W-Warriors
X-X-Men
Y-Yellow
Z-Zorro

A-All In
B-Billy
C-Charity Anne
D-Down by the Bay....
E-Eric
F-Fun Times
G-Gone on a Trip
H-Hallelujah
I-Ikkyowaza
J-Jesus (With hands Raised)
K-King of Kings
L-Lassen Volcano Park
M-Martial Arts
N-Nikkyowaza
O-Ocean Breeze
P-Penobscot Bay
Q-Queen of my Heart
R-Robertitos
S-Sancification
T-Training
U-Unity
V-Vincent'e
W-Window Licker
X-X Throw
Y-Yahweh
Z-Zion

A-Ambidextrous
B-Blazing Skies
C-Colorful Scenery
D-Davith
E-Everyday Wonders
F-Flap Jacks
G-Georgia Sweet Tea
H-Have at Thee!
I-Incredible
J-Just Hangin'
K-Kenya
L-Lupine
M-Mama
N-New England
O-Oceanic Currents
P-Platypus
Q-Quagmire (Old English Swamp)
R-Rio Grande
S-Serengeti
T-Tapioca
U-Utopia
V-Vanguard
W-Westfold
X-X Marks the Spot
Y-Yeller
Z-Zephyr Cove

A-Adventuring
B-Billy
C-Casa de Fruita Coffee & Chocolate
D-Dancing in the Rain
E-Enchanting
F-Family
G-Genuine
H-Hey, That's my Chicken .......
I-International Pajama Day- Go Ceci!
J-Jeffrey
K-Kittens
L-Laughter
M-Mexican Food
N-Next Stop?
O-Oh Give Me a Home Where the Buffalo Roam.......
P-Periwinkle & Belly Button
Q-Quaint
R-Ricky
S-Snowflakes aggghh Serenity
T-Traveling with Teens
U-Up Up Under the Umbrella its Starting to Rain...........
V-Variety
W-Wandering in the Woods
X-Xavier Aldo Rufus
Y-Yellow Flowers
Z-Zoom (the cereal not the show)

love expands

Sweeter than Sugar
My little baby, little boy blue,
Is as sweet as sugar and cinnamon too;
Isn't this precious darling of ours
Sweeter than dates and cinnamon flowers?
-Author unknown

Welcome to the family baby cousin, Joshua Collin.

....and day 4

Jeff & I tiptoed out real early to watch the sunrise while the boys slept. Then it was eat, tear down, pack up & leave.
We stopped at Hoover Dam. We took a picture of each boy standing on the Nevada /Arizona border.
Then we drove to Las Vegas & cruised the strip. The boys wanted to know about the wedding chapels everywhere. They loved all the architecture. They recognized many of the buildings from movie scenes.
We dropped CJ off at 10:30 & were home by 12:30 in bed by 1:00.

"Thank goodness I was never sent to school, 

it would have rubbed off some of the originality"

-Beatrix Potter

Day 3

Today was our hard core hike day! We got up, ate, packed & went. Our 1st & only ranger led hike was to a marine fossil site behind Bright Angel Lodge (very cool). We continued hiking up that side of the rim as far as we could ( the road was closed do to construction).
Then we went to the other part of the South Rim and hiked a very strenuous "trail".
We then got in the car for some sit down time & drove to the East Rim. We visited Indian Ruins, The Look out Tower, & Many Vista Points. We saw a coyote who was stopping traffic.
In the car we went, back to the South Rim. We hiked a ways down into the canyon. We ate our dinner there, watching the sunset. Then it was back to camp for cocoa & smores (do they ever tire of these?)

Day 2

We tried to sleep in, but had a crew of ravens flying over our tents. So we got up, made coffee, cocoa & oatmeal. I packed lunches & lots of water. We cleaned up & we didn't see our campsite again until evening.
We explored the middle section of the South Rim today. Lots of window shopping took place also. Billy & Ricky got metal badges for their hiking sticks. They collect one from each National Park we hike in. CJ found his treasure at the last store we went to, it was a Christian store, so we were glad to support them.
Our first view of the Canyon was absolutely incredible. No photo we took did justice in showing the Canyons color, width or depth. Even the boys were frozen in awe. It is truly a contemplative place.
We took advantage of the free shuttle bus to take us to each new area we wanted to explore. Because we got to the park too late for the entry booth to be open we weren't given a map. We just went where our fancy led. We had a relaxing day-really. We walked a lot, but it wasn't hard.
We listened, shortly, to a free concert. We toured historic buildings, art galleries & museums.
The really wacked out, completely strange thing that happened was the weather! It was humid & muggy-hot & yucky!! That is, except for one spot. We could see this black rain cloud from a long way off. It didn't move, the way clouds seem to as you draw close to them. The closer we got, the closer we were, period. As we finally reached the cloud we realized it was hailing. Big , hard hail balls! We could see all around us. Outside of the clouds cover the dirt was dry. The rocks were dry. The sidewalk was dry. As surely as it stayed put before our arrival, it did the same as we departed. We turned around in absolute confusion. We starred in utter disbelief at the scene before us.
We went back to our camp & we were greeted by a family of Elk. mama's, babies & even daddy-o. They were all very willing to participate in a photo shoot. We grabbed dinner, smores & cocoa as we watched the stars come out over the canyon.

Grand Canyon Road Trip day 1

We started out the door at 6:00 in the morning. So you know that means Jeff & I were up at 5:00. Basically the boys hit the bathroom & went back to a zombie state in the car. I had packed breakfast & lunch for everyone the night before. As each boy came to, I gave him breakfast. They were numbed out watching movies until around noon. Jeff & I enjoyed watching the sunrise.
We stopped at Calico Ghost Town . We used this spot to have a picnic lunch. We took a tour of the Maggie Gold Mine. We did the hike around the town & up into the outskirt hillsides. The kids did some window shopping as well.
When we got back in the car it was school time! Jenny sent what she wanted CJ to do. Billy & Ricky had their assignments as well.
We stopped in Baker for Gas, drinks etc. The biggest reason for this stop was to get a picture of the worlds largest thermometer. At one stop CJ & Ricky found Scorpion lolypops. I really thought Ricky would buy one, but he didn't.
We saw the most beautiful rainbow just before sunset. It was a double rainbow! We saw it stretch before us, the whole bow. It beheld the most brilliant color scheme. Each of the colors of the spectrum were more vividly displayed then any of us had ever seen!!
We made a quick stop in the historical "route 66" town of Williams Arizona. The boys got a kick out of all the neon lights & crazy designs. As a matter of fact we talked about architecture from that era all through out the day. The interesting pendulum of the stone age & the space age in simultaneous existence.
We arrived to our beautiful wooded campsite at around 8:30 that evening. We quickly set up tents, made a fire, made & ate dinner....& smores & we were off to bed.

"I have never let my schooling interfere with my

education"

-Mark Twain

etc... etc... etc...

I have finally (I'm a bad person) sent Melissa (my sister-who asked me over a month ago) the answers to the questions for her magazine on decorating.

Melissa if you read this blog, its in print. I'm sorry.

If you look at the dates on this blog,you'll see two things.
#1 I wasn't here much last month.
#2 I have been trying to play catch up.

Our month was crazy!
-We started off with really bad colds-all 4 of us. Yes I mean we started the school year-the 1st week of school sick.
-We were waiting on Billy's stinkin' math curriculum to show up, which by the way, was ordered in plenty of time to be here before school started. Due to a lazy staff, terrible company service & an unsatisfactory product we have been fighting with that situation all month long. So he is now a month behind in math.
-We have been house training a puppy.
-Ricky has wounded every part of his body (just kidding) But he has had a sprained thumb, some how managed to get cuts on his feet, hands, arms & legs (not all at the same time-but like a constant trickle). He had a huge scratch from an industrial strength tape dispenser right across his face-don't bother asking....
-Ricky's sprain caused us to lose some school work time. He wasn't writing anything for two weeks. He did read ahead over a month in his reading assignments, so that should help some. But writing is physically hard for him-this has been a challenge.
-For some wacky reason we decided to take a vacation to the Grand Canyon (more on that later) in the middle of all this drama.
-We have been surrounded by sorrowful news of marriages ending & little children in hospitals. Bad news seems to come in waves. When it rolls around, I get to the point that I don't want to answer the phone or read my email.

All this while trying to establish ourselves in our new school year. Ricky new to Jr. High & Billy new to High School.

I had my melt down this last weekend & now I'm doing much better. I have just pressed send on my responses to Melissa's questions. My house looks like someone cares. I have exhaled.

The 1st week of school

Monday~Traditional 1st day back gifts & Breakfast
Peddlers Faire
Hoe Down
Wednesday~Youth Group had a Movie Night
Friday~Contra Dance
Swim Party/BBQ/Volleyball
Saturday~Hike Fresno Dome & Picnic
Sunday~Laser Quest

Here's to many more fun times!!

What do you eat for breakfast?

I was asked this question not that long ago. I had to stop & think, what do we eat for breakfast? To be honest, if it were up to me, we would have cold cereal every single day all year long. I am just lazy in the morning. I'm not ashamed, I admit it. Even if we aren't going somewhere, even if were not in school, I just don't wanna!
In the colder months we are more likely to eat Cream of Wheat or Malt-o-meal, made with milk. Grits with salt, butter & bacon. Oatmeal with...... you name it. I really don't know why we aren't creative with the other three choices but with Oatmeal we are. Applesauce & Raisins, Apricots & Honey, Maple Syrup & Cranberries, Brown Sugar & Butter etc....
We also use a lot of leftover meats such as ground beef, chicken, steak or turkey in Breakfast Burritos, Omeletes, Breakfast Casseroles, Breakfast Skillet Meals or Breakfast Pizzas. We make "Mc Vincents" with leftover hamburger patties & whatever bread substance we have laying around. Be it Toast, English Muffin, Croissant, Bagel its all good! We like leftover Salmon with Cream Cheese on some sort of Carb as well.
When we need to clear the fridge from a bunch of fruit that needs to be eaten NOW we make Smoothies, Breakfast Parfaits or just plain old Fruit Salad.
All three guys like Peanut Butter Toast or Peanut Butter & Butter in a rolled up Tortilla. If I do Peanut Butter I prefer Elvis Toast.
My boys like to make Pancakes, Muffins or Waffles. "The works" is also high in demand. You know Bacon or Sausage, Eggs with or without Chorizo, Hash Browns etc... Sometimes I do allow that level of a mess. Even I, at times, have a craving for Biscuits & Gravy, Country Fried Potatos, Scrambled Eggs stuffed into a over sized soft Dinner Roll or Tostaditas y Huevos.
We have traditions as well. For back to school, 100th day of school, camping, Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, Birthdays etc...
Well I'd really rather everyone have a Bowl of Cereal. Rinse their bowl, put it in the dish washer & walk away!
But I guess that would just be too boring.

Girls in White Dresses........

.....with Blue Satin Sashes. Snow Flakes that stay on my Nose & Eyelashes. Silver White Winters that Melt in Spring. These are a few of my Favorite things.

I Just Love The Sound of Music! I Used to Watch it with My Mom & Sisters Every Year. Now I Make My Family Watch it Too!

These are a Few of my Favorite Things!

~Babies Fresh From a Bath in Terry Cloth PJ's
~Baby Animals (Even the Baby Rhino we saw at the San Diego Wild Animal Park was Cute!)
~Ice Cold Sweet Tea
~A Clean House
~Walking Barefoot on Lush Green Grass
~Beautiful Sunrises & Sunsets (My favorite time of day is dusk. These Hills look Golden, not Burnt!)
~Fresh Snow on Tree Branches & Wooden Fences
~The Sound of Laughter (A Babies Giggle, Smiles on my Whole Family)
~Big Fluffy Clouds
~Watching Water Glisten on a Lake or on the Sea.
~Mexican Food
~The Freedoms Being American Offers Me (Homeschooling, Attending the Church I choose & Eating whenever I want to)

Try to be Thankful Today! Shower your loved ones with Affection. Let down your Guard. Find Joy!