A New Blog??

So, this just happened.  

Whole Foods.

Seriously, I hate that store, but I think I'm going to be shopping there more often.

I know it just looks like groceries, but it's more than that. 

Shawn and I have decided to start a new diet.  

But, it's not a diet at all.  

It's changing every way we've been taught or wanted to eat.  If you want to follow along with what we're doing, visit us over here.

I know it's crazy to start another blog, but I am really passionate about this and I hope it spreads like wildfire to everyone in my family (especially) and to all of our friends.  

It's definitely not going to be an overnight thing, but we are beginning to make small changes.

Busy, Busy Week

Last week was busy!  Kind of like, everything happened last week!

Shawn left for Camp Legeune (Jacksonville, NC) early Sunday morning.  The kids and I went to church and a girl there told me that the kitchen and bath company she used to work for was hiring.   

She didn't know all of the specifics, but thought I should look into it.  So, I went home and started looking for my most recent resume (as in the one from when I went to work 9 years ago).  Somehow I found it!  I started updating it and then writing a cover letter...etc, etc.  I called the contact for the job on Monday, to at least see what the opening was for and all of the requirements.  After not hearing from anyone, I decided to just go with it and finished my resume, stating that I was looking for a part time, extremely flexible (ok, I didn't put extremely flexible, but probably should have), job. 

I got all dressed up, went to the dmv since we needed new plates - where I had to inform the receptionist of all of the military rules and why we didn't have to pay 100 fines, etc, etc. (which took almost 2 hours)...went to Staples to print off my resume and cover letter, (because of course my printer decided to quite working when I needed it most),  then I went to drop them off.  It was kind of nice that it worked out to be lunchtime and no one was there.  I handed them to the only girl working, told her what I was looking for and she told me someone would call me.  I got a call from who I would be working for later that afternoon and we talked for about 20 minutes and he informed me that he wouldn't be able to sit down with the owner until this week, but that I should hear back from him soon.  While I don't have the job (maybe they need someone to work full time), we are still trying to figure out the childcare situation.  He informed me they would be willing to work with the kids school schedule, where I would work from 8-2, but it would be the days off, half days and summer months where we would need childcare.  Not to get into all of that on here, but IT. IS. HARD.  trying to search that out in a place where you know no one, can trust someone's suggestions, don't fall into the parameters of the military care.........

Anyway...I'll keep you updated when I hear more.

This is how I found Amelia earlier in the week. 

 Caleb lost another tooth and the one to the left of this front two teeth is also loose.  

 This is how I found them another night and the next morning Caleb didn't even remember he went in there.  

 All of the rain we've had has turned everything green!!

These are the hills just outside our neighborhood.  They are so much prettier when they are are not dead and brown.

 The kids both started soccer this week and thankfully their practices are at the same time!!  The only thing is that they are on base, 30 minutes away.  It's going to make for another late night during the week. 

I met with a babysitter recommendation mid week, and although she's in college and working, she'll work out for Bible study and date nights.  

Shawn got back late Thursday night and was able to see the kindergarteners celebrate the start of the Chinese New Year.

 Amelia said, "I have to wear red for the parade."

I said, "You don't have anything red, pink is close enough."

 This is how we found them over the weekend.  

Why can't they be sweet like this to each during the day?!

Saturday we headed to base for their first soccer games.  Amelia is on team Holland. 

 I'm sure you're looking at Amelia, but don't overlook the snow capped mountains in the back.  Not too bad of a view for a Saturday morning!

 Caleb is on team Ireland.

We are hosting a Super Bowl party this Sunday and are looking forward to having a house full of friends!

Rain, Rain, Go Away

We have had LOTS of rain.  More than they expected, I think.  I always wondered why there are 3 foot ditches next to the roads here.....it's because when they get rain, it all drains to the ditches and then they look like raging rivers!  I have heard tell of schools getting out early in past years because the ditches fill up and they're afraid the roads will flood, so they let kids out early so the buses won't get caught in flash flooding.  

No early dismissal here, but the skies finally parted this afternoon, leaving us with a view of snowy mountains and another fading rainbow (see it at the right of the picture?!).

Our 45th President

Today, Donald J. Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States of America.

 One day, when Caleb and Amelia are old and showing our blog books to their children, I want them to know what was happening in the world around them.

There is so much controversy surrounding the election and our new President.  So many of the people around us are scared for what this might mean for our country.  

I did not vote for Donald Trump.  

I did not vote for Hillary Clinton.

I too am concerned about what kind of President, Trump will be.  

I truly hope and pray that this man can humble himself and his ideas and do what is best for the American people.

This morning, as soon as I got the kids on the bus, I made my breakfast and sat in front of the tv.  I watched the motorcade drive down streets and past buildings where I have walked.  I have stood in the Capital building where, not only this President was being sworn in, but where all of the past Vice Presidents and Presidents have walked.  I felt such love and honor for this country.  Such privilege that we are able to go to Washington D.C., not just as a fun place to visit, but to actually realize what that place is and means to our country.    

 I watched for awhile and then I muted it and just started praying.  Praying for our country.  Praying for our new President and the people with which he has surrounding himself.  And praying that ultimately, God's will will be done in America.  

I love this country and I love being part of it's military!

As soon as I saw the President-Elect and his family walk in, I had to leave for an appointment at the car dealer.  It was as if time stood still.  Most of the workers there had filed into the small waiting room to watch Vice President Pence and President Trump raise their right hands and swear to faithfully serve the American people.  

I had tears in my eyes, because what an amazing blessing it is to live in America.  

Bishop Wayne T. Jackson's prayer ended with a song by Mahalia Jackson.

Deep in my heart, I do believe.

The Lord will see us through, I do believe.

We are on our way to victory, I do believe.

We will walk hand in hand, I do believe.

We shall live in peace, I do believe.

Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe.

America, we shall overcome. 

  

Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend

The long weekend brought no big plans for us.

Friday night the skies cleared for yet another rainbow and a beautiful sunset.    

Saturday, we ran out to the outlet mall to get Caleb some new shoes.  We figured he's a two pair of shoes kid for the school year.  Instead of his high top Converse like the beginning of the year, he opted for high top Vans :o).  

Later that afternoon, we hopped in the car and drove to Carpenteria.  It's about halfway between here and Santa Barbara.

It's a cute little town right on the beach.

We loved these bent palm trees.

 We stopped out at the beach for a bit and of course the kids didn't want to leave.  

 We then drove just a few more minutes up the road to a restaurant we've been told we have to try.  It's called Padaro Beach Grill.  It's right on the beach, sort of.  You can't get to the beach because the Amtrak railroad runs right before it.  

They have a sand pit for your kids to play in and I think that when the weather's nice (nicer than this?! you say), they have the outdoor bar open and fire pit going.  

The Channel Islands across the way.

 Catching the sunset just over the hedge.  

 We even got to see the train pass by while we were there.

(I couldn't get my camera out fast enough).

 This is the perfect little outdoor beach restaurant and I'm sure we'll be going back!

(P.S.  I had fish tacos and they were delicious!)

Sunday, we went to church and then just hung out outside all day.  

We made a fire and of course had s'mores.

We decided we needed to get to the snow on Monday!

We didn't plan a lot, but packed up some things for lunch, grabbed our cold weather clothes and headed for Frazier Park.  It's about 1-1.5 hours away and just a few days earlier, they had seen major snow (for them) and the interstates had even closed.

(They don't salt or sand the roads for storms and have no snow trucks.  They just close the highway.  Crazy!)

To make a long story .....because I don't want to relive that day.....there was no snow.  At least where we could get to.

CA law is that they require you to have chains and have chain checkpoints set up.  They will turn you around if you do not have them.  And if you happen to get stuck without chains, you will be fined along with the fee to tow you.  

We thought we would be able to just drive to the snow, get out and play, all before we hit the check point.  

Nevermind you, we have a Subaru Outback, which is awd and the manual specifically says, "Do not put chains on this vehicle."  

No snow.

Small town.

No chains at any store around there.

Decided to drive to next "city" about 15 miles away and where there was an outlet mall.

Driving back down the mountain into the fog towards Grapevine.

 No chains.

Gas for $3.49.

A guy in one store actually though we were asking if he could change our tire.

Aren't these people used to snow?  

This is where everyone was telling us to go.

Needless to say, after driving around for 3 hours, we decided to get home.  Shawn was the only one who ever got out of the car.  The kids were done.  I was done.  And we were hot because we had already put on warm clothes.  

This is the only snow we saw......

Of course, there's a big storm coming and they're calling for snow over the next few days.

I think the next time we decide to drive to the snow, we'll play it safe and just drive to Big Bear or Sequoia.  

Rainy California

It does rain in Southern California!!

We had been told not to expect rain.  They have been in a terrible drought for about 10 years now.  We saw that rain totals for October to January 2015-16 were only 2.67 inches for Camarillo.  

Since this past October to now, we've gotten 6.97!  A friend that I've been hiking with every week told me she hasn't seen rain like this since she was in high school, and she's only a few years younger than us.  

They need it so bad, but people are still complaining they haven't seen the sun....in days!  I will admit, the lack of sun has gotten me down.  How did we make it in Washington?  I think we should see the sun starting tomorrow for just a few days and then more rain. 

 Last week, Caleb came running into the living room yelling, "It's sunny, I bet there's a rainbow"!  And sure enough there was a very bright one, along with a faint second one.  And even fainter than that, was a third one!!  I tried my best to capture all three of them, but the 3rd one was just too faint.  

The hills around our house are beginning to turn green.  Things are actually looking alive again and we are really happy for cooler, rainy temps.  It makes it feel like spring, even though it's still winter.

Sleeping Beauties

 It wasn't until a couple of years ago that I started going in and checking on the babies after they were asleep.  Some friends and I were chatting and they couldn't believe we never went in after we got them to bed.  I told them that once they were asleep, I didn't want to chance waking them up again.  They told me that I had to start doing it because it reminds you just how sweet they are... especially after a bad day.

Since then, we have been going in every night.  And my friends were right.  I love to just stare at them and be reminded how precious they are and I hate realizing just how fast they are growing up.  

California Science Center

On our way back from Legoland, we decided to stop at the California Science Center.  This place was awesome!

 Touching the tires from the space shuttle Endeavour.

 We watched a short, time-lapsed movie about the Endeavour getting flown into LA and then carted thought the city streets to it's final resting place of the science center.

It was pretty amazing to see how they got it there.

 After the video, we got to actually go and see it!

 This is the External Tank, which they plan to mount the space shuttle to, raise it so that it's standing up, in a new facility on the grounds. 

 There was still lots to see...

 We had a great time at the Science Center and since it's free, may even go back.  Next to this building is the Museum of Natural History, which we'd love to visit too.