The One About Eating Northern California

What do you say when your husband calls on Christmas eve and asks if you want to go to California? You say, "Of course," Right?
So, what if he says, "Do you want to go Tomorrow?"
Do you say yes?
Well I did- because I'm crazy like that.

We had Christmas dinner at my house, packed, and then left for California. At Midnight. So our kids would ride quietly- asleep.
We got to Fairfield, California at noon on the 26th. And stopped at the Jelly Belly factory. And ate lots of Jelly Bellys. Lots.

We went to Chevy's. they used to have those here. Sadly, they don't any more.
We ate a lot. A lot more.

The next day we went to San Fransisco. And ate at the Boudin Sourdough Company. On the way home we ate IHOP. We also got to go see Yosemite.
Where we ate out of our cooler.
But did stop to buy hot chocolate.
When it was time to go home we stopped for one more lunch at Chevy's- because it was that good.
We drove back to fairfield and went to the Budweiser factory- and tasted some beers.
Then we found out that I-5 was closed at Shasta due to severe snow storms. The only way for us to get home was to drive up the coast. So we headed west to Petaluma- where we had dinner at In&Out Burger.
We drove all night and hit Vancouver, WA at 9:30. We stopped to see some good friends- and breakfast was ready- and we were hungry!

We ended up having Applebee's for dinner that night.

So, how about you? Do you ever just take off at the drop of a hat?
Have you ever eaten an entire state?

Bless That Stupid Alarm Clock

because it averted a house fire.

Last night, Elizabeth brought me her alarm clock with a bent plug. I straightened it, she plugged it in, set the clock and turned it on. But, she forgot to set the alarm. Which meant that the alarm went off at midnight.

At midnight, I yelled for her to turn it off. "Mom, I can't..." came the sleepy reply from just outside my door. She pushed her head inside my door. The one that had been shut.

"So, unplug it, please."

She wandered back to her room, unplugged the clock, crawled back in her bed, and promptly fell asleep. About 2 minutes later we smelled it. HOT. I hate the way hot smells. I always have. Sebastian got up to investigate. It seems that the fire he had built before we went to bed (just like so many other nights) had super heated. The stove was full of white hot coals, and the wooden guard that we keep in front of the hearth was almost to it's combustion point. Sebastian pulled the guard away, opened the doors and pulled the coals apart. After about 20 minutes he came to bed.

That is why we were still awake when the fan cord shorted out and started throwing sparks everywhere. Into the room. Under the insert. That smells even worse than hot. Electrical hot is horrible.

We got the insert unplugged and poured some water into the fire to cool it down even more. We poured cold water on the hearth and it immediately sizzled and evaporated. We kept at it until the area around the fire place had cooled down. Sebastian went back to bed, and I stayed up for an hour more to make sure it was going out.

And that is how the stupid alarm clock assured that we would all wake up safe in our own beds this morning. I'm going to make sure to kiss my kids this morning!

Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

You Better Promise Me I'll Be Back In Time

We introduced our children to the genius that is Back To The Future this weekend. All three of them. Back to back. I seriously cannot remember the last time I saw any of these movies, but surprisingly, I could quote a whole bunch of the lines.

Now it's time for my disclaimer before I start getting "Bad Mother Mail"

**I did not remember so much swearing. Honest. And the second movie is the worst. But we are clear with our children about what words are acceptable, which ones are borderline-and-you-better-be-making-a-good-point, and which are forbidden-and-you-better-have-a-true-emergency-because-you-have-my-full-attention-now. And we have drilled into their heads that even if they hear a word, they are not at liberty to repeat it. Besides, they go to public school....

Anyway, we loved the movies, and the kids loved the marathon. And the fact that I learned how to make kettle corn.

Faith Building Exercises

I've been busy. I may have mentioned that. So busy that I haven't even been able to tell you that we have gotten a foot of snow in the last week. At our house. At 0' Elevation. Well, we have.
Yesterday, my brave husband ventured forth into the white world. He was gone almost 3 hours for a 1 hour trip.... When he got back he was SOOOO cold. He said the car never warmed up. Now, I don't know anything about cars. You get in, you turn your key, and you drive away. The end. When he mentioned that about the car, I casually mentioned that he should probably add some anti freeze. What do I know?
Last night the kids were going a little stir crazy, so we decided to take them rollerskating. We figured that the rink would be pretty empty and we were right. We left the rink at 10 pm and then Sebastian decided that a movie was in order- since we were out and all. We stopped by the mall to watch Bolt (Side note: I wasn't all that thrilled. My 6 year old had a hard time following the story because it switches between a TV set and "real" life. My 4 year old didn't really watch it at all- he nearly fell asleep in my lap.)
After the movie, at midnight, We headed home. I can't be sure, but I think the temperatures were in the teens last night. As we were driving along, freezing our butts off, the car started to over heat! Huh? It's less than 20 degrees out there!
We hobbled along on a side road until we got about 1/2 way home. We had to stop and let the engine cool for about 10 minutes. And it was cold. And it was almost 1 am. And the children were starting to whine.
In one of my prouder parenting moments, I told them all that whining wouldn't help but praying would, and that if they wanted to say something they should say a prayer. Immediately a little chorus of, "I already did!" rang out from the back seats. I reminded them that God knew where we were and exactly what we needed.
No sooner were the words out of my mouth, than a local man stopped by to help us. He and Sebastian checked the radiator and there was NOTHING in it. He went back to his house and picked up a bottle of antifreeze and a gallon of water while we continued to hobble down the road. When he returned, he filled us up and we were on our way.
The heater kicked on, the window defrosted, and we had our toasty children in their beds in 12 minutes.

John Anderson, Thank you for being an answer to our prayers last night.

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.Hebrews 13:1-3

Whew!

I need a nap now- for about 8 hours. Thanks for coming over and seeing me yesterday ( I know it's not still yesterday technically, but since I haven't gone to bed yet...). I think I came and saw each and every new visitor personally. If I didn't I'm sorry. To all my faithful readers, consider this your thank you.

I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself

Mostly because I don't sleep well alone.
Sebastian and the big kids headed out for a mountain adventure today. They are off to climb Mt. Adams. This is the first climb he has taken Caleb and Libby on. Jesse Climbed Mt. Baker with him last year. They didn't summit because Jess had no crampons. This year he chose Adams because there is no glacier. I know he is hoping the four of them summit this year.
Which leaves me in bed alone until late Sunday night/ early Monday morning. Sort of.
I told Abby she could sleep with me tonight and tomorrow it will be Jonah's turn....

In the mean time, I made a mental list:

• Hang curtains in the girls' bedroom.
• Hang shelf in kitchen powder room.
• Blog.
• Clean out the Nasty Blue Beast aka the truck
• Pick up trash from the yard.
• Paint red in my kitchen?
• Blog.
• Find a table for my TV.
• Read Blogs.
• Go to church.
• Go to a Princess House party.
• Organize the kids' drawers (Especially Libby's)..
• Clean all 4 bathrooms. *** I didn't get all 4 of these done, but I scrubbed 3 toilets, and 4 sinks, and swept 3 floors. I'll just pretend the other bathroom is clean.
• Blog.
• Fix my two broken drawers.
• Clean my office.
• Do Laundry.
• Read Blogs.
• Give Mirror to Kelly.
• Blog.
• Put all of Sebastian's tools in his office.
• Clean out the garage so my car will fit in again.
• Blog.
• Completely clean both kids' bedrooms.
• Sleep a little.

I'll have to let you know how much of this I actually get done. You know, now that I wrote it all down, I'm kinda' committed to at least 1/2 of it. Since Abby is in my bed, I think I will start with the curtains in her fishbowl bedroom.

8/24- Man I'm tired! All the things that are crossed off got done. I also hung the shelf in my laundry room, watched a movie, remembered to feed my kids occasionally, and went to my mom's to help her with some computer stuff. And, through it all, I managed to not neglect my friends on the other end of the modem. Because I am always thinking of you. I'm conscientious like that.

I talked to my husband and he should be home any time now, so I am going to BED, knowing that I will be able to sleep tonight!

Blog Parenting

A while back, my cyber-friend, Debbie, wrote about how blogging makes her a better parent.

Here is my answer to that post:

Lucky Me!

I have been having a hard time with my decision to step down from MOPS steering for next year. Not that I am second guessing the decision- because I still feel like it was the right thing to do- but because most of my close friends are going to be on steering next year and I was feeling out of the loop. Kicked out of the club. Call it either a lot of envy or a little jealousy. What ever. The hardest thing so far was that the steering team was going to Women Of Faith this year- and I SO wanted to be there. Well, lucky me! They had extra tickets and extra beds!!!!!!

I just got back from "The World's Biggest Slumber Party"!

Here are some of my girls, Terra and Tamara, who won't care that I got pictures of them in their jammies- BECAUSE THEY DON'T READ MY BLOG- at our posh Seattle hotel. Seriously, I slept like a queen!

And this is the closest I have ever been to a famous person before. I know I'm not in the picture. Frankly, it wouldn't have been possible to care less about standing next to Natalie Grant. But, I was close- behind the camera- while my friend Andreena got her autograph for her daughter.

Now, if it had been Sheila Walsh, I probably would have fainted. But that's just me. If I ever grow up I want to be Sheila Walsh.

Sorry I don't have a bajillion pictures for you, but I was busy being wrapped in Infinite Grace.

Dinner Conversations

Me: Jesse, what do you have let for homework?
Jesse: I'm almost done with my handout, I have to list 10 facts about Greek food, and I have to make a Greek dish.
Me: What??!! It's 7:30! What do you think you can make tonight? Why am I just hearing this now?!
Jesse: Mom- DON"T YELL AT ME!!! I told you-
Me: BUT YOU DIDN'T TELL ME YOU HAD TO DO IT FOR TOMORROW!
Jesse: Well, I'm just going to make baklava with out nuts!
Me: You cant just make baklava... and you can't make it with out nuts. Baklava IS nuts....
Jesse: Well, what am I going to doooooooooo?
Me: We'll make hummus.

Yep, we made hummus. And I sent pita wedges to go with it.

Meme

I'm not sure why I even bothered to go blog surfing tonight. I have a basket of socks and undies to fold- I am a good sock folder. I do that job well. (That was for you, Debbie- and I didn't major in anything but kids when I went to college. I had 3 by the time I finished my AA!) I was also planning on going to bed early and, well, never mind. But the computer always whispers that it wants to be turned on when I walk by. Hmm, well, never mind.
Anyway, I got tagged.
So here are the rules:
1. Link back to the person who tagged you.
2. Post these rules on your blog.
3. Share six unimportant things about yourself.
4. Tag six random people at the end of your entry.

1. I chew my fingernails- and my fingers when I am out of nail. Gross and embarrassing. It just lends to the stubby sausage look I already have going on.
2. I sucked my thumb in public until I was 10, and in private until I was 13. My family swears up and down that I was 18- but truly, I WAS 13!
3. My favorite shoes are my pink low-top converse. When I was in 5th grade the high top kind were all the rage. Poor me. Anything that had a "label" on it was out of the question because it was too expensive.
4. I went to MOPs convention in Orlando last year. The problem is that I hate to sleep away from home. Vacation would be great if I could just sleep at home every night and still go to far away places.
5. My favorite color is red. It makes me happy. I have 2 west walls in my house that are bright red. I'm trying to figure out which west wall to paint red next.
6. I had 5 fillings done in Romania this year. I went thinking I only had one to do. It turns out that what I thought was a cavity is just a chip on the edge of the filling material, and I had 5 other big cavities. Just one more reason I am done having kids.

Karen, Kris, Meredith, Jesse, you are tagged. Sorry guys I just don't have that many bloggy friends yet. Feel free to tell your friends about my wonderful blog though!

Ok, so if you're like me and never actually go to bed, read this. I just did. I started at 10:30. I think it was a justifiable use of three and a half hours- especially since it makes me want to go find my husband....
And if you like that one go here.
Oh, and Trish, just because I followed you around all our lives and, I seem to be doing it now, doesn't mean I want to be just like my big sister. Ok, maybe it does.

Wee Hours Fun

Here's something for the inner foodie in all of us- especially you, Cookie!

The Pink Cake Box

Why Am I So Tired

I can barely open my eyes in the morning before 10 am. I know this is not normal. I also know the cause.
I have always been a night owl. In high school and college I could easily pull off an all nighter at least once a week.
Lately, though, this night owl thing is getting out of hand.
Last night I went to Linens-n-things, out to Target, and grocery shopping- and I didn't even leave my house until 8 pm. I can defend the grocery shopping because the only thing in my fridge was condiments- literally. If grocery shopping was all I had done I could have been in bed by 11 pm. In reality it was more like 1am. I HAD to leave, though, because I have been building up to a seriously Bad Mom Day- and I was about to blow! I took a mini vacation. I feel better today- but tired.
I don't think there were more than two nights over Christmas break that I was in bed before midnight. I have been seriously sleep deprived for the last 2 weeks.
But here's the real problem. After the kids (and my husband) go to bed I go on line and read blogs and write posts for mine! This is VERY time consuming. But the house is so peaceful and quiet. I just want to read one more blog and savor all this quiet a little longer....

P.S. Even "today" has already magically turned into "tomorrow".

I HATE Laundry

It's one of those chores that just as soon as you are done you realize that every one just took off the days clothes and put on their pajamas. In my house a days worth of clothes adds up to a whole other load- though never all the same color, so there they sit until next week. We are also in the midst of potty training our nearly three year old. Now here's where laundry gets interesting. We usually have a faint pee smell wafting from the laundry room, although usually not so bad that it can't wait for a full load.
Today is laundry-potty training day. My darling little man forgot to go poop in the toilet. Since I was busy cleaning out the shower my husband gamely took on the little stinker! When he asked me what he should do with the stinking heap of clothes I told my husband that he should run them alone in a water only cycle since I knew I would be starting all the laundry later. OK, good enough.

So, at about 10:00pm I tossed a mountain of laundry over the stair rail and rolled my laundry hampers over to sort all the clothes. My dear 2 11/12ths year old took a nap much too late in the day, therefore he was available to help sort the clothes. Usually this child is absolutely normal- but he has a sick love of laundry which I am sure one day he will need therapy for. Darling Boy grabbed every sock he could find so he could "Fold them out." (Socks must go into the washer right-side-out or you may end up with a sock full of very clean sand....) as he is working my darling baby is HUMMING. I do not hum when it comes to laundry- ever. After we had the laundry all sorted we took it to the laundry room. This dear child also loves to load the washer. He stands with his hands in the front of the washer and I throw laundry onto his arms, he then shoves the clothes inside. And so we dance until the washer is full. It is also his self appointed job to pull the clean wash out of the washer and hand it up to me so that I can put it into the dryer since the units are stacked.

As we went to the laundry room I smelled a peculiar odor. Hot Poop??? It seems that my loving husband had his mind else where when he was taking care of the stinking pile of baby boy clothes and absently put them into and started the DRYER!!! He swears he put them into the washer and washed them, but there they were stinking up my dryer.

Well, I washed the dryer out with Simple Green and ran it for 20 minutes full of dryer sheets. I think that took care of the problem. But, just be sure I did what any dutiful wife would do for her husband. I washed and dried his work gloves first so he would be sure to have them tomorrow....