In God's Hands

Cured

2010-07-13T14:40:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone, As you can see, I don't get many chances to update this blog very much anymore. When I started it, I wrote mainly to keep everyone updated with what was happening with my dad and David. So many of you prayed so faithfully for our family and met our needs in so many practical ways. We are blessed! Today seemed like a perfect day to officially end the blog. David went to USC today, and his doctor offically said the word Cured! Normally, they like to wait five years, but she felt that she was able to say that today. As always, our lives are in God's loving hands and we will continue to trust in His plans for us. I would like to use Facebook now more than the blog to post pictures and stuff since it seems a little easier and faster. I will look forward to keeping in touch there! Again, thank-you for loving us these past two years.

Walk Through The American Revolution

2010-02-22T21:13:00.000-08:00

Central California Junior Olympics

2010-02-22T21:01:00.000-08:00

Oh When The Saints Go Marchin In

2010-02-22T20:57:00.000-08:00

Chandler's Birthday

2010-02-22T20:43:00.000-08:00

Planetarium

2010-02-22T19:39:00.000-08:00

Avrielle's New Hairdo

2010-02-22T19:33:00.000-08:00

Christmas Day

2010-02-22T19:23:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve

2010-02-22T19:07:00.000-08:00

March Pet/Ct Scan

2010-02-20T15:51:00.000-08:00

I am going to try to keep adding our old pictures from the past few months. I think I am close to Christmas now. It was about five months since the last time I updated. If anyone still reads this, I wanted to ask prayer about David's upcoming scans in March. Last time he had them done, it was a little traumatic even though everything was Ok in the end. During his last scan, the results showed activity in his stomach, possibly stomach cancer. His oncologist looked at the scan, got a second opinion and they also agreed. He ended up having a stomach biopsy and it came back clear. The original test results were a false positive. Anyway, during that time, which was about a month from start to finish, we honestly thought this was what our future was going to hold. We talked about funerals and all that good stuff. I know God is sovereign even over false positive test results and we had to seriously cling to Him and revisit all our priorities. (That isn't bad by the way.) I guess I'm just being honest and saying this time that I am praying that the results will show no cancer again and that they will be accurate. I wouldn't choose to go back to that time of uncertainty again, but if God wills than I want to do it cheerfully and peacefully and trust in God's plan without reservation. So would you pray for us???? Thanks

Goofing Around At Knotts

2010-02-18T13:18:00.000-08:00

While the kids were riding the roller coasters, I tried to take a picture of Dave and me. We were cracking up because everytime I said lets do a serious one both of us would make a funny face without the other one knowing.

Winter Age Group Championship Swim Meet In Cerritos

2010-02-17T22:10:00.000-08:00

Camping With The Bergrens

2010-02-17T22:04:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving

2010-02-17T21:57:00.000-08:00

Take Your Kids To Work Day

2010-02-17T21:45:00.000-08:00

During Thanksgiving break, the kids and I rode the train and met David at work. First we went to feed and ride the police horses, and then the kids got to try out the shooting simulator at the Police Academy.

Cranberry Classic November 2009

2010-02-17T21:41:00.000-08:00

The Only Soft Place To Lay Down

2010-02-17T21:37:00.000-08:00

. I

Ever since we got hard wood floors upstairs in our house, Happy has not been able to find a place to sleep. Here she dragged a pillow of my bed and found a way to get on it.

David's 40th Surprise Party

2010-02-17T21:17:00.000-08:00

Halloween Party 2009

2010-02-17T21:12:00.000-08:00

Northridge Community School Bible Day

2010-02-17T21:09:00.000-08:00

Third Grade Field Trip To the Long Beach Aquarium

2010-02-17T21:05:00.000-08:00

2009 Swim Banquet

2010-02-17T20:58:00.000-08:00

Santa Barbara IMX Pentathalon Part 2

2009-10-20T19:26:00.000-07:00

Boogie Boarding
Watching the USC vs Notre Dame game
Beautiful Sunset
Avrielle and her friend Maribeth
The Beach House
The 200 Boys 9 and 10 medley relay team

Santa Barbara IMX Pentathalon

2009-10-20T18:32:00.000-07:00

This weekend we went to Carpinteria for a swim pentathalon. That is where there are 5 events and the winner is based on the lowest score in all five. Chandler did really well, and the weather was beautiful for October. I can't believe it rained only a few days before. In the afternoon the kids relaxed and swam a the beach.

Blue and Gold Cookie Swim Meet

2009-10-06T14:48:00.000-07:00

Chandler and Coach Jay
Winning the High Point Award, A Giant Cookie

Back to School

2009-10-06T14:39:00.000-07:00

Trip to San Diego

2009-10-06T14:34:00.000-07:00

Our family took a quick trip to San Diego right before school started to visit our dear friends, the Arends. We spent a fun day at the beach with them( I forgot my camera) and a day a Sea World. Here are some Sea World pictures.

cute toes

2009-10-06T14:31:00.001-07:00

Avrielle and I got back to school pedicures in August. I thought hers turned out cute.

Never Let Go

2009-09-21T08:25:00.000-07:00

On Saturday night we drove to the Casting Crowns/ Matt Redman concert in Westlake. I love Casting Crowns because I think the lyrics to their songs are so meaningful and so many of the songs encouraged me during our trial. (Praise you in this Storm, Voice of Truth etc.) Anyway, while we were in the car, David leaned over to me and said, "Do you realize that the last time we saw them in concert, I had cancer and didn't know it yet." I think we went a few weeks before he was diagnosed. The last concerts we went to were Steven Curtis Chapman and Third Day. Those were in the weeks after his positive PET scan when they found activity in his stomach and we thought he may have stomach cancer. Concerts for us have been a strange time of reflection because we have gone in certain times of life where you have to ask yourself, "Do I really believe these songs I am singing?" This concert was no different. I thought to myself as we were waiting for it to start about all the times people have asked me, "What do you think God was teaching you through this trial? Or how is your life different now?" There are really so many answers I could give, but one of the main ones Matt Redman summed up in a song I heard for the first time that night called "You Never Let Go" It is the song playing on my playlist now, and I really like it. When I chose the title for this blog "In God's Hands," I didn't know what the outcome of our trial would be would be, but I knew God is Good and Faithful and he would always keep us in his hands. Even though there would be times I would sin and doubt and worry and fear, I knew God would never let go, because He doesn't change and he is always faithful. He is God. He will Never Let Go. I hope you enjoy this song too.

Some of our Maui Pictures

2009-08-20T21:50:00.001-07:00

Great Check Up

2009-08-20T20:58:00.000-07:00

David had his one year check up at USC and everything looked normal. The goal is to get to the two year mark because at that point the chance of the cancer reoccuring drops significantly. We are so happy.

Slumber Party

2009-08-07T21:47:00.000-07:00

Avrielle's B-day with Family

2009-08-06T14:54:00.000-07:00

More Fishing

2009-08-06T14:48:00.000-07:00

Dr Appt Cancelled

2009-07-29T22:12:00.000-07:00

David's doctor got sick, so his appointment will be later next month. I'll write more when it gets closer.

Dr. Appt

2009-07-25T22:42:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, David has another check-up at USC. We are praying for continued good news.

David's Fishing Trip

2009-07-25T22:32:00.000-07:00

Beach day With Friends From NCS

2009-07-18T20:58:00.000-07:00

July Swimfest

2009-07-18T20:49:00.000-07:00

College Friends

2009-07-18T20:47:00.000-07:00

More Daddy Daughter Campout Pictures

2009-07-18T20:40:00.000-07:00

Dodger Game

2009-07-18T20:37:00.000-07:00

Magic Mountain With The Girls

2009-07-18T20:27:00.000-07:00

Daddy Daughter Camp Out

2009-07-18T19:59:00.000-07:00

Can't Load Pictures

2009-07-18T19:52:00.000-07:00

I haven't been able to load more pictures for some reason. I'm going to keep trying.

Back to Blogging

2009-07-16T14:15:00.001-07:00

Well, I guess I took a break from the blogging world toward the end of school. Things got pretty busy and I had to keep my priorities in order. Anyway, I got behind posting pictures and then the job seemed overwhelming. It is funny though because 4 people in the last 2 days asked me if I was giving up on the blog. I have a few hours today before we head off to Magic Mountain to use our free tickets from reading at school, so I will try and post some pictures to show what we have been doing. After school got out, and my baby graduated from elementary school, we went camping in El Capitan near Santa Barbara for 5 days, Avrielle went away to junior high camp for 5 days near Yosemite, and has been attending Wednesday night youth group at different families' pools from church, David and I celebrated our 14 year anniversary, Chandler went to Vacation Bible School at Grace Baptist, I had jury duty and got out of $1,000 dollars in parking tickets. We have been going to the pool at the Hoglos, the beach, and Hurricane Harbor. The kids are still swimming 3 days a week at College of the Canyons and competing in meets about twice a month. Avrielle has had a ton of summer work assigned to her by her new junior teachers, so we are fitting that in as well when we are home and in between outings. David has been playing softball in a Wednesday night league with a group of guys from Bible Study, fishing, and trying to fix up our back yard. On Sundays, we have been enjoying Summerfest where our church has dinner together on the lawn after the evening service. We went to a Dodger game with Katja, had Tracey and Andrew over for dinner, and had lunch with my mom after she got home from vacation. Here are some of the pictures. ( I wasn't able to finish so I'll post the rest later.)

Camping Group Pics

2009-07-16T12:54:00.000-07:00

Camping in Santa Barbara

2009-07-16T12:51:00.000-07:00

Rattler Freezing June Gloom Swim Meet

2009-07-16T12:50:00.000-07:00

Youth Group Camp

2009-07-16T12:47:00.000-07:00

Chan And Happy

2009-07-16T12:44:00.000-07:00

Mattie's Twins High School Graduation

2009-07-16T12:39:00.000-07:00

First Day of Summer Zoo Trip

2009-07-16T12:31:00.000-07:00

Avrielle's Sixth Grade Graduation

2009-07-16T12:28:00.000-07:00

Country Report Tee Shirts

2009-07-16T12:26:00.000-07:00

Avrielle's Sixth Grade Playdate

2009-07-16T12:11:00.000-07:00

Some Of Chandler's Lego Creations

2009-07-16T12:08:00.000-07:00

Memorial Day Swim Meet

2009-07-16T12:01:00.000-07:00

Memorial Day Swim Meet

2009-07-16T11:55:00.000-07:00

May Field Trip To The Gene Autry Museum

2009-07-16T11:43:00.000-07:00

Chandler's Cute Comments

2009-05-18T08:01:00.000-07:00

On Saturday Chandler went to a garage sale and got a free golf ball with a picture of Kermit the Frog on it. Later that night after cleaning up his room, he was showing me how he organized his desk. In the bottom drawer he designated a spot where he could put the precious Kermit the Frog golf ball. It had to be a very special spot, because one day he wanted to pass it on to his kids.

David and His Slippers

2009-04-24T14:53:00.000-07:00

David got out of his almost most embarrassing moment yesterday. I don't know how he got so lucky. He decided to work from home for a few hours and then he was going to take the 9:00am train into work. He normally leaves at 5:00am, but he was tired. Anyway, he got completely dressed, but he was wearing black slippers because he was at home working from the computer and didn't want to wear his work shoes in the house. When it came time to leave he actually left the house in his slippers, and then his boss called to tell him not to bother and just telecommute. He came back in the house to tell me he was staying home wearing his gun belt and everything. It was only then when he went to take off his shoes that he realized he had almost gone to work in his slippers. How did he escape??? I would have loved to be in the office that day!

Alpha and Omega

2009-04-23T14:04:00.000-07:00

Chandler to Mom "Why do people make it so complicated and say God is the Alpha and the Omega? It would be so much easier if they just said He is the "A to Z"

Celebrating Easter

2009-04-22T17:29:00.000-07:00

The yummy food!
Avrielle hunting for eggs.
Relaxing in the sun.
Charissa and her friend Mike.
David taking a turn at the BBQ

We celebrated Easter at my dad and Katja's house. This was the first year having Easter
without my dad there. Even though the dates are different, he died the day before Easter last year, so we were all busy making the funeral plans. Dave had to take over the barbecuing this year which he was not totally comfortable with, but the food came out awesome. ( He had lots of help from Carissa's friend Mike.) Overall, we had a really relaxing afternoon. I am thankful for these traditions that we have to spend time together with family.

Swim Mentors

2009-04-22T17:20:00.000-07:00

Avrielle and her swim friends.

Getting to meet her mentor, Nicolette.
Chan and Steven
During Easter break all the younger swimmers on the swim team were paired up with an older mentor. We had a kick off at the pool where Avrielle and Chandler got to meet their swimming big brother and big sister. They were both so excited to get to know them and learn some tips from them. Avrielle's mentor even brought her a little treat.

No Cancer

2009-04-18T14:03:00.000-07:00

The gastroenterologist from USC called last night and said that the biopsy shows no cancer. We are so relieved and thankful. We appreciated your prayers so much again this week as we had to think through all the "What if " scenarios. God did give us peace and helped us to trust Him through your encouragement and reading His word.

Thanks For Praying

2009-04-16T07:40:00.000-07:00

David had the endoscopy yesterday, and he is doing great. The doctor didn't seem that concerned about anything she saw. She biopsied the two areas to send to the lab and we will know the final results in about a week.

Pet Scan Results

2009-04-11T11:05:00.000-07:00

About a week ago after calling the doctor several times, she finally called us back. The reason it took so long was that there was some question about the results of the PET scan. The results came back positive, but she wasn't sure why. There was activity in the stomach area. The doctor is pretty convinced that what is showing up isn't Hodgkins because that type of cancer follows a logical progression and this isn't in the pattern. She wanted another week to let some other doctors look it over because she had never seen this kind of result. We called again earlier this week and I guess the other radiologists or doctors also decided the results were positive, so David will have an Endoscopy this coming Wednesday to get a better picture of what is going on in his stomach. They can't redo the PET because it is too much radiation. Right now the doctor thinks it could just be a false positive, but we need to check it out. Even though we have been through this before, the waiting and not being anxious is always the hardest part. This time the wait seems extra long. The good news is that in God's sovereign plan the both times we have had to wait for test results have been Easter and Christmas. I think it is a blessing that they have come on these two dates because it is so easy to remember that God loved us so much that he sent his only son to die for us. This gives David and I hope because we realize that this world is not our home and we have an eternity with God to look forward to. Romans 8:8 says,"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us."

Yesterday I was reading this song from the album Come Weary Saints.

Shall I take from Your hand Your blessings
Yet not welcome any pain
Shall I thank you for days of sunshine
Yet grumble in days of rain
Shall I love you in times of plenty
Then leave you in days of drought
Shall I trust when I reap a harvest
But when winter winds blow than doubt

Oh let Your will be done in me
In your love I will abide
Oh I long for nothing else as long
As you are glorified

Are you good only when I prosper
And true only when I'm filled
Are you King only when I'm carefree
And God only when I'm well
You are good when I'm poor and needy
You are true when I'm parched and dry
You still reign in the deepest valley
You're still God in the darkest night

So quiet my restless heart
Quiet my restless heart
Quiet my restless heart in You.

I like the last line of the song for me especially. Quiet my restless heart in You. One of the ways this week that I have been calm is because I have just been super busy with life and so it is easy not to think about it. I have been able to discipline my mind to not let my thoughts wander to the worst case scenario...but, I think God wants more than that from me. He wants me not only not to worry, but to quiet my heart in Him. To "consider it all joy" as James says in 1:2. So if you read this and want to pray for us this week, obviously our desire is that the Pet scan is a false positive and nothing is wrong, but more importantly we truly want to have faith in God's perfect plan and know that no matter what, because of Christ, the result is good for us.

Celebrating the Passover

2009-04-11T08:31:00.000-07:00

Last night we went to Grammy Micki's and Papa Rick's house to have Passover. I always like how this holiday is meant for the children to remind them about how amazing and good God is and all he has done for us not only many years ago, but today as well.

Decorating Easter Eggs

2009-04-11T08:25:00.000-07:00

Every year the Andersons have had us over to decorate eggs. It is always so much fun to spend time with them and officially start our Easter Break!

Katja's Birthday

2009-04-11T08:18:00.000-07:00

My nanny and her caretaker Jenni.

My nanny specifically ordered hamburgers for dinner. She ate the whole thing!
Frozen lemonade ice-cream pie. So refreshing! It would have been better if the weather cooperated.
Katja, Carissa, and Avrielle

Still Waiting

2009-04-02T19:56:00.000-07:00

We are still waiting for the results of David's PET scan. He had it a few weeks ago, but we are learning to be patient and trust in the Lord. The doctor is still looking it over and I'm sure we will hear back soon.

Daddy- Son Time

2009-03-31T12:57:00.000-07:00

Posing

2009-03-31T12:51:00.000-07:00

I found these shots when I was loading the pictures onto the computer from the camera. After talking to Chan about not using the camera without asking first, I had to giggle that these are the poses he took. Nice biceps, although it doesn't look like he was flexing.

Katja's Letter

2009-03-25T12:02:00.000-07:00

We all adjusted in our ways. The year went fast and slow at the same time. The weekdays went by fast with work & the weekends slow with memories, especially Friday nights. This is the time Bob & I always spent together.

It’s becoming easier. After the USC football season, I no longer set out the LA Times Sunday sports section for him to read, and when the season of 24 started, I could no longer watch it. It was his favorite drama.

I miss his political discussions and his reading out loud any sports heartbreaking column from the Sunday paper, and I miss his hugs. He was such a hugger that this is the first thing I missed. There was such emptiness without him.

During this year, Bob would have been proud of USC winning over and over again, proud of Carissa making the Dean’s list, proud of his friends helping me through all that legal and financial paperwork, and proud that Avrielle and Chandler are growing up so beautifully.

Bob did not want to be forgotten and I don’t know how he thought this might happen. He is in his children’s and mother’s thoughts all the time, and he left us so many memories that are tied to our daily lives that we can assure him that he will never be forgotten.

We made it through all the holidays with Bob in our hearts and family made sure we were together. All I can say is that I have only the fondest memories of him, not one disagreement with him comes to mind, because he was always there to please and enjoy life and he would want us to do the same.

One Year Ago

2009-03-22T18:32:00.000-07:00

Today has been a really emotional day, so I won't write a lot now. The service went really well, Chandler laid a autographed picture of Mark Sanchez on Papa's grave and wore his shark necklace. Katja wrote a summary of the past year without him that was really touching. We all laid pebbles on his grave which is a Jewish tradition. Everyone went out to eat after, and then the kids and I visited my grandma. I will try to write later in the week.

My Dad's Gravestone

2009-03-22T18:29:00.000-07:00

Open House

2009-03-22T18:26:00.000-07:00

This is Avrielle's school room for Open House. Chandler is missing from all the pictures because he was in his classroom eating all the Black Hole Truffles. Each class served food related to what they were studying. Chandler had a space theme and Avrielle's was Ancient Civilizations.

San Fernando Swim Meet

2009-03-22T18:22:00.000-07:00

Avrielle dropped 16 seconds in the 100 breast and 9 seconds in the 50 fly!
Chan swam his first 200 Individual Medley!

Dress up Book Report

2009-03-20T16:17:00.000-07:00

Chandler's class had to read a biography, and then dress up as the famous person. Chan read about Dr. Benjamin Carson a famous pediatric neurologist. He had a great time acting like a doctor the whole day.

Sea World

2009-03-18T12:39:00.001-07:00

Trip to Andi's House

2009-03-18T12:31:00.001-07:00

Andi's front yard.

Having Breakfast at the 19th hole

Dinner in Little Italy

Buena Swim Meet

2009-03-10T15:22:00.000-07:00

This was the first long course meet of the season. (They swim in meters as opposed to yards)

Warming Up

It's cold in there!

Speech Meet

2009-03-10T15:11:00.000-07:00

Chan and his pal Bryan.

The kids holding up their ribbons.

Avrielle getting ready for the big day.

The girls in 6th grade.

A few weeks ago the kids participated in their school's speech meet. Avrielle recited "The Most Beautiful Flower," and Chandler recited "The Night the Lions Lost Their Appetite." Avrielle won third place and Chan came in first. I was so proud of both of them for trying so hard. Getting up and talking in front of people isn't easy, so I am glad they get the opportunity to practice in events like these at their school.

Fun Around the House

2009-03-10T15:03:00.000-07:00

Chandler tormenting our dog. By the way, Chandler got to meet Mark Sanchez from USC last Saturday at the boat show. He was so excited!
Trying out my neighbor's new exercise invention. I was hoping I could say I lost 5 lbs in 2 days, but I can't. They are supposed to work your core when you wear them. I think my core needs a lot more help than shoes can give it.

Happy Makes Us Happy

2009-03-08T20:44:00.000-07:00

Flowers From My Sweetie

2009-02-17T13:53:00.001-08:00

Happy Valentines Day! (Car sabotage)

2009-02-13T08:34:00.000-08:00

David has been taking the train into work this week, so the kids and I got an idea. We decided to sneak into the train stain parking lot and decorate his car for Valentines Day. Mind you this was a very dangerous operation. There was an eighty year old, unarmed security guard patrolling the area waiting to pounce on any hoodlums. We got his spare set of keys and filled the car with balloons and stuffed animals. Then we stuck decals over all the windows. My favorite part was writing "Love Phrases" in red lipstick all over the windows!!!! We wrote Cutie pie, love machine, hot babe, sexy daddy etc..all over. The best part was that he had to get in it and drive in front of everyone. It was so much fun and we giggled the whole time in anticipation of him getting home.

sky city bounce with friends

2009-02-13T08:28:00.001-08:00

25 Random Things From Facebook

2009-02-03T15:20:00.000-08:00

This list is going around Facebook, but since it took so long to write, I thought I post it here for my Non Facebook Friends.

1. I am a major list maker. When I wake up in the morning, the first thing I do is make a list of what I want to do during the day. I think I do this because I have a horrible memory. Sometimes I think I am getting dementia and I am only 37, or is it 36???

2. My high school boyfriend accidently cracked my head open with a golf club while we were on a date.

3. I always like to read a book before I see the movie, and I make my kids do the same thing. Maybe that is the teacher in me. At least I don’t make them compare and contrast the two.

4. I am a horrible speller, and it was so embarrassing trying to write words on the blackboard when I couldn’t spell. I think I was a good role model though because I would tell them that we are always learning, even me, and don’t be afraid to look things up in the dictionary. Thank goodness for spell check now!!

5. I have taken my 95 year old grandma grocery shopping almost every Sunday evening for the past 3 years.

6. When I was in junior high, I thought smoking grass was the same as smoking lawn grass, so I rolled some lawn grass up in a paper towel, lit it on fire, and tried to smoke it
.
7. On the same topic of smoking, my friend and I picked up used cigarette butts from the gutter and tried to smoke them because I was too afraid to get real ones. Gross!

8. I absolutely can’t sit in the inside of a restaurant booth. I have to be on the outside.
9. The thing I hate most about my body is my sweaty hands. I knew I was going to marry David when he held my hand and it didn’t bother him. By the way, he is the one who had to fingerprint me for my teaching credential, and I tried several times to get out of it. Unfortunately, Avrielle inherited sweaty hand too. Poor baby.

10. I used to be allergic to chocolate. Every time I ate some, I would sneeze continually for hours afterward.

11. I originally went to Cal State Northridge to be a Deaf Studies Major. It had one of the best programs in the nation at the time I went there. I took several years of ASL before my sweaty hands got in the way, and I had to change. I’m glad I wasn’t born deaf!

12. David and I met in the college department at Grace Community Church even though we both grew up in Jewish families.

13. I am very fortunate to have had Mattie for a friend for 30+ years. We grew up as next door neighbors and still talk almost every day. She has had the biggest influence on my life and I thank God for her constantly.

14. I came up with Avrielle’s name in a dream. When I was pregnant I was always thinking of baby names and somehow I woke up in the middle of the night and told David about it. I’m glad he liked it too.

15. I have cried more this last year than I ever have in my whole life.

16. I love trying new recipes but I never follow them exactly.

17. I got a “D” in my Junior High Sewing elective. It was supposed to be a kick back class.

18. My parents taught me how to snow ski when I was 5, and we went to Mammoth almost every month until I was 14.

19. Novocain wears off really quickly on me and several times I have felt the drill on my teeth. I hate going to the dentist!

20. My second and third toes cross over each other.

21. Parenting 2 children has been more challenging than teaching 34.

22. At my children’s swim meets, I get more nervous than they do. Major butterflies invade my tummy.

23. I should be cleaning my house right now instead of typing this. We are having company tonight. Yikes!

24. I don’t collect anything, but I have always wanted to and I love looking at other people’s collection of things. Does anyone have any good ideas?

25. I have really enjoyed reading the lists of friends that have done them before me. It takes time, but they are so fun to read. Thank-you.

2 updates

2009-02-02T18:53:00.000-08:00

David had his doctor appt. at USC tonight, and the doctor said everything still looks good. She didn't feel any swollen glands, and his blood work was fine. He will have another PET scan sometime in March. The second update is that he didn't get the promotion he was hoping for this time around, but he did get a lot of positive feedback from his captain and lieutenant. He scored in the outstanding pool for the interview which means he was one of the top four candidates considered for the job. The two people that did get the job each had 10 to 15 more years seniority than he did. David studied so hard for the interview, and I am so proud of him. I know he feels good because he gave it his best shot even though the odds of getting the position were against him. So we are rejoicing in his health and in God's perfect timing for his place at work. Thanks for praying.

Mission Disaccomplished

2009-01-27T10:35:00.000-08:00

I asked Chandler in the car on the way to school if he finally finished putting away all his clothes, and he answered," Mission Disaccomplished" I thought it was so funny. He is trying to use the correct prefixes, but sometimes the words he comes up with are so mixed up. He probably should have said Mission Impossible based on all the clothes I put in a pile in the center of his floor. ( He was supposed to hang them up, but somehow they ended up shoved in the back of this closet behind the stuffed animals.)
Avrielle did the same thing last week when she told me she is trying not to disclude any girls from school when they eat lunch together. I think she meant exclude, but it made me smile. English can be so difficult!!!

Grandparent's Day

2009-01-25T14:31:00.001-08:00

Last night, I was having the kids start some of their school assignments for Monday. One of the things they had to do was write a paragraph about one of their grandparents to read at Grandparents Day on Wed. They both chose to write about Papa Bob. After they were done, we read them, checked them over, and then I sent them to brush their teeth and get tucked in for the night. About 20 minutes later, Chandler came out of his room with his eyes welled up with tears. He asked, "Mom will you pray for me?" At first I couldn't figure out what was wrong. Normally, when he gets out of bed, it is because he had a bad dream and is afraid, but he hadn't been asleep long enough. Then I noticed he was wearing the shark tooth necklace around his neck that my dad brought him from Hawaii a few years ago. I said, "You miss Papa don't you?" He crawled in my lap and tears just began to flow. I of course couldn't pray out loud because I would cry too, so I just held him. He told me that he wanted to call Papa today and tell him that he won the High Point award in swimming. I told him that there have been lots of times I wanted to call him too. It seems like these last few weeks have been hard again as we are reliving the "one year ago todays" It was this time last year that everything began, so when I think of Chan's birthday which is on Tues, I can't help but remember last year when we all were together. I hope Grandparent's Day won't be too emotional for them. I know they are thankful for the grandparents that they do have, but this day is just stirring up a lot of memories and the emotions are all still fresh.
On a side note.. On Wednesday at 1:00pm , David is taking an interview for a promotion at work. He was supposed to have a doctor appointment at USC that day, but we will reschedule it. He got a call out last night for a shooting, so he is functioning on very little sleep. I would love for him to get this spot. The chance doesn't come about very often, and there is a lot of competition. Please pray that he would be able to do his best, honor the Lord, and not worry about the lack of time he has to prepare. You can pray that if the Lord wills, he would get the spot too! He is studying like crazy already. Also, whoever does get the position we would trust God and know that he is sovereign over every event in our lives even if it doesn't turn out the way we would like. Thanks

Part 2

2009-01-22T20:44:00.001-08:00

Dog Barf, Dog Barf, and more Dog barf. Yuck!

Anybody Want A Dog??????

2009-01-21T19:20:00.001-08:00

Griffith Park Observatory Field Trip

2009-01-21T19:16:00.000-08:00

Celebrating Chandler and Carissa's Birthdays

2009-01-21T19:12:00.000-08:00

Two More Funny Things

2009-01-18T21:58:00.000-08:00

Avrielle told us tonight that when she grows up she wants to be a nurse that delivers babies, but she doesn't want to be in the room. Maybe that's not the right career for her. What do you think?

In the same conversation, Chandler told me he wants me to have another baby so he can have an older brother. How does that happen????

What is Chicken Made of?

2009-01-18T21:54:00.000-08:00

That is the question Avrielle asked us at dinner tonight. She is eleven by the way... David answered her in as straight a face as possible,......."Carrots." Boy do I have work to do.

Happy Birthday Nana Karen!

2009-01-17T19:19:00.000-08:00