They look so BIG!

WOW, when did this happen??? My kids look so grown up and BIG! This was taken today at our favorite park in San Marcos! The kiddos are enjoying every minute of their summer and are looking forward to celebrating Daddy's 40th Birthday tomorrow! Thanks Carol for the photo shoot!

Friends

As I have mentioned in MY FAVORITES, that friends are one of my favorties! Afterall, where would we be without our friends?? Life would be dull and boring, there would be no one to share our happy and sad times with, no one to cheer us on when we needed it, I caould go on and on!
On that note, this blog pays tribute to all of our friends! The kids and I are so fortunate to have such good friends. We love them all for who they are and their friendships are all so special and truly treasured. We look forward to spending time with them and any moments we get with them! Here's to all of our friends!
Here is the dictionary definition of "Friend."
friend (frnd)
n.
1. A person whom one knows, likes, and trusts.
2. A person whom one knows; an acquaintance.
3. A person with whom one is allied in a struggle or cause; a comrade.
4. One who supports, sympathizes with, or patronizes a group, cause, or movement: friends of the clean air movement.

That SILLY duck!

Here is Sophia with this little duck she has been carrying around all week. She can't seem to leave home without it. I also noticed she's carrying around that blankie! Of course if something else shows up that she has to have, she piles that in too. Somedays it seems like she needs a trailer to lug all her "treasures" around.

Toy Story Mania

So you’ll never guess what my friend Sandy and I did this week! Well, she turned in her husband’s hotel points and booked us a room at the Embassy Suites in Anaheim. So, the two of us along with our six kids all under the age of nine, went to Disneyland all with the main objective of getting on the new Toy Story Ride in California Adventure when it opened yesterday. We were in the doors at 10:00 and Sandy noticed that the line had already begun to form over by the BIG Sun waterfall at the front of the park. After asking a Disney cast member how long the line was at 10:00AM (you see the park supposedly opened at 10:00, but apparently they let many in early) the line was about 5-6 hours long. So, we decided to brave it with the kids and we were going to swap kids and hold the place in line to allow the kids to get to ride some rides while we were waiting. Well, needless to say, after about an hour in line, the ride broke down. We chose to ride it out and they got the ride up and running again. However, after waiting 4 and a half hours the ride broke down again. This time they were not sure if it would get up and running again. We decided to continue to brave it out for over an hour... and then we were finally told we could no longer wait in line as they were shutting it down. Can you only imagine the people in line when they heard that we had to leave?? We were all very upset! You see this was the GRAND OPENING and all the kinks should have been worked out by now. Did I mention that this is at DISNEYLAND'S CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE?? I thought this was supposed to be the HAPPIEST place on earth! They did give us a pass to come back another time whether it be that day, or another trip we were told we could use that pass to eventaully get on the ride. I wouldn’t give up and hung out at the front entrance of the ride to see if things were progressing. I saw a mechanic give the thumbs up and it was ready to go in minutes. We were so fortunate to get in line and get on the ride right away! We loved the ride and looking back the wait was sooooooooooo worth it! So, if you are ever at California Adventure make sure to ride their 4D Toy Story Mania Ride. You won’t regret it! We were so happy that we made Disney History by riding Toy Story Mania on the 1st day it was open to the public. Thank you BFF for a FUN and memorable trip!

The Wild Animal Park

This is a picture that I took of Marissa at the Wild Animal Park when she was only 14 months old. She was just a little younger than Sophia is today. We walked past that same egg, and Marissa asked to get her picture taken in it. I laughed because I told her I had taken her picture when she was just a baby in the same egg. So, here is Marissa in 2000 and then in 2008.
Here are some more pictures of the kids while we were at the Wild Animal Park Today:

SURPRISE!

Marissa was so excited when she came home from shcool to find a "WELCOME TO SUMMER" sign on our front door. My friend, Sarah made it for her to run through when she got home from school. The kids were so excited, but Marissa didn't want to run through it, she wants to save it...so here is a picture of her and Sophia crawling under it so it wouldn't get ruined. Thank you, Sarah for making Marissa's last day of school so special!

Last Day of 3rd Grade!

Marissa and I can hardly believe that her last day of 3rd grade was today! She is now a 4th grader! She is excited and sad. She had a great year with a wonderful teacher that truly cared about her. Her teacher is now retired after 13 plus years of teaching.
I was fortunate to spend her last few moments in 3rd grade with her. I saw her stack her chair for the last time and then she received that report card from her teacher.
Time is going by much too quickly! I am so proud of her accomplishments, but most of all that sweet spirit and love for her Lord that she shows in all she does. We are truly blessed that God blessed our family with her. Congratulations Marissa!

Marissa's Last Choir Performance

We cannot believe that Marissa's last choir performance was last night. She has been in Children's Chorus since she was three. She's not sure that she will do it next year, so we are sadly calling this her last. She had a nice evening and did the narration part for the program. She did a wonderful job last night and was just thrilled. Her Grandparents came and that made her evening. Thank you to Grandma and Papa Bergeron and Nana and Grandpa Frank for making it to my performance. Love, Marissa

Starbucks

I bet many of you were wondering when I would post something about Starbucks as you all know I take my Decaf Nonfat 190 degree No Whip Mochas very seriously! I walk down to the Shopping Center a few times a week (for exercise pushing that double stroller)with Joshua and Sophia. Needless to say, the staff at our local Starbucks has gotten to know us well. You see, when you have kids, and you come into an establishment that's NOT kid friendly, where people TRY to relax (and people walking around with hot coffee, glass carafe's, fun coffee equipment, and let's not forget all of the kids friendly snacks....Cheerios, Fruit Loops) they are all bound to cringe when we walk in the door.
However, they have never made us feel unwelcomed and are always engaging in conversation with me and my children. Sophia usually sits in her stroller while I enjoy the 1st few sips of my coffee, and then she's wanting out. She hangs out by me and isn't too bothersome other than the Cheerio trail that she leaves behind.
Then there's Joshua, or shall I call him Mr. Helper. They often give him a rag and he wipes down the tables, and if he's really lucky he gets to put on the plastic throw away gloves and help fill the condiment bar. He brings the empty cream containers over the register and they provide him with full ones to go back on the bar. Customers compliment him all the time on a job well done! I think Joshua truly believes that he has a job and he even tells everyone that he works at STARBUCKS! And, you see...he kinda does. Even though he won't be able to get a Work Permit for another 11 years, he'll be well trained and ready to go! Here are a couple of pictures of Joshua at his day job and with Our VERY Favorite Barista!

God is like.....

I just loved these so much I had to include them in the BLOG! ENJOY!

A fifth grade teacher in a Christian school asked her class to look at TV commercials and see if they could use them in some way to communicate ideas about God.

Here are some of the results:

God is like.
BAYER ASPIRIN
He works miracles.
God is like.
A FORD
He's got a better idea.
God is like.
COKE
He's the real thing.
God is like.
HALLMARK CARDS
He cares enough to send His very best.
God is like.
TIDE
He gets the stains out that others leave behind.
God is like.
GENERAL ELECTRIC
He brings good things to life.
God is like.
SEARS
He has everything.
God is like.
ALKA-SELTZER
Try Him, you'll like Him
God is like.
SCOTCH TAPE
You can't see Him, but you know He's there.
God is like.
DELTA
He's ready when you are.
God is like.
ALLSTATE
You're in good hands with Him.
God is like.
VO-5 Hair Spray
He holds through all kinds of weather.
God is like.
DIAL SOAP
Aren't you glad you have Him? Don't you wish everybody did?
God is like.
The U.S. POST OFFICE
Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet nor ice will keep Him from His appointed destination.
God is like.
Chevrolet. . . .the heart beat of America
God is like
Maxwell House. . .
Good to the very last drop
God is like.
Bounty. .. . .
He is the quicker picker upper, can handle the tough jobs....and He won't fall apart on you!

JUST MARRIED......AGAIN!

Today Kevin and I are celebrating our 13 year Wedding Anniversary. The kids were so excited after we explained what an anniversary was that they wanted to MARRY us again. So, Marissa and Joshua practiced all afternoon, made rings and explained what they were going to wear. They wanted to look their very best. I told Marissa I had the flower girl dress that Courtney wore to our wedding as she was our flower girl. She really wanted to wear it. Of course Joshua wasnted to look his best as he was the ring bearer. He put on his nice dress shirt and tie, got the couch pillow, and placed their handmade rings on it. They walked down the aisle complete with flower petals and then they performed the ceremony. At the end they pronounced us MAN and WIFE and told Kevin to kiss the bride!
It was so cute that they took our anniversary so seriously, They truly wanted us to have a special day...and that we did!

PLAY BALL!

I cannot tell you how much I love these two pictures of Sophia that were taken just yesterday! She looks girly, but she's a little Tom Boy for sure! She just loves to carry around that ball! Maybe she'll have a future in Softball! If it means a college scholarship...we're ALL over it! So, go for it....Play BALL, Sophia!
Below are some more of the pictures that were taken yesterday of Sophia by my neighbor. She's working at getting into the photography business. She does a wonderful job and can use us as subjects anytime! Thanks so much, Carol!

Happy Sunday!

It's been a pretty relaxing weekend before the next CRAZY week. Marissa is in the home stretch....only 7 school days left, 2 more Chorus practices, one Chorus Performance, and one end of the year classroom party. Unfortunately, the classroom party is something I am in charge of and it is the same day of the Choir Performance. It shall be an interesting evening for sure...especially if Joshua and Sophia don't get naps in. HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLP!
I did get to go to a play at church last night with a girlfriend. I had a lot of fun and the play was wonderful. The talent of the people that go to our church was amazing! It was really nice to get out and enjoy.
On another note, I did make a couple bows and listed them on ebay. If you care to check them out my ID is tchkinder69. They are leopard print bows, I'm sure I'll make more varieties eventually, but for now I just wanted to use what ribbon I had. Have a wonderful week!