Hearing Aid Flambe

Monday morning.  We're on our way out the door to take Kayla to school when I notice the little one's hearing aids are missing.  I ask her where they are and she points to the kitchen.  Milestone alert (that only parents of deaf kids care about): she's recently mastered the glorious ability of being able to point out where she has hidden or hurled them.  Of great benefit to me 99.9% of the time.  This day, not so much.

I smell them before I see them (never a good sign), turn the corner and find them in all their glory.  INSIDE the microwave, one sparkly pink flame ball rotating ever so gracefully on the glass tray; the other, about to spontaneously combust in the far left corner.  Yes, our darling daughter cooked her "ears."

Last night, Dave asked her where they were and she said "Broken!  Hot!"  She's lucky she is cute.  And that we bought the insurance.

A Little Culture for KK

Last Thursday, the first grade classes and a bazillion (and I mean BA-zillion) other Bay Area schoolchildren went to see the wonderful San Francisco Symphony perform.  Kayla was especially excited for this field trip because she recently started piano lessons on Monday afternoons with Mrs. Claire.  She was, however, a bit disappointed that pianos are not "fancy enough for the orchestra"  and now wants to take up the oboe instead.  "Or maybe the tuba like Pop Pop..."  Oh dear.

Back Blogging and a Not So New Office

Last October, we did a really fun thing for my husband.  OK, OK... I've also been dying to use the "before and after" Picnik photo editing layout.  Short of redecorating a room in my house to make this happen (because I realize this would be mental), I've resorted to a "back blog" of sorts.

When Dave left FBC, he also left behind his beloved office in the youth house.  He really did LOVE that place and spent much of his time there.  He was able to study, pray and meet with people, watch sermons online (which he did and still does ALOT) and engage in deep, theological discussions that would bore most of us to death (Just kidding, babe...  You know I love you and your theology.)  Well, things would change very dramatically in  his new "home office."  Minor detail...  It did not exist.

He had plans to visit my brother up in Sacramento so I made plans (along with a team of wonderful, strong and able-bodied friends) to clean out our garage and transform it into a new office for him while he was away.  We sold almost all of its' contents (Kim and Ellen did a fabulous job coordinating the garage sale - VERY literal, in this case) and Marge, Ashley, Emily, Laura and I headed over to Ikea with the profits to buy a new desk, office chair and accessories.  Lindy also made a handsome donation to help pay for the desk (thanks, Mom).  The others stayed behind to finish painting and cleaning.  Grandmums even stopped by to check things out and brought cookies.  She also took us out to dinner that night which was very thoughtful of her.

And after many hours of hard work...  viola!  A beautiful, new office.  For my husband who always does so much for others.  It was nice to give back.

Did I mention we have wonderful, strong and able-bodied friends? :)

THE REVEAL... occurred the night of October 3, after our first meeting as Hope Church (although at that point we had no name).  Luckily, Dave stayed in Sacramento a little longer than expected to meet with Branden's pastor which gave us more time to get things cleaned up.  He also went straight to Grandmums house for service without coming home first which bought us even MORE time.  Great news for all involved.  Later that night everyone came over and hid in the new office to surprise  him.

And it only took about 10 minutes for the deep, theological discussions to begin once again.

Some things never change.

Birthday Festivities

We love parties.  Our family often celebrates the same event many times, in different ways.  Ashy's official "kid party" is not until May 1, but here's how we've celebrated her 3rd year of life thus far.

Last Friday was her class party and the kids enjoyed vanilla cupcakes with vanilla frosting.  Children "graduate" her particular program when they turn 3, so it was also her last day.  She now moves on to the class next door... (and will go to school 9:15-1:45 M-F!)  It was a bittersweet day as we will miss her teachers (pictured bottom left w/ Ashy) very much.  She wore that huge special birthday hat all 3 hours and lifted her bib over her face when they sang to her.

On Sunday, her actual birthday, she requested lunch at her favorite restaurant, Red Robin ("Red Buuuurd")  When she says these two words, she does so with sheer delight.  I think she loves their chicken fingers more than me.  And, from the way she inhaled the ice cream, she's a fan of their sundaes as well.  NOT a fan, however, of the Red Robin busboy birthday choir.  She hid behind her Dora coloring book as they sang.  But I don't blame her.  They are a bit creepy.

Because her birthday fell on a Sunday this year, we had church that night.  The little ones had cupcakes during the kids program and had a great time playing out in the backyard because the weather was beautiful.  After service, we prayed for her.  We prayed for her growth and development and for any decisions that would have to be made on her behalf.  Daddy prayed that she would be able to hear God's voice.  Very special and sweet.  And she stayed still.  For the most part.

And finally, last night we had dinner at Grandmums.  Nan and Pops had been out of town for her actual birthday and Uncle Bert was in town visiting.  We had pork chops and twice baked potatoes.  And for dessert... more cupcakes!

Happy Birthday, Ashy Girl

My sweet Ashlyn,

You are three today.  This past year has brought much growth and change.  Obviously, you're taller.  Your hair is longer, lighter and a little less curlier.  You have lost all of your baby pudge and are much leaner.  You are a very pretty little girl.  Complete strangers often stop us and make comments about your beauty.

One year ago, you said only a handful of words.  Today, you are quite the chatterbox.  "Listen, I want mo-ah (more) _______ " is one of your  favorite phrases (we're working on manners) and you say it at least 100 times/day.  Fill in the blank with any of the following: "pik wa--errr" (water in your pink sippy cup), crackers, "biiiig burrito" (from Chipotle, specifically), Cherrios, "rapurts" (strawberries), "Mick-eee" (Mickey Mouse chicken nuggets), waffles, "ouce keem" (mint chip is your fave) and the list goes on...  You love to eat.  You bat your eyes, tilt your head, lift your pointer finger and sweetly say "one mo-ah" when you want more of something.  And it works EVERY time.  You just recently perfected counting to ten (although you leave out nine, I think because you are so excited that you make it to ten).  "Sip" and "seben" are my personal favorites.

You love your big sister and mimic all that she does and occasionally hit her  for no apparent reason. We still haven't quite pin-pointed the source of this aggressive streak in such a sweet little girl.  I say dad.  Dad says original sin.  When you get angry you shout "No!!!  Stop!!!" and stomp your feet and move your hands around very fast.  We have no idea what you are signing/saying but it's pretty entertaining to watch.

You are a bit of a hypochondriac and obsess over "oow-ies" - yours (real and otherwise) and those you see on the people around you.  At your recent doctor's appointment you were quick to point out every single one to the nurse practitioner.  You are very sweet when Kayla gets hurt.  You hug, pat and kiss her.  She, however, usually wants nothing to do with your sympathetic gestures.  Usually because you caused the injury.  But, for the most part you two play well together and she is very good to you.  For example, yesterday she dressed up in a homemade butterfly costume "just to make you happy" (although I think it was just a good excuse to make a butterfly costume and use the big-kid scissors).

Unlike your sister, you could care less about animals.  Kobi seems to annoy you more than anything and usually just gets in your way or eats your food.  You love to swim ("wimmm") and we are all looking forward to the summertime.   You love daddy's iphone (and know more apps than he does) and ask for it by saying "Listen, I want mo-ah hello!"  You are interested in dolls, your pink Fisher Price laptop and your favorite Elmo book that you sleep with every night.

Speaking of sleep, you have a very particular bedtime routine.  We read two books, say prayers and sing/sign the ABC's.  You require two sippy cups of water (each placed in specific locations between the rails of your crib), at least 3 blankets covering you perfectly (your feet especially) and the beloved Elmo book.  And nothing more.  I have tried to give you stuffed animals.  Only to find later than you have thrown them out of your crib and are sleeping soundly with your head resting on the hardcover book.  You say "I lub you" and "nighh nighh" at least 50 times and you blow about the same amount of kisses.  You also have me say "bye bye" to everything in your room, from your dollhouse to the pair of water sippies.  The whole process - from start to finish - takes about 30 minutes.  Daddy says I am an enabler but I think its cute, sweet and I know these days won't last forever.

Happy Birthday, sweet baby.  I love you and thank God for you.

Mama

Here's a look back...

Because that baby pudge was SO cute.

Another One Bites The Dust...

Our firstborn has always been a tad neurotic, a definite type-A and quick to cover ALL her bases, including, but not limited to, leaving directional signs for the tooth fairy.

She lost her second tooth last night.  I realize this news is about as exciting as watching paint dry and just to reassure you, I will not be documenting every missing chopper. 

Really, I promise.

And yes, she is sleeping in her swimsuit.  We choose our battles.

Qualifications for Biblical Church Leadership

• Must be the husband of one wife and able to manage his household well.

• Must not be arrogant, quick tempered, quarrelsome, violent or a lover of money.

• Must be respectable, hospitable, a lover of good, self controlled, upright, sober-minded, holy, disciplined and above reproach.

• Must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and be able to rebuke those who contradict it.

• Must be a Giants fan.

These guys really are the greatest.  Jason, Patrick, Bryan and Jon (pictured L-R with Dave) have come alongside him from the start to offer invaluable support, prayer, encouragement, constructive feedback and accountability.  They meet every Tuesday night to study God's Word, pray, discuss and cast vision for the church.  Tonight, however, they would forgo their normal order of business and head to the ballpark to see the Giants play the Pirates.