Great time and The Great Dalmuti

We are approaching the 11 month mark from when we moved up here and although I really like it there is one aspect that is still really hard. That is missing my dear friends. When you become a parent the dynamic of parenting differences in friendship is introduced. This for me has been challenging. How do you deal with parenting difference? I'm sure as the kids get older this issue will probably become more complicated, but right now it has me craving my like minded friends in the big D. However, as much as I crave the comfort of those relationships that were built over the years I am excited about the amazing neighbors I've been blessed with. I really believe God placed us in the perfect home. To me it is just awesome that there are young kids all around us and that we have 2 neighbors in particular that not only love Jesus, have little kids around the same age as ours, but they are a blast to hang out with. We had them over for fun play time and pizza and then they put their kids down at our house and we broke out the Great Dalmuti. A fun game some friends of ours in Texas (thanks Ben and Ebeth) introduced us to. As you will see from the pictures this game is not the Ruiz's strong point. We still had an awesome time and I so look forward to getting to know them better and watching our boys and girls grow up together.

Just in case I didn't communicate it effectively I wasn't referencing these couples and their parenting. I really don't know their particular parenting styles yet, but their kids are all amazing. We had 3 boys 4 and under and 2 girls under 2 all go down without any trouble. I have to say this might not be a big deal to some, but it was like Christmas morning to me.

Greater Peon 4x

One

Two, yes hide your head in shame.

Three, your DISGUSTING!!

Leslie looking so cute in the pink Peon hat.

Jack crashed out in Caleb's chair.

Jeremy was the Greater Peon 3x

Yes, that is super embarrassing.

And, four!!

The Dunbar's rocked at this game. Carrie was only the Peon the last hand of the night. Other than that they dominated. As you may notice I was never pictured, because even though I came in second to last I was never the Great Peon. Terry was the GREAT DALMUTI!!

Jack extra comfy in the chair.

Landon sacked out with his moose, Bull. I would have taken pictures of all 5 of our precious ones cuddled up for the night, but my camera died at a very inopportune time.

Fired-up with Peace

The passing of the health care reform has me concerned on so many levels. However, I was reminded this weekend and then again today what is really important and that there is something far more important to get fired-up about. I definitely have asked myself how did we get to this place in America where the majority are moving toward what appears to be a socialized approach to government rather than the principles that have allowed this great nation to prosper for so many years. All I can think is, as Christians are we leading out helping those who need help? What does this help look like? It is not just seeing a person in need and helping them in the short term, but also pointing them to truth. Getting fired-up about what really matters. If we were as passionate about pointing people to Christ as we are about getting rid of the left wing politicians we have in office how would this impact us as a nation. I think back before I knew Jesus. I believed whole heartedly that abortions should be a women's right to choose. I believed divorce was okay if marriage was too hard and the list goes on. I did not believe truth because I didn't know the Giver of truth. I was reminded this past Sunday we can get all up in arms about our government and yes I believe we should have a voice, but more important than that is what are we doing in our homes and neighborhoods to share truth and the love of Christ, so people understand what really matters. This is what will have the greatest impact on our country.
Besides this, eternity should be far more important to me than the discomforts we feel in this life. Yet, I so often focus on what is comfortable. I need to remember that God is willing to tear down the things He has built when they get in the way of knowing Him and following His plan and purposes. I should be so thankful and at peace with this. Just as He did with the Jewish temple a building that not even a hurricane or tornado could take out. But it was in fact torn down by Titus in 70 A.D. I pray this is not the case with the US. I love this country and the life of freedom we have. But if we like the Jews have walked away from His will and purposes and are no longer about the things that God is about I should be praying for God to allow whatever necessary to happen so we may turn back to Him. So much of this country does not have Jesus in their hearts. This is something to get fired-up about. For those of us that do have a personal relationship with our Savior are we letting our light shine, so those around us our taking notice and asking what makes that person different. Why do they have a joy I don't possess?

Caleb is reaching the age where he is curious about things, so he has been asking a lot of questions about Jesus. The other night we were praying before bed and the topic of Jesus living in Mommy and Daddy's hearts came up. The follow conversation transpired.

Caleb: I can have Jesus in my heart?
Me: Yes if you ask Him, know you’re a sinner who needs a savior.
Caleb: opens his bible finds picture of Jesus and says, "Jesus can you be in my heart?"

I don't think he truly gets it yet. He definitely doesn't understand the sin aspect, so it is still over his head. However, it is precious to me that he wants to talk to Jesus.

Forgot the light

I've been meaning to post that Caleb started school at the end of February. He has really liked it, but today was a different day. He has been struggling with separation anxiety lately. Today I felt heart broken for my little guy and I was causing the pain. I did think about not leaving him at school, but I really don't believe that solution would help this growing problem.

His class

We went through the class photo and he told me about each child. I loved learning about each of his new friends. He remembered all of the boys names in his class except one. When I asked him this boys name his response, "He's naughty." It made me chuckle, but the thought of how my child was being described to the other mommies did flash through my thoughts. Parenting is, so humbling.

Makaylee (22 months) and Caleb (45 months)

Class pictures

After school I thought I would try and reward him for going into class and being a big boy. The Dinosaur Museum was his prize. He was so excited. Sadly, they were closed. It was an hour drive down there and it just never dawned on me that they would be closed on a Monday. Oops. I was a little frustrated, but there is a yummy restaurant right up the street. We enjoyed our lunch, if corralling two kids and cleaning up noodles is considered fun. Then we headed to Starbucks for dessert. After we finished, I needed to get cash to pay for parking. At this point the day's trials got the best of me, and I failed to let my light shine. The banker looked at me like I was an idiot, because I didn't know what she meant when she asked me if I was a customer. Apparently, you are not a customer if you use their ATM and pay $3 to withdrawal $20. The term customer is reserved for the elite people who have bank accounts at their bank. I let her know I didn't appreciate the way she treated me and I would never become a customer at PNC Bank.

Oceanview, California

We all wanted to spend a little time on the beach,

well except Cory, but he went anyway

and had fun teaching Caleb to skip rocks.Makaylee also enjoyed seeing the rocks splash.

My momma (Soho)

Caleb did not like the sand or the salt water.

He freaked out and only wanted to be on the rocks.

Makaylee however, thought the sand was really fun.

Attie loves the beach and can't wait to move from

snowy Wyoming to beautiful sunny California.

Chelsea and Jordon, our sweet family

who hosted us and put up with chaos for a week.

Caleb showing off his finds.Beautiful girl driving away from

the beautiful Pacific Coast.

Seaworld

I am sure most everyone has heard the story about the trainer in Florida who was killed, but maybe you don't know the details. Because our trip was scheduled just a few weeks after this tragedy the Seaworld experience was very different than what I remember as a child. The trainers no longer enter the water with the whales. Apparently, they are researching their procedures to insure no other tragedy like the one in February ever happens again. I don't think that there is firm evidence on exactly what happen that day. An eye witness said the whale was no where near the trainer when she initially entered the water. Perhaps she slipped? I did hear that some say she was pulled into the water. The story varies from ponytail to waist. I probably read 10 reports and watched 15 videos and none of them were 100% consistent. What about responsible journalism?? So, exactly what happened remains a mystery to me. I will say after listening to all the reports there is a lot of negative opinions about the park. I thought it was neat to learn about the heart of Seaworld and the trainers. They are trying to learn about marine life and helping insure that it thrives. I am not trying to defend them, but watching the trainers interact you could tell they love the animals.

One show at Seaworld was called Pets Rules and all these animals were rescued. It was amazing watching cats and pigs doing things that I couldn't even get my kids to do. I guess my point is I think these people have dedicated their lives to making a difference and so it makes me sad to hear the negative things. The one thing that was consistent in all the reports was the trainer's love and dedication to her work. I know there are probably arguments to both sides, but it was nice to read and learn the heart of Seaworld. While we were at the park there was a plane flying above with a sign attached that said, "Let the whales out of prison." I did wonder if Seaworld was just in this for the money and clearly this is not the case. So here are a few pictures from our time there. Sorry they were with my phone. I forgot the camera that day. The kids absolutely loved it!!

Makaylee giving the Shamu sign to splash.

THIS WAS MY FAVORITE PART OF THE SHOW!!

The otters were very playful.

and so was this huge polar bear

We loved the dolphins.

Their permasmile makes me happy.

Wild Animal Park

I am so behind on my blogging, so this is going to be
minimal writing and lots of pictures.

I really liked this park. It had a safari feel and the
beauty of the surrounding was very peaceful.
We went on a ride in a shuttle train around the park and got to see several of the animals.


Junior
Big Daddy

Apparently they are preserving the White Rhino species,
so we saw several of these.

It was a perfect place to take pictures.







The carousel was actually free with our tickets to the park.
FREE such a rare treat.
Attie decided to be a lion
and Caleb decided to be a...not sure, but some animal that licks the ground.

DISGUSTING!!

Makaylee enjoying running around.