Bi-Annual Blog Update

Pathetic is too soft a word for my blogging skills. I didn't even realize I hadn't updated our blog in 6 months until I saw a link to our blog on a friends and it said, "updated...6 months ago." It's embarrassing to say the least.

But the truth is that every since I discovered Facebook, I realized that I'm not sure if I can do both. Facebook and email are about all I can handle, and I don't even keep up with those regularly. And it's SO much faster uploading a photo album to Facebook than it is uploading one photo at a time to my blog. So there you have it...my excuses.

We each have our burdens to bear, but life has been a little crazy lately. Following Dad's massive heart attack and ensuing open heart surgery in December was Michelle and Pete's wedding in January (preceded the week before by 2 more heart attacks...). Dad is fine now--actually he's doing great and looking fabulous after losing 35 pounds. Pete and Michelle are happily married, and life is settling into a "normal" routine.

Normal means that Paul is still looking for a job, I'm still working 4 days/week and still working on my thesis. I'll be so relieved when at least one of those burdens is lifted. But I can't complain...life is full and blessed even when we pinch pennies. I just need to focus on being grateful for what I have rather than longing for what I don't have (often rest). :)

I am thankful for all my friends even though it seems we talk so infrequently. I am thankful for my wonderful family scattered all over the place. But most of all I'm thankful for my wonderful Jesus who gives me strength each day!

That's all for now...I'll try to write more regularly or supply some interesting photos once in a while. If you want to see wedding or cute nephew photos, my albums are on Facebook. You people who keep up with blogging and Facebook and emails are amazing. I have no idea how you do it! It's more than a full-time job.

So if anyone even reads this, please leave a comment. I'm convinced no one reads this since you all know there's never anything new. :)

Congratulations, Pete and Michelle!

The lovebirds were engaged on Saturday, September 6th!
(I do have a pretty good track record for set-ups when it comes to my siblings).
Here's a little video I made of their life together thus far...

Paul's Trip to Myanmar

For more stories and pics, go to Paul's myspace: www.myspace.com/pauljacksonmusic. I'm just glad he's home safe and sound!

The Intruders

I never really watched those "Home Alone" movies but I think I can identify with that kid now. Last night I got home late and still had all the windows and curtains open because it was so hot. About midnight I heard rustling in the bushes at the back of my apartment and it moved along the bushes and trees to the side of my apartment. It was extremely loud and lasted for about 10-15 minutes, so I started to get pretty scared and suddenly realized how vulnerable I felt. Impulsively I called my dad, and he and Margaret arrived at my apartment in about 10 minutes. He came armed with a mag light and a baseball bat, ready to hunt down and apprehend the intruder.

Suddenly I realized how ludicrous this situation was...I never intended to send my dad into the bushes to face an unknown prowler armed only with a baseball bat. However as he shined his light in the trees (likely causing the neighbors to think I'm spying on them), he saw six pairs of beady little eyes staring back at him. Yes, they were caught red-handed--three enormous raccoons scurried off as fast as their short little legs could carry them. Of course I felt so foolish and we all had a good laugh. But you would not believe how much noise those little rascals make! Their backs were nearly 2 feet tall and apparently they do well digging through the trash in this neighborhood because they were so fat.

I could have sworn I heard human footsteps, but alas, it was merely a close brush with the dangerous wildlife of south orange county. Still, I keep the baseball bat under my bed now. Somehow it just makes me feel a little safer. Next time, little furry night bandits, I'll be ready for you.

A Thesis-Writing Vacation

Yes, it is depressing. But true. Paul is gone on a mission trip to Myanmar and Thailand for nearly three weeks, so I decided to burn my vacation time and work on my thesis. I know it seems like a wise idea and a good use of time, but it is just depressing. I should be in Hawaii right now, or Italy. I know, I know...when I finish my thesis, THEN I can take a real vacation. But you know how it is...each paycheck you watch that vacation time slowly accrue and dream of where you will be when you use it.

So here I am at home, having not quite started work on my thesis, thinking about all the adventures Paul is having in remote villages and all the adventures Mel is having in Eastern Europe. I know I've had my share of adventures over the years, so I have nothing to complain about. It's just that this is the first time I've been the one home alone while everyone else is off globetrotting. The tables have turned, and now I need to somehow discipline myself so I don't squander this "vacation" on blogging and Facebook. Okay, so here I go...onto that thesis...

Celebrating July Birthdays

How I miss Annie! We enjoyed the Las Brisas lunch in honor of a significant birthday...it was a perfect day together. Then we celebrated Michelle turning almost 30 (okay...she's only 29). Here we are at the Sawdust Festival in Laguna.What a cute piano playing couple!

We got to see Dave, Dad and Collie for an entire weekend--it was awesome!

San Gorgonio Trip

Paul and I decided to get in over our heads and go backpacking in the San Gorgonio wilderness. It was beautiful, exhausting, exhilarating, agonizing, etc. I think we quickly learned how out of shape we were...we'll do it again but next time we'll train more first! I was limping for an entire week. :) Gone are the mountain climbing days of my youth...

June 2008

Tom's 65th Birthday Party! Mom and Tom put on a huge luau extravaganza for Tom's birthday at their beautiful home in Cottage Grove, Oregon. Even though we were there for less than 48 hours, it was so worth it!

Ain't we cute?

Here's their beautiful home nestled in the woods.

Tom really worked out in preparation for the party. Here he is showing off those biceps.

Mel graduated from Fuller! Yes she got her M.A. in 2 years while I have been slaving away for more than 5 on mine. In fact she's going to get a second M.A. degree by next June, so I HAVE to graduate next June...there's no way I can let her finish 2 M.A.s before I finish one!

Here are the Laguna Buskers...Zaccheus tree playing on the street in Laguna. So much fun!!!

We had a couple FIS reunions...one with Judy and one with Scott. I sure do miss working with all these wonderful people!

May 2008

San-O Day! We were at the beach from 5 am - 10 pm...we learned it's still a little too cold in May. But it was a blast! This was Pete's first time surfing. I think I stayed in the water a whole 30 minutes before my arms felt like they were going to fall off.

Classic beach guitar jam session...it lasts all day!

Andi and Jason were hard core...they did the WHOLE day with us.

Pete and Michelle, sittin' in a tree....

Mother's Day celebrations at Maria's! It was extra special this year because we got to spend the day with Heidi and Lil too.

Me, Heidi and Lil.

Here we are enjoying our anniversary dinner at a fabulous Italian place on State Street in Santa Barbara. I can't believe we've been married for 6 years already!!!

We drove up to Santa Barbara for Heidi's graduation from Westmont and to celebrate our anniversary. It was so special to be there...good times!

Michelle Has a Boyfriend!!!

Here he is: Pete! He's an awesome guy and we are all so happy for Michelle.

Amazing Guitar Solo

Our friends have an awesome band called Deep Water. Check out their music at http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=144646326. Their youngest band member is an incredible guitar player: