RATS!

Animal Type: Rat
Last seen: Saturday night, 5:30 pm
Where: Unnamed to protect the innocent (but not my home!)
Number of pests seen: 4

Yes 4!

I pulled a bag of cardboard blocks off of a top shelf. When the bag hit the ground I noticed 3 holes on the side (along with a big pee stain.) I was concerned.

I was very concerned when the bag began to move on its own.

Out popped the first rat and ran under the cupboard.

I screamed.

Out popped the second rat as I dragged the bag to the door.

I screamed again.

Out popped the third rat as I opened the door.

I ran out of screams and just jumped around with the heebie jeebies.

Fortunately the fourth rat had the wits to wait until Austin drug the bag to the dumpster.

I've had enough of the rats, mice and bugs this spring. If its bad now I can't imagine what spider season will be like in the Fall.

*Shiver*

-Laurel

Meet The Grandparents

The Grandparents: "Morgan" and "?"

Apparently Travis has a family that we don't know. He came home with pictures that he had made at preschool celebrating his grandparents: grandma Morgan and unnamed grandpa. That's all great a good, however, his grandma's names are Rosa and Sandra. His grandparents live in Texas and Michigan...the last time he played in the snow with any of them was when he was a year old. As for the fishing and swinging that's anyone's guess. He has gone fishing with Dr. Gus in the past...maybe that's who he's focusing on?

--

It is sad if you think about it. He only sees his grandparents maybe every other year if he's lucky. Hopefully, when our kids are all grown up someday, we'll live geographically closer than our parents so we can bug them to death. That way our grandkids will know firsthand about grumpy grandpa Billy and their favorite nanna...me.

How to Impress your friends and Co-workers

Practically pass out and puke in front of them.

It works everytime.

I know...I tried this technique today.

My apologies to all of those involved.

-Laurel
...who's feeling better now and prays that it never happens again.

Relief...

The world can be at ease now...the water is now back on. You no longer have to avoid the Baker's due to contamination concerns. I'm happy and so is my paper cut!

Grrrr....

For the lack of water I can't:

• Flush the toilet
• Wash the dishes
• Make a decent lunch
• Wash clothes
• Keep my preschooler's germy hands clean.
• Wash my hands.
• Do a myriad of other chores that require water

Due to the lack of water I've had to:

• Use rubbing alcohol to clean my hands...with a paper cut! OUCH
• Feel grimy due to lack of shower
• Go and buy water from the store so I can wash my dishes.
• Ration how many times my kids flush the toilet...a type of retro I choose not to remember fondly. (If it's yellow...let it mellow. If it's brown flush it down.)
• At 9:30 am, dress Travis and myself, wander all the way around the block to check our water valve. Only to read a notice that said: "Water will be shut off from 9 am to 5 pm on Tuesday due to authorized plumbing repairs." Um, thanks for not letting me know. Apparently, since my door is out of sight...it's out of mind too.

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

-Laurel

So Cal Baseball

Austin and his team finished a tournament in San Clemente yesterday. The temperature was in the low 90's and he caught 16 of the 20 innings they played over the weekend. I am always amazed at how he doesn't wilt in those kind of temperatures.

Long story, short, his last at bat was a last inning, two out, down by one run, bases loaded at bat. I couldn't deal with that kind of pressure. He smoked the first pitch down the third base line just foul. That told me he was looking to win this with his bat and not tie it with a walk.

After staying in for a few more pitches he swung at a pitch and hit a little blooper over the short stop and everyone thinks "He did it!". The short stop sprinted back and made an incredible diving catch to end the game. I was glad he had the ability to keep competing in that kind of situation. I would much rather he and his team lose like that rather than giving up and letting the other team win.

Next Week: Temecula

Billy

As Per DiscoMommy's Request...

Austin, Spring 2006

A visual reassurance that the genetics work out okay in the end. Apparently our first experiment's (Um, sorry, child's) results are much better than the dire predictions of the post below. Thankfully, the rest of the three children have proved to continue to display genetic traits that show the great mercy of God.

The world can rest now...the ugly post has been moved down a notch.

-Laurel

What If They Made It?

If you've looked at our updated profile pic you might notice that I was goofing around with photoshop tonight. About halfway through the process I started to mess around with what a combination of Laurel and I would look like. The result is shown above.

I am so glad that our kids have some divine intervention in the creative process.

Billy

And on Bass. . . Darrell

I was looking through some pictures that I took recently and found these of Darrell. When Darrell plays bass there is no question that the band is going to be built around a solid foundation. He plays better than anyone else I know, but I know he does it as an act of worship and not because he is looking for any personal attention.

These pictures were from a service a couple of weeks ago when we had some extra set pieces because we were hosting HBHS's Retrofest
concert that weekend. Shane did a great job of incorporating their set into our weekend service.

Having Kristi, the vocalists, and Darrell with the band out in the front, with the set directly behind them, really changed the way the congregation responded during our time of corporate singing.
It was the first time I really noticed how what was
on the stage and the way the band and vocalist were positioned really helped to bring our congregation out of their shells.

Thanks Darrell for your willingness to lead out in corporate worship.

These are just random thoughts that I am still processing, so as always read the disclaimer regarding these thoughts.

Algebraic Equations Anyone?

So we were getting ready to head out the door sometime last week when the phone rang and Austin answered. I heard him say: "Well, just read me the equation, it will be easier for me that way."

He then proceeded to write on the sliding glass door with his dry erase marker. He started doing this a couple of months ago. Didn't the guy from "A Beautiful Mind" go crazy eventually doing this kind of thing?

Within three minutes the algebra problem was done and we were heading out the door.

Need help with your kids' math, let me know, I will hire him out as a tutor.

Meet Our New Pet

Check out what we found at the 99 cents store today:


The kids are really excited about our new pet. So far our Venus Flytrap has impressively consumed a mealworm. Should we name him Seymour?

--Laurel

("Seymour" or whatever we'll call him now joins our pet crew of Fernando, the leopard gecko and Rosie, the chilean rose tarantula. Apparently we have a thing for scary carnivorous pets!)

Laurel's Heroes

Yep, I've turned into a BBC freak. My favorite shows right now are "Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares", "How Clean is Your House?" and "You Are What You Eat". The last two have value due to their life-changing principals. (Gillian has even inspired Aaron to eat broccoli and carrots...shock!) My house is now cleaner than it has been in a while due to Kim and Aggie.

As for Ramsey. I admit it: I have a total crush on the man. Who can resist his foul scottish mouth? After watching this show for two months straight I've not only learned how to run a restaurant properly, but how varied the uses for 4 lettered words can be! My poor mother would cringe if she new.

I just had to share my current obsessions...

--Laurel

Breakfast

What Travis begged for:

What Travis received:

Travis thinks I'm the world's meanest mom.

Poor baby.

--Laurel

80's Rock!

For those of you not able to attend enjoy! I had a lot of fun mixing these guys. Let's go on the road.

Potluck Pictures for Your Viewing

Fellow potluck attendees and blog readers who want to see some images from last night's potluck follow this link. I do not have a lot of words to write at this time, but I hope you will enjoy the pictures. We did begin the festivities by singing the "Doxology". It was a great beginning to a wonderful evening.

You should be able to download and/or print any pictures that you like.

Famous

Awhile back we had our nurseries tested for lead as a part of our new safety standards we're implementing. The company, Inpsect-a-Toy did an awesome job. They used a really cool $32,000+ handheld x-ray gun that analyzed the molecular make up of everything that was scanned. After it all is said and done we can now proclaim we're lead free. In fact we're the first church in this area to have the procedure done. To top that awesome news-- if you read the testimonials on the main page you'll find an incredible review by an amazing author. The review will move you to tears of joy because of the beautiful crafting of the words.

Okay, fine. I give in. The author is me.

Yep, I have a review on a web page.

I've settled with the fact that I'm famous now. Don't worry...I won't forget you little people!

--Laurel

If Travis Were a Cartoon Character

Laurel pulled out Disney's Tarzan the other day for Travis to watch and he is enthralled by it. A song just finished and he says "See Dad, I know all the words!"

After watching it again I remember how much I liked this movie. Anyway, if Travis were a cartoon character he would be the young Tarzan. He has no fear, is very curious, is always jumping off of something and for the most part neverstands still.

I don't know who I would be if I were a cartoon character, but maybe you can give some suggestions. Mr. Grinch does not count.