Kurt's Comics

Whew! Dodged a bullet!

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) just had a representative on Fox. He was telling all Californians to expect a massive earthquake sometime in the next 30 years. Mind you he was "forecasting" an earthquake-- not "predicting" one. As he was delivering this lovely reminder, the scroll across the bottom reassured me with this:


"USGS says California will not fall into the ocean."


I feel much better now. I will no longer have to wear flippers and a life vest wherever I go!

-Laurel

Wah? Huh? Where did Everyone go?

I started crashing on the couch around 7:30 tonight. I vaguely remember Aaron and Travis running in and out of the room. Somehow I managed to direct them in my sleep haze to take their showers and put them in bed around 8:30. Next thing I know I woke up a little before 10 and the whole house was dead quiet. All of the kids were in bed. I checked their rooms to make sure they all hadn't ditched me for a party somewhere, but sure enough--they were asleep.

I have no idea when the older two went to bed. Obviously sometime before 10. I know in my day I would've been whooping it up by watching tv or reading books if I'd had the chance. I used to drive my parents nuts by never wanting to go to bed. In fact, they would send me to bed and I would lurk on the stairs waiting to see what happened after my bed time. I had this strange fantasy that they would breaking out the smokes and start cussing up a storm once I was out of earshot. Alas, that fantasy never came true. But I did spend an inordinate amount of time waiting on the stairs. My poor parents were stalked by their own child!

Anyway, you know you've reached a new stage in life when your children put themselves in bed without you saying a word or even being conscious. Now if I could only train them to do the dishes before they head off to La La land.

Beggars can't be choosers!

-Laurel

A Rare Moment

Travis is asleep.

During the day.

Who is this kid and where did the real Travis go?

-Laurel

Brace Yourself ...

Travis Before

Travis After

No, your eyes aren't deceiving you. The boy has short hair. He's been begging for weeks for me to cut his hair and I finally gave in. Jolene gave me the push that I needed advising that it's only hair after all and it will grow back.

Still, hearts are breaking around the world tonight!

I do have to admit it is pretty cute. To top it off, I think Aaron has found his long lost twin!

-Laurel

What a Day So Far. . .

For many of you managing your kids alone is not a big deal. Laurel has to manage Saturday schedules more often than I do. I usually am around mornings before heading off to church. Today I woke her up at 5:20am so she could get ready and leave for a Children's conference in San Diego. I drove her over to Kelly's house at 6:15am and ran by the church for about an hour to tie up some loose ends before church tonight. I then ran home and picked up Austin at 7:45am and took him to the baseball fields at Marina High School for a game that started at 9am.

I ran home, showered, got dressed, layed out some clothes for Aaron's game, left Tamila in charge of the Aaron and Travis and headed over to Austin's 9am game. They lost. No team confidence today. We left for home and arrived at 11am. Aaron started to get dressed for his game. Tamila got out of the shower and dressed. I half dressed Travis and them gave them sandwiches that Laurel prepared last night. (Thanks!) I emptied the dishwasher, and started another load of dishes. Austin cooled off, ate lunch and I asked him to get some of my clothes together so I could start a load of laundry so I can pack tonight after church for a trip to Las Vegas. (I leave tomorrow.) I finished dressing Travis.

I then sat down and wrote these words. Now, we are getting ready for Aaron's game at 1pm and Austin's game at 1:30 pm. I hope the baseball is better. After the games we head off to church for Saturday evening services where we meet mom and then alas, we head home for the night.

All this to say, thanks Laurel for all of the Saturdays she has managed the logistics alone.


Billy

For your enjoyment...

Austin's disembodied head.


-Laurel

Just Another Day with Travis

I'm sitting at the computer when I hear:

"Hey Mom, look at my bum bum!"

I had to take a picture and share.

I swear this is not turning into a Travis blog.

-Laurel

Ladies and Gentlemen: Travis...

I couldn't help myself. I had to post some more pictures of Travis from Arizona. I apologize for the indulgence~

Laurel

Bear with Me

If the first age old question is "Does a bear go potty in the woods?" The second is obviously: "Do bears dance in the woods?" Having observed the answer to the first question by leftovers in the woods; I now know the answer to the second question.

My life is complete.

Follow this link to find out for yourself. (Aaron thought it was hilarious, so obviously this is "G" rated.) I cannot guarantee your life will be any better for having seen it but you will know the answer for yourself.

--Laurel

Yum...

Perusing the OC Register website today I found the latest restaurant closings for the OC. The following posting sounded just lovely:

"China Bowel Express, 11041 Warner Ave., Fountain Valley; cockroach infestation; permit suspended March 28; reinstated March 31."

Mmm....Bowel. And all along I just thought they were serving chicken. Ewww!

You don't have to thank me for this post. I just knew everyone would want to have a lovely thought such as this one to start their day with.

Laurel

Old is New

My kids are really into retro tv these days. It all started with WKRP a couple of months ago and has now morphed into a full Brady Bunch obsession. Austin's quoting lines and scenes from Home Improvement. Travis is excited because Mr. Roger's is coming back tomorrow on the tv to see him. Tamila and Aaron are catching up on the Brady Bunch. (The oldest episodes are their favorite.)

It's cool that they're enjoying the shows of my yesteryear but they make me feel old at the same time. (I find myself saying, "When I was your age..." quite often.) At least Tamila's past her Full House obsession: I could only take so much of that.

Making a Difference

Everyday we hear stories about the violence in Iraq and rarely the ones about people who are trying to make a difference there. I came across this Blog the other day: Can of Worms. The blogger lives and works with the people in Iraq. His goal is to bring "preemptive love" to the people before the terrorists win over their children's hearts and minds. He has alot of stories: good and bad. I highly recommend it for a close up view of whats going on there.

-Laurel

Some Arizona Pics

Pictures are all random and without captions...of course.