My Birthday @ Farrell's

The Whole Gang

Alright, well, I have to say what I remember of Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour Restaurants is a whole lotta noise and excitement. & mountains of delicious ice cream! I mean what kid would not want to spend their birthday in a place where when you first walk in the door you MUST walk through the candy store just to get seated? From a kids point of view it can only get better from there! Oh, and it does! The Farrell's I remember was always loud. Always moving. Bells clanging. Horns blaring. Player Piano playing loudly. Everyone singing and clapping to the birthday song. Then the ice cream is delivered and if you were one of the lucky ones your parents ordered The Zoo complete with drum banging, horn, singers and the like. Seriously, from what I remember it's a good birthday experience.

Well there are now 4 Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour Restaurants available for your enjoyment; Santa Clarita, CA; Mission Viejo, CA; Aiea, HI; & Kaneohe, HI. So far in my quest to check out all open Farrell's I have tried Santa Clarita, CA and I have to say I was greatly disappointed. Hubby and I took the kids there on our way home from the Pumpkin Train in Fillmore, CA and were hoping it would be a good experience for them. The Farrell's there was located inside a mini putt-putt place that was a challenge to find. The atmosphere was so not what I remembered Farrell's to be and we were greatly disappointed. The kids just didn't get it. The employees didn't get it. Not the looked after Farrell's experienced. Just disappointment.

Marisa, Jill & Danae

So then my girlfriends suggested we all travel down to the Mission Viejo location to celebrate our birthdays. OK. Time to try the next location. Boy was I happy! Yes, there was the drum banging. Yes, the horn blared. Yes, the singers sang. Yes, the Player Piano was loud. & Yes, the whole atmosphere was lively and fun. The food was good. The ice cream was excellent & YES we all want to go back again! & most importantly THE KIDS GOT IT! Elena turns to me in the middle of lunch as yet another birthday close to us is being celebrated and she excitedly asks if she can have her birthday there next year? You can imagine how happy that made me!

Birthday Sundae

The Clown

So now it's our turn to be sang to and we got all the fanfare, pomp and circumstance as is required for a Farrell's celebration. The 3 of us each received our Free Hot Fudge Sundae and completely enjoyed them. So the other children wouldn't be left out we ordered them the Clown Sundae's which were quickly devoured. After our gluttonous consumption of delicious frozen flavored cream treats we all ran over to the candy store. We spent quite some time in that candy store and all of us left with some little treat to remember the day by.

Did we all have a good time at Farrell's? Absolutely! Was this Farrell's worth it. Oh definitely! Will we be going back? We are already trying to figure out which one of our birthdays is coming first! Now all I have to do is save some money for the trip to Hawaii and I'll be able to share with you my opinion of all Farrell's locations. Gotta start saving! HA! HA!


In the meantime they need to open one by the Chino Shoppes!

Until Next Time, SoCal Marisa

American Girl: The Care & Keeping of You; The Body Book for Girls

Oh it is about that time. It is time for me to do my duty as a mom. It is time for me to share the joys of our changing bodies to my daughter. I cannot say I am super excited about this. I cannot say I am looking forward to this. I will not say I am going to feel comfortable about this at all.

She is 9. We are a bit early. But I need for her to be prepared for when things start happening and plus, stuff is happening to her friends. Like girl bumps and things growing in places. I remember how girls are. They tell each other things. & none of them are entirely accurate either. I want her to be way more prepared then I was. Let's be honest I freaked out when I first started....I either wasn't paying attention during "the movie" or no one said a thing to me. Either way when it was my turn I was absolutely unprepared for it to happen and totally scared outta my mind. I thought I was dying. Then to be laughed at by my mom like I should know what was happening to me and thrown a pad.....um, yeah, do not want that for my girl!

My darling daughter is the type of child who worries and over thinks things. So I need to get to her before her friends do and mis-inform her. She is not showing very many signs just yet. She is getting taller and the most I can see as a change is her legs are getting some definition. She does not stink. Her hair is not greasy. No bumps or things. As a matter of fact I think she could be like me and not start anything until middle school. But again, her friends are already changing.........

So I was talking to some of my friends lamenting over this new phase in our lives and that I am not looking forward to. (I am so not ready for my baby to grow up!) When a few of my friends suggested I get the American Girl: The Care & Keeping of You; The Body Book for Girls. I thought to myself could it be that simple? But then really what will it say?

I shared my dilemma with my girlfriend and being on the same page (& sharing a brain) she and I started our quest for this book for our daughters. She found and picked up the books for us, which I have in my hot little hand.

During our search we also found a companion journal for the book. American Girl: The Care & Keeping of You Journal. So naturally both our girls now have a copy of that as well.

Browsing through the book and journal I get the gist on how the book is set up. They start with basic body care. Things you and I take for granted. Like showering and washing our face and hair. How all of this is going to increase. So I am reading. I love the introduction... "During puberty you'll grow up and out, and not all parts will grow at the same rate." Duh. But this is important information for a growing/changing girl. She is not going to know this and she is going to compare herself to others. Maintaining her self image is very important to me. She is a sweet girl and everyone loves her. If she is going to be a late bloomer like me then she could feel left out of conversations like I did. Girls whisper among one another and unless you are in "the club" you are not going to know what to expect. It is like child birth, you do not know what to expect until it happens and then you are going to scream for a lot of painkillers!

So reading through the book I really like the topics; odor control, to shaving, to growing body parts to maintaining a healthy happy body through diet and exercise. I especially love how the book describes eating disorders and how to avoid them by eating properly. All through the book it reminds the reader that if they have any questions to ask their mom, aunt, teacher..... Reminding them they are not alone.

The journal works well with the book. Every topic in the book is covered in the journal. It teaches the reader to pay attention to their bodies and practice good up keeping of it. While the journal is not an imperative companion to the book, I feel it is an excellent tool for young girls when learning of their bodies. All-in-all I am happy with both purchases and definitely recommend them.

Now when it is the boys turn.....Hubby gets to talk to him when it is time!!!

Until Next Time, SoCal Marisa

Macaroni & Cheese Recipe

I have been making this recipe for just about every one of the kids birthday parties. It's become a family favorite. When I make it I usually split the recipe in two square containers; one for the oven and the other for the freezer for later use. We rarely have leftovers!

• 1 to 1 ½ cups uncooked elbow macaroni, rigatoni, or spinach egg noodles (about 6 oz)
• ¼ cup butter
• 1 small onion, chopped (about 1/4 cup) (I prefer to grate the onion so no one notices it)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• ¼ cup flour
• 1 small clove pressed garlic
• 2 cups milk (I use evaporated milk)
• 8 oz cheese shredded, I blend sharp cheddar, monterey jack, & parmesan cheese
• Parmesan cheese

Cook macaroni as directed on package, drain. Cook and stir butter, onion, salt and pepper over medium heat until onion is slightly tender. Stir in flour. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly; towards the end add garlic, remove from heat. Stir in milk. Heat to boiling, whisking constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute; remove from heat, Stir in cheese until melted.

Mix macaroni and cheese sauce and then place macaroni in buttered 9 x 13" casserole, cover with Parmesan cheese.  Bake covered in 375 degree oven for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake 10 minutes or until slightly brown.

Note: For a creamier sauce add more milk and/or cheese. Adjust to your taste.

Serves 12, 196 Calories, using the myfitnesspal recipe generator.

Until Next Time, SoCal Marisa

Turkey Day & Turkey Cookie & Acorn Recipe

Today was Turkey Day in Kindergarten and I am just so thankful I get to re-live my youth with my children! The things those kids get to do makes my days so full. We had a super busy day today and I'm exhausted!

Bell rings and class begins. Today we started working on our placemats. Then we colored our Turkey Books. We moved into our first snack craft of Acorns to be eaten before first recess. We do this so they can burn their energy on the playground. Smart moms hu? Super easy snack craft and they tasted pretty good too. Grab a doughnut hole, in this case we had glazed donught holes. Slather the top with chocolate frosting, dip in toffee candy crunch pieces, and spear with a pretzel. Went over like gang-busters. We had a few kids who were a little nervous at first but I tell ya, not an acorn remains. Kids had a blast with this one.

Then we continued to work on our placemats and started on our Turkey Centerpieces. Ahhhh the amazing things one can do with a toilet paper roll and construction paper. Unfortunately this is a bad picture of the sample but the children did a pretty good job. Take your average toilet paper roll. Cover in brown construction paper. Have the children trace both their hands, color, and cut out. Those will be the feathers. Add a red construction paper waddle and orange construction paper beak, some googlie eyes and you have your Turkey Centerpiece. Now what mom wouldn't want this from their kiddo? Mine left his at school, so I'll get mine after break. [sigh]

Let's see we finish up our color crafts and clean up. Then the children get to enjoy our Thanksgiving Feast of Chick-Fil-A Nuggets, Mashed Potatoes, & Corn. Love those nuggets! It's nice sharing a meal together.

Last snack craft before our movie and close of the day is our Turkey Cookie. We start with a base of a plain sugar cookie. Then uses bakers cement (royal icing) to adhere a peanut butter cup to the lower center of the cookie. More cement and add a nutter-butter. You have now completed the body. Next we need to give our bird feathers and in this case we used candy corn. Jelly Bean waddle and beak and m&m mini eyes finish off our snack. CAN YOU SAY SUGAR RUSH? The kids got to devour their cookies and some homemade pumpkin bread while watching A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and finally the dismissal bell rang! Now how's that for a day in Kindergarten?!

I'm bushed and in need of a nap! Nightie Night!


Royal Icing
3 TBS Meringue Powder
1 LBS Powder Sugar
6 TBS Warm Water


Mix together in stand mixer for 7 minutes until peaks form and icing is ready. Dries super fast so work fast or cover until ready to use.


Until Next Time, SoCal Marisa

Are You My Emmit?

OK. So I had to log on real quick to post these thoughts. They apparently raced through my head all night. I got very little sleep. Not because of the thoughts but because hubby woke up early for work and the boy crawled in bed with me.

One of the first things my 9 year old daughter asked me this morning was where I was last night. I tried to explain it to her that I was at a women's conference and Lisa Whelchel was there talking and Mandie Pinto did Praise Worship and I was super excited about it. She just didn't get it. Well naturally, she's never seen "Facts" so she has no idea..... think, think, think, "Well she's to me what Amanda Cosgrove is to you" BINGO! she got it now. Then she was excited. Finally. =)

As I went through my day today; MOPS in the morning. Cleaning up before hand. Lisa's Emmit conversation was brought up often. Now I know exactly what she was talking about. Well not the child star version but the needing an Emmit. A few years ago my Best Girlfriend and I "broke-up" for lack of better terminology and I was lost, really lost. We had been BFF's for about 17 years and it was really hard to lose her. Lisa's conversation of her paid friend (counselor) and how she should maybe displace herself to instead of buckets (so as not to overwhelm one person) to glasses, or thimbles and that got me thinking. I have soooo many glasses and thimble friends all over the place. Each one I love for so many different reasons and each one I want to support when they need it.

I have grown so much since losing my friend and have gained so many friends in the process. I remember at the time praying and crying over my loss. Begging God to send me another BFF. Are you my Emmit means so much to me! Now I look around at all my friends and see so many Emmits! I love you all. =)  OK. I just had to share my thoughts . Now time to get the kids!

Until Next Time, SoCal Marisa

Beautified

So today we had Beautified at our church. What's Beautified? Well it's a one night conference and Lisa Whelchel came and spoke to our group about friendship. Over 500 women attended tonight's function. Now I'd like to say I did a whole lot of helping get this event off the ground but life was definitely in the way of me doing that. I felt all along during the planning phases as My Special Events Leader was bringing the Special Events group together that no matter how hard I tried I just couldn't get to the group to support it. The devil does that sometimes. God however wanted me to be apart of it and he worked in my Small Group into the planning of Beautified.

So we were on food detail. Setting up and making sure everyone had a snack during the break. Now that's what I love. The being with everyone and just talking with the people I know and love. What a reward tonight was. Several of my worlds crashed into one another. OC, Small Group, MOPS & my Special Events Group were in attendance. It was nice seeing everyone in church tonight. Smiling.

Lisa Whelchel in person is not what one would expect. Before the event those of us who helped put it together were invited for a group picture with Lisa. She is very generous with her time. In my mind she was taller but in person we could practically look into each others eyes. So she's a shorty like me. =) I loved Facts of Life when it originally aired and watched it every week. So meeting Lisa was a real treat for me. I'd say better than the time Geena Davis crashed my party at the HOB Foundation Room & Lisa was far more humble. She gave time for taking pictures with each person who wanted one with her regardless if you purchased something or not.

Mandie Pinto sang our Praise Worship tonight and she was just as good as when she was at Retreat. She has such an amazing voice. I love her voice and we picked up a few of her CD's and I cannot wait to listen to them! My GF and I spent some time talking and bonding with Mandie and she is so transparent. What you see is what you get. She was fun, and open and honest. I could have spent more time talking to her but the night was drawing to a close.

After the event there was more mingling and talking and talking and mingling. So basically I had a good time and as usual I was one of the last persons to leave. I know, shocker! Right now all I have is my cell phone picture of Lisa & I and it is blurry too. When the others come available I'll post those too! Well it's time for me to go to bed. Have to get up early to morrow to tear down and lots of other things.

Until Next Time, SoCal Marisa

Fake it til you make it!

I am having one of those fake it til you make it days. Seriously. I could have stayed in bed all day. If it weren't for the fact Hayden was hungry I probably would have. It's a beautiful day too. So much to do. Christmas is almost here. The list of honeydews is super long. But I'm feeling super meh today. I have a mountain of laundry to fold. A few phone calls to make. Memory books to work on. & that's all before I pick up the girl from school. I have a feeling I'm not going to get very much of it done today. Oh well.

On the upside, the birch trees are gone-daddy-gone. One blew over in the last wind and the trimmers came with their equipment and removed and stacked the other two and used the auger on the stumps. So now my front yard is bare. Not the most stunning of front yards but we have some pretty interesting plans for it. I'm kinda excited by it. Hubby and I dragged the kids to Lowes and picked up more stuff for the bathroom. Who woulda thought one little room needed so much stuff! These projects are really tapping us out. One at a time, sure. All at the same time? OUCH! While we were there we picked up the moulding for the boys room. The man said he would make the cuts for me this week and then I'll paint and apply them, then we can call the boys room completo!

So this weeks agenda consists of:

Monday - Fake it til you make it stuff, Seester comes over

Tuesday - Beautified. Gonna be at the church most of the day in anticipation of Lisa Whelchel speaking. I am very excited about that! (Facts of Life song in my head)

Wednesday - MOPS, Getting my car lenses polished, Little Ladies, GEMS

Thursday - Turkey Day in kinder (all day long), Longaberger Webinar, COTM

Friday - My day of rest....well sorta gotta do more laundry and possibly clean (when does that end?), Piano, GNO!

Saturday - Longaberger Meeting

Sunday - Church

And all week long is Book Fair. Those are the things I can remember because my calendar went missing....again. So really. I am sorta glad I have a busy week this week so I can ignore my unsettled attitude. I think I will start my Having a Mary Spirit Bible study today. I think I need it! Thanks for letting me vent. I'm sure I'll have a more positive and upbeat attitude the rest of the week.

Right now I'm leaning on my life verse Psalm 46:10 ...“Be still, and know that I am God...”

Until Next Time, SoCal Marisa

The Shack

The Shack (Special Hardcover Edition)

by Wm. Paul Young.

I just finished reading The Shack by Wm. Paul Young. A friend of mine lent it to me quite a quite while back and it has taken me some time to get to reading it. OK, a lot of time. Apparently I took it with me on some weekend trip because I found it recently in my weekender bag. I'm guessing I didn't have that much time to read it.

Normally, I can blow through a book in no time. This one took me about a week to finish even though it was only 248 pages in length and the letters were averaged sized. Mack is our main character and he is struggling with his faith and forgiveness after the brutal murder of his young daughter Missy. Yeah, I know, not your light text. So naturally this is going to take me some time to finish because it is so emotional a read.

Just as expected The Shack brought me to the place of misery for Mack beginning with his daughter Missy's abduction. He suffers great depression and his family life suffers as well. Four years later Mack receives a letter from God inviting him to The Shack; the place where they believe Missy was taken to but never found.

Mack reluctantly returns to The Shack for his weekend with God. Half expecting him not to be there. What transpires changes everything. We are shown God as separate but equal individuals in the Trinity; God, Son, Spirit. We are reminded of Love, Faith, and Forgiveness. The method of which Mr. Young uses to describe our God to us is very potent. I am not ashamed to admit I cried. Not your simple single tear cry. The kinda cry where the tears flowed. All of us need to be reminded of the simple act of Love and The Shack does just that.

The Shack does not preach to us Bible verse after verse. Yet, it does remind us of the unending and perfect love just waiting for us. It reminds us God is a God of Free Will, He does not want to control us. However, He will work to fix the damage caused by evil. All we have to do is be open to His healing love.

Without blowing the story line for you there is a discussion on our eternity. This part was especially comforting to me. Recently my Granpa passed away and was delivered from his severe body pain. I could not help but think of him in the second waterfall scene and a little later in the meadow scene. To be reminded once again, was very good for me. Good for my heart.

While this is not an easy book to read. You may cry. I did! I definitely do recommend it. 5 stars!

Until Next Time, SoCal Marisa

Our Slow Home Improvement Projects

Hayden's Almost Finished Camo Room

Have you ever had one of those years where everything seems to go wrong and nothing ever gets completed? Well, we are having one of those years. It started with my sons room. It was time to paint and update his room for a "Big Boy" His favorite color is camo so I had to somehow make his room camo without actually painting it in the traditional camo pattern. We chose our colors and paint went on the walls. New furniture was purchased. Window Treatments. That's where we stopped. He still doesn't have a door up and I need to get the moulding. I wanted to do a chair rail in his room to divide his color choices and well, I need to go and make the purchase. I don't know how to use the saw so I need hubby to make the cuts for me. Seriously one more day of work (two tops) and his room is completed.

All New Vinyl Windows

Our next project after that was to replace our aluminum windows with some new Jeld-Wen Vinyl windows. The front room was filled with all of our new windows. It was hard to walk in here because even though they are sort of thin they do take up a lot of space when you group them together. Our friend Scott came over and helped Brian put the windows in one day and all that is remaining is the trim work. The installation was really easy. Something we've never done before. With Scott's help he and Brian got it done very fast! We had intended on working on the trim the following weekend but then our house was burglarized.

New Unfinished Front Door

New Stained & Installed Front Door

The front door was kicked in and we needed a whole new door. It took two weeks for our Fiberglass Masonite Door to get here and then I needed to stain it. I'm the one who does all the painting in the house. He does all the heavy work. But Scott and his crew were here saving the day again. They did the instillation and again, he made things look real easy. Staining the door took almost two solid weeks because the humidity levels were so high the oil based stain took forever to dry. Then the poly took a while too. Now all we have to do is get the trim to complete the door. Do you see a pattern here? Well in our defense we were going to go shopping for the trim when the toilet gave us problems.

Hayden in his empty Bathroom

Did you know toothbrushes don't flush? Well my daughter learned they don't bend so much when trying to flush and they get caught up in the plumbing. Out comes to toilet. Hubby is determined to get that brush out of it so we don't have to get one of those - it takes 50 flushes "Green" toilets. Well naturally when he pulled the toilet he suggested we tile the bathroom. Then his mom suggested we change out the vanity since it's been a while. Then I took a look at the room and thought well maybe we should update the tub too so it's not the oldest thing in here. A 1976 tub in a 2010 bathroom? Nope. I think you get the picture. We talked about moving the furnace to the attic, using the closet space, and pushing out the doorway to the hall to give us a few feet but quickly changed our minds when we were told the furnace itself would cost us about $5K. Um, no.

This is where the tub will go

Well now here we are in a house with one working bathroom and a husband who is working hard and has very little time. The projects are piling up in our dated house and the New Year is almost here. We open our house to friends and family on New Years Day and well, we kinda need at least one more working bathroom. So the list of projects is ever long. I won't even begin to tell you about the backyard that needs to be completely re-done or the kitchen cabinets I'm thinking of painting, not to mention touching up the rest of the house on the inside, new carpet... Yeah, we have a lot of projects and not very much time when you think of it.

The tub is in!!!

I will however give my hubby some props for getting the American Standard Rope Twist Tub in today. When we pulled the tub we found that the space allowed was not quite large enough (of course.) So Brian had to cut into the studs in order to squeeze in the tub. It took him most of the morning but he got that tub in and set in mortar. So now we wait a few days for that to dry, then he gets to working on the walls. Then I paint. Then he works on the tile, and the plumbing, and the vanity, and the electrical. Did I mentioned I decided to replace the lights and fan too? Yeah, a whole new bathroom. I can't wait to shop for it's accessories! But for now I'll be happy knowing the tub is officially in! There is no going back from here! I just wish I would have thought to take some pictures before we yanked everything...

Until Next Time, SoCal Marisa

The Help

The Help

By Kathryn Stockett

So not too long ago while playing Bunco with the girls one of my friends starts talking about this book that is a must read. The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Just listening to her describe the book about three women during the 1960's who meet covertly to write about domestic help in Jackson, Mississippi had me intrigued. She was so enthusiastic about the book and these women I thought I'd like to see what it's all about. So I get my copy and actually hold on to it for a few days before I get the chance to start reading it. During a car trip driving the long road from California to Utah. I cracked that spine of the book and instantly was transformed to a different time and place.

We start with Aibileen who is a domestic that has just recovered from her son's tragic death. "Mae Mobley was born on a early Sunday  morning in August, 1960. A church baby we like to call it." Right away I get a sense of who Aibileen is and I warm to her real quick. Just reading her voice and getting into her character from her point of view I am reminded of a warm hug and an easy smile. I can almost here her humming as she cleans. I just get this sense of comfort from Aibileen as she talks about her sons tragic death and the process of her healing. In Aibileen you get the first sense of the community she lives in and how her friends support her. How they all support one another.

Then there is Miss Skeeter who has just graduated from Ole Miss and her mother is terrified Skeeter will soon be an old maid. Constantly harped at and feeling low about herself, Skeeter is searching for her identity and purpose in life. She takes the advice of a New York publicist and writes about about what she knows. Domestic help and the women who employ them. Awkward Skeeter is caught between two worlds. She doesn't really belong in either world but it's all she knows.

Miss Skeeter and Aibileen recruit Aibileen's super sassy best friend Minny into helping write their book. Employed one day and unemployed the next Minny is always suffering for her inability to control her tongue (She and I are so alike!) She has gotten herself into some hot water and needs a little help from her friends.

The stories that transpire from this trio of conspirators will have you laughing on one page and scared for them on the next. This is a definite page turner of a book. I am so glad my friend raved about The Help, I probably wouldn't have read it otherwise. I highly recommend it. 5 Stars!

Until Next Time, SoCal Marisa

A Little Bible Study Help Here, Please.

Hey so my Small Group (Bible Study Group) has finished our focus. We have decided to do small studies and such during the Holiday Season since we are going to breaking so often. Right now I really need something else though. I need to keep close to God. I am still dealing with my Granpa's passing and haven't had that good cry I know is coming. My Faith isn't lacking. As a matter of fact it's getting stronger.

So now I'm sitting here wondering what I should do to keep up my conversations with God. I have my quiet times, yes. But I need to focus on his word. I have four studies sitting here in front of me and I was wondering your thoughts on them? How they helped you grow? Which would you recommend? Are there any other great Studies you would recommend?

Having a Mary Spirit
Allowing God To Change Us From The Inside Out
by Joanna Weaver

If I am reading the back cover correctly this study is to build on your grace and strength in Christ's word. I have to admit grace is one of the things I need to build on for my love growth. If I learned anything from our last study it was I need to grow in love. I felt very convicted and rightly so. One of the last "questions" directed me to Write down names of two people with whom you share a time-tested relationship of love that you can depend on. & how I could be more like them. My granparents jumped to the front of my mind and their history of love and giving is profound.

Breaking Free
Discover The Victory of Total Surrender
by Beth Moore

While at our Women's Retreat earlier this year I received this book as part of a door prize. I went to the retreat with a lot of pain and unforgiveness in my heart. I stepped away from my old Small Group and found a new one. I was still feeling lost and hurt and I needed to let go of my hurts and betrayal. I forgave that weekend and lifting that burden from my heart was a turning point for me. I realize though there are other areas in my life I need to release from. I have always wanted to do a Beth Moore study and know they can be very intense but very satisfying. One of the local churches loves Beth Moore and often works her studies. With hubby working nights I can't go, but I think this book was a message to me....

The Power of A Positive Mom
by Karol Ladd

I picked this book up during one of my Family Christian walk throughts. Being a mom I always want to do what's best for my children. Often I fail. Sometimes I let the stress of life get to me and I am not the best mom for them. I want to be a better mom definitely. So I picked this book up and it's been sitting on my shelf for a while.

The Power of a Positive Wife
By Karol Ladd

So when I was looking at books on how to be a better mom, I got the wife guilt. I'll admit that even though our relationship is strong, it could be so much better. Both of our focus is on our children. We live for them. We do everything for them. But I did marry my husband to not only be my husband but my life partner. I want to continue to grow my relationship with him and don't want to say when we retire.... now what? I'm sure he has that need too. We are a kid focused family right now. But we do need to grow our relationship with each other as well. Spend more time together. Which is hard with his work schedule and my volunteer schedule. It makes it a challenge when he's gone during our family times but he's home for alone time with me.

So there you have it. That's the list of books sitting here on my bedside table waiting for me to read them. Which would you recommend? I have several needs. & really could go in any direction. Eventually I will get to all of these studies. I am just a little lost on my start. So comment away! =)

Until Next Time, SoCal Marisa

Walking Through California

So the fun continues. Today Elena and her fourth grade class took a walk through California. Sounds tiring hu? Well it really wasn't. No, not at all. Before we entered the Multipurpose room those that chose to dress up got to pick a type of person to dress up as. Cowboy, Cowgirl, Indian, Prairie Girl, Vaquero, or Senorita. Elena chose to dress up as a Senorita.

We thought it would be easy  to find her costume since Halloween was just here but the costumes they had were not historic at all. They were more current and wouldn't fit our need. So we put a shout out to all our friends to see if anyone we knew could help us dress Elena for her choice in attire. Our friend Kattia came to the rescue with a choice borrow of black dancing skirt and peasant blouse. Elena looked adorable.

Before we even got to putting her in her costume we had to get her over her fears. I have no idea what she was thinking was involved with the walk through California, but she really worked herself up. While at MOPS this morning I received a call from the school saying she was in the sickroom. She worked herself up so badly she was physically ill. Well I was at MOPS and I REALLY needed to be there today (it's one of those mom sanity things.) Knowing she more than likely worked herself up, they let her stay in the sickroom until I finished MOPS. Sure enough her nerves were working overdrive. But after a nice conversation with her, some prayer time, and helping her get dressed we both left for our Walk Through California.

We met the kids at the Multipurpose room and began our experience. For 2 1/2 hours our "tour guide" Drew gave us an all we needed to know about California. I know what you are thinking right now.....boring! It was anything but boring. We laughed and had a really good time participating in the whole experience. Each kid had a part or roll and the whole group was entertained.  The time just flew by. Even the adults present had a good time. Elena's grandparents Vic & Gayle came and Brian stayed until he had to go to work.

Walk Through California is a really good program and I am very pleased the school purchased it for the students to experience. So much information was packed into our short time spent, but it was entertaining. A great memory for the kids as well as a good learning experience. To be honest I am really looking forward to when Hayden gets to do this with his fourth grade classroom. When it's his turn, I'm sure I will post all about it then.

Until Next Time, SoCal Marisa

Turkey Trot

Oh my! Today the kids got to raise money for the annual Turkey Trot by running laps. Now when I was a kid and it was my turn to run those laps to raise money for the school I was a total slacker. I mean seriously, why should I run when I could walk the lap?!? I have to admit I wondered which of my kids would take after me in that philosophy.

Amazingly enough, neither took after me. Shocker, I know! The car indicated 87 degrees before I parked.  Quickly I signed in and rushed to the backfield where Elena's grade was running. Lap after lap they ran. So far the heat wasn't that bad but those kids were powering through the water. Elena finally sees me and she's super excited I made it in time. She and her BFF pace themselves to run their laps together and they make that turn pretty regularly. Again, not like me. It it were me; me and my BFF would be walking arm in arm talking and singing or something like that. Finally the countdown to finish and the kids are now snacking on punch and cookies. I have to say Elena did a lot better at her laps then I would have. I have some free time before it's Hayden's turn and after a really sweet plea from her I join Elena in her classroom for lunch and a movie.

Now it's time for me to join Hayden's class on the field and the fun begins. You know, kindergartners are super funny to watch. After a brief instruction period we send the kids on their run. What we expected was a little confusion as they make their first lap. What we didn't expect was for them all to stop for a drink at the water station. & I mean all of them. So finally, with some loud encouragement they are now off on their first lap. Lap one. Lap two. Lap three. I'm wondering where Hayden is. Maybe he slipped by me and I didn't notice him when I was marking the kids cards. Now I'm beginning to wonder if he ever left the water station. FINALLY I see him. But he has difficulty rounding that first turn. He and a few others are herded back on course. Finally he completes Lap one.

Lap two proves to be almost as difficult as the first but we encourage him on. While other children are working on Laps 5 and 6, my son is busy trying to keep his shorts from falling off him as he runs (time for a new belt.) Presently, he is really just sort of half running, half playing with his friends. More encouragement. Oy. Lap 3 complete. But I think he's starting to get this whole lap business. Lap 4 and he returns a lot quicker than before. The remaining laps he's actually gotten into them and is showing some real spirit. We reach our end of the festivities and it's time once again for punch and cookies. Those kids got it so good. We head back to the classroom and you guessed it, another movie.

The day was hot. I mean hot, hot. Standing in the sun watching them run tired me out. The punch and cookies were yummy. A day spent with my kids was just what I needed to lift my spirits. Oh yeah, and we raised a little money for the school.

Until Next Time, SoCal Marisa