These three are the loves of my life. How blessed I am to have each one of them. Today we took a water taxi from Seal Beach to Long Beach. We are determined to maximize our California experience. One thing I have loved about being here is the amount of time we have been able to spend together. Since we don't know too many people yet, we do much more together. Spencer and Michaela are developing such a strong friendship. I just hope I can make it through the "she kicked me" phase.

What would it take for world peace? I said. Is there a right answer? he said.
No, I said. Oh good, he said. I thought this was going to be one of your
love-your-little-brother talks

Enough for now..Love to all.

Okay, so I am now a part of our Enrichment Committee. I like to pretend that it is difficult but the reality is I love the creativity and being with these wise and wonderful women in Relief Society. We had our Fall Craft Night. I hosted the "Brag Books." Photo albums made by sewing together paper bags and decorating them. We had 18 at my table alone. Probably 50-55 women attend, aged from 24-84.

Yesterday at work we had a "let's get along better" training session. They gave us all Predictive Index tests and then showed the results to all members of our team. It was sort of eye opening for me and did explain some of the challenges with co-workers. I don't much will change bottom line but I should feign a little hope.

Tonight Michaela and I played basketball while waiting for a meeting at the church. I really love that she is athletic. I have always felt a little insecure about team sports. I was shooting baskets and actually making quite a few. Of course, being guarded by a 4 foot 5th grader has a certain advantage to it. My own mother never had to money or desire for us to play on teams when we were growing up. Oh well...gotta love livin through your children.

When I was young I always wanted to go exploring in a cave and when I got older I finally did & it was dark everywhere & there were strange sounds like your stomach after a big meal & I couldn't wait to get out. I figured out later that I mainly liked to go exploring caves in my mind where I could be comfortable & not get dirty & cold. If you read too much National Geographic when you're young it's hard to adjust to the real world.

Enough for now--Love to all.

Last night we had my friend Tiffany and Spencer's new best friend, Jose over to dinner. Jose shares a few passions with Spencer, and I totally appreciate his showing interest in Spencer's Pokemon collection (Pokemon is a racket I find difficult to bear, think of the mark-up on trading cards which retail for a buck a piece). Doug fixed a great roast as always and Tiffany and Jose brought incredible chocolate chip (can't call them cookies because they were huge) treats. I met Tiffany through my work and from the beginning I have been so impressed with focus, dedication and work ethnic. Besides which we share many of the same opinions about the challenges of our office.

We have become good friends with a number of younger couples since we moved here. Maybe it is our vain attempt to stay young. Or maybe it helps us bridge the gap with our own children. Last night after a rousing game of Disney Trivia and Whoonu (one of the Cranium games, quick to play and a fun way to get to know people), Michaela lured Jose and the group up to the loft to play Donkey Conga. Jose picked it right up and as bedtime neared, we sent Michaela and Spence off to bed.

The adults continued to talk about a number of issues political and not, including office politics, while I believed the kids were nestled away in bed. We said goodnight to Tiffany and Jose at about 11:15 and I went to look in on the kids to do the mother--straighten the covers thing. I opened the door to find Michaela reading "Hoot" to Spence. She informed me that she does thing every night (I guess if I am not reading to my children, someone has to take up the slack).

We talked about how much fun we had with Tiffany and Jose and a bit more about "personal space" (Spence would have crawled into Jose's lap if allowed, the Pokemon connection sealed his admiration). Then Michaela shared with me her feelings about Doug and I taking Jose and Tiffany away from video games with "our adult talking." They were having fun till we started talking about immigration and the cost of living in California (one of my preferred rants). I reminded her that when she has friends over, I let her decide what they do.

I feel so blessed to have these two children, the amaze, amuse, entertain and challenge me to be a better person. I can't imagine my life without the richness they bring.

I always wanted to invent something that would move around & make funny noises & would change the world as we know it & I forgot all about that until we had kids & now I see I came pretty close. --The Story People

Enought for now--love to all.

We have such a nice Sunday yesterday. Doug and I sang in Sacrament Meeting. Many a sister came up to me after and told me Doug sounds like Michael Ballam. His voice has always charmed the women in our various wards. We have felt so welcome in the Seal Beach Ward. This picture was taken at a Sunday dinner a couple of weeks ago. Since we don't have our extended family here, we have taken to inviting members to our house for Sunday dinner. Doug makes a great roast and it has been great to get to know members on a more personal basis. Two weeks ago we hosted the McAuliffs. These three sisters Frank, Janice and Mary (Mary is taking the picture) are all in their 80's. They all taught school and have lived together all their lives. They are amazing examples of vibrant service. Frank told us about serving a mission in Tahiti in the 50's. She tells stories like those of John Groberg. They are democrats and Mary is the most politically active. She was published in our Seal Beach Newspaper for her views on health care. Janice is the oldest and she is the life of the group. They told us stories about World War II and their Asian friends that went to the internment camps. These women have lead such rich lives. They could have their own sitcom--an LDS version of the Golden Girls.
When I broke my wrist, I received a call from Mary asking if there was anything an 80 year old woman could do for me. I adore these women.

Tolerance
He only gets vicious when he watches too much tv, so we keep public radio on most of the time instead so mainly all we have to worry about is him going around to all the neighbors asking for money. -- The Story People

Enough for now...love to all.