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.

Kinda of a quiet day today. Woke up this morning to a frantic Michaela. She had just remembered that she had told her friend Jenny that she would come and watch her last soccer game. Our children have been lucky finding friends here in California.

The girls took this photo on their own with the timer. Of course, I am focused on why Michaela doesn't comb her hair become taking a picture, (she just got out of the shower), but she is sharing the moment with a friend.

Doug and I are singing in church tomorrow, Spencer has a talk, I am working on an Enrichment activity and teaching Primary. Tonight my thoughts are turned to...do we have clean, ironed clothes?...what will we have for dinner?...etc. It reminds me of the primary song, "Saturday is a special day, it's the day we get ready for Sunday, we ... and call it our get the work done day." Mostly, I think this works for mothers.

I will stop complaining when I'm dead, she said, so I got out my day planner & told her I'd love to pencil that in.

Enough for now...Love to all.

Okay, so we need your help. We went out today to help Spence and Michaela take pictures for their Reflections entries. I am going to post a few and let you help us decide on the final. I have already ordered the Photoshop software but haven't received it yet. Always a couple of days late. The theme is "My Favorite Place." Spencer's is of course "Gamestop" and Layla's is "Hanging Out with My Family." We tried hanging out of some trees for her but ants were crawling all over us and the pictures still looked shadowy and poor. Anyway, anyone willing to vote for either of Spence's photos, let us know what you think.

I looked at Layla's tennis shoes today. They were filthy. When I ask her how they got so dirty, she said, "It's call activity Mom. These shoes are a badge of honor." I guess she told me.

Enough for now...love to all.

I started work very early this morning. Polk, the company I work for, was hosting an ethnicity seminar. So interesting to have the presenters identify how different groups shop and what is important to them.

When I got back to my home office, I was informed by my children that the weekend has begun. They are out of school tomorrow.

Sometimes I think we should bury all our money in a hole & go back to
enjoying life again, he said. It'd probably be a good idea to make a map of
where the hole was just in case it didn't work out though.

----- The Story People

Sometimes it has to be okay to crave the kind of simple approach to live enjoyed by our children. This working for a living isn't all it is cracked up to be. I guess it all depends on how you choose to view your life. Do I acknowledge the blessings of my life or focus on the pebble in my shoe.

Enough for now. Love to all.

I am a bit obsessed with blogging. True to my compulsive nature, once I start with something, I must buy the toys, wear the T-Shirt and completely exhaust myself learning about how to do this until I am bored and can move on. I am not there yet. Last night I drug all the family to Walmart (cheap with little political conscience) to buy a new digital camera. I have a Video Camera and a camera on my phone, but no I need one with better megapixels and features. These are some of my first photos. Get a load of my handsome husband, wacky son and my darling daughter. Michaela came to me last night with concerns about how to get gum off her face. I shared with her the secret to remove gum--PEANUT BUTTER. She decided it was photo worthy. This child provides such humor in my life.

Don't you hear it? she asked
& I shook my head no & then she started todance & suddenly there
was music everywhere & it went on for a very long time & when I finally
found words all I could say was thank you.

-The Story People

I am also blessed to have a great husband. He has been so supportive through these last 12 years. When I look around, it reminds me that the Lord knows me and helped to find a man who could help me grow. I am grateful for him.

Marriage is our last, best chance to grow up. -Joseph Barth

Love to all. Enough for now...

We have been blessed with such great friends in our ward since we moved to California. This is a picture of Celeste Bowler. Her husband has been away for a few weeks and we were babysitting her on Sunday. Spencer and Michaela both leaned over to me during church at different times to see if we could invite Celeste for dinner.

Sunday I received another calling in addition to teaching primary. The Relief Society has requested that I serve on the Enrichment Committee. How do they find out these things? Actually, the Bishop asked if I was overburdened. Little did he know that I would spend time with the Enrichment Counselor, Jeanette Calloway and the Enrichment Leader, Karen Smith for my entertainment. They are amazingly talented women. Remind me of some of my dear book club members from home.

doesn't mind carrying a few choice pieces of baggage so she has a conversation starter in almost any social situation... -The Story People


Michaela & Celeste/Storm & Dorothy

Tates had a very nice weekend. On Friday, we took the kids to Disneyland. We bought annual SoCal passes in April and it has become our favorite "cheap" family night. My favorite moment of the night was when Spencer rode Thunder Mountain for Dad. This is Doug's favorite ride and he rarely gets to ride because Spence and Michaela have not reached their "thrill seeking" phase yet. Spence committed to ride if he could "cling" to me. He ducked his head under my arm and kept his eyes closed most of the ride. When we got off, he tried to convince Michaela that it wasn't that bad and she should try it.

Saturday, we cleaned most of the morning and ran errands in the afternoon. When we arrived home, on our doorstep were two cases of Red Grapefruit Fruit Naturals with a note from the "Grapefruit Bandit." I have become addicted to these grapefruit cups. It is like having candy (which I am not having for a month based on the bet with the kids) without the guilt. Our wonderful friend, Celeste Bowler, sent them. I am blessed with wonderful friends in this new ward.

I am reading a great book called "Putting a Face on Grace: Living a Life Worth Passing On." It has really made me think. The front cover: It's a living, breathing testament to the depth of God's love. You don't deserve it, but you've got it. So, what are you doing with God's amazing grace? It is mostly anecdotal but there are some beautiful reminders the unconditional loving quality of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. From the book, "We are not called to just bathe in grace: we are called to shower it upon others."

Enough for now...Love to all.

Okay, the blogging begins. We had a great time last night Trick or Treating. Spencer and Michaela bags were so heavy, they somehow convinced me to carry them. I would wait on the sidewalk as they brought their candy. Michaela told me it was a good idea for me to set the bags down and rest while they were up getting the candy. Please see my name under the definition of "Helicopter Mom" in the dictionary.

Today begins an exciting challenge at the Tate Home. A few weeks ago Michaela challenged me to go without Diet Coke for a month. I agreed but she had to reciprocate by refraining from candy for a month. She agreed until I reminded her Halloween would fall in her month. We decided to wait until today. So after gourging last night on candy and diet coke like a couple of drunks entering rehab, we have begun. I guess I was truly addicted. I have thought longingly about Diet Coke at least 10 times this morning.

Spencer has joined the challenge but only after being lured in with a prize of a Gameboy game if he makes it the entire month.

Doug has chosen not to participate. In fact we has drinking a warm Diet Coke for breakfast this morning. Torture...

Love to All