Reflections...

So many times I feel that I have to be perfect according to parents and church expectations...but I fall short every time, however, I don't necessarily think that is a wrong thing because usually I learn alot from every fall I make. I just wish that people could really, really see ME and that I wouldn't feel like I have to hide the real me; especially at church and in front of my parents. I feel like I am a good, beautiful person on the inside as well as on the outside regardless of how spiritual or religious I am or lack thereof I may be.

I do believe in God and feel his love in my life. I do believe in what I was taught and how I was brought up within my family. But I also firmly believe in Christs teachings and example of how he loved others unconditionally. Sadly... too often I see or feel that many just don't understand that concept of loving unconditionally as Christ did and continues to do...otherwise we'd be opening our arms to those who may appear different or have different opinions and love them for who they really are; whether they be black, white, spanish, asian, etc., gay, lesbian, both, single, divorced, sinner, tattooed, handicapped, drunk, drug addict, or whatever!

This song expresses how I feel today...

Beach day...

I have a day off from work...YAY! and the kids and I have planned to go to the beach...but first we need to clean and wash my car, help the grandparents out in the yard, eat lunch and then we can head on out to the BEACH!!!! I may take them to La Jolla today, to the Cove and explore the caves..or to our fave beach near Encinitas. I think I am leaning more towards La Jolla...unless we find out where some of my kids friends are hanging today with thier families, then we will go to that beach. I am just happy to have a day off from work and time with the kids! Woohoo!

Iron Mountain

Today I hiked "Iron Mountain" with my friend. It was a 3.5 mile hike up the mountain and then 3.5 down...it was a great hike but it sure was hot. Every time we'd get to a point where there'd be a little breeze, I'd stop and enjoy the coolness of it..ahhhh....it was so nice. The view was spectacular on the top and we sat for a bit and rested before heading back down. Afterwards we went to the "In and Out" burger joint and ate lunch and got a couple of delicious shakes. My chocolate shake was the best ever after that hike!!! It was a perfect day!

Sweet Sixteen...

I remember when I turned 16...had a fun little party at my house and turned the family room into a party room. We had music, flashing lights, food and about 24 friends. I couldn't date until I was 16 and I had thought that once I turned 16 the phone would ring off the hook with guys calling me for dates. LOL! So young and naive back then...but I did have pleanty of good times going to dances, hangin with a good group of friends and every now and then had a boyfriend.

Now it is Susanna's turn to be sweet 16!! We just had a little family birthday celebration for her on the 3rd of July and today she got her hair cut and pampered at the nail salon. She is full of life and so very sweet; and a little excited yet shy about going on dates or meeting new people. She will be starting a new H.S. August 11th and hopefully we will have her all decked out in the cutest/stylish clothes and ready to go! She is a cutie pie and will have no problem making new friends. I love my sweet Susanna~!

We took pictures of her new hair cut and of course her brothers wanted to get pics too. They all get along so well. I feel quite blessed to have such wonderful children!...all EIGHT of them!

4th of July!

For some strange reason every time I see Fireworks I feel like I really LOVE this land we live in...America! More importantly this year I am very grateful for those who are fighting for us at this time and for those who have died while fighting for the United States of America. Personally I do not condone war and think that we could have solved what happened on September 11th differently....but seeing that we have so many military units in Iraq and Afghanistan now...and my son about to be one of them...I am thankful and mindful of the soldiers fighting for us...it is because of all the soldiers who have fought the fight that we are able to enjoy sitting at the beach watching the beautiful and spectacular fireworks show. Of course, I would rather have all the soldiers home with thier families, instead of being at war or instead of seeing a fireworks show!!!

My Marine son, Seabury, flew from Ft. Knox KY to San Diego for about three days to spend time with us. We all enjoyed being with him so very much! He has gone from boy to man since he joined the Marines and I am thankful for this change. I am proud of him and the choices he is making now. He is a good person and I value his opinions and words of wisdom. Conrad, Daniel and Susanna admire him and had a good time playing around with thier big bro. I wished I could have had more time with him but I got to take him on a little 'date' and we had a great time. I love him!!!

Overheating...

I was on my way to Yuma, AZ yesterday to pick up my wonderful kids but about 14 miles outside of El Centro, CA my car started overheating. I remembered how my dad would turn on the heater whenever we'd overheat while driving to Las Vegas, NV back in the day when I was just a little girl...so...that is what I did. I also pulled over to let my car cool off and read my car manual to see what I should do when having this problem. My car did cool down and I started off again only to have it quickly heat back up within only minutes. Feeling frustrated, I pulled my car back over to the side, and called AAA for a tow into town. It sure was hot and I could feel the sweat dripping down my neck so decided to get out of my car. I figured that since I had to wait about 15-30 minutes for the tow truck I might as well make good of a bad situation and work on my tan. LOL!

I leaned against my car to kind of relax but it was way too hot to the touch. In fact it was so hot outside that within 5 minutes or less my I could feel the heat on my legs as if they were burning. OUCH! Fortunately for me a good samaritan stopped (truck driver) and gave me an ice cold sweet tea and offered to let me stay in his air conditioned truck while waiting for the tow. The AAA guy got there quicker than I thought he would and we went to Pep Boys but was told it would be THREE hours before they could even take a look at my car and then they couldn't guarantee it'd be worked on and finished that same day. The AAA tow man made a call and took me to another spot in town, they got me in right away, but then told me it'd cost about $600 to repair and a 4-6 hr wait. I wanted to cry! I told him I didn't have $600 and asked if he could give a distressed, single mother discount to me and he said he'd see what he could do. He then took us to the Mall so that we wouldn't have to wait in thier little office. At the Mall the kids and I decided to watch a movie to kill time and saw Wall-E. It was really cute!

We got a call from the repairman soon after the movie was over with the news that my car was ready and he was throwing in a oil change as well. Back at the repair shop he told me that the final bill was going to be $379!!! I was soooooo relieved and felt that I was watched over by my gaurdian angel today and that everything was going to be okay.

We made it home safely and we are all happy campers now!