TGIF - Deja Vu

Four years ago this month, San Diego experienced its worst firestorm in history. Ash was everywhere, you couldn't breathe, the sky was an eerie orangish grey color. It was like something out of a science fiction movie. Very scary. The fire came close to our neighborhood, but not close enough to have to evacuate. But we were glued to the television (there really wasn't anything else to do anyway). Our van was packed with all of our precious "stuff," like photo albums, the cuckoo clock, Gene's dad's rocking chair, etc. We were ready to go in the middle of the night if the fires came too close. But, miraculously, a few days later, it rained! The rain washed the air and helped put out most of the fires.

This time, it was even worse for San Diego. Many, many more people were evacuated, only to return to rubble in too many cases. Once again, we were glued to the television, listening for news about Lakeside or El Cajon. But, once again, our neighborhood was spared. In fact, this time, the fires really didn't even come close. People and horses were evacuated to our area. Although we felt relatively safe throughout the week, I did get as far as making a list of things we need to pack in case the winds changed and the fires started coming our way. Krista went around the house with our digital camera documenting all of our belongings.

As a city we were more prepared, too. This week brought out the best in San Diego--neighbors helping neighbors, shelters opening up all over the place. People were actually turned away at the stadium with their donations because they already had more than enough of everything! The generosity of our citizens made us all very proud to be San Diegans. Of course, there were the rare cases of looting and people taking advantage, but the good outweighed the bad by far.

So, this week, I am thankful that we were not in harm's way and that we live in the best city in the world!

Seize the day!

Marah Sue is 3!

Our youngest granddaughter, Marah, just turned 3 last month and we weren't there to help her celebrate this milestone, but Ashley sent us some photos. Isn't she beautiful?!

According to Ashley, she is quite a handful--strong-willed and stubborn. I guess what goes around comes around after all. : )

It is such a bummer that our only grandchildren don't live close to us so they can know their Nana and Papa as they grow up. It's something I always hoped for, but it's not happening. And, with Ryan being such a traveling man these days, we wonder if he will settle down near us so that we will know his children one day. So, our hope lies in Leah and Krista, but that's many, many years away (hopefully!).


So, for now, we have to settle for photos and phone calls to watch our two beautiful granddaughters grow up. Thank goodness for e-mail, blogs, and Internet!

Here are a few photos of Jenna (7) and Marah (3) that Ashley recently sent.

TGIF

God Bless America!

I am so thankful that I live in the United States of America. I know that, right now, our country is divided in its view on the war in Iraq, and I know that there are many people who are unhappy with George Bush. But, we still live in the best country in the world, and I still get teared up when I hear the "Star Spangled Banner" sung at a baseball game. I love the Pledge of Allegiance. I believe in it. When I see a large American flag lit up at night and waving in the breeze, I get a fuzzy feeling in the deepest part of me that can only be described as genuine love.

I love my country.

Yes, I'm proud to be an American. I'm proud that our country fights for the underdogs and cares about the rights of women. And, although I worry that we have lost some of our respect around the world because of our decision to go to war in Iraq, I still believe that George Bush has the country's best interest at heart.

Growing up, my dad instilled in all of us a pride for our country. Not with words, but with the way he lived his life. He was a career Army man--and he was proud of his service. He served in Vietnam for a year when I was in fourth grade. I remember recording messages to him on our reel-to-reel tape recorder. And I remember getting his back. He always had a message for each kid (and a message for Mom that she listened to in private). It was a difficult year for all of us, but even then, we somehow knew that he was doing this for our country, and we were proud.

When we lived on the military base in Germany, we would go to the movie theatre (for 15 cents!), and before each movie, they would play the "Star Spangled Banner." Everyone would stand with their hands on their hearts and sing along with pride. That was so cool. I miss that. I wish theatres still did that.

With all of the images and stories that we are bombarded with on CNN and Fox these days, from countries around the world, stories about genocide, the persecution and oppression of women and girls who just want equal rights or the right to an education, the bombing of innocent people in restaurants and shopping centers, I thank God that I am an American.

My Fantastic Four

Inspired by the sister of one of my best friends, I’ve decided to use this blog for a more lofty purpose than just keeping family and friends updated. I want to use it as a sort of gratitude journal, too. So, on Fridays, I will try to start faithfully posting about things for which I am grateful--sort of a TGIF thing. And, even though this is only Tuesday, I’m going to start with my four wonderful kids (this topic also inspired by my friend’s sister).

You see, I have the four most wonderful kids in the world. I know that all mothers think that, but in my case, it’s really true. God has truly blessed us in this, and we are most definitely thankful that He chose to entrust these amazing kids to us. Two of them by birth, and two of them by adoption, these kids are the best part of Gene and me. Here’s why:

Ashley, my oldest, and the one most like me (although I know she doesn’t want to admit it), is the best kid in the world. Now a grown woman with a husband and two beautiful daughters of her own, she is showing me that she is indeed the strong, loving, kind, smart woman I always hoped she would be—in spite of all the mistakes we made as parents when she was growing up. Little did we know that our strong-willed, stubborn, emotional little girl would grow up to be such an extraordinary person. Seeing her turn in to this person has been amazing. Living far away from us (in North Dakota), she is making her own way in the world, in her own way. She is handling the challenges of having a daughter with autism in such a way that blows my mind—patient, understanding, strong. Although she is more than capable, I love that she still calls me for my advice and opinion about things. I am so proud of her and her little family. By the way, she, too, has the best kids in the world.

Ryan is my second child and my only son. Now 25, he is still the best kid in the world. All his life he knew he would be an artist one day. And he was right. So talented and smart! His skills and talents never cease to amaze me. He sings, he plays the guitar, he writes songs, he’s good with kids, he’s an amazing artist, he’s HILARIOUS, and most importantly, he is kind and loving. As a child he was an introvert, content to sit in his room for hours playing Nintendo and drawing. In high school, however, he blossomed into quite the extrovert, starring in several school plays and musicals. When Ryan graduated from high school, he moved out and went to San Diego (we were living in San Jose at the time). Saying goodbye to him was one of the hardest things I had ever done. But he was ready. He’s done an amazing job out on his own. After a few months in New Zealand with “Youth With a Mission,” he is now in Japan learning about the culture and trying his best to learn the language. Ever since junior high, he has wanted to do this. I’m so proud that he is actually doing it rather than just dreaming about it, so he won’t have to look back with regret, wishing he had taken some risks when he had the chance. I’m so proud of the man he has become. (It’s still so hard for me to believe that my baby boy is all grown up!)

Leah, my middle daughter. is the best kid in the world. Entering her teenage years in typical rebellious style, she can still be the sweetest, smartest, funniest child. Of course, she already knows everything, and you can’t possibly tell her something she doesn’t already know. She is a thinker, a dreamer. She truly believes that she will one day be a rock star. She is somehow wise beyond her 13 years, very deep, like she knows something we don’t know (and she isn’t about to tell us). She’s come such a long way from the little 3-year-old who always had to have someone “die” when she played Barbies or “house.” No more nightmares that cause her to wake up screaming. No more talking about fires and the “bad men.” Now she’s full of questions about sex and boys! I never knew one little girl could have so many questions! Yikes! She struggles with ADD and depression, but when she is having a good day, she is such a joy. Her big brown eyes sparkle, and her smile is so disarming. I am worried about her dating years!

Krista, my baby at 9 years old, is the best kid in the world. Full of energy at all times. She is either WAY up or WAY down, there is no in-between for her. It’s so fun to watch her when she is excited about something. Her eyes light up, and she just can’t get words out fast enough. She still can’t say her Rs, and that drives her crazy. Some people think she has an English or Irish accent (she loves that). She LOVES animals—all animals, big or small. She kisses her dogs on the lips and lets them lick her mouth, even when we remind her that they eat cat poop and their own vomit. She doesn’t care, she loves them and wants them to know it. She says things like, “Sweet mother of pearl!” (This is hilarious with her speech impediment.) She loves knock knock jokes, and thinks hers are hilarious (trust me, they’re not). A genius in math, she prints pages of problems out on the computer to do for extra credit. She’s got a soft heart when you’re hurting or sad. Her eyes will immediately tear up if she sees tears in your eyes, though she’ll deny it and insist that she’s just got something in her eye. She loves horses, dogs, Ariel, and her brother, Ryan.

Yes, my kids are the best kids in the ENTIRE world, and I am so GRATEFUL for each one of them!