KEEPING IT REAL- College & Driving "slow down"

On Friday the 28th the family did a day trip to OC to see FIDM. We started our day around 9:00 A.M. and we did not get home until 8:00 P.M. Our drive out there went well, using the toll roads from the 91 Fwy to get to OC was well worth it!

We arrived around 10:30 A.M. and met with Calinia's counselor Roxie. It was so much like an interview, questions, finding out what she liked, more questions and then finding a field in which matched what she was wanting to do. A very interesting process, she helped Calinia develope a plan, and an accountability program to keep her on tract. We also talked about the cost, it was not a surprise, since I knew someone who wanted to send her daughter there last year. This whole process is so new, and we are glad we are starting now. Roxie gave us a tour of the school and it was very impressive, and in total we spent three and a half hours with her. I know that it was a bit overwhelming for Calinia because she said it was, as we drove off. We all noticed two things that could only be GOD, first, that she was Filipino and second she mentioned that she was a believer. We had more in common than even we knew.

We ended up at Fashion Island, and walked around a while. We ended our day at the Rain Forest Cafe, and just enjoyed each other's company. It was really quite an experience, I know we will do more of this in the next 8 months.

On Saturday, Calinia started her driving school. We found out that her teacher took her on all the busy streets in town plus the freeway! Peter said that they did not even have a sign on the car that said "Student Driver". How scary is that! It is so hard for us because all of this is happening to fast. I know that we can't slow down time with our daughter, but we can continue to do what we've been doing, which is spending quality time and making memories with her.

KEEPING IT REAL - Easter was great

Easter weekend started with a crosswalk that the city of Temecula & Murrieta celebrate. It is a two mile walk that many churches in the area participate in. It is in remembrance and acknowledgement of what our LORD JESUS did for us. Alison joined us with one of her Pioneer Girls, Katie. We had a good amount of time to catch up. We had lunch and went to see Alison & Brett's new apartment, which is in a great location!

I had to work on Saturday from 9 am to 7 pm, it was a good and productive day.

Sunday was great, we went to church service. We had lunch at my Dad & Mom's for Easter, it was nice. The food was great. It was fun sitting around the table looking at all the old pictures, the fashion, the haircuts, how time has changed. I even had a chance to hold baby Lana, who cried at first but was willing to give me a kiss before she left. The day was beautiful and the family visit was fun. I am reminded that it is times like this, that count.

Remember why will celebrate Easter

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KEEPING IT REAL - College?

Today is going to be a big day for Calinia and 16 of her classmates. Calvary is on Easter vacation, and for the next two days, these students will be visiting 3 College Campus's today, they will stay overnight in Orange County, and visit 3 campus's tomorrow. It is hard to believe that we are in search of a College. Calinia will be a Senior next year, so now is the time to start looking.

It really seems like a short time ago, that I was watching her learn to walk, learn to read, learn to spell, and in the next two weeks we will be teaching her how to drive! I know that some of my friends have kids already past this stage, and are reflecting on how they felt. I have some friends who aren't even there yet, so it will be something to look forward to, in regards to adjusting to the very thought "that our kids are growing up.

I am enjoying Calinia, as a teenager. Yes, she has her moments and so do we but overall our daughter is an awesome person to know. I try to let her know this very thought, for I know it is important for her to understand that she is special.

Right now, I am adjusting one day at a time in preparation that one day our daughter will be on her own, (not alone, but on her own). The comfort I have is knowing that GOD is watching over her, and I know she realizes this as well.

Everyday, I try and remind her that change is good, embrace it and enjoy it.

KEEPING IT REAL-Investing in Friends

Sunday was a nice day for the family. Went to Church and Pastor’s sermon was “why we need friends”. In Romans 16 it is Paul who is acknowledging those he had invested time with, he could of know them personally or just through letters. It was quite good, it made me feel good that I was making a real effort doing just this. I had made a decision to put more time into friendships about six months ago, because I had taken a 4 year leave of absence from this. I figured I had a good amount of solid friends, why make more? Then I realized that life changes people, and people change. So my long time friends are still friends and I could pick up the phone and we could talk about the things going on in our lives in of a couple of hours. We realize that we are in different stages in our lives, that is why we have drifted apart but we still know that we are there for each other.

The friendships I am now making, are different. Different because I am not the same. Like I said, life has a way of changing us. I have had my share of good times and tough times (like now) and I am reminded that GOD has a way of refining me. The friends I have been blessed with right now have been encouraging and we hold each other accountable. Our conversations go to deeper levels of “who we are inside”, we pray for each other and our situations, no negative thoughts, words, come out of our mouths if it does not edify one another. Imagine this, we can even have a conversations without talking about someone, now that is a new level of friendship. Trust me, we miss the mark, and we have to apologize for entertaining the conversation and we move forward.

I have to ask, as I was asked, do you have a special friend/friends who love you so much they hold you accountable when it comes to your character? When you are confronted by your behavior that was less favorable are you willing to hear your friend out, and receive what is being said? Are you surrounded by a lot of people you think are friends, when they really are just acquaintances? As the seasons come and go, so do friendships. The friendships I remember the most, were the ones who gave of their time, their smile, their laughter & tears and most of all their ability to care. I know that these are some of the qualities of a good friend, but these are the ones I remember the most.

KEEPING IT REAL - between the pets

It was such a beautiful day today, what I did see of it. I did work, and Susan and I even had two clients! We were excited.

Anyways, as I was cooking dinner tonight, mini cooper (our Miniature Doberman Pincher) was in the kitchen with me. Next thing that happens: Enzo (our Parakeet) started to chirp (He really sounds like he calls Mini by name), she runs, slides and jumps barking at him. I get mad tell her to stop or she goes to the bad girl box. She stops, looks at me and gives me a piece of her little thoughts. Enzo, is quite while this goes on. Mini disappears for a bit, and Enzo starts this all over again, we do this about three times, each time Enzo gets even louder. Thank goodness Peter comes home and now Mini is happy because there is someone else to play with. I have to wonder if they understand each other, because it seems like it is choreographed so well between them.

As I am typing this, Mini is jumping up as she is whinning wanting me to pick her up and put her on my lap. Calinia is at the movies and I know Mini is missing her. How is it that these creatures who can't speak, can truly make there feelings known.

KEEPING IT REAL - What's with the cost?

So today I had to change my insurance policy because we have to cut down on our expenses going out, we needed to go with a policy that we could afford. Peter and I have always paid for our own insurance, even when we worked for other companies. I always wanted to keep the PPO, instead of HMO. As we get older, the cost seems to go higher (Surprise). So you can imagine what our insurance cost is, we have a co-pay and it's a 30/70 pay when you go to see other doctors (so on). Our monthly payment was $650.00 a month, since we had to get a catastrophic policy we pay 20/80 and we now have to pay for the doctors visit up until we hit our deductible. We were able to cut it in half!! Can you believe the cost of insurance? I don't know if you all realized that I did get my license for selling Life & Health insurance, the statement I heard from the teacher was "the insurance company is in the business of making money". I ended up getting my license, but found that I could not sell it knowing what I knew. I have friends who sell insurance and that good for them, but it wasn't good for me.

A co-worker who's little 14 month old son was air lifted to a San Diego hospital (two days ago), they were told that neither parent could fly with him. They arrived at the hospital 30 minutes later by car, only to find there son crying, as he was hooked up to an IV and on a bed that had a cage over it (I guess it was for him not wandering away while being hooked up?) A small light was on and the door was closed. Could you imagine seeing your child like that?

I keep having to remind myself that one day when we are in heaven, there will be none of this. Until then, I just have to keep paying.

KEEPING IT REAL - Are you the last to know?

Ok, so this morning Calinia comes to Peter and I to let tell us something. This is how the conversation went:
Calinia: “I heard it thru the grapevine, that on Saturday that they are celebrating Lana’s birthday”
Us: “where did you hear that”
Calinia: “Crystal”
Us: “Huh, she’s in Seattle, WA.”
Calinia : “I know, that’s what I heard, are we going”
Us: “Did we get invited?”
So this morning, at work I call my sister Annie to find out what the deal is. (I am laughing as I write this.) She informs me that Villa (our sister) knew before she did, we laughed because Annie is Grandma to Lana and is the last to know about her grand-daughters birthday party. How funny is that?

The story goes like this, the email was sent out about 10:30 p.m. last night. It is a last minute plan but the request is that Valerie and Ray would love the family to be there. Are you kidding miss out on this baby girls first birthday party! Now because it was a last minute plan: I have to be strategic about what I have to do. I have an appointment at 2:00 p.m. I’m hoping we can final by 4:00 or I’ll have to rush them out the door. Calinia has dance at 5:00 and her best friends birthday dinner/movie is at 6:30 p.m. I am sure I can go in between all the rushing around. Peter already said that if he doesn’t work on Saturday he’s going without me. What‘s that about? I want to go.

Final note, I do realize that Valerie and Ray’s work week changes from week to week, and to even begin to plan anything would only have to be a spontaneous event. So I do understand how it is. I think that is how all of our family get togethers have always been.

I just thought of something else, have to share. When we saw Jeni Tsu one weeks ago, she was SHOCKED to find out that Joshua was married about nine months ago and here she is just finding out. Is that crazy or what?

So, don’t get your feelings hurt if you think you’re the last to know, because your not.

KEEPING IT REAL - Where do the days go?

Ok, this morning I realized that it was Tuesday, and I have Bible studies tonight. I still have a weeks worth of homework to do. So I ask myself "where did the day go?". It seems like the days turn into weeks, then into months, then the next thing you know, a whole year has passed!!! What just happened?

I already get up at 5:30 am to excercise, read a chapter in my Bible for a positive day. I am at work by 8:30 am, 9:00 am if I want breakfast. I leave work by 4:30/5:00 pm and if I am fortunate I won't have alot of little errands to do after work. I try to limit going out at night, as I can only handle two nights, three is pushing it. I hurry home change into my comfortable pajamas, try to make a quick dinner if I feel like it, try to relax before it's bedtime, it doesn't even seem like I sleep. Then I start this all over again, four more days just like this one!!! On my two days off I am cleaning house, doing laundry, going grocery shopping. I ask myself can I skip one of these task and if I do what will happen. Sound familiar? I even have a couple of girlfriends who have 2 to 3 kids and they have sport activities to go to on top of this already busy schedule!!! Hello, is it any wonder why we feel our days go by so fast.

Peter and Calinia also have such a busy schedule that we feel it's like a hit and miss with regards to seeing each other. We do make it a priority to have at least a movie night together, just being in the same room with one another makes us feel good.

By the end of the night, we always give thanks in prayer that we are all home safely. At the end of the week I am so tired, but I am reminded that GOD's grace is sufficient (2 Cor. 12:9)

So is this how are days are spent? I wonder if we made an effort to venture outside our schedule to deepen our relationship's with loved ones, would that make the day more meaningful. I think that would be the case. So what if the laundry doesn't get done, go spend some time visiting your parents, it'll make them feel good, and you'll be surprise at how good you feel. So what if the house isn't spotless, spend some time playing a game with the kids.

I'm finding that doing the same mundane things over and over again, makes me miss out on the important things in this life. If I took my own advise, maybe then I wouldn't have to ask "where did the day go".

KEEPING IT REAL

Hi to all Family and Friends that have signed on to find out what has been happening to our Family.

I have decided to start this blog because today we attended a dear friend's Funeral Service. It made me think about how much time passed, since we spoke to her last. Our families shared a business venture together, and when we dissolved it, we went our own ways. We would speak to them every year and promise to get together for dinner. That never happened, life just happened.

It made me wonder, how good a friend I must be. I asked myself why didn't we get together. Why was I always so busy. I realize that it goes both ways, what I was forgetting is that time is truly a precious commodity.

It was then I decided that I needed to start this blog. So that if I couldn't call each and everyone of you, you could check in with what's been happening with us, and then you could write back to let us know what you have been doing.

So I will daily try to update what has been going on until I can get you caught up.