Two fun January Things

Well, during the first part of January we received an allotment for our home relocation from Prudential and had decided we would get a new T.V. Before Bret headed back to Hong Kong for the remainder of his time there we had gone to Fry's electronics to look at possible T.V.'s we would be interested in. We had narrowed it down to a few within our price range and decided to wait and see if they went on sale since a lot of televisions go on sale during super bowl season. That first weekend I didn't go see if they were on sale, but the second weekend I did. And surprise, surprise there was a great sale. We had initially looked at a 57" television, but that weekend the 65" of the same model was on sale for $400 dollars less. It was their weekly promotional item. It seemed kind of stupid to buy a smaller t.v. for more money, so I bought the bigger one. It is very big. I never in a million years thought we would buy such a large t.v. After I bought it I realized that I would need someone with a truck to help me get it home. As I walked out to my van the first name that popped into my head was Quentin. I knew he had a truck. I also knew that there were other people down here in the valley I could have asked, but I really wanted to see Quentin and Yesenia and so I thought I would give it a go to see if they would come down.

Fortunately for me they were willing to make the trip down and we got to spend the weekend with them. We, or at least I for sure, had such a nice weekend. The kids loved having them here as did I. It gets a little lonely around here when Bret is gone. We talked and talked and talked and watched Harry Potter 5 and Pirates 3 and laughed at the crazy funniness of Enok. We ate Indian food at Tandoori times two. YUM!!!! I was so grateful for them coming down, not just for the help in lugging my t.v. home, but I really, really enjoyed their company. So thanks to them!

While they were here we, including Risa, went hiking up at Thunderbird park. We had beautiful weather and all took turns carrying Enok every now and then. He did a pretty good job all on his own, but needed some relief from time to time. Yesenia was fast and got way ahead of us trying to work up a sweat. She was carrying Enok and so burned extra calories lugging him around. We are so lucky to live in a place we can go hiking in January!





Later this month we were able to celebrate Risa's birthday in a somewhat unconventional way, but a very fun way. Her roommates and friends threw her a quinceanera of sorts (albeit she was not turning 15) and we all got to dress up and enjoy being together. The decorations were very festive and it was very fun to see all these people celebrating my sister who I love so much. I was so happy for her and I could see that so many of these people truly love and care about her. She was quite the cheeseball and did the beauty queen wave and the actress in her came out more than once!

Her dress was hideous, but extraordinarily fun to behold. Mom looked so amazing, even though she ended up getting quite ill during the party. I had a lot of fun celebrating together with her friends and my kids loved breaking open the pinata. (sorry I am not putting the right punctuations on these Spanish words, I don't know the short cut keys to do that). Quentin and Yesenia made it down too even though they came late. They went to church with us and I loved having them here again. I feel so lucky to be spending so much time with my family. I love my family. I am grateful for all of you guys.

Anyhooo, we have had a fun January. At least I have. Look for my blog about my time in Hong Kong on the Wall's Abroad blog, if you want to.

Here are some more pictures of the party. I guess I have to type more words so that the pictures don't look too lonely. The kids had fun chowing on the food and candy and cake that was available to eat. I tasted the cake, and for me the best part was the chocolate cream in the middle. At least it wasn't carrot cake or cheesecake, two cakes Risa doesn't like but it was what she got at work. Good thing her friends know her better than her coworkers!

Hmm, what else can I write? I guess not much more. The kids liked wearing the Chinese outfits we got them, even though it was a Mexican themed party. Oh well. I thought they looked exceptionally cute. But I am a biased mother.

Enok's free balloon

When I was out running errands I happened to stop into a Hallmark to fax some documents (a very expensive place to fax documents I learned) and the lady behind the counter was very enamored with Enok and his insatiable cuteness. She asked if she could give him a balloon and I, of course, said yes. This balloon went with us everywhere today. I tied it to his belt loop since he didn't like it on his wrist. If I just handed it to him, he would let go and then "bye-bye balloon." On the belt loop proved to be just the ticket. He could hold onto it when the fancy struck him, and then he could let it go and it would follow him around like a little puppy making it easy for me to see him no matter where he went.

It will be a sad day when the balloon is no longer floating above his head, but I am sure he will then just drag it around after him until ultimately, it pops!

Flying Ellery

Ellery has been flapping her arms like this a lot. It's so funny. We call it 'flying'.
My sister got a new puppy. Here's Ellery being excited and flying with it! Oh, and
that's my niece and mom talking in the background and is not the point of the video!! :)

Once Upon a Time...

Once upon a time there was this couple who went to Disneyland for their anniversary. They told everyone that they had a lot of fun, but nobody really believed they went to Disneyland since they didn't share pictures with everyone on the family blog. So one day, the wonderfully charming and absurdly busy-body sister came up with a plan. She managed to procure a copy of the pictures of the aforementioned trip and decided to post some of them for the benefit of all who dares read the blog. (which I am pretty certain is a small number of people). Nevertheless, the deed had to be done and she was willing to do the deed. She thought about making up a story to go along with the pictures, but figured she would give the couple a chance to redeem themselves and write about it of their own accord. So, here are some of her favorite pictures for all to see.

My Post "comment"

Hey Tev! I am sorry your hubby is leaving, but you two get some alone time soon! So that should be fun. I love you tons and tons! I hope you all are doing well!!!

Having fun taking pictures

I decided to mess around with my camera today and take some random pix. I could never get Jarek to come over for a shot so he isn't included. I took way too many pix and only got a handful of ones I liked. Call me crazy, but I LOVE taking pictures. enjoy!

This first one is of Enok just being photogenic.













This next one is of Malik trying to pose. I like it better when I capture him when he doesn't know he is getting his picture taken.














This last one is of me. I spent way too much time taking them of me, but it was fun to see how cheesy my poses could be. I wish this camera had the feature where you could focus the shot and then depress the shutter remotely, but it doesn't. Half the ones of me came out terribly blurry.

A Christmas

Well, we had a pretty fun Christmas except for all the puking. Hopefully we are on the last round of it. The only one in my family that hasn't been sick is Malik. I am still praying for a Christmas miracle that he gets skipped! Poor little Jarek is in my room now. He has thrown up a couple of times pretty bad. He is sleeping now which is good. Risa came over to the house the other night and ended up catching it. I warned her before hand, but she said she would take her chances. Poor Risa. She is home alone so miserable!

I am working through piles of laundry. It will all get clean at some point. I will get the house disinfected at some point. Here are a few pictures.






Enok gets a ball from Santa!















Jarek gets Mario Party for DS.

Ellery Pictures

Here are some cute pictures of Ellery. Thanks for the cute Chinese clothes Tevia! We wore them over to my family's house and they all loved them!

Hugs

I was watching In the Land of Women tonight and it got me thinking about hugs. I have given and received a lot of hugs in my lifetime. I never thought much about them though. Here are the thoughts I have on them now.

There are many different occasions that warrant hugs and many different ways to express what they mean and how they are given. I have been fortunate to have experienced many different types of hugs and also been able to give many.

I love to hug my children. I love to gather them in my arms and smell their scent. I love when their heads nestle in the crook of my neck and their small arms wrap around me. Usually these hugs are followed by many little kisses either from me on the top of their heads or from them on my cheeks. There is a warmth and a comfort in these hugs and we share a common feeling of love and trust.

Hugs are necessary and powerful when seeing a loved one that has been gone for a time, and returns home once again.

For a young child seeing a parent after a long absence the hug is first given at the knees, and then works its way up to the neck. These hugs are joyful and full of energy and expectation that the return hug is just as wanted and needed as the hug being given. There is no hidden agenda, no secret, no misgivings. These hugs are entirely pure in love and trust.

As we get older and start to love people other than our parents, and the innocence of childhood starts to fade, the hug of a loved one returning home is urgent, clinging and silently says a million words in one long embrace. Passion ignites with only a brush of a finger on the nape of the neck. Soft breath close to the ear tickles and excites. The closeness and rhythmic breathing of chest against chest sets adrenaline soaring and racing. The hug is just the beginning of all the words that want to be said, but get lost in the moment of touch.

Other hugs are also necessary. When someone is lonely a hug can bring much needed comfort. An arm around the shoulders with foreheads touching, connects the lonely with the comforter. No words are necessary. Sometimes words open doors of pain that aren't ready to be confronted. Just having someone share the lonely moment brings peace.

Often, when sadness and disappointment and turbulent circumstances surround people we love, a hug is exactly the only thing that can take away the sharp, stinging edge of pain. Recently I had one of the most amazing things happen. I know this will probably sound strange, or even corny, but this is how I felt. After we went bowling on Friday night, we stopped by the Borrego's house to drop Aubrey and Amanda off. We went in to help try to diffuse the volatile situation that had arisen due to our lack of keeping track of the time. After the initial confrontation both girls were very upset emotionally. All I wanted to do was to hold them, so I put my arms around them and hoped that somehow in that embrace I would be able to take all their pain and sadness and anger and disappointment and grief and hurt away. I wished with all my heart that I could somehow siphon into them stores of comfort, love, understanding, and worth. I wanted them to feel, through my hugs, absolute love and comfort. I wished I could heal their hearts and wipe their tears so they would fall no more. I know that I wasn't able to fix anything for them, but I hope they both know just how much I love them. Just how much I believe and KNOW what amazing girls they are, how strong and steadfast and unmovable in what is good and true they are. I wanted them to know that and feel that love with my hugs.

There are hugs during times of utter sadness and heartbreak. Many events can precipitate these things. Although we may not know by our own experience what the person is going through, a hug can say a lot of things that words never can. That closeness and sharing of burdens can be felt in a hug.

Human touch is healing. A hug can say, "I love you", "I miss you ", "I need you", "I want you", "I hope you feel better", "I am here for you", "Great job, you are amazing", "It's alright, you will do better next time", "I am sorry". Human touch is necessary.

Hugs are good. Hugs are great. Hugs are for everyone. Every person on this earth could benefit tremendously by getting a hug a day.

McDonald's Happy Meal Ad Cha Cha Slide (long version)