Baptism and Luau

Yesterday my church had their annual Baptism and Luau at the Seaside Lagoon in Redondo Beach. Here's Shelley near the potluck food drop off area.

Angie brought Hawaiian headdresses that Lisa and Bryan decided to model:

Once it got dark, the baptism part of the event started. The worship band sang while those that were being baptized were being led into the lagoon and then fully submerged. There were 45 people being baptized--the most we've had at this event!

This is the most popular church event for King's Harbor. Look at the crowd (and this picture is only half the crowd)!

Church on the Beach with Seona

My good friend, Seona, was in town for a wedding and she was able to spend some time with me. We went to church on the beach hosted by my church, King's Harbor.

Here is the worship team:

After service, Seona and I went to Coffee Bean for a drink and to charge up for our trip to the ocean!!! We had a blast playing in the water! Seona is a real dare-devil. I'm sort of a wimp, even though I am a good swimmer, but Seona was right out there as far as anyone! The exciting part of our foray into the water was the sighting of two dolphins who were swimming in the warm current just past the wave break. They were so close!

After our swim we layed out and then headed to Casa Arigato (no joke) for a sushi lunch. It was yummy and so fresh!

Seona had to get back to her family so we said farewell. I'll miss her!

Open Sesame and El Pollo Inka

Friday night Shelley, Angie and I ended up meeting at a Mediterranean restaurant called Open Sesame. I've been to the Long Beach location so I knew what I'd order: Chicken Swarma. I love it! We also ordered this potato appetizer with a lemon sauce that was really good. I couldn't finish my meal I was so stuffed.

Shelley at Open Sesame:

The three of us felt like a stroll, but there wasn't much around the area so we ended up walking next door and roaming the aisles of Ralph's! So exciting! Shelley kept picking up an item here and an item there until her arms were completely filled!

Saturday I woke up at a leisurely 10am. I went to Jamba Juice and was devastatingly disappointed that they didn't have my favorite--blueberry & blackberry steel cut oatmeal! So, I got my favorite drink-the 16 Strawberry Nirvana-yum! I grabbed my iPod and walked to Hermosa Beach, then made it to the 90210 beach house and then back. Ran some errands and on my way out of the parking lot I ran into Aurora, an old coworker from a few years back. We shot the breeze for a few minutes before I made my way home.

Shelley and I decided to get our nails done at my nail place. We both had weeks where we deserved to be pampered! We then met up with Angie and had dinner at El Pollo Inka, a great Peruvian restaurant.
Okay, so it's backwards--but it's colorful and festive!

After eating we went to Angie's and hung out with her and her roommate, Gretchen. We had a fun time!

Northern Lights

I was looking for an old file and came across this old poem I wrote:

Northern Lights
What you mean to me
Is more than just a sight
But what’s my destiny?

Your birdlike shape inspires me to fly
Calls to my soul to discover the earth
But before I lift off I turn and see
What I would be leaving, my universe

Why can’t you come with me?
Do we always have to be cheated?
We belong together, but
Our desires should not be depleted

Northern Lights
Your aura calls out to me
My spirit asks the question
What’s in store for me?

Why should we wait ‘til things calm down
To see the world around
We should run, run far away
To live all our dreams, not just one

Insomnia, really?

I'm confused here: just a measley 3 hours ago, I could barely lift my head up I was so tired. So, after trying to stay awake, because psychologically I can not go to bed before 11pm on a Saturday night, I drag myself into bed. I did fall asleep, but only to wake up 2 hours later, sprawled across my bed, with the covers strewn about, destined to do a little ceiling observation.
Maybe if I were at the Cystine Chapel, I wouldn't mind so much, but my plain white popcorn ceiling is just not cutting it!! So, I turn to the internet to lulled me back to sleep, only to be more alert than when I started.

Dang this insomnia. It reminds me of a YouTube video I saw once: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09Zsd858KQs&feature=PlayList&p=CE8EB297C80C0E33&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=15

although I am not at that point right now, nor would I ever be!

Walking and the Toddler Room

I had a fun time Friday meeting up with Nicole for a walk along Redondo Beach. We walked from Ave. G passed RB pier and back. From there we headed over to California Pizza Kitchen ASAP where we met up with my friend, Angie, for dinner. We had a good time hanging out, but the walk tired me out. I went to bed pretty much when I got home.

I was even able to sleep in some. I was supposed to meet up with my old friend, Jen Yale, for brunch, but she didn't get off work until almost 1am, so I told her not to worry, we can always reschedule. It takes us months to get together, but we always manage it!

I woke up at 9 and decided to go for a walk along Hermosa, but not before going to Jamba Juice for my favorite (non-drink) item, the Blueberries & Blackberries Steel-cut Oats. I just ask for only a little brown sugar because the fruit on top is sweet enough. I was even able to get through some work I brought with me (I haven't been able to really focus at work lately so I have to take it home where I can focus). It is easy work, so I was glad I was able to do it while I ate my breakfast.

From therer I walked from the Vons parking lot on Pier Ave. to the pier, listening to my iPod and drinking my water. I love to people watch--watch the patrons eating at the restaurants on the pier, see the volleyball players dive for a shot or spike the ball, or see a 5-year-old on his bike try to catch up to his dad who is walking beside him. All the activity keeps me busy while I walk. I walked to the 90210 house and then back to my car.

I had to race back home and shower before heading over to The Avenue, the salon I go to for my hair appointment. On the way there I had to stop for some food because I was running low on energy. I decided to go to California Sushi. I got a teriyaki chicken and rice bowl and a side of avacado rolls. Oh,the avacado rolls were so good, except that I forgot to tell them no giner and no wasabi. Those two items can ruin sushi! The ginger contaminated one of my rolls which I was none too pleased about!

Peggy is the nicest woman and does a great job on my hair. I always remember her kindness to my mom when my mom was done with chemo and she wanted her hair cut. Peggy did a great job and wouldn't allow me to pay her. She is sweet. My appointments are always long since I have massive amounts of hair, so I settle in and catch up on my magazine reading. 3 hours later, I left with my hair cut, washed, highlighted and straightened (which is Peggy's personal challenge). I look like a different person for 2 days and then it's back to the curls.

After my appointment I had some time to shop at Kohl's. I was on a mission to get an iced tea maker which I did accomplish. I've been trying to drink more water, but I'm no fish, so I need a little variety in the drink's department.

I went to church and worked in the toddler room tonight. Apparently, I got the "easy" room because the nursery was a mad house. I'm glad I wasn't in there because I was exhausted from all that I did earlier in the day.

The toddlers were fun and could entertain themselves for the most part. We just read them a story and gave them a snack and just helped them play when it was needed.

Jennie Soto, the woman I worked with saw the bubbles in our supply cabinet, so she started blowing bubbles for the kids. They really loved it!

Flight and RA

It was a tearful goodbye when I had to go. Rebecca started crying saying "I wish you could come with us to Washington!" Ah, unfortunately, at least at this time it's not where God is calling me.

I was able to get my flight to Denver without much of a hitch except for waiting more than usual. Sunday is not a good time to fly! After racing to my connecting flight, I found out it was delayed. Hundreds of people were crowding the terminal because it was taking forever to unload passengers and even more time to load them. My seat number was 43H so I wondered how big this plane was! There were a total of 459 passengers--the plane was completely booked!

I sat next to a nice gentleman from Papa New Guinea. This was his second of 4 flights he would have to take. From LA he was going to Sydney and then onto his island. I learned a lot about his country and what I can do if I ever want to travel there.

I arrived an hour late and I was concerned about the pickup! Angie and Gretchen had come to pick me up and then Shelley up. Thankfully they were able to pick Shelley up before me. Again, it was a madhouse in LAX, but I have a very unusual piece of luggage that I had picked up in St. John (beige with taupe shells with bright pink handles)so I was able to get it pretty quickly.

Even though it was late, Shelley really wanted to go to RA for sushi. Shelley, Angie and I used to go on Sunday nights because it was half off. We were told it was a 40 minute wait, but when Shelley discovered that there were 4 empty tables she made a stink about that fact and that we weren't there to drink (they would delay seating people so that they would buy a drink). Normally we'd go when it wasn't as busy as it was, but we were about two hours later than usual.

We had a good time catching up. Shelley entertained us with her stories of Peru (she was there for a year on a teacher exchange program).

Here we are: Me, Shelley, Angie and Gretchen.

Kaylen's Dedication

On the way to her dedication. I got her the babydoll this past week and she loves it!
Sunday morning was Kaylen's dedication at Springs Calvary Church, the church that Erika and Brian and family have been attending the last two years.

Erika got emotional because she and Brian (and the kids) have made such great friends in Colorado Springs. People are so friendly there!

After the service the kids were running around like crazy. Here's Rebecca being goofy:

It was their last church service so we stayed so they could say goodbye. Then it was off to Olive Garden for lunch. Apparently, Kaylen loves the breadsticks there!

Here is the Steip family waiting for our table to come. What a good looking group of people!
Here I am with Lauren (left) and Rebecca (middle). I love that they want to sit on my lap and cuddle. :-)

The dedication ceremony was pretty informal. Pastor Barry talked about how the Steip's have really made their mark at the church and that they will be missed. He then prayed for Kaylen's spiritual growth as well as her future husband! The pastor then prayed for Erika's health.

Cog Railway

Saturday, my bro-in-law, Brian picked me up about noon to head over to Manitou Springs where they have the Cog Railway, which takes you up to the summit of Pike's Peak. We arrived there without a reservation so we had to take a number. We had about 45 minutes before they called our number so we grabbed lunch at the cafe. I had a trusty hot dog. Gotta love 'em!

The front end of a cog train was displayed next to the eating area downstairs.

While we were waiting outside the ticket office for our number to be called, I started chatting with a woman from Mufreesboro, Tennessee! I've actually been there and to the Nashville area so we talked about the sites around there and I actually gave them a tip for the best BBQ in TN.

Brian and my number was called and we were able to get seats right across from each other. The couple from TN were able to go on too but they had to sit apart. I was glad we were able to sit together.



Look at how excited Brian is to be on the train:

I took as many pictures as I could of the beautiful scenery before my battery went dead. I thought it was hilarious because we'd be guided to see a site and I would have to tell Brian "take a picture please". He said he did so much hiking at the Hume Lake area that nothing seems picture worthy! Me, I take a picture of everything! We were sitting next to a family from Texas and each member of the family had a camera!

When we arrived, I suggested to Brian that he run into the gift shop and get the world famous donuts they sell there, as he had promised my sister and the kids some. I borrowed his camera to take pictures of the gorgeous view. On a clear day you can see Kansas on the horizon!

I met Brian inside where we both picked out "Got Oxygen" tee shirts--one for me and one for Erika. For Erika, it is very ironic since she has severe altitude sickness and literally does not have oxygen, especially not at 14,110 feet! When we finally left the shop, we barely had time to have a couple take our picture near the Pike's Peak sign. Of course Brian wanted to see the view and take pictures, but he had to hurry because the train was boarding! If you miss boarding time, they leave without you! It is a long way down!

Here are some great pictures of the view:

Denver Zoo

The Thursday I was in Colorado, we went to the Denver Zoo. It was interesting because some of the animals weren't even well protected (or I should say that we weren't protected). This cheetah was in an enclosed area, but it was not fenced off where we were! Erika got really nervous because of the kids so we moved along to the next exhibit.


The lions were more isolated, but they laid up against the observation glass:
The Conservation Carousel was our next stop. I took Sebastian, Rebecca and Lauren. Erika stayed with Kaylen who felt cheated because she couldn't come along. It was sort of a stressful experience only because I had to get the kids to agree to be on the same row so that I could hold on to Sebastian and Rebecca AND have Lauren close by! But it worked out. Sebastian was on the Wild African Dog, Rebecca on the Tiger and Lauren was on the camel. At first I was disappointed for Lauren that the camel didn't move up and down, but at least I didn't have to worry about her falling off. I'm not normally a worry wort, but I didn't want to have her get hurt. She's a big girl, so I had nothing to worry about!

To make ir up to Kaylen for her not going on the carousel, we took her on the train that went around a good amount of the zoo. She really had fun! She just loves birds. During lunch she would stand up in the stroller and say "Bird! Bird!" On the train she got extra excited about the flamingos in a pond. I'd post a picture, but she doesn't look too happy in the train ride pics even though she did enjoy it--I swear!

After the train, we went to the covered wagon that is being pulled by giant plastic oxen. The bed of the wagon was really high up, so I got my arm workout lifting up the three oldest kids. Lauren was the only one brave enough to go on the back of one of the oxen. She is the biggest so it's not surprising--it was high up!




Shortly after that it started raining so we headed for the gift shop. I ended up getting a pink and purple snow globey ring for Lauren and Rebecca respectively and a monkey that grows in water for Sebastian. All the kids got a kick out of that one.

Sebastian's 4th Birthday

The birthday boy: I arrived in Colorado Springs at 5pm and was picked up by my brother-in-law, Brian. We went back to the house to drop off my bags and to pick up my sister and their kids and go to Red Robin for dinner (Sebastian's choice since he was the birthday boy).

Here I am happy to have made my flight so that I could share in his birthday dinner (it was a close call getting to the airport!).

We had a fun time at RR! On the way out, it started to rain and hail started coming down! We had to run to the car like mad men! The kids were really quick, we were really impressed. The hail came down really hard and it smarted on my bare legs!

At my sister's house we sang "Happy Birthday!" to Sebastian and then it was present time! Sebastian liked all his gifts--he got a ton of things from his Grandma and Grandpa, including a harmonica! I got him a Spiderman car that shoots out rockets and has a Spiderman figurine! He loved it (Yay!)

Dinner, Movie and Airport Pickups

Friday night I left work and met my friend, Helen, for dinner at Marie Calendars. Helen is a missionary in Sevilla, Spain. She visits once a year and I was very grateful that I got to see her since I will be out of town starting Monday. She caught me up on all that's going on in her deejay ministry in the culture of Spain. There is only a 1% population of Christians in Spain and the culture is very prohibitive of talking about religion. Very interesting situation.

After meeting with Helen, I drove to meet Angie at AMC Theaters to watch Julie & Julia. It was a cute movie, although I would say it's more a rental movie. Meryl Streep did a great job as Julia Childs. It was a 10:20 movie so we didn't get out of it until 12:45 or so! Of course I've been trying to organize my spare bedroom, so I stayed up getting a few things organized.

I woke up this morning at 7 so that I could get a few things done and get ready to pick up my nephew at the airport. I was a bit early, so I really got to know L.A.X. I went around 8 times, so I'm pretty sure I can list out every airline at each terminal! Thomas was able to help me clear out the spare bedroom, put some things in storage and pack my car with things to donate to Salvation Army. He was such a trooper. Once we dropped off the items, we went to Kohl's because I needed to get a new blanket. I ended up getting a few outfits for Kaylen (to bring to CO for her dedication) and another gift for Sebastian's birthday. I threw in an outfit for Thomas since he's kinda cool.

We had lunch at Islands and then headed back to his dad's house. My brother has a great looking backyard. He's got a white picket fence that holds in a coy pond, some beautiful statues. There is a treehouse in the back, and a slightly raised patio with the another statue in the middle of it. I'm not surprised that it is well put together, since Todd is a genius landscaper. Several of my siblings get this gift from Grandy, my maternal grandfather. He could grow anything. Unfortunately, I do not believe this green thumb passed to me. The only thing I can seem to grow is orchids and that's because they do better if you ignore them!

Creativity for a Cause

My friend, Lisa is going to South Africa in October, so I threw a little get together to help raise money on Sunday. We had snacks and desserts and we all sat down to put our creativity to the test.

We all had a great time! Some people weren't able to make it so I am not sure how much we raised, but Lisa is closer to her goal!

Bryan's Birthday

Thursday was Bryan Johnson's birthday. He is my bible study leader and friend. He is in seminary on Thursdays, but we have bible study on Wednesdays so we had a Cold Stone ice cream cake to celebrate.

Saturday night after church service we also celebrated Bryan's birthday with a game night at Nicole and Lisa's!

Here is Bryan and Lisa: