Matt and Kristy

This weekend, Eric and I flew to California for a friend's wedding.

We relied on the awesomeness of friends and neighbors and my dear brother-in-law, Tim for childcare so we could make the trip without the kids. As fabulous as this sounds (no kids!), it was primarily motivated by cost. Having already been as a family to California for my brother's wedding in March, this needed to be a quick trip and a much less expensive trip.

We arrived at LAX in the evening on Thursday and made our way up to the mountain community of Crestline. I couldn't see much, but when we circled Lake Gregory, with the moonlight reflecting on the water, I knew that this was going to be a beautiful wedding location. We helped Matt and Kristy finish up their favors, and I got to enjoy the pre-wedding chatter of the bride and her two sisters as well as a dress sneak-peek!

Matt has been a friend of mine since my senior year in high school, and one of Eric's close friends since his high school days. Kristy is now welcomed into the "friend family" and she is a perfect pairing to Matt. It feels so good to see a well matched couple enter into marriage.

Friday, we went where we were needed and then attended the rehearsal in the evening. I wasn't in the wedding, but Eric was a groomsman. Dinner was at an Inn overlooking the extreme valley below (we were 5,000 ft. up). Breathtaking. The area is called Rim of the World and I don't think there is a better description.

Each day seemed to be filled with fabulous catching-up with old friends. We stayed up waaaaay too late talking the night before the wedding. Kept the groom up until 1 or so.

The wedding day, I cherished an extended breakfast with Erika while all the men went to Billie Bears for their own breakfast (the previous breakfast was at Loose Caboose!). Gosh, I miss that girl! She mentioned that it was probably the longest time we've had together, uninterrupted, since Eric and I married. So sad, yet understandable.

The actual wedding was so terribly perfect. I could sense that lots of friends were part of the effort- doing flowers, serving drinks, arranging decorations. And the location couldn't have been more full of natural beauty. The ceremony was sincere and well spoken (they were married by a friend), food was great, talk was fun, and it's always amazing to be dressed up with my sweetie (goodness, he's handsome!). We were the very last ones to leave and hated saying goodbye to dear friends we'd reconnected with.

The following day, we left and made our way back toward the coast for our departing flight. It felt so strange to be in Southern California and NOT see our family. They were only about 1 1/2 hrs. away, but there wasn't time. :-(

There was just enough time, though, to have that horrible feeling of being caught between worlds- missing our kids and our home and our friends and neighbors.... and missing the California air, the mountains, and old friends. Can't we all just move to the same street and live happily ever after??!!

*thanks to Erika for many of these pictures. I only had my camera phone... which takes better pictures than I thought (like that first one...gasp!) so I will certainly not shy away from it next time!

Disneyland

California Trip- March 2009

When my brother set his wedding date, we knew we'd be heading to SoCal in spring 2009. Conversations surrounding Christmas heavily involved not getting the kids "stuff". We have a playroom with tons of things that have been given to them that they don't play with. Consumable gifts are the best in my book (they don't turn into "junk that must be picked up" after a few weeks), and tickets to Disneyland ended up being what we gave them!

We had three months to get excited about the trip, which made the actual cashing in of the present even that much more sweet. We'd talked about which rides they could go on now that they'd been unable to the last time, two years ago (height issue), and discussed what we'd want to do when we first got there.

Our tickets were parkhoppers and we did Disneyland the first day- joined by Eric's family, and California Adventure the second day- just us. We did bring the stroller, and every child rode in it at one point or another, but it was nice that it wasn't an absolute necessity (everyone can walk well). Of course, when Dorothy comes, we'll be saying goodbye to that freedom once again- but we got a taste of how easy it gets when the children are older.

Because they were older and taller, nearly all the rides were available to our 3 kids. That milestone made it more enjoyable for them (more rides!), and more enjoyable for mom and dad (less splitting up!). Tears were shed when Dean was a hair too short for Indiana Jones, and tears were also shed by Lael when she *wasn't* too short for Space Mountain and rode- but probably shouldn't have.

Lael and Dean were the most amazing to watch because they didn't get scared. Both truly have an adventurer's spirit and it's amazing. Grant always had to be talked into things like that when he was younger. In the end, he has fun, but the dread and nervousness are tall mountains for him to overcome. For Dean and Lael- "what mountains?!". :-) So, Dean thought Space Mountain was AWESOME (if you've never been- it is a fast, loud, roller coaster in pitch dark). And Lael was the four year old on Thunder Mountain with her hands in the air going down the big drop!

Next time, Dorothy will be with us! We said that 2 years ago when we were at Disneyland (thinking our Taiwan adoption was going to happen within a year), and it didn't happen. But, THIS TIME, I can say 100% that next time we'll have 4 kids with us. :-)

And, of course, this is what our precious cargo looks like after two days of theme parks on the way back to Grandma's house:

Grandma's kitchen

California trip- March 2009

Magic comes out of Grandma's kitchen. It is one of the sweetest things to be cared for by Eric's mom. She is truly in her element with spatulas, ovens, aprons, and flour. We were lavished upon with treats, and nibbles, and goodies galore while we were in California. And while it would have taken a family of 10 a whole month to eat what she stocked her fridge(s) and freezer with, we enjoyed what we could while we were in her care. Upon arrival- just off the plane!- we tasted Whoopie Pies and Dean's smile in the above picture says it all. There were blueberry scones with lime curd, and lemon curd, and clotted cream. Donna's famous pasta salad! Waffles and pancakes in serious numbers. Pumpkin muffins. Blueberry muffins. And some other sort of muffin I've forgotten about because there is just too much greatness contained in that place to remember it all. Amazing food is her love language. We celebrated Dean's birthday out there, so a Grandma-crafted Iron Man birthday cake was a must. Lael helped with the frosting, which was such a beautiful sight, and the end result was far superior to any bakery cake- and certainly better tasting! Nothing beats being in Grandma's kitchen.

Traveling with Kids

Ever since our kids were babies, we've traveled a lot. We have family in California where we grew up, my dad's entire side of the family in England, and a smattering of extended family in all sorts of places. So, we've flown airplanes and done 12 hour drives since they were wee ones. It was never a negotiable thing; seeing family was important and we were going to do it no matter how tiring it, stressful, or expensive.

That said, it is soooo nice traveling with kids who are a bit older! I think this was one of the most enjoyable trips we've ever taken by plane. Grant is 8, Dean is 6, and Lael is 4. All this will change, of course, with the addition of Dorothy, but getting a taste of easier travel gives me hope for the days ahead.

We flew American Airlines this time because of price. Buying 5 tickets makes that one of the biggest factors when purchasing flights. I don't like that, but it's just the truth. So, we were subject to their new fee structure. They charge for everything! They charge to check bags ($15/each way for domestic flights), they charge for snacks, and they charge for headsets. You can have one carry-on per ticketed passenger and one "personal item". As our kids could help, we actually only checked one bag for $30. So, we had 3 small rollerboards, one camera backpack, one laptop backpack, and my purse all to carry-on. We checked the stroller at the gate (allowed free), and we checked the two booster seats (allowed free) with the checked bag. Honestly, one more rollerboard carry-on could have done it if all of our toiletries hadn't been an issue because of the liquids rule. That's why we checked that one, allowing us all the bathroom stuff we desired! We did have to switch planes on the journey from Nashville to Orange County, but everyone knew their job and we did it! I'm so proud of the kids for pulling their weight (pun intended).

Now that the kids are older, we successfully kept everyone happy and busy and not fighting for all 5 hours of flying with this:

-coloring books

-chapter book for Grant

-laptop and a DVD for the long leg of the trip (using our own earbuds thankyouverymuch!)

-a few games on the iPhone in airplane mode

-snacks (no $4 chips for us thankyouverymuch!)

I ran by Half Price books the day before travel and got all this for about $15. Each kid was able to pick a reader and a coloring/activity book:

Back to the snacks- having something to nibble helps pass the time, and keeping it healthy ensures that the munchkins aren't acting out because of sugar coursing through their veins. I bought some Sweet and Salty granola bars as the treat, but had beef jerky, trail mix, and fresh Clementines for more substance. On the way home, we did have some gummies and amazing muffins from Grandma stowed in our carry-on along. Treats and bittersweet reminders of what we were leaving behind on our trip home. :-(

Traveling with this age group was nice, too, because we could rent a sedan. Bigger carseats can make a sedan impossible with three kids (they don't all fit in the back row), but now that Grant can ride without, and Dean and Lael have the very compact boosters, it was PERFECT. I still love our van at home for the captain's chairs and cargo room, but the Maxima was super doable and a very fun drive (that thing starts with a *button*. Seriously, people, a button!)

Eric and I have our own traveling routines and "jobs" that we've settled into over the years. We rarely even have to talk about it. I pack for everyone but him. He puts the bags up in the overhead while I get the kids seated and fastened and happy. When the plane de-boards, he gets the bags back down. At the end of the trip, he's the re-packer while I take care of the bathroom bag stuff after each family member's showers. I love it... the routine and the teamwork! :-)

Random things to add (I might add more later if I think of anything):

-I always insist that the kids thank the flight crew as we exit the plane

-Ask for the can when requesting drinks so that you can give them a *small* amount in the glass that way spills are less of a gush, and more of a trickle (also, go for water or clear soda- no stain!)

-we found out that Dean is super sensitive to the ear pressure on take-offs and landing and made sure to have gum at the ready (it kind of helped, but so does yawning if your child can do it easily)

Anyway, the biggest encouragement I can give other parents who are nervous about carting their kids through airports, and lugging luggage is to JUST DO IT and HAVE FUN. It just gets easier and easier with each trip and your children will have life experiences that are irreplaceable and educational.

train between terminals at Dallas/ Fort Worth airport.

Standing in the front makes it super fun. Zoom!

Details later...

for now, just enjoy the picture of the cutest flower girl and ring-bearers you've ever seen.

We had the honor of being able to witness my sweet little brother (and only brother) (and only sibling) and his amazing bride tie the knot. I am thrilled beyond words to have Tristen as part of our family (I have a new sister!... I've seriously lucked out in the sister-in-law department) and love watching the two of them together. They've found the perfect teammate in one another and it was a beautiful thing to see them commit to that union for life! Congratulations again to you guys; I love you both dearly.

So, more details to come of our great trip to California. We had a blast and are fully back in the swing of normal life and being initiated in our first season ever of sports where all three kids have decided to play something. All. Three. Kids. How do other families cope?

Bits

If you've been around LifeTrain awhile, you're familiar with my "Bits" posts.  

The name comes from what I've commonly heard my sweet English grandma call meals that are a table spread of pick-what-you-like.  Usually a sampling of cold items, a buffet, that can survive not being eaten on time: salad, fruit cocktails, chilled smoked salmon open sandwiches etc.  She usually has Bits for us when we arrive off the airplane because we'll be hungry, but can't be guaranteed to arrive on time after a 12 hour journey.

For my blog, it usually means that I'll post a bit of this, and a bit of that.  And it also usually means that it has been waaaay too long since I've posted and there is a whole heap to catch everyone up on!  :-)

- I *just* bought fall/winter clothes for the kids.  School around here starts in mid-August, so all of the fall/winter clothes are out then for Back to School (everyone always wants new clothes for the first day of school!).  But, August is usually our hottest month and you really don't need to wear wool sweaters and mittens during August in Nashville.  September sometimes holds a few brisk days and October usually is a gamble.  But, if you can wait this long, so much has been marked down it's crazy!  This year, though, we haven't had a single "cold" day yet.  In fact, our neighborhood is the hub-bub of activity in the evening like it always is with kids playing in the cul-de-sac and adults visiting with each other... we have to remind ourselves that its mid-October (yesterday's high was in the 80s, I think).  So, we've really lucked out this year.  Anyway, since we're homeschooling right now Back to School clothing was a non-issue.  But I think we've done this the past two years, as well, and just bought a new outfit or two of the on-sale summer stuff for Grant to wear during the first week of school when it's hot then did fall/winter shopping later.  Now, like I said, this year has been warm, but there was a year when I waited a bit too long and we had a sudden cold snap and I had to wrap the kids in a blanket to stay warm on the way to the store to buy warmer clothes.  Oops!  The flip side is $2.97 shirts at GAP... can't beat that!

- My brother finally set a wedding date, so we know that we'll be going to Southern California in March.  When he first announced his engagement about a year ago, I thought we'd be bringing our daughter with us on this trip to introduce to all of our West Coast family.  As time went on, and he hadn't picked a date and we hadn't received a referral, I got nervous that he'd be married right as we might be traveling to Taiwan.  Thankfully, *that* won't be happening.  Sadly, *that* won't be happening. 

- I have not stopped putting Newman's Own Lime salad dressing on my salad since I bought the bottle about a week ago.  I had two neighbors over for dinner last Monday who enjoyed it with me, but other than that, the bottle is nearly gone and I've had salad nearly every day!  Sooo good!  On a side note, now that all of these articles are coming out to remember the life of Paul Newman, I can TOTALLY see why my mom adored him... he was really cute during her young years!  Besides that, he has an amazing body of work in film and I think Eric and I are going to watch a few of his better known movies when we have time and when Netflix sends them.

-Time.  Yes.  Eric has had hardly any time at home recently.  He has been working on the project of his career thus far- a huge, expensive, consuming project.  Not only that, another big project has come on it's heels.  He's tired.  I'm tired.  I am so proud of him though and so thankful that I have this amazing man.  You really can tell what a team we are used to being because I completely SUCK without him here.  The house is falling apart, my kids are behaving less sweetly, my mind is frazzled, and I just plain ol' MISS HIM.  November holds promise as a month when he'll finally see some relief.  Pray for him.

- We have about 30 kids on this tiny street of ours.  So, already, quite a blessing.  I just met some neighbors down the street who are a bit outside our normal play zone (so we hadn't met even though they've been in our subdivision a year) who have three domestically adopted kids.  Then, this past week, a new family moved in two houses down from us.  They have 4 kids, and the two youngest were adopted from China.  The girls are very close to Lael's age, and they hit it off immediately.  I love that our family is situated in a place where other races and adoption are commonplace!

- Dean is reading short vowel words!  I'm so proud of him.

- Ever since discovering the hair blog I wrote about, I've been making an extra effort on Lael's hair and am actually getting compliments.  If the compliments are within her earshot, she'll give you a pretty pose.  She is sooooo girly.  Lately, she's been walking around with a plastic/pretend make-up compact that came with some Princess dress-up set of hers.  Armed with an old make-up brush of mine, she goes around giving everyone painted faces.  At least 4 times a day, I stay still so that she can, very carefully, do my eyes, lips, and cheeks.  It's all pretend, so I'm fine.  Well, a few weeks ago, she was babysat while we went to Life Group.  One of the other kids (7 years old) at the babysitting house gave her a REAL makeover!  Oh My Goodness.  Aqua eyeshadow, bright blush, and pink lips.  Kind of scary, but Lael had such fun!  We do have talks, since I see her tendency to love clothes and make-up, about how she is ALWAYS beautiful and that it doesn't matter what make-up or dresses she has on.  In fact, I've told her, too much make-up is NOT pretty and you don't need that much.  So, as she's watching me in the morning pt a bit of make-up on, I often get lectured that "too much make-up is not good".  One time, when she thought I'd been at the mirror applying too much, she actually swiped the brush from my hand!  There are days I leave the house without anything on at all, so I know she was overreacting.  :-)

- I'm going to New York at the end of the month!  Oh My Goodness- SO EXCITED!  Three of my high school girlfriends and I are having a girl's weekend!  I've never done such a thing before and have declined their previous invites because I was pregnant, or nursing, or we had already spent too much on travel that year  for me to go on such a splurgy trip (the downside to having family every where!).  BUT, it all lined up this time and so Kim and I will be flying to meet Candie and Jen in NYC for 4 days.  We've bought New York Passes to enjoy some tourist-y stuff, and have reservations at two amazing restaurants, but does it really matter *what* you do when you're with good friends, in a cool city, without kids?!  I think not!

- I'm currently reading "Are Those Kids Yours?", which was recommended to me by my adoption agency.  So, far, though, I haven't hit any information I didn't obtain elsewhere.  I've done the With Eyes Wide Open online course (which I would love for all our friends and family to take- I think it is the easiest, most concise format for anyone), read "Toddler Adoption: the Weaver's Craft", and "the Broken Cord" (a story of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in adoption).  For the adoptive parents out there, what was your most insightful book/resource?

- I've been thinking about Christmas lately and the economy, and poverty.  I don't have the answers, but I have this desire to do more than clutter our house up with stuff we don't need- especially toys.  I feel conflicted most years about excess (and I don't think we do a TON), but this year especially.  I'd love to see the hearts of my kids so passionate about serving others that they volunteer to forgo gifts so they can give to others.  Is that a pipe dream?  Do we just say that is what we're doing and do it?  The Samaritan's Purse catalog came yesterday and further drove home the needs in the world.  We've done the Operation Christmas Child in years' past, but have never ordered from their catalog.  Have any of you done something "radical" in your family to celebrate Christmas?

- We're having our lawn (lack of lawn, *ahem*) aerated and seeded on Monday.  Hopefully this will end the weed/bare patch misery that we inherited when we bought this house.  I must be diligent to water every day until then so that the machine can pull good "plugs" for the lawn guys.  Then I must be diligent to water every day for 3 weeks to help the seeds germinate and the grass to root well.  So, dear God, I would love rain, for I am not so good at being diligent about watering and it will certainly impact our water bill this month.  Today is overcast- cross your fingers!

Untouched

I am happy to report that Eric's parents' house is untouched by the Rice Canyon Fire. It got close enough to be considered within the fire perimeter by a few of the burn maps, but the blaze did not hit their street. Parts of Fallbrook were opened back up today, and Eric's sister drove up to check out the house. She mentioned that there was orange fire retardant on some houses (dropped by aircraft), and that some areas looked charred. But, their house is fine, and it doesn't even smell smoky- and their is no soot inside. Additionally, she reported that *not* all of Live Oak Park is gone, although areas not visible from the road may be. And though the fire is not fully contained, it does appear that the active burning is done in Fallbrook. Our prayers are now with those who have been uprooted and those still in danger near De Luz.

The Escondido fire also stayed just shy of my dad's girlfriend's home and that of her elderly father. I believe my dad said that some of the father's neighbors were hit by the flames. Thankfully, they are all in their own homes this evening.

Again, I am just so thankful that all those I love are safe while being saddened that my hometown of San Diego was so terribly hit.

Eric's parents are on their way to Pennsylvania now for the second leg of their vacation.  There was a teary goodbye at the airport, and we will miss them terribly.  I'll have to update on pictures and our visit with them later, but thought I should just post a fire update.

For now, the Rice Canyon Fire/ Fallbrook Fire seems to have stalled out.  I get word that they may even begin to let people in to town again today.  So it would seem that their house is unharmed right now even though one fire map shows it within the fire perimeter.  I think that map is just wrong.  Most people seem to say that the fire damaged very little west of Gird Road.  Now we'll just hope that their house is livable when they return and not smoke-damaged.

As for the other fires, I hope they reach 100% containment very soon.  This is unreal.

I'll get back to the floors and posts about normal life, but right now things are far from normal.  Eric's parents are here on a planned trip, but we are so glad they are here instead of in Fallbrook, San Diego where they live.

As you may have seen on the news, much of So. Cal. is burning.  There was a mandatory evacuation of all of Fallbrook yesterday.  Paul and Donna (Eric's parents) have joked that they evacuated early- to Tennessee.  Out of uncertainty and worry, comes humor.  Truly, they aren't "worried" because they are safe, everyone they love is safe, and a dear friend of theirs even ran by their house on the way out of town and grabbed baby photos, family recipes and some cherished jewelry.  The unfortunate thing is that anyone fleeing spent a LOT of time in traffic last night.  The road out of Fallbrook are tiny two-lane roads and many of them were blocked to remain out of fire's way.  40,000 people leaving at once causes quite a traffic jam!  Again, we are glad that they happen to be here.

My dad is one town over, and as far as I know, has not been evacuated.  My brother and his girlfriend are in downtown San Diego and are out of harm's way, as well.

We are certainly frustrated with the lack of official information.  The most up-to-date info has the Rice Canyon Fire (the one near Fallbrook) burning only a mile or two from Paul and Donna's home and that report is hours and hours old.  I know they are wondering if they will return to an intact home.

I'll report back, but do keep everyone in their prayers.