Slideshow of Our San Diego Trip

Here's the video of our trip to San Diego. Sorry there's no audio..I just couldn't find a suitable sound that was long enough.

We visited with my sister and her family. The boys went dirt biking out in the desert and had a blast. We visited the USS Midway (an aircraft carrier museum), took a Harbor cruise on the Lord Hornblower, visited Balboa park and the botanical gardens there (B-E-A-utiful)watched Shamu wow the crowds at Seaworld, marveled at the beauty of God's creation on Gator beach ( a private beach for military only), sang a little karaoke and explored the Mission de Alcala (the first mission in California started by Father Junipero Serra). By the way the oldest boy in these photo's is only 15! The three oldest boys, (2 at 14 and one at 15) looked like grown men (and ate like them!) strolling down the street. :)

Just click on the link and it will open the album..you can then view the slideshow.
Enjoy!

San Diego Vacation

Sunshine On My Shoulder...

makes me happy. So the song from John Denver goes.

We are back in the good ol' South. I must say I have come to love this place. Thanks be to God for a safe return. We are back with a vengeance! On our way back we decided that it's about time we start thinking of settling and the hubby wants to settle here. I am quite happy to oblige. After being in San Diego for two weeks, the traffic, the masses...it's so quiet here. Not that we didn't love our vacation, it was beyond wonderful. I think we are just in love with the simpleness of life here.

I will miss the ocean, the beaches, and of course my sister and her family. I wasn't on the plane for 5 minutes before the heartbreak of leaving them set in. I hope they will be able to make the trip to visit us before too long.

My sister gave us great info on buying a house and that stuck with my hubby. He's serious. We even went out yesterday and looked at two of them. We just got in yesterday morning!!!

I'm have a lot of learning to do! Thank goodness one of my bestest friends in the whole world is a real estate agent! :) I will be calling her today to try and break through my learning curve.

I have tons of pictures to go through from our vacation and when that's set I'll post some more. If you get a chance to visit Southern California, take it.

As a military family, we were fortunate to have use of a private beach and we spent hours there. The sand is literally golden! It shines like a newly polished wedding ring in the sun and leaves these little golden flecks on your skin. I am firmly convinced God created beaches like this for the times when life just gets too crazy!

Pelicans, dolphins, whales, seals and surfers stud the beautiful blue ocean horizon. The roar of the sea is deafening and relaxing at the same time. That same roar is deceptive as you expect a crash of waves yet receive a gentle lapping at your feet as the waves make their way to the shore.

The skimmers run along the shoreline picking at sand dollars and hermit crabs. Mr. Pinch found the complete shell of a crab washed up on the shore. She was so excited!

Starfish skeletons, sand dollars, and clam shells abound. It's beauty that is beyond compare.

Today we are back to school and work. God's blessings have filled us up in the last two weeks and I know we will finish school with a spring in our step and a smile on our faces.

Blessings to you all!!

Sunday in Southern California

So, I've been in Southern California for the last two weeks! It's been a great time with my sister and her family. I've visited with some old friends as well. We used to be stationed out here about 8 years ago.

I have tons of pics to post of our trip and will do that as soon as I get back home. Thank for all your prayers for a safe trip. We should be returning home on Tuesday and as much as we are looking forward to that, it will be very difficult to leave. It's always hard to go when you are having such a wonderfully blessed time.

Here's a pic of the whole gang:

I'm Leavin' On A Jet Plane...

but I do know when I'll be back again. Oh babe, I can't wait to go!

I'm off tomorrow to visit my sister and her family in good ol' California. I am very much looking forward to this trip.

Keep us in your prayers and we'll be back soon! Blessings!

If This Had Been Bush...

he would have been labeled a liar and a miscreant for creating numbers off the top of his head and using invalid data.

We need to keep a watchful eye on what is going on in the dark corners of the halls of the White House and the Capitol. Do not fall asleep because the news seems boring or light. All of these little tidbits fit together to form one larger picture and that picture is not pretty.

Obama uses old data in his speech on bankruptcy and medical costs.

one more for the record:
Michelle Obama and the UK

A Sure Sign...

that Spring is on the way!
My birdie is back. I love this bird. I've never seen it, it likes to sing only at night and early morning and stays quiet during the day. I love sitting on the back porch at night and listening to the songs. Or waking up in the early am to watch the sunrise and there he is. Beautiful. He's the Chuck-will's-widow.

"Bam Bam" Obama - Knockin' Us All Out!

I have to share this photo with you. I found it over at Big Hollywood, where Big X has a funny article on that porkulus/stimulus/spendulous and every other "..ous" package. Read it, it's funny. In a scary sort of way.

At Least Someone is Achieving Something Around Here...

Certainly not me..I"m still battling the laundry monster and have recently been attacked by the dry grass devil. (My house is covered in dry, windblown, grass. You can't open the door or go outside with out bringing it back in with you).

However, those of the male persuasion around here have been busy racking up the accolades and achievements.

My hubby was recently named the Military Performer of the Year for his area and his package has been forwarded for consideration in the worldwide competition. We are hoping he is awarded that honor because it means a trip back up to Maryland and a chance to visit with friends and family!! Go Navy!

All three of my men were chosen as candidates for the Boy Scouts of America Order of The Arrow.

Purpose of the Order:

To recognize those campers -- Scouts and Scouters -- who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives, and by such recognition cause other campers to conduct themselves in such manner as to warrant recognition.

To develop and maintain camping traditions and spirit.

To promote Scout camping, which reaches its greatest effectiveness as a part of the unit's camping program, both year-round and in the summer camp, as directed by the camping committee of the council.

To crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others.

They will go through the "Ordeal" in the fall.

The induction ceremony, called the Ordeal, is the first step toward full membership. During the experience, candidates maintain silence, receive small amounts of food, work on camp improvement projects, and are required to sleep alone, apart from other campers. The entire experience is designed to teach significant values.

They are all looking forward to it.

So, like the header says..at least someone is achieving something around here.
I'm very proud of my guys.

Find out more about the Order of the Arrow here.

Designer Babies - Entering A Brave New World*

Women are currently encouraged to abort children in their wombs who may be less than perfect. Those who may be born with birth defects or illnesses such as Down Syndrome.

Now, doctors at LA Fertility Institutes, who already offer sex selection, are expecting to have their first "trait-selected" baby born next year.

Like aspiring fashion designers, parents can now "design" their own children. I wonder where they'll stick the tag.

The science is based on a lab technique called pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, or PGD.

This involves testing a cell taken from a very early embryo before it is put into the mother's womb.

Doctors then select an embryo free from rogue genes - or in this case an embryo with the desired physical traits such as blonde hair and blue eyes - to continue the pregnancy, and discard any others.

Dr Steinberg said couples might seek to use the clinic's services for both medical and cosmetic reasons.

At least one UK fertility specialist is speaking out. Dr. Jillian Lockwood has warned against "turning babies into commodities that you buy off the shelf."

You can read the entire article at the BBC News website. A follow up at the WSJ.

So, with abortion on demand, you can kill the ones you don't want. With sex and trait selection, you can "create" the ones you do.

Unfortunately, we are still light years away from designing responsible and morally upright parents.

*You can find Aldous Huxley's A Brave New World at your local library.

What's That Saying?

March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb...

No doubt..I woke up this morning to some severe thunder and lightning and should go to bed tonight with a peaceful blanket of snow falling. Yesterday afternoon it was in the high 60's. Go figure.

Sunday Bible Reflections w/Dr. Scott Hahn 3/1/09

visit the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology for more!

March 1, 2009 - First Sunday of Lent

The New Creation


Readings:
Genesis 9:8-15
Psalm 25:4-9
1 Peter 3:18-22
Mark 1:12-15

Lent bids us to return to the innocence of baptism. As Noah and his family were saved through the waters of the deluge, we were saved through the waters of baptism, Peter reminds us in today’s Epistle.

And God’s covenant with Noah in today’s First Reading marked the start of a new world. But it also prefigured a new and greater covenant between God and His creation (see Hosea 2:20; Isaiah 11:1-9).

We see that new covenant and that new creation begin in today’s Gospel.

Jesus is portrayed as the new Adam - the beloved son of God (see Mark 1:11; Luke 3:38), living in harmony with the wild beasts (see Genesis 2:19-20), being served by angels (see Ezekiel 28:12-14).

Like Adam, He too is tempted by the devil. But while Adam fell, giving reign to sin and death (see Romans 5:12-14, 17-20), Jesus is victorious.

This is the good news, the “gospel of God” that He proclaims. Through His death, resurrection, and enthronement at the right hand of the Father, the world is once again made God’s kingdom.

In the waters of baptism, each of us entered the kingdom of His beloved Son (see Colossians 1:13-14). We were made children of God, new creations (see 2 Corinthians 5:7; Galatians 4:3-7).

But like Jesus, and Israel before Him, we have passed through the baptismal waters only to be driven into the wilderness - a world filled with afflictions and tests of our faithfulness (see 1 Corinthians 10:1-4, 9,13; Deuteronomy 8:2,16).

We are led on this journey by Jesus. He is the Savior - the way and the truth we sing of in today’s Psalm (see John 14:6). He feeds us with the bread of angels (see Psalm 78:25; Wisdom 16:20), and cleanses our consciences in the sacrament of reconciliation.

As we begin this holy season, let us renew our baptismal vows - to repent and believe the gospel.