Archives for November 2007

My dad turned 61 today. We went to church together and then home for leftovers for lunch. Gotta love that leftover turkey! Anyway, then this afternoon we all went to go see How the Grinch Stole Christmas– a play in Balboa Park at the Old Globe Theatre. Evidently this is some kinda famous tradition that’s been around for a decade here, but it was our first trip to the theatre here for this play or any other. It’s a really nice place and was fun and the play is 77 minutes straight- right up my alley. I really loved the storyline. It’s been a while since I read the book, but it was great way to kick off the Christmas season with my Dad and family and being reminded yet again, that Christmas is something way deeper than the consumer culture that worships it too.

Then afterwards our play tickets also came with a free pass to the official tree lighting ceremony, so we hung around for that. Then we capped off the night with dinner at a famous seafood place here in San Diego on the waterfront- Anthony’s. Dad was excited to know that both my dad and Anthony’s Fish Grotto were birthed in the same year. Happy 61st to both of you. Maybe he should have drank a 61 year old glass of wine with the owner.

Soccer is over. TJ’s team lost their last game which meant we got second place overall. Very cool. I loved spending the past several months playing soccer with my boys, but I must say, I was very ready for a free Saturday.

So, true to my experience, as soon as I opened the truck doors, the boys were climbing.

Then after climbing, out came the guns and up went the targets. We shot it up all day. Here’s my favorite quotes:

TJ: “Mom, I shot a 22 rifle and a 20 guage shot gun!!”

Tyler: “I’m a lean mean shooting machine. You can call me dead eye Ty now mom.”

Jake: “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for taking us to go shooting Dad.”

The day after thanksgiving was a day of family bonding. We decided to ditch the crowds of shopping and go for a walk. We were initially thinking along the lines of hike Cowles Mountain again to burn off some calories with the family. But one of the grandpa’s wasn’t feeling so good and we opted for a new leisurely stroll I found on line called the La Jolla City to Sea walk. You drive to La Jolla and then walk a mile from the city’s upscale shopping district down to the sea. You can stop and watch the sea lions (and get wet on the sea wall we found out). Right before the trail heads back to the city, we ended up at the Goldfish Cafe, this sweet little breakfast spot. The weather was awesome. I felt guilty that I live in San Diego. What a beautiful place this is. Shannon and I enjoyed it so much that I think we’ll have to make it a date experience and go for a stroll when kids are at school. Great family bonding.

And for fun, I wrote down what we each of the 13 pieces of paper said that we were blessed by this year. Welcome to our table. Mine is the last one listed.

• My wife

• I am thankful for my extended family, and always feeling loved and supported.

• I’m thankful for a loving wife, good health, a great family and God’s provision for all of us.

• God has blessed me with sharing this special day of giving thanks with this wonderful family around this table.

• My biggest blessing this year was to watch my own son baptize his own son T.J. to watch my children all four of them and our grand children grow in their faith is pure joy and a huge blessing.
• I am blessed to have a “full house” and a “full table” this Thanksgiving. Loving Husband, healthy, handsome boys, supportive parents, a part time job I am passionate about. My heart and life are very full. Praise God for his precious provisions for me.

• I am thankful for my awesome room.

• I am thankful for the blessing of love in my life that comes from my husband, my daughter, son in law, my grandsons, my sister and her family, so many dear dear friends and God’s love is so sweet and I am so thankful.

• I am very thankful for my grandmas and my papas. I’m thankful for my toys. I’m very thankful for my Dad and Mom and my house.

• Having been blessed with an amazing woman.

• I have been blessed with God’s hand Guiding and Directing my steps this last year. Blessed with a small group, music ministry, and divorce care ministry. Praise God.

• I’m thankful for my brothers.

• A Job. Healthy Family. A Caribbean Cruise with my wife. A new clutch. New tires. Soccer with my boys. A house. Water. Fire Fighters. Blogging. God’s huge grace and blessings all around.

We have started a tradition of sorts I guess. Shannon and I for 2 years now have hiked Cowles Mountain here in San Diego. Lots and lots of people do this on Thanksgiving. But we joined the masses this year again and hoofed it with Zeus up like 1300 feet or so from the trailhead. Trying to earn the right to eat too much later I suppose.