Brietzkes!

A while back, Julie told me their favorite comedian, Brian Regan, would be performing in KC and asked if we wanted to go with them. Well, of course--who doesn't need a night out with friends and a good laugh?!? Plus, Julie and Danny have 3 kids and our kids always love having play mates. So, last Friday night, they all came in for the weekend. We had such a great time...good food, kids all over the place, children's museum, our fun night out while "Nana" babysat. I think our kids especially hit it off...Piper never really has girl play mates and you could tell she was excited to have a buddy in Aly (3 years)...they shared toys and stuffed animals, sat in the big chair and read magazines together, etc. Too cute. Jake, their 5 year old, made them all giggle with his silliness and funny faces, too. Luke (11 months) is the BEST baby in the world--ah, how nice! So, we are still mourning their absence in our house...everyday Porter and Piper ask about one or all of their "friends" or "Rufa" (Aly's special stuffed kitty cat that Piper quickly fell in love with). We look forward to seeing the Brietzke clan again soon...here or there!

My Dallas girls...

I am overwhelmed with love and emotion for my friends. I miss you so much! God has truly been good in giving us some new friends and great neighbors here in Kansas, but it's just not the same yet (I haven't gone thru college, old boy friends, weddings, and babies with these folks:). As I heard from lots of you today and we emailed back and forth, I realized what a special, undeserving gift God has given me in each of you. I love to hear your stories about what God is teaching you, where He is bringing you, and how open you are to His calling. You all inspire me and encourage me. You are my heroes and I love you more than you'll ever know! As I am so far away and struggle with thoughts of feeling "left out", I know we will always live, LAUGH, and love together despite the miles between us. Thank you for being my friends!

A love affair with California...

I've heard people say how wonderful it is, but until I saw for myself, I never understood. First catching my breath were the mountains I flew over right before landing in Orange County. Driving to Tyler's resort where he was finishing his meeting, I knew I was driving through hills, but it was dark and I couldn't see clearly. The next morning, after staying the night in the nicest hotel I've ever been in, I drove down the road to get a Starbucks, and beheld the beauty...driving down a long strip bordering the ocean in Laguna Beach. The ocean on one side; huge, rising hills and cliffs on the other, with amazing homes perched in the side of them. The shops and cafes that lined the street were the cutest I've seen. It really was a scene from a movie!

Back at the resort, Tyler reserved me a massage in their spa. Again...the best ever! Afterward, with some friends from Kansas, we ate a wonderful lunch at a Cafe in Laguna, walked on the beach, and then headed out for San Diego.

A note...the people are SO friendly. You always hear of "southern hospitality", but these Californian's are SO nice!!!

In San Diego we drove through the trendy downtown, and later ate a nice dinner at Indigo Grill with our friends, Paul and Missy. All the food here is so fresh, healthy, and excellent! Love it!

We found out about some whale watching tours taking off from the bay, so we reserved one for Saturday morning. A must if you come to San Diego! We saw gray whales, dolphins, sea lions, and got a little history lesson on San Diego. The only drawback was the queasy cruise returning to the bay. The water was so choppy and about every other person on the boat was puking in a bag or looking green. They told us to look out on the horizon and let the wind blow in our face if we felt sick. None in our party lost their cookies, but we all felt a little sick for a while even after landing.

A highlight of the trip was walking in La Jolla with Tyler...leisurely, strolling in and out of shops, drinking coffee, walking on La Jolla Cove which is a beautiful, romantic beach where we watched the sun set.

Sunday was rainy, but we managed to find a cute little breakfast place called The Living Room where we had a great meal and coffee, then made our way to the Museum of Modern Art. Neither of us really "get" modern art, but at least we can say we've been:) We had to catch the Super Bowl, too, so later, we watched it in a little Mexican cantina in Old Town near our hotel. In the evening, we again walked the downtown area and had an ice cream cone at the Ghirardelli shop...cute, old fashioned ice cream, chocolate, and soda shop...yum!

I definitely see how this is one of the top places to live. We plan to bring the kids back with us soon to do all the stuff they will love...zoo, seaworld, etc. However, we've had a wonderful time on our little vacation, though. We haven't done anything like this since our pre-children state! So, bye-bye, California. It was nice to meet you and I look forward to seeing you again, soon!

For more pics, click here

My Insightful Boy...

Who doesn't love to brag about their kids? Well, here we go... We're driving one morning and the sun is in Porter's eyes. I tell him to wait a minute and I will turn and the sun will move. So, we start talking about the sun and he tells me Jesus made the sun! Several weeks later, Piper declares that she is a queen and Porter is a king. Porter says, "No, I not king, Jesus is king!". What?!!? WOW! This week...my mom is playing with them in the back yard on a rare, but slightly warmer day, and as Porter lies on his back in the hammock, he looks up into the sky and says he can see God! My 2 1/2 year old little boy has got some spiritual insight! Amazing. I'm not taking credit because I fall short in teaching him what he needs to know all too often...I see this as he comes up with these things and I realize I didn't tell him, but should have! God is at work in little children...He loves them so and draws them to Him even at this tiny age!

Can we possibly get more snow and colder temps, please?

Ah, I remember that first magical snow this year...early December, running out to play in it, making a snow man. Only two months and countless snows later and I'm done. Today the weatherman actually said we had a "mini-blizzard"! A BLIZZARD? What the heck? Snow was blowing sideways as we watched out the windows. When we walked out of the gym and the freezing wind blew hard on our faces, we could hardly breath!! Porter started crying because he was too cold. Poor guy. Piper was just opening her mouth trying to catch some flakes on her tongue. Opie will hardly go outside which makes potty training a pup, oh, so much fun. I never thought in all my life I would live in a place that got so cold and so much snow. I can't believe that SNOW is no big deal to me anymore! I'm sure the first snow next season will bring that magic back, but now...I'm ready for some rays in San Diego. I enjoy the season and am not complaining--don't get me wrong. I'm just saying...I need some more sweaters.

Happy Birthday, Tyler!

We like the birthdays in this family! Lots of celebrating. I like to say in September when it's my turn, that it's actually my birthday month! So, we started Tyler's celebration Friday night at the Plaza. At his request, we had a yummy dinner at Kona Grill. Very cool atmosphere and yummy food!! Then, we saw Juno at the theater and had dessert and coffees at Classic Cup Cafe. The kids were with my mom, so we had a nice time out while they had a nice time with Nana and Pat. Monday night we celebrated at my mom's house. She made a nice, home-cooked meal and a delicious-o chocolate cake from scratch! Then, tonight, the fam all went to Cheesecake Factory on his actual birthday and stuffed ourselves. Good times. Porter and Piper each gave Daddy a shoe and together they make a nice pair of new dress shoes that he desperately needed - since it doesn't get above freezing here lately and his old shoes had holes in the soles...bbbrrrr! Piper announced that they were shoes as she gave them to him, but then remembered and said "It's a secret". So, we're done celebrating for a while...until next week when we go to San Diego!!! Happy Birthday...32 and still lookin' 25!

Opie

So, my mom is here in Kansas now and has the cutest place to live. However, it just so happened that she had squirrels in her attic. She was so upset, but it was to our benefit in the long run! The super-friendly wildlife man from Wisconsin who wears shorts in the snow, came to help her. He happened to have the coolest looking dog with him that we were ooooing and aaahhhing over. Matt (wildlife man) said he had a litter of puppies if we wanted one. German Shorthair Pointers...smart, hunters, family dogs, and the perfect size--not too big and not too tiny. We weren't planning on getting a new puppy until the summer, but we took a trip out to see the litter just in case. The puppies were 8 weeks old...two boys and two girls. We were thinking about going with a girl this time, but of all four puppies, only one came right to us...frisky, but so cuddly when we held him like a baby. He was our pick! We went home, stocked up on puppy supplies and returned two days later, with Porter and Piper, to take our new puppy home with us. His name--Opie. Opie's dad is "Otis" so we stayed with the Andy Griffith theme and since our pup is freckly, "Opie" fit perfectly. For the first day and a half, Piper kept asking his name, but I think she's got it down now, as well as made a new best friend! I was a little worried about Porter at first...I asked him what if Opie got his blanket (that he calls "ki-ki" and can't live without) and Porter said "kick it!" (referring to Opie!). Well, there has been no kicking and the kids love him and he them. He is so sweet and loves to be near us. Potty training is in the works and we've almost accomplished "sit". Welcome to the family, Opie!