so phil and i just got new cell phones as part of our official re-entry into southern california.  it’s been so long since i’ve had a cell phone that my last (and formerly only) one didn’t have a color screen, take pictures, play music, text message, or let you play cool games.  basically, it was just used for talking on the phone.  my, how times have changed.  so last night, i was helping phil set up his voicemail stuff.  here’s a bit of our conversation as phil was using my phone to call his phone to listen to his recorded message (don’t ask, long story):   phil:  how do you get to my…

phil’s always been so good about never letting tiredness stop him from spending time with us.  he had call on friday (working an overnight shift), but didn’t let that get in the way of our weekend fun!  he actually got a few hours off on friday morning and decided that would be a good time for us to revisit the long beach aquarium.  it was much less crowded this time, even with packs of field trippers there. here are the kids and i by the shark lagoon…   when all of a sudden, this stingray tries to leap out of the water!  maybe he thought mikey had some food for him? …

here’s some advice i want to pass on to allie when she’s older.  a bit of wisdom i wish my mom had given to me when i was younger.  but God is good and filled in whatever might have been missing from my childhood and has given me a wonderful husband who i love very much and who i know loves me very much.  marriage has been a sweet blessing, made even more sweet when done God’s way.  but, this wisdom would have served me well in my high school and early college days.  so allie, this is for you, in the hope that you would remain faithful to the…

introducing baby jeremiah. isn’t he such a cutie??  ( i’m an aunt!  )   the happy new dad and his boy.    *mwah!*   such a beautiful new family!  look how fabulous joanna looks!  they both look so good, you’d never know that they were up for most of the night.   allie meeting her brand new cousin.  she kept wanting to point at him.  at his eyes, of course.    so big brother mikey came over to show her how to give him a kiss on his tummy.   then allie wanted to give it a try.  with mikey’s “helpful” little push in the right direction.   mikey loved meeting…

phil was in new york this weekend for marcelo and annie’s wedding.  while the kids and i missed him very much, i was really happy that phil got to have some “guy time” with his old buddies and to catch up with friends he hasn’t seen in a long time. cello’s married now!    woo hoo!  cellooooo!!      aww, they’re so cute together and cello looks so happy!   phil said that hanging out with james and marcelo was just like old times.  goodness, how long it’s been!