This weekend

I guess one sign of the aging process is when you have two kids that are big enough to go on roller coasters. Last night, Skyler went on her first roller coaster: Gadget's Go Coaster in Toontown at Disneyland. And she liked it! Needless to say, that makes me a very happy daddy. I'm glad that so far there hasn't been a roller coaster the kids tried and didn't like. Courtney still has a few to try, but so far so good.

Today represents another of Traci's and my anniversaries. (There are three we keep track of.) It was 12 years ago today that we got engaged, at her 18th birthday party. It brings back fun memories, which are always aided by the video we have of the whole thing (even though we haven't watched it today).

Now it's time to go as the girls need to get ready for bed and I need to start mentally preparing for a 4-day weekend (starting Friday) with the kids and without Traci. Toodaloo.

Recent Thoughts and Hap's

So it's been a little rough finding the time to keep up with this whole blogging thing. It seems whenever I think I have time to do this, I realize I should be doing something else. Such is the case now. I should be doing laundry, reading for my spiritual formation/leadership group or playing Wii. This time, I'm ignoring those thoughts...at least for a few minutes.

I had the joy of having a physical today and a fit-for-duty test as part of the Chevron hiring/on-boarding process. It's always great to have a test that you pass, but makes you realize how bad of shape you're in. I could probably go on forever about this, but it's probably not a good idea.

Although I'm not a football fan, I was glad to see the Giants win yesterday. I always like it when the underdog pulls off the upset, unless it's against my Dodgers. And besides, it's not often I root for a team called the Giants!

Tickets for the Dodgers vs. Red Sox exhibition game on March 29 at the Los Angeles Coliseum went on sale to the public Saturday at 10:00 a.m. (I didn't learn until after the fact that season ticket holders had access to tickets the Wednesday prior...punks!) They were sold out at 11:00 a.m. Good thing I was on the computer at 10:00. I managed to get 6 (4 for us and 2 for my parents). The scary thing is we're in row 81! I might as well have rented a blimp. But hey, how often do the Dodgers play at the Coliseum? The bottom line is we're in and I'm excited. Maybe I'll post a picture of the view once it happens.

As for the geekiness in me...it's still strong. Pi day (March 14, or 3/14) is coming up, and wouldn't you know, I found a website for it. It's pretty cool. They even have merchandise! I think maybe I'll get a pie and take it into work, since that's a Friday I'll be in the office.

I'm getting ready to play Mr. Mom for the weekend in a couple of weeks. Traci will be heading off on a scrapbooking cruise to Ensanada (Mexico) on the 15th, returning 3 days later. That's right...a cruise that has scrapbooking 24/7...if you can handle it. The nice part is I'll be taking a couple of days off from work. It should actually be fun. Traci gets a break, I get the kids...wait what was my point? (j/k)

I just finished teaching our SS class at church about a book I went through on rekindling marriage. I'm not sure how effective it was as this was my first time teaching our class. It had it's moments. I think maybe why I'm struggling with understanding how it went is because I am not by any means an expert on marriage. I love my marriage with Traci, but I'm not anywhere near perfect in the marriage department. I guess it's just one of those things where it may not be how much you know about it, but how open you are to learning about it and applying things you think could help or improve the marriage. It's one of those learning experiences, I guess.

Well, the birthday parade continues to march on. I hosted a special 30th birthday party for Traci on Saturday (her birthday was really yesterday), which was an all-girl party. It was a lot of fun and I was happy to see so many people show up to show Traci their love for her. It always makes me happy when I see that other people love her so much...makes me a proud hubby. Next up: Courtney's 4th birhtday (20th) and her Ariel party (23rd). She's already talking about her Ariel party and the bounce house.

I guess that's enough ramblings for now. It's off to chores/Wii.

It Could Have Been Worse - Just Another Life Update

So I feel like it's time to provide a little update on the haps in my life lately as it has been an interesting week.

First of all, we visited our friends on Sunday who just moved out to Corona. We had a lot of fun as our five kids all payed together and we hung out and played Wii. I gave Guitar Hero a try and now I think I'm (insert cool rock back guitarist here), which means there is nobody better! That's what happens when you give into peer pressure. At least it's not like being addicted to drugs...yet.

Anyway, we stop at ampm by their house on the way home because it's a long drive back to Whittier and it's 9:00 at night. Smart me leaves my wallet sitting on the counter after buying a few things. Fortunately, the fact that I keep a list of emergency numbers in my wallet. Someone found that and called Traci's cell. (We have no idea if he was the one who took it and stole stuff or just found it after someone else tossed it.) We were almost at the 91 at that point (on the 15) so we turned around and drove 15 minutes back to the ampm only to find that there were two things missing and other things had been moved around. What was taken? Not the credit card and not the ATM cards, although they had been moved. They took the $10 in cash I had and my Disneyland annual pass, which will cost $20 to replace...not a big deal. Obviously this person has no clue that they will not be able to use the pass unless they look like me. The ticket-takers typically check pictures pretty closely. Regardless, my ap now has a hold on it so the person can't use it anyway. Although they credit and atm cards were still there, I cancelled them since I figure the idiot could have written the numbers and info down to use online. So for the time being I have no atm cards and no Disneyland AP, but it could have been worse. Fortunately, Traci can still use hers.

Today, Courtney went to her call back with Clear Talent Group, an agency that would potentially represent her for print ads and commercials. Courtney was shy and didn't show what the agent was looking for, although they encouraged us to return in a few months if we hadn't found another agent. (She meets them weekly through the acting school she attended for a few months.) It's always fun to drive from Whittier to Studio City and back in the rain when you're only there a half hour. It could have been worse. They told us that they like the pictures she has taken and thinks she just needs a little work on focusing her attention. Not surprising since she will just turn 4 next month. The bottom line is as long as she is having fun and wants to keep trying it, we'll support it. We think she can do it. (insert parental bias comment here)

Ok, it's time to change into my alter ego as the leader of the band Mathgeek! Party on Garth! Party on Wayne! Ok! Oh wait, they're wanna-be's...I'm the real deal! Hope I don't wake the girls or our neighbors up! Oh wait, it's after 10:00...bedtime.

Sicky

So life has been a little crazy lately, and thus the reason it's been a while since I posted anything. Here's a brief update of life lately...

Skyler celebrated her 2nd birthday (already!) on Sunday and we had the usual big bash. (We still feel bad for not inviting everyone we really wanted to.) The Tinker Bell bounce house was a hit, the cake was good and the people that were able to make it were fun to hang out with. We love having parties and having people over. It's hard to believe our youngest kid is now 2! She's such a cutie!

Unfortunately, I got hit with a virus over the weekend. The first signs of it actually showed up when I woke up Friday morning with a sore throat that went away in a couple of hours by itself. Saturday was pretty miserable, which wasn't helped by all the physical activity I did on Friday (mowing, edging, raking, moving furniture and an outdoor playhouse--more physician activity than I typically do any one week!) Then Sunday I went to church and taught in our Sunday School class and then went home and helped finish prepping for the party. Way too much for someone who was sick. Needless to say, I was home from work Monday, worked 10 hours yesterday and am home again today. Fortunately, I think this virus is on it's way out finally as I am feeling a little better.

Blog Blitz Part 6 - A Bonds Top 10 List

I have always been a fan of David Letterman's top ten lists. So with that, I will take my own shot at a top ten list. Since I am trying to work harder at looking at the glass as half full, I present to you the top ten positive things about Barry Bonds indictment for perjury and obstruction of justice (listed in reverse order as they are typically read by David Letterman):

#10 - His forthcoming children's book: "How to Make Friends by Being a Good Teammate."
#9 - Inmates can be creative planning a "Welcome Barry Bonds" party.
#8 - The Oakland A's will save money by cancelling plans to build a dome to protect them from home runs being hit into their stadium.
#7 - Global warming will slow as Bonds stops blowing hot air.
#6 - The Giants will suck even more.
#5 - He can still hit home runs into the bay from Alcatraz.
#4 - He can provide guidance to Roger Clemens.
#3 - Less glare from the sun in the bay area off Bonds' enlarged melon when he is in court as opposed to being on the field.
#2 - The trial will be more interesting to watch than Giants baseball.
#1 - He can carpool with OJ!

Blog Blitz Part 5 (or 4.1)

With the birthday madness in full swing, we are of course preparing for Skyler's second birthday, which is Jan 13. We just reserved the Tinker Bell bouncer today (it's a Tinker Bell themed party). It is kind of sad though as we had to take a lot of friends off the invite list to keep the party a reasonable size. Please don't be offended if you do not receive an invitation. When we made the invite list for everyone we wanted to invite, it went over 100. Needless to say, we regrettably removed some people since, frankly (or scottly in my case), we don't have room for that many people if it should rain and everybody is forced inside. Anybody who's been to our house can attest to that.

We also made our traditional trip to Disneyland on New Year's Day yesterday. What does that have to do with birthdays? Well, Skyler and Courtney got their picture taken with Ariel. Courtney also had one taken with Ariel by herself for her birthday party invitations which will go out in about a month or so since her birthday is Feb. 20. On the bright side, with all the birthdays we celebrate in the first half of the year, the second half is pretty tame...gives us a chance to recuperate for Christmas.

Blog Blitz Part 4 - Birthday Madness

I think Christmas kicks off the birthday madness that happens every year. At least it's Jesus' birthday that kicks it off. To give you an idea of how crazy it is for us, I'm listing the dates of birthdays that we celebrate (attend a party or gathering for) each year. Any numbers in parentheses represent multiple birthdays on that date.

January: 2 (2), 3, 12, 13, 15, 27
February: 3, 9, 18, 20 (2), 24 (2), 25, 28
March: 23 (2)
April: 1, 13, 16 (2), 17, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30
May: 1, 4, 5 (2), 6, 9 (2), 12, 16, 20, 30
June: 13, 19, 20

There are a few other birthdays in those months as well, but I don't remember exactly when they are (and our anniversary is June 26). Therefore, I would like to make a statement to those who are or may be thinking about having a kid or 10. I hereby declare the following times of year off limits to any new birthdays within out circle of friends and family: all of January, all of February, March 23, all of April, all of May and mid-June. Let me translate this into other terms...sex is hereby banned for all fertile people (who are our friends and family) from April through September!!!!!!! Now, April is just three months away, so you better get busy!

Blog Blitz Part 3 - Christmas summary

Now that Christmas has come and gone, it can be summarized in one word...dolls! That's right, our home is now an orphanage for dolls. Courtney got a few and Skyler got at least half a dozen! That doesn't even count all the ones they had before. I knew having two girls would mean lots of girly things, but seriously. Nevermind that most of them currently have no clothes on, which oddly enough is much like the girls themselves (Courtney and Skyler that is). On the bright side, they never have a hard time finding one whenever they feel like being motherly or bossing someone around (when they are not bossing each other around) and seem to enjoy them quite a bit. At least Courtney seems to have outgrown wanting to nurse them!

Blog Blitz Part 2 - Job Update

As some of you may know, I am currently working at Chevron as a contractor, meaning I'm not on Chevron's payroll, but working for them while getting paid by a third party. I was told when I hired in that it should become an employee position. Well, that time has come! I was verbally offered the position on Monday, New Year's Eve. Today I received the formal offer. Now it's a matter of me accepting, which I plan on doing tomorrow since I got it so late in the day today, and then jumping through the hoops that need to be jumped through (paperwork, drug test, physical and anything else I'm not yet aware of). It will be nice going from just getting paid to getting paid and getting benefits, retirement, paid time off (vacation, sick, etc.). Although it will be a cut in base pay, they expect me to get an increase when the pay scale increases in April. plus factor in medical, dental, etc. (which we currently pay for on our own - 100%) as well as vacation (3 weeks!) and sick as well as retirement (4 to 1 match on first 2%!) and it's looking really good. That doesn't even take into consideration the regular bonuses for various safety and operational milestones achieved throughout the year or the annual incentive plan (success sharing/bonus). Needless to say, I'm very excited about this and hope that I can stay at Chevron for the rest of my career. I'll try to post again on this when everything is finalized, which if all goes well will be in about a month.

Blog Blitz Part 1 - The Risky Gift: Update

So here we are into 2008. I thought I should give an update on how the gift-giving went with my grandma. Fortunately, there was no negativity. When she opened it, she looked at it for a minute or so and then said thank you. I'll take that. Traci says she heard her say she would read it. I really hope she does. We left her a little note inside the front so hopefully that motivates her to read it as well. I guess we'll see.