Month: January 2004

  • Dear family,

    Just a quick note to add this month.  We have not been very diligent the past few times, so know that we are still kicking here in  lovely Santa Paula, CA.

     

    We are heavily into Brian’s school semester and it is as we feared, very time consuming.  We don’t see him until 11 most weeknights.  We cherish our Saturdays and Sundays when he is home for a stretch of time although a lot of that time is alloted to studying as well.  Brian was called a few weeks ago to serve as 1st councelor in the Elders Quarum and has jumped right in to that responsibility with both feet as well.  I have been in the Primary Presidency since we moved in and am enjoying it immensely.

     

    Yesterday our water heater stopped working and when I inspected it after a cold shower I found out it was on fire.  Not blazing by any means but glowing and sparking hotly enough to burn through the metal plate that covers the wires.  I immedietly shut down the power to it and this morning had a water heater specialist out to look at it.  They informed me that we are VERY fortunate to not have had a fire.  It could have been a very bad situation.  We know that we have been very blessed and will continue to pay our tithing as our number one insurance policy.  We still don’t have hot water since we need an electrician to properly rewire it.  (It was installed improperly)  We may not until Monday.  My hair sure will be shiney from all the cold showers. Nontheless we are feeling grateful at this time. 

     


     

  • Yeah Yeah…so it’s been a while.  We are just plugging along here.  School  and work for Brian, chillin’ at home for Pam and Serra~V~.  I have been busy getting myself organized.  The scrapbooks are almost ready for scrapping, although I will wait a few months until all the holiday pictures from outside sources make their appearance.  I let the all the paperwork that needs filing get out of hand and it has been put back under control, with all the tax documents ready to confuse me.  Sewing projects are all done.  We manage a walk most days.


    As we speak young Serra has pee-peed on the potty for the very first time, and Saturday she did her first official potty poop.  I know that this excites you all.  For me the prospect of no more diapers is enough to encourage this behavior.  Dark Chocolate Hershey Kisses is the reward lately, although I may have to step it down when the occasions become more frequent. 


    A few weeks ago we found a lake.  Lake Piru, about 16 miles away from us.  It is not exactly beautiful but it is a lake.  Here it is with us posing without the use of a tripod or photographer.



  • The latest from the Mars Rovers!

  • I get all miffed when I go to others sites and find they haven’t updated in weeks or months until I look at the date of my last entry and realize it is the same for me.  So, I apologize for my ill feelings and infrequent updates. 

    Brian has been riding the pleasant train of no calling at church for the past 4 months.  Isn’t it true that when we just start getting comfortable in our current calling (or lack thereof) we are given a new calling.  Well this is the case for Brian.  He was just saying a few days ago how comfortable he was getting being free from  church  responsibility when the rug was pulled out from under him on Sunday.  First they asked us what our current situation looked like time wise.  When we indicated that things were pretty tight with work and school and with maybe a little time squeezed in there for family, the brother asked if maybe we could sacrifice an evening a week and Sundays to the Elders Quorum.  Since it has never been a practice of ours to turn down a calling, Brian accepted, with the knowledge that in doing so the Lord would help Brian make the most of the time he has to accomplish everything that is asked of him.  He was sustained and set apart as the 1st counselor within minutes of his acceptance. 


    As if she sensed that she has to pick up some of the slack, young Serra~V~ stayed in nursery for the 2 hours she was supposed to without a single parental visit.  I am nearby and could hear her wail every time someone came in or out of that room, but she stayed and did fairly well. 


    I was looking in her mouth this morning and could see something in her back tooth.  We went in and brushed her teeth and I looked again.  Still there.  I was worried it was a cavity but upon closer inspection, I realized it was a new tooth that was almost completely through and there was a little blood on the gum that I was seeing.  She has a matching one on the other side.  So 2 of her 2 year molars a through and I didn’t even notice.  I wonder if that is what triggered her cold the last few weeks.  She always seems to get a cold with each tooth that comes in.  It may be what has triggered the spitting habit she has now too. (all that extra saliva)


    She is saying lots of new words and improving on the old ones.  The new one last night was “a baby go” meaning “where did the baby go?”Most phrases and words have something to do with mommy, daddy, or baby. 


    Backing up a bit:  We spent New Years Eve at home with movies and then to bed just after midnight.  Serra of course was awake as usual at that hour.  We are old fuddy duddys when it comes to partying.  We find it much more enjoyable to stay home and enjoy each others company.  New Years Day we got up at a leisurely hour and headed to Vegas with little traffic to impede our travels.  We spent the next 5 days eating and visiting with everyone.  Holly was able to be there at the same time and Amy Jo was still home from BYU so every one was there.  One afternoon the boys even stayed home with the kids and all the ladies went and saw Cheaper by the Dozen.  It was fun to actually see a movie.  I don’t get to do that all that often anymore.  We were sad to have to leave realizing that school was starting again for Brian and back to work for him as well.  We will miss him this semester, but we sure appreciate what he is doing to give us a better future. 


    Until next month. Just kidding, hopefully.


    Here are some shots of the Arnell cousins and Serra.