happy birthday casey!!!!
(we know it was yesterday, but we're late, as usual...)
expect something in the mail very soon...
love,
tracey and matt
Thursday, April 24, 2003
what is the demonic spirit involved with my sixpence none the richer cd's???
i have bought "this beautiful mess" a total of three, yes three! times. again, it is missing.
and now i just went to get "divine discontent" and it, too, is gone.
how, i ask? how is this happening?
but alas, there are more things in life than music (what???)---although unbelievably hard to separate music from almost every aspect of life, as it penetrates every activity and thought and growth and emotion and everything associated with any significant event of my life...
unbelievable how the Lord did it all--with music, i mean. think about the ENDLESS possible combinations of a limited number of notes with songs and lyrics and styles. truly amazing.
also, justin--we totally would love to hang with you this summer. when are you going to europe? we'll have to coordinate with the alaskans for sure. ryan and michelle will be here from june 14-21 (oh, check out michelle's blog--she has a message for you!). we're into whatever-sd, chowtown, maybe yosemite/big sur/monterey/any other place.
welp, i'm making a jello cake tonight--anybody ever made one before? you know, when you poke holes in a cake, pour liquid hot jello over it, fling it in the fridge, and top it with whipped cream. if you haven't had it, you should. yummmmmmmmmmmmmmm. so anyhoo, i must get on the stick with that one!
i'll leave with some lyrics from the travoltas:
hey i got a great plan
we'll drive in my van
we're heading down south
where the summer's still around
feel the ocean breeze
we will dance all nigh-igh-ight
hey we'll go to mexico (san diego!)
where tequila rivers flow
the surf is always up
everybody's going nuts
live awhile by the sea
you will feel alrigh-igh-ight...
-tracey
i have bought "this beautiful mess" a total of three, yes three! times. again, it is missing.
and now i just went to get "divine discontent" and it, too, is gone.
how, i ask? how is this happening?
but alas, there are more things in life than music (what???)---although unbelievably hard to separate music from almost every aspect of life, as it penetrates every activity and thought and growth and emotion and everything associated with any significant event of my life...
unbelievable how the Lord did it all--with music, i mean. think about the ENDLESS possible combinations of a limited number of notes with songs and lyrics and styles. truly amazing.
also, justin--we totally would love to hang with you this summer. when are you going to europe? we'll have to coordinate with the alaskans for sure. ryan and michelle will be here from june 14-21 (oh, check out michelle's blog--she has a message for you!). we're into whatever-sd, chowtown, maybe yosemite/big sur/monterey/any other place.
welp, i'm making a jello cake tonight--anybody ever made one before? you know, when you poke holes in a cake, pour liquid hot jello over it, fling it in the fridge, and top it with whipped cream. if you haven't had it, you should. yummmmmmmmmmmmmmm. so anyhoo, i must get on the stick with that one!
i'll leave with some lyrics from the travoltas:
hey i got a great plan
we'll drive in my van
we're heading down south
where the summer's still around
feel the ocean breeze
we will dance all nigh-igh-ight
hey we'll go to mexico (san diego!)
where tequila rivers flow
the surf is always up
everybody's going nuts
live awhile by the sea
you will feel alrigh-igh-ight...
-tracey
Tuesday, April 22, 2003
finally! i'm back.
sorry if my opening line has been annoying you for the past week or so.
we've just been a little bit busy is all...
had a great visit with my parents--we fit sooooo much stuff in!!! they came in on saturday and we showed them around ocean beach, my elementary school, and sunset cliffs. then we went to shelter island and walked around the marina while my dad marveled at all of the sailboats. after that, we went home and packed a picnic and took it back to sunset cliffs just in time to watch the sun set. ahhhh...
sunday: it was cloudy in the morning and i was getting ready to pout about it but decided to work out with my mom at sunset cliffs. we went about 3 miles and the sky cleared right up--so beautiful!!! so we decided to head up the coast to wahoo's for lunch, la jolla's seal beach (so many cute, fat seals just squirming around. we were able to get really close to some who were lounging on the rocks), then on to a hike at torrey pines, and up to encinitas for another sunset.
monday: yuck! a storm came in and annoyed the crap out of everyone!!! but matt went off to work and my parents and i headed for the maritime museum (which is housed in this huge old ship with sails that remind me of the dawn treader!), also browsed around seaport village for awhile. at one point i yelled into the wind, "I'M NOT IN BOWLING GREEN!!!" then it was naptime for the cranky heads.... we picked matt up at work and went out for happy hour and dinner at fred's mexican-yum. back to matt's office for the tour of mr. technical writer and then my mom and i had to go sandal shopping while the boys went home and watched sports.
tuesday: matt finally got a day off work and we went to the zoo--the best were the cute pandas! i wish i could have hugged those softy guys! we made it home in time for the sunset again and then off to the field, our favorite irish restaurant for an epic evening. we got to sit right by the glowing fireplace and had a very cool irish waiter (who became my dad's best friend within minutes!). followed that up with some coffee and then snooze time!
wednesday: dad set off for his own adventure on the orion sailboat for the day (had some titanic moments on the bow of the boat, he reported). my mom and i went to old town and had a fun tour with an interesting tour guide and then ate tortillas from a vendor on the street (yummy cinnamon and strawberry tortillas--so good!). we went to the tidal pools at cabrillo national monument and saw a million hermit crabs--we were hoping for some starfish, but they were nowhere to be found. then we headed over to the OB farmer's market (they close a main street down and all the local farmers, florists, and fishermen--and other random people-come in and sell their goods). i bought some flowers and vegetables and we came home and made a very fresh dinner out of our purchases!
thursday: went hiking in the anza-borrego desert --can you believe it was cold???? well, it was. at least for the first half hour of the hike. then the sun came out and it warmed up to about 70 degrees--totally not typical for springtime. we hiked to palm canyon, an oasis in the middle of the desert--so beautiful and serene. we got home around 6 pm (got in yet another great sunset--best one all week!) and nobody felt like cooking so we went to fillipi's pizza grotto for chianti and pizza. my mom became obsessed with the meat sauce on her lasagna and bought some fresh sauce on an impulse. 5 minutes later she said, "how will i get this home on the plane?" thus, matt and i have become the proud owners of two containers of fresh spaghetti sauce!
friday: went to OB and sunset cliffs and my parents said goodbye to the ocean. then i dropped them off at the airport, came home, and collapsed. whew--fun and exhausting week!
we're heading out to bible study now so farewell for now.
sorry if my opening line has been annoying you for the past week or so.
we've just been a little bit busy is all...
had a great visit with my parents--we fit sooooo much stuff in!!! they came in on saturday and we showed them around ocean beach, my elementary school, and sunset cliffs. then we went to shelter island and walked around the marina while my dad marveled at all of the sailboats. after that, we went home and packed a picnic and took it back to sunset cliffs just in time to watch the sun set. ahhhh...
sunday: it was cloudy in the morning and i was getting ready to pout about it but decided to work out with my mom at sunset cliffs. we went about 3 miles and the sky cleared right up--so beautiful!!! so we decided to head up the coast to wahoo's for lunch, la jolla's seal beach (so many cute, fat seals just squirming around. we were able to get really close to some who were lounging on the rocks), then on to a hike at torrey pines, and up to encinitas for another sunset.
monday: yuck! a storm came in and annoyed the crap out of everyone!!! but matt went off to work and my parents and i headed for the maritime museum (which is housed in this huge old ship with sails that remind me of the dawn treader!), also browsed around seaport village for awhile. at one point i yelled into the wind, "I'M NOT IN BOWLING GREEN!!!" then it was naptime for the cranky heads.... we picked matt up at work and went out for happy hour and dinner at fred's mexican-yum. back to matt's office for the tour of mr. technical writer and then my mom and i had to go sandal shopping while the boys went home and watched sports.
tuesday: matt finally got a day off work and we went to the zoo--the best were the cute pandas! i wish i could have hugged those softy guys! we made it home in time for the sunset again and then off to the field, our favorite irish restaurant for an epic evening. we got to sit right by the glowing fireplace and had a very cool irish waiter (who became my dad's best friend within minutes!). followed that up with some coffee and then snooze time!
wednesday: dad set off for his own adventure on the orion sailboat for the day (had some titanic moments on the bow of the boat, he reported). my mom and i went to old town and had a fun tour with an interesting tour guide and then ate tortillas from a vendor on the street (yummy cinnamon and strawberry tortillas--so good!). we went to the tidal pools at cabrillo national monument and saw a million hermit crabs--we were hoping for some starfish, but they were nowhere to be found. then we headed over to the OB farmer's market (they close a main street down and all the local farmers, florists, and fishermen--and other random people-come in and sell their goods). i bought some flowers and vegetables and we came home and made a very fresh dinner out of our purchases!
thursday: went hiking in the anza-borrego desert --can you believe it was cold???? well, it was. at least for the first half hour of the hike. then the sun came out and it warmed up to about 70 degrees--totally not typical for springtime. we hiked to palm canyon, an oasis in the middle of the desert--so beautiful and serene. we got home around 6 pm (got in yet another great sunset--best one all week!) and nobody felt like cooking so we went to fillipi's pizza grotto for chianti and pizza. my mom became obsessed with the meat sauce on her lasagna and bought some fresh sauce on an impulse. 5 minutes later she said, "how will i get this home on the plane?" thus, matt and i have become the proud owners of two containers of fresh spaghetti sauce!
friday: went to OB and sunset cliffs and my parents said goodbye to the ocean. then i dropped them off at the airport, came home, and collapsed. whew--fun and exhausting week!
we're heading out to bible study now so farewell for now.
Thursday, April 10, 2003
hello everyone.
man, have we had a beautiful week! i'm choosing to ignore weather reports that say it will be cold and cloudy this whole weekend.
i just got back from running, and have a chiropractor's appt in a little bit so this will be short and sweet!
matt has been working his head off for the past month and a half--but especially this past week-11 and 12 hour days!!! so i haven't seen much of that guy around! thankfully, his deadline is friday, so it will ease up just in time for my parents to get here. and he's saved up nearly a week in overtime work, so he's got a few days off coming his way. we did get to see "bend it like beckham" on friday. and-sorry dad!- i have to agree with matt: i give it a C, maybe C- even. music was great, accents were really cool, and there were some funny parts. but it was incredibly predictable, fairly boring, and i could not stand that white english girl--anyone else feeling my pain???
only one more day until spring break!!!! and not a day too soon-it's been so hard to get out of bed this whole week! and for really no reason at all, other than i just need a break.
i booked a trip to fly home to cincy from june 28-july 12th--yay! i'll be staying with my grammy and granddad for a night or two; hopefully catch up with kevin and emily while i'm in columbus; then on to my parents', where we'll spend some quality time; then heidi will come down for 4th of july weekend and we'll have girl time; and then my mom and i will have a baby shower for michelle on the 6th, so i'll get to see ryan and michelle, too! i'm packing it in! dad, maybe we'll have to have our kings island tradition on a day that mom has to work late!
as far as a summer trip for matt and i, who knows... we'd love to go to ireland, but the prices are really high right now. maybe if there is a great deal around june or july, we'll buy some tickets. if we stick around here, my vote is to drive up highway 1 and camp at various places along the coast.
best quote from a kid today:
"what happened to your toe?"
he was referring to my freak third toe, which is longer than both my big toe and second toe.
yeah, i'd like to know the answer to that, too. how bout it, Lord?
tracey
man, have we had a beautiful week! i'm choosing to ignore weather reports that say it will be cold and cloudy this whole weekend.
i just got back from running, and have a chiropractor's appt in a little bit so this will be short and sweet!
matt has been working his head off for the past month and a half--but especially this past week-11 and 12 hour days!!! so i haven't seen much of that guy around! thankfully, his deadline is friday, so it will ease up just in time for my parents to get here. and he's saved up nearly a week in overtime work, so he's got a few days off coming his way. we did get to see "bend it like beckham" on friday. and-sorry dad!- i have to agree with matt: i give it a C, maybe C- even. music was great, accents were really cool, and there were some funny parts. but it was incredibly predictable, fairly boring, and i could not stand that white english girl--anyone else feeling my pain???
only one more day until spring break!!!! and not a day too soon-it's been so hard to get out of bed this whole week! and for really no reason at all, other than i just need a break.
i booked a trip to fly home to cincy from june 28-july 12th--yay! i'll be staying with my grammy and granddad for a night or two; hopefully catch up with kevin and emily while i'm in columbus; then on to my parents', where we'll spend some quality time; then heidi will come down for 4th of july weekend and we'll have girl time; and then my mom and i will have a baby shower for michelle on the 6th, so i'll get to see ryan and michelle, too! i'm packing it in! dad, maybe we'll have to have our kings island tradition on a day that mom has to work late!
as far as a summer trip for matt and i, who knows... we'd love to go to ireland, but the prices are really high right now. maybe if there is a great deal around june or july, we'll buy some tickets. if we stick around here, my vote is to drive up highway 1 and camp at various places along the coast.
best quote from a kid today:
"what happened to your toe?"
he was referring to my freak third toe, which is longer than both my big toe and second toe.
yeah, i'd like to know the answer to that, too. how bout it, Lord?
tracey
Sunday, April 06, 2003
happy 50th birthday mom edwards!!!
it's your birthday in ohio (not for a few more hours here!)
it sounds like your party was a blast-can't wait to hear about it and see the pictures!
dad edwards, i think you would like denison witmer's music-it reminds me of a really acoustic jackson browne, not exactly like him but i get little glimpses here and there.
i tried to go to my friend's church this morning but got lost and finally ended up at a mall an hour later. therefore, i had a summer clothes shopping trip!!! yay! i used up the rest of my christmas gift card from mom and dad. matt worked all day today so i went for a run-though my body was telling me "no thank you, not today." however, i have been faithful with running about every other day. the best part is running through this natural park near us/sunset cliffs. all the spring wildflowers opened up and there are fields of yellow and white thigh high flowers everywhere!
last week of school before spring break!!! then only 8 weeks after that! then summer beach/travel/relaxation time!!!!
tracey
it's your birthday in ohio (not for a few more hours here!)
it sounds like your party was a blast-can't wait to hear about it and see the pictures!
dad edwards, i think you would like denison witmer's music-it reminds me of a really acoustic jackson browne, not exactly like him but i get little glimpses here and there.
i tried to go to my friend's church this morning but got lost and finally ended up at a mall an hour later. therefore, i had a summer clothes shopping trip!!! yay! i used up the rest of my christmas gift card from mom and dad. matt worked all day today so i went for a run-though my body was telling me "no thank you, not today." however, i have been faithful with running about every other day. the best part is running through this natural park near us/sunset cliffs. all the spring wildflowers opened up and there are fields of yellow and white thigh high flowers everywhere!
last week of school before spring break!!! then only 8 weeks after that! then summer beach/travel/relaxation time!!!!
tracey
Friday, April 04, 2003
hello everyone-
a few quick things--everyone should read my sister-in-law michelle's blog (link is to the left) from today, which recreates an april fools day joke that my dad pulled-HILARIOUS!!! wow, dad good, you have TOTALLY outdone any joke you have ever pulled before--so funny!!!
mom edwards, what was in the box?
a fun evaluation with a kindergartener produced the following quote of the day:
(first of all, picture this tiny little boy with teeny glasses and the cutest voice you've ever heard)
me: so, ruben, how old are you?
ruben: i-i-i-i-i'm five (he stutters but is so darn cute while he does it!!!)
me: whoa, wow, 5 years old, huh?
ruben: a-a-and i can even see in the dark!
(apparently the age and ability to see in the dark are linked, in his mind...:)
a teacher and i have been witnessing to her aide and the teacher bought her a bible and she accepted the lord as her savior this week!!! yeah!! her name is lisa if someone would pray for her--lots of baggage coming with her and she's nervous that people in the church won't accept her. but she can't put down that bible--it's amazing to watch Christ working on her heart.
i still feel the moments when you came alive
like a poem about springtime
nothing to hide
-denison witmer
welp, i'm out of here-
i think matt and i may go to the corvette diner and then to watch that one indian movie (my big fat indian wedding-ha! but seems similar!).
tracey
a few quick things--everyone should read my sister-in-law michelle's blog (link is to the left) from today, which recreates an april fools day joke that my dad pulled-HILARIOUS!!! wow, dad good, you have TOTALLY outdone any joke you have ever pulled before--so funny!!!
mom edwards, what was in the box?
a fun evaluation with a kindergartener produced the following quote of the day:
(first of all, picture this tiny little boy with teeny glasses and the cutest voice you've ever heard)
me: so, ruben, how old are you?
ruben: i-i-i-i-i'm five (he stutters but is so darn cute while he does it!!!)
me: whoa, wow, 5 years old, huh?
ruben: a-a-and i can even see in the dark!
(apparently the age and ability to see in the dark are linked, in his mind...:)
a teacher and i have been witnessing to her aide and the teacher bought her a bible and she accepted the lord as her savior this week!!! yeah!! her name is lisa if someone would pray for her--lots of baggage coming with her and she's nervous that people in the church won't accept her. but she can't put down that bible--it's amazing to watch Christ working on her heart.
i still feel the moments when you came alive
like a poem about springtime
nothing to hide
-denison witmer
welp, i'm out of here-
i think matt and i may go to the corvette diner and then to watch that one indian movie (my big fat indian wedding-ha! but seems similar!).
tracey
Thursday, April 03, 2003
hello
i'm sitting here listening to some acoustic denison witmer
thinking
remembering the best trip in the world that i took with matt and mary
when we decided to pack up and drive out to san diego last summer
lyrics from "miles"-
we’ll get in my car around 10:30 (12:00!) at night
it’s the biggest healing session that I’ve had for some years
the laughter and the driving and the letting go…
hold me my world is closing
help me to keep it open
and we feel the push of
Christ-directed life
the love-directed life
-denison witmer
what a perfect time that was
and how much fun we had with each other
and how we loved God for his created beauty
and were set free of things we were dealing with
and even more perfect that he put these dreams in our hearts
and fulfilled them. LORD you are amazing! i am overwhelmed...
anyhoo,
enough of that reminiscing! (did i spell that correctly?)
matt and i are getting ready for more visitors--my parents will be here in 8 days! we're excited to show them our lives and the things we love to do here! michelle, i can't believe your drama on the way back to the san fran aiport!!! i'm so glad you made it home sooner--worth that extra $25, eh?
oops, i have to go pick matt up from a long day/night of work. farewell...
i'm sitting here listening to some acoustic denison witmer
thinking
remembering the best trip in the world that i took with matt and mary
when we decided to pack up and drive out to san diego last summer
lyrics from "miles"-
we’ll get in my car around 10:30 (12:00!) at night
it’s the biggest healing session that I’ve had for some years
the laughter and the driving and the letting go…
hold me my world is closing
help me to keep it open
and we feel the push of
Christ-directed life
the love-directed life
-denison witmer
what a perfect time that was
and how much fun we had with each other
and how we loved God for his created beauty
and were set free of things we were dealing with
and even more perfect that he put these dreams in our hearts
and fulfilled them. LORD you are amazing! i am overwhelmed...
anyhoo,
enough of that reminiscing! (did i spell that correctly?)
matt and i are getting ready for more visitors--my parents will be here in 8 days! we're excited to show them our lives and the things we love to do here! michelle, i can't believe your drama on the way back to the san fran aiport!!! i'm so glad you made it home sooner--worth that extra $25, eh?
oops, i have to go pick matt up from a long day/night of work. farewell...
Friday, March 28, 2003
quote from a fourth grade girl today:
"i have lots of friends. i can be friends with anyone if i want to. (thoughtful pause) except saddam."
justin, i was so into your blog about bush and war and all that--my sentiments exactlly.
so much to say...
first off:
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BROTHERS!!!!!
justin, for "crutches" winning the BGSU film festival--wow!!! it's so great to see people (LOTS OF PEOPLE) appreciating your humor, innovation, and gift!!!
and michael, for your sweet math scholarship!!! can't wait until you're supporting all of us with that amazing brain! will you invite matt as your faculty member??? ha!
this week God is just showing us his LOVE, through the people he has put in our lives. we have had such a great time this week with friends and family!!!
michelle came down from san francisco to visit for tues evening, weds, and thursday. on wednesday we spent the whole day in la jolla, sitting on a rock overlooking the ocean, chatting and laughing. then we went to the ocean beach farmer's market and bought fresh pasta, alfredo sauce, fresh vegetables, strawberries, cheesecake, mini doughnuts, and fresh flowers (i filled all the rooms in my house with flowers for $3.00!!!!). then we came home, made the chow, and pigged out royally! what a perfect day with a perfect person! i echo her thoughts from a previous blog: it's so great to have a sister in law who is also one of my best friends in the world.
as i said before, our friends joel, astevens, and mccann have been visiting for the past week. joel reluctantly left today. astevens and mccann were going to leave tonight, but during dinner we talked them into staying one more day (yeah!). we have a great day planned for tomorrow. for those of you who read this and don't know, joel and matt have been best friends for years. but we just met astevens and mccann a few weeks ago when we stayed with them at their place in san francisco. as you all know, that was one of the BEST trips matt and i have ever taken. not only was the city spectacular, but the INSTANT friendship bond we formed with those boys was completely from God. i can't describe it really, but you know what i mean if you have met someone and become great friends within minutes. this has been rare in my life, and i'm happy to see it surface again (surprised by the form it has taken--with boys, i mean:) just goes to show that God fulfills His plan in His own way-always. and if we try to squish His way into what we think it should be, we totally miss the best things that He has for us.
so here's a shout out to our good friends astevens and mccann, courtesy of the travoltas:
the sun is out there
and i'm feeling alright
but it is not fair
that i have to leave tonight
and i wish i could stay a little longer...
i don't want to go home
-travoltas, "alright"
tracey
"i have lots of friends. i can be friends with anyone if i want to. (thoughtful pause) except saddam."
justin, i was so into your blog about bush and war and all that--my sentiments exactlly.
so much to say...
first off:
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BROTHERS!!!!!
justin, for "crutches" winning the BGSU film festival--wow!!! it's so great to see people (LOTS OF PEOPLE) appreciating your humor, innovation, and gift!!!
and michael, for your sweet math scholarship!!! can't wait until you're supporting all of us with that amazing brain! will you invite matt as your faculty member??? ha!
this week God is just showing us his LOVE, through the people he has put in our lives. we have had such a great time this week with friends and family!!!
michelle came down from san francisco to visit for tues evening, weds, and thursday. on wednesday we spent the whole day in la jolla, sitting on a rock overlooking the ocean, chatting and laughing. then we went to the ocean beach farmer's market and bought fresh pasta, alfredo sauce, fresh vegetables, strawberries, cheesecake, mini doughnuts, and fresh flowers (i filled all the rooms in my house with flowers for $3.00!!!!). then we came home, made the chow, and pigged out royally! what a perfect day with a perfect person! i echo her thoughts from a previous blog: it's so great to have a sister in law who is also one of my best friends in the world.
as i said before, our friends joel, astevens, and mccann have been visiting for the past week. joel reluctantly left today. astevens and mccann were going to leave tonight, but during dinner we talked them into staying one more day (yeah!). we have a great day planned for tomorrow. for those of you who read this and don't know, joel and matt have been best friends for years. but we just met astevens and mccann a few weeks ago when we stayed with them at their place in san francisco. as you all know, that was one of the BEST trips matt and i have ever taken. not only was the city spectacular, but the INSTANT friendship bond we formed with those boys was completely from God. i can't describe it really, but you know what i mean if you have met someone and become great friends within minutes. this has been rare in my life, and i'm happy to see it surface again (surprised by the form it has taken--with boys, i mean:) just goes to show that God fulfills His plan in His own way-always. and if we try to squish His way into what we think it should be, we totally miss the best things that He has for us.
so here's a shout out to our good friends astevens and mccann, courtesy of the travoltas:
the sun is out there
and i'm feeling alright
but it is not fair
that i have to leave tonight
and i wish i could stay a little longer...
i don't want to go home
-travoltas, "alright"
tracey
Tuesday, March 25, 2003
hello again!
one week left in march!!! i am over 2/3rds of the way finished with school!
yeah!
matt and i have been having fun. on friday night we went to see cush, one of my favorite bands ever in the world and THEY ROCKED OUT!!! such a great show, such a great feeling associated with their music. when i first started listening to them, i would dream of california and long to live there. unbelievable feeling to be actually seeing them now that i LIVE OUT HERE!!! i really can't describe it in human terms. they are so into their music and SO TIGHT that it is easily one of the BEST live bands i have ever witnessed. we also talked to wayne everett for a little while (drummer of cush, used to be in prayer chain) and he is a very nice, down to earth guy. we were talking in an awkward place where people were trying to get in and out and it would have been sort of natural to get out of the conversation but he said, "we're kind of in the way here, let's go outside so we can talk." wow--and the dude made several ship references, which matt and i have been laughing about ever since.
our pals, joel, astevens, and mccann are in town on their way home from san francisco and are hanging out here for awhile.
they arrived late friday night (3am), wherein i had a sleepwalking incident (which i don't remember but which apparently gave them all a good laugh). we all went to joshua tree national park on saturday and camped at this great location and just had such an excellent night of chatting around a campfire. joel played his guitar, the boys drank some beers (i refrained, due to the fact that we had to whiz in the great outdoors!), smoked some cigars, prayed a little, worshipped together, ate some yummy hot dogs over the fire, and talked all night. we all slept outside for at least part of the night--perfect temperature and the stars were the most amazing that i have ever seen! the next day we woke up sweating (this is the desert, people!) and drove through the park, stopping to climb rocks and go on short little excursions/hikes. we came home that night and were pooped out!
i'm expecting michelle in tonight between 8pm and 10pm and am planning to take tomorrow off work so the two of us can hang out all day. yay!
i had a dream that ryan and michelle's baby was a beautiful little girl. i also had a dream that i accidentally flew off of a cliff on my mountain bike. fear was the first thing that gripped me, but then peace overcame me. as i was falling, i was thanking god for everything in my life and told him i couldn't wait to see him. what wonderful ways god speaks to us (or maybe me?--i assume it is everyone) in dreams.
tracey
one week left in march!!! i am over 2/3rds of the way finished with school!
yeah!
matt and i have been having fun. on friday night we went to see cush, one of my favorite bands ever in the world and THEY ROCKED OUT!!! such a great show, such a great feeling associated with their music. when i first started listening to them, i would dream of california and long to live there. unbelievable feeling to be actually seeing them now that i LIVE OUT HERE!!! i really can't describe it in human terms. they are so into their music and SO TIGHT that it is easily one of the BEST live bands i have ever witnessed. we also talked to wayne everett for a little while (drummer of cush, used to be in prayer chain) and he is a very nice, down to earth guy. we were talking in an awkward place where people were trying to get in and out and it would have been sort of natural to get out of the conversation but he said, "we're kind of in the way here, let's go outside so we can talk." wow--and the dude made several ship references, which matt and i have been laughing about ever since.
our pals, joel, astevens, and mccann are in town on their way home from san francisco and are hanging out here for awhile.
they arrived late friday night (3am), wherein i had a sleepwalking incident (which i don't remember but which apparently gave them all a good laugh). we all went to joshua tree national park on saturday and camped at this great location and just had such an excellent night of chatting around a campfire. joel played his guitar, the boys drank some beers (i refrained, due to the fact that we had to whiz in the great outdoors!), smoked some cigars, prayed a little, worshipped together, ate some yummy hot dogs over the fire, and talked all night. we all slept outside for at least part of the night--perfect temperature and the stars were the most amazing that i have ever seen! the next day we woke up sweating (this is the desert, people!) and drove through the park, stopping to climb rocks and go on short little excursions/hikes. we came home that night and were pooped out!
i'm expecting michelle in tonight between 8pm and 10pm and am planning to take tomorrow off work so the two of us can hang out all day. yay!
i had a dream that ryan and michelle's baby was a beautiful little girl. i also had a dream that i accidentally flew off of a cliff on my mountain bike. fear was the first thing that gripped me, but then peace overcame me. as i was falling, i was thanking god for everything in my life and told him i couldn't wait to see him. what wonderful ways god speaks to us (or maybe me?--i assume it is everyone) in dreams.
tracey
Monday, March 24, 2003
happy birthday to michael!!!!! yeah!
and a quick note to justin--i must say that i have night sweats at LEAST 3-4 times/week. didn't know other young people (and boys!) had them, too. have you linked it to anything in particular or just stress?
been having so much fun lately but i'll have to write about it later...
tracey
and a quick note to justin--i must say that i have night sweats at LEAST 3-4 times/week. didn't know other young people (and boys!) had them, too. have you linked it to anything in particular or just stress?
been having so much fun lately but i'll have to write about it later...
tracey
Tuesday, March 18, 2003
what a fun, lazy weekend i just had!
saturday morning we woke up to intermittent rain-yuck! but worse was the fact that the weather was causing the planes to change their path and LOUDLY land over our apt about every 2 minutes. i became so cranky and irritable that matt handed me my purse and said, "go shopping." (ha!!!) however, i knew i would just be exposed to more LOUD people and people who don't know how to drive in the rain. therefore, i went to the library and checked out about 7 chapter books that i had read as a child. then i came home and curled up in my down comforter with my books, some french vanilla coffee, and cookie dough. i read and laughed all day--and what great memories those books evoked!! i sort of got the idea for this when i was observing a child one day during read-aloud. the teacher was reading one of my favorite childhood books, "my father's dragon", and i got so engrossed in it. he came to a stopping point (of course at an exciting part), closed the book and said, "we're going to stop here". everyone (including me) yelled, "NOOOOO, pleeeease read some more!"
we're getting excited for visitors (san fran boys on friday, michelle on tuesday) and joshua tree!
taxes are done, thank GOD!
tracey
saturday morning we woke up to intermittent rain-yuck! but worse was the fact that the weather was causing the planes to change their path and LOUDLY land over our apt about every 2 minutes. i became so cranky and irritable that matt handed me my purse and said, "go shopping." (ha!!!) however, i knew i would just be exposed to more LOUD people and people who don't know how to drive in the rain. therefore, i went to the library and checked out about 7 chapter books that i had read as a child. then i came home and curled up in my down comforter with my books, some french vanilla coffee, and cookie dough. i read and laughed all day--and what great memories those books evoked!! i sort of got the idea for this when i was observing a child one day during read-aloud. the teacher was reading one of my favorite childhood books, "my father's dragon", and i got so engrossed in it. he came to a stopping point (of course at an exciting part), closed the book and said, "we're going to stop here". everyone (including me) yelled, "NOOOOO, pleeeease read some more!"
we're getting excited for visitors (san fran boys on friday, michelle on tuesday) and joshua tree!
taxes are done, thank GOD!
tracey
Saturday, March 15, 2003
i love when the weekend comes! matt and i conked out last night--but not before going to a mexican dive in ocean beach, getting some tacos for dinner, and eating them on the seawall as we watched the sun set and the surfers catch some waves. today matt the workhorse said that he's going to work again, so i might go check out some of the museums around town. haven't done that yet.
funny quotes from kids yesterday:
i was having a conversation with two of my third graders as all the kids were leaving yesterday and here's how it went:
tom: i am a huge follower of captain underpants and diaper baby books!
me: oh, are you? i was thinking about ordering some, should i?
tom: yeah!
karina: mrs. edwards, why are you under there?
(and this girl is a total space cadet and i wasn't under anything, so i totally fell for it!)
me: under where?
karina and tom: you just said "underwear" !!!!
and matt claims this is the best one so far. i can't decide, there are so many good ones!
when i work with my "s" kids, i always tell them to keep their tongue behind thier teeth (it likes to come out and make a "th" lisp, that everyone has heard!).
so i say, "keep the lion in the cage!" and every time we have speech, we decide which animal we want our tongue to be that day. keep in mind i have a 1st grader and a second grader:
me: so what animal do you want your tongue to be today?
kyle: mine is a tiger, again.
keegan: um, i'm thinking.
me: well, mine is a baboon. keegan, did you decide yet?
keegan: um....
kyle: is it a piece of poop?
me: (people, you would have been so proud of me, i did not crack a smile, although i wanted to laugh at the ridiculousness!) is that a word we say in speech?
kyle: no.
me: ok.
keegan: (answering kyle's original question, apparently unmoved) no... um... i think it's a spider monkey.
welp, enough of that! i'm off!
tracey
funny quotes from kids yesterday:
i was having a conversation with two of my third graders as all the kids were leaving yesterday and here's how it went:
tom: i am a huge follower of captain underpants and diaper baby books!
me: oh, are you? i was thinking about ordering some, should i?
tom: yeah!
karina: mrs. edwards, why are you under there?
(and this girl is a total space cadet and i wasn't under anything, so i totally fell for it!)
me: under where?
karina and tom: you just said "underwear" !!!!
and matt claims this is the best one so far. i can't decide, there are so many good ones!
when i work with my "s" kids, i always tell them to keep their tongue behind thier teeth (it likes to come out and make a "th" lisp, that everyone has heard!).
so i say, "keep the lion in the cage!" and every time we have speech, we decide which animal we want our tongue to be that day. keep in mind i have a 1st grader and a second grader:
me: so what animal do you want your tongue to be today?
kyle: mine is a tiger, again.
keegan: um, i'm thinking.
me: well, mine is a baboon. keegan, did you decide yet?
keegan: um....
kyle: is it a piece of poop?
me: (people, you would have been so proud of me, i did not crack a smile, although i wanted to laugh at the ridiculousness!) is that a word we say in speech?
kyle: no.
me: ok.
keegan: (answering kyle's original question, apparently unmoved) no... um... i think it's a spider monkey.
welp, enough of that! i'm off!
tracey
Friday, March 14, 2003
oh yeah, emily--thanks so much for the sweet care package!
sorry to say that matt and i did not have enough self control to wait for the oscars to eat all of our candy.... we snarfed down quite a bit right away!!! we do still have the popcorn, m&m's, and fun dip left, to name a few! so we did save a little for the big night--can't wait!!! yeah chicago!
sorry to say that matt and i did not have enough self control to wait for the oscars to eat all of our candy.... we snarfed down quite a bit right away!!! we do still have the popcorn, m&m's, and fun dip left, to name a few! so we did save a little for the big night--can't wait!!! yeah chicago!
Sunday, March 09, 2003
i just got back from a perfect weekend with my husband.
ahhhh...
it is SO MUCH FUN being married! it was fun to begin with, but it gets even more and more fun as we go!
we hung out at the beaches a lot this weekend, especially at our favorite san diego beach, san elijo. so peaceful and beautiful. there were a ton of surfers out this weekend, too, and they were fun to watch. as were at least 5 dolphins swimming along the shore, galloping in the water. also, we got to see a whale spout water up a few times, and matt actually saw it rise out of the water at one point! we watched the sun set and had a perfect view near the bottom of the cliffs on the beach. we went out to eat at a romantic italian restaurant--they brought me a thornless rose at the end of the meal! today we did some shopping and bought a couple of shirts, walked around pacific beach and mission beach, and now i'm home. matt is out playing basketball.
and now it is back to the daily grind, but we're both refreshed and ready. it helps to know that we're going to joshua tree in a couple of weeks, too!
tracey
ahhhh...
it is SO MUCH FUN being married! it was fun to begin with, but it gets even more and more fun as we go!
we hung out at the beaches a lot this weekend, especially at our favorite san diego beach, san elijo. so peaceful and beautiful. there were a ton of surfers out this weekend, too, and they were fun to watch. as were at least 5 dolphins swimming along the shore, galloping in the water. also, we got to see a whale spout water up a few times, and matt actually saw it rise out of the water at one point! we watched the sun set and had a perfect view near the bottom of the cliffs on the beach. we went out to eat at a romantic italian restaurant--they brought me a thornless rose at the end of the meal! today we did some shopping and bought a couple of shirts, walked around pacific beach and mission beach, and now i'm home. matt is out playing basketball.
and now it is back to the daily grind, but we're both refreshed and ready. it helps to know that we're going to joshua tree in a couple of weeks, too!
tracey
Thursday, March 06, 2003
hey mom--it's about time for your monthly blog, don't you think?
we'll be praying for your safe and fun time in chowtown!
mini blog today, as matt and i are about to eat stuffed crust pizza--ever since michelle mentioned it on her blog, i've been in the mood!!!
nice blog, emily, i love max lucado--his words are so simple yet they penetrate my soul...
p.s. everyone should go to a chiropractor--it feels so good and i've never been so healthy!!!
the end
we'll be praying for your safe and fun time in chowtown!
mini blog today, as matt and i are about to eat stuffed crust pizza--ever since michelle mentioned it on her blog, i've been in the mood!!!
nice blog, emily, i love max lucado--his words are so simple yet they penetrate my soul...
p.s. everyone should go to a chiropractor--it feels so good and i've never been so healthy!!!
the end
Wednesday, March 05, 2003
welp, it's wednesday night and sort of felt like a friday. my kids had a half day, so i was supposed to be writing report cards. distractibility set in and i ended up eating lunch, chatting with coworkers, making a speech game, and getting my billing done. it was actually productive, i just didn't get the report cards done. oh well, another minimum day tomorrow (we have one every week--now i finally do, since another SLP is taking my charter school).
it's been feeling like spring lately-like it's staying lighter longer, the weather is warming up, rain time, and that weird spring fever that i get every year! i thought it would go away now that i live on the west coast, but little things bring back such strong memories of the joy of spring in ohio.... can anyone else relate? it's difficult to put into words.
my favorite part of winter here is the blooming of new flowers. february seems to be the month for that-new colors appear on plants everywhere and make the air smell so sweet.
matt and i are trying to figure out where we want to go on vacation this summer--SO HARD!!! too many places to go...
on the list of potential places to visit in the next few years
1. yosemite national park
2. seattle
3. drive/camp up the coast on hwy 1 (especially big sur, monterey/carmel, san fran)
4. ireland
5. colorado
6. joshua tree national park
7. grand canyon
recommendations from anyone who has been to any of these places are welcome...
well, enough dreaming and planning for me
i'll leave you all with a quote from a kid today:
"sometimes i forget where i am" from a sweet little boy trying to find his way back to his class.
yeah, me too.
tracey
it's been feeling like spring lately-like it's staying lighter longer, the weather is warming up, rain time, and that weird spring fever that i get every year! i thought it would go away now that i live on the west coast, but little things bring back such strong memories of the joy of spring in ohio.... can anyone else relate? it's difficult to put into words.
my favorite part of winter here is the blooming of new flowers. february seems to be the month for that-new colors appear on plants everywhere and make the air smell so sweet.
matt and i are trying to figure out where we want to go on vacation this summer--SO HARD!!! too many places to go...
on the list of potential places to visit in the next few years
1. yosemite national park
2. seattle
3. drive/camp up the coast on hwy 1 (especially big sur, monterey/carmel, san fran)
4. ireland
5. colorado
6. joshua tree national park
7. grand canyon
recommendations from anyone who has been to any of these places are welcome...
well, enough dreaming and planning for me
i'll leave you all with a quote from a kid today:
"sometimes i forget where i am" from a sweet little boy trying to find his way back to his class.
yeah, me too.
tracey
Saturday, March 01, 2003
wow-the crutches clip is great, justin! i can't wait to see it! to those of you who haven't checked out the clip for justin's new short, do so!
i also can't wait for christopher guest's "a mighty wind". i searched for it on google and didn't pay attention, but the first link it lead to was a funny end times prophetic messianic jew website with all these flames and stuff. it was hilarious because for a minute i was like, wait, where's christoper guest?
best blog quote of the week from mary, which made me feel overwhelmed with God:
"THE LORD! THE King of the heavens before there was time! Bow down mare! Just let it roll off and bow down to Me! Wow, I love God! To see His face after the earth....whoa that alone to fuel the day..." it did fuel my day, so thank you...
also, i've been so into the song, hungry, a vineyard worship song. it's just blowing me away right now...
hungry
i come to you
for i know you satisfy
i am empty but i know
your love does not run dry
and so i wait for you
so i wait for you
i'm falling on my knees
offering all of me
jesus you're all this heart is living for
broken
i run to you
for your arms are open wide
i am weary but i know
your touch restores life
so i wait for you
so i wait for you
i'm falling on my knees
offering all of me
jesus you're all this heart is living for
-tracey
i also can't wait for christopher guest's "a mighty wind". i searched for it on google and didn't pay attention, but the first link it lead to was a funny end times prophetic messianic jew website with all these flames and stuff. it was hilarious because for a minute i was like, wait, where's christoper guest?
best blog quote of the week from mary, which made me feel overwhelmed with God:
"THE LORD! THE King of the heavens before there was time! Bow down mare! Just let it roll off and bow down to Me! Wow, I love God! To see His face after the earth....whoa that alone to fuel the day..." it did fuel my day, so thank you...
also, i've been so into the song, hungry, a vineyard worship song. it's just blowing me away right now...
hungry
i come to you
for i know you satisfy
i am empty but i know
your love does not run dry
and so i wait for you
so i wait for you
i'm falling on my knees
offering all of me
jesus you're all this heart is living for
broken
i run to you
for your arms are open wide
i am weary but i know
your touch restores life
so i wait for you
so i wait for you
i'm falling on my knees
offering all of me
jesus you're all this heart is living for
-tracey
Friday, February 28, 2003
how in the world is this the last day of february???
time is truly flying!!!
matt and i went to see juliana theory and something corporate last night (i was actually sort of dreading it since juliana's new album is so unbelievably sub par metallica!) however, they put on a pretty good show (boring set, though) and something corporate actually majorly EXCEEEDED my expectations!!! those guys were great and sort of had ben folds vibe with the piano scene. but so solid and great stage presence!!!
i had a good week-very busy-and obtained some fun quotes from the kiddos (i never even remember 90% of the hilariousness that i hear everyday, so here's just a few)!
the most fun time was when i was in a first grade classroom, sitting on the floor with the kids during their spanish lesson (at one of my schools, they get spanish every day for 30 minutes!). i was doing some in-class therapy with a hearing impaired child but sitting at the back of the group with some other kids. at one point, a little girl said, "do you have gum in your mouth?" and i said, "yes", because i knew she had already seen it. and instantly i had the attention of 3 other kids--"you're not allowed to have gum in school!" and usually at this point i say something about kids not being allowed, but i'm an adult and all that stuff that used to make me mad when i was a kid. however, this time i paused, they were watching and waiting, and i put my finger to my lips and smiled and said, "shhhh! i know. don't tell your teacher or i'll be in big trouble!" and they all started giggling and turned back to their activitiy. except one cute little blond peanut who i see for speech, who grinned and said, "it'th gonna cothst you a thsticker!" so i took the deal. what else could i do? it was my reputation on the line, people!!!
best quote from a kindergartener this week:
"where do you sleeep?", while looking around my therapy room, searching for a bed.
we're going out for mexican tonight with our friends marni and ed but no other big plans for the weekend. it's been raining off and on for the past few days, but i won't complain, considering the plight of my poor friends and relatives in ohio (i don' think i've slammed it lately, either!). maybe you guys need a vacation in san diego!
welp i'm done for now.
chow. (yes, i know that's not the correct spelling, but i like this spelling better!)
tracey
time is truly flying!!!
matt and i went to see juliana theory and something corporate last night (i was actually sort of dreading it since juliana's new album is so unbelievably sub par metallica!) however, they put on a pretty good show (boring set, though) and something corporate actually majorly EXCEEEDED my expectations!!! those guys were great and sort of had ben folds vibe with the piano scene. but so solid and great stage presence!!!
i had a good week-very busy-and obtained some fun quotes from the kiddos (i never even remember 90% of the hilariousness that i hear everyday, so here's just a few)!
the most fun time was when i was in a first grade classroom, sitting on the floor with the kids during their spanish lesson (at one of my schools, they get spanish every day for 30 minutes!). i was doing some in-class therapy with a hearing impaired child but sitting at the back of the group with some other kids. at one point, a little girl said, "do you have gum in your mouth?" and i said, "yes", because i knew she had already seen it. and instantly i had the attention of 3 other kids--"you're not allowed to have gum in school!" and usually at this point i say something about kids not being allowed, but i'm an adult and all that stuff that used to make me mad when i was a kid. however, this time i paused, they were watching and waiting, and i put my finger to my lips and smiled and said, "shhhh! i know. don't tell your teacher or i'll be in big trouble!" and they all started giggling and turned back to their activitiy. except one cute little blond peanut who i see for speech, who grinned and said, "it'th gonna cothst you a thsticker!" so i took the deal. what else could i do? it was my reputation on the line, people!!!
best quote from a kindergartener this week:
"where do you sleeep?", while looking around my therapy room, searching for a bed.
we're going out for mexican tonight with our friends marni and ed but no other big plans for the weekend. it's been raining off and on for the past few days, but i won't complain, considering the plight of my poor friends and relatives in ohio (i don' think i've slammed it lately, either!). maybe you guys need a vacation in san diego!
welp i'm done for now.
chow. (yes, i know that's not the correct spelling, but i like this spelling better!)
tracey
Monday, February 24, 2003
oops, didn't check my spelling the first time around--kerouac, i mean!
anyways, another monday down.
yesterday was a marathon day of watching reality tv and i'm done for a long time--really sick of it. but i need to veg out every once in awhile...
nothing much new to say today but was reading a good word about worry and anxiety...
so do not worry or be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. sufficient for each day is its own trouble. matthew 6:34
the book i'm reading, "the battlefield of the mind", brought in the verse in john 10:10, that the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy---ie, in the situation of worry and anxiety: stealing your time and energy, killing your joy, and destroying your peace of mind. when i think about it in this way, it totally makes me want to fight against worry! i can choose to not accept a worrisome thought that will take up even a minute of my life, much less allow it to dominate my thoughts. besides, as the scripture says, there's enough trouble in each day as it is--if we add to it, it's our own choice (and our own fault!).
the end
tracey
anyways, another monday down.
yesterday was a marathon day of watching reality tv and i'm done for a long time--really sick of it. but i need to veg out every once in awhile...
nothing much new to say today but was reading a good word about worry and anxiety...
so do not worry or be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. sufficient for each day is its own trouble. matthew 6:34
the book i'm reading, "the battlefield of the mind", brought in the verse in john 10:10, that the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy---ie, in the situation of worry and anxiety: stealing your time and energy, killing your joy, and destroying your peace of mind. when i think about it in this way, it totally makes me want to fight against worry! i can choose to not accept a worrisome thought that will take up even a minute of my life, much less allow it to dominate my thoughts. besides, as the scripture says, there's enough trouble in each day as it is--if we add to it, it's our own choice (and our own fault!).
the end
tracey