Hello San Diego!

Guess what. It is warm here. There is sunshine here. Ah, home at last.

Our first week back was slightly cold. We ran the heat at night. But now? Warm, beach weather. In fact the boys and I have been to the beach three times already. This week I am sure we will double that number.
Guy has begun doing chores. It is a beautiful thing. He earned $0.46 his first week. We started school in earnest. Guy is busting through his math book and is reading pretty well.
Cal is singing the alphabet more and more accurately and can count to 5.
Both of the boys are masters of racing on the iPad. I started them over on their memory verses and g has 3 memorized. Cal is almost finished memorizing his first. They are both learning the catechism for young children. Cal knows the first few answers and g is up to q 28.

Yesterday jake took us to Legoland. The boys had a blast, jake and I were worn out. Guy went on his first real roller coaster and he is a changed boy. His life will never be the same after that experience. He LOVED it. Cal went on his first roller coaster too. Not as big as guys coaster but still fun. Cal loves roller coasters too. He loved it. They love screaming on the down-hill. They love rides. Guy drove his first car solo. They had a little race way and he passed his drivers test and got a Legoland license! He was proud. He was the best driver out there and I like to think its from all the time in the car that he spends with me. I talk to him about driving all the time. He avoided crashes and pile-ups, he checked over his shoulder before going around stalled cars, he exhibited zero road rage when a pesky kid rear ended and side swiped him (that kid ended up getting stuck in a 3 car pile-up which he caused). So guy has a future in driving.

Jake and I are in the beginning stages of house hunting. We are torn between buying and downsizing to an apartment to save money. Save or spend. Really it will come down to whichever we find first. If we find a nice house in our price range (unless God supplies it its not likely) then we will buy, if not then we will find a small apartment, sell our belongings, and save like mad men to buy next year with an insane down payment.

Jake likes his work. I am going to my first function on Friday to meet everyone. Slightly very nervous. I am the boss's wife. Erk.

R.S.D.E.P.

The title is the end of TUPLIP. Haha. I've been listening to the podcasts by RC Sproul on the basics of the reformed doctrine. R(adical) corruption, S(overeign) election, D(efinite) atonement, E(ffectual) grace, P(reservation) of the saints. In them he breaks down the classic 5 points of Reformed doctrine and tries to clear up common misunderstandings and arguments against each point. Pretty well done.
I am not finished yet. I'm still listening to the E(ffectual) grace, commonly known as I(rresistible) grace.
The introduction to the podcast reminded me of a run-in I had with a homosexual-rights activist in front of Trader Joe's today. I was quite taken back because I've only ever been accosted by Green Peace activists coming out of TJ's so I did a horrid job with speaking with the guy. He was a super nice guy and would have been so perfect to talk with. Foiled. Anyway. At the end of his talk he of course asked for money which I refused to give but he also said that his goal was to get the word out about homo-bulllying. I told him that I was a strong Christian and believe that homosexuality is a sin, but told him that I still supported the gay right to marry and would spread the word about his anti-bullying legislation.
I wish I had my head ready for an answer as I am supposed to. Like I said, he was ready to listen.
So the intro that I wrote of went like this: what can make a person who hates God love God in an instant?
So it made sense to me: how many ways do humans hate God? In every way. Every breath the unbeliever takes is a gift from God, and every breath that unbeliever takes without thanksgiving to God for it is sin. The very act of living is sin and treason because they are living with themselves as god. How many laws can we make to dictate morality from sinners? In my opinion Christians have made it more difficult to reach out to sinners practicing homosexuality. We have started a war that did not need starting. it has not helped the cause of preaching Jesus' salvation. We have put the focus on outward deeds and not the inward problem of sin. We are battling the symptom and not bringing the healing of Christ to the death from sin inside them.
Like the way legislators monkeyed up the issues surrounding equality of humans not based on color or gender we are messing up equality based on sexual preference. People have value because they are people. Their gender, color, beliefs, private practices, etc play no role in which rights they are and are not allowed. I think it is a shame that Christians have played such a key and central role in fighting 'gay rights'. That should not even be an issue! They are people, they have 'people rights'. It is a mistake to put distinctions on rights 'women's rights' 'black rights' 'Islamist rights'. Rights are rights. I think 'Christian' right's fight against gay rights has encouraged homophobia and gay bullying. I know there are unsaved people who hate gays as well. People hate, that is a fact. But had the Christian community supported gays and loved them honestly from the start instead of fighting them I think things would have been night and day different. Supporting gay rights isn't aiding and abetting the enemy. It isn't condoning sin. What it also isn't is aggressive. It isn't isolating. It isn't fearful. It isn't proud (we don't like it, it's sin and we will make it difficult for you in this life because it is sin, and it's easier to attack than corruption or adultery or divorce). It isn't bossy.
So that's my rant. I ranted instead of doing the dishes. Now to double time my scrubbing. Tonight the dishes- tomorrow the LAUNDRY!

Art, Organizing, beach, sickie

I watched Guy's friend a couple days ago and we tried messy Jackson Pollock art.
I have been tearing the house apart and attempting to put it back together in an organized fashion. Unfortunately I ventured out into the garage and have been stuck there the past 3 days. I am making progress but so slowly. In the mean time the house is filling up with refugees fleeing the demolition of their previous habitation.
We went with my neighbor to Seal beach in La Jolla a couple nights ago. We were supposed to watch the sunset but it was overcast so the kids just played in the sand and water. We did see a few seals too. There is a sign posted there stating that bacteria contamination are higher than state standards.... Guy is sick and I think it's an infection. Olivia and Marilyn sent him a special delivery with get well butterflies, a name bracelet and a sucker. It is so nice that he has such a sweet friend.

Time

We went to sea world on the 16th. The boys had a great time on the rides. Guy went on an octopus style ride with me for his very first ride. He is hooked. Calvin was very sad he couldn't go on with guy. Next year maybe. Calvin's first ride was the tea cups and then the airplanes/elmos fish ride. He loves rides as well.
We let the boys in the huge room of punching bags. Cal got knocked down a couple of times but got right back up.

We have spent the last few days going to the pool, the art museum And playing with the neighbor girl, Olivia.
Later this week I plan on going to the beach and the zoo. Busyness helps the pass quicker.

I had started a Learn Dutch program that the marine Corps pays for but gave that up when jake took the laptop. :-/

Wow, is this really a typed post finally?

So lots of photos have been posted, but not much in the way of words.

Top news: Rodrigo Monzano the Nightmare property manager from our time in Virginia died in May from cancer. I have since been rolling through the emotions of gratitude, remorse, joy, forgiveness, exuberance, humility.
God took the matter into his hands and worked out justice where I could not. All the agony, worry, anger and frustration hopelessness and loneliness I felt in all those days did not go unnoticed. I have learned lots since the days in Virginia and tried to incorporate God's promises into my thoughts.
Yesterday we received our security deposit in the mail and they only deducted $400. I feel that it was $400 too much but the matter is settled well enough and I will not let myself be discontented with it. God provided, God ruled justly and I am done with it and thankful.

Other news: we bought a puppy. Anders is super cute and smart but he can not poop without laxatives. We are working with the breeder to return him for a full refund and have our $800 vet bills reimbursed by her as well. His condition started at her home and was confirmed at the New Puppy Examination the first business day after purchasing him. The catch is that she is on a fixed income on disability raising her two grandchildren. She has agreed to take him back and pay for $4-600 of the vet bill but we are trying to work out the schedule and make sure she will pay on schedule and in-full. Money makes the situation so much more emotional. She's been playing the guilt trip on us and whining about how she doesn't have money. It is quite frustrating since we're trying to keep in cordial and business-like. God will provide.

Calvin has been potty training himself. He has only had a couple of accidents until today. He's had 4 this morning alone. :-/ He has also started pedaling! He is on the 12" bike with training wheels now and doing great! He loves the pool and enjoys being on his own with his life vest on.

Guy has been experimenting with bike tricks. He's learning to pop his front wheel up and is trying to pop it up when going off the curb. He is very safe and confident when riding in the bike lane on my runs. He has memorized 2 verses: Proverbs 15:1 and Matthew 5:9
He is learning the Letter M in school and has learned consonant sounds up to F and almost has hard G and H. We have started going to the Library and he loves getting books on tape or CD. He got a new helmet yesterday at Target with blue flames. It was on Clearance for $8. I got him the next size up too for $8. Score, thank you Jesus!

Jake leaves on August 19. My mom comes down Sept 5 and we'll drive up the next week.

I started another fitness challenge. 30 days on Bodyrock.tv- it's going to be rough but it will be great.

I was able to do an inside-out braid! Not quite smooth, but still fun. 

Corn and Anders.

He is Jake's boy

Who did he get that face from? haha.

Definitely NOT my child. Gross.

Picked up Anders on 7/21

He chose to ride the whole way home with Calvin.

After an enema, two xrays and medication his butt was less swollen. He was super constipated when we brought him home. He's still constipated but not quite as bad.

What a stud.