Christmas with Jesus

OCEANSIDE ---- About 2,000 friends, family members and law enforcement officers came together Thursday to remember and celebrate the life of Oceanside police Officer Dan Bessant, who was fatally shot last week in the line of duty. Although there were tears, red eyes and sniffles during the emotional service, New Venture Christian Fellowship Church also was filled with laughter as friends and colleagues recalled Bessant's infectious sense of humor and wide-eyed smile. Law enforcement officers from as far away as Nevada created a sea of blue uniforms in the church. The officers and Bessant's friends from around North County filled every seat, lined the walls and gathered around the outside of the large church in southeastern Oceanside during the two-hour tribute to the slain officer. "He gave his life for the city he loved," Oceanside police Chief Frank McCoy told those inside the church. "Now we have to give our love and support to his family."The 25-year-old officer who left behind a wife and 2-month-old son was gunned down Dec. 20 while assisting another officer in a traffic stop in northeast Oceanside near the back gate to Camp Pendleton." San Diego Union Tribune

I knew Dan from church in High School. He got to spend Christmas with Jesus this year. Please pray for Dan's wife, 2 month- old- son and family. They have a hard road ahead of them and need prayer. He will truly be missed by the community, family and friends.

Turkey Trot

Alan and I went to Oceanside to be with my family for Thanksgiving this year. We started a new tradition of running the Turkey Trot, a 5K run, on Thanksgiving along with 2700 other people. Some people were dressed up in costumes and running. It was quite a humbling experience to have a big beer bottle or turkey run past me while strolling along their children - that's somewhat of an indication of how I did. :)

Actually, I did okay. I ran most of the way. I did have to walk a little bit after I choked on the water I grabbed from someone holding it out to me. I tried to drink and run and throw it in the trash can all at the same time. Let's just say I'm not coordinated enough to do that. So, if you are ever running a long run and water is handed to you- DONT take it unless you plan on walking. :)


Here is a picture of the whole family before the run

Alan and me after the run

The boys

The girls and Jack (Jack is posing like a little ladies man)

Children's Hunger Fund

Today, Alan and I along with several others from church went to the Children's Hunger Fund to put together food paks that are going to be shipped off to Peru. Bryan, our friend and neighbor, works for CHF and showed us his office there. We were able to meet some of his co-workers and get the true scoop on him at work. Between our group and several other church groups we were able to pack over 1400 food paks in 2 1/2 hours. They said it was a record. It was a lot of fun and went to a great cause.

Cute thought

Today my first graders and I were discussing resources from the different locations- oceans, woods, deserts, hills, etc. I told them that part of their pencils are made from trees and even their paper is made out of wood from trees.

One girl raised her hand and said, "Yah, I know because if you cut a tree in half you can scoop the paper out from inside." I told her it was a cute thought but no, that's not the way it works.

Anyway, thought I'd share the cuteness with you. Tomorrow is Halloween so maybe I can get a few unrecognizable pictures of our class to post. If anyone want to come and hear a great children's story, I'll be reading at Borders on Wednesday at 4:45 in the children's section.

Downtown LA

Downtown LA was so clear on Friday so I thought I'd take a picture and put something new on my blog.

Kim's wedding

One of my roommates from Master's, Kim Nelson (now Calloway) got married this past weekend. We went up to Merced for the wedding with our friends Mike and Julie. Julie and I were doing guest book and gifts for Kim and her new husband Andrew. It was hands down the most God-honoring wedding I have ever been too. They honored God in everything and really took time to thank everyone for coming to the wedding. It made me realize how much more I could be honoring God in what I do and how I let those God- honoring moments easily slip away. I am so blessed to have Kim as a friend and sister in Christ. Congratulations Kim and Andrew!!

Dancing with the Stars

"Well, if there's ever a night to throw your underwear at the TV, tomorrow's the night to do it."

What in the world does that mean? That's what the host, Tom Bergeron, said on "Dancing with the Stars" Tuesday night and I'm still laughing at it. What is meant by that saying? Did anyone else hear him say that? What an odd statement!

More pictures; blog below

Dan and Sean hanging around "the kitchen"

Yep, a poodle did the hike too!

Cam, Kim, Josh, Katy, Me, Alan

Getting ready to hike out

Me, Katy and Kim

Alan and the fish he caught!

Backpacking with Friends

Sorry it's been a while. A couple of times I tried uploading pictures but they wouldn't come up so I kept putting it off. I'll upload some more pictures of our trip when they decide to upload properly.

Labor Day weekend Alan and I went backpacking with some friends; the Clarks, the Coles, Kim & Cam and Josh & Katy. We backpacked about 6 miles in from the trail head to Hilton Lakes. It was about 12 miles total with about 30 pounds on our backs for the whole weekend. The trail head is just north of Bishop and south of Mammoth. It was high enough that there was still snow on the mountain in some spots. The weather was beautiful though. It was a great time to relax and hang out with friends. At night we made smores, drank hot chocolate and played some Catch Phrase. During the day we walked around the lake, fished, and even some of us bathed in the freezing cold lake.

Picture of Alan and me along the hike.

Making pancakes

Alan caught a fish that we were able to eat for dinner.

The guys worked hard to hang our food up at night so the bears wouldn't eat it. We realized that the bag was so low to the ground that it more likely would attract the bears than send them away. Fortuntely our food was still there in the morning.

Hilton Lake

Singular or Cingular

Recently I was tutoring a 6 year old boy and we were going over plural and singular words. I asked him if he has heard of the word "singular" before and what does it mean. He relied with, "Yep, it's a cell phone company!" Funny, that would of never happened 10 years ago. I've gotta keep up with the youthful mind of America. In fact while I was asking him the question I thought he'd say that only because who hasn't heard of Cingular today even if you've only lived for 6 years. I think Webster should add Cingular to the dictionary as a well advertised cell phone company because it is obviously more recognizable than the word singular.

The ending

I think I've made you wait long enough. I have to say I really enjoyed reading your endings to the story and wished we had thought of some of them to do. Some of them were quite sneaky like moving up a seat or pretending to get some popcorn ourselves.

Alrightly, so the couple is about to return and we don't know what to do. Well, we thought it would be rude to tell the lonely guy that his seat was taken. The last thing he probably wants is for us to acknowledge that he came to this movie by himself. So we waited it out to see what would happen.

The lights began to dim for previews when the couple started walking back in. I thought that possibly, just possibly the couple left for good and we could have gotten out of the confrontation. Nothing really that exciting happened. They looked at us and the lonely guy, we sheepishly shrugged, they shrugged and laughed and said, "Well, I guess we're the one's who left." They sat down in the row between the lonestar and us. The end.

Now as I write this: mom, me and the couple should have sat right down next to the lonestar just to make things even more uncomfortable. Can you imagine? Sitting in a theater all by yourself and the only other people in the theater come and sit down on both sides of you like it's packed full of people. Someone should try it! If you do, let me know what happens :)


Okay Meg, get some sleep, nighty- night :)

Save us our seats! (funny story)

This weekend my mom and I went to go see, The Devil wears Prada. The movie has been out for a while so it was only playing once a day at 9:50pm. When we walked into the theater, there was only 1 couple sitting, so basically we got free reign of the seats. We sat down a couple rows in front of the couple and talked for a while waiting for the movie to start. About 5 minutes before the movie started the couple got up to go get some snacks. On their way out, the guy sarcastically said, "Hey, could you save our seats for us?" We looked around the empty theater and easily relied, "Sure, no problem!" and went back to our conversation.

Meanwhile a guy 18 years old walks in by himself. My first thought was why is he coming to see this movie all by himself and a guy nonetheless. He must really be into fashion. Well, he starts walking up the stairs and when he got close to our row my mom and I looked at each other thinking the same thing. "What if he sits where that couple was sitting? What do we do? Should we say something?" He keeps walking up past us scanning the room for where he wants to sit. He turns on the couple's claimed row and starts walking. He keeps walking, walking and (no, don't do it!) "plunk"- he plants himself right where the couple was sitting- 2 rows behind us!

Now, the question is, what would you do? Would you really turn to the guy and say in a theater, full of empty seats "Hey, ummm, those seats are actually saved, you're going to have to sit somewhere else." We started laughing so hard, I felt bad for the guy.

Okay, so the couple is about to return to reclaim their seats, what do you think we did? I want to hear your thoughts to how the story ended(mom, no cheating- you cannot reply with the real ending.) After a while so all have time to respond, I will write the real ending. Enjoy, get creative!

Martinsen wedding

Here are some pictures from David and Victoria's wedding last month. It was a lot of fun and great to see family and friends we don't get to see often.

4th of July

Now that it has been a month ago, here are a few pictures from the 4th of July. The top one is Alan's family except Robert (brother-in-law, Carlene's husband) The bottom one is me and Alan. I tried to put it up as our blogger picture but I can't seem to figure out how to do it. If you know how to switch the pictures, let me know. Thanks.

Update on Woodland House

Thank you to those of you who replied to my plead for help. I appreciate it.

Many of you have been asking about the Woodland House. I've been holding off on writing about it because I was hoping to write that it sold, but unfortunately it hasn't. We are still waiting and getting very impatient. Let's just say God is teaching us a lot about trusting in Him and that all things work together for good to the glory of Him. We were hoping that this house would have sold a long time ago. We have lowered our price many times but no bites. It's like we've had our fishing line in the water with tasty bait for a long time but there seems to be no fish in the lake. All we can do is wait and pray and pray and wait. Pray that this house sells soon. I will let you know as soon as we get an offer.

The Case of the Blogger Blues

Yes, I have a case of the blogger blues. I just haven't felt like blogging lately. I have lots of pictures stored up but I just haven't felt like publishing them. Those who are reading this and blog, do you ever feel like this? I think it might be because I'm not sure what my readers want. I keep questioning, "Do people just want to see pictures with little words or would people rather read about my mundane and at times quarky life or read some kind of little inspirational message." Do you really want to read about what I had for lunch or what I did today? I can blog it if you want it.

So I am enlisting all who read this to please let me know what you would like to see on this blog. Comments definetly inspire me to write and publish more. The less comments I get, the less I want to write because I don't know who is reading this and if anyone is really interested. So for the sake of my blogger blues, graciously send a comment my way. :)

Trip to Monterey in June

Awww... how cute?

Jack loves to suck his fingers.

Scott, Lisa

Ruth, me, Mom

Me and Jack

Wedding Shower

A picture from my brother in law, David and his wife to be, Victoria's wedding shower yesterday. They were the judges for our game of "which team can make the best TP bridal dress?" The woman on the far left won. Congrats David and Victoria! Just a couple more weeks and you'll be married. Welcome to the family Victoria.

Martinsen Mouthpiece

Sorry mom and dad (Alan's parents), I stole the name. I thought Martinsen Mouthpiece is a great title for the next 3 blogs since I published them all at once. Enjoy!

Summer time is here

It's not officially summer yet until June 21 but this is how I know summertime is here:

1. School's Out!!! That also means summer vacation for me too!
2. Swimsuits are already picked through
3. It's hot!
4. Re-runs of Seinfield are fun to watch!
5. At 9:30 every night I can hear the booms of Magic Mountain's fireworks echoing through the valley.
6. The crickets are chirping at night to cool off.
7. The green spring time hills have already turned yellow.
8. I have a bag of hot cheetos in my cupboard. I get one bag every June for the summer.
9. All my plants die because I forget to water them.
10. The beach is calling- I can hear it, can't you?

Birthday Surprise

My birthday was interesting this year because it landed on 6/6/06. The date was a little nerve racking but none the less a great day. It was probably one of my best birthday's yet because I was surprised. Surprises rarely ever get past me because I analyze everything and can usually figure out any kind of unusual behavior. Well, Alan got me this time! I was completely shocked- not just for the surprise but that I was totally oblivious to the signs.

The day started out with my usual Tuesday bible study with a couple a friends from college at Panera. They treated me to breakfast and gave me a gift certificate to Nail Forum. Just in time for a summertime pedicure! When I got to work/school the kids greeted me with cards and flowers and my room mom made me cupcakes to share with the kids at recess. The kids were very sweet and gave me hugs as they walked in the door. Then at lunch my first grade team treated me to lunch. It was nice to get off campus and just hang out.

When I got home I had a package waiting for me on the doorstep. It was from my sister, Renae. She works for Cobian sandals, so she sent me a pair from their new Mexican line. Then the phone calls began. Since I have a large family, I'm on the phone a lot on my birthday. Ruth and my Dad called me from Australia but unfortunately I missed their calls so they left messages. Alan came home and said let go eat! After a few more phone calls we left for Claim Jumper. When we got to Claim Jumper I was on the phone again checking messages. Actually Alan asked me if I had checked my messages yet. While I was on the checking my messages, Alan put our seat order in and we were seated.

We were seated but the lady had left it placed for four people, Alan said that he told the lady for 2 but she must have gotten confused. He excused himself to the restroom and I ordered our drinks and appetizer. I waited and waited and was wondering why it was taking Alan so long to come back. Finally he came back, but with our great friends Brian and Alexia. I was shocked to see them and because Alan surprised me!

I had made a comment to Alan a few days before that it would be fun to have a few close friends join us for dinner on my birthday. I completely forgot I had told him that. Earlier in the day, before Alan had gotten home from work, Brian had called looking for Alan. This isn't unusual because he calls for Alan occasionally so I didn't think of it out of the ordinary. Then when we got to Claim Jumper Alan asked me if I had checked my messages hoping I would, so he could tell them to seat us for four. His plan worked because I did check my messages and didn't hear him. The timing also worked out because Alan told Brian and Alexia to meet us 6:30. Between the phone calls and Alan doing "working on the computer" we got there at 6:30. I didn't realize he was planning to stall us if he needed to. I just thought we left when we left.

After dinner we all came back to our house for some icecream pie, a recipe Alexia gave me from Brian's birthday. It was such a special day and tons of fun. Thanks Alan and all my friends for making it so special. I had a great day!

What I want to be when I grow up

I asked my first graders what they want to be when they grow up. Keeping it to the original spelling, this is what some of them wrote:

When I grow up I want to be a nrose (nurse). I would be a nice nrose. When I am a nrose I will help babys. I will also make sure there is nothing wrong with them. I will also be giving shots. I want to be a nrose because you help people.

Claire, age 7

When I grow up I want to be a probaseuboll (pro- basketball) player. I will be a good shooter. When I am a baseuboll player I am gonobe good. I will be a fast ronra (runner). I want to be beter then lbrn gam (Lebron James). I will be good spotmin ship ( have good sportsmanship).

Jake, age 7

When I grow up I want to be a cheerleatter. I will be a graet cheerleatter. When I am a cheerleatter I will cheer. I will also cheer for basket ball plarys. I will do a great job cheerleatter. I want to be a cheerleatter because I am good at it.

Miranda, age 7

When I grow up I what to be a gunasic (gymnastics) teacher. I will be a graet bedaboal (bendable) teacher. I will do acerbas (acrobats). I will also do flips. I will also be as well as my sister. I what to be a gunasic teacher becas it is fun.

Mindy, age 6


When I grow Up I Want to be a artest (artist). I will be a colrful pantr. Whe I am a artest I will pant colrful. I will also sel my pikTrs. Ialsowillbeas god as the famas artist. I wasnt to be a artest becaus it Will be fun.

Tori, age 6


When I grow up I want to be a toyenganer (toy engineer). I will be a nice toyenganer. When I am a toyenganer I will make turanturak (train tracks). I also will make toyturan (toy trains). I will also be good as a riell (real) enganer (engineer). I want to be a toyenganer because it is fun.

Eric, age 6


When I grow up I want to be a techer. I will be a good techer. When I am a techer. I will tech kids. I will also read to them. I will also teach as good as Mrs. Martinsen. I want to be a techer because it will be fun.

Jordan, age 7 ****Bonus points for Jordan for kissing up :)


When I growup I want to be a vetinereain (veternarian). I will be a smart vetinerean. When I growup I will check animels. I will allso take caer of pets. Allso I will do a good gob.

Alexandra, age7

4 years and going strong

Today is our 4 year anniversary! I can't believe it's already been 4 years. Time has flown by and much has changed since 4 years ago, one being 4 years older- Yikes! Anyway, these past four years have been awesome not just relationship wise by spiritually too. We are so much stronger now than we were 4 years ago. I can't imagine what 50 years will be like. We look forward to the years to come and growing much older with each other. Okay, that's all the sappiness I'm going to publish on this blog.

Picture taken on Easter

Before pictures

The time has finally come! Many hours of blood, sweat and tears we can reveal the before and after pictures. The formatting doesn't allow for them to be side by side. Enjoy! Sarah and Alan

After

Pine Mountain Club pictures

Here are some pictures of the golf course in town and the sunset from the house.