Many say, well it's about time! We say, it's perfect timing!

Yay! We're expecting a little one around March 10th 2008. I've waited quite a while to post anything on our blog because I wanted to tell people at work first before they found out on their own. So I had to wait all summer.

Many of you may already know that we're pregnant and some of you it might be new news, sorry if it's new news and I didn't get to tell you in person. We are 10 weeks along and this past Friday we had our first ultrasound. Baby Martinsen's heartbeat was going 176 beats per minute and sounded strong. We were so excited to see our little "peanut" and hear his/her heartbeat. Baby Martinsen also wiggled his/her arms and legs for us. It was so fun to see.

Many have asked us if we are going to find out the gender of the baby. Yes, we are going to find out. I'm am such a planner that knowing will be more fun for us than not knowing. Some people say, "But then you won't have a surprise," however I think that whenever we find out, it'll be a surprise and just as fun.

I've had it great so far! No sickness at all. Only a couple of times around week 5 and 6 I felt a little nauseous from being in the sun too long or doing some activities too fast. Other than that, I thank God that I haven't had to run head first to that famous porcelain throne.

The picture is hard to see the baby but if you look closely you can see little arms and legs. In 2 weeks we go in for another ultrasound and the baby should be easier to see so I can post a better picture then.

We are super excited about our little peanut and can't wait to meet him/her!

Exchange Students from Sweden

Our two sixteen year old exchange students from Sweden, Katti and Natalie, said their tearful goodbye's as they boarded a bus to the airport this past Tuesday. Alan and I were their host family for two of their four weeks in California. They came with an EF group of high school students from all over Sweden and Norway. Many of them didn't know each other before the trip. They visited all over L.A. and even went up to San Fransisco for a weekend with their group. Alan and I were responsible for housing, feeding and driving them to and from their events in town. It was fun to have 2 teenagers living with us for a few weeks and learning all about their Swedish culture. The girls spoke great English which made it easy for us to communicate. Overall, it was a fun experience and we'd love to do it again in the future. If anyone else in the Los Angeles area is interested in being a host family for exchange students next summer, let me know and I can direct you to the people to contact.

Hi, girls if you're reading this! How was you're LONG flight home? Have you been enjoying your Swedish meatballs?

More pictures

Weekend in Oceanside

This last weekend my brothers and sisters and I planned a birthday party for my parents since it was a birthday year marker (60- sorry mom). My parents were born 4 days apart in the same hospital so it was only fitting that we plan one party for the both of them. Scott, Lisa and Jack flew down from Redwood City and the rest of us made ourselves available. The weekend started with a Padres Game at their new stadium, Petco Park. The stadium was really nice (still feels new) and the seats were good too. Unfortunately, the Padres lost but it was fun anyway.

Saturday evening we had the party for my parents. We played the games that they always made us play when we were kids like: pin the ear on Snoopy, drop the clothespin in the jar, cottonball races and a pinata. All the adults got way involved in the games especially with the pinata. People were diving and dogpiling to get candy. It was quite a sight!!

Those are just a few of the fun things we did that weekend. Below are some pictures of the baseball game and Jack playing in the water in the backyard. Jack loves water especially when you spray it on him. In fact, one day he got a hold of a spray bottle and kept squirting himself until he was soaking wet. He kept laughing and squirting- it was way too cute.

Me, Ruth and Renae

Alan and Chris

Scott and Lisa

Jack playing in the water

Fun times in Washington

This past weekend (Thursday- Sunday), Alan and I went up to Washington State to visit with his extended family and with some friends of ours. We stayed with one of Alan's Aunts and Uncles in Bellingham along with the rest of Alan's immediate family. His parents flew up from Guatemala and his sister and her family from Mississippi and his brother and his wife from Pasadena. It was fun for everyone to be together again. Alan's dad has 8 brothers and sisters and they are all married with kids and many of their kids have kids. So as you can imagine it was quite a weekend.

We had a huge family reunion Friday night where almost everyone was able to make it. It was 59 total that were there. A lot of names and connections for me to memorize, but by the end of the evening I could pretty much name everyone and know who they belong to. We took a family picture in the rain which was hilarious because trying to get 59 people to take a picture in the rain was quite a task. By the time the picture was taken we were all soaking wet. I can't wait to see what the picture will look like.

Alan's Aunt Jeri and Uncle Duane( the ones we stayed with) have a tea house in Lynden, Washington which is about 10 minutes from Canada. On Friday we had lunch at the tea house with his immediate family. It was such a cute store. Inside the main room were little rooms that were decorated differently for private parties for tea. People can reserve a certain room for tea if they'd like too. We ate in the main room because there were too many of us to fit in a smaller room. Below is a picture of one one the rooms. The tea was fun since everyone gets their own tea pot and strainer for the leaves. The food was really good too!

That morning (Friday) we took family pictures with Alan's immediate family so that's why we are matching in a few of the pictures. One of Alan's cousin is a professional photographer (Donette Studios) up there and so we were able to get him to take some pictures for us at another one of his Aunt's houses.

On Saturday we were able to see some friends of ours, Adam and Amy Ford and their daughter, Tatum. They used to lived in California a few years back and we built a good friendship with them from church. They moved to Washington and we've been planning to come up and see them ever since. We went to breakfast first and the we went to Deception Pass, which is the only bridge that connects to the San Juan Islands. It was a beautiful day and fun to catch up with them. We also got to meet Tatum too.

Saturday afternoon Alan's parents had an Open House for friends and family to come and visit. I met a whole new bunch of people that have known Alan's parents for years.

Sunday night we ordered pizza and and hung out with A. Jeri and U. Duane's kids (around our age) and their spouses for the evening. Caitlin (2 1/2) , our niece, gave everyone quite a show with all her singing.

Sunday we went to church in Lynden with A. Jeri and U. Duane and kids and then went out to lunch. In between church services Colleen and Todd (Alan's cousin and husband) made us expresso's at their place which was 2 minutes from the church. Those Washintonians (my made-up word) sure know how to make some good coffee drinks. Then after lunch it was back to the airport to fly home.

All in all, the trip went by way too fast! We had so much fun and loved being up there. It was nice to get away from the LA smog. We can't wait to visit again.

I can't seem to format the picture like I'd like too so below are some pictures of the trip.

One of the rooms at the Tea House. This one is for little girls because the tables are so low. The girls can dress up in the hats and boas that are hung on the side of the room.

This is Mount Baker, a mountain that Alan's dad was so persistant on us seeing while we were there. Saturday the weather cleared up so we could see it. The picture is from A. Jeri and U. Duane's house.

Alan and Caitlin goofing around in the airport.

Alan, Caitlin and Me after family pictures at Aunt Janet's house. They have a huge pond in their backyard along with a golf couse.

Adam, Amy and Tatum at Deception Pass.

Aunt Jeri and some of the tea pots for sale at the tea house

Alan and Me in front of Lynden's Cup of Tea

The Fords and Us in front of the Deception Pass Bridge. Tatum is being carried by Adam.

Romans Road

I am posting the Romans Road because I got the opportunity to use it a few weeks ago with a co-worker. I thought it may be helpful for others reading or simply just a good reminder of God's love for us.

The Romans Road to salvation is a way of explaining the good news of salvation using verses from the Book of Romans. It is a simple yet powerful method of explaining why we need salvation, how God provided salvation, how we can receive salvation, and what are the results of salvation.

The first verse on the Romans Road to salvation is Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." We have all sinned. We have all done things that are displeasing to God. There is no one who is innocent.

Romans 3:10-18 gives a detailed picture of what sin looks like in our lives. The second Scripture on the Romans Road to salvation, Romans 6:23, teaches us about the consequences of sin - "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." The punishment that we have earned for our sins is death. Not just physical death, but eternal death!

The third verse on the Romans road to salvation picks up where Romans 6:23 left off, "but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 5:8 declares, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Jesus Christ died for us! Jesus' death paid for the price of our sins. Jesus' resurrection proves that God accepted Jesus' death as the payment for our sins.

The fourth stop on the Romans road to salvation is Romans 10:9, "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Because of Jesus' death on our behalf, all we have to do is believe in Him, trusting His death as the payment for our sins - and we will be saved! Romans 10:13 says it again, "for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Jesus died to pay the penalty for our sins and rescue us from eternal death. Salvation, the forgiveness of sins, is available to anyone who will trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

The final aspect of the Romans road to salvation is the results of salvation. Romans 5:1 has this wonderful message, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Through Jesus Christ we can have a relationship of peace with God. Romans 8:1 teaches us, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Because of Jesus' death on our behalf, we will never be condemned for our sins.

Finally, we have this precious promise of God from Romans 8:38-39, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Would you like to follow the Romans road to salvation? If so, here is a simple prayer you can pray to God. Saying this prayer is a way to declare to God that you are relying on Jesus Christ for your salvation. The words themselves will not save you. Only faith in Jesus Christ can provide salvation! "God, I know that I have sinned against you and am deserving of punishment. But Jesus Christ took the punishment that I deserve so that through faith in Him I could be forgiven. With your help, I place my trust in You for salvation. Thank You for Your wonderful grace and forgiveness - the gift of eternal life! Amen!" Please let me know if you said this prayer for the first time today.

If I were President

Back in February I had my students write about if they were President. They were to describe what type of President they would be, who they would live with in the white house and what they would do. So with that said, enjoy reading about a first grade perspective on being President.

If I were president, I would be a cute president. I would live with mom, dad, Kayla, and Tess in the white house. As president I would make a difference. Next, I would make laws fair for everyone. Last I would read to children. I hope that they like me. I think it would be fun to be president. –Samantha

If I were President, I would be a fat President. I would live in the white house with my hamsters. As president I would pay bills. Next, I would go to work. Then last I hope I stay alive when I am 100. I think it would be terrible to be president. –Kevin

If I were President I would be a powerful president. I would live in a white house with a snake and his name is Mike. As President I would help children. Next I would make different laws. Then last I would make laws fair for everyone. I hope that Mike doesn’t die. I think it would be very hard to be President. –Michael

If I were President, I would be a fat President. I would live in the white house with my mom and dad. As President I would protect our country. Then I would talk and read to children. Then last I would make speeches. I hope that I get a dog. I think it would be painful to be President. –Reilly G.

If I were President I would be a tall President. I would live in the white house with my mom and dad. As President I would protect our country. Next I would say the laws of our country. Then last I would ask the people questions. I hope that I did the right thing. I think it would be painful to be President. –Taylor K.

If I were President I would be a vice President. I would live with my husband. As President I would help Alysah and live with her. Next I would write papers with Alysah. Then last I will protect our country. I hope that me and Alysah wont die. I think it will be fun to be President. -Taylor R.

If I were President, I would be a powerful President. I would live in the white house with my parents. As President I would do a flip onto the couch. Next, I would protect our country. Then last I would improve schools. I hope that I would help the citizens. I think it would be cool to be President. –Riley H.

If I were President I would be a nice President. I would live in the white house with my cat. As President I would name my cat Rodeo. Next I would have important papers. Then last I would improve schools. I hope that I would make the country better. I think it would be hard to be President. –McKenna

If I were President I would be a nice President. I would live in the white house with my children and my first gentleman. As President I would help people. Next I would write the rules. Then last I would improve schools. I hope that everyone agrees on the laws I make. I think it would be wonderful to be President. –Jacquelyn

If I were President I would be a nice President. I would live in the white house with mom, dad, and Connor. As President I would help people. Then I would protect our country. Then last I would make laws. I hope I’m a good President. I think it would be fun to be President. – Isibeala

If I were President I would be a nice President. I would live in the white house with my seven kids, my husband, and my three dogs named Marley Charley and Roxy. As President I would take people to the hospital. Next I would take care of my babies. Then I would go play with my dogs. I think it would be painful to be President. –Hannah

If I were President I would be a nice President. I would live in the white house with Veronica. As President I would make some rules. Next I would make a speech. Then last I would make a speech so the bad people can’t come. I hope it will be fun. I think it would be cool to be President. –Ethan

If I were President I would live in the white house with Taylor. As President I would help Taylor. Next I write on paper with Taylor. Then last I would walk with Taylor. I would not die. I think it would be fun. –Alysah

If I were President I would be a nice President. I would live in the white house with a cat named Sam. As President I would talk to the children. Next, I would protect our country. Then last, I would make different laws. I hope that I get a dog. I think it would be fun to be President. –Kayleen

If I were President I would be bossy. I would live with Abraham Lincoln, I would help the army. I would help the homeless. I would go to bed. I would hope to get respect. I think it would be hard to be President. –Anthony

If I were President I would be a nice President. I would live in the white house. I would live with my pets. As President I would make laws. Next I would write notes. Then last I would make laws fair for everyone. I hope that everyone will be fair. I think it would be fun to be President. -Jillian

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the mom's out there. For Mother's Day my mom, and 2 sisters and I went wine tasting in Temecula. It was a fun afternoon. We went to two wineries where we tasted different wines and then looked at some of the other wineries for fun. I learned that my favorite wine is the sweet fruity kind. I'm not for the dry wines at all, never have been, never will be. Ruth and I like the sweet wines and Renae and mom like the dry ones. If you have never gotten to visit Temecula's wineries, I highly suggest it. They have 31 wineries and the all the ones we saw were beautiful. Anyway, it was a fun time to hang out with the girls since we don't all get together very often. Wine tasting on Mother's day has become a Tyndall (my maiden name) tradition. Anyone is welcome to join us next year in celebration of Mother's day. Tell me about your Mother's Day.

World's Largest Thermometer

Yes, Baker is home to the world's largest thermometer so I had to put a picture of it up. I guess every town has to have something unique. Baker is not only home to the largest thermometer but also the home to the Bun Boy resturant. Other than those two things nothing else lives in Baker. It's in the middle of the desert. Baker is where the world's greatest PD race begins every year. It goes approx. 120 miles to Las Vegas. PD's from all over the world come out each year to compete in the race. Each team has 20 people running. Depending on how fast the teams are the teams will start at different times during the day.

Alan's PD started in the last group since they are a pretty fast team. They started the race at 6pm on Saturday evening and finished around 9am Sunday morning. Alan ran his portion around 1:15 in the morning. It was super windy and cold. We went to watch and drop off people for legs 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and then headed back to the hotel. We didn't get back until 5am Sunday morning. We were tired and dusty from all the wind kicking up the dirt.

It was fun to see all the lights from the cars and vests in the desert in the middle of the night. Each runner had a follow vehicle to give them water, make sure that everything was okay and to protect them from getting hit by passing traffic. After all teams finished the race and recooped there was a huge awards reception Sunday evening. There were so many people there. They had all the scores and times posted for each team. Alan's team came 69th place out of over 200 teams. All the teams that got under 100th place got a commerative mug so Alan now has his first Baker to Vegas mug.

B to V

Here are two pictures of Alan getting ready to run his leg in the Baker to Vegas relay. His leg was 5.6 miles. His vest even lit up like a Christmas tree ( had blinking red lights) when he ran because it was in the middle of the night. More details on the race later.

Bike Ride

To offically start off my spring break, some friends, Megan and Kim, and I went on a long bike ride on the paseos around town. We rode for an hour and a half. The weather was perfect! It was warm but the clouds covered up the direct sun so it didn't beat down on us. It was a fun bike ride. At the end of our trip we treated ourselves to lunch at Stone Fire and then rode home. What a great day for a bike ride. If you live in Santa Clarita and haven't had the chance to bike ride the paseos I highly suggest it.

Adrenaline Rush

Nothing like a good adrenaline rush to wake you up in the morning! I got my fair share of it this morning. Let just say it was one of those mornings that you look back on it and it seems like it could only happen in your dreams. Speaking of dreams that's what I was doing all morning while I was supposed to be getting ready for work. Yes, you guessed it, I overslept. Not just a little where you can make up time and still get to work on time. I overslept like I had never overslept before. Here's how the story goes:

I went to bed like any other ordinary night, set my alarm clock, put my clothes out for the morning and made my lunch (I'm so thankful I did this ahead of time). I jumped into bed, read a little of my latest book and then set off for my usual night of slumber. Alan was working all night so I was able to enjoy the queen bed all to myself. In the morning I usually hear my alarm and press snooze a few times and then get up. I knew this pattern had been getting worse lately and was afraid that if I didn't change my morning habit I'd be regretting it soon. We'll the day has come and I now will be keeping my alarm clock across the room so I actually have to get out of bed to turn it off!

This morning I woke up to the sound of the trash truck outside taking the trash away. Before I opened my eyes, I though, "Huh, that's interesting the trash truck is here really early this morning." Then my consciousness hit me and I realized there is no way the trash truck would be here before 5:15, the time I had set my alarm for.

I fearfully opened my eyes hoping it would still be dark but instead the room was bright as can be. That's when the adrenaline began pumping. I thought, "Okay, it's probably just 6:30 and I can still make it to work on time if I rush. I took a glance at the clock and couldn't believe what I saw, so I took another look and then panic rushed in. The clock read 7:53! I was suppose to be at work at 7:30 and school starts at 8:00. It takes me about 25 minutes to get to work in the morning so there was no way I was going to remotely make it even close to 8:00.

I bolted out of bed and started dialing the school number. Of course I dialed the wrong number in my frantic and tried dialing again in which I then dialed the wrong extension so I dialed again. After 4 times of trying to make 1 phone call I got through to the office and told them I overslept and I'd try to make it in as fast as I could. On days like today I wish I didn't have a job where people are relying on me to be there at a certain time. Well, I took a fast shower and was out the door in 15-20 minutes and made it to work by 8:45.

Fortunately we have enough people on staff that someone was able to take over my class for me so the kids didn't miss a beat. However, my heart sure missed a few beats this morning and I felt like I spent the rest of the day trying to get them back. If you have a story you'd like to share about an adrenaline rush you have had, please share away, I'd love to hear them.

Morro bay

Morro Bay

This past weekend Alan and I were able to get away for a few days. It had been a while since we had gotten away and this past weekend worked out perfectly. Alan has 5 days off in a row and I have a student teacher who could cover my class without me having to write sub plans. We left for Morro Bay on Saturday and were welcomed with a beautiful sunset. This picture is just before sunset on Saturday.

We had a fancy dinner at the Inn Saturday evening at sunset. Alan was able to get this picture by our table at dinner.

On Sunday the 2 tall ships from Pirates of the Carribean came to the bay. People were able to go on the 2 ships and sail out to the ocean. While they are out in the ocean they actually have a battle. They really shoot the cannons at each other; but of course with no live ammo- just gun powder.

We didn't go on the tall ships because we had already booked a tour of the bay with sub-sea tours. It was cold on the tour and I was concerned I was going to catch a cold. Fortunately, I didn't catch a cold and was happy to warm up after the tour with some salt water taffy and hot chocolate. We saw seals, fish, birds and of course our favorite, sea otters. :)
Sunday afternoon we borrowed beach cruisers from the Inn we stayed at and went bike riding down some trails and roads by the golf course. I had a pink cruiser and Alan had a red cruiser. My chain kept slipping on the way back which made for an eventful trip back up the hill to the Inn.

On Monday we picked up some sandwiches at the store and stopped by the pier in Pismo. The weather was beautiful so we sat on the pier at one of the picnic tables and had a picnic. We said it was, "The perfect picnic on the pier in Pismo with pigeons, people and pickled sandwiches." Say that 5 times fast!

Over all, it was a fun trip up to Morro Bay.

Woodland House has Sold

Yay, the escrow on the Woodland House has closed so our fixer-upper project is done. We saw the house for all the four seasons- spring, summer, fall and winter. Today it snowed at the Woodland house so the new owners will be getting a taste of Pine Mountain in the winter.

Anyway, now we can say "been there down that" to flipping a house. We enjoyed fixing up the house and are glad we were able to accomplish this goal. Maybe we'll do it again if the market and right home comes up at the right time. So for all those people out there who have thought about doing a flip one day, I say, "Go, ahead, do it!" You'll learn a lot in the process where you can't learn by just reading a book. You only live once on earth so why not make the most of it, even if it means taking risks. The hardest part is actually taking the step to do it. Well for us it's on to the next project- goal.

Woodland house in the spring

More first grade cuteness

Today my student teacher joined our classroom. At the end of the day I let the kids have time to ask her questions to get to know her better. Of course since they are 6-7 years old they ask all the personal questions like, "how old are you?" and "do you have a boyfriend?" One student asked, "Have you been out of the country?" She replied, "yes" and said she had lived in Israel for four months and mentioned the people there speak a different language called Hebrew.

Then with all seriousness a kid asked in his sweet little voice, "When they talk do they sound like this- pea poy pea poy pea poy?" It was sooo cute. I couldn't help but laugh. The student started to laugh at how funny it came out and a couple of boys ended up rolling on the floor laughing. It was one of those cute moments in first grade. Thought I'd share the cuteness.

Gingerbread house

A few weeks ago, Jordan ( a student from last year), and her sister Jacquelyn came over and we made a gingerbread house and drank mint hot cocoa. The girls showed me their American girl dolls and told me all about them. They have added many new dolls to the collection since I was a little girl. They really liked playing with the lazer pointer to make Roxy (our cat) try to catch it. It's Roxy's favorite game. After we finished the house, I realized we forgot to decorate the front of the house- Oops!

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.