Leading Worship

I had the opportunity and priviledge of leading worship again today at church. This was the third time that I lead worship and I think today was the best experience so far. Kevin Brooks played guitar, Tina played the piano, Bob played the drums and bass, Kevin Williams sang, LeAnne did words, Jaxon was on sound (his first time alone), and of course I sang too. This time I even did a small solo. I'm branching out! I lead because Pastor Mark and Mary Beth are on vacation to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary in Hawaii. Lucky! We also had Steve Wilkinson one of our missionaries in the Philippines come and speak today. It was a great day at church. Jonathan even did a little dance in front of the congregation during our first song...he usually sits nicely on the first pew waiting to be excused for Children's Church, but I think the Lord came into his heart and made him feel like dancing today :)

I also went and played the second half of my soccer game today since the game started at 11:15am, which is during church. Luckily the game was right down the street from church. I scored my 14th goal of the year between 2 teams. I am on the way to score a record number of goals this year. Even if I don't score any more this year, it will still have been a great year for soccer!


-Dina

Talking To Jonathan's Class About Facial Differences

Today was the Muscular Distrophy Hop A Thon at Jonathan's school. Throughout the week the children have been learning about people with differences. Earlier in the week, someone came to talk to the kids about people in wheelchairs and other ways in which people are different including hair color and eye color. The message was that God makes everyone different in some way, but that means everyone is special in their own way. Today, I got to talk to Jonathan's class about people with facial differences. Some of Jonathan's friends have been asking about the scar on Ethan's face, so today I showed the children pictures of when Ethan was born, showed them what Ethan looks like now in real life since he was there with me and even about how some people have differences in eating. I brought a feeding tube so kids could see one in real life and then I let them ask questions. I love how children think and I love that they were asking questions to show me that they were really listening and taking in what I said. Many of the questions centered around how the feeding tube goes to the tummy.

During the talk, Ethan went to the back of the class where Miss Call was sitting and sat in her lap. I thought for sure he would have went and played with the toys.

Then the kids participated in the Hop A Thon for the MDA. The kids waited for the whole school to gather and then they were asked to get in a circle and they all hopped.

Getting Ready

Jumpy Jump. Having Fun!

Getting His Hop A Thon Certificate

My "Cake"

Making A Windsock

Lunch!

Hugs For Teacher Kerri

Hugs For Miss Call

After the Hop A Thon, Ethan and I stuck around for center time in Miss Call's class. Jonathan had a great time building his tower and doing art. Ethan got to play in the dramatic play area with the food and the kitchen.

Another great part of the day is the impact the Jonathan's teachers have had not only on Jonathan, but Ethan loves the teachers too. He gave Teacher Kerri, Jonathan's teacher from last year a hug and Miss Call a hug before we left. He doesn't give hugs to just anybody!

-Dina

Happy Easter

This year, I thought it might be fun to go to some community Easter Egg Hunts. We started off going to the city of Redmond for their hunt. My mom came with the boys and I since Bob had to go down to a friend's church and rehearse for their worship service that he was going to be a guest drummer at on Easter Service. When we got there, the boys' age groups were split up. There were a mass amount of people. I took Ethan to his field and mom took Jonathan to his field. The hunt kicked off with the mayor, fire chief, and the Easter bunny in a fire truck lift above the big field. They dropped some eggs and the hunt was on. Ethan started crying right before the start and the field filled up quickly. He stood over 3 eggs and refused to pick them up. He didn't like the big crowd. I always said I wouldn't be one of those parents who picked up eggs for their kids, but since he was standing over 3, I picked them up, put them in his basket, and walked away. He was done and all the eggs were probably taken by that point anyways. It was a madhouse. I heard one parent tell their kid "there were a lot more people here then last year". I saw some kids walking out with empty baskets. That's so sad. Jonathan did pretty well on his lawn and got 11 eggs. We might not do this one again next year since it was just too crowded.

The younger crowd

We left Redmond City Hall and drove over the Evergreen Hospital. Across the street is their hospice center where they hold their egg hunt for staff and volunteers. Since I am on a parent advisory board, I can attend. I took the boys last year and it was really fun so this year we decided to go again. They go all out with big eggs and big candy like whopper cartons, egg gum, etc. all over the lawn. Again, Jonathan and Ethan were in different age groups. I took Ethan and mom took Jonathan. At Ethan's level, one parent could go out with their child. At Jonathan's age, no adults were allowed to go out. Ethan and I were right in the front since we got there early. Mom said that Jonathan was in the front too, but as time went by, parents were pushing their kids ahead of Jonathan. She was getting irritated and finally pushed Jonathan back up to the front; that was her telling of the situation anyways. I should be surprised since some cities cancelled their egg hunts due to aggressive parents and someone else told me they saw on the news that some places had video of parents telling their kids to push other kids out of the way. Come on people! Really!!!! Anyways, Ethan went right out and started picking up everything he could. He didn't want the candy though, only the eggs. Fine with me. Jonathan apparently did the same thing. I brought a plastic bag with us since the basket filled up quickly. The boys did really good at this hunt, getting a lot of fun stuff and they even quit early. They both decided they were done even though there was still stuff left to pick up.

The lawn at the Evergreen hunt

Ethan picking up his eggs

Jonathan filled up his basket and decided he was done

When we got home, the boys waited for daddy to get home and then opened up all of their eggs so he could see what they got. Grandpa also came over and was able to share in the egg opening. He spent most of the day hanging out with us too.

Ethan opening his eggs

Jonathan and his eggs

The boys' Easter baskets, although I bought big eggs to put the stuff in

This was the first year we decided to do Easter baskets for the boys. I bought these big eggs and some grass at the after Easter sale at Michaels last year and used those as the baskets. There were Junior Mints, Gymboree CDs, Gymboree shapes, and die cast Cars 2 figures. It was a big hit!

The boys with grandpa

After Easter Sunday service, we also had the annual Easter Egg Hunt. It was outside behind the church since it was a nice sunny day.

Getting ready

Ethan going to town

He has mastered the egg hunt

Jonathan racing for eggs

He has mastered the hunt and was less picky about which eggs or colors he picked up.

Hug from Ellen

After church, the boys and I stopped at the City of Kirkland's egg hunt at Peter Kirk Park. Again, the boys were split up into different age groups, but I brought Ethan to the over 4 section since I was by myself. His section was supposed to be on the playground; the older section was on the baseball field. When we arrived, we were in the front line. By the time the hunt started, we were only in the second row and that was with me continually trying to stay ahead of the line. This egg hunt consisted of little chocolate eggs all over the lawn and not plastic eggs. To keep the crowd entertained, the Easter Bunny and an Easter Duck were walking around taking pictures with kids. The boys were able to get some chocolate eggs and picked me some dandelions.

Jonathan wearing his Easter basket while we waited for the hunt

Ethan trying to wear his Easter basket

The boys and the Easter Duck...Big Foster

In the afternoon, we went over to mom's house for an Easter egg hunt and dinner. Bob joined us. I brought some eggs and Tayla brought some eggs too. Before the hunt, Tayla brought a craft to do that was a bunny mask to decorate. My family, Ryan's family, Dad and Joy, and Mom were there for the egg hunt. The hunt took place in the backyard.

Ready, Set, Go!

Jonathan having a great time

Grandpa was watching

Ethan was an old pro

Here Ethan

After the hunt, the boys and AJ opened all their eggs. Oma Joy helped Ethan open all of his. Everyone had a lot of fun. After we opened all the eggs, Dad and Joy left to go back to Melissa's house. It was wonderful having them with us for a while on Easter to see the kids do their hunt.

Opening eggs

Help from Oma Joy

Uncle Ryan brought the egg dying kit and Jonathan was really into coloring eggs. This was the first year he really wanted to do it. He and Uncle Ryan colored eggs together.

Coloring eggs

Later in the evening, Andy, Erin, and Ben showed up after being in Bellingham. We ate dessert and the kids got to play together for a little while.

Ben

Amanda went to bed and then the boys were left. Eventually, Jonathan and Ethan fell asleep. They were so tired. The pretty much slept for the rest of the night, even when we got them in the car and took them home.

Ben looking at Ethan sleeping

Tired out Jonathan

The next day, the boys opened their eggs from the church egg hunt. They ended up each getting a special cross egg that they were supposed to bring back the next week for a prize which turned out to be bubbles and a box of chocolate eggs.

Opening the last of the eggs

The special cross eggs

What a fun and full Easter we had this year. The boys were really into the Easter egg hunts and Jonathan was a lot less picky then he has been in the past. Holidays just keep getting more fun and eventful every year.

-Dina

Emerald City Comicon

I went to my first comicon with Bob this year. I never thought that I would have been caught dead at one of these, but hence I went because I wanted to meet George Takei. I figured he was probably the most famous Japanese American and he has done and is doing a lot of work for Japanese Americans and I really wanted to personally thank him. He has a new play coming out called Allegiance, though unfortunately it debuts in Southern California. If it ever comes here, I will definately go see it. Bob and I got our picture taken with George Takei, which he posted a picture of and then I went back to get his autograph. He was such a nice guy, very friendly. I had heard from other fans that they saw William Shatner and Leonard Nemoy and they were not very friendly to fans at all; Shatner didn't even look up at his fans. Bob met him last year, but just to get a picture and people are hurried in and out right after the picture, so there really is no time to chat with the celebrity. A few fans in front me asked him how to pronounce his last name and he said it rhymes with okay. I will always remember that. Takei signed our photo with him and he looked at Bob's shirt and read "be su", looking puzzled. Takei asked, "Bass?" I told him that Bob played the bass and then it suddenly made sense to him why his shirt said "be su" in Japanese characters. Then I got to personally thank him for doing so much great work for the Japanese American community. I didn't even know there was a Japanese National Museum in California until he lost on Celebrity Apprentice and I found out he was playing for them. He talked to me a little about Japanese Internment since he was interned with his family in Arkansas. I didn't even realize there were internment camps there. He smiled and was so incredibly gracious.

While I was there, I decided to also go over to Lea Thompson's line and get her autograph. As I was waiting, I was watching her and saw how sweet she was too. A little boy and his dad walked up to her at her table and Lea got down on the little boy's level and started talking to him. That was so nice of her. Then she stood for all the taller adults and shook their hands. As I got closer, I could see Will Wheaton in the next booth. He played Wesley Crusher on Star Trek Next Generation. He looked like he was having a great time and I heard he comes to Emerald City Comicon every year. Definately a crowd favorite. When I got to the front, I met Lea's sister who was traveling with her. I asked Lea if this was her first time in Seattle and I don't remember what she said, but she did tell me that she and her sister were going to the Underground Tour the next day. I told them to bring rugged clothes because it was a little dirty and unpathed, but definately worth it. Then she asked me what I would suggest they do and I had a total brain freeze. The only things I could think of were nature visits so I told her that the next time she came she should go see Mt. Rainier and Mt. St. Helens. Also they were going to the Space Needle, so I suggested the restaurant there. Last time I was there was maybe 15 or so years ago and the food wasn't that great, but the view was awesome. Of course when I got home I could totally think of things I should have suggested like the duck tour, Pike Place Market, and the waterfront. Oh well. Lea Thomspon was also so gracious and she's gorgeous in person.

I will always forever be a fan of George Takei and Lea Thompson.

-Dina

Oh My! Meeting George Takei!

Last weekend (3/30/12-4/1/12) was the Geekfest otherwise known as Emerald City Comicon. And in true geek fashion, I went (*not* dressed up!).

This year's headliner guest was George Takei, otherwise known as Sulu from the Original Star Trek. So, of course, I went and got my picture taken with him.

The most surprising thing is that Dina came too! George is very active in the Japanese-American community and this really intrigued Dina.

Wonder if she'll come with me *next* year...? :-P

I think it's pretty obvious who's who in the photo!

- bob