I think it's safe to say Sara has a slightly warped sense of humor...
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Something I've dreaded
On Sunday I received a text message from a former student informing me that one of my other former students, Andrew Martinez, had been killed in a car accident Saturday night. Finding out was like being punched in the stomach, to be honest. This was an inevitability that I had always feared from the moment I began teaching. (Ironically enough, my student Christopher Murray committed double homicide a couple of years ago. That one it had never occurred to me to dread.)
About two weeks ago, Andrew found me on Facebook, a social networking tool that I spend too much time on these days. Prior to that, I hadn't spoken to him in probably four years. He graduated in 2001. I would have remembered him regardless, but to have spoken with him so recently has given his passing an extra little pinch of sadness.
Andrew was the kind of kid I have always enjoyed teaching. He was outspoken, witty, intelligent, and respectful. He wasn't necessarily the most conscientious student in the room, but he had a lot to offer in class and interesting ideas. Andrew's biggest passion was music. I remember seeing the chorus to Incubus's "Pardon Me" scrawled across the front of his binder, and it reminded me of my own teenage angst, so I kind of liked it.
When I ran into Andrew a few years ago at the Brea Mall, he was getting ready to tour with his band, Up Syndrome. He even gave me a copy of his CD. He was so excited to be pursuing his dream--something he continued to do up until his passing on early Sunday morning.
Andrew, I'm so sorry that your life was so short. I'm very proud of and inspired by the passion with which you lived your life. Thank you for sharing that lesson with everyone who knew you.
About two weeks ago, Andrew found me on Facebook, a social networking tool that I spend too much time on these days. Prior to that, I hadn't spoken to him in probably four years. He graduated in 2001. I would have remembered him regardless, but to have spoken with him so recently has given his passing an extra little pinch of sadness.
Andrew was the kind of kid I have always enjoyed teaching. He was outspoken, witty, intelligent, and respectful. He wasn't necessarily the most conscientious student in the room, but he had a lot to offer in class and interesting ideas. Andrew's biggest passion was music. I remember seeing the chorus to Incubus's "Pardon Me" scrawled across the front of his binder, and it reminded me of my own teenage angst, so I kind of liked it.
When I ran into Andrew a few years ago at the Brea Mall, he was getting ready to tour with his band, Up Syndrome. He even gave me a copy of his CD. He was so excited to be pursuing his dream--something he continued to do up until his passing on early Sunday morning.
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Andrew, I'm so sorry that your life was so short. I'm very proud of and inspired by the passion with which you lived your life. Thank you for sharing that lesson with everyone who knew you.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Sara's words as of 1/9/09
1. ball (this was the first she clearly used with meaning)
2. mama
3. dada
4. book
5. more (word and sign; it seems to also mean yes and again)
6. cheese
7. nana (banana--sorry Nana Paula. :) )
8. ear (with pointing to ear)
9. butt (button)
10. bye-bye (with waving; also uses to dismiss something she doesn't like)
11. eat (signs only)
12. shoe (sounds like zshooo)
New this week:
13. eye
14. hi
15. no (complete with head-shaking)
2. mama
3. dada
4. book
5. more (word and sign; it seems to also mean yes and again)
6. cheese
7. nana (banana--sorry Nana Paula. :) )
8. ear (with pointing to ear)
9. butt (button)
10. bye-bye (with waving; also uses to dismiss something she doesn't like)
11. eat (signs only)
12. shoe (sounds like zshooo)
New this week:
13. eye
14. hi
15. no (complete with head-shaking)
Fourteen months old
Welcome to toddlerhood! You know, it wasn't all that long ago that Sara was basically our little lap baby. She would sit contentedly on our laps and just be adorable. She didn't do much, but she warmed our hearts just the same.
Now, we have a walking (basically exclusively since Christmas), talking (over 10 words), independence-asserting little human being on our hands. If we do something that she doesn't like, she will let us know, usually by making shrieking type noises that, I can't lie, drive me insane. It used to be she would eat anything. Now, she's much more selective and quite unpredictable. One day she likes turkey; the next she's throwing it on the floor. Every time we think we are done baby proofing, she takes her exploration to a new level. Example: Just this past week Sara discovered that the cabinets we had installed under our stairs were CABINETS. Once Larry got the hooks on those, she discovered the drawers on our end tables.
These are exciting times as we watch our sweet Sara Jo grow and change and become much less of our baby and more of her own person. Please pray that God grants us the patience and wisdom to give her just what she needs to flourish! We are toddling right along with her as we figure out this next stage of parenting. :)
Now, we have a walking (basically exclusively since Christmas), talking (over 10 words), independence-asserting little human being on our hands. If we do something that she doesn't like, she will let us know, usually by making shrieking type noises that, I can't lie, drive me insane. It used to be she would eat anything. Now, she's much more selective and quite unpredictable. One day she likes turkey; the next she's throwing it on the floor. Every time we think we are done baby proofing, she takes her exploration to a new level. Example: Just this past week Sara discovered that the cabinets we had installed under our stairs were CABINETS. Once Larry got the hooks on those, she discovered the drawers on our end tables.
These are exciting times as we watch our sweet Sara Jo grow and change and become much less of our baby and more of her own person. Please pray that God grants us the patience and wisdom to give her just what she needs to flourish! We are toddling right along with her as we figure out this next stage of parenting. :)
New Year's FAIL
On New Year's Eve Larry, Sara and I packed up the trailer and headed out for a few days in Glamis. We had packed enough alcohol to ring in the new year with as much debauchery as might suit our fancy and were looking forward to a good time with the Tyners and their friends.
What we got instead was a smoking tire, some demolished wheel bearings, and a New Year's spent at the 76 station in "Salton Sea Beach." HAPPY NEW YEAR! :)
The bright side: With help from our dear friends and family, we were able to limp the trailer out to Glamis, and we were able to get it repaired. We enjoyed the rest of our trip in Glamis and were reminded that life is what happens while you're making other plans!
What we got instead was a smoking tire, some demolished wheel bearings, and a New Year's spent at the 76 station in "Salton Sea Beach." HAPPY NEW YEAR! :)
The bright side: With help from our dear friends and family, we were able to limp the trailer out to Glamis, and we were able to get it repaired. We enjoyed the rest of our trip in Glamis and were reminded that life is what happens while you're making other plans!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Sajo and Zozo
A few days after Christmas the Rosas stopped by for some pizza (thanks, guys!), conversation, and a playdate for our little ones. It was absolutely adorable. The girls actually kind of played together at times! Zoey has always shown a little bit of interest in Sara, I think, but this time Sara showed some interest back. The two seemed to follow each other around. It was a very sweet sign of things to come.
As a side note, the first few pictures are from our little Canon point-and-shoot camera. The others are from Brian and Melissa's more sophisticated camera. You can certainly tell the difference!
As a side note, the first few pictures are from our little Canon point-and-shoot camera. The others are from Brian and Melissa's more sophisticated camera. You can certainly tell the difference!
Make new friends, but keep the old...
On December 26th Larry, Sara, and I headed down to San Diego to visit with the Gouldens as they celebrated their cousin Aimee's wedding and Anna's son Sam's first birthday. We just saw Jason, Shauna, Charlie and Tanner up in Los Gatos a few months ago, but we hadn't seen Anna and family since we were both pregnant in the summer of 2007. This was her first time meeting Sara and my first time meeting her younger kiddo Sammy. It was as wonderful as always to see such dear, dear friends.
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