Anthony & Connie Lema's Wedding

Make a scrapbook - it's easy!

Greg and I attended the wedding of a good friend of mine, Connie Leamon & Anthony Lema. Connie and I go way back to my Miss America days. She was a local director back then and was a travel chaperon for me at different events. We always had a blast together and have some great memories (ie...locking Connie's keys in her jeep and being stranded, to name just one instance ;-) It was a beautiful ceremony complete with bagpipes and just a "little" wind...the Santa Ana's showed up...but the goal was accomplished none the less, and Connie is officially Mrs. Lema. I'm so happy for the two of them and wish them many wonderful years to come. What a great way for them to start 2008 (it was a New Year's Eve wedding). The reception was like a reunion for me, seeing so many dear faces from my pageant days...I captured just a handful in my slide show. It's always so good to catch up with my "extended" pageant family. Be sure to click on the very small arrow on the right hand side of the slide show for more pics. Enjoy!

Holiday Theme Winner

My parents have been decorating the outside of their house since I can remember and have won various awards for their decorations. This year they won the "Best Theme" award...you can see why. My father made all of the signs, he's so talented...I can't tell you how many people stop to take pictures of their home and ask where they bought the signs. Maybe some day I'll coerce him into making us some...one can hope ;-)

Chrismas Dinner 2007

Greg and I celebrated our fifth annual Christmas Dinner that we prepare for our family. Every year it's the same awaited menu of Prime Rib, Sage-Gratin potatoes, green beans, Grandma Van's famous pearled onions, onion tart with salad, and boysenberry, apple pie & ice cream to finish it off. Every one was well stuffed and had a wonderful time ending Christmas day this way. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve with family

Typically, Bill, Dee & Family spend Christmas in Colorado but this year we had the chance to see them Christmas Eve before they left for Hawaii, for Billy's basketball tournament. We spent the evening at mom & dad's eating and exchanging gifts. Bill & Dee got us a sweet pair of sun glasses from Bill's new company SALT. We love em!

Camp Pendleton Christmas Party

Make a photobook - it's easy!

I had the opportunity to join Cypress Church in throwing a Christmas party for the Marines at Camp Pendleton. I was asked to kick start the event with the National Anthem, of which I am especially honored to sing for these types of events. I also had the opportunity to join in the Church's band and sing an array of songs from "Sweet Home Alabama" to "Silent Night". It was fun seeing they guys having a good time eating plates full of smoked turkey with all the sides, checking out the Corvettes that were brought for display, and taking part in some games we provided...and they were competitive as I'll get out...should I be surprised? ;-)
When there are 130$ gift cards at stake that certainly upped the ante. I judged a singing contest, and cheered them on in their Santa Sleigh race course. It was a wonderful afternoon and was a blessing to share the Christmas spirit with so many who won't get the chance to be with family during this time.

Knott's Berry Farm

Make a postcard - it's easy!

Every year since I can remeber (with the exception of a few misses) my family would go to Knott's Berry Farm for us to meet Santa and walk around the Christmas Craft fair and see either "A Christmas Carol" or "The Gift of the Magi". While I no longer go to sit on Santas lap, Christmas doesn't seem complete with out following the tradition of heading over to Knott's to see a production in the Bird Cage theater or walk around with family. Dad and I even went on Ghost Rider, a wooden rollercoaster that felt like our heads were going to be snapped off around each turn. We both got off the ride and reminded each other that we probably shouldn't be doing that kind of stuff at our ages ;-0

Another Cotillion Christmas...

Can't believe I'm already posting another Cotillion Christmas...seems not too long ago I wrote about last years party. As is typical with the Martines, they went all out and splurged on giving us gift certificates to Burke Williams Day Spa...along with a bottle of Champagne and glasses to boot. I'm looking forward to six yummy weeks off from work!! Although...I have a feeling it's going to be a filled six weeks of whatever I can possibly pack in...that's just how I am ;-)

Reliving the Glory Days

Greg and I attended his former High School's Baseball fund raising Banquet. It was fun to meet Greg's old coaches and players from his time at Millikan. Throughout the room they had different CIF games from different years being played and it was cute to watch Greg watching himself at age 17 ;-) He was quite the ball player...

Let the decorating begin

Ok, ok...so it's not exactly the weather for snow here, although it has been pretty dog gone cold (for So. Cal standards) The day after thanksgiving, Greg and I pulled out the lights and began to transform the outside of our home into its more festive self. Since these pictures were taken we've added even more...but you get the idea. And...no, the reason we are with out a lawn is not due to the severe drought conditions...we're still in the process of installing our sprinklers and seed. Happy Decorating!

Chinese Bible Missions Church of Los Angeles

Make a slide show, scrapbook, or ecard

Last Sat. I had the opportunity to teach a four hour class to College students from 10 different campuses around Los Angeles (ie. USC, UCLA, Cal Poly Pomona). We started with dining manners and enjoyed a three course meal together. After that I spoke about proper dressing and explained the 7 different "dress codes". We wrapped it all up with an hour session on ball room dances. I taught them Cha Cha, Fox Trot, Swing & Waltz. Even though we were not even close to having even numbers of men & women (there were @ 45 men, 15 women)...it still worked and we all had a great time.

In Memory of "Jason"...the fish

Last night, Greg and I (along w/ Jay & Tre, since they were here at the house) said our last goodbyes to "Jason" the beta fish...as we wished him well on his journey to the great unknown via the swirly bowl. I've never actually known a beta fish to live as long as we had "Jason", thus the need to actually blog about the death of our fish. For my 30th birthday, Greg had surprised me with a Luau theme party and had beta fish in bowls on the tables as centerpieces. Of the three betas I brought home (in separate bowls of course) two died with in weeks/months...but "Jason", as he was affectionately called, lived on for over three years. He will be missed.

Thanksgiving day at Mom's

Make a slide show, scrapbook, or ecard

I'm thankful for:
my husband
family
friends
salvation
grandma's pearled onions
little kid's laughter
fried turkeys
the smells of mom's kitchen
pumpkin pie
my home
sitting around a dining table
candles
I could go on...these are just a few off the top of my head...I'm so grateful to God for all the many blessings He's given me...He has been faithful!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Thanksgiving at Rachel & Jason's

Make a slide show, scrapbook, or ecard

This year Greg and I had two amazing thanksgiving meals...on Monday we celebrated at my sister's home up in Fresno along with her family. We woke up early and started cooking at 8 am. There were so many wonderful sides and her turkey was scruptous...finished up with homemade pumpkin pie. It's not a wonder why we look forward to this day every year. What a feast!

Billy Joel Concert

Make a slide show, scrapbook, or ecard

Greg and I celebrated an early Thanksgiving with my sis Rach and her family up in Fresno. Two weeks earlier she mentioned there was a Billy Joel Concert in town and "would we be interested?"...Greg is a big Billy Joel fan so I decided to say yes but keep it a surprise. So, we told Greg that Rach & Jay got a babysitter so we could all go hang out (which rarely happens). As we're driving up to the center where the concert was being held, Greg saw the sign..."Hey Billy Joel is here??? I wonder when, that would be fun...oh it looks like we missed it...wait when is he playing? Nov. 19? yeah, we missed it...wait, today is Nov 19!..." At this point I revealed the tickets to Greg and he was completely shocked. We all had such a good time singing along to some old favorites and dancing along to the newer ones. I was sandwiched between my crazy sis & Greg who serenaded each other the whole evening. What a blast!!

Pastor Larry's 50th Birthday Bash

Make a slide show, scrapbook or ecard

Last Sat. Greg and I celebrated, along with many others, Pastor Larry's 50th birthday. Deb did an amazing job transforming their home into the perfect setting to celebrate the occasion...it started off with valet parking, coat check, a catered dinner of prime rib and wonderful fellowship. It was an honor to be a part of the festivities. Happy Birthday Larry!

Tea parties and Top Hats

My niece, Chloe, spent her very first weekend away from her parents. I invited her over (from two blocks away where my folks live) to have a tea party. She was shy with Greg because its been a little while since she last saw him but as soon as he donned the top hat she was warmed up and ready to go. She was so cute playing the "hostess" of our tea, being sure each of our cups were brimming with tea the entire time. It completely took me back to my childhood, as my mom did the same tea parties with me...teaching me the importance of slowing down to enjoy a cup of tea and the presence of a good friend.

Inspections and classes....

have begun...we're in the thick of finishing our certification for foster care. Thus, the reason I haven't been the best blogger these days. Two weeks ago we had an inspection from our agency and ended up with a nice little checklist of all the things we needed to get done before our final inspection...in 6 weeks! Just in time for Christmas. Greg's been busy adding magnetic child locks to our cupboards, I'm ebaying stuff left and right to clear out our "spare" bedroom to make room for bassinets and baby gear. I can see why God usually gives 9 months to a typical couple to get ready :-) Last week we started parenting classes through our agency and it is incredibly informative. I actually am grateful to learn what they are presenting...I think it's not such a bad idea for anyone becoming a parent. We are being taught through "Boy's Town". So, I just wanted to give a little insight into what we are gearing up for and ask for your prayers as we anticipate the light at the end of the tunnel in regards to certification and the arrival of a "chosen" child. (The director of our Foster care agency calls her foster kids "chosen" children-I think that's rather appropriate.)

21st Annual Productivity and Quality Awards

Today was the PQ Awards celebration luncheon held at the Grand Hall of the Dorthy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles. Last month the County of Los Angeles Board of supervisors interviewed our Heart Gallery as a potential top three contender of 81 PQA entries. (We had made it to the top 10 at that point) Here's a brief explanation of the awards as written by CEO William T Fujioka

Each award-winning project represents the finest innovation in County public service. Greater productivity, cost savings, and collaborative partnerships are valuable outcomes of these first class enterprises. These projects align closely to one or more county strategic goals, report significant cost benefits, and show quality improvement. The Awards event celebrates the outstanding projects created by dedicated employees who continue to enrich lives for the people of the County.

While the luncheon was for employees of the county I was very honored to be invited by the commissioners themselves to be a guest at the event and participate in being awarded alongside the DCFS directors Stephanie & Sari. We had an amazing lunch and the presentation of awards was creatively done incorporating Star wars-esk type media videos of the winners programs. While we didn't win the top three awards we were very honored to be recognized as a top 10 program in our county. Chuck Henry, news anchor for KNBC4 was the Master of Ceremonies and I met several key people from our community ranging from the Board of Supervisors to Sheriff Lee Bacca.

Real Fusion

I had the pleasure of being interviewed by the host of Real Fusion, Devin Delozier and that interview aired yesterday Oct. 17. If you have a chance, check it out at Real Fusion and go to show archive for Oct. 17 if it doesn't come up on the main page.

Working the Runway

This morning I modeled in a fashion show fundraiser for the Long Beach Center Guild of Ability First. Ability First provides programs and services to help children & adults with physical and developmental disabilities realize their full potential throughout their lives. I modeled clothes from local boutiques and was the "grand finale" with my crown and gown at the end of the show. It was so cute to hear the women literally "gasp" when I came out...that crown is a show stopper and they weren't expecting it :-)

A Rainy Day

“May you always have walls for the winds, a roof for the rain, tea beside the fire, laughter to cheer you, those you love near you and all your heart might desire.” - Irish blessing.

It's rainy days like this when I'm snuggled up at home (and not running around b/c it's yet another sunshiny day in So. Cal.) that I'm reminded of how blessed I am with family and friends and a lovely home to share with my husband. Life is good!

My hardworking man...

Greg's on to another house project...installing a sprinkler system & walkway in our front yard. He's already removed all the grass and is now leveling out the yard, hauling away all the extra dirt and roots to prep for installing the sprinkler system. Even though it's in the middle of Oct. its ridiculously hot so I put my gardening hat on him to shade his eyes...he's too cute for actually continuing to wear it! (and probably doesn't appreciate that I've posted pics for all to see :-) I just had to brag a little because I'm so proud of him and all he does to make our house a home that we both enjoy.

Baby Bekah - One month old

Greg and I babysat little Rebekah today...Kumba had to take her three year old to emergency and at a different hospital Rebekah was being discharged, apparently she had an infection that kept here there for several days. So Greg and I headed to the hospital to pick her up and spend the day with her while Kumba attended to Ruthie. I didn't realize how much babies this young sleep! That was the theme of the day, sleep, eat, and changing of the diaper. We brought her to church last night and everyone had too much fun taking turns holding her. Jason & Traci came over last night to help out and come with us to take her back home - thanks guys for always helping us out when we're on baby patrol.

Encouragement from those who have gone before

JR Mahon was a guest speaker at Halogen last Sunday evening and challenged us to get out of our comfort zones and love people, all people. How easy it is for us to walk down the street and easily overlook the homeless or those that don't fit into our neatly scheduled lives. If we say we are who we are then we need to invest in loving people, investing in relationships. JR invested in reaching out to foster children and last year he and his wife adopted a sibling set of three. After the service Greg and I had JR, Devin (host of real fusion & one of our pastors), Andy (producer of real fusion), John (Adoption Advocate) and a handful of others over to our house to talk about how we are going to challenge the American church to do more for the orphans. After all, it is a biblical mandate to the church to do such - calling it the only "pure religion", to take care of the orphan and widow. It was a blessing to be encouraged by JR and John and his wife Terry - who adopted 5 foster children- as Greg and I are going through the very process they went through.