Happy Birthday Del!

Oh dear brother Del - you didn't really think you would get away from me posting this adorable picture for your birthday blog, now did you?
You claim that Judy chased you around and put polish on your nails - and that mom didn't have time to get it off before it was your turn for pictures. I guess we will have to go with that story.

You were always real good at looking like the innocent one - POOR BABY JANICE - WHO knocked her over???! Oh sure - put Vaseline on your face to give it an angelic glow - I think it really worked!
Soon enough and thankfully, you did learn leadership skills - commanding neighbors and even canines
You grew into a fine young man - becoming a wise business man, politician, church leader, loving husband, great father, and now a doting grandfather!
They say what goes around comes around, and I pray that you will be blessed in the measure that you have blessed others, Del. You have given to so many people, tirelessly and consistently. God bless you! We Tolentino's love you!

Off To College

Jordan and I visited my parents last weekend to see their new dorm. I think it is just way too fancy for these two ~ even the doors open automatically for them! They will become too lazy I fear.
My dad likes to play with artwork he sees - it is a bad bad thing - I am certain he will be sent to the dean of education sooner or later. I am fearful that he may delve into graffiti! (gasp)

While they do have their own keys, my dad has already been giving out his room number to fellow students!
I NEVER had such a great media room when I went to college! They even have a WII!!!! NOT FAIR!

They especially appreciate their view of the Mediterranean from every window- just amazing!
While they do their daily workouts for P.E. class, they can also view the lovely sea! (I think I only saw a dull brick building next door when I was in college)
My mom even weaseled herself a personal spot to bring her very own bike (she may be too snooty to use someone elses equipment) - she is such a princess! Of course, she reserved the spot right near the window!
And yes, my dad thinks he is in control of all the windows, declaring when they open and when they shut!
The cafeteria is out of this world - complete with a MENU and a WAITRESS and they even BRING your food TO you! Spoiled rich kids I tell ya.....
My nephew Ryan and his triathlon girlfriend stopped by for a visit, and my dad invites us all to his cafeteria for lunch (you can bring guests if you pay extra)WELL he SCHMOOZES at the salad bar and gets FREE MEALS for us all!

It was delicious, lovely, and not at all like when I was in college.

Sending your loved ones off to college is a huge deal. You worry, you hope, you pray. You know you raised them the best you could and now it is their time to stretch their wings. I am confident that they will be just fine - and that they will make great friends, make wise choices, get plenty of exercise and rest, eat healthy,and most of all, have wonderful experiences to share with us.
Good luck on your new adventure! We love you!

I FORGOT THE UPDATE:
They dropped out of college......

I Like My Family

Have I said how much I like my family? I not only love them, but I like them as well...

We Have Not Known Thee As We Ought

Trinity Hymnal Page 491
Joseph Barnby 1872

We have not known thee as we ought, nor learned thy wisdom, grace, and power,
the things of earth have filled our thought, and trifles of the passing hour,
Lord, give us light thy truth to see, and make us wise in knowing thee.

We have not feared thee as we ought, nor bowed beneath thine awesome eye,
nor guarded deed and word and thought, remembering that God was nigh.
Lord, give us faith to know thee near, and grant the grace of holy fear.

We have not loved thee as we ought, nor cared that we are loved by thee;
they presence we have coldly sought, and feebly longed thy face to see.
Lord, give a pure and loving heart to feel and own the love thou art.

We have not served thee as we ought; alas! the duties left undone,
the work with little fervor wrought, the battles lost, or scarcely won!
Lord, give the zeal and give the might, for thee to toil, for thee to fight.

When shall we know thee as we ought, and fear and love and serve aright!
When shall we, out of trial brought, be perfect in the land of light!
Lord, may we day by day prepare to see thy face, and serve thee there.

Crabby?

Nothing compares to fresh dungeness crab. Ahhhhh.....after a long, hard day at work (yah right) hubby and I meet up with friends on our boat, roping them into bringing dinner (under the new "we provide the boat, you provide the dinner" agreement). What a lovely evening it was.

My favorite way to cook our catch:
Dungeness Crab:
1-2 dungeness crabs, killed and cleaned, 4T salt
1. Salt the water and bring it to a furious boil. Add crab and boil for 10 minutes.
2. Strain out the crab and immediately plunge into an ice or cold water bath to stop the cooking(this makes it much easier to get the meat). Serve immediately with melted garlic butter or Ginger and Black Vinegar Dipping Sauce
I guess there is something that compares to fresh dungeness crab after all - sunsets over a peaceful marina
The great Pacific Northwest - God is good

Take Me, O My Father, Take Me

I am always surprised when we sing a hymn I have not heard before. This morning was especially wonderful - a hymn written by Dmitri Bortniansky, 1818 (Ukraine) It has a simple tune which emphasized the words and struck a chord with me (no pun intended).

If you are familiar with Psalm singing, this tune is VESPER HYMM 8.7.8.7.D

Take me, O my Father, take me, save me, through thy Son.
That which thou wouldst have me, make me, let thy will in me be done.
Long from Thee my footsteps straying, thorny proved the way I trod.
Weary come I now, and praying take me to thy love, my God.

Fruitless years with grief recalling, humbly I confess my sin;
At thy feet, O Father, falling, to thy household take me in.
Freely now to thee I proffer this relenting heart of mine;
Freely life and soul I offer, gift unworthy love like thine.

Once the world's Redeemer, dying, bore our sins upon the tree;
On the sacrifice relying, now I look in hope to thee.
Father, take me; all forgiving, fold me to thy loving breast;
In thy love forever living I must be forever blest.

Family Vacation! Cruisin' Alaska

My mother in law bought a cruise for Joseph and I, so for Christmas, we added our children on to come with us! A highlight for them and Joseph was a glacier helicopter tour of 6 glaciers in Ketchikan
Of course, couldn't pass of any opportunity to get "real" family portraits done - although I NEED a good scanner :P

Never would have chosen a cruise, but to Alaska was the best destination
Jordan even entered the Princess Cruise Pop Star contest - and won

Goodbye bears, good times, food 24/7, and the aunties and uncles from Maui who were also on the cruise