Relax...

out for a ride

Lisa Stryker — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 05:50:55 +0000

survivors

Lisa Stryker — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 01:06:35 +0000

I always think of cockroaches as the one animal that could survive aything, but today I was proven wrong. I did a load of laundry this afternoon, it consisted of about 30 mildewy rags and towels that had soaked up rain water in our garage. I did not shake them out before throwing them in the washer because they were so crusty and gross, so I knew they had leaves and rocks glued to them. I used a large amount of bleach, hot water, and detergent hoping to kill the stench and mold growing on the towels. When the wash was done I took each rag out one at a time to shake the leaves off and I found a rolly polly. I felt so bad and was trying to hid it from the kids, but then it stared crawling! I found three others, all still alive, except for the one I accidently crushed thinking it was a rock. I never knew those suckers were industrial strength.

Happy Anniversary Vacation

Lisa Stryker — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 20:53:49 +0000

My parents took on the amazing task of watching both kids for a whole weekend so Nathan and I could get away for our 8th anniversary. We went to Catalina, and had the most relaxing time I have had in a really long time. We did some dorky tourist stuff like renting a tandem bike, I squealed and screamed everytime we started or stopped or turned a corner (yikes!) but we made it back alive. We did the cool tourist stuff like snorkeling. It was awesome even though we have boring fish in this part of the world. The best/worst part was the morning we were scheduled to go home the winds were blowing 30mph and the ocean swells were 15-20ft so we were told that no boats we coming or going. So after much stress and mild panic we kicked back and had ourselves an extra day of vacation. It was cold and windy, but we rented a golf cart and drove around the roads we could to see more of the island, and then to ensure being able to get home on Monday we booked ourselves a helicopter flight home. It was great fun, Nathan had never been on a helicopter and I was maybe 10 when I had been, so it felt like another new experience.

Thank you mom and dad for being so gracious and loving for our kids, and for keeping them an extra night!!! We love you!

The pictures are HERE!

Support Johanna’s School!

Lisa Stryker — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 06:04:14 +0000

Dear Friends,

Please check out our Trash-a-Thon school fundraiser. In cooperation with the City of Ventura, our students are collecting pledges to clean up several litter “hot spots” around the city on November 13, 2008. You can visit: http://venturacharterschool.org/trash-a-thon.html to pledge any amount from $1.00 on up and designate the student for whom you are making a pledge.

Ventura Charter School is committed to promoting the development of a strong sense of responsibility for protecting, preserving, and restoring the earth for future generations. Our goal is to raise $25,000 which will go towards enrichment programs such as art, music, and field trips for our students. Any amount that you can donate would be greatly appreciated and is tax deductible. Please visit our website for more information.

Thank you

video super star

Lisa Stryker — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 22:54:19 +0000

well not really. But I am in the new tow knee chavez video

Shower time

Lisa Stryker — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 17:14:27 +0000

Quinn asked for more toys in his shower this morning so I gave him a few cups. He is not allowed cups during a bath because he pours water out of the tub, so I thought a shower might be a better time for those. After a few minutes he called for me and I sent Nathan in to see what was up. “Daddy I peed in the yellow cup and drinked it and it was yucky.” Nathan tried very hard not to laugh (or puke) and informed him that yes it is yucky thats why we don’t dink pee.

baby preacher

Lisa Stryker — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 03:59:19 +0000

“You are such a calm mom”

Lisa Stryker — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 03:15:44 +0000

This was the compliment that i received tonight a dinner. Nathan had joined us for a split second at dinner and then left me and then kids. Quinn started gagging/ choking on a piece of broccoli and his face turned red. I reached over whacked him on the back and reached into his mouth and scooped the broccoli out, gave him a drink and asked if he was okay. Then I went on eating. I guess I didn’t realize how “calm” that looks to an outsider who was watching from across the restaurant wondering who was going to be able to do the heimlich on this child.

Mommy, I’m going to sing a song

Lisa Stryker — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 14:38:11 +0000

God likes us

He never goes

a…way

-Quinn, age 3 1/2

RIP Shaft. We love you

Lisa Stryker — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 05:07:55 +0000

Our kitty died tonight, in my arms. It was all so fast and surreal, nothing I have ever experienced before. One minute Nathan and I were talking about how we needed to take him back to the vet next week, and that I was going to force feed him, and the next minute he had a seizure or something in my lap, peed and was gone after a few gasps. We burried him in Nathan’s parents back yard and had a goodbye ceremony led by Johanna.

Nathan and I got Shaft two weeks after we got married. He was the best cat I have ever had. Playful, gentle, cuddly, patient with the kids. He was still young, not even 8 years old. We never had a definitive answer about what was making him so sick the past few months, but we are grateful that God made the decision to take him so that we didn’t have to question later whether it was the right time.

Goodbye Shaft, we will miss you terribly.