Jesus' Love is Like a River

Our Aubrey sang a solo in church this last Sunday. I know I am biased, but I thought she sang beautifully and that the Spirit was very strong as she sweetly testified through song about the power of Jesus' love.  I recorded her during one of her run-through practices the day before and thought grandparents might enjoy listening to it.  Practices are never quite as good as the performance, but it will give you an idea!

The song is "Jesus' Love is Like a River" by Janice Kapp Perry.

Click here for the link to the video

Random bits of summer

I'm woefully behind on blogging but I have a list of getting-ready-for-vacation-to-dos a mile long and some hungry kids to feed.  So, here are some randomly organized quick glimpses of the last few weeks of summer.

We've been . . .

Painting Aubrey's new room (here are some pictures during the process - "after" pictures are coming soon)

 with a really cute painting helper.

Teaching Bailey how to drive now that she has her permit and it taking Drivers Ed three days a week.  Dan is a better driving teacher than I am (he is unflappable), but he has been out of town a lot the last few weeks.

And Bailey, Joseph, and I spent three agonizing hours at the DOL waiting to get her driver's permit.  Not the highlight of our summer so far.

 

Joseph and I spent fun couple of hours one afternoon playing with our microscope. We walked around outside until we found some specimens to investigate. Then we zoomed in close to check them out under the microscope. Science is awesome!

Finishing our school shopping so we can concentrate on getting ready for vacation. Joseph has been pretty patient with the painful process of taking all three kids shopping. For that matter, I have been pretty patient with the painful process of taking all three kids shopping.  In the picture below we stopped for some nourishment at the Ikea food court while looking for accessories for Aubrey's room.  (And that could be a post in and of itself.  Ikea is enormous.  We wandered through the labyrinth for what seemed like hours. Bailey was whimpering, "I have a feeling that I am never getting out of here - ever."  I felt the same way.)


Visiting the science museum OMSI a lot. I never get tired of it, and we always find something new to explore. Here Joseph and a buddy try out air rockets, a static electricity ball,

 and they formed a circuit and powered a lightbulb as voltage ran through them.  The voltage caused interesting muscle twitches which Joseph said tickled because the electrical impulses they were getting through the wires are similar to the electrical impulses our brain sends to get our muscles to move.

All three kids forming a circuit on another trip to OMSI:

 

 Budding chemists Aubrey and Joseph (and two friends) in the chemistry lab and Joseph the aspiring astronaut.

One day, when we had seen everything else in the Physics lab, we asked to have the 100 year old phonograph demonstrated for us.

We tried to go to OMSI about every week all summer, and we usually took another family with us on our pass.  It was great to immerse ourselves in science!

Spending time in the water - our friends invited us to join them for water activities several times. On this day, mid-August, we rode waverunners on the Columbia River.

Our kids are all super brave about anything involving water. I am a wimp about anything involving water.  I will go on the scariest amusement park ride and love it, but I really dislike flying through the water on a waverunner. I am always terrified of falling into the (freezing cold) water.  Joseph loved being pulled on a tube behind the waverunner at breakneck speeds.  I was sure that he would be flipped off into the Columbia River at any moment.

Dan took Bailey and Aubrey on a number of rides.

 And Bailey did a great job driving also. 

I, for one, felt much better when  everyone was safely on the shore.

And maybe my fear was justified?  See those blue and red specks way out in the water, right next to a huge barge going by on the river?  The specks are my family on waverunners.  And just before the barge reached them, Aubrey was thrown off into the water (her second time of the day).  Yikes!

Jumping on the trampoline with a sprinkler spraying underneath while eating a popsicle with a buddy.  One of the truly joyful moments of summer.

Wrestling on the floor with Dad.

Introducing friends to Bubble Snakes.  And sharing a barbeque with them, too.

Marching in a parade in support of a friend running for office.  Dan got to drive the convertible, Joseph and I handed out candy, and Bailey danced with some friends behind the car to "More" by Usher.

 

That's it for now.  Must get something done . . .

Disney Fever

We have Disney Fever here at the Porter household. We get this way whenever it has been too darn long since our last visit.  We are almost to 2 1/2 years, so the fever is getting intense.  We are going to alleviate the symptoms with an upcoming Disneyland trip.  We can't wait!

These are things we do every time we visit Disney:

• We skip arm in arm down Main Street when we enter the first day. Well, I skip with any of the kids who are willing.
• We go on every single ride and see everything.  We love everything about Disneyland. Every single thing. Except for crowds and long waits.
• Because we hate waiting, we have become masters at using fast passes and planning our tour of the park to avoid the crowds.  And we do a pretty good job.
• We take our Disney preparation very seriously. For months before the trips we study books and videos and (recently) websites to get the latest tips to create the best possible experience. This time we'll try something new - smartphone apps with updated Disney info while we are in the park. 
•  I eat a pound of fudge from the sweet shop during every trip.  It's a necessity.
• We always stay right across the street from the park in one of the little suite motels. We like to be able to walk to the main gate within 5 minutes and have the freedom to go home midday for lunch if we want to.  Every time we go we price out staying in a Disney property, but we have never been able to justify it.  We really like our inexpensive, large suite with a kitchenette!
• We get a little emotional as we watch the fireworks at night and listen to the Disney/patriotic music. 
• Dan and I find a compromise between our different styles of vacation food purchasing . . . I would have us eat as many meals as possible in the room to save money and Dan would have us buy every meal at a restaurant.  We have found a good happy medium that works. 

Just for fun, here is a look back to past Disney trips, starting at the most recent and going back all the way to the olden days . . .

Disneyland March 2010  

(Brandon was there for a choir trip and we tagged along. Grandma and Grandpa Porter and the Mellors were there with us for a few days.  Brandon was 18, Bailey was 12 3/4, Aubrey was 10, and Joseph was 5.)

Disneyworld - December 2007

(Our only time to Florida - it was awesome!  Dave and Mimi and family were there also - so much fun to visit with them!  Brandon was 15, Bailey was 10, Aubrey was 7, Joseph was 2.)

Disneyland - May 2006

(With our good friends the Yates family - just a few months before we moved from UT to WA.  Brandon was 15, Bailey was almost 9, Aubrey was 6, and Joseph was 1.)

Disneyland - May 2004 
(Brandon was 12, Bailey was 7, Aubrey was 4.)

 

Disneyland - May 2001

(Ashlyn Yancey came with us. Jenny and Andrew and Rich and Lindsey and kids also met us at the park! Aubrey was 14 months and just recently walking, Bailey was almost 4, Ashlyn was 5, Brandon was 9.)

Disneyland -  July 1998

(Jenny came with us to help with the kids. This is the first time we got it right and stayed for a full five days. It was a huge revelation to us to realize that there is a relaxing, more enjoyable way to do Disney.  Brandon was 6 years old and Bailey was 13 months and not walking yet.  She was terrified of all of the characters. Jenny or I had to hold her to get any picture of her with a character.)

 

 

 

 Disneyland - August 1996

(We were there with all of the Porter family for a family reunion in CA.  We spent time in the San Diego area and then visited Disneyland for one day.  And I don't know why we didn't take a family picture with Mickey.  

Disneyland -  June 1995

(Brandon was 3 years old and Jenny was with us for this trip.  We visited Sea World first, where Dan had a business trip, and then drove up to Disneyland for one day. This was back before we knew how to see Disney the right way, which requires more than one day in the park!  And we didn't take a family picture in the park this time either.  I had a lot to learn about important Disney traditions!)

 

Disneyland - June 1991

(Just Dan and I for this pre-kids spontaneous trip!  We were in need of a fun getaway to lift our spirits, so we decided one day - while sitting in Matta's Mexican restaurant in Mesa - to go to Disneyland that weekend.  So, we did.  We scratched together enough money for a super cheap trip, drove to Anaheim,  stayed in the now-defunct and very unimpressive Space Age Motel, and spent a day in the park.  It was a wonderful day with a wonderful man!)

 

We definitely look young there. And a little nerdy, too.  

On this first trip to Disneyland as a couple we had no idea that Disney destinations would be a big part of our family vacation traditions.  We've made wonderful memories in  Disneyland, and we're excited to have the chance to make more memories!  Here we come!