such. a. punk.

Oh Mouse. You and your dirt. And air. And goo. "I need new riding boots... I need new riding gloves... When are we going riding next?" You are always ready for your next big adventure. Or taking things apart in the garage. 

Your freshly washed bike and (*NEW*) riding boots

LOOK at that face! Look at that mischievous, dirt-covered, scruffy, cheeky, scrappy WOOKIE-like Mouse face!

Hey wait. What's that little crumb on your upper lip right there......

Oh. All right. I see how it is. You think you can just come on in and grab a bag of my Ruffles now, is that it?

You think you're so tough now, flying through the air on that bike of yours. I get it. My Ruffles are your Ruffles?

Okay, well my little punk dude? I just want you to remember that I know where you sleep at night, all right?

And that I'm the one that brought you and your little punk self into this world, and I can also take you out of it :0

And that I'll be happy to share my Ruffles with you if you just ASK me first. (GloZell would say AX)

And I CANNOT believe I'm doing this... but I'm posting this video JUST. FOR. YOU... 

Love, Mom xoxoxo

Go Glo

As you have probably assumed, this has been another stressful week here at the Walker home. We are certainly still elated knowing Daniel is fine in Uganda, *and* I am happy to report that my bronchitis is finally going away! The temperatures outside are in the 100's, half the furniture in my house in on Craigslist, and I'm struggling to get new, uber-cool photos sent to Zagg.com. And to top all of that off, Davy suddenly became very ill with a flu bug that was so awful... well, it's been years since I've seen him even remotely that ill - and that was when he had a horrifying case of shingles. That boy rarely gets really sick, but it seems like when he does, it nearly does him in. I'm not sure why we were all so tried and tested this week. Sometimes I think there are reasons for everything and sometimes I think it's just part of the life we all signed up for. Right now I'm just glad the worst seems to be over!

Most of you know I think GloZell Green is HYSTERICAL. You may or may not agree, heh. When push comes to shove, I usually have a mode of operation. I eat Ruffles and drink diet Coke. I listen to music. I think of cool projects. I spend hours trying to catch up on the Apartment Therapy blog. I watch GloZell videos on You Tube. These are some of my favorites - a few of which I've posted here before. Prepare yourself because I'm the first to admit that they're really OUT THERE. The "push-up-bra", and the "tic-toc" vids both deserve at least 2 views :)

HAVE AN AWESOME SUNDAY EVERYONE!

never alone

~ map of Kampala, capital city of Uganda, Africa ~

If you're my friend on Facebook, you know I've mentioned this several times already. And I can't thank all of you enough - truly - for your kind comments. But along with all the utter nonsense fun that goes on here, my blog is a journal of sorts, so I'm going to write out this story, and then I'm ready to be done. I feel I'd be ungrateful not to.

You may remember my oldest son Daniel is spending 3 months this summer in Kampala, Uganda, as a research assistant for one of his professors. During the school year, Daniel is a teacher's assistant for this professor at the university he attends. He went with 2 other assistants, and the professor came to oversee their research for a few weeks as well. Daniel has one month to go, and he has that month to himself as the others have left, and he concludes a special project he is working on. And of course, if you know Daniel, part of his "research" included watching every World Cup match. He was born with blood type "International" in his veins (don't ask me how - the rest of us are all "A" negative) and when that is the case, you automatically develop a love for all things futbol. 

When it came to Sunday's Finale' between Spain and the Netherlands, we knew he would be yelling for Spain. I was so happy when Spain won, knowing how pleased Daniel would be :) When his professor called us very late Sunday night to inform us that Kampala had been bombed by terrorists twice in two crowded public areas during the last part of the World Cup Finale'...... and that they had been trying for hours to reach Daniel but no one could contact him...... I felt myself go numb. I am not one to panic. I have pretty strong faith. But terrorist mentality terrifies and INFURIATES me, no matter what part of the world it occurs. And it had just hit where my son was. 

It seemed to take forever. I guess it didn't, it just seemed to. So many of us sending Daniel texts, e-mails, trying to Skype over and over...... to no avail. We knew he had probably watched the game at home and was still sleeping. The 10 hour difference makes communication that much harder. But I also knew he liked going out with friends to pubs or cafes to watch the games. What if this was one of those times? My mind wouldn't let me go there. I e-mailed his sweet friend Alissa because I felt she should know what was going on too, and it was comforting to e-mail back and forth with her. The Mouse, bless his heart, kept watch on any BBC news updates. And then finally - FINALLY! - I received a short text from Daniel's Uganda cell phone that said he was all right.

"I'm fine :) no worries"

That short text was the sweetest text I've ever received. I was so full of gratitude that Daniel was okay. I can't even express it. Heartbroken for all the fatalities and injuries that took place, and for all the families affected in such a cruel, intentional manner. Ugh. But elated that my boy, so many thousands of miles away, was fine. The internet at his house had been wiped out but not too long afterwards, he was able to get to an internet cafe so he could read our e-mails and send us one back. And yesterday, for the first time, I was able to Skype with him and HEAR MY BOY'S VOICE. It was the best feeling in the world to know that my son was alive and well. But it was the most wonderful, indescribable feeling of joy to hear his voice. I will never ever, in my entire life, forget it.

So there are rules he must be careful to obey of course, especially since he is an American. No large crowds, no ex-patriot hang outs, in before dark. I know how much he wants to finish this project, and I know how much he loves the people and the friends he's made. So he has made up his mind to stay. But personally? I can't wait until he is safely back home. And don't for one second think I won't be counting the days. BECAUSE I WILL BE. Even if he leaves to go back to school a week later. I won't even put up a fuss. Unless of course he gets cheeky and just shrugs off the whole terrorist bombing like it really wasn't a big deal. Then I'm afraid I may have to PUNCH HIM IN THE FACE. But for now..... I would be the most ungrateful mom ever if I didn't take a moment to thank God in heaven above, with all my heart, for watching over my boy. For all the times - the countless times - he has traveled all over the world, but never been alone. I know he has never been alone. 

Rafting the Nile  (Daniel is up on his knees in back)

Chicos, les felicito - bien hecho

purging the cell

There comes a time when after more than four years of using your pink Razor cell phone - complete with texting capabilities for the modern stone age woman -  you think it might be a good idea to clean out all your old cell phone photos. Especially since you're beyond excited, having finally ordered the Droid Incredible (clouds part... sun shines... chorus of angels sing) and are anxiously awaiting it's arrival in just a matter of weeks. There were a lot of surprise photos on my phone. Who knew my kids could steal my phone and take so many close-up photos of their FACES when I wasn't looking? But there were actually a lot of photos that brought back great memories and were such fun to see again! So here we go............ 

                          

Scrappy Angel and Upside Down Luna

Daniel and Kaylee and their trucks :)

         ANDY: "Hey, what's a 'spunow' bar?"

My friend's VW van and my Bug :)

Davy, Kaylee, Daniel, Sam, and the Mouse

Don't know how this sunset came out so well on my crappy camera phone, but it's sure pretty!

This would be Davy sitting in my Bug, filling out his very first job application (for Scooter's Jungle)

Andy, Davy, Jimmy - corner of Sunset Blvd, Hollywood CA - setting up for first performance @ the Whiskey

    a fun little cartoony painting I did about Luna & Angel... AND... a tour of the Warner Brother's Backlot :)

FRIENDS!!!

The original set of Central Perk coffee shop. I admit to humming Smelly Cat.

hey, it's ME. you KNOW there are going to be some vintage croquet balls around here.

This photo may actually be the single most important photo on here, and I'm not even going to tell you why. 

This is my precious cousin Shell - you may recognize her, as she's been on my blog before. I love & adore her.

Let's just say the waiter took one look at us that night, and this was the "size" of diet Cokes he brought us.

VanHalen back together with David Lee Roth at the Staples Center, w/ Eddie's son Wolfgang on bass.

~AMAZING~

(yeah... sorry 'bout that Daniel... you were up at school, you know... studying and all that)

celebrating Daniel's recent 24th birthday at California Pizza Kitchen - 

one of the rare times he was home for several weeks... right before he left for Uganda for 3 months - LOL :)

the red velvet cake was going so fast I almost didn't get a shot of it!

So I hope you enjoyed my wacky little tour of "Random Things From My Cell"...

if you're sick of seeing my kids or hearing how cute my dogs are... that's too bad because this is my blog.

some talented chocolate

My friend Wesla found this A-MA-ZING group - she always finds the coolest things.
* The Carolina Chocolate Drops *
Video 1 is a preview of their first album, entitled "Genuine Negro Jig" on Nonesuch Records.
It contains interviews with the 3 band members and clips of the songs they perform.
You will be in awe of how talented these musicians are, so take the time to listen!
The next 2 vids are more examples of their well-loved songs. 

I had to share them with you. SO AWESOME.

Hope you enjoyed! Sometimes we forget what *REAL* talent is like these days...

a covenant people

Last week John and I took our middle son Davy through the Temple, as is customary before serving a full-time, two year mission for our church. Davy will be serving in the Kennewick Washington Mission (WA state) and reports to the Mission Training Center in just under a month. The decision to enter the Temple is a life-changing commitment. It is one of the most important steps a person can take in this life. We were very proud of our Davy.

Greeted by the familiar gold statue of the angel Moroni, it was a beautiful day. In reference to the title of my post, a covenant is a promise between God and man. The Temple is considered the house of the Lord, and a holy place, a place apart from the world, a place of learning, a place to receive blessings. And it is here where you make covenants with the Lord. Many are symbolic, many are just common sense to keep you living a righteous life. Others frequently make the mistake of thinking what goes on inside a Temple must be very strange... there are topics we can discuss, but our covenants are considered sacred to us and we do not discuss them. 

the Temple grounds are always so beautiful.......

On our way out after a long and lovely morning - is this one adorable boy or what :)

Thank you Tom & Linda Tippets, for coming along and taking this picture for us!

(my hair was already soaked - I had been taking flower photos in da sun)

Davy (who has Peter Brady hair) & John (who is very proud of his son)

Me and my Davy (by this point, he's going please just take the picture - I'm going to faint I'm so hungry!)

❤ I LOVE YOU SO MUCH DAVY ❤

One Nation Under God

Happy 4th of July everyone!!! We are so blessed to live in the greatest country on earth!

WOW... some of these fireworks displays from all over the country are just SPECTACULAR!

~ Boston Harbor ~

A painting depicting Francis Scott Key, and the early morning scene which was the inspiration

behind penning his famous lyrics which became our national anthem,  "the Star Spangled Banner".

You may have already seen this clip - it was all over the internet like wildfire. But it is worth watching again - and if you haven't seen it, please take the time to watch it. No matter your political or religious affiliation, it will touch your heart. In a day and age when so many are afraid to stand up for their beliefs or divert from anything that may ruffle any feathers, this lone man - a former marine - decided he had seen enough of the way this country was headed. He reminds us through his beautiful and heartfelt rendering of the forgotten 4th verse of the "Star Spangled Banner" - our National Anthem people - that God is at the helm of our great nation and has been from the start. It's not something you just throw away. 

I'm not affiliated with the political party presenting this clip, nor the person running for office. I'm not a member of a tea party effort. In fact, if I had my choice, I wouldn't be a member of ANY political party except the "may the best person for the job" party. I don't know how we allowed our leaders to get so slowly but surely off kilter. We have strayed so far from the Democratic nation so many gave their all to form, with God running through every fiber of this choice nation he himself preserved for us. BUT. I love my country, and will always believe in her.

*special note: I had posted a special article on here earlier, entitled 

"What Happened to the Men Who Signed the Declaration of Independence?"

An anonymous commenter left a "snopes" report claiming many inaccuracies in the article...

I read the "snopes" report and, sure enough, there were inaccuracies. I pulled the article - honesty over interest. 

I'm going to post the "snopes" link here however, because the accurate history was very interesting to read:

 SNOPES - the men who signed the Declaration of Independence

I suppose the most important thing to gain from any of this, is the reminder that FREEDOM ISN'T FREE

God Bless America!

Have a really wonderful 4th of July everyone! xoxoxo

AND PLEASE REMEMBER: MORE OF OUR PRECIOUS PETS ARE LOST ON JULY 4th THAN ANY OTHER DAY OF THE ENTIRE YEAR! THE FIREWORKS AND STRANGE, LOUD NOISES THEY MAKE ARE SO TERRIFYING TO SOME DOGS THEY WILL RUN AWAY NEVER TO BE FOUND, OR SADLY GET HURT AS THEY ESCAPE. PLEASE TAKE EVERY PRECAUTION TO KEEP YOUR BELOVED FAMILY MEMBER SAFE AND FEELING SECURE! DON'T LET THE CELEBRATION OF OUR NATION TURN INTO A TRAGEDY.