Sure: (1) confident in what one thinks or knows (2) having a certain prospect or confident anticipation of (3) certain to do something (4) true beyond any doubt

When you are faced with a difficult situation, try saying this strong word...S U R E! Once you say it, you somehow feel more optimistic, positive, and confident. Can you do it? SURE you can!!!

"And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."
Matthew 21:22

This was a very tough weekend! We had the funeral of our friend Mike Burk (age 42), and all the boys decided to go...I was glad because it meant a lot to his wife Karen. I can't began to tell you how heartbreaking it was watching those boys and Karen. The sixteen year old was trying to be strong and not cry. The 14 year old was in tears throughout the whole service and the youngest didn't really understand what was going on...which I think was a nice distraction for Karen.

When we walked up before the service, I waited to give Karen a hug, not knowing what to say but just wanting to let her know I was there for her. She saw me and lunged into my arms. As we hugged she seemed to be hanging on to me as if I were a lifeline...a piece of the life that she and Mike had been a part of for 12 years. Baseball and basketball had brought us together and formed a bond and friendship that had become very special over the years. We held each other tight as she said, "Mike just loved you guys and the boys, thank you so much for being here. It really means a lot to me." Squeezing her tighter and fighting back the tears, "Mike has been an important part our lives. Please know that we are all here for you and the boys. If you need anything you know you can call us!" Jullien was standing behind me, she looked at him, chuckled and said, "Oh Jullien, Mike absolutely ADORED you! You always gave him a hard time but he loved you!" They hugged and laughed.

That comment brought back a whole new flood of memories...Jullien was always a hot head, a perfectionist and competitive to a fault. Mike knew this about him and I think saw a bit of himself in Jullien. As a coach he tried to calm Jullien down if he was having a bad game. He decided to find ways to motivate Jullien...one particularly important game found Mike's team down by quite a few points at halftime. He knew that if he could calm Jullien down and get his head back in the game...they could still win. He went straight to the heart of a teenage boy...he offered him CASH! He said, "I'll give you $1.00 for every basket you make." Jullien's eyes got huge, "Are you serious?" "Yeah..show me what you can do, let's see if we can win this game!"

Jullien's face lit up, a light had been switched on. He gathered the team, and said, "We can take these guys...we're better than them." My son turned into Koby Bryant right there on that basketball court, dribbling, passing, leaping, lay ups, three pointers, even a few allyoops. It was amazing to see, he had a look of determination that I had never seen before. We ended up winning the game by 6 points!

I walked up to Mike after the game and said, "What did you say to him...I've never seen him so intense before?" He just smiled and said, "I just figured out a little trick to motivate him." "Well what is it?" I waited patiently for the magic words that I could use for years to come. He grinned even bigger, "It's a secret!" "C'mon Mike, you have to tell me." "Jullien can tell you later if he wants." I got a little bugged, why wouldn't he tell me...I need to know, it was magical!

We got into the car, my son was beaming! "So, what did Mike say to you?" Waiting, leaning back over the front seat, anxiously holding my breathe for the answer (I'm very competitive too and HAD TO KNOW!) He reached deep into his pocket and pulled out a $20.00 bill. I said, "Where'd you get that?" "That's from Mike, he offered me $1.00 for every basket. So I scored 20 points and he payed me!" I told my husband to stop the car and turn around. Mike was just getting to his car. I told my son to give him back his money. He argued, but he knew I meant business! He got out of the car, head low, moping, and handed Mike the money. "My mom said I have to give this back." He walked Jullien back to the car and said, "We made a deal. He held up his end of the bargain so I need to hold up mine."

That was Mike, motivating, giving, encouraging, stubborn and most of all caring. He would not let this angry, overly aggressive kid get beat by himself. He looked inside, saw his heart and talent and found a way to lift him up and show him his full potential. Mike will truly be missed.

After the service I looked over to see his sixteen year old son standing alone, back away from the crowd of people. Staring blankly at the scene before him. I walked over, hugged him and told him how sorry I was and how much we loved his dad. He seemed numb, void, shocked, disbelief and nothingness...I saw a memory of myself when my brother died. I knew that he would be our mission. His long road ahead will be difficult, he'll need to be encouraged, watched and comforted. We'll stay close and help any way we can...we owe it to Mike. Stepping up in his memory and reaching deep inside to touch HIS children and wife.

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever." PSALM 23: 1-6

Thanks once again for all your support...Minti people are AWESOME!

Elijah and Adam surfed and were on their way home, Adam had sped ahead because his mom was going to be picking him up. Elijah was riding alone (slowly...after a 3 hr. practice and then a 2 hr. surf session). He was on the wrong side of the rode (we all do it because you have to go across Main St. at the light before pulling into our driveway.) He had a green light, a 17 year old girl who had just gotten her license was making a right hand turn and didn't see him. He tried to swerve to avoid being hit head on. The front of her car hit his left foot and threw him off the bike. Luckily he was wearing his helmet and there was not any oncoming traffic. He tried to stand up but couldn't put weight on his left foot. He hopped over to the grass and called Jullien (my middle son...he said he didn't call me because he didn't want me to get freaked out). I was upset because he KNOWS I never freak out when they get hurt! I've always had to be the one to stay calm and keep them calm, I lose it later when I'm all alone.

Anthony, me and Jullien jumped in the car and drove to the next block. Elijah was scraped up, had some tire marks on his feet and said his achilles tendon hurt really bad and he couldn't stand on it. The girl was trying to hold back her tears and said she had called her mom and dad. They pulled up, we talked to them, they gave us their information, but we told them we have insurance and not to worry about it. They told us to please call them and they would take care of everything and fix the bike. As we pulled out the girl had completely broke down and was crying as her mom hugged her. Jullien walked the bike back home, I got jackets, called our doctor and drove Elijah to the emergency room.

Luckily it wasn't crowded...we got taken back in 15 minutes. They took x-rays and put him in a temporary cast and crutches. They think it's only a sprain, but because of the pain and swelling they want to make sure he is checked by an orthopedic specialist to make sure he didn't tear the tendon. They need the swelling to go down before I can schedule the appointment.

I got home and called the girl's mother, I wanted the girl to know that he was okay. I left a message and told them he is fine, he might have an achilles injury but will be okay. Accidents happen, our insurance will cover it and not to worry about anything. I wanted to put her mind at ease.

Needless to say I AM SO GRATEFUL that it wasn't worse! God was definitely looking out for him today!!! When we have so many things going wrong in our life (financial struggles, stress, possible foreclosure) something like this really puts things into perspective. Family and health are the most important things. Everything else just DOESN'T matter. I am the happiest mom in the whole world today...a potential tragedy turned out to be a blessing, my son is safe!

When he first started filming, he wanted all of the boys from the football team to be on the show, (since it's true life and my boys play with his son). He had us come down to hang out and watch the mock football game (you can't tell who my kids are because of their helmets). They ended up using the parents as extra's...now you need to make sure that you don't blink. I will be standing behind the mom and daughter during the football game cheering when the extra point is attempted. I have the platinum blonde hair, standing next to the girl in the hat....PLEASE DON'T BLINK or you will ruin my debut!!LOL!! For those of you with tivo, you don't have to worry, just rewind and freeze the moment...I'm trying to not let all of this go to my head!

All kidding aside, it's an AWESOME show! We were able to see the first episode about three months ago, I can't wait to see more. It is full of action, sadness, joy, love and HOPE...DEFINITELY A MUST SEE SHOW!

Here is the link to "The Cleaner" website.

www.aetv.com/the-cleaner/

I think you get the picture...and I am not excluding myself from the "mommy clicks," I have done my share. Now that I'm getting older I guess it gets a little tiring. Which leads me to today's events.

My "clicks" children have all quit football. This season I find myself searching for new friends. I make friends pretty easy, but I very rarely let anyone get past the surface friendship (been burned in the past.) I know most of the moms but not much past, Hi, how are you, stage.

I have to say that today I was happily surprised. My son, had a football passing league today...I got there early and was sitting at the top of the stadium...the younger players mom's came into the stadium and headed right up to where I was sitting. We all sat and talked together, a couple of mom's opened up about some difficult things they have going on in their lives. It's funny...one of the ladies who I thought was a little snobby throughout the years was actually VERY sweet and funny. How often do we judge others by how they look without actually knowing them? I guess it's human nature, but I'm glad that I have been put in this situation...once again forcing me out of my comfort zone!

No more "mommy clicks" for me.....
 

Almost home...with the beautiful BUTT song ringing in my ears the WHOLE way. I snapped, One more word about the BUTT I'm going to knock somebody off of their bike and fix the problem for you! (Don't report me for abuse....I was kidding with a serious undertone), finally peace...aawww!

Back home the older kids came over for a barbeque...then a quick nap before we headed back on the BUTT bikes for the fireworks show. We took our basket of fruit, blankets and drinks and climbed back on. The BUTTheads were a little better on the way to the show...only a few "Ouches", followed by, "Oops, sorry!" Squeak, Squeak, Scrape, Grind, weaving in an out of the long line of cars, on Main street. The crowds of people lined the beach, waiting for the Firework display over the water. We pushed and shoved our way to a perfect spot right at the edge of the water. Yes, my idea...Jed was worried that the tide was going to rise and get us soaked, he wanted a spot closer to the boardwalk...but I got my way.

The display was amazing! The bright colors glimmering over the water, nothing could spoil the night. Wait, what is that? "Owwww, something just hit my eye." "Ouch, what the heck?" "What is going on?" Everyone along the edge of the water started putting on their hoods, covering with blankets, putting on sunglasses and rubbing their eyes. The wind was blowing, causing chunks of Firework ashes to rain down on top of everyone sitting at the edge of the water. You guessed it, my Hillbilly BUTTheads started chanting, "Way to pick the BEST spot! Whose idea was it to get right up front?" Jed yells out, "Oh yeah, I wanted to sit by the boardwalk....BUTT you had to have a perfect view!"

The grand finale...a bike chain breaking halfway home, removing Jed and a little BUTThead from their agony...a 10 minute walk now eased their swollen BUTTS, while I pedaled happily home enjoying the peace and quiet...perfect end to a PERFECT day!LOL!

you again!

Well, I had a great day, took some amazing pictures and got out of my HOT HOT HOT house!

(This story is from my Blog...go check it out...I posted some paddling pics, LOL, and sunset pics)

lisapetrarca.blogspot.com

The next guy starts listening to my story and then proceeds to start looking directly behind me...I turned around to see if the clock was mesmerizing him too. A guy with long, bushy black hair, was walking toward the bathroom. Knowing that he wasn't listening, I just stopped and said, "Do you need to go check out the situation or something?" He goes, "Uh no, go ahead." As I tried to get the point across that the men were targeting my son...he kept trying to make it about me. He said,"You need to make sure you carry your cell phone, don't jog alone, be aware of your surroundings, and get a license plate number." I said, "I know all of that, but they weren't after me, they were after my son and I'm worried that they might try to take other children."

He said, "Give me a description of the cars and when I'm out on the streets tonight I will be on the lookout." I told him, "It was two Hispanic men, one in his late 40's to early 50's the other was younger in his 20's or 30's. The older man was driving a light metallic gold Honda accord, a late 90's model. The younger guy was in a white old Chevy van with different color stripes on it." He said, "Okay, thanks, and what's your name?" I told him and left...he never wrote anything down or took a report.

I felt pretty frustrated as I left, he just didn't seem to get the fact that they were targeting my son and not me. On a positive note...I've eased my conscious and at least tried to get a warning out to the community.

I was halfway down the block, running, Ipod blaring...when I noticed an older man, in a silver Honda, stepping on his brakes, leaning his head completely out of the car looking at something behind me. My heart started racing, I quickly looked behind me, wondering what had caught his attention. To my horror, it was my son on his skateboard. The man was unaware that he was with me, Elijah was trying to catch up to me. My son also noticed the man and the weird look on his face. The man turned the corner a few minutes before we rounded it. He was still looking at us and pulled into a driveway that we would be running directly past. The driveway was blocked by thick green bushes, hiding him from our view as we approached it. I looked behind me to talk to Elijah and noticed another man in an old beat up, white, tan, burgundy and rusty Chevy van, parked across the street, also looking at us, he started his van as we approached the driveway. I tried to remain calm, hoping that it was just my imagination, but wanting to be cautious. I stopped and told Elijah, "When we're almost there I'll sprint and you ride your skateboard really fast past the driveway." We went quickly past and did not see the man. Relief came over me, feeling a little stupid for being so paranoid.

All of a sudden the silver Honda pulled out of the driveway...slowing down, looking again...he swerved as if trying to make an illegal u-turn, (we were running on the sidewalk, against traffic) and if he was successful, he would be directly facing us, we would be trapped. Traffic suddenly picked up blocking his attempt, he almost hit a pole in the middle of the street and had to jerk his steering wheel, driving past us.

We were at a spot where there were no houses or people. I told Elijah, "We need to get to the top of the hill before he can turn around again." My son was scared, I was exhausted from running so fast, but I had been attacked when I was younger and was now feeling very vulnerable and scared for our safety. We crossed the street and were close to the park that we run through...the man came from nowhere, made a u-turn and was now directly facing us waiting for us to reach him. I started pointing at him to let him know that I see him and know what he is doing. I told my son to get on his cell phone (we were never able to get his license number because the sun was directly in our eyes.) I started sprinting again and tried to look tough and confrontational, my heart pounding so hard and quick, I felt sure my son could hear it, as we approached his waiting car. We looked directly at him...he quickly put dark glasses on and tried to hide his face leaning down lower in his car. We made it to the park (now also deserted for some reason, very unusual for that time of day). We both were so scared and just kept running, looking behind us, sprinting, and looking, until we headed out of the park. We were approaching a light (where the park exited)...the Chevy van that had been parked, slowly passed (he had circled the block), looking around as he drove. We were hidden from his view, but could see him. Once he passed...I ran, and ran, and ran...we finally made it home safely. Both of us scared to death, realizing that it wasn't our imagination and we could have been in real danger, the men appeared to be working as a team.

When I got home, my husband was there, we got in the car and drove around...wanting to get a license plate or something to report to the police . Unfortunately, there was no sign of the men. I have not been that scared in years...my son said he was afraid that he would have nightmares about it.

I received a little taste of how an attack/kidnap could easily happen. The scary thing is, my son (13 years old) had been going to play basketball alone in the park for the past week and a half. You never know how long they could have been watching him and luckily, I just happened to be with him on the day that they might have decided to make their move.

We live in a nice neighborhood, the homes and park we run through is in a million dollar neighborhood. It can happen to anyone, anywhere and at anytime. Please be aware of your surroundings...you never know who is watching!

The lady beat me again, speeding past the kids school, I turned into the parking lot, spotting my two kids standing beside a group of about 20 other kids. All of a sudden I heard a loud chirping noise behind me as I stopped the car. The kids started screaming, "What the HECK!?!" My boys were running inside the crowd towards the street, into the middle of the road...I looked out my rear view window to see them standing in a circle surrounding something, on the ground. I jumped out of my car...worried they would be hit by oncoming traffic. Lying on the ground was a small white dog..the speeding lady had hit him, slowed down, looked in her mirror and sped away...with her child witnessing everything.

The owner of the dog was holding its little head as it laid there breathing hard and looking straight ahead, blinking and silent. It's right hind legs had missing fur and indented where the tire had ran over him. He had a little blood coming out of it's forehead. A neighbor came out with a flat cardboard box and a towel to keep him warm. We slowly scooted him onto the box and carried him onto the sidewalk while the owner ran to get their truck. I was holding the part of the box closest to his head...petting him, trying not to cry, he just kept looking, pleading with his eyes for help. We carefully put him in the back of the truck, they opened the back window to hold him in place as they slowly drove to the vet.

I don't know if he survived...but all night I just kept picturing his eyes and I felt so SAD! How could someone hit a dog and just take off!! What's wrong with people...and in front children!

After I got home the scary part of my day started...(part 2 tomorrow)...

On Sunday, (6/1/08) Elijah competed in the Southern California Championship Track meet. The top four qualifiers in each county in Southern California competed. Previously, Elijah placed 1st in the 400 meters and 200 meters at the Orange County Championship meet.

His race consisted of two separate heats, with a total of 18 of the top athletes in So. Cal. Elijah's first event was the 400 Meter race. Three boys pulled out in front, Elijah used his strategy and speed to place 1st in the event by saving his energy for the last part of the race. In the 200 meter race, he placed third to take home 2 medals.

We are so proud of him!

400 METER RACE (1st Place)

200 METER RACE (3rd place)

PROUD MOMMY

Thanks!

Yesterday, I called him and asked him again if he wanted me to go with him, because I knew he really did...he was just worried what his dad would say.  So  he finally texted me and said YES.  I asked , "What time?"  He mumbled and said a few, um, um,  I lost my paperwork.  Last night at 10:30 I was  scrambling around trying to call my friend who is a udge at the court we had to go to,  to see what time court started and how I could get his info.  She was already asleep, I was online till about 12:00 trying to locate the info....which luckily I found!

We arrived at 8:15 and the judge finally came in at about 9:15, after the sheriff  read all of the rules to everyone.  So  we sat and sat, for about an hour and a half, listening to other people's crimes and punishments. When all of a sudden this kid who was about my son's age stands before the judge and the judge said, "You didn't show up for your community service with Cal Trans?"  The kid said, "No, I couldn't make it there."  The judge said, "Turn around."  The sheriff put handcuffs on him and took him to jail for 30 days.  The kid and his girlfriend started crying.  I looked at my son and his eyes were really big...I was kind of glad that he witnessed that before his turn, so he would realize that they don't mess around, it's serious.

When they called my son up, he pled guilty and received, 3 year probation, 1 year license suspension, $1,680.00 in fines, a 3 month drug and alcohol program, and  a 15 hour Youth Drug and Alcohol Deterrence Program.  He was set up with a payment plan of $100.00 a month and will be paying everything back HIMSELF (you might find that surprising since I "baby" him, LOL).

It was a LONG day but my son seems relieved to know that he will not be doing any jail time and hopefully he will learn a lesson, I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Allie was going CRAZY trying to sniff out the hiding mouse, as I watched from safely behind our sliding door, laughing at the way she, jumped, pounced, and recoiled as the mouse came towards her. My husband, on the other hand was LIVID, shouting, "SHE'S IN MY PLANTS, STOMPING ON THEM AND KILLING THEM! LOOK NOW SHE'S IN THE WATERFALL DIGGING IT UP AND RUINING IT!!" I couldn't stop laughing and said, "Oh relax, it's just plants, she's not going to hurt them...and you can put the stones back around the waterfall," I replied through my laughter. You can imagine how well that went over! I couldn't stop though, I thought it was funny and he was just being ridiculous. My laughter was the start of a fight of course.

I woke up the next morning to see that Allie had creeped outside in the middle of the night to continue her mouse hunt. The liner to the waterfall was completely ripped to shreds, plant leaves were strewn about the patio, rocks were scattered outside the planter, and the wood that surrounded my husbands beautiful creation was smashing the plants that had not been ripped to shreds during her hunting furry.

Horror...regret....and remorse, were my first feelings as I stood there speechless. My words came back to bite me in the butt!! I went out to pick up the broken plants, wanting to hide the evidence from my husband. I'm not very good at saying I'm wrong but she did everything he said she would, while I stood there laughing and telling him to lighten up and not be so crazy about his yard.

This story leads me to the question, do I have a sickness? Not only did I find that incident funny, I also can't stop laughing if someone, falls, trips or get scared (I love scaring people too!). I just keep picturing how they look when they fall, trip or freeze in a ridiculous position. I even laugh when I watch people fly off of inner tubes as they slide down snow capped mountains.

One of my most shameful moments came while waiting for my kids to slide down the mountain. One girl (on an inner tube) hit a ramp and was launched so high into the air, she looked like a rag doll, flopping around. I was laughing so hard...but when she landed she didn't move. They had to air lift her off of the mountain, I felt TERRIBLE! I THINK IT MUST BE A SICKNESS...even after all these years, I can't stop myself from picturing the moment.