Horse Vets Gone Wild

The gals in Erick's Vet office gave all the horse doctors tickets to race at Pole Position Racing in Murrieta.  The boys and I had a blast watching them and Erick said it was a ton of fun.  The picture below is Erick in the front.  You can see more on our Flickr site.

Kids with scissors

I know that almost every kid has done this.  And today was Mile's turn.  I was in the kitchen and Miles comes running up to me very excited and proud of what he just did.  He cut a large amount of hair off his head!  He said "Look Mommy!"  So anyway, after I saw the uneven mullet he gave himself, he got an emergency military buzz cut.  Unfortunately, my buzz cut didn't completely hide his jagged cuts.  If you look closely you can still see his handy work.

Doing Things Right in Matters of the Heart

I read this book when it came out at the beginning of this year.  I loved it!  The author talks about biblical manhood and womanhood, God's design for marriage, sex, and how to have healthy relationships.  This book is hard to put down.  It is winsome and a fast read.  I am re-reading because our church college group (that my husband teaches) is going to go through this book in a midweek book study.  Erick is also going to be teaching on Biblical masculinity and femininity, marriage, sex, family on Sunday nights at Kaleo starting in January.

Hear is the description of the book from the back cover: 

"There is a radical, biblical alternative to much of what is taught and practiced today regarding relationships. Doing Things Right in Matters of the Heart presents a bold plan for escaping the swift currents of contemporary patterns of hooking up, shacking up, and breaking up. It draws a compelling vision of complementarity between the sexes. It instructs men on what to do and informs women on what to look for in their mutual pursuit of a healthy, tender, long-term relationship."

The Girltalkers did an interview with John Ensor recently.  You can read it on their blog.

Exploring in the park

Yesterday, Erick took the boys to the park behind our house.  These are taken by Erick with his Christmas present.

Christmas Eve

Miles fell asleep around 2:30 on the sofa and slept for about 3 hours.  He was exhausted from a long weekend at both of his grandparents houses.

Miles with the gift from Don Lee (all the way from Korea).

Mason is all over the Legos this year.

Christmas with the Arings

My niece, Lucy with her mama Jeri (my brother's wife).

My mom has made a stocking for each of her grandkids.  This is Lucy's new stocking with the "Sugar Plum Fairy" on it.  So cute!

Christmas with the Cobbs

Here are all of the Cobb dudes so far...  from the left, James (the youngest bro) with son Tyler, Chris (AKA Paco - the middle bro), Erick (the oldest bro) with son Mason, and Pops with our other son Miles.

And here are all the Mrs. Cobbs.  From the left, Kristie (Erick's mom), Kristi (Chris' wife), me, and Britni (James' wife).  I think we need some little girls in our laps!  But I have been told Cobbs only have boys!?

Photo Shoot by Tim

Yesterday our talented friend Tim took some photos of us at the park.   

Festival of Lights

Last night Mason's kindergarten class put on a holiday program, "Festival of Lights".  Mason did a fantastic job.  They were all so cute!

Kaleo Christmas Party

We had a blast last night at the Kaleo Christmas party.  It was like old times having a packed house (55-60 people).  Josh was a great sport in playing Santa.  Jenny, Rosy, and Courtney did a great job setting up the house.  The highlight of Mason's night was when Courtney gave him the white elephant gift she won (glow in the dark batman underwear)!  Thanks so much to Tim for taking some great pictures!  They are up for viewing on the Kaleo's Flickr site.  Thank you everyone for making it such a fun night.  You all are such a blessing to Erick and I. 

Everyday Talk

I just finished reading Everyday Talk: Talking Freely and Naturally about God with Your Children by John Younts.  What a wonderful book.  I loved it!  This would make a great companion gift with The Jesus Storybook Bible.  Here is what Tedd Tripp wrote about this book:

Everyday Talk is a masterful book. It provides valuable talking points for conversations about everything from weather, to sex, to music. The two essential features of biblical parenting are properly aligned in this book: penetrating insight into the heart and the centrality of the gospel, not only for salvation, but for life. - Tedd Tripp, author of Shepherding a Child's Heart

The Blind Boys Of Alabama

How could I forget this one!  Go Tell It On The Mountain by the Blind Boys of Alabama is by far my favorite Christmas album!

Books for Christmas Gifts

Westminster Bookstore's

Gift Giving Guide is here!

Also Tim Challies has a book guide.

Good books make great gifts!

Christmas Music

This is what Miles and I are dancing to while we are making Vegetable Beef Stew. 

And while mentioning Christmas music I am also enjoying your King has come.

Vegetable Beef Stew

Here is what's for dinner at the Cobb casa.  This recipe was taken from Taste of Home.  But like most of the time I mix it up a bit and add and subtract a few things.  I have not made this particular recipe before, so no promises ; )  But it looked good and right now it smells yum-o!  I love slow cooker meals.  I can chop everything up in the morning when I have extra time and presto dinner is ready when we are!

Vegetable Beef Stew:

3/4 pound beef stew meat cubed, 2 tsp canola oil, 1 can (14 oz) beef broth, 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, 1potato cubed, 1 c. frozen corn, 1/2 c. chopped carrots, 1/2 c. chopped yellow onion, 3 garlic cloves minced, 1 tsp thyme, 1tsp "21 seasoning salute" (Trader Joes), 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 1/4 c. water *(actually after making this tonight, I would change this to 1 cup water), 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley.

Directions:

In a nonstick skillet, brown beef in oil.  Transfer to slow cooker.  Add broth, tomatoes, potatoes, onion, garlic, corn, carrots, thyme, seasoning, salt, pepper.  Cover and cook on high for 5-6 hours or until vegetables and meat are tender.

Combine cornstarch and water until smooth; stir into stew.  Cover and cook on high for 30 min. or until gravy is thickened.  Stir in parsley.

BTW:  We will have extra if anyone is hungry tonight =)

Mom at Race for the Cure

This is my mom (Evie), my niece (Lucy), and my brother's wife (Jeri) at the San Diego Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure '07.  This is her second year in the race since her diagnosis of breast cancer in 2003.  I think she looks exceptionally festive this year =)  Love you, Mom!

It is beginning to feel like Christmas

We went and got our Christmas tree today!  I was hoping for a California style palm tree (inspired by Holly H.'s cute sago palm tree all decorated with lights), but I was unable to drum up enough excitement from the family about my non-traditional idea.  Miles seemed to like the Charlie Brown style tree at the lot.  But we ended up with a beautiful Noble Fir.

We also loaded up the great Cobb Odyssey with fire wood.  Sorry I forgot to capture that moment on camera for you all to enjoy!

I am loving the rare rain and cool weather!

Chick-fil-A

Dinner tonight is from Chick-fil-A!  Erick is on-call tonight so it is unpredictable if he will make it home for dinner.  And Tuesday night is kids eat free night!  With the purchase of an adult meal you can have a kids meal for free!  Chick-fil-A has the best prizes in their kids meals.  Usually cool little books, educational toys, or tonight they got these great animal puzzles.  I think this is the only restaurant that is closed on Sundays.  How cool is that!  On Tuesday night the giant cow walks around to greet the guests.  Of course our kids are scared of it so we have to go through the drive-thru to avoid the cow.  However, the cow decided to venture outside tonight and jump in front of the great Cobb Odyssey to wave to the kids.  The boys were very brave.  I keep telling them it is Josh P. from Kaleo inside the cow. But that doesn't seem to help.  Anyways, the kids and I love Chick-fil-A. 

Christmas Gift Idea

The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones!  If you have young kids you definitely should pick one of these books up.  This is by far Mason's favorite book.  He wants to hear a story every night from this book.  We have been through the whole book about 5-6 times!  I love how at the end of each story it points back to the gospel and that Jesus has come to rescue us.  This would make a great gift for anyone that has small kids (whether the family is Christian or not).  Read what my husband wrote on his blog about this book.

Dinner Tonight

I love it when the weather gets cold.  It makes me want to cook a lot more.  Here is what the Cobbs are having for dinner.

Baked Potato Soup with Ham Sandwiches (this recipe is mostly from Better Homes and Gardens with a bit of my twist to it)

Ingredients:

2 potatoes, 1/2 c. diced yellow onions, 1/3c. butter, 1/3c. flour, 1/4 tsp salt, pinch of thyme, 1/4 tsp. pepper, 2c. milk, 2c. chicken broth  Toppings: Ground black pepper, chopped green onions, grated cheese, and bacon.

Directions:

Peel potatoes, Cut potatoes in small pieces.  In a large sauce pan heat the butter, add diced yellow onions, stir till tender, add salt, pepper, thyme, flour.  Mix till thick and smooth.  Add milk and broth.  Cook till boiling then add potatoes, let it get to a boil again and then turn to low.  Cook covered until potatoes are soft (about 30 minutes) and stir often.  Garnish with toppings. Yum-o!

Thanksgiving '07

We spent Thanksgiving day at my parents house in San Diego.  My brother, his wife (Jeri), their kids, and his wife's family were there too.  The boys had fun digging in the dirt and riding the bikes.  My mom has started a Thanksgiving tradition of having a craft for the kids to work on, which is always a big hit.

   

After spending the day with my parents we drove to Lakeside and spent the night at Erick's parent's house.  Friday morning we left the boys with grandma Kristie and cousin Aidan.  Erick and I got a bagel at Einstein's Bagels (why don't we have an Einstein's in Murrieta yet????).  We did a little Christmas shopping (which I said was not going to happen) at Target (my favorite store).  We went to Evangelical Bible Bookstore and Erick bought just ONE book (not even for himself)... this is unheard of! 

Then we drove to beautiful Coronado Island and had lunch at Miguel's (the best Mexican food in San Diego).  Next we went to Adams Ave Used Book Store.  But the best part of the day was popping in on Holly H.  We got to see her new place.  I miss seeing her every week.  She is so refreshing and joyful!  It was great to see her!  Well, now you know what the Cobbs do on a day off!

Christmas Shopping...Arrrr!

The other day when we were driving past the outlet shopping center, they had a sign that said they open at midnight after Thanksgiving!!  Unbelievable!  Well I love to shop just like any other normal female, but holiday shopping has gotten a little out of hand.  I felt my blood pressure start to rise just thinking of the fist fights that I would soon face in the parking lots (jk) and the many long lines that will make me grumble.  Then I remembered an article I read on Solo Femininity about being a light of Christ's love during our mall adventures.

Disneyland

This is one of the only pictures I got of both of the boys looking forward.  They were too excited to pose for any pictures!  They were also way more excited to see Jake and Lauren in Toontown than Mickey Mouse!

Mason says, "Ahoy Matey!"

Miles admiring his new shirt (that he wanted no part in having when we were in the gift shop).  I knew he would be loving it in like 15 minutes =)

See our Flickr page for more Disneyland pictures.

"Dr. Cobb saved my cat's life!"

My husband has many fine qualities, but last week I was especially thankful  for his veterinary skills.  Even though he is a horse vet he was still able to save my kitty's life =)  My beloved cat, Ellie looked like she was knocking on heaven's door last week.  I have had this cat for 15 years and she is far superior to all cats!  Even non-cat people tend to remark about what a great cat she is.  Anyways... Erick was able to revive my almost lifeless cat with a lot of subcutaneous fluids.  Thank you Erick (and also mucho thanks to Holly Smit D.V.M. our kitty resource vet for all your helpful advise).  Ellie is looking perky again and I am hoping to have lots of more time with her.

Crochet Night

My fingers are sore from crocheting all night with the Kaleo girls!!  Last night we had our annual crochet night.  We should definitely do this more than just once a year.  Tons of fun!  This is a picture of the crochet master (Rosy) demonstrating her skills.  Thanks for the fun night ladies!

Memory Verse for the Memory Impaired

  I am re-reading Everyday Talk:  Talking Freely and Naturally about God with Your Children by John Younts.  My memory stinks, so I am constantly re-reading books.  It is really sad.  I know I read this book a couple years ago and loved it, but now it is like I am reading it for the first time.  So frustrating (if only I had a brain that worked).  Well...I think this is one of those books I need to read yearly.  This book is full of great biblical insight.  I just hope I am able to absorb and apply it.  I just read the fourth chapter "Holy Directions", giving directions to your children. I definitely need improvement in this area, so here is my memory verse... "Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.  The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction.  Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it, but folly brings punishment to fools.  A wise man's heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction.  Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."  Proverbs 16:20-24 Pleasant Words Promote Instruction!

Parent Teacher Conference

Is it OK if I brag a little?  Well, of course not!  So let me just say that God has truly been gracious to Erick and I.  We had Mason's first parent teacher conference today.  His teacher said Mason is one of the most considerate children she has met.  She wished she had a class of 20 Masons (Oh My!).  Well he is very sweet and we do feel blessed.  We are thankful to have such a wonderful teacher for him also.  She makes school very fun and interesting for Mason.  So, "kudos" to Mrs. Kuzma! Of course there are always areas to work on.  With Mason he needs to learn how to skip and dribble a basketball.  So Rosy... where are you?  We need your skills!

Legoland with the Dearmins

We had a great time with the Dearmin family at Legoland today!  They came out for a vacation from Nevada.  We know the Dearmins from Erick's Vet school days.  Mike was in Erick's class, and Karen was a resident vet at the time.  It was so fun to see them with kids.  Kids make life so much more entertaining and enjoyable.  Thanks for the great day!  We love your family, and we wish you lived closer to us!

When Sinners Say "I Do"

I just finished reading When Sinners Say "I Do" - Discovering the Power of the Gospel for Marriage by Dave Harvey.  Wow!  What an excellent book.  Here is what Jerry Bridges had to say about this book, "Dave Harvey skillfully exposes the real root of most marriage problems - each spouse is still a sinner.  But he doesn't leave us to wallow in our sin.  He shows the way out through the ongoing power of the gospel.  This book will be helpful for any married couple whether they've been married five weeks or fifty years."

Screaming Mandrake

If you are familiar with the Harry Potter stories you probably remember the "Screaming Mandrakes".  They were the plants that made an ear piercing scream when they were pulled out of their pots.  Well that is what we sometimes affectionately call Miles at certain times.  Today was one of those times.  Miles went to have his first dentist visit today.  We have found the most wonderful dentist for the kids, but it was all too unknown and scary for Miles to handle.  There was a lot of screaming and drama from Miles in the dentist office!  As soon as we left the office Miles said, "That was fun." and was smiling.  Unbelievable!  I just can not figure him out some times!

Indecent Exposure

Parenting definitely has a way of humbling a person.  Just when I was felling so good about having Miles finally completely potty trained (not that being potty trained at almost 3 and a half is any thing to be proud of),  we had this lovely incident happen...  Erick was outside playing with the boys and of course this has to happen in the FRONT yard not the back yard.  Well Miles has either been taking lessons from the dog or he was just having too much fun playing in the yard and didn't want to take a break.  Miles just dropped his pants and pooped in the front yard! 

Unfortunately this is not the first indecent exposure incident for Miles.  About a month ago we were standing out in front of Mason's school, waiting with all the other parents to pick up their kids.  Miles decides to pull his pants down and pee on the tree! That was great.  We were standing right in front of about 30 cars lined up to pick up their kids.  At least they were parents that hopefully can remember when their kids did that.

Rocco is 2!

We had a fun day today with our friends Dustin and Carmine. We celebrated their son's second birthday at Balboa Park in San Diego.  We had a yummy picnic lunch, watched all the kids run around, and then rode the train by the zoo.  We love hanging out with you guys and wish you lived next door.  Happy Birthday, Rocco!

Halloween: Trick AND Treat

Yesterday was Halloween and for some reason Mason had the day off from school.  Erick took the day off so we could have a fun family day.  We have been couped in the house for the past 12 days due to Mason's croup attack, the smoky air from the horrible fires, and then Miles getting sick.  So we were very ready for a family outing!  We all loaded in the great Honda Odyssey and headed off to Legoland.  We decided to stop and eat lunch at our favorite Mexican restaurant, Garcia's in Carlsbad before entering Legoland.  Halfway through our lunch Erick asks "Are you sure Legoland is open today?".  I really can't believe this happened, again.  Yes, this is the second time I drove all the way to Legoland to find out that they are closed on Wednesdays!!  Mason looked disappointed but handled it well (maybe he is not surprised at his mom).  Miles on the other hand lost his composure shortly after the announcement that we were not able to go to Legoland. 

We went to the zoo instead.  We had a great time watching the monkeys.  Mason and Erick wanted to see the snakes, so we went to the reptile house (my least favorite spot of the zoo).  All the snakes seemed to be particularly perky and active.  I try not to look too long or I get the nightmare where my bed is filled with them!  On the way home we saw the damage the fires did to so much of San Diego.  It was emotional to see so many neighborhoods completely burned.

After we got home from our journey we did a little garage sitting (one of our new favorite hobbies).  Then we took Peter Pan, Captin Hook, and Spider dog "Trick or Treating" in our neighborhood.  Tons of fun.  Tons of candy.  Miles kept asking me today when it will be Halloween again.  Mason already knows what he wants to dress up as next year.  He says he wants to wear the neighbor boy's spider-man costume.

Welcome to Cobb Salad!

Hey thanks for stopping by!  I never seemed to get around to scrapbooking, so I thought I'd give this blog thing a try.  Thanks for visiting!