Pasta Dinner, Entertainment and Silent Auction!

We are getting closer and closer to our special event to help bring Benjamin home!  In just two short weeks we will be gathering together for a fun evening of dining, entertainment, raffle opportunities and silent auction.

Menu (by Swiss Park Reception Hall & California Catering)

Pasta w/ marinara sauce and meatballs
Penne Alfredo with veggies
Pasta with pink sauce, asparagus and pasta

Caesar Salad
Rolls and Butter

Beverages (served from bar):

• Beer (YES!  It's included in your ticket price!)
• Lemonade
• Iced Tea
• Soda (variety)

Dessert Buffet Table:

• Brownie Bites
• Cheesecake Bites
• Assorted Cookies

Items Being Raffled

• Two Benefit Guest Passes to Lamb's Players Theatre (up to $96 value) (TWO pairs will be raffled off!)
• Domestic Goddess Basket
• Beautiful crochet hats (approximately 2 adult hats and 8 child/infant hats to raffle)
• Wine Basket
• Mary Kay Goodie Bag
• Gourmet-homemade Dog Biscuits
• and MORE!

Items for Silent Auction

• Surf Lessons from San Diego Surf School
• Massage at Salt Family Chiropractic
• Thirty-One Beach Themed Fresh Market Thermal Bag from Demi Woodson (total package valued at $75
• Insulated Drink Bucket, two koozies and beach towel (included personalized monogramming!) from Bundle of Stitches and Posh Monogram valued at $75
• Signed hardback copy of The Fault in Our Stars by renowned author, John Green, valued at over $65
• Pampered Chef Basket (including Stainless Mixing Bowl Set valued at $84.50) from Jeri Meek 
• Professional Photo Shoot with Rachel Rae Stella of  Silent Stories Photography (1-2 hours, up to 5 people, 25 edited photos; currently booking appts. for after August 1, 2013) Valued at $300
• Handmade Quilt by Kris Brown
• Paintball $180 Gift Certificate from Total Combat Paintball in Otay Ranch
• Designer Sunglasses from Pack and Bianes Vision, valued at $250

Entertainment

• Band - Dave Trickey and Friends
• Vocalists - Claire Trickey, Emilie Powers, Donna Angeles, Josh Powers and Vanessa Orozco
• Improv Comedy - Daniel Collins, Jesse Kendrick and Lauren Gray

Be sure to go to Bring Benjamin Home to buy your tickets TODAY!  They are $20 each if purchased by June 10 and $10 for the supervised Kid Activity Area (featuring kid friendly menu) for ages 10 and under.

SPECIAL THANKS!

Our Benjamin Brigade:  Samantha Tricky, Allison Hernandez, Pamela Brittain, Jill Powers, Anita Kranzberg, Heidi Meehan, Donna Angeles, Rikki Donahue, Brenda Ortiz, Emma Baldwin, Kaelah Lyons, Kristin Ortiz and Denise Plunk

Re-entering the Real World (and the blogosphere)

Yes, it's true. I'm back... not that I think anyone is actually reading this or was waiting with bated breath for my next blog entry but, well... here I am. In addition to returning to my blog, I find myself after four straight months of performing, plus rehearsal time, returning to the life of full-time mom and out-of-work actress.

My show, "Joyful Noise", just closed last Sunday and I have to say that it was one of the most emotionally difficult closings I have ever experienced. I think in part because everyone else in the cast was moving on to their next project while I do not have anything "lined up". I also believe it's because I'm feeling particularly vulnerable in my abilities as a mom. Also, coinciding with my return to full time family chauffeur, Larry is traveling Monday thru Thursday this week. And believe me, that leaves a HUGE hole for me to fill.

Nevertheless, I plug ahead. I started a new devotional, "The One Year Book of Hope", to help keep me on track as well as a women's Bible Study on Hebrews, "Hoping for Something Better". I know that in order to be the mom I need to be, I need to be growing spiritually.

I also revamped our "chore" routine. Today I worked on our pegboard and also added a daily rotation list for 6 chores that will rotate between the three older kids. For the ones that don't rotate, I use the PEGS system, an invaluable tool I picked up at a Hearts at Home conference a few years back. I'm hoping this will help add some order back into a house that has been flying by the seat of its pants since we moved in back June!

That's the update for now!

Tell me... what do YOU do when your routine needs a kick in the pants???

Ruth Bell Graham

In the spring of 1998 I was blessed to be able to spend an unbelievable few days with one of the greatest women I have ever met...Ruth Bell Graham. Our small group of actors/singers were performing a tribute to her life and writing in Montreat, North Carolina. The Grahams housed us at the Billy Graham conference center, away from the bussle of conference crowds in private cabins that Ruth had helped decorate. Ruth took us out for Chinese food, served us Haagen Daas in crystal in her lovely home and showed genuine interest in the lives we lived back in San Diego. I spent the days in a haze of disbelief. Was I really here? With these people? I will never forget it. It was a once in a lifetime experience. Words cannot describe what an amazing woman Ruth Graham is.

Tonight I learned that Ruth has lapsed into a coma and is close to meeting her savior face to face. I am sad. I am especially sad for her family. But I am so very thankful for the few moments I got to spend with her.

This is lunch with Ruth at her favorite Chinese restaurant. Her parents had been missionaries in China when she was growing up and she loved the Chinese culture. Little did I know at the time that I would one day visit China and fall in love as well. Ruth is in navy blue directly to the left of me (I'm the red-head...it was my color for that year!).

This is in the Graham's living room after our ice cream and a wonderful visit.

Dashboard Confessional

Love this song...love this video because it's shot at the Hotel Del Coronado where I used to perform every Christmas season with Lamb's Players...the round building with the deck out front is the Grand Ballroom with windows all the way around. It is beautiful at Christmas.