No June Gloom - CELEBRATE!

CELEBRATE Birthdays! My Robbie, Brian, Laura, Stacy, David, Katie and Gayla all celebrate birthdays during the month of June! Happy Birthday to all of you! Parties, presents, refreshing beverages, dinners, breakfasts, cakes and pies! It goes on all month!












CELEBRATE Graduations! Evan and Katie graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with Bachelor of Theater Arts degrees! Congratulations! Oh the Places You Will Go!












CELEBRATE Just Jack's Adoption Day!
So thankful he wandered onto my school campus 4 years ago! My sweet puppy!
Love you Jackie!














CELEBRATE PRIDE! June is National Pride Month, so named by former President Bill Clinton. Even my very conservative company recognizes Pride month. Put on your Rainbow boa and fly your freak flag!


















CELEBRATE Dads! Father's Day is June 21st! Our family will be in Victorville at the Huck Finn Jubilee (or Hick Funn Jubilee as I fondly refer to it!) celebrating Father's Day with a picnic, pie, bluegrass festival, clogging, live music, and beer in comfy chairs in the shade of the trees. David will try to catch some ZzzZzzz's between running sound for the dancers!



The clouds may be in the sky, the drizzles may find their way to your windshield on the way to work and you may even find yourself a year older. But don't succumb to the gloom.

CELEBRATE EVERYTHING! CELEBRATE EVERYDAY! CELEBRATE!

DISGUSTED

Day of Decision. The Supremes hand down their ruling upholding Prop 8, essentially legalizing discrimination.

Day of Decision Part 2. The Supremes rule that 18,000 same sex marriages are valid.

The murder of Dr. Tiller. Shot down in the lobby of his church as he was serving as an usher. KILLED in the name of LIFE.

A newborn baby girl left in a QVC box on a road in Florida. Unwanted and abandoned, left on the side of the road like garbage. The baby was found alive, covered in ant bites.

Disgusting. We should be ashamed of ourselves.

BIGGEST LOSER! DANCING! DAY of DECISION! COLLEGE GRADS! MEMORIAL DAY! HOUSE REMODEL! POWERHOUSE!!!

Once again it has been a whirlwind of activity for our family! They don't call us the Wild Wallace's for nuttin!

I would like to start by announcing that "I AM THE BIGGEST LOSER!!!" Yes! I am a big 'ol loser! I lost the greatest percentage of body weight than anyone else in our Biggest Loser Challenge! So, not only do I weigh less and I am healthier, I won MONEY!!! Can you say...new clothes??? Well, maybe when I get down one more pant size...

Meaghan's dance show was last weekend and it was glorious! She performed in four dances! Her energy, smile and sweet dance moves light up the stage! And...her class ring was delivered to her last week. It is beautiful! She designed it herself, and just loves it! Wait, did I say MEAGHAN received her CLASS RING??? Yes I did...she is completing her Sophomore year and will soon be a Junior in High School! My baby! I cannot believe it! We enjoyed a quiet Memorial Day at home, with just Meaghan and Dylan. Tri Tip was on the grill along with corn on the cob and strawberry shortcake for dessert! As we enjoyed our deelish din din, I was reminded of the countless young men and women serving our country away from home and those that fought and died for my safety and freedom. I am profoundly grateful.

Day of Decision. The Supremes did NOT surprise me with their ruling. They did however disgust and disappoint me. To allow discrimination to be voted in to law is appalling and downright criminal. Legalized Discrimination. The Supremes had the opportunity to make a statement that discrimination in any form is WRONG. But they didn't. They did however leave 18,000 marriages intact. For that I am thankful. But isn't that just the height of hypocrisy? It is legal for some but not for all? Separate is not equal. Our community will not stop until full and equal rights for all are won. And that includes MARRIAGE.
Dylan and Evan are moving toward the end of their school year and Evan along with Katie will be GRADUATING from Cal Poly in June! How proud is this mom! My little drama dweebs are gettin an edumacation!

Austin and Dennice are working tirelessly on their home. New windows, window blinds, can lighting, tree and stump removal, new block wall fence, siding removal, new stucco and exterior paint. It is really looking beautiful! I hope we will soon be celebrating all their hard work with a Housewarming Party!Shortly, Dylan will be on the road for the summer with POWERHOUSE!!! Professional Percussive Dance Troupe. This energetic group of young people will amaze you! They are performing at the following Fairs this summer: Ventura County, San Joaquin Valley, Alameda, Big Fresno, Santa Barbara County, Nebraska State and Kern County. Hope to see you at the Fair!

CELEBRATE!!!

Whew! It has been a WILD three weeks!
My baby boy Dylan turned 20 years old on April 27th. Birthday 'EVE' included dinner at Polly's Pies with our Framily Brian and Robbie, and per Dylan's request, Chocolate Cream Pie. The Birthday DAY brought his girls over to the house for more celebrating and Birthday Strawberry Shortcake.
A mere four days later was my birthday. I decided this year I would take the day off work and celebrate myself! My day included Disneyland, lunch at Shenandoah followed by Mani/Pedis with Meaghan, WOLVERINE (mmmmm) with Meg and David Honey, then Frozen Yogurt with Meg, David, Brian, Robbie and Bessie! It was a beautiful day MY way!
The following Sunday took us to Knott's Berry Farm for Champagne Brunch with the whole fam to celebrate Dylan, Evan and my birthdays!
Our next party was one week later... Mother's Day weekend! Barstow, Bob's Big Boy, Calico, Clogging then home for dinner at Tio's!
Evan's birthday, May 13th, was the final stop on the Celebration tour! David, Meaghan and I joined Evan and Katie at Disneyland. Photo ops, dinner at the French Market, then the rides - Haunted Mansion, Indiana Jones and Space Mountain. We finished the evening with some shopping on mainstreet then home. 24. Can Evan really be 24 years old?
What a wonderfully wild rumpus we had celebrating! Next month...Father's Day, David and Katie's Birthdays! Let the Wild Rumpus continue!

Miss Bailey Sutton

This morning, April 27, 2009, at approximately 3:20 am, I lost a very special friend. Miss Bailey Sutton.
Bailey was beautiful. She had the sweetest brown eyes and the kindest face. Every time I saw her she filled me with warmth and happiness.
Sometimes Bailey would play with me , sometimes she would just sit by me. But always she gave me love.
Bailey was the beagle daughter of my sweet framily Brian and Robbie and my heart aches with and for them.
Bailey had a musical bark that I just loved. It was music to my ears as she greeted me with it and ALWAYS made me feel welcome. She had this cute little way of begging -Brian and Robbie call it 'Kangaroo Paws'. And she was so smart! She had a comprehension of language beyond that of most dogs! She tolerated being dressed up, she even allowed me to put a tiara on her. She was the worlds greatest baby turtle finder! And she knew how to unwrap presents! Not just tear them apart, actually unwrap the paper. It was amazing. She was amazing.
She loved her 'babies' (toys) and loved to play fetch. She loved her Dingo bones. She loved to take walks. She loved her special place on the back of the chair where she could see out the front window or take a nap. She loved her sister Bessie. She loved her Papa and Daddy. She loved everyone she met, and they could not help but love her.
I saw her for the last time yesterday, around 5pm. Little did any of us know she would only be with us for less than 12 more hours. She greeted me with her music and gave me puppy kisses and snuggles and followed me out to the backyard. She helped me open my birthday gift! She seemed perfectly perfect.
Bailey gave me a wonderful gift yesterday - a blessing really - time spent with her. I was able to love on her and get loved by her, one last time.
Bailey brought sunshine and comfort when times were dark and she gave love unconditionally to everyone she met.
I love you Bailey. I miss you.

Puppy Kisses, Auntie B xoxo

FRIDAY! FABULOUS FRIDAY! FINALLY!

Finally it is Friday. My FAVORITE day of the week. And a very special Friday indeed!

This week found me swimming in many different pools of overwhelming feelings and emotions. Feelings of PROFOUND SADNESS at the news of yet another 11 year old BULLIED TO DEATH; FRUSTRATED by a scale that doesn't seem to recognize my diet and exercise efforts; STRESSED yet ENERGIZED by multiple responsiblities at the office; ANXIETY when I didn't hear from my children; PRIDE in watching my oldest at work; EXHAUSTION from the commute; APPRECIATED by coworkers on Admin Pro Day; in AWE of my daughter standing up for what is RIGHT on the National Day of Silence; THANKFUL for dear friends and family; HAPPINESS reflecting from my Dad's happiness; EXCITEMENT as I anticipate Dylan's performance in Evan's play tonight; GRATITUDE for all God has given me...

Today is a special day for my Zuzu's Petals! Zuzu became a member of the Wallace Family 5 years ago today on April 24, 2004! At a very dark time in my life, Zuzu's Petals (when she was a wee puppy we called her Zuzu's Piddles!) brought me light and love and hope and happiness. In the movie "It's A Wonderful Life", George Bailey finds the petals from Zuzu's flower in his pocket and his hope is renewed! MY Zuzu did much the same for me and continues to be my baby, my companion, my heater, my security alarm, my dust buster and my friend. Happy Adoption Birthday Zuzu! Mommy Loves You!!!
Have a Wonderful Weekend!
smoochies, beckie

TWO WILD WEEKS!

Wow! What a busy 2 weeks it has been for the Wallace Fam!
Meaghan's Open House and Disneyland with friends, Clogging Performances, Peepa Ralph's surgery, Evan and Dylan's rehearsals, David's travel to Boston and Opening Day for the LA Dodgers, work on Austin and Dennice's home, Meema's birthday, Easter, the USS Stockdale Commissioning...Whew!

On Sunday, April 5, 2009 friends and family from far and wide joined us at our home for our annual Spring Brunch - and this year it was a "Brunch of Fun"!
We were honored to have Miss MacKenzie, the Bon-Sutton Family, the Banta-Walsh Family,








the Fab Five from WeHo












and ALL SIX of our kids with us for the day!
Starburst Jellybeans, Mimosas and Cupcake decorating were just a few of the highlights of the day!


Easter morn brought the traditional Easter Basket hunt! This year the Easter Bunny was tricky and hid the baskets OUTSIDE! Once the baskets were found and contents examined, the Cinnamon Rolls, OJ and Coffee were consumed, we dressed and headed to the OC for more Easter fun! Dinner and an egg hunt along with a birthday celebration for Meema Wallace filled our day!

We finished off our OC Easter with a visit to Peepa Ralphie. My dad was taking it slow and easy following his surgery earlier in the week, and had been invited to dinner with his friend Roberta and her family. We stopped by Roberta's house to find a very happy Peepa and a very nice family!



Happy, full and tired we headed home to Rancho Cucamonga and our Beagles to eat yummy Easter leftovers and watch WALL-E together. It was a beautiful Easter Sunday!

Saturday, April 18, 2009, Mom and Dad joined us in attending the Commissioning of the USS Stockdale in Port Hueneme,CA. I was both honored and humbled to be present at the ceremony. This spectacular event brought me to tears as Admiral Stockdale's grandaughter, the Matron of Honor, made the pronouncement to the brave young men and women of the crew "Man Your Ship". Proudly the Officers and sailors ran to their posts aboard the USS Stockdale. As the steam was blowing, the guns were circling and firing, the F-16s flew overhead! It was a moment I will never forget. (I also won't be able forget my experience in the outhouses provided.) We enjoyed a tasty boxed lunch, bought some memorabilia, took lots of pictures and left feeling very proud to be Americans.

On our way home from the Commissioning, we found ourselves drawn to the outlets for a little shopping therapy!

It was a wildly busy two weeks filled with family, friends, joy, fun, adventure and love that will bring sweet memories to mind for many years to come!