Seal Shock at The Seashore (A True Story)

Special Forces men are really tough guys. My husband, Kurt, (the cutie pictured to the left) was no exception. In order to be a tough guy you have to go through B.U.D.S. training. Once you make it through that you can leap tall buildings in one step, run faster than a speeding bullet and dive to depths that even Jacques Cousteau wouldn't go.

Kurt has a lot of stories to tell from his training days. One he tells over and over again which makes me laugh to this day is a swimming story. Everyone that trains to be a Navy Seal or in Kurt's case part of the UDT, you are required to swim more than the fish do. Each person has a partner to swim with and swims at night, during the day plus during storms. Doesn't sound like much fun does it?

One day when the group was out doing one of their mandatory five mile swims Kurt and his partner were swimming along and talking like they normally do. At one point Kurt's back was to his partner when he heard his swimming buddy say something that was hard to understand and it sounded like he was taking on water. So being the brave soul that he is, Kurt turned to look at his friend. All of a sudden he was nose to nose with the ugliest male sea lion he had ever seen. At that same moment when the sea lion saw him he let out a big huge seal bark. Kurt was so shocked he let out a large yell! Tough guy huh!?

Needless to say Kurt did have to rescue his partner because he was laughing so hard he started to drown. His swimming buddy knew what was going to happen since he saw the seal pop up next to Kurt in the water.

The one thing Kurt thought at the time, "He was very glad it wasn't mating season".

When Kurt tells the story he describes the sea lion as being so ugly it would scare anyone. The sea lion had scars on his face from being in fights, broken teeth, bad breath, and was very rude yelling at him like he did.

The moral of this story is watch where you swim and make sure of the seasons. Tough guys aren't tough all the time. They have their weaknesses.

Michelle Rothwell, Founder

Dora & Diego Homeschool Spanish

and

Independent Isagenix Distributor

I'm firing my boss in June 2009, ask me how.

The Mustard Story

I Love Mustard. (This is a true story. If you have children you will probably relate to this father.)

As ham sandwiches go, it was perfection: a thick slab of ham on a fresh bun with crisp lettuce and plenty of expensive, light brown, Gourmet Mustard.

The corners of my jaw aching in anticipation, I carried it to the table in our backyard, picked it up with both hands, but was stopped by my wife suddenly at my side.

'Here, hold Johnny (our six-week-old son) while I get my sandwich,' she said.

I had him balanced between my left elbow and shoulder and was reaching again for the ham sandwich when I noticed a streak of mustard on my fingers.

I love mustard.

I had no napkin.

I licked it off.

It was not mustard.

No man ever put a baby down faster.
It was the first and only time I have sprinted with my tongue protruding out.

With a washcloth in each hand, I did the sort of routine shoeshine boys do, only I did it on my tongue.

Later, after she stopped crying from laughing so hard, my wife Said, 'Now you know why they call that fancy mustard 'Poupon.''

When you stop laughing, pass it on.

Adoption Success Story

It breaks my heart every time I hear about another baby that doesn’t get the opportunity to be and do what God intended. Every conception whether it was intentional or not is done by God. He knows the great things each person can achieve as well as be here on earth.

Adoption is the only other alternative in my point of view. Here’s the reason why.

When I was 18 the first important decision I made as an adult was to get pregnant. Yes, that had been my dream ever since I was 5 years old, to be a Mom and a wife. Unfortunately I didn’t do it in the right order. I had gotten involved with a guy I shouldn’t have. Never the less, my emotions got in the way, plus other factors, and I became pregnant.

The day I was supposed to marry the guy I went to Colorado to get away from the situation so I could think straight. Right away I sought counseling through Lutheran Social Services. The counselor was great at showing me all the possibilities including abortion. Nope. I was sure that wasn’t the way to go.

Early on my decision was adoption. I loved my child with all my heart and I wanted the best for her. Through Lutheran Social Services I was able to help pick the family I thought would be best for raising my daughter. I know it’s a scary thing but with lots of prayer I knew I had made the right choice.

Guess what!? I was right. The reason I know it is because two weeks ago I found my daughter. Everything I had prayed for came true for her. Her parents are awesome. She has accomplished the things I had dreamed of for her. The Lord has blessed both of us in ways I will probably never know.

If anyone out there has found themselves pregnant, scared and confused, get help now. Don’t wait another day. Use an agency that is reputable like Lutheran Social Services, Holt International, etc. Their number one concern is always for the child, then the parents, then the adoptive parents. You can’t go wrong with people who have been through it all. Any crisis pregnancy center can help too like Lakes Area Pregnancy Support Center in Brainerd, MN.

God wants your child to grow up and that is why you are pregnant. Even if the child can’t grow up with you as the parent they can have an awesome family that will love them the way you do. Raise them the way you would want.

I know it’s a huge sacrifice but you can do it. I did and look how awesome things turned out. I’m elated that my daughter has had such a fantastic opportunity and is well adjusted. Your child can be that way too.

Michelle Rothwell, Founder

Dora & Diego Homeschool Spanish
And
Isagenix Independent Distributor

The First Year is the Hardest

All marriage counselors, psychiatrists, psychotherapists and pastors say the first year of marriage is the toughest. I set out to prove them wrong. Alas, they were right.

When I married the man of my dreams he came as the full meal deal. He had a house, two kids, two cars, a motorcycle, a dog and a cat. Boy! Was I close to heaven! The kids weren't the problem even though you might think so. I was in love with them as much as I was in love with their father. My step kids could do no wrong in my eyes.

The hardest part of the first year was trying to find my place in this instant family. Was I another Mom to the kids? Did my opinion count with the kids and how my marriage would go?

In this process I learned you have to pick your battles. What is important and what is not?

When step kids are young they don't know about drawing a line between houses. In their eyes their bedroom at Mom's house is the same as their bedroom at Dad's house. So some of what used to be at their Mom's house migrated over to ours and some of ours moved the other direction. This is okay. Kids feel more secure in both places and like they belong. Don't stress over this kind of behavior. It's okay to let it happen.

My problem was I never got jealous over a boyfriend meeting a new girl. I got jealous if they never let the old girls out of their lives. With this issue in my life having the ex-wife around was definitely a challenge. As the years have gone by I've been able to change myself and can talk to the ex without any problems. I've learned to accept the fact that she is here to stay and my husband wants absolutely nothing to do with her.

During the first year I didn't think I was going to make it. In fact one time there was such a big blow up I left and went for a looong drive. I drove all around the South Bay area of California. I drove from Paradise Hills to Imperial Beach. Up the Silver Strand through Coronado. Across the Coronado bridge through downtown San Diego. Finally I got on Highway 92 East to 805 south then back to Paradise Valley Road and home.

While on the one hour long drive I spoke with God. We talked a lot. I talked. He answered. And the conclusion was this was the man the Lord had picked out for me since before I was born. The Lord said He would instruct me and teach me in the way I would go. He would guide me with His eyes if I would let Him. I chose to let the Lord lead me and now 24 years later we are still on our honeymoon. Hubba! Hubba!

Hind sight is always 20/20. There are things I would have changed over the years but it wouldn't have been finding another man. They say no one human being can satisfy another person more than 80%. Only God can satisfy 100%. Don't you think it is foolish to go looking for the other 20%? You do the math. 80 is way better than 20. In fact it's 4 times better.

Stick it out people! After you make it through that first year anything can happen. You will be so blessed for doing it. If you need help or prayer as you go through, talk to someone who has been there. Leave me a message on this blog and I will help you out. Or at least I can pray with you and for you.

God bless you,
Michelle Rothwell, Founder
Dora & Diego Homeschoolspanish
and
Isagenix Independent Distributor

The Church Parking Lot

Going way back in time, I mean almost dinosaur time, Kurt and I met in our church parking lot. This was back in December 1981.

You've got to remember America went from the Disco Age to the Punk Rock/New Wave Age. Picture a three piece, navy blue, pin stripped suit on a guy that still had his seventies side burns and wavy slicked back hair. Okay, so that wasn't what intrigued me.

At the time our church had two services back to back. I went to the early service and on the way out I discovered I had locked my keys in my truck. A 1972 Chevy Luv truck. Nothing to brag about but it got me around.

My friends and I tried to unlock the truck with a coat hanger. You know like they show you on t.v.?

Well Kurt comes up, sees what we are doing. He says, "Mind if I give it a try? This used to be one of my professions."

"Sure", I said, thinking this guy looks like he came from The Godfather movie.

I handed him the coat hanger and voila! Two seconds later I was able to get into my truck. (How'd he do that?) Kurt hands me the coat hanger and away he goes into church for second service.

Who was that unknown Knight in Shining Armour? Luckily my friends knew him and introduced us later that night at church.

As one would say, and now for the rest of the story.

Ever since that fateful day, Kurt has been coming to my rescue. If anyone dares to tell me chivalry is dead, I will quickly correct them.

God bless you,
Michelle Rothwell, Founder
Dora & Diego Homeschoolspanish
and
Isagenix Independent Distributor

Bailey is Here!

Our Granddaughter finally made her appearance on Friday, November 2, 2007. She was born naturally, Praise the Lord no petosin, at 5:15 am PST.

Bailey Marie McCowan weighed in at 7 lbs 6 oz with tons of dark brown hair; her brother is blond.

Our oldest daughter, Brianna, is the happy Momma. The one thing she kept saying was how easy this birth was compared to the last one.

Oh! And yes Bailey's Daddy was present too. I guess he helped. LOL. When I talked to Brian on the phone yesterday I told him to have Brianna call me with all the details. He then proceeded to tell me they pulled into the hospital parking lot at approximately 12:01 am. They parked in the first stall up by the door. Brianna got out on the passengers side by opening the door.... Of course I didn't mean those details. Brian is the perfect Son in Law because his sense of humor is just as warped as the rest of us.

From the looks of the first pictures the whole family is doing well. Hopefully they can go home today so Bryce won't be so lonely without his Momma.