For the Vanderschuit Boys

Ace loved your message, and he talks about you guys all the time. Maybe one day you guys'll all be college roommates!

Syble (A.K.A.: Sharon, Shay, Pinwheel, Fire-cracker)

Last time I tried to contribute to our blog I was chided for violating the character of the spirit behind it, but due to popular demand I believe I have no choice but to risk one of my last nine fingers to fulfill the request of our readers. Many of you want to see more than just Ace and his dad, but his mom too (the mastermind behind it). So, while she's down for a nap, I'm secretly posting -- hopefully you see this before she edits it. The pictures I post may not "capture her true essence", so they may be censored, and the voice I choose to write in may be silenced (she may flip over the computer --inside joke) if she feels like it doesn't agree with her vision for this publication. Never the less, here you go...I hope you like it.

Her given name is Syble, which explains the number of names that many of you know her by (depends on the personality you met), so some of you know Shay, some Sharon, and some Syble. She has nicknames like Pinwheel and Fire-cracker that tell of " her side" as her dad and brothers forewarned me. However, she is also, and more consistently, a dear friend to many of you, a great mom, and the best wife.

Why I Love Arich

On February 12, 1995, I remember discussing with a friend over espresso how we would never stoop so low as to subject ourselves to an institution as patriarchal and oppressive as marriage. On Valentine's Day 1995 (two days later), in his apartment at UCSC, an adorable, long-haired, granola-boy art student looked up at me with his big blue eyes from down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I said yes without hesitation. It has remained my crowning act of hypocrisy, and one of the best decisions I ever made.

That was 13 1/2 years ago today (we were engaged 6 months), and we were 21 and 19, so we've pretty much grown up together. (Arich has literally grown one inch in height.) Anyway, I just wanted to give him a shout out in this post, because he deserves it. So here it goes...

Why I love Arich and why I am a very lucky girl:

1. He has put up with me for 13 years. This is no small feat. Ask my brothers. (And consider the little convo about patriarchal oppression. Imagine being married to that flailing girl, and waiting patiently for her to grow up. So many wouldn't have; he continues to.)
   
2. He taught me to drive stick.


3. He taught me to lock my front door.


4. He lets me take the glory for his original witty quips (sometimes).


5. He doesn't put up with my evil side.


6. He loves our son more than he loves himself, and he's a dynamo of a dad.
   
7. He's gracious, forgiving and patient.


8. He will not stop until it's beautiful. This applies to the concrete, the spiritual... everything.


9. He's a hard worker, dedicated, honest and exceedingly loyal.


10. He tries with all that he has to please God and do His will.


11. He's an astonishingly adept spiritual leader, and he's been my most influential teacher.


12. He's the wisest person I have ever known. I don't say this lightly. I mean it.

I love you, babe. Thanks for 13 awesome years. I wouldn't change a single one, and I look forward to a whole bunch more. You're my hero.

Love,

Syble Sharon Shay Harrison ;)

Ace on Sharks & Sea Lion Guts

Ace wanted to share with you some of the fascinating stuff he's been learning while living on the peninsula. Did you know dead sea lions have dirty black guts? See videos below...

Correction: Circa 88-89

Arich had to correct me on the goth photo date... it was actually 88-89... I really am getting old.

Ace's Mom, Circa 1991

...going through pics for a project... couldn't resist... The Cure, anyone?

The Force is Strong With Him

Check out this Padawan's mad skillz (Darth Maul complete with light saber). Notice the advanced ability to capture dynamism ;).
Syb

Look at These Flowers!

There's this tree/bush thing that grows by our patio. Just recently it busted out with these little beauties. Have you ever seen such fantastic flowers? God is such an artist.

Close Ups

I took these pics the other day when we got home from the beach. Ace had this little weird spot on his nose, so I wanted to get pics of it to show the doctor in the event it metastasized to his lymph nodes and brain. Anyway... I don't know what it is about Ace's face, but, since the day he was born, it's looked the same up close. You can stand back a few feet and look him in the face, and he looks like an almost four-year-old blonde kid. But get this close, and there's my little baby. Maybe it's the macro feature. It just gets me. (Am I still going to be doing this when he's 20? Poor kid.)

Oh, the spot is gone, by the way.