The Charltons

London, Paris, Venice, Cinque Terre & Rome

2008-08-14T22:05:00.000-07:00

Yes, it was a dream and such a blessing to share this second honeymoon of sorts together. We had an incredible time and have fun stories to share. Here are some picture highlights.

Dark Knight in IMAX at 6am

2008-07-19T09:59:00.001-07:00

Unfortgettable experience that was innnncredible. Highly recommend this film and seeing it in IMAX. The full screen scenes are AMAZING.

OC AIDS Walk 2008

2008-06-28T21:36:00.001-07:00

What a privilege it was to come together (literally as my two worlds collided) to walk in support of those impacted with HIV and AIDS and boldly say "You are loved by God, loved by us and are not forgotten." Enjoy our fun pics from the day. And if you missed it this year be sure to join us in 2009!

Huy Do is married!!!

2008-06-28T21:13:00.000-07:00

Such a fun day. We cruised up to lovely Malibu with Drew & Heather (Whom are soon to be married this fall) and enjoyed a beautiful fairy tale wedding under a large oak tree. We are so happy for Huy and Holli!

We also couldn't help but enjoy the playful site ourselves.

Mother's Day 2008

2008-06-28T21:04:00.000-07:00

We shared a lovely time with our Moms this year at Prego with a brunch. Although we missed Chris and Amy it was a wonderful time together.

Where has the time gone....

2008-06-28T21:03:00.001-07:00

Sorry its been 2 months since I've updated our page. May and June have been so exciting. I'll do a brief update with photos :) Enjoy.

Desert + Engagement

2008-04-30T13:15:00.000-07:00

Our trips to the desert house seem now to always come along with an engagement announcement..who wants to go next? ;)

Bry and I enjoyed are annual trip to Coachella this year, and especially enjoyed the slightly cooler temp. Made the day a lot easier.

Than Drew & Heather joined us for some relaxation, sun bathing, fun on the greens and great food. Little did Heather know Drew had a surprise for her on the way home. It was an incredible weekend.

Congratulations Drew & Heather!

Bryan Turns 30!

2008-04-15T16:09:00.000-07:00

Its a week full of celebration.

We kicked it off Friday at the Lakers Hornets game.

Spent the weekend in L.A. with family, eating amazing food and capped the weekend off watching the Lakers defeat the Spurs.

On the the big actually day we enjoyed a small dinner with family and bryan's accountability group at his parents house.Next, is our friends celebration on Sat. Just can't stop celebrating! Happy 30th Baby!

Disneyland with the Webber-Planks

2008-04-15T14:54:00.000-07:00

We met Bry's family and cousins at Disneyland for a fun night of rides and fireworks in the rain.

Bryan Bakes for the 1st time

2008-04-15T14:48:00.000-07:00

As strange as it sounds it true. His first attempt? A twist on his favorite dessert a tropical fruit coppler that was deeeeelicious! If he's making it, its gonna be good.

Final Four

2008-04-15T14:35:00.001-07:00

A very sad day as UCLA played their last game...but at least we had fun together. Even had a special visit from Traci's new son.

City Uprising Day 1 - Bronx Beautification

2008-03-28T13:27:00.001-07:00

Day 1 of City Uprising was awesome!

What is City Uprising? http://www.cityuprising.com/
Hosted by the Gallery Church, it's the gathering of college students from across the nation to spend 3 days serving New York city in tangible ways showing God's love and compassion. Monday 300 college students headed to the Bronx to spend time making it beautiful. Then we worshiped together that evening with Charlie Hall and hearts were prepared for the next day of HIV Testing.

My dear friend John Forbes shared his story of life in New York, and how there was no church he felt he could turn to when he learned of his HIV status. Instead it was only the Gay Men's Health Crisis that offered support, understanding and counsel on treatment. Today that is no longer true. The Gallery Church in New York City, has publicly declared that their church is a safe place for those who are HIV positive to come and pursue God in a community that is excited to be a part of that journey with them.

After the service, David Miller, AIDS Activist, Aaron Coe, Senior Pastor of the Gallery Church, and Brad Cruse, the Medical Professional who arranged testing sites, trained and prepared the students for getting the word out about the 22 free testing sites around the city.We went home expectant and excited to see what the Lord had in store.

City Uprising Day 2 - HIV Testing

2008-03-28T12:15:00.000-07:00

What an incredible day...I'm still trying to get my head around what the Lord did today, but know I'll never be able to fully grasp what it means. I'm humbled, excited and somber.

Armed with nothing more than a card, free metro pass, and the compassion & love of the Father coming through in a smile or friendly greeting, 300 college students disbursed around the city during morning rush hour to advertise the free HIV testing at 22 sites around Manhattan.

I traveled with Kay Warren and a team of pastors to several of the sites through out the day. We visited the South Bronx and Harlem first. Each place we visited had full waiting rooms and reports of running out of tests and it was only noon. Now some sites only had 40 tests on hand, so at first it didn't seem like much....but any results were exciting.

Listen to this announcement by Aaron Coe about the final results....

We rejoiced together that evening and sang this song which is still in my heart.
Our friend David Miller shared his story and thoughts on the day. After over 20 years of intense effort, including over 200 arrests, he had never seen results like this. Moved to tears, he proclaimed how the power of the church in this effort was prominently displayed and laid down the charge to every student there to continue the efforts in their communities, churches and college campuses.
Next Kay Warren spoke, sharing her journey, how God broke her heart for those infected with HIV and AIDS and how it changed her life forever. She called others to a Dangerous Surrender, stepping away from the crowd, saying yes to God no matter what the cost and becoming His disciple. It was a powerful and wonderful night.

In awe, we prayed together for NYC, prayed for those who found out their were HIV +, prayed for those who learned they weren't HIV positive, prayed for the churches in NYC that the would join this effort and that the Lord's love could not be dismissed in that city.

Happy Birthday Julia!!

2008-03-14T09:57:00.001-07:00

Julia turns the big 11 today, March 14th!

It will be a week of celebration, which started on Sunday at Disneyland. Happy Birthday Julia! We love you.

Peter joins Dad for a snooze.

"Enjoy Your Blessed Day!"

2008-03-12T11:30:00.000-07:00

I recieved this sweet little phrase at the end of an email from a business partner today.

As I read it, sadly my first reaction was the bratty thought "that's presumptious! How do you know I'm having a blessed day?!" Then the Holy Spirit kicked in and nudged me with the simple question...have you ever had anything but a blessed day?

Suddenly my perspective complete shifted and I realized of course I'm having a blessed day. I have one every day! And was quickly flooded with thoughts of all the blessings today brings. Even the perspective shift was a blessing and had to pass it on.

So...I invite you to "Enjoy your blessed day!"

Quack! Quack!

2008-03-04T21:09:00.000-08:00

We quacked it up with the Rock Harbor Worship team at the Ducks game Monday night. They won 3-1, defeating the Senators on their first meeting wince the Stanley Cup Finals.

Best New Restaurant Find!

2008-03-04T21:06:00.000-08:00

Don't Think! Just go. You won't be disappointed :) www.thebondi.com

A Sunday at Sea World

2008-03-04T20:57:00.000-08:00

Shamu! Shamu! We enjoyed ourselves as we pushed Bryan around in a wheelchair and visited all the animals. Kelli enjoyed her first ever visit to the marine land and probably laughed the hardest at the otter in the Sea lion show.

Tim Hughes at RH

2008-03-04T20:53:00.000-08:00

Our friends Chad and Carrie got to sing with him at the Sunday services. It was an awesome service. My sister joined us for her first ever RH experience.

Forbidden Rice

2008-03-04T20:48:00.000-08:00

I love the surprises I come home too. Never know what Bryan will be making in the kitchen. This night it was something I'd never even heard of...black rice? Known as Forbidden Rice in China, it was the rice only Emperors got to enjoy. Bry made us some of the best fried rice I've ever had. It was deeelicious.

We're going to Europe!

2008-02-25T21:31:00.000-08:00

I can barely believe its true. Our tickets are purchased and this May the Charltons are traveling around Europe. We will spend a couple of days in London and Paris and spend around 6 or 7 in Italy. We're so excited and taking recommendations as we book the particulars.

Jacqueline got into OCHSA!

2008-02-19T10:29:00.000-08:00

Our sister the Opera singer, we're so proud.

So what is OCHSA you ask?! Its the Orange County High School of the Arts. (http://www.ocsarts.net/).

She audition and was accepted on Friday to their Opera program. My little sister has quite the voice. Her audition came after an imprompt to performance for her Core class 1st and 2nd period, which then turned into performances for the rest of the Core classes that day because the teacher and class loved it so much. By the end of the day she had sang to most of her 8th grade class. So even though her audition for the school was for a well known singer whose performed with Bocelli and others, she said that part was a piece of cake after a day infront of her peers.

We're so excited for her. First stop OCHSA, next stop the Met!

Amy & Chris are Engaged!!

2008-02-19T10:27:00.000-08:00

We couldn't be more excited for them. We love Chris and are excited to have him apart of our family. The betrothed plan to have their special day sometime next spring or summer. We can't wait! Amy will be the most beautiful bride and wait till you see the ring :)

Happy Anniversary Dad & Mom!

2008-02-18T14:51:00.000-08:00

Jessica's parents are celebrating their 29th wedding anniversary today. We wish them great joy and happiness as the celebrate so many wonderful years together.

Our New Favorite Friend!

2008-02-18T14:31:00.000-08:00

Meet Wally...as we cutely dubbed him showing our comical affection for our new household appliance. We love him, its almost like having a pet. You press clean and off he goes. We laughed at ourselves as we sat and watched him with glee take his first spins around the floor. Our floors are so pretty. I am one happy wife!

Breakfast with Character

2008-02-18T14:28:00.000-08:00

We met my family at the Story teller's Cafe at the Grand Californian Hotel on Saturday and had a great time. We even had some special guests.

Valentine Pieces Fit Together to Make a Beautiful Memory

2008-02-18T13:28:00.000-08:00

We had fun this year giving each other clues to the fun plans we had in store for each other with puzzles and secret messages.

Friday Date Night Fun

2008-02-18T13:13:00.000-08:00

We had fun eating BBQ and playing at Disneyland. Living in Southern California is so fun.

Bry's first visit to the Tiki room. He entertained us as much as it entertained him!

Christmas Time

2007-12-30T22:47:00.000-08:00

Has come and gone already?! Amazing. We had a wonderful time vacationing in NYC and spending the holidays with family. We also enjoyed the breaks from work as well and got some much needed R & R.
On to 2008...one more day of the year 2007. Craziness!

Friends Thanksgiving Dinner

2007-12-05T17:41:00.000-08:00

The start of a new tradition with off with a bang, well actually a pop...thanks to the Osbrink's fun favor poppers. We had a blast eating a twist on the traditional favorites and spending time with the friends we love....cause friends are the family you choose :)

Chad and Kelli are Married!!!

2007-11-03T12:53:00.001-07:00

Everything was absolutely perfect including Kelli! So thrilled for the new Coltman family :)

God is Good

2007-10-17T16:58:00.000-07:00

Want to Learn a song in Kinyarwandan? Sing along with me and my friend

IYo Mana Ni Nziza
My God is Good

IYo Mana Ni Nziza
My God is Good

IYo Mana Ni Nziza
My God is Good

Ni Nziza Ni Nziza Pe
Is Good Is Good Always

Rwanda..The Land of a Thousand Hills

2007-10-16T00:01:00.003-07:00

Most beautiful country I've ever seen. Every where I turned or as we traveled I was just in awe.

Children of Rwanda

2007-10-15T23:49:00.001-07:00

Here are the precious faces and children who we visited as much as possible while in Rwanda. Each of these children have lost their parents and currently reside at the Gisimba orphanage in Kigali. My boss's family is working to adopt three of these precious children....and there are so many more who need a home. Let me know if you feel God's tug on your heart. We walked with them through the town for about a mile to church on Sunday morning. Boy was that an experience. The language barrier was very frustrating at times but its amazing how far smiles and laughter goes.

Here are 5 sibilings who reside in the orphanage....very rare. Please be praying for their future family and that they wouldn't be separated. The eldest boy became my bud on the first visit and the youngest stayed close by my side on the second. My heart really bonded and went out to these precious kids.

Little Sis Tears it up

2007-09-30T17:17:00.000-07:00

Give me a J. Give me an E. Give me an N....the Slipp Tustin High Cheer legacy lives on. Check out Jena and her squad performing at half time of Friday night's game. Way to go Jena! That's my sister :)
(she's the one in front on the left center of the screen)

The UK does it again

2007-09-30T17:02:00.000-07:00

Tuesday night Bry and I headed up to Hollywood for a rockin show at the Palladium. The UK seems to have a knack for producing great bands. If you haven't heard of this band yet...you're missing out. Check them out at www.arcticmonkeys.com.

Tea Time & Wedding Bells

2007-09-29T22:25:00.000-07:00

My beautiful & precious friend Kelli is getting married in 34 days! We had a blast celebrating her with a shower filled with friends, family, a loose tea bar, candy station, yummy tea sandwiches and a surprise visit by Chad via video.

Rwanda Here I come!

2007-09-12T17:34:00.001-07:00

That's right 5 shots total, 2 on the left and 3 on the right. The Yellow Fever was the doozie. I still have to go back for a few more in a series but the worst is behind me. I came home to a nice treat...my passport sitting in the mail a whole 2 weeks early. Thank you Lord! Looks like I'm all set and heading to Rwanda. Woo hoo! Anyone have bug spray recommendations?

Labor Day Oasis

2007-09-04T21:29:00.001-07:00

Bry and I enjoyed a wonderful lazy and relaxing weekend with Mama and Papa Charlton in their new desert retreat. Getting in late Friday we were greeted with joyful smiles and hugs, even Scoobie came out to say hello. We enjoyed our tour of one of the cutest places ever! Bravo to Mama Charlton for her keen decorating skills. The place looks cuter than a model and is a luxurious retreat of comfort.

Saturday morning we enjoyed a lovely breakfast at the La Quinta Resort and took a sentimental walk of the grounds. Once we reached the point of melting we headed back to the comfort of air conditioning and UCLA football. We enjoyed watching the PAC-10 opener as our Bruins conquered Standford. The skies also provided some entertainment as we got to watch and listen to desert thunderstorms in the distance while had blue skies overhead.

Good food, fun conversation, sunshine, football, reading, naps and watching movies... it doesn't get much better than this.

Random Europe Facts by Laurel

2007-08-29T11:48:00.000-07:00

Our friend Laurel just returned from a lovely trip in Europe and shared this fun trivia with us along the way. Enjoy

Q: What is a beefeater (no space between the words)?
A: A beefeater is the nickname of a Yeoman Warder. Yeoman Warders are Tower of London guards who have had 22 years of military service (not navy, because the navy doesn't have to take the oath to protect and serve the Queen) and they have to be at least a Sergeant major when they leave the military. There are only 35 warders. The nickname came about a long time ago, back when beef and beer were expensive and only the wealthy had access to them. The warders were given beef to eat and since beef was thought to be such a delicacy, the Yeoman Warders were called "beefeaters". The name stuck and the rest is history!

2) Q: What is a "hole in the wall" in London?
A: An ATM

3) Q: What side of the street do Paris people drive on?
A: The Right side - I was quite surprised

4) Q: If a hotel has its top floor labeled "3" how many floors are there in total in the hotel?
A: 4 - they call the ground floor either "G" or "0" - it was quite confusing when we were trying to get down to the bottom floor - we kept pushing 1 and not ending up where we belonged...

5) Q: When we were swimming in the sea by the Cinque Terre...what is the name of it?
A: Lingurian Sea

6) Q: There are small glass squares in the sidewalks all over Europe, what are they for?
A: They are for letting out the steam from the underground subway stations. I honestly have no idea how they work because we never saw steam coming from them, but that is what all of the signs near them said they were for.

7) Q: On the toilets in Europe there are two buttons. One is small and the other is large. What is the difference in the buttons (apart from the size!)?
A: The smaller button flushes only 0.8 gallons of water and the larger button flushes 1.6 gallons of water. This type of toilet is popular all over Europe, but for some reason has never made it to the USA. I think it is a great idea and quite conserving of water!

8) Q: If you order Pepperoni Pizza in Italy, what comes on the pizza?
A: Peppers!

JC Turns 28...Broadway Style

2007-08-21T22:34:00.000-07:00

5..6...5678. (Enter Chicago overture here) What a night. I felt so loved, surrounded by family and friends, and one of my great loves...old Broadway. After enjoying Bryan's homemade crab dip and devouring the decadence of the chocolate fountain we engaged in a friendly competition to see who knew Broadway Best. After many creative performances, beautiful voices and show stopping acts the teams were neck in neck proving all had a love for the Great White Way. I think it topped the charts as the best birthday I've ever had and I'll never forget it. Thank you to everyone who celebrated with me.