going to california

Living in Arizona has some serious perks.

Although I visited some incredible caves and historical places as a kid (something I wish my kid's experienced more) I sure did want to go to California. What kid doesn't? We came once, if I remember correctly, and it was awesome. 

Since we live next door to California our theory is, as long as God has us here we will visit. Because, man, it is beautiful. The beach, the air, the green, the mountains, the weather...it's really something. and it's so close.

So John had originally had a speaking engagement this Thursday and last Thursday he came home from work with sweet, thoughtful, small gifts for the kiddos and spontaneously asked if we should all go to California together.

So we did. We packed up a test car (a strategy and whole lot of work that I think I'm getting the hang of. For now.) and drove the six hours to a house near the beach and salty air on our skin. It fits just right. The kid's slept great and we left this morning around 9 to go on a train and view a little bit of the coast. Jack loves trains, like every single time we heard the train whistle (several times a day) he would put out his little arms and squeal, "did you hear that?!?! it's a TRAIN!" he was in heaven when we got on our Coaster train.

This is him saying, "TRAINS!"

Our idea was to go for a little bit, eat lunch, then come home. Well, apparently we are no longer seasoned travelers because we did not research a thing (a similar mistake I made going to Germany with two friends from Bible school. Brief story telling-time...

This was not the first time I have made such a mistake. When we flew from England to Germany in the spring of 2004, we only had our flights and that was about it. We had a friend to stay with once we got there, but that was just for a couple of nights. We were a wee bit unprepared. We arrived in Heidelberg with no reservations or nearby hostels. In fact, when our plane landed we were in the middle of nowhere. So we hopped on a bus and drove into the nearest city where we continued to have no clue where we were going. We were optimistic and naive. We had all evening to find some accommodations.

That was until it started getting dark. We began to panic and yet somehow found this cute bed and breakfast (that wasn't crazy expensive) and enjoy a nice little attic room.

On one of our many lost excursions (to find our next place to sleep) we were going in and through hotels and malls and up staircases and down them. We had our huge backpacks on and my dear friend Susan collapsed on the stairwell, half crying-half laughing. "I can't go anymore. That's in, I'm done!" We could either laugh or cry. I pulled on her backpack and yelled "come on, Susan! We can do this!" Those ten days were a slew of unplanned, un-thought out and yet really fun experiences. We arrived about five days early to a friend from Bible school's house and asked if we could stay the whole week. Our third travel partner left a bit early and we went north to Bonn where we arrived a night early and realized we didn't have a hostel or a hotel or anything. Oh, and on our way up north we missed our train and couldn't figure out how to get the next one. We met an old homeless woman who spoke some English, and had a pet rat living in her shirt, and she helped us find the way. That's the most of it that I can remember, but seriously. I am not a very big planner...or so I remembered. I've definitely grown in that area being a mom to two little ones, but I am not very spontaneous in real life. (shocker.) We have a routine of our days and we pretty much stick to that. Too many un-planned events happening and I get a little bit uncomfortable.

Fast forward to today and it was like a flashback. We didn't really look at when the next train came or more importantly, where we would eat at the stop we did take.

I may or may not have been...a little frustrated and for those two friends who hiked the rim with me in Sedona (you know who you are) you may remember I get a little bit feisty when it comes to excess hiking that was no planned/did not have the right shoes/too hot for.

So after a little bit of a heated discussion between John and I we made our way through residential areas and Volvo sales lots and decided to keep quiet til we got some food.

We walked for .8 miles and ate at Pick up Stick and got a coffee. What could have ruined the day ended up being okay. The kids played by a really cute fountain and the weather was particularly beautiful for that kind of excursion.

Until we got back to the train stop and missed our train by 2 minutes.

That's right people. Us inexperienced travelers were on the wrong side of the tracks + read the time wrong. 

Wow. What an example of our spontaneity kind of biting us in the behinds.

But the kids were awesome and after we took a couple of buses and made our way back to our little hometown they were both getting sleepy and Jack somehow managed to hold in his pee until we got back to the train station.

Never a dull moment, people. I tell ya what. We all came home and crashed. So wonderful.

hot cross buns

On Easter Sunday I went on a vigorous search for hot cross buns. According to the baker at Fry's grocery there were none in our tri-city location. Seriously. What was I doing searching for the buns on Easter morning? Traditions a little too late. Next year, I'm makin' 'em on my own.

 
Oh well, I did find a Thomas pez for Jackboy and he loves it. I have a special place in my heart for Pez dispensers and was so excited that Jack can share my love for pez and their dispensers.

My man also surprised me with some of the most colorful flowers in all the world (courtesy of dye. and love.)

Sunday we celebrated Christ's resurrection and it was a beautiful day. John's sermon was incredible and God used it in some awesome ways. After church I brought Jack home and we got the car ready, munched on peeps, packed up food, cameras, Easter baskets and trains to make the treck with John down to Grandma and Grandpa's. With them, the celebration continued and we caught up with family we don't see often enough and enjoyed an incredible lunch. Jack played in the yard with Gracie, chased her with the ball (but not realizing she was chasing him to get the ball out of his hand.) Jack played with his older cousin Andy and with trains all day long. 


This Easter I was reminded of/experienced a new truth of God and the reality that He knows the pain of losing a child and has experienced it himself. Not only did He lose a child, but a grown man, His only son and it grieved Him to do lose him, but He did it for our sake and so that we might live. That fact blows my mind. Having lost two wee ones, I know He has experienced that same pain, but I didn't lose those kiddos so that others might live. If I'm really honest with myself, I'm not sure I could do that. As a mama, I would die for my kiddos, but don't think I could let them die so others could live. It's the greatest sacrifice. It's mercy in all it's greatness knowing we don't deserve it, but He did it anyway. 


I read this article a few weeks ago and was so touched by the truths in it. 


So thankful for Easter and the mercy that it holds. That we don't deserve, but He gives it freely. So thankful Jesus lives so we can have a personal relationship with Him.

 I would like to be able to leave out the part about how Jack was the most restless sleeper on Easter night and that he was up by 5:30am after barely sleeping that night and playing hard all day and runnin' on a one hour nap, but I can't. Because he ate too much candy. Because that's how that night went and I felt like I had a newborn come Monday morning. Where did my toddler go? Praise Jesus he returned Monday night and slept strait until 7:30. That-a-boy.

 reconnecting and sharing old stories. 

 my grandpa. such a sweet man. 

 I love how Jack is leaning in to Andy in this picture. So cute.

Maggie is truly a beautiful lady. I love sisters and the unique relationship that they share and I especially love seeing Maggie as she nears graduating from high school. I'm so proud of her and woman that she has become. I can't wait to see where her life leads to.

Seeing my Pops with his little grandson really warms my heart. Not only do they look like twins, but he has such a deep and unshakable love for babies. And Aaron's blue eyes, omygoodness.

Easter has come and gone and next is Mother's Day. In other news, my plants are really growing. I'm excited to see what the end of the summer holds! Thanks to dear friends with years of experience and helpful tips, we might just be able to eat some of the fruits of this labor.

experiencing joy and spring

Two of my windows are open and it is glorious outside. The sun is warm, but not too hot and the breeze is cool, but not too cold. I was told today that Prescott is the number #2 place for the worst allergies in the U.S. Poor souls with allergies. My man is included in that. For those of us who are allergy-less, it is a dream come true. All we need now is a slip-n-slide and a sandbox!

We spent Sunday evening and Monday in P-Town. My mom and sister are on spring break and we retreated down the mountain to embrace warmer weather (88 in March just doesn't seem right, I might add though.) and time with the family. We sat on the back porch for almost every meal and watched Jack run around table and onto the grass. He was experiencing pure bliss, that one. And not once did he say choo-choo for Thomas. Well, he does have his own little push train down there anyway. We shared lots of laughter, updated on news and watched some pointless tv shows (I am glad we got rid of cable. As entertaining as they are.)

 

Watching the trains pass, Jack was so captivated. His focus was on the little steam engine that went in great circles around us.

My focus was on these. Just kidding. Kind of.

A boy with his grandpa.

 On Monday morning my sister, mom, Jack and I headed over to the zoo. It was packed. Like Disneyland packed. Like, let's get out of here kind of packed. You can tell who grew up in small towns when they see the crowd and say, "Oh man. This is ridiculous. Let's do it another day." And we were one of those people. Instead, we fed the ducks chased pigeons.

Better yet, we went to the train park for a picnic on Sunday night. The weather couldn't have been better. John was almost as excited as Jack and we saw the coolest miniature train set. 


I can't even express how thankful I am for spring. I tend to let my moods follow the weather. Some days are good for a solemn overcast and dreary day, but when the sun is out you can't help but smile. Maybe Jesus knew that when he put me in Arizona. Too much cold, cloudy weather does this girl no good. I believe it's speeding the healing process and drawing our hearts nearer to Him. We're planting some vegetables this week and they will be ready in just a few months time. Maybe we'll be ready to try again then too. 



The only debby downer of the day is that Jack has a fever. My poor little goose. I had so many things planned for this week, but when a kiddo gets sick the play dates have to come to an unfortunate hault. Hopefully he feels better soon. For his sake, of course. 


I'm also anxious for the newest Office episode. Don't judge me, but last week I had a dream about Michael Scott and the very next night I had a dream about Jim. I think my mind is Office-deprived. And to just think it's almost over. 


In other news, John and I just started watching the (older)tv series Six Feet Under. Mostly because of my brother's recommendation. Somehow, it connects us through all these miles.