Finding Beauty

We often heard others say, "There's nothing to do," when we lived in Misawa. We never had that problem. There were gorgeous parks within minutes, plenty of beach options within 7 min, mountains and a gorge full of nature within an hour..... It's ironic I find myself feeling that way HERE. In San Angelo there was geocaching,  walking along several rivers, lots of friends....here it seems the big past time is shopping.  I really dislike shopping. It doesn't fit well with our commitment to live on 50% of Michael's salary. ::snort::

The morning was filled by Japanese with  Ryu and Kim and waiting for Jamin's Conference race results. As we waited we plotted a course for the rest of our day. EVERY suggestion involved 2 - 4 hours of travel or shopping. I begged we look for a few places near BEALE where we could enjoy nature, hike, play, unwind...no shopping! We're open for suggestions, y'all! I do not plan to live in the past, or develop a discontented attitude....I just need to find some things we ENJOY doing which are nearby.

Jamin was disappointed with his race results. We were disappointed with him. It was not his best time - and we were all surprised....YET...he made all conference. He'll have two weeks to train hard and rest well and show everyone what he has at NCAA Div 2 regionals. I'm so very proud of the young man Jamin has become. He's a winner.

I remembered a park "under the bridge." We all remembered oodles of soccer fields, but it seemed there may be water down there....Michael suggested we stop by  and then head to Sam's club....I begged to skip the shopping. We did. ::grin::

We found beauty - under a bridge with lots of traffic - but beauty.

Though I thought, "No Swimming" was posted, this rope told a different story. I began to look for a platform...Michael found it....

Arielle perfected the tree crawl....

Success - sort of - she's not at the end

 I would love to know what was in Zander's mind at this moment. 

  

She wouldn't be coaxed to stand on the platform...but did well to get out there....She yelled down to me  she thought this would be a good spot for an engagement proposal. I found her observation quite odd. I must quiz her further on this matter. ::snort::  I sure love these two. 

Sparkly water - took a bit to convince the youngers it WASN'T gold! 

We left the bridge park (not sure what it's really called) and decided to explore historic Marysville. I WAS excited to find the Yuba County Library!  We found The Candy Box and broke our  "no shopping" edict. We discovered a restaurant, The Brick, which has several vegetarian items on it's menu. Vegetarian is good as we can say, "no cheese please" and be vegan! We also found the Bok Kai temple....which provided strange solace on a day when several of us were missing Misawa.

 

I came home from Texas to a  shocking turn of events. Stacia has decided to be healthy too. I asked her what that meant and she said, "No Meat or dairy or chips and work out!" On a daily basis only 2 of the 6 of us at home are real "meat and potato" eaters. I'm toying with making more meatless meals.....cooking two meals a day can be wearing. I'd say the three are more "nutritarians" and I'm more vegan - but we're all healthier than we were last August.

I love being home with these five. I do find my mind running to the four I left in TX on Wednesday....and the two in OR.....

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Catching Up with Life

Getting back into our "home routine" has taken a bit of work. We pressed hard and we managed to finish the week strong in school. It helped that PWOC was cancelled and we hadn't invited anyone over during the week...we barricaded the doors and put our noses to the grindstone.  We haven't done all the science or hands on history I had planned.....

Of course, we DID make time for a bit of fun. 

Stacia and I were partners in this game - and we roundly lost

I lost my phone and we've been scouring the house. We've followed every suggestion I've received on Facebook....over and over. 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Eucharist? Unique Family Circle

It's good to be home. Yes, HOME. Coming back to CA underscored for me the truth that home is not a location - it's people. Home IS where Michael and the home-bound Gherkins are. 

The funniest moment today came during Family Circle. I'm working hard to condense truth to bite-size portions  meaningful to our older children and also our younger children. This week are we studying Jesus, as the Bread of Life. 

Via Google Images

Somewhere in the discussion the Eucharist was mentioned. The discussion continued. Stacia entered it by explaining that Yuuki is named Yuuki....and sometimes we call her Yukasaurus or Yuukichan....she continued on....and finally Michael asked her how this tied in to our discussion. (Are you ready?)

Well - Mom said we could study the Euchasaurus.... ::snort:: 

We jumped back into school today. Arielle and Nolan had helped Stacia and Zander continue through the past few days...and I'm thankful. It will make it much easier to catch up after these few slower days.  Stacia even FINISHED her 2nd grade math book and is now officially a 3rd grader. 

We promptly put the book in our recycling bin....we teased Stacia that it would be recycled and come back as her 4th grade math book. ::wink:: 

This is a day lived in transition. I'm embracing family life here in CA. I'm more aware of family life in other parts of the country....and my mind and heart keeps zipping back to TX and over to OR. 

While I was gone Michael purchased and set up an elliptical. That was great fun. They also bought  a new game....I'm excited to play it with them....but today I had to work out as I didn't get it done before school. 

Dinner was turkey meatloaf for the carnivores...and a black bean loaf for the  vegans or nutritarians.   I also roasted some asparagus and turned one of our abundant squashes into garlic/onion oven baked fries, made a salad and served fruit.  Stacia informed me when I got home  she is vegan now. I asked her what that meant and she said she doesn't eat meat or milk or cheese. 

I'll close with a sample of our patio art. This is Rainbow Larry drawn by Stacia. 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Traveling Tuesday

We fit in a few more hours of visiting between Jamin and Jared's classes yesterday. Josiah had the morning off and we all congregated at his and Shelby's apartment. Of course, this disrupted Shelby's college/work schedule...but she valiantly plowed ahead.

After watching Shelby, talking with Steven and Jamin (who are taking online classes), and visiting with Deja (who attended a home school workshop by Debra Bell and discussed homeschooling and technology), I am thinking about IF and HOW I may want to utilize technology more in our home school. Maybe another post...

I left San Angelo at 2:30 p.m. (MST) and arrived in Sacramento at 7:30 p.m. (PST).  It is nice to be home.

I took no photos today....but here's a photo I took in July which I didn't properly identify because at that point Izaak and Bre were not dating.

Dakota is Izaaks son, Izaak is Bre's man, Bre, Me, Nadia is Nate & Heather's
daughter, Stacia 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Magnificent Monday

I lived this day fully.

I spent a bit of time with Josiah and Shelby this a.m. Shelby is finishing her college via online courses AND she works five hours a day from home via the computer. It seemed kind to clear out when Josiah went to work so she could start her college work week off strong.

10:00 a.m. found me sitting at Hastings enjoying an "Adult Play Date," versus our typical "Power Play Dates," with Deja. Yes, Hastings is a bookstore.... they also  have great drinks and scones...and comfy couches. The perfect place to sit and steal a bit of time in the midst of a very rushed trip.  It's always great fun to visit San Angelo and will be as long as Doug, Deja and their family are around.

I zipped over to Jamin and Jared's apartment at 11:30 p.m. We enjoyed a bit of lunch and power visiting. ::grin::  Jamin ran out to a class and I visited with Jared.

2:00 I took Jared to a meeting at ASU.

2:05 Jamin and I headed out again with Cody for more walking and talking.  Cody has a sweet disposition. I never would have imagined Corgi and Husky but it works in Cody.

 This photo shows it is GREENER in San Angelo than it is in our part of California. I'm not so sure the Beale area is prettier than San Angelo.  This is not a cultivated park. It's a field....and the brownish/red in the middle are wild flowers. The best part of the walk was the conversation.

3:00 p.m. Jamin left for practice and I picked up Jared from ASU. He had two hours before he had to be at his next meeting. We spent the time well. He treated me to a drink at Starbucks. We sat outside and I enjoyed more meaningful conversation with an adult son. GOOD TIMES.  Jared looked sharp today in his suit and ASU student government shirt and tie. Alas, I didn't take a photo.  I dropped him off at ASU for a 5:00 p.m. meeting.

Jared's been a champ with this procedure. He can't take Tylenol etc with the heart meds he's on and the docs didn't order anything else.  He's not complained....and I know it hurts. He's also not complained about having to be driven all over....and today he commented  I'd not been able to take him to college and so this was my chance to do that. Great way to look at it.

Back across town Shelby was finishing her work day, Josiah was home from his work day and the three of us went out to dinner.  They live near the River walk and I hadn't made it to the river yet. I was surprised at all the changes being made to the area. I really liked parts of it. I snapped a few photos.

Shelby left many sweet touches in the guest room and bath for me. She could open a bed and breakfast. It's been a joy to spend time with Josiah and Shelby in their home. I LOVE having a new daughter.

Jared called at 8:00 p.m.; we picked him up and brought him to Josiah and Shelby's. Jamin called at 9:00 p.m. when he was done with tutoring and he came over too. It was fun to sit around and visit.....suddenly it was 10:30 p.m.

We cheated on the driving restriction and decided to let Jared drive himself home - 10 hours early. I'm sure it felt good to have that bit of freedom back.

If all Mondays were this full of friends, family and great conversation I would love them much more. ::snort::

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Sensational Sunday

I watch the "boys'" hectic schedule of college, work, sports....and I am  glad I'm not in college. LOL   Jamin has about 100 hours of his week scheduled between classes, student tutoring for the history dept, cross country work outs and working.....and in two short months he will graduate!

We caught up with each other this a.m. He took Cody and I to the cross country track. It was an incredible joy to walk and talk.....He then put in 4 hours of tutoring and  we all went to dinner: Josiah & Shelby, Jamin, Jared and Steven (family friend's son who is Jamin and Jared's room mate).

Cody is a Corgi/Husky.... he's great fun. 

Josiah and I took Jared's car to have the oil changed for him. They have trouble finding the time to get over there. I was surprised at how long it took to get the oil changed.....but while there I ran into some friends - Arielle - Ashley and her mom. 

Jared was fed up with staying home by this afternoon and went out with us to dinner. He'll do about 1/2 a day tomorrow and then try to start back to classes  on Tuesday. 

I ran into Lois and family while we had our Sunday Evening treat at Fro Yo's.

Josiah and Shelby and I spent some time catching up this evening. It's a blast having a daughter in law. 

I have a ticket to fly home Tuesday night.

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Jared Update

Shew. Yesterday was a long day. We showed up at the Hospital at 11:30 a.m.   We read and signed all sorts of horrendous sounding consents.....  David and Joyce from Goodfellow Chapel showed up at this time. What a blessing it was to see their smiling faces, hug their necks and receive their encouragement. They called later in the day to let me know that Pat was familiar with our doctor and he is a good one.

Jared spent the last 20 minutes of the wait before going back  watching the winner in the best College Speech  contest from Constituting America.

Grab those family moments whenever you can - shoot the older two have never been in the ER/ ICU

The procedure was about 1.5 hours long. The docs came out and told me that Jared has no blockage at all. I asked why the tests show restricted blood flow and they said the test is right 90% of the time and Jared must be that 10% where it's wrong. I'm not 100% at peace with that answer....but it's the one we have right now. The heart cath is the definitive test and it showed nothing.  I don't think there are other tests to run.

We were about ready to go home when Jared all of a sudden turned gray with blue lips. I went into the hall and let them know and WOWZER things moved quickly.  He was put back in bed, inclined with his head down, given meds to speed up his heart, given another IV and we stayed another 3 hours.

We did come home last night. Because Jared is an adult and Jared is stubborn. He did not want to spend another night in the hospital. I slept on the couch so I could be nearby.....and recited, "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living my baby you'll be...." most the night in my head. I thought of sneaking up the stairs and peeking into his room....but I settled for keeping the phone near by. 

He's sore today. That's typical. He's walking a bit, sitting a lot....we watched the missing Star Wars episode so I now know how all the characters fit together.  I've still not watched the 6th one - so I may do that when I get home. 

Skyping with the CA Gherkins

I love San Angelo. LOVE IT. 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...