Sun & Sand | Day 4

 

 

 While planning this trip, Sea World was the attraction I was most excited for. Turns out, it was quite toasty this day, and one of the main shows was closed. Major bummer. But, the dolphins and Orchas were great, the other exhibit animals were awake and active, and Andrew was thrilled to get to check some rides off his list. He even tricked me into going on one with him. For which the entire time, I screamed, "I don't like this!!!" Though I admit, it was a tiny bit fun. :)

All in all, we had a great time at Sea World and once again got our fair share of walking done for the day. We visited the Mission Bay Beach area after some delicious In-N-Out. This is a beautiful stretch of beach! I'm sure we stuck out like sore thumbs our entire visit. Our white skin gives us away quite easily.

 

The following poorer quality photos were taken with my iPhone. Some fun shots, I think!

  

 

Sun & Sand | Day 3

 Day #3 was spent at the San Diego Zoo followed by Coronado beach bumming. The zoo was ginormously awesome and our feet were quite tired by the end of the day. My favorite animal was the hippo-- whose face was smudged up next to the glass for us to closely examine his long whiskers and gnarly teeth. Sweet Andrew likely could have stayed at the zoo for another 4 hours if it were up to him. This was a recurring theme at each place we visited. He certainly has a love for animals of all kinds, history, and dare I leave out roller coasters. Poor thing was a trooper and left when the rest of us were pretty zoo'd out. But, I smile when I think about how happy these attractions make him. So kind-hearted, and curious-minded.

Onward to the beach we went. Coronado is beautiful! What a lovely, fancy place. The houses are perfect and each so different. Andrew and I decided that we could spend an entire vacation just touring different neighborhoods and looking at different houses and landscaping. This area does of course cost a fortune to live in; not surprised.

I was blessed to end the day with a nice dessert date with an old friend from college who lives in the area. I had the best gluten free chocolate cake and of course enjoyed catching up with Katie.

Did I mention that we started each day at Chik-fil-a?!? Yum. Catherine (along with baby Teng) and I are already having sweet tea withdrawals.

Day Two Here
Day One Here

Thanksgiving always precedes the miracle

 Today would have marked the start of a 3 month count down to baby Reyna. That count down has long disappeared, except privately in my heart and mind of course. Because, this is what you think about when you miscarry. At least I do. The love for that sweet child doesn't go away. 18, 20, 28 weeks, would be getting the nursery ready, etc... These are all thoughts that run through my mind. Yes, time helps, but sadness lingers. Finally erasing all of my old OB appointments from the calendar and deleting those oh-so-informative pregnancy apps helped. Though it was hard to do so, I imagine it somewhat similar to cleaning out the closet of a lost loved one- though I know that is far worse. Difficult, but so necessary, and a healing step to moving on. 

Distractions are good. Family visitors, vacations, filling time with work or outings. Isn't that what we do? We fill and fill our time. We try to forget. We try to ignore. We "fake it" till we make it. Because time moves onward. More time and more disappointment. For a while, distractions work. Then I'm left with the aching depths of my soul, the cries of my heart, and a Heavenly Father holding me close hearing every thought and lovingly responding, 'All is okay my daughter. I will give you patience, I will give you peace, I will give you stillness of heart. Trust in me. Lay your burdens and heavy heart on me.'

I am currently reading a book called, One Thousand Gifts.  Besides making me quite tearful (of course while on an airplane), this book has been challenging me to be thankful. "Thanksgiving always precedes the miracle" (Ann Voskamp).  Hours before Jesus died on the cross, what did he do? He gave Thanks to God. What?!?  He knew what was to come, the cruel death, the pain. And he still gave thanks. Yes, he most certainly did. He gave us this example in the worst of circumstances to pause and give thanks. He models giving thanks before taking the bread and wine, before eating each meal. He models this recurring time of re-focussing on God. The reoccurring re-centuring of the mind and heart. Thankfulness for the smallest of things. The tiniest of moments. It changes the way I look at the world. It changes the way I view my day to day. It slowly changes my heart and my often glass-half-empty mindset. 

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Corinthians 5:18

Like the author of this book (Anne Voskamp), I have started making mental note of little thanks. Little gifts throughout the day. Little bits of grace. Go ahead, try it. The season for thankfulness is nearly upon us, right? Seems a fitting time to start working this into my day to day.

1. The bright golden sun turned burnt orange during my flight home.

2. The kind, just-because-I'm-thinking-about-you text from a sweet friend.

3. The sparkle of my engagement and wedding rings.

4. The refreshing sound of ice clinking in my white mocha.

5. The warmth of socks on my feet.

7. Walking hand in hand with my love, swinging our arms to the beat of the waves crashing beneath our feet.

8. City and Colour Pandora station- love.

9. Companionship of like-minded & like-hearted friends.

10. Forehead kisses and I love you's before bed.

11. Sand stuck between my toes.

12. Sun-born freckles on my face.

13. The little 'G' that circles my neck and wrist that makes me smile.

14. Daily picture texts of my darling nephew.

15. Silly hashtag-filled texts from my dad.

No thanks is too small. None.

I have much to be thankful for. So very much.

As fall encroaches upon us, I am filled with feelings of restoration. The crisp air offers hope. The changing leaves mark a new season's story that I pray will be filled with more joy and more thankfulness.

PS- You should read this book. Especially if you are holding on to a hurt, bitterness, sadness... 

Sun & Sand | Day 2

Day two in San Diego was glorious. Andrew and I drove to LA to visit his sister, who attends Chapman University. The town surrounding Chapman has a vintage, yet pristine feel to it. We enjoyed touring her college and the nearby streets. My favorite part of the day was eating at the Grinder and tasting a few different sodas. It would be so much fun to try a different soda each weekend as a little date! Maybe I can find a place like that in Portland. I'm sure it exists. 

After lunch, walking, and cupcakes, we drove back to Ocean Beach to meet Brandon and Catherine and spent a little while in the beautiful sun before heading downtown for the evening.

We briefly walked around the USS Midway and are looking forward to heading back to the navy ship museum before our return flight home. My Andrew sure loves his planes, ships, and boats. It makes me happy to see him so happy. 

Sun & Sand | Day 1

What a privilege it has been to spend the last few days in sunny San Diego. Andrew has a week off before beginning his ten-week internal medicine rotation, and this week could not have come at a better time. Our dear friends, Brandon & Catherine, even joined us! 

We ended up renting a little house through airbnb.com (great experience using this site so far) near Sea World. This centrally-located house was so perfect for our stay. After an early flight, day one included some much anticipated chick-fil-a, beach time in La Jolla, authentic mexican food, and an early bed time (at least for me).

Below are some photos from day one!

I keep hearing that Portland is rainy and cold this week. I'm glad we could extend summer just a few days longer with this trip.