I'm such a wimp!

I admit it...I am freezing my bootie off in California! Last night I put an electric blanket on my bed. I am constantly wrapped up in a blanket with a heating pad to warm me up...oh send me back to tropical weather!

Today me, my mom and the boys had a nice Fall Adventure. We drove to Yucaipa to go to a really cool pumpkin patch. We went their last year too. It was pretty packed with school kids but we were still able to do what we wanted to do. We were surprised when we saw some of the kids shirts and realized it was the OC (Ontario Christian) Preschool. I went to OC 1st-12th grade. I even saw Terry Jansma who was in my class. We climbed on the hay castle and looked at the animals and took pictures. The boys each picked out a mini pumpkin.

Then we continued on our journey up to Oak Glen. I do not remember my first time to Oak Glen-it seems like I have always gone there every Fall since I was a little kid. We went to Los Rios, home of the best Apple Cider, and had a nice picnic lunch and of course some warm apple cider. After we ate the boys played around and collected pinecones, acorns and pine needles. Micah came up and pointed to the pinetree and whispered to me "Mom that tree is a conifur!" Wow, I was impressed. They mention that on a video he has, it was just cool that he remembered the word and was able to identify one himself.

From there we went down to the village and feed the reindeer. The boys loved it and laughed when their tongue tickled their hands. Then we followed the bear tracks (they are just yellow bear prints painted on the ground) to the candy shop. That is where we get the best caramel apples, chocolate covered pretzels and chocolate snowcaps, and yes we bought all three and they are so so so yummy.

Then we went down to another village and bought Apple Strudels for dessert tonight. We also picked up two "Daddy" Pumpkins, as the boys call them. They boys have never carved pumpkins so we thought we could do that this weekend.

It was such a fun day. The air was so cool and crisp but it started getting foggy and the sun went away when we were on our way home. Time for me to get back under the blanket, hmmm...now where is that heating pad?

A Million Little Pieces

Yesterday afternoon I finished reading the book "A Million Little Pieces" by James Frey. I started on Saturday morning on our way down to San Diego and read every spare moment I had so I could be done by today.

This book was chosen by Oprah for her book club. This is the first one of her choices that I have read. Something about it just interested me. But I knew the author was going to be on Orpah today talking about the book so I wanted to be done by then.

I knew my friend Nicole had the book so I called her and asked if I could borrow it. She said yes but had to warn me that the language was pretty bad, which it sure was. For those of you who have not read it, it is a true story about the author's time in drug rehab. It was very raw and detailed and taught me things I never knew about this world of drug addiction.

I only cried on one part when it talked about what happened to Lilly at the end but I do not want to give anything away...

I usually read Christian books and this was so different because he does not believe in God. This book was not something I would normally read but it is good to stretch yourself out of your comfort zone every once in awhile. Next though I think I will go back in to my comfort zone and read "Sisterchick's Down Under"...it is more up my alley...

Yoho, Yoho, The Sailors life for us...

It was so great to see Darrick again this weekend! Let me catch you up...

Saturday morning a group of 18 family and friends drove down to San Diego to see Darrick and tour the USS Hopper. Our group included My parents, me and the boys, Dave and Laura, Aunt Belinda, Corey, their friends Kelli and Sarah, Uncle Oscar, Aunt Kathy, Charlie, Maud, Micah, Nicole and Kaitlyn. The weather was gloomy but we had such a good time.

From there we went to The Corvette Diner for lunch which was so fun and really yummy. After that everyone headed home but my parents and the four of us checked into the Navy Lodge so we could spend more time with Darrick.

It hit me Saturday night. Every once in awhile I just feel weak and so tired of all this and I just had to get it out and cry. I usually am ok but sometimes it is hard when Darrick pops in and out of our lives. It feels so good and familiar when he is with us. As we were sleeping and he reached over and pulled me close it felt so safe. He is so much more than my husband, he truly is my best friend and the person I am closest to in the whole world. It is so hard that we are now separated again. It is hard on the boys too. Jacob is really a Daddy's boy and would hardly leave Darrick for a minute the whole weekend.

Monday the Hopper left to go back to Hawaii. Darrick gets leave for Thanksgiving so he will fly back to California in about a month.

I miss him tonight, the boys miss him, but we will make it through...

Eat More Chicken!

Today we went to Kohl's to look for some shoes-since they were on Sale. Every pair I tried on was wrong for me in some way so I gave up but on the way out my mom and I noticed some 70% off racks so we started to look. It was 70% off the already reduced sale prices! A lot of it was summer stuff, which was perfect for me since we live in Hawaii! I found some great stuff for cheap-I love to get a good bargain.

After that we headed to Chick-fil-A for their grand opening on 19th street. It was so yummy! I had an original chicken sandwich and my had a wrap. They were giving away free brownie tastes, balloons, and were so customer friendly. They have a great play area for the kids. Even the cow was there with his sign saying "Eat more chicken!" The boys each got a mini stuffed cow.

They gave away booklets for 52 free chicken sandwiches for the first 100 people through their doors. We actually saw people with tents out there!

Interesting...

Date Night

Tonight Micah and I went on a "Mommy and Son" Date. I had found out that Barnes and Nobles had a 7 pm storytime for kids and tonights theme was Pirates! The boys are obsessed with pirates. But since it was at Jacob's bedtime my parents said they would put Jacob to bed while we went. First we went to Starbucks and Micah got a chocolate chip non-coffee drink and I got vanilla bean.

I was surprised at how many kids were there almost 30 I would say. After the 3 pirate stories each kid got a treat from the treasure-Micah picked a lollipop. Then I bought Micah a book "How I became a pirate". We had so much fun together.

Today Darrick called me and said that he went to Fire Fighting school in San Diego. He said that it was cool and the fire was about 30 feet and they put it out.

I rained again today so my mom and I took the boys to the newly remodeled McDonalds on Foothill and Archibald. They have a cool new play structure. We were there for 2 hours eating and playing. There were other little boys Micah's age and they all played pirates. It was nice for them to burn some energy since we cannot got outside and play.

I also took the boys to get a haircut today at this kids hair shop. They get to sit in little cars and blow bubbles. They love it and it makes the process so much easier.

Update

It has been awhile since I posted! Wow the time is going quickly. Today marks one month that we have been in CA. We have one more month here-actually about 5 weeks.
The weather took a turn for the colder and it is nice but I definitly think that I am a warm weather girl. Last night we had a huge rain storm complete with thunder and lightening and it poured rain-it even woke me up.

Yesterday my Dad built a nice little fire in the fire place. It was so cozy.

So what have we been up to you may wonder?

Well last week we spent a lot of time running around and getting things ready for a Baby Shower I threw for Laura (my sister in law)on Saturday.

My Grandpa also came home from the hospital and praise God he is doing so great!

My mom and I picked my Uncle Marv up from the airport one night. He flew in from Grand Rapids to help with things at my Grandparents house.

I talked for about 3 hours to my newly married friend Becky.

Then on Friday night I waited up til midnight for Darrick to drive up from San Diego. It had been a month since the boys and I had seen him. The ship pulled into San Diego and since he had the weekend off he rented a car and drove 2 hours north to stay with us for the weekend. We had such a nice time but of course it went to fast. He left Sunday night to drive back down to San Diego.

Saturday was the baby shower and it was such a nice time. A lot of people came, even men, and they hung out outside and talked while the women had fun inside. Dave and Laura got a lot of really nice gifts and we had really yummy food.

Saturday night after we got the boys in bed Darrick and I went to Starbucks and walked around the new Target on 19th street.

Sunday we went to Friendship Community Church. It was so great for Darrick to see everyone again. After church the Martinez family had us and a bunch of other friends over and we had such a great time eating Juan Pollo and talking.

Then Sunday night our good friends Micah and Nicole invited us over for Pizza.

It was a very busy weekend but so much fun.

The boys had a hard time with Darrick leaving last night. They did not want him to go.

Since we are suppossed to get more rain over the next two days we are just being cozy at home in sweats. Maybe we will make some hot chocolate...

Past few days

The past few days have been really busy and it has been like grand central station here. My Grandpa Vanderbilt, who is 94 years old, had surgery on Friday. My mom had a minor operation on a tooth on Wednesday. Praise God that everything is going good for both patients.

This afternoon we went to the hospital to visit my Grandpa. He is in the Intensive Care Unit so they can monitor him closely because of his age. Micah really wanted to in and see Grandpa but they would not let him because he was under 14 years old. I told this to Grandpa and he said that meant a lot to him. He said he would of expected it from Jacob because he is so open with his feelings and always gives them hugs. But it meant a lot to him that Micah said that because he is so shy. I was very touched by that. Grandpa looked really good I thought and he was tired but was pretty talkative!

Hospitals can be so sad sometimes. There were a lot of distraught people in the waiting room. One of my dear friends called me this week because her mom died and being in the hospital brought so many emotions up for me.

It is so interesting to me how God works in our lives. On Thursday I just had a nudging on my heart that I should call this friend, who I have not talked to in a few weeks. So I did. I called her cell phone and she did not answer so I left a message. She called me back on Friday and told me that yesterday afternoon her mom died. You could call it a coincidence but I know it was God.

I also heard from Darrick tonight. The ship is in San Francisco for Fleet week. Tonight he was going to Fisherman's Wharf. They had to go in uniform and he said people were taking pictures of them. Tomorrow he has duty and will be giving tours on the ship. Monday he is going on a tour of Alcatraz and Tuesday he is going on another tour but I forget right now what it is of.

We made it back!

Here we are back in CA! We actually got back late, late Sunday night/Monday morning. So yesterday was spent catching up on sleep, unpacking and laundry.

We have a wonderful time in Wisconsin-except for the freezing weather the first few days! Brrrr! Now I know why I like Hawaii. All of our flights went really good. And our hotel was great. They had an amazing indoor pool that the boys loved.

Wednesday night, since we were the first and only guests there, Becky's parents had us over for dinner which was so yummy after a long day of traveling.

Thursday morning Becky and I went out to breakfast. Thursday night Becky's parents invited all the guests that were there over to their cottage by the lake for a BBQ.

Friday started with a brunch for the bridesmaids and then a day at the spa. I had a wonderful hour long massage. That evening was the rehearsal and dinner.

Saturday was the wedding. Becky looked amazing! She was so stunning. Her and Jim just both seemed so happy and in love. The ceremony was beautiful and focused on God's faithfulness to them. Another great thing is that we had a Dordt Roommate reunion. This was the first time all 6 of us had been together in 10 years. Five us have have been together at different weddings but never all six. It was so great to see everyone and catch up.

Sunday afternoon we flew back.

Darrick and the ship are on their way to Fleet Week in San Francisco which is this weekend.

I talked to Laura yesterday too and this Saturday will mark 4 weeks until her due date!

I spent some time today going through almost all of my mom's photos and organizing them. I made four main boxes for us kids and then some other categories. I love doing stuff like that.

The boys spent a lot of time today playing outside in my parents backyard. It feels like Fall is in the air! The air feels a little crisp at times. I love this time of year!