The Ocean

We've been enjoying the beautiful sunny San Diego weather so far this summer and love getting outside and going to the beach whenever possible. It always seems like we still don't make it down there as often as we'd like, but we feel so fortunate to be so close to enjoy it when we can. I love being outdoors. It makes me so happy and I always always always feel so refreshed and renewed after spending some time outside. Here are pictures of a walk we took one Friday evening down at Swami's beach by Dan's work.

A Day of Thanks

Three years ago today our lives were forever changed. Looking back, the journey almost seems surreal and sometimes it is still hard to believe it all even happened, but it did. Thinking about today and the 3 year mark of our accident conjures up a ton of emotions, some of sadness, fear, confusion, and pain, but most of the emotions I feel today are only of the utmost gratitude, humility, and love. Oftentimes we don’t understand exactly why things happen in life, why some are asked to carry burdens that others are not. The Lord definitely works in mysterious ways. But one thing is for sure, that He loves us, that He will never leave us alone, and that He does have a plan for each of our lives. I am grateful that today we have the opportunity to celebrate life, to celebrate courage and miracles, and celebrate overcoming the most daunting of obstacles.

To the Woods: I don’t know that we can ever make sense of what happened that day. And I wish there was some way I could take away every pain, every sadness, every hurt that has come to you from this. There is so much I do not understand. But what I do know is that through an awful, horrific situation, emerged 2 of the most amazing, beautiful, inspiring, Christlike people I have ever and will ever know. Your lives are an inspiration to everyone you meet and not only are you miracles in and of yourselves, but the Lord is working thousands of miracles through you every day to improve and strengthen the lives of everyone in your reach. I know that I am a better person just for knowing you.

You have already overcome so very much, and yet I know the journey isn’t over for you--that there is still so much more progress, growth, and more blessings to come. Every time I look at pictures of your precious family and the amazing little boy you have, I feel the Lord’s love wash over me and I am in awe at the miracles right before my eyes. I don’t know that I will ever meet anyone who can match the optimism, strength, forgiveness, love, patience, kindness, and charity that you have shown. It is truly unparalleled, and Dan and I are forever changed because of it.

Although we are miles and miles apart now and don’t get to share in the day to day experiences of your lives, please know that we love you. We loved you before this accident and we continue to love you today and forever. We think of you daily and will never forget the experiences and blessings we have shared with you.

I am so grateful that on a summer’s night 3 years ago, the Lord gave the 4 of us a second chance at life, and that through all the trials and frustrations and pain, he has given us light, and love, and two precious little boys, to remind us that life is beautiful, not perfect, but beautiful, and purposeful and worth living. We love you….

Memorial Day in Phoenix

Over Memorial Day we decided to take a little road trip over to Phoenix to visit my Mom. We were so excited to get away for the weekend and relax. We had a great time visiting with family and enjoyed the surprisingly beautiful Phoenix weather. Some of the fun things we got to do included: shopping at Last Chance, eating at Sack's, watching movies at home, eating at Oregano's and eating delicious food at home, playing tennis, visiting with my stepsisters Meredith and Holly and Holly's cute family, watching the cousins play, hiking Camelback Mountain, going for walks, going swimming, exercising, and just relaxing and having fun. We had a great time and are so glad that we are just a short car ride away from Phoenix. Thanks Momma for the wonderful weekend! Can't wait to visit again soon!

Hiking Camelback Mountain--about half way up

Dan and I with our brother-in-law Jon

Boys will be boys, let me tell ya. :) Dan and Jon couldn't get enough of the oversized lizards (or whatever they were). I think Dan probably took 20 pictures of lizards in total. Unfortunately, only two made it on the blog....haha

Okay, that image might possibly make me lose sleep at night :) Yuck!

Beautiful views from close to the top of downtown Phoenix, and if you look closely you can even see my Mom's house down in the righthand corner. Okay, you'd have to look REAALLLYY closely :)

Enjoying a walk by the Waterfront

Campbell, my step-sister Holly's little boy, and Cal. They are about 3 months apart in age and were so cute together. Campbell is such a cutie.

But taking pictures of 3 little kids isn't always easy....and someone is bound to get hurt....LOL :)

It's so fun watching babies interact with each other. It's almost like they are surprised to see someone else who is as small as them. I love it.

The 3 boy cousins: Cal, Campbell, and Ian. Little sweeties

Our baby, Iron Man....:) We're such dorks.

Eating at Oregano's and sitting in his first highchair at a restaurant. I always got a kick out of watching our friends and their kids at restaurants when they would give their kids toys in their highchairs and the child would immediately throw the toy on the ground over and over again. Well, now its our turn.........

Lovin' his Grandma A

The Kid Who Doesn't Cuddle

So one of the biggest realizations I've had in being a parent is that not all kids like to snuggle. Who would've thought? Isn't that one of the main reasons for having kids?? :) I guess I just sort of assumed that all babies like to cuddle. Before I had Cal I always thought when I was holding someone else's baby and they squirmed everywhere and wouldn't rest their head on my shoulder and relax that it was probably just because I wasn't their mom and so they wouldn't do it with me. Well, I guess I was wrong. Our little boy just does not and almost will not cuddle. This is pretty sad for a mom who loves loves loves to cuddle. Cal loves being held but wants to face outward where he can see everything going on. He loves to sit on my lap and read books and cuddle up with his back against me, but he will not under almost any circumstances cuddle facing inward or with his head on my shoulder. He did only when he was a newborn but ever since he starting holding his head up he just flat out refuses. I think he's just too busy to stop and relax and wants to be a a part of all the action. 

However, every once in a blue moon he lets his guard down, relaxes and almost wants to be snuggly. I can probably count on one hand the times in the last 6 months that he has let me hold him facing inward with his head on my shoulder in total relaxation, but when he does, it just melts me. Because these times are few and far between I have to make the most of it, so usually I'll pause and let him snuggle just as long as he possibly will. Its hard to get pictures of him cuddling but here are a few times that he did, or at least, sort of did, and we caught it. :)

I know this is a horrible picture of me, but he was just being so sweet all cuddled up on the Love Sac next to me for the longest time and I couldn't resist.

More love sac cuddles

At the beach one day he just got completely tuckered out and Dan went and sat down with him in the shade. He collapsed against his chest and shut his eyes. It was so sweet.

No Way....

do I get to walk in to this adorable little sleepy face after naptime! I can't get enough of those dimples. He isn't always this happy when I get him from his bed, but when he is it just melts my heart. The other day I walked in and he had scooted on his tummy to the front of his crib and with both hands up by his chin he pulled the bumper down so he could peek through the bars. I heard him chattering to himself and when I walked in I found him peeking through the bars at me like that with the hugest smile on his face. I think I almost died from cuteness. What a sweetheart. Being a Mom definitely has its challenges for sure, but the little person behind it all makes everything so worth it.

A little of this and a little of that.....

Over the last few weeks.....

Cal and I always love going for walks no matter what, but one day a few weeks ago we had a fun overcast, chilly day. Since we always see the beach when it is so calm and sunny I thought it'd be fun to get out and go down to the boardwalk on a different kind of day. We bundled up and enjoyed our little stroll. Although I definitely prefer a nice sunny beach for doing the kind of activities I like, there is something so cool about a stormy day where the water is rough and crazy.

We got the coolest little contraption for Cal to lounge in at the pool. Makes taking him swimming so much easier for me and he really likes it. I just love taking him to the pool and he LOVES the water.

A few weekends ago we went with our friends Brandon and Lianna to an air show downtown. We missed most of it since we went late in the day but we still caught the tail end and some of the tricks the helicopters were doing were incredible. We had a great time getting out and walking around Seaport Village. And of course we also grabbed some Fish n Chips and clam chowder at Anthony's before heading home. Yummy, yummy, yummy.

On mother's day weekend we had a baby shower for my dear friend Lindsay McBride who is expecting a baby girl in August. We had so much fun celebrating with her and seeing all the cute girly stuff she got. They are moving to Baton Rouge at the end of August just after the baby comes so we will miss them like crazy, but we are so excited for them to start school and enjoy that new chapter in their lives. Can't wait to meet their little girlie though first!!!

Lindsay R., Lindsay M., and me 

Family Fun

One great thing about living in San Diego is getting to see family so much more frequently. Most of Dan's family and extended family live in San Diego County and Riverside so its been fun getting reacquainted and for Calvin to spend time with all his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. It has been different for us since we haven't ever lived super close to many of our family members since we've been married, but we feel very fortunate to be so close and get together more often. They are all so sweet and good to Calvin and I'm so glad he'll get to spend time getting to know his cousins as they grow up together. Here are some pictures of family get-togethers over the last month or two.

Cal with Grandpa Roy

Our adorable nephew Alex. What a little stud.

4 of the 5 grandkids minus Alyssa

It was a little tricky getting a picture, but this is the best I could do. Cal, Michael, Madison, and Alex.

Uncle Dan cooking with Michael in Mimi's kitchen. He was like Dan's little shadow that afternoon. So cute.

Dan's little brother David (or "Unc Dave" as we like to call him now after Michael coined the nickname) turned 18 a few weeks ago and is graduating High School this week! Crazy how time flies. We are so excited for him and have really loved spending more time with him. He's such a good brother and so much fun. Dan and Dave also went backpacking several weeks ago together and did a winter hike up Mount Whitney.....pictures of that coming soon.