A Little Get-a-Way * 5 Wonderful Years

We waited about a month to actually celebrate our fifth anniversary because we knew we'd be heading to California. It's pretty wonderful to have both sets of parents only minutes from each other...we were able to split up the kids between them and dump them off for a few days. (Thank you, dear parents!) We contemplated several destinations but ultimately decided on Oceanside. One reason was that we wanted to stay relatively close so that I could still nurse Annie once a day, and the other was for pure nostalgia. Oceanside was the beach that we'd go to all the time in high school together whether it was with friends or family or both. We even went there with the big prom group after the prom. That's what us Mormon kids did after prom... walked the pier at 1 am. I won't mention the fact that there may or may not have been a random streaker or two (not any of us, mind you. It was some random drunk guy. Some of us are still scarred!). You never know what you'll find at that time of night. Fishermen, prom kids, streakers...you name it! 

Anyways, we were excited to go this time and experience the beach as tourists. It was a totally different experience! We stayed in a hotel at the marina, ate at the harbor, and rode our bikes along the shore. Probably the best part, though I'd have to say, was just laying on a towel next to my husband, basking in the warm sun, listening to the crashing of the waves, with NO CHILDREN AROUND! Oh my gosh. Just heaven! All my focus was strictly on my husband and his on me, with no interruptions from our kidlets. Can we go back, please?! 

Wait, hold it!! Really?! That's my husband?! Woowee! You look goooood!

Ruby's is a restaurant down at the end of the pier. Always a must!

Rock-A-Bye My Baby

"Come on Lucy!" I holler as I walk through the door to my bedroom."You're brother's already in bed... let's go!" Lucy slithers closer to her daddy, trying to avoid the situation at hand. We've already read books, sung a million songs, and even snuggled in bed. Yet there's always some other excuse prolonging the inevitable bedtime. "Come on. If you come right now, I'll rock you in the chair". Lucy's ears perk up, causing the rest of her body to do the same as a smirk of disbelief crosses her face. She hops out of the queen-sized bed and after a quick detour to the potty, we find ourselves navigating our way through the dark nursery to the rocking chair. I am secretly anticipating this rare-these-days little moment together. I just got through rocking Todd who is quick to snuggle up, laying his little blanket on my left shoulder ever so precise, followed by his cheek rubbing into the soft, fuzzy fur of his "ganket". Lucy, on the other hand, takes the rocking chair as more of a place to ask tons of questions. "Why is it so dark?" "What's that noise?" "What's that other noise?" "Where's my Lamby?"
After answering her questions through my shhhhoosh's, she slowly begins to concede to the fact that she's tired. She tries every which way possible to get comfortable. Her long, gangly legs no longer tuck in so nicely against her chest. There's hardly room for the two of us. She eventually finds herself sprawled diagonally across my body, her back against my stomach, bare legs dangling over mine, and her head and arms flopping over the arm rest. Whatever...I'll take it!
I can't help but think about rocking in this same rocking chair as a brand new mom, tears flooding my eyes at 2a.m. as I sing my new baby to sleep. I was a mother! A concept that was so hard to conceive, yet there I was, holding her. Mine. My own. (My Precious?)
I can't help but think of the times I've sat there, rocking a hardly coherent, feverish child, trying to cool that tiny body with a damp rag.
That rocking chair has always been my go-to when my legs can't seem to stand anymore, or when I have a hungry, nursing baby. Many, many hours spent there pondering what the future holds for my dear, sweet child. I'm sure the cushion is molded perfectly to my bum.

Now, I sit there with my growing four-year-old. The faint light from the hallway, gently illuminates the soft features of her face. She's wearing only a t-shirt and some panties. She clutches onto the Lamby Aunt Hannah gave her as a welcome to this world. The proportions now changed from a large Lamby next to a tiny baby, to a tiny Lamby tucked under the arms of a big girl.
I study her. Soaking in everything I can about this moment.

Because it's slipping away already.

There will come a time when she won't want to rock with me anymore. She'll just hurry off to bed to read her Judy Blume book before falling asleep. Her friends will be on the forefront of her mind. She'll be worried if that boy likes her or not. And if her outfit is cute enough.
I can just see her squirming to get away from me as I beg for just one tiny little kiss or snuggle accompanied by an "Aahh! MOOOMM!!"

But for now, I'm going to keep on rocking my baby. Smelling that fresh-out-of-the-tub hair and rubbing that little back. From the footie pajamas to the knotted pig tails. Forever embedded in the depths of my heart. Always to be my little girl.

iLovin

The Beautiful Balboa Park

I owe much of my love of San Diego to the Gundersons. Growing up right next door to them has left so many fond memories in my mind, from playing Stick Ball in the street to making paper cup/string telephones and stringing them across the property line to our windows. 

Best of friends...all of us!

I looked forward to the spontaneous days when we'd get a knock on the door with an invitation to a low key day at Balboa Park. A place where the foliage was overgrown and lush (a much different world than that of the desert beauty where we now live!). There were several playgrounds to climb on and walking trails to tread. But the most anticipated destinations of Balboa Park were 1) the fountain, 2) the train, and 3) the carousel. With just a few measly tickets, we had the time of our lives. Throwing our hands in the air and screaming as we went through the ever slow train tunnel, splashing each other as we traipsed through the huge fountain, and competing to see who would get the brass ring first. Laughter filling any void of silence. So much of my childhood seems to be forever encapsulated within the brisk air of San Diego, shared with the Gundersons. 

We snuck away from our families, just the five of us, and headed down to Balboa Park. Nostalgia was hovering thick. Not only because of my childhood memories, but because we hadn't been back since taking pictures there on our wedding day five years ago. How fun it was to introduce my children to this place! If only I could have fast-forwarded time when I was ten years old to now, seeing myself fifteen years in the future, now walking the same paths, playing on the same playground, riding the same train - with my children. Who could have guessed such simple outings would have made such an impact! Great memories with many still being made!