San Diego Weather

As everyone knows San Diego doesn't really have drastic changes in the weather. I'm from Texas where we say, "If you don't like the weather, just stick around for a few hours-it will be different!" And even when I lived in the Philippines, half of the year was rainy, with a typhoon here and there to mix it up! Of course, people are willing to buy extremely overpriced homes (or were willing before this market) just to live in this climate.

It doesn't prevent San Diego from having weather issues. Last Oct, we had horrific fires that engulfed the outskirts of the city due to dryness and high winds (and a spark). So, please feel sorry for us...we have to take precautionary measures because the forecast today is a high of 86!!! You think I'm joking. Last night, we received an automated message from Timothy's principal warning us of the heat today: to bring kids in cool clothes, pack extra water bottles for them to keep at their desk, put sunscreen on them. They will have minimal outside activity today!

I know the logic-there is no A/C in the room (that's the norm here), and when the kids have hours of no relief it gets bad. Timothy is particularly affected by extreme temps, so I completely understand and appreciate the lengths they are going to. But I can't help but laugh at what qualifies as a weather incident in this city.

Random Things Meme

You all are going thinking, "Didn't we just see a Random Things Meme?" Well, I did one back in August, but I've been tagged again by Tara at My Life with Six Kids (6 boys, that is). I always want to give some linky love, and I can think of 7 new "random things". So here goes...

1. I workout-not only do I do cardio 3x a week, but I am now doing strength training.
2. It's the reason I'm never at home, and my google reader is up to 476 (again!)
3. I wasn't into stuffed animals as a girl. My daughter loves them!
4. Last night I tried to see which channels we would get if we got rid of cable, and we don't get PBS. Doesn't that seem odd?
5. In the near future, I'll be attending an all school field trip to see the Water, H20=Life Exhibit at the San Diego Natural History Museum, the San Diego Zoo, and Legoland. Future blog posts.
6. I've lived in San Diego 3 times: 1st time 18 months, 2nd time 14 months, and at the end of Oct, I will have lived here for 14 months again. All put together that's almost 4 years, which is the longest I've lived anywhere in the 17 years since I've been an adult!
7. I look forward to Timothy's homework!

Normally, I would tag 7 people, but since I've done this meme before, I just don't think it's right. Let us learn some new random things about you!

Thankful

Dan already emailed our friends and family, but I wanted to update those in the blogging world who I communicate with solely here! Sam's oxygen stats were up to 96 today, so instead of being admitted we were allowed to come home. I am thrilled with the results! Thank you to all of you for your prayers and concern. I have had multiple offers of people willing to pick Timothy up from school if Sam was admitted, and it's times like these that you learn what an amazing church family you have!

Honestly, this was terrifying to us. It was our first real CF scare, and the first time "hospital" has even been uttered by our doctor. We have been blessed in so many ways, and tonight I just praise the Eternal One. He is worthy to be praised.

Emotional Day

I have a few different things I want to blog, but I'm just not getting to it these days. Samantha and I are out of the house every morning, and then I use her nap time to get things done around here. Hopefully things will settle down in the next few days, and I will get to it. Today was an extremely painful day. Timothy was violent at school, and I'm at a loss to understand it all. We have a meeting scheduled Mon that will include 10 different people brainstorming a plan.

Even more painful today, Samantha was almost admitted to the hospital. Her oxygen levels are the lowest they have ever been. She was prescribed an antibiotic and a steroid, and if she shows no improvement in 2 days she'll be admitted. I'm confused. She has sounded worse before with better oxygen levels, so I'm feeling like my instincts are not very trustworthy.

Please pray for my children.

Day 15: Home Sweet Home

We had a 10 hr drive ahead the last day, so we got up early to hit the road. I thought the sun rising over New Mexico was beautiful:

That last day of driving was tough. The kids really started falling apart, but after 15 days of it (almost all of which we drove several hours a day) it was understandable. We were all tired, and I don't know which member of the family wanted to be home most.

I calculate that we drove around 3800 miles, but it was worth it. We had our first real family vacation, and I look forward to many more!

Day 14: Let's Get the Heck Out of Dodge

We didn't have to go far out of our way, but we did actually make a slight detour to cut through Dodge City on our way home. Dan was indulging my desire to be able to say, "Let's get the heck out of Dodge." And then I was so tired the next morning that I didn't remember to say it until we were on the highway!!!

When we originally left CA, we were taking it nice and slow, but once we said our last good-bye to someone we knew, all we wanted to do was get home! We travelled from Dodge City, KS, to Gallup, NM, on Day 14. That's 9 1/2 hours of driving, not counting breaks. That's LONG. If any of you have the Cars soundtrack, then you've heard of Gallup, New Mexico, in the song "Route 66":

"Well goes from St. Louie down to Missouri
Oklahoma City looks oh so pretty
You'll see Amarillo and Gallup, New Mexico
Flagstaff, Arizona don't forget Winona
Kingman, Barstow, San Bernadino

Would you get hip to this kindly tip
And go take that California trip
Get your kicks on Route 66"

It was easy to see where the creators got their inspiration for the movie. We passed through several real "route 66" towns, and it was like stepping into the movie:


Tires and car repair:




Need some gas and refreshments?


Getting some souvenirs?

And there were even weird looking hotels all down the strip, just like Sally's Cozy Cone Motel:



We really had a very "Cars" themed drive because much of the terrain looked just like the movie does. Timothy actually thought we saw Radiator Springs. We already owned the movie, which of course the kids watched on the trip. But Dan surprised us by buying the soundtrack a few days before we left. We all enjoyed it, although Timothy always asks me to skip the "slow songs"!

Day 13: Goodbye, Wichita, Hello, Dodge City

Christi's was our last stop of many friends and family. We headed due West to Dodge City, KS. They have a little historical/tourist area called Boot Hill. We saw...

trains


"The town"


a "saloon"

and even cowboys (KS, not TX)


We got back to the hotel exhausted. I found myself staring off into space when Dan said, "Alicia, you look sad." You guys, I just starting bawling. I cried for a while, too, because I had just had an amazing 2 weeks, and I didn't want to say good-bye to so many people I care about. It doesn't lessen the fact that I enjoy living in San Diego, but sometimes I want those people who are special to me (and spread out everywhere) to live a little closer. I feel blessed to have people in my life that I miss when they aren't around.

Day 12: On to Wichita

On Day 12 we finally headed West for the first time. It was on to Wichita to visit my dear friend, Christi, and her clan. For some weird reason, I didn't take many pictures, but to refresh your memory on who this is, here are pictures of our San Diego Zoo trip when they visited in May. Timothy and Josiah have so much fun together, and here they are making pizzas together...

In case you missed it, Timothy looks like he is throwing up a little in his mouth. Clicking on the picture makes it big and you can see it. He presses on!

My favorite thing in the next picture is Josiah's tongue. Again, if you can't see it, click on the picture to enlarge. He's directing the spoon with his tongue like how we twist our body to make a bowling ball avoid the gutter!


Way to go, Josiah-the cook always gets to taste. And kuddos to Timothy for touching the cheese!!

The boys love each other, but they don't have nearly as much fun as Christi and I do. We went walking that night, and I can't help but think how much I would enjoy walking with her every night. The next day Dan watched the kids, and we got to have a girls day! Thanks, honey.

Day 11: More Family Time

More pictures the next day...

Did I not say how adorable my niece is?

We are missing Danni!! That makes me sad, but here are the female generations. On the couch is Dan's mother, Penny, and her mother, Grandma Jackie. Don't Samantha and Corinne look cute in their matching outfits?


Me and my Baby Girl.

And there is my beautiful family. Oh, I love them.

Day 10: Family Reunion

We had a fantastic visit with Dan's family! (I know it sounds redundant, but this trip had so many highlights!) My father-in-law's family is spread out over the country (New Hampshire, Florida, and California), and we all made it back to Girard at the same time!! He has three sisters that we ADORE, who were all in attendance, and we had all but 3 cousins (who were missed most definitely). We reserved the city park, which is just beautiful and has a mini-amusement park for kids. So cute! Aunt June was the resident photographer. There are tons of wonderful pictures, but I had to narrow them down somehow.

Samantha decided she was afraid of the kiddie rides, but she was belly laughing watching Timothy go around on the teacups:


We convinced the entire Smith clan (actual blood Smiths)to all ride the train together. I think that ended up being 15 people (only 3 of whom were kids). Even Dan's 85 yr old grandfather!!!


Four generations of Smith men. Eventually Timothy will learn that Smith men don't smile for pictures.

In our immediate family, there are 3 sons. These are the 3 daughters-in-law (Danni on the left, Christen on the right).


This is Christen's daughter Corinne, my only niece!!! Isn't she adorable? She's even sweeter in person. She's 7 months younger than Samantha.


Splish splash-can you tell this trip had a water theme?


Timothy calls Dan's dad Poppy, which we just love. This had been a long exhausting day.

Day 9: Playdate!

We all went to the park to play hard before Dan and I had 4 more hours of driving ahead of us. It was like old "playdate" times!

Samantha LOVED dress up:


Girls rode in the van, boys in the car:


Reminds me of the opening credits to Yes, Dear where they go to the beach with so much kid gear...


They all enjoyed the train.


Taking turns holding hands.


I can't get over what a big girl Kinley is.


Hot day, thirsty bunch!


Look at these 5 beautiful children!


Next stop...Girard, KS!

Day 8: Travel to Fort Smith, AR

After East TX, we headed due north through Oklahoma, and just across the Arkansas border to visit our friends Tonya and Chris (and kids). We lived in Little Rock at the same time, and they moved away 10 months before we did. Let me tell you what...I LOVE this girl, and it was so great to see her! The kids enjoyed each other so much. It's funny because Kinley and Timothy were "buddies" when we all lived in LR, but things have changed. Timothy and Caedmon were just two peas in a pod, and Samantha was Kinley's little doll. Samantha LOVED having so many girl things around!! The adults stayed up late playing Scattergories, and I have never laughed so hard playing that game.

Day 8: Switch Flops Product Review

Before we left East TX, we went into town, had delicious Mexican food, and looked in several shops. In the pharmacy (remember small town), were some sandals called SwitchFlops. They were not cheap, but so cute and unique (plus, I was on vacation!) I just had to have them!

There are 3 different types of the basic sandal: traditional flip flop, a wedge, and a kitten heel (which I don't see on their website) in basic neutrals. I bought a black kitten heel because I already had a black flip flop and wedge. I live in San Diego-sandals are the attire for everything and we wear them all year round! But here's the cool part about them. The strap that goes over your foot can be "switched out" by Velcro in a variety of colors and patterns. It's so fun, and they have turned out to be very comfortable. My SwitchFlops came with a black/white design, and I bought The Mandy which has gone with everything in my closet! Click here for a demo!