Blogging from the beach...

Any morning that starts with a run along the Pacific Ocean, while watching dolphins dive in the surf means that you are most definately still living the good life.

One family beach week over with, another one just beginning. I am still not sure that I have found any "cons" on my list of reasons that I should permanently live at the beach.

Westward Ho!

After spending an amazingly fun week-plus at The Wiley House (honestly, I don't know how they put up with us for so long! But sisters are a gift from God, there is no denying that fact.), it was time to start venturing West again as we begin to zero in on Zackrison Family Beach Week 2009. Sarah took over after Rachel on posting a picture a day in June. Our final days at The Wiley House are therefore nicely documented. As our time was nearing an end, I knew that the next major stop was going to be at the Zack Zackrison house of San Diego. But I also got the brilliant idea that a National Park might be a fine addition to this our ultimate summer vacation. When my little sisters heard of the scheme, they were ready, packed and awaiting adventure. That's true devotion in my opinion! Zion National Park was the park decided upon, and let me just say that I sure have some good ideas sometimes!



Do not let me be misunderstood. The children complained and whined just as much as you would imagine your young children might at the mention of a detour to a National Park. But never mind that. It is my firm opinion that all young children under my care will visit National Parks in their childhood, and have that be a integral part of their childhood memories. After all, what is a good, old-fashioned American upbringing if there is no hot National Park vacation to be remembered?!

(But just so you know, it wasn't even hot at Zion's in June. Something is seriously going on with the weather in our world. But you know, I'm not worried. I say if it's 80 degrees at Zion's in June, you call that a blessing from on High!)

On top of everything else, Jane got bite by an aggressive squirrel who did not appreciate her pretending she had food in her hand, when she had none. Now I know for a fact the Earnest children will remember our visit to Zion's. Oh boy, nature has never been so exciting, and so "in your face", as it was to them in that moment. The first thought I had was that we were going to spend the rest of our time at the hospital in Springdale Utah, being tested for rabies. So imagine my relief when there was no blood on the wound. That squirrel was really just trying to tell Jane, "please don't tease me with your empty hand." And Aunt Rachel tried to convince her that the squirrel was merely trying to kiss her. (Aunt Christine, I believe you have an awesome picture that should be inserted here, of the moment right before the little nip.)




Never, and I do mean never, do I recognize the hand of God in the world around me as I do when observing nature. For me, walking through Zion was nearly like the most sacred moments I have in the temple. Sure, it was slightly distracting that I had to listen to people telling me about how tired their feet were, or how they wondered when we were going to go home, but putting all of that aside, I had a few very key moments while there. It was most precisely what my spirit needed.



From Zion we ventured on to a night in Henderson, NV to visit old high school friend Nancy Andruk Olson. (Where sadly the only picture I took was of the kids in her backyard pool! Why no cute picture of me and Nancy, or the adorable Baby Bear?!)



And then we drove one final five hour leg to reach San Diego!! We are most impressed with Zack and Ana's beautiful home and their genuine hospitality. Really, how is it that I am related to so many impressively kind and wonderful people?! It's almost too much.

Pictures of San Diego to follow soon. Good night.

P.S. Major Earnest is set to join us on Monday. Do you have any idea how exciting that is? I've been trying to forget about how long it has been, or would be before I would see him again, but now that it is on the horizon, I feel the need to talk to him every five minutes. Darn the 16 hour time difference that makes having a crush on someone very inconvenient.