Our new life

There is so much to learn and life and I have the rare opportunity to learn yet more. Tyler was diagnosed with Celiac which means that we are now a gluten-free family. There are so many things that are no longer options for us, but I am trying to desperately to focus what the options that are still available. This diagnosis brought me to the depths mostly because it is life-long and very unforgiving. Living without gluten is very challenging because it sneaks into everything. However, the cross contamination threat is most difficult- it means no longer using pans that have touched gluten, or the same knife in a jar of pb or jelly that may have touched gluten, or foods processed in factories that may have gluten, or placing food on a counter that had gluten. It makes eating anywhere but your own kitchen nearly impossible. Unfortunately, most everything has gluten with the exception of fruit, veggies, fresh meat, nuts, and milk.

I felt like we were sentenced for life and banished from enjoying food ever again. I felt cursed and doomed. How would Tyler ever enjoy any social setting? They are all full of banished foods?!? How can he develop a healthy esteem and be unable to eat anywhere else? How can I pack lunches? How will I find time to cook everything everyday? There is no longer instant anything. The work felt tremendous and to top it off, most gluten-free foods are so carb dense they are a nightmare for his diabetes. I felt just plain trapped.

Thankfully, those are just emotions. I have learned that sometimes we have to give our emotions some attention, otherwise they become monsters and demand attention, then look them in the eye, and tell them the truth. Most emotions are just that- emotions. Not truth. Yes, most every social function will have food that is completely off-limits for Tyler. Eating at others' homes will be nearly impossible, travelling a challenge, and eating out a rarity at best. The truth is there are still delicious foods we can eat, but we have to make them- daily. Perhaps we will be healthier for it once I find healthy ways to cook gluten free. I am just at the beginning of my learning curve, and there is much to learn, and I will continue to search. The truth is- it is possible and with God's help- doable.

Back on the Bandwagon

Newport Beach Pier
Mission Beach family bike ride

The rig in our 'ol neighborhood

Shaver Lake

I have 600 pictures so I'll spare you the step by step narration and try to cut to the chase-

Our family was afforded a rare and wonderful gift in the form of month-long vacation this July. I'm doubtful the opportunity of this much time will come again and so I'm grateful. The vacation cemented our family relationships as we squished together on drivesfor 30 hours or more and renewed our zest for life- we even forgot about Tyler's diabetes at some points. In order to afford such a trip, we towed our trailer and stocked it with food and supplies- to keep costs down and also to accomodate Tyler's diabetic needs. All in all we drove 6,000 miles with our family cramped in the front of the diesel truck, our dog hanging out in the cab, and all our belongings towed behind in a 7,000 lb trailer. The adventure and memories were unforgettable. They're almost too sacred to share and a bit overwhelming to summarize within a few paragraphs.

We took three days to trek to California, stopping in New Mexico, a first for all of us, and also Flagstaff, AZ a surprisingly green and forested area, to camp and rest. Worried about the long hours driving, I had researched to find activities to pass the time. A few finds were real-life treasures. The first treasure was a Sound Effects CD that played random sounds like hitting a golf ball, bacon sizzling, power locks, or chipmunks chattering. Every age was able to participate. Trent especially loved this one and was surprisingly very adept at guessing. I think toddlers hear more than we realize. The second treasure was a Car-i-oke CD that had 4 sing along booklets for backseat drivers and songs ranging from Rollin', to Star Spangled Banner, to a drumming sequence (one of the kids fav), to acapella rounds. After travelling for 3 days, we found ourselves celebrating the 4th of July in the privacy of our cab singing the "Star Spangled Banner" with pride and tears in our eyes. Definitely a memorable moment. All throughout our journey we found ourselves singing and humming these songs randomly and while confined to the cab. The amazing power of music is its ability to unify -you can't help but feel connected as someone starts a tune and you join in and sing together. Hours and hours were spent singing together and making our own music. Its possible that those songs will always link our memories to this vacation.

We were able to make the entire month-long trip and only ate out 3 times (two of them at In-n-Out- yum) and only stayed at one hotel which had already been paid for the previous year. We spent a week with my Mom and celebrated all of my children's summer birthdays. Trekking back to our neighborhood was a strange deja vu experience but it did afford us wonderful opportunities to visit with neighbors, friends, and ward members.

Before we knew we were moving to Texas, we had paid for a 3 days at a Newport Villa time share and so we decided this was a perfect time to use it because it was expiring and we couldn't afford airfare just to use the time share. My sister-in-law and her two boys joined for a few days as we toured Newport Beach and had a regular 'ol raging party with all the kiddos in the condo.

Our next stop was Fresno to visit my sister-in-law's family. We spent lovely time visiting, swimming and then snuck in two days camping in the beautiful Sierra Nevadas and riding a wave runner on Shaver lake. It's too bad we couldn't camp longer. The spot was breathtakingly beautiful. I had a rare chance to see my aging Grandma Young in Fresno and really connect with her though Alzheimer's has taken so much out of her. It is most likely the last time I will see her. I knew I had to make it there somehow and am thankful to have that memory.

This vacation was dedicated to family and friends. We didn't spend any time at amusement parks, shopping, movies, or restaurants because the purpose of our visit was to be with family. Rather we spent time taking family bike rides, walks, playing at the beach and the park, and visiting and of course- eating.

It was also a journey we needed to take to complete our circle of life. We left San Diego so quickly and with such suddeness, it felt like we didn't say proper good-byes. I was unsure what I would feel re-entering what I had always termed paradise and was surprised and relieved to find that though San Diego is beautiful, it is no longer my home. It holds a great deal of history for us and for that I will always feel connected, but it is no longer where we should be as a family. I felt ashamed that I wanted that confirmation, but I guess in the end, I'm only human.

On our last leg of the journey, we were able to celebrate my Mom's birthday with a family reunion on the beach. It was a beautiful coincidence that my brother and his family had arranged a visit to San Diego so we extended our visit a few days to make sure we could see them as well. 4 of the 5 Young family children and their families were there (we missed you BUD) celebrate on the beach and to boogie board, build sand castles, and play!

A few things we learned along the way:

- California roads are horribly bumpy, and very unforgiving as are their crazy drivers and unending traffic. I had never realized just how much traffic there is! I found it maddening and very frustrating. Our trailer suffered damage as windows were bounced and jarred open constantly. Our truck cover also flapped in the wind incessantly.

- Reading aloud passes a great deal of time. I read the entire "You on a Diet" to Greg and together we changed.

-Life is much easier with two parents on board at all times. I think I could live that life daily =)

-Time is really a gift. Spending all day long with my hubbie and children was such a gift. I thought there would be squabbles and whining but really we experienced quite the opposite.

-Greggie still is my best friend

-Music is powerful

-Our memories are even better than the original experience and get sweeter with time!