Out and About Enjoying Nature

In June, I created another article, spent time with Spence, and ran off to San Diego. Theres a Blue Canyon near El Dorado Hills that we took Spence on a ride to. It was gorgeous and we stopped by Opportunity Acres which is a possiblity for him to have as a day program. Things are going well for him and it is so nice to know he is well taken care of when we aren't there. He loves his popsicles and whatever he wants to pick from 7 eleven. He is so big now and gives instrctuions quite well as man of his house. We took him on a Saturday ride because we were leaving on Father's Day for San Diego. The van was all cleaned up and ready to go which after Spencer rides is no easy feat. The whole going for a car ride is a tradtion and a great experience for us Davis' I love that we get gas at propel stations, it makes the though of driving all that wasy a little more fun knowing it helps with the environment and is a bit less expensive. Celia did well on our trip. She wanted the radio so we listened to a lot of Spanish music as that was what was avaiablbe on the Interstate 99. I got so excited about being in L.A. area again, we played all the songs about L.A. we could think of. One for Red Hot Chili Peppers came to mind. I get such a youthful energy from visiting that area. We went even further down to San Diego for Brian's Special District Conference. San Diego was so beautiful and it felt like Hawaii at the resort. We saw a real battleship float by with guns and navy people on the bay near our hotel room. Emmy and I rode bikes and toured the area, the sights and sounds of the ocean and bay are soo relaxing. I wanted to visit Hotel del Coronado which I remember from when I was a little girl. It was so fancy and new, I hardly recognized it. We did find a Boathouse near there and tried various fresh catches of fish which was soo cool. I loved seeing and smelling the bonfires on the beach and hearing a singer sing "Brown Eyed Girl" as we walked by. Those that grow up near the beach(like myself) have no idea how good they have it. It is pictureque and fun. The beach is full of open expanse, wind in your hair, and sun bathing blue water. I can see why coastal is a decorating theme. For now I will visit and continue to love and appreciate the trees and beauty of the inland areas. Emmy and I went and saw the temple and La Jolla beach by UC San Diego. I was happy Emmy got to spend some time with her long time friend, Kaitlyn also. After work Brian and all us girls went to see Bob's Burgers, the movie.The Amc was near a mall. I liked the outdoor malls there, although we went to two since the first one was a mistake. I may have been hangry since we all didn't know where we were going and we were winging it. I was still glad we went. The girls and I also went to SeaWorld. The water rapids ride there was the best and you cannot be more impressed with the Orca whales, They do such a good job there and Celia really seemed to enjoy it. Other highlights were getting an umbrella(there was compeition) at the pool and ordering lunch to be brought out to us, I felt so fancy. I loved the sunset stroll and looking at all the plant and wildlife. We snuck a peak at the Japanese garden there onthe way to the airport for Emmmy, but I could have spent a few more days there just exploring. It is always good to be home and great to see Spence again so its fine. Celia and I got to go boating a few days ago too and that was a blessing and a relaxing and fun social experience. I was asked last minute if I would drive and I was so happy to say yes, I secretly wanted to go since I don't serve in Yound Women's anymore. So I got the best of both worlds being able to teach temple prep with Brian for our calling and still get to be with the younginrs at Folsom Lake. God is good and I feel his tender Mercies and blessings. I can't wait to gather most of the kiddos again when we go to Colorado to the cabin. It'll be wonderful enjoying nature there as always.

Time Together at the Temple

My folks have been coming to the temple with me lately and vice versa. It really has been nice to go and feel the peace there. I even had an opportunity to go with some girlfriends before our mothers day celebrations. I feel I've been receiving more insight and peace in my life because of my time there. My folks have continued the pace and I love seeing the notificaitons of temple work completed from my list. There aren't many of my friends that are home during the day, but I feel blessed my folks are home and willing to serve and play anytime. Another temple experience that went well this month was going to the Payson Utah Temple for Mason's wedding.Bria nd I were happy to represent the family other than Mason's Folks. It was so beautiful there, the grounds were clean and full of beauitiful purple flowers. It had been cooler, so the plants were happy, but we got a lot of sun that day. What a fun trip it was having the kids together and their plus ones. We played games and talked and went out to eat. Chilis, Culvers, Mountain Mikes, Sodalicous. Provo/Orem area had enough to do for our trip. I loved our Bridal Veil Falls trip with Celia picking dandlions and spending time near te base of the waterfall and some of us went up. Its back to our various homes now, but it was fun to get together. Next time we may need a more spacious airbnb. There were enough rooms, but it all was so compact. It sure made me grateful for the space we have in California.

Rite of passage and Finish Line

The past week of April was pretty busy and exciting. I was counting the days until Graduation from my trainee program to become a Placer County Master Gardener. Heather( her daughter, actually) had a great idea to have each of the trainee bring a bloom from their garden and we could make a bouquet for our trainer as a gift. Boy did we get quite the reception. Each bloom and stem were so beautiful and three main flower arrangments were made. I would hand the stems and suggest a color or which vase to go in and Roxi did her magic arranging them. Kivein, the trainer said they were "Spectatular" We have develpoped a great community of Master Gardeners of 2022 ready to go out and change the world for the better with research based information for home gardeners. Not a small momemt has passed and it is timet o volunteer through newpaper article writing for me. I feel so priviledged to be able to contribute through the Auburn Journal through the Master Gargener Program. Before all the excitment of graduation for me, we had a wonderful Sweet Sixteen Birthday party for Celia at home! She had 11 friends over, some were in and out of the party;) but mostly they learned to know each other and had a great time forming their own little friend group by the end of the night. They have a group text and seem to have had a blast, making references to that night still a week or two later. They played Just Dance and made smores. They had tons of food and cupcakes and loved to jsut talk abnd be in Ceias room. I was so pleased she was having such a great time and that she was so spoiled. She loved each of the gifts and they were just what she liked. For going to a new school this year, she sure has grown in friendships and hopefully she can see the good that has come from all this growth. Spence had his 24th Birthday just 3 days after Celia. I brought over her balloons and sign and many cupcakes for him to enjoy. Spence and I went for a ride and he chilled in the back of the van like it was a limo and loved holding two popsicles in each hand as he surveyed the foothills. I saw a ladybeetle next to the icecream freezer in a gas station in Loomis. I was excited since convergent Ladybeetles are the subject of my first published article representing as a Placer COunty Master Gardener coming out May15th in the Auburn Journal.

Coming and Goings

Just like the waves of the sea, time with my older children ebbs and flows. After seeing MOnterey and its beautiful bay, I ponder. I am so happy to have spnt a great amount of time with all of them this April. It was a bit weird to have one child home for Easter after such a full house this month. It makes me feel grateful for each sunrise, each rainy day, each meal with my beautiful family. Maybe I am becoming more acustomed to change, but more likely I am having hope. I hope they keep coming home and our ties and friendships in the family will continue. I pretty sure they will. Our routine includes seeing Spencer on Sunday, Bri and I each and every Sunday. Well, sometimes we switch it up. Bri was out of town for Grandma Jean's funeral and Emmy was in town. It was nice to have both my girls go on that ride. When Bri was back, Joe and him took Spence. Yesterday, I couldnt wait for it to be my turn to see my boy. Im glad it was Easter and we could spoil him! Spoiling comes in different ways for each of us. I love going for walks, eating with my family, dancing and talking for hours. Seeing new sites on car rides is quite up there on my favorite list of activites. While the fam was in town, we went to Davis and I loved going and seeing the UCDavis public garden. I'm graduating this month and see the All Stars in the garden there felt like such an inspiratiopn for what we are trying to accomplish as Master Gardeners. I'm very excited to write for the Aubrun Journal in May and to help out all I can in Placer County. I have a few trips planned for the summer and I think this year is just going to be wonderful. There will be challenges, I'm sure, but highlights will be there and blessings will inevitably abound. I have really enjoyed carpooling with Heather and attending events with her. I'm glad she is in my group for presentations and Im sure we will use each other as a resource for troubleshooting situations. We already have as I was looking up appropriate fungicide for gray rot on a california coastal redwood. With all the changes, Bri is a constant and always there for me. We make a great team. I suggested we have a salad bar for Easter at my moms and aggreed to bring a pasta salad. For whatever reason, My contribution was lacking in flavor and color. Bri chopped up some smoked gouda, added some green olives and summer sausage, and it made the dish great. I know it seems silly, but we have different strengths and it compliments each other. I imagine this will only get better and stronger as we get older, so the changes in our famnily dynamic will be wonderful and exciting to see know he and I will be a constant. What a great truth.